<PAGE>
Filed Pursuant to Rule 424(b)3
Registration File No.: 333-82509
PROSPECTUS
TRITEL PCS, INC.
Offer to Exchange its
12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2009
which have been registered under the
Securities Act of 1933 for any and all of its
Outstanding 12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes Due 2009
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
o The exchange offer expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 10,
2000, unless we extend it.
o All outstanding notes that are validly tendered and not withdrawn will be
exchanged.
o Tenders of outstanding notes may be withdrawn at any time prior to the
expiration of the exchange offer.
The notes are eligible for trading in The Portal Market, a subsidiary of
the Nasdaq Market, Inc.
YOUR TENDERING OF OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR NEW NOTES INVOLVES CERTAIN RISKS.
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR A DISCUSSION OF MATTERS THAT
PARTICIPANTS IN THE EXCHANGE OFFER SHOULD CONSIDER.
---------------------
We are not making an offer to exchange notes in any jurisdiction where the
offer is not permitted.
Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities
commission has approved or disapproved of the securities or passed upon the
adequacy of this prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal
offense.
This prospectus and the related letter of transmittal contain important
information. We urge you to read this prospectus and the related letter of
transmittal carefully before deciding whether to tender outstanding notes
pursuant to the exchange offer.
THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS IS DECEMBER 22, 1999.
<PAGE>
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary ............................ 1
Risk Factors .................................. 9
Information Regarding Forward-Looking
Statements and Market Data ................. 20
Where You Can Find More Information ........... 21
Use of Proceeds ............................... 21
Capitalization ................................ 22
Selected Consolidated Financial Data .......... 23
Management's Discussion and Analysis .......... 25
Organization of Tritel, Inc. and Tritel PCS ... 35
Business ...................................... 36
Government Regulation ......................... 55
Joint Venture Agreements with AT&T
Wireless ................................... 65
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Management .................................... 73
Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions ............................... 81
Principal Stockholders ........................ 85
Description of Certain Indebtedness ........... 87
The Exchange Offer ............................ 90
Description of the Notes ...................... 101
Description of Capital Stock .................. 138
Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations ............................. 143
Plan of Distribution .......................... 148
Legal Matters ................................. 148
Experts ....................................... 148
Index to Financial Statements ................. F-1
</TABLE>
---------------------
i
<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this
prospectus. This summary may not contain all of the information that may be
important to you. You should read the entire prospectus carefully.
TRITEL PCS
We are a development stage enterprise formed to develop wireless personal
communications services, called PCS, telecommunications markets in the
south-central United States. Our PCS licenses cover a population, called Pops,
of approximately 14.0 million people in contiguous markets in the states of
Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. As a member of the AT&T
Wireless Network, we are the preferred roaming provider to AT&T Wireless's
digital wireless customers in virtually all of our markets. Our agreements with
AT&T Wireless and certain affiliates allow us to use the AT&T brand name and
logo together with the SunCom name, our regional brand name, using equal
emphasis co-branding. We have limited operations and no significant revenues
and we expect to have significant operating losses in our initial stages of
operations.
We have commenced commercial PCS services in six markets and intend to
launch commercial operations in eight of our ten largest markets by the end of
1999. We expect to be able to provide service to over 50% of the Pops in our
license areas by the end of 1999 and to over 98% by the end of 2000.
The following table sets forth our ten largest markets and the date on
which we have commenced or expect to commence commercial PCS service. In
addition, we have commenced roaming service in Louisville and Lexington,
Kentucky.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED COMMERCIAL
MARKET LAUNCH DATE 1998 POPS
- ----------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jackson and Vicksburg, MS .............................. Launched September 1999 719,500
Nashville and Clarksville, TN/Hopkinsville, KY ......... Launched November 1999 1,936,500
Knoxville, TN .......................................... Launched November 1999 1,074,000
Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN/Dalton, GA ............... Launched November 1999 760,800
Huntsville, AL ......................................... Launched November 1999 496,400
Montgomery, AL ......................................... Launched November 1999 475,300
Louisville, KY ......................................... December 1999 1,448,400
Lexington, KY .......................................... December 1999 893,400
Birmingham, AL ......................................... 2nd Quarter 2000 1,297,800
Mobile, AL ............................................. 2nd Quarter 2000 653,900
</TABLE>
We have also entered into an agreement with two other AT&T Wireless
affiliates, Triton PCS, Inc. and TeleCorp PCS, Inc., to operate with those
affiliates under a common regional brand name, SunCom, throughout an area
covering approximately 43 million Pops primarily in the south-central and
southeastern United States.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
We expect to take advantage of our affiliation with AT&T Wireless, the
SunCom brand alliance and our management's local market expertise in offering
our PCS services. In particular, we plan to pursue the following business
strategies:
Leverage the Benefits of Our AT&T Wireless Affiliation. We will
aggressively market our affiliation with AT&T Wireless and the AT&T Wireless
Network to distinguish ourselves from other wireless service providers in our
markets.
1
<PAGE>
Distribute through Company Stores. Our distribution strategy focuses
principally on direct distribution through company-owned retail stores. We also
employ a direct sales force to target small to medium-sized businesses.
Enhance Brand Awareness through the SunCom Brand Alliance. We intend to
promote the SunCom brand through joint marketing efforts with our SunCom
affiliates.
Emphasize Advantages of PCS Technology. We will seek to distinguish our
PCS services from those of our analog cellular competitors by emphasizing our
features and benefits.
Capitalize on Management Expertise and Local Market Presence. We intend to
leverage our management's experience in order to create strong ties with
subscribers and their communities.
FINANCING PLAN AND USE OF PROCEEDS
We estimate that our projected capital requirements from inception through
year-end 2001, when our network is expected to be substantially complete and we
expect to generate positive cash flow, will be approximately $1.30 billion.
The following table highlights our projected sources and uses of capital
from inception through December 31, 2001:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
----------------------
<S> <C>
SOURCES:
Bank facility ............................................. $ 507.8
Senior subordinated discount notes ........................ 200.2
Government financing ...................................... 47.5
Net proceeds of initial public offering of
Tritel, Inc.'s Class A and Class B Common Stock .......... 219.2
Other cash equity ......................................... 163.4
Non-cash equity ........................................... 157.9
---------
Total sources ............................................ $ 1,296.0
=========
USES:
Acquisition of PCS licenses and intangible assets ......... $ 192.9
Capital expenditures ...................................... 646.9
Cash interest and fees .................................... 141.8
Working capital ........................................... 314.4
---------
Total uses ............................................... $ 1,296.0
=========
</TABLE>
2
<PAGE>
TRITEL CORPORATE STRUCTURE
TRITEL, INC.
Holding Company
Issuer of Equity and Guarantor
of Senior Bank Debt
and High Yield Debt
TRITEL PCS, INC.
Holding Company
Issuer of Senior Bank Debt
and High Yield Debt
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
TRITEL TRITEL TRITEL TRITEL
A/B HOLDING CORP. C/F HOLDING CORP. COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FINANCE, INC.
Holding Company Holding Company Operating Company Equipment Leasing and
Financing
Guarantor of Senior Guarantor of Senior Guarantor of Senior Guarantor of Senior
Bank Debt Bank Debt Bank Debt Bank Debt
and and
High Yield Debt High Yield Debt
Five License Four License
Subsidiaries Subsidiaries
Hold FCC A- and Hold FCC C- and
B- Block Licenses F- Block Licenses
Guarantors of Senior Issuers of FCC Debt
Bank Debt and Guarantors of
Senior Bank Debt
</TABLE>
We are a Delaware corporation. Our principal executive offices are located
at 111 E. Capitol Street, Suite 500, Jackson, Mississippi 39201, and our
telephone number is (601) 914-8000.
3
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Registration Rights
Agreement................... You have the right to exchange your notes for
registered notes with substantially identical
terms. This exchange offer is intended to satisfy
these rights. After the exchange offer is
complete, you will no longer be entitled to any
exchange or registration rights with respect to
your notes.
The Exchange Offer.......... We are offering to exchange $1,000 principal
amount of Tritel PCS's 12 3/4% Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes due 2009 which have
been registered under the Securities Act for each
$1,000 principal amount at maturity of Tritel
PCS's outstanding 12 3/4% Senior Subordinated
Discount Notes due 2009 which were issued in May
1999 in a private offering. In order to be
exchanged, an outstanding note must be properly
tendered and accepted. We will exchange all notes
validly tendered and not validly withdrawn. As of
this date there is $372,000,000 aggregate
principal amount at maturity of notes
outstanding. We will issue registered notes on or
promptly after the expiration of the exchange
offer.
Resales..................... We believe that the registered notes may be
offered for resale, resold and otherwise
transferred by you without compliance with the
registration and prospectus delivery provisions
of the Securities Act provided that:
o you acquire the registered notes issued in
the exchange offer in the ordinary course of
your business;
o you are not participating, do not intend to
participate, and have no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate,
in the distribution of the registered notes
issued to you in the exchange offer; and
o you are not an "affiliate," as defined under
Rule 405 of the Securities Act, of Tritel
PCS.
If our belief is inaccurate and you transfer any
registered note issued to you in the exchange
offer without delivering a prospectus meeting
the requirements of the Securities Act or
without an exemption of your registered notes
from such requirements, you may incur liability
under the Securities Act. We do not assume or
indemnify you against such liability. Each
broker-dealer that issued registered notes for
its own account in exchange for outstanding
notes which were acquired by such broker-dealer
as a result of market-making or other trading
activities must acknowledge that it will deliver
a prospectus meeting the requirements of the
Securities Act in connection with any resale of
the registered notes. A broker-dealer may use
this prospectus for an offer to resell, resale
or other retransfer of the registered notes
issued to it in the exchange offer.
Record Date................. We mailed this prospectus and the related
exchange offer documents to registered holders of
outstanding notes on December 22, 1999.
4
<PAGE>
Expiration Date............. The exchange offer will expire at 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, February 10, 2000, unless we
decide to extend the expiration date.
Conditions to the
Exchange Offer.............. We may terminate or amend the exchange offer if:
o any legal proceeding, government action or
other adverse development materially impairs
our ability to complete the exchange offer;
o any Securities and Exchange Commission rule,
regulation or interpretation materially
impairs the exchange offer; or
o we have not obtained any necessary
governmental approvals with respect to the
exchange offer.
We may waive any or all of these conditions. At
this time, there are no adverse proceedings,
actions or developments pending or, to our
knowledge, threatened and no governmental
approvals are necessary to complete the exchange
offer.
Procedures for Tendering Outstanding
Notes..................... Each holder of outstanding notes wishing to
accept the exchange offer must:
o complete, sign and date the accompanying
letter of transmittal, or a facsimile
thereof; or
o arrange for The Depository Trust Company to
transmit certain required information to the
exchange agent in connection with a
book-entry transfer.
You must mail or otherwise deliver such
documentation and your outstanding notes to The
Bank of New York, as exchange agent, at the
address set forth under "The Exchange
Offer--Exchange Agent." The Depository Trust
Company participants may electronically transmit
their acceptance of the exchange offer by
causing The Depository Trust Company to transfer
outstanding notes in accordance with The
Depository Trust Company's Automated Tender
Offer Program procedures. All tenders must be
made on or prior to the expiration date. See
"The Exchange Offer--Procedures for Tendering."
By tendering your outstanding notes in this
manner, you will be representing, among other
things, that:
o you are acquiring the registered notes
pursuant to the exchange offer in the
ordinary course of your business;
o you are not participating, do not intend to
participate, and have no arrangement or
understanding with any person to participate,
in the distribution of the registered notes
issued to you in the exchange offer; and
o you are not an affiliate of Tritel PCS.
5
<PAGE>
Untendered Outstanding
Notes....................... If you are eligible to participate in the
exchange offer and you do not tender your
outstanding notes, you will not have any further
registration or exchange rights and your
outstanding notes will continue to be subject to
certain restrictions on transfer. Accordingly,
the liquidity of the market for such outstanding
notes could be adversely affected.
Special Procedures for Beneficial
Owners.................... If you beneficially own outstanding notes
registered in the name of a broker, dealer,
commercial bank, trust company or other nominee
and you wish to tender your outstanding notes in
the exchange offer, you should contact such
registered holder promptly and instruct it to
tender on your behalf. If you wish to tender on
your own behalf, you must, prior to completing
and executing the letter of transmittal for the
exchange offer and delivering your outstanding
notes, either arrange to have your outstanding
notes registered in your name or obtain a
properly completed bond power from the registered
holder. The transfer of registered ownership may
take considerable time.
Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures.................. If you wish to tender your outstanding notes and
time will not permit your required documents to
reach the exchange agent by the expiration date
of the exchange offer, or you cannot complete the
procedure for book-entry transfer on time or you
cannot deliver certificates for your outstanding
notes on time, you may tender your outstanding
notes pursuant to the procedures described in
this prospectus under the heading "The Exchange
Offer--Guaranteed Delivery Procedures."
Withdrawal Rights........... You may withdraw the tender of your outstanding
notes at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York
City time, on February 10, 2000.
Certain U.S. Federal Tax
Considerations............ The exchange of notes will not be a taxable
event for United States federal income tax
purposes.
Use of Proceeds............. We will not receive any proceeds from the
issuance of registered notes pursuant to the
exchange offer. We will pay all our expenses
incident to the exchange offer.
Exchange Agent.............. The Bank of New York is serving as the exchange
agent in connection with the exchange offer.
6
<PAGE>
SUMMARY OF TERMS OF THE REGISTERED NOTES
The form and terms of the registered notes are the same as the form and
terms of the outstanding notes except that the registered notes will be
registered under the Securities Act and, therefore, will not bear legends
restricting their transfer and will not be entitled to registration under the
Securities Act. In this regard, we use the term notes when describing
provisions that govern or otherwise pertain to both the outstanding notes and
the registered notes. The registered notes will evidence the same debt as the
outstanding notes, and the same indenture will govern both the registered notes
and the outstanding notes.
Issuer...................... Tritel PCS, Inc.
Notes Offered............... $372,000,000 aggregate principal amount at
maturity of 12 3/4% Senior Subordinated Discount
Notes due 2009.
Maturity Date............... May 15, 2009.
Yield and Interest.......... 12 3/4% per annum, compounded on a semi-annual
basis, calculated from May 11, 1999. Cash
interest will not accrue prior to May 15, 2004.
Thereafter, cash interest on the notes will
accrue at the rate of 12 3/4% per year and will
be payable semi-annually on May 15 and November
15 of each year, commencing November 15, 2004.
Original Issue Discount..... The notes were issued at a substantial discount
from their principal amount at maturity.
Consequently, you will generally be required to
include amounts in your gross income for federal
income tax purposes before your receipt of the
cash payments attributable to that income. See
"Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations--Original Issue Discount."
Optional Redemption......... We can redeem the notes, in whole or in part,
on or after May 15, 2004, at the redemption
prices set forth in this prospectus, plus accrued
and unpaid interest. In addition, before May 15,
2002, we can redeem up to 35% of the aggregate
principal amount at maturity of the notes, with
the proceeds of one or more equity offerings, at
112.75% of their accreted value on the redemption
date, if at least 65% of the aggregate principal
amount at maturity of the notes remains
outstanding.
Parent and
Subsidiary Guarantees....... Our parent company, Tritel, Inc., and two of our
subsidiaries will guarantee the notes on a senior
subordinated basis. All of our future
subsidiaries, other than subsidiaries solely
engaged in the business of holding PCS licenses,
or holding the stock of these subsidiaries, will
also be required to guarantee the notes. If we
fail to make payments on the notes, the
guarantors must make them instead. Our license
subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes.
Our parent company and each of our subsidiaries
have guaranteed our obligations under our bank
facility on a senior basis. We, our parent
company and all of our subsidiaries have pledged
substantially all of our assets, except our PCS
licenses, to secure our obligations under our
bank facility.
7
<PAGE>
Change of Control........... Upon the occurrence of certain change of
control events, you may require us to repurchase
all or a portion of your notes at 101% of the
principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid
interest.
Ranking..................... The notes:
o are unsecured obligations of Tritel PCS;
o are senior in right of payment to existing
and future obligations expressly subordinated
in right of payment to the notes; and
o rank junior to all existing and future
senior debt.
The guarantees:
o are unsecured obligations of the guarantors;
o rank junior to all existing and future
senior debt of the guarantors; and
Because our license subsidiaries will not
guarantee the notes, the notes will be
structurally subordinated to all liabilities of
these subsidiaries, including trade payables.
As of September 30, 1999, you would have been
effectively subordinated to $86.1 million of
total liabilities of our subsidiaries.
Basic Indenture Covenants... The indenture governing the notes contains
covenants that, among other things, limit our
ability and the ability of our restricted
subsidiaries to:
o incur additional indebtedness;
o pay dividends, repurchase our capital stock,
make investments or make other restricted
payments;
o sell or exchange assets;
o engage in transactions with affiliates;
o issue or sell capital stock of restricted
subsidiaries;
o in the case of our restricted subsidiaries,
guarantee indebtedness;
o create liens securing indebtedness that is
pari passu with or subordinated to the notes
or the subsidiary guarantees;
o in the case of our restricted subsidiaries,
agree to certain payment restrictions; or
o engage in certain sale and leaseback
transactions or merge, consolidate or
transfer all or substantially all our assets
and the assets of our subsidiaries on a
consolidated basis.
These covenants are subject to important
exceptions and qualifications. See "Description
of the Notes--Certain Covenants."
8
<PAGE>
RISK FACTORS
Before tendering original notes, you should carefully read and think about
all of the information contained in this prospectus, especially the following
risk factors:
WE ARE A DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANY; WE HAVE NOT YET BEGUN COMMERCIAL PCS
OPERATIONS IN MANY OF OUR MARKETS AND WE MAY NOT BE PROFITABLE AFTER WE DO
We are at an early stage of development and have no meaningful historical
financial information for you to evaluate. We have incurred and will continue
to incur significant expenses before generating significant revenues, and we
expect to have significant operating losses in our initial stages of
operations.
We expect to grow rapidly while we develop and construct our PCS network
and build our customer base. We expect this growth to strain our financial
resources and result in operating losses and negative cash flows until at
earliest the end of 2001. We have not begun commercial PCS operations in many
of our markets, and, therefore, have no significant revenues to fund
expenditures. We have made cumulative cash expenditures through September 30,
1999 of $165.2 million, consisting of primarily capital expenditures for the
network buildout.
We cannot be certain of the timing and extent of revenue receipts and
expense disbursements. Also, we cannot be certain that we will achieve or
sustain profitability or positive cash flow from operating activities in the
future. If we do not achieve profitability or positive cash flow in a timely
manner and then sustain it, we may not be able to meet our working capital or
debt service requirements, including our obligations in respect of the notes.
Our future operating results over both the short and long term are
uncertain because of several factors, some of which are outside of our control.
These factors include:
o the significant cost of building our PCS network,
o the cost and availability of PCS infrastructure and subscriber
equipment, including tri-mode handsets,
o possible delays in introducing our services,
o fluctuating market demand and prices for our services,
o pricing strategies for competitive services,
o new offerings of competitive services,
o changes in federal, state and local legislation and regulations,
o the potential allocation by the FCC of additional PCS licenses or other
wireless licenses in our markets,
o technological changes, and
o general economic conditions.
In addition, we expect to realize substantial, non-cash compensation
expense related to our issuance of 12,362,272 shares of Class A and Class C
Common Stock to members of our management, primarily in connection with the
formation of our joint venture with AT&T Wireless. Assuming the closing price
of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A Common Stock on December 31, 1999, is $18.00 per
share (the initial public offering price), we will record non-cash compensation
expense of approximately $108.9 million in December 1999 relating to the earned
portion of the stock issued to management. Assuming our Class A Common Stock
continues to have a fair value of $18.00 per share, we would record additional
non-cash compensation expense related to these shares for the period from 2000
through 2006 of approximately $82.7 million. Non-cash compensation expense
related to these shares will be a variable, quarterly expense depending on the
fair value of those shares. If the fair value of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A common
stock increases, these non-cash compensation charges will increase. These
increases could be substantial. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis--Operating Expenses--Stock Based Compensation."
9
<PAGE>
OUR HIGHLY LEVERAGED CAPITAL STRUCTURE LIMITS OUR ABILITY TO OBTAIN ADDITIONAL
FINANCING AND COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS IN SEVERAL OTHER WAYS
It will take substantial funds to complete the buildout of our PCS network
and to market and distribute our PCS products and services. We estimate that
our capital requirements, which include capital expenditures, the cost of
acquiring licenses, working capital, debt service requirements and anticipated
operating losses, will total approximately $1.30 billion for the period from
our inception through the end of 2001.
We are highly leveraged. As of September 30, 1999, we had $551.8 million
of total indebtedness outstanding, including debt owed to the FCC, $300.0
million outstanding under our bank facility and $210.1 million of the original
notes at their accreted value. This indebtedness represented approximately
66.9% of our total capitalization at that date. At that date, we also had $97.3
million of Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock outstanding
including accrued dividends, which has not been included in stockholders'
equity in our financial statements.
Our large amount of indebtedness could significantly impact our business
for the following reasons:
o It limits our ability to obtain additional financing, if needed, to
complete our network buildout, to cover our cash flow deficit or for
working capital, other capital expenditures, debt service requirements or
other purposes.
o Even though the notes will not pay cash interest for five years, we
will need to dedicate a substantial portion of our operating cash flow to
fund interest expense on our bank facility and other indebtedness,
thereby reducing funds available for our network buildout, operations or
other purposes.
o We are vulnerable to interest rate fluctuations because a significant
portion of our debt is at variable interest rates.
o It limits our ability to compete with competitors who are not as highly
leveraged.
o It limits our ability to react to changing market conditions, changes in
our industry and economic downturns.
Our ability to pay interest on the notes beginning in 2004 and to satisfy
our other debt obligations will depend upon our future operating performance.
Prevailing economic conditions and financial, business and other factors, many
of which are beyond our control, will affect our ability to make these
payments. If, in the future, we cannot generate sufficient cash flow from
operations to make scheduled payments on the notes or to meet our other
obligations, we will need to refinance our indebtedness, obtain additional
financing or sell assets. We cannot be certain that our business will generate
cash flow, or that we will be able to obtain funding sufficient to satisfy our
debt service requirements.
OUR DEBT INSTRUMENTS CONTAIN RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS THAT MAY LIMIT OUR OPERATING
FLEXIBILITY
The documents governing our indebtedness, including our bank facility and
senior subordinated note indenture, contain significant covenants that limit
our ability to engage in various transactions. The limitations imposed by the
documents governing our outstanding indebtedness are substantial, and if we
fail to comply with them, our debts could become immediately payable at a time
when we are unable to pay them.
ADDITIONAL FUNDING MAY BE REQUIRED BUT UNAVAILABLE TO US, AND THAT COULD CAUSE
US TO FAIL TO MEET OUR BUILDOUT PLANS OR SERVICE OUR DEBT
Additional required financing may be unavailable to us or it may not be
available on terms acceptable to us and consistent with any limitation under
our outstanding indebtedness or FCC regulations. If we are unable to obtain
such financing it could result in the delay or reduction of our development and
construction plans and could result in our failure to meet certain FCC buildout
requirements and our debt service obligations.
10
<PAGE>
Our actual capital needs may be greater than we currently anticipate.
Moreover, we may not generate enough cash flow to fund our operations in the
absence of other funding sources. We may require additional funding if certain
developments occur, including if:
o the costs of the buildout of our PCS network are greater than
anticipated,
o the acquisition costs of subscribers are higher than expected,
o other operating costs exceed management's estimates,
o we take advantage of license or market acquisition opportunities,
including those that may arise through future FCC auctions,
o the level of our revenues from subscribers is lower than anticipated, or
o the number of subscribers is greater than anticipated, leading to greater
than anticipated handset costs and other subscriber acquisition and
operating costs.
In addition, we would require substantial additional funding if AT&T
Wireless does not exercise its option to purchase PCS licenses covering
approximately 2.0 million Pops in Florida and southern Georgia and we then
determine that we will build out these markets ourselves.
We have no significant revenues at this point. Sources of future financing
may include equipment vendors, bank financing and the public or private debt
and equity markets.
BECAUSE OUR RELATIONSHIP WITH AT&T WIRELESS MAY BE TERMINATED IN CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, WE MAY LOSE, AMONG OTHER THINGS, THE RIGHT TO USE THE AT&T BRAND
NAME
Our business strategy depends on our relationship with AT&T Wireless. We
are depending on co-branding, roaming and service relationships with them under
our joint venture agreements with them. These relationships are central to our
business plan. If any of these relationships were terminated, our business
strategy could be significantly affected, and, as a result, our operations and
future prospects could be adversely affected.
The AT&T Wireless agreements create an organizational and operational
structure that defines the relationships between AT&T Wireless and us. Because
of our dependence on these relationships, it is important for you to understand
that there are circumstances in which AT&T Wireless can terminate our right to
use their brand name, as well as other important rights under the joint venture
agreements, if we violate the terms of the joint venture agreements or if
certain other events occur.
AT&T can terminate our license to use the AT&T brand name, designation as
a Member of the AT&T Wireless Network, or use of other AT&T service marks if we
fail to meet AT&T's quality standards, violate the terms of the license or
otherwise breach one of the AT&T Wireless agreements. AT&T Wireless has also
retained the right to terminate its relationship with us in the event of a
"Disqualifying Transaction," as defined in the section headed "Joint Venture
Agreements With AT&T Wireless," which is in essence, a major financial
transaction involving AT&T Corp. and another entity that owns FCC mobile
wireless licenses covering at least 25% of our Pops. The exercise by AT&T
Wireless of any of these rights, or other rights described in the AT&T Wireless
agreements, could significantly and materially affect our operations, future
prospects and results of operations. This is because our business strategy
largely involves leveraging the benefits of our AT&T Wireless affiliation and
our membership in the AT&T Wireless Network.
IF AT&T WIRELESS IS NOT SUCCESSFUL AS A PROVIDER OF WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS,
OUR BUSINESS AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS MAY BE ADVERSELY AFFECTED
Our results of operations are highly dependent on our relationship with
AT&T Wireless and the success of its wireless communications strategy. AT&T
Wireless is subject, to varying degrees, to the economic, administrative,
logistical and other risks set forth in this prospectus. Because we market our
products under the AT&T brand name, our results of operations could be
adversely affected if AT&T Wireless' reputation as a wireless communications
provider declines.
11
<PAGE>
THE INTERESTS OF AT&T WIRELESS MAY CONFLICT WITH THOSE OF TRITEL PCS AND THE
HOLDERS OF NOTES
Our interests and those of AT&T Wireless may conflict, and there can be no
assurance that any conflict will be resolved in our favor. Under a
stockholders' agreement, AT&T Wireless has the right to nominate two of the
thirteen directors on Tritel's Board and approve the selection of three other
director nominees. AT&T Wireless owes no duty to us except to the extent
expressly set forth in the joint venture agreements. Officers and directors
generally do not have fiduciary duties to holders of debt securities such as
the notes.
AT&T WIRELESS MAY COMPETE WITH US BY OBTAINING SUBSCRIBERS WHO OTHERWISE MIGHT
USE OUR SERVICES THAT ARE CO-BRANDED WITH AT&T
Under the terms of our stockholders' agreement, we are required to enter
into a resale agreement at AT&T Wireless' request. The resale agreement will
allow AT&T Wireless to sell access to, and usage of, our services in our
licensed area on a nonexclusive basis and using the AT&T brand. AT&T Wireless
may be able to develop its own customer base in our licensed area during the
term of the resale agreement. In addition, if AT&T Wireless engages in
specified business combinations, the exercise of its termination rights under
the stockholders' agreement could result in increased competition detrimental
to our business. We cannot assure you that AT&T Wireless will not enter into
such a business combination, and the termination of the non-compete and
exclusivity provisions of the stockholders' agreement could have a material
adverse effect on our operations.
WE FACE INTENSE COMPETITION FROM OTHER PCS AND CELLULAR PROVIDERS AND FROM
OTHER TECHNOLOGIES
The viability of our PCS business will depend upon, among other things,
our ability to compete, especially on price, reliability, quality of service
and availability of voice and data features. In addition, our ability to
maintain the pricing of our services may be limited by competition, including
the entry of new service providers in our markets.
There are two established cellular providers in each of our markets. These
providers have significant infrastructure in place, often at low historical
cost, have been operational for many years, have substantial existing
subscriber bases and have substantially greater capital resources than we do.
In addition, in most of our markets, there are at least three PCS providers
currently offering commercial service or likely to begin offering service
before we will. We will also face competition from paging, dispatch and
conventional mobile radio operations, specialized mobile radio, called SMR and
enhanced specialized mobile radio, called ESMR, including those ESMR networks
operated by Nextel Communications and its affiliates in our markets. We will
also be competing with resellers of wireless services. We expect competition in
the wireless telecommunications industry to be dynamic and intense as a result
of the entrance of new competition and the development and deployment of new
technologies, products and services.
In the future, cellular and PCS providers will also compete more directly
with traditional landline telephone service operators, and may compete with
services offered by energy utilities and cable and wireless cable operators
seeking to offer communications services by leveraging their existing
infrastructure. Additionally, continuing technological advances in
telecommunications, the availability of more spectrum and FCC policies that
encourage the development of new spectrum-based technologies make it impossible
to accurately predict the extent of future competition.
BECAUSE WE DEPEND ON EQUIPMENT AND SERVICE VENDORS TO BUILD OUT OUR PCS
NETWORK, WE CANNOT BE CERTAIN THAT OUR PCS NETWORK WILL BE BUILT OUT IN A
TIMELY AND COST-EFFECTIVE MANNER
Our future financial condition depends on our ability to build out rapidly
and then operate a commercial PCS network in our markets. To do so effectively
will require the timely delivery of infrastructure equipment for use in our
cell sites and switching offices, as well as handsets. There is considerable
demand for PCS infrastructure equipment that may result in substantial backlogs
of orders and long lead times for delivery of certain types of equipment. If
any of our equipment vendors fail to perform on schedule, we may not be able to
build out the remainder of our markets or provide PCS service in the remainder
of our markets in a timely and cost-effective manner.
12
<PAGE>
Although we have entered into an exclusive equipment supply agreement with
Ericsson for the purchase of at least $300.0 million of certain equipment and
services related to the buildout of our PCS system over a five-year period, we
cannot be certain that we will receive this equipment in the quantities that
are needed to complete the buildout in our markets. If we do not receive this
equipment on time, then we will be unable to begin the remainder of our PCS
operations on schedule. Because of our exclusive arrangements with Ericsson,
our ability to adhere to our buildout schedule will depend significantly on the
ability of Ericsson to deliver its equipment in a timely fashion. We cannot be
certain that Ericsson or any other vendor will be able to provide us with the
equipment to build out the remainder of our markets in a timely and
cost-effective manner. The termination of the Ericsson agreement or the failure
of any of the vendors to perform under any supply agreement would adversely
affect our ability to begin operations as planned.
In addition to equipment vendors, we depend on our service vendors for
radiofrequency engineering services, site acquisition services and
build-to-suit site construction services. If any of these service vendors fail
to perform on schedule, we may not be able to begin our PCS operations on
schedule in certain markets.
We anticipate that our subscribers will access wireless services in our
markets and throughout the AT&T Wireless Network by using tri-mode handsets. A
limited number of companies worldwide, including Ericsson, Motorola and Nokia
Corporation, currently manufacture and supply IS-136 TDMA tri-mode handsets in
commercial quantities. If our vendors fail to supply these handsets when
expected, we will be required to delay our launch of service in one or more
markets or offer our customers handsets without tri-mode capabilities. Without
tri-mode handsets, our customers will not be able to roam on both analog
cellular and digital cellular systems. While we believe we will be able to
purchase tri-mode handsets in sufficient quantity to launch our service as
planned, we may be unable to obtain these handsets from our vendors in the
quantities or at the prices we expect. In that event, our service, our business
and our operating results could be adversely affected.
IF WE FAIL TO BUILD OUT THE REMAINDER OF OUR PCS NETWORK ACCORDING TO OUR
CURRENT PLAN AND SCHEDULE, OUR GROWTH MAY BE LIMITED, OUR MARKET ENTRY MAY BE
DELAYED, AND OUR BUILDOUT COSTS MAY INCREASE
If we are unable to implement our construction plan, we may also be unable
to provide, or may be delayed in providing, PCS service in certain of our
markets. To complete construction of our PCS network, we must first complete
the design of the network, acquire, purchase and install equipment, test the
network and relocate or otherwise accommodate microwave users currently using
the spectrum. Construction of our PCS network will also depend, to a
significant degree, on our ability to lease or acquire sites for the location
of our transmission equipment.
In areas where we are unable to co-locate our transmission equipment on
existing facilities, we will need to negotiate lease or acquisition agreements,
which may involve competitors as counterparties. In many cases, we will be
required to obtain zoning variances and other governmental approvals or
permits. In addition, because of concern over radiofrequency emissions and
tower appearance, some local governments have instituted moratoria on further
construction of antenna sites until the respective health, safety and historic
preservation aspects of this matter are studied further. Accordingly, we may be
unable to construct our PCS network in any particular market in accordance with
our current construction plan and schedule. As a result, our growth may be
limited, our market entry may be delayed and the costs of building out new
markets may increase. Any one of these factors would be likely to adversely
affect our future operating performance in those markets.
OUR INABILITY TO EFFECTIVELY MANAGE OUR PLANNED RAPID GROWTH COULD ADVERSELY
AFFECT OUR OPERATIONS
We have experienced rapid growth and development in a relatively short
period of time and expect to continue to experience rapid growth in the future.
The management of this growth will require, among other things, continued
development of our financial and management controls and management information
systems, stringent control of costs, increased marketing activities, ability to
13
<PAGE>
attract and retain qualified management personnel and the training of new
personnel. We intend to hire additional personnel in order to manage our
expected growth and expansion. Failure to successfully manage our expected
rapid growth and development and difficulties in managing the buildout of our
network could have a material adverse effect on our business and operating
results.
THE TECHNOLOGY CHOSEN BY US MAY BECOME OBSOLETE, WHICH WOULD ADVERSELY AFFECT
OUR ABILITY TO BE COMPETITIVE AND MAY RESULT IN INCREASED COSTS TO ADOPT A NEW
TECHNOLOGY
The wireless telecommunications industry is experiencing significant
technological changes, as evidenced by the increasing pace of digital
installations in existing analog cellular systems, evolving industry standards,
ongoing improvements in the capacity and quality of digital technology, shorter
development cycles for new products and enhancements, and changes in consumer
requirements and preferences. Given the emerging nature of the PCS industry,
alternative technological and service advancements could materialize in the
future and prove viable, which could render the IS-136 TDMA technology employed
by us obsolete and, as a result, could have a material adverse effect on our
business and operating results. To remain competitive, we must develop or gain
access to new technologies in order to increase product performance and
functionality and to increase cost-effectiveness.
OUR DIGITAL PCS TECHNOLOGY MAY NOT GAIN CUSTOMER ACCEPTANCE, WHICH WOULD
ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR ABILITY TO BE COMPETITIVE AND MAY RESULT IN INCREASED
COSTS TO ADOPT A NEW TECHNOLOGY
If subsequent to our deployment of IS-136 TDMA, consumers perceive that
another technology has marketplace advantages over IS-136 TDMA, we could
experience a competitive disadvantage or be forced to implement that technology
at substantially increased cost.
Three standards are being used by PCS providers in the United States:
IS-136 TDMA, CDMA and GSM. Although all three standards are digital
transmission technologies and thus share certain basic characteristics which
differentiate them from analog transmission technology, they are not compatible
or interchangeable with each other.
To roam in other markets where no PCS licensee utilizes the IS-136 TDMA
standard, our subscribers must utilize tri-mode handsets to use an analog or
digital cellular system in such markets. Generally, tri-mode handsets are more
expensive than single- or dual-mode handsets. The higher cost of these handsets
may impede our ability to attract subscribers or achieve positive cash flow as
planned.
It is anticipated that CDMA-based PCS providers will own licenses covering
virtually all of the United States population. Other PCS providers have
deployed GSM technology in many of our markets. GSM is the prevalent standard
in Europe.
It is possible that a digital transmission technology other than IS-136
TDMA may gain acceptance in the United States sufficient to affect adversely
the resources currently devoted by vendors to improving IS-136 digital cellular
technology. Any differences that may from time to time exist between the
technology deployed by the other wireless telecommunications service providers,
such as CDMA, GSM or other transmission technology standards that may be
developed in the future, may affect customer acceptance of the services we
offer.
THIRD-PARTY FRAUD WILL LIKELY CAUSE US TO INCUR INCREASED OPERATING COSTS
As do most companies in the wireless industry, we will likely incur costs
associated with the unauthorized use of our network, including administrative
and capital costs associated with detecting, monitoring and reducing the
incidence of fraud. Fraud impacts interconnection costs, capacity costs,
administrative costs, fraud prevention costs and payments to other carriers for
unbillable fraudulent roaming.
14
<PAGE>
CONCERNS THAT THE USE OF WIRELESS HANDSETS MAY POSE HEALTH AND SAFETY RISKS MAY
DISCOURAGE THE USE OF OUR PCS HANDSETS
Media reports have suggested that, and studies are currently being
undertaken to determine whether, radiofrequency emissions from cellular and PCS
wireless handsets may be linked with health risks, including cancer, and
interference with various electronic medical devices, including hearing aids
and pacemakers.
Concerns over radiofrequency emissions may discourage the use of wireless
communications devices, such as PCS handsets, which could adversely affect our
business. In addition, the FCC requires that certain transmitters, facilities,
operations, and mobile and portable transmitting devices used in PCS handsets
meet specific radiofrequency emission standards. Compliance with any new
restrictions could materially increase our costs. Concerns about radiofrequency
emissions may affect our ability to obtain licenses from government entities
necessary to construct microwave sites in certain locations.
Separately, governmental authorities may create new regulations concerning
hand-held phones, and our handsets may not comply with rules adopted in the
future. Noncompliance would decrease demand for our services. In addition, some
state and local legislatures have passed or are considering restrictions on
wireless phone use for drivers. The passage or proliferation of this or future
legislation could decrease demand for our services.
We cannot predict the effect of any governmental action concerning the
usage of mobile phones. In addition, measures aimed at wireless services
companies as opposed to users may be proposed or passed on the state or federal
level in the future. Governmental actions could materially adversely affect us
by requiring us to modify our operations or business plans in response to such
restrictions.
OUR FCC LICENSES MAY BE REVOKED UNDER CERTAIN CIRCUMSTANCES, AND THE LOSS OF
ANY FCC LICENSES COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND OUR ABILITY TO PROVIDE
PCS SERVICE IN CERTAIN MARKETS
Our principal assets are PCS licenses issued by the FCC. The FCC has
imposed certain requirements on its licensees, including PCS operators. For
example, PCS licenses may be revoked by the FCC at any time for cause,
including failure to comply with the terms of the licenses, a violation of FCC
regulations, failure to continue to qualify for the licenses, malfeasance or
other misconduct. The loss of any license, or an action that threatens the loss
of any license, would have a material adverse effect on our business and our
operating results. We have no reason, however, to believe that any of our
licenses will be revoked or will not be renewed.
C- and F-Block License Requirements. The FCC imposed certain additional
restrictions on its C- and F-Block licenses. Participants in the C- and F-Block
auctions, including our predeccessors, Airwave Communications and Digital PCS,
which contributed our C- and F-Block licenses to us, were required to qualify
as an entrepreneur, as defined by the FCC. In addition, because Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS qualified as small businesses, as defined by the
FCC at the time of the C-Block auction and very small businesses, as defined by
the FCC at the time of the F-Block auction, they received substantial bidding
credits and became entitled to pay a large portion of the net purchase price
for their licenses over a ten-year period at special interest rates and terms,
including making payments of interest only for a period of time.
With respect to the C- and F-Block licenses, we believe that Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS satisfied the FCC's eligibility requirements for
those licenses. We intend to maintain diligently our qualification for those
licenses. If we do not comply with FCC rules, the FCC could fine us, revoke our
PCS licenses, accelerate our installment payment obligations, cause us to lose
bidding credits retroactively, or require a restructuring of our equity. Any of
these events could adversely affect our business and financing.
Network Buildout Requirements. All PCS licenses, including those
contributed to us by AT&T Wireless, Airwave Communications and Digital PCS, are
subject to the FCC's buildout requirements.
15
<PAGE>
We have developed a buildout plan that we believe meets all FCC requirements.
However, we may be unable to meet our buildout schedule. If there are delays in
implementing our network buildout, the FCC could reassess our authorized
service area or, in extreme cases, it may revoke our licenses or impose fines.
Foreign Ownership Limitations. The current restrictions on foreign
ownership could adversely affect our ability to attract additional equity
financing from entities that are, or are owned by, foreign interests. We
believe that we do not have foreign ownership in excess of applicable limits.
However, if our foreign ownership were to exceed the then-applicable limits in
the future, the FCC could revoke our PCS licenses or order an ownership
restructuring.
BECAUSE WE FACE BROAD AND EVOLVING GOVERNMENT REGULATION, WE MAY HAVE TO MODIFY
OUR BUSINESS PLANS OR OPERATIONS IN THE FUTURE, AND WE MAY INCUR INCREASED
COSTS TO COMPLY WITH NEW REGULATIONS
The licensing, construction, operation, sale and interconnection
arrangements of wireless telecommunications systems are regulated to varying
degrees by the FCC, Congress and state and local regulatory agencies. This
regulation is continually evolving. There are a number of issues as to which
regulation has been or in the future may be introduced, including those
regarding interference between different types of wireless telecommunications
systems and the effect of wireless telecommunications equipment on medical
equipment and devices. As new regulations are promulgated on these or other
subjects, we may be required to modify our business plans or operations to
comply with them. It is possible that the FCC, Congress or any state or local
regulatory agency having jurisdiction over our business will adopt or change
regulations or take other actions that could adversely affect our business and
our operating results.
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 mandated significant changes in
existing regulation of the telecommunications industry to promote competitive
development of new service offerings, to expand public availability of
telecommunications services and to streamline regulation of the industry.
Nevertheless, the implementation of these mandates by the FCC and state
authorities will involve numerous changes in established rules and policies
that could adversely affect our business.
The government financing for C- and F-Block licenses is evidenced by an
FCC installment payment plan note and a security agreement for each license we
acquired in the C- and F-Block auctions. Terms and conditions of the FCC notes
have not yet been definitively interpreted, including, among other things,
matters involving collateral and the assignability of PCS licenses.
IF WE FAIL TO SATISFY FCC CONTROL GROUP REQUIREMENTS, WE MAY LOSE OUR C- AND
F-BLOCK LICENSES, WHICH COULD ADVERSELY AFFECT OUR BUSINESS AND OUR ABILITY TO
PROVIDE PCS SERVICE IN CERTAIN MARKETS
To retain the C- and F-Block licenses and the favorable government
financing granted to us, we must maintain our designated entity status as an
entrepreneur and small business or very small business. To maintain all of the
benefits of our designated entity status, our control group and qualifying
investors must retain certain minimum stock ownership and control of our voting
stock, as well as legal and actual control of us for five years from the date
of grant of our C- and F-Block PCS licenses, subject to possible unjust
enrichment obligations for ten years. The FCC has indicated that it will not
rely solely on legal control in determining whether the control group and its
qualifying investors are truly in control of an entity. Even if the control
group and the qualifying investors hold the requisite percentages of equity and
voting control, the FCC may still inquire to determine whether actual control
exists.
OUR SUBSIDIARIES' GUARANTEES OF THE NOTES MAY BE VOID UNDER CERTAIN
CIRCUMSTANCES, AND IF THEY ARE, OUR HOLDING COMPANY STRUCTURE LIMITS THE EXTENT
TO WHICH WE CAN USE THE ASSETS OF OUR SUBSIDIARIES TO SATISFY OUR OBLIGATIONS
UNDER THE NOTES
We are a holding company with no direct operations and no significant
assets other than the stock of our subsidiaries. We will depend on funds from
our subsidiaries to meet our obligations,
16
<PAGE>
including cash interest payments on the notes beginning in 2004. If a court
voids the subsidiary guarantees, your right as a holder of notes to participate
in any distribution of the assets of any of our subsidiaries upon the
liquidation, reorganization or insolvency of a subsidiary will be subject to
the prior claims of that subsidiary's creditors.
Our operating subsidiary, Tritel Communications, Inc., and our finance
subsidiary, Tritel Finance, Inc., will guarantee our obligations under the
notes and all of our future subsidiaries, other than subsidiaries whose primary
business is to hold PCS licenses and subsidiaries owning those subsidiaries,
may be required to guarantee the notes. You may need to be able to enforce the
subsidiary guarantees to recover your investment in the notes.
The issuance of a subsidiary guarantee may be subject to review under
federal or state fraudulent conveyance laws in the event of the bankruptcy or
other financial difficulty of the subsidiary guarantor. Although laws differ
among various jurisdictions, in general under fraudulent conveyance laws, a
court could subordinate or avoid a guarantee if it found that:
o the debt under the subsidiary guarantee was incurred with actual intent
to hinder, delay or defraud creditors, or
o the subsidiary guarantor did not receive fair consideration or
reasonably equivalent value for its subsidiary guarantee and the
subsidiary guarantor:
o was insolvent or rendered insolvent because of its subsidiary
guarantee,
o was engaged in a business or transaction for which its remaining
assets constituted unreasonably small capital, or
o intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond its
ability to pay upon maturity.
A court is likely to find that a subsidiary guarantor did not receive fair
consideration or reasonably equivalent value for its subsidiary guarantee to
the extent that its liability under the subsidiary guarantee is greater than
the direct benefit it received from the issuance of the notes. By its terms,
each subsidiary guarantee will limit the liability of the subsidiary guarantor
to the maximum amount that it could pay without the subsidiary guarantee being
deemed a fraudulent transfer. A court may not give effect to this limitation on
liability. In this event, a court may find that the issuance of the subsidiary
guarantee rendered the subsidiary guarantor insolvent. If a court voided the
guarantee or held it unenforceable, holders of notes would cease to have a
claim against that subsidiary guarantor and would be solely creditors of our
company and any remaining guarantors. If a court were to give effect to this
limitation on liability, the amount that the subsidiary guarantor, whose
liability was so limited, would be found to have guaranteed might be so low
that there would not be sufficient funds to pay the notes in full.
YOUR RIGHT TO RECEIVE PAYMENTS ON THE NOTES AND GUARANTEES IS JUNIOR TO
PAYMENTS ON SENIOR INDEBTEDNESS AND TO OUR SECURED OBLIGATIONS
The notes will be subordinated to all our present and future senior debt
and the parent and subsidiary guarantees will be subordinated to all present
and future senior debt of the guarantors. The notes will not be secured by any
of our assets. Our obligations under our bank facility are guaranteed by our
parent and all of our subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of our
assets and the assets of our parent and our subsidiaries other than our PCS
licenses. Certain of our PCS licenses are subject to liens securing our debt to
the FCC.
If we were to become insolvent or were to be liquidated, or if the banks
were to accelerate our payments under our bank facility, our assets would be
available to pay obligations on the notes only after all payments had been made
on our secured and other senior debt. Similarly, if any guarantor were to
become insolvent or were to be liquidated, its assets would be available to pay
obligations on the notes only after all payments had been made on its secured
and senior debt. In any such event, we cannot assure you that sufficient assets
would remain to make any payments on the notes.
17
<PAGE>
Not all of our subsidiaries will guarantee the notes. In the event of a
bankruptcy, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or similar proceeding with
respect to any of these subsidiaries, the assets of these non-guarantor
subsidiaries will be available to pay obligations on the notes only after all
outstanding liabilities, including trade payables, of these subsidiaries have
been paid in full. As of September 30, 1999, the total liabilities of these
subsidiaries would have been approximately $86.1 million.
BECAUSE A SIGNIFICANT PORTION OF OUR ASSETS ARE INTANGIBLE THEY MAY HAVE LITTLE
VALUE UPON A LIQUIDATION
Our assets consist primarily of intangible assets, principally FCC
licenses, the value of which will depend significantly upon the success of our
PCS network business and the growth of the PCS and wireless communications
industries in general. If we default on our indebtedness or upon our
liquidation, the value of these assets may not be sufficient to satisfy our
obligations. We had a net tangible book value deficit of $334.6 million
attributable to Tritel's common stock as of September 30, 1999.
OUR USE OF THE SUNCOM BRAND NAME FOR MARKETING MAY LINK OUR REPUTATION WITH
THOSE OF THE OTHER SUNCOM COMPANIES AND MAY EXPOSE US TO LIGITATION
We use the SunCom brand name to market our products and services in
conjunction with two other members of the AT&T Wireless Network, TeleCorp PCS
and Triton PCS, in order to broaden our marketing exposure and share the costs
of advertising. It is possible that our reputation for quality products and
services under the SunCom brand name will be associated with the reputation of
TeleCorp PCS and Triton PCS, and any unfavorable consumer reaction to our
wireless partners using the SunCom brand name could adversely affect our own
reputation.
The State of Florida has contacted AT&T Wireless concerning Florida's
alleged rights in the trademark SunCom. Florida uses the trademark SunCom for a
communications network used solely by state agencies in Florida and certain
not-for-profit entities that conduct a threshold level of business with the
state. If we are not successful in reaching an amicable resolution with Florida
regarding the SunCom trademark, we may need to litigate to determine the scope
of the rights of the state with respect to the SunCom trademark. The outcome of
any litigation is uncertain, and we may not have a continuing right to use the
SunCom brand name in the areas in which Florida has done business under the
SunCom trademark.
YEAR 2000 ISSUES COULD CAUSE INTERRUPTION OR FAILURE OF OUR COMPUTER SYSTEMS
We use a significant number of computer systems and software programs in
our operations, including applications used in support of our PCS network
equipment and various administrative functions. Although we believe that our
computer systems and software applications contain source code that is able to
interpret appropriately dates after December 31, 1999, our failure to make or
obtain necessary modifications to our systems and software could result in
systems interruptions or failures that could have a material adverse effect on
our business.
We do not anticipate that we will incur material expenses to make our
systems Year 2000 compliant. However, unanticipated costs necessary to avoid
potential systems interruptions could exceed our present expectations and
consequently have a material adverse effect on our business. In addition, if
our key equipment and service providers fail to make their respective computer
systems and software programs Year 2000 compliant, then such failure could have
a material adverse effect on our business. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis--Year 2000."
YOU MAY HAVE TO INCLUDE INTEREST IN YOUR TAXABLE INCOME BEFORE YOU RECEIVE CASH
PAYMENTS
The notes will be issued at a substantial discount from their principal
amount at maturity. Consequently, you will generally be required to include
amounts in your gross income for federal income tax purposes before you receive
the cash payments attributable to that income. See "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations."
18
<PAGE>
In the event of our bankruptcy, your claim may be limited to the issue
price, as determined by the bankruptcy court, plus the accrued portion of the
original issue discount at the date of the bankruptcy filing. To the extent
that the federal bankruptcy laws differ from the Internal Revenue Code in
determining the method of amortization of original issue discount, you may
realize taxable gain or loss upon payment of your claim in bankruptcy.
WE ARE NOT OBLIGATED TO NOTIFY YOU OF UNTIMELY OR DEFECTIVE TENDERS OF
OUTSTANDING NOTES, AND WE WILL NOT ISSUE REGISTERED NOTES TO YOU WITHOUT A
TIMELY AND PROPER TENDER.
We will issue registered notes pursuant to this exchange offer only after
a timely receipt of your outstanding notes, a properly completed and duly
executed letter of transmittal and all other required documents. Therefore, if
you want to tender your outstanding notes, please allow sufficient time to
ensure timely delivery. We are under no duty to give notification of defects or
irregularities with respect to the tenders of outstanding notes for exchange.
AN ACTIVE TRADING MARKET FOR THE NOTES MAY NOT DEVELOP, AND ILLIQUIDITY MAY
HINDER YOUR ABILITY TO SELL THE NOTES.
The outstanding notes were not registered under the Securities Act nor
under the securities laws of any state and may not be resold unless they are
subsequently registered or an exemption from the registration requirements of
the Securities Act and applicable state securities laws is available. The
registered notes will be registered under the Securities Act, but will
constitute a new issue of securities with no established trading market, and
there can be no assurance as to:
o the liquidity of any such market that may develop;
o the ability of registered note holders to sell their notes; or
o the price at which the registered note holders would be able to sell
their notes.
If such a market were to exist, the registered notes may trade at higher
or lower prices than their principal amount or purchase price, depending on
many factors, including prevailing interest rates, the market for similar
debentures and the financial performance of Tritel PCS.
The notes are designated for trading among qualified institutional buyers
in The Portal Market. We understand that certain of the Initial Purchasers
presently intend to make a market in the notes. However, they are not obligated
to do so, and any market-making activity with respect to the notes may be
discontinued at any time without notice. In addition, such market-making
activity will be subject to the limits imposed by the Securities Act and the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and may be limited during the exchange offer
or the pendency of an applicable shelf registration statement. There can be no
assurance that an active trading market will exist for the notes or that such
trading market will be liquid.
Notes that are not tendered or are tendered but not accepted will,
following the consummation of the exchange offer, continue to be subject to the
existing restrictions upon transfer, and, upon consummation of the exchange
offer, certain registration rights with respect to the outstanding notes will
terminate. In addition, any outstanding note holder who tenders in the exchange
offer for the purpose of participating in a distribution of the registered
notes may be deemed to have received restricted securities, and if so, will be
required to comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements
of the Securities Act in connection with any resale transaction. To the extent
that outstanding notes are tendered and accepted in the exchange offer, the
trading market for untendered and tendered but unaccepted outstanding notes
could be adversely affected.
19
<PAGE>
INFORMATION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS AND MARKET DATA
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements, including statements
regarding, among other items:
o future earnings and other operating results,
o the estimated cost and timing of our network buildout,
o competition and
o prospects and trends of the wireless industry.
Other statements contained in this prospectus are forward-looking
statements and are not based on historical fact, such as statements containing
the words "believes," "may," "will," "estimates," "continue," "anticipates,"
"intends," "expects" and words of similar import.
These forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and
assumptions, including those discussed in "Risk Factors," "Management's
Discussion and Analysis," "Business" and elsewhere in this prospectus.
Actual results may differ materially from those projected. We believe that
our estimates are reasonable; but you should not unduly rely on these
estimates, which are based on our current expectations. We undertake no
obligation to update any forward-looking statement or statements to reflect
events or circumstances after the date on which such statement is made or to
reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. New factors emerge from time to
time, and it is not possible for us to predict all of these factors. Further,
we cannot assess the impact of each such factor on our business or the extent
to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to be
materially different from those contained in any forward-looking statements. We
make no representation, warranty (express or implied) or assurance as to the
completeness or accuracy of these projections and, accordingly, neither express
an opinion or any other form of assurance regarding them.
We base forward-looking statements in this prospectus upon the following
assumptions, among others, and they may be incorrect:
o We will not incur any unanticipated costs in the construction of our
network.
o We will be able to compete successfully in each of our markets.
o Demand for our services will meet wireless communications industry
projections.
o Our network will satisfy the requirements described in our agreements
with AT&T and support the services we expect to provide.
o We will be successful in working with AT&T and the other SunCom
companies, as well as with other providers of wireless communications
services and roaming partners, to ensure effective marketing of our
network and the services we intend to offer.
o There will be no change in any governmental regulation or the
administration of existing governmental regulations that requires a
material change in the operation of our business.
If one or more of these assumptions is incorrect, our actual business,
operations and financial results may differ materially from the expectations,
expressed or implied, in the forward-looking statements. Do not place undue
reliance on any forward-looking statements.
Market data used throughout this prospectus is based on our good faith
estimates. Our estimates are based upon our review of internal surveys,
independent industry publications and other publicly available information.
20
<PAGE>
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION
We have filed with the Commission a registration statement on Form S-4 to
register the new notes being offered in this prospectus. This prospectus, which
forms part of the registration statement, does not contain all of the
information included in the registration statement. For further information
about Tritel PCS and the registered notes offered in this prospectus, you
should refer to the registration statement and its exhibits.
Our Commission filings are available to the public over the internet at
the Commission's web site at http://www.sec.gov/. You also may read and copy
any document we file at the Commission's public reference room at 450 Fifth
Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. These documents also are available at the
public reference rooms at the Commission's regional offices in New York, New
York and Chicago, Illinois. Please call the Commission at 1-800-SEC0330 for
further information on the public reference rooms.
While any original notes remain outstanding, we will make available, upon
request, to any holder and any prospective purchaser of original notes the
information required pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act
during any period in which we are not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Exchange Act. Written requests for such information should be directed to
Tritel, Inc., 111 E. Capitol Street, Suite 500, Jackson, Mississippi 39201,
Attention: Corporate Secretary.
USE OF PROCEEDS
Tritel PCS will not receive any cash proceeds from the issuance of the
registered notes in exchange for the outstanding notes. In consideration for
issuing the registered notes, Tritel PCS will receive outstanding notes in like
original principal amount at maturity. Outstanding notes received in the
exchange offer will be cancelled.
The net proceeds to Tritel PCS from the offering of the original notes
were approximately $191.0 million after deducting the discount payable to the
Initial Purchasers and the estimated offering expenses. The net proceeds of
that offering, together with the cash proceeds received by Tritel, Inc. from
the initial sale of its equity and funds drawn under Tritel PCS's bank facility
and the net proceeds from the initial public offering of Tritel's Class A
Common Stock and the concurrent offering of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A and Class B
Common Stock to certain of its existing stockholders, will be used to cover
each of the following through the end of 2001, when Tritel PCS anticipates that
it will have substantially completed the planned buildout of its network and
will have achieved positive cash flow from operations:
o approximately $649.6 million for Tritel PCS's capital expenditures,
including the buildout of its PCS network,
o approximately $141.8 million for cash interest and to cover financing
fees and expenses,
o approximately $192.9 million for acquisition of PCS licenses and
intangible assets, and
o approximately $314.4 million for working capital, including operating
cash flow losses.
We anticipate spending approximately $175 million in the fourth quarter of
1999 and a total of approximately $290 million in 2000 and 2001 on network
construction, although actual amounts expended may vary significantly depending
upon the progress of the construction and other factors.
A portion of these proceeds may also be used for acquisitions. Although we
have no agreements or commitments with respect to any such acquisition, from
time to time we evaluate opportunities and enter into discussions regarding
possible acquisitions of licenses and properties that will complement or extend
our existing operations. We do not currently expect that we would acquire
licenses in any new market unless we were able to extend the AT&T agreements to
cover our operations in the market.
21
<PAGE>
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization of Tritel,
Inc. as of September 30, 1999. The following table should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis" and Tritel, Inc.'s
consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes thereto included
elsewhere in this prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
-------------------
(IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Cash, cash equivalents .......................................................... $ 485,684
=========
Long-term debt:
Bank facility .................................................................. $ 300,000
FCC debt ....................................................................... 41,666
Senior Subordinated Discount Notes ............................................. 210,093
---------
Total long-term debt ........................................................ 551,759
---------
Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock ............................. 97,301
---------
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred Stock, par value--$.01 per share; authorized 1,500,000 shares:
Series B Preferred Stock, no shares issued and outstanding .................. --
Series C Preferred Stock, 184,233 shares issued and outstanding ............. 174,658
Series D Preferred Stock, 46,374 shares issued and outstanding .............. 46,374
Common Stock, par value--$.01 per share; authorized 3,040,009 shares; 38,941
shares issued and outstanding ................................................ --
Additional paid in capital ..................................................... 4,500
Deficit accumulated during the development stage ............................... (50,292)
---------
Total stockholders' equity ................................................... 175,240
=========
Total capitalization ........................................................ $ 824,300
=========
</TABLE>
The above table does not reflect the initial public offering of the Class
A and Class B Common Stock of Tritel, Inc.
22
<PAGE>
SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected financial data for the periods indicated have been
derived from the Consolidated Financial Statements of Tritel, Inc. which
statements, except for the nine-month periods ended September 30, 1998 and
1999, the related balance sheet data as of September 30, 1999 and the period
from inception to September 30, 1999, have been audited by KPMG Peat Marwick
LLP, independent certified public accountants, whose report thereon, other than
operations for the period from inception through December 31, 1995 and balance
sheets at December 31, 1995 and 1996, appears elsewhere in this prospectus. The
unaudited financial data referred to above includes, in the opinion of
management, all necessary adjustments required for a fair presentation of the
data. The results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 1999
are not necessarily indicative of results to be anticipated for the entire
year. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with
"Management's Discussion and Analysis" and the Consolidated Financial
Statements and notes thereto of Tritel, Inc. included elsewhere in this
prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERIOD FROM
INCEPTION TO
DECEMBER 31, YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-------------- -------------------------------------
1995 1996 1997 1998
-------------- ----------- ----------- -------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues ...................... $ -- $ -- $ -- $ --
------ -------- -------- ---------
Operating expenses:
Costs of services and
equipment .................... -- -- -- --
Plant expenses ................ -- 4 104 1,939
General and administrative..... 121 1,481 3,123 4,947
Other operating expenses ...... -- 7 48 800
------ -------- -------- ---------
Total operating expense ...... 121 1,492 3,275 7,686
------ -------- -------- ---------
Operating loss ................ (121) (1,492) (3,275) (7,686)
Interest income ............... 1 31 121 77
Interest expense and
financing cost ............... -- -- -- (722)
------ -------- -------- ---------
Loss before extraordinary
item and income taxes ....... (120) (1,461) (3,154) (8,331)
Income tax benefit ............ -- -- -- --
------ -------- -------- ---------
Loss before extraordinary
item ........................ (120) (1,461) (3,154) (8,331)
Extraordinary item --
Loss on return of
spectrum ..................... -- -- -- (2,414)
------ -------- -------- ---------
Net loss ..................... $ (120) $ (1,461) $ (3,154) $ (10,745)
Accrual of dividends on
Series A redeemable
preferred stock .............. -- -- -- --
------ -------- -------- ---------
Net loss available to
common shareholders .......... $ (120) $ (1,461) $ (3,154) $ (10,745)
====== ======== ======== =========
Basic and diluted net loss
per common share(1) ..........
Weighted average common
shares outstanding(1) ........
Pro forma basic and diluted
net loss per common
share(1) .....................
Pro forma weighted average
common shares
outstanding(1) ...............
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE CUMULATIVE
AMOUNTS NINE MONTHS AMOUNTS
SINCE INCEPTION, ENDED SINCE INCEPTION,
AT DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30, AT SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------ -------------------------- -----------------
1998 1998 1999 1999
------------------ ----------- -------------- -----------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Revenues ...................... $ -- $ -- $ 179 $ 179
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Operating expenses:
Costs of services and
equipment .................... -- -- 189 189
Plant expenses ................ 2,047 504 8,931 10,977
General and administrative..... 9,672 3,208 17,414 27,085
Other operating expenses ...... 855 201 12,222 13,077
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Total operating expense ...... 12,574 3,913 38,756 51,328
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Operating loss ................ (12,574) (3,913) (38,577) (51,149)
Interest income ............... 230 39 10,451 10,679
Interest expense and
financing cost ............... (722) -- (14,268) (14,990)
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Loss before extraordinary
item and income taxes ....... (13,066) (3,874) (42,394) (55,460)
Income tax benefit ............ -- -- 13,638 13,638
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Loss before extraordinary
item ........................ (13,066) (3,874) (28,756) (41,822)
Extraordinary item --
Loss on return of
spectrum ..................... (2,414) (2,414) -- (2,414)
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Net loss ..................... $ (15,480) $ (6,288) $ (28,756) $ (44,236)
Accrual of dividends on
Series A redeemable
preferred stock .............. -- -- (6,632) (6,632)
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Net loss available to
common shareholders .......... $ (15,480) $ (6,288) $ (35,388) $ (50,868)
========= ======== ============ =========
Basic and diluted net loss
per common share(1) .......... $ (2.32)
============
Weighted average common
shares outstanding(1) ........ 15,224,891
============
Pro forma basic and diluted
net loss per common
share(1) ..................... $ (0.38)
============
Pro forma weighted average
common shares
outstanding(1) ............... 93,537,315
============
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Weighted average common shares outstanding above were calculated assuming
that the Class A and Class C common shares were issued and split on
January 1, 1999. On December 17, 1999, Series C preferred stock of
Tritel, Inc. was converted to Class A and Class D common stock. Pro forma
weighted average common shares outstanding were calculated assuming that
Series C preferred stock was converted to Class A and Class D common
stock on January 1, 1999. Per share information is not included for
periods prior to 1999 because our predecessor companies were limited
liability companies with different capital structures.
23
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, SEPTEMBER 30,
------------------------------------------- ---------------
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
-------- ---------- ----------- ----------- ---------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash and cash equivalents ...................... $ 400 $ 32 $ 1,763 $ 846 $485,684
Other current assets ........................... 4,501 5,000 285 960 9,453
Property and equipment, net .................... -- 10 13 13,816 132,075
FCC licensing costs ............................ 40 62,503 99,425 71,466 199,440
Intangible assets, net ......................... 3 186 1,027 1,933 89,354
Other assets ................................... -- -- -- -- 15,466
------ ------- -------- -------- --------
Total assets ................................... $4,944 $67,731 $102,513 $ 89,021 $931,472
====== ======= ======== ======== ========
Total current liabilities ...................... $3,425 $ 8,553 $ 8,425 $ 32,911 $ 54,592
Long-term debt ................................. -- 53,504 77,200 51,599 551,078
Other non-current liabilities .................. -- -- 8,126 6,494 53,261
Total Series A redeemable preferred stock ...... -- -- -- -- 97,301
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) ........... 1,519 5,674 8,762 (1,983) 175,240
------ ------- -------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ..... $4,944 $67,731 $102,513 $ 89,021 $931,472
====== ======= ======== ======== ========
OTHER FINANCIAL DATA:
Ratio of earnings to fixed charges ............. -- -- -- -- --
</TABLE>
For purposes of determining the ratio of earnings to fixed charges,
earnings are defined as income before income taxes plus fixed charges. Fixed
charges consist of interest expense and other financing costs on all
indebtedness, including amortization of discount and deferred debt issuance
costs. Earnings were insufficient to cover fixed charges by $140,000 for the
period from inception, July 27, 1995, through December 31, 1995, $4.8 million,
$10.4 million and $18.9 million for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998, respectively, and $3.9 million and $57.0 million for the nine-month
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999.
24
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and
results of operations should be read in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements and notes thereto of Tritel, Inc., which are included in
this prospectus. See also "Information Regarding Forward Looking Statements and
Market Data."
