United States
Securities and Exchange Commission
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-K
(Mark One)
|X| Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 1997
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 Number: 1-13526
PriCellular Wireless Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 13-3784318
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(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
711 Westchester Avenue
White Plains, New York 10604
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (914) 422-0800
--------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
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 by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405
of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best knowledge of the registrant, in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment of this
Form 10-K. [ ]
The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the
registrant as of March 18, 1998 was approximately $0.
The number of shares outstanding of each class of the registrant's common stock,
as of March 18, 1998, was 100 shares of Class A Common Stock.
Documents incorporated by reference: None.
The registrant meets the conditions set forth in General Instructions J(1)(a)
and (b) of Form 10-K and is therefore filing the reduced disclosure format.
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Table of Contents
Part I
Item 1. Business........................................................ 2
General......................................................... 2
Cellular Markets and Systems.................................... 4
Acquisitions and Dispositions................................... 6
Recent Developments............................................. 9
Business Strategy............................................... 9
Cellular Operations............................................. 11
Overview of Cellular Telephone Industry......................... 17
Regulations..................................................... 22
Item 2. Properties...................................................... 24
Item 3. Legal Proceedings............................................... 25
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders............. 25
Part II
Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and
Related Stockholder Matters................................... 26
Item 6. Selected Financial Data......................................... 26
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations..................................... 27
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data..................... 32
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on
Accounting and Financial Disclosure........................... 32
Part III
Items 10.,
11., 12.
and 13. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant,
Executive Compensation, Security Ownership of
Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions................ 33
Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 34
Exhibit Index ........................................................... 34
Signatures ........................................................... 36
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Part I
Unless otherwise indicated all references herein to "PriCellular" or the
"Company" include its subsidiaries and predecessors. See "Item 1.
Business-Certain Terms" for the definitions of certain other terms used herein.
Item 1. Business
General
PriCellular, through its subsidiaries, owns and operates FCC licensed cellular
telephone systems in the United States, primarily in smaller MSAs and
strategically located RSAs. PriCellular owns cellular interests representing
approximately 5.1 million Net Pops. These interests consist principally of four
large operating clusters of cellular Systems:
Upper Midwest Cluster--a 1.8 million Net Pop cluster of 15 Systems
covering approximately 78,000 contiguous square miles in Minnesota,
Wisconsin and Michigan. Mid-Atlantic Cluster--an 857,000 Net Pop cluster
of five contiguous Systems consisting of five RSAs in Ohio, Pennsylvania
and West Virginia covering approximately 10,000 contiguous square miles.
New York Cluster--a 1.1 million Net Pop cluster of two MSAs and two RSAs
covering more than 8,000 contiguous square miles in suburban New York
located between the New York City MSA of AT&T Wireless Services Inc.
("AT&T"), a subsidiary of AT&T Corp., and Southwestern Bell's Albany, NY
MSA. Kentucky Cluster--a 1.0 million Net Pop cluster of four RSAs adjacent
to Louisville and Lexington, KY and one RSA in Tennessee which abuts
Knoxville, TN. The 38 counties in Kentucky and the six counties in
Tennessee cover more than 15,000 square miles.
In addition, the Company owns a 44.5% interest in a joint venture with
Southwestern Bell (which is managed and operated by Southwestern Bell),
representing 264,000 Net Pops, and certain other cellular interests.
PriCellular is a wholly-owned subsidiary of PriCellular Corporation ("Parent").
Parent completed an Initial Public Offering of its Class A common stock in
December 1994. Its principal stockholders include members of the Price family,
AT&T, Spectrum Equity Investors, L.P. ("Spectrum"), The Thomas H. Lee Company,
and The Public School Employees' Retirement System of Pennsylvania.
The Company has a strategic alliance with AT&T which allows the Company to take
advantage of AT&T's acquisition experience, and benefit from AT&T's volume
purchasing power. The Company purchases landline interlata telephone service for
its switched cellular systems and cellular telephones at volume discounts
through its relationship with AT&T thereby minimizing two of the principal costs
associated with providing cellular service and acquiring new subscribers. The
volume discounts also extend to certain of the equipment necessary for the
Company's system development and expansion thereby reducing the Company's
capital expenditures. The Company believes that the proximity of three of its
operating clusters to AT&T's Systems affords significant opportunities for joint
marketing, promotions and other programs. The Company's Upper Midwest Cluster is
contiguous to AT&T's Systems serving the Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN MSA and the
St. Cloud, MN MSA. The Company's Mid-Atlantic Cluster borders the Pittsburgh,
PA, Steubenville, OH and Wheeling, WV MSAs, which are owned by AT&T. The
Company's New York Cluster abuts the northern border of AT&T's New York City
MSA, including Westchester and Rockland counties. The New York Cluster is also
adjacent to three MSAs owned by Southwestern Bell, with whom the Company has a
joint venture in Illinois and Texas.
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The Company's acquisition strategy is to continue to expand its current clusters
through the acquisition of contiguous properties and, secondarily, to target for
purchase other small to mid-sized MSAs and strategic RSAs that it believes are
undervalued, underdeveloped or that possess traits indicative of potentially
high cellular usage and superior financial performance. The operation of
contiguous markets permits the Company to provide broad areas of uninterrupted
service and achieve certain economies of scale, including certain centralized
marketing, administrative and engineering functions. The Company believes that
smaller MSAs and certain RSAs often exhibit a concentration of small businesses,
longer commute times and well-traveled roads, all indicators of strong cellular
use. Many of these markets serve as hubs for retail trading areas and as
business, cultural or medical centers for populations spread over wide
geographic areas. In addition, management believes that because its markets are
less densely populated, they are less likely to face the level of competition
expected to be experienced in large urban areas.
The Company's operating strategy is, upon acquiring a cellular system, to effect
certain management, operational and organizational changes in order to increase
the number and quality of subscribers and enhance operating cash flow, while
controlling costs to acquire subscribers and promoting superior customer
service. Management believes that the majority of its Systems are in the early
stages of their growth cycle and represent significant growth opportunities. In
addition, many of these systems were underdeveloped prior to their acquisition
by the Company. After selectively upgrading the engineering in its cellular
network, the Company has implemented aggressive marketing programs to add
subscribers and reduce deactivations or "churn." In its Systems, the Company
markets under the CELLULARONE(R) brand name and participates in the North
American Cellular Network ("NACN"), a cellular network whose goal is to make
cellular service "seamless" across system borders throughout North America.
A key element of the Company's operating strategy is the positioning of its
cellular systems as the quality local service provider. The Company's chain of
95 local retail stores, which are staffed with sales and customer service
representatives, differentiate the Company from many of its larger competitors,
which frequently centralize customer service and other functions outside the
local market. In addition, these stores provide the Company with more control
over the sales process than if it relied upon independent agents. Management
believes that the Company's local presence enhances its ability to provide a
higher level of customer service and satisfaction.
The Company was incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware on August
23, 1994. The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 711
Westchester Avenue, White Plains, New York 10604 and its telephone number is
(914) 422-0800.
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Cellular Markets and Systems
The following table summarizes certain information concerning the Company's
markets.
Total Date of
Market(a) Pops Ownership Net Pops Acquisition
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Upper Midwest Cluster
Duluth, MN/Superior, WI MSA 240,234 100.0% 240,234 04/28/94
Eau Claire, WI MSA 143,701 96.7% 139,001 04/28/94
Wausau, WI MSA 121,727 95.1% 115,715 03/28/95
MN-2A RSA 38,766 100.0% 38,766 07/07/95
MN-3 RSA 59,528 100.0% 59,528 04/28/94
MN-4 RSA 15,226 100.0% 15,226 08/10/95
MN-5 RSA 207,107 100.0% 207,107 07/07/95
MN-6 RSA 220,067 100.0% 220,067 11/23/94
WI-1 RSA 110,749 100.0% 110,749 04/28/94
WI-2 RSA 85,645 100.0% 85,645 11/18/96
WI-3 RSA 140,697 100.0% 140,697 11/23/94
WI-4 RSA 118,993 100.0% 118,993 01/07/97
WI-5 RSA 81,194 100.0% 81,194 05/29/97
WI-6A RSA 32,939 100.0% 32,939 11/23/94
MI-1 RSA 203,391 100.0% 203,391 03/07/95
Mid-Atlantic Cluster
OH-7 RSA 257,290 100.0% 257,290 09/27/95
OH-10A RSA 62,345 100.0% 62,345 09/29/95
PA-9 RSA 188,096 100.0% 188,096 02/02/96
WV-2 RSA 79,567 100.0% 79,567 12/20/95
WV-3 RSA 269,709 100.0% 269,709 07/23/96
New York Cluster
Orange County, NY MSA 327,053 100.0% 327,053 10/17/96
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA 263,723 95.6% 251,997 04/23/96
NY-5 RSA 382,180 100.0% 382,180 12/29/95
NY-6 RSA 111,373 100.0% 111,373 04/23/96
Kentucky Cluster
KY-4 RSA 245,952 100.0% 245,952 01/07/97
KY-5 RSA 158,204 100.0% 158,204 01/07/97
KY-6 RSA 260,920 100.0% 260,920 01/07/97
KY-8 RSA 119,840 100.0% 119,840 01/07/97
TN-4 RSA 263,553 100.0% 263,553 01/15/98
Southwestern Bell Joint Venture
Laredo, TX MSA 176,162 44.5% 78,392 11/30/95
IL-4 RSA 216,119 44.5% 96,173 11/30/95
IL-6 RSA 201,234 44.5% 89,550 11/30/95
Other Interests n/a n/a 45,842 various
========= =========
Total 5,403,284 5,097,288
========= =========
(a) All of the Company's licenses are non-wireline licenses with the exception
of the license for the Laredo, TX MSA.
