<PAGE>
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
SCHEDULE 13D
Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. )*
SkyTel Communications, Inc.
(Name of Issuer)
Common Stock
(Title of Class of Securities)
607406105
(CUSIP Number)
Robert A. Eshelman, Esq.
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
(425) 936-7520
(Name, Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to
Receive Notices and Communications)
May 14, 1998
(Date of Event which Requires Filing of this Statement)
If the filing person has previously filed a statement on Schedule 13G to report
the acquisition which is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing this
schedule because of Rule 13d-1(b)(3)or (4), check the following box [ ].
*The remainder of this cover page shall be filled out for a reporting person's
initial filing on this form with respect to the subject class of securities, and
for any subsequent amendment containing information which would alter
disclosures provided in a prior cover page.
The information required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be deemed
to be "filed" for the purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 ("Act") or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section of the Act
but shall be subject to all other provisions of the Act (however, see the
Notes).
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
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CUSIP No.: 607406105
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<S> <C> <C> <C>
1 NAME OF REPORTING PERSON
Microsoft Corporation
S.S. OR I.R.S. IDENTIFICATION NO. OF ABOVE PERSON
91-1144442
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2 CHECK THE APPROPRIATE BOX IF A MEMBER OF A GROUP (a) [ ]
(b) [ ]
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3 SEC USE ONLY
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4 SOURCE OF FUNDS
WC
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5 CHECK BOX IF DISCLOSURE OF LEGAL PROCEEDINGS IS REQUIRED PURSUANT TO ITEMS 2(d) or
2(e) [ ]
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6 CITIZENSHIP OR PLACE OF ORGANIZATION
State of Washington
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7 SOLE VOTING POWER
3,403,600
----------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF SHARES 8 SHARED VOTING POWER
BENEFICIALLY -0-
OWNED BY ----------------------------------------------------
EACH 9 SOLE DISPOSITIVE POWER
REPORTING 3,403,600
PERSON ----------------------------------------------------
WITH 10 SHARED DISPOSITIVE POWER
-0-
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11 AGGREGATE AMOUNT BENEFICIALLY OWNED BY EACH REPORTING PERSON
3,403,600
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12 CHECK BOX IF THE AGGREGATE AMOUNT IN ROW (11) EXCLUDES CERTAIN SHARES [ ]
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13 PERCENT OF CLASS REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT IN ROW (11)
5.7%
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14 TYPE OF REPORTING PERSON
CO
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</TABLE>
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Item 1. Security and Issuer
-------------------
This statement relates to the Common Stock, $.01 par value (the "Common
Stock"), of SkyTel Communications, Inc. (the "Issuer"). The principal executive
offices of the Issuer are located at 200 South Lamar Street, Mtel Centre,
Jackson, Mississippi 39201.
Item 2. Identity and Background
-----------------------
This statement is being filed by Microsoft Corporation, a Washington
corporation. Microsoft develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide
range of software products, including scalable operating systems for intelligent
devices, personal computers (PCs) and servers; server applications for
client/server environments; business and consumer productivity applications;
software development tools; and Internet and intranet software and technologies.
Microsoft's interactive efforts include entertainment and information software
programs, MSN(TM), the Microsoft Network online service; Internet-based
services; and alliances with companies involved with other forms of digital
interactivity. Microsoft also sells personal computer input devices and books,
and researches and develops advanced technologies for future software products.
Microsoft's corporate headquarters is located at One Microsoft Way, Redmond,
Washington 98052.
Microsoft has not during the last five years been (i) convicted in a
criminal proceeding, or (ii) a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of which it was or
is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of,
or prohibiting or mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities
laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.
The names, business addresses and principal businesses of each of the
directors and executive officers of Microsoft are set forth on Schedule I hereto
and incorporated by reference herein.
Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration
-------------------------------------------------
Microsoft acquired 1,755,000 shares of Common Stock on July 19, 1995 in
exchange for 1,500 shares of Class A Common Stock of Destineer Corporation which
it had purchased in 1994 for $30,000,000. Microsoft acquired 1,648,600 shares
of Common Stock on May 14, 1998 upon the conversion of 25,000 shares of Series A
7.5% Cumulative Convertible Accruable Pay-In-Kind Preferred Stock which it had
purchased in 1996 for $25,000,000.
The source of Microsoft's payment of the purchase price was its working
capital. Microsoft did not purchase any of the Common Stock with borrowed
funds.
Item 4. Purpose of Transaction
----------------------
Microsoft acquired the Common Stock for investment purposes. Microsoft
will continue to evaluate its ownership and voting position in the Issuer and
may consider the following future courses of action: (i) continuing to hold the
Common Stock for investment; (ii) disposing of all or a portion of the Common
Stock in open market sales or in privately-negotiated transactions; (iii)
acquiring additional shares of common stock in the open market or in privately-
negotiated transactions; or (iv) entering into short sales or other hedging
transactions with respect to the Common Stock. Microsoft has not as yet
determined which of the courses of action specified in this paragraph it may
ultimately take. Microsoft's future actions with regard to this investment are
dependent on its evaluation of a variety of circumstances affecting the Issuer
in the future, including the market price of the Issuer's Common Stock and the
Issuer's prospects.