GENERAL
We are an AT&T Wireless affiliate with licenses to provide PCS services to
approximately 14.0 million people in contiguous markets in the south-central
United States. While we are a development stage enterprise with limited
operations, have had no significant revenues and expect to have significant
operating losses in our initial stages of operations, we have recently begun to
provide wireless services in six of our major markets. In January 1999, we
entered into our affiliation agreement with AT&T Wireless, our largest equity
stockholder with 21.9% ownership of our company. We have also joined with two
other AT&T Wireless affiliates to operate under a common regional brand name,
SunCom. We provide our PCS services as a member of the AT&T Wireless Network,
serving as the preferred roaming provider to AT&T Wireless' digital customers
in virtually all of our markets and co-branding our services with the AT&T and
SunCom brands and logos, giving equal emphasis to each.
We have incurred significant expenditures in conjunction with our
organization and financing, PCS license acquisitions, hiring key personnel and
the design and construction of our PCS network facilities. We have commenced
commercial PCS services in six markets and intend to launch commercial
operations in eight of our ten largest markets by the end of 1999. We intend to
commence commercial PCS service in all of our major population and business
centers by the end of 2000. The timing of launch in individual markets will be
determined by various factors, principally the success of our site acquisition
program, zoning and microwave relocation activities, equipment delivery
schedules and local market and competitive considerations. We expect to be able
to provide service to over 50% of the Pops in our license area by the end of
1999 and to over 98% by the end of 2000. Thereafter, we will evaluate further
coverage expansion on a market-by-market basis.
The extent to which we are able to generate operating revenues and
earnings will be dependent on a number of business factors, including
successfully deploying the PCS network and attaining profitable levels of
market demand for our products and services.
REVENUES
We will generate substantially all of our revenues from the following
services:
o SERVICE. We will sell wireless personal communications services. The
various types of service revenue associated with personal communications
services for our subscribers will include monthly recurring charges and
monthly non-recurring airtime charges for local, long distance and
roaming airtime used in excess of pre-subscribed usage. Our customers'
charges are dependent on their rate plans, based on the number of pooled
minutes included in their plans. Service revenue will also include
monthly non-recurring airtime usage associated with our prepaid
subscribers and non-recurring activation and deactivation service
charges.
o EQUIPMENT. We will sell wireless PCS handsets and accessories that are
used by our customers in connection with our wireless services.
o ROAMING. We will charge monthly, non-recurring, per minute fees to
other wireless companies whose customers use our network facilities to
place and receive wireless services.
Industry statistics indicate that average revenue per unit (ARPU) for the
wireless communications business has declined substantially over the period
1993-1998. Although this decline has stabilized recently, management believes
that some deterioration in ARPU will continue. Management also believes that
certain direct operating costs, including billing, interconnect, roaming
25
<PAGE>
and long distance charges will decline. However, our ability to improve our
margins will depend primarily on our ability to manage our variable costs,
including selling, general and administrative expense and costs per new
subscriber.
A particular focus of our strategy is to reduce subscriber churn. Industry
data suggest that those providers, including PCS providers, that have offered
poor or spotty coverage, poor voice quality, unresponsive customer care or
confusing billing suffer higher than average churn rates. Accordingly, we will
launch service in a new market only after we believe that comprehensive and
reliable coverage and service can be maintained in that market. In addition, we
have designed our billing system to provide simple and understandable options
to our subscribers and to permit subscribers to select a flexible billing
cycle.
We will also focus resources on a proactive subscriber retention program,
strict credit policies and alternative methods of payment for credit-challenged
customers. However, future PCS churn rates may be higher than historical rates
due to the increase in number of competitors and expanded marketbase.
COST OF SERVICES AND EQUIPMENT
Our cost of services and equipment has consisted of, and we expect, will
continue to consist of, the following:
EQUIPMENT. We purchase personal communications handsets and accessories
from third party vendors to resell to our customers for use in connection with
our services. The cost of handsets has been, and is expected to remain, higher
than the resale price to the customer. This cost is recorded as a cost of
services and equipment. We do not manufacture any of this equipment.
ROAMING FEES. We pay fees to other wireless communications companies based
on airtime usage of our customers on other communications networks. It is
expected that reciprocal roaming rates charged between our company and other
carriers will decrease.
VARIABLE INTERCONNECT. We pay monthly charges associated with the
connection of our network with other carriers' networks. These fees are based
on minutes of use by our customers. This is known as interconnection.
VARIABLE LONG DISTANCE. We pay monthly usage charges to other
communications companies for long distance service provided to our customers.
These variable charges are based on our subscribers' usage, applied at
pre-negotiated rates with the other carriers.
OPERATING EXPENSES
Our operating expenses have consisted of, and we expect will continue to
consist of, the following costs:
PLANT. Our plant expense includes engineering operations and support,
field technicians, network implementation support, and engineering management.
This expense also includes monthly recurring charges directly associated with
the maintenance of network facilities and equipment. Plant expense is expected
to increase as we expand our coverage and add subscribers.
GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE. Our general and administrative expense
includes customer service, billing, information technology, finance,
accounting, human resources and legal services. We expect general and
administrative expense to increase as we expand our coverage and add
subscribers.
STOCK BASED COMPENSATION. We have issued a total of 12,362,272 shares of
our Class A and Class C Common Stock to members of our management, primarily in
connection with the formation of the joint venture with AT&T Wireless. These
shares are subject to repurchase agreements, which are considered a "variable
stock plan" under generally accepted accounting principles. Under the
repurchase agreements, the management holders will pay $2.50 per share for
these shares, payable by surrendering shares to us valued at their fair value.
Assuming the closing price of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A
26
<PAGE>
Common Stock on December 31, 1999, is $18.00 per share (the initial public
offering price), we will record non-cash compensation expense of approximately
$108.9 million in December 1999 relating to the earned portion of the stock
issued to management. Assuming our Class A Common Stock continues to have a
fair value of $18.00 per share, we would record additional non-cash
compensation expense related to these shares for the period from 2000 through
2004 of approximately $82.7 million. Non-cash compensation expense related to
these shares will be a variable, quarterly expense depending on the fair value
of these shares. Any increase or decrease in fair value, above or below $18.00
per share for the Class A Common Stock would result in non-cash compensation
expense for the period from 2000 through 2006 in amounts greater than or less
than the above amount. Any increases could be substantial.
Inasmuch as these additional charges for compensation expense are non-cash
charges, these expenses would not affect the amount of earnings before
interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, we report in
the future. We define EBITDA as total revenues less cost of services and
equipment, plant expenses, general and administrative expenses and sales and
marketing expenses. These expenses would exclude non-cash stock based
compensation. Other companies may define EBITDA differently. EBITDA, as we have
defined it, is not a measure of performance under generally accepted accounting
principles and should not be construed as a substitute for consolidated net
earnings (loss) as a measure of performance, or as a substitute for cash flow
as a measure of liquidity. Management believes EBITDA is important because it
provides useful information regarding the company's ability to incur and
service debt.
SALES AND MARKETING. Our sales and marketing expense includes salaries and
benefits, commissions, advertising and promotions, retail distribution, sales
training, and direct and indirect support. Sales and marketing expense will
increase as we expand our coverage and add subscribers.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION. Property and equipment are depreciated
using the straight-line method, generally over three to seven years, based upon
the estimated useful lives of the respective assets. Leasehold improvements are
depreciated over the term of the lease. Network development costs are
capitalized and are depreciated generally over seven years beginning as PCS
service is commenced in each of our markets.
PCS license costs are amortized over 40 years beginning as PCS service is
commenced in each of our markets. The AT&T agreements, including the Network
Membership License Agreement and the Intercarrier Roamer Service Agreement, are
amortized over the lives of the agreements, 10 years and 20 years,
respectively, beginning in January 1999.
INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE). Interest income is earned primarily on our cash
equivalents and restricted cash. Interest expense through September 1999
consists of interest due on our senior credit facilities, high yield debt and
debt owed to the U.S. government related to our licenses.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
NINE-MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
Our net loss was $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30,
1998, as compared to a net loss of $28.8 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. We launched commercial service in the Jackson, Mississippi
market in the third quarter of 1999, and until that time had no revenues. The
expenses incurred to date primarily relate to developing an infrastructure and
hiring staffing to support the future services we will provide.
Revenues
Revenues for nine months ended September 30, 1999 was $179,000. Revenues
consist primarily of revenues derived from service to our customers, roaming
services provided to customers of other carriers, and the sale of handsets and
accessories. Tritel PCS launched commercial service in the Jackson, Mississippi
market in September 1999. Tritel PCS had not previously recognized any
revenues.
27
<PAGE>
Operating Expenses
Cost of services and equipment was $189,000 for the nine months ended
September 30, 1999. Cost of services and equipment includes primarily the cost
of equipment sold to customers, costs paid to other carriers for roaming
services and long-distance charges incurred by customers on the system.
Plant expenses were $504,000 and $8.9 million for the nine months ended
September 30, 1998 and 1999, respectively. Plant expenses include primarily the
cost of engineering and operating staff devoted to the oversight of the design
and implementation of our network, site lease expenses and construction site
office expenses.
We expect that the majority of our future plant expenses will consist of
costs relating to operating the network, including the cost of interconnection
to wireline and other wireless networks, cell site lease costs, network
personnel and repair and maintenance. We expect plant expense to increase
during the remainder of 1999 as we begin commercial operation of our network in
various markets.
Our general and administrative expense includes customer service, billing,
information technology, finance, accounting, human resources and legal
services. General and administrative expenses increased from $3.2 million for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1998 to $17.4 million for the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. The increase was due primarily to
increased staffing in various departments, including information technology,
billing and customer care, accounting, human resources and other administrative
functions, incurred in the preparation for commercial launch of our network in
1999, as well as costs related to our redefined employment agreement with Mr.
Sullivan totaling $5.8 million recorded in the third quarter of 1999.
Effective September 1, 1999, Tritel, Inc. and Jerry M. Sullivan entered
into an agreement to redefine Mr. Sullivan's relationship with Tritel, Inc. and
its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan has resigned as an officer and a director of
Tritel, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan will retain the title
Executive Vice President of Tritel, Inc. through December 31, 2001; however,
under the agreement, he is not permitted to represent the Company nor will he
perform any functions for Tritel, Inc. As part of the agreement, Mr. Sullivan
will also receive an annual salary of $225,000 and an annual bonus of $112,500
through December 31, 2002. Mr. Sullivan will be fully vested in 1,800,000
shares of Class A Common Stock and will return all other shares held by him,
including his Voting Preference Common Stock to Tritel, Inc. Accordingly, the
Company has recorded $5.8 million in additional compensation expense in the
nine-month period ended September 30, 1999. The $5.8 million was determined
pursuant to the settlement of Mr. Sullivan's employment relationship with the
Company and includes $4.5 million for the grant of additional stock rights,
$225,000 annual salary and $112,500 annual bonus through December 31, 2002, and
other related amounts.
We expect general and administrative expenses to increase during the
remainder of 1999 as we begin commercial operations in various markets.
Our sales and marketing expense includes salaries and benefits,
commissions, advertising and promotions, retail distribution, sales training,
and direct and indirect support. Sales and marketing expenses increased from
$181,000 for the first nine months of 1998 to $6.6 million for the same period
in 1999. The increase was associated with the salary and benefits for sales and
marketing personnel and for market development, including planning and leasing
of sales offices and retail store locations. We expect to incur significant
selling and marketing costs during the remainder of 1999 primarily related to
sales commissions, promotional events and advertising incurred in connection
with market launches in 1999.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $20,000 for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1998, as compared to $5.6 million for the nine-month
period ended September 30, 1999. The 1999 expenses related primarily to the
amortization of our roaming and license agreements with AT&T Wireless, as well
as the depreciation of computer hardware, software, furniture, fixtures, and
office equipment.
28
<PAGE>
Non-Operating Income and Expense
Interest income increased from $39,000 for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1998 to $10.5 million for the nine-month period ended September
30, 1999. This significant increase was a result of our investment of the cash
received from equity investors of $162.7 million, advances under our bank
facility of $300.0 million and proceeds from the sale of senior subordinated
discount notes of approximatly $200.2 million. Our short-term cash investments
consist primarily of U.S. Government securities with a dollar-weighted average
maturity of 90 days or less.
Financing costs were $2.2 million for the period ended September 30, 1999.
These costs were associated with the January 1999 conversion by Digital PCS LLC
of debt due to an investor to equity in Airwave Communications LLC. Digital PCS
and Airwave Communications are our predecessor companies. See "Organization of
Tritel".
Interest expense was $12.0 million for the nine-months ended September 30,
1999, and consisted of interst on debt in excess of the amount capitalized for
the purpose of completing the network buildout. All interest for the
nine-months ended September 30, 1998 was capitalized because all debt for that
period was applied to the network buildout.
For the nine-months ended September 30, 1999, we recorded a deferred
income tax benefit of $13.6 million. No valuation allowance was considered
necessary for the resulting deferred tax asset, principally due to the
existence of a deferred tax liability which was recorded upon the closing of
the AT&T transaction on January 7, 1999. Prior to this date, the predecessor
company was a limited liability corporation and was not subject to income
taxes.
YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND DECEMBER 31, 1998
Operating Expenses
Plant expenses were $4,000, $104,000 and $1.9 million for the years ended
December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, respectively. These expenses were primarily
related to an increase in engineering and operating staff devoted to the design
and implementation of future operations of our network.
We expect the majority of our future plant expenses will consist of costs
relating to operating the network including the cost of interconnection to
wireline and other wireless networks, cell site lease costs, network personnel
and repair and maintenance.
General and administrative expenses increased from $1.5 million in 1996,
to $3.1 million in 1997 and $4.9 million in 1998. The increases were due to the
development and growth of infrastructure and staffing relating to information
technology, billing, customer care, financial reporting and other
administrative functions incurred in the preparation for commercial launch of
our network in 1999. Management's strategy of stressing the importance of
customer care will cause the customer care department to become a larger part
of ongoing general and administrative expenses. Billing costs will increase as
the number of customers increases.
Sales and marketing expenses increased from $5,000 in 1996 to $28,000 in
1997 and $452,000 in 1998. These increases were associated with the salary and
benefits for sales and marketing personnel and for market development,
including planning and leasing of regional offices. Management expects to incur
significant selling and marketing costs, including commissions, promotional
events and advertising, as we prepared to launch markets in 1999.
Depreciation and amortization expenses were $2,000 in 1996 compared to
$20,000 in 1997 and $348,000 in 1998. The expenses in 1998 related to the
depreciation of furniture, fixtures and office equipment, as well as the
amortization of deferred charges.
Non-Operating Income and Expenses
Interest expense, net of interest income, for 1998 was $722,000. The
interest expense related to licenses retained by Digital PCS.
29
<PAGE>
During July 1998, we recorded an extraordinary loss of $2.4 million on the
forgiveness of debt related to the return of C-Block spectrum allowed by the
FCC under restructuring guidelines.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
The buildout of our network and the marketing and distribution of our
products and services will require substantial capital. We currently estimate
that our capital requirements for the period from inception through the end of
2001, assuming substantial completion of our network buildout, will total
approximately $1.30 billion. We estimate those capital requirements will be met
as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Bank facility $ 507.8
Senior subordinated discount notes 200.2
Government financing 47.5
Net proceeds of initial public offering of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A
and Class B Common Stock 219.2
Other cash equity 163.4
Non-cash equity 157.9
----------
Total estimated sources of capital $ 1,296.0
==========
</TABLE>
On January 7, 1999, we entered into a loan agreement that provides for a
senior bank facility with a group of lenders for an aggregate amount of $550
million of senior secured credit. The bank facility provides for:
o a $250 million reducing revolving credit facility maturing on June 30,
2007,
o a $100 million term credit facility maturing on June 30, 2007, and
o a $200 million term credit facility maturing on December 31, 2007.
Up to $10 million of the facility may be used for letters of credit. We
estimate that $507.8 million of the $550 million bank facility will be drawn
through the end of 2001 for capital requirements. The terms of the bank
facility will permit us, subject to certain terms and conditions, including
compliance with certain leverage ratios and satisfaction of buildout and
subscriber milestones, to draw up to $550 million to finance working capital
requirements, capital expenditures or other corporate purposes. As of September
30, 1999, we could have borrowed up to a total of approximately $550 million
pursuant to the terms of the bank facility. The bank facility limits our annual
capital expenditures. We plan to seek an amendment to our bank facility to
permit us to incur in 2000 and 2001 a portion of the capital expenditures we
presently plan to incur subsequent to 2001. We cannot assure you that we will
be able to obtain this amendment. See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness--Bank Facility."
On May 11, 1999, we issued senior subordinated discount notes with a
principal amount at maturity of $372.0 million. These notes were issued at a
substantial discount from their principal amount at maturity for proceeds of
$200.2 million. No interest will be paid or accrued on the notes prior to May
15, 2004. Thereafter, the notes will bear interest at the stated rate. The
notes mature on May 15, 2009.
Our predecessor companies received preferential financing from the U.S.
Government for the C and F-Block licenses, which they contributed to us in
exchange for Series C Preferred Stock. As a result, we are obligated to pay
$47.5 million to the U.S. Government under preferential financing terms. The
debt relating to the C-Block licenses requires interest only payments for the
first six years of the term and then principal and interest payments in years
seven through ten. The debt relating to the F-Block licenses requires interest
only payments for the first two years of the term and then principal and
interest payments in years three through ten.
In connection with the consummation of the joint venture with AT&T
Wireless, we received unconditional and irrevocable equity commitments from
institutional equity investors in the aggregate amount of $149.2 million in
return for the issuance of Series C Preferred Stock. Additionally, on January
7, 1999, we received $14.2 million of cash in exchange for the issuance of
Series C Preferred Stock from Airwave Communications and Digital PCS.
30
<PAGE>
Non-cash equity consists of:
o Series A Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock valued at $137.1
million issued to AT&T Wireless on January 7, 1999 in exchange for the
licenses it contributed and for entering into exclusivity, license and
roaming agreements,
o Series C Preferred Stock valued at $18.3 million issued to Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS on January 7, 1999 in exchange for the
net assets they contributed, and
o Series C Preferred Stock valued at $2.6 million issued to Central
Alabama Partnership on January 7, 1999 in exchange for the net assets it
contributed.
As stated previously, we currently estimate that our capital requirements,
including capital expenditures, the cost of acquiring licenses, working
capital, debt service requirements and anticipated operating losses, for the
period from inception through the end of 2001, assuming substantial completion
of our network buildout, will total approximately $1.30 billion as follows:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Acquisition of PCS licenses and exclusivity,
license and roaming agreements $ 192.9
Capital expenditures 646.9
Cash interest and fees 141.8
Use of working capital and operating losses 314.4
----------
Total estimated use of capital $ 1,296.0
==========
</TABLE>
We have funded $192.9 million for the acquisition of the PCS licenses and
the agreements with AT&T Wireless relating to exclusivity, license and roaming.
This amount includes the acquisition of PCS licenses from AT&T Wireless,
Central Alabama Partnership, Airwave Communications and Digital PCS. The cash
portion of this capital requirement of $14.7 million was paid by Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS as a downpayment on the purchase of the C and
F-Block licenses.
Management estimates that capital expenditures associated with the
buildout will total approximately $646.9 million from inception through the end
of 2001, including a commitment to purchase a minimum of $300 million in
equipment and services from Ericsson. Costs associated with the network
buildout include switches, base stations, towers and antennae, radiofrequency
engineering, cell site acquisition and construction, and microwave relocation.
The actual funds required to build out our network may vary materially from
these estimates, and additional funds could be required in the event of
significant departures from the current business plan, unforeseen delays, cost
overruns, unanticipated expenses, regulatory expenses, engineering design
changes and other technological risks. We had made $86.2 million in capital
expenditures as of September 30, 1999.
We estimate that cash interest and fees through 2001 will total $141.8
million, including fees relating to the offering of the senior subordinated
discount notes. This amount represents interest and fees on the senior bank
facility and interest on the preferential financing from the U.S. Government
for the C and F-Block licenses. Cash interest will not be paid on the senior
subordinated discount notes until 2004. As of September 30, 1999, we have paid
$23.8 million for interest and fees and have incurred fees of approximately
$9.6 million relating to the offering of the senior subordinated discount
notes.
We estimate that working capital and operating losses during the period
from inception through 2001 will total $314.4 million. This amount represents
the costs related to initiating, marketing, operating and managing our PCS
network.
We believe that the proceeds from our sale of the senior subordinated
discount notes, the financing made available to us by the FCC, borrowings under
our bank facility and the equity investments we have received, together with
the proceeds from the proposed initial public offering of Class A Common Stock
of Tritel, Inc., will provide us with sufficient funds to build out our
existing
31
<PAGE>
network as planned and fund operating losses until we complete our planned
network buildout and generate positive cash flow. Although management estimates
that we will have sufficient funds available from our existing financing
sources to build out over 98% of our licensed Pops, it is possible that
additional funding will be necessary.
Digital PCS, one of our predecessors, holds licenses covering 2.0 million
Pops in Florida and southern Georgia. These markets include the cities of
Pensacola, Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida. As part of our formation, we
received from Digital PCS an option to purchase these licenses for
approximately $15.0 million, which will consist of $3.0 million of our equity
and our assumption of $12.0 million of FCC debt. In May 1999, we exercised this
option, and the licenses will be transferred to us after FCC approval.
As part of our arrangements with AT&T Wireless, we have committed to grant
an entity in which AT&T Wireless has a non-attributable interest an option,
expiring in April 2000, to purchase these licenses from us at our cost plus
10%. It is possible that we would develop these markets (which would require
AT&T's permission) and, if we do, we estimate that we would require substantial
additional capital for acquisition costs and capital expenditures and to fund
operating losses and working capital requirements in connection with the
buildout and operation of these markets.
In summary, from the inception of Airwave Communications and Digital PCS
through September 30, 1999, we have used $41.7 million in operating activities.
Those activities have consisted mainly of plant expenses, general and
administrative expenses and sales and marketing expenses totalling over $45.2
million on an accrual basis. Additionally, net interest expense during that
same period paid by us totaled almost $4.3 million. Also for that period, we
have used over $130.9 million in investing activities. The investing activities
have consisted of over $86 million spent so far on property and equipment,
about $14.7 million spent to obtain FCC licenses, $7.5 million loaned to ABC
Wireless to obtain licenses for us and $14.6 million in capitalized interest on
the debt to finance the FCC licenses and the network buildout. We have received
almost $658.4 million in cash from financing activities. $500.2 million has
been received to date from the bank facility and the senior subordinated
discount notes. Additionally, we and our predecessor companies, Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS, have received $165.4 million in capital, net of
costs, from the sale of preferred stock and membership interests in the
predecessor companies.
Tritel Finance, Inc. is a wholly owned finance subsidary of Tritel PCS.
Tritel Finance owns all of Tritel PCS's infrastructure equipment located
outside of Mississippi, and leases that equipment to Tritel Communications,
Inc., a wholly owned operating subsidary of Tritel PCS. These intercompany
leases are treated as operating leases. PCS infrastructure equipment located
within Mississippi is owned by Tritel Communications, Inc.
PENDING LICENSE ACQUISITION
On March 23, 1999, the FCC commenced a re-auction of the C-, D-, E- and
F-Block licenses that had been returned to the FCC under an FCC restructuring
order or that had been forfeited for noncompliance with FCC rules or for
default under the related FCC financing. Before the re-auction, we loaned $7.5
million to ABC Wireless, an entity formed to participate in the C-Block
re-auction as a "very small business" under applicable FCC rules, to partially
fund its participation in the re-auction.
In the re-auction, ABC Wireless was successful in bidding for an
additional 15 to 30 MHz of spectrum covering a total of 5.7 million Pops, all
of which were already covered by our existing licenses. Nashville and
Chattanooga are the largest cities covered by the additional licenses. The
total bid price for these additional licenses was $7.8 million. We will apply
our $7.5 million loan to ABC Wireless and pay cash for the balance, to buy
these licenses from ABC Wireless. Our purchase of licenses from ABC Wireless
would be subject to, among other things, the consent of AT&T Wireless.
As a result of the re-auction and our contractual rights to purchase from
ABC Wireless PCS licenses, we could hold an attributable interest in Commercial
Mobile Radio Service, or CMRS, spectrum in excess of 45 MHz in several cities
in our markets. Current FCC rules limit PCS licensees
32
<PAGE>
and certain investors in PCS licensees from having an attributable interest in
more than 45 MHz of CMRS spectrum (or 55 MHz where there is an overlap between
a PCS service area and rural cellular service area) in any given geographic
area. In order to exceed the 45 MHz spectrum limit, we and certain investors,
including AT&T, would have to obtain the consent of the FCC. There is no
assurance that the FCC will give its consent and seeking such consent could
delay the processing of the required applications to assign the licenses from
ABC to us. We believe the FCC will approve the disaggregation of spectrum from
the ABC licenses and transfer to us portions of the licenses so we will be in
compliance with the CMRS spectrum cap rules.
During June 1998, we took advantage of a reconsideration order by the FCC
allowing companies holding C-Block PCS licenses several options to restructure
their license holdings and associated obligations. We elected the
disaggregation option and returned one-half of the broadcast spectrum
originally acquired for each of the C-Block license areas. As a result, we
reduced the carrying amount of the related licenses by one-half, or $35.4
million, and reduced the discounted debt and accrued interest due to the FCC by
$33.0 million. As a result of the disaggregation election, we recognized an
extraordinary loss of $2.4 million.
YEAR 2000
Many currently installed computer systems and software applications are
encoded to accept only two digit entries in the year entry of the date code
field. Beginning in the year 2000, these codes will need to accept four digit
year entries to distinguish 21st century dates from 20th century dates. We have
implemented a Year 2000 program to ensure that our computer systems and
applications will function properly after 1999. We believe that we have
allocated adequate resources for this purpose and expect to successfully
complete our Year 2000 compliance program on a timely basis, although there can
be no certainty that this will be the case. We do not expect to incur material
expenses or meaningful delays in completing our Year 2000 compliance program.
We have sought to acquire and implement computer systems and software that
already have the ability to process Year 2000 data. Therefore, we do not expect
a need to convert any existing systems or software for Year 2000 compliance.
Ericsson has represented that the software within its PCS equipment will be
able to process calendar dates falling on or after January 1, 2000. However, we
cannot be certain that the Year 2000 software of this equipment will be
compatible with the other software it uses. The ability of Ericsson, or any
other third parties with whom we transact business, to adequately address their
Year 2000 issues is outside of our control. It is possible that our failure, or
a third party's failure, to adequately address Year 2000 issues will adversely
affect our business and operating results.
Because we have sought to acquire systems and software that are Year 2000
compliant, we do not have a contingency plan. Management will continue to
monitor the risk associated with Year 2000 processing, as well as its vendors'
Year 2000 compliance and will develop a contingency plan if the circumstances
warrant such a plan.
RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of an
Enterprise and Related Information ("FAS 131"). FAS 131 requires that a public
business enterprise report financial and descriptive information about its
reportable operating segments. The statement defines operating segments as
components of enterprises about which separate financial information is
available that is evaluated regularly by the chief operating decision maker in
deciding how to allocate resources and in assessing performance. We adopted
SFAS 131 and determined that there are no separate reportable segments, as
defined by the standard.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities ("FAS 133"). FAS 133 establishes accounting and
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including
33
<PAGE>
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging
activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives as either
assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position and measure those
instruments at fair value. FAS 133 will significantly change the accounting
treatment of derivative instruments and, depending upon the underlying risk
management strategy, these accounting changes could affect future earnings,
assets, liabilities, and shareholders' equity. We are closely monitoring the
deliberations of the FASB's derivative implementation task force. With the
issuance of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 137, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the Effective Date
of FASB Statement No. 133, which delayed the effective date of FAS 133, we will
be required to adopt FAS 133 on January 1, 2001. Presently, we have not yet
quantified the impact that the adoption will have on the consolidated financial
statements of Tritel, Inc.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates which could
impact results of operations. We manage interest rate risk through a
combination of fixed and variable rate debt. We have entered into interest rate
swap agreements as a risk management tool, not for speculative purposes. See
Note 23 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
At September 30, 1999 we had $300 million of Term A and Term B Notes under
our bank facility, which carried a rate of 9.63%; $372 million of the original
senior subordinated discount notes due 2009; $38.0 million of 7%, discounted to
yield 10%, debt to the FCC, due in quarterly installments from 2003 to 2006;
and $9.5 million of 6 1/8%, discounted to yield 10%, debt to the FCC, due in
quarterly installments from 2000 to 2008.
Our senior subordinated discount notes and FCC debt are fixed interest
rate and as a result we are less sensitive to market rate fluctuations.
However, Tritel PCS's Term A and Term B Notes outstanding and other amounts
available to us under our bank facility agreement are variable interest rate.
Beginning in May 1999, we entered into interest rate swap agreements with
notional amounts totaling $200 million to manage our interest rate risk under
the bank facility. The swap agreements establish a fixed effective rate of
9.05% on $200.0 million of the current balance outstanding under the bank
facility through the earlier of March 31, 2002 or the date on which we achieve
operating cash flow breakeven. Market risk, due to potential fluctuations in
interest rates, is inherent in swap agreements.
The following table provides information about our market risk exposure
associated with changing interest rates on our fixed rate debt at maturity
value of the debt (dollars in millions):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED MATURITY
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 THEREAFTER TOTAL
------ --------- --------- --------- --------- ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Face value of long-term fixed rate debt -- $ 0.9 $ 1.0 $ 1.1 $ 9.7 $ 406.8 $ 419.5
Average interest rate -- 6.1% 6.1% 6.1% 6.9% 12.2% --
</TABLE>
Collectively, our fixed rate debt has a carrying value of $251.8 million
at September 30, 1999. The carrying amount of fixed rate debt is believed to
approximate fair value because a portion of such debt was discounted to reflect
a market interest rate at inception and the remaining portion of fixed rate
debt was issued in May 1999 and therefore approximates fair value due to its
recent issuance.
We are also exposed to the impact of interest rate changes on our
short-term cash investments, consisting of U.S. Treasury obligations and
certain other investments with the highest credit ratings or fully guaranteed
or insured by the U.S. government, all of which have average maturities of
three months or less. As with all investments, these short-term investments
carry a degree of interest rate risk.
We are not exposed to fluctuations in currency exchange rates since our
operations are entirely within the United States.
34
<PAGE>
ORGANIZATION OF TRITEL, INC. AND TRITEL PCS
Prior to January 7, 1999, Tritel, Inc.'s operations were conducted through
Airwave Communications, formerly Mercury PCS, LLC, and Digital PCS, formerly
Mercury PCS II, LLC. Airwave Communications was formed in July 1995 by Messrs.
Mounger and Martin who are officers and directors of Tritel, Inc. and Tritel
PCS, along with Jerry M. Sullivan, Jr. and various other investors as a small
business, as defined by the FCC, to participate in the FCC's C-Block PCS
spectrum auction. Airwave Communications acquired six 30 MHz licenses in the
C-Block covering approximately 2.5 million Pops in northern Alabama. Digital
PCS was similarly formed in July 1996 as a very small business, as defined by
the FCC, to participate in the FCC's D-, E- and F-Block PCS spectrum auctions.
Digital PCS acquired 32 10 MHz licenses in the D-, E- and F-Blocks covering
approximately 9.1 million Pops in Alabama, Florida, Kentucky, Louisiana,
Mississippi, New Mexico and Texas.
Tritel, Inc. was formed as a Delaware corporation in 1998. On May 20,
1998, Tritel, Inc., Airwave Communications and Digital PCS entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement with AT&T Wireless and other parties, which
provided for the joint venture arrangement with AT&T Wireless. On January 7,
1999, the parties consummated the joint venture. Under the AT&T Wireless joint
venture, AT&T Wireless contributed to Tritel PCS A- and B-Block licenses
covering approximately 9.1 million licensed Pops, and Airwave Communications
and Digital PCS contributed to Tritel PCS their C-Block licenses and certain of
their E- and F-Block licenses covering 6.6 million licensed Pops. In addition,
Central Alabama Partnership, an unrelated party, contributed C-Block licenses
covering 475,000 Pops in Montgomery, Alabama to us. The Pops contributed by
Airwave Communications and Digital PCS include 1.7 million Pops that overlap
with those contributed by AT&T Wireless. All of the Central Alabama Pops also
overlap with those held by us. As a result, we hold PCS licenses covering 14.0
million Pops.
In exchange for the licenses contributed by AT&T Wireless and intangible
benefits of the transaction, Tritel, Inc. issued $137.1 million of Series A
Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock to AT&T Wireless. In exchange for
the licenses contributed by Airwave Communications and Digital PCS and
additional cash equity of $11.2 million and $3.0 million contributed by them,
respectively, Tritel, Inc. issued $25.6 million of Series C Preferred Stock to
Airwave Communications and $6.8 million of Series C Preferred Stock to Digital
PCS. Central Alabama received $2.6 million of Series C Preferred Stock in
exchange for its licenses and certain other assets.
In addition, Tritel, Inc. raised $149.2 million of cash equity from
institutional equity investors. In sum, Tritel, Inc. has received cash and
non-cash equity funding totaling $321.3 million.
35
<PAGE>
BUSINESS
OVERVIEW
Tritel PCS is a member of the AT&T Wireless Network and intends to become
a leading provider of PCS services in the south-central United States. In
January 1999, Tritel entered into a joint venture with AT&T Wireless PCS, Inc.,
a wholly owned subsidiary of AT&T Corp., to become the preferred roaming
provider to AT&T Wireless's digital wireless customers in virtually all of
Tritel's markets in a contiguous area covering approximately 14.0 million Pops
in Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. In each of its
markets, Tritel PCS will use the AT&T brand name with equal emphasis to the
SunCom brand. This joint venture is part of AT&T's strategy to expand its PCS
coverage in the United States.
As a result of the joint venture, Tritel PCS will be able to enter its
markets in a co-branding arrangement using the AT&T brand and logo in equal
emphasis with the SunCom regional brand name, which Tritel PCS believes to be
among the most respected and recognized in the world. Tritel PCS expects to
offer its customers immediate, coast-to-coast roaming on the AT&T Wireless
Network. Tritel PCS also expects to benefit from the nationwide advertising and
promotional activities of AT&T Wireless and AT&T, and from AT&T Wireless's
vendor discounts on various products and services, including handsets and
infrastructure equipment.
Supplementally, Tritel has entered into an agreement with two other AT&T
Wireless affiliates, Triton PCS and TeleCorp PCS, to operate with those
affiliates under a common regional brand name, SunCom, throughout an area
covering approximately 43 million Pops primarily in the south-central and
southeastern United States. Tritel PCS believes this arrangement will allow the
SunCom participants to establish a strong regional brand name within their
markets and to achieve advertising and marketing cost savings.
AT&T Wireless operates the largest digital wireless network in North
America. Its network consists of AT&T Wireless's existing digital and analog
systems, PCS systems being constructed by four joint venture partners,
including Tritel PCS, and systems currently operated by third parties with
which AT&T Wireless has roaming agreements. In the aggregate, these systems
covered 96% of the total Pops throughout the United States as of December 31,
1998.
In forming this joint venture, AT&T Wireless contributed licenses covering
approximately 9.1 million of our 14.0 million total licensed Pops. In exchange
for its licenses and the other benefits to us from the joint venture, AT&T
Wireless received 17.09% of our fully diluted common equity interest, with a
stated vaue of $137.1 million. Airwave Communications and Digital PCS
contributed PCS licenses covering 6.6 million licensed Pops. These contributed
Pops include 1.7 million Pops that overlap with those contributed by AT&T
Wireless, resulting in our holding PCS licenses covering a total of 14.0
million Pops. In exchange for their licenses and $14.2 million of cash, Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS received a total of $32.4 million of our equity.
In addition, Tritel, Inc. has raised $149.2 million of cash equity from
institutional equity investors. Central Alabama Partnership contributed to
Tritel PCS 475,000 overlapping Pops in Montgomery, Alabama in exchange for $2.6
million of equity.
Tritel PCS's licenses authorize it to provide PCS services in the
following major population and business centers, including:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARKET 1998 POPS
- ------------------ ----------
<S> <C>
Nashville, TN 1,675,700
Louisville, KY 1,448,400
Birmingham, AL 1,297,800
Knoxville, TN 1,074,000
Lexington, KY 893,400
Jackson, MS 657,800
Mobile, AL 653,900
</TABLE>
36
<PAGE>
Tritel PCS believes that a substantial majority of its licensed Pops are
located in areas that have demographic characteristics well-suited to the
provision of wireless telecommunications services, with favorable commuting
patterns and growing business environments.
THE TRITEL PCS NETWORK
The Tritel PCS network offers advanced PCS services on a local and
regional basis and through roaming agreements with AT&T Wireless and other
carriers in many other markets throughout the United States. Tritel PCS intends
to offer contiguous market coverage using its own network facilities, the
regional markets covered by the SunCom brand alliance and the AT&T Wireless
Network, all of which use a common technology platform, IS-136 Time Division
Multiple Access, or TDMA. Tritel PCS believes that IS-136 TDMA provides its
subscribers with excellent voice quality, fewer dropped calls than existing
analog systems and coast-to-coast roaming over the AT&T Wireless Network. To
maximize the commercial utility of IS-136 TDMA, Tritel PCS will offer its
customers tri-mode handsets, which can automatically pass or "hand-off" calls
between IS-136 TDMA systems and analog or TDMA-based digital cellular systems
throughout the nation. Several major wireless telecommunications service
providers in North America have selected IS-136 TDMA for their digital PCS
networks, including AT&T Wireless, SBC Communications, BellSouth, United States
Cellular Corporation and Canada's Rogers Cantel Mobile Communications Inc.
BellSouth currently provides IS-136 TDMA service within many of Tritel PCS's
markets.
TRITEL PCS'S OWN NETWORK FACILITIES. Tritel PCS expects to be able to
provide service to over 50% of the Pops in its license areas by the end of 1999
and to over 98% by the end of 2000. Tritel PCS has already commenced PCS
service in Jackson, Mississippi, Knoxville, Nashville and Chattanooga,
Tennessee and Huntsville and Montgomery, Alabama and expects to commence PCS
service in Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky during the fourth quarter of
1999, where it has already commenced roaming service, and in Birmingham and
Mobile, Alabama during the second quarter of 2000.
Tritel PCS has designed its PCS network to offer efficient and extensive
coverage within its markets. Tritel PCS's cell site acquisition strategy is to
co-locate as many of its cell sites as possible on existing towers and other
transmitting or receiving facilities. Tritel PCS believes this strategy has
reduced and will continue to reduce its site acquisition costs and minimize
delays due to zoning and other local regulations. Tritel PCS launches service
only after comprehensive and reliable coverage can be maintained within a
particular market.
Tritel PCS expects that there will be areas within its markets that it
will ultimately build out, but where it will not, at least initially, have
coverage. In these areas of its markets, Tritel PCS benefits from AT&T
Wireless's existing roaming arrangements with other carriers to provide
service. Tritel PCS may seek direct roaming agreements with some local carriers
providing compatible service. These agreements will also allow Tritel PCS to
launch its service at a lower level of capital expenditures than would
otherwise be required, without adversely impacting the service it will be able
to offer its customers.
THE SUNCOM BRAND ALLIANCE. Tritel has entered into an agreement with two
other AT&T Wireless affiliates, Triton PCS and TeleCorp PCS, to create a common
regional market brand, SunCom, and to provide for sharing certain development,
research, advertising and support costs. The members of this regional brand
alliance hold PCS licenses that cover approximately 43 million Pops primarily
in the south-central and southeastern United States from New Orleans, Louisiana
to Richmond, Virginia.
To ensure that all SunCom customers will receive the same high quality
service throughout the SunCom region, all three SunCom affiliates:
o have agreed to build out their respective networks, adhering to the same
AT&T Wireless quality standards,
o have agreed to use tri-mode handsets with IS-136 TDMA technology, and
o have entered into reciprocal roaming agreements.
37
<PAGE>
THE AT&T WIRELESS NETWORK. AT&T Wireless is one of the largest providers
of wireless telecommunications services in the United States, with over 9.1
million total wireless subscribers, as of September 30, 1999. The AT&T Wireless
Network, provides coast-to-coast coverage for wireless services.
Tritel PCS will be the preferred provider of mobile PCS services for the
AT&T Wireless Network using equal emphasis co-branding with AT&T within Tritel
PCS's markets, except for 790,000 mostly rural Pops in Kentucky. AT&T Wireless
has granted Tritel PCS a license to co-brand with the AT&T logo and other
service marks in Tritel PCS's business. Tritel PCS also has established
roaming, purchasing, engineering and other arrangements with AT&T Wireless.
These arrangements will provide Tritel PCS customers immediate, coast-to-coast
roaming on the AT&T Wireless Network.
JOINT VENTURE AND STRATEGIC ALLIANCE WITH AT&T
Tritel PCS's joint venture with AT&T Wireless is part of AT&T's strategy
to expand its IS-136 TDMA digital wireless coverage in the United States.
AT&T's four affiliates, including Tritel PCS, will provide AT&T Wireless
subscribers roaming into our markets with features and functionality typically
offered by the AT&T Wireless Network. The relationship with AT&T Wireless is
valuable to Tritel PCS because, among other reasons, the relationship enables
Tritel PCS to market its PCS service using what Tritel PCS believes to be one
of the world's most respected and recognizable brands, AT&T, in equal emphasis
with the SunCom regional brand name. Tritel PCS also expects to take advantage
of the coast-to-coast coverage of the AT&T Wireless Network and the extensive
national advertising of AT&T Wireless and AT&T.
As part of the Tritel PCS-AT&T Wireless alliance, AT&T Wireless
contributed licenses for approximately 9.1 million of Tritel PCS's 14.0 million
total licensed Pops. In exchange for the AT&T contributed Pops and the other
benefits provided for in the agreements governing the joint venture, AT&T
Wireless received a 17.09% fully diluted common equity interest in Tritel PCS,
consisting of preferred stock with a stated value of $137.1 million. AT&T
Wireless has since purchased shares of our Series C Preferred Stock from
another investor, increasing its equity ownership to 21.9%.
AT&T Wireless contributed licenses provide for the right to use 20 MHz of
authorized frequencies in the geographic areas covered by those licenses. In
order to create these licenses, AT&T Wireless partitioned and disaggregated the
original 30 MHz A- and B-Block PCS licenses it received in these markets. AT&T
Wireless has retained 10 MHz of spectrum licenses in those markets it
contributed and has the right to offer any non-competing services on that
spectrum. Tritel PCS believes that its spectrum is sufficient for its coverage
areas.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
Tritel PCS plans to employ the following strategies to develop its PCS
business:
LEVERAGE THE BENEFITS OF ITS AT&T WIRELESS AFFILIATION. Tritel PCS will
exploit the following benefits of its AT&T affiliation to distinguish itself
from other PCS providers in its markets, to increase its revenues and to reduce
its operating costs:
Use of AT&T Brand and Logo. Tritel PCS believes the AT&T brand is among the
most recognized brands in the United States. Management believes that
branding has become increasingly important as the consumer base for
wireless services has expanded. The AT&T brand affiliation will be the
highest point of emphasis in marketing Tritel PCS's PCS services. Tritel
PCS expects that, wherever possible, advertisements, handsets, product
packaging, billing statements and in-store retail displays will prominently
display the AT&T logo in equal emphasis with the SunCom logo. Tritel PCS
may not use the AT&T logo on the exterior of its retail stores.
Preferred Provider of PCS to AT&T Wireless Customers. As a member of the
AT&T Wireless Network, Tritel PCS is the preferred provider of mobile
wireless services to AT&T Wireless's digital wireless customers within
Tritel PCS's markets, except for 790,000 mostly rural Pops in Kentucky.
Tritel PCS will provide PCS services to customers located in Tritel PCS's
markets
38
<PAGE>
responding to AT&T's national advertising and to AT&T's national account
customers located in Tritel PCS's markets. Additionally, Tritel PCS will
supply roaming services in its markets to customers of AT&T Wireless and
other AT&T joint venture partners.
Coast-to-Coast Roaming. Tritel PCS expects to offer its customers
immediate, coast-to-coast roaming on the AT&T Wireless Network. Tritel PCS
believes many of the roaming arrangements negotiated by AT&T Wireless are
at rates more favorable than Tritel PCS would be able to negotiate on its
own.
AT&T Sales Efforts. AT&T currently employs a sales force for long distance
and other AT&T services within Tritel PCS's markets. Tritel PCS expects to
piggyback on AT&T's sales efforts to provide PCS services to those AT&T
customers in its markets seeking wireless services as part of their AT&T
service package.
DISTRIBUTE THROUGH COMPANY STORES. Tritel PCS's distribution strategy will
focus principally on direct distribution through company-owned retail stores.
Tritel PCS expects that the company stores will help foster higher quality
customer contact, resulting in higher sales and penetration, lower customer
acquisition costs and lower customer churn than can typically be achieved
through indirect distribution channels. Tritel PCS currently plans to open 65
company stores to service the markets being launched in 1999 and 2000.
Tritel PCS also plans to employ a direct sales force to target small to
medium-sized businesses. In addition, management believes that the ability to
perform over-the-air activation of service will lead to expanded opportunities
to gain subscribers through alternative channels for sales and marketing.
ENHANCE BRAND AWARENESS THROUGH THE SUNCOM BRAND ALLIANCE. Tritel PCS
intends to promote the SunCom brand through joint marketing efforts with its
SunCom affiliates. The overlapping media markets of the affiliates should allow
the affiliates to advertise effectively on a regional basis. The alliance
intends to produce advertising materials jointly and to seek sponsorship of
sporting and other events to create awareness of the SunCom brand. The alliance
will also be more likely to achieve minimum volume requirements that could not
have been met individually in purchasing customized products bearing the SunCom
logo.
In addition, Tritel PCS has launched its own independent marketing efforts
under the SunCom brand, including stand-alone media campaigns. Thus, Tritel PCS
has the flexibility to be a part of a regional brand alliance and also market
more heavily in its home markets according to its own schedule for launching
its PCS services.
CAPITALIZE ON MANAGEMENT EXPERTISE AND LOCAL MARKET KNOWLEDGE AND
PRESENCE. Tritel PCS's and its subsidiaries' management have extensive
experience in successfully building out and managing wireless communications
systems. Several executives of Tritel PCS and its subsidiaries have served as
senior managers at major wireless telecommunications providers, including
United States Cellular Corporation, Nextel Communications, Western Wireless
Corporation and MobileComm.
A number of key members of Tritel PCS's and its subsidiaries' management
teams also have experience managing and operating competitive wireless markets
within Tritel PCS's footprint. Tritel PCS intends to combine its local market
knowledge with the AT&T and SunCom brands to create strong ties with
subscribers and their communities. Additionally, Tritel PCS's and its
subsidiaries' decentralized management structure with regional managers,
company stores and local direct sales force should enable Tritel PCS to respond
effectively to individual market changes. Tritel PCS believes that its local
market presence, local promotional efforts and customer service focus, combined
with strong consumer recognition of the AT&T brand, will enable it to gain
market share and achieve a favorable competitive position.
EMPHASIZE ADVANTAGES OF PCS TECHNOLOGY. Tritel PCS will seek to
differentiate its PCS capability from that of its analog cellular competitors
by focusing on the services, features and benefits that digital technology
offers, including superior voice quality, longer battery life, more secure
communications, short text and numeric messages, voice mail, message waiting
indicator, caller ID and
39
<PAGE>
single number service. The IS-136 TDMA technology, unlike the CDMA and GSM
digital technologies, allows for the simultaneous use of digital control
channel and analog voice channels. This feature may offer analog operators an
economic means with which to provide digital data features without the need to
upgrade their entire analog systems. Tritel PCS expects that its customers will
roam on a number of analog cellular systems having digital control channels
that will provide digital data features and which are operated by roaming
partners of Tritel PCS and AT&T Wireless.
SERVICES AND FEATURES
Tritel PCS provides reliable, high quality service at what we believe are
affordable prices. The following features and services are currently available
to IS-136 TDMA users, and Tritel PCS offers them to its customers:
SUPERIOR VOICE QUALITY AND TECHNOLOGY. Tritel PCS uses enhanced IS-136 TDMA
equipment, which is capable of providing superior voice quality.
EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE. When operating in digital mode, Tritel PCS's
handsets have a battery life that is significantly longer than the battery
life of existing analog cellular handsets. The IS-136 TDMA technology
standard allows a handset to draw significantly less battery power while
accessing a digital control channel by entering into sleep mode, which
alerts the handset of an incoming call and thereby extends the length of
time a battery can be used without having to be recharged. Analog cellular
handsets, on the other hand, must stay in constant contact with a cell site
in order to receive an incoming call.
MORE SECURE CALLS. Through the use of an authentication key, the digital
technology eliminates the need for personal identification numbers. Digital
technology also offers enhanced privacy of calls than is available on
analog systems. Because each voice signal is converted into a stream of
data bits, which are encoded and then separated, calls are more difficult
to decode.
WIRELESS E-MAIL AND SOPHISTICATED CALL MANAGEMENT. These services include a
set of advanced features for receiving wireless e-mail, voice mail, message
waiting indicator, caller ID, call rejection, call routing and forwarding,
three-way calling and call waiting.
TRI-MODE HANDSETS. The tri-mode phone handsets that Tritel PCS sells to its
customers can operate in analog mode and digital modes. These handsets,
which are designed for use on an IS-136 TDMA system such as Tritel PCS's,
enable a user to initiate a call on a digital cellular or PCS network and
then be handed off, without interruption, to an analog network if the user
roams to a location where digital coverage is unavailable. A user may also
initiate a call on an analog network and have that call handed off to a
TDMA-based digital cellular network.
Tritel PCS currently offers tri-mode handsets manufactured by Nokia,
Ericsson and Motorola, and expects to offer additional handsets of at least
one more manufacturer as they become available. The Nokia, Ericsson and
Motorola models are capable of providing advanced digital PCS services and
features that meet the operability and feature set requirements with which
Tritel PCS is required to comply under the AT&T Wireless joint venture. All
handsets and their packaging prominently display the AT&T and SunCom logos
with equal emphasis.
SINGLE NUMBER SERVICE. This service can transfer all incoming calls between
primary landline and wireless locations automatically. When a customer's
handset is activated, Tritel PCS's network can route all incoming calls to
the customer's wireless number. When the handset is deactivated, all calls
can be directed to the customer's primary landline location. This service
will make it possible for customers to receive all of their calls and text
messages through a single telephone number, enhancing the "anytime,
anywhere" functionality of Tritel PCS's wireless communications network.
ADVANCED DATA FEATURES. Tritel PCS has launched its PCS service offering
voice and wireless e-mail services only. However, the IS-136 TDMA
technology and tri-mode handsets are capable of handling more complex data
exchange features, which include internet access and access to stock
quotes, sports scores and weather reports. Tritel PCS will continue to
explore providing these services based on consumer demand.
40
<PAGE>
CUSTOMIZED BILLING. Tritel PCS offers special billing services that cater
to the needs of consumers, including simplified monthly billing statements
and flexible billing cycles. Tritel PCS believes that simple, accurate
bills are necessary to support the customer's perception of quality
service. In addition, Tritel PCS intends to offer customized billing
options, including debit billing, enabling customers to charge calls
against pre-paid accounts and neighborhood/zonal billing, which will
provide service at reduced charges within certain home areas. Tritel PCS
will also be able to offer "Wireless Office Services" to corporate
customers, which can include zonal billing for all usage and four-digit
dialing within the wireless office.
The wireless communications industry continues to undergo substantial
technological innovation. As a result, Tritel PCS expects new services and
features to become commercially available for IS-136 TDMA systems in the
future. Tritel PCS plans to make those services and features available to its
customers.
MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION
Tritel PCS's overall marketing strategy emphasizes the AT&T brand name in
equal emphasis with the SunCom brand name, the benefits of digital technology,
the breadth of Tritel PCS's coverage and its focus on customer service, all of
which is provided at competitive prices. Tritel PCS employs a sales and
marketing approach with highly definable and measurable goals, which will focus
primarily on the use of company stores to build a customer base.
COMPANY STORES. Tritel PCS's company-owned and operated retail stores are
modeled after AT&T Wireless's retail stores, with the exception that Tritel PCS
may not use the AT&T logo on the outside of its store fronts. Sales
representatives in company stores receive in-depth training on the advantages
of PCS and the AT&T Wireless and SunCom alliances. Management also believes
that in-store customer education on PCS services and features will increase
customer satisfaction and usage. The company stores are intended to be customer
destinations in response to advertising and promotions, rather than impulse
stops.
Company stores are being designed to facilitate demonstration of the
benefits of Tritel PCS's PCS services and features. The decentralized nature of
the stores enables sales representatives to emphasize flexible rate plans and
the different advantages to customers on a market-by-market basis. In addition,
emphasis is placed on the coast-to-coast roaming and service features
attributable to the IS-136 TDMA technology and the tri-mode handsets.
Tritel PCS seeks to locate company stores on heavy traffic arteries, in
high visibility areas, and near high profile anchor retailers. Nearly all of
the company stores are expected to be located in retail shopping centers and to
range in size from 1,200 to 2,000 square feet. Tritel PCS plans to open 30
company stores in 1999 and an additional 35 stores in 2000 to service the
markets being launched by the end of 2000.
DIRECT SALES FORCE. Tritel PCS also uses a direct sales force. Tritel
PCS's sales agents are assigned to specific regions within its markets using
company stores as bases of operations. Sales agents will receive training on
the advantages of PCS and are provided with product and service research,
proposal writing and competitor analysis information. The Tritel PCS sales
force will seek to coordinate with AT&T to offer bundled telephony and related
services. Tritel PCS plans to have an initial direct sales force of
approximately 100 sales people to cover the markets expected to be launched by
the end of 2000.
INDIRECT DISTRIBUTION CHANNELS. To augment its direct distribution
efforts, Tritel PCS uses mass retailers in its markets. Management believes
that the AT&T brand recognition along with over-the-air activation capability
will facilitate distribution through mass retailers. In the future, Tritel PCS
may use other distribution techniques as well, including simplified retail
sales processes and new, lower cost channels such as inbound telesales through
a toll-free number, affinity marketing programs and Internet sales.
41
<PAGE>
Tritel PCS participates in the existing SunCom Internet website, which is
located on the Internet at http://www.suncom.com. The SunCom website is
expected to provide for direct sales to customers, as well as product and
service information and customer service. Customers on the SunCom website will
be directed to the appropriate SunCom affiliate based on the geographic
location of the customer. Internet-based services and features, such as the
ability to e-mail a message to a SunCom subscriber's handset, are available.
Over-the-air activation permits direct shipment to customers and remote
activation. Additionally, customers located in Tritel PCS's markets seeking to
subscribe for PCS services on the AT&T Wireless Internet website will be
referred through a web-link to Tritel PCS for their PCS services.
FOCUS ON LOCAL ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION. Tritel PCS advertises and
promotes its PCS services and products through various local media and consumer
education programs, including local television, radio, print, billboard and
direct mail. To reach a broad base of potential subscribers, Tritel PCS
combines mass marketing efforts and direct marketing approaches to build and
promote the AT&T Wireless and SunCom brands locally, using equal emphasis
co-branding. Further, as markets are launched, Tritel PCS offers various
promotional programs designed to entice new subscribers, including special
limited term and introductory rate and feature programs, product demonstrations
and special events. In addition to its local marketing strategies, Tritel PCS
expects that the national promotional efforts by AT&T and AT&T Wireless will
increase interest and sales through Tritel PCS's distribution channels. Tritel
PCS believes AT&T Wireless's national "customer pull" strategies for promotion
will encourage potential customers to visit Tritel PCS's company stores and
local retailers to seek out the branded service.
PROMOTIONS TO TARGET SPECIFIC SUBSCRIBER TYPES. Tritel PCS has created
distinct marketing programs for different customer segments, including high
volume wireless users, home business operators, corporate accounts and casual
wireless users. For each segment, Tritel PCS has created a specific marketing
program including a service package, pricing plan and promotional strategy.
Management believes that by tailoring its service packages and marketing
efforts to specific market segments, customers will perceive a higher value in
relation to the cost of service, will be more inclined to use Tritel PCS's
service, and will have increased customer loyalty and higher levels of customer
satisfaction. Tritel PCS expects to employ sophisticated marketing and database
systems to enable personalization of services for individual customers and
implementation of a proactive customer retention program. The deployment of
these systems should enable Tritel PCS to better identify attractive niche
opportunities and provide feedback on the effectiveness of its marketing
campaigns.
PRICING. Management believes that a service- and feature-based strategy,
as opposed to a rate-based strategy, will be more successful in acquiring and
retaining subscribers. As part of a decentralized marketing strategy, Tritel
PCS offers its retail subscribers and national and corporate account
subscribers volume and service based rate plans that are responsive to market
trends. Tritel PCS's billing system has the technology and capacity to enable
Tritel PCS to offer numerous pricing plans to its customers. Tritel PCS will
also offer its customers prepaid debit pricing and plans to offer
neighborhood/zonal pricing options.
Tritel PCS is not required to use any published AT&T Wireless pricing plan
in its markets, although it may choose to do so. However, Tritel PCS does offer
a series of national calling plans similar to the AT&T Digital OneRate(Service
Mark) plan. Tritel PCS may also offer promotions such as free incoming calls
for the first minute in order to encourage customers to give out their phone
numbers.
CUSTOMER SERVICE OPERATIONS. Tritel PCS's customer service strategy is
predicated upon building strong relationships with customers, beginning with
the subscriber's handset purchase. Subscribers who purchase handsets from
company stores are able to activate service immediately through an in-store
representative of Tritel PCS. Subscribers purchasing their handsets from
independent retailers are able to activate service by using the handset to call
a customer service representative of Tritel PCS. Either
- ----------
(Service Mark)"AT&T Digital OneRate" is a registered service mark of AT&T Corp.
42
<PAGE>
way, the subscriber is able to obtain immediate credit approval or establish a
debit billing plan, select service features and a rate plan and set up a
billing program. Tritel PCS also offers special billing services that cater to
the needs of consumers, including simplified monthly billing statements and
flexible billing cycles. Tritel PCS expects future enhancements to include
on-line billing and account information. AT&T Wireless and the SunCom
affiliates, including Tritel PCS, will exchange information and share best
practices in order to provide customers with better customer care.
TRITEL PCS'S MARKETS
Tritel PCS's markets are situated principally in Alabama, Georgia,
Kentucky, Mississippi and Tennessee. The major population centers in Tritel
PCS's markets include the cities of Nashville, Louisville, Birmingham,
Knoxville, Lexington, Jackson and Mobile. Tritel PCS's licenses will complement
the PCS and cellular coverage areas of AT&T Wireless. Tritel PCS anticipates
that its footprint of licensed Pops will contribute to reduced operating
expenses due to its contiguous nature. Tritel PCS believes that a substantial
majority of its licensed Pops are located in areas that have demographic
characteristics that are well-suited to the provision of wireless
telecommunications services with favorable commuting patterns and growing
business environments. Four state capitals are included within Tritel PCS's
markets. There are almost 3,000 total miles of interstate highway and over
9,000 total highway miles within Tritel PCS's markets. Tritel PCS believes that
the significant network of interstate highways within its markets will lead to
increased mobile communications usage.
43
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth Tritel PCS's basic trading area, or BTA,
licenses within the seven major trading area, or MTAs, in which it has
licenses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
FCC
MTA/BTA LICENSE AREA POPULATION LICENSE BLOCK(1) MHZ(1)
- --------------------------------------------------- -------------- ------------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Birmingham MTA
Birmingham, AL ................................... 1,297,800 C 15
Huntsville, AL ................................... 496,400 C 15
Montgomery, AL ................................... 475,300 C,F 40
Tuscaloosa, AL ................................... 253,100 C 15
Dothan-Enterprise, AL ............................ 217,500 C,F 25
Florence, AL ..................................... 183,500 C,F 25
Gadsen, AL ....................................... 183,500 C 15
Anniston, AL ..................................... 164,000 C 15
Decatur, AL ...................................... 142,800 C 15
Selma, AL ........................................ 74,100 F 10
---------
3,488,000
Louisville MTA
Louisville, KY ................................... 1,448,400 A,F 30
Lexington, KY .................................... 893,400 A 20
Bowling Green-Glasgow, KY ........................ 244,200 A,C,F 55
Owensboro, KY .................................... 164,700 A,C 50
Corbin, KY ....................................... 142,200 A,C 35
Somerset, KY ..................................... 123,900 A,C 50
Madisonville, KY ................................. 46,300 A,C 50
---------
3,063,100
Nashville MTA
Nashville, TN .................................... 1,675,700 B,C 35
Clarksville, TN-Hopskinsville, KY ................ 260,800 B,C 35
Cookeville, TN ................................... 132,400 B,C 35
2,068,900
Memphis MTA
Jackson, MS ...................................... 657,800 B 20
Tupelo-Corinth, MS ............................... 312,500 B,C 50
Greenville-Greenwood, MS ......................... 210,500 B,C 35
Meridian, MS ..................................... 205,900 B,C 35
Columbus-Starkville, MS .......................... 171,000 B,C 35
Natchez, MS ...................................... 71,800 B,C 50
Vicksburg, MS .................................... 61,700 B 20
Montgomery, MS ................................... 12,300 B 20
---------
1,703,500
New Orleans MTA
Mobile, AL ....................................... 653,900 F 10
Biloxi-Gulfport Pascagoula, MS ................... 382,000 F 10
Hattiesburg, MS .................................. 181,000 F 10
McComb-Brookhaven, MS ............................ 110,100 C,F 40
Laurel, MS ....................................... 81,300 F 10
1,408,300
Atlanta MTA
Chattanooga, TN .................................. 548,400 A,C 35
Opelika-Auburn, AL ............................... 136,900 A,C 35
Rome, GA ......................................... 122,300 A,C 50
Dalton, GA ....................................... 116,300 A,C 50
Atlanta counties (Carroll, Haralson), GA ......... 108,000 A 20
Cleveland, TN .................................... 96,100 A,C 35
La Grange, GA .................................... 70,100 A,C 35
---------
1,198,100
Knoxville MTA
Knoxville, TN .................................... 1,074,000 A 20
---------
Total ............................................. 14,003,900
==========
Total National Pops for all BTAs .................. 276,675,000
===========
</TABLE>
- ----------
Source: 1999 Cellular/PCS Pop Book, Kagan
(1) This data includes the licenses for which Tritel PCS was the high bidder
in the recent FCC re-auction, but which have not yet been awarded by the
FCC.
44
<PAGE>
The major metropolitan centers within Tritel PCS's markets are Louisville,
Nashville, Birmingham, Knoxville, Jackson and Mobile.
LOUISVILLE. Greater Louisville, which is Tritel PCS's largest market with
approximately 2.3 million people, including Lexington, encompasses several
counties in Kentucky and southern Indiana. Greater Louisville is also at the
cross roads of three major highways, I-64, I-65 and I-71, as well as four major
railways. The Greater Louisville area is a leading manufacturing center,
particularly for automobiles and durable goods with an increasing emphasis on
services, particularly transportation and health care. Major employers include
United Parcel Service, General Electric, Ford Motor, Columbia/HCA Healthcare
and Humana Inc.
NASHVILLE. Nashville, Tennessee's capital, has a population of
approximately 1.7 million people and is a vital transportation, business,
educational and tourist center for the U.S. Additionally, Nashville
International Airport is served by a number of the major U.S. carriers.
Nashville is a major rail transportation hub connecting 19 states and is a
convergence point for three major interstate highways, I-40, I-65 and I-24.
Major employers include Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Columbia/HCA
Healthcare, Saturn Corporation, Nissan Motor Corp., Ford Motor Company,
BellSouth, Bankers Trust, SunTrust, Kroger and Ingram Industries.
BIRMINGHAM. Birmingham has a population of approximately 1.3 million
people. The four-county Birmingham area, which includes six colleges and
universities, anchors Alabama's business and cultural life with 21% of the
state's population, 23% of the total business establishments, 24% of the retail
sales and 31% of the payroll dollars. Three major highways pass through
Birmingham, I-20, I-59 and I-65. Major employers include University of Alabama
at Birmingham, Baptist Health System, Bruno's, SouthTrust Bank, BellSouth,
Wal-Mart, Alabama Power Company, Blue Cross-Blue Shield of Alabama and American
Cast Iron Pipe.
KNOXVILLE. Knoxville is a growing city with a population of approximately
1.1 million people and a solid economic foundation. Job growth since 1997 has
been 3.3%, significantly higher than the national average of 1.9%. Knoxville is
centrally located in the eastern United States and is served by three major
interstate highways, I-40, I-75 and I-81. Major manufacturing companies in the
area include Clayton Homes, DeRoyal Industries, Robertshaw Controls and
Matsushita Electronic Corp.
JACKSON. Jackson has a population of approximately 658,000 people and is
home to six colleges and universities. Two major interstate highways, I-20 and
I-55, pass through Jackson. Key industries include automobile parts
manufacturing, aircraft parts manufacturing, telecommunications, healthcare
delivery, government, transportation and poultry processing.
MOBILE. Mobile has a population of approximately 654,000 people and is a
regional center for medical care, research and education. Its port is one of
the nation's leading facilities for coal and forest product exports. Two major
highways, I-10 and I-65, pass through Mobile. Major employers include
BellSouth, Coca-Cola Bottling Company, International Paper Company, DuPont
Mobile Manufacturing and the University of South Alabama.