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Markets
Upper Midwest Cluster
The Upper Midwest Cluster consists of approximately 1.8 million Net Pops in 15
contiguous Systems and covers over 78,000 square miles. The Upper Midwest
Cluster includes three of the Company's original Systems acquired in April 1994
and has grown steadily to 15 Systems through the acquisition of three Systems in
November 1994, two Systems in March 1995, three Systems in July 1995, one System
in August 1995, one System in November 1996, one System in January 1997 and one
system in May 1997.
The Systems in the Upper Midwest Cluster all operate under the CELLULARONE(R)
brand name. The Systems in the Upper Midwest Cluster compete against various
wireline cellular service providers marketing under six different names.
Management believes that the diversity of competitors operating under various
names and the Company's use of the CELLULARONE(R) brand name affords the Company
marketing, advertising and other operational advantages relative to those
competitors. These advantages include advertising and marketing the Company's
services as a single brand name on a regional basis, allowing the Company to set
regional roaming rates, be a single cellular service provider to corporate
accounts, allow calls to be handed-off between cell sites that cross market
borders and reduce the number of dropped calls as subscribers exit an individual
license area.
The Mid-Atlantic Cluster
The Mid-Atlantic Cluster comprises approximately 857,000 Pops and includes
portions of southeastern Ohio as well as adjacent portions of Pennsylvania and
northern West Virginia south of Pittsburgh. The Mid-Atlantic Cluster was
established with the acquisition of two Systems in September 1995 and currently
includes five contiguous RSAs as a result of acquisitions in December 1995,
February 1996 and July 1996. In addition, the Mid-Atlantic Cluster abuts
Columbus, OH and three MSAs owned by AT&T including its Pittsburgh, PA System,
affording the opportunity for joint marketing and promotions.
The New York Cluster
The Company's New York Cluster consists of approximately 1.1 million Net Pops
and over 8,000 square miles in suburban New York. The New York Cluster is
adjacent to AT&T's New York City MSA and is located between it and Southwestern
Bell's Albany, NY MSA. The New York Cluster was established with the acquisition
of the NY-5 RSA in December 1995 and currently includes two MSAs and two RSAs as
a result of acquisitions in April and October of 1996. With the addition of the
Orange County, NY MSA, the Company's New York Cluster includes the entire Hudson
Valley/Catskill region, thereby creating significant marketing and promotional
synergies and opportunities.
The Orange County, NY MSA is directly north of AT&T's New York City MSA and
abuts Westchester, Putnam and Rockland counties. Serving as a residential
community of metropolitan New York, Orange County includes the cities of
Newburgh, Middletown, Port Jervis and the affluent towns of Tuxedo and Warwick.
Major tourist attractions include The United States Military Academy at West
Point, Storm King State Park and Sterling Forest. The MSA contains more than 40
miles of the New York State Thruway (I-87), approximately 50 miles of I-84 and
35 miles of Route 17.
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The Kentucky Cluster
The Kentucky Cluster consists of four RSAs in Kentucky containing approximately
785,000 Pops and over 12,000 square miles and one RSA in Tennessee consisting of
approximately 264,000 Pops and over 2,000 square miles. Three of the Kentucky
RSAs (KY-4, 5 and 6) form a contiguous cluster encompassing all of Kentucky
south of Louisville and Lexington and north of the Nashville, TN MSA and other
Tennessee markets. The 120,000 Pop KY-8 RSA serves the northeastern suburbs of
Lexington. The Tennessee RSA (TN-4) is located south of the Kentucky RSAs and
contains some of the most visited areas in the country, including the towns of
Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, the Dollywood tourist attraction and the entrance
to the Great Smoky Mountain National Park.
The Southwestern Bell Joint Venture
The Company owns 44.5% of a joint venture with Southwestern Bell in which the
Company contributed its System serving the Laredo, TX MSA and Southwestern Bell
contributed its Systems serving the IL-4 RSA and IL-6 RSA (the "Southwestern
Joint Venture"). The Company owns 44.5% of the Systems serving the combined
593,515 Pops, or 264,115 Net Pops. The Southwestern Joint Venture was
consummated on November 30, 1995.
Pursuant to the Southwestern Joint Venture, the Company receives guaranteed
preferential distributions in the first four years of the Southwestern Joint
Venture increasing from $3.3 million in the first year to $5.8 million in the
final year. The Company has the option to remain in the Southwestern Joint
Venture for four years or "put" its Joint Venture interest in the Southwestern
Joint Venture to Southwestern Bell at any time during the four year period at a
price beginning at $28.5 million and increasing to approximately $39.0 million
at the end of the four year period. Southwestern Bell had the right to purchase
the Company's interest during the first year at approximately $56.0 million and
has the right to purchase the Company's interest on the day prior to
Southwestern Joint Venture's fourth anniversary at 5% above the then "put"
price. Southwestern Bell has operating control of these properties during the
term of the Southwestern Joint Venture.
Acquisitions and Dispositions
Recent Transactions
During 1995, 1996, 1997 and January 1998, the Company consummated several
strategic acquisitions which expanded its Upper Midwest Cluster and established
the Mid-Atlantic Cluster, the New York Cluster and the Kentucky Cluster. In
addition during July 1996, November 1996 and January 1997, the Company disposed
of its standalone wireline Systems in Alabama and its MI-2 RSA which were
considered by management to be non-strategic.
Expansion of Upper Midwest Cluster
On March 7, 1995, the Company acquired from Buckhead Telephone Company the
assets of the System serving the MI-1 RSA (which represents 203,391 Pops) for
approximately $17.7 million in cash.
On March 28, 1995, the Company acquired a 50.02% general partnership interest
and a 0.58% limited partnership interest in Wausau Cellular Limited Partnership,
a Delaware limited partnership that wholly owns the System serving the Wausau,
WI MSA (115,715 Net Pops), for $5.4 million in cash.
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On July 7, 1995, the Company consummated a transaction with Western Wireless
Corporation ("Western Wireless") pursuant to which the Company exchanged the
wireline System serving the Lubbock, TX MSA (229,051 Pops) for approximately
340,000 Net Pops, most of which are now part of the Upper Midwest Cluster. The
Net Pops acquired consist of the System serving the MN-5 RSA, the portion of the
System serving the MN-3 RSA that the Company did not own, a portion of the MN-2
RSA (Beltrami County), approximately 87.0% of the System serving the
Alton/Granite City, IL MSA, an additional 10.0% of the System serving the Eau
Claire, WI MSA and an additional 14.5% of the System serving the Wausau, WI MSA.
In addition, Western Wireless agreed to pay the Company $3.0 million in exchange
for the Company's agreement not to compete with Western Wireless within the
Lubbock, TX MSA for a period of three years following the exchange. Western
Wireless retained ownership of certain cell sites and other capital equipment.
On August 10, 1995, the Company acquired from Louise Hart 49.0% of the System
serving the MN-4 RSA (7,461 Net Pops), for approximately $75,000.
On November 18, 1996, the Company acquired from Wisconsin II Venture the 85,645
Pop WI-2 RSA for approximately $4.3 million in cash. Prior thereto, the Company
had interim operating authority for the WI-2 RSA.
In January 1997, the Company entered into two transactions with a subsidiary of
Bell South Corporation. The stand-alone wireline systems serving the Florence,
AL MSA (136,816 Pops) and AL-1B RSA (62,035 Pops) were sold for $24.0 million in
cash, of which $2.0 million is attributable to a two year covenant not to
compete. The transactions resulted in a gain of approximately $8.0 million. In
addition, the Company acquired for $6.0 million the WI-4 RSA (118,993 Pops). The
WI-4 RSA abuts the Company's MI-1 RSA to the northeast, its WI-3 RSA to the
northwest and its Wausau, WI MSA to the west.
In May 1997, the Company acquired from United States Cellular Corporation
("USCC") three counties in the WI-5 RSA containing 81,194 Pops for approximately
$10.6 million in cash and the contribution of approximately 18,000 minority
Pops. The WI-5 RSA abuts the Company's Eau Claire, WI MSA, its WI-1 RSA and
AT&T's Minneapolis, MN MSA.
The Mid-Atlantic Cluster Acquisitions
On September 27, 1995, the Company acquired from USCC substantially all of the
assets of the System serving the OH-7 RSA (257,290 Pops) for $39.8 million in
cash.
On December 20, 1995, the Company acquired from USCC substantially all of the
assets of the System serving the WV-2 RSA (79,567 Pops) for $7.8 million in
cash.
On February 2, 1996, the Company acquired from USCC substantially all of the
assets of the System serving the PA-9 RSA (188,096 Pops) for $26.1 million in
cash.
On July 23, 1996, the Company acquired substantially all of the assets of the
System serving the WV-3 RSA (269,709 Pops) from a subsidiary of Horizon Cellular
Telephone Company, L.P. ("Horizon") for $35.0 million in cash.
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The New York Cluster Acquisitions
On December 29, 1995, the Company acquired from Cellular Upstate New York, Inc.
substantially all of the assets of the System serving the NY-5 RSA (382,180
Pops) for approximately $65.9 million in cash.
On April 23, 1996, the Company acquired from subsidiaries of USCC the System
serving the NY-6 RSA (111,373 Pops) and 83% of the System serving the
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA (218,890 Net Pops). The Company acquired substantially all
of the assets serving the NY-6 RSA for approximately $19.8 million in cash and
83.0% of the stock of the Dutchess County Cellular Telephone Company serving the
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA for approximately $38.9 million, with one half paid in cash
and the balance in a three-year note bearing interest at the prime rate (the
"Poughkeepsie Note"). The note was subsequently repaid in November 1996.
On October 17, 1996, the Company consummated an exchange transaction with
Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. The Company exchanged an aggregate of 520,528
Pops consisting of its OH-9 RSA, a portion of its OH-10 RSA (excluding Perry and
Hocking counties) and the Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH MSA for the Orange
County, NY MSA (327,053 Pops), 11.1% of the Company's majority-owned
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA (29,367 Pops), 12.2% of the Janesville, WI MSA (18,296
Pops) and approximately 28,509 additional Pops, including small interests in the
Eau Claire, WI and Wausau, WI MSAs (in each of which the Company currently has a
majority interest). During 1997 the Company acquired an additional 1.3% of the
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA (3,740 Pops) from minority holders.
Kentucky Cluster Acquisition
In January 1997, the Company acquired from a subsidiary of Horizon four RSAs in
Kentucky (approximately 785,000 Net Pops) for $96.4 million in cash and
1,948,052 shares of Parent's Class A common stock (valued at approximately $19.1
million).
In January 1998, the Company acquired from Bachtel Liquidity, L.P., an affiliate
of Bachow & Associates, Inc., the TN-4 RSA which contains approximately 264,000
Pops for approximately $73.0 million in cash (subject to adjustments). The RSA,
adjacent to three MSAs, including Knoxville, TN, is located south of the
Company's Kentucky Cluster.
Dispositions
During July 1996, the Company consummated the sale of its AL-4 RSA for $27.5
million in cash ($2.5 million of which is attributable to a two year covenant
not to compete). In November 1995, the Company had acquired this stand-alone RSA
for total consideration of $20.0 million. During October, 1996 the Company
consummated the sale of its MI-2 RSA for approximately $6.5 million in cash.
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Remaining Shares of CIS
In April 1997, the Company acquired all of the outstanding shares of capital
stock of CIS not previously owned.
Recent Developments
On March 6, 1998, Parent and American Cellular Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("ACC"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and
conditions set forth therein, ACC will be merged with and into Parent, with ACC
to be the surviving corporation of such merger (the "Merger"). At the effective
time (as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger, each issued and
outstanding share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Parent
(the "Class A Shares") and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of
Parent will in each case be converted into the right to receive $14.00 in cash,
without interest (the "Merger Consideration"), and each issued and outstanding
share of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), of Parent will be converted into the
right to receive the product of the Merger Consideration and the number of Class
A shares into which each such share of Series A Preferred Stock is convertible
at such time in connection with a change of control. The Merger Agreement
permits Parent, under certain circumstances, to respond to unsolicited third
party acquisition proposals and, upon payment of certain fees to ACC, to
terminate the Merger Agreement.
In connection with the execution of the Merger Agreement, AT&T Wireless, Inc.,
The Thomas H. Lee Company, Steven Price and Eileen Farbman (collectively, the
"Principal Shareholders") entered into a Voting Agreement with ACC. Pursuant to
the agreement, the Principal Shareholders, the beneficial owners of
approximately 39% of the outstanding Common Stock and Preferred Stock of Parent
(or 57% of the fully diluted voting power of Parent), agreed to vote their
shares in favor of the approval and adoption of the Merger Agreement. The Voting
Agreement terminates upon termination of the Merger Agreement.
Business Strategy
Acquisition Strategy
The Company's strategy is to continue to expand its current clusters through the
acquisition of contiguous properties and, secondarily, to target for purchase
other small to mid-sized MSAs and strategic RSAs that it believes are
undervalued, underdeveloped or that possess traits indicative of potentially
high cellular usage and superior financial performance. The operation of
contiguous markets permits the Company to provide broad areas of uninterrupted
service and achieve certain economies of scale, including certain centralized
marketing, administrative and engineering functions. The Company believes that
smaller MSAs and certain RSAs often exhibit a concentration of small businesses,
longer commute times and well-travelled roads, all indicators of strong cellular
use. Many of these markets serve as hubs for retail trading areas and as
business, cultural or medical centers for populations spread over wide
geographic areas. In addition, management believes that because its markets are
less densely populated than the national average, they are less likely to face
the level of competition expected to be experienced in large urban areas.
Operating Strategy
Upon acquiring a cellular system, the Company's operating strategy is to effect
certain management, operational and organizational changes in order to increase
the number and quality of subscribers and enhance operating cash flow, while
controlling subscriber acquisition costs and promoting superior customer
service. The Company seeks to accomplish these changes by employing the
following practices:
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- - Decentralized Management. The Company manages each of its Systems on a
decentralized basis, delegating direct responsibility for hiring,
marketing, distribution, customer service, churn control, billing, roaming
and other day-to-day operating decisions to the general manager of each
System. General managers must strictly adhere to a budget designed to
improve operating cash flow and increase the subscriber base. Their
compensation is linked to their ability to meet or exceed their budgeted
goals. The Company believes that its decentralized management structure
fosters a strong sense of customer service and community spirit, enabling
it to customize its marketing strategy to the needs of the local market,
and eliminate the need for a large corporate staff or for a centralized
multi-system customer service center that is located outside of the local
market. The Company believes that placing decision-making responsibility
in the hands of its general managers fosters the decisive actions
necessary to meet local competitive challenges.
- - Aggressive Marketing and Promoting of Cellular Service. The Company
aggressively markets to increase subscriber activations and reduce churn.
Many of its marketing programs are designed to distinguish the Company as
the local market's highest quality cellular service provider, stressing
its localized sales offices, customer service and commitment to the
community. These programs also include offering distinctive rate plans and
roaming rates to emphasize "value" and the "advantage" of the Company's
cellular service, launching targeted advertising campaigns aimed at the
most attractive cellular user segments, creating regional marketing
alliances with neighboring cellular carriers and taking an active, visible
role in community, government and charity organizations. Management
believes that the Company's positioning of its cellular system as the
local service provider often contrasts with its larger competitors, which
frequently centralize customer service and other functions outside of the
local market.
- - Strong Retail and Direct Sales Effort. A key element of the Company's
positioning in its markets is its use of local retail stores, as well as a
local direct sales force. A retail location complemented by a direct sales
force provides the Company with more control over the sales process than
if it were to rely exclusively on independent agents. The Company has
aggressively opened its own retail stores and currently operates 95 retail
locations. Management believes that this local presence enhances its
ability to provide quality customer service, and that customers who
purchase cellular service directly from the Company through its retail
stores and direct sales force tend to have fewer complaints and higher
usage than subscribers who activate with independent agents or retailers.
- - Dedication to Customer Service. The Company strives to maintain a high
level of customer satisfaction through a variety of techniques, including
tying sales commissions to subscriber retention, outbound telemarketing to
subscribers on a regular basis and active ongoing contact with new
customers. The Company believes that its emphasis on superior local
customer service has helped reduce its average monthly churn rate. The
Company's average monthly churn rate for the year ended December 31, 1997
was 1.5%, well below the industry average of approximately 2.1%.
- - System Development and Expansion. The Company develops or builds out its
cellular service areas by adding channels to existing cell sites and by
building new cell sites with an emphasis on improving coverage for
hand-held phones in heavily-trafficked areas. Such development is done for
the purpose of increasing capacity and improving coverage in response to
projected subscriber demand and competitive factors. Projected subscriber
demand is calculated for each cellular service area on a cell-by-cell
basis. These projections involve a traffic analysis of usage by existing
subscribers, coverage quality analysis and an estimate of the number of
additional subscribers in each such area. In calculating projected
subscriber demand, the Company builds into its design assumptions a
maximum call "blockage" rate of 2% (percentage of calls that are not
connected on the first
10
<PAGE>
attempt at peak usage time during the day). After calculating projected
subscriber demand, the Company determines the most cost-efficient manner
of meeting such projected demand. The Company has historically met such
demand through a combination of augmenting channel capacity in existing
cell sites and building new cell sites. Cell site expansion is expected to
enable the Company to continue to add subscribers, enhance use of the
systems by existing subscribers, increase roamer traffic due to the larger
geographic area covered by the cellular network and further enhance the
overall quality of the network.
Cellular Operations
General
The Company has concentrated its recent efforts on creating an integrated
network of cellular systems in its operating clusters. The Company operates four
clusters of cellular systems as well as certain other markets and minority
interests. As of December 31, 1997, PriCellular had over 250,000 subscribers, or
5.2% penetration. Through the participation of its non-wireline Systems in NACN
and other special networking arrangements between the Company and other
non-wireline operators of cellular systems in the United States, management
believes the Company's subscribers are able to receive quality coverage
throughout the United States.
Management believes that the majority of its Systems are in the early stages of
their growth cycle and afford significant opportunities for improvements in
performance, particularly with respect to rates of penetration and churn. There
can be no assurances, however, that the Company will be able to maintain such
improvements or achieve similar improvements with respect to its other Systems.
Management believes that prior to the Company's assumption of ownership many of
these Systems had been significantly undermanaged or underdeveloped. Some of the
Systems had minimal signal coverage, had never been actively marketed and had
never developed a subscriber base. Certain other markets had adequate signal
coverage but the sales and marketing activity had largely been dormant. The
following table sets forth certain information with respect to the performance
of the Company's Systems owned as of the dates indicated.
Years ended December 31
------------------------------------------------
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
------------------------------------------------
Ending subscribers (1) 250,441 150,328 78,227 17,344 9,886
Ending penetration (2) 5.2% 3.8% 2.2% .95% .53%
Ending Pops (in millions) 4.8 3.9 3.6 1.8 1.8
Churn (3) 1.5% 1.6% 2.0% 2.7% 3.2%
Average monthly revenue per
subscriber (4) $72 $82 $107 $123 $156
Average marketing cost per net
subscriber addition (5) $399 $371 $403 $497 $496
- ----------
(1) Each billable telephone number in service represents one subscriber, not
including test, demonstration or other telephone numbers for which payment
is not expected.
(2) Represents the ratio of ending subscribers to the estimated total
population of majority owned Systems and the Southwestern Bell Joint
Venture.
(3) Represents the average monthly churn for the periods presented. Churn
equals the ratio of disconnected monthly subscribers to average monthly
subscribers.
(4) Represents the ratio of total monthly service revenues to average monthly
subscribers.
(5) Determined by dividing the amount of marketing costs by the net
subscribers added. Marketing cost represents all selling expenses and
losses incurred on equipment sales.