The Issuer and Microsoft have entered into an Amended and Restated
Stockholder Agreement dated March 29, 1996 (the "Agreement"). The Agreement
provides that, prior to March 29, 2001, Microsoft will not acquire more than 10%
of the voting securities of the Issuer without the approval of the Issuer's
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board of directors. In addition, prior to March 29, 2001, Microsoft agreed not
to (i) solicit proxies or participate in any proxy solicitation; (ii) submit a
proposal for consideration at or take other steps involving stockholders
meetings of the Issuer; (iii) participate in any group that owns the Issuer's
voting securities; (iv) deposit its shares into a voting trust or subject them
to a voting agreement; (v) propose any form of merger, tender offer, exchange
offer or other business transaction with the Issuer, or act alone or with any
group in seeking to control or influence the management, board of directors,
policies or affairs of the Issuer; (vi) communicate with the Issuer's
stockholders or others regarding the management, board of directors, control,
policies or affairs of the Issuer; or (vii) propose or disclose an intent to
propose, any of the foregoing unless the Issuer invites such offer or proposal.
In addition, Microsoft has agreed not to sell more than 1% of the Issuer's
shares (on a fully-diluted basis) to any other person or entity operating in the
telecommunications industry.
Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer
------------------------------------
(a) As of December 31, 1998, Microsoft beneficially owns 3,403,600
shares of the Common Stock, which represents approximately 5.7% of the shares of
Common Stock currently issued and outstanding.
(b) As of December 31, 1998, Microsoft has sole power to vote or direct
the vote and dispose or direct the disposition of 3,403,600 shares.
(c) None.
(d) Not applicable.
(e) Not applicable.
Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships with Respect
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to Securities of the Issuer
---------------------------
Except as described in Item 4, Microsoft has no contracts, arrangements,
understandings, or relationships (legal or otherwise) with any person with
respect to the Common Stock, including transfer or voting thereof, finder's
fees, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, put or calls, guarantees of
profits, division of profits or loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies.
Item 7. Materials to be Filed as Exhibits
---------------------------------
1.1 Amended and Restated Stockholder Agreement dated as of March 29,
1996 by and between the Issuer and Microsoft Corporation.
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<PAGE>
SIGNATURES
After reasonable inquiry and to the best of my knowledge and belief, I certify
that the information set forth in this Schedule 13D is true, complete and
correct.
MICROSOFT CORPORATION
By /s/ ROBERT A. ESHELMAN
------------------------------
Name: Robert A. Eshelman
Title: Assistant Secretary
January 6, 1999
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<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT 1.1 Amended and Restated Stockholder Agreement dated as of March
29, 1996 by and between the Issuer and Microsoft Corporation. (Incorporated by
reference from the Issuer's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ending
March 31, 1996.)
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SCHEDULE I TO SCHEDULE 13D
Following is a list of each executive officer and director of Microsoft
setting forth the business address and present principal employment (and the
name and address of any corporation or organization in which such employment is
conducted) of each person. The persons named below are citizens of the United
States of America (unless otherwise noted beneath their names) and have not,
during the last five years, been convicted in a criminal proceeding or been a
party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent
jurisdiction as a result of which they are or were subject to a judgment,
decree, or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting or
mandating activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any
violation with respect to such laws.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Employment and
Name Position with Microsoft Business Address
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<S> <C> <C>
William H. Gates III Chief Executive Officer; Microsoft Corporation
Director One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Steven A. Ballmer President Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Robert J. Herbold Executive Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
Chief Operating Officer One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Paul A. Maritz Group Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
Platforms and Applications One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Nathan P. Myhrvold Group Vice President; Chief Microsoft Corporation
Technology Officer One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Jeffrey S. Raikes Group Vice President, Sales Microsoft Corporation
and Support One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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James E. Allchin Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
Personal and Business One Microsoft Way
Systems Division Redmond, WA 98052
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Orlando Ayala Lozano Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
(citizen of Columbia) South Pacific and Americas One Microsoft Way
Region Redmond, WA 98052
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Joachim Kempin Senior Vice President, OEM, Microsoft Corporation
(citizen of Germany) Internet Customer Unit, One Microsoft Way
Embedded Systems Redmond, WA 98052
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Michel Lacombe Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
(citizen of France) Europe, Middle East, and One Microsoft Way
Africa Region; President, Redmond, WA 98052
Microsoft Europe
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Robert L. Muglia Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
Applications and Tools One Microsoft Way
Division Redmond, WA 98052
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Craig Mundie Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
Consumer Strategy One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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</TABLE>
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<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Principal Employment and
Name Position with Microsoft Business Address
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<S> <C> <C>
William H. Neukom Senior Vice President, Law Microsoft Corporation
& Corporate Affairs; One Microsoft Way
Secretary Redmond, WA 98052
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Bernard P. Vergnes Senior Vice President, Microsoft Corporation
(citizen of France) Microsoft; Chairman, One Microsoft Way
Microsoft Europe Redmond, WA 98052
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Gregory B. Maffei Vice President; Chief Microsoft Corporation
Financial Officer One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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Paul G. Allen Director President, Vulcan Northwest
Inc. and Vulcan Ventures
Inc.; Private Investor
110 110th Ave NE
Suite 530
Bellevue, WA 98004
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Jill E. Barad Director President & CEO
Mattel, Inc.
333 Continental Blvd.
El Segundo, CA 90245
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Richard A. Hackborn Director Retired
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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David F. Marquardt Director General Partner, Technology
Venture Investors and
August Capital
2480 Sand Hill Road
Suite 101
Menlo Park, CA 94025
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Wm. G. Reed, Jr. Director Retired
1402 Third Ave.
Suite 1318
Seattle, WA 98101
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Jon A. Shirley Director Retired
Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052
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</TABLE>
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