45
<PAGE>
NETWORK BUILDOUT
Tritel PCS has launched service in six markets, including 12 cities, and
572 cell sites and four switches. By the end of 2001, Tritel PCS expects to
have 1,445 cell sites, cover over 9,000 highway miles and provide service in
over 40 cities. This buildout assumes the receipt of the net proceeds from the
proposed initial public offering of Tritel, Inc.'s Class A Common Stock. If we
do not complete the initial public offering, our network buildout plan will not
include approximately 170 cell sites we plan to construct and operate using the
net proceeds from that offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXPECTED COMMERCIAL
MARKET LAUNCH DATE 1998 POPS
- ------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jackson and Vicksburg, MS ......................... Launched September 1999 719,500
Nashville and Clarksville, TN/Hopkinsville, KY..... Launched November 1999 1,936,500
Knoxville, TN ..................................... Launched November 1999 1,074,000
Chattanooga and Cleveland, TN/Dalton, GA .......... Launched November 1999 760,800
Huntsville, AL .................................... Launched November 1999 496,400
Montgomery, AL .................................... Launched November 1999 475,300
Louisville, KY .................................... December 1999 1,448,400
Lexington, KY ..................................... December 1999 893,400
Birmingham, AL .................................... 2nd Quarter 2000 1,297,800
Mobile, AL ........................................ 2nd Quarter 2000 653,900
</TABLE>
Tritel PCS expects to be able to provide service to over 50% of the Pops
in its license areas by the end of 1999 and to over 98% by the end of 2000. In
calculating these percentages, Tritel PCS has included all of the Pops in each
BTA in its markets where it offers or intends to offer coverage to over 50% of
the population. In addition, its expected coverage by the end of 2000 assumes
it obtains an amendment to its bank facility permitting it to accelerate its
capital expenditures program. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis--Liquidity and Capital Resources". Tritel PCS is focusing initially on
the concentrated population and business centers of the major metropolitan
areas and the adjoining interstate highways. Thereafter, Tritel PCS intends to
build out cities with fewer than 375,000 Pops and will continue to build out
interstate and state highways. Tritel PCS has launched service only after a
significant portion of the planned buildout for a given major city has been
completed. In addition, prior to launching service, Tritel PCS has performed
extensive field testing to ensure comprehensive and reliable coverage within a
particular market.
Bechtel Corporation is providing the overall project and construction
management of the design, site acquisition, installation and testing of its PCS
transmission system. Bechtel is a respected world leader in providing
engineering project and construction management services. The contract with
Bechtel is based on specified hourly fees.
Initial Radiofrequency Design. Two radiofrequency engineering firms,
Galaxy Personal Communications Services, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of
World Access, Inc., for the Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia and eastern Tennessee
sites, and Wireless Facilities, Inc., for the Nashville, Tennessee and the
Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky sites, are performing the initial
radiofrequency design for the network. Based upon their engineering designs,
Galaxy and Wireless Facilities determine the required number of cell sites to
operate the network and identify the general geographic areas in which they
propose to locate each of the required cell sites. Tritel PCS's network is
being designed to provide 90% in-building service reliability in urban areas,
88% in-building service reliability in suburban areas and 90% in-car service
reliability in rural areas. The initial radiofrequency design has been
completed for all markets that Tritel PCS expects to launch through 2000.
Site Identification, Acquisition and Construction. Tritel PCS has
arrangements with several firms to identify and acquire the sites on which it
will locate the towers, antennae and other equipment necessary for the
operation of its PCS system. After the site acquisition companies identify the
general geographic area in which to locate cell sites, the site acquisition
companies survey potential sites to identify two potential tower sites within
each geographic location. The site acquisition companies
46
<PAGE>
evaluate the alternative sites within each of the identified geographic areas,
giving consideration to various engineering criteria as well as the
desirability of the site from an economic point of view. The contracts with
these site acquisition companies are based upon specified hourly fees.
Tritel PCS can obtain a cell site in three ways:
(1) co-location;
(2) construction of a tower by an independent build-to-suit company; or
(3) construction of a tower by Tritel PCS itself.
First preference in site acquisition is being given to sites on which Tritel
PCS can co-locate with another wireless company or companies by leasing space
on an existing tower or building. The advantages of co-location are that there
are lower construction costs to Tritel PCS associated with the building of a
tower and any zoning difficulties have likely been resolved. Second preference
is being given to sites where Tritel PCS would be able to arrange for the
construction of a tower on a build-to-suit basis by an independent tower
construction company who would acquire the site, build the tower and lease it
back to Tritel PCS. The principal advantage of this method is that it reduces
Tritel PCS's capital expenditures, although operating expenses will reflect the
required lease payments. Third preference is being given to those greenfield
sites that Tritel PCS would acquire and then arrange for the construction of a
tower that it would own.
Tritel PCS expects that it will need approximately 1,445 cell sites by the
end of 2001. Based on its work to date, Tritel PCS expects that approximately
70% will be co-locates on existing sites, 25% will be built-to-suit by tower
construction companies and 5% will be constructed by Tritel PCS.
Microwave Relocation. Prior to the FCC's auction of PCS licenses in the
1850-1970 MHz frequency bandwidths, these frequencies were used by various
fixed microwave operators. The FCC has established procedures for PCS licensees
to relocate these existing microwave paths, generally at the PCS licensee's
expense. Tritel PCS has engaged Wireless Facilities to relocate the microwave
paths that currently use its bandwidth. Under its arrangement with Tritel PCS,
Wireless Facilities is performing spectrum analysis, identifying which paths
require relocation, presenting a cost analysis and time frame for the
relocation and, ultimately, performing the relocation of those microwave paths.
Tritel PCS expects to relocate approximately 200 spectrum paths, of which
approximately 120 paths already have been relocated. Including cost sharing for
relocations performed by other PCS licensees and cost sharing reimbursements by
other PCS licenses paid to Tritel PCS, Tritel PCS expects to spend up to a
total of approximately $25 million for microwave relocation. Tritel PCS has
completed the microwave relocation for all 1999 launch cities and does not
expect any delays to its scheduled service launches in 2000.
Mobile Switching Centers. In order to cover its approximately 14.0 million
Pops, Tritel PCS will utilize five switching centers located in Louisville,
Nashville, Birmingham, Knoxville and Jackson. All locations for the switching
centers have been leased and are currently being constructed or renovated. Each
switching center serves several purposes, including, routing calls, managing
call handoff, managing access to landlines and providing access to voice mail.
Network Operations Center. Tritel PCS is utilizing Ericsson's Network
Operations Center located in Richardson, Texas during the initial buildout and
deployment of Tritel PCS's network in order to launch service earlier and
reduce its initial capital expenditures. The Network Operations Center's
function is to monitor the network on a real-time basis for, among other
things, alarm monitoring, power outages, tower lighting problems and traffic
patterns. Tritel PCS plans to build and operate its own Network Operations
Center at its switch facilities in Jackson, Mississippi by 2001.
Interconnection. Tritel PCS's digital PCS network will connect to the
landline telephone system through local exchange carriers. Tritel PCS has
entered into interconnection agreements with BellSouth and smaller local
exchange carriers within its markets. Additionally, Tritel PCS has entered into
a long distance agreement with AT&T providing for preferred rates for long
distance services.
47
<PAGE>
Network Communications Equipment. Tritel PCS has entered into an exclusive
equipment supply agreement with Ericsson under which it purchases the radio
base stations, switches and certain other related PCS transmission equipment,
software and services necessary to establish its PCS network. Ericsson has
assigned a dedicated project management team to assist Tritel PCS in the
installation and testing of the equipment that will comprise Tritel PCS's PCS
transmission system. Tritel PCS has agreed that, during the five year term of
the agreement, Ericsson shall be the exclusive provider to Tritel PCS of
certain PCS transmission equipment, materials and services within Tritel PCS's
markets. Tritel PCS has agreed to purchase at least $300 million of equipment
over the term of the agreement.
TDMA Technology Standard. One of the most important decisions for a PCS
operator is the selection of the network technology standard. Standards are
important in allowing compatability among different wireless systems,
permitting a customer to roam throughout various operators' systems using the
same telephone handset.
There are three primary digital wireless standards: IS-136 TDMA, CDMA or
GSM. Tritel PCS has chosen IS-136 TDMA as its digital technology standard to
offer the highest quality service, a full range of features and services and to
ensure compatibility with systems constructed by AT&T Wireless, which also uses
IS-136 TDMA. IS-136 TDMA offers well-developed features, integrated software
systems and equipment that is commercially available. Wireless providers that
have selected IS-136 TDMA for their digital networks include AT&T Wireless, SBC
Communications, BellSouth and Rogers Cantel. For this reason, IS-136 TDMA is
expected to be widely available in the United States, Canada and South America.
COMPETITION
There are two established cellular providers in each of Tritel PCS's
markets. These providers have significant infrastructure in place, often at low
historical cost, have been operational for many years, have substantial
existing subscriber bases and have substantially greater capital resources than
Tritel PCS. In addition, in most of Tritel PCS's markets, there are at least
two or three other PCS providers currently offering commercial service or
likely to begin offering service before Tritel PCS will. Tritel PCS will also
face competition from paging, dispatch and conventional mobile radio
operations, as well as SMR and ESMR, including those ESMR networks operated by
Nextel and its affiliates in Tritel PCS's markets. Tritel PCS is also competing
with resellers of wireless services. Tritel PCS expects competition in the
wireless telecommunications industry to be dynamic and intense as a result of
the entrance of new competition and the development of new technologies,
products and services.
COMPETITION FROM OTHER PCS AND CELLULAR PROVIDERS. Tritel PCS expects to
compete directly with up to five or more PCS and cellular providers in each of
its markets. Principal PCS and cellular competitors in Tritel PCS's markets are
BellSouth, Powertel, GTE, Sprint PCS, Century Telephone, PrimeCo and ALLTEL.
The table set forth below shows the PCS and cellular entities that management
believes currently hold wireless licenses for a significant number of Pops
within each of Tritel PCS's seven largest markets. The table also provides for
each competitor information on the type of service, spectrum block, whether
operational and the technology standard that management believes the
competition is currently using.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WIRELESS ANNOUNCED
SERVICE AND PCS DIGITAL
MARKET CARRIER SPECTRUM BLOCK OPERATIONAL STANDARD
- ------------------ ------------------- ----------------- ------------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Birmingham, AL GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
(1,297,800 Pops) BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- A Yes CDMA
Powertel PCS -- B Yes GSM
ALLTEL PCS -- D Yes CDMA
Omnipoint PCS -- F No GSM
American Wireless PCS - C No --
</TABLE>
48
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
WIRELESS ANNOUNCED
SERVICE AND PCS DIGITAL
MARKET CARRIER SPECTRUM BLOCK OPERATIONAL STANDARD
- ------------------ ---------------------- ----------------- ------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jackson, MS BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
(657,800 Pops) Centurytel Cellular Yes Analog
Powertel PCS -- A Yes GSM
21st Century Telesis PCS -- C No --
Sprint PCS PCS -- D No CDMA
Bay Springs PCS -- E No --
PCSouth, Inc. PCS -- F/C Yes TDMA
Knoxville, TN GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
(1,074,000 Pops) U.S. Cellular Cellular Yes CDMA
BellSouth PCS -- B Yes GSM
Leap Wireless PCS -- C No CDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- D Yes CDMA
Powertel PCS -- E/C No GSM
Tennessee L.P. PCS -- F No --
Lexington, KY BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
(893,400 Pops) GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- B Yes CDMA
NextWave PCS -- C No CDMA
Powertel PCS -- D Yes GSM
Northcoast Oper Co. PCS -- F No --
Louisville, KY BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
(1,448,400 Pops) GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- B Yes CDMA
NextWave PCS -- C No CDMA
Powertel PCS -- D/E Yes GSM
Mobile, AL BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
(653,900 Pops) GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- A No CDMA
PrimeCo PCS -- B Yes CDMA
Mobile Tri-States PCS -- C Yes GSM
ALLTEL PCS -- D Yes CDMA
Nashville, TN BellSouth Cellular Yes TDMA
(1,675,700 Pops) GTE Cellular Yes CDMA
Sprint PCS PCS -- A Yes CDMA
Leap Wireless PCS -- C No CDMA
Powertel PCS -- D/E Yes GSM
Omnipoint-Galloway PCS -- F No GSM
</TABLE>
49
<PAGE>
Tritel PCS considers its primary competitors to be BellSouth and Powertel.
BellSouth, through its BellSouth Mobility subsidiary, provides analog and
TDMA-based digital cellular services in markets that substantially overlap
Tritel PCS's markets. BellSouth has deployed IS-136 TDMA technology in all of
its digital markets in which it competes with Tritel PCS, except Knoxville
where it has deployed the GSM standard. GTE, Tritel PCS's other principal
cellular competitor, has begun to upgrade its network to provide digital
cellular service.
Powertel's PCS markets overlap nearly all of Tritel PCS's markets.
Powertel has deployed the GSM digital technology standard in all of its PCS
markets. The GSM technology currently does not permit roaming onto an analog
cellular system without reconnecting the call. As a result, Powertel customers
currently have to drop and reinitiate calls as they roam from a Powertel PCS
service area to the service area of an analog cellular provider.
FCC rules permit the partitioning of broadband PCS licenses into licenses
to serve smaller service areas, which could allow other new wireless
telecommunications providers to enter Tritel PCS's markets. It is also possible
for an A-, B- or C-Block license holder to disaggregate 30 MHz license into
several smaller components, such as 20 MHz and 10 MHz portions. If such
disaggregation did occur, Tritel PCS could face additional PCS competition in
certain of its markets.
COMPETITION FROM OTHER TECHNOLOGIES. In addition to PCS and cellular
operators and resellers, Tritel PCS may also face competition from other
existing communications technologies, including enhanced specialized mobile
radio. The ESMR system incorporates characteristics of cellular technology,
including low power transmission and interconnection with the landline
telephone network. A limited number of ESMR operators have recently begun
offering short messaging, data services and voice messaging service on a
limited basis. The integrated enhanced digital technology network that Nextel
and its affiliates have deployed integrates the capabilities of three currently
different devices: a dispatch radio, a cellular telephone and an alphanumeric
pager. Nextel is offering service in Birmingham, Louisville, Knoxville and
Nashville, and Tritel PCS believes it is likely that Nextel will expand its
service to other cities in Tritel PCS's markets. Within the area in which
Tritel PCS competes, Southern Communications Services, Inc. also has begun to
deploy ESMR cell sites over much of Georgia, Alabama and southeastern
Mississippi.
In the future, cellular and PCS offerings will also compete more directly
with traditional landline telephone service operators, and may compete with
services offered by energy utilities, and cable and wireless cable operators
seeking to offer communications services through their existing infrastructure.
Additionally, continuing technological advances in telecommunications, the
availability of more spectrum and FCC policies that encourage the development
of new spectrum-based technologies make it impossible to predict the extent of
future competition.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
Wireless telecommunications products and services evolved from basic
paging services to mass-market voice only analog cellular services and have now
progressed to PCS, digital cellular and wireless data. Each new generation of
wireless telecommunications products and services has generally been
characterized by improved product quality, broader service offerings and
enhanced features. Because PCS operators have selected different technologies
and are targeting different market segments, no uniform definition of PCS
exists. Rather, individual operators have implemented separate service
strategies with a wide range of differentiation in service offerings and
targeted markets.
The provision of cellular telephone service began with providers utilizing
the 800 MHz band of radio frequency in 1982 when the FCC began issuing two
licenses per market throughout the United States. Since then, the demand for
wireless telecommunications has grown rapidly, driven by the increased
availability of services, technological advancements, regulatory changes,
increased competition and lower prices. According to the Cellular
Telecommunications Industry Association, the number of wireless subscribers in
the United States, including cellular, PCS and ESMR, has grown from
approximately 200,000 at June 30, 1985 to over 76 million at June 30, 1999,
which reflected a penetration rate of 27.6%.
50
<PAGE>
The following graph and table set forth certain United States wireless industry
statistics:
U.S. WIRELESS SUBSCRIBERS
DECEMBER 1985 - DECEMBER 1998
[GRAPHIC OMITTED]
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998
WIRELESS INDUSTRY STATISTICS (1) ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Total service revenues (in billions) $ 7.8 $ 10.9 $ 14.2 $ 19.1 $ 23.6 $ 27.5 $ 33.1
Wireless subscribers at end of
period (in millions) .............. 11.0 16.0 24.1 33.8 44.0 55.3 69.2
Subscriber growth .................. 46.0% 45.1% 50.8% 40.0% 30.4% 25.6% 25.1%
Average monthly revenues per
subscriber ........................ $ 68.68 $ 61.49 $ 56.21 $ 51.00 $ 47.70 $ 42.78 $ 39.43
Ending penetration ................. 4.3% 6.2% 9.2% 12.9% 16.6% 20.0% 25.0%
Digital subscribers at end of
period (in millions) .............. -- -- -- -- -- 6.5 18.3
</TABLE>
- ----------
Source: Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association and Census Bureau
Data.
(1) Reflects domestic U.S. commercially operational cellular, ESMR and PCS
providers.
In 1993, the FCC allocated a portion of the radio spectrum, 1850-1990 MHz,
for the provision of a new wireless communications service commonly known as
PCS. The FCC has described PCS as radio communications that encompass mobile
and ancillary communication that provide services to individuals and businesses
and can be integrated with a variety of competing networks. The FCC's stated
objectives in auctioning bandwidth for PCS were to foster competition to
existing carriers, increase availability of wireless services to a broader
segment of the public, and bring innovative technology to the U.S. wireless
industry. From 1995 through 1997, the FCC conducted auctions in which industry
participants were awarded PCS licenses for designated areas throughout the
United States.
INDUSTRY OUTLOOK. Wireless telecommunication technology developments are
expected to evolve and continue to drive consumer growth as users demand more
sophisticated services and products. Tritel PCS believes that wireless
telecommunications penetration rates will increase as prices fall and
51
<PAGE>
greater emphasis is placed on the development and use of mass retail
distribution channels. Tritel PCS believes that the initial success of PCS
operators in the United States, and the corresponding acceleration of wireless
penetration overall, supports the forecasted rapid growth of PCS services.
OPERATION OF PCS AND CELLULAR COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEMS. Wireless
communications system service areas, whether PCS or cellular, are divided into
multiple cells. In both PCS and cellular systems, each cell site contains a
transmitter, a receiver and signaling equipment. The cell site is connected by
microwave or landline telephone to a switch that uses computers to control the
operation of the communications system for the entire service area. The system
controls the transfer of calls from cell to cell as a subscriber's handset
travels, coordinates calls to and from handsets, allocates calls among the
cells within the system and connects calls to the local landline telephone
system or to a long distance telephone carrier. Wireless communications
providers establish interconnection agreements with local exchange carriers and
interexchange carriers, thereby integrating their system with the existing
landline communications systems.
Because the signal strength of a transmission between a handset and a cell
site declines as the handset moves away from the cell site, the switching
office and the cell site monitor the signal strength of calls in progress. When
the signal strength of a call declines to a predetermined level, the switching
office tries to hand off the call to another cell site where the signal
strength is stronger. If a handset leaves the service area of a PCS or cellular
system, then the call will be disconnected unless there is a compatible
technology capable of a roaming connection in the adjacent system that will
enable a "hand off."
Analog cellular handsets are functionally compatible with cellular systems
in all markets within the United States. As a result, analog cellular handsets
may be used wherever a subscriber is located, as long as a cellular system is
operational in the area.
Although 1900 MHz PCS and 850 MHz cellular systems utilize similar
technologies and hardware, they operate on different frequencies and may use
different technical and network standards. As a result, until the recent
introduction of dual-mode handsets, it was not possible for users of one type
of system to place calls on a different type of system outside of their service
area, or to hand off calls from one type of system to another.
PCS systems operate under one of three principal digital signal
transmission technologies, or standards, that have been proposed by various
operators and vendors for use in PCS systems: TDMA, CDMA or GSM. TDMA and GSM
are both time division-based standards but are incompatible with each other and
with CDMA. Accordingly, a subscriber of a system that utilizes TDMA technology
is currently unable to use a handset when traveling in an area not served by
TDMA-based PCS operators, unless the handset permits the subscriber to use the
analog cellular system in that area.
DIGITAL VS. ANALOG TECHNOLOGY. 850 MHz cellular services transmit voice
and data signals over analog-based systems, which use one continuous electronic
signal that varies in amplitude or frequency over a single radio channel.
Conversely, digital systems convert voice or data signals into a stream of
digits that is compressed before transmission, enabling a single radio channel
to carry multiple simultaneous signal transmissions. This increased capacity,
along with enhancements in digital technology standards, allows digital-based
wireless technologies to offer new and advanced services, such as greater call
privacy and more robust data transmission features, such as "mobile office"
applications, including facsimile, electronic mail, advanced text paging
services and connecting portable computers with computer/data networks.
PCS is an all-digital wireless telephony service, which differs from
existing cellular and other wireless networks in three primary aspects:
o PCS operates in the 1850-1990 MHz frequency band while cellular and SMR
operate in the 800 and 900 MHz frequency band.
o PCS spectrum was auctioned in bands of 30 MHz or 10 MHz, while each
initial cellular provider received 25 MHz of bandwidth and ESMR providers
collected approximately 10 to 15 MHz in each market through a combination
of allocations, auctions, acquisitions and management agreements.
52
<PAGE>
o PCS operators are expected, but not required, to operate fully digital
systems. Compared to analog cellular systems, digital systems, including
PCS and digital cellular systems, offer superior voice quality, increased
protection against eavesdropping and extended battery life due to the
reduced power consumption of digital components.
PCS AUCTIONS. In order to increase competition, promote improved quality
and service, and make available the widest possible range of wireless
telecommunications services to United States consumers, federal legislation was
enacted in 1993 directing the FCC to allocate radio frequency spectrum for PCS
by competitive bidding. In 1993, the FCC allocated 120 MHz of spectrum in the 2
GHz band for the provision of PCS. The 120 MHz of spectrum allocated for PCS
was divided into three 30 MHz blocks, A-, B- and C- Blocks and three 10 MHz
blocks, D-, E- and F- Blocks. Two different service areas have been designated:
51 MTAs for the A- and B-Blocks and 493 BTAs for the C-, D-, E- and F-Blocks.
Many C-Block PCS licensees have returned all or a portion of their
spectrum to the government pursuant to an FCC order permitting such licensees
to restructure. Tritel PCS chose to return 15 MHz of spectrum for certain Pops
in northern Alabama. On April 15, 1999, the FCC completed an auction of all
C-Block spectrum, along with several D-, E- and F- Block licenses, which have
either been returned pursuant to the restructuring order or otherwise forfeited
for noncompliance with the rules or default under the government financing.
Tritel PCS participated in this re-auction through ABC Wireless, L.L.C, to
which Tritel PCS made a loan of $7.5 million for bidding on licenses.
FACILITIES
Tritel PCS currently owns no real property. Tritel PCS has entered into
leases for an aggregate of 44,000 square feet of office space in Jackson,
Mississippi for use as Tritel PCS's principal executive offices. The leases
have initial terms ranging from five years to ten years, with an option to
renew for an additional five years. Tritel PCS has also entered into a lease
for 16,000 square feet of office space in Jackson, Mississippi for use as a
customer operations center. This lease has an initial term of five and one-half
years, with an option to renew for an additional five years. Management expects
that Tritel PCS's current executive office and customer operations office
facilities will be sufficient through at least 2001.
Tritel PCS has entered into leases in Jackson, Birmingham, Mobile,
Nashville, Knoxville, Louisville, Lexington and elsewhere for regional offices.
Tritel PCS has leased mobile switching centers in Knoxville, Nashville,
Birmingham, Louisville and Jackson. Each switching center has a common design
with up to 13,000 square feet of space. The lease term for the switch centers
is generally in the range of ten to fifteen years, with Tritel PCS having an
option to extend the term for five or ten years. These five switch centers are
sufficient to cover all of Tritel PCS's markets and, accordingly, Tritel PCS
does not expect to add switch centers in the future.
Company retail stores will be located throughout Tritel PCS's markets.
These stores will generally cover 1,200 to 2,000 square feet of space and the
leases will generally be for an initial five year term, with one or more
five-year renewal options. Tritel PCS plans to open 30 company stores in 1999
and an additional 35 in 2000 to service all markets being launched in 1999 and
2000.
Tritel PCS expects to lease approximately 95% of its cell sites, either
through existing sites or built-to-suit sites. The cell site lease term is
generally for five years with one or more five year renewal options.
Maintenance of the site is typically included in the lease arrangement and
performed by the lessor. Additionally, Tritel PCS has negotiated master lease
agreements with other wireless providers and tower companies to lease space on
their existing cell sites throughout Tritel PCS's markets. Tritel PCS expects
that it will need to construct up to 70 greenfield cell sites for its planned
network buildout through 2000.
PERSONNEL
At October 31, 1999, Tritel PCS had 505 employees, including 94 in
technical operations, 265 in marketing and sales operations, 65 in customer
operations, 22 in management information systems,
53
<PAGE>
23 in human resources and 36 in corporate and financial. Most of Tritel PCS's
employees are located at the corporate and customer service operations
locations in Jackson, Mississippi. Technical operations and market and sales
operations personnel are located in each of the regional markets of Birmingham,
Chattanooga, Huntsville, Knoxville, Louisville, Lexington, Mobile, Montgomery
and Nashville. Tritel PCS considers its relations with its employees to be
good. None of its employees is represented by a union.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On April 25, 1997, Digital PCS, the predecessor-in-interest to Tritel PCS,
received a civil investigative demand letter from the Antitrust Division of the
Department of Justice requesting documents and information concerning its
participation in the FCC's PCS auctions. The civil investigative demand was
issued in connection with the Antitrust Division's investigation of allegations
that Digital PCS and others improperly communicated competitively significant
auction information through strategic bidding behavior. Other bidders
reportedly received similar civil investigative demands.
In November 1998, as part of a prearranged settlement, the Department of
Justice simultaneously filed a lawsuit against, and entered into a consent
decree with, Digital PCS and two other companies. The consent decree imposed no
penalties and made no finding of wrongdoing. Pursuant to the terms of the
decree, Digital PCS promised not to use so-called "trailing numbers" in its
bids during future FCC auctions. However, the FCC recently modified its auction
structure so that it is no longer possible for anyone to use trailing numbers
in FCC auctions.
While Tritel PCS was not a party to either the litigation or the consent
decree, Tritel PCS intends to voluntarily abide by the terms of the consent
decree.
54
<PAGE>
GOVERNMENT REGULATION
OVERVIEW
As a recipient of licenses acquired through the C-Block auction and the
F-Block auction, Tritel PCS's ownership structure and operations are and will
be subject to substantial FCC regulation.
FCC AUTHORITY
The Communications Act of 1934, as amended, grants the FCC the authority
to regulate the licensing and operation of all non-federal government
radio-based services in the United States. The scope of the FCC's authority
includes:
o allocating radio frequencies, or spectrum, for specific services;
o establishing qualifications for applicants seeking authority to operate
such services, including PCS applicants;
o approving initial licenses, modifications thereto, license renewals,
and the transfer or assignment of such licenses;
o promulgating and enforcing rules and policies that govern the
operation of spectrum licensees;
o the technical operation of wireless services, interconnection
responsibilities between and among PCS, other wireless services such as
cellular, and landline carriers; and
o imposition of monetary fines and for license revocation for any
substantial violations of those rules and regulations under its broad
oversight authority.
With respect to market entry and the promotion of a competitive
marketplace for wireless providers, the FCC regularly conducts rulemaking and
adjudicatory proceedings to determine and enforce rules and policies
potentially affecting broadband PCS operations.
GENERAL PCS REGULATIONS
In June 1994, the FCC allocated spectrum for broadband PCS services
between the 1850 to 1990 MHz bands. Of the 120 MHz available for licensed PCS
services, the FCC created six separate blocks of spectrum identified as the A-,
B-, C-, D-, E- and F-Blocks. The A-, B- and C-Blocks are each allocated 30 MHz
of spectrum and the D-, E- and F-Blocks are allocated 10 MHz each. For each
block, the FCC adopted a 10-year PCS license term with an opportunity to renew.
The FCC also allocated 20 MHz of spectrum within the PCS band for unlicensed
use.
The FCC adopted a rebuttable presumption that all PCS licensees are common
carriers, subject to Title II of the Communications Act. Accordingly, each PCS
licensee deemed to be a common carrier must provide services upon reasonable
request and the rates, terms and conditions of service must not be unjustly or
unreasonably discriminatory.
STRUCTURE OF PCS BLOCK ALLOCATIONS
The FCC defines the geographic contours of the licenses within each PCS
block based on the major trading areas and basis trading areas. The FCC awarded
A- and B-Block licenses in 51 major trading areas. The C-, D-, E- and F-Block
spectrum were allocated on the basis of 493 smaller basic trading areas. In
addition, there is a Commercial Mobile Radio Service, or CMRS, spectrum cap
limiting all CMRS licensees to an aggregate of 45 MHz of PCS, cellular and SMR
spectrum (55 Mhz in certain rural areas).
The auctioned A- and B-Block licenses were awarded in June 1995. Spectrum
in the C- and F-Blocks is reserved for entrepreneurs. The FCC completed its
initial auction for the C-Block on May 6, 1996 and relicensed 18 C-Block
licenses on which initial auction winners defaulted in a re-auction that ended
on July 16, 1996. The D-, E-, and F-Block licenses were auctioned
simultaneously, with the auction closing on January 14, 1997.
55
<PAGE>
In December 1996, the FCC adopted rules permitting broadband PCS carriers
to partition any service areas within their license areas and disaggregate any
amount of spectrum within their spectrum blocks to entities that meet the
eligibility requirements for the spectrum blocks. The purpose of the FCC's rule
change was to permit existing PCS licensees and new PCS entrants to have
greater flexibility to determine how much spectrum and geographic area they
need or desire in order to provide PCS service. Thus, A-, B-, D- and E-Block
licensees may sell or lease partitioned or disaggregated portions of their
licenses at any time to entities that meet the minimum eligibility requirements
of the Communications Act. C- and F-Block licensees may only sell or lease
partitioned or disaggregated portions of their licenses to other qualified
entrepreneurs during the first five years of their license terms, and such
entities would take over partitioned service areas subject to separately
established installment payment obligations. After five years, licenses are
freely transferable, subject to unjust enrichment penalties. If transfer occurs
during years six through ten of the initial license term to a company that does
not qualify for auction preferences, such a sale would be subject to immediate
payment of the outstanding balance of the government installment payment debt
as a condition of transfer. A transfer to a company that qualifies for a lower
level of auction preferences will be subject to partial repayment of bidding
credits and installment payments as a condition of transfer. Additionally, such
a sale may be subject to full repayment of the bidding credits.
THE 1996 ACT
On February 8, 1996, the President signed the 1996 Act, which effected a
sweeping overhaul of the Communications Act. In particular, the 1996 Act
substantially amended Title II of the Communications Act, which governs
telecommunications common carriers. The policy underlying this legislative
reform was the opening of the telephone exchange service markets to full
competition. The 1996 Act makes unlawful all state and local barriers to
competition which prohibit or have the effect of prohibiting entry by
competitors, whether they are direct or indirect. It directs the FCC to
initiate rulemaking proceedings on local competition matters and to preempt
inconsistent state and local laws and regulations. The 1996 Act requires
incumbent landline local exchange carriers to open their networks to
competition through interconnection and access to unbundled network elements
and prohibits state and local barriers to the provision of interstate and
intrastate telecommunications services.
Some specific provisions of the 1996 Act that are expected to affect
wireless providers are summarized below. These provisions generally have proven
helpful to wireless carriers. There can be no assurance, however, that these
provisions or their implementation by federal or state regulators will not have
a material adverse effect on Tritel PCS.
EXPANDED INTERCONNECTION OBLIGATIONS
The 1996 Act establishes a general duty of all telecommunications
carriers, including PCS licensees, to interconnect with other
telecommunications carriers, directly or indirectly. The 1996 Act also contains
a detailed list of requirements with respect to the interconnection obligations
of local exchange carriers. These interconnection obligations include resale,
number portability, dialing parity, access to rights-of-way and reciprocal
compensation. The FCC has determined that all CMRS carriers are considered
telecommunications carriers, but for now, CMRS providers such as Tritel do not
meet the 1996 Act's definition of a local exchange carrier.
The 1996 Act establishes a framework for state commissions to mediate and
arbitrate negotiations between incumbent local exchange carriers and carriers
requesting interconnection, services or network elements. The 1996 Act
establishes deadlines and policy guidelines for state commission
decision-making and federal preemption in the event a state commission fails to
act.
REVIEW OF UNIVERSAL SERVICE REQUIREMENTS
The 1996 Act contemplates that interstate telecommunications providers,
including CMRS providers, will "make an equitable and non-discriminatory
contribution" to support the cost of
56
<PAGE>
providing universal service, although the FCC can grant exemptions in certain
circumstances. A decision adopted by the 1996 Act-mandated Federal-State Joint
Board rejected arguments that CMRS providers should be exempted from universal
service obligations and concluded that, to the extent such carriers provide
interstate service, they must contribute to universal service support
mechanisms. The Joint Board also found that states could require CMRS providers
to contribute to state support mechanisms. The FCC now requires all CMRS
carriers to contribute to a universal service fund.
PROHIBITION AGAINST SUBSIDIZED TELEMESSAGING SERVICES
The 1996 Act prohibits incumbent local exchange carriers from subsidizing
telemessaging services, including voice mail, voice storage/retrieval, live
operator service, and related ancillary services from their telephone exchange
service or exchange access and from discriminating in favor of their own
telemessaging operations.
CONDITIONS ON REGIONAL BELL OPERATING COMPANIES PROVISION OF IN-REGION
INTERLATA SERVICES
The 1996 Act establishes conditions generally requiring that, before
engaging in landline interexchange services in states in which they provide
landline local service, referred to as in-region interLATA services, regional
Bell Operating Companies and their affiliates must provide access and
interconnection to one or more unaffiliated competing providers of telephone
exchange service. Regional Bell Operating Companies and their affiliates may
provide wireless services, including broadband PCS, in markets that cross LATA
boundaries as an incidental interLATA service.
REGIONAL BELL OPERATING COMPANIES COMMERCIAL MOBILE JOINT MARKETING
The regional Bell Operating Companies are permitted to market jointly and
sell wireless services in conjunction with telephone exchange service, exchange
access, intraLATA and interLATA telecommunications and information services.
CMRS FACILITIES SITING
The 1996 Act limits the rights of states and localities to regulate
placement of CMRS facilities so as to prohibit or prohibit effectively the
provision of wireless services or to discriminate among providers of such
services. It also eliminates environmental effects from radiofrequency
emissions, provided the wireless system complies with FCC rules, as a basis for
states and localities to regulate the placement, construction or operation of
wireless facilities.
EQUAL ACCESS
The 1996 Act provides that wireless carriers are not required to provide
equal access to common carriers for interexchange toll services. The FCC is
authorized to require unblocked access to long distance providers of the user's
choice subject to certain conditions.
DEREGULATION
The FCC is required to forebear from applying any statutory or regulatory
provision that it determines is not necessary to keep telecommunications rates
and terms reasonable or to protect consumers. A state may not apply a statutory
or regulatory provision that the FCC decides to forebear from applying. In
addition, the FCC must review its telecommunications regulations every two
years and change any that are no longer necessary.
The 1996 Act was explicit in its preemption of certain components of local
regulation of CMRS carriers, including the authority to preclude antenna site
construction due to concerns over radiofrequency emissions. Rather than
directly challenge federal authority in this area, local governments have
instituted moratoria on further construction while the health, safety and
historic preservation aspects of this matter are studied further. Currently
there are over 200 such moratoria in effect across the country. There are a
number of bills pending in Congress, some of which would
57
<PAGE>
strengthen the federal government's preemption authority and some which would
weaken federal authority. Tritel PCS cannot predict how this issue will be
resolved and the extent to which it may have a material impact on its ability
to rapidly and efficiently construct its PCS network.
RELOCATION OF FIXED MICROWAVE LICENSEES
In an effort to balance the competing interests of existing microwave
users and newly authorized PCS licensees in the spectrum allocated for PCS use,
the FCC has adopted (a) a transition plan to relocate fixed microwave operators
that currently are operating in the PCS spectrum, and (b) a cost sharing plan
so that if the relocation of an incumbent benefits more than one PCS licensee,
the benefiting PCS licensees will help defray the costs of the relocation. PCS
licensees will only be required to relocate fixed microwave incumbents if they
cannot share the same spectrum. The transition and cost sharing plans expire on
April 4, 2005, at which time remaining incumbents in the PCS spectrum will be
responsible for their costs to relocate their fixed microwave to alternate
spectrum locations.
Relocation generally involves a PCS operator compensating an incumbent for
costs associated with system modifications and new equipment required to move
to alternate, readily available spectrum. The transition plan, as modified,
allows most microwave users to operate in the PCS spectrum for a two-year
voluntary negotiation period and an additional one-year mandatory negotiation
period. For public safety entities dedicating a majority of their system
communications for police, fire or emergency medical service operations, the
voluntary negotiation period is three years. The FCC recently shortened the
voluntary negotiation period to one year for commercial microwave operators,
but retained the three year negotiation period for public safety licenses.
Parties unable to reach agreement within these time periods may refer the
matter to the FCC for resolution, but the existing microwave user is permitted
to continue its operations until final FCC resolution of the matter.
The FCC's cost-sharing plan allows PCS licensees that relocate fixed
microwave links outside of their licensed spectrum to receive reimbursements
from later-entrant PCS licensees that benefit from the clearing of their
spectrum. Two non-profit clearinghouses currently administer the FCC's
cost-sharing plan. Thus, Tritel PCS may be required in certain circumstances to
defray the cost of earlier relocations by A-, B- and C-Block licensees.
Including cost sharing for relocations performed by other PCS licensees
and cost sharing reimbursements by other PCS licenses paid to Tritel PCS.
Tritel PCS expects to spend a total of approximately $25 million for microwave
relocation. Tritel PCS has completed the microwave relocations for all 1999
launch cities and does not expect any delays to scheduled service launches in
2000.
C-BLOCK LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
Airwave Communications was the winning bidder for six licenses in the
C-Block auction, which was designated as an entrepreneurs Block. FCC rules
require each C-Block applicant and licensee to qualify as entrepreneur in order
to hold C-Block licenses and that it qualify as a small business in order to
receive certain financing preferences. The FCC determined that Entrepreneurs
that qualify as small businesses would be eligible to receive a C-Block Loan
from the U.S. Government for 90% of the dollar amount of their net winning bids
in the C-Block auction. For small businesses, the period during which C-Block
licensees may make interest-only payments is six years, with payments of
principal and interest amortized over the remaining four years of the license
term. For licenses acquired in the first C-Block auction, the interest rate for
outstanding principal is 7.0%. In the most recent C- and F-Block re-auction,
the FCC did not use installment payments, but instead required all applicants
to pay their net bid in cash prior to granting the licenses. In order to ensure
continued compliance with the FCC rules, the FCC has announced its intention to
conduct random audits during the initial ten-year PCS license terms.
58
<PAGE>
ENTREPRENEURS REQUIREMENTS
In order to hold a C-Block license, an entity and its affiliates must have
had (a) less than $125 million in gross revenues in each of fiscal 1993 and
1994 and (b) less than $500 million in total assets at the time it filed its
application to qualify for the C-Block auction on FCC Form 175. Airwave
Communications filed its Form 175 on November 6, 1995. In calculating a
licensee's gross revenues and total assets for purposes of the entrepreneurs
requirements, the FCC includes the gross revenues and total assets of the
licensee's affiliates, those persons or entities that hold attributable
interests in the licensee, and the affiliates of such persons or entities.
However, the gross revenues and total assets of certain affiliates are not
attributable to the licensee if the licensee maintains an organizational
structure that satisfies certain control group requirements defined below. For
at least five years after winning a C-Block license, a licensee must continue
to meet the entrepreneurs requirements in order to remain eligible for the
bidding credits and installment financing it received in the FCC's designated
entity program.
Airwave Communications qualified to enter the C-Block auction and is
qualified to hold C-Block licenses. If the FCC were to determine that Airwave
Communications did not satisfy the entrepreneurs requirements at the time it
participated in the C-Block auction or that Tritel, Inc. fails to meet the
ongoing entrepreneurs requirements, the FCC could revoke Tritel's PCS licenses,
require Tritel, Inc. to restructure in order to come into compliance with the
relevant regulation, fine Tritel, Inc., accelerate its installment payment
obligations, or take other enforcement actions, including imposing the unjust
enrichment penalties. Although Tritel, Inc. believes it has met the
entrepreneurs requirements, there can be no assurance that it will continue to
meet such requirements or that, if it fails to continue to meet such
requirements, the FCC will not take action against Tritel, Inc.
SMALL BUSINESS REQUIREMENTS
An entity that meets the entrepreneurs requirements may also receive
certain preferential financing terms if it meets certain other small business
requirements. These preferential financing terms include a 25% bidding credit
and the ability to make quarterly interest-only payments on its C-Block Loan
for the first six years of the license term. To meet the small business
requirements, a licensee must have had average annual gross revenues of not
more than $40 million for the three calendar years preceding the date it filed
its Form 175. In calculating a licensee's gross revenues for purposes of the
small business requirements, the FCC includes the gross revenues of the
licensee's affiliates, those persons or entities that hold attributable
interests in the licensee, and the affiliates of such persons or entities.
By claiming status as a small business, Airwave Communications, Tritel,
Inc.'s predecessor in interest, qualified for the 25% bidding credit and
preferential financing. If the FCC were to determine that Tritel does not
qualify as a small business, then Tritel, Inc. could be forced to repay the
value of the bidding credit and preferential financing for which it was not
qualified. Further, the FCC could revoke Tritel's PCS licenses, require it to
restructure in order to come into compliance with the relevant regulation,
accelerate its installment payment obligations, cause it to lose its bidding
credits retroactively, fine Tritel, Inc. or take other enforcement actions,
including imposing unjust enrichment penalties. Although Tritel, Inc. has been
structured to meet the small business requirements, there can be no assurance
that it will continue to meet such requirements or that, if it fails to
continue to meet such requirements, the FCC will not take any of the
aforementioned actions against Tritel, Inc.
CONTROL GROUP REQUIREMENTS
If a C-Block licensee maintains an organizational structure in which at
least 25% of its total equity on a fully-diluted basis is held by a control
group that meets certain requirements, the FCC excludes certain assets and
revenues from being attributed to such total revenue and gross asset
calculations. The control group requirements mandate that the control group,
among other things, have and maintain both actual and legal control of the
licensee. Under the control group requirements:
59
<PAGE>
o an established group of investors meeting certain financial
qualifications must own at least 15% of the licensee entity's total
equity interest on a fully-diluted basis and at least 50.1% of the
voting power in the licensee entity, and
o additional control group members must hold, on a fully-diluted basis,
the remaining 10% control group equity interest in the licensee entity.
Additional control group members must be either:
o other qualifying investors in the control group;
o individual members of the licensee's management; or
o non-controlling institutional investors, including most venture capital
firms meeting FCC-specified criteria.
A C-Block licensee must have met the control group requirements at the
time it filed its Form 175 and must continue to meet the control group
requirements for five years following the license grant date, subject to
possible unjust enrichment obligations for ten years. Commencing the fourth
year of the license term, the FCC rules (a) eliminate the requirement that
additional control group members hold the 10% control group equity interest and
(b) allow the qualifying investors to reduce the minimum required control group
equity interest from 15% to 10%. Nonqualifying (passive) investors may own up
to 25% of the total equity on a fully diluted basis and may vote up to 25% of
the voting interests.
In order to meet the control group requirements, Tritel, Inc.'s Restated
Certificate of Incorporation provides that outstanding shares of capital stock
of Tritel, Inc. will always be subject to redemption by action of the Board of
Directors of Tritel, Inc. if, in the judgment of the Board of Directors, such
redemption is necessary to prevent the loss or secure the reinstatement of any
license from the FCC held by Tritel, Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. Although
Tritel, Inc. believes that it has taken sufficient steps to meet the control
group requirements, there can be no assurance that Tritel, Inc. has met or will
continue to meet the control group requirements, or that the failure to meet
such requirements would not have a material adverse effect on Tritel PCS,
including the possible revocation of Tritel's PCS licenses by the FCC.
FOREIGN OWNERSHIP LIMITATIONS
The Communications Act requires that non-U.S. citizens, their
representatives, foreign governments or corporations otherwise subject to
domination and control by non-U.S. citizens may not own of record or vote (a)
more than 20% of the capital contribution to a common carrier directly, or (b)
more than 25% of the capital contribution to the parent corporation of a common
carrier licensee, if the FCC determines such holdings are not within the public
interest. Because the FCC classifies PCS as a common carrier offering, PCS
licensees are subject to the foreign ownership limits. Congress recently
eliminated restrictions on non-U.S. citizens serving as members on the board of
directors and officers of a common carrier radio licensee or its parent. Under
the World Trade Organization agreement ratified by the United States and 69
other countries as of February 5, 1998, the United States has agreed to permit
indirect foreign ownership of up to 100% of a licensed company; however direct
ownership will continue to be limited to 20%. Entities wishing to exceed the
25% indirect ownership threshold will now be accorded a strong presumption that
foreign investment by other World Trade Organization member countries would
serve the public interest. The FCC will review applications to exceed the 25%
benchmark on a streamlined processing schedule. Airwave Communications' long
form application with the FCC after the completion of the C-Block auction
indicates that Airwave Communications is in compliance with the FCC
foreign-ownership rules. However, if the foreign ownership of Tritel, Inc. were
to exceed 25% in the future, the FCC could revoke Tritel PCS's licenses,
require Tritel, Inc. to restructure its ownership to come into compliance with
the foreign ownership rules or impose other penalties. Further, Tritel, Inc.'s
Restated Certificate
60
<PAGE>
of Incorporation enables Tritel, Inc. to redeem shares from holders of Common
Stock whose acquisition of such shares results in a violation of such
limitation. The restrictions on foreign ownership could adversely affect
Tritel, Inc.'s ability to attract additional equity financing from entities
that are, or are owned by, non-U.S. entities.
F-BLOCK LICENSE REQUIREMENTS
The FCC has for the most part extended its C-Block eligibility
requirements and auction rules to the F-Block, with the following exceptions.
For the purposes of determining the entrepreneur's asset limit, F-Block
applicants do not count the value of C-Block licenses, although they must count
other CMRS licenses, including A-Block and B-Block PCS licenses. F-Block
auction participants, as well as D- and E-Block participants, were required to
pay 20% of their net winning bid, as opposed to only 10% required of C-Block
bidders.
Participants in the F-Block auction could qualify for either of two
bidding credit levels: applicants with average gross revenues of not more than
$40 million during the previous three years received a 15% bidding credit,
while applicants with average gross revenues of not more than $15 million for
the same period are referred to as very small businesses and received a 25%
bidding credit. For small businesses and very small businesses, the period
during which F-Block licensees may make interest-only payments is two years, as
opposed to six years for C-Block small businesses, with payments of principal
and interest amortized over the remaining eight years of the license term. The
interest rate applicable to Digital PCS for outstanding principal is 6.125%.
Furthermore, F-Block licensees that fall more than 180 days behind in scheduled
installment payments will incur a 5% late payment fee. By claiming status as a
very small business, Airwave Communications qualified for the 25% bidding
credit and the most favorable installment payment plan offered by the FCC.
Digital PCS was the winning bidder for 32 licenses in the D-, E- and
F-Block auction. The markets are comprised of 29 licenses in the F-Block, one
license in the D-Block and two licenses in the E-Block. With respect to those
licenses won in the F-Block auction, Tritel
1. believes that Digital PCS structured itself to satisfy the FCC's very
small business requirements,
2. intends to maintain diligently its qualification as a very small
business, and
3. has structured the notes, including certain restrictions on ownership
and transfer, in a manner intended to ensure compliance with the
applicable FCC rules.
Tritel, Inc. has relied on representations of its investors to determine
its compliance with the FCC's rules applicable to C-Block and F-Block licenses.
There can be no assurance, however, that Tritel, Inc.'s investors or Tritel,
Inc. itself will continue to satisfy these requirements during the terms of the
PCS licenses granted to its license subsidiaries or that Tritel, Inc. will be
able to successfully implement divestiture or other mechanisms included in
Tritel, Inc.'s Restated Certificate of Incorporation that are designed to
ensure compliance with FCC rules. Any non-compliance with FCC rules could
subject Tritel, Inc. to penalties, including a fine or revocation of its PCS
licenses.
TRANSFER RESTRICTIONS
Within the first five years of the grant of a C- or F- Block license,
transfer of the license is permitted only to another entity eligible for the C-
or F-Block, such as another small business or very small business. If transfer
occurs during years six through ten of the initial license term to a company
that does not qualify for the same level of auction preferences as the
transferor, such a sale would be subject to full payment of bidding credits and
immediate payment of the outstanding balance of the government installment
payment debt as a condition of transfer, known as the FCC unjust enrichment
penalties. In addition, if Tritel, Inc. wishes to make any change in ownership
structure during the initial license term involving the de facto or de jure
control of Tritel, Inc., it must seek FCC approval and may be subject to the
FCC unjust enrichment penalties indicated above.
61
<PAGE>
BUILDOUT REQUIREMENTS
The FCC has mandated that recipients of PCS licenses adhere to five-year
and ten-year buildout requirements. Under both five- and ten-year buildout
requirements, all 30 MHz PCS licensees, such as C-Block licensees, must
construct facilities that offer coverage to at least one-third of the
population in their service area within five years from the date of initial
license grants. Service must be provided to two-thirds of the population within
ten years. In the D-, E- and F-Blocks, 10 MHz PCS licenses are required to
reach one-quarter of the population within five years or make a showing of
substantial service within five years. The FCC, however, has not defined the
term "substantial services." Violations of these regulations could result in
license revocations or forfeitures or fines or other sanctions, such as
reductions in service areas.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
As a C- and F-Block licensee, Tritel, Inc. will be subject to certain
restrictions that limit, among other things, the number of broadband PCS
licenses it may hold as well as certain cross-ownership restrictions pertaining
to cellular and other wireless investments.
PENALTIES FOR PAYMENT DEFAULT
In the event that its license subsidiaries become unable to meet their
obligations under the government financing, the FCC could in such instances
reclaim some or possibly all of Tritel, Inc.'s licenses, re-auction them, and
subject Tritel, Inc. to a penalty comprised of the difference between the price
at which it acquired its license and the amount of the winning bid at
re-auction, plus an additional penalty of 3% of the lesser of the subsequent
winning bid and the defaulting bidder's bid amount.
OTHER FCC REQUIREMENTS
Regulatory Parity. The FCC has adopted rules designed to create
consistency in the manner in which it regulates similar types of mobile service
providers. According to these rules, all CMRS providers that offer
substantially similar services will be subject to similar regulation. A CMRS
service is one in which the mobile radio service is provided for a profit,
interconnected to the public switched telephone networks, and made available to
the public. Under these rules, providers of SMR and ESMR services are subject
to regulations similar to those governing cellular and PCS carriers if they
offer an interconnected commercial mobile service.
Commercial Mobile Radio Service Spectrum Ownership Limit. The FCC has
limited the amount of broadband CMRS spectrum, including cellular, broadband
PCS and SMR, in which an entity may hold an attributable interest in a given
geographic area to 45 MHz (55 MHz in certain rural areas). For these purposes,
only PCS and other CMRS licenses are attributed to an entity where its equity
exceeds certain thresholds, the entity is an officer or director of a broadband
PCS, cellular or SMR licensee, or certain other relationships exist which cause
an interest to be attributable. Our ability to raise capital from entities with
attributable broadband CMRS interests in certain geographic areas is likely to
be limited by this restriction. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis--Pending License Acquisition."
Resale. The FCC has adopted rules that prohibit broadband PCS, cellular
and certain SMR and ESMR licensees from restricting the resale of their
services. The FCC has determined that the availability of resale will increase
competition at a faster pace by allowing new entrants to the launch service
quickly through the resale of their competitors' services while they are
building out their own facilities. This prohibition is scheduled to expire in
November 2002. However, the FCC has received petitions requesting the FCC to
extend the five-year period. Additionally, the FCC requires such carriers to
provide roaming service to subscribers of other such carriers, through which
roaming subscribers of other carriers may make calls after establishing a
method of payment with a host carrier.
62
<PAGE>
Number Portability. The FCC has imposed number portability requirements on
broadband PCS, cellular and certain SMR and ESMR providers. The Commission's
number portability rules requires that such licensees provide their customers
with the ability to change carriers while retaining phone numbers. By November
24, 2002, CMRS providers must be able to offer number portability without the
impairment of quality, reliability or convenience when switching service
providers, including the ability to support roaming throughout their networks.
The FCC has solicited further comment on the appropriate cost-recovery methods
regarding long-term number portability.
E-911. The FCC also requires cellular, PCS, and certain SMR and ESMR
carriers to transmit all wireless 911 emergency calls to Public Safety
Answering Points without any credit checks or validation. The FCC also requires
that such carriers must be capable of transmitting 911 calls from individuals
with speech or hearing disabilities through means such as text telephone
devices. By October 2001, carriers must be able to provide the Public Safety
Answering Point with the location of the mobile caller within a radius of 125
meters. The FCC proceeding implementing these requirements is ongoing and these
requirements remain subject to further modification. On October 26, 1999, the
Wireless Communications and Public Safety Act was signed into law by President
Clinton. This new law seeks to enhance public safety by making 911 the
universal emergency assistance number, promoting wireless communications,
clarifying and enhancing the liability protections afforded to wireless
carriers for both emergency and non-emergency service, and supporting the
location of wireless consumers in distress.
RF Emissions. In August 1996, as revised in August 1997, the FCC adopted
new guidelines and methods for evaluating the effects of radiofrequency
emissions from transmitters including PCS mobile telephones and base stations.
The new guidelines, which are generally more stringent than previous
requirements, were effective immediately for hand-held devices and became
effective for other devices on October 15, 1998.
CALEA. Wireless providers are subject to the Communications Assistance for
Law Enforcement Act also known as the Wiretap Act, which is under the purview
of the Department of Justice. The Wiretap Act requires carriers to have a
specific number of open ports available for law enforcement personnel with the
appropriate legal authority to perform wiretaps on the carrier's network. Full
implementation of The Wiretap Act's assistance capability requirements,
however, is not required until June 30, 2000 because the FCC has found that
there is a lack of equipment available to meet these requirements.
Calling Party Pays. The FCC is considering mechanisms to permit CMRS
carriers to charge the party initiating the call (even if not the CMRS
subscriber).
Other Federal Regulations. Wireless networks are subject to certain
Federal Aviation Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and FCC
guidelines regarding the location, lighting and construction of transmitter
towers and antennas. In addition, the FCC has authority to enforce certain
provisions of the National Environmental Policy Act as they would apply to our
facilities. We intend to use common carrier point-to-point microwave and
traditional landline facilities to connect base station sites and link them to
their respective main switching offices. These microwave facilities have
historically been separately licensed by the FCC on a first-come, first-served
basis, although the FCC could decide to auction certain of such licenses, and
are subject to specific service rules.
Wireless providers also must satisfy a variety of FCC requirements
relating to technical and reporting matters. One such requirement is the
coordination of proposed frequency usage with adjacent wireless users,
permittees and licensees in order to avoid radiofrequency interference between
adjacent networks. In addition, the height and power of base station
transmitting facilities and the type of signals they emit must fall within
specific parameters.
State and Local Regulation. The scope of state regulatory authority covers
such matters as implementing those parts of the Communications Act governing
the terms and conditions of interconnection between local exchange carriers and
wireless carriers, customer billing information and practices, billing
disputes, other consumer protection matters, environmental, zoning, and
63
<PAGE>
historical preservation, certain facilities construction issues, the bundling
of services and equipment, and requirements relating to making capacity
available to third party carriers on a wholesale basis. In these areas,
particularly the terms and conditions of interconnection between local exchange
carriers and wireless providers, the FCC and state regulatory authorities share
regulatory responsibilities with respect to interstate and intrastate issues,
respectively.
Tritel, Inc. and its subsidiaries have been and intend to remain active
participants in rulemaking and other administrative policy proceedings before
the FCC and before state regulatory authorities. Proceedings with respect to
the foregoing policy issues before the FCC and state regulatory authorities
could have a significant impact on the competitive market structure among
wireless providers and the relationships between wireless providers and other
carriers.
64
<PAGE>
JOINT VENTURE AGREEMENTS WITH AT&T WIRELESS
On May 20, 1998, Tritel, Inc., Airwave Communications, Digital PCS, AT&T
Wireless, TWR Cellular, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of AT&T
Corp., certain cash equity investors and certain members of management entered
into the Securities Purchase Agreement which provided for the formation of the
Tritel, Inc.-AT&T Wireless joint venture and related equity investments. On
January 7, 1999, the transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase
Agreement were closed and the parties entered into a Network Membership License
Agreement, Roaming Agreement, Roaming Administration Agreement, Stockholders'
Agreement, Long Distance Agreement, Closing Agreement and agreed on a form of
Resale Agreement.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the
Securities Purchase Agreement, Network Membership License Agreement, Roaming
Agreement, Roaming Administration Agreement, Stockholders' Agreement, Long
Distance Agreement, Closing Agreement and form of Resale Agreement. It does not
restate those agreements in their entirety and is qualified in its entirety by
reference to each agreement.
Securities Purchase Agreement
Under the Securities Purchase Agreement: (1) AT&T Wireless and TWR
assigned the AT&T contributed Pops to Tritel, Inc. or one or more wholly-owned
subsidiaries of Tritel in exchange for shares of Tritel, Inc.'s Series A
Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock; (2) Airwave Communications and
Digital PCS assigned to Tritel or one or more wholly-owned subsidiaries of
Tritel, Inc. their contributed Pops and certain other assets in exchange for
shares of Series C Preferred and the assumption of certain liabilities of
Airwave Communications and Digital PCS, including the indebtedness owed to the
United States Department of the Treasury for the Airwave Communications and
Digital PCS contributed Pops; and (3) the Cash Equity Investors purchased
shares of the Series C Preferred.
The AT&T contributed Pops are comprised of licenses providing for the
right to use 20 MHz of authorized frequencies in geographic areas that cover
approximately 9.1 million Pops, which AT&T Wireless has partitioned and
disaggregated from certain of its 30 MHz A- and B-Block PCS licenses. AT&T
Wireless has reserved the right to use, and market and sell to others, any
services on the 10 MHz of spectrum that it retains in the creation of the AT&T
contributed Pops, subject to the exclusivity provisions of the Stockholders'
Agreement and the License Agreement.
Except as specified in the Securities Purchase Agreement and the related
agreements, none of AT&T Wireless, TWR nor any of their respective affiliates
has any further obligation or commitment to acquire debt or equity securities
of Tritel, Inc., provide or arrange for debt or equity financing for Tritel,
Inc. or provide services to or otherwise assist Tritel, Inc. in connection with
the conduct of its business. The Securities Purchase Agreement does not contain
any restrictions on AT&T Wireless, TWR, or any of their respective affiliates,
from competing, directly or indirectly, with Tritel.
AT&T Wireless Network Membership License Agreement
As part of its strategic alliance with AT&T Wireless, Tritel, Inc. has
entered into the AT&T Wireless Network Membership License Agreement with AT&T
Corp. and its affiliates, including AT&T Wireless. Under the License Agreement,
Tritel, Inc. has been granted a royalty-free, non-exclusive license to use the
AT&T logo with the globe design, the related trade dress and the expression
"Member of the AT&T Wireless Network" and variations of the foregoing, in equal
emphasis with its own brands or marks, in its markets in the marketing of its
mobile wireless telecommunications products and services. The license does not
permit, however, the use of the AT&T licensed marks in connection with
providing or reselling long distance or local service or any other product or
service other than those covered by Tritel, Inc.'s PCS licenses. AT&T has
retained the unimpaired right to use the AT&T licensed marks in Tritel, Inc.'s
markets for marketing, offering or providing any products or services. AT&T
will not grant to any other person providing mobile wireless telecommunications
products or services in Tritel, Inc.'s markets a right or license to use the
65
<PAGE>
AT&T licensed marks, except to a person that is a reseller of Tritel, Inc.'s
services, a person acting as Tritel, Inc.'s agent or a person that provides
fixed wireless telecommunications services to or from specific locations, such
as buildings or office complexes, so long as such services do not constitute
mobile wireless telecommunications services in Tritel, Inc.'s markets. Tritel,
Inc. is not permitted to assign, sub-license or transfer any of its rights,
obligations or benefits under the License Agreement.
In an effort to ensure that Tritel, Inc.'s service meets AT&T's high
quality standards, Tritel, Inc. has agreed to abide by certain quality
standards set forth in the License Agreement and to permit AT&T to conduct
inspections of its facilities from time to time.
The License Agreement is for an initial term of five years. The License
Agreement will be renewed for an additional five-year term if:
o each party gives the other notice of intent to renew at least 90 days
prior to the expiration of the initial term, or
o during the period which begins 120 days prior to expiration and ends
110 days prior to expiration, either party requests that the other party
provide notice of intent to renew, and the other party either gives
notice of intent to renew or fails to respond to such request.
AT&T is permitted to terminate the License Agreement if Tritel, Inc.:
o uses the AT&T licensed marks other than as provided in the License
Agreement;
o uses the AT&T licensed marks in connection with any marketing or
provision of telecommunications services that fails to meet AT&T's
quality standards in any material respect;
o refuses or neglects a request by AT&T Wireless for access to Tritel,
Inc.'s facilities or marketing materials for a period of more than five
business days after the receipt of notice thereof;
o experiences a change of control;
o becomes bankrupt;
o fails to maintain its rights to hold FCC licenses with respect to its
markets representing 5% or more of Tritel, Inc.'s Pops, unless the
failure is the result of AT&T's actions or inactions;
o licenses, assigns, transfers, disposes of or relinquishes any of the
rights granted to it in, and other than as permitted by, the License
Agreement;
o fails to obtain permission from AT&T Wireless to use the AT&T licensed
marks in sponsoring, endorsing or affiliating with any event, meeting,
charitable endeavor or other undertaking that has a material adverse
effect on AT&T or the AT&T licensed marks;
o fails to maintain any and all confidential information furnished to it
in the strictest confidence; or
o commits a substantial company breach as defined in the Stockholders'
Agreement.
Upon the later to occur of: (a) consummation of a Disqualifying
Transaction, as defined below, or (b) the second anniversary of the date AT&T
gives notice to Tritel, Inc. that it has entered into a letter of intent or
binding agreement to engage in a Disqualifying Transaction, AT&T may terminate
the License Agreement with Tritel, Inc. by providing notice to Tritel, Inc.
However, no such termination may occur during the initial term. If Tritel, Inc.
has not exercised its right to convert all of AT&T's Series A and Series D
Preferred into Series B Preferred, the termination only applies to that portion
of Tritel's markets that overlap the markets in which a party to such
Disqualifying Transaction owns an FCC license to provide Commercial Mobile
Radio Service (the "Overlap Markets"). Upon a termination of the License
Agreement, Tritel must cease using the AT&T Licensed Marks within 90 days.
66
<PAGE>
The License Agreement will also terminate in the event that AT&T Wireless
converts any of its shares of Series A Preferred into Common Stock on the later
of (a) the initial term plus any renewal periods, or (b) two years from the
date of such conversion.
The term "Disqualifying Transaction" means a merger, consolidation, asset
acquisition or disposition, or other business combination involving AT&T Corp.
or its affiliates and another person, which other person
(a) derives from telecommunications businesses annual revenues in excess
of $5 billion,
(b) derives less than one-third of its aggregate revenues from wireless
telecommunications services,
(c) owns FCC Licenses to offer, and does offer, mobile wireless
telecommunications services, except certain specified services, serving
more than 25% of the Pops within Tritel, Inc.'s licensed territory, and
(d) with respect to which AT&T Wireless has given notice to Tritel, Inc.
specifying that such merger, consolidation, asset acquisition or
disposition or other business combination shall be a Disqualifying
Transaction for purposes of this agreement and the transactions
contemplated thereby.
Roaming Agreement
Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless, along with their respective affiliates,
have also entered into an intercarrier roamer service agreement, called the
Roaming Agreement, to allow subscribers of one party to roam onto the wireless
network of the other party when a subscriber travels into a geographic area
that the other party services.
The Roaming Agreement states that both Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless will
provide automatic call delivery to the other party's customers who roam into
its geographic area. To facilitate this service, each party will agree to
provide continuously the necessary hardware, software and transmission
facilities to support such call delivery, either directly or through a separate
network of wireless communications carriers.
The Roaming Agreement has an initial term of 20 years, subject to earlier
termination, and thereafter will continue on a month-to-month basis until
terminated with 90 days written notice. The agreement may be terminated or
suspended upon default by either party for
o material breach of any term of the Roaming Agreement that continues
unremedied for 30 days;
o a voluntary liquidation or dissolution of either party;
o a final order by the FCC revoking or denying renewal of a material PCS
license or permit granted to either party; or
o a bankruptcy of either party.
Either party may suspend its certain aspects of its services if it
determines that fraudulent or unauthorized use of the system has reached an
unacceptable level of financial loss.
Roaming Administration Service Agreement
Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless also have entered into a roaming
administration service agreement to allow Tritel, Inc. to receive certain
benefits under intercarrier roaming services agreements between AT&T Wireless
and other specified wireless carriers, to permit subscribers of those other
wireless carriers to use the facilities of Tritel, Inc. in accordance with the
applicable intercarrier roaming services agreements and to make available to
Tritel, Inc. the roaming administration services of AT&T Wireless. The Roaming
Administration Agreement provides that AT&T Wireless will perform, for a fee,
roaming administration and settlement services to manage Tritel, Inc.'s roaming
program.
67
<PAGE>
The Roaming Administration Agreement has an initial term of two years,
subject to earlier termination, and thereafter will renew automatically for
successive terms of one year each until either party chooses not to renew upon
90 days prior written notice. The Roaming Administration Agreement may be
terminated for any of the following reasons:
o material breach by either party;
o material and unreasonable interference with one party's operations by
the operations of the other party for a period exceeding ten days;
o by AT&T Wireless with respect to any intercarrier roaming services
agreement or its interoperability agreement with EDS Personal
Communications Corporation, in the event the applicable agreement
expires or is terminated. The current interoperability agreement with
EDS Personal Communications Corporation expires on March 31, 2000, with
respect to settlement services and on June 30, 1999, with respect to
call validation services;
o by AT&T Wireless in the event that Tritel, Inc. is no longer a member
in good standing with the North American Cellular Network, Inc.;
o by AT&T Wireless with respect to the roaming administration services
received under AT&T Wireless's interoperability agreement with EDS
Personal Communications Corporation should that agreement expire or
terminate; or
o by either party for any reason upon 180 days prior written notice.
Upon termination of the Roaming Administration Agreement for any of the
reasons set forth above, each party shall immediately, or upon final
accounting, pay all amounts owing to the other parties thereunder, whether due
or to become due.
Stockholders' Agreement
AT&T Wireless, the management stockholders and the cash equity investors
have entered into a Stockholders' Agreement with Tritel, Inc.
o to provide for the management of Tritel, Inc.;
o to impose certain restrictions on the sale, transfer or other
disposition of the securities of Tritel; and
o to create certain rights related to such securities, including
representation on Tritel, Inc.'s board of directors, a right of first
offer, a right of participation, a right of inclusion and registration
rights.