11
<PAGE>
Subscribers and System Usage
The Company's cellular subscribers have increased to approximately 250,000 as of
December 31, 1997 from approximately 150,000 as of December 31, 1996 and
approximately 78,000 as of December 31, 1995. The Company's subscribers fall
into 12 major categories: construction, professional/management, medical, sales,
real estate, agriculture, service industry, transportation, financial,
government, manufacturing and other, which includes low usage subscribers.
Reductions in the cost of cellular services have led to an increase in cellular
telephone usage by general consumers for non-business purposes. In addition, the
Company believes that several categories of its subscribers will develop
requirements for specialized cellular applications, such as wireless data
technology. As a result, the Company believes that there is an opportunity for
significant growth in each of its existing service areas. The Company will
continue to seek to broaden its subscriber base for basic cellular services as
well as to increase its offering of customized services. The sale of custom
calling features typically results in increased usage of cellular telephones by
subscribers, thereby further enhancing revenues.
Marketing
The Company markets all of its cellular products and services under the name
CELLULARONE(R), one of the most recognized brand names in the cellular industry
(see "Service Marks"). The national advertising campaign conducted by the
Cellular One Group enhances the Company's advertising exposure at a fraction of
the cost of what could be achieved by the Company alone. The Company also
obtains substantial marketing benefits from the name recognition associated with
this widely used service mark, both with existing subscribers traveling outside
of the Company's service areas and with potential new subscribers moving into
the Company's service areas. In addition, travelers who subscribe to
CELLULARONE(R) service in other markets may be more likely to use the Company's
Systems when they travel in the Company's service areas, primarily due to the
technical operation of the cellular telephone. Cellular telephones of
non-wireline subscribers are programmed to select the non-wireline carrier (such
as the Company) when roaming, unless the non-wireline carrier in the roaming
area is not yet operational or the subscriber either dials a special code or has
a cellular telephone equipped with an "A/B" (non-wireline/wireline) switch and
selects the wireline carrier.
Through its membership in NACN and other special networking arrangements, the
Company provides extended regional and national service to its subscribers in
other markets, thereby allowing them to make and receive calls while in other
cellular service areas without dialing special access codes. This service
distinguishes the Company's service and call delivery features from those of
some of its competitors. NACN is the largest wireless telephone network system
in the world, linking non-wireline cellular operators throughout the United
States and Canada. NACN connects key areas across North America so that
customers can use their cellular phones to place and receive calls in these
areas as easily as they do in their home areas. Through NACN, customers receive
calls automatically without the use of complicated roaming codes as they "roam"
in more than 7,000 cities, in the United States and Canada. By dialing
subscribers' cellular telephone numbers, a caller can reach the Company's
subscribers without knowing their location or having to dial additional roaming
access numbers. In addition, special services such as call forwarding and call
waiting automatically follow the subscribers as they travel.
The Company's marketing strategy is designed to generate continued net
subscriber growth by focusing on subscribers who are likely to generate higher
than industry average monthly revenues and lower than industry average churn
rates, while simultaneously maintaining a low cost of adding net subscribers.
The Company principally uses in-house sales and marketing staff and its own
retail outlets.
12
<PAGE>
Management has implemented its marketing strategy by training and compensating
its sales force in a manner designed to stress the importance of customer
service, high penetration levels and minimum acquisition costs per subscriber.
The Company believes that its internal sales force is better able to select and
screen new subscribers and select pricing plans that realistically match
subscriber means and needs than are independent agents. In addition, the Company
motivates its direct sales force to sell appropriate rate plans to subscribers,
thereby reducing churn, by linking payment of commissions to subscriber
retention. As a result, the Company's use of an internal sales force keeps
marketing costs lower than when independent agents are used because commissions
are lower and subscriber retention is higher.
The Company believes that it helps minimize its churn rate through an after-sale
telemarketing program implemented through its sales force and customer service
personnel. This program not only enhances customer loyalty, which reduces churn,
but also increases add-on sales and customer referrals. The telemarketing
program allows the sales staff to check customer satisfaction as well as to
offer additional calling features, such as voicemail, call waiting and call
forwarding.
The Company's sales force works principally out of its own retail stores in
which the Company offers a full line of cellular products and services. As of
December 31, 1997, the Company maintained 95 retail locations. Ranging from 250
square feet to 4,000 square feet, each store is fully equipped to handle
customer service and telephone maintenance and installation. Some of these
stores are also authorized warranty repair centers. The Company's stores provide
subscriber-friendly retail environments (extended hours, large selection, an
expert sales staff and convenient locations) which make the sales process quick
and easy for the subscriber.
Products and Services
In addition to providing high-quality cellular telephone service in each of its
markets, the Company also offers various custom-calling features such as
voicemail, call forwarding, call waiting, three-way conference calling and no
answer transfer. In 1998, the Company intends to upgrade its systems to provide
digital services in some of its markets such as caller I.D., message waiting
indicator, short messaging services and sleep mode for longer battery life.
Several rate plans are presented to prospective customers so that they may
choose the plan that will best fit their expected calling needs. Unlike some of
its competitors, the Company designs rate plans on a market-by-market basis. The
Company's local general managers generally have the authority to modify existing
rate plans and initiate new rate plans depending upon market and competitive
conditions. These rate plans include a high-volume user plan, a medium-volume
user plan, a basic plan and an economy plan. Most rate plans combine a fixed
monthly access fee, a designated amount of free minutes, per-minute usage
charges and additional charges for custom-calling features in a package which
offers value to the customer while enhancing airtime use and revenues for the
Company. In general, rate plans which include a higher monthly access fee
typically include a lower usage rate per minute. An ongoing review of equipment
and service pricing is maintained to ensure the Company's competitiveness.
Reciprocal agreements between the Company and other cellular operators allow
their respective subscribers to place calls, or roam, in most cellular service
areas, throughout the country. Roamers, subscribers placing calls outside their
home market, are typically charged a higher per minute rate than would be
charged for home users. Roaming revenues derived from this usage not only have
higher yields than home usage revenues, but have almost no associated marketing
or customer service costs, therefore, achieving higher margins than home service
revenues. The Company's markets, strategically surrounding or between major
metropolitan areas, encompass significant portions of heavily traveled corridors
which results in significant roaming revenues for the Company.
13
<PAGE>
Customer Service
Customer service is an essential element of the Company's marketing and
operating philosophy. The Company is committed to attracting new subscribers and
retaining existing subscribers by providing consistently high-quality customer
service. In each of its cellular service areas, the Company maintains a local
staff, including a market manager, customer service representatives, technical
and engineering staff, sales representatives and installation and repair
facilities. Each cellular service area handles its own customer-related
functions such as credit evaluation, customer activations, account adjustments
and rate plan changes. Local offices and installation and repair facilities
enable the Company to better service customers, schedule installations and make
repairs. Through the use of sophisticated monitoring equipment, technicians at
the customer service center are able to monitor the technical performance of its
cellular system.
In addition, the Company's customers are able to report cellular telephone
service or account problems to a local office representative. Management
believes its decentralized philosophy and emphasis on customer service in each
of its markets affords it a competitive advantage over its large competitors who
typically centralize customer service outside of the local market.
System Development and Expansion
The Company develops or builds out its cellular service areas by adding channels
to existing cell sites and by building new cell sites with an emphasis on
improving coverage for hand-held phones in heavily-trafficked areas. Such
development is done for the purpose of increasing capacity and improving
coverage in response to projected subscriber demand and competitive factors.
Projected subscriber demand is calculated for each cellular service area on a
cell-by-cell basis. These projections involve a traffic analysis of usage by
existing subscribers and an estimation of the number of additional subscribers
in each such area. In calculating projected subscriber demand, the Company
builds into its design assumptions a maximum call "blockage" rate of 2%
(percentage of calls that are not connected on first attempt at peak usage time
during the day). After calculating projected subscriber demand, the Company has
historically met such demand through a combination of augmenting channel
capacity in existing cell sites and building new cell sites.
Cell site expansion is expected to enable the Company to continue to add
subscribers, enhance use of the Systems by existing subscribers, increase roamer
traffic due to the larger geographic area covered by the cellular network and
further enhance the overall quality of the network. The Company believes that
the increased cellular coverage will have a positive impact on market
penetration, subscriber usage and roaming revenue.
The Company also continues to evaluate expansion through acquisitions of other
cellular properties that will further enhance its network. In evaluating
acquisition targets, the Company considers, among other things, demographic
factors, including population size and density, traffic patterns, cell site
coverage and required capital expenditures.
Competitors and Adjoining Systems
The Company competes with various competitors in each of its clusters.
Management believes that its integrated network of contiguous cellular systems
operating as CELLULARONE(R) affords it significant advantages over many of its
cellular competitors. In the Upper Midwest Cluster, the Company competes against
six distinct operators, in the Mid-Atlantic Cluster, the Company competes
against four distinct operators, and in the Kentucky Cluster, the Company
competes against five distinct operators.
14
<PAGE>
The following chart lists the Company's cellular competitors in each of its
clusters and the major adjoining operators.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Company Cluster Competitors Adjoining Systems
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Upper Midwest Cluster Air Touch Communications, Inc. AT&T
United States Cellular Corp. BellSouth
CelluLink Western Wireless
Cellular 2000
CellCom
Century Telephone Enterprises
Mid-Atlantic Cluster United States Cellular Corp. AT&T
360 Communications Airtouch Communications, Inc.
Ameritech Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. ("Vanguard")
Bell Atlantic Mobile
New York Cluster Bell Atlantic Mobile Bell Atlantic Mobile
AT&T
Southwestern Bell
Vanguard
Kentucky Cluster BellSouth Mobility GTE Corp.
Ramcell, Inc. United States Cellular Corp.
Bluegrass Cellular
United States Cellular Corp.
360 Communications
</TABLE>
Telecommunications Act of 1996; Other Regulatory Developments
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 ("Telecom Act") is the first legislation
enacted in over 60 years that attempts comprehensive reform of
telecommunications regulation, although the legislation did not have as a
principal focus the cellular industry in particular or the wireless
communications industry in general. The Telecom Act's goal is to remove
statutory, regulatory, and court-ordered barriers that historically prohibited
new entrants into many segments of the telecommunications industry. Certain of
the provisions of the Telecom Act have been declared unconstitutional, including
several provisions relating to restrictions on Regional Bell Operating Companies
that were deemed a bill of attainder by the United States District Court in
Wichita Falls, Texas. That ruling has been appealed. The Company cannot predict
the outcome of that litigation or the eventual impact of the result of that
litigation on the Company.
To facilitate the entry of competitors, the Telecom Act imposes certain
requirements on local exchange carriers, including interconnection, universal
service, equal access, and facilitating local wireline telephone service. The
FCC has adopted regulations implementing these provisions, including rules on
telephone number portability pursuant to which subscribers will be able to
migrate their landline telephone numbers to a cellular carrier or other
Commercial Mobile Radio Service ("CMRS") or landline carrier, or from a cellular
carrier to another CMRS or landline carrier.
In August 1996, the FCC released its decision implementing the interconnection
portions of the Telecom Act. However, major portions of the FCC's
interconnection rules were reversed by the United States Court of Appeals for
the Eighth Circuit, which held that the rules interfered with matters left to
the jurisdiction of the states by the Telecom Act. The Eighth Circuit's decision
has been appealed to the United States Supreme Court, which has decided to
expedite its review of petitions for certiorari with regard to the Eighth
Circuit's decision. The Company cannot predict the eventual
15
<PAGE>
outcome of the judicial review of the FCC's interconnection rules or the effect
of the eventual implementation of interconnection rules by the FCC. However,
pursuant to the provisions of the Telecom Act, the Company has renegotiated many
of its interconnection agreements with incumbent local exchange carriers and
thereby reduced the cost of interconnection with the local telephone facilities.
The FCC's interconnection decision concluded that CMRS providers are entitled to
reciprocal compensation arrangements with incumbent local exchange carriers and
prohibited local exchange carriers from charging CMRS providers for terminating
traffic initiated on the local exchange carrier's network. While the FCC noted
the potential for asserting jurisdiction over certain aspects of CMRS
interconnection with landline local exchange carriers, it has so far determined
to defer primarily to the states in implementing interconnection policies
pursuant to general guidelines established by the FCC, some of which survive the
Eighth Circuit decision.
The FCC declined to require cellular carriers to comply with certain
interconnection provisions of the Telecom Act applicable to local exchange
carriers. Prior to the passage of the Telecom Act, the FCC had proposed to
require CMRS providers to interconnect directly with other mobile service
providers but tentatively concluded that it would be premature to adopt such a
requirement. The FCC has since stated that it would revisit this issue in the
future.
The Telecom Act requires telecommunications carriers providing interstate
service to contribute to a federal Universal Service Support Fund established by
the FCC. The Universal Service Fund will support telephone service in high-cost
and low-income areas and support access to telecommunications facilities by
schools and libraries. States will also be implementing requirements that
carriers contribute universal service funding from intrastate telecommunications
revenues. The Company has revised its customer billing to reflect additional
costs related to these universal service fund requirements. There can be no
guarantee that the Company will be able to continue to pass the costs of the
fund requirements on to its customers in the future.
The FCC has eliminated its PCS-cellular cross ownership rule, but retained a
spectrum cap on aggregation of CMRS spectrum. A cellular licensee and its
affiliates may not hold an attributable interest in more than 45 MHz of licensed
cellular, broadband personal communications service ("PCS"), and specialized
mobile radio ("SMR") spectrum in a particular geographic area.
The FCC has revised its rules pertaining to cellular licensees' obligations to
allow resale of cellular service. The FCC requires a cellular carrier (and
certain other wireless carriers) to permit unrestricted resale of its service
(including to other FCC-licensed wireless carriers). This rule contains a sunset
provision that provides that the rule will lapse five years following the FCC's
grant of the last group of initial broadband PCS licenses.
Pursuant to an earlier amendment of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended,
Congress preempted state or local regulation of entry into, or rates charged by,
any CMRS or private mobile service carrier. States were allowed to petition the
FCC for authorization to continue their authority to regulate rates and entry by
August 1994. While eight states sought such authority, the FCC denied all such
requests.
16
<PAGE>
Service Marks
CELLULARONE(R) is a registered service mark with the U.S. Patent and Trademark
Office. The service mark is owned by Cellular One Group, a Delaware general
partnership of Cellular One Marketing, Inc., a subsidiary of Southwestern Bell
Mobile Systems, Inc., together with Cellular One Development, Inc., a subsidiary
of AT&T and Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. The Company uses the CELLULARONE(R)
service mark to identify and promote its cellular telephone service pursuant to
licensing agreements with Cellular One Group (the "Licensor"). Licensing and
advertising fees are determined based upon the population of the licensed areas.
The licensing agreements require the Company to provide high-quality cellular
telephone service to its customers and to maintain a certain minimum overall
customer satisfaction rating in surveys commissioned by the Licensor. The
licensing agreements, which the Company has entered into, are for original
five-year terms expiring on various dates. These agreements may be renewed at
the Company's option for three additional five-year terms.
Employees and Agents
Currently, the Company has approximately 800 employees. In addition, the Company
has agreements with independent sales agents, including car dealerships,
electronics stores, paging services companies and independent contractors. None
of the Company's employees are represented by a labor organization, and the
Company's management considers its employee relations to be good.
Overview of Cellular Telephone Industry
The cellular telephone industry is a regulated duopoly. The FCC has designated
734 distinct markets in the country, 306 MSAs and 428 RSAs. Since it became
operational in 1983, the cellular telephone industry has experienced significant
growth. For the year ended December 31, 1996, the cellular industry reported
total revenues of $23.6 billion, versus $19.1 and $14.0 billion for the years
ended 1995 and 1994, respectively. The "Dick Tracy" Wireless Communications
Industry Report, published by Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette, predicts continued
rapid growth for the cellular industry and forecasts in their fall 1997 issue
that the penetration rate of cellular telephones will be 58.0% of U.S. Pops at
year-end 2006.
The following table sets forth information published by the Cellular
Telecommunication Industry Association ("CTIA") with respect to the number of
subscribers served by cellular, PCS and ESMR telephone systems in the United
States and the combined penetration rate of such operators as of the dates
indicated:
As of December 31
1996 1995 1994 1993 1992
--------------------------------------------------
Subscribers (in thousands) 44,706 33,786 24,134 16,009 11,033
Ending penetration (1) 16.9% 12.8% 9.1% 6.1% 4.1%
(1) Determined by dividing the aggregate number of subscribers by estimated
population as determined by Donnelly's 1996 United States population estimates.
Rates reflect combined penetration of both wireline and non-wireline cellular
operators.
17
<PAGE>
Cellular telephone technology is based upon the division of a given market area
into a number of smaller geographic areas or "cells." Each cell has "base
stations" or "cell sites," which are physical locations equipped with
transmitter receivers and other equipment that communicate by radio signal with
cellular telephones located within range of the cell. Cells generally have a
high quality operating range of one to ten miles. Each cell site transmits to a
mobile telephone switching office ("MTSO") which, in turn, transmits to the
local landline telephone network. As cellular telephone systems are fully
interconnected with the landline telephone network and long-distance networks,
subscribers can receive and originate both local and long-distance calls from
their cellular telephones on a worldwide basis.
When a cellular subscriber in a particular cell dials a number, the cellular
telephone sends the call by radio signal to the cell's transmitter-receiver,
which then sends it to the MTSO. The MTSO then completes the call by connecting
it with the landline telephone network or another cellular telephone unit.
Incoming calls are received by the MTSO, which instructs the appropriate cell to
complete the communications link by radio signal between the cell's
transmitter-receiver and the cellular telephone. Each conversation on a cellular
system occurs on a pair of radio talking paths, thus providing full duplex
telephone service. The relatively short-range transmissions between cell sites
and cellular telephones permit the two distinguishing features of cellular
telephone systems: frequency re-use, enabling the simultaneous use of the same
frequency in two or more adequately separated cells, and call hand-off,
occurring when the MTSO routes a mobile user to an adjacent cell that can
provide a higher quality signal without interrupting an ongoing call.
Frequency re-use allows for the efficient use of the radio frequencies allocated
to each cellular operator. Each cell in a cellular telephone system is assigned
a specific set of frequencies for use between that cell's base station and
cellular telephones within the operations range of the cell, so that the radio
frequencies being used in one cell do not interfere with those being used in
adjacent cells. Due to the relatively low transmission power of the base
stations and cellular telephones, two or more cells which are sufficiently far
apart can use the same frequencies within the same market without interfering
with one another.
A cellular telephone system's capacity can be increased in various ways. Within
certain limitations, increasing demand may be met by simply adding available
frequency capacity to cells as required, or by using directional antennae to
divide a cell into discrete multiple sectors or coverage areas, thereby reducing
the required distance between cells using the same frequency. Furthermore, areas
within a system may be served by more than one cell through procedures which
utilize available channels in adjacent cells. When all possible channels are in
use, further growth can be accomplished through a process called "cell
splitting." Cell splitting entails dividing a single cell into a number of
smaller cells served by lower-power transmitters, thereby increasing the re-use
factor and the number of calls that can be handled in a given area. Although the
Company has generally not experienced any material capacity constraints in its
systems, the Company plans to implement a program of cell splitting to meet
projected capacity demands for the next several years. System capacity can also
be expanded through the implementation of digital cellular technology described
below.
Call hand-off in a cellular telephone system is automatic and virtually
unnoticeable to the user. The MTSO and base stations continuously monitor the
signal strength of the call in progress. The signal strength of the transmission
between the cellular telephone and the base station declines as the caller moves
away from the base station in that cell. When the signal strength of a call
declines to a predetermined threshold level, the MTSO automatically determines
if the signal strength is greater in an adjacent cell and, if so, hands off the
call to that cell. If the cellular telephone user leaves the service areas of
the cellular telephone system, the call can often be handed off to an adjacent
system through intersystem networking arrangements. The Company currently has
several such networking arrangements and will continue to work towards
establishing intersystem networking with all adjacent Systems.
18
<PAGE>
Digital Cellular Technology
Some cellular operators have upgraded their cellular systems, especially in the
more populated markets, to support both analog and digital technology. Over the
next few years, it is expected that many other cellular systems will upgrade to
support both analog and digital technology. These upgrades are being undertaken
due in part to capacity constraints in many of the largest cellular markets,
such as New York, Los Angeles and Chicago. As carriers reach limited capacity
levels of analog only networks, certain calls may be unable to be completed,
especially during peak hours. The industry-wide migration from analog to digital
technology is expected to be a process that will take a number of years to
complete.
The FCC has not mandated a single national digital standard (as it did with
analog Advanced Mobile Phone System) and, as a result, three distinct
technologies have evolved as standards and are being deployed nationally.
1. CDMA-Code division multiple access is a spread-spectrum technology
that is predominantly being used by Sprint and Bell Atlantic.
2. GSM-Global system mobile is a digital standard that originated in
Europe and is being deployed by several 1.9 GHz license holders such
as Western Wireless and TDS Aerial Communications.
3. TDMA-Time division multiple access is the standard adopted and
certified by CTIA. It is the digital standard being deployed
nationally by AT&T. TDMA is the most widely supported and enhanced
digital standard utilized domestically today, with support from all
of the large infrastructure providers, such as Nortel, Lucent and
Ericsson. TDMA encodes three voice calls on a single 30 KHz channel
effectively yielding a spectral-efficient, three fold increase in
system capacity.
Digital technology increases system capacity while simultaneously providing an
architecture that supports delivery of revenue enhancing features and services,
commonly referred to as PCS (or simply Digital PCS). Digital PCS features
include extended (60 + hours) battery life on hand-held model phones, improved
call security, intelligent system selection/zone billing, alphanumeric paging,
internet based electronic mail receipt, presentation of calling party
identification, voice mail message waiting information and enhanced
data/facsimile transmission. Management does not believe that its network will
experience capacity constraints in the foreseeable future that would require
converting its network from analog to digital technology. However, the Company
has concluded a successful TDMA digital trial in 1997 and is planning for a
limited cost, broad scale TDMA digital infrastructure upgrade in 1998 so as to
position the Company to offer the revenue enhancing digital PCS feature set to
its subscribers.
Competition; New Technology
The Company currently competes with one other cellular licensee in each of its
cellular markets. Many of these licensees are larger, and have greater financial
resources, than the Company. In addition, the Company competes in many of its
markets with providers of other CMRS such as PCS, SMR and paging. The Company
also competes with local landline telephone companies for telephone usage by
customers.
19
<PAGE>
Although current policies of the FCC authorize only two cellular system
licensees in each market, the Company expects that it will face competition from
not only the other cellular licensee in each cellular market in which the
Company operates, but also from PCS and other CMRS licensees. Competition for
subscribers among CMRS providers is based principally upon the services and
enhancements offered, the technical quality of the system, sound quality,
reliability of connections, customer service, system coverage, capacity and
price.
The FCC requires all cellular system operators to provide service to
"resellers." A reseller provides cellular service to customers but does not hold
an FCC cellular license or own cellular facilities. Instead, the reseller buys
blocks of cellular telephone numbers from a licensed carrier and resells service
to the public through its own distribution methods. Thus, a reseller may be both
a customer of a cellular licensee's services and, also, a competitor of that
licensee. The Company does not know of any significant resellers currently
operating in competition with the Company's Systems.
Cellular telephones have remained the technology of choice for mobile
communications. Potential users of cellular systems may, however, find their
communications needs satisfied by other current and developing technologies,
particularly in the broadband personal communications services. PCS operators
providing digital communication technology may compete with cellular service
with regard to rates, enhanced privacy, and additional features such as
electronic mail and built-in paging. One-way paging or beeper services that
feature voice message and data display as well as tones, may be adequate for
potential subscribers who do not need to speak to the caller. In the future,
cellular service may also compete more directly with traditional landline
telephone service providers.
There are six potential broadband PCS providers in each PCS service area.
Licensing areas for broadband PCS are divided into 51 Major Trading Areas
("MTAs") and 493 smaller Basic Trading Areas ("BTAs") based on the geographic
divisions in the 1992 Rand McNally Commercial Atlas & Marketing Guide. Three
licensees per market hold 30 MHz of PCS spectrum, two licensed for each MTA and
one licensed for each BTA. The BTA licenses were awarded to small business and
rural telephone entities qualifying for participation in an "Entrepreneurs'
Block." The 30 MHz frequency blocks permit licensees to offer a broad range of
two-way voice, data and related communications services employing digital
micro-cellular technology. Three 10 MHz frequency blocks were licensed in each
BTA, with one per BTA licensed to an Entrepreneurs' Block entity. It is
anticipated that the 10 MHz licensees will provide niche services or will be
purchased by existing CMRS, including cellular operators for added spectrum. The
FCC's PCS rules, among other things, limit a cellular licensee until the year
2000 to two 10 MHz PCS licenses in areas in which it also provides cellular
services to 10% or more of the population. Thus, given the 25 MHz of spectrum
afforded cellular carriers under the cellular rules, cellular carriers are
subject to a 45 MHz spectrum cap for their combined cellular and PCS spectrum in
areas where they offer both services. After January 1, 2000, cellular licensees
will be permitted to acquire an additional five MHz for a total of 15 MHz of PCS
spectrum in their cellular service areas.
The FCC has also adopted rules for narrowband PCS services in the 900 MHz
frequency band and awarded national and regional licenses by auction. Narrowband
PCS services typically are advanced paging and messaging services. In addition,
the FCC allocated 30 MHz to unlicensed PCS, which will consist of new cordless
telephones, local area networks in offices and other kinds of short-range
communications.
Unlicensed PCS operations are restricted to very low power.
SMR and other land mobile radio systems, such as those historically used by
taxicabs, tow truck services, and other communications services that have the
technical capability to handle mobile telephone calls (including interconnection
to the landline telephone network), may provide competition to cellular and PCS
services in certain markets. Beginning in February 1991, the FCC granted waivers
of certain of its SMR rules to permit several large operators of SMR systems to
construct and operate Enhanced Specialized Mobile Radio ("ESMR") systems. These
waivers allow SMR operators
20
<PAGE>
to use digital technology to provide a wide-area mobile communications service
that substantially increases the number of customers that can be served. The
ESMR system incorporates characteristics of cellular technology, including
multiple low power transmitters and interconnection with the landline telephone
network. ESMR service may compete with cellular service by providing digital
communication technology, lower rates, enhanced privacy and additional features
such as electronic mail and built-in paging. The FCC has and will be auctioning
SMR licenses in the 800 and 900 MHz frequency bands for the provision of wide
area SMR licensing. The new licenses were designed to promote wide-area systems
that would make SMR more competitive with other wireless services, including
cellular.
Continuing technological advances in the telecommunications industry make it
impossible to predict the extent of future competition. A consortium of
telecommunications providers known as American Mobile Satellite Corporation has
been licensed by the FCC to provide mobile satellite service. In addition, the
FCC has issued licenses for low-orbit satellite systems that would provide voice
and data mobile communications to subscribers throughout the world. Other
proposals for additional mobile satellite service and spectrum are pending
before the FCC. The FCC and international and foreign regulatory authorities are
considering additional aspects of mobile satellite systems and services. The
International Maritime Satellite Organization ("Inmarsat") has been planning for
several years an "Inmarsat-P" international global satellite telephone and data
service that is expected to commence service in 1999 or 2000.
Mobile satellite systems could augment or replace communications within land
based cellular systems. Similar technological advances may make available
alternatives to cellular service, creating additional sources of competition.
In addition, the FCC has auctioned off 25 MHz of spectrum for unspecified fixed
and mobile services, collectively known as the General Wireless Communications
Service ("WCS"). The FCC defined WCS as any fixed or mobile service except
broadcasting, radiolocation, and satellite service. Among the services the FCC
anticipates the WCS may be used for are voice, video and data transmission,
private microwave, broadcast auxiliary, and ground-to-air voice and data. The
FCC has scheduled for February 1998 an auction for Local Multipoint Distribution
Service ("LMDS") frequencies in the 28 and 31 GHz frequency bands for which the
FCC will permit flexible use. It is anticipated that LMDS licenses will be used
to provide video and data transmission and Internet access, although voice use
is also permitted. Frequencies in the 38 GHz band have also been licensed for
similar uses.
As a result of the above, the Company's cellular operations may face increased
competition from entities providing other communication technologies and
services. The Company cannot predict the success of such competing technologies
or their operational abilities. While some of these technologies are currently
operational, others are operational on only a limited basis or are not yet
operational. Broadband PCS operators will compete directly with the Company and
may have access to substantial capital resources, although such resources have
generally not been available to Entrepreneurs' Block licensees. There can be no
assurance that the Company will be able to provide or that it will choose to
pursue, depending on the economics thereof, such services and features in
addition to those already provided. The Company believes that traditional tested
cellular service is economically proven. While the Company believes that
competition from other technologies will increase over both the short and long
terms, it also believes that the development of cellular technology and
expansion of the Company's cellular clusters is its best strategy. Nonetheless,
there can be no assurance that one or more of the technologies currently used by
the Company will not become obsolete sometime in the future.
21
<PAGE>
Regulations
Regulation and Licensing of Cellular Telephone Systems
The FCC regulates the construction, operation and acquisition of cellular
systems in the United States pursuant to the Communications Act. FCC regulations
specify that two cellular radio licenses are available for any given area within
each of the 734 FCC designated markets in the United States (306 MSA and 428
RSA). Frequency block "B" was initially awarded to incumbent landline local
exchange carriers (the "Wireline" license) and frequency block "A" was initially
awarded to nonincumbents (the "Non-Wireline" license). Apart from the different
frequency blocks, there is no technical difference between Wireline and
Non-Wireline cellular systems and the operational requirements imposed on
Wireline and Non-Wireline licensees are the same. The regulatory distinction
between Wireline and Non-Wireline systems only concerns an applicant's
eligibility to apply for an initial authorization. After initial authorization,
a Non-Wireline company may purchase interests in a Wireline system, subject to
restrictions on common ownership of Wireline and Non-Wireline systems in the
same market and to any necessary prior approval of the FCC. Likewise, a company
affiliated with a landline telephone service provider may purchase an interest
in a Non-Wireline system, subject to the same restrictions on common ownership
and prior FCC approval where necessary.
FCC licensing of all MSA markets and the FCC's initial lotteries of all of the
RSA markets have been completed. Additional lotteries are to be held for several
RSA markets in which the initially selected applicant has been disqualified.
For Systems below the top 90 MSA markets (including all RSA markets), the
issuance of a construction permit initiates an 18-month period during which the
permittee must construct at least one cell and begin providing service via those
facilities. A permittee that does not complete initial construction within 18
months is subject to having its permit canceled. A small number of RSA
permittees forfeited their permits on this ground.
Following notice of completion of construction, a cellular operator obtains an
initial license. Cellular licenses are issued generally for a 10-year term
beginning on the date of the grant of the Initial Operating Authority and are
renewable upon application to the FCC for periods of up to 10 years. The FCC may
revoke a license prior to the end of its term in extraordinary circumstances
(such as when serious violations of FCC rules have occurred).
Under FCC rules, the authorized service area of a cellular provider in each of
its markets is referred to as the "Cellular Geographic Service Area" ("CGSA").
The CGSA may be coincident with, or smaller than, the related FCC-designated MSA
or RSA. A cellular licensee has the exclusive right to expand its CGSA
boundaries within the licensee's MSA or RSA for a period of five years after
grant of the licensee's construction permit. At the end of the five-year period,
however, any entity may apply to serve portions of the MSA or RSA outside the
licensee's CGSA. The five-year exclusivity period has expired for some licensees
and parties have filed "unserved area" applications. The FCC has granted a
number of unserved area applications for areas within both MSA and RSA markets,
some filed by incumbent operators and others filed by new entrants.
Near the conclusion of the license term (the years 1997 to 2007, in the case of
the Company's current licenses), licensees must file applications for renewal of
licenses to obtain authority to operate for up to an additional 10-year term.
Applications for license renewal may be denied if the FCC determines that the
grant of an application would not serve the public interest. In addition, at
license renewal time, other parties may file competing applications for the
authorization. In the event that qualified competitors file applications for a
licensee's market, the FCC may be required to hold a hearing to determine
whether the incumbent or the competitor will receive the license. In 1993, the
FCC adopted specific standards to apply to cellular renewals, concluding that it
will award a renewal expectancy to a cellular
22
<PAGE>
licensee that meets certain standards of past performance. If the existing
licensee receives a renewal expectancy, it is very likely that the existing
licensee's cellular license will be renewed without a full comparative hearing.
To receive a renewal expectancy, a licensee must show that it (i) has provided
"substantial" service during its past license term; and (ii) has substantially
complied with applicable FCC rules and policies and the Communications Act.
"Substantial" service is defined as service which is sound, favorable and
substantially above a level of mediocre service that might only minimally
warrant renewal.
Cellular radio service providers also must satisfy a variety of FCC requirements
relating to technical and reporting matters. One such requirement is the
coordination of proposed frequency usage with adjacent cellular users,
permittees and licensees in order to avoid interference between adjacent
Systems. In addition, the height and power of base station transmitting
facilities and the type of signals they emit must fall within specified
parameters. The FCC also regulates cellular service resale practices and the
terms under which certain ancillary services may be provided through cellular
facilities. Cellular systems are subject to certain Federal Aviation
Administration regulations respecting the location, lighting and construction of
cellular transmitter towers and antennae and may be subject to regulation under
the National Environmental Policy Act and the environmental regulations of the
FCC. State or local zoning and land use regulations may also apply. The Company
uses common carrier point to point microwave facilities to connect cell sites
and to link them to the main switching office. These facilities are separately
licensed by the FCC and are subject to regulation as to technical parameters and
service.
In July 1994, the FCC issued a notice proposing to require that all cellular
carriers provide interexchange carriers with equal access. Currently, only
AT&T's cellular carriers and the cellular affiliates of the Regional Bell
Operating Companies ("RBOCs") are required to provide equal access. The FCC also
proposed requiring all CMRS providers to provide interconnection to other mobile
service providers. In April 1995, however, the FCC tentatively concluded that it
would be premature to adopt such a requirement.
Congress amended the Communications Act to preempt, as of August 10, 1994, state
or local regulation of the entry of, or the rates charged by, any commercial
mobile service or any private mobile service which includes cellular telephone
service.
Transfers and Assignments of Cellular Licenses
The Communications Act and FCC rules require the FCC's prior approval of the
assignment or transfer of control of a construction permit or license for a
cellular system. Subject to FCC approval, a license or permit granted to a
non-wireline entity may be transferred or assigned to a wireline entity and vice
versa. In most cases, noncontrolling interests in an entity that holds a
cellular license or cellular system generally may be bought or sold without
prior FCC approval. In the case of a sale proposed to occur before the
expiration of certain holding periods, the FCC may prohibit or impose
limitations on such a sale or require the seller to make certain representations
as a condition precedent to such a sale. For RSAs, the minimum holding period
generally expires upon completion of initial construction. The FCC has permitted
sales prior to completion of initial construction under certain circumstances.
Specifically, the seller must demonstrate that it did not file its application
for the purpose of speculating in cellular licenses. Any acquisition by the
Company of cellular interests may also require the prior approval of state or
local regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the cellular telephone
industry.
In certain circumstances, the FCC's rules prohibit the alienation of cellular
interests. No ownership interest in an RSA application, or an entity holding
such an application, may be transferred or otherwise alienated prior to the
grant of a construction permit. For cellular unserved areas, no substantial
change in ownership may take place until after the FCC
23
<PAGE>
has granted both a construction permit and a license and the licensee has
provided service to the public for at least one year. These restrictions prevent
prospective purchasers, including the Company, from entering into agreements for
assignment or transfer of unserved areas and RSA acquisitions prior to the lapse
of the applicable transfer restriction periods. These transfer restrictions
should not have a greater effect on the Company than on any other prospective
buyer.
Character and Citizenship Requirements
Applications for FCC authority may be denied and, in extreme cases, licenses may
be revoked if the FCC finds that an entity lacks the requisite "character"
qualifications to be a licensee. In making that determination, the FCC considers
whether an applicant or licensee has been the subject of adverse findings in a
judicial or administrative proceeding involving felonies, the possession or sale
of unlawful drugs, fraud, antitrust violations or unfair competition, employment
discrimination, misrepresentations to the FCC or other government agencies, or
serious violations of the Communications Act or FCC regulations. The FCC also
requires licensees to comply with statutory restrictions on the direct or
indirect ownership or control of radio licenses by non-U.S. persons or entities.
The FCC has found the Company to be qualified to hold FCC licenses.
Other Restrictions
The Communications Act currently limits the interest of foreign governments and
non-U.S. corporations and citizens in radio licensees, which include cellular
licensees. This limitation will be relaxed with regard to certain foreign
investors pursuant to a World Trade Organization treaty and FCC actions,
implementing the treaty. The cellular industry is also subject to other rules
and policies of the FCC and state commissions.
Certain Terms
Interests in cellular markets that are licensed by the Federal Communications
Commission (the "FCC") are commonly measured on the basis of the population of
the market served, with each person in the market area referred to as a "Pop."
The number of Pops or Net Pops owned is not necessarily indicative of the number
of subscribers or potential subscribers. As used in this Form 10-K, unless
otherwise indicated, the term "Pops" means the estimate of the 1996 population
of a Metropolitan Statistical Area ("MSA") or Rural Service Area ("RSA"), as
derived from the 1996 Donnelley Market Information Service population estimates.
The term "Net Pops" means the estimated population with respect to a given
service area multiplied by the percentage interest that the Company owns in the
entity licensed in such service area. MSAs and RSAs are also referred to as
"markets." The term "wireline" license refers to the license for any market
initially awarded to a company or group that was affiliated with a local
landline telephone carrier in the market, and the term "non-wireline" license
refers to the license for any market that was initially awarded to a company,
individual or group not affiliated with any landline carrier. The term "System"
means an FCC-licensed cellular telephone system.
Item 2. Properties
The Company maintains its corporate headquarters in White Plains, N.Y. The
Company leases this space which is approximately 12,000 square feet. In addition
to its corporate headquarters, the Company's cellular operations lease sales and
administrative offices and lease and own locations for cell site and switching
equipment. The Company reviews these leases from time to time and may, in the
future, lease or acquire new facilities as needed. PriCellular does not
anticipate that it will encounter any material difficulties in meeting its
future needs for any leased space.
24
<PAGE>
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
The Company is not currently involved in any pending legal proceedings that
individually, or in the aggregate are material to the Company.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
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<PAGE>
Part II
Item 5. Market for the Company's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters.
There is no established public trading market for the Company's common stock.
All of the Company's outstanding capital stock is owned by Parent.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data.
The Company acquired all of its existing Systems (excluding minority interests)
between April 1994 and January 1998. Many of the Systems at the time of
acquisition were relatively dormant or running at a minimum level of operating
efficiency. Accordingly, the following historical financial data is not
necessarily indicative of future results of operations. The selected financial
data set forth below for the Company for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996
and 1995 and as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, is derived from, and qualified by
reference to, the audited consolidated financial statements included elsewhere
herein. The selected financial data set forth below for the Company for the
years ended December 31, 1994 and 1993 and as of December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 are derived from audited consolidated financial statements not included
elsewhere herein. The selected financial data set forth below should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" included elsewhere herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
--------------------------------------------------
(In thousands, except share data)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Statement of Operations Data:
Operating revenues $179,035 $112,378 $41,504 $ 5,209 $ 3,809
Cost of cellular service 47,327 29,571 10,694 1,892 835
Cost of equipment sold 12,687 10,073 4,951 814 255
--------------------------------------------------
Gross margin 119,021 72,734 25,859 2,503 2,719
Selling, general and
administrative 51,762 33,997 16,219 5,791 1,659
Depreciation and amortization 28,656 19,537 10,279 2,720 1,695
--------------------------------------------------
Operating income (loss) 38,603 19,200 (639) (6,008) (635)
Gain (loss) on sale of
investments
in cellular operations 8,423 (1,401) 11,598 6,819 11,986
Interest expense, net (58,814) (41,556) (18,573) (1,949) (271)
Other income (expense), net 3,250 1,626 520 (97) (439)
--------------------------------------------------
Income (loss) before
provision for income taxes
and extraordinary item (8,538) (22,131) (7,094) (1,235) 10,641
Provision for income taxes (172)
Gain on early extinguishment
of debt, net of tax 147
--------------------------------------------------
Net income (loss) $ (8,538) $(22,131) $(7,094) $(1,235) $10,616
==================================================
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
As of December 31
1997 1996 1995 1994 1993
--------------------------------------------------
(In thousands)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance Sheet Data:
Working capital (deficit) $ 45,681 $ 50,206 $ 16,431 $ 20,615 $ (139)
Net fixed assets 104,685 73,315 52,041 26,144 389
Total assets 744,296 698,949 442,993 209,799 6,755
Long-term debt 522,700 483,430 298,650 113,683 4,000
Total liabilities 565,576 518,816 322,080 137,436 4,680
Stockholder's equity 178,720 180,133 120,913 72,363 2,075
</TABLE>
26
<PAGE>
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations.
General
The results for the current year reflect the continued strong growth of the
Company's fiscal operations and subscriber additions. The Company continued its
policy of strategic acquisitions through the purchase in January 1997 of the
Kentucky Cluster with its 785,000 Pops and the WI-4 RSA with its 119,000 Pops
and in May 1997 with the acquisition of the WI-5 RSA with its 85,000 Pops. In
addition, the Company sold its stand-alone systems serving the Florence, AL MSA
and the AL-1B RSA with their combined 199,000 Pops. In January 1998, the Company
completed the acquisition of the TN-4 RSA which contains 264,000 Pops giving the
Company a total of 5.1 million Net Pops. The Company ended the year with 250,441
subscribers which represents an increase of over 100,000 subscribers from the
end of 1996. Approximately 86,000 of the increase resulted from internal growth.
The Company achieved a penetration rate of 5.2% at the end of 1997 compared to
3.8% at the end of 1996 which equates to an increase of 37.0%.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA")
amounted to $70.5 million compared to $40.4 million for 1996 or an increase of
74.5%. Management believes that EBITDA is an effective measure of operating
performance because it is industry practice to use a multiple of EBITDA as one
method of evaluating cellular properties. EBITDA does not represent cash flow
from operations as defined by GAAP, and is not necessarily indicative of cash
available to fund all cash flow needs and should not be considered as an
alternative to net income. The Company, in fact, expects to report losses for
accounting purposes for the foreseeable future due to interest and non-cash
charges such as depreciation and amortization.
Comparison of operating results may not be meaningful because of significant
acquisitions. However, a comparison can be made of those markets that were owned
by the Company throughout the 12 months of 1997 and 1996. The markets included
account for approximately 59% of the 1997 Net Pops and 63% of the 1996 Net Pops.
The following represents certain operating results (000's omitted except for
subscriber additions) for these markets:
Year ended December 31
1997 1996
----------------------
Total revenue $99,476 $74,202
Operating income 21,712 11,679
EBITDA 39,010 26,022
Net subscriber additions 56,477 48,582
Penetration 5.71% 3.75%
The above data reflects a 34.1% growth in revenue, an 85.9% growth in operating
income, a 49.9% growth in EBITDA, a 16.3% growth in subscriber additions and an
increase in penetration of 52.3%. These statistics demonstrate the Company's
ability to generate significant internal growth from operations aside from
acquisitions. There can be no assurance, however, that the Company will be able
to maintain these growth rates for these systems or achieve similar rates of
growth for its other systems.
27
<PAGE>
Historical Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 1997 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1996
Operating revenue increased from $112.4 million in 1996 (consisting of $105.0 of
cellular service, $3.4 of equipment sales and $4.0 of other) to $179.0 million
in 1997 (consisting of $167.8 million of cellular service, $5.2 million of
equipment sales and $6.0 million of other). The primary reason for the increase
in cellular service revenue and equipment sales is the addition of the Kentucky
cluster, the WI-4 RSA and the WI-5 RSA in 1997 and the fact that Poughkeepsie,
NY-6, and WV-3 market were acquired over the course of 1996 and therefore
generated a full year of revenue in 1997 but were included for only part of the
year in 1996.
Total costs and expenses increased from $93.2 million in 1996 (consisting of
$29.6 million for cellular service, $10.1 million for cost of equipment sold,
$34.0 million for selling, general and administrative and $19.5 million for
depreciation and amortization) to $140.4 million in 1997 (consisting of $47.3
million for cellular service, $12.7 million for cost of equipment sold, $51.8
million for selling, general and administrative and $28.6 for depreciation and
amortization). The increases are principally a result of the markets added in
1996 and 1997 as stated above.
The increase in interest expense from $44.1 million in 1996 to $62.7 million in
1997 is a result of a full year's worth of interest on the $170.0 million 10
3/4% notes issued in November 1996 compared to only one and one-half months in
1996.
The gain on sale of investments in cellular operations resulted from the sale in
January 1997 of the Florence AL MSA in 1996 and AL-1B RSA ("Florence License")
for $22.0 million. In 1996, the net loss resulted from the sale of the AL-4 RSA
($1.6 million loss), the sale of the MI-2 RSA ($1.6 million loss) offset by the
sale of minority Pops ($1.8 million gain).
Other income increased to $3.3 million in 1997 from $1.6 million in 1996
principally due to the amortization of the covenant not to compete associated
with the sale of the Florence License in January 1997.
Year Ended December 31, 1996 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 1995
Operating revenues increased from $41.5 million in 1995 (consisting of cellular
revenues of $38.8 million, equipment sales of $1.7 million and other revenues of
$1.0 million) to $112.4 million in 1996 (consisting of cellular revenues of
$105.0 million, equipment sales of $3.4 million and other revenues of $4.0
million). The significant increase in cellular revenues and equipment sales
resulted from properties added in 1996 which were not present in 1995 including
the addition of the New York Cluster significant additions to the Mid-Atlantic
Cluster and Upper Midwest Cluster in the latter half of 1995 for which a full
year of revenue was earned in 1996. The increase in other revenue from $1.0
million in 1995 to $4.0 million in 1996 is principally a function of the
inclusion of the guaranteed preferential distributions from the Joint Venture
agreement with SBC Corporation for a full year in 1996 ($3.4 million) compared
to only one month in 1995 ($275,000) partially offset by the income recorded in
1995 from the management of the AL-4 RSA ($755,000) which is not present in
1996.
28
<PAGE>
Total costs and expenses rose from $42.1 million for 1995 to $93.2 million for
1996. The increase is principally a result of the factors stated above: new
markets in 1996 for which no expenses were incurred in 1995 and the addition in
1995 toward the latter part of the year of a significant number of markets which
therefore have a full year of expenses for 1996 but less than six months of
expenses for 1995.
The result of these factors is an increase in the cost of cellular service to
$29.6 million in 1996 from $10.7 million in 1995, an increase to $10.1 million
in 1996 for the cost of equipment sold from $5.0 million in 1995 and an increase
in selling, general and administrative expenses to $34.0 million in 1996 from
$16.2 million in 1995. The Company's aggressive marketing and sales promotion
efforts are geared towards increasing subscribers. The addition of retail
locations combined with the increase in the number of markets also contributed
to this increase.
Depreciation and amortization increased to $19.5 million in 1996 from $10.3
million in 1995 because of the additional equipment and cellular licenses
associated with the acquisition of new markets in 1996 and a full year's
depreciation and amortization in 1996 for markets acquired during 1995.
The loss on sale of investments in cellular operations in 1996 of $1.4 million
is a result of the loss from the sale of the AL-4 RSA of $1.6 million and the
MI-2 RSA of $1.6 million partially offset by the gain on the sale of minority
Pops of $1.8 million. The gain in 1995 of $11.6 million is due to the
disposition of the Company's interest in the nonwireline system serving the
Abilene, TX MSA.
The increase in interest expense from $21.6 million in 1995 to $44.1 million in
1996 is a function of a full year of interest for the current year on the
12-1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes issued in September 1995 compared
with only three months in the prior year, combined with additional interest
related to the issuance of the 10-3/4% Poughkeepsie Note in the amount of $19.0
million for approximately six and one-half months and the interest for one and
one-half months on the 10-3/4% Senior Notes, face amount of $170.0 million
issued in November 1996.
Other income for 1996 includes $625,000 related to the two year covenant not to
compete from the sale of the AL-4 RSA in July 1996, $1.0 million for the
covenant not to compete from the Lubbock/Minnesota exchange in July 1995 for
which one-half year or $500,000 is included for 1995.
The decrease in interest income from $3.0 million in 1995 to $4.9 million in
1996 is a result of the decrease in cash flow for 1996 due principally to
acquisