ARCH COMMUNICATIONS INC
10-Q, 1999-11-15
RADIOTELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS
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                   QUARTERLY REPORT UNDER SECTION 13 0R 15 (d)
                     OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                                  UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    Form 10-Q

            (Mark One)

            [X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1999
                                       or
            [ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
                       the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                         For the transition period from
                         ______________ to _____________



                        Commission File Numbers 33-72646

                            Arch Communications, Inc.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

            DELAWARE                                  31-1236804
    (State of incorporation)               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

     1800 West Park Drive, Suite 250
       Westborough, Massachusetts                            01581
(address of principal executive offices)                   (Zip Code)

                                 (508) 870-6700
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction H(1)(a) and
(b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore  filing this Form with the reduced  disclosure
format.

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

Indicate the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common  stock,  as of  the  latest  practicable  date:  848.7501  shares  of the
Company's  Common  Stock ($.01 par value) were  outstanding  as of November  12,
1999.



<PAGE>


                            ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
         (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ARCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
                          QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
                                      INDEX



PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION                                            Page

Item 1.  Financial Statements:

         Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of September 30, 1999 and
         December 31, 1998                                                  3

         Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the
         Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998            4

         Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the
         Nine Months Ended September 30, 1999 and 1998                      5

         Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements               6

Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
         and Results of Operations                                         11

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                                 20
Item 5.  Other Information                                                 20
Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                                  20



                                       2
<PAGE>


                          PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.   Financial Statements

                            ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
         (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ARCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
                      CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
                      (in thousands, except share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             September 30,  December 31,
                                                                 1999           1998
                                                                 ----           ----
                                  ASSETS                     (unaudited)

<S>                                                          <C>            <C>
   Current assets:
        Cash and cash equivalents                            $    20,275    $        22
        Accounts receivable, net                                  57,570         30,753
        Inventories                                               10,163         10,319
        Prepaid expenses and other                                 9,959          8,007
                                                             -----------    -----------
            Total current assets                                  97,967         49,101
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Property and equipment, at cost                               697,337        428,173
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization               (288,281)      (209,128)
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Property and equipment, net                                   409,056        219,045
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Intangible and other assets, net                              908,920        626,439
                                                             -----------    -----------
                                                             $ 1,415,943    $   894,585
                                                             ===========    ===========

                      LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY

   Current liabilities:
        Current maturities of long-term debt                 $     3,060    $     1,250
        Accounts payable                                          23,444         25,683
        Accrued restructuring                                     18,239         11,909
        Accrued interest                                          31,560         20,922
        Accrued expenses and other liabilities                    93,110         27,175
                                                             -----------    -----------
            Total current liabilities                            169,413         86,939
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Long-term debt                                                944,457        620,629
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Other long-term liabilities                                    77,953         27,235
                                                             -----------    -----------
   Stockholder's equity:
        Common stock -- $.01 par value                              --             --
        Additional paid-in capital                               902,429        642,406
        Accumulated deficit                                     (678,309)      (482,624)
            Total stockholder's equity                           224,120        159,782
                                                             -----------    -----------
                                                             $ 1,415,943    $   894,585
                                                             ===========    ===========
</TABLE>





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

                                       3
<PAGE>


                            ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
         (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ARCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                          (unaudited and in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                          Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                                                             September 30,            September 30,
                                                          1999         1998         1999         1998
                                                          ----         ----         ----         ----

<S>                                                    <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
   Service, rental, and maintenance revenues           $ 190,798    $  93,546    $ 403,607    $ 277,826
   Product sales                                          15,391       10,506       36,963       31,811
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
        Total revenues                                   206,189      104,052      440,570      309,637
   Cost of products sold                                 (10,459)      (7,173)     (24,988)     (21,863)
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
                                                         195,730       96,879      415,582      287,774
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
   Operating expenses:
      Service, rental, and maintenance                    43,035       20,403       91,421       60,812
      Selling                                             26,545       12,658       57,589       36,902
      General and administrative                          60,622       28,011      123,643       84,527
      Depreciation and amortization                       94,560       56,375      222,109      164,290
      Restructuring charge                                (2,200)        --         (2,200)      14,700
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
        Total operating expenses                         222,562      117,447      492,562      361,231
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
   Operating income (loss)                               (26,832)     (20,568)     (76,980)     (73,457)
   Interest expense, net                                 (29,116)     (17,293)     (67,888)     (48,677)
   Other expense                                            (924)        (348)     (44,256)      (1,667)
   Equity in loss of affiliate                              --           --         (3,200)      (2,219)
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
   Income (loss) before extraordinary item and
       accounting change                                 (56,872)     (38,209)    (192,324)    (126,020)
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
   Extraordinary charge from early extinguishment of
       debt                                                 --           --           --         (1,720)
   Cumulative effect of accounting change                   --           --         (3,361)        --
                                                       ---------    ---------    ---------    ---------
   Net income (loss)                                   $ (56,872)   $ (38,209)   $(195,685)   $(127,740)
                                                       =========    =========    =========    =========
</TABLE>


















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

                                       4
<PAGE>


                            ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
         (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ARCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
                 CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (unaudited and in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                                       September 30,
                                                                     1999         1998
                                                                     ----         ----
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>
   Net cash provided by operating activities                      $  76,959    $  61,680
                                                                  ---------    ---------

   Cash flows from investing activities:
      Additions to property and equipment, net                      (65,035)     (58,029)
      Additions to intangible and other assets                      (18,151)     (27,756)
      Net proceeds from tower site sale                               3,046       30,139
      Acquisition of paging company, net of cash acquired          (518,729)        --
                                                                  ---------    ---------
   Net cash used for investing activities                          (598,869)     (55,646)
                                                                  ---------    ---------

   Cash flows from financing activities:
      Issuance of long-term debt                                    466,058      455,964
      Repayment of long-term debt                                  (140,999)    (484,013)
      Capital contribution from Arch Communications Group, Inc.     217,104       24,662
                                                                  ---------    ---------
   Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities             542,163       (3,387)
                                                                  ---------    ---------

   Net increase in cash and cash equivalents                         20,253        2,647
   Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period                        22        1,887
                                                                  ---------    ---------
   Cash and cash equivalents, end of period                       $  20,275    $   4,534
                                                                  =========    =========

   Supplemental disclosure:
      Interest paid                                               $  58,283    $  42,511
      Accretion of discount on senior notes                       $     579    $      70
      Liabilities assumed in acquisition of paging company        $ 135,676    $    --
</TABLE>
















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


                                       5
<PAGE>


                            ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
         (A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF ARCH COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.)
              NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (unaudited)

     (a)  Preparation  of  Interim  Financial   Statements  -  The  consolidated
condensed  financial  statements  of Arch  Communications,  Inc.  ("Arch" or the
"Company")  have been prepared in accordance  with the rules and  regulations of
the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission.  The financial  information  included
herein,  other than the consolidated  condensed balance sheet as of December 31,
1998, has been prepared by management  without audit by independent  accountants
who do not express an opinion thereon. The consolidated  condensed balance sheet
at  December  31,  1998 has been  derived  from,  but does not  include  all the
disclosures contained in, the audited consolidated  financial statements for the
year  ended  December  31,  1998.  In the  opinion of  management,  all of these
unaudited  statements  include all adjustments  and accruals  consisting only of
normal recurring accrual adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation
of the  results of all  interim  periods  reported  herein.  These  consolidated
condensed   financial   statements  should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the
consolidated  financial  statements  and  accompanying  notes included in Arch's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December 31, 1998. The results of
operations  for the periods  presented  are not  necessarily  indicative  of the
results that may be expected for a full year. Arch is a wholly-owned  subsidiary
of Arch Communications Group, Inc. ("Parent").

     (b)  Intangible  and Other Assets -  Intangible  and other  assets,  net of
accumulated amortization, are comprised of the following (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                         September 30,   December 31,
                                                              1999          1998
                                                              ----          ----
                                                          (unaudited)
<S>                                                       <C>            <C>
   Goodwill                                               $  259,877     $  271,808
   Purchased FCC licenses                                    367,014        256,519
   Purchased subscriber lists                                258,530         56,825
   Deferred financing costs                                   17,956         13,983
   Investment in Benbow PCS Ventures, Inc. ("Benbow")           --           11,347
   Investment in CONXUS Communications, Inc. ("CONXUS")         --            6,500
   Non-competition agreements                                  1,063          1,790
   Other                                                       4,480          7,667
                                                          ----------     ----------
                                                          $  908,920     $  626,439
                                                          ==========     ==========
</TABLE>

In June 1999, Arch, Benbow and Ms. June Walsh, who holds a 50.1% equity interest
in Benbow, agreed that:

   o  the shareholders  agreement,  the management  agreement and the employment
      agreement  governing  the  establishment  and  operation of Benbow will be
      terminated
   o  Benbow  will  not make  any  further  FCC  payments  and  will not  pursue
      construction of an N-PCS system
   o  Arch will not be  obligated  to fund FCC  payments or  construction  of an
      N-PCS system by Benbow
   o  the  parties  will  seek  FCC  approval  of the  forgiveness  of  Benbow's
      remaining  payment  obligations  and the  transfer of Ms.  Walsh's  equity
      interest in Benbow to Arch
   o  the  closing of the  transaction  will occur on the earlier of January 23,
      2001 or receipt of FCC approval
   o  Arch will pay Ms.  Walsh,  in  installments,  an aggregate  amount of $3.5
      million  (if the  transaction  closes  before  January  23,  2001) or $3.8
      million (if the transaction closes on January 23, 2001)

As a result of these arrangements,  Benbow will not have any meaningful business
operations  and is unlikely to retain its N-PCS  licenses.  Therefore,  Arch has
written off  substantially all of its investment in Benbow in the amount of $8.2
million.  Arch has also  accrued  the payment to Ms.  Walsh of $3.8  million and
legal and other  expenses of  approximately  $1.0  million  which is included in
accrued  expenses.  In  addition,  Parent  guaranteed  Benbow's  obligations  in
conjunction with Benbow's purchase of the stock of PageCall in June 1998.


                                       6
<PAGE>

   On May  18,  1999,  CONXUS  filed  for  Chapter  11  protection  in the  U.S.
Bankruptcy Court in Delaware, which case was converted to a case under Chapter 7
on August 17, 1999. In June 1999, Arch wrote-off its $6.5 million  investment in
CONXUS.  On  November  3, 1999,  in order to  document  its  disposition  of any
interest  it has,  if any,  in CONXUS,  Arch  offered to  transfer to CONXUS its
shares in CONXUS for no consideration.

     (c)  Acquisition  of  MobileMedia  - On June 3, 1999 Parent  completed  its
acquisition  of  MobileMedia  Communications,  Inc.  ("MobileMedia")  for $674.5
million, consisting of cash paid of $518.7 million, including direct transaction
costs, 4,781,656 shares of Parent's common stock valued at $20.1 million and the
assumption of  liabilities  of $135.7  million.  The cash payments were financed
through the issuance of  approximately  36.2 million  shares of Parent's  common
stock in a rights  offering for $6.00 per share,  the issuance of $147.0 million
principal  amount of 13 3/4% senior notes due 2008 (see note (d)) and additional
borrowings  under the  Company's  credit  facility.  After  consummation  of the
acquisition,  MobileMedia  became a wholly owned  subsidiary of Arch's principal
operating subsidiary, Arch Paging Inc. ("API").

   The purchase price was allocated  based on the fair values of assets acquired
and  liabilities   assumed.  The  allocation  is  subject  to  change  based  on
finalization  of asset  appraisals.  The acquisition has been accounted for as a
purchase, and the results of MobileMedia's  operations have been included in the
consolidated  financial  statements from the date of the  acquisition.  Goodwill
resulting from the  acquisition is being  amortized over a ten-year period using
the straight-line method.

   The  liabilities  assumed,  referred to above,  include an unfavorable  lease
accrual related to MobileMedia's  rentals on communications towers which were in
excess of market  rental rates.  This accrual  amounted to  approximately  $52.4
million and is included in other  long-term  liabilities.  This  accrual will be
amortized over the remaining lease term of 14 1/4 years.

   Concurrent  with the  consummation  of the  acquisition,  Arch  commenced the
development  of  a  plan  to  integrate  the  operations  of  MobileMedia.   The
liabilities   assumed,   referred  to  above,  also  included  a  $13.1  million
restructuring  accrual to cover the costs to eliminate  redundant  headcount and
facilities in connection  with the overall  integration of operations  (see note
(g)).

   The following  unaudited pro forma summary presents the consolidated  results
of operations as if the acquisition had occurred at the beginning of the periods
presented,  after giving effect to certain adjustments,  including  depreciation
and  amortization of acquired assets and interest  expense on acquisition  debt.
These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative  purposes only and do
not purport to be  indicative  of what would have  occurred had the  acquisition
been made at the beginning of the period presented, or of results that may occur
in the future.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Nine Months Ended
                                                       September 30,
                                                     1999         1998
                                                     ----         ----
                                                       (in thousands,
                                                  except per share amounts)

<S>                                              <C>          <C>
       Revenues                                  $  616,432   $  643,665
       Income (loss) before extraordinary item     (219,726)     (98,475)
       Net income (loss)                           (219,726)     (98,475)
</TABLE>

   In  connection   with  the   acquisition   of   MobileMedia,   Parent  issued
approximately  48.3 million  warrants to purchase  Parent's  common stock.  Each
warrant  represents  the right to  purchase  one-third  of one share of Parent's
common  stock at an  exercise  price of $3.01  ($9.03 per share).  The  warrants
expire on September 1, 2001.



                                       7
<PAGE>

     (d) Senior  Notes -- On June 3, 1999,  Arch  received  the  proceeds  of an
offering of $147.0 million  principal amount at maturity of 13 3/4% Senior Notes
due 2008 (the "13 3/4% Notes") to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A
promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The 13 3/4% Notes were
sold at an initial  price to  investors  of 95.091%  for net  proceeds of $134.6
million  (after  deducting the discount to the Initial  Purchasers  and offering
expenses).  The 13 3/4% Notes  mature on April 15,  2008 and bear  interest at a
rate of 13 3/4% per  annum,  payable  semi-annually  in  arrears on April 15 and
October 15 of each year, commencing October 15, 1999.

   The indenture governing the 13 3/4% Notes (the "Indenture")  contains certain
covenants  that,  among  other  things,  limit  the  ability  of Arch  to  incur
additional  indebtedness,  issue  preferred  stock,  pay dividends or make other
distributions,  repurchase  Capital Stock (as defined in the  Indenture),  repay
subordinated  indebtedness or make other Restricted  Payments (as defined in the
Indenture),   create  certain  liens,  enter  into  certain   transactions  with
affiliates,  sell  assets,  issue or sell  Capital  Stock of  Arch's  Restricted
Subsidiaries  (as defined in the  Indenture)  or enter into certain  mergers and
consolidations.

     (e)  Change  in  Accounting  Principle  - In  April  1998,  the  Accounting
Standards Executive Committee of the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued
Statement  of Position  98-5 ("SOP  98-5")  "Reporting  on the Costs of Start-Up
Activities".  SOP 98-5 requires costs of start-up  activities  and  organization
costs to be expensed as  incurred.  Arch adopted SOP 98-5  effective  January 1,
1999. Initial  application of SOP 98-5 resulted in a $3.4 million charge,  which
was reported as the cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.  This
charge  represents the unamortized  portion of start-up and organization  costs,
which had been deferred in prior years.

     (f) Divisional  Reorganization  - In conjunction with the completion of the
MobileMedia   merger,   the  timing  and   implementation   of  the   divisional
reorganization announced in June 1998 was reviewed by Arch management.  The plan
was reviewed within the context of the combined  company  integration plan which
was  approved  by the  Company in the third  quarter  of 1999.  After a thorough
review  it was  decided  that  significant  changes  needed  to be  made  to the
divisional  reorganization  plan.  In the quarter  ended  September 30, 1999 the
Company identified certain of its facilities and network leases that will not be
utilized following the integration of the Company and MobileMedia,  resulting in
an additional  charge of $2.6  million.  This charge was offset by reductions to
previously  provided severance and other costs of $4.8 million.  As of September
30,  1999,   426  employees   had  been   terminated   due  to  the   divisional
reorganization.

   The Company's  restructuring activity as of September 30, 1999 was as follows
(in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                             Reserve
                            Initially    Utilization    Reserve     Remaining
                           Established   of Reserve   Adjustment     Reserve
                           -----------   ----------   ----------     -------

<S>                         <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
   Severance costs          $    9,700   $    4,541   $   (3,547)   $    1,612
   Lease obligation costs        3,500          737        2,570         5,333
   Other costs                   1,500          277       (1,223)         --
                            ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------
        Total               $   14,700   $    5,555   $   (2,200)   $    6,945
                            ==========   ==========   ==========    ==========
</TABLE>

     (g) MobileMedia  Acquisition Reserve - On June 3,1999, Parent completed its
acquisition of MobileMedia  and commenced the  development of plans to integrate
the operations of  MobileMedia.  During the third quarter of 1999, Arch approved
plans  covering  the  elimination  of  redundant  headcount  and  facilities  in
connection with the overall integration of operations.  To the extent that it is
determined  that headcount and facilities  acquired with  MobileMedia  should be
eliminated, the purchase price of the acquisition will be increased to cover the
costs of  executing  the plan.  It is  expected  that the  integration  activity
relating to the MobileMedia  merger,  which commenced on July 1, 1999, will take
approximately 18 months.



                                       8
<PAGE>

     In connection  with the  MobileMedia  acquisition,  Arch  anticipates a net
reduction of  approximately  10% of  MobileMedia's  workforce and the closing of
certain  facilities and tower sites.  This resulted in the establishment a $13.1
million  acquisition  reserve which is included as part of the purchase price of
MobileMedia. The initial acquisition reserve consisted of approximately (i) $5.6
million for  employee  severance,  (ii) $7.0 million for lease  obligations  and
terminations and (iii) $0.5 million of other costs. As of September 30, 1999, 77
former  MobileMedia  employees had been terminated due to the  acquisition.  The
acquisition  reserve  will  continue to be  evaluated  in the event that certain
assumptions change in the future.

     The MobileMedia  acquisition  reserve activity as of September 30, 1999 was
as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Reserve
                                  Initially    Utilization    Remaining
                                 Established   of Reserve      Reserve
                                 -----------   ----------      -------

<S>                              <C>           <C>           <C>
        Severance costs          $     5,658   $     1,839   $     3,819
        Lease obligation costs         6,975          --           6,975
        Other costs                      500          --             500
                                 -----------   -----------   -----------
              Total              $    13,133   $     1,839   $    11,294
                                 ===========   ===========   ===========
</TABLE>

     (h) Subsequent Event -- Merger Agreement - In November 1999,  Parent signed
a  definitive  agreement  (the "Merger  Agreement")  with Paging  Network,  Inc.
("PageNet")  pursuant to which PageNet will merge with a wholly owned subsidiary
of Arch (the "Merger").  Each outstanding  share of PageNet common stock will be
converted into 0.1247 shares of Parent common stock in the Merger.

     Under the Merger  Agreement,  PageNet is required to make an exchange offer
(the  "PageNet  Exchange  Offer")  of  PageNet  common  stock to  holders of its
outstanding 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "8.875% Notes"),  its
10.125%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes due 2007 (the "10.125%  Notes") and its 10%
Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due 2008  (the "10%  Notes"),  having an  aggregate
outstanding principal amount of $1.2 billion.  Under the PageNet Exchange Offer,
an aggregate of 616,830,757 shares of PageNet common stock,  together with 68.9%
of the  equity  interest  in  PageNet's  subsidiary,  Vast  Solutions,  would be
exchanged   for  all  of  the  8.875%   Notes,   10.125%  Notes  and  10%  Notes
(collectively,  the "PageNet Notes"),  in the aggregate.  In connection with the
Merger,  PageNet would  distribute to its  stockholders  (other than holders who
received shares in the PageNet Exchange Offer), 11.6% of the equity interests in
Vast  Solutions.  After the Merger,  PageNet  would  retain  19.5% of the equity
interests of Vast Solutions.

   Under the Merger  Agreement Parent is required to make an exchange offer (the
"Arch  Exchange  Offer")  of  29,651,980  shares  of its  common  stock  (in the
aggregate)  for all of its Senior  Discount  Notes,  and to  convert  all of its
outstanding shares of Series C Convertible  Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred
Stock") into 2,104,142 shares of its common stock.

   If the  PageNet  Exchange  Offer  and the  Arch  Exchange  Offer  were  fully
subscribed,  immediately following the Merger (and the issuance of Parent common
stock in exchange for PageNet common stock,  in the Arch Exchange Offer and upon
the conversion of Series C Preferred Stock),  current holders of Parent's common
stock would own  approximately  29.6% of the  outstanding  Parent  common stock,
holders  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  would  own  approximately  1.2% of the
outstanding Parent common stock,  holders of the Senior Discount Notes would own
approximately  17.6% of the outstanding Parent common stock,  current holders of
PageNet  common stock would own  approximately  7.5% of the  outstanding  Parent
common stock and current  holders of the PageNet Notes (in the aggregate)  would
own  approximately  44.5% of the  outstanding  Parent common stock. In addition,
following  the  Merger  Arch would  have,  on a pro forma  basis,  total debt of
approximately $1.8 billion.

   Under the Merger  Agreement,  the Parent  Board of  Directors  at the closing
would consist of 12 individuals, at least six of whom would be designated by the
existing  Parent  Board of  Directors.  The  PageNet  Board of  Directors  would
designate  three members,  and the three largest  holders of PageNet Notes would
each be  entitled  to  designate  one  member.  To the extent any such holder of
PageNet  Notes did not elect to  designate a director,  the number of  directors
designated by the Parent Board of Directors would increase.

   Arch expects the Merger,  which has been  approved by the Boards of Directors
of  Parent  and  PageNet,   but  is  subject  to  customary  regulatory  review,
shareholder  approval,  other  third-party  consents and the  completion  of the
exchange offers and preferred stock conversion, to be completed during the first
half of 2000. Each of the PageNet  Exchange Offer and the Arch Exchange Offer is
conditioned  upon  acceptance  by the holders of 97.5% of the PageNet  Notes and
Senior Discount Notes, respectively.



                                       9
<PAGE>

   Under the Merger  Agreement,  PageNet is required to include a  "prepackaged"
plan of  reorganization  under  Chapter  11 of the U.S.  Bankruptcy  Code in the
materials  relating to the PageNet  Exchange Offer,  and to solicit consents for
this  prepackaged  plan  from  holders  of the  PageNet  Notes  and  its  senior
creditors.  In  certain  circumstances  PageNet  has  agreed  either to file the
prepackaged  plan in lieu of completing the PageNet  Exchange Offer or to pay to
Parent a termination fee.

   The Merger Agreement  provides that under certain  circumstances a fee may be
payable  by  Parent  or  PageNet  upon  termination  of  the  agreement.   These
circumstances include withdrawal of the recommendation or approval of the Merger
Agreement or the Merger by the Parent or PageNet Board of Directors, the failure
of shareholders  or noteholders to approve the transaction or exchange  followed
by the making of an alternative  proposal and Parent or PageNet entering into an
agreement with a third party within 12 months of such termination, and PageNet's
failure to file a prepackaged plan in certain circumstances. The termination fee
payable by Parent or PageNet under the Merger Agreement is $40.0 million.

   The Merger  Agreement  provides that either party may terminate the agreement
if the Merger is not  consummated  by June 30, 2000.  This  termination  date is
subject  to  extension  for 90 days for  regulatory  approval  and is subject to
extension  to as late as December  31, 2000 under  certain  circumstances  where
PageNet files for protection under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.






                                       10
<PAGE>



Item 2.   Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

   This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section  21E of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended.  For this
purpose,  any statements  contained herein that are not statements of historical
fact may be  deemed  to be  forward-looking  statements.  Without  limiting  the
foregoing, the words "believes",  "anticipates",  "plans", "expects" and similar
expressions  are intended to identify  forward-looking  statements.  There are a
number of important  factors that could cause the  Company's  actual  results to
differ  materially  from those  indicated or  suggested by such  forward-looking
statements.  These factors include,  without  limitation,  those set forth below
under the caption "Factors Affecting Future Operating Results".

PROPOSED PAGENET MERGER

   In  November  1999,  Parent  signed  a  definitive   agreement  (the  "Merger
Agreement") with Paging Network, Inc. ("PageNet") pursuant to which PageNet will
merge with a wholly owned  subsidiary of Arch (the "Merger").  Each  outstanding
share of PageNet  common  stock will be  converted  into 0.1247  share of Parent
common stock in the Merger.

   Under the Merger  Agreement,  PageNet is required  to make an exchange  offer
(the  "PageNet  Exchange  Offer")  of  PageNet  common  stock to  holders of its
outstanding 8.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2006 (the "8.875% Notes"),  its
10.125%  Senior  Subordinated  Notes due 2007 (the "10.125%  Notes") and its 10%
Senior  Subordinated  Notes  due 2008  (the "10%  Notes"),  having an  aggregate
outstanding principal amount of $1.2 billion.  Under the PageNet Exchange Offer,
an aggregate of 616,830,757 shares of PageNet common stock,  together with 68.9%
of the  equity  interest  in  PageNet's  subsidiary,  Vast  Solutions,  would be
exchanged   for  all  of  the  8.875%   Notes,   10.125%  Notes  and  10%  Notes
(collectively,  the "PageNet Notes"),  in the aggregate.  In connection with the
Merger,  PageNet would  distribute to its  stockholders  (other than holders who
received shares in the PageNet Exchange Offer), 11.6% of the equity interests in
Vast  Solutions.  After the Merger,  PageNet  would  retain  19.5% of the equity
interests of Vast Solutions.

   Under the Merger  Agreement Parent is required to make an exchange offer (the
"Arch  Exchange  Offer")  of  29,651,980  shares  of its  common  stock  (in the
aggregate)  for all of its Senior  Discount  Notes,  and to  convert  all of its
outstanding shares of Series C Convertible  Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred
Stock") into 2,104,142 shares of its common stock.

   If the  PageNet  Exchange  Offer  and the  Arch  Exchange  Offer  were  fully
subscribed,  immediately following the Merger (and the issuance of Parent common
stock in exchange for PageNet common stock,  in the Arch Exchange Offer and upon
the conversion of Series C Preferred Stock),  current holders of Parent's common
stock would own  approximately  29.6% of the  outstanding  Parent  common stock,
holders  of  Series  C  Preferred  Stock  would  own  approximately  1.2% of the
outstanding Parent common stock,  holders of the Senior Discount Notes would own
approximately  17.6% of the outstanding Parent common stock,  current holders of
PageNet  common stock would own  approximately  7.5% of the  outstanding  Parent
common stock and current  holders of the PageNet Notes (in the aggregate)  would
own  approximately  44.5% of the  outstanding  Parent common stock. In addition,
following  the  Merger  Arch would  have,  on a pro forma  basis,  total debt of
approximately $1.8 billion.

   Under the Merger  Agreement,  the Parent  Board of  Directors  at the closing
would consist of 12 individuals, at least six of whom would be designated by the
existing  Parent  Board  of  Directors.  The  PageNet  Board of  Directors  will
designate  three members,  and the three largest  holders of PageNet Notes would
each be  entitled  to  designate  one  member.  To the extent any such holder of
PageNet  Notes did not elect to  designate a director,  the number of  directors
designated by the Parent Board of Directors would increase.

   Arch expects the Merger,  which has been  approved by the Boards of Directors
of Arch and PageNet, but is subject to customary regulatory review,  shareholder
approval,  other third-party  consents and the completion of the exchange offers
and preferred stock  conversion,  to be completed during the first half of 2000.
Each of the PageNet  Exchange  Offer and the Arch Exchange  Offer is conditioned
upon acceptance by the holders of 97.5% of the PageNet Notes and Senior Discount
Notes, respectively.



                                       11
<PAGE>

   Under the Merger  Agreement,  PageNet is required to include a  "prepackaged"
plan of  reorganization  under  Chapter  11 of the U.S.  Bankruptcy  Code in the
materials  relating to the PageNet  Exchange Offer,  and to solicit consents for
this  prepackaged  plan  from  holders  of the  PageNet  Notes  and  its  senior
creditors.  In  certain  circumstances  PageNet  has  agreed  either to file the
prepackaged  plan in lieu of completing the PageNet  Exchange Offer or to pay to
Arch a termination fee.

   The  agreement  provides  that each party may be obligated to pay the other a
termination  fee equal to $40.0 million under the terms described under Note (h)
to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

MOBILEMEDIA MERGER

   On  June 3,  1999 a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of the  Company  merged  with
MobileMedia Communications,  Inc. ("MobileMedia") pursuant to a merger agreement
with MobileMedia (the "MobileMedia Merger").

   Pursuant to the  MobileMedia  Merger,  Parent:  (i) issued  certain stock and
warrants;  (ii) paid $479.0 million in cash to certain creditors of MobileMedia;
(iii) paid  approximately  $40.0  million  of  administrative,  transaction  and
related costs; (iv) raised $217.2 million in cash through offerings of rights to
purchase  its common  stock;  and (v)  caused  Arch and API to borrow a total of
approximately  $320.8 million.  After  consummation of the MobileMedia Merger on
June 3, 1999,  MobileMedia became a wholly owned subsidiary of API. See Note (c)
to the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements.

   During the third quarter of 1999 Arch approved plans covering the elimination
of redundant headcount and facilities in connection with the overall integration
of MobileMedia's  operations. To the extent that it is determined that headcount
and facilities  acquired with  MobileMedia  should be  eliminated,  the purchase
price of the  acquisition  will be increased to cover the costs of executing the
plan. It is expected that the integration  activity  relating to the MobileMedia
Merger, which commenced on July 1, 1999, will take approximately 18 months.

   In  connection  with  the  MobileMedia  acquisition  Arch  anticipates  a net
reduction of  approximately  10% of  MobileMedia's  workforce and the closing of
certain  facilities and tower sites.  This resulted in the establishment a $13.1
million  acquisition  reserve which is included as part of the purchase price of
MobileMedia. The initial acquisition reserve consisted of approximately (i) $5.6
million for  employee  severance,  (ii) $7.0 million for lease  obligations  and
terminations and (iii) $0.5 million of other costs. The acquisition reserve will
continue to be  evaluated in the event that  certain  assumptions  change in the
future. There can be no assurance that the desired cost savings will be achieved
or that the  integration  of the two companies  will be  accomplished  smoothly,
expeditiously  or  successfully.  See  Note  (g) to the  Notes  to  Consolidated
Condensed Financial Statements.

DIVISIONAL REORGANIZATION

   In June 1998,  Parent's  Board  approved  a  divisional  reorganization  (the
"Divisional  Reorganization").  As part of the Divisional Reorganization,  which
was originally expected to be implemented over a period of 18 to 24 months, Arch
has consolidated its former Midwest,  Western,  and Northern divisions into four
existing  operating  divisions,  and is in the process of consolidating  certain
regional   administrative   support   functions,   such  as  customer   service,
collections,  inventory and billing,  to reduce redundancy and take advantage of
various  operating  efficiencies.  In  conjunction  with the  completion  of the
MobileMedia  merger,  Arch management  reviewed the timing and implementation of
the Divisional  Reorganization.  The plan was reviewed within the context of the
combined company integration plan which was approved by the Company in the third
quarter of 1999. After a thorough review it was decided that significant changes
needed to be made to the Divisional  Reorganization plan. It is anticipated that
the  impact of the  MobileMedia  Merger  will  extend  the cash  outlays  of the
Divisional Reorganization plan to December 31, 2000.



                                       12
<PAGE>

   In connection with the Divisional Reorganization,  Arch (i) anticipated a net
reduction of  approximately  10% of its  workforce,  (ii) closed  certain office
locations  and  redeployed  other  real  estate  assets  and  (iii)  recorded  a
restructuring  charge of $14.7 million  during 1998.  The  restructuring  charge
consisted of approximately  (i) $9.7 million for employee  severance,  (ii) $3.5
million for lease obligations and terminations,  and (iii) $1.5 million of other
costs. In light of the MobileMedia  Merger,  the Divisional  Reorganization  was
reevaluated.  In the quarter  ended  September  30, 1999 the Company  identified
certain of its facilities and network leases that will not be utilized following
the merger integration,  resulting in an additional charge of $2.6 million. This
charge was offset by reductions to previously provided severance and other costs
of $4.8 million. There can be no assurance that the desired cost savings will be
achieved or that the anticipated  reorganization will be accomplished  smoothly,
expeditiously  or  successfully.  See  Note  (f) to the  Notes  to  Consolidated
Condensed Financial Statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

   Total  revenues  increased to $206.2  million (a 98.2%  increase)  and $440.6
million (a 42.3%  increase)  in the three and nine months  ended  September  30,
1999, respectively, from $104.1 million and $309.6 million in the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1998, respectively. Net revenues (total revenues less
cost of products  sold)  increased  to $195.7  million (a 102.0%  increase)  and
$415.6 million (a 44.4%  increase) in the three and nine months ended  September
30, 1999,  respectively,  from $96.9 million and $287.8 million in the three and
nine months ended  September  30,  1998,  respectively.  Total  revenues and net
revenues in the 1999 period increased  primarily due to the MobileMedia  Merger,
but were also adversely affected by a general slowing of paging industry growth,
compared to prior years.  Revenues were also  adversely  affected by: (i) Arch's
decision  in the fourth  quarter of 1998,  in  anticipation  of the  MobileMedia
Merger,  not to replace normal attrition among direct sales personnel;  (ii) the
reduced effectiveness of the reseller channel of distribution; and (iii) reduced
sales through Arch's company owned stores.  Arch expects  revenue to continue to
be  adversely  affected  in 1999  due to  these  factors.  Service,  rental  and
maintenance  revenues,  which consist primarily of recurring revenues associated
with  the sale or lease  of  pagers,  increased  to  $190.8  million  (a  104.0%
increase)  and $403.6  million (a 45.3%  increase)  in the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1999, respectively, from $93.5 million and $277.8 million in
the  three  and nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,  respectively.  These
increases in revenues were due primarily to the  acquisition  of  MobileMedia on
June 3, 1999.  Maintenance  revenues represented less than 10% of total service,
rental and maintenance revenues in the three and nine months ended September 30,
1999 and 1998. Arch does not differentiate  between service and rental revenues.
Product sales,  less cost of products  sold,  increased to $4.9 million (a 48.0%
increase)  and $12.0  million (a 20.4%  decrease)  in the three and nine  months
ended  September 30, 1999,  respectively,  from $3.3 million and $9.9 million in
the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998, respectively, as a result of
the MobileMedia acquisition.

   Service,  rental  and  maintenance  expenses,   which  consist  primarily  of
telephone  line and site  rental  expenses,  were  $43.0  million  (22.0% of net
revenues) and $91.4 million (22.0% of net revenues) in the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1999, respectively,  compared to $20.4 million (21.1% of net
revenues) and $60.8 million (21.1% of net revenues) in the three and nine months
ended  September  30, 1998,  respectively.  The  increases in the three and nine
month  periods  were due  primarily to increased  expenses  associated  with the
provision of paging  services to a greater number of units.  The  acquisition of
MobileMedia  added  approximately  2.8  million  units in  service.  Although as
existing paging systems become more populated through the addition of new paging
units,  the fixed  costs of  operating  these  paging  systems are spread over a
greater unit base, annualized service,  rental and maintenance expenses per unit
increased to $24 and $22 in the three and nine months ended  September 30, 1999,
respectively,  compared  to $20 in both the  corresponding  1998  periods.  This
increase  is due  primarily  to the  increase in paging  systems and  associated
expenses  as a result of the  MobileMedia  Merger,  however,  the per unit costs
should decrease in the future once synergies are achieved.

   Selling expenses were $26.5 million (13.6% of net revenues) and $57.6 million
(13.9% of net  revenues) in the three and nine months ended  September 30, 1999,
respectively,  compared  to $12.7  million  (13.1%  of net  revenues)  and $36.9
million (12.8% of net revenues) in the three and nine months ended September 30,
1998,  respectively.  The  increases in absolute  dollars were  primarily due to
increased  headcount  and the  increases  as a percentage  of net revenues  were
primarily due to redundant headcount as a result of the MobileMedia Merger.

   General and administrative  expenses increased to $60.6 million (31.0% of net
revenues)  and  $123.6  million  (29.8% of net  revenues)  in the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1999, respectively,  from $28.0 million (28.9% of net
revenues) and $84.5 million (29.4% of net revenues) in the three and nine months
ended September 30, 1998,  respectively.  The increases in absolute dollars were
primarily due to increased headcount,  administrative and facility costs and the
increases as a percentage  of net revenues  were  primarily due to the redundant
headcount, administrative and facility costs associated with MobileMedia.



                                       13
<PAGE>

   Depreciation and amortization  expenses increased to $94.6 million and $222.1
million in the three and nine months ended  September  30,  1999,  respectively,
from  $56.4  million  and  $164.3  million  in the three and nine  months  ended
September  30,  1998,  respectively.  These  expenses  principally  reflect  the
acquisition of MobileMedia,  as well as Arch's acquisitions of paging businesses
in prior periods, accounted for as purchases, and investment in pagers and other
system expansion equipment to support growth. Additionally, depreciation expense
for the  nine  months  ended  September  30,  1999  includes  the  write-off  of
approximately  $7.1  million  of costs  associated  with the  development  of an
integrated  billing and management  system.  The Company  decided to discontinue
development   efforts  due  to  the  capabilities  of  the  system  acquired  in
conjunction with the MobileMedia Merger.

   Operating  losses were $26.8  million and $77.0 million in the three and nine
months ended  September  30, 1999,  respectively,  compared to $20.6 million and
$73.5  million  in  the  three  and  nine  months  ended   September  30,  1998,
respectively, as a result of the factors outlined above.

   Net  interest  expense  increased to $29.1  million and $67.9  million in the
three and nine months ended September 30, 1999, respectively, from $17.3 million
and $48.7  million  in the three  and nine  months  ended  September  30,  1998,
respectively.  The increases  were  principally  attributable  to an increase in
Arch's outstanding debt.

   Other  expense  increased to $0.9 million and $44.4  million in the three and
nine months ended September 30, 1999,  respectively,  from $0.3 million and $1.7
million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998, respectively.  In
the nine months ended  September 30, 1999,  other expense  includes $6.5 million
representing  the write-off of Arch's  investment in CONXUS (see Note (b) to the
Notes  to  Consolidated   Condensed  Financial  Statements)  and  $35.8  million
associated with the arrangements made between Arch, Benbow and Ms. Walsh in June
1999 (see Note (b) to the Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements).

   In June  1998,  Arch  recognized  an  extraordinary  charge  of $1.7  million
representing  the write-off of unamortized  deferred  financing costs associated
with the prepayment of indebtedness under prior credit facilities.

   On  January  1, 1999,  Arch  adopted  SOP 98-5.  SOP 98-5  requires  costs of
start-up  activities and organization costs to be expensed as incurred.  Initial
application  of SOP 98-5 resulted in a $3.4 million charge which was reported as
the  cumulative  effect  of  a  change  in  accounting  principle.  This  charge
represents the unamortized  portion of start-up and organization costs which had
been deferred in prior years.

   Net loss  increased to $56.9 million and $195.7 million in the three and nine
months ended  September  30, 1999,  respectively,  from $38.2 million and $127.7
million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 1998, respectively,  as
a result of the factors outlined above.

FACTORS AFFECTING FUTURE OPERATING RESULTS

   The following  important  factors,  among  others,  could cause Arch's actual
operating  results to differ  materially  from those  indicated  or suggested by
forward-looking  statements  made in this Form 10-Q or  presented  elsewhere  by
Arch's management from time to time.

Relating to Operations

   Integrating Arch and MobileMedia presents challenges

   Arch may not be able to successfully integrate MobileMedia's operations.  Any
difficulties  or problems  encountered in the  integration  process could have a
material  adverse effect on Arch.  Even if integrated in a timely manner,  there
can be no assurance that Arch's operating performance will be successful or will
fulfill  management's  objectives.   Until  integration  is  complete,  the  two
companies will continue to operate with some  autonomy.  This degree of autonomy
may blunt the implementation of the combined company's operating strategy.



                                       14
<PAGE>

   The  combination  of the two  companies  is  requiring,  among other  things,
coordination of administrative, sales and marketing, distribution and accounting
and finance functions and expansion of information and management  systems.  The
integration  process could cause the  interruption  of the activities of the two
businesses,  or a loss of momentum.  The  difficulties  of such  integration are
initially  increased by the necessity of  coordinating  geographically  separate
organizations and integrating  personnel with disparate business backgrounds and
corporate cultures. Arch may not be able to retain key employees. The process of
integrating   the   businesses   of  Arch  and   MobileMedia   may   require   a
disproportionate amount of time and attention of Arch's management and financial
and other resources of Arch and may involve other, unforeseen difficulties.

   Similar risks will attend  future  acquisition  opportunities  which Arch may
pursue.  Furthermore,  no  assurance  can be  given  that  suitable  acquisition
transactions can be identified,  financed and completed on acceptable  terms, or
that Arch will participate in any future consolidation of the paging industry.

   Disruption  of  MobileMedia's  operations  that  occurred  during  insolvency
   proceedings may continue

   MobileMedia's  business operations were adversely affected by difficulties in
integrating the operations of certain  businesses  acquired in 1995 and 1996, by
liquidity  problems arising prior to its January 30, 1997 bankruptcy  filing and
by the reluctance of some customers and potential  customers to do business with
MobileMedia  while it operated under Chapter 11. Any continued  deterioration of
MobileMedia's  business,  including  the  loss  of  significant  numbers  of key
employees, could have material adverse effects.

   Downturn in MobileMedia's units in service may continue

   Cancellation  of units in service  can  significantly  affect the  results of
operations  of wireless  messaging  service  providers.  The sales and marketing
costs associated with attracting new subscribers are substantial compared to the
costs of providing service to existing customers. Because the paging business is
characterized by high fixed costs,  cancellations  directly and adversely affect
EBITDA.

   After  filing for  bankruptcy  protection  on January 30,  1997,  MobileMedia
experienced  a  significant  decline  in units in  service.  At March 31,  1999,
MobileMedia  had  3,106,775  units in service  compared  to  3,440,342  units in
service at December 31, 1997. A failure to correct this cancellation trend could
have a material adverse effect on the combined company.

   Competition and technological change may undermine Arch's business

   There can be no assurance that Arch will be able to compete successfully with
current  and future  competitors  in the  wireless  messaging  business  or with
competitors offering alternative communication technologies.

   Competition may intensify and may adversely  affect  margins.  Arch has faced
competition from other wireless  messaging  (including paging) service providers
in all  markets  in which  it  operates,  including  some  competitors  who hold
nationwide  licenses.  Due in part to competitive  conditions,  monthly fees for
basic paging  services have  generally  declined in recent years.  Arch may face
significant  price-based  competition  in the future,  not only with  respect to
basic paging, but also advanced messaging services,  which could have a material
adverse  effect on its revenues and EBITDA.  Some  competitors  possess  greater
financial,  technical and other resources than Arch. A trend towards  increasing
consolidation in the wireless communications industry in recent years has led to
competition from increasingly larger and better capitalized competitors.  If any
of  such  competitors  were  to  devote  additional  resources  to the  wireless
messaging  business  or focus on Arch's  historical  markets,  this could have a
material adverse effect on the Company.

   New wireless  messaging  technology may adversely  affect Arch's  competitive
position.  While Arch currently provides advanced  messaging  (including two-way
paging)  services,  it is  currently  providing  those  services  primarily as a
reseller,  and on a  limited  basis  through  its own  network.  Although  these
services  generally are higher priced than traditional  one-way paging services,
this situation may change.  Technological improvements could result in increased
capacity and efficiency for two-way paging technologies and this could result in
increased   competition  for  Arch.   Future   technological   advances  in  the
telecommunications  industry could increase new services or products competitive
with the paging services historically provided, and the other messaging services


                                       15
<PAGE>

currently provided,  by Arch. Future  technological  advances could also require
Arch to reduce the price of its core paging services or other messaging services
or incur  additional  capital  expenditures  to meet  competitive  requirements.
Recent and proposed  regulatory changes by the FCC are aimed at encouraging such
technological  advances  and new  services.  Other  forms  of  wireless  two-way
communications  technology  also compete with the  messaging  services that Arch
provides. These include cellular and broadband personal communications services,
which are  commonly  referred to as PCS,  as well as  specialized  mobile  radio
services.  Although  these  services  are  primarily  focused on  two-way  voice
communications,  many service providers are electing to provide paging and other
data messaging services as an adjunct to their primary services.

   Obsolescence  in  company-owned  units may impose  additional  costs on Arch.
Technological  change may also adversely affect the value of the messaging units
owned by Arch that are leased to its subscribers.  If Arch's current subscribers
request more technologically advanced units, including two-way units, Arch could
incur additional inventory costs and capital expenditures if required to replace
units leased to its  subscribers  within a short period of time. Such additional
investment or capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on Arch.

   Government regulation may burden operations

   Licenses may not be automatically renewed. Arch's FCC paging licenses are for
varying terms of up to 10 years. When the licenses expire,  renewal applications
must  receive  approval  from  the  FCC.  To  date,  the FCC has  approved  each
assignment  and transfer of control for which Arch and  MobileMedia  have sought
approval;  however,  no  assurance  can be  given  that  any of  Arch's  renewal
applications will be free of challenge or will be granted by the FCC.

   Regulatory changes could add burdens or benefit competing  technologies.  The
FCC  continually  reviews  and  revises its rules  affecting  paging  companies.
Therefore,  regulatory  requirements that apply to Arch may change significantly
over time.  Acquisitions of Parent's stock by foreigners could jeopardize Arch's
licenses.  The  Communications Act limits foreign investment in and ownership of
radio common carriers  licensed by the FCC. Parent may not have more than 25% of
its  stock  owned  or voted  by  aliens  or  their  representatives,  a  foreign
government or its representatives or a foreign corporation if the FCC finds that
the public interest would be served by denying such  ownership.  Arch and Arch's
subsidiaries  that are  radio  common  carrier  licensees  are  subject  to more
stringent requirements and may have only up to 20% of their stock owned or voted
by   aliens  or  their   representatives,   a   foreign   government   or  their
representatives  or a foreign  corporation.  This  ownership  restriction is not
subject to waiver.  Parent's certificate of incorporation permits the redemption
of shares of its capital  stock from  foreign  stockholders  where  necessary to
protect FCC  licenses  held by Arch or its  subsidiaries,  but such a redemption
would be subject to the  availability of capital to Parent and any  restrictions
contained in applicable  debt  instruments  and under the Delaware  corporations
statute. These restrictions currently would not permit any such redemptions. The
failure to redeem shares promptly could jeopardize the FCC licenses held by Arch
or its  subsidiaries.  See "--High degree of leverage  burdens  operations"  and
"--Competition and technological change may undermine Arch's business".

   Arch cannot  control  third  parties on whom Arch  depends for  products  and
   services

   Arch does not  manufacture any of the messaging units used in its operations.
It is dependent  primarily on Motorola and NEC America Inc. to obtain sufficient
pager  inventory  for new  subscriber  and  replacement  needs  and on  Glenayre
Electronics, Inc. and Motorola for sufficient terminals and transmitters to meet
its  expansion and  replacement  requirements.  Significant  delays in obtaining
messaging  units,  terminals or  transmitters,  such as MobileMedia  experienced
before its  bankruptcy  filing,  could lead to  disruptions  in  operations  and
adverse financial consequences.  Arch's purchase agreement with Motorola expires
on March 17, 2000.  There can be no assurance  that the agreement  with Motorola
will be  renewed  or,  if  renewed,  that such  agreements  will be on terms and
conditions as favorable to Arch as those under the current agreement.

   Arch  relies on third  parties to  provide  satellite  transmission  for some
aspects of its messaging services.  To the extent there are satellite outages or
if satellite  coverage is impaired in other ways,  Arch may experience a loss of
service  until such time as satellite  coverage is restored,  which could have a
material adverse effect on Arch.



                                       16
<PAGE>

   Loss of key personnel could adversely impact operations

   Arch's  success will depend,  to a  significant  extent,  upon the  continued
services of a relatively small group of executive personnel.  Arch does not have
employment  agreements with any of its current executive  officers,  or maintain
life insurance on their lives, although all executive officers have entered into
executive  retention  agreements with Arch. The loss or unavailability of one or
more of its  executive  officers  or the  inability  to  attract  or retain  key
employees in the future could have a material adverse effect on Arch.

   Impact of the Year 2000 issue is not fully known

   The Year 2000 problem is the result of computer  programs being written using
two  digits  (rather  than  four) to  define  the  applicable  year.  Any of the
Company's programs that have time-sensitive  software may recognize a date using
"00" as the year 1900 rather than the year 2000.  This could  result in a system
failure or miscalculations causing disruptions of operations,  including,  among
other things, a temporary  inability to process  transactions,  send invoices or
engage in normal business activities.

   To address this issue, Arch has created a cross-functional  Y2K project group
that has  analyzed  and  identified  internal  and  external  areas likely to be
affected by the Year 2000 problem.  Arch has requested  information from certain
mission  critical  vendors and has held  discussions  with paging  equipment and
other mission critical vendors  concerning their efforts to identify and address
potential issues associated with their equipment and/or software. While Arch has
made such inquiries,  it is possible one or more mission critical vendors,  such
as utility  providers,  telephone  carriers,  other paging  carriers,  satellite
carriers or other telecommunication providers, may not be Year 2000 ready. While
Arch has created  certain  contingency  plans (as discussed  below),  due to the
unique  nature of such  vendors,  alternative  providers  may not be  available.
Furthermore, all paging and messaging units and messaging-related equipment used
by Arch and its customers are  manufactured by third parties,  and although Arch
has tested such equipment with generally  favorable results,  it has relied to a
large  extent  on the  representations  of its  vendors  with  respect  to their
readiness.  Arch  cannot  offer  assurance  as to its ability to  replicate  its
testing  results in a real time  environment  or the  accuracy  of its  vendors'
representations.

   Arch is in the final stages of its inventory audit and is nearing  completion
of appropriate modifications and/or replacements of its computerized systems and
applications to address the issue. The costs  associated with such  replacements
has been capitalized and amortized in accordance with Arch's existing accounting
policies and future replacement costs, if any, will be capitalized and amortized
in a similar manner.  Maintenance or modification  costs have been, and will be,
expensed as  incurred.  Based on Arch's  costs  incurred  to date and  projected
estimated costs,  Arch does not expect that its remediation  efforts will have a
material adverse effect on its results of operations or its financial condition.
Actual  costs  and  results  may  vary  significantly  due to the  uncertainties
associated with the problem,  which may not be apparent until the second quarter
of 2000.

   Although the Company began testing its  applications in 1998, there can be no
assurance that such testing has detected all  applications  that may be affected
by the  problem.  While  it is  Arch's  objective  is to be Year  2000  ready by
year-end 1999, due to the uncertainties  associated with the problem,  there can
be no assurance that this objective will be met.

     Arch is finalizing its contingency plans relating to the Year 2000 problem.
Such plans include,  among other things,  the use of (i) backup power generators
for certain of its operations,  (ii) certain alternate vendors and (iii) various
communication channels to deploy its work force in a timely and efficient manner
to address  potential  problems  that  arise.  While Arch  believes  it has used
commercially  reasonable  efforts in its approach to this issue,  any failure of
its systems or products, whether due to internal or external factors, could have
a material adverse effect on its business as a whole,  its financial  condition,
results of operations and its prospects.

   Continued losses are likely

   Arch expects to continue to report net losses for the foreseeable  future and
cannot predict when, if ever, it is likely to attain profitability.



                                       17
<PAGE>



   Arch and MobileMedia have reported losses in all but one of the periods shown
in the table below:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                           Year Ended December 31,     Nine Months
                                                                          Ended
                                                                       September 30,
                                         1996        1997       1998       1999
                                      ----------   --------   --------   --------
             Net income (loss):                       (dollars in millions)
<S>                                   <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
              Arch.............       $  (87.0)    $(146.6)   $(167.1)   $(195.7)(a)
              MobileMedia......       $(1,059.9)   $(124.6)   $  35.6

     ------------------------------------
     (a) Reflects the operations of MobileMedia commencing June 3, 1999.
</TABLE>

   Furthermore,  MobileMedia  had net income during the year ended  December 31,
1998 solely because of a $94.2 million gain on the sale of  transmission  towers
and related equipment. After giving effect to the MobileMedia acquisition,  Arch
would have incurred,  on a pro forma basis, losses before  extraordinary item of
$154.2  million for the year ended  December 31, 1998 and $219.7 million for the
nine months ended  September  30,  1999.  For both Arch and  MobileMedia,  these
historical net losses have resulted  principally from  substantial  depreciation
and  amortization  expense,  primarily  related to  intangible  assets and pager
depreciation,  interest expense, the impairment of long-lived assets in the case
of MobileMedia and other costs of growth.  Substantial and increased  amounts of
debt are expected to be outstanding for the foreseeable future. This will result
in significant  additional  interest expense which could have a material adverse
effect on Arch's future income or loss.  See "--Funding for future capital needs
is not assured" and "--High degree of leverage burdens operations".

   Revenues and operating results may fluctuate

   Arch believes that future  fluctuations in its revenues and operating results
may occur due to many factors,  including competition,  subscriber turnover, new
service developments and technological  change.  Arch's current and planned debt
repayment levels are, to a large extent,  fixed in the short term, and are based
in part on its expectations as to future revenues and cash flow growth. Arch may
be unable to adjust spending in a timely manner to compensate for any revenue or
cash flow  shortfall.  It is possible that, due to future  fluctuations,  Arch's
revenue,  cash  flow or  operating  results  may not  meet the  expectations  of
securities analysts or investors. This may have a material adverse effect on the
price of Parent's common stock. If shortfalls were to cause Arch not to meet the
financial  covenants  contained in its debt  instruments,  the debtholders could
declare a default and seek immediate repayment.

Relating to Liquidity, Capital Resources and Capital Structure.

   High degree of leverage burdens operations

   Each of Arch and MobileMedia has been highly  leveraged,  and Arch expects to
continue to be highly leveraged,  unless it consummates a transaction,  like the
merger  with  PageNet,  which  has the  effect of  reducing  its  leverage.  The
following  table  compares the total debt,  total assets and latest  three-month
annualized adjusted pro forma EBITDA of Arch at or as of September 30, 1999.


                                                         (dollars in millions)
     Total debt.........................................         $ 947.5
     Total assets.......................................       $ 1,415.9
     Annualized adjusted pro forma EBITDA...............         $ 262.1

   Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure defined in GAAP and should not be considered
in  isolation  or as a  substitute  for  measures  of  performance  prepared  in
accordance  with  GAAP.   Adjusted  EBITDA,  as  determined  by  Arch,  may  not
necessarily be comparable to similarly  titled data of other wireless  messaging
companies.  Arch's high degree of leverage  may have  adverse  consequences  for
Arch. These include the following:

     o   High  leverage  may  impair  or  extinguish  Arch's  ability  to obtain
         additional  financing  necessary  for  acquisitions,  working  capital,
         capital expenditures or other purposes on acceptable terms, if at all.



                                       18
<PAGE>

     o   A  substantial  portion  of Arch's  cash flow will be  required  to pay
         interest  expense;  this will reduce the funds which would otherwise be
         available for operations and future business opportunities.

     o   Arch's  credit   facilities  and  indentures   contain   financial  and
         restrictive  covenants;  the failure to comply with these covenants may
         result in an event of  default  which  could  have a  material  adverse
         effect on Arch if not cured or waived.

     o   Arch may be more highly leveraged than its competitors  which may place
         it at a competitive disadvantage.

     o   Arch's  high  degree  of  leverage  will make it more  vulnerable  to a
         downturn in its business or the economy generally.

   There can be no  assurance  that Arch  will be able to reduce  its  financial
leverage as it intends, or that Arch will achieve an appropriate balance between
acceptable  growth and future reductions in financial  leverage.  If Arch is not
able to achieve  continued growth in EBITDA,  it may be precluded from incurring
additional  indebtedness due to cash flow coverage  requirements  under existing
debt instruments.

   Debt instruments restrict operations

   Various debt instruments impose operating and financial restrictions on Arch.
Arch's secured credit facility  requires various Arch operating  subsidiaries to
maintain  specified  financial ratios,  including a maximum leverage ratio and a
minimum fixed charge coverage  ratio.  In addition,  the secured credit facility
limits or restricts, among other things, the operating subsidiaries' ability to:

     o    declare dividends or redeem or repurchase capital stock;

     o    prepay, redeem or purchase debt;

     o    incur liens and engage in sale/leaseback transactions;

     o    make loans and investments;

     o    incur indebtedness and contingent obligations;

     o    amend or otherwise alter debt instruments and other material
          agreements;

     o    engage in mergers, consolidations, acquisitions and asset sales;

     o    engage in transactions with affiliates; and

     o    alter its lines of business or accounting methods.

     Other debt instruments limit, among other things:

     o    the incurrence of additional indebtedness by Arch and its
          subsidiaries;

     o    the payment of dividends and other restricted payments by Arch and its
          subsidiaries;

     o    asset sales;

     o    transactions with affiliates;

     o    the incurrence of liens; and

     o    mergers and consolidations.

   Arch's ability to comply with such covenants may be affected by events beyond
its control, including prevailing economic and financial conditions. A breach of
any of these  covenants  could  result in a default  under  the  secured  credit
facility  and/or  other debt  instruments.  Upon the  occurrence  of an event of
default,  the  creditors  could elect to declare all amounts  outstanding  to be
immediately due and payable,  together with accrued and unpaid interest. If Arch
were unable to repay any such  amounts,  the  secured  creditors  could  proceed
against the collateral  securing a portion of the  indebtedness.  If the lenders
under the secured  credit  facility or other debt  instruments  accelerated  the
payment of such indebtedness,  there can be no assurance that the assets of Arch
would be sufficient to repay in full such indebtedness and other indebtedness of
Arch.  In  addition,   because  the  secured  credit  facility  and  other  debt
instruments limit Arch's ability to engage in certain  transactions except under
certain  circumstances,  Arch may be prohibited from entering into  transactions
that could be beneficial to Arch.



                                       19
<PAGE>

   Funding for future capital needs is not assured

   Arch's  business  strategy  requires  substantial  funds to be  available  to
finance  the  continued  development  and  future  growth and  expansion  of its
operations, including possible acquisitions.  Future amounts of capital required
by Arch will depend  upon a number of factors.  These  factors  include  unit in
service  growth,  the  type  of  messaging  devices  and  services  demanded  by
customers,  service revenues,  technological  developments,  marketing and sales
expenses, competitive conditions, the nature and timing of Arch's N-PCS strategy
and the  nature and timing of any future  acquisitions,  including  PageNet.  No
assurance  can be  given  that  additional  equity  or  debt  financing  will be
available  to Arch when needed on  acceptable  terms,  if at all. If  sufficient
financing is unavailable when needed, this may have a material adverse effect on
Arch.



                           PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

   The Company is involved in various  lawsuits and claims arising in the normal
course of business.  The Company  believes that none of such matters will have a
material adverse effect on the Company's business or financial condition.

Item 5.  Other Information

   None.

Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

      (a) The exhibits listed on the accompanying index to exhibits are filed as
   part of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

      (b) No  reports  on Form 8-K were  filed for the  quarter  for which  this
   report is filed.




                                       20
<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

         Pursuant to the  requirements  of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
the  Registrant  has duly caused this report on Form 10-Q for the quarter  ended
September 30, 1999, to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly
authorized.

                                        ARCH COMMUNICATIONS, INC.


Dated:  November 15, 1999               By: /s/ J. Roy Pottle
                                            ---------------------------------
                                            J. Roy Pottle
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer



                                       21
<PAGE>


                                INDEX TO EXHIBITS


   Exhibit          Description
   -------          -----------
     27.1       -   Financial Data Schedule.


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                                5
<CIK>                                             0000916122
<NAME>                                            Arch Communications, Inc.
<MULTIPLIER>                                      1,000
<CURRENCY>                                        USD

<S>                                               <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                     9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                      Dec-31-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                         Jan-01-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                           Sep-30-1999
<EXCHANGE-RATE>                                                  1
<CASH>                                                      20,275
<SECURITIES>                                                     0
<RECEIVABLES>                                               57,570
<ALLOWANCES>                                                     0
<INVENTORY>                                                 10,163
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                            97,967
<PP&E>                                                     697,337
<DEPRECIATION>                                             288,281
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                           1,415,943
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                      169,413
<BONDS>                                                    944,457
                                            0
                                                      0
<COMMON>                                                         0
<OTHER-SE>                                                 224,120
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                             1,415,943
<SALES>                                                     36,963
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                           440,570
<CGS>                                                       24,988
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                               24,988
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                            91,421
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                          67,888
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                           (192,324)
<INCOME-TAX>                                                     0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                       (192,324)
<DISCONTINUED>                                                   0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                  0
<CHANGES>                                                   (3,361)
<NET-INCOME>                                              (195,685)
<EPS-BASIC>                                                 0.00
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                 0.00



</TABLE>


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