Management. The Stockholders' Agreement provides that the Board of
Directors of Tritel, Inc. will consist of thirteen members. For so long as
required by the FCC, the management stockholders will nominate four members,
each of whom must be an officer of Tritel, Inc. and each of whom will have 1/2
of a vote, AT&T Wireless will nominate two members and the cash equity
investors will nominate three members. The remaining four directors will be
nominated by the management stockholders, with one such nomination subject to
the consent of the cash equity investors alone, with the remaining three
subject to the consent of the cash equity investors and AT&T Wireless. Once
permitted by FCC regulation, the remaining four directors will be nominated by
the cash equity investors, with three of these nominations subject to the
consent of AT&T Wireless and Messrs. Mounger and Martin.
All actions of the Board of Directors will require a majority vote of the
entire Board of Directors, except that certain significant transactions will
require the vote of at least three of the five directors nominated by the cash
equity investors and AT&T Wireless and four of the six votes cast by the
directors nominated by the management stockholders and the four remaining
directors nominated by the management stockholders or the cash equity investors
as described above. Such significant transactions include, but are not limited
to,
68
<PAGE>
o a sale or transfer of a material portion of the assets of Tritel, Inc.
or any subsidiary;
o a merger or consolidation of Tritel, Inc. or any subsidiary;
o the offering of any securities of Tritel, Inc. or any subsidiary other
than as contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement;
o the hiring or termination of any executive officer of Tritel, Inc.;
o the incurrence of certain indebtedness;
o the making of certain capital expenditures; and
o the initiation of any bankruptcy proceeding, dissolution or liquidation
of Tritel, Inc. or any subsidiary.
Restrictions on Transfer. The stockholders, including AT&T Wireless and
TWR, have agreed not to, directly or indirectly, transfer or otherwise grant or
create certain liens in, give, place in trust or otherwise voluntarily or
involuntarily dispose of ("Transfer") any share of Company Stock, defined in
the Stockholders' Agreement, beneficially owned by such stockholder on or prior
to an initial public offering, or IPO, of Tritel, Inc.'s common stock, subject
to certain limited exceptions. In addition, the stockholders, including AT&T
Wireless and TWR, have agreed not to Transfer any share of Series C Preferred,
Series D Preferred or Common Stock until January 7, 2002, except to affiliates
and except that cash equity investors may Transfer shares to other cash equity
investors and up to 1,000 shares to management stockholders. The management
stockholders have agreed not to Transfer any shares of Class A Common Stock
until January 7, 2004 except to Tritel, Inc. and except the 25% of their Class
A Common Stock that may be transferred upon the later of an IPO or January 7,
2002.
Right of First Offer. If a non-AT&T Wireless stockholder desires to sell
shares of preferred or common stock, other than Voting Preference Stock and
Class C Common Stock, to a third party, such stockholder must first offer such
shares to AT&T Wireless. AT&T Wireless will then have ten business days to
offer to purchase all, but not less than all, of such shares at the offered
price. If AT&T Wireless does not accept such offer, such investor may offer the
shares to other potential purchasers at or above the offer price, for up to 90
days. If AT&T Wireless or TWR desires to sell shares of preferred or common
stock, the cash equity investors will have the same right of first offer. In
the event that neither any cash equity investor nor AT&T Wireless purchases
such shares pursuant to the above rights, the shares may be sold to any person
other than a prohibited transferee as defined in the Stockholders' Agreement.
Right of Inclusion. No stockholder shall Transfer shares of any series or
class of preferred, other than Series B Preferred, or common stock
(collectively, "Inclusion Stock") to persons who are not affiliates of such
person if the Transfer would result in such stockholder, or stockholders acting
in concert, Transferring 25% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of
Inclusion Stock (an "Inclusion Event"), unless the terms and conditions of such
Transfer include an offer to AT&T Wireless, the cash equity investors and the
management stockholders (each, an "Inclusion Event Offeree") for each of them
to sell to the purchaser of the Inclusion Stock the same proportion of each
Inclusion Event Offeree's Inclusion Stock as proposed to be sold by the selling
Stockholder. In the event that such person does not agree to purchase all of
the shares of Inclusion Stock proposed to be sold, then the selling stockholder
and each Inclusion Event Offeree will have the right to sell a proportionate
amount of Inclusion Stock to such person. For purposes of determining an
Inclusion Event, if the Inclusion Stock is Series C Preferred, then Series D
shall also be deemed to be Inclusion Stock, and Series C Preferred and Series D
Preferred shall be deemed to be one class of preferred stock.
Right of First Negotiation. Following an IPO, any stockholder desiring to
Transfer any shares of Common Stock or Series C Preferred (1) pursuant to an
underwritten registration, (2) pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act or
(3) in a transaction or series of related transactions resulting in the
Transfer of not more than ten percent of all common stock on a fully diluted
basis, excluding for such purposes the Series A Preferred Stock, must first
give AT&T Wireless written notice thereof
69
<PAGE>
containing the proposed terms of such sale. For the applicable first
negotiation period, AT&T Wireless will have the exclusive right to negotiate
with such Stockholder regarding the purchase of such shares. The stockholder
has the right to reject any offer made by AT&T Wireless during such first
negotiation period. Upon the expiration of the first negotiation period, the
stockholder has the right to sell the shares included in the notice on such
terms and conditions as are acceptable to the Stockholder in its sole
discretion during the applicable offer period.
If shares of common stock are proposed to be Transferred pursuant to an
underwritten registration, the applicable first negotiation period is ten days
and the applicable offer period is 120 days. If shares of common stock are
proposed to be Transferred pursuant to Rule 144, the applicable first
negotiation period is three hours and the applicable offer period is five
business days. If shares of common stock are proposed to be Transferred in a
transaction or series of related transactions resulting in the sale of not more
than ten percent of all common stock on a fully diluted basis, excluding for
such purposes the Series A Preferred, the applicable first negotiation period
is one business day, provided the notice is given prior to 9:00 a.m. on the day
prior to the proposed Transfer, and the applicable offer period is ten business
days.
Demand Registration Rights. From and after the ninety-first day following
the date of the IPO, or such longer period as may be required by the managing
underwriter, any "Qualified Holder" and management stockholders that in the
aggregate beneficially own at least 50.1% of the Class A Voting Common Stock
then beneficially owned by the management stockholders (each, a "Demanding
Stockholder") will have the right to require Tritel, Inc. to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act covering the Class A Common
Stock (a "Demand Registration"), subject to certain limited exceptions.
A "Qualified Holder" is defined as:
(a) any stockholder or group of stockholders that beneficially owns shares
of Class A Voting Common Stock reasonably expected, upon sale, to
result in aggregate gross proceeds of at least $25 million; or
(b) AT&T Wireless and TWR for so long as they beneficially own in the
aggregate greater than two-thirds of the initial issuance to them of
shares of Series A Preferred.
Tritel, Inc. will not be obligated to effect more than two separate Demand
Registrations in any twelve-month period, provided that only one request for
Demand Registration may be exercised by AT&T Wireless and/or Management
Stockholders that in the aggregate beneficially own at least 50.1% of the
shares of the Class A Voting Common Stock then beneficially owned by the
Management Stockholders during any twelve-month period. If Tritel, Inc.
determines that a Demand Registration would interfere with any pending or
contemplated material transaction, Tritel, Inc. may defer such Demand
Registration subject to certain limitations.
Piggyback Registration Rights. If Tritel, Inc. proposes to register any
shares of Class A Voting Common Stock, or securities convertible into or
exchangeable for shares of Class A Common Stock, with the Securities and
Exchange Commission under the Securities Act, Tritel, Inc. will, subject to
certain limitations, give notice of the proposed registration to all
stockholders and include all common stock as to which it has received a request
for inclusion, subject to customary underwriter cutbacks.
Consequences of a Disqualifying Transaction. Upon consummation of a
Disqualifying Transaction, the exclusivity provisions of the Stockholders'
Agreement applicable to AT&T Wireless and TWR will terminate as to all of
Tritel, Inc.'s markets. However, if Tritel, Inc. has not exercised its right to
convert all of AT&T's Series A and Series D Preferred into Series B Preferred,
the termination applies only to the Overlap Markets.
Upon AT&T Wireless's terminating its obligations and those of TWR in
connection with a Disqualifying Transaction, Tritel, Inc. will have the right
to cause AT&T Wireless and TWR, or their transferees other than any cash equity
investor, to exchange all or a proportionate number of shares of Series A
Preferred then owned by AT&T Wireless and TWR equal to a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of Pops in the Overlap Markets and the
denominator of which is the total
70
<PAGE>
number of Pops in all of Tritel, Inc.'s markets, for an equivalent number of
shares of Series B Preferred. Tritel, Inc. shall have similar conversion rights
with respect to any Series D Preferred shares, or Series B Preferred or common
stock into which such shares have been converted, owned by AT&T Wireless and
TWR.
Additional Covenants. To induce the stockholders to enter into the
Stockholders' Agreement, Tritel has agreed to, among other things:
o construct a network system to cover the territory of its PCS licenses
according to an agreed upon buildout plan;
o arrange for all necessary microwave relocation and reimburse AT&T for
any such relocation costs it incurs in connection with the AT&T
contributed Pops;
o offer certain service features and adhere to certain quality
standards;
o refrain from entering into certain merger, sale or liquidation
transactions or to effect a change in the business of Tritel, Inc.
without the prior consent of AT&T Wireless;
o refrain from marketing, offering, providing or reselling interexchange
services other than its own or AT&T's;
o enter into Resale Agreements with AT&T Wireless from time to time at
the request of AT&T Wireless;
o refrain from soliciting for employment AT&T's personnel for a limited
period; and
o permit AT&T Wireless to co-locate certain cell sites in locations
holding Tritel, Inc. cell sites.
Concurrently, AT&T Wireless has agreed to, among other things:
o assist Tritel, Inc. in obtaining discounts from AT&T Wireless
equipment vendors;
o refrain from soliciting for employment Tritel, Inc.'s personnel for a
limited period; and
o permit Tritel, Inc. to co-locate certain cell sites in locations
holding AT&T Wireless cell sites.
In addition, stockholders other than AT&T Wireless that are subject to the
Stockholders' Agreement have agreed to refrain from providing, reselling or
acting as agent for any person offering wireless services in territories
designated to Tritel, Inc.
Term. The Stockholders' Agreement will terminate after eleven years and
may be terminated earlier upon the consent of all parties, or if one
stockholder should beneficially own all of the Class A Voting Common Stock. If
not otherwise terminated, the provisions regarding the management of Tritel,
Inc. and the transfer of shares will terminate after ten years, and the
provisions regarding registration rights will terminate after 20 years.
Long Distance Agreement
Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. have entered into a Long
Distance Agreement which provides that Tritel, Inc. will purchase interstate
and intrastate long distance services from AT&T Wireless for a term of up to
three years. These long distance services will be purchased at preferred rates,
which are contingent upon Tritel, Inc.'s continuing affiliation with AT&T
Wireless, and will be resold to Tritel, Inc.'s customers. Under the Long
Distance Agreement, Tritel, Inc. must meet a yearly minimum traffic volume
commitment which is to be negotiated between Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless. If
the minimum traffic volume commitment is not met by Tritel, Inc., then it must
pay to AT&T Wireless an amount equal to the difference between AT&T's expected
fee based on the minimum traffic volume commitment and its fee based on the
actual traffic volume.
Closing Agreement
Tritel, Inc., AT&T Wireless and the other parties to the Securities
Purchase Agreement have entered into a Closing Agreement to provide for certain
matters set forth in the Securities Purchase
71
<PAGE>
Agreement, including, among other things, consent for certain of Tritel, Inc.'s
subsidiaries to enter into agreements and to conduct Tritel, Inc.'s operations,
and direction that certain PCS licenses be transferred to Tritel, Inc.'s
subsidiaries by AT&T Wireless, Airwave Communications, Digital PCS and Central
Alabama Partnership.
Resale Agreement
Tritel, Inc. and AT&T Wireless have also agreed on the form of a Resale
Agreement to be entered into from time to time, which permits AT&T Wireless,
its affiliates and one person designated by AT&T Wireless, who is licensed to
provide telecommunications services in such area under AT&T's service marks,
for any geographic area within the territory covered by Tritel, Inc.'s
licenses, each, referred to as a reseller, to purchase access to and usage of
Tritel, Inc.'s wireless telecommunications services for resale to its
subscribers. Tritel, Inc. has agreed to provide service to the reseller on a
nonexclusive basis, and therefore will retain the right to market and sell its
services to other customers in competition with AT&T Wireless.
The Resale Agreement will have an initial term of ten years and will be
automatically renewed for additional one-year terms, unless it is previously
terminated. The reseller has the right to terminate the Resale Agreement for
any reason upon 180 days written notice. Following the eleventh anniversary of
the commencement date of the Resale Agreement, either party may terminate the
agreement on 90 days written notice for any reason.
In addition, either the reseller or Tritel, Inc. may terminate the Resale
Agreement after any of the following events occur and continue unremedied for
some time period:
o certain bankruptcy events of Tritel, Inc. or the reseller;
o the failure of either the reseller or Tritel, Inc. to pay any sum owed
to the other at the time such amount comes due;
o the failure of the reseller or Tritel, Inc. to perform or observe any
other material term, condition, or covenant to be performed by it under
the Resale Agreement;
o the commission of any illegal act by or the filing of any criminal
indictment or information against the reseller, its proprietors,
partners, officers, or directors or stockholders controlling in the
aggregate or individual 10% or more of the voting rights or equity
interests of the reseller;
o the furnishing, within a twelve-month period, by the reseller to
Tritel, Inc. of two or more checks that are not paid when presented due
to insufficient funds;
o an unauthorized assignment of the Resale Agreement;
o failure by the reseller to meet the eligibility requirements as
described in the Resale Agreement; and
o either party attempts to incorporate into its marks, or challenge the
other party's service marks, trademarks or trade names, including,
without limitation, all terms and conditions of each service plan
selected by the reseller.
Upon termination, Tritel, Inc. will have no further obligation to provide
the reseller access to and usage of Tritel, Inc.'s PCS services.
72
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The executive officers and directors of Tritel, Inc., and their ages, at
October 31, 1999, were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ------------------------------ ----- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William M. Mounger, II ....... 42 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
William S. Arnett ............ 49 Director and President
E.B. Martin, Jr. ............. 43 Director, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
Scott I. Anderson ............ 41 Director
Alex P. Coleman .............. 32 Director
Gary S. Fuqua ................ 47 Director
Ann K. Hall .................. 34 Director
Andrew Hubregsen ............. 38 Director
David A. Jones, Jr. .......... 41 Director
H. Lee Maschmann ............. 42 Director
Elizabeth L. Nichols ......... 46 Director
Kevin J. Shepherd ............ 43 Director
</TABLE>
The executive officers and directors of Tritel PCS, at October 31, 1999,
were as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME POSITION
- --------------------------------- ------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
William M. Mounger, II .......... Chairman of the Board of Directors, Chief Executive Officer and
President
E.B. Martin, Jr. ................ Director, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief Financial
Officer
</TABLE>
The executive officers, directors and key employees of Tritel
Communications, Inc., our operating subsidiary, at October 31, 1999, were as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- --------------------------------- ----- --------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
William M. Mounger, II .......... 42 Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive
Officer
William S. Arnett ............... 49 President
E.B. Martin, Jr. ................ 43 Director, Executive Vice President, Treasurer and Chief
Financial Officer
T. Clark Akers .................. 42 Senior Vice President-External Affairs
Timothy Burnette ................ 43 Senior Vice President-Engineering and Technical
Operations
Keith Halford ................... 48 Senior Vice President-Marketing
Kirk Hughes ..................... 40 Senior Vice President-Information Systems
Doug McQueen .................... 38 Senior Vice President-Sales Operations
James H. Neeld, IV .............. 39 Senior Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
Karlen Turbeville ............... 40 Senior Vice President-Finance
Dennis M. Watford ............... 51 Senior Vice President-Human Resources and
Administration
</TABLE>
Effective September 1, 1999, Jerry M. Sullivan, Jr. resigned from the
Boards of Tritel, Inc. and its subsidiaries and ceased to be one of its
executive offiers. These Board vacancies have not been filled.
William M. Mounger, II. Mr. Mounger has served as Chief Executive Officer
of Tritel, Inc. and Mercury Communications since 1998 and 1990, respectively.
In addition, Mr. Mounger served as
73
<PAGE>
President of Tritel, Inc. until January 1999. Mr. Mounger was a member of the
Cellular One Advisory Council from 1992-1994 and served as its Chairman from
1993-94. In recent years, Mr. Mounger has served as President of Delta Cellular
Communications, as President of Alaska-3 Cellular, as Vice President of Mobile
Talk, Inc., an SMR operator, as President of Southeastern Cellular
Communications, and as President or executive officer in several other cellular
companies. In 1996, Mr. Mounger was one of three original founders of Unity
Communications, a reseller of long distance and wireless services. From 1983 to
1988, he was a partner in Sunbelt Cellular Partners, which merged with other
entities to form Vanguard Cellular in 1987.
William S. Arnett. Mr. Arnett has served as President of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Mr. Arnett has served as President of Flying A Towers, a
communication tower leasing company, since 1996. Mr. Arnett served as President
of a division of Dial Call Communications from 1994 to 1996 and with Nextel
Communications following the merger of Dial Call into Nextel Communications
until 1996. Mr. Arnett served as Chief Operating Officer of Transit
Communications Corporation from 1993 to 1994 and as President of Rural
Cellular, Inc. from 1990 to 1993. Mr. Arnett also held several positions at
United States Cellular from 1984 to 1990, most recently serving as Corporate
Vice President, Marketing and Operations.
E.B. Martin, Jr. Mr. Martin has served as Executive Vice President,
Treasurer and Chief Financial Officer of Tritel, Inc. since 1997. Mr. Martin
has also served as the Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Mercury
Communications from 1990 to 1993 and since 1997. Mr. Martin was a shareholder
of the law firm of Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier, P.A. from 1993 to
1996 and currently is a shareholder of its affiliate, Young, Williams,
Henderson, Fuselier & Associates, Ltd. Mr. Martin has experience in handling
mergers and acquisitions of domestic and international wireless companies. He
has been responsible for arranging debt and equity financing for numerous
cellular properties and has extensive experience in managing individual and
institutional venture capital investments, litigation and contractual
negotiations. Mr. Martin also serves as Secretary/Treasurer for Mercury
Communications, Alaska-3 Cellular Corporation and Mercury Wireless Management.
Scott I. Anderson. Mr. Anderson has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Since 1997, Mr. Anderson has served as a principal in Cedar
Grove Partners, LLC, an investment and consulting/advisory partnership, and,
since 1998, as a principal in Cedar Grove Investments, LLC, a small "angel"
capital investment fund. Mr. Anderson was an independent board member of
PriCellular Corp from March 1997 through June 1998, when the company went
private. He is a board member and advisory board member of Tegic, a wireless
technology licensing company, a board member of TeleCorp PCS, a board member of
Triton PCS and a board member of Xypoint, a private emergency 911 service
company. He was employed by McCaw Cellular Communications and AT&T Wireless
from 1986 until 1997, where he last served as Senior Vice President of the
Acquisitions and Development group.
Alexander P. Coleman. Mr. Coleman has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Since 1996, Mr. Coleman has served as a Vice President and
Investment Partner of Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Private Equity LLC's leveraged
buyout group. Prior to joining Dresdner Kleinwort Benson, Mr. Coleman served in
several corporate finance positions for Citicorp/Citibank N.A. from 1989
through 1995, most recently as Vice President of Citicorp Venture Capital.
Gary S. Fuqua. Mr. Fuqua has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc. since
January 1999. Mr. Fuqua managed corporate development activities at Entergy
from 1998 to 1999. In addition, Mr. Fuqua previously oversaw Entergy's
non-regulated domestic retail businesses, including District Energy, Entergy
Security and Entergy's various telecommunications businesses. Before he joined
Entergy, Mr. Fuqua served as a Vice President with Enron Ventures Corporation
in London. He also founded and managed his own company prior to joining Enron
in 1988. He is a member of Entergy Enterprises' Board of Directors, and
President of Entergy Technology Holdings. Mr. Fuqua is also a member of the
board of TeleCorp PCS.
Ann K. Hall. Ms. Hall has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc. since
January 1999. Since 1995, Ms. Hall has served in various roles for AT&T
Wireless, most recently as Director of Partnership
74
<PAGE>
Markets. In this role, she has assisted AT&T Wireless's affiliate, Telecorp
PCS, in launching its wireless operations, and she was previously involved in
overseeing the financial operations for AT&T Wireless's partnership interests
in the Los Angeles and Houston markets. Prior to joining AT&T Wireless
Services, Inc., Ms. Hall worked for Ernst & Young LLP's Telecommunications
Consulting Practice, during which time McCaw Cellular was one of her main
clients. Before working in the Telecommunications Industry, Ms. Hall worked as
a Product Development Engineer at National Semiconductor and later at Intel
Corporation in the Technology Development Finance group.
Andrew Hubregsen. Mr. Hubregsen has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Mr. Hubregsen is a Senior Vice President with Conseco
Private Capital Group, Inc., a subsidiary which manages Conseco's portfolio of
private equity and equity related investments in a wide variety of industries.
He joined Conseco in September 1992. Prior to joining Conseco, Mr. Hubregsen
was employed at GE Capital Services in the Financial Institutions Group of the
Corporate Finance Division. While at GE Capital, Mr. Hubregsen worked on a
variety of leveraged debt and equity transactions.
David A. Jones, Jr. Mr. Jones has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since July 1999. Mr. Jones is a founder and the Chairman and Managing Director
of Chrysalis Ventures, LLC, a venture capital firm. Prior to founding Chrysalis
Ventures, LLC in 1994, Mr. Jones was an attorney in private practice. Mr. Jones
is Vice-Chairman of the Board of Directors of Humana Inc., a director of
Mid-America Bancorp and Chairman of the Board of Directors of High Speed Access
Corp.
H. Lee Maschmann. Mr. Maschmann has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Mr. Maschmann is Vice President of Partnership Operations,
Engineering for AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. In this role, he has assisted AT&T
Wireless's affiliates, Telecorp PCS and Triton PCS in launching their wireless
operations. He was previously involved in overseeing the Technical Operations
and Engineering for AT&T Wireless's partnership interests in the Los Angeles
and Houston markets. Prior to that, he oversaw the engineering and construction
of AT&T Wireless's PCS markets in the Southwest region. Since 1985, Mr.
Maschmann has held a number of technical leadership positions with AT&T
Wireless, McCaw Communications and MetroCel Cellular.
Elizabeth L. Nichols. Ms. Nichols has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Ms. Nichols has served as a Director and President of JDN
Realty Corp., a publicly traded real estate investment trust since 1994 and is
a Director of Ruby Tuesday, Inc. Prior to joining JDN Realty Corp., Ms. Nichols
worked for approximately 18 years in the real estate industry for JDN
Enterprises, Inc., Dobson & Johnson Mortgage Banking firm and First American
National Bank.
Kevin J. Shepherd. Mr. Shepherd has served as a Director of Tritel, Inc.
since January 1999. Mr. Shepherd has served as President of Triune, Inc., a
financial advisory firm servicing high net worth individuals since its
inception in 1989.
T. Clark Akers. Mr. Akers has served as Senior Vice President-External
Affairs since 1995. Mr. Akers is responsible for federal, state and local
governmental relations and maintaining Tritel, Inc.'s relationships with the
FCC and the Wireless Bureau and developing relationships with the Public
Service Commissions, Planning Commissions and other regulatory agencies in
states in which Tritel, Inc. will do business.
Timothy Burnette. Mr. Burnette has served as Senior Vice
President--Engineering & Technical Operations since May 1999. He is responsible
for the construction and operation of Tritel, Inc.'s TDMA IS-136 PCS network.
Prior to joining Tritel, Inc., Mr. Burnette served as Director of Network
Operations (River Region) for Nextel from 1994 to 1995, Vice President of
Network Operations (River Region) for Nextel from 1995 to 1996, and Vice
President, Corporate Development, for Hemphill Corporation, a tower and
construction company primarily focused on the wireless communications industry,
from 1996 to 1999.
Keith Halford. Mr. Halford has served as Senior Vice President-Marketing
since February 1999. He is responsible for Tritel, Inc.'s overall marketing
strategy. Prior to joining Tritel, Inc., Mr. Halford was Principal of
Transactional Marketing Consultants beginning in March 1995, where he assisted
75
<PAGE>
television networks, advertising agencies and telemarketing firms in the
creation of e-commerce opportunities. From 1993 through March 1995, Mr. Halford
was President of RSTV Inc. where he created ViaTV, an auction-based, satellite
delivered television channel.
Kirk Hughes. Mr. Hughes has served as Senior Vice President-Information
Systems since 1998. He is responsible for Tritel, Inc.'s management information
systems and support. Prior to joining Tritel, Inc. in 1998, Mr. Hughes was
employed with MobileComm, a national paging company, for 13 years, where he
last served as Vice President of Information Systems. In that capacity Mr.
Hughes managed a staff of 75 employees serving a customer base of 4 million
people.
Doug McQueen. Mr. McQueen has served as Senior Vice President-Market
Operations since July 1998. He is responsible for direct and indirect sales,
oversight of the construction and staffing of the company's retail stores and
overall supervision of Tritel, Inc.'s regional managers. Prior to becoming
Senior Vice President-Market Operations, Mr. McQueen was Vice
President-Regional Manager with Tritel, Inc. from 1997 and General Manager of
Mercury Communications's Madisonville, Kentucky market from September 1991
through April 1994. From May 1994 through January 1997, Mr. McQueen was
employed with Clear Communications as a Regional Manager for its Kentucky and
West Virginia markets. Mr. McQueen was General Manager for United States
Cellular's Evansville, Indiana market from 1986 to 1991.
James H. Neeld, IV. Mr. Neeld has served as Senior Vice President-General
Counsel and Secretary since April 1999 and April 1998, respectively. He is
responsible for general corporate and other legal matters. Prior to becoming
Senior Vice President-General Counsel in 1999, Mr. Neeld was a shareholder of
the Jackson, Mississippi law firm, Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier, P.A.
and its affiliate Young, Williams, Henderson, Fuselier & Associates, Ltd. Mr.
Neeld began his career with Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier, P.A. in 1985
and was a director of the firm from 1994 through 1997, and remains of counsel
to the firm. While in private practice, Mr. Neeld focused on telecommunications
and general corporate law, corporate finance, acquisitions, transactions and
business planning. Mr. Neeld currently serves on the Executive Committee of the
Business Law Section of the Mississippi Bar and is a member of the Mississippi
Secretary of State's Business Law Advisory Group.
Karlen Turbeville. Ms. Turbeville has served as Senior Vice
President-Finance since Tritel's formation. She also has served as Vice
President of Alaska - 3 Cellular Corporation and as Vice President of Finance
and Director for Mercury Communications. Since joining Mercury Communications
in 1991, Ms. Turbeville has held direct responsibility for the financial,
treasury, billing, customer care, roaming, investor relations, budgeting and
regulatory reporting functions for all RSA markets. Prior to joining Mercury
Communications, Ms. Turbeville was a Manager at Tann, Brown & Russ Co., Ltd., a
Mississippi accounting firm. Ms. Turbeville is a Certified Public Accountant
with experience in accounting, auditing and consulting, including six years
with Arthur Andersen & Co. where she worked with Worldcom, Skytel and cellular
companies, and companies in the transportation, public utility and banking
industries.
Dennis M. Watford. Mr. Watford has served as Senior Vice President-Human
Resources and Administration since August 1999, after joining Tritel, Inc. in
February 1999. Prior to joining Tritel, Inc., Mr. Watford was employed with
Chemfirst Inc. from 1983 to 1999, where he last served as Director of Human
Resources.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Effective September 1, 1999, Tritel, Inc. and Jerry M. Sullivan entered
into an agreement to redefine Mr. Sullivan's employment with Tritel, Inc. and
its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan has resigned as a director of Tritel, Inc. and
all of its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan will retain the title of Executive Vice
President of Tritel, Inc. through December 31, 2001; however, under the
agreement, he is not permitted to represent Tritel nor will he perform any
functions for Tritel. As part of the agreement, he will receive an annual
salary of $225,000 and an annual bonus of $112,500 through December 31, 2002.
Mr. Sullivan is fully vested in 1,800,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and
has returned all other shares held by him, including his Voting Preference
Common Stock to Tritel, Inc.
76
<PAGE>
Mr. Sullivan had served as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Tritel, Inc. since 1993. The foregoing agreements
supersede the employment relationship between Tritel, Inc. and Mr. Sullivan
defined by the Management Agreement and Mr. Sullivan's employment agreement.
The Bylaws of Tritel, Inc. provide that the Board of Directors will have
between one and thirteen members. According to the terms of the Stockholders'
Agreement, the Board of Directors will consist of thirteen members. For so long
as required by the FCC, the management stockholders will nominate four members,
each of whom must be an officer of Tritel, Inc. and each of whom will have 1/2
of a vote, AT&T Wireless will nominate two members and the cash equity
investors will nominate three members. The remaining four directors will be
nominated by the management stockholders, with one such nomination subject to
the consent of the cash equity investors alone, with the remaining three
subject to the consent of the cash equity investors and AT&T Wireless. Once
permitted by FCC regulation, the remaining four directors will be nominated by
the cash equity investors, with three of these nominations subject to the
consent of AT&T Wireless and Messrs. Mounger and Martin. All directors will
hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders next following their
election and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are
elected annually by and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
Tritel, Inc.'s Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors may establish
committees to exercise certain powers delegated by the Board of Directors. At
present, the Board has established an Audit Committee, whose members are Mr.
Anderson, Mr. Coleman and Ms. Hall, and a Compensation Committee, whose members
are Messrs. Hubregsen, Maschmann and Shepherd.
COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND DIRECTORS
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to the
compensation paid by Tritel, Inc. for services rendered during fiscal year 1998
by its chief executive officer and its four most highly compensated executive
officers. Mr. Arnett became President in January 1999 and was not an employee
of Tritel, Inc. prior to such appointment.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM
COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION AWARDS
------------------------------------------ -------------
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTIONS
- ----------------------------------------- ----------- ----------- -------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
William M. Mounger, II
Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer ...................... $225,000 $112,500 -- --
Jerry M. Sullivan, Jr.
Executive Vice President ............... 225,000 112,500 -- --
E.B. Martin, Jr.
Executive Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer ................ 225,000 112,500 -- --
Karlen Turbeville
Senior Vice President--Finance ......... 175,000 87,500 -- --
John Greathouse
Former Senior Vice President
--Chief Technical Officer .............. 175,000 97,500 $2,700 --
</TABLE>
Stock Options
There were no stock options granted to the named executive officers during
fiscal year 1998.
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION
It is not anticipated that the directors designated by the cash equity
investors or AT&T will receive cash compensation for their service on the Board
of Directors. Other non-employee directors
77
<PAGE>
receive a quarterly stipend of $2,500, $1,000 for attending each Board or
committee meeting and $500 for participating in each Board or committee meeting
held by teleconference. In addition, Tritel, Inc. has adopted the 1999 Stock
Option Plan for Non-Employee Directors and has granted 45,000 stock options to
qualifying non-employee directors in fiscal year 1999. All directors, including
directors who are Tritel, Inc. employees, will be reimbursed for out-of-pocket
expenses in connection with attendance at meetings.
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
Tritel, Inc. has entered into employment agreements with Messrs. Arnett,
Martin and Mounger. The employment agreements provide for a term of five years
at an annual base salary of $225,000, subject to increase as determined by the
Board of Directors. Each executive officer will also be eligible for an annual
bonus of up to 50% of his base salary upon achievement of certain objectives to
be determined by the Board of Directors or its Compensation Committee.
The employment agreements provide for termination:
o by the executive officer, at any time and at his sole discretion upon
30 days' written notice to Tritel, Inc.;
o by the executive officer, at any time for "Good Reason," as defined in
the employment agreements, upon written notice to Tritel, Inc.;
o by Tritel, Inc., at any time for "cause," as defined in the employment
agreements, upon written notice to the executive officer;
o automatically, upon the executive officer's death;
o by Tritel, Inc., upon the executive officer's "Disability," as defined
in the employment agreements, upon written notice to the executive
officer;
o by Tritel, Inc., immediately in the event of an uncured breach of the
Management Agreement by the Manager, as defined below; and
o by Tritel, Inc., if Tritel, Inc. does not meet certain corporate
objectives.
Depending upon the reason for termination of the employment agreements,
the executive officer may be entitled to a severance payment upon such
termination.
The employment agreements grant to Tritel, Inc. certain repurchase rights
with respect to the shares of Class A Common and Class C Common received by
some of the executive officers upon the closing of the joint venture and the
shares of Class A Common received by William S. Arnett. Upon specified trigger
dates, including a change of control, termination of employment, or the later
of an initial public offering or the seventh anniversary of the agreement, the
holders must sell to Tritel, Inc. the number of shares necessary, based on the
fair value of the stock, to reduce their total value of stock held by an amount
equal to the number of shares the holder initially received (or in the case of
a voluntary trigger by the employee, the amount of shares subject to the
trigger notice) times $1,000 per share (in essence, requires the holders to pay
$1,000 per share for their initial shares of stock). Also, in the event Tritel,
Inc. does not meet certain performance measurements, certain members of
management will be required to sell to Tritel, Inc. a fixed number of shares at
$0.01 par value per share. The employment agreements provide that the equity to
be received by the executive officers is subject to the following vesting
schedule:
78
<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VESTING DATE EVENT PERCENT OF BASE SHARES
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------
<S> <C>
Commencement Date(1) .............................................. 20%
Second Anniversary ................................................ 15
Third Anniversary ................................................. 15
Fourth Anniversary ................................................ 15
Fifth Anniversary ................................................. 15
Completion of Year 1 and Year 2 of Minimum Build-Out Plan ......... 10
Completion of Year 3 of Minimum Build-Out Plan .................... 10
--
Total ............................................................ 100%
===
------------
(1) The first vesting date event for Mr. Arnett is the First Anniversary.
</TABLE>
For purposes of this vesting schedule, the term "Base Shares" means
eleven-fifteenths (11/15) of the executive officer's Class A Common and Class
C Common and, in the case of Mr. Arnett, eleven-fifteenths ( 11/15) of Class A
Common. The employment agreements provide for repurchase by Tritel, Inc. of
each executive officer's non-vested stock upon the occurrence of specified
events and allow for accelerated vesting upon certain termination events. Until
the stock is vested, the certificates evidencing the shares of stock are to be
held in escrow.
The employment agreements also contain customary restrictions on the
executive officers' ability to compete with Tritel, Inc., solicit employees of
Tritel, Inc. and on the disclosure of confidential information of Tritel, Inc.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, certain terms of Mr. Arnett's employment
agreement differ from the employment agreements of the other executive
officers. With respect to termination, Mr. Arnett may be terminated by Tritel,
Inc., at any time with or without "Cause," as defined in the employment
agreements, upon written notice to him, and Mr. Arnett's employment is not
subject to the terms of the Management Agreement.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN
Our 1999 Stock Option Plan authorizes the grant of certain tax-advantaged
stock options that are intended to qualify as "incentive stock options" under
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, nonqualified
stock options, restricted shares, deferred shares and stock appreciation rights
for the purchase of an aggregate of up to 10,462,400 shares of our common stock
("Awards"). The Stock Option Plan provides for the grant of Awards to our
qualified officers, employee directors and other key employees of, and
consultants to, us and our subsidiaries, provided, however, that incentive
stock options may only be granted to employees. As of the date of this
offering, options for 2,074,572 shares have been issued under the Stock Option
Plan, and 4,584,920 shares have been issued pursuant to restricted stock
grants. The share totals and limitations described in this section are subject
to adjustment in the event of changes in our capitalization. The maximum term
of any stock option to be granted under the Stock Option Plan is ten years,
except that with respect to incentive stock options granted to an individual
who owns stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of
all classes of our stock, the term of those stock options will be for no more
than five years. Generally, after the effectiveness of the registration
statement covering our Class A common stock, no participant may be granted
stock options or stock appreciation rights covering more than 100,000 shares of
common stock under the Stock Option Plan during any two calendar year period. A
similar limitation applies for deferred shares. The restricted stock generally
is subject to the repurchase agreements as discussed under "Employment
Agreements". The number and terms of each Award and all questions of
interpretation with respect to the Stock Option Plan, including the
administration of, and amendments to, the Stock Option Plan, are currently
determined by the Board of Directors. After the offerings, the Stock Option
Plan generally will be administered by the compensation committee of the Board.
79
<PAGE>
The exercise price of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock
options granted under the Stock Option Plan generally must not be less than the
fair market value of the common stock on the grant date, except that the
exercise price of incentive stock options granted to a 10% stockholder must not
be less than 110% of such fair market value on the grant date. The aggregate
fair market value on the date of grant of the common stock for which incentive
stock options are exercisable for the first time by an employee during any
calendar year may not exceed $100,000. The Stock Option Plan will terminate in
2009 unless extended by amendment.
In the event a participant in the Stock Option Plan terminates employment
with us, the Board or the compensation committee may accelerate the vesting and
exercisability of any stock option or stock appreciation right or lapse the
restrictions on any restricted share or deferred share if it determines such
action to be equitable under the circumstances or in our best interest.
To the extent that a participant recognizes ordinary income in the
circumstances described above, we will be entitled to a corresponding deduction
provided that, among other things, (1) the income meets the test of
reasonableness, is an ordinary and necessary business expense and is not an
"excess parachute payment" within the meaning of Section 280G of the Code and
is not disallowed by the $1.0 million limitation on certain executive
compensation, and (2) any applicable reporting obligations are satisfied.
1999 STOCK OPTION PLAN FOR NON-EMPLOYEE DIRECTORS
As originally adopted, our 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-employee
Directors authorized the grant of certain nonqualified stock options for the
purchase of an aggregate of up to 20,000,000 shares of our common stock to
non-employee directors of ours. On December 3, 1999, the Board of Directors
approved an amendment to the Non-employee Directors Plan to decrease the number
of shares of common stock reserved under the plan to 100,000 shares. As of the
date of this offering, options for 45,000 shares had been issued under the
Non-employee Directors Plan. The maximum term of any stock option to be granted
under the Non-employee Directors Plan is ten years. Grants of options under the
Non-employee Directors Plan and all questions of interpretations with respect
to the Non-employee Directors Plan, including the administration of, and
amendments to, the Non-employee Directors Plan, are determined by the Board of
Directors.
The exercise price of nonqualified stock options granted under the
Non-employee Directors Plan must not be less than the fair market value of the
common stock on the grant date. The Non-employee Directors Plan will terminate
in 2009 unless extended by amendment.
80
<PAGE>
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
TRANSFER OF LICENSES TO TRITEL, INC.
As part of the joint venture transactions, Tritel, Inc. acquired C-Block
PCS licenses from Airwave Communications and E- and F-Block PCS licenses from
Digital PCS. The members of Digital PCS are Messrs. Mounger, Sullivan and
Martin. Airwave Communications transferred its C-Block PCS licenses, comprising
approximately 2.5 million Pops in Alabama, and $31.9 million of government
financing, to Tritel, Inc. in exchange for $14.4 million of Series C Preferred
Stock. Digital PCS transferred certain of its E- and F-Block licenses,
comprising 4.1 million Pops in Alabama and Mississippi, and $9.5 million of
government financing, to Tritel, Inc., in exchange for $3.8 million of Series C
Preferred Stock. Of the 4.1 million Pops transferred by Digital PCS, 1.7
million overlap with those contributed by AT&T Wireless.
OPTION TO PURCHASE LICENSES IN GEORGIA AND FLORIDA; OWNERSHIP OF THE REMAINING
AFFILIATE LICENSES
Digital PCS, one of Tritel PCS's predecessors, holds licenses covering 2.0
million Pops in Florida and southern Georgia. These markets include the cities
of Pensacola, Tallahassee and Panama City, Florida. As part of Tritel PCS's
formation, Tritel PCS received from Digital PCS an option to purchase these
licenses for approximately $15.0 million, which will consist of $3.0 million of
equity and Tritel PCS's assumption of $12.0 million of FCC debt. In May 1999,
we exercised this option, and the licenses will be transferred to Tritel PCS
after FCC approval.
As part of Tritel PCS's arrangements with AT&T Wireless, Tritel PCS has
committed to grant an entity in which AT&T Wireless has a non-attributable
interest an option, expiring in April 2000, to purchase these licenses from
Tritel PCS at our cost plus 10%. It is possible that Tritel PCS would develop
these markets (which would require AT&T's permission) and, if it does, it
estimates that it would require substantial additional capital for acquisition
costs and capital expenditures and to fund operating losses and working capital
requirements in connection with the buildout and operation of these markets.
On April 20, 1999, Digital PCS sold licenses covering 1.6 million Pops in
Louisiana to Telecorp PCS, another AT&T Wireless joint venture partner, in
exchange for an equity interest in Telecorp PCS. Digital PCS continues to hold
PCS licenses covering approximately 1.5 million Pops in New Mexico and Texas.
Management intends for these remaining licenses to remain with Digital PCS or
to be sold to a third party.
LOANS TO PREDECESSORS
On January 7, 1999, Tritel, Inc. entered into a secured promissory note
agreement under which it agreed to lend up to $2.5 million to Airwave
Communications and Digital PCS. Interest on advances under the loan agreement
is 10% per year. The interest will compound annually and interest and principal
are due at maturity of the note. The note is secured by Airwave
Communications's and Digital PCS's ownership interest in Tritel, Inc. and
certain equity securities of TeleCorp PCS. Any proceeds from the sale of
licenses by Airwave Communications and Digital PCS, net of the FCC debt
repayment, are required to be applied to the note balance. If the note has not
been repaid within five years, it will be repaid through a reduction of Airwave
Communications's and Digital PCS's interest in Tritel, Inc. based on a
valuation of Tritel, Inc.'s stock at that time.
81
<PAGE>
MANAGEMENT AGREEMENT
Tritel, Inc. has entered into a Management Agreement with Tritel
Management, LLC, a Mississippi limited liability company, which is wholly owned
by the Messrs. Martin and Mounger. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, Tritel
Management is to be responsible for the design, construction and operation of
Tritel, Inc. and its business, all subject to Tritel, Inc.'s oversight, review
and ultimate control and approval. Tritel will pay Tritel Management a fee of
$10,000 per year for such services and will reimburse Tritel Management for
out-of-pocket expenses incurred on behalf of Tritel, Inc. The term of the
Management Agreement is five years, subject to termination upon the occurrence
of certain events described in the Management Agreement.
RELATIONSHIP WITH MERCURY COMMUNICATIONS
Mercury Communications is wholly owned by Messrs. Martin and Mounger.
During 1997 and 1998, Tritel, Inc. reimbursed Mercury Communications for actual
expenses to cover the salaries and employee benefits of Mercury Communications
employees who were providing services almost exclusively to Tritel, Inc.
Tritel, Inc. reimbursed Mercury Communications $1,312,000 and $3,709,000 for
such expenses in 1997 and 1998, respectively. On January 7, 1999, after
consummation of the transactions described herein, the employees of Mercury
Communications who were providing services to Tritel, Inc. became employees of
Tritel, Inc.
During April 1997, Tritel, Inc. advanced $249,000 on behalf of Mercury
Communications to repay a loan Mercury Communications had incurred from a third
party. The balance due from Mercury Communications on this advance was $247,000
at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and September 30, 1999.
RELATIONSHIP WITH MERCURY WIRELESS MANAGEMENT, INC.
Mercury Wireless Management, Inc., a company wholly owned by Messrs.
Martin, Mounger and Sullivan, provides management and marketing services to
communications tower owners, including municipalities. Mercury Wireless
Management has contracted to provide such services to the City of Jackson,
Mississippi. Under the City of Jackson contract, Mercury Wireless Management
receives a percentage of rentals generated from the leasing of the facilities
managed by Mercury Wireless Management. Tritel, Inc. has entered into various
leases to co-locate its equipment on certain towers owned by the City of
Jackson and managed by Mercury Wireless Management. These leases were
negotiated on an arms length basis and incorporate terms substantially
identical to those offered by the City of Jackson to unrelated third-party
carriers.
Tritel, Inc.'s employees perform certain services on behalf of Mercury
Wireless Management, and Mercury Wireless Management reimburses Tritel, Inc.
for these services. Such amounts totaled $17,000 for 1997 and $11,000 for 1998
and were included in amounts due from affiliates at December 31, 1997 and 1998.
RELATIONSHIP WITH WIRELESS FACILITIES, INC.
Tritel, Inc. received site acquisition and microwave relocation services
from Wireless Facilities, Inc. Scott I. Anderson, who is a director of Tritel,
is also a director of Wireless Facilities.
RELATIONSHIP WITH AT&T WIRELESS
Tritel, Inc. has entered into joint venture agreements with AT&T Wireless
and its affiliates, including the Securities Purchase Agreement, the Closing
Agreement related thereto, Stockholders' Agreement, Network Membership License
Agreement, Roaming Agreement, Resale Agreement, Roaming Administration
Agreement and Long Distance Agreement. AT&T Wireless holds Series A Preferred
Stock and Series D Preferred Stock valued at $137.1 million and has nominated
two directors to Tritel, Inc.'s Board of Directors, Ann K. Hall and H. Lee
Maschmann.
82
<PAGE>
RELATIONSHIP WITH TELECORP PCS AND TRITON PCS
Tritel, Inc. has common stockholders with TeleCorp PCS and Triton PCS and
may be deemed an affiliate by virtue of this common ownership. Scott I.
Anderson and Gary S. Fuqua, two of Tritel, Inc.'s directors, serve as directors
of TeleCorp PCS. Mr. Anderson also serves as a director of Triton PCS. Tritel,
Inc. has entered into an agreement with TeleCorp PCS and Triton PCS to adopt
the common brand name, SunCom, that will be co-branded with the AT&T brand name
giving equal emphasis to each.
RELATIONSHIP WITH ABC WIRELESS, L.L.C.
Tritel, Inc. has made a loan of $7.5 million to ABC Wireless, L.L.C. for
the purpose of bidding on licenses in the FCC's auction of C-Block PCS
licenses. The members of ABC Wireless are Mr. Anderson, a director of Tritel,
Inc., and Gerald T. Vento and Thomas H. Sullivan, directors and executive
officers of TeleCorp PCS. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis--Pending
License Acquisition."
RELATIONSHIP WITH FLYING A TOWERS
Tritel, Inc. has leased several communication towers and expects to lease
several additional towers from Flying A Towers. Mr. Arnett is President of
Flying A Towers.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INITIAL PURCHASERS
Affiliates of the Initial Purchasers also provide banking, advisory and
other financial services to Tritel PCS and its affiliates in the ordinary
course of business. Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc., an affiliate of TD
Securities (USA) Inc., is the administrative agent and issuing bank and
affiliates of each of the Initial Purchasers are lenders under Tritel, Inc.'s
bank facility. Tritel, Inc. intends to enter into an interest rate swap
agreement with Barclays Bank PLC.
RELATIONSHIP WITH CASH EQUITY INVESTORS
Tritel, Inc. and the cash equity investors have entered into an Investors
Stockholders' Agreement to provide for certain rights with respect to the
management of Tritel, Inc., and to provide for certain restrictions with
respect to the sale, transfer or other disposition of Tritel, Inc. stock beyond
those rights and restrictions set forth in the Stockholders' Agreement.
The Investors Stockholders' Agreement provides, subject to limited
exceptions with respect to removal of directors and filling of vacancies, that
the cash equity investors will vote all of their shares to cause the election
of three individuals to be designated as a director by Conseco and Dresdner.
Initially, the directors designated by Conseco and Dresdner will be Andrew
Hubregsen, Alexander P. Coleman and Gary S. Fuqua, respectively. In the event
that the right of the cash equity investors to nominate directors is reduced to
one director, then that right will be exercisable by cash equity investors
owning two-thirds of the outstanding shares of common stock and/or Series C
Preferred Stock held by all cash equity investors.
Each cash equity investor has agreed, subject to certain limited
exceptions, that it will not directly or indirectly transfer or otherwise grant
or create certain liens in, give, place in trust or otherwise voluntarily or
involuntarily dispose of ("Transfer") any share of the capital stock of Tritel,
Inc. held by it as of January 7, 1999 or thereafter acquired by it, including a
proposed Transfer to any Prohibited Transferee, as defined in the Stockholders'
Agreement, or any Regional Bell Operating Companies, Microsoft Corporation,
GTE, SNET or any of their respective affiliates, successors or assigns. In
addition, if a cash equity investor desires to Transfer any or all of its
shares of the capital stock of Tritel, Inc. other than to an affiliate or
affiliated successor, then the cash equity investor must first offer all of
those shares to the other cash equity investors, subject to certain terms and
conditions. Each cash equity investor also has tag along rights and drag along
rights. The tag along rights enable non-selling cash equity investors to
participate in a sale of certain capital stock of Tritel, Inc. by other
83
<PAGE>
selling cash equity investors, subject to certain terms and conditions. The
drag along rights provide, under certain circumstances, that a cash equity
investor that proposes to sell its shares of the capital stock of Tritel, Inc.
may compel other non-selling cash equity investors to participate in the
proposed sale.
The Investors Stockholders' Agreement will terminate upon the termination
of the Stockholders' Agreement.
RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUNG, WILLIAMS, HENDERSON & FUSELIER, P.A.
Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier, P.A. provides legal services to
Tritel. E.B. Martin, Jr., who is an officer and director of Tritel, is also a
shareholder of the law firm of Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier and
Associates Ltd., an affiliate of Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier, P.A.
James H. Neeld, IV, who is Senior Vice President-General Counsel and Secretary
of Tritel, Inc., is also of counsel to Young, Williams, Henderson & Fuselier,
P.A.
84
<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information with respect to
beneficial ownership of Tritel, Inc.'s voting securities as of the date of this
prospectus, by
o each stockholder who is known by Tritel, Inc. to own beneficially more
than 5% of any class of Tritel, Inc.'s voting securities,
o each of Tritel, Inc.'s directors,
o each of the named executive officers and
o all directors and executive officers of Tritel, Inc. as a group.
On January 7, 1999, several institutional equity investors, some of which
are named in the table below, purchased an aggregate of $149.2 million of
Series C Preferred Stock of Tritel, Inc. Most of these institutional investors
entered into investor loan agreements with Ericsson pursuant to which Ericsson
provided a total of $60.8 million of loans to them, severally, to fund a
portion of the January 7, 1999 purchase.
On the same date, Airwave Communications purchased $11.2 million of the
Series C Preferred Stock of Tritel, Inc. and Digital PCS purchased $3.0 million
of Series C Preferred Stock. The full $14.2 million was funded on January 7,
1999 by means of an investor loan from Ericsson in that amount. As part of a
restructuring of their operations, Digital PCS has agreed to transfer all of
its Series C Preferred Stock, including the foregoing $3.0 million of Series C
Preferred Stock, to Airwave Communications, which will also assume the $3.0
million loan from Ericsson. Recently, Airwave Communications distributed its
shares of Series C preferred stock to its members.
The investor loans are subject to limited recourse. The interest thereon,
which is at a fixed rate, is not payable for eight years, and the loans are
secured by $121.8 million of Series C Preferred Stock owned by the
institutional investors and $32.4 million of Series C Preferred Stock owned by
Airwave Communications, including the shares to be acquired from Digital PCS.
Ericsson made these loans as an additional inducement for Tritel, Inc. to agree
to purchase from Ericsson not less than $300 million of PCS infrastructure
equipment, including base stations, switches, software and related peripheral
equipment.
The Class A Common Stock casts 4,990,000 votes on all matters not
requiring a class vote, while the six shares of Voting Preference Common Stock
cast 5,010,000 votes on all matters not requiring a class vote. The votes to
which the Class A Common Stock is collectively entitled are allocated to each
share on a pro rata basis. Similarily, the votes to which the six shares of
Voting Preference Common Stock are entitled are allocated to each share on a
pro rata basis. The Voting Preference Common Stock loses its voting preference
when the rules of the FCC so permit, which is currently five years after the
respective issuances of Tritel, Inc.'s C- and F-Block licenses, subject to
possible unjust enrichment obligations for ten years. The Class B Common Stock
generally does not have voting rights. The Class B Common Stock votes as a
separate class only on any proposed changes to Tritel, Inc.'s Certificate of
Incorporation that adversely affect the rights of holders of Class B Common
Stock.
Certain parties to the Stockholders' Agreement may be members of a
beneficial ownership "group" as a result of being a party to that agreement.
Such parties disclaim any beneficial ownership of shares owned by other parties
to the agreement.
85
<PAGE>
Unless otherwise indicated, each person named below has sole voting and
investment power with respect to the shares beneficially owned. Unless
otherwise indicated, the address of each person named below is c/o Tritel,
Inc., 111 E. Capitol Street, Suite 500, Jackson, Mississippi 39201.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENTAGE
PERCENT VOTING PERCENT OF TOTAL
STOCKHOLDER CLASS A OF CLASS PREFERENCE OF CLASS VOTING POWER
- --------------------------------------- ------------------- ---------- ------------ ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AT&T Wireless(1) ...................... 22,954,076(2) 20.0% 10.0%
Conseco, Inc.(3) ...................... 21,188,709 18.4 9.2
Dresdner Kleinwort Benson Private
Equity Partners L.P.(4) .............. 11,147,761 9.7 4.8
Triune PCS, LLC(5) .................... 9,700,186 8.4 4.2
Kevin J. Shepherd(6) .................. 9,700,186 8.4 4.2
Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
Co.(7) ............................... 7,814,485 6.8 3.4
MF Financial(8) ....................... 5,175,746 4.5 2.2
William M. Mounger, II(9) ............. 4,760,016 4.1 3 50.0% 27.1
Jerry M. Sullivan, Jr.(10) ............ 2,912,907 2.5 1.3
E.B. Martin, Jr. ...................... 2,384,544 2.1 3 50.0 26.1
Karlen Turbeville ..................... 1,085,212 0.9 0.5
William S. Arnett(11) ................. 1,662,253 1.5 0.7
All of our named executive officers and
directors as a group(12) ............. 77,795,664 67.7% 6 100.0% 83.9%
</TABLE>
- ----------
(1) Address is: c/o AT&T Wireless Services, Inc., 7277 164th Avenue, NE,
Redmond, Washington 98052.
(2) AT&T Wireless owns 37,303 shares of non-voting Series D preferred stock
and TWR Cellular, Inc. owns 9,071 shares. These shares, including their
unpaid dividends, are immediately convertible at the holder's option into
18,463,121 shares of Class A common stock, which are included in the
table, and 1,249,207 shares of non-voting Class D common stock. AT&T
Wireless also owns 72,934 shares of non-voting Series A preferred stock
and TWR Cellular also owns 17,734 shares of Series A preferred stock. As
affiliates under common control, AT&T Wireless and TWR Cellular may be
deemed to beneficially own the shares held by the other.
(3) Address is: 11825 North Pennsylvania Street, Carmel, IN 46032.
(4) Address is: 75 Wall Street, 24th Floor, New York, NY 10005.
(5) Address is: 4770 Baseline Road, Suite 380, Boulder, CO 80303.
(6) Address is: 4770 Baseline Road, Suite 380, Boulder, CO 80303. Represents
shares held by Triune PCS, LLC, of which an affiliate of Mr. Shepherd is
the sole manager. Mr. Shepherd, together with his spouse, indirectly holds
a 43% economic interest in Triune PCS and disclaims any beneficial
ownership in the remaining Triune PCS shares.
(7) Address is: 1401 Livingston Lane, Jackson, MS 39213.
(8) Address is: 73 Tremont Street, Suite 1300, Boston, MA 02108.
(9) Includes 885,875 shares owned by Trillium PCS, LLC and 1,489,598 shares
owned by M3, LLC. Mr. Mounger controls both Trillium and M3.
(10) Address is: 110 Windsong Cove, Ridgeland, MS 39157. Includes 1,055,169
shares owned by McCarty Communications LLC, which is controlled by Mr.
Sullivan's wife and members of her family.
(11) Includes options to purchase 34,437 shares of Class A common stock
exercisable within 60 days of this offering.
(12) Includes shares of Class A common stock beneficially owned by our
executive officers, directors and our investors with representation on
our Board. Ann K. Hall and H. Lee Maschmann, who are both employed by
AT&T Wireless, Alex P. Coleman, who is employed by Dresdner Kleinwort
Benson Private Equity, and Andrew Hubregsen, who is employed by Conseco
Private Capital Group, each disclaims any beneficial ownership of shares
owned by his or her employer.
86
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
GOVERNMENT DEBT
Because Tritel, Inc. qualifies as a small business for the purpose of
C-Block licenses and a very small business for the purposes of F-Block
licenses, it is entitled to receive preferential financing for these licenses
from the U.S. Government. The total license fee payable to the U.S. Government
in respect of the C-Block licenses for which Airwave Communications was named
the winning bidder is approximately $35.5 million. Under the preferential
financing terms for the C-Block Licenses, Airwave Communications has paid a
deposit of 10% of the license fee, which is approximately $3.5 million. Under
the preferential financing terms for the C-Block licenses, Tritel, Inc. will
pay interest only for the first six years of the license term at a fixed
interest rate equal to 7.0% per annum with principal amortized during the
seventh through tenth years of the license. With respect to the F-Block
licenses, the total license fee payable to the U.S. Government is approximately
$12.0 million. Under the preferential financing terms for the F-Block licenses,
Tritel, Inc. will be required to make quarterly payments of interest only, at a
fixed interest rate of 6.125% per annum for the first two years after the
license grant date, and quarterly payments of interest and principal over the
remaining eight years of the license term.
As a C- and F-Block licensee, Tritel, Inc. may incur substantial financial
penalties, license revocation or other enforcement measures at the FCC's
discretion, in the event that it fails to make timely quarterly installment
payments. Where a C or F-Block licensee anticipates defaulting on any required
payment, it may request a three to six month grace period before the FCC
cancels its license. In the event of default by a C- or F-Block licensee, the
FCC could reclaim the licenses, re-auction them, and subject the defaulting
party to a penalty comprised of the difference between the price at which it
acquired its license and the amount of the winning bid at re-auction, plus an
additional penalty of three percent of the subsequent winning bid.
BANK FACILITY
The following description is not complete and is qualified in its entirety
by reference to the provisions of the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement,
dated as of March 31, 1999 among Tritel PCS, as borrower, Tritel, Inc., as
parent, Toronto Dominion (Texas), Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, NationsBank, N.A.,
and other financial institutions signatory thereto, as lenders, and Toronto
Dominion (Texas), Inc., as administrative agent for the lenders and The
Toronto-Dominion Bank, Houston Agency, as the issuing bank, and other related
documents entered into in connection with the bank facility.
The bank facility provides for an aggregate of up to $550 million of
senior secured credit facilities including up to:
o a $250 million reducing revolving credit facility (the "Revolver"),
o a $100 million term credit facility (the "Term Loan A") and
o a $200 million term credit facility (the "Term Loan B").
The final maturity date for the Revolver and the Term Loan A is June 30,
2007 and for the Term Loan B is December 31, 2007. At September 30, 1999,
Tritel PCS had amounts outstanding under the bank facility of approximately
$300 million.
Tritel PCS's ability to draw funds under the bank facility is subject to
customary conditions including, among others, the following:
o Total Debt outstanding may not exceed 70% of Total Capital, and
o Senior Debt may not exceed 50% of Total Capital, except that under
certain circumstances, including satisfaction of buildout and subscriber
milestones, this percentage may be increased to as much as 55%.
87
<PAGE>
As of September 30, 1999, Tritel PCS could have borrowed up to a total of
approximately $550 million pursuant to the terms of the bank facility.
The bank facility also provides Tritel PCS with letters of credit of up to
$10 million under the Revolver.
At the option of Tritel PCS, the Revolver and the Term Loan A bear
interest at either the base rate, which is the greater of the prime rate of
Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, or the federal funds rate, plus 0.5%,
plus an applicable margin ranging from a minimum of 0.75% to a maximum of
2.75%, or LIBOR, plus an applicable margin ranging from a minimum of 1.75% to a
maximum of 3.75% (the "LIBOR Margin"), in each case, depending on the
occurrence of the third anniversary of the Loan Agreement, the generation of
positive operating cash flow by Tritel PCS and Tritel PCS's total leverage
ratio. At the option of Tritel PCS, the Term Loan B bears interest at either
the base rate, plus an applicable margin of either 2.75% or 3.50%, or LIBOR,
plus an applicable margin of either 3.75% or 4.50%, in each case depending on
whether or not Tritel PCS has achieved positive cash flow and the third
anniversary of the bank facility has occurred. Tritel PCS must pay a per annum
commitment fee equal to the product of either 0.5%, 1% or 1.75%, depending on
the ratio of available Revolver and Term Loan A commitments to total Revolver
and Term Loan A commitments, and the sum of the available Revolver and Term
Loan A commitments. Tritel PCS also must pay a letter of credit fee equal to
the LIBOR Margin plus 0.125% per annum on the undrawn face amount of any
outstanding letters of credit from the date of issuance through the expiration
date of those letters of credit.
Outstanding loans drawn from the Revolver or the Term Loan A bearing
interest at the base rate plus the applicable margin may be prepaid without
penalty. Prepayments of the Term Loan B made on or before December 31, 2001
will require a prepayment fee ranging from 0% to 3% of the prepayment amount,
depending on the date of prepayment. Prepayments of any loans under the Bank
Facility bearing interest at LIBOR plus the LIBOR Margin will require payment
of an additional amount sufficient to compensate the lenders for all losses and
out-of-pocket expenses other than lost margins on the loans incurred in
connection with these prepayments.
The bank facility is secured by:
o a perfected first priority lien on all tangible and intangible assets,
including FCC licenses if legally permitted, of Tritel, Inc., Tritel PCS
and each of their present and future subsidiaries,
o a pledge of all the capital stock of Tritel PCS and each of its present
and future subsidiaries and
o a pledge of Tritel, Inc.'s equity subscription agreements.
In addition, the bank facility is secured by upstream guarantees from Tritel,
Inc. PCS's direct and indirect subsidiaries, both present and future, and a
downstream guarantee from Tritel, Inc.
The bank facility contains various covenants that restrict the ability of
Tritel, Inc. and its subsidiaries, among other things, to:
o incur additional indebtedness,
o grant liens,
o make guarantees,
o engage in mergers, acquisitions, investments, consolidations,
liquidations, dissolutions and asset sales,
o make distributions and other restricted payments,
o engage in transactions with affiliates,
o own real estate and
88
<PAGE>
o restrict upstream dividends by subsidiaries to Tritel PCS.
The bank facility contains certain financial and operating covenants
including, among other things:
o a maximum senior debt to total capitalization ratio,
o a maximum total debt to total capitalization ratio,
o a minimum percentage of covered Pops,
o a minimum number of subscribers,
o a minimum amount of revenues,
o a maximum amount of capital expenditures,
o a maximum total leverage ratio,
o a maximum senior leverage ratio,
o a minimum fixed charge coverage ratio and
o a minimum interest coverage ratio.
Events of default under the bank facility include:
o any acceleration of, or any default permitting acceleration of,
indebtedness of Tritel PCS, its subsidiaries or Tritel, Inc. exceeding
$5.0 million,
o loss of the right to use any AT&T trademark pursuant to the Network
Membership License Agreement within five years after March 31, 1999 and,
thereafter, loss of such right under specific circumstances,
o failure of any party to the Securities Purchase Agreement,
Stockholders' Agreement or Bid Equity Commitments Documentation, as
defined in the Loan Agreement, to comply with a funding or contribution
obligation thereunder exceeding 30 days,
o the occurrence or existence of any Change of Control Event, as defined
in the Loan Agreement, and
o other usual and customary events of default under senior secured
credit facilities.
The lenders under the bank facility received fees reflecting then-existing
market conditions, as well as reimbursement of their expenses.
Tritel PCS plans to seek an amendment to its bank facility to permit it to
incur in 2000 and 2001 a portion of the capital expenditures it presently plans
to incur subsequent to 2001. Tritel PCS cannot assure you that we will be able
to obtain this amendment.
89
<PAGE>
THE EXCHANGE OFFER
PURPOSE AND EFFECT OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Tritel PCS originally sold the outstanding notes to NationsBanc Montgomery
Securities LLC, Barclays Capital Inc., TD Securities (USA) Inc., BNY Capital
Markets, Inc., CIBC World Markets Corp. (formerly CIBC Oppenheimer Corp.) and
Credit Lyonnais Securities (USA) Inc. (the "Initial Purchasers"). The Initial
Purchasers subsequently placed the outstanding notes with:
o qualified institutional buyers in reliance on Rule 144A under the
Securities Act; and
o qualified buyers outside the United States in reliance on Regulation S
under the Securities Act.
Tritel PCS entered into a registration rights agreement with the Initial
Purchasers, as a condition to their purchase of the outstanding notes, pursuant
to which Tritel PCS has agreed, for the benefit of the outstanding noteholders,
at its own expense, to use its reasonable best efforts file a registration
statement for this exchange offer, of which this prospectus is a part, with the
Securities and Exchange Commission within 60 days after the issue date of the
notes. In addition, Tritel PCS will use its reasonable best efforts to cause
the registration statement to become effective within 210 days after the issue
date of the notes. When the exchange offer registration statement is declared
effective, Tritel PCS will offer the registered notes in exchange for tender of
the outstanding notes. For each outstanding note tendered to Tritel PCS
pursuant to the exchange offer, the holder of such outstanding note will
receive a registered note having an original principal amount at maturity equal
to that of the tendered outstanding note.
Based upon interpretations by the SEC staff set forth in certain no-action
letters to third parties, including Exxon Capital Holdings Corp., SEC No-Action
Letter (April 13, 1989); Morgan Stanley & Co. Inc., SEC No-Action Letter (June
5, 1991); and Shearman & Sterling, SEC No-Action Letter (July 2, 1993), Tritel
PCS believes that the registered notes issued pursuant to this exchange offer
in exchange for the outstanding notes, in general, will be freely tradable
after the exchange offer, without compliance with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act. However, any purchaser
of outstanding notes who is a Tritel PCS "affiliate," within the meaning of
Rule 405 under the Securities Act, who does not acquire the registered notes in
the ordinary course of business, or who tenders in the exchange offer for the
purpose of participating in a distribution of the registered notes, could not
rely on the SEC staff position enunciated in such no-action letters and, in the
absence of an applicable exemption, must comply with the registration and
prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any
resale transaction. A holder's failure to comply with those requirements in
such an instance may result in that holder incurring liability under the
Securities Act which we will not indemnify.
As the above-mentioned no-action letters and the registration rights
agreement contemplate, each holder accepting the exchange offer is required to
represent to us, in a letter of transmittal, that:
o the holder or the person receiving the registered notes, whether or not
such person is the holder, will acquire those registered notes in the
ordinary course of business;
o the holder or any other acquiror is not engaging in a distribution of
the registered notes;
o the holder or any other acquiror has no arrangement or understanding
with any person to participate in a distribution of the registered notes;
o neither the holder nor any other acquiror is a Tritel PCS affiliate
within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; and
o the holder or any other acquiror acknowledges that if that holder or
other acquiror participates in the exchange offer for the purpose of
distributing the registered notes, it must comply with the registration
and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection
with any such resale and cannot rely on the above-mentioned no-action
letters.
90
<PAGE>
As indicated above, each broker-dealer that receives for its own account a
registered note in exchange for outstanding notes must acknowledge that it:
o acquired the outstanding notes for its own account as a result of
market-making activities or other trading activities;
o has not entered into any arrangement or understanding with Tritel PCS
or any Tritel PCS "affiliate" to distribute the registered notes; and
o will deliver a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities
Act in connection with any resale of the registered notes.
For a description of the procedures for resales by participating
broker-dealers, see "Plan of Distribution."
In the event that (1) changes in the law or the applicable interpretations
of the SEC staff do not permit Tritel PCS to effect this exchange offer, or (2)
if for any other reason the exchange offer is commenced and not consummated
within 30 days after the exchange offer registration statement is declared
effective, or (3) if any holder of Transfer Restricted Securities notifies
Tritel PCS prior to the 20th day following consummation of the exchange offer
that:
o it is prohibited by law or Commission policy from participating in the
exchange offer;
o that it may not resell the registered notes acquired by it in the
exchange offer to the public without delivering a prospectus and the
prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement is not
appropriate or available for such resales; or
o that it is a broker-dealer and owns outstanding notes acquired directly
from Tritel PCS or an affiliate of Tritel PCS,
then Tritel PCS will:
o file, on or prior to 30 days after the earlier of (a) the date on which
Tritel PCS determines that the exchange offer registration statement
need not or cannot be filed as a result of clause (1) above and (b) the
date on which Tritel PCS receives the notice specified in clause (3)
above, (such earlier date, the "Shelf Filing Deadline"), a shelf
registration statement pursuant to Rule 415 under the Act, which may be
an amendment to the exchange offer registration statement (the "Shelf
Registration Statement"), covering resales of the outstanding notes;
o use its reasonable best efforts to cause such Shelf Registration
Statement to become effective on or prior to 90 days after the Shelf
Filing Deadline for the Shelf Registration Statement; and
o use reasonable best efforts to keep effective the shelf registration
statement until the earlier of two years after the outstanding notes'
original issuance date, subject to extension under certain
circumstances, or such time as all of the applicable outstanding notes
have been sold.
"Transfer Restricted Securities" means:
o each outstanding note until the date on which such outstanding note has
been exchanged by a person other than a broker-dealer for a registered
note in the exchange offer;
o each outstanding note until following the exchange by a broker-dealer in
the exchange offer of an outstanding note for a registered note, the
date on which such registered note is sold to a purchaser who receives
from such broker-dealer on or prior to the date of such sale a copy of
the prospectus contained in the exchange offer registration statement;
o each outstanding note until the date on which such outstanding note has
been effectively registered under the Securities Act and disposed of in
accordance with the Shelf Registration Statement;
91
<PAGE>
o each outstanding note until the date on which such outstanding note is
distributed to the public pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act;
and
o each registered note held by a broker-dealer until the date on which
such registered note is disposed of by a broker-dealer pursuant to the
"Plan of Distribution" section in this prospectus.
If:
o Tritel PCS fails to file any of the registration statements required by
the registration rights agreement on or before the date specified for
such filing;
o any of such registration statements is not declared effective by the
Commission on or prior to the date specified for such effectiveness (the
"Effectiveness Target Date");
o Tritel PCS fails to consummate the exchange offer within 30 business
days of the Effectiveness Target Date with respect to the exchange offer
registration statement;
o the Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective but thereafter
ceases to be effective or usable in connection with resales of Transfer
Restricted Securities during the periods specified in the registration
rights agreement; or
o the exchange offer registration statement is filed and declared
effective but thereafter will cease to be effective or fail to be usable
for its intended purpose without being succeeded immediately by a
post-effective amendment to such exchange offer registration statement
that cures such failure and that is itself declared effective
immediately (each such event referred to in the previous five clauses
is a "Registration Default"),
then Tritel PCS will pay liquidated damages to each holder of outstanding
notes, with respect to the first 90-day period immediately following the
occurrence of the first Registration Default in an amount equal to $.05 per
week per $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes held by such holder.
The amount of the liquidated damages will increase by an additional $.05
per week per $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes with respect to each
subsequent 90-day period until all Registration Defaults have been cured, up to
a maximum amount of liquidated damages for all Registration Defaults of $.25
per week per $1,000 principal amount of outstanding notes.
All accrued liquidated damages will be paid by Tritel PCS on each damages
payment date to the global note holder by wire transfer of immediately
available funds or by federal funds check and to holders of outstanding
certificated notes by wire transfer to the accounts specified by them or by
mailing checks to their registered addresses if no such accounts have been
specified.
Following the cure of all Registration Defaults, the accrual of liquidated
damages will cease but liquidated damages accrued and unpaid will survive until
paid in full.
Tritel PCS will, if and when it files the Shelf Registration Statement,
provide to each applicable holder of the outstanding notes copies of the
prospectus which is a part of the Shelf Registration Statement. A holder that
sells the outstanding notes pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement
generally:
o must be named as a selling security holder in the related prospectus;
o must deliver a prospectus to purchasers;
o will be subject to certain of the civil liability provisions under the
Securities Act in connection with such sales; and
o will be bound by the provisions of the registration rights agreement
which are applicable to that holder, including certain indemnification
obligations.
In addition, each of the outstanding noteholders must deliver information
to Tritel PCS, to be used in connection with the Shelf Registration Statement,
in order to have his or her outstanding notes included in the Shelf
Registration Statement and to benefit from the provisions set forth in the
foregoing paragraph.
92
<PAGE>
The registration rights agreement covering the outstanding notes provides
that Tritel PCS will file an exchange offer registration statement with the SEC
within 60 days after the issue date of the notes. In the event that Tritel PCS
and the guarantors do not comply with their obligations under the registration
rights agreement, they will be required to pay to the holders of the notes
liquidated damages up to a maximum of $0.25 per week per $1,000 in principal
amount of notes held by such holders for each week or part of a week that the
Registration Default continues. Tritel PCS will not be required to pay
liquidated damages for more than one Registration Default at any given time.
Liquidated damages will cease to accrue following the cure of all Registration
Defaults. The sole remedy available to the outstanding noteholders will be the
collection of these liquidated damages. All liquidated damages payable because
a Registration Default occurred will be payable to the outstanding notesholders
in cash on each May 15 and November 15, commencing with the first such date
occurring after any such liquidated damages begin to accrue, until the
Registration Default is cured.
Outstanding noteholders must:
o make certain representations to us in order to participate in the
exchange offer;
o deliver information to be used in connection with the shelf
registration statement, if required; and
o provide comments on the shelf registration statement within the time
periods set forth in the registration rights agreement,
in order to have their outstanding notes included in the Shelf Registration
Statement and to benefit from the provisions regarding liquidated damages
payable because a Registration Default occurred, as set forth above. By
acquiring Transfer Restricted Securities, a holder will be deemed to have
agreed to indemnify Tritel PCS against certain losses arising out of
information furnished by such holder in writing for inclusion in any Shelf
Registration Statement. holders of outstanding notes will also be required to
suspend their use of the prospectus included in the Shelf Registration
Statement under certain circumstances upon receipt of written notice to that
effect from Tritel PCS.
The preceding summary of the material provisions of the registration
rights agreement is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by, all the
provisions of the registration rights agreement, a copy of which is filed as an
exhibit to the exchange offer registration statement of which this prospectus
is a part.
TERMS OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus
and in the letter of transmittal for the exchange offer, we will accept any and
all outstanding notes validly tendered and not withdrawn prior to 5:00 p.m.,
New York City time, on the expiration date. See "--Expiration Date; Extensions;
Amendments." Tritel PCS will issue $1,000 original principal amount at maturity
of registered notes in exchange for each $1,000 original principal amount at
maturity of outstanding notes accepted in the exchange offer. Holders may
tender some or all of their outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer.
However, outstanding notes may be tendered only in integral multiples of
$1,000.
The form and terms of the registered notes are the same as the form and
terms of the outstanding notes except that:
o the registered notes have been registered under the Securities Act and
hence will not bear legends restricting their transfer; and
o the registered noteholders will not be entitled to certain rights under
the registration rights agreement covering the outstanding notes,
including the provisions providing for an increase in the interest rate
on the outstanding notes in certain circumstances relating to the timing
of the exchange offer, all of which rights will terminate when the
exchange offer is terminated.
93
<PAGE>
The registered notes will evidence the same debt as the outstanding notes
and will be entitled to the benefits of the indenture governing the outstanding
notes. As of the date of this prospectus, $372,000,000 aggregate principal
amount at maturity of notes were outstanding. We have fixed the close of
business on December 22, 1999 as the record date for the exchange offer for
purposes of determining the persons to whom this prospectus and the letter of
transmittal will be mailed initially.
Outstanding noteholders do not have any appraisal or dissenters' rights
under the Delaware General Corporation Law or the indenture in connection with
the exchange offer. We intend to conduct the exchange offer in accordance with
the applicable requirements of the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations
of the SEC related to such offers.
Tritel PCS shall be deemed to have accepted validly tendered outstanding
notes when, as and if we give oral or written notice to The Bank of New York,
which is the exchange agent. The exchange agent will act as agent for the
tendering holders for the purpose of receiving the registered notes from Tritel
PCS.
If any tendered outstanding notes are not accepted for exchange either
because of an invalid tender, the occurrence of certain other events set forth
herein, or otherwise, the certificates for the unaccepted outstanding notes
will be returned, without expense, to the tendering holder as promptly as
practicable after the exchange offer's expiration date.
Holders who tender outstanding notes in the exchange offer will not be
required to pay brokerage commissions or fees or, subject to the instructions
in the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of
outstanding notes pursuant to the exchange offer. We will pay all charges and
expenses, other than transfer taxes in certain circumstances, in connection
with the exchange offer. See "--Fees and Expenses."
EXPIRATION DATE; EXTENSIONS; AMENDMENTS
We shall keep the exchange offer open for at least 30 days, or longer if
required by applicable law, including in connection with any material
modification or waiver of the terms or conditions of the exchange offer that
requires such extension, after the date that notice of the exchange offer is
mailed to outstanding noteholders. The expiration date shall be 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on February 10, 2000, unless we, in our sole discretion, extend
the exchange offer, in which case the expiration date shall be the latest date
and time to which we extend the exchange offer.
If we decide to extend the exchange offer, we will notify the exchange
agent of the extension by oral or written notice, and will mail an announcement
of the extension to the registered holders prior to 10:00 a.m., New York City
time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date.
Tritel PCS reserves the right, in its sole discretion:
o to delay accepting any outstanding notes, to extend the exchange offer
or to terminate the exchange offer if any of the conditions set forth
below under "--Conditions" shall not have been satisfied, by giving oral
or written notice of such delay, extension or termination to the exchange
agent; or
o to amend the terms of the exchange offer in any manner.
We will give oral or written notice of any delay in acceptance, extension,
termination or amendment to the registered holders as promptly as practicable.
PROCEDURES FOR TENDERING
Only an outstanding noteholder may tender such outstanding notes in the
exchange offer. To tender in the exchange offer, a holder must complete, sign
and date the letter of transmittal, or a facsimile thereof, have the signatures
thereon guaranteed if the letter of transmittal so requires, or transmit an
agent's message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and mail or otherwise
deliver
94
<PAGE>
the letter of transmittal or facsimile, or agent's message, together with the
outstanding notes and any other required documents, to the exchange agent prior
to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration date. In addition, either:
o the exchange agent must receive the letter of transmittal and
certificates for the outstanding notes prior to the expiration date;
o the exchange agent must receive a timely confirmation of a book-entry
transfer of the outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at
The Depository Trust Company ("DTC") pursuant to the procedure for
book-entry transfer described below, prior to the expiration date; or
o the holder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures
described below.
For effective tender, the exchange agent must receive the outstanding
notes or book-entry confirmation, as the case may be, the letter of
transmittal, and other required documents, at the address set forth below under
"--Exchange Agent" prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on the expiration
date. Delivery of documents to the book entry transfer facility in accordance
with its procedure does not constitute delivery to the exchange agent.
DTC has authorized DTC participants that hold outstanding notes on behalf
of the outstanding notes' beneficial owners to tender their outstanding notes
as if they were holders. To effect a tender of outstanding Notes, DTC
participants should either:
o complete and sign the letter of transmittal, or a manually signed
facsimile thereof, have the signature guaranteed if required by the
instructions, and mail or deliver the letter of transmittal, or the
manually signed facsimile, to the exchange agent pursuant to the
procedure set forth in "Procedures for Tendering;" or
o transmit their acceptance to DTC through the DTC automated tender offer
program for which the transaction will be eligible and follow the
procedure for book-entry transfer set forth in "--Book-Entry Transfer."
By executing the letter of transmittal or an agent's message, each holder
will make to Tritel PCS the representations set forth above in the third
paragraph under the heading "--Purpose and Effect of the Exchange Offer."
Each holder's tender, and Tritel PCS's acceptance, will constitute
agreement between such holder and Tritel PCS in accordance with the terms, and
subject to the conditions, set forth herein and in the letter of transmittal or
agent's message.
THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF OUTSTANDING NOTES, THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR
AGENT'S MESSAGE, AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT IS AT
THE HOLDER'S ELECTION AND SOLE RISK. AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO MAIL DELIVERY,
HOLDERS MAY WISH TO CONSIDER OVERNIGHT OR HAND DELIVERY SERVICE. IN ALL CASES,
HOLDERS SHOULD ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO ASSURE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT
BEFORE THE EXPIRATION DATE. NO LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL OR OUTSTANDING NOTES
SHOULD BE SENT TO TRITEL PCS. HOLDERS MAY REQUEST THEIR RESPECTIVE BROKERS,
DEALERS, COMMERCIAL BANKS, TRUST COMPANIES OR NOMINEES TO EFFECT THE ABOVE
TRANSACTIONS FOR THEM.
Any beneficial owner whose outstanding notes are registered in the name of
a broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee and who
wishes to tender should contact the registered holder promptly and instruct the
registered holder to tender on the beneficial owner's behalf. See "Instructions
to Registered Holder and/or Book-Entry Transfer Facility Participant from
Beneficial Owner" included with the letter of transmittal.
A member of the Medallion System must guarantee signatures on a letter of
transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, unless the
outstanding notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered:
o by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled "Special
Registration Instructions" or "Special Delivery Instructions" on the
letter of transmittal; or
95
<PAGE>
o for the account of a Medallion System member.
In the event that signatures on a letter of transmittal or a notice of
withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a
Medallion System member.
If a person other than the registered holder of any outstanding notes
listed therein signs the accompanying letter of transmittal, the outstanding
notes must be endorsed or accompanied by a properly completed bond power,
signed by the registered holder as his or name appears on the outstanding
notes, with the signature guaranteed by a Medallion System member.
If trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact,
offices of corporations, or others acting in a fiduciary or representative
capacity sign the letter of transmittal or any outstanding notes or bond
powers, such persons should so indicate when signing, and they must submit
evidence satisfactory to Tritel PCS of their authority to so act, with the
letter of transmittal.
Tritel PCS will determine, in its sole discretion, all questions as to the
validity, form, eligibility, including time of receipt, and acceptance and
withdrawal of tendered outstanding notes. This determination will be final and
binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all outstanding notes
not properly tendered, or any outstanding notes, Tritel PCS's acceptance of
which would, in the opinion of Tritel PCS's counsel, be unlawful. We also
reserve the right, in our sole discretion, to waive any defects, irregularities
or conditions of tender as to particular outstanding notes. Our interpretation
of the terms and conditions of the exchange offer, including the instructions
in the letter of transmittal, will be final and binding on all parties. Unless
waived, any defects or irregularities in connection with tenders of outstanding
notes must be cured within such time as we shall determine. Although we intend
to notify holders of defects or irregularities with respect to tenders of
outstanding notes, neither Tritel PCS, the exchange agent nor any other person
shall incur any liability for failure to give such notification. Tenders of
outstanding notes will not be deemed to have been made until such defects or
irregularities have been cured or waived. If the exchange agent receives any
outstanding notes that are not properly tendered, and as to which the defects
or irregularities have not been cured or waived, the exchange agent will return
them to the tendering holders, unless otherwise provided in the letter of
transmittal, as soon as practicable following the expiration date.
ACCEPTANCE OF OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR EXCHANGE; DELIVERY OF REGISTERED NOTES
For each outstanding note Tritel PCS accepts for exchange, the holder will
receive a registered note having a principal amount at maturity equal to that
of the surrendered outstanding note. For purposes of the exchange offer, Tritel
PCS shall be deemed to have accepted properly tendered outstanding notes for
exchange when, as and if Tritel PCS has given oral or written notice thereof to
the exchange agent.
In all cases, Tritel PCS will issue registered notes for outstanding notes
that are accepted for exchange pursuant to the exchange offer only after the
exchange agent's timely receipt of certificates for such outstanding notes, or
a timely book-entry confirmation of the outstanding notes into the exchange
agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility, plus a properly completed
and duly executed letter of transmittal or agent's message and all other
required documents. If Tritel PCS does not accept any tendered outstanding
notes for any reason set forth in the terms and conditions of the exchange
offer, we will return the unaccepted or non-exchanged outstanding notes without
expense to the tendering holder, or, in the case of outstanding notes tendered
by book-entry transfer into the exchange agent's account, the non-exchanged
outstanding notes will be credited to an account maintained with the book-entry
transfer facility, as promptly as practicable after the expiration date.
BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER
The exchange agent and DTC have confirmed that the exchange offer is
eligible for the DTC Automated Tender Offer Program ("ATOP"). Accordingly, DTC
participants may electronically transmit their acceptance of the exchange offer
by causing DTC to transfer outstanding notes to the exchange agent in
accordance with DTC's ATOP procedures for such a transfer. DTC will then send
an agent's message (as defined below) to the exchange agent.
96
<PAGE>
The term "agent's message" shall have the following meanings:
o in the case of an agent's message relating to a book-entry transfer,
the term means a message transmitted by DTC, received by the exchange
agent and forming part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that
DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the DTC participant
tendering outstanding notes which are the subject of such book-entry
confirmation, that such DTC participant has received and agrees to be
bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal and that Tritel PCS may
enforce such agreement against such DTC participant;
o in the case of an agent's message relating to a guaranteed delivery,
the term means a message transmitted by DTC and received by the exchange
agent, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the DTC participant tendering outstanding notes that such DTC
participant has received and agrees to be bound by the Notice of
Guaranteed Delivery (as described below under "--Guaranteed Delivery
Procedures");
o in the case of an agent's message relating to a notice of withdrawal,
the term means a message transmitted by DTC and received by the exchange
agent, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from
the DTC participant tendering outstanding notes that such DTC
participant has withdrawn its tender of outstanding notes (as described
below under "--Withdrawal of Tenders").
Holders desiring to tender outstanding notes on the expiration date should
note that they must allow sufficient time for completion of the ATOP procedures
during the normal business hours of DTC on that date.
GUARANTEED DELIVERY PROCEDURES
Holders who wish to tender their outstanding notes and:
o whose outstanding notes are not immediately available;
o who cannot deliver their outstanding notes, the letter of transmittal
or any other required documents, to The Bank of New York, which is the
exchange agent; or
o who cannot complete the procedures for book-entry transfer, prior to
the expiration date,
may effect a tender if:
(1) the tender is made through a firm which is a member of a registered
national securities exchange or of the National Association of
Securities Dealers, Inc., or a commercial bank or trust company
having an office or correspondent in the United States;
(2) prior to the expiration date, the exchange agent receives from an
institution listed in clause (1) above a properly completed and duly
executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, by facsimile transmission,
mail or hand delivery, setting forth the name and address of the
holder, the certificate number(s) of the outstanding notes and the
principal amount of outstanding notes tendered, stating that the
tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within five New
York Stock Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the
letter of transmittal, or facsimile thereof, or an agent's message,
together with the certificate(s) representing the outstanding notes,
or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of the notes into the
exchange agent's account at the book-entry transfer facility, and any
other documents required by the letter of transmittal, will be
deposited by the institution with the exchange agent; and
(3) the exchange agent receives, no later than five New York Stock
Exchange trading days after the expiration date, the certificate(s)
representing all tendered outstanding notes in proper form for
transfer, or a confirmation of book-entry transfer of such
outstanding notes into the exchange agent's account at the book-entry
transfer facility, together with a letter of transmittal, or
facsimile thereof, properly completed and duly executed, with any
required signature guarantees, or an agent's message, and all other
documents required by the letter of transmittal.
97
<PAGE>
Holders who wish to tender their outstanding notes according to the
guaranteed delivery procedures set forth above may request that the exchange
agent send them a Notice of Guaranteed Delivery.
WITHDRAWAL OF TENDERS
Except as otherwise provided herein, tenders of outstanding notes may be
withdrawn at any time prior to 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on February 10,
2000; otherwise such tenders are irrevocable.
To withdraw a tender of outstanding notes in the exchange offer, the
exchange agent must receive a telegram, telex, letter or facsimile transmission
notice of withdrawal at its address set forth herein prior to 5:00 p.m., New
York City time, on the expiration date. Any such notice of withdrawal must:
o specify the name of the person having deposited the outstanding notes
to be withdrawn;
o identify the outstanding notes to be withdrawn, including the
certificate number(s) and principal amount of such outstanding notes, or,
in the case of outstanding notes transferred by book-entry transfer, the
name and number of the account at the book-entry transfer facility to be
credited;
o be signed by the holder in the same manner as the original signature on
the letter of transmittal by which the outstanding notes were tendered,
including any required signature guarantees, or be accompanied by
documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee with respect to the
outstanding notes register the transfer of such outstanding notes into
the name of the person withdrawing the tender; and
o specify the name in which to register the outstanding notes, if
different from that of the depositor.
Tritel PCS will determine all questions as to the validity, form and
eligibility, including time of receipt, of the notices. This determination
shall be final and binding on all parties. Any outstanding notes so withdrawn
will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the exchange
offer and no registered notes will be issued with respect thereto unless the
outstanding notes so withdrawn are validly retendered. Tritel PCS will return
to the holder any outstanding notes which have been tendered but which are not
accepted for exchange without expense to the holder, as soon as practicable
after withdrawal, rejection of tender, or termination of the exchange offer.
Holders may retender properly withdrawn outstanding notes by following one of
the procedures described above under "--Procedures for Tendering" at any time
prior to the expiration date.
CONDITIONS
Notwithstanding any other term of the exchange offer, we shall not be
required to accept for exchange, or offer registered notes for, any outstanding
notes, and may terminate or amend the exchange offer as provided herein before
the acceptance of the outstanding notes, if:
(1) any action or proceeding is instituted or threatened in any court or
by or before any governmental agency with respect to the exchange
offer which, in our judgment, might impair materially our ability to
proceed with the exchange offer, or any material adverse development
has occurred in any existing action or proceeding with respect to
Tritel PCS or any of its subsidiaries; or
(2) any law, statute, rule, regulation or interpretation by the SEC staff
is proposed, adopted or enacted, which, in our judgment, might impair
materially our ability to proceed with the exchange offer, or impair
materially our contemplated benefits from the exchange offer; or
(3) any governmental approval has not been obtained, which approval we
shall, in our discretion, deem necessary for the consummation of the
exchange offer as contemplated hereby.
98
<PAGE>
If we determine in our discretion that any of the conditions are not
satisfied, we may:
o refuse to accept any outstanding notes and return all tendered
outstanding notes to the tendering holders;
o extend the exchange offer and retain all outstanding notes tendered
prior to the expiration of the exchange offer, subject, however, to the
holders' rights to withdraw the outstanding notes; or
o waive the unsatisfied conditions and accept all properly tendered
outstanding notes which have not been withdrawn.
We shall keep the exchange offer open for at least 30 days, or longer if
applicable law so requires, including, in connection with any material
modification or waiver of the terms or conditions of the exchange offer that
requires such extension under applicable law, after the date we mail notice of
the exchange offer to outstanding noteholders.
EXCHANGE AGENT
The Bank of New York has been appointed as the exchange agent for this
exchange offer. Questions and requests for assistance, requests for additional
copies of this prospectus or of the letter of transmittal, and requests for
notice of guaranteed delivery should be directed to the exchange agent,
addressed as follows:
The Bank of New York
101 Barclay Street
Floor 7E
New York, New York 10286
Attn: Reorganization Section, Kin Lau
By Facsimile:
(212) 815-6339
DELIVERY TO AN ADDRESS OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A
VALID DELIVERY.
FEES AND EXPENSES
Tritel PCS will bear the expenses of soliciting tenders. The principal
solicitation is being made by mail; however, additional solicitation may be
made by telegraph, telecopy, telephone or in person by officers and regular
employees of Tritel PCS and its affiliates or its agents.
Tritel PCS has not retained any dealer-manager in connection with the
exchange offer and will not make any payments to brokers, dealers, or others
soliciting acceptances of the exchange offer. Tritel PCS, however, will pay the
exchange agent reasonable and customary fees for its services and will
reimburse it for its reasonable out-of pocket expenses in connection with the
exchange offer.
Tritel PCS will pay the cash expenses incurred in connection with the
exchange offer. Such expenses include the exchange agent's and the trustee's
fees and expenses, accounting and legal fees, and printing costs, among others.
ACCOUNTING TREATMENT
The registered notes will be recorded at the same carrying amount as the
outstanding notes, which is discounted face value, as reflected in Tritel PCS's
accounting records on the date of exchange.
Accordingly, Tritel PCS will not recognize any gain or loss for accounting
purposes. The exchange offer expenses will be expensed over the term of the
registered notes.
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE TO EXCHANGE
The outstanding notes that are not exchanged for registered notes pursuant
to the exchange offer will remain restricted securities. Accordingly, such
outstanding notes may be resold only:
99
<PAGE>
o to Tritel PCS, upon redemption thereof or otherwise;
o so long as the outstanding notes are eligible for resale pursuant to
Rule 144A, to a person inside the United States whom the seller
reasonably believes is a qualified institutional buyer within the
meaning of Rule 144A under the Securities Act in a transaction meeting
the requirements of Rule 144A, in accordance with Rule 144 under the
Securities Act, or pursuant to another exemption from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act, and based upon an opinion of
counsel reasonably acceptable to us;
o outside the United States to a foreign person in a transaction
meeting the requirements of Regulation S under the Securities Act; or
o pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities
Act.
Any resale of outstanding notes must comply with any applicable securities
laws of any state of the United States.
100
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
You can find the definitions of certain terms used in this description
below under the subheading "--Certain Definitions." Certain other capitalized
terms are defined in the indenture governing the notes. In this section,
"Tritel PCS" means Tritel PCS, Inc. and does not include its subsidiaries.
The registered notes have the same form and terms as the outstanding
notes, which they replace, with two exceptions. First, because the issuance of
the registered notes has been registered under the Securities Act, the
registered notes will not bear legends restricting their transfer. Second, the
holders of registered notes will not be entitled to rights under the
registration rights agreement, since the primary provision of that agreement
will terminate when the exchange offer is consummated. A copy of the indenture,
dated May 11, 1999 between Tritel PCS, the parent and subsidiary guarantors and
The Bank of New York, as trustee, has been filed as an exhibit to the exchange
offer registration statement of which this prospectus forms a part. The terms
of the notes include those stated in the indenture and those made part of the
indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939.
The following description is a summary of the material provisions of the
indenture and the Registration Rights Agreement. It does not restate those
agreements in their entirety. We urge you to read the indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement because they, and not this description, define
your rights as holders of the notes. Copies of the indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement are available as set forth below under
"--Additional Information." Certain defined terms used in this description but
not defined below under "--Certain Definitions" have the meanings assigned to
them in the indenture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES AND THE GUARANTEES
THE NOTES
The notes:
o are senior subordinated obligations of Tritel PCS;
o are subordinated in right of payment with all existing and future
Senior Debt of Tritel PCS;
o are senior in right of payment to any future Subordinated Indebtedness
of Tritel PCS; and
o are unconditionally guaranteed by the Guarantors.
THE GUARANTEES
The notes are guaranteed by:
o our parent company, Tritel, Inc., by means of the Parent Guarantee;
and
o all of our Subsidiaries, except our License Subsidiaries, by means of
the Subsidiary Guarantees.
Each Guarantee of the notes:
o is a general unsecured obligation of the Guarantor;
o is subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior
Debt of the Guarantor; and
o is pari passu in right of payment with any future senior subordinated
Indebtedness of the Guarantor.
Our License Subsidiaries will not guarantee the notes. In the event of a
bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of these non-guarantor
Subsidiaries, they will pay the holders of their debts and their trade creditors
before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to us. Tritel, Inc.,
Tritel PCS and the Subsidiary Guarantors held 78.6% of Tritel, Inc.'s
consolidated assets as of
101
<PAGE>
September 30, 1999. See footnote 17 to our Consolidated Financial Statements
included at the back of this prospectus for more detail about the division of
our consolidated revenues and assets between our guarantor and non-guarantor
Subsidiaries.
As of September 30, 1999, Tritel PCS had $300.0 million of Senior Debt
outstanding and non-guarantor Subsidiaries had $41.7 million on a book value
basis of FCC debt outstanding.
As of the date of the indenture, all of Tritel PCS's subsidiaries will be
"Restricted Subsidiaries." However, under the circumstances described below
under the subheading "--Certain Covenants-- Unrestricted Subsidiaries," Tritel
PCS will be permitted to designate certain of its subsidiaries as "Unrestricted
Subsidiaries." Unrestricted Subsidiaries will not be subject to many of the
restrictive covenants in the indenture.
PRINCIPAL, MATURITY AND INTEREST
The notes will mature on May 15, 2009, will be limited to $372.0 million
aggregate principal amount at maturity. The notes will be issued at a
substantial discount from the aggregate stated principal amount thereof. For
federal income tax purposes, significant amounts of original issue discount,
taxable as ordinary income, will be recognized by holders of the notes annually
as long as they hold the notes, including in advance of the receipt of cash
interest payments thereon. See "Certain Federal Income Tax Considerations."
No interest will be paid or accrued on the notes prior to May 15, 2004.
Thereafter, each note will bear interest at the rate set forth on the cover
page hereof from May 15, 2004, or from the most recent interest payment date to
which interest has been paid or duly provided for, payable semiannually on May
15 and November 15 in each year, commencing May 15, 2004, until the principal
thereof is paid or duly provided for, to the person in whose name the Note, or
any predecessor note, is registered at the close of business on the May 1 or
November 1 next preceding such interest payment date. Interest will be computed
on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months.
The principal of and premium, if any, and interest on the notes will be
payable, and the notes will be exchangeable and transferable, at the office or
agency of Tritel PCS in The City of New York maintained for such purposes,
which initially will be the office of the Trustee located at 101 Barclay
Street, Floor 7E, New York, NY 10286, Attn: Reorganization Section. The notes
will be issued only in registered form without coupons and only in
denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof. No service charge
will be made for any registration of transfer or exchange or redemption of
notes, but Tritel PCS may require payment in certain circumstances of a sum
sufficient to cover any tax or other governmental charge that may be imposed in
connection therewith.
Any notes that remain outstanding after the consummation of the exchange
offer and exchange notes issued in connection with the exchange offer will be
treated as a single class of securities under the Indenture.
The notes will not be entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund.
METHODS OF RECEIVING PAYMENTS ON THE NOTES
If a Holder has given wire transfer instructions to Tritel PCS, Tritel PCS
will pay all principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on
that Holder's notes in accordance with those instructions. All other payments
on Notes will be made at the office or agency of the Paying Agent and Registrar
within the City and State of New York unless Tritel PCS elects to make interest
payments by check mailed to the Holders at their addresses set forth in the
register of Holders.
PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR FOR THE NOTES
The Trustee will initially act as Paying Agent and Registrar. Tritel PCS
may change the Paying Agent or Registrar without prior notice to the Holders,
and Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent or
Registrar.
102
<PAGE>
TRANSFER AND EXCHANGE
A Holder may transfer or exchange notes in accordance with the indenture.
The Registrar and the Trustee may require a Holder, among other things, to
furnish appropriate endorsements and transfer documents and Tritel PCS may
require a Holder to pay any taxes and fees required by law or permitted by the
indenture. Tritel PCS is not required to transfer or exchange any note selected
for redemption. Also, Tritel PCS is not required to transfer or exchange any
note for a period of 15 days before a selection of notes to be redeemed.
The registered Holder of a note will be treated as the owner of it for all
purposes.
SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
The Guarantors will jointly and severally guarantee Tritel PCS's
obligations under the notes. Each Guarantee will be subordinated to the prior
payment in full of all Senior Debt of that Guarantor. The obligations of each
Subsidiary Guarantor under its Subsidiary Guarantee will be limited as
necessary to prevent that Subsidiary Guarantee from constituting a fraudulent
conveyance under applicable law.
Except as provided below, a Guarantor may not sell or otherwise dispose of
all or substantially all of its assets to, or consolidate with or merge with or
into, whether or not such Guarantor is the surviving Person, another Person,
other than Tritel PCS or another Guarantor, unless:
(1) immediately after giving effect to that transaction, no Default or Event of
Default exists; and
(2) either:
(a) the Person acquiring the property in any such sale or disposition or
the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger
assumes all the obligations of that Guarantor under the Indenture, its
Guarantee and the Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to a
supplemental indenture and appropriate collateral documents
satisfactory to the Trustee; or
(b) the Net Proceeds of any such sale or other disposition of a Subsidiary
Guarantor are applied in accordance with the "Asset Sales" provisions
of the indenture.
A Guarantor will be released from its Guarantee:
(1) in connection with any sale or other disposition of all or substantially
all of the assets of that Guarantor, including by way of merger or
consolidation, to a Person that is not, either before or after giving
effect to such transaction, a Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, if the Guarantor
applies the Net Proceeds of that sale or other disposition in accordance
with the "Asset Sales" provisions of the indenture; or
(2) in connection with any sale of all of the Capital Stock of a Guarantor to a
Person that is not, either before or after giving effect to such
transaction, a Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, if Tritel PCS applies the Net
Proceeds of that sale in accordance with the "Asset Sales" provisions of
the indenture.
See "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales."
A Subsidiary Guarantor will also be automatically released from its
Guarantee if the Subsidiary Guarantor is designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
The indenture will provide that, in the event the Banks release or
terminate a guarantee by Tritel, Inc. or a Subsidiary Guarantor of all the
obligations under the Bank Credit Agreement, except a release or termination by
or as a result of payment in full of all Obligations under the Bank Credit
Agreement, Tritel, Inc. or such Subsidiary Guarantor, as the case may be, will
be automatically and unconditionally released and discharged from all of its
obligations under its Guarantee.
103
<PAGE>
SUBORDINATION
The payment of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if
any, on the notes will be subordinated to the prior payment in full of all
Senior Debt of Tritel PCS, including Senior Debt incurred after the date of the
indenture.
The holders of Senior Debt will be entitled to receive payment in full of
all Obligations due in respect of Senior Debt, including interest after the
commencement of any bankruptcy proceeding at the rate specified in the
applicable Senior Debt, before the Holders of notes will be entitled to receive
any payment with respect to the notes, except that Holders of notes may receive
and retain Permitted Junior Securities and payments made from the trust
described under "--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance," in the event of
any distribution to creditors of Tritel PCS:
(1) in a liquidation or dissolution of Tritel PCS;
(2) in a bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar
proceeding relating to Tritel PCS or its property;
(3) in an assignment for the benefit of creditors; or
(4) in any marshaling of Tritel PCS's assets and liabilities.
Tritel PCS also may not make any payment in respect of the notes, except
in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described under "--Legal
Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance", if:
(1) a payment default on Designated Senior Debt occurs and is continuing beyond
any applicable grace period; or
(2) any other default occurs and is continuing on any series of Designated
Senior Debt that permits holders of that series of Designated Senior Debt
to accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of such
default (a "Payment Blockage Notice") from Tritel PCS or the holders of
any Designated Senior Debt.
Payments on the notes may and will be resumed:
(1) in the case of a payment default, upon the date on which such default is
cured or waived; and
(2) in case of a nonpayment default, the earlier of the date on which such
nonpayment default is cured or waived or 179 days after the date on which
the applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of
any Designated Senior Debt has been accelerated.
No new Payment Blockage Notice may be delivered unless and until:
(1) 360 days have elapsed since the delivery of the immediately prior Payment
Blockage Notice; and
(2) all scheduled payments of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated
Damages, if any, on the notes that have come due have been paid in full in
cash.
No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing on the date of
delivery of any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee will be, or be made, the
basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default will have
been cured or waived for a period of not less than 90 days.
If the Trustee or any Holder of the notes receives a payment in respect of
the notes, except in Permitted Junior Securities or from the trust described
under "--Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance," when:
(1) the payment is prohibited by these subordination provisions; and
(2) the Trustee or the Holder has actual knowledge that the payment is
prohibited;
the Trustee or the Holder, as the case may be, will hold the payment in trust
for the benefit of the holders of Senior Debt. Upon the proper written request
of the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee or the Holder, as the case may be,
will deliver the amounts in trust to the holders of Senior Debt or their proper
representative.
104
<PAGE>
Tritel PCS must promptly notify holders of Senior Debt if payment of the
notes is accelerated because of an Event of Default.
As a result of the subordination provisions described above, in the event
of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of Tritel PCS, Holders of notes
may recover less ratably than creditors of Tritel PCS who are holders of Senior
Debt.
"Designated Senior Debt" means:
(1) any Indebtedness outstanding under the Bank Credit Agreement; and
(2) any other Senior Debt permitted under the indenture the principal amount of
which is $25.0 million or more and that has been designated by Tritel PCS
as "Designated Senior Debt" by the board of directors of Tritel PCS at the
time of its initial issuance in a resolution delivered to the Trustee.
"Designated Senior Indebtedness" of a Subsidiary Guarantor will have a
correlative meaning.
"Permitted Junior Securities" means:
(1) Equity Interests in Tritel PCS or any Guarantor; or
(2) debt securities that are subordinated to all Senior Debt, and to any debt
securities issued in exchange for Senior Debt, to substantially the same
extent as, or to a greater extent than, the notes and the Subsidiary
Guarantees are subordinated to Senior Debt under the indenture.
"Senior Debt" means:
(1) all Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Guarantor outstanding under the Bank
Credit Agreement and all Hedging Obligations with respect thereto;
(2) any other Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Guarantor permitted to be
incurred under the terms of the indenture, unless the instrument under
which such Indebtedness is incurred expressly provides that it is on a
parity with or subordinated in right of payment to the notes or any
Subsidiary Guarantee; and
(3) all Obligations with respect to the items listed in the preceding clauses
(1) and (2).
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in clauses (1), (2) and (3)
above, Senior Debt will not include:
(1) any liability for federal, state, local or other taxes owed or owing by
Tritel PCS;
(2) any Indebtedness of Tritel PCS to any of its Subsidiaries or other
Affiliates;
(3) any trade payables; or
(4) the portion of any Indebtedness that is incurred in violation of the
indenture.
105
<PAGE>
REDEMPTION
The notes will be redeemable at the election of Tritel PCS, as a whole or
from time to time in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2004, on not less
than 30 nor more than 60 days' prior notice at the redemption prices, expressed
as percentages of principal amount at maturity, set forth below, together with
accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date, if
redeemed during the 12-month period beginning on May 15 of the years indicated
below, subject to the right of holders of record on the relevant record date to
receive interest due on the related interest payment date:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REDEMPTION
YEAR PRICE
- ----------------------- -------------
<S> <C>
2004 ................ 106.375%
2005 ................ 104.250
2006 ................ 102.125
</TABLE>
and thereafter at 100% of the principal amount at maturity, together with
accrued interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the redemption date.
In addition, at any time prior to May 15, 2002, Tritel PCS may redeem up
to 35% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the notes with proceeds
of one or more Equity Offerings at a redemption price of 112.75% of the
Accreted Value thereof as of the Semi-Annual Accrual Date next preceding the
date of purchase, plus the Accreted Increment as of such date of purchase;
provided that:
(1) at least 65% of the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the notes
remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such redemption,
excluding notes held by Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(2) the redemption must occur within 60 days following the date of the closing
of such Equity Offering.
REPURCHASE AT THE OPTION OF HOLDERS
CHANGE OF CONTROL
If a Change of Control occurs, each Holder of notes will have the right to
require Tritel PCS to repurchase all or any part, equal to $1,000 or an
integral multiple thereof, of that Holder's notes pursuant to an offer on the
terms set forth in the indenture ("Change of Control Offer"). In the Change of
Control Offer, Tritel PCS will offer a payment ("Change of Control Payment") in
cash equal to 101% of the Accreted Value as of the Semi-Annual Accrual Date
next preceding the date of purchase, plus the Accreted Increment as of such
date of purchase, if such redemption occurs prior to May 15, 2004, or 101% of
the Accreted Value as of the date of purchase, together with accrued and unpaid
interest and Liquidated Damages, if any, if such redemption date occurs on or
after May 15, 2004. Within ten days following any Change of Control, Tritel PCS
will mail a notice to each Holder describing the transaction or transactions
that constitute the Change of Control and offering to repurchase notes on the
date ("Change of Control Payment Date") specified in such notice, which date
shall be no earlier than 30 days and no later than 60 days from the date such
notice is mailed, pursuant to the procedures required by the indenture and
described in such notice. Tritel PCS will comply with the requirements of Rule
14e-1 under the Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations
thereunder to the extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection
with the repurchase of the notes as a result of a Change of Control. To the
extent that the provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with
the Change of Control provisions of the indenture, Tritel PCS will comply with
the applicable securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have
breached its obligations under the Change of Control provisions of the
Indenture by virtue of such conflict.
In the event that at the time of any Change of Control the terms of the
Bank Credit Agreement restrict or prohibit the repurchase of notes pursuant to
this covenant, then prior to the mailing of the
106
<PAGE>
notice to holders of notes provided for in the prior paragraph but in any event
within 30 days following any Change of Control, Tritel PCS convenants that it
will either
(1) repay in full all amounts outstanding under the Bank Credit Agreement or
offer to repay in full all amounts outstanding under the Bank Credit
Agreement and repay the amounts due to each Bank who has accepted such
offer or
(2) obtain the requisite consent under the agreements governing the Bank
Credit Agreement to permit the repurchase of the notes as provided for in
the prior paragraph.
On the Change of Control Payment Date, Tritel PCS will, to the extent
lawful:
(1) accept for payment all notes or portions thereof properly tendered pursuant
to the Change of Control Offer;
(2) deposit with the Paying Agent an amount equal to the Change of Control
Payment in respect of all notes or portions thereof so tendered; and
(3) deliver or cause to be delivered to the Trustee the notes so accepted
together with an Officers' Certificate stating the aggregate principal
amount at maturity of notes or portions thereof being purchased by Tritel
PCS.
The Paying Agent will promptly mail to each Holder of notes so tendered
the Change of Control Payment for such notes, and the Trustee will promptly
authenticate and mail, or cause to be transferred by book entry, to each Holder
a new note equal in principal amount to any unpurchased portion of the notes
surrendered, if any; provided that each such new note will be in a principal
amount of $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof.
The provisions described above that require Tritel PCS to make a Change of
Control Offer following a Change of Control will be applicable regardless of
whether any other provisions of the indenture are applicable. Except as
described above with respect to a Change of Control, the indenture does not
contain provisions that permit the Holders of the notes to require that Tritel
PCS repurchase or redeem the notes in the event of a takeover, recapitalization
or similar transaction.
Tritel PCS will not be required to make a Change of Control Offer upon a
Change of Control if a third party makes the Change of Control Offer in the
manner, at the times and otherwise in compliance with the requirements set
forth in the indenture applicable to a Change of Control Offer made by Tritel
PCS and purchases all notes validly tendered and not withdrawn under such
Change of Control Offer.
The definition of Change of Control includes a phrase relating to the
direct or indirect sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of
"all or substantially all" of the properties or assets of Tritel PCS and its
Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole. Although there is a limited body of
case law interpreting the phrase "substantially all," there is no precise
established definition of the phrase under applicable law. Accordingly, the
ability of a Holder of notes to require Tritel PCS to repurchase such notes as
a result of a sale, lease, transfer, conveyance or other disposition of less
than all of the assets of Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a
whole to another Person or group may be uncertain.
ASSET SALES
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, consummate an Asset Sale unless:
(1) Tritel PCS or the Restricted Subsidiary, as the case may be, receives
consideration at the time of such Asset Sale at least equal to the fair
market value of the assets or Equity Interests issued or sold or otherwise
disposed of;
(2) such fair market value is determined by Tritel PCS's Board of Directors and
evidenced by a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers' Certificate delivered to the Trustee; and
107
<PAGE>
(3) at least 75% of the consideration therefor received by Tritel PCS or such
Restricted Subsidiary is in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents, or
like-kind property in a like-kind exchange pursuant to Section 1031 of
the Internal Revenue Code. For purposes of this provision, each of the
following shall be deemed to be cash:
(a) any liabilities, as shown on Tritel PCS's or such Restricted
Subsidiary's most recent balance sheet, of Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary, other than contingent liabilities and liabilities that are
by their terms subordinated to the notes, that are assumed by the
transferee of any such assets pursuant to a customary novation
agreement that releases Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary from
further liability; and
(b) any securities, notes or other obligations received by Tritel PCS or
any such Restricted Subsidiary from such transferee that are
contemporaneously, subject to ordinary settlement periods, converted by
Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary into cash, to the extent of
the cash received in that conversion.
Within 360 days after the receipt of any Net Proceeds from an Asset Sale,
Tritel PCS may apply such Net Proceeds at its option:
(1) to permanently repay or prepay any then outstanding Indebtedness under the
Bank Credit Agreement, other senior Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or
Indebtedness of any Restricted Subsidiary; or
(2) to invest in properties or assets that replace the properties and assets
that are the subject of such Asset Sale or in properties or assets that
will be used in the business of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary,
or enter into a legally binding agreement to do so.
If any such legally binding agreement to invest such Net Proceeds is
terminated, then Tritel PCS may, within 90 days of such termination or within
12 months after such Asset Sale, whichever is later, apply or invest such Net
Proceeds, or enter into another legally binding agreement to do so, which
closes within 16 months of such Asset Sale, as provided in clause (1) or (2),
without regard to the parenthetical contained in clause (2), above. Pending the
final application of any such Net Proceeds, Tritel PCS may temporarily reduce
revolving credit borrowings or otherwise invest such Net Proceeds in any manner
that is not prohibited by the indenture.
Any Net Proceeds from Asset Sales that are not applied or invested as
provided in the preceding paragraph will constitute "Excess Proceeds." When the
aggregate amount of Excess Proceeds exceeds $15.0 million, Tritel PCS will make
an offer ("Asset Sale Offer") to all Holders of notes and all holders of other
indebtedness that is pari passu with the Notes containing provisions similar to
those set forth in the indenture with respect to offers to purchase or redeem
with the proceeds of sales of assets to purchase the maximum principal amount
of Notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness that may be purchased out of
the Excess Proceeds. The offer price in any Asset Sale Offer will be equal to
100% of Accreted Value plus accrued and unpaid interest and Liquidated Damages,
if any, to the date of purchase, and will be payable in cash. If any Excess
Proceeds remain after consummation of an Asset Sale Offer, Tritel PCS may use
such Excess Proceeds for any purpose not otherwise prohibited by the Indenture.
If the Accreted Value of the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness
tendered into such Asset Sale Offer exceeds the amount of Excess Proceeds, the
Trustee shall select the notes and such other pari passu Indebtedness to be
purchased on a pro rata basis based on the Accreted Value of the notes and such
other pari passu Indebtedness tendered. Upon completion of each Asset Sale
Offer, the amount of Excess Proceeds shall be reset at zero.
Tritel PCS will comply with the requirements of Rule 14e-1 under the
Exchange Act and any other securities laws and regulations thereunder to the
extent such laws and regulations are applicable in connection with each
repurchase of notes pursuant to an Asset Sale Offer. To the extent that the
provisions of any securities laws or regulations conflict with the Asset Sales
provisions of the indenture, Tritel PCS will comply with the applicable
securities laws and regulations and will not be deemed to have breached its
obligations under the Asset Sale provisions of the indenture by virtue of such
conflict.
108
<PAGE>
The agreements governing Tritel PCS's other Indebtedness contain
prohibitions of certain events, including events that would constitute a Change
of Control or an Asset Sale. In addition, the exercise by the Holders of notes
of their right to require Tritel PCS to repurchase the notes upon a Change of
Control or an Asset Sale could cause a default under these other agreements,
even if the Change of Control or Asset Sale itself does not, due to the
financial effect of such repurchases on Tritel PCS. Finally, Tritel PCS's
ability to pay cash to the Holders of notes upon a repurchase may be limited by
Tritel PCS's then existing financial resources.
SELECTION AND NOTICE
If less than all of the notes are to be redeemed at any time, the Trustee
will select notes for redemption as follows:
(1) if the notes are listed, in compliance with the requirements of the
principal national securities exchange on which the notes are listed; or
(2) if the notes are not so listed, on a pro rata basis, by lot or by such
method as the Trustee shall deem fair and appropriate.
No notes of $1,000 or less shall be redeemed in part. Notices of
redemption shall be mailed by first class mail at least 30 but not more than 60
days before the redemption date to each Holder of notes to be redeemed at its
registered address. Notices of redemption may not be conditional.
If any note is to be redeemed in part only, the notice of redemption that
relates to that note shall state the portion of the principal amount thereof to
be redeemed. A new note in principal amount equal to the unredeemed portion of
the original note will be issued in the name of the Holder thereof upon
cancellation of the original note. notes called for redemption become due on
the date fixed for redemption. On and after the redemption date, interest
ceases to accrue on notes or portions of them called for redemption.
CERTAIN COVENANTS
RESTRICTED PAYMENTS
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, take any of the following actions on
or prior to December 31, 2002:
(a) declare or pay any dividend on, or make any distribution to holders of,
any shares of the Capital Stock of Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary, other than:
(1) dividends or distributions payable solely in Equity Interests, other
than Disqualified Stock; or
(2) dividends or distributions by a Restricted Subsidiary payable to
Tritel PCS or another Restricted Subsidiary;
(b) purchase, redeem or otherwise acquire or retire for value including,
without limitation, in connection with any merger or consolidation
involving Tritel PCS, any Equity Interests of Tritel PCS or any
Affiliate of Tritel PCS, other than any Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel
PCS;
(c) make any payment on or with respect to, or purchase, redeem, defease or
otherwise acquire or retire for value any Subordinated Indebtedness,
except a payment of interest or principal at the Stated Maturity
thereof; or
(d) make any Restricted Investment.
All such payments and other actions set forth in and not excluded from clauses
(a) through (d) above are collectively referred to as "Restricted Payments."
At any time after December 31, 2002, Tritel PCS will not, and will not
permit any Restricted Subsidiary to, directly or indirectly, make any
Restricted Payment unless at the time of, and immediately after giving effect
to, the proposed Restricted Payment:
109
<PAGE>
(1) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or
would occur as a consequence thereof;
(2) Tritel PCS would, at the time of such Restricted Payment and after giving
pro forma effect thereto as if such Restricted Payment had been made at
the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, have been permitted
to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, other than Permitted
Debt, pursuant to the first paragraph of the covenant described below
under the caption "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock;" and
(3) immediately after giving effect to such Restricted Payment, the aggregate
amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after the Issue
Date would not exceed an amount equal to the sum of:
(a) (A) Consolidated EBITDA accrued during the period, treated as one
accounting period, from January 1, 2003 to the end of Tritel PCS's most
recently ended fiscal quarter for which internal financial statements
are available at the time of such Restricted Payment (the "Computation
Period") less (B) 1.5 times Consolidated Interest Expense accrued
during the Computation Period; plus
(b) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by Tritel PCS either (x) as capital
contributions to Tritel PCS after the Issue Date or (y) from the issue
or sale, other than to a Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, of its Equity
Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, on or after the Issue Date,
excluding proceeds of any Equity Offering that are used to redeem notes
as discussed above under "--Redemption"; plus
(c) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary from the sale, disposition or repayment, other than to
Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary, of any Investment made after the
Issue Date and constituting a Restricted Payment in an amount equal to
the lesser of (x) the return of capital with respect to such Investment
and (y) the initial amount of such Investment, in either case, less the
cost of disposition of such Investment; plus
(d) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by Tritel PCS from the issuance,
other than to a Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, on or after the Issue Date of
its Equity Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, upon the
conversion of, or exchange for, Indebtedness of Tritel PCS.
For purposes of determining the amount expended for Restricted Payments,
property other than cash will be valued at its fair market value as determined
by the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS, whose good faith determination will be
conclusive.
Notwithstanding the foregoing and so long as no Default or Event of
Default, except with respect to clauses (1), (2), (3) and (4) of this
paragraph, has occurred and is continuing or would be caused thereby, the
preceding provisions will not prohibit, whether the relevant event occurs
before or after December 31, 2002:
(1) the payment of any dividend within 60 days after the date of declaration
thereof, if at said date of declaration such payment would have complied
with the provisions of the indenture;
(2) the redemption, repurchase, retirement, defeasance or other acquisition of
any Equity Interests of Tritel PCS in exchange for, or out of the net
proceeds of the substantially concurrent sale, other than to a Subsidiary
of Tritel PCS, of, Equity Interests of Tritel PCS, other than Disqualified
Stock;
(3) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for
value of any Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the Net
Proceeds of a substantially concurrent issuance and sale, other than to a
Subsidiary, of Equity Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, of Tritel
PCS;
(4) the purchase, redemption, defeasance or other acquisition or retirement for
value of Subordinated Indebtedness in exchange for, or out of the Net
Proceeds of a substantially
110
<PAGE>
concurrent issuance or sale, other than to a Restricted Subsidiary, of
Subordinated Indebtedness, so long as Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary
would be permitted to refinance such original Subordinated Indebtedness
with such new Subordinated Indebtedness pursuant to clause (11) of the
definition of "Permitted Debt" (see "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and
Issuance of Preferred Stock");
(5) the repurchase of any Subordinated Indebtedness at a purchase price not
greater than 101% of the principal amount of such Subordinated
Indebtedness in the event of a change of control in accordance with
provisions similar to the "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change
of Control" covenant; so long as, prior to or simultaneously with such
repurchase, Tritel PCS has made the Change of Control Offer as provided in
such covenant with respect to the notes and has repurchased all notes
validly tendered for payment in connection with such Change of Control
Offer;
(6) the purchase, redemption, acquisition, cancellation or other retirement for
value of shares of Capital Stock of Tritel PCS, options on any such shares
or related stock appreciation rights or similar securities held by
officers or employees or former officers or employees, or their estates or
beneficiaries under their estates, or by any employee benefit plan, upon
death, disability, retirement or termination of employment or pursuant to
the terms of any employee benefit plan or any other agreement under which
such shares of stock or related rights were issued; provided that (A) the
aggregate cash consideration paid for such purchase, redemption,
acquisition, cancellation or other retirement of such shares of Capital
Stock after the Issue Date does not exceed $2 million in any fiscal year
and (B) any unused amount in any 12-month period may be carried forward to
one or more future periods;
(7) make payments to Tritel, Inc. pursuant to a tax sharing agreement so long
as such payments in the aggregate do not exceed the lesser of (A) the
aggregate amount of taxes that would be payable by Tritel PCS and its
Subsidiaries if they were filing on a separate return basis as a
consolidated entity and (B) the aggregate amount of taxes paid by Tritel,
Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries;
(8) make payments to Tritel, Inc. to reimburse Tritel, Inc. for its
out-of-pocket operating and administrative expenses attributable to Tritel
PCS, provided this reimbursement may not exceed $1.0 million in any fiscal
year; and
(9) payments not otherwise permitted by clauses (1) through (8) in an amount
not to exceed $10 million.
The actions described in clauses (2), (3), (5), (6) and (9) of this paragraph
will be Restricted Payments that will be permitted to be taken in accordance
with this paragraph but will reduce the amount that would otherwise be
available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the first paragraph of
this covenant and the actions described in clauses (1), (4), (7) and (8) of
this paragraph will be Restricted Payments that will be permitted to be taken
in accordance with this paragraph and will not reduce the amount that would
otherwise be available for Restricted Payments under clause (3) of the first
paragraph of this covenant.
For the purpose of making any calculations under the indenture, (a) if a
Restricted Subsidiary is designated an Unrestricted Subsidiary, Tritel PCS will
be deemed to have made an Investment in amount equal to the fair market value
of the net assets of such Subsidiary at the time of such designation as
determined by the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS, whose good faith
determination will be conclusive, and (b) any property transferred to or from
an Unrestricted Subsidiary will be valued at fair market value at the time of
such transfer, as determined by the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS, whose
good faith determination will be conclusive.
If the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments calculated under the
foregoing provision includes an Investment in an Unrestricted Subsidiary or
other Person that thereafter becomes a Restricted Subsidiary, the aggregate
amount of all Restricted Payments calculated under the foregoing provision will
be reduced by the lesser of (x) the net asset value of such Restricted
Subsidiary at the time it becomes a Restricted Subsidiary and (y) the initial
amount of such Investment.
111
<PAGE>
If an Investment resulted in the making of a Restricted Payment, the
aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments calculated under the foregoing
provision will be reduced by the amount of any net reduction in such
Investment, resulting from the payment of interest or dividends, loan
repayment, transfer of assets or otherwise, to the extent such net reduction is
not included in Tritel PCS's Consolidated Net Income, so long as the total
amount by which the aggregate amount of all Restricted Payments may be reduced
may not exceed the lesser of (x) the cash proceeds received by Tritel PCS and
its Restricted Subsidiaries in connection with such net reduction and (y) the
initial amount of such Investment.
INCURRENCE OF INDEBTEDNESS AND ISSUANCE OF PREFERRED STOCK
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create, incur, issue, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become directly or indirectly liable, contingently or
otherwise, with respect to (collectively, "incur") any Indebtedness, including
Acquired Debt, and Tritel PCS will not issue any Disqualified Stock and will
not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to issue any shares of preferred
stock. However, Tritel PCS and its Subsidiary Guarantors may incur
Indebtedness, including Acquired Debt, or issue Disqualified Stock, if, after
giving pro forma effect to such incurrence, including the application of the
net proceeds therefrom,
(1) the Consolidated Leverage Ratio would be less than or equal to (A) 7.0 to
1.0, if the Indebtedness is to be incurred prior to May 15, 2004 or (B)
6.0 to 1.0, if the Indebtedness is to be incurred on or after May 15,
2004, or
(2) in the case of any incurrence of Indebtedness prior to May 15, 2004, Total
Consolidated Indebtedness would be equal to or less than 75% of Total
Invested Capital.
In making the foregoing calculation,
(A) pro forma effect shall be given to any Indebtedness to be incurred or
repaid on such date;
(B) pro forma effect shall be given to Asset Dispositions and Asset
Acquisitions that occur during the four fiscal quarters for which
financial statements of Tritel PCS are available immediately prior to
such Transaction Date (the "Reference Period") or thereafter and on or
prior to the Transaction Date as if they had occurred and such proceeds
had been applied on the first day of such Reference Period;
(C) pro forma effect shall be given to asset dispositions and asset
acquisitions, including giving pro forma effect to the application of
proceeds of any asset disposition, that have been made by any Person
that has become a Restricted Subsidiary or has been merged with or into
Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary during such Reference Period or
subsequent to such period and on or prior to the Transaction Date and
that would have constituted Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions
had such transactions occurred when such Person was a Restricted
Subsidiary as if such asset dispositions or asset acquisitions were
Asset Dispositions or Asset Acquisitions that occurred on the first day
of such Reference Period, so long as to the extent that clause (B) or
(C) of this sentence requires that pro forma effect be given to an
Asset Acquisition or Asset Disposition, such pro forma calculation
shall be based upon the four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding
the Transaction Date of the Person, or division or line of business of
the Person, that is acquired or disposed for which financial
information is available; and
(D) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness outstanding as of the Transaction
Date will be deemed to include the total amount of funds outstanding
and/or available under any revolving credit facilities of Tritel PCS
or its Restricted Subsidiaries.
The first paragraph of this covenant will not prohibit the incurrence of
any and all of the following items of Indebtedness (collectively, "Permitted
Debt"):
(1) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary under the Bank
Credit Agreement in an aggregate principal amount at any one time
outstanding not to exceed $600.0 million, and any guarantees of such
Indebtedness by a Restricted Subsidiary;
112
<PAGE>
(2) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary outstanding on the
Issue Date, other than Indebtedness described under clause (1) above or
(15) below but including Indebtedness then owed to the FCC;
(3) Telecommunications Indebtedness;
(4) Indebtedness represented by the notes and any Subsidiary Guarantee;
(5) Subordinated Indebtedness owed by Tritel PCS to any Restricted Subsidiary
or Indebtedness owed by any Restricted Subsidiary to Tritel PCS or any
other Restricted Subsidiary; provided that, in each case, such
Indebtedness is held by Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary;
(6) Obligations of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary entered into in the
ordinary course of business (A) pursuant to Hedging Obligations relating
to Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary otherwise
permitted under the indenture that are entered into for the purpose of
protecting against fluctuations in interest rates in respect of such
Indebtedness and not for speculative purposes, or (B) pursuant to Currency
Agreements entered into by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries in respect of its (x) assets or (y) obligations, as the case
may be, denominated in a foreign currency;
(7) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary consisting of
guarantees, indemnities or obligations in respect of purchase price
adjustments in connection with the acquisition or disposition of assets,
including, without limitation, shares of Capital Stock;
(8) Acquired Debt of a Person, other than Indebtedness incurred in connection
with, or in contemplation of, such Person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary
or the acquisition of assets from such Person, as the case may be,
provided that Tritel PCS on a pro forma basis could incur $1.00 of
additional Indebtedness, other than Permitted Debt, pursuant to the first
paragraph of the "Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock" covenant;
(9) Guarantees by any Restricted Subsidiary made in accordance with the
provisions of the "Limitation on Issuances of Guarantees of Indebtedness
by Restricted Subsidiaries" covenant;
(10) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS not permitted by any other clause of this
definition, in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $50 million at
any one time outstanding;
(11) any renewals, extensions, substitutions, refinancings or replacements
(each, for purposes of this clause, a "refinancing") of any outstanding
Indebtedness, other than Indebtedness incurred pursuant to clause (1),
(3), (5), (6), (7), (9), (10), (12), (13) or (14) of this definition,
including any successive refinancings thereof, so long as
(A) any such new Indebtedness is in a principal amount that does not exceed
the principal amount so refinanced, plus the amount of any premium
required to be paid in connection with such refinancing pursuant to
the terms of the Indebtedness refinanced or the amount of any premium
reasonably determined by Tritel PCS as necessary to accomplish such
refinancing, plus the amount of the expenses of Tritel PCS incurred in
connection with such refinancing,
(B) in the case of any refinancing of Subordinated Indebtedness, such new
Indebtedness is made subordinate to the notes at least to the same
extent as the Indebtedness being refinanced and has a final maturity
date after the maturity date of the notes,
(C) such refinancing Indebtedness does not have an Average Life less than
the Average Life of the Indebtedness being refinanced and has a final
maturity date later than the Indebtedness being refinanced, or permit
redemption at the option of the holder earlier than the earliest date
of redemption at the option of the holder, of the Indebtedness being
refinanced and
(D) such Indebtedness incurred either by Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary who is the obligor on the Indebtedness being refinanced;
113
<PAGE>
(12) Capital Lease Obligations of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary with
respect to the leasing by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary of tower
sites, telephone and computer systems, operating facilities and, in each
case, equipment that is a fixture thereto, so long as such Capital Lease
Obligations shall not exceed $25 million in aggregate principal amount at
any time outstanding;
(13) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary represented by
letters of credit for the account of Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary
to provide security for workers compensation claims, payment obligations
for self insurance or similar requirements in the ordinary course of
business;
(14) Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary in respect of
statutory obligations; performance, surety, or appeal bonds, or other
obligations of a like nature incurred in the ordinary course of business;
and
(15) Indebtedness of an Restricted Subsidiary to the FCC in respect of PCS
licenses in an aggregate face amount not to exceed $75 million at any
time.
Tritel PCS will not incur any Indebtedness, including Permitted Debt, that
is contractually subordinated in right of payment to any other Indebtedness of
Tritel PCS unless such Indebtedness is also contractually subordinated in right
of payment to the notes on substantially identical terms. However, no
Indebtedness of Tritel PCS shall be deemed to be contractually subordinated in
right of payment to any other Indebtedness of Tritel PCS solely by virtue of
being unsecured.
For purposes of determining compliance with this "Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" covenant, in the event that an
item of proposed Indebtedness meets the criteria of more than one of the
categories of Permitted Debt described in clauses (1) through (15) above, or is
entitled to be incurred pursuant to the first paragraph of this covenant,
Tritel PCS will be permitted to classify such item of Indebtedness on the date
of its incurrence in any manner that complies with this covenant.
LIMITATION ON OTHER SENIOR SUBORDINATED DEBT
Tritel PCS will not incur, create, issue, assume, guarantee or otherwise
become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate or junior in right of
payment to any of its Senior Debt and senior in any respect in right of payment
to the notes. No Subsidiary Guarantor will incur, create, issue, assume,
guarantee or otherwise become liable for any Indebtedness that is subordinate
or junior in right of payment to any of its Senior Debt and senior in any
respect in right of payment to such Guarantor's Subsidiary Guarantee.
LIENS
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any Subsidiary Guarantor to,
create, incur, assume or otherwise cause or suffer to exist or become effective
any Lien of any kind securing Indebtedness that is pari passu with the notes or
the applicable Subsidiary Guarantee, as the case may be, or is Subordinated
Indebtedness, upon any of their property or assets, now owned or hereafter
acquired, unless all payments due under the Indenture and the notes are secured
equally and ratably with, or prior to, in the case of Subordinated
Indebtedness, the obligations so secured until such time as such obligations
are no longer secured by such Lien, so long as this restriction will not apply
to any Lien securing Acquired Debt created prior to the incurrence of such
Indebtedness by Tritel PCS or any Subsidiary Guarantor, and to successive
extensions or refinancings thereof, where such Lien only extends to the assets
that were subject to such Lien prior to the related acquisition by Tritel PCS
or the Subsidiary Guarantor.
DIVIDEND AND OTHER PAYMENT RESTRICTIONS AFFECTING RESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, directly or indirectly, create or permit to exist or become
effective any consensual encumbrance or restriction on the ability of any
Restricted Subsidiary to:
114
<PAGE>
(1) pay dividends or make any other distributions on its Capital Stock to
Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or with respect to any
other interest or participation in, or measured by, its profits, or pay
any indebtedness owed to Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
(2) pay any Indebtedness owed to Tritel PCS or any other Restricted Subsidiary;
(3) make loans or advances to Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries;
or
(4) transfer any of its properties or assets to Tritel PCS or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries.
However, the preceding restrictions will not apply to encumbrances or
restrictions existing under or by reason of:
(1) Existing Indebtedness as in effect on the date of the indenture and any
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacements or refinancings thereof, provided that such
amendments, modifications, restatements, renewals, increases, supplements,
refundings, replacement or refinancings are no more restrictive, taken as
a whole, with respect to such dividend and other payment restrictions than
those contained in such Existing Indebtedness, as in effect on the date of
the indenture;
(2) any agreement or other instrument of a Person acquired by Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary in existence at the time of such acquisition, but
not created in contemplation thereof, which encumbrance or restriction is
not applicable to any Person, or the properties or assets of any Person,
other than the Person, or the property or assets of the Person, so
acquired;
(3) with respect to a Restricted Subsidiary, imposed pursuant to an agreement
that has been entered into for the sale or disposition of all or
substantially all of Tritel PCS's Capital Stock in, or substantially all
the assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with the
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sales" covenant;
(4) any such customary encumbrance or restriction contained in a security
document creating a Lien permitted under the indenture to the extent
relating to the property or asset subject to such Lien, including, without
limitation, customary restrictions relating to assets securing any
Telecommunications Indebtedness or the Bank Credit Agreement under the
applicable security documents; or
(5) customary non-assignment provisions in leases entered into in the ordinary
course of business and consistent with past practices.
MERGER, CONSOLIDATION OR SALE OF ASSETS
Tritel PCS may not, directly or indirectly: (1) consolidate or merge with
or into another Person, whether or not Tritel PCS is the surviving corporation;
or (2) sell, assign, transfer, convey or otherwise dispose of all or
substantially all of the properties or assets of Tritel PCS and its Restricted
Subsidiaries taken as a whole, in one or more related transactions, to another
Person; unless:
(1) either (a) Tritel PCS is the surviving corporation, or (b) the Person
formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if other than
Tritel PCS, or to which such sale, assignment, transfer, conveyance or
other disposition shall have been made is a corporation organized or
existing under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the
District of Columbia;
(2) the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if
other than Tritel PCS, or the Person to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made assumes all
the obligations of Tritel PCS under the notes, the indenture and the
Registration Rights Agreement pursuant to agreements reasonably
satisfactory to the Trustee;
(3) immediately after giving effect to such transaction or series of
transactions on a pro forma basis, and treating any obligation of Tritel
PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary in connection with or as a result of such
transaction as having been incurred as of the time of such transaction, no
Default or Event of Default exists;
115
<PAGE>
(4) Tritel PCS or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger, if other than Tritel PCS, or to which such sale, assignment,
transfer, conveyance or other disposition shall have been made:
(a) will have Consolidated Net Worth immediately after the transaction
equal to or greater than the Consolidated Net Worth of Tritel PCS
immediately preceding the transaction; and
(b) will, on the date of such transaction after giving pro forma effect
thereto and any related financing transactions as if the same had
occurred at the beginning of the applicable four-quarter period, be
permitted to incur at least $1.00 of additional Indebtedness, other
than Permitted Indebtedness, pursuant to the first paragraph of the
covenant described above under the caption "--Incurrence of
Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock;"
(5) if any of the property or assets of Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries would thereupon become subject to any Lien, the provisions of
the "Liens" covenant are complied with; and
(6) Tritel PCS or the Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or
merger, if other than Tritel PCS, shall have delivered to the Trustee an
officers' certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that such
transaction complies with the terms of the indenture.
Upon any consolidation or merger, or any sale, assignment, conveyance,
transfer, lease or disposition of all of substantially all of the properties
and assets of Tritel PCS in accordance with the immediately preceding paragraph
in which Tritel PCS is not the continuing obligor under the Indenture, the
Person formed by or surviving any such consolidation or merger, if other than
Tritel PCS, shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and may exercise every
right and power of, Tritel PCS under the indenture, with the same effect as if
such successor had been named as Tritel PCS therein. When a successor assumes
all the obligations of its predecessor under the indenture and the notes, the
predecessor shall be released from those obligations, so long as in the case of
a transfer by lease, the predecessor shall not be released from the payment of
principal and interest on the Notes.
TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, make any payment to, or sell, lease, transfer or otherwise
dispose of any of its properties or assets to, or purchase any property or
assets from, or enter into or make or amend any transaction, contract,
agreement, understanding, loan, advance or guarantee with, or for the benefit
of, any Affiliate (each, an "Affiliate Transaction"), unless:
(1) such Affiliate Transaction is on terms that are no less favorable to Tritel
PCS or the relevant Restricted Subsidiary than those that would have been
obtained in a comparable transaction by Tritel PCS or such Restricted
Subsidiary with an unrelated Person; and
(2) Tritel PCS delivers to the Trustee:
(a) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
$10.0 million, a resolution of the Board of Directors set forth in an
Officers' Certificate certifying that such Affiliate Transaction
complies with this covenant and that such Affiliate Transaction has
been approved by a majority of the disinterested members of the Board
of Directors; and
(b) with respect to any Affiliate Transaction or series of related
Affiliate Transactions involving aggregate consideration in excess of
$25.0 million, an opinion as to the fairness to the Holders of such
Affiliate Transaction from a financial point of view issued by an
accounting, appraisal or investment banking firm of national standing.
The following items shall not be deemed to be Affiliate Transactions and,
therefore, will not be subject to the provisions of the prior paragraph:
116
<PAGE>
(1) any employment or consulting agreement entered into by Tritel PCS or any of
its Restricted Subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business and
consistent with the past practice of Tritel PCS or such Restricted
Subsidiary;
(2) transactions between or among Tritel PCS and/or its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(3) transactions with a Person that is an Affiliate of Tritel PCS solely
because Tritel PCS owns an Equity Interest in such Person;
(4) payment of reasonable directors fees, expenses and indemnification to
Persons who are not otherwise Affiliates of Tritel PCS;
(5) sales of Equity Interests, other than Disqualified Stock, to Affiliates of
Tritel PCS;
(6) Restricted Payments that are permitted by the provisions of the Indenture
described above under the caption "--Restricted Payments;"
(7) transactions with AT&T or any of its Affiliates relating to the marketing
or provision of telecommunication services or related hardware, software
or equipment on terms that are no less favorable, when taken as a whole,
to Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than those
available from unaffiliated third parties;
(8) transactions involving the leasing or sharing or other use by Tritel PCS or
any Restricted Subsidiary of communications network facilities, including,
without limitation, cable or fiber lines, equipment of transmission
capacity, of any Affiliate of Tritel PCS (such Affiliate being a "Related
Party") on terms that are no less favorable, when taken as a whole, to
Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than those
available from such Related Party to unaffiliated third parties;
(9) transactions involving the provision of telecommunication services by a
Related Party in the ordinary course of its business to Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary, or by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary to a
Related Party, on terms that are no less favorable, when taken as a whole,
to Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary, as applicable, than those
available from such Related Party to unaffiliated third parties;
(10) any sales agency agreements pursuant to which an Affiliate has the right
to market any or all of the products or services of Tritel PCS or any of
the Restricted Subsidiaries;
(11) transactions involving the sale, transfer or other disposition of any
shares of Capital Stock of any Marketing Affiliate, so long as such
Marketing Affiliate is not engaged in any activity other than the
registration, holding, maintenance or protection of trademarks and the
licensing thereof; and
(12) up to $2.5 million of loans from Tritel PCS to Airwave Communications and
Digital PCS to fund the payment of certain litigation-related expenses and
contingent liabilities, pursuant to the secured promissory note agreement
in effect on the Issue Date.
SALE AND LEASEBACK TRANSACTIONS
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries to, enter into any sale and leaseback transaction. However, Tritel
PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary may enter into a sale and leaseback
transaction if:
(1) the lease is for a period, including renewal rights, of not in excess of
three years;
(2) the lease secures or relates to industrial revenue or pollution control
bonds;
(3) the transaction is between Tritel PCS and a Restricted Subsidiary or
between Restricted Subsidiaries; or
(4) Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary, within 12 months after the sale
or transfer of any assets or properties is completed, applies an amount
not less than the net proceeds received from such sale in accordance with
clause (1) or (2) of the second paragraph of the "--Repurchase at the
Option of Holders--Asset Sales" covenant.
117
<PAGE>
LIMITATION ON ISSUANCES AND SALES OF EQUITY INTERESTS IN RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES
Tritel PCS (a) will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to issue any
Capital Stock, other than to Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary, and (b)
will not permit any Person, other than Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary,
to own any Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary. However, this covenant
shall not prohibit (1) the sale or other disposition of all, but not less than
all, of the issued and outstanding Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary
owned by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary in compliance with the other
provisions of the indenture or (2) the ownership by directors of directors'
qualifying shares or the ownership by foreign nationals of Capital Stock of any
Restricted Subsidiary, to the extent mandated by applicable law.
LIMITATION ON ISSUANCES OF GUARANTEES OF INDEBTEDNESS BY RESTRICTED
SUBSIDIARIES
Tritel PCS will not permit any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, directly or
indirectly, to Guarantee or pledge any assets to secure the payment of any
other Indebtedness of Tritel PCS unless (a) such Restricted Subsidiary
simultaneously executes and delivers a supplemental indenture providing for the
Guarantee of the payment of the notes by such Restricted Subsidiary, and (b)
with respect to any guarantee of Subordinated Indebtedness by a Restricted
Subsidiary, any such guarantee is subordinated to such Restricted Subsidiary's
guarantee with respect to the notes at least to the same extent as such
Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated to the notes, provided that the
foregoing provision will not be applicable to (1) any guarantee by any
Restricted Subsidiary that existed at the time such person became a Restricted
Subsidiary and was not incurred in connection with, or in contemplation of,
such person becoming a Restricted Subsidiary or (2) the Bank Credit Agreement.
Any guarantee by a Restricted Subsidiary of the notes pursuant to the
preceding paragraph may provide by its terms that it will be automatically and
unconditionally released and discharged upon (1) any sale, exchange or transfer
to any person not an Affiliate of Tritel PCS of all of Tritel PCS's and the
Restricted Subsidiaries' Capital Stock in, or all or substantially all the
assets of, such Restricted Subsidiary, which sale, exchange or transfer is not
prohibited by the indenture, or (2) the release or discharge of the guarantee
that resulted in the creation of such guarantee of the notes, except a
discharge or release by or as a result of payment under such guarantee.
AMENDMENTS TO SECURITIES PURCHASE AGREEMENT
The indenture will provide that Tritel PCS will cause Tritel, Inc. not to
amend, modify or waive, or refrain from enforcing, any provision of the
Securities Purchase Agreement in any manner that would delay the closing
thereunder of Tritel, Inc.'s preferred stock to a date later than September 30,
1999 or would cause the net cash proceeds from the sale of Tritel's preferred
stock to be less than $49.7 million. Tritel PCS will also cause Tritel, Inc. to
make a capital contribution to it of the net cash proceeds from such sale.
ADDITIONAL SUBSIDIARY GUARANTEES
If Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries acquires or creates
another Restricted Subsidiary after the Issue Date, then that newly acquired or
created Restricted Subsidiary must become a Subsidiary Guarantor and execute a
supplemental indenture satisfactory to the Trustee, so long as Tritel PCS shall
not cause any License Subsidiary to become a Subsidiary Guarantor unless such
License Subsidiary incurs Indebtedness other than Indebtedness in respect of
the Bank Credit Agreement or Indebtedness to the FCC. Each new Subsidiary
Guarantee will have the same terms as the Subsidiary Guarantees described
above.
BUSINESS ACTIVITIES
Tritel PCS will not, and will not permit any Restricted Subsidiary to,
engage in any business other than a Permitted Business.
UNRESTRICTED SUBSIDIARIES
The Board of Directors of Tritel PCS may designate any Subsidiary,
including any newly acquired or newly formed Subsidiary, to be an Unrestricted
Subsidiary so long as
118
<PAGE>
(1) neither Tritel PCS nor any Restricted Subsidiary is directly or
indirectly liable for any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary,
(2) no default with respect to any Indebtedness of such Subsidiary would
permit, upon notice, lapse of time or otherwise, any holder of any other
Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary to declare a
default on such other Indebtedness or cause the payment thereof to be
accelerated or payable prior to its stated maturity,
(3) any Investment in such Subsidiary made as result of designating such
Subsidiary an Unrestricted Subsidiary will not violate the provisions of
the "--Restricted Payments" covenant,
(4) neither Tritel PCS nor any Restricted Subsidiary has a contract,
agreement, arrangement, understanding or obligation of any kind, whether
written or oral, with such Subsidiary other than those that might be
obtained at the time from persons who are not Affiliates of Tritel PCS
and
(5) neither Tritel PCS nor any Restricted Subsidiary has any obligation (a)
to subscribe for additional shares of Capital Stock or other equity
interest in such Subsidiary or (b) to maintain or preserve such
Subsidiary's financial condition or to cause such Subsidiary to achieve
certain levels of operating results. Any such designation by the Board of
Directors of Tritel PCS shall be evidenced to the Trustee by filing a
board resolution with such Trustee giving effect to such designation. The
Board of Directors of Tritel PCS may designate any Unrestricted
Subsidiary as a Restricted Subsidiary if immediately after giving effect
to such designation, there would be no Default or Event of Default under
the indenture and Tritel PCS could incur $1.00 of additional
Indebtedness, other than Permitted Indebtedness, pursuant to the first
paragraph of the "--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred
Stock" covenant.
REPORTS
Whether or not required by the SEC, so long as any notes are outstanding,
Tritel PCS will furnish to the Holders of notes, within the time periods
specified in the SEC's rules and regulations:
(1) all quarterly and annual financial information that would be required to be
contained in a filing with the SEC on Forms 10-Q and 10-K if Tritel PCS
were required to file such Forms, including a "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and, with
respect to the annual information only, a report on the annual financial
statements by Tritel PCS's certified independent accountants; and
(2) all current reports that would be required to be filed with the SEC on Form
8-K if Tritel PCS were required to file such reports.
In addition, following the consummation of the exchange offer contemplated
by the Registration Rights Agreement, whether or not required by the SEC,
Tritel PCS will file a copy of all of the information and reports referred to
in clauses (1) and (2) above with the SEC for public availability within the
time periods specified in the SEC's rules and regulations, unless the SEC will
not accept such a filing, and make such information available to securities
analysts and prospective investors upon request. In addition, Tritel PCS has
agreed that, for so long as any notes remain outstanding, it will furnish to
the Holders and to securities analysts and prospective investors, upon their
request, the information required to be delivered pursuant to Rule 144A(d)(4)
under the Securities Act.
Notwithstanding the preceding paragraphs, Tritel PCS may substitute
reports of its parent, Tritel, Inc., for its reports so long as Tritel, Inc. is
permitted under applicable rules, regulations and policies of the SEC to file
such reports with the SEC in lieu of Tritel PCS filing its own reports.
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND REMEDIES
Each of the following is an "Event of Default":
(1) default for 30 days in the payment when due of interest on, or Liquidated
Damages with respect to, the notes;
119
<PAGE>
(2) default in payment when due of the principal of, or premium, if any, on the
notes;
(3) failure by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to comply with
the provisions described under the captions "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Change of Control," "--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset
Sales," "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments," "--Certain
Covenants--Incurrence of Indebtedness and Issuance of Preferred Stock" or
"--Certain Covenants--Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets;"
(4) failure by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries for 30 days
after notice to comply with any of the other agreements in the indenture;
(5) default under any mortgage, indenture or instrument under which there may
be issued or by which there may be secured or evidenced any Indebtedness
for money borrowed by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, or
the payment of which is guaranteed by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, whether such Indebtedness or guarantee now exists, or is
created after the date of the indenture, if that default:
(a) is caused by a failure to pay principal of, or interest or premium, if
any, on such Indebtedness prior to the expiration of the grace period
provided in such Indebtedness on the date of such default (a "Payment
Default"); or
(b) results in the acceleration of such Indebtedness prior to its express
maturity,
and, in each case, the principal amount of any such Indebtedness, together
with the principal amount of any other such Indebtedness under which there
has been a Payment Default or the maturity of which has been so
accelerated, aggregates $15.0 million or more;
(6) failure by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries to pay final
judgments aggregating in excess of $15.0 million, which judgments are not
paid, discharged or stayed for a period of 60 days;
(7) any holder or holders, or any Person acting on any such holder's behalf, of
any Indebtedness in excess of $15.0 million in the aggregate of Tritel PCS
or any Restricted Subsidiary shall, subsequent to the occurrence of a
default with respect to such Indebtedness, notify the Trustee of the
intended sale or disposition of any assets of Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary that have been pledged to or for the benefit of such Person to
secure such Indebtedness or shall commence proceedings, or take action to
retain in satisfaction of any such Indebtedness, or to collect on, seize,
dispose of or apply, any such assets of Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary pursuant to the terms of any agreement or instrument evidencing
any such Indebtedness of Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary or in
accordance with applicable law;
(8) the Parent Guarantee or any Subsidiary Guarantee issued by a Significant
Subsidiary ceases to be in full force and effect or is declared null and
void or the Parent Guarantor or any Subsidiary Guarantor that is a
Significant Subsidiary denies that it has any further liability under its
Guarantee, or gives notice to such effect, other than by reason of the
termination of the Indenture or the release of any such Guarantee in
accordance with the indenture, and such condition has continued for a
period of 30 days after written notice of such failure requiring the
Guarantor and Tritel PCS to remedy the same has been given (x) to Tritel
PCS by the Trustee or (y) to Tritel PCS and the Trustee by the holders of
25% in aggregate Accreted Value of the notes then outstanding; and
(9) certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency with respect to Tritel PCS,
Tritel or any Restricted Subsidiary that constitutes a Significant
Subsidiary.
In the case of an Event of Default arising from certain events of
bankruptcy or insolvency, with respect to Tritel PCS, any Restricted Subsidiary
that is a Significant Subsidiary or any group of Subsidiaries that, taken
together, would constitute a Significant Subsidiary, all outstanding notes will
become due and payable immediately without further action or notice. If any
other Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of
at least 25% in aggregate Accreted Value of the then outstanding notes may
declare all the notes to be due and payable immediately.
120
<PAGE>
Holders of the notes may not enforce the indenture or the notes except as
provided in the Indenture. Subject to certain limitations, Holders of a
majority in aggregate Accreted Value of the then outstanding notes may direct
the Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power. The Trustee may withhold
from Holders of the notes notice of any continuing Default or Event of Default,
except a Default or Event of Default relating to the payment of principal or
interest or Liquidated Damages, if it determines that withholding notice is in
their interest.
The Holders of a majority in aggregate Accreted Value of the notes then
outstanding by notice to the Trustee may on behalf of the Holders of all of the
notes waive any existing Default or Event of Default and its consequences under
the indenture except a continuing Default or Event of Default in the payment of
interest or Liquidated Damages on, or the principal of, the notes.
In the case of any Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful
action or inaction taken or not taken by or on behalf of Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary with the intention of avoiding payment of the premium
that Tritel PCS would have had to pay if Tritel PCS then had elected to redeem
the notes pursuant to the optional redemption provisions of the indenture, an
equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to the
extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the notes. If an Event of
Default occurs prior to May 15, 2004, by reason of any willful action, or
inaction, taken, or not taken, by or on behalf of Tritel PCS with the intention
of avoiding the prohibition on redemption of the notes prior to May 15, 2004,
then the premium specified in the indenture shall also become immediately due
and payable to the extent permitted by law upon the acceleration of the notes.
Tritel PCS is required to deliver to the Trustee annually a statement
regarding compliance with the Indenture. Upon becoming aware of any Default or
Event of Default, Tritel PCS is required to deliver to the Trustee a statement
specifying such Default or Event of Default.
NO PERSONAL LIABILITY OF DIRECTORS, OFFICERS, EMPLOYEES AND STOCKHOLDERS
No director, officer, employee, incorporator or stockholder of Tritel PCS,
as such, shall have any liability for any obligations of Tritel PCS under the
notes, the indenture or for any claim based on, in respect of, or by reason of,
such obligations or their creation. Each Holder of notes by accepting a note
waives and releases all such liability. The waiver and release are part of the
consideration for issuance of the notes. The waiver may not be effective to
waive liabilities under the federal securities laws.
LEGAL DEFEASANCE AND COVENANT DEFEASANCE
Tritel PCS may, at its option and at any time, elect to have all of its
obligations discharged with respect to the outstanding notes ("Legal
Defeasance") except for:
(1) the rights of Holders of outstanding notes to receive payments in respect
of the principal of, or interest or premium and Liquidated Damages, if
any, on such notes when such payments are due from the trust referred to
below;
(2) Tritel PCS's obligations with respect to the notes concerning issuing
temporary notes, registration of notes, mutilated, destroyed, lost or
stolen notes and the maintenance of an office or agency for payment and
money for security payments held in trust;
(3) the rights, powers, trusts, duties and immunities of the Trustee, and
Tritel PCS's obligations in connection therewith; and
(4) the Legal Defeasance and Covenant Defeasance provisions of the indenture.
In addition, Tritel PCS may, at its option and at any time, elect to have
the obligations of Tritel PCS released with respect to certain covenants that
are described in the indenture ("Covenant Defeasance") and thereafter any
omission to comply with those covenants shall not constitute a
121
<PAGE>
Default or Event of Default with respect to the notes. In the event Covenant
Defeasance occurs, certain events, not including non-payment, bankruptcy,
receivership, rehabilitation and insolvency events, described under "Events of
Default" will no longer constitute an Event of Default with respect to the
notes.
In order to exercise either Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance:
(1) Tritel PCS must irrevocably deposit with the Trustee, in trust, for the
benefit of the Holders of the notes, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable
Government Securities, or a combination thereof, in such amounts as will
be sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of
independent public accountants, to pay the principal of, or interest and
premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, on the outstanding notes on the
stated maturity or on the applicable redemption date, as the case may be,
and Tritel PCS must specify whether the notes are being defeased to
maturity or to a particular redemption date;
(2) in the case of Legal Defeasance, Tritel PCS shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee
confirming that (a) Tritel PCS has received from, or there has been
published by, the Internal Revenue Service a ruling or (b) since the date
of the indenture, there has been a change in the applicable federal income
tax law, in either case to the effect that, and based thereon such Opinion
of Counsel shall confirm that, the Holders of the outstanding notes will
not recognize income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a
result of such Legal Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax
on the same amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would
have been the case if such Legal Defeasance had not occurred;
(3) in the case of Covenant Defeasance, Tritel PCS shall have delivered to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel reasonably acceptable to the Trustee
confirming that the Holders of the outstanding notes will not recognize
income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such
Covenant Defeasance and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amounts, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the
case if such Covenant Defeasance had not occurred;
(4) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
either: (a) on the date of such deposit, other than a Default or Event of
Default resulting from the borrowing of funds to be applied to such
deposit; or (b) or insofar as Events of Default from bankruptcy or
insolvency events are concerned, at any time in the period ending on the
91st day after the date of deposit;
(5) such Legal Defeasance or Covenant Defeasance will not result in a breach or
violation of, or constitute a default under any material agreement or
instrument, other than the indenture, to which Tritel PCS or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries is a party or by which Tritel PCS or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries is bound;
(6) Tritel PCS must have delivered to the Trustee an Opinion of Counsel to the
effect that, assuming no intervening bankruptcy of Tritel PCS between the
date of deposit and the 91st day following the deposit and assuming that
no Holder is an insider of Tritel PCS under applicable bankruptcy law,
after the 91st day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be
subject to the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency,
reorganization or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally;
(7) Tritel PCS must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate stating
that the deposit was not made by Tritel PCS with the intent of preferring
the Holders of notes over the other creditors of Tritel PCS with the
intent of defeating, hindering, delaying or defrauding creditors of Tritel
PCS or others; and
(8) Tritel PCS must deliver to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel, each stating that all conditions precedent relating to
the Legal Defeasance or the Covenant Defeasance have been complied with.
122
<PAGE>
AMENDMENT, SUPPLEMENT AND WAIVER
Except as provided in the next two succeeding paragraphs, the indenture or
the notes may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the Holders of at
least a majority in aggregate Accreted Value of the notes then outstanding,
including, without limitation, consents obtained in connection with a purchase
of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, the notes, and any existing default
or compliance with any provision of the indenture or the notes may be waived
with the consent of the Holders of a majority in aggregate Accreted Value of
the then outstanding Notes, including, without limitation, consents obtained in
connection with a purchase of, or tender offer or exchange offer for, notes.
Without the consent of each Holder affected, an amendment or waiver may
not, with respect to any notes held by a non-consenting Holder:
(1) reduce the Accreted Value of notes whose Holders must consent to an
amendment, supplement or waiver;
(2) reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any note or alter
the provisions with respect to the redemption of the notes, other than
provisions relating to the covenants described above under the caption
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders";
(3) reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any note;
(4) waive a Default or Event of Default in the payment of principal of, or
interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the notes, except a
rescission of acceleration of the notes by the Holders of at least a
majority in aggregate Accreted Value of the notes and a waiver of the
payment default that resulted from such acceleration;
(5) make any note payable in money other than that stated in the notes;
(6) make any change in the provisions of the indenture relating to waivers of
past Defaults or the rights of Holders of notes to receive payments of
principal of, or interest or premium or Liquidated Damages, if any, on the
notes;
(7) waive a redemption payment with respect to any note, other than a payment
required by one of the covenants described above under the caption
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders"; or
(8) make any change in the preceding amendment and waiver provisions.
Notwithstanding the preceding, without the consent of any Holder of notes,
Tritel PCS and the Trustee may amend or supplement the indenture or the notes:
(1) to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency;
(2) to provide for uncertificated notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes;
(3) to evidence the succession of another Person to Tritel PCS or any other
obligor on the Notes and to provide for the assumption of Tritel PCS's
obligations to Holders of notes in the case of a merger or consolidation
or sale of all or substantially all of Tritel PCS's assets;
(4) to make any change that would provide any additional rights or benefits to
the Holders of notes or that does not adversely affect the legal rights
under the Indenture of any such Holder; or
(5) to comply with requirements of the Commission in order to effect or
maintain the qualification of the indenture under the Trust Indenture Act.
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
The indenture will be discharged and will cease to be of further effect as
to all notes issued thereunder, when:
(1) either:
123
<PAGE>
(a) all notes that have been authenticated, except lost, stolen or
destroyed notes that have been replaced or paid and notes for whose
payment money has theretofore been deposited in trust and thereafter
repaid to Tritel PCS, have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation; or
(b) all notes that have not been delivered to the Trustee for cancellation
have become due and payable by reason of the making of a notice of
redemption or otherwise or will become due and payable within one year
and Tritel PCS has irrevocably deposited or caused to be deposited with
the Trustee as trust funds in trust solely for the benefit of the
Holders, cash in U.S. dollars, non-callable Government Securities, or a
combination thereof, in such amounts as will be sufficient without
consideration of any reinvestment of interest, to pay and discharge the
entire indebtedness on the notes not delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation for principal, premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, and
accrued interest to the date of maturity or redemption;
(2) no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing on the
date of such deposit or shall occur as a result of such deposit and such
deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under, any other instrument to which Tritel PCS is a party or by
which Tritel PCS or any Guarantor is bound;
(3) Tritel PCS has paid or caused to be paid all sums payable by it under the
indenture; and
(4) Tritel PCS has delivered irrevocable instructions to the Trustee under the
indenture to apply the deposited money toward the payment of the notes at
maturity or the redemption date, as the case may be.
In addition, Tritel PCS must deliver an Officers' Certificate and an
Opinion of Counsel to the Trustee stating that all conditions precedent to
satisfaction and discharge have been satisfied.
INFORMATION CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
If the Trustee becomes a creditor of Tritel PCS, the Indenture limits its
right to obtain payment of claims in certain cases, or to realize on certain
property received in respect of any such claim as security or otherwise. The
Trustee will be permitted to engage in other transactions; however, if it
acquires any conflicting interest it must eliminate such conflict within 90
days, apply to the Commission for permission to continue or resign.
The Holders of a majority in Accreted Value of the then outstanding notes
will have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceeding for exercising any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to
certain exceptions. The indenture provides that in case an Event of Default
shall occur and be continuing, the Trustee will be required, in the exercise of
its power, to use the degree of care of a prudent man in the conduct of his own
affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee will be under no obligation to
exercise any of its rights or powers under the indenture at the request of any
Holder of notes, unless such Holder shall have offered to the Trustee security
and indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss, liability or expense.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Anyone who receives this prospectus may obtain a copy of the indenture and
Registration Rights Agreement without charge by writing to Tritel PCS, Inc.,
111 E. Capitol Street, Suite 500, Jackson, Mississippi 39201, Attention:
Corporate Secretary.
GOVERNING LAW
The indenture and the notes will be governed by, and construed in
accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.
BOOK-ENTRY, DELIVERY AND FORM
Except as set forth in the next paragraph, the notes to be resold as set
forth herein will initially be issued in the form of one Global Note. The
Global Note will be deposited on the Closing Date
124
<PAGE>
with the Trustee as custodian for The Depository Trust Company (the
"Depositary") and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the
Depositary (such nominee being referred to herein as the "Global Note Holder").
Notes originally purchased by persons outside the United States pursuant
to sales in accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act will be
represented upon issuance by a temporary global Note certificate (the
"Temporary Certificate"), which will not be exchangeable for Certificated Notes
until the expiration of the "40-day restricted period" within the meaning of
Rule 903(c)(3) of Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Temporary
Certificate will be registered in the name of, and held by, a temporary
certificate holder until the expiration of such 40-day period, at which time
the Temporary Certificate will be delivered to the Trustee in exchange for
Certificated Notes registered in the names requested by such temporary
certificate holder. In addition, until the expiration of such 40-day period,
transfers of interests in the Temporary Certificate can only be effected
through such temporary certificate holder in accordance with the requirements
set forth in "Notice to Investors."
The Depositary is a limited-purpose trust company that was created to hold
securities for its participating organizations (collectively, the
"Participants" or the "Depositary's Participants") and to facilitate the
clearance and settlement of transactions in such securities between
Participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
Participants. The Depositary's Participants include securities brokers and
dealers, including the Initial Purchasers, banks and trust companies, clearing
corporations and certain other organizations. Access to the Depositary's system
is also available to other entities such as banks, brokers, dealers and trust
companies (collectively, the "Indirect Participants" or the "Depositary's
Indirect Participants") that clear through or maintain a custodial relationship
with a Participant, either directly or indirectly. Persons who are not
Participants may beneficially own securities held by or on behalf of the
Depositary only through the Depositary's Participants or the Depositary's
Indirect Participants.
Tritel PCS expects that pursuant to procedures established by the
Depositary (1) upon deposit of the Global Note, the Depositary will credit the
accounts of Participants designated by the Initial Purchasers with portions of
the principal amount of the Global Note and (2) ownership of the notes
evidenced by the Global Note will be shown on, and the transfer of ownership
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary,
with respect to the interests of the Depositary's Participants, the
Depositary's Participants and the Depositary's Indirect Participants.
Prospective purchasers are advised that the laws of some states require that
certain persons take physical delivery in definitive form of securities that
they own. Consequently, the ability to own, transfer or pledge Notes evidenced
by the Global Note will be limited to such extent. For certain other
restrictions on the transferability of the notes, see "Notice to Investors."
So long as the Global Note Holder is the registered owner of any notes,
the Global Note Holder will be considered the sole Holder under the Indenture
of any notes evidenced by the Global Note. Beneficial owners of notes evidenced
by the Global Note will not be considered the owners or Holders thereof under
the indenture for any purpose, including with respect to the giving of any
directions, instructions or approvals to the Trustee thereunder. Neither Tritel
PCS, nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or liability for any aspect
of the records of the Depositary or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing
any records of the Depositary relating to the notes.
Payments in respect of the principal of and premium, if any, and interest
on any notes registered in the name of the Global Note Holder on the applicable
record date will be payable by the Trustee to or at the direction of the Global
Note Holder in its capacity as the registered Holder under the Indenture. Under
the terms of the indenture, Tritel PCS and the Trustee may treat the persons in
whose names notes, including the Global Note, are registered as the owners
thereof for the purpose of receiving such payments. Consequently, neither
Tritel PCS, nor the Trustee has or will have any responsibility or liability
for the payment of such amounts to beneficial owners of the notes. Tritel PCS
believes, however, that it is currently the policy of the Depositary to
immediately credit the accounts of the relevant Participants with such
payments, in amounts proportionate to their respective
125
<PAGE>
holdings of beneficial interests in the relevant security as shown on the
records of the Depositary. Payments by the Depositary's Participants and the
Depositary's Indirect Participants to the beneficial owners of the notes will
be governed by standing instructions and customary practice and will be the
responsibility of the Depositary's Participants or the Depositary's Indirect
Participants.
EXCHANGE OF GLOBAL NOTES FOR CERTIFICATED NOTES
A Global Note is exchangeable for definitive notes in registered
certificated form ("Certificated Notes") if:
(1) DTC (a) notifies Tritel PCS that it is unwilling or unable to continue as
depositary for the Global Notes and Tritel PCS fails to appoint a
successor depositary or (b) has ceased to be a clearing agency registered
under the Exchange Act;
(2) Tritel PCS, at its option, notifies the Trustee in writing that it elects
to cause the issuance of the Certificated Notes; or
(3) there shall have occurred and be continuing a Default or Event of Default
with respect to the notes.
In addition, beneficial interests in a Global Note may be exchanged for
Certificated Notes upon prior written notice given to the Trustee by or on
behalf of DTC in accordance with the indenture. In all cases, Certificated
Notes delivered in exchange for any Global Note or beneficial interests in
Global Notes will be registered in the names, and issued in any approved
denominations, requested by or on behalf of the depositary, in accordance with
its customary procedures, and will bear the applicable restrictive legend
referred to in "Notice to Investors," unless that legend is not required by
applicable law.
EXCHANGE OF CERTIFICATED NOTES FOR GLOBAL NOTES
Certificated Notes may not be exchanged for beneficial interests in any
Global Note unless the transferor first delivers to the Trustee a written
certificate, in the form provided in the indenture, to the effect that such
transfer will comply with the appropriate transfer restrictions applicable to
such notes. See "Notice to Investors."
SAME DAY SETTLEMENT AND PAYMENT
Tritel PCS will make payments in respect of the notes represented by the
Global Notes, including principal, premium, if any, interest and Liquidated
Damages, if any, by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by the Global Note Holder. Tritel PCS will make all payments
of principal, interest and premium and Liquidated Damages, if any, with respect
to Certificated Notes by wire transfer of immediately available funds to the
accounts specified by the Holders thereof or, if no such account is specified,
by mailing a check to each such Holder's registered address. The notes
represented by the Global Notes are expected to be eligible to trade in the
PORTAL market and to trade in DTC's Same-Day Funds Settlement System, and any
permitted secondary market trading activity in such Notes will, therefore, be
required by DTC to be settled in immediately available funds. Tritel PCS
expects that secondary trading in any Certificated Notes will also be settled
in immediately available funds.
Because of time zone differences, the securities account of a Euroclear or
Cedel participant purchasing an interest in a Global Note from a Participant in
DTC will be credited, and any such crediting will be reported to the relevant
Euroclear or Cedel participant, during the securities settlement processing
day, which must be a business day for Euroclear and Cedel, immediately
following the settlement date of DTC. DTC has advised Tritel PCS that cash
received in Euroclear or Cedel as a result of sales of interests in a Global
Note by or through a Euroclear or Cedel participant to a Participant in DTC
will be received with value on the settlement date of DTC but will be available
in the relevant Euroclear or Cedel cash account only as of the business day for
Euroclear or Cedel following DTC's settlement date.
126
<PAGE>
CERTAIN DEFINITIONS
Set forth below are certain defined terms used in the indenture. Reference
is made to the indenture for a full disclosure of all such terms, as well as
any other capitalized terms used herein for which no definition is provided.
"Accreted Increment" means (a) if the redemption date occurs before the
first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, an amount equal to the product of (1) the
Accreted Value for the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the original issue
price multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days from the Closing Date to the redemption date, using a 360-day year of
twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days
elapsed from the Closing Date to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date, using a
360-day year of twelve 30-day months, or (b) if the redemption date occurs
between two Semi-Annual Accrual Dates, an amount equal to the product of (1)
the Accreted Value for the immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less
the Accreted Value for the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date
multiplied by (2) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from
the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the redemption date,
using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is
180.
"Accreted Value" means, for any particular date of determination (any such
date being herein referred to as a "Specified Date"), the amount provided below
for each $1,000 principal amount at maturity of notes outstanding:
A. If the Specified Date occurs on one of the following dates (each a
"Semi-Annual Accrual Date"), the Accreted Value will equal the amount set
forth below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEMI-ANNUAL
ACCRUAL DATE ACCRETED VALUE
- ------------------------------------- ---------------
<S> <C>
November 15, 1999 $ 573.38
May 15, 2000 609.93
November 15, 2000 648.82
May 15, 2001 690.18
November 15, 2001 734.18
May 15, 2002 780.98
November 15, 2002 830.77
May 15, 2003 883.73
November 15, 2003 940.07
May 15, 2004 or thereafter $ 1,000.00
</TABLE>
B. If the Specified Date occurs before the first Semi-Annual Accrual
Date, the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (1) the original issue price
and (2) an amount equal to the product of (a) the Accreted Value for the
first Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the original issue price multiplied by
(b) a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the issue
date of the notes to the Specified Date, using a 360-day year of twelve
30-day months, and the denominator of which is the number of days elapsed
from the issue date of the notes to the first Semi-Annual Accrual Date,
using a 360-day year of twelve 30-day months.
C. If the Specified Date occurs between two Semi-Annual Accrual Dates,
the Accreted Value will equal the sum of (1) the Accreted Value for the
Semi-Annual Accrual Date immediately preceding such Specified Date and (2)
an amount equal to the product of (a) the Accreted Value for the
immediately following Semi-Annual Accrual Date less the Accreted Value for
the immediately preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date multiplied by (b) a
fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days from the immediately
preceding Semi-Annual Accrual Date to the Specified Date, using a 360-day
year of twelve 30-day months, and the denominator of which is 180.
D. If the Specified Date occurs after May 15, 2004, the Accreted Value
will equal $1,000.
127
<PAGE>
"Acquired Debt" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) Indebtedness of any other Person existing at the time such other Person is
merged with or into or became a Subsidiary of such specified Person,
whether or not such Indebtedness is incurred in connection with, or in
contemplation of, such other Person merging with or into, or becoming a
Subsidiary of, such specified Person; and
(2) Indebtedness secured by a Lien encumbering any asset acquired by such
specified Person.
"Affiliate" means, with respect to any specified Person, any other Person
directly or indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect
common control with such specified Person. For the purposes of this definition,
"control," when used with respect to any specified Person, means the power to
direct the management and policies of such Person, directly or indirectly,
whether through the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise;
and the terms "controlling" and "controlled" have meaning correlative to the
foregoing.
"Asset Acquisition" means (a) any capital contribution, by means of
transfers of cash or other property to others or payments for property or
services for the account or use of others, or otherwise, by Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary in any other Person, or any acquisition or purchase of
Capital Stock of any other Person by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary,
in either case pursuant to which such Person shall become a Restricted
Subsidiary or shall be merged with or into Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary or (b) any acquisition by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary of
the assets of any Person which constitute substantially all of an operating
unit or line of business of such Person or which is otherwise outside of the
ordinary course of business.
"Asset Disposition" means the sale or other disposition by Tritel PCS or
any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, other than to Tritel PCS or another
Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, of (a) all or substantially all of the
Capital Stock of any Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS or (b) all or
substantially all of the assets that constitute a division or line of business
of Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Asset Sale" means:
(1) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of any assets or rights,
other than sales of inventory in the ordinary course of business
consistent with past practices; provided that the sale, conveyance or
other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of Tritel PCS
and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole will be governed by the
provisions of the indenture described above under the caption
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Change of Control" and/or the
provisions described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--
Merger, Consolidation or Sale of Assets" and not by the provisions of the
"--Repurchase at the Option of Holders--Asset Sale" covenant; and
(2) the issuance of Equity Interests by any of Tritel PCS's Restricted
Subsidiaries or the sale of Equity Interests in any of its Subsidiaries.
Notwithstanding the preceding, the following items shall not be deemed to
be Asset Sales:
(1) any single transaction or series of related transactions that involves
assets having a fair market value of less than $5.0 million;
(2) any disposition of properties and assets of Tritel PCS that is governed by
the provisions of the indenture described under "--Merger, Consolidation
and Sale of Assets" above;
(3) a transfer of assets between or among Tritel PCS and its Restricted
Subsidiaries;
(4) transfers of property or assets to an Unrestricted Subsidiary, if permitted
under the "Restricted Payments" covenant;
(5) the sale or lease of equipment, inventory, accounts receivable or other
assets in the ordinary course of business; and
128
<PAGE>
(6) any transfer by Tritel PCS or a Subsidiary of property or equipment with a
fair market value of less than $5.0 million to a Person who is not an
Affiliate of Tritel PCS in exchange for property or equipment that has a
fair market value at least equal to the fair market value of the property
or equipment so transferred; provided that, in the event of a transfer
described in this clause (6), Tritel PCS shall deliver to the Trustee an
officer's certificate certifying that such exchange complies with this
clause (6).
"Average Life" means, as of the date of determination with respect to any
Indebtedness, the quotient obtained by dividing (a) the sum of the products of
(x) the number of years from the date of determination to the date or dates of
each successive scheduled principal payment, including, without limitation, any
sinking fund requirements, of such Indebtedness multiplied by (y) the amount of
each such principal payment by (b) the sum of all such principal payments.
"Bank Credit Agreement" means the Amended and Restated Loan Agreement
dated as of March 31, 1999 between Tritel PCS, Tritel, Inc., Toronto Dominion
(Texas), Inc, as administrative agent and the Banks, as such agreement may be
amended, restated, supplemented, refinanced or otherwise modified from time to
time.
"Banks" means the banks or other financial institutions that from time to
time are lenders under the Bank Credit Agreement.
"Beneficial Owner" has the meaning assigned to such term in Rule 13d-3 and
Rule 13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that in calculating the beneficial
ownership of any particular "person," as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act, such "person" shall be deemed to have beneficial ownership
of all securities that such "person" has the right to acquire by conversion or
exercise of other securities, whether such right is currently exercisable or is
exercisable only upon the occurrence of a subsequent condition. The terms
"Beneficially Owns" and "Beneficially Owned" shall have a corresponding
meaning.
"Board of Directors" means:
(1) with respect to a corporation, the board of directors of the corporation;
(2) with respect to a partnership, the Board of Directors of the general
partner of the partnership; and
(3) with respect to any other Person, the board or committee of such Person
serving a similar function.
"Capital Lease Obligation" means, with respect to any person, an
obligation incurred or assumed under or in connection with any capital lease of
real or personal property that, in accordance with GAAP, has been recorded as a
capitalized lease.
"Capital Stock" means:
(1) in the case of a corporation, corporate stock;
(2) in the case of an association or business entity, any and all shares,
interests, participations, rights or other equivalents, however
designated, of corporate stock;
(3) in the case of a partnership or limited liability company, partnership or
membership interests, whether general or limited; and
(4) any other interest or participation that confers on a Person the right to
receive a share of the profits and losses of, or distributions of assets
of, the issuing Person.
"Cash Equivalents" means:
(1) United States dollars;
(2) securities issued or directly and fully guaranteed or insured by the United
States government or any agency or instrumentality thereof, so long as the
full faith and credit of the United States is pledged in support thereof,
having maturities of not more than six months from the date of
acquisition;
129
<PAGE>
(3) certificates of deposit and eurodollar time deposits with maturities of six
months or less from the date of acquisition, bankers' acceptances with
maturities not exceeding six months and overnight bank deposits, in each
case, with any lender party to the Bank Credit Agreement or with any
domestic commercial bank having capital and surplus in excess of $500.0
million and a Thomson Bank Watch Rating of "B" or better;
(4) repurchase obligations with a term of not more than seven days for
underlying securities of the types described in clauses (2) and (3) above
entered into with any financial institution meeting the qualifications
specified in clause (3) above;
(5) commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable from Moody's
Investors Service, Inc. or Standard & Poor's Rating Services and in each
case maturing within six months after the date of acquisition; and
(6) money market funds at least 95% of the assets of which constitute Cash
Equivalents of the kinds described in clauses (1) through (5) of this
definition.
"Change of Control" means the occurrence of any of the following:
(1) for so long as the Voting Preference Common Stock of Tritel, Inc. remains
outstanding and the Voting Preference Common Stock constitutes 50.1% or
more of the combined voting power of all classes of Tritel, Inc.'s
outstanding Voting Stock pursuant to the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation of Tritel, Inc., a "person" or "group," within the meaning
of Sections 13(d) and 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act, other than a Permitted
Holder, becomes the "beneficial owner," as defined in Rules 13d-3 and
13d-5 under the Exchange Act, except that a person will be deemed to have
"beneficial ownership" of all securities that such person has the right to
acquire, whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the
passage of time, directly or indirectly, of shares of Voting Preference
Common Stock having more than 50% of the total voting power of such shares
of Voting Preference Common Stock;
(2) if there are no shares of Voting Preference Common Stock outstanding or the
Voting Preference Common Stock no longer constitutes 50.1% or more of the
combined voting power of all classes of Tritel, Inc.'s outstanding Voting
Stock pursuant to the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Tritel,
Inc., a "person" or "group", other than a Permitted Holder, becomes the
"beneficial owner" of Voting Stock having more than 50% of the voting
power of the total Voting Stock of Tritel, Inc.;
(3) the direct or indirect sale, transfer, conveyance or other disposition,
other than by way of merger or consolidation, in one or a series of
related transactions, of all or substantially all of the properties or
assets of Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries taken as a whole to
any "person," as that term is used in Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange
Act, except to a Permitted Holder;
(4) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of Tritel
PCS;
(5) during any consecutive two year period, individuals who at the beginning of
such period constituted the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS, together
with any new directors whose election to such Board of Directors, or whose
nomination for election by the stockholders of Tritel PCS, was approved by
a vote of 66 2/3% of the directors then still in office who were either
directors at the beginning of such period or whose election or nomination
for election was previously so approved, cease for any reason to
constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS then in
office. However, that changes in specific representatives of the existing
investors that are entitled to nominate board representatives shall be
excluded from consideration for purposes of this clause (5); or
(6) Tritel ceases to own, directly or indirectly, 100% of the Capital Stock of
Tritel PCS.
"Consolidated EBITDA" means, for any period, the sum of, without
duplication, Consolidated Net Income for such period, plus, or, in the case of
clause (d) below, plus or minus, the following
130
<PAGE>
items to the extent included in computing Consolidated Net Income for such
period: (a) the Consolidated Interest Expense and preferred stock dividends of
Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, plus (b) the
provision for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes of Tritel PCS and
its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period, plus (c) the aggregate
depreciation and amortization expense of Tritel PCS and any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries for such period, plus (d) any other non-cash charges for such
period, and minus non-cash credits for such period, other than non-cash charges
or credits resulting from changes in prepaid assets or accrued liabilities in
the ordinary course of business, so long as income tax expense, interest
expense and preferred stock dividends, depreciation and amortization expense,
and non-cash charges and credits of a Restricted Subsidiary will be included in
Consolidated EBITDA only to the extent, and in the same proportion, that the
net income of such Restricted Subsidiary was included in calculating
Consolidated Net Income for such period.
"Consolidated Interest Expense" means, for any period, the aggregate
amount of (a) interest in respect of Indebtedness, including amortization of
original issue discount on any Indebtedness and the interest portion of any
deferred payment obligation, calculated in accordance with the effective
interest method of accounting; all commissions, discounts and other fees and
charges owed with respect to letters of credit and bankers' acceptance
financings; the net costs associated with Hedging Obligations; and Indebtedness
that is guaranteed or secured by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted
Subsidiaries, (b) the interest portion of Capital Lease Obligations paid,
accrued or scheduled to be paid or to be accrued by Tritel PCS and its
Restricted Subsidiaries during such period and (c) cash dividends paid on
Disqualified Stock by Tritel PCS and any Restricted Subsidiary to any Person
other than Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries.
"Consolidated Leverage Ratio" means, on any Transaction Date, the ratio of
(a) the aggregate amount of Indebtedness of Tritel PCS and its Restricted
Subsidiaries on a consolidated basis as of such date to (b) the product of (x)
the aggregate amount of Consolidated EBITDA for the immediately preceding two
full fiscal quarters for which internal financial statements are available,
taken as one accounting period, multiplied by (y) two.
"Consolidated Net Income" means, for any period, the aggregate net income,
or loss, of Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries for such period
determined in conformity with GAAP, so long as that the following items shall
be excluded in computing Consolidated Net Income, without duplication:
(1) the portion of net income, or loss, of any Person, other than Tritel PCS
or a Restricted Subsidiary, including Unrestricted Subsidiaries, in which
Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary has an ownership interest, except
to the extent of the amount of dividends or other distributions actually
paid to Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary in cash during such
period;
(2) the net income, or loss, of any Person combined with Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary on a "pooling of interests" basis attributable to
any period prior to the date of combination;
(3) the net income of any Restricted Subsidiary to the extent that the
declaration or payment of dividends or similar distributions by such
Restricted Subsidiary is at the date of determination restricted, directly
or indirectly, except to the extent that such net income could be paid to
Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary thereof by loans, advances,
intercompany transfers, principal repayments or otherwise;
(4) any gains or losses, on an after-tax basis, attributable to Asset Sales;
(5) except for purposes of calculating the amount of Restricted Payments that
may be made pursuant to clause (3) of the first paragraph of the
"Limitation on Restricted Payments" covenant, any amount paid or accrued
as dividends on Preferred Stock, other than accrued dividends which,
pursuant to the terms of the Preferred Stock, will not be payable prior to
the first anniversary after the Stated Maturity of the notes, of Tritel
PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary owned by Persons other than Tritel PCS
and any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
131
<PAGE>
(6) all extraordinary gains and extraordinary losses.
"Consolidated Net Worth" means, with respect to any specified Person as of
any date, the sum of:
(1) the consolidated equity of the common stockholders of such Person and its
Restricted Subsidiaries as of such date; plus
(2) the respective amounts reported on such Person's balance sheet as of such
date with respect to any series of preferred stock, other than
Disqualified Stock, that by its terms is not entitled to the payment of
dividends unless such dividends may be declared and paid only out of net
earnings in respect of the year of such declaration and payment, but only
to the extent of any cash received by such Person upon issuance of such
preferred stock.
"Currency Agreement" means any foreign exchange contract, currency swap
agreement or other similar agreement or arrangement entered into by a Person
that is designed to protect such Person against fluctuations in currency
values.
"Default" means any event that is, or after notice or passage of time or
both, would be an Event of Default.
"Disqualified Stock" means any Capital Stock that, by its terms, or by the
terms of any security into which it is convertible, or for which it is
exchangeable, in each case at the option of the holder thereof, or upon the
happening of any event, matures or is mandatorily redeemable, pursuant to a
sinking fund obligation or otherwise, or redeemable at the option of the holder
thereof, in whole or in part, on or prior to the date that is 91 days after the
date on which the notes mature. Notwithstanding the preceding sentence, any
Capital Stock that would constitute Disqualified Stock solely because the
holders thereof have the right to require Tritel PCS to repurchase such Capital
Stock upon the occurrence of a change of control or an asset sale shall not
constitute Disqualified Stock if the terms of such Capital Stock provide that
Tritel PCS may not repurchase or redeem any such Capital Stock pursuant to such
provisions unless such repurchase or redemption complies with the covenant
described above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments."
"Equity Interests" means Capital Stock and all warrants, options or other
rights to acquire Capital Stock, but excluding any debt security that is
convertible into, or exchangeable for, Capital Stock.
"Equity Offering" means a capital contribution to Tritel PCS from Tritel,
Inc. or a sale by Tritel PCS of its Capital Stock, which is not Disqualified
Stock, to Tritel, Inc.
"Existing Indebtedness" means up to $41.2 million book value in aggregate
principal amount of Indebtedness of Tritel PCS and its Restricted Subsidiaries
(other than Indebtedness under the Bank Credit Agreement) in existence on the
date of the Indenture, until such amounts are repaid.
"GAAP" means generally accepted accounting principles set forth in the
opinions and pronouncements of the Accounting Principles Board of the American
Institute of Certified Public Accountants and statements and pronouncements of
the Financial Accounting Standards Board or in such other statements by such
other entity as have been approved by a significant segment of the accounting
profession, which are in effect from time to time.
"Government Securities" means securities that are (x) direct obligations
of the United States of America for the payment of which its full faith and
credit is pledged or (y) obligations of a person controlled or supervised by
and acting as an agency or instrumentality of the United States of America, the
payment of which is unconditionally guaranteed as a full faith and credit
obligation by the United States of America, which, in either case, are not
callable or redeemable at the option of Tritel PCS thereof, and shall also
include a depository receipt issued by a bank, as defined in Section 3(a)(2) of
the Securities Act, as a custodian with respect to any such U.S. Government
obligation or a specific payment of principal of or interest on any such U.S.
Government obligation held by such custodian for the account of the holder of
such depository receipt. However, except as required by law, such custodian is
not authorized to make any deduction from the amount payable to the holder of
such depository receipt from any amount received by the custodian in respect of
the U.S. Government obligation or the specific payment of principal of or
interest on the U.S. Government obligation evidenced by such depository
receipt.
132
<PAGE>
"guarantee" means a guarantee other than by endorsement of negotiable
instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business, direct or
indirect, in any manner including, without limitation, by way of a pledge of
assets or through letters of credit or reimbursement agreements in respect
thereof, of all or any part of any Indebtedness.
"Guarantee" means the guarantees of the notes by the Parent Guarantor and
the Subsidiary Guarantors in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.
"Guarantors" means the Parent Guarantor and the Subsidiary Guarantors.
"Hedging Obligations" means, with respect to any specified Person, the
obligations of such Person under:
(1) interest rate swap agreements, interest rate cap agreements and interest
rate collar agreements; and
(2) other agreements or arrangements designed to protect such Person against
fluctuations in interest rates.
"Indebtedness" means, with respect to any specified Person, any
indebtedness of such Person, whether or not contingent, in respect of:
(1) borrowed money;
(2) evidenced by bonds, notes, debentures or similar instruments or letters of
credit, or reimbursement agreements in respect thereof;
(3) banker's acceptances;
(4) representing Capital Lease Obligations;
(5) the balance deferred and unpaid of the purchase price of any property,
except any such balance that constitutes an accrued expense or trade
payable; or
(6) representing any Hedging Obligations,
if and to the extent any of the preceding items, other than letters of credit,
would appear as a liability upon a balance sheet of the specified Person
prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, the term "Indebtedness" includes
all Indebtedness of others secured by a Lien on any asset of the specified
Person, whether or not such Indebtedness is assumed by the specified Person,
and, to the extent not otherwise included, the Guarantee by the specified
Person of any indebtedness of any other Person.
The amount of any Indebtedness outstanding as of any date shall be:
(1) the accreted value thereof, in the case of any Indebtedness issued with
original issue discount; and
(2) the principal amount thereof, together with any interest thereon that is
more than 30 days past due, in the case of any other Indebtedness.
"Investments" means, with respect to any Person, all direct or indirect
investments by such Person: in other Persons, including Affiliates; in the
forms of loans, including Guarantees or other obligations; advances or capital
contributions, excluding commission, travel and similar advances to officers
and employees made in the ordinary course of business; purchases or other
acquisitions for consideration of Indebtedness, Equity Interests or other
securities, together with all items that are or would be classified as
investments on a balance sheet prepared in accordance with GAAP. If Tritel PCS
or any Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS sells or otherwise disposes of any
Equity Interests of any direct or indirect Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS
such that, after giving effect to any such sale or disposition, such Person is
no longer a Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS, Tritel PCS shall be deemed to
have made an Investment on the date of any such sale or disposition equal to
the fair market value of the Equity Interests of such Restricted Subsidiary not
sold or disposed of in an
133
<PAGE>
amount determined as provided in the final paragraph of the covenant described
above under the caption "--Certain Covenants--Restricted Payments." The
acquisition by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary of Tritel PCS of a
Person that holds an Investment in a third Person shall be deemed to be an
Investment by Tritel PCS or such Restricted Subsidiary in such third Person in
an amount equal to the fair market value of the Investment held by the acquired
Person in such third Person in an amount determined as provided in the final
paragraph of the covenant described above under the caption "--Certain
Covenants--Restricted Payments."
"Issue Date" means the date of original issuance of the notes.
"License Subsidiary" means Tritel A/B Holding Corp., Tritel C/F Holding
Corp., NexCom, Inc., Clearcall, Inc., Global PCS, Inc., Clearwave, Inc.,
DigiNet PCS, Inc., DigiCom, Inc. and DigiCall, Inc., each a Delaware
corporation, and Aircom PCS, Inc. and QuinCom, Inc., each an Alabama
corporation, and any other wholly owned Subsidiary of Tritel PCS designated as
a License Subsidiary under the Bank Credit Agreement. However, any such
Subsidiary will be a License Subsidiary only so long as its sole assets consist
of stock on one or more other License Subsidiaries, one or more PCS Licenses
and/or cash from senior loans by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary in
order to fund amounts due, substantially contemporaneously, to the FCC or with
respect to franchise taxes and other similar payments related to the PCS
Licenses, and its sole Indebtedness consists of Indebtedness owed to the FCC
attributable to such PCS License or Licenses, amounts owed to Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary under such senior loans, and guarantees of the Bank
Credit Agreement.
"Lien" means, with respect to any asset, any mortgage, lien, pledge,
charge, security interest or encumbrance of any kind in respect of such asset,
whether or not filed, recorded or otherwise perfected under applicable law,
including any conditional sale or other title retention agreement, any lease in
the nature thereof, any option or other agreement to sell or give a security
interest in and any filing of or agreement to give any financing statement
under the Uniform Commercial Code, or equivalent statutes, of any jurisdiction.
"Marketing Affiliate" means any Person which engages in no activity other
than the registration, holding, maintenance or protection of trademarks and the
licensing thereof.
"Net Income" means, with respect to any specified Person, the net income,
loss, of such Person, determined in accordance with GAAP and before any
reduction in respect of preferred stock dividends, excluding, however:
(1) any gain, but not loss, together with any related provision for taxes on
such gain (but not loss), realized in connection with: (a) any Asset Sale;
or (b) the disposition of any securities by such Person or any of its
Restricted Subsidiaries or the extinguishment of any Indebtedness of such
Person or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries; and
(2) any extraordinary gain (but not loss), together with any related provision
for taxes on such extraordinary gain (but not loss).
"Net Proceeds" means (a) with respect to any Asset Sale, the proceeds
thereof in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents including payments in respect
of deferred payment obligations or escrowed funds, but only when received in
the form of, or stock or other assets when disposed for, cash or Cash
Equivalents (except to the extent that such obligations are financed or sold
with recourse to Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary), net of (1) brokerage
commissions and other fees and expenses (including fees and expenses of legal
counsel and investment banks) related to such Asset Sale, (2) provisions for
all taxes payable as a result of such Asset Sale, (3) payments made to retire
Indebtedness where payment of such Indebtedness is secured by the assets or
properties the subject of such Asset Sale, (4) amounts required to be paid to
any Person, other than Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary, owning a
beneficial interest in the assets subject to the Asset Sale and (5) appropriate
amounts to be provided by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary, as the case
may be, as a reserve required in accordance with GAAP against any liabilities
associated with such Asset Sale and retained by Tritel PCS or any Restricted
Subsidiary, as the case may be, after such Asset Sale, including, without
limitation, pension and other post-employment benefit liabilities, liabilities
related
134
<PAGE>
to environmental matters and liabilities under any indemnification obligations
associated with such Asset Sale and (b) with respect to any capital
contribution or issuance or sale of Capital Stock as referred to under the
"Restricted Payments" covenant, the proceeds of such capital contribution,
issuance or sale in the form of cash or Cash Equivalents, including payments in
respect of deferred payment obligations when received in the form of, or stock
or other assets when disposed for, cash or Cash Equivalents, except to the
extent that such obligations are financed or sold with recourse to Tritel PCS
or any Restricted Subsidiary, net of attorney's fees, accountant's fees and
brokerage, consultation, underwriting and other fees and expenses actually
incurred in connection with such capital contribution, issuance or sale and net
of taxes paid or payable as a result thereof.
"Obligations" means any principal, interest, penalties, fees,
indemnifications, reimbursements, damages and other liabilities payable under
the documentation governing any Indebtedness.
"Parent Guarantee" means a guarantee of the notes by the Parent Guarantor
in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.
"Parent Guarantor" means Tritel, Inc. and any successors or assigns
permitted under the indenture.
"Permitted Business" means (a) the delivery or distribution of
telecommunications, voice, data or video services or (b) any business or
activity reasonably related or ancillary thereto, including, without
limitation, any business conducted by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary
on the Issue Date and the acquisition, holding or exploitation of any license
relating to the delivery of the services described in clause (a) of this
definition.
"Permitted Holders" means:
(1) each of AT&T, TeleCorp PCS, Triton PCS, the institutional equity investors
that purchased Series C Preferred Stock of Tritel, Inc. on January 7, 1999
and any of their respective Affiliates and the respective successors, by
merger, consolidation, transfer or otherwise, to all or substantially all
of the respective businesses and assets of any of the foregoing;
(2) William M. Mounger, II, E.B. Martin, Jr. and Jerry M. Sullivan, Jr.; the
spouse, descendants and heirs of any of the foregoing persons; any trust
existing solely for the benefit of one or more of the foregoing persons;
the estate or any executor, administrator, conservator or other legal
representative of one or more of the foregoing persons; and any
corporation, limited partnership, limited liability company or similar
entity, all of the Voting Stock of which is owned by one or more of the
foregoing persons; and
(3) any "person" or "group," as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d)
of the Exchange Act, controlled by one or more of the persons identified
in clauses (1) or (2) above.
"Permitted Investments" means:
(1) Investments in Cash Equivalents;
(2) Investments in prepaid expenses, negotiable instruments held for collection
and lease, utility and workers' compensation, performance and other
similar deposits;
(3) loans and advances to employees made in the ordinary course of business;
(4) bonds, notes, debentures or other securities received as a result of Asset
Sales permitted under the covenant "--Repurchase at the Option of
Holders--Asset Sales;"
(5) Investments by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary in another Person,
if as a result of such Investment (a) such other Person becomes a
Restricted Subsidiary or (b) such other Person is merged or consolidated
with or into, or transfers or conveys all or substantially all of its
assets to, Tritel PCS or a Restricted Subsidiary;
135
<PAGE>
(6) Investments by Tritel PCS or any of the Restricted Subsidiaries in any one
of the other of them; and
(7) Investments the sum of which does not exceed $7.5 million at any one time
outstanding.
"Person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, limited
liability company or government or other entity.
"Restricted Investment" means an Investment other than a Permitted
Investment.
"Restricted Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary other than an Unrestricted
Subsidiary.
"Significant Subsidiary" means any Subsidiary that would be a "significant
subsidiary" as defined in Article 1, Rule 1-02 of Regulation S-X, promulgated
pursuant to the Securities Act, as such Regulation is in effect on the date
hereof.
"Stated Maturity" means, with respect to any installment of interest or
principal on any series of Indebtedness, the date on which such payment of
interest or principal was scheduled to be paid in the original documentation
governing such Indebtedness, and shall not include any contingent obligations
to repay, redeem or repurchase any such interest or principal prior to the date
originally scheduled for the payment thereof.
"Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of Tritel PCS that is
subordinated in right of payment to the Notes.
"Subsidiary" means, with respect to any specified Person:
(1) any corporation, association or other business entity of which more than
50% of the total voting power of shares of Capital Stock entitled, without
regard to the occurrence of any contingency, to vote in the election of
directors, managers or trustees thereof is at the time owned or
controlled, directly or indirectly, by Tritel, Inc. and/or one or more
other subsidiaries of Tritel, Inc.; and
(2) any partnership (a) the sole general partner or the managing general
partner of which is Tritel, Inc. and/or one or more other subsidiaries of
Tritel, Inc. or (b) the only general partners of which are Tritel, Inc.
and/or one or more other subsidiaries of Tritel, Inc..
"Subsidiary Guarantee" means a guarantee of the Notes by a Restricted
Subsidiary in accordance with the provisions of the indenture.
"Subsidiary Guarantor" means any Restricted Subsidiary that issues a
Subsidiary Guarantee.
"Telecommunications Business" means (a) the delivery or distribution of
telecommunications, voice, data or video services or (b) any business or
activity reasonably related or ancillary thereto, including, without
limitation, any business conducted by Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary
on the Closing Date and the acquisition, holding or exploitation of any license
relating to the delivery of the services described in clause (a) of this
definition.
"Telecommunications Indebtedness" means any credit facility entered into
with any vendor or supplier, or any financial institution acting on behalf of
such a vendor or supplier, so long as the Indebtedness thereunder is incurred
solely for the purpose of (A) financing the cost, including the cost of design,
development, site acquisition, construction, integration, handset manufacture
or acquisition or microwave relocation, of wireless telecommunications networks
or systems or for which Tritel PCS or any Restricted Subsidiary has obtained
the applicable licenses or authorization to utilize the radio frequencies
necessary for the operation of such networks or systems, (B) acquiring the
Capital Stock of an entity engaged in the Telecommunications Business and (C)
paying fees and expenses incurred in connection therewith.
"Total Consolidated Indebtedness" means at any date of determination, an
amount equal to (a) the accreted value of all Indebtedness, in the case of any
Indebtedness issued with original issue discount, plus (b) the principal amount
of all Indebtedness, in the case of any other Indebtedness, of Tritel PCS and
the Restricted Subsidiaries outstanding as of the date of determination.
136
<PAGE>
"Total Invested Capital" means, at any time of determination, the sum of,
without duplication, (a) $271.5 million, the total amount of equity contributed
to Tritel, Inc. as of the Issue Date, plus (b) irrevocable binding commitments
to purchase Capital Stock, other than Disqualified Stock, of Tritel, Inc.
existing as of the Issue Date, plus (c) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by
Tritel PCS from capital contributions or the issuance or sale of Capital Stock,
other than Disqualified Stock but including Capital Stock issued upon the
conversion of convertible Indebtedness or from the exercise of options,
warrants or rights to purchase Capital Stock (other than Disqualified Stock)
subsequent to the Issue Date, other than to a Restricted Subsidiary. However,
such aggregate net proceeds received pursuant to this clause (c) shall exclude
any amounts included as commitments to purchase Capital Stock in the preceding
clause (b), plus (d) the aggregate Net Proceeds received by Tritel PCS or any
Restricted Subsidiary from the sale, disposition or repayment of any Investment
made after the Issue Date and constituting a Restricted Payment in an amount
equal to the lesser of (x) the return of capital with respect to such
Investment and (y) the initial amount of such Investment, in either case, less
the cost of the disposition of such Investment, plus (e) an amount equal to the
consolidated net Investment that Tritel PCS and/or any of the Restricted
Subsidiaries has in any Subsidiary that was designated as an Unrestricted
Subsidiary after the Issue Date and redesignated as a Restricted Subsidiary in
accordance with the covenant described under "--Certain Covenants--Unrestricted
Subsidiaries," plus (f) Total Consolidated Indebtedness minus (g) the aggregate
amount of all Restricted Payments declared or made on or after the Issue Date.
"Transaction Date" means, with respect to the incurrence of any
Indebtedness by Tritel PCS or any of its Restricted Subsidiaries, the date such
Indebtedness is to be incurred and, with respect to any Restricted Payment, the
date such Restricted Payment is to be made.
"Unrestricted Subsidiary" means (a) any Subsidiary that is designated by
the Board of Directors of Tritel PCS as an Unrestricted Subsidiary in
accordance with the "Unrestricted Subsidiaries" covenant and (b) any Subsidiary
of an Unrestricted Subsidiary.
"Voting Stock" of any Person as of any date means the Capital Stock of
such Person that is at the time entitled to vote in the election of the Board
of Directors of such Person.
137
<PAGE>
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The following summary of certain provisions of the capital stock of
Tritel, Inc. does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified
in its entirety by, the provisions of the amended Certificate of Incorporation
of Tritel, Inc. (the "Certificate of Incorporation") and by the provisions of
applicable law.
GENERAL
The authorized capital stock of Tritel, Inc., as set forth in the
Certificate of Incorporation, is 1,019,100,009 shares, which consists of the
following:
o 1,016,000,009 shares of common stock, par value $0.01 per share,
consisting of:
o 500,000,000 shares designated "Class A Voting common stock",
o 500,000,000 shares designated "Class B Non-Voting common stock",
o 4,000,000 shares designated "Class C common stock",
o 12,000,000 shares designated "Class D common stock" and
o nine shares designated "Voting Preference common stock".
o 3,100,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share,
consisting of:
o 200,000 shares designated "Series A Convertible preferred stock", 10%
redeemable convertible, $1,000 stated and liquidation value,
o 300,000 shares designated "Series B preferred stock", 10% cumulative,
$1,000 stated and liquidation value,
o 500,000 shares designated "Series C Convertible preferred stock", 6.5%
cumulative convertible, $1,000 stated and liquidation value,
o 100,000 shares designated "Series D Convertible preferred stock", 6.5%
cumulative convertible, $1,000 stated and liquidation value, and
o 2,000,000 undesignated shares.
As of September 30, 1999, our outstanding capital stock consisted of:
o 13,502,124 shares of Class A common stock,
o 2,070,672 shares of Class C common stock,
o nine shares of Voting Preference common stock,
o 90,668 shares of Series A preferred stock,
o 184,233 shares of Series C preferred stock, and
o 46,374 shares of Series D preferred stock.
COMMON STOCK
The common stock of Tritel, Inc. is divided into two groups, the
"Non-Tracked common stock" and the "Tracked common stock."
NON-TRACKED COMMON STOCK. The Non-Tracked common stock is comprised of the
Class A, Class B and Voting Preference common stock. Each class of the
Non-Tracked common stock is identical, and entitles the holders thereof to the
same rights, powers and privileges of stockholders under Delaware law, except
with respect to voting rights and conversion as more fully described below.
TRACKED COMMON STOCK. The Tracked common stock is comprised of the Class C
and Class D common stock. Dividends on, and rights upon liquidation,
dissolution or winding up with respect to,
138
<PAGE>
our Tracked common stock track the assets and liabilities of Tritel C/F Holding
Corp., one of our wholly-owned subsidiaries. None of the Tracked common stock
is entitled to vote, except on matters relating to the rights of that class.
The Class C and Class D common stock are identical, except with respect to
conversion as more fully described below.
VOTING RIGHTS. The Class A common stock, together with Series C preferred
stock, casts 4,990,000 votes on all matters not requiring a class vote, while
the six shares of Voting Preference common stock cast 5,010,000 votes on all
matters not requiring a class vote. The votes to which the Class A common stock
and Series C preferred stock are entitled are allocated to each share on a pro
rata basis. Similarly, the votes to which the six shares of Voting Preference
common stock are entitled are allocated to each share on a pro rata basis. The
Voting Preference common stock loses its voting preference when the rules of
the FCC so permit, which is currently five years after the respective issuances
of our C- and F-Block licenses, subject to possible unjust enrichment
obligations for ten years.
In the event the FCC indicates that the Class A common stock and Voting
Preference common stock (1) may be voted as a single class on all matters, (2)
may be treated as a single class for all quorum requirements and (3) may have
one vote per share, then, absent action by the Board of Directors and upon an
affirmative vote of 66 2/3% or more of the Class A common stock, we must seek
consent from the FCC to permit the Class A common stock and Voting Preference
common stock to vote and act as a single class in the manner described above.
The holders of shares of Class B common stock shall be entitled to vote as a
separate class on any amendment, repeal or modification of any provision of the
Certificate of Incorporation that adversely affects the powers, preferences or
special rights of the holders of the Class B common stock.
CONVERSION RIGHTS. Shares of the capital stock are convertible as follows:
o each share of Class B common stock may be converted, at any time at the
holder's option, into one share of Class A common stock;
o each share of Class A common stock may be converted, at any time at the
holder's option, into one share of Class B common stock; and
o in the event the FCC indicates that it will permit the conversion of
Tracked common stock into either Class A common stock of Class B common
stock, then, absent action by the Board of Directors and upon an
affirmative vote of 66 2/3% or more of the Class A common stock, this
conversion will be allowed by us at the option of the holders of the
Tracked common stock.
SERIES A PREFERRED STOCK
The Series A preferred stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights
on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, ranks on a parity basis with the
Series B preferred stock, and ranks senior to the Series C preferred stock, the
Series D preferred stock and the common stock. The holders of Series A
preferred stock are entitled to receive cumulative quarterly cash dividends at
the annual rate of 10% multiplied by the liquidation preference, which is equal
to $1,000 per share plus declared but unpaid dividends. We may elect to defer
payment of any such dividends until the date on which the 42nd quarterly
dividend payment is due, at which time, and not earlier, all deferred payments
must be made. Except as required by law or in certain circumstances, the
holders of the Series A preferred stock do not have any voting rights. So long
as AT&T Wireless owns at least two-thirds of the number of shares of Series A
preferred stock owned by it on January 7, 1999, it has the exclusive right,
voting separately as a single class, to nominate one director of ours. The
Series A preferred stock is redeemable, in whole but not in part, at our option
on or after January 15, 2009 and at the option of the holders of the Series A
preferred stock on or after January 15, 2019. Upon any liquidation, dissolution
or winding up of us, the holders of the Series A preferred stock are entitled
to receive a liquidation preference. Additionally, on or after January 15,
2007, AT&T Wireless, and qualified transferees, have the right to convert each
share of Series A preferred stock into shares of Class A common stock.
139
<PAGE>
SERIES B PREFERRED STOCK
The Series B preferred stock ranks on a parity basis with the Series A
preferred stock and is identical in all respects to the Series A preferred
stock, except:
o the Series B preferred stock is not convertible into shares of common
stock or any other security issued by Tritel, Inc.;
o the Series B preferred stock is redeemable at any time at the option of
Tritel, Inc.;
o the Series B preferred stock may be issued by Tritel, Inc. pursuant to
an Exchange Event as defined in the Certificate of Incorporation; and
o holders of Series B preferred stock do not have the right to elect any
directors of Tritel, Inc.
SERIES C PREFERRED STOCK
The Series C preferred stock (1) ranks junior to the Series A preferred
stock and the Series B preferred stock with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (2) ranks junior to the
Series D preferred stock with respect to rights on a statutory liquidation, (3)
ranks on a parity basis with the Series D preferred stock with respect to
rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, except a statutory
liquidation, (4) ranks on a parity basis with Series D preferred stock and
common stock with respect to dividend rights, and (5) ranks senior to the
common stock and any other series or class of the common or preferred stock of
Tritel, Inc., now or hereafter authorized, other than Series A preferred stock,
Series B preferred stock or Series D preferred stock, with respect to rights on
liquidation, dissolution and winding up. The holders of Series C preferred
stock are entitled to dividends in cash or property when, and if declared by
our Board of Directors. Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of us,
the holders of Series C preferred stock are entitled to receive, after payment
to any stock ranking senior to the Series C preferred stock, a liquidation
preference equal to (1) the quotient of the aggregate paid-in-capital of all
Series C preferred stock held by a stockholder divided by the total number of
shares of Series C preferred stock held by that stockholder (the "Invested
Amount") plus (2) declared but unpaid dividends on the Series C preferred
stock, if any, plus (3) an amount equal to interest on the Invested Amount at
the rate of 6 1/2% per annum, compounded quarterly. The holders of the Series C
preferred stock have the right at any time to convert each share of Series C
preferred stock, and upon initial public offering each share of Series C
preferred stock automatically converted, into 373.1 shares of Class A common
stock and 26.9 shares of Class D common stock. On all matters to be submitted
to our stockholders, the holders of Series C preferred stock shall have the
right to vote on an as-converted basis as a single class with the holders of
the Class A common stock. Additionally, the affirmative vote of the holders of
a majority of the Series C preferred stock is required to approve certain
matters. The Series C preferred stock is not redeemable.
SERIES D PREFERRED STOCK
The Series D preferred stock (1) ranks junior to the Series A preferred
stock and the Series B preferred stock with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (2) ranks senior to the
Series C preferred stock with respect to rights on a statutory liquidation, (3)
ranks on a parity basis with Series C preferred stock with respect to rights on
liquidation, dissolution and winding up, except a statutory liquidation, (4)
ranks on a parity basis with Series C preferred stock and common stock with
respect to dividend rights, and (5) ranks senior to the common stock and any
other series or class of the common or preferred stock of Tritel, Inc., now or
hereafter authorized, other than Series A preferred stock, Series B preferred
stock or Series C preferred stock, with respect to rights on liquidation,
dissolution and winding up. Subject to the preceding sentence, the Series D
preferred stock is identical in all respects to the Series C preferred stock,
except:
o the Series D preferred stock is convertible into an equivalent number
of shares of Series C preferred stock at any time;
140
<PAGE>
o the liquidation preference for Series D preferred stock equals $1,000
plus declared but unpaid dividends plus an amount equal to interest on
$1,000 at the rate of 6 1/2% per annum, compounded quarterly, from the
date of issuance of such share to and including the date of the
calculation;
o the holders of Series D preferred stock do not have any voting rights,
other than those required by law or in certain circumstances; and
o shares of Series D preferred stock did not automatically convert upon
the IPO Date.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Tritel, Inc.'s Bylaws provide that the Board of Directors will have
between one and thirteen members. According to the terms of the Stockholders'
Agreement, the Board of Directors will consist of 13 members. For so long as
required by the FCC, the management stockholders will nominate four members,
each of whom must be one of the officers of Tritel, Inc. and each of whom will
have 1/2 of a vote, AT&T Wireless will nominate two members and the cash equity
investors will nominate three members. The remaining four directors will be
nominated by the management stockholders, with one such nomination subject to
the consent of the cash equity investors alone and with the remaining three
subject to the consent of the cash equity investors and AT&T Wireless. Once
permitted by FCC regulation, the remaining four directors will be nominated by
the cash equity investors, with three of these nominations subject to the
consent of AT&T Wireless and Messrs. Mounger and Martin. All directors will
hold office until the annual meeting of stockholders next following their
election and until their successors are elected and qualified. Officers are
elected annually and serve at the discretion of the Board of Directors.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF DELAWARE LAW AND THE CERTIFICATE
OF INCORPORATION AND BYLAWS
Tritel, Inc. is subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the Delaware
General Corporation Law. Generally, Section 203 prohibits a publicly-held
Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an
"interested stockholder" for a period of three years after the date of the
transaction in which the person became an interested stockholder, unless the
interested stockholder attained that status with the approval of the board of
directors or unless the business combination is approved in a prescribed
manner. A "business combination" includes mergers, assets sales and other
transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder.
Generally, an "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns, or within three years did own, 15% or more of
a corporation's voting stock. This statute could prohibit or delay the
accomplishment of mergers or other takeovers or changes in control with respect
to Tritel, Inc. and, accordingly, may discourage attempts to acquire Tritel,
Inc.
In addition, provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws,
which provisions will be in effect upon the closing of this offering and are
summarized in the following paragraphs, may be deemed to have an anti-takeover
effect. The provisions of the certificate of incorporation or bylaws, among
other things, will:
o divide the board of directors into three classes, with members of each
class to be elected in staggered three-year terms;
o limit the right of stockholders to remove directors;
o regulate how stockholders may present proposals or nominate directors
for election at annual meetings of stockholders; and
o authorize the board of directors to issue preferred stock in one or
more series, without stockholder approval.
These provisions could:
o have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in
control of the company;
141
<PAGE>
o discourage bids for the Class A common stock at a premium over the
market price;
o lower the market price of, and the voting and other rights of the
holders of, the Class A common stock; or
o impede the ability of the holders of the Class A common stock to
change the management.
In addition, the stockholders' agreement, bank facility and senior
subordinated note indenture contain limitations on our ability to enter into
change of control transactions. See "Certain Relationships and Related
Transactions" and "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
Our business is subject to regulation by the FCC and state regulatory
commissions or similar state regulatory agencies in the states in which we
operate. This regulation may prevent some investors from owning our securities,
even if that ownership may be favorable to us. The FCC and some states have
statutes or regulations that would require an investor who acquires a specified
percentage of our securities or the securities of one of our subsidiaries to
obtain approval to own those securities from the FCC or the applicable state
commission.
LIMITATION ON DIRECTORS' LIABILITIES
The Delaware General Corporation Law authorizes corporations to limit or
eliminate the personal liability of directors to corporations and their
stockholders for monetary damages for breach of directors' fiduciary duty of
care. The duty of care requires that, when acting on behalf of the corporation,
directors must exercise an informed business judgment based on all material
information reasonably available to them. In the absence of the limitations of
personal liability authorized by the Delaware statute, directors could be
accountable to corporations and their stockholders for monetary damages for
conduct that does not satisfy their duty of care. Although the statute does not
change directors' duty of care, it enables corporations to limit available
relief to equitable remedies such as injunction or rescission. The Restated
Certificate of Incorporation limits the liability of Tritel, Inc.'s directors
to Tritel, Inc. or its stockholders to the fullest extent permitted by the
Delaware statute. Specifically, the directors of Tritel, Inc. will not be
personally liable for breach of a director's fiduciary duty as a director,
except for liability (1) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to
Tritel, Inc. or its stockholders, (2) for acts or omissions not in good faith
or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (3)
under Section 174 of the Delaware General Corporation Law regarding liability
for any unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchase or redemption
or (4) for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal
benefit. The inclusion of this provision in the Restated Certificate of
Incorporation may have the effect of reducing the likelihood of derivative
litigation against directors and may discourage or deter stockholders or
management from bringing a lawsuit against directors for breach of their duty
of care, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise have
benefited Tritel, Inc. and its stockholders.
Additionally, certain of the outside directors of Tritel, Inc. may be
covered by indemnification arrangements under the organizational documents of
their employers and/or by liability insurance policies provided by their
employers.
142
<PAGE>
CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
GENERAL
The following is a summary of material United States federal income tax
consequences of the purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes, but does
not purport to be a complete analysis of all potential tax effects. This
summary is based upon the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the
"Code"), existing and proposed regulations thereunder, published rulings and
court decisions, all as in effect and existing on the date hereof and all of
which are subject to change at any time, which change may be retroactive. This
summary applies only to those persons who are the initial Holders of notes, who
acquire the notes for cash and who hold notes as capital assets and does not
address the tax consequences to taxpayers who are subject to special rules,
such as financial institutions, tax-exempt organizations, insurance companies
and, except as discussed below under "Foreign Holders," persons who are not
citizens or residents of the United States, domestic corporations or
partnerships, estates that are subject to United States federal income taxation
on income without regard to its source or a trust if a court within the United
States is able to exercise primary supervision of the administration of the
trust and one or more United States persons have the authority to control all
substantial decisions of the trust, or aspects of federal income taxation that
may be relevant to a prospective investor based upon such investor's particular
tax situation. Accordingly, purchasers of notes should consult their own tax
advisors with respect to the particular consequences to them of the purchase,
ownership and disposition of the notes, including the applicability of any
state, local or foreign tax laws to which they may be subject, as well as with
respect to the possible effects of changes in federal and other tax laws.
Tritel PCS has received an opinion from Brown & Wood LLP, counsel to
Tritel PCS, that, based on the assumptions and subject to the qualifications
set forth therein, the information in the following discussion represents their
opinion of the material United States federal income tax consequences of the
purchase, ownership and disposition of the notes by Holders who acquire the
notes in their original issuance, as a capital asset, for a purchase price
equal to the issue price of the notes. The opinion is based on currently
applicable authorities, which are subject to change, and on the facts and
circumstances existing on the date of the opinion. The opinion is not binding
on the Internal Revenue Service or on the courts, and no ruling will be
requested from the Internal Revenue Service on the issues described below.
There can be no assurance that the Internal Revenue Service will not take a
different position concerning the matters discussed below and that such
positions of the Internal Revenue Service would not be sustained.
ORIGINAL ISSUE DISCOUNT
Because the notes are being issued at a discount in excess of a de minimis
amount as defined under Treasury Regulations from their "stated redemption
price at maturity," the notes will have original issue discount ("OID") for
federal income tax purposes. For federal income tax purposes, OID on a note
will be the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of the note over
its issue price. The issue price of the notes will be the first price to the
public, excluding bond houses, brokers or similar persons or organizations
acting in the capacity of underwriters, placement agents or wholesalers, at
which a substantial amount of the notes is sold. For purposes of this
discussion, it is assumed that all initial Holders will purchase their notes at
the issue price. The stated redemption price at maturity of a note will be the
sum of all payments to be made on such note, including all stated interest
payments, other than payments of "qualified stated interest." Qualified stated
interest is stated interest that is unconditionally payable in cash or
property, other than debt instruments of the issuer, at least annually at a
single fixed rate. Because there will be no required payment of interest on the
notes until November 15, 2004, none of the interest payments on the notes,
under the stated payment schedule, will constitute qualified stated interest.
Therefore, each note will bear OID in an amount equal to the excess of (1) the
sum of its principal amount and all stated interest payments over (2) its issue
price.
A Holder will be required to include OID in income periodically over the
term of a note as such OID accrues, in accordance with a constant yield method
based on a compounding of interest, before
143
<PAGE>
receipt of the cash or other payment attributable to such income, regardless of
the Holder's method of tax accounting, but such Holder will not be required to
include separately in income cash payments received on the notes, even if
denominated as interest, to the extent they do not constitute qualified stated
interest. The amount of OID required to be included in a Holder's income for
any taxable year is the sum of the daily portions of OID with respect to the
note for each day during the taxable year or portion of a taxable year on which
such Holder holds the note. The daily portion is determined by allocating to
each day of an accrual period within a taxable year a pro rate portion of an
amount equal to the adjusted issue price of the note at the beginning of the
accrual period multiplied by the yield to maturity of the note. For purposes of
computing OID, Tritel PCS will use six-month accrual periods that end on the
days in the calendar year corresponding to the maturity date of the notes and
the date six months prior to such maturity date, with the exception of an
initial short accrual period. The adjusted issue price of a note at the
beginning of any accrual period is the issue price of the Note increased by the
amount of OID previously includible in the gross income of the Holder, and
decreased by any payments previously made on the note. The yield to maturity is
the discount rate that, when used in computing the present value of all
payments of principal and interest to be made on the note, produces an amount
equal to the issue price of the note. Under these rules, under the stated
payment schedule, Holders of notes will have to include in gross income
increasingly greater amounts of OID in each successive accrual period. A
Holder's tax basis in a note will be increased by the amount of OID includible
in the Holder's income under the rules discussed above and decreased by the
amount of any payment, including payments of stated interest, with respect to
the note.
Tritel PCS has determined that its obligations to pay Liquidated Damages
constitutes a remote and incidental contingency within the meaning of the OID
rules. Accordingly, Tritel PCS does not intend to treat the possibility of
payment of Liquidated Damages as affecting the yield to maturity of a note. In
the event that Liquidated Damages are actually paid, there will be adverse tax
consequences to the Holders of a note. Holders should consult their own tax
advisors as to the tax consequences to them of payment by Tritel PCS of
Liquidated Damages, if any.
EFFECT OF MANDATORY AND OPTIONAL REDEMPTION ON OID
Tritel PCS may redeem the notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or
after May 15, 2004, at redemption prices specified elsewhere herein plus
accrued interest to the date of redemption. The Treasury Regulations contain
rules for determining the "maturity date" and the stated redemption price at
maturity of an instrument that may be redeemed prior to its stated maturity
date at the option of the issuer. Under the OID rules, solely for purposes of
the accrual of OID, it is assumed that the issuer will exercise any option to
redeem a debt instrument if such exercise will lower the yield-to-maturity of
the debt instrument. Tritel PCS has determined that the exercise of its right
to redeem the notes prior to their stated maturity under these rules would not
lower the yield-to-maturity of the notes. On these facts, Tritel PCS would not
be presumed to exercise its right to redeem the notes, prior to their stated
maturity under these rules.
Prior to May 15, 2002, Tritel PCS at its option may redeem up to 35% of
the aggregate principal amount at maturity of the notes with the proceeds of
one or more equity offerings at the redemption price specified elsewhere
herein; provided that not less than 65% of the aggregate principal amount at
maturity of the notes would remain outstanding after such redemption. In the
event of a Change of Control, as defined in the indenture, each holder of notes
shall have the right to require that Tritel PCS purchase such holder's notes,
in whole or in part in integral multiples of $1,000, at a purchase price in
cash in an amount equal to 101% of the Accreted Value of the notes, plus, in
each case, accrued interest, if any, to the date of purchase. Such redemption
rights and obligations will be treated by Tritel PCS as not affecting the
determination of the yield or maturity of the notes. The Treasury Regulations
contain rules for determining the "maturity date" and the stated redemption
price at maturity of an instrument that may be redeemed prior to its stated
maturity date upon the occurrence of one or more contingencies. Under such
Treasury Regulations, if the timing and amounts of the payments that comprise
each payment schedule are known as of the issue date, the "maturity date" and
stated redemption price at maturity of such an instrument are determined by
assuming that payments will be made according to the instrument's stated
payment schedule, unless based upon all
144
<PAGE>
the facts and circumstances as of the issue date, it is more likely than not
that the instrument's stated payment schedule will not occur. Tritel PCS has
determined that the stated maturity date and stated payment schedule of the
notes is more likely than not to occur based on the facts and circumstances
known as of the issue date. On these facts, under these regulations, the
"maturity date" and stated redemption price at maturity of the notes would be
determined on the basis of the stated maturity and stated payment schedule.
If, notwithstanding the foregoing, it is presumed that Tritel PCS will
exercise its option to redeem, then the maturity date of the notes for the
purpose of calculating yield to maturity would be the exercise date of such
call option and the stated redemption price at maturity for each Note would
equal the amount payable upon such exercise. If subsequently the call option is
not exercised then, for purposes of the OID rules, the issuer would be treated
as having issued on the presumed exercise date of the call option a new debt
instrument in exchange for the existing instrument. The new debt instrument
deemed issued would have an issue price equal to the call price. As a result,
another OID computation would have to be made with respect to the
constructively issued new debt instrument.
SALE, EXCHANGE AND REDEMPTION OF NOTES
A sale, exchange or redemption of notes will result in taxable gain or
loss equal to the difference between the amount of cash or other property
received and the Holder's adjusted tax basis in the note. A Holder's adjusted
tax basis for determining gain or loss on the sale or other disposition of a
note will initially equal the cost of the note to such Holder and will be
increased by any amounts included in income as OID, and decreased by the amount
of any cash payments received by such Holder regardless of whether such
payments are denominated as principal or interest. Gain or loss upon a sale,
exchange, or redemption of a note will be capital gain or loss if the note is
held as a capital asset, and will be long term capital gain or loss if the note
has been held by the Holder for more than one year. The deductibility of
capital losses is subject to limitations. Prospective investors should consult
their own tax advisors concerning these tax law provisions.
EXCHANGE OF OUTSTANDING NOTES FOR REGISTERED NOTES
The exchange of the outstanding notes for registered notes pursuant to the
exchange offer will not be treated as an exchange for federal income tax
purposes because the registered notes will not differ materially in kind or
extent from the outstanding notes and because the exchange will occur by
operation of the original terms of the outstanding notes. As a result, Holders
who exchange their outstanding notes for registered notes will not recognize
any income, gain or loss for federal income tax purposes. A Holder will have
the same adjusted basis and holding period in the registered notes immediately
after the exchange as it had in the outstanding notes immediately before the
exchange.
FOREIGN HOLDERS
The following discussion is a summary of certain United States federal
income tax consequences to a Foreign Person that holds a note. The term
"Foreign Person" means a nonresident alien individual or foreign corporation,
but only if the income or gain on the note is not "effectively connected with
the conduct of a trade or business within the United States," in which case,
and subject to an applicable treaty, the nonresident alien individual or
foreign corporation will be subject to tax on such income or gain in
essentially the same manner as a United States citizen or resident or a
domestic corporation, as discussed above, and in the case of a foreign
corporation, may also be subject to the branch profits tax.
Under the "portfolio interest" exception to the general rules for the
withholding of tax on interest and original issue discount paid to a Foreign
Person, a Foreign Person will not be subject to United States tax, or to
withholding, on interest or OID on a note, provided that (a) the Foreign Person
does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total combined
voting power of all classes of stock of Tritel PCS entitled to vote and (b)
Tritel PCS, its paying agent or the person who would otherwise be required to
withhold tax receives either (1) a statement (an "Owner's Statement")
145
<PAGE>
on the applicable Internal Revenue Service's Form W-8 or substantially similar
form signed under penalties of perjury by the beneficial owner of the note in
which the owner certifies that the owner is not a United States person and
which provides the owner's name and address, or (2) a statement signed under
penalties of perjury by a financial institution holding the note on behalf of
the beneficial owners, together with a copy of the Owner's Statement.
Regulations which will be effective for payments made after December 31, 2000
would retain these procedures for certifying that a Holder is a Foreign Person
and would add several alternative certification procedures. A Foreign Person
who does not qualify for the "portfolio interest" exception would be subject to
United States withholding tax at a flat rate of 30%, or a lower applicable
treaty rate, on interest payments and payments, including proceeds from a sale,
exchange or retirement, attributable to OID on the notes.
Gain recognized by a Foreign Person upon the redemption, sale or exchange
of a note, including any gain representing accrued market discount, will not be
subject to United States tax unless the Foreign Person is an individual present
in the United States for 183 days or more during the taxable year in which the
note is redeemed, sold or exchanged, and certain other requirements are met, in
which case the Foreign Person will be subject to United States tax at a flat
rate of 30%, unless exempt by applicable treaty.
Federal Estate and Gift Tax
A note beneficially owned by an individual who at the time of death is not
a domiciliary of the United States will not be subject to United States federal
estate tax as a result of such individual's death, provided that such
individual does not actually or constructively own 10% or more of the total
combined voting power of all classes of stock of Tritel PCS entitled to vote
within the meaning of Section 871(h)(3) of the Code and provided that the
interest payments with respect to such note would not have been, if received at
the time of such individual's death, effectively connected with the conduct of
a United States trade or business by such individual.
Any individual will not be subject to United States federal gift tax on a
transfer of notes, unless such person is a domiciliary of the United States.
BACKUP WITHHOLDING
A Holder may be subject, under certain circumstances, to backup
withholding at a 31% rate with respect to payments received with respect to the
notes. This withholding applies if the Holder:
o fails to furnish his or her social security or other taxpayer
identification number,
o furnishes an incorrect taxpayer identification number,
o is notified by the Internal Revenue Service that he or she has failed
to report properly payments of interest and dividends and the Internal
Revenue Service has notified Tritel that he or she is subject to backup
withholding, or
o fails, under certain circumstances, to provide a certified statement,
signed under penalty of perjury, that the taxpayer identification number
provided is his or her correct number and that he or she is not subject
to backup withholding.
Any amount withheld from a payment to a Holder under the backup
withholding rules is allowable as a credit against such Holder's federal income
tax liability, provided that the required information is furnished to the
Internal Revenue Service. Certain Holders, including, among others,
corporations and foreign individuals who comply with certain certification
requirements described above under "Foreign Holders," are not subject to backup
withholding. Holders should consult their tax advisors as to their
qualification for exemption from backup withholding and the procedure for
obtaining such an exemption.
On October 6, 1997, the Treasury Department issued new regulations (the
"New Regulations") which make certain modifications to the withholding, backup
withholding and information reporting rules described above. The New
Regulations attempt to unify certification requirements and modify
146
<PAGE>
reliance standards. The New Regulations will generally be effective for
payments made after December 31, 2000, subject to certain transition rules.
Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the
New Regulations.
LIMITATION ON TRITEL PCS'S INTEREST DEDUCTIONS
The notes have a maturity date more than five years from the date of
issue, have a yield to maturity more than five percentage points higher than
the applicable Federal rate and will bear "significant OID." Thus, the notes
will be treated as "applicable high yield discount obligations" under the rules
of Sections 163(e) and 163(i) of the Code. Thus, Tritel PCS will not be able to
deduct any OID accruing with respect thereto until such interest is actually
paid and a portion of such OID will be disallowed altogether. To the extent
that the non-deductible portion of OID would have been treated as a dividend if
it had been distributed with respect to Tritel PCS's stock, it will be treated
as a dividend to corporate Holders of the notes for purposes of the rules
relating to the dividends received deduction. Except as described above,
treatment of the notes as applicable high yield discount obligations will not
affect the reporting of the OID as income by the Holders of the notes.
OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES
In addition to the federal income tax considerations described above,
prospective purchasers of the notes should consider potential state, local,
income, franchise, personal property and other taxation in any state or
locality and the tax effect of ownership, sale, exchange, or retirement of the
notes in any state or locality. Prospective purchasers of the notes are advised
to consult their own tax advisors with respect to any state or local income,
franchise, personal property or other tax consequences arising out of their
ownership of the notes.
THE FOREGOING DISCUSSION IS FOR GENERAL INFORMATION AND IS NOT TAX ADVICE.
ACCORDINGLY, EACH PROSPECTIVE PURCHASER OF THE NOTES SHOULD CONSULT HIS OWN TAX
ADVISOR AS TO THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING
THE APPLICABILITY AND EFFECT OF ANY STATE, LOCAL, OR FOREIGN INCOME TAX LAWS
AND ANY RECENT OR PROSPECTIVE CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
147
<PAGE>
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
Each broker-dealer that receives registered notes for its own account
pursuant to the exchange offer, where its outstanding notes were acquired by
such broker-dealer as a result of market-making activities or other trading
activities, must acknowledge that it will deliver a prospectus in connection
with any resale of such registered notes. This prospectus, as it may be amended
or supplemented from time to time, may be used by a broker-dealer in connection
with resales of registered notes received in exchange for outstanding notes
where such outstanding notes were acquired as a result of market making or
other trading activities. Until March 25, 1999 (90 days after the commencement
of the exchange offer), all dealers effecting transactions in the registered
notes may be required to deliver a prospectus.
Tritel PCS will not receive any proceeds from any sales of the registered
notes by participating broker-dealers. Registered notes received by
participating broker-dealers for their own account pursuant to the exchange
offer may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions in the
over-the-counter market, in negotiated transactions, through the writing of
options on the registered notes or a combination of such methods of resale, at
market prices prevailing at the time of resale, at prices related to such
prevailing market prices or negotiated prices. Any such resale may be made
directly to purchasers or to or through brokers or dealers who may receive
compensation in the form of commissions or concessions from any such
participating broker-dealer that resells the registered notes, and any
commissions or concessions received by any such persons may be deemed to be
underwriting compensation under the Securities Act. The letter of transmittal
for the exchange offer states that, by acknowledging that it will deliver, and
by delivering, a prospectus, a participating broker-dealer will not be deemed
to admit that it is an "underwriter" within the meaning of the Securities Act.
For a period of 180 days after the expiration date, or until all
broker-dealers who exchange outstanding notes which were acquired as a result
of market-making activities for registered notes have sold all registered notes
held by them, we will promptly send additional copies of this prospectus and
any amendment or supplement to this prospectus to any broker-dealer that
requests such documents in the letter of transmittal. Tritel PCS has agreed to
pay all expenses incident to the exchange offer. Tritel PCS will indemnify the
holders of the registered notes, including any broker-dealers, against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The registered notes will not be listed on any stock exchange. The notes
are designated for trading in The Portal Market.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the registered notes will be passed upon for Tritel PCS by
Brown & Wood LLP, New York, New York. Certain other legal matters will be
passed upon for Tritel PCS and the guarantors of the notes by James H. Neeld,
IV, its general counsel, and by Tritel PCS's special FCC counsel, Lukas, Nace,
Gutierrez & Sachs, Washington, D.C.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of Tritel, Inc. and Predecessor
Companies as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from July 27, 1995
(inception) to December 31, 1998, have been included herein and in the
registration statement in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP,
independent certified public accountants, appearing elsewhere herein, and upon
the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
148
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
Independent Auditors' Report ........................................................ F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1997 and 1998 and September 30, 1999
(unaudited) ........................................................................ F-3
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998, the period from July 27, 1995 (inception) to December 31, 1998, the nine month
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 (unaudited) and the period from July 27,
1995 (inception) to September 30, 1999 (unaudited) ................................. F-4
Consolidated Statements of Members' and Stockholders' Equity for the period from
July 27, 1995 (inception) to December 31, 1995, the years ended December 31, 1996,
1997 and 1998 and the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 (unaudited) ....... F-5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and
1998, the period from July 27, 1995 (inception) to December 31, 1998, the nine month
periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999 (unaudited) and the period from July 27,
1995 (inception) to September 30, 1999 (unaudited) ................................. F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .......................................... F-9
</TABLE>
In accordance with Securities and Exchange Commission Staff Accounting
Bulletin 53, the financial statements of Tritel, Inc. and Predecessor Company
are included herein. Tritel PCS, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Tritel,
Inc. and Tritel, Inc. fully and unconditionally guarantees the Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes issued by Tritel PCS, Inc. Separate financial
statements of Tritel PCS, Inc. and Subsidiary Guarantors are not included.
However, condensed financial data for Tritel PCS, Inc. and Subsidiary
Guarantors is included in Note 17 to the financial statements. The Subsidiary
Guarantors are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tritel PCS, Inc. and their
guarantees are on a full, unconditional, joint and several basis with other
guarantor subsidiaries.
F-1
<PAGE>
INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
The Board of Directors
Tritel, Inc.:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Tritel, Inc.
and Predecessor Companies (development stage companies) (the Companies) as of
December 31, 1997 and 1998, and the related consolidated statements of
operations, members' and stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the
years in the three-year period ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from
July 27, 1995 (inception) to December 31, 1998. These consolidated financial
statements are the responsibility of the Companies' managements. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial
statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of
material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit
also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
Tritel, Inc. and Predecessor Companies as of December 31, 1997 and 1998, and
the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in
the three-year period ended December 31, 1998 and for the period from July 27,
1995 (inception) to December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles.
Jackson, Mississippi KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
February 16, 1999
F-2
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31, 1997 AND 1998 AND SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 1998 1999
ASSETS ----------- ------------ --------------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ........................................... $ 1,763 846 485,684
Due from affiliates ................................................. 275 241 2,221
Inventory ........................................................... -- -- 3,526
Prepaid expenses and other current assets ........................... 10 719 3,706
-------- --- -------
Total current assets ............................................... 2,048 1,806 495,137
Restricted cash ...................................................... -- -- 7,387
Property and equipment, net .......................................... 13 13,816 132,075
FCC licensing costs .................................................. 99,425 71,466 199,440
Intangible assets, net of amortization of $4,203 in 1999 ............. -- -- 60,924
Deferred charges, net of amortization of $347 in 1997, $348 in 1998
and $2,372 in 1999 .................................................. 1,027 1,933 28,430
Note receivable ...................................................... -- -- 7,550
Other assets ......................................................... -- -- 529
-------- ------ -------
Total assets ....................................................... $102,513 89,021 931,472
======== ====== =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Notes payable ....................................................... $ 5,000 22,405 --
Current maturities of long-term debt ................................ -- -- 681
Accounts payable .................................................... 352 8,221 43,856
Accrued expenses and interest ....................................... 3,073 2,285 10,055
-------- ------ -------
Total current liabilities .......................................... 8,425 32,911 54,592
-------- ------ -------
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt ...................................................... 77,200 51,599 551,078
Note payable to related party ....................................... 5,700 6,270 --
Accrued interest payable ............................................ 2,426 224 --
Deferred credit -- vendor discount .................................. -- -- 12,751
Deferred income taxes ............................................... -- -- 40,510
-------- ------ -------
Total non-current liabilities ...................................... 85,326 58,093 604,339
-------- ------ -------
Total liabilities .................................................. 93,751 91,004 658,931
-------- ------ -------
Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock .................. -- -- 97,301
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, authorized 1,500,000 shares:
Series C, outstanding 184,233 shares at September 30, 1999 ......... -- -- 174,658
Series D, outstanding 46,374 shares at September 30, 1999 .......... -- -- 46,374
Common stock, 30 shares issued and outstanding at December 31,
1998 ................................................................ -- -- --
Common stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 1999 --
Class A Voting, 33,755 shares; Class C Non-Voting, 5,177 shares;
and Voting Preference, 9 shares .................................... -- -- --
Contributed capital -- Predecessor Companies ......................... 13,497 13,497 --
Additional paid in capital ........................................... -- -- 4,500
Deficit accumulated during the development stage ..................... (4,735) (15,480) (50,292)
-------- ------- -------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit) .............................. 8,762 (1,983) 175,240
-------- ------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ........................ $102,513 89,021 931,472
======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998,
THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1998,
THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED)
AND THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
----------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ............................ $ -- -- --
-------- -- --
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and equipment ..... -- -- --
Plant .............................. 4 104 1,939
General and administrative ......... 1,481 3,123 4,947
Sales and marketing ................ 5 28 452
Depreciation and amortization ...... 2 20 348
-------- ----- -----
1,492 3,275 7,686
-------- ----- -----
Operating loss ...................... (1,492) (3,275) (7,686)
Interest income ..................... 31 121 77
Financing cost ...................... -- -- --
Interest expense .................... -- -- (722)
-------- ------ ------
Loss before extraordinary item
and income taxes ................ (1,461) (3,154) (8,331)
Income tax benefit .................. -- -- --
-------- ------ ------
Loss before extraordinary
items ........................... (1,461) (3,154) (8,331)
Extraordinary item -
Loss on return of spectrum ......... -- -- (2,414)
-------- ------ ------
Net loss ......................... (1,461) $ (3,154) $ (10,745)
Accrual of dividends on Series A
redeemable preferred stock ......... -- -- --
-------- -------- ---------
Net loss available to common
shareholders ....................... $ (1,461) (3,154) (10,745)
======== ======== =========
Basic and diluted net loss per
common share .......................
Weighted average common shares
outstanding ........................
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE
AMOUNTS
SINCE NINE-MONTHS CUMULATIVE
INCEPTION ENDED AMOUNTS
AT SEPTEMBER 30, SINCE INCEPTION,
DECEMBER 31, -------------------------- AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1998 1999 1999
-------------- ----------- -------------- -----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ............................ -- -- 179 179
-- -- --- ---
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and equipment ..... -- -- 189 189
Plant .............................. 2,047 504 8,931 10,977
General and administrative ......... 9,672 3,208 17,414 27,085
Sales and marketing ................ 485 181 6,621 7,106
Depreciation and amortization ...... 370 20 5,601 5,971
----- ----- ------ ------
12,574 3,913 38,756 51,328
------ ----- ------ ------
Operating loss ...................... (12,574) (3,913) (38,577) (51,149)
Interest income ..................... 230 39 10,451 10,679
Financing cost ...................... -- -- (2,230) (2,230)
Interest expense .................... (722) -- (12,038) (12,760)
------- ------ ------- -------
Loss before extraordinary item
and income taxes ................ (13,066) (3,874) (42,394) (55,460)
Income tax benefit .................. -- -- 13,638 13,638
------- ------ ------- -------
Loss before extraordinary
items ........................... (13,066) (3,874) (28,756) (41,822)
Extraordinary item -
Loss on return of spectrum ......... (2,414) (2,414) -- (2,414)
------- ------ ------- -------
Net loss ......................... $ (15,480) $ (6,288) $ (28,756) $ (44,236)
Accrual of dividends on Series A
redeemable preferred stock ......... -- -- (6,632) (6,632)
--------- -------- ------------ ---------
Net loss available to common
shareholders ....................... (15,480) (6,288) (35,388) (50,868)
========= ======== ============ =========
Basic and diluted net loss per
common share ....................... $ (2.32)
Weighted average common shares
outstanding ........................ 15,224,891
============
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF MEMBERS' AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
FOR THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1995,
THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998 AND
THE NINE-MONTH PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREFERRED
STOCK
PREFERRED ISSUANCE COMMON
STOCK COSTS STOCK
----------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at July 27, 1995 .................. $ -- -- --
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$25 ...................................... -- -- --
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... -- -- --
Net loss .................................. -- -- --
-------- -- --
Balance at December 31, 1995 .............. -- -- --
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$40 ...................................... -- -- --
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... -- -- --
Net loss .................................. -- -- --
-------- -- --
Balance at December 31, 1996 .............. -- -- --
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$148...................................... -- -- --
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... -- -- --
Net loss .................................. -- -- --
-------- -- --
Balance at December 31, 1997 .............. -- -- --
Net loss .................................. -- -- --
-------- -- --
Balance at December 31, 1998 .............. -- -- --
Unaudited:
Conversion of debt to members'
equity in Predecessor Company .......... -- -- --
Series C Preferred Stock issued to
Predecessor Company, including
distribution of assets and
liabilities ............................ 17,193 -- --
Series C Preferred Stock issued in
exchange for cash ...................... 163,370 -- --
Payment of preferred stock issuance
costs .................................. -- (8,507) --
Series C Preferred Stock issued to
Central Alabama in exchange for
net assets ............................. 2,602 -- --
Series D Preferred Stock issued to
AT&T Wireless in exchange for
licenses and other agreements .......... 46,374 -- --
Grant of unrestricted rights in
common stock to officer ................ -- -- --
Accrual of dividends on Series A
redeemable preferred stock .............. -- -- --
Net loss ................................. -- -- --
-------- ------ --
Balance at September 30, 1999 ............ $229,539 (8,507) --
======== ====== ==
<CAPTION>
DEFICIT
ACCUMULATED MEMBERS'
ADDITIONAL DURING AND
CONTRIBUTED PAID IN DEVELOPMENT STOCKHOLDERS'
CAPITAL CAPITAL STAGE EQUITY
------------- ------------ ------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at July 27, 1995 .................. -- -- -- --
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$25 ...................................... 1,150 -- -- 1,150
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... 489 -- -- 489
Net loss .................................. -- -- (120) (120)
----- -- ---- -----
Balance at December 31, 1995 .............. 1,639 -- (120) 1,519
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$40 ...................................... 3,910 -- -- 3,910
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... 1,706 -- -- 1,706
Net loss .................................. -- -- (1,461) (1,461)
----- -- ------ ------
Balance at December 31, 1996 .............. 7,255 -- (1,581) 5,674
Contributed capital, net of expenses of
$148...................................... 5,437 -- -- 5,437
Conversion of debt to members'
equity ................................... 805 -- -- 805
Net loss .................................. -- -- (3,154) (3,154)
----- -- ------ ------
Balance at December 31, 1997 .............. 13,497 -- (4,735) 8,762
Net loss .................................. -- -- (10,745) (10,745)
------ -- ------- -------
Balance at December 31, 1998 .............. 13,497 -- (15,480) (1,983)
Unaudited:
Conversion of debt to members'
equity in Predecessor Company .......... 8,976 -- -- 8,976
Series C Preferred Stock issued to
Predecessor Company, including
distribution of assets and
liabilities ............................ (22,473) -- 576 (4,704)
Series C Preferred Stock issued in
exchange for cash ...................... -- -- -- 163,370
Payment of preferred stock issuance
costs .................................. -- -- -- (8,507)
Series C Preferred Stock issued to
Central Alabama in exchange for
net assets ............................. -- -- -- 2,602
Series D Preferred Stock issued to
AT&T Wireless in exchange for
licenses and other agreements .......... -- -- -- 46,374
Grant of unrestricted rights in
common stock to officer ................ -- 4,500 -- 4,500
Accrual of dividends on Series A
redeemable preferred stock .............. -- -- (6,632) (6,632)
Net loss ................................. -- -- (28,756) (28,756)
------- ----- ------- -------
Balance at September 30, 1999 ............ -- 4,500 (50,292) 175,240
======= ===== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998,
THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1998,
THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED)
AND THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
------------ ------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss ............................. $ (1,461) (3,154) (10,745)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash used in operating
activities:
Loss on return of spectrum ........ -- -- 2,414
Depreciation and amortization ..... 2 20 348
Grant of unrestricted rights in
common stock to officer .......... -- -- --
Accretion of discount on debt
and amortization of debt
issue costs ...................... -- -- --
Deferred income tax benefit ....... -- -- --
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Inventory ........................ -- -- --
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses ............... 340 45 (180)
Other current assets and
liabilities .................... 427 (814) (333)
-------- ------ -------
Net cash used in operating
activities .................... (692) (3,903) (8,496)
-------- ------ -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures ................. (11) (6) (5,970)
Deposit for FCC auctions ............. (5,000) -- --
Payment for FCC licenses ............. (3,549) (3,935) --
Refund of FCC deposit ................ 950 1,376 --
Advance under notes receivable ....... -- -- --
Capitalized interest on network
construction and FCC licensing
costs .............................. (1,325) (415) (2,905)
Increase in restricted cash .......... -- -- --
Other ................................ (106) (72) --
-------- -------- -------
Net cash used in investing
activities ....................... (9,041) (3,052) (8,875)
-------- -------- -------
(continued)
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE CUMULATIVE
AMOUNTS NINE-MONTHS AMOUNTS
SINCE ENDED SINCE
INCEPTION, SEPTEMBER 30, INCEPTION,
AT DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1998 1999 1999
----------------- ----------- ------------ ----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss ............................. (15,480) (6,288) (28,756) (44,236)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to
net cash used in operating
activities:
Loss on return of spectrum ........ 2,414 2,414 -- 2,414
Depreciation and amortization ..... 370 20 5,601 5,971
Grant of unrestricted rights in
common stock to officer .......... -- -- 4,500 4,500
Accretion of discount on debt
and amortization of debt
issue costs ...................... -- -- 3,672 3,672
Deferred income tax benefit ....... -- -- (13,638) (13,638)
Changes in operating assets and
liabilities:
Inventory ........................ -- -- (3,526) (3,526)
Accounts payable and
accrued expenses ............... 271 1,472 5,762 6,035
Other current assets and
liabilities .................... (618) (200) (2,313) (2,933)
------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash used in operating
activities .................... (13,043) (2,582) (28,698) (41,741)
------- ------ ------- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures ................. (5,986) (2,862) (80,189) (86,175)
Deposit for FCC auctions ............. (9,500) -- -- (9,500)
Payment for FCC licenses ............. (7,485) -- -- (7,485)
Refund of FCC deposit ................ 2,326 -- -- 2,326
Advance under notes receivable ....... -- -- (7,550) (7,550)
Capitalized interest on network
construction and FCC licensing
costs .............................. (4,644) -- (9,993) (14,637)
Increase in restricted cash .......... -- -- (7,387) (7,387)
Other ................................ (202) -- (325) (527)
------- ------ ------- -------
Net cash used in investing
activities ....................... (25,491) (2,862) (105,444) (130,935)
------- ------ -------- --------
(continued)
</TABLE>
F-6
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998,
THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1998,
THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED)
AND THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
YEARS ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
----------------------------------
1996 1997 1998
--------- ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable to
related parties ..................... 300 5,700 --
Proceeds from notes payable ........... 5,900 5,000 38,705
Proceeds from long-term debt .......... -- -- --
Proceeds from senior subordinated
discount notes ...................... -- -- --
Repayments of notes payable to
related parties ..................... (100) (300) --
Repayments of notes payable ........... (625) (5,900) (21,300)
Payment of preferred stock issuance
costs ............................... -- -- --
Payment of debt issuance costs and
other deferred charges .............. (20) (1,251) (951)
Proceeds from vendor discount ......... -- -- --
Issuance of preferred stock ........... -- -- --
Capital contributions, net of related
expenses ............................ 3,910 5,437 --
Other ................................. -- -- --
----- ------ -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities .............. 9,365 8,686 16,454
----- ------ -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents ...................... (368) 1,731 (917)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period ................... 400 32 1,763
----- ------ -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period ................................ $ 32 1,763 846
======= ====== =======
(continued)
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE CUMULATIVE
AMOUNTS NINE-MONTHS AMOUNTS
SINCE ENDED SINCE
INCEPTION, SEPTEMBER 30, INCEPTION,
AT DECEMBER 31, ------------------------ AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1998 1998 1999 1999
----------------- ----------- ------------ ----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable to
related parties ..................... 9,100 -- -- 9,100
Proceeds from notes payable ........... 50,230 4,605 -- 50,230
Proceeds from long-term debt .......... -- -- 300,000 300,000
Proceeds from senior subordinated
discount notes ...................... -- -- 200,240 200,240
Repayments of notes payable to
related parties ..................... (400) -- -- (400)
Repayments of notes payable ........... (27,825) -- (22,100) (49,925)
Payment of preferred stock issuance
costs ............................... -- -- (8,507) (8,507)
Payment of debt issuance costs and
other deferred charges .............. (2,222) (757) (28,054) (30,276)
Proceeds from vendor discount ......... -- -- 15,000 15,000
Issuance of preferred stock ........... -- -- 162,703 162,703
Capital contributions, net of related
expenses ............................ 10,497 -- -- 10,497
Other ................................. -- -- (302) (302)
------- ----- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities .............. 39,380 3,848 618,980 658,360
------- ----- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and
cash equivalents ...................... 846 (1,596) 484,838 485,684
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period ................... -- 1,763 846 --
------- ------ ------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period ................................ 846 167 485,684 485,684
======= ====== ======= =======
(continued)
</TABLE>
F-7
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1996, 1997 AND 1998,
THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO DECEMBER 31, 1998,
THE NINE MONTH PERIODS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1998 AND 1999 (UNAUDITED)
AND THE PERIOD FROM JULY 27, 1995 (INCEPTION) TO SEPTEMBER 30, 1999 (UNAUDITED)
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CUMULATIVE CUMULATIVE
AMOUNTS NINE-MONTHS AMOUNTS
YEARS ENDED SINCE ENDED SINCE
DECEMBER 31, INCEPTION, SEPTEMBER 30, INCEPTION,
----------------------------- AT DECEMBER 31, ------------------- AT SEPTEMBER 30,
1996 1997 1998 1998 1998 1999 1999
---------- --------- -------- ----------------- -------- ---------- ----------------
(UNAUDITED) (UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Supplementary Information:
Cash paid for interest, net of
amounts capitalized ................... $ -- -- -- -- -- 4,097 9,201
======= == == == == ===== =====
Significant non-cash investing and
financing activities:
Long-term debt incurred to obtain
FCC licenses, net of discount ......... $53,259 23,116 -- 76,375 -- -- 76,375
======= ====== == ====== == ===== ======
Capitalized interest and discount
on debt used to obtain FCC
licenses .............................. $ 2,033 6,799 7,614 16,466 6,118 4,599 21,520
======= ====== ===== ====== ===== ===== ======
Deposits applied to purchase of
FCC licenses .......................... $ 4,500 5,000 -- 9,500 -- -- 9,500
======= ====== ===== ====== ===== ===== ======
Conversions of debt to equity .......... $ 1,706 805 -- 3,000 -- -- 11,976
======= ====== ===== ====== ===== ===== ======
Capital expenditures included in
accounts payable ...................... $ -- -- 5,762 5,762 -- 33,066 33,066
======= ====== ===== ====== ===== ====== ======
Election of FCC disaggregation
option for return of spectrum:
Reduction in FCC licensing
costs ................................ $ -- -- 35,442 35,442 -- -- 35,442
======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Reduction in accrued interest
payable and long-term debt ........... $ -- -- 33,028 33,028 -- -- 33,028
======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ====== ======
Preferred stock issued
in exchange for assets
and liabilities ....................... $ -- -- -- -- -- 156,837 156,837
======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ======= =======
Distribution of assets
and liabilities to
predecessor company ................... $ -- -- -- -- (4,704) (4,704)
======= ====== ====== ====== ===== ======= =======
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements
F-8
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
(1) DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
(A) ORGANIZATION AND PRINCIPLES OF CONSOLIDATION
Airwave Communications, LLC ("Airwave Communications") (formerly Mercury
PCS, LLC) and Digital PCS, LLC ("Digital PCS") (formerly Mercury PCS II,
LLC) were formed on July 27, 1995 and July 29, 1996, respectively, for
the principal purpose of acquiring for development Personal
Communications Services ("PCS") licenses in markets in the south-central
United States. Airwave Communications and Digital PCS are referred to
collectively as "the Predecessor Company" or "the Predecessor
Companies."
Tritel, Inc. ("Tritel") was formed on April 23, 1998 by the controlling
shareholders of Airwave Communications and Digital PCS for the purpose
of developing Personal Communications Services ("PCS") markets in the
south-central United States. Tritel's 1998 activities consisted of $1.5
million in capital expenditures and $32,000 in net loss. On January 7,
1999, the Predecessor Companies transferred substantially all of their
assets and liabilities at historical cost to Tritel in exchange for
18,262 shares of Series C Preferred Stock in Tritel. Tritel is
controlled by the controlling shareholders of the Predecessor Companies.
Tritel will continue the activities of the Predecessor Companies and,
for accounting purposes, this transaction was accounted for as a
reorganization of the Predecessor Company into a C corporation and a
name change to Tritel. Tritel and the Predecessor Company, together with
Tritel's subsidiaries, are referred to collectively as "the Company."
The Company has commenced limited commercial PCS operations and is still
in the development stage. The Company continues to devote most of its
efforts to activities such as strategic and financial planning, raising
capital and constructing wireless telecommunications network facilities.
The consolidated accounts of the Company include its subsidiaries,
Tritel PCS, Inc.; Tritel A/B Holding Corp.; Tritel C/F Holding Corp.;
Tritel Communications, Inc.; Tritel Finance, Inc.; and others. All
significant intercompany accounts or balances have been eliminated in
consolidation.
Also on January 7, 1999, Tritel entered into the following transactions:
o AT&T Wireless PCS, LLC and TWR Cellular, Inc. (collectively, "AT&T
Wireless") contributed PCS licenses to Tritel and entered into
agreements with Tritel for the use of the AT&T logo and other service
marks, and for roaming arrangements. In exchange for the contributed
assets, AT&T Wireless received 90,668 shares of Series A Preferred
Stock and 46,374 shares of Series D Preferred Stock in Tritel with a
stated value of $137,042,000. This transaction was accounted for as
an asset acquisition by Tritel and is further described in Note 19.
o Tritel acquired all of the assets and liabilities of Central Alabama
Partnership, LP 132 in exchange for 2,602 shares of Series C
Preferred Stock in Tritel with a stated value of $2,602,000. Assets,
principally PCS licenses, totaling $9,352,000 were acquired and
liabilities of $6,750,000 were assumed. This transaction was
accounted for as a purchase business combination.
o Tritel issued 14,130 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a stated
value of $14,130,000 to the Predecessor Companies in exchange for
cash. Additionally, Tritel issued 149,239 shares of Series C
Preferred Stock with a stated value of $149,239,000 to certain
private investors in exchange for cash and stock subscriptions
receivable. These transactions are further described in Note 18.
F-9
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
o Tritel entered into a $550,000,000 bank financing facility as further
described in Note 20 for financing of the development and
construction of its wireless network.
The January 7, 1999 stock transactions described above are summarized as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
STATED CARRYING
SHARES VALUE AMOUNT
---------- ---------- -----------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Series A Preferred issued to AT&T Wireless ......................... 90,668 $ 90,668 $ 90,668
Series D Preferred issued to AT&T Wireless ......................... 46,374 46,374 46,374
------ -------- --------
Total to AT&T Wireless in exchange for contributed assets .......... 137,042 137,042 137,042
------- -------- --------
Series C Preferred issued to Airwave Communications ................ 14,427 14,427 10,973
Series C Preferred issued to Digital PCS ........................... 3,835 3,835 6,220
------- -------- --------
Total to Predecessor Companies in exchange for contributed assets... 18,262 18,262 17,193
------- -------- --------
Series C Preferred issued to Central Alabama Partnership ........... 2,602 2,602 2,602
Series C Preferred issued to Predecessor Companies for cash ........ 14,130 14,130 14,130
Series C Preferred issued to certain private investors ............. 149,239 149,239 149,239
------- -------- --------
Total .............................................................. 321,275 $321,275 $320,206
======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
(B) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
For purposes of financial statement classification, the Company
considers all highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less to be cash equivalents.
(C) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment are stated at cost, less accumulated
depreciation. When assets are placed in service, depreciation is
calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful
lives of the respective assets, generally seven years for wireless
network assets and three years for information systems assets. Leasehold
improvements are amortized over the lease term. The Company capitalizes
interest on certain of its wireless network construction activities.
Routine expenditures for repairs and maintenance are charged to expense
as incurred.
(D) FCC LICENSING COSTS
Licensing costs are accounted for in accordance with industry standards
and include the discounted present value of license fees as described in
Note 5 and the direct costs incurred to obtain the licenses. For certain
licenses, licensing costs also include capitalized interest on the
related debt during the period of time necessary to build out the
wireless network.
The FCC grants licenses for terms of up to ten years, and generally
grants renewals if the licensee has complied with its license
obligations. The Company believes it will be able to
F-10
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
secure renewal of its PCS licenses. Amortization of such license costs,
which will begin for each geographic service area upon commencement of
service, will be over a period of 40 years.
The Company adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed Of" in 1996. Adoption of the statement
did not have a material effect on the Company's financial statements at
the date of adoption. In accordance with the requirements of SFAS 121,
the Company evaluates the propriety of the carrying amounts of its FCC
licensing costs whenever current events or circumstances warrant such
review to determine whether such assets are impaired. There have been no
impairments through September 30, 1999.
(E) DEFERRED CHARGES
Debt issuance costs are deferred and amortized over the term of the
related debt. Direct costs of two purchase business combinations which
closed in January 1999 were deferred at December 31, 1998 and included
as part of the total costs of the acquisitions. Direct costs incurred
for an equity offering which closed in January 1999 were deferred and
will be offset against the proceeds of the offering. Direct costs
incurred for a proposed offering of senior discount notes were deferred
and are being amortized over the term of the related debt.
(F) INCOME TAXES
Because the Predecessor Company was a nontaxable entity, operating
results prior to January 7, 1999 were included in the income tax returns
of its members. Therefore, the accompanying consolidated financial
statements do not include any provision for income tax benefit for the
years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998 or any deferred income
taxes on any temporary differences in asset bases as of December 31,
1997 and 1998.
As of January 7, 1999, the Company accounts for income taxes in
accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109,
which requires the use of the asset and liability method in accounting
for deferred taxes.
(G) USE OF ESTIMATES
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities
and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the
financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
during the reporting period. A significant estimate impacting the
preparation of the consolidated financial statements is the estimated
useful life of FCC licensing costs. Actual results could differ from
those estimates.
(H) NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE
The Company computes net loss per common share in accordance with SFAS
No. 128, "Earnings per Share" and SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 98
("SAB 98"). Under the provisions of SFAS No. 128 and SAB 98, basic and
diluted net loss per common share is computed by dividing the net loss
available to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average
number of shares of all classes of common stock outstanding during the
period. For purposes of this calculation, common stock was assumed to be
outstanding as of January 1, 1999. In accordance with SFAS No. 128, no
conversion of preferred shares has
F-11
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
been assumed in the calculation of diluted loss per share since the
effect would be antidilutive. Accordingly, the number of weighted
average shares outstanding as well as the amount of net loss per share
are the same for basic and diluted per share calculations. Net loss per
common share has not been reflected in the accompanying financial
statements for periods prior to 1999 because the Predecessor Companies
were limited liability corporations and did not have the existing
capital structure.
As of September 30, 1999, the calculation of historical loss per share
excludes the antidilutive impact of 184,233 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock and 46,374 shares of Series D Preferred Stock.
(I) STOCK SPLIT
On December 14, 1999, Tritel, Inc. effected a 400-for-1 stock split for
Class A, Class B, Class C and Class D common stock. All common stock
share data have been retroactively adjusted to reflect this change.
(J) RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1997, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 131, Disclosures about Segments of
an Enterprise and Related Information ("FAS 131"). FAS 131 requires that
a public business enterprise report financial and descriptive
information about its reportable operating segments. The statement
defines operating segments as components of enterprises about which
separate financial information is available that is evaluated regularly
by the chief operating decision maker in deciding how to allocate
resources and in assessing performance. The Company adopted SFAS 131 and
determined that there are no separate reportable segments, as defined by
the standard.
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards No. 133, Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities ("FAS 133"). FAS 133 establishes
accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments, including
certain derivative instruments embedded in other contracts, and for
hedging activities. It requires that an entity recognize all derivatives
as either assets or liabilities in the statement of financial position
and measure those instruments at fair value. FAS 133 will significantly
change the accounting treatment of derivative instruments and, depending
upon the underlying risk management strategy, these accounting changes
could affect future earnings, assets, liabilities, and shareholders'
equity. The Company is closely monitoring the deliberations of the
FASB's derivative implementation task force. With the issuance of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 137, Accounting for
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities--Deferral of the Effective
Date of FASB Statement No. 133, which delayed the effective date of FAS
133, the Company will be required to adopt FAS 133 on January 1, 2001.
Presently, the Company has not yet quantified the impact that the
adoption will have on its consolidated financial statements.
(K) INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of the Company
as of September 30, 1999 and for the nine-month periods ended September
30, 1998 and 1999 have been prepared pursuant to the rules and
regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain
information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial
statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting
principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations. In the opinion of management, the
F-12
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
condensed consolidated interim financial statements include all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring items, necessary to fairly
present the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for
the periods presented. The results of operations for an interim period
are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that may be
expected for the complete fiscal year.
(2) LIQUIDITY
As reflected in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, the
Company is a development stage company because it has only commenced limited
commercial PCS operations. The Company is expected to incur significant
expenses in advance of generating revenues and to realize significant
operating losses in its initial stages of operations. The buildout of the
Company's PCS network and the marketing and distribution of the Company's
PCS products and services will require substantial equity and/or debt and
there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to raise sufficient
capital for such purposes.
The planned high level of indebtedness could have a material adverse effect
on the Company, including the effect of such indebtedness on: (i) the
Company's ability to fund internally, or obtain additional debt or equity
financing in the future for capital expenditures, working capital, debt
service requirements, operating losses, acquisitions and other purposes;
(ii) the Company's ability to dedicate funds for the wireless network
buildout, operations or other purposes, due to the need to dedicate a
substantial portion of operating cash flow to fund interest payments; (iii)
the Company's flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in its
business and market conditions; (iv) the Company's ability to compete with
less highly leveraged competitors; and (v) the Company's financial
vulnerability in the event of a downturn in its business or the economy.
As mentioned above, the Company entered into certain transactions in January
1999 to fund a significant portion of the planned operating losses and
network buildout costs. Management of the Company believes that those
transactions will provide adequate funding for the planned expenditures in
the initial operations and buildout of the network. During May 1999, the
Company obtained high yield debt in amounts necessary to cover additional
planned cash needs. There can be no assurance that such funds will be
adequate to complete the buildout of the Company's PCS network. Under those
circumstances, the Company could be required to change its plans relating to
the buildout of the network.
(3) RESTRICTED CASH
On March 31, 1999, the Company entered into a deposit agreement with Toronto
Dominion (Texas), Inc., as administrative agent, on behalf of the depository
bank and the banks and other financial institutions who are a party to the
bank facility described in Note 20. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company has placed on deposit $7,387,000 at September 30, 1999 with the
depository bank, which will be used for the payment of interest and/or
commitment fees due under the bank facility.
F-13
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
(4) PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Major categories of property and equipment are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------- SEPTEMBER 30,
1997 1998 1999
--------- ---------- --------------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Furniture and fixtures ....................... $17 1,779 8,692
Network construction and development ......... -- 11,416 110,988
Leasehold improvements ....................... -- 728 9,190
---- ------ -------
17 13,923 128,870
Less accumulated depreciation ................ (4) (107) (1,557)
Deposits on equipment ........................ -- -- 4,762
----- ------ -------
$13 13,816 132,075
===== ====== =======
</TABLE>
(5) FCC LICENSING COSTS
The Predecessor Company bid successfully for C-Block licenses with an
aggregate license fee of $70,989,000 (such amount is net of a 25% small
business discount) and such licenses were granted to the Predecessor Company
during 1996. The Predecessor Company also bid successfully for D-, E- and
F-Block licenses with an aggregate license fee of $35,727,000 (such amount
is net of a 25% small business discount) and such licenses were granted to
the Predecessor Company during 1997.
The FCC provided below market rate financing for a portion of the bid price
of the C- and F-Block licenses. Based on the Company's estimates of
borrowing costs for similar debt, the Company discounted the face amount of
the debt to yield a market rate and such discount was applied to reduce the
carrying amount of the licenses and the debt. Accordingly, the licenses
acquired during the years ended December 31, 1996 and 1997 were recorded at
$59,799,000 and $30,676,000, respectively.
During the years ended December 31, 1996, 1997 and 1998, the Company
capitalized interest of $3,358,000, $7,214,000 and $10,519,000,
respectively, relating to FCC debt. During the years ended December 31, 1996
and 1997, the Company incurred direct costs of $72,000 and $6,000,
respectively, to obtain the licenses. The Company did not incur any costs to
obtain licenses during 1998.
During July 1998, the Company took advantage of a reconsideration order by
the FCC allowing companies holding C-Block PCS licenses several options to
restructure their license holdings and associated obligations. The Company
elected the disaggregation option and returned one-half of the broadcast
spectrum originally acquired for each of the C-Block license areas. As a
result, the Company reduced the carrying amount of the related licenses by
one-half, or $35,442,000, and reduced the discounted debt and accrued
interest due to the FCC by $33,028,000. As a result of the disaggregation
election, the Company recognized an extraordinary loss of approximately
$2,414,000.
As mentioned above and in Note 19, AT&T Wireless contributed certain A- and
B-Block PCS licenses to the Company on January 7, 1999 as part of a purchase
business combination. The
F-14
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
Company recorded such licenses at $126,672,000 plus $635,000 related
allocated costs of the acquisition. Also, in the acquisition of Central
Alabama Partnership, LP 132, the Company acquired licenses with an estimated
fair value of $9,284,000, exclusive of $6,072,000 of debt to the FCC.
Additionally, in connection with the transactions which the Company closed
on January 7, 1999, licenses with a carrying amount, including capitalized
interest and costs, totaling $21,874,000 were retained by the Predecessor
Company (see Note 14). The assets and liabilities retained by the
Predecessor Company have been reflected in these financial statements as a
distribution to the Predecessor Company.
Each of the Company's licenses is subject to an FCC requirement that the
Company construct wireless network facilities offering coverage to certain
percentages of the population within certain time periods following the
grant of such licenses. Failure to comply with these requirements could
result in the revocation of the related licenses or the imposition of fines
on the Company by the FCC.
(6) NOTE RECEIVABLE
On March 1, 1999, the Company entered into agreements with AT&T Wireless,
Lafayette Communications Company L.L.C. ("Lafayette") and ABC Wireless
L.L.C. ("ABC") whereby the Company, AT&T Wireless and Lafayette would lend
$29,500,000 to ABC to fund its participation in the re-auction of FCC
licenses that were returned to the FCC by various companies under the July
1998 reconsideration order. The Company's portion of this loan was
$7,500,000 and was recorded as a note receivable at September 30, 1999.
Subsequent to closing of the agreements, ABC was the successful bidder for
licenses covering the Tritel markets with an aggregate purchase price of
$7,789,000. The Company has agreed to purchase these licenses for $7,789,000
and expects to consummate that purchase during 1999. Under the agreement, it
will apply its $7,500,000 loan, together with additional cash of $289,000,
to pay the purchase price. If the licenses are not purchased by March 1,
2004, the note will mature on that date. The note accrues interest at 16%
per year. There are no required payments of principal or interest on the
note until maturity. The note is secured by all assets of ABC, including, if
permitted by the FCC, the FCC licenses awarded in the re-auction, and ranks
pari passu with the notes to AT&T Wireless and Lafayette.
(7) NOTES PAYABLE
At December 31, 1997, the Company had $5,000,000 payable under a $15,000,000
loan agreement with a supplier. During 1998, this loan agreement was
increased to $28,500,000 and was replaced by a loan agreement with a
different supplier. The outstanding loan balance at December 31, 1998 was
$22,100,000. The loan agreement was secured by a pledge of the membership
equity interests of certain members of Predecessor Company management and
the interest rate was 9%. Amounts outstanding under this loan agreement were
repaid in January 1999 when certain private investors invested cash in the
Company in exchange for convertible preferred stock.
At December 31, 1998, the Predecessor Company has available a $1,000,000
line of credit with a commercial bank, expiring July 27, 1999 bearing
interest at the bank's prime rate of interest plus 1% at December 31, 1998.
The amount outstanding on the line of credit was $305,000 at December 31,
1998. This line of credit relates specifically to licenses that were
retained by the Predecessor Company (see Note 14) and therefore the line was
retained by the Predecessor Company.
F-15
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
(8) FCC DEBT
The FCC provided below market rate financing for 90% of the bid price of the
C-Block PCS licenses and 80% of the bid price of the F-Block PCS licenses.
Such FCC debt is secured by all of the Company's rights and interest in the
licenses financed.
The debt incurred in September 1996 by the Company for the purchase of the
C-Block PCS licenses totaled $63,890,000 (undiscounted). The debt bears
interest at 7%; however, based on the Company's estimate of borrowing costs
for similar debt, a rate of 10% was used to determine the debt's discounted
present value of $52,700,000. As discussed in Note 5, the Company elected to
disaggregate and return one-half of the broadcast spectrum of the C-block
licenses. The FCC permitted such spectrum to be returned effective as of the
original purchase. As a result, the Company reduced the discounted debt due
to the FCC for such licenses by $27,410,000.
F-Block licenses were granted in August and November of 1997. The debt
incurred by the Company for the purchase of such licenses totaled
$15,492,000 (undiscounted) in August 1997 and $12,675,000 (undiscounted) in
November 1997. The debt bears interest at 6.125%, however; based on the
Company's estimate of borrowing costs for similar debt, a rate of 10% was
used to determine the debt's discounted present value of $12,700,000 and
$10,416,000 respectively.
In the acquisition of Central Alabama Partnership, LP 132 on January 7,
1999, the Company assumed debt of $6,072,000 payable to the FCC for the
licenses acquired.
Additionally, as described in Notes 5 and 14, certain licenses and the
related FCC debt for those licenses were retained by the Predecessor
Company. The discounted carrying amount of the debt for the licenses
retained by the Predecessor Company was $15,889,000.
As of December 31, 1998 and September 30, 1999, the following is a schedule
of future minimum principal payments of the Company's FCC debt due within
five years and thereafter:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1998 SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
------------------------ -----------------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS) (UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1999 ............ $ -- September 30, 2000 .......... $ 681
December 31, 2000 ............ 2,494 September 30, 2001 .......... 989
December 31, 2001 ............ 2,975 September 30, 2002 .......... 1,051
December 31, 2002 ............ 3,162 September 30, 2003 .......... 7,465
December 31, 2003 ............ 10,535 September 30, 2004 .......... 10,182
Thereafter ................... 40,946 Thereafter .................. 27,107
-------- --------
60,112 47,475
Less unamortized discount (8,513) (5,809)
-------- --------
Total ....................... $ 51,599 $ 41,666
======== ========
</TABLE>
All the scheduled interest payments on the FCC debt were suspended for the
period from January 1997 through March 1998 by the FCC. Payments of such
suspended interest resumed in July 1998 with the total suspended interest
due in eight quarterly payments.
Interest accruing after March 1998 (the date interest resumed after the
interest suspension) on all FCC debt is required to be paid in quarterly
payments with the first payment due in July 1998.
F-16
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
As of September 30, 1999, the Company's suspended interest will be due in
quarterly payments of $135,000 through April 30, 2000. The Company is
required to make quarterly principal and interest payments on the FCC debt
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTERLY
PAYMENTS PAYMENTS PAYMENT
BEGIN END AMOUNT
-------------- --------------- -----------------------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
C Block licenses ............................. January 2003 October 2006 $2,306
F Block licenses issued in August 1997 ....... January 2000 October 2007 340
F Block licenses issued in November 1997 ..... April 2000 December 2007 36
Licenses acquired with Central Alabama
acquisition ................................ January 2003 October 2006 438
</TABLE>
(9) NOTE PAYABLE TO RELATED PARTIES
In March 1997, the Predecessor Company entered into a loan agreement for a
$5,700,000 long-term note payable to Southern Farm Bureau Life Insurance
Company ("SFBLIC"). SFBLIC is a member of Mercury Southern, LLC, which was
a member of the Predecessor Company, and subsequently became an investor in
the Company. This note was secured by a pledge of the membership equity
interests of certain members of Predecessor Company management and interest
accrued annually at 10% on the anniversary date of the note. At December
31, 1998, the balance of the note was $6,270,000 as a result of the
capitalization of the first year's interest. The indebtedness under the
note was convertible into equity at the face amount at any time at the
option of SFBLIC, subject to FCC equity ownership limitations applicable to
entrepreneurial block license holders. The Predecessor Company and SFBLIC
subsequently negotiated a revised arrangement under which the amount due of
$6,270,000 plus accrued interest of $476,000 was not paid but instead was
converted into $8,976,000 of members' equity in the Predecessor Company on
January 7, 1999. The $2,230,000 preferred return to the investor was
accounted for as a financing cost during the period ended September 30,
1999. The interest accrued at the contractual rate was capitalized during
the accrual period.
Subsequent to the conversion of debt into members' equity and as described
in Note 1(a), the Predecessor Company transferred certain assets and
liabilities to Tritel in exchange for preferred stock in Tritel.
(10) STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
The Predecessor Companies were organized as limited liability corporations
(LLC) and as such had no outstanding stock. Owners (members) actually held
a membership interest in the LLC. As a result, the investment of those
members in the Predecessor Companies is reflected as contributed
capital--Predecessor Company in the accompanying balance sheet.
On January 7, 1999, the Company issued stock to the Predecessor Company as
well as other parties as described herein.
PREFERRED STOCK
Following is a summary of the preferred stock of the Company:
3,100,000 shares of authorized preferred stock, par value $.01 per share
(the "Preferred Stock"), 1,100,000 of which have been designated as
follows:
F-17
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
o 200,000 shares designated "Series A Convertible Preferred Stock" (the
"Series A Preferred Stock"), 10% redeemable convertible, $1,000
stated and liquidation value (See Note 22);
o 300,000 shares designated "Series B Preferred Stock" (the "Series B
Preferred Stock"), 10% cumulative, $1,000 stated and liquidation
value (See Note 22);
o 500,000 shares designated "Series C Convertible Preferred Stock" (the
"Series C Preferred Stock"), 6.5% cumulative convertible, $1,000
stated and liquidation value; and
o 100,000 shares designated "Series D Convertible Preferred Stock" (the
"Series D Preferred Stock"), 6.5% cumulative convertible, $1,000
stated and liquidation value.
o 2,000,000 shares of undesignated preferred stock.
Series C Preferred Stock
The Series C Preferred Stock (1) ranks junior to the Series A Preferred
Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (2) ranks junior to the
Series D Preferred Stock with respect to rights on a statutory liquidation,
(3) ranks on a parity basis with the Series D Preferred Stock with respect
to rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, except a statutory
liquidation, (4) ranks on a parity basis with Series D Preferred Stock and
Common Stock with respect to dividend rights, and (5) ranks senior to the
Common Stock and any other series or class of the Company's common or
preferred stock, now or hereafter authorized, other than Series A Preferred
Stock, Series B Preferred Stock or Series D Preferred Stock, with respect
to rights on liquidation, dissolution and winding up.
The holders of Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to dividends in cash
or property when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors of Tritel.
Upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Tritel, the holders of
Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive, after payment to any
stock ranking senior to the Series C Preferred Stock, a liquidation
preference equal to (1) the quotient of the aggregate paid-in-capital of
all Series C Preferred Stock held by a stockholder divided by the total
number of shares of Series C Preferred Stock held by that stockholder plus
(2) declared but unpaid dividends on the Series C Preferred Stock, if any,
plus (3) an amount equal to interest on the invested amount at the rate of
6 1/2% per annum, compounded quarterly. The holders of the Series C
Preferred Stock have the right at any time to convert each share of Series
C Preferred Stock, and upon an initial public offering meeting certain
conditions (the "IPO Date"), each share of Series C Preferred Stock will
automatically convert, into shares of Class A Common Stock of and, under
certain circumstances, Class D Common Stock. The number of shares the
holder will receive upon conversion will be determined by dividing the
aforementioned liquidation preference by the conversion price in effect at
the time of conversion. The conversion price currently in effect is $1,000.
On all matters to be submitted to the stockholders of Tritel, the holders
of Series C Preferred Stock shall have the right to vote on an as-converted
basis as a single class with the holders of the Common Stock. Additionally,
the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Series C Preferred
Stock is required to approve certain matters. The Series C Preferred Stock
is not redeemable.
The Company issued 18,262 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a stated
value of $18,262,000 to the Predecessor Company on January 7, 1999 in
exchange for certain of its assets, liabilities and continuing operations.
The stock was recorded at the historical cost of the assets and liabilities
acquired from the Predecessor Company since, for accounting purposes, this
transaction was accounted for as a reorganization of the Predecessor
Company into a C corporation and a name change to Tritel.
F-18
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
The Company also issued 14,130 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a
stated value of $14,130,000 to the Predecessor Company on January 7, 1999
in exchange for cash of $14,130,000. In the same transaction, the Company
also issued 149,239 shares of Series C Preferred Stock with a stated value
of $149,239,000 to investors on January 7, 1999 in exchange for cash and
subscriptions receivable. The stock was recorded at its stated value and
the costs associated with this transaction have been offset against equity.
Additionally, the Company issued 2,602 shares of Series C Preferred Stock
with a stated value of $2,602,000 to Central Alabama Partnership, LP 132 on
January 7, 1999 in exchange for its net assets. The stock was recorded at
its stated value and the assets and liabilities were recorded at estimated
fair values.
Series D Preferred Stock
The Series D Preferred Stock (1) ranks junior to the Series A Preferred
Stock and the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividend rights and
rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up, (2) ranks senior to the
Series C Preferred Stock with respect to rights on a statutory liquidation,
(3) ranks on a parity basis with Series C Preferred Stock with respect to
rights on liquidation, dissolution and winding up, except a statutory
liquidation, (4) ranks on a parity basis with Series C Preferred Stock and
Common Stock with respect to dividend rights, and (5) ranks senior to the
Common Stock and any other series or class of Tritel's common or preferred
stock, now or hereafter authorized, other than Series A Preferred Stock,
Series B Preferred Stock or Series C Preferred Stock, with respect to
rights on liquidation, dissolution and winding up. Subject to the preceding
sentence, the Series D Preferred Stock is identical in all respects to the
Series C Preferred Stock, except:
o the Series D Preferred Stock is convertible into an equivalent number
of shares of Series C Preferred Stock at any time;
o the liquidation preference for Series D Preferred Stock equals $1,000
per share plus declared but unpaid dividends plus an amount equal to
interest on $1,000 at the rate of 6 1/2% per annum, compounded
quarterly, from the date of issuance of such share to and including the
date of the payment:
o the holders of Series D Preferred Stock do not have any voting rights,
other than those required by law or in certain circumstances; and
o shares of Series D Preferred Stock are not automatically convertible
upon an initial public offering of the Company's stock, but will be
renamed as "Senior Common Stock" on such date.
The Company issued 46,374 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with a stated
value of $46,374,000 to AT&T Wireless on January 7, 1999.
COMMON STOCK
Following is a summary of the common stock of the Company:
1,016,000,009 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common
Stock"), which have been designated as follows:
o 500,000,000 shares designated "Class A Voting Common Stock" (the
"Class A Common Stock"),
o 500,000,000 shares designated "Class B Non-Voting Common Stock" (the
"Class B Common Stock"),
F-19
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
o 4,000,000 shares designated "Class C Common Stock" (the "Class C
Common Stock"),
o 12,000,000 shares designated "Class D Common Stock" (the "Class D
Common Stock") and
o 9 shares designated "Voting Preference Common Stock" (the "Voting
Preference Common Stock")
The Common Stock of Tritel is divided into two groups, the "Non-Tracked
Common Stock," which is comprised of the Class A Common Stock, the Class B
Common Stock and the Voting Preference Common Stock, and the "Tracked
Common Stock," which is comprised of the Class C Common Stock and Class D
Common Stock. Each share of Common Stock is identical, and entitles the
holder thereof to the same rights, powers and privileges of stockholders
under Delaware law, except:
o dividends on the Tracked Common Stock track the assets and liabilities
of Tritel C/F Holding Corp., a subsidiary of Tritel;
o rights on liquidation, dissolution or winding up of Tritel of the
Tracked Common Stock track the assets and liabilities of Tritel C/F
Holding Corp.;
o the Class A Common Stock, together with the Series C Preferred Stock,
has 4,990,000 votes, the Class B Common Stock has no votes, the Class C
Common Stock has no votes, the Class D Common Stock has no votes and the
Voting Preference Common Stock has 5,010,000 votes, except that in any
matter requiring a separate class vote of any class of Common Stock or a
separate vote of two or more classes of Common Stock voting together as
a single class, for the purposes of such a class vote, each share of
Common Stock of such classes will be entitled to one vote per share;
o in the event the FCC indicates that the Class A Common Stock and the
Voting Preference Stock (1) may be voted as a single class on all
matters, (2) may be treated as a single class for all quorum
requirements and (3) may have one vote per share, then, absent action by
the Board of Directors and upon an affirmative vote of 66 2/3% or more
of the Class A Common Stock, Tritel must seek consent from the FCC to
permit the Class A Common Stock and the Voting Preference Common Stock
to vote and act as a single class in the manner described above;
o the holders of shares of Class B Common Stock shall be entitled to vote
as a separate class on any amendment, repeal or modification of any
provision of the restated certificate of Incorporation that adversely
affects the powers, preferences or special rights of the holders of the
Class B Common Stock;
o each share of Class B Common Stock may be converted, at any time at the
holder's option, into one share of Class A Common Stock;
o each share of Class A Common Stock may be converted, at any time at the
holder's option, into one share of Class B Common Stock; and
o in the event the FCC indicates that it will permit the conversion of
Tracked Common Stock into either Class A Common Stock or Class B Common
Stock, then, absent action by the Board of Directors and upon an
affirmative vote of 66 2/3% or more of the Class A Common Stock, such
conversion will be allowed by Tritel at the option of the holders of the
Tracked Common Stock.
During 1999, the Company has issued 13,502,124 shares of Class A Common
Stock, 2,070,672 shares of Class C Common Stock and 9 shares of Voting
Preference Common Stock (of which 3 shares have been returned to the
Company) to certain members of management of the Company for $0.01 per
share. The Class A and Class C common stock issued to management are
restricted
F-20
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
shares subject to repurchase agreements which require the holders to sell
to the Company at a $0.01 repurchase price per share, the number of shares
that would be equal to $2.50 per share on specified "Trigger Dates"
including a change of control, termination of employment, or the later of
an initial public offering or the seventh anniversary of the agreement. On
the "Trigger Date", the holders must sell to the Company the number of
shares necessary, based on the then current fair value of the stock, to
reduce the number of shares of stock held by an amount equal to the number
of shares then held by the holder times $2.50 per share (in essence,
requiring the holders to pay $2.50 per share for their shares of stock).
Also, in the event the Company does not meet certain performance
measurements, certain members of management will be required to sell to the
Company a fixed number of shares at $0.01 per share.
At January 7, 1999 management determined the stock because of the terms of
the stock repurchase agreement to have a nominal value; therefore, no
amounts have been assigned to common stock in the accompanying balance
sheet and no amounts have been amortized into compensation expense for such
shares. Based on the terms of the repurchase agreement, this plan is being
accounted for as a variable stock plan. Accordingly, the Company will
record any increase in value above $2.50 as compensation expense over the
vesting period. The stock vests at varying rates generally over a five year
period including completion of certain minimum network buildout plans. At
September 30, 1999, there was no material impact on pro forma net loss from
applying the fair value method in SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."
Assuming the closing price of the Company's Class A common stock is $18.00
per share (the initial public offering price) on December 31, 1999, the
Company will record non-cash compensation expense of approximately
$108,941,000 in December 1999 relating to the earned portion of the stock
issued to management. Also, assuming the Company's Class A common stock
continues to have a fair value of $18.00 per share, the Company will record
additional non-cash compensation expense for the period from 2000 through
2004 of approximately $82,674,000. Any increase or decrease in fair value,
above or below $18.00 per share, for the Class A common stock under these
arrangements would result in non-cash compensation expense for the period
from 2000 through 2004 in amounts greater than or less than the above
amounts.
In conjunction with the Company's agreement with Mr. Sullivan (see Note
16), the Company agreed to repurchase 1,276,000 shares of the officer's
stock at $0.01 per share and allow the officer to become fully vested in
his remaining 1,800,000 shares without restriction or repurchase rights. As
a result, the Company recorded $4.5 million as compensation expense and
additional paid in capital. Such amount represents the fair value of the
stock without restrictions or repurchase rights.
(11) INCOME TAXES
On January 7, 1999 the Company recorded a deferred tax liability of
$55,100,000 primarily related to the difference in asset bases on the
assets acquired from AT&T Wireless.
Because the Predecessor Company was a nontaxable entity, the results
presented below relate solely to the nine-month period ended September 30,
1999. Components of income tax benefit for the nine-month period ended
September 30, 1999 are as follows:
F-21
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NINE MONTHS ENDED
SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
---------------------------------------
CURRENT DEFERRED TOTAL
--------- ------------ ------------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Federal ............. $-- (11,858) (11,858)
State ............... -- (1,780) (1,780)
--- ------- -------
$-- (13,638) (13,638)
=== ======= =======
</TABLE>
Actual tax expense differs from the "expected" tax benefit using the
federal corporate rate of 35% as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
1999
-----------------------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Computed "expected" tax benefit ................................ $ (14,838)
Reduction (increase) resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal income tax benefit ......... (1,378)
Nontaxable loss of Predecessor Company ........................ 954
Nondeductible compensation related expense .................... 1,624
---------
$ (13,638)
=========
</TABLE>
The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant
portions of the deferred tax liability at September 30, 1999 are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SEPTEMBER 30,
1999
-----------------------
(UNAUDITED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforward .................................. $ 6,848
Tax basis of capitalized start-up costs in excess of book basis .. 17,136
Discount accretion in excess of tax basis ........................ 3,769
Other ............................................................ 74
-------
Total gross deferred tax assets ................................ 27,827
-------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets book basis in excess of tax basis .............. 23,571
FCC licenses book basis in excess of tax basis ................... 31,944
Capitalized interest book basis in excess of tax basis ........... 10,578
Discount accretion book basis in excess of tax basis ............. 2,222
Other ............................................................ 22
-------
Total gross deferred tax liabilities ........................... 68,337
-------
Net deferred tax liability ..................................... $40,510
=======
</TABLE>
At September 30, 1999, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards for
federal income tax purposes of $17,903,000 which are available to offset
future federal taxable income, if any, through 2019.
There was no valuation allowance for the gross deferred tax asset at
September 30, 1999, principally due to the existence of a deferred tax
liability which was recorded upon the closing of the AT&T Wireless
transaction on January 7, 1999. The ultimate realization of deferred tax
assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the
period in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management
considered the scheduled reversal of
F-22
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
deferred tax liabilities in making this assessment. Based upon anticipated
future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are
realizable, management believes it is more likely than not the Company will
realize the benefits of these deferred tax assets.
(12) FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following disclosure of the estimated fair value of financial
instruments is made pursuant to Financial Accounting Standards No. 107,
"Disclosures About Fair Value of Financial Instruments." Fair value
estimates are subject to inherent limitations. Estimates of fair value are
made at a specific point in time, based on relevant market information and
information about the financial instrument. The estimated fair values of
financial instruments are not necessarily indicative of amounts the Company
might realize in actual market transactions. Estimates of fair value are
subjective in nature and involve uncertainties and matters of significant
judgment and therefore cannot be determined with precision. Changes in
assumptions could significantly affect the estimates.
Note receivable: The carrying amount of note receivable is believed to
approximate fair value due to the imminent conversion of the principal
amount as described in Note 6.
Notes payable: The carrying amount of notes payable is believed to
approximate fair value due to the current nature of the liabilities.
Long-term debt: The carrying amount of long-term debt is believed to
approximate fair value because such debt was discounted to reflect a
market interest rate at inception and such discount is believed to be
approximate for valuation of this debt.
(13) RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During 1995, the Predecessor Company had a notes payable agreement with
Mercury Southern, LLC, a member of the Predecessor Company, whereby Mercury
Southern, LLC loaned the Predecessor Company $3,000,000. During 1995, 1996
and 1997, the notes payable converted to members' equity at the face amount
of the principal. As of December 31, 1997, this note was fully converted to
members' equity.
During 1996, the Predecessor Company had an agreement with Mercury
Southern, LLC under which it paid a management fee to Mercury Southern,
LLC. Management fees were $40,000 per month prior to the PCS auctions and,
thereafter, were three cents per month for each person living in a market
(Pops) for which the Company had purchased a PCS license. The population in
each market was determined in accordance with ordinary estimates and
methods used in the telecommunication industry. Total expenses under this
management agreement for 1996 were $730,000. This management agreement
terminated at the end of 1996.
During 1997 and 1998, the Company reimbursed MSM, Inc. ("MSM"), a company
owned by members of the Company's management, for actual expenses to cover
the salaries and employee benefits of MSM employees who were providing
services almost exclusively to the Company. The Company reimbursed MSM
$1,312,000 and $3,709,000 for such expenses in 1997 and 1998, respectively.
On January 7, 1999, after consummation of the transactions described
herein, the employees of MSM who were providing services to the Company
became employees of the Company.
Further, MSM sometimes paid invoices on behalf of the Company for expenses
directly attributable to the Company and was reimbursed from the Company
for such expenditures. For
F-23
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
expenses shared by both MSM and the Company, MSM paid the expenses and
allocated a portion to the Company. The Company reimbursed MSM $144,000 in
1996, $248,000 in 1997 and $325,000 in 1998 for such costs incurred on the
Company's behalf.
During April 1997, the Company advanced $249,000 on behalf of MSM to repay
a loan MSM had incurred from a third party. The balance due from MSM on
this advance was $247,000 at December 31, 1997 and 1998 and at September
30, 1999.
Also, Mercury Wireless Management, Inc. ("MWM"), a company owned by members
of the Company's management, reimburses the Company for expenses relating
to services performed by the Company's employees on behalf of MWM. Such
amounts totaled $17,000 for 1997 and $11,000 for 1998 and were included in
amounts due from affiliates at December 31, 1997 and 1998. The Company has
also entered into various leases to co-locate its equipment on certain
towers managed by MWM.
In 1999, Tritel entered into a management agreement with Tritel Management,
LLC, a company owned by members of the Company's management, under which
Tritel Management, LLC is responsible for the design and construction of
the network and operation of the Company, subject to the Company's control.
The Company will pay Tritel Management, LLC a fee of $10,000 annually for
five years under the terms of the agreement.
On January 7, 1999, the Company entered into a secured promissory note
agreement under which it agreed to lend up to $2,500,000 to the Predecessor
Company. Interest on advances under the loan agreement is 10% per year. The
interest will compound annually and interest and principal are due at
maturity of the note. The note is secured by the Predecessor Company's
ownership interest in the Company. Any proceeds from the sales of licenses
by the Predecessor Company, net of the repayment of any FCC debt, are
required to be applied to the note balance. If the note has not been repaid
within five years, it will be repaid through a reduction of the Predecessor
Company's interest in the Company based on a valuation of the Company's
stock at that time.
Additional related party transactions are described in note 9.
(14) ASSETS AND LIABILITIES RETAINED BY PREDECESSOR COMPANY
Certain assets and liabilities, with carrying amounts of $22,070,000 and
$17,367,000, respectively, principally for certain FCC licenses and related
FCC debt, which were retained by the Predecessor Company have been
reflected in these financial statements as a distribution to the
Predecessor Company. The Predecessor Company is holding such assets and
liabilities but is not currently developing the PCS markets. Of the assets
retained by the Predecessor Company, Tritel was granted an option to
acquire certain PCS licenses for Series C Preferred Stock with a face value
of approximately $3,000,000 and assumption of the related FCC debt of
approximately $12,000,000. During May 1999, Tritel notified the Predecessor
Company of its intent to exercise this option. Such licenses will be
transferred to Tritel after approval by the FCC. Tritel has committed to
grant an option to AT&T Wireless or its designee for the purchase of such
licenses.
(15) LEASES
The Company leases office space, equipment, and co-location tower space
under noncancelable operating leases. Expense under operating leases was
$3,000 and $334,000 for 1997 and 1998, respectively and was $74,000 and
$3,754,000 for the nine month periods ended September 30, 1998 and 1999.
Management expects that in the normal course of business these leases will
be renewed or replaced by similar leases. The leases extend through 2008.
F-24
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
Future minimum lease payments under these leases at December 31, 1998 are
as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C>
1999 .................... $1,134
2000 .................... 864
2001 .................... 742
2002 .................... 708
2003 .................... 582
Thereafter .............. 135
------
$4,165
======
</TABLE>
(16) COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Effective September 1, 1999, Tritel, Inc. and Jerry M. Sullivan entered
into an agreement to redefine Mr. Sullivan's relationship with Tritel, Inc.
and its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan has resigned as an officer and a
director of Tritel, Inc. and all of its subsidiaries. Mr. Sullivan will
retain the title Executive Vice President of Tritel, Inc. through December
31, 2001; however, under the agreement, he is not permitted to represent
the Company nor will he perform any functions for Tritel, Inc. As part of
the agreement, Mr. Sullivan will also receive an annual salary of $225,000
and an annual bonus of $112,500 through December 31, 2002. Mr. Sullivan
will be fully vested in 1,800,000 shares of Class A Common Stock and will
return all other shares held by him, including his Voting Preference Common
Stock to Tritel, Inc. Accordingly, the Company has recorded $5.8 million in
additional compensation expense in the nine-month period ended September
30, 1999. The $5.8 million was determined pursuant to the settlement of Mr.
Sullivan's employment relationship with the Company, and includes $4.5
million for the grant of additional stock rights, $225,000 annual salary
and $112,500 annual bonus through December 31, 2002, and other related
amounts.
Mr. Sullivan had served as Director, Executive Vice President and Chief
Operating Officer of Tritel, Inc. since 1993. The foregoing agreements
supersede the employment relationship between Tritel, Inc. and Mr. Sullivan
defined by the Management Agreement and Mr. Sullivan's employment
agreement.
In December 1998, the Company entered into an acquisition agreement with an
equipment vendor whereby the Company agreed to purchase a minimum of
$300,000,000 of equipment, software and certain engineering services over a
five-year period in connection with the construction of its wireless
telecommunications network. The Company agreed that the equipment vendor
would be the exclusive provider of such equipment during the term of the
agreement. As part of this agreement, the vendor advanced $15,000,000 to
the Company at the closing of the transactions described herein. The
$15,000,000 deferred credit will be accounted for as a reduction in the
cost of the equipment as the equipment is purchased.
During November 1996, High Plains Wireless, L.P. filed a protest with the
FCC against the Predecessor Company alleging, among other things, that
through the use of trailing numbers (i.e., the last three digits) in its
bids, the Predecessor Company was signaling market preferences and other
information to other bidders in violation of FCC rules. While the FCC was
investigating this specific claim, it issued all but nine of the D-, E- and
F-Block licenses awarded to the Predecessor Company in the January 1997
auctions. Subsequently, the FCC issued the remaining nine licenses to the
Predecessor Company in November 1997 and assessed the Predecessor Company a
$650,000 fine for apparent violations of FCC bidding rules in connection
with the Predecessor Company's bidding practices. In August 1998, the FCC
rescinded the $650,000 fine, finding that its rules were not sufficiently
clear as to be enforceable against the Company.
F-25
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
The United States Department of Justice ("DOJ") conducted an investigation
of the Predecessor Company and numerous other parties relating to this same
matter. While a suit was filed against the Predecessor Company in November
1998 by the DOJ, the suit was simultaneously settled pursuant to a consent
decree that imposed no penalties and made no finding of wrongdoing.
The Predecessor Company and certain members of the Company's management are
defendants in a lawsuit in which the plaintiffs allege that a member of the
Company's management knew confidential information about one of the
plaintiffs and that the Predecessor Company conspired to use the
information in the D-, E- and F-Block auctions in violation of pre-existing
contractual arrangements between the management member and one of the
plaintiffs. The suit seeks actual and punitive damages and seeks to convey
the F-Block licenses for Lubbock, Texas to the plaintiffs. Management
believes this case is without merit and intends to vigorously defend the
case.
Additionally, the Predecessor Company, certain members of the Company's
management and several companies related through common ownership are
defendants in a lawsuit in which the plaintiff has claimed wrongful
termination of employment, breach of contract, usurpation of corporate
opportunities, breach of fiduciary duties and other matters. The suit seeks
unspecified actual and punitive damages plus attorneys' fees and court
costs. Further, the plaintiff seeks 5% of the portion of stock (equity) and
FCC licenses of the Predecessor Company owned by certain members of the
Company's management. Management is vigorously defending all claims in the
suit and believes that the Company's business prospects are not materially
affected by this matter and that adverse resolution of this matter would
not have a material adverse effect on the Company.
(17) SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES
On May 11, 1999, Tritel PCS, Inc. ("Tritel PCS"), a wholly-owned subsidiary
of the Company, issued unsecured senior subordinated discount notes with a
principal amount at maturity of $372,000,000. Such notes were issued at a
discount from their principal amount at maturity for proceeds of $200.2
million. No interest will be paid or accrued on the notes prior to May 15,
2004. Thereafter, Tritel PCS will be required to pay interest semiannually
at 12 3/4% per annum beginning on November 15, 2004 until maturity of the
notes on May 15, 2009.
The notes are fully unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis
by the Company and by Tritel Communications, Inc. and Tritel Finance, Inc.,
both of which are wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tritel PCS. The notes are
subordinated in right of payment to amounts outstanding under the Company's
$550 million senior bank facility ("Bank Facility") and to any future
subordinated indebtedness of Tritel PCS or the guarantors.
Tritel PCS entered into a registration rights agreement with the initial
purchasers of the notes whereby Tritel PCS agreed to file a registration
statement with the SEC to register the notes within 60 days after the issue
date of the notes.
The indenture governing the notes limit, among other things, the Company's
ability to incur additional indebtedness, pay dividends, sell or exchange
assets, repurchase its stock, or make investments.
The following condensed consolidating financial statements as of and for
the nine-month period ended September 30, 1999 are presented for Tritel,
Tritel PCS, those subsidiaries of Tritel PCS who serve as guarantors and
those subsidiaries who do not serve as guarantors of the senior
subordinated discount notes.
F-26
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRITEL GUARANTOR NON-GUARANTOR
TRITEL, INC. PCS, INC. SUBSIDIARIES SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------------- ----------- -------------- -------------- -------------- -------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents .............. $ -- 486,038 (354) -- -- 485,684
Other current assets ................... 2,730 90 6,633 -- -- 9,453
Intercompany receivables ............... 695 130,221 7,131 -- (138,047) --
-------- ------- ----- -- -------- -------
Total current assets .................. 3,425 616,349 13,410 -- (138,047) 495,137
Restricted cash ......................... -- 7,387 -- -- -- 7,387
Property and equipment, net ............. -- -- 132,075 -- -- 132,075
Licenses and other intangibles .......... 60,924 -- -- 199,440 -- 260,364
Deferred charges ........................ -- 28,430 -- -- -- 28,430
Notes receivable ........................ -- 7,500 50 -- -- 7,550
Investment in subsidiaries .............. 232,331 101,156 -- -- (333,487) --
Other long-term assets .................. -- 529 -- -- -- 529
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total assets .......................... $296,680 761,351 145,535 199,440 (471,534) 931,472
======== ======= ======= ======= ======== =======
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and
other current liabilities ............. $ -- 1,178 51,805 1,609 -- 54,592
Intercompany payables .................. 1,525 5,726 117,221 13,575 (138,047) --
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total current liabilities ............. 1,525 6,904 169,026 15,184 (138,047) 54,592
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt ......................... -- 510,093 -- 40,985 -- 551,078
Deferred credit ........................ -- 12,751 -- -- -- 12,751
Deferred income taxes .................. 22,614 (728) (11,346) 29,970 -- 40,510
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total liabilities ..................... 24,139 529,020 157,680 86,139 (138,047) 658,931
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Series A redeemable convertible preferred
stock .................................. 97,301 -- -- -- -- 97,301
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Stockholders' equity (deficit) .......... 175,240 232,331 (12,145) 113,301 (333,487) 175,240
-------- ------- ------- ------- -------- -------
Total liabilities and equity .......... $296,680 761,351 145,535 199,440 (471,534) 931,472
======== ======= ======= ======= ======== =======
</TABLE>
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE NINE-MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRITEL GUARANTOR
TRITEL, INC. PCS, INC. SUBSIDIARIES
-------------- ----------- --------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ................................... $ -- -- 179
-------- -- ---
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and equipment ............ -- -- 189
Plant ..................................... -- -- 8,931
General and administrative ................ 3 45 17,364
Sales and marketing ....................... -- -- 6,621
Depreciation and amortization ............. 4,203 -- 1,389
-------- -- ------
4,206 45 34,494
-------- -- ------
Operating loss ............................. (4,206) (45) (34,315)
Interest income ............................ 114 10,178 159
Financing cost ............................. -- -- (2,230)
Interest expense ........................... -- (12,038) --
-------- ------- -------
Income (loss) before income taxes ......... (4,092) (1,905) (36,386)
Income tax benefit (expense) ............... 1,565 729 11,344
-------- ------- -------
Net loss ................................... $ (2,527) (1,176) (25,042)
======== ======= =======
<CAPTION>
NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------------- -------------- -------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues ................................... -- -- 179
-- -- ---
Operating expenses:
Cost of services and equipment ............ -- -- 189
Plant ..................................... -- -- 8,931
General and administrative ................ 2 -- 17,414
Sales and marketing ....................... -- -- 6,621
Depreciation and amortization ............. 9 -- 5,601
-- -- ------
11 -- 38,756
-- -- ------
Operating loss ............................. (11) -- (38,577)
Interest income ............................ -- -- 10,451
Financing cost ............................. -- -- (2,230)
Interest expense ........................... -- -- (12,038)
--- -- -------
Income (loss) before income taxes ......... (11) -- (42,394)
Income tax benefit (expense) ............... -- -- 13,638
--- -- -------
Net loss ................................... (11) -- (28,756)
=== == =======
</TABLE>
F-27
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE NINE-MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1999
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TRITEL GUARANTOR
TRITEL, INC. PCS, INC. SUBSIDIARIES
-------------- ----------- --------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities ........................................ $ (94) (50,011) 21,407
----------- ------- ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures .............................. -- -- (80,189)
Purchase of a trademark ........................... (325) -- --
Advance under notes receivable .................... -- (7,500) (50)
Investment in subsidiaries ........................ (118,466) 118,466 --
Decrease in other assets .......................... -- (7,387) --
Capitalized interest on debt ...................... -- -- (5,617)
----------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities ........................................ (118,791) 103,579 (85,856)
----------- ------- -------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long term debt ...................... -- 300,000 --
Proceeds from senior subordinated debt ............ -- 200,240 --
Repayments of notes payable ....................... (22,100) -- --
Payment of debt issuance costs and other
deferred charges ................................. (22,198) (14,363) --
Intercompany receivable/payable ................... 480 (68,105) 63,249
Proceeds from vendor discount ..................... -- 15,000 --
Other ............................................. -- (302) --
Issuance of preferred stock ....................... 162,703 -- --
----------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by financing activities .......... 118,885 432,470 63,249
----------- ------- -------
Net increase (decrease) in restricted cash, cash
and cash equivalents .............................. -- 486,038 (1,200)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period ............................................ -- -- 846
----------- ------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ......... $ -- 486,038 (354)
=========== ======= =======
<CAPTION>
NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------------- -------------- -------------
(AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities ........................................ -- -- (28,698)
-- -- -------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures .............................. -- -- (80,189)
Purchase of a trademark ........................... -- -- (325)
Advance under notes receivable .................... -- -- (7,550)
Investment in subsidiaries ........................ -- -- --
Decrease in other assets .......................... -- -- (7,387)
Capitalized interest on debt ...................... (4,376) -- (9,993)
------ -- -------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing
activities ........................................ (4,376) -- (105,444)
------ -- --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from long term debt ...................... -- -- 300,000
Proceeds from senior subordinated debt ............ -- -- 200,240
Repayments of notes payable ....................... -- -- (22,100)
Payment of debt issuance costs and other
deferred charges ................................. -- -- (36,561)
Intercompany receivable/payable ................... 4,376 -- --
Proceeds from vendor discount ..................... -- -- 15,000
Other ............................................. -- -- (302)
Issuance of preferred stock ....................... -- -- 162,703
------ -- --------
Net cash provided by financing activities .......... 4,376 -- 618,980
------ -- --------
Net increase (decrease) in restricted cash, cash
and cash equivalents .............................. -- -- 484,838
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period ............................................ -- -- 846
------ -- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ......... -- -- 485,684
====== == ========
</TABLE>
The condensed combining financial statements for 1998 of Tritel, Inc. and
the Predecessor Companies have been provided below to comply with the
current requirement to show consolidating data for guarantors and
non-guarantors for all periods presented. While Tritel, Inc. and its
subsidiaries were formed during 1998, their only activities in 1998 were
the acquisition of property and equipment approximating $1.5 million and
losses totaling $32,000. The assets of the Predecessor Companies and the
assets acquired from AT&T Wireless and Central Alabama were placed in
Tritel, Inc. and its subsidiaries during 1999. Therefore, the following
statements do not correspond with the current corporate structure and do
not show data by guarantor and non-guarantor relationship to the senior
subordinated discount notes.
F-28
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
COMBINING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREDECESSOR
COMPANIES TRITEL ELIMINATIONS COMBINED
------------ -------- -------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents .................................... $ 845 1 -- 846
Due from affiliates .......................................... 1,817 -- (1,576) 241
Other current assets ......................................... 719 -- -- 719
--------- -- ------ ---
Total current assets .................................... 3,381 1 (1,576) 1,806
Property and equipment, net ................................... 12,263 1,553 -- 13,816
FCC licensing costs ........................................... 71,466 -- -- 71,466
Deferred charges, net of accumulated amortization ............. 1,933 -- -- 1,933
--------- ----- ------ ------
Total assets ............................................ $ 89,043 1,554 (1,576) 89,021
========= ===== ====== ======
LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Notes payable ................................................ $ 22,405 -- -- 22,405
Due to affiliates ............................................ -- 1,576 (1,576) --
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and interest .............. 10,496 10 -- 10,506
--------- ----- ------ ------
Total current liabilities ............................... 32,901 1,586 (1,576) 32,911
--------- ----- ------ ------
Non-current liabilities:
Long-term debt ............................................... 51,599 -- -- 51,599
Note payable to related party ................................ 6,270 -- -- 6,270
Accrued interest payable ..................................... 224 -- -- 224
--------- ----- ------ ------
Total non-current liabilities ........................... 58,093 -- -- 58,093
--------- ----- ------ ------
Total liabilities ....................................... 90,994 1,586 (1,576) 91,004
Contributed capital, net ...................................... 13,497 -- -- 13,497
Deficit accumulated during development stage .................. (15,448) (32) -- (15,480)
--------- ----- ------ -------
Total members' equity (deficit) ......................... (1,951) (32) -- (1,983)
--------- ----- ------ -------
Total liabilities and members' equity (deficit) ......... $ 89,043 1,554 (1,576) 89,021
========= ===== ====== =======
</TABLE>
F-29
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
COMBINING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREDECESSOR
COMPANIES TRITEL COMBINED
------------ -------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Revenues: .................................. $ -- -- --
--------- -- --
Operating expenses:
Plant expenses ............................ 1,918 21 1,939
General and administrative ................ 4,937 10 4,947
Sales and marketing ....................... 451 1 452
Depreciation and amortization ............. 348 -- 348
--------- ----- -----
7,654 32 7,686
--------- ----- -----
Operating loss ............................. (7,654) (32) (7,686)
Interest income ............................ 77 -- 77
Interest expenses .......................... (722) -- (722)
--------- ----- ------
Loss before extraordinary item ......... (8,299) (32) (8,331)
Loss on return of spectrum ................. (2,414) -- (2,414)
--------- ----- ------
Net loss ............................... $ (10,713) (32) (10,745)
========= ===== =======
</TABLE>
COMBINING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PREDECESSOR
COMPANIES TRITEL COMBINED
------------ ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash used in operating activities .............................. (10,039) 1,543 (8,496)
------- ----- ------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchase of property and equipment ................................ (4,428) (1,542) (5,970)
Capitalized interest on debt used to obtain FCC licenses .......... (2,905) -- (2,905)
------- ------ ------
Net cash used in investing activities ............................ (7,333) (1,542) (8,875)
------- ------ ------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from notes payable to others ............................. 38,705 -- 38,705
Repayments of notes payable to others ............................. (21,300) -- (21,300)
Payment of debt issuance costs and other deferred charges ......... (951) -- (951)
------- ------ -------
Net cash provided by financing activities ........................ 16,454 -- 16,454
------- ------ -------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents ............... (918) 1 (917)
Restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year .......... 1,763 -- 1,763
------- ------ -------
Restricted cash and cash equivalents at end of year ................ 845 1 846
======= ====== =======
</TABLE>
Tritel, Inc. was formed during 1998. Therefore, the 1996 and 1997 combining
financial information is identical to the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
F-30
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
(18) CASH EQUITY INVESTORS
On May 20, 1998, the Company, the Predecessor Company, AT&T Wireless,
certain institutional cash equity investors (the "Cash Equity Investors")
and certain members of management entered into the Securities Purchase
Agreement, which provided for the formation of the Tritel-AT&T Wireless
joint venture and related equity investments. On January 7, 1999, the
transactions contemplated by the Securities Purchase Agreement were closed
and the parties entered into numerous agreements as described throughout
these notes. Pursuant to these agreements, on January 7, 1999, the
Predecessor Company invested an additional $14,130,000 in Series C
Preferred Stock of Tritel, and the Cash Equity Investors purchased an
aggregate of $149,239,000 of Series C Preferred Stock of Tritel. Of the
total Series C Preferred Stock issued to the Predecessor Company and the
Cash Equity Investors, $113,623,000 was funded on January 7, 1999 and the
remaining $49,746,000 was funded, under the Cash Equity Investors'
irrevocable and unconditional commitments, on September 30, 1999.
(19) TRANSACTION WITH AT&T WIRELESS
On May 20, 1998, the Predecessor Company and Tritel entered into a
Securities Purchase Agreement with AT&T Wireless and the other stockholders
of Tritel, whereby the Company agreed to construct a PCS network and
provide wireless services using the SunCom and AT&T brand names using equal
emphasis co-branding in the south-central United States.
On January 7, 1999, the parties closed the transactions contemplated in the
Securities Purchase Agreement. Under these agreements, Tritel and AT&T
Wireless and the other stockholders of Tritel consented that one or more of
Tritel's subsidiaries enter into certain agreements or conduct certain
operations on the condition that such subsidiaries at all times be direct
or indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries of Tritel. Tritel agreed that it
would cause such subsidiaries to perform the obligations and conduct such
operations required to be performed or conducted under those agreements.
At the closing, Tritel issued preferred stock to AT&T Wireless in exchange
for 20 MHz A- and B-Block PCS licenses which were assigned to the Company,
and for certain other agreements covering the Company's markets. The FCC
licenses will be amortized on a straight-line basis over 40 years.
The following table summarizes the transaction with AT&T Wireless:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Assets acquired from AT&T Wireless, at recorded amounts:
PCS Licenses ......................................................... $ 126,672,000
License Agreement .................................................... 49,538,000
Roaming Agreement .................................................... 15,980,000
-------------
Gross assets acquired .............................................. 192,190,000
Deferred income tax liability assumed relating to above assets ........ (55,148,000)
-------------
Net assets acquired ................................................ $ 137,042,000
-------------
Series A Preferred Stock .............................................. $ 90,668,000
Series D Preferred Stock .............................................. 46,374,000
-------------
Total preferred stock issued to AT&T Wireless ......................... 137,042,000
=============
</TABLE>
F-31
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
The Series A Preferred Stock issued by the Company is further described in
Note 22 and the Series D Preferred Stock is further described in Note 10.
In connection with the closing of the AT&T Wireless transaction, the
Company entered into certain agreements, including the following:
(A) LICENSE AGREEMENT
Pursuant to a Network Membership License Agreement, dated January 7,
1999 (the "License Agreement"), between AT&T Corp. and the Company, AT&T
Wireless granted to the Company a royalty-free, nontransferable,
non-exclusive, nonsublicensable, limited right, and license to use
certain licensed marks solely in connection with certain licensed
activities. The licensed marks include the logo containing AT&T and the
globe design and the expression "Member of the AT&T Wireless Network."
The "Licensed Activities" include (i) the provision to end-users and
resellers, solely within the territory as defined in the License
Agreement, of Company communications services as defined in the License
Agreement on frequencies licensed to the Company for Commercial Mobile
Radio Services ("CMRS") provided in accordance with the License
Agreement (collectively, the "Licensed Services") and (ii) marketing and
offering the Licensed Services within the territory. The License
Agreement also grants to the Company the right and license to use
licensed marks on certain permitted mobile phones.
The License Agreement contains numerous restrictions with respect to the
use and modification of any of the licensed marks. Furthermore, the
Company is obligated to use commercially reasonable efforts to cause all
Licensed Services marketed and provided using the licensed marks to be
of comparable quality to the Licensed Services marketed and provided by
AT&T and its affiliates in areas that are comparable to the territory
taking into account, among other things, the relative stage of
development of the areas. The License Agreement also sets forth specific
testing procedures to determine compliance with these standards, and
affords the Company with a grace period to cure any instances of alleged
noncompliance therewith.
The Company may not assign or sublicense any of its rights under the
License Agreement; provided, however, that the License Agreement may be
assigned to the Company's lenders under the Bank Facility (see Note 20)
and after the expiration of any applicable grace and cure periods under
the Bank Facility, such lenders may enforce the Company's rights under
the License Agreement and assign the License Agreement to any person
with AT&T's consent.
The term of the License Agreement is for five years and renews for an
additional five-year period if each party gives the other notice to
renew the Agreement. The License Agreement may be terminated by AT&T at
any time in the event of a significant breach by the Company, including
the Company's misuse of any licensed marks, the Company licensing or
assigning any of the rights in the License Agreement, the Company's
failure to maintain AT&T's quality standards or if a change in control
of the Company occurs. After the initial five-year term, AT&T may also
terminate the License Agreement upon the occurrence of certain
transactions described in the Stockholders' Agreement.
The License Agreement, along with the exclusivity provisions of the
Stockholders' Agreement and the Resale Agreement will be amortized on a
straight-line basis over the ten-year term of the agreement.
F-32
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
(B) ROAMING AGREEMENT
Pursuant to the Intercarrier Roamer Service Agreement, dated as of
January 7, 1999 (the "Roaming Agreement"), between AT&T Wireless, the
Company, and their affiliates, each party agrees to provide (each in its
capacity as serving provider, the "Serving Carrier") mobile wireless
radiotelephone service for registered customers of the other party's
(the "Home Carrier") customers while such customers are out of the Home
Carrier's geographic area and in the geographic area where the Serving
Carrier (itself or through affiliates) holds a license or permit to
construct and operate a mobile wireless radio/telephone system and
station. Each Home Carrier whose customers receive service from a
Serving Carrier shall pay to such Serving Carrier 100% of the Serving
Carrier's charges for wireless service and 100% of pass-through charges
(i.e., toll or other charges). Each Serving Carrier's service charges
for use per minute or partial minute for the first three years will be
at a fixed rate, and thereafter may be adjusted to a lower rate as the
parties may negotiate from time to time. Each Serving Carrier's toll
charges per minute of use for the first three years will be at a fixed
rate, and thereafter such other rates as the parties negotiate from time
to time.
The Roaming Agreement has a term of 20 years, unless terminated earlier
by a party due to the other party's uncured breach of any term of the
Roaming Agreement.
Neither party may assign or transfer the Roaming Agreement or any of its
rights thereunder except to an assignee of all or part of its license or
permit to provide CMRS, provided that such assignee expressly assumes
all or the applicable part of the obligations of such party under the
Roaming Agreement.
The Roaming Agreement will be amortized on a straight-line basis over
the 20-year term of the agreement.
(C) STOCKHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
The Stockholders' Agreement expires on January 7, 2010. Certain
provisions expire upon an initial public offering.
Exclusivity
Under the Stockholders' Agreement, none of the Stockholders will provide
or resell, or act as the agent for any person offering, within the
Territory, mobile wireless telecommunications services and frequencies
licensed by the FCC ("Company Communications Services"), except AT&T
Wireless and its affiliates may (i) resell or act as agent for the
Company in connection with the provision of Company Communications
Services, (ii) provide or resell wireless telecommunications services to
or from certain specific locations, and (iii) resell Company
Communications Services for another person in any area where the Company
has not placed a system into commercial service in certain instances.
Additionally, with respect to the markets listed on the Roaming
Agreement, the Company and AT&T Wireless agree to cause their respective
affiliates in their home carrier capacities to program and direct the
programming of customer equipment so that the other party in its
capacity as the serving carrier is the preferred provider in such
markets, and refrain from inducing any of its customers to change such
programming.
Build-out
The Company is required to conform to certain requirements regarding the
construction of the Company's PCS system. In the event that the Company
breaches these requirements, AT&T Wireless may terminate its exclusivity
provisions.
F-33
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
Disqualifying Transactions
In the event of a merger, asset sale or consolidation, as defined,
involving AT&T and another person that derives annual revenues in excess
of $5,000,000,000, derives less than one third of its aggregate revenues
from wireless telecommunications, and owns FCC licenses to offer mobile
wireless telecommunications services to more than 25% of the population
within the Company's territory, AT&T and the Company have certain
rights. AT&T may terminate its exclusivity in the territory in which the
other party overlaps that of the Company.
Resale Agreement
Pursuant to the Stockholders' Agreement, the Company is required to
enter into a Resale Agreement at the request of AT&T Wireless. Under
this agreement, AT&T Wireless will be granted the right to purchase and
resell on a nonexclusive basis access to and usage of the Company's
services in the Company's licensed area. The Company will retain the
continuing right to market and sell its services to customers and
potential customers in competition with AT&T Wireless.
The Resale Agreement will have a term of ten years and will renew
automatically for successive one-year periods unless, after the eleventh
anniversary thereof, either party elects to terminate the Resale
Agreement. Furthermore, AT&T Wireless may terminate the Resale Agreement
at any time for any reason on 90 days written notice.
The Company has agreed that the rates, terms and conditions of service,
taken as a whole, provided by the Company to AT&T Wireless pursuant to
the Resale Agreement, shall be at least as favorable as (or if permitted
by applicable law, superior to) the rates, terms, and conditions of
service, taken as a whole, provided by the Company to any other
customer. Without limiting the foregoing, the rate plans offered by the
Company pursuant to the Resale Agreement shall be designed to result in
a discounted average actual rate per minute paid by AT&T Wireless for
service below the weighted average actual rate per minute billed by the
Company to its subscribers generally for access and air time.
Neither party may assign or transfer the Resale Agreement or any of its
rights thereunder without the other party's prior written consent, which
will not be unreasonably withheld, except (a) to an affiliate of that
party at the time of execution of the Resale Agreement, (b) by the
Company to any of its operating subsidiaries, and (c) to the transferee
of a party's stock or substantially all of its assets, provided that all
FCC and other necessary approvals have been received.
The Company expects to enter into the Resale Agreement upon commencement
of its operations in the initial configuration.
(20) BANK FACILITY
Subsequent to December 31, 1998, the Company entered into a loan agreement
(the "Bank Facility"), which provides for (i) a $100,000,000 senior secured
term loan (the "Term Loan A"), (ii) a $200,000,000 senior secured term loan
(the "Term Loan B") and (iii) a $250,000,000 senior secured reducing
revolving credit facility (the "Revolver"). Tritel PCS Inc., Toronto
Dominion (Texas), Inc., as Administrative Agent, and certain banks and
other financial institutions are parties thereto.
F-34
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
The commitment to make loans under the Revolver automatically and
permanently reduces, beginning on December 31, 2002. Also, advances under
Term Loan A and Term Loan B are required to be repaid beginning on December
31, 2002, in consecutive quarterly installments. Following is a schedule of
the required reductions in the Revolver and the payments on the term loans:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REPAYMENT DATES REVOLVER TERM LOAN A TERM LOAN B
- -------------------------------------- ---------- ------------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 2002 .............. $ 6,250 $ 2,500 $ 2,000
March 31, 2003, June 30, 2003,
September 30, 2003 and
December 31, 2003 ............. 7,422 2,969 500
March 31, 2004, June 30, 2004,
September 30, 2004 and
December 31, 2004 ............. 11,328 4,531 500
March 31, 2005, June 30, 2005,
September 30, 2005 and
December 31, 2005 ............. 13,281 5,313 500
March 31, 2006, June 30, 2006,
September 30, 2006 and
December 31, 2006 ............. 16,015 6,406 500
March 31, 2007 and June 30, 2007 25,781 10,313 500
September 30, 2007 ............. -- -- 500
December 31, 2007 .............. -- -- 188,500
</TABLE>
Interest on the Revolver, Term Loan A and Term Loan B accrues, at the
Company's option, either at a LIBOR rate plus an applicable margin or the
higher of the issuing bank's prime rate and the Federal Funds Rate (as
defined in the Bank Facility) plus 0.5%, plus an applicable margin. The
Revolver and Term Loan A require an annual commitment fee ranging from
0.50% to 1.75% of the unused portion of the Bank Facility. Advances under
Term Loan A and funds under the Revolving Bank Facility are not available
to the Company until Term Loan B is fully drawn or becomes unavailable
pursuant to the terms of the Bank Facility.
The Bank Facility also requires the Company to purchase an interest rate
hedging contract covering an amount equal to at least 50% of the total
amount of the outstanding indebtedness of the Company (other than
indebtedness which bears interest at a fixed rate). Such interest rate
hedging contracts are further described in Note 23.
The Term Loans are required to be prepaid and commitments under the
Revolving Bank Facility reduced in an aggregate amount equal to 50% of
excess cash flow of each fiscal year commencing with the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2001; 100% of the net proceeds of asset sales, in excess of a
yearly threshold, outside the ordinary course of business or unused
insurance proceeds; and 50% of the net cash proceeds of issuances of equity
securities (other than in connection with the equity commitments referred
to in Note 18).
All obligations of the Company under the facilities are unconditionally and
irrevocably guaranteed (the "Bank Facility Guarantees") by Tritel, Inc. and
all subsidiaries of Tritel PCS, Inc. The bank facilities and guarantees,
and any related hedging contracts provided by the lenders under the Bank
Facility, are secured by substantially all of the assets of Tritel PCS,
Inc. and certain subsidiaries of Tritel PCS, Inc., including a first
priority pledge of all of the capital stock
F-35
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
held by Tritel or any of its subsidiaries, but excluding the Company's PCS
licenses. The PCS licenses will be held by one or more single purpose
subsidiaries of the Company and, in the future if the Company is permitted
to pledge its PCS licenses, they will be pledged to secure the obligations
of the Company under the Bank Facility.
The Bank Facility contains covenants customary for similar facilities and
transactions, including covenants relating to the amounts of indebtedness
that the Company may incur, limitations on dividends and distributions on,
and redemptions and repurchases of, capital stock and other similar
payments and various financial maintenance covenants. The Bank Facility
also contains covenants relating to the population covered by the Company's
network and number of customers, as well as customary representations,
warranties, indemnities, conditions precedent to borrowing, and events of
default.
Loans under the Bank Facility are available to fund capital expenditures
related to the construction of the Company's PCS network, the acquisition
of related businesses, working capital needs of the Company, and customer
acquisition costs. All indebtedness under the Bank Facility will constitute
senior debt.
The terms of the Bank Facility allow the Company to incur senior
subordinated debt with gross proceeds of not more than $250,000,000.
As of September 30, 1999, the Company has drawn $300,000,000 of advances
under Term Loan A and Term Loan B.
(21) STOCK OPTION PLANS
In January 1999, the Company adopted a stock option plan and a stock option
plan for non-employee directors.
As originally adopted, Tritel's 1999 Stock Option Plan (the "Stock Option
Plan") authorized the grant of certain tax-advantaged stock options,
nonqualified stock options and stock appreciation rights for the purchase
of an aggregate of up to 5,426,400 shares of common stock of Tritel. On
December 3, 1999, the Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Stock
Option Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock reserved under
the plan to 10,462,400. The Stock Option Plan benefits qualified officers,
employee directors and other key employees of, and consultants to, Tritel
and its subsidiaries in order to attract and retain those persons and to
provide those persons with appropriate incentives. The Stock Option Plan
also allows grants or sales of common stock to those persons. The maximum
term of any stock option to be granted under the Stock Option Plan is ten
years. Grants of options under the Stock Option Plan are determined by the
Board of Directors or a compensation committee designated by the Board.
The exercise price of incentive stock options and nonqualified stock
options granted under the Stock Option Plan must not be less than the fair
market value of the common stock on the grant date. The Stock Option Plan
will terminate in 2009 unless extended by amendment.
During the period from January 7, 1999 to September 30, 1999, 4,720,800
restricted shares were granted under the Stock Option Plan. The restricted
stock is subject to the repurchase agreements as discussed in Note 10.
Management has determined the stock to have a nominal value; therefore, no
amounts have been assigned to the restricted stock. Such shares will vest
in varying percentages, up to 80% vesting, over five years. The remaining
20% will vest if the Company meets certain performance benchmarks for
development and construction of its wireless PCS network.
F-36
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
As originally adopted, Tritel's 1999 Stock Option Plan for Non-employee
Directors (the "Non-employee Directors Plan") authorized the grant of
certain nonqualified stock options for the purchase of an aggregate of up
to 20,000,000 shares of common stock of Tritel. On December 3, 1999, the
Board of Directors approved an amendment to the Non-employee Directors Plan
to decrease the number of shares of common stock reserved under the plan to
100,000 shares. The Non-employee Directors Plan benefits non-employee
directors of Tritel in order to attract and retain those persons and to
provide those persons with appropriate incentives. The maximum term of any
stock option to be granted under the Non-employee Directors Plan is ten
years. Grants of options under the Non-employee Directors are determined by
the Board of Directors.
The exercise price of nonqualified stock options granted under the
Non-employee Directors Plan must not be less than the fair market value of
the common stock on the grant date. The Non-employee Directors Plan will
terminate in 2009 unless extended by amendment.
As of September 30, 1999, no options were outstanding under the
Non-employee Directors Plan.
(22) REDEEMABLE PREFERRED STOCK
Following is a summary of the redeemable preferred stock of the Company:
Series A Preferred Stock
The Series A Preferred Stock, with respect to dividend rights and rights on
liquidation, dissolution or winding up, ranks on a parity basis with the
Series B Preferred Stock, and ranks senior to the Series C Preferred Stock,
the Series D Preferred Stock and the Common Stock. The holders of Series A
Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative quarterly cash dividends
at the annual rate of 10% multiplied by the liquidation preference, which
is equal to $1,000 per share plus declared but unpaid dividends. Tritel may
elect to defer payment of any such dividends until the date on which the
42nd quarterly dividend payment is due, at which time, and not earlier, all
deferred payments must be made. Except as required by law or in certain
circumstances, the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock do not have any
voting rights. The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable, in whole but not
in part, at the option of Tritel on or after January 15, 2009 and at the
option of the holders of the Series A Preferred Stock on or after January
15, 2019. Additionally, on or after January 15, 2007, AT&T Wireless, and
qualified transferees, have the right to convert each share of Series A
Preferred Stock into shares of Class A Common Stock. The number of shares
the holder will receive upon conversion will be the liquidation preference
per share divided by the market price of Class A Common Stock times the
number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock to be converted.
The Company issued 90,668 shares of Series A Preferred Stock with a stated
value of $90,668,000 to AT&T Wireless on January 7, 1999.
Series B Preferred Stock
The Series B Preferred Stock ranks on a parity basis with the Series A
Preferred Stock and is identical in all respects to the Series A Preferred
Stock, except:
o the Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at any time at the option of
Tritel,
o the Series B Preferred Stock is not convertible into shares of any
other security issued by Tritel, and
o the Series B Preferred Stock may be issued by Tritel pursuant to an
exchange of capital stock.
F-37
<PAGE>
TRITEL, INC. AND PREDECESSOR COMPANIES
(DEVELOPMENT STAGE COMPANIES)
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(ALL INFORMATION SUBSEQUENT TO DECEMBER 31, 1998 IS UNAUDITED.)
No Series B Preferred Stock has been issued by the Company.
(23) INTEREST RATE SWAP AGREEMENTS
Interest rate swap agreements are entered into by the Company to manage
interest rate exposure. These are contractual agreements between
counterparties to exchange interest streams based on notional principal
amounts over a set period of time. Interest rate swap agreements normally
involve the exchange of fixed and floating rate interest payment
obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. The
notional or principal amount does not represent the amount at risk, but is
used only as a basis for determining the actual interest cash flows to be
exchanged related to the interest rate contracts. Market risk, due to
potential fluctuations in interest rates, is inherent in swap agreements.
As of September 30, 1999, the Company was a party to interest rate swap
agreements with a total notional amount of $200 million. The agreements
establish a fixed effective rate of 9.05% on $200.0 million of the current
balance outstanding under the Bank Facility through the earlier of March
31, 2002 or the date on which the Company achieves operating cash flow
breakeven.
F-38
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
<PAGE>
TRITEL PCS, INC.
OFFER TO EXCHANGE ITS 12 3/4%
SENIOR SUBORDINATED DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2009
WHICH HAVE BEEN REGISTERED UNDER THE
SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 FOR ANY AND ALL OF ITS
OUTSTANDING 12 3/4% SENIOR SUBORDINATED
DISCOUNT NOTES DUE 2009
--------------------
PROSPECTUS
--------------------
DECEMBER 22, 1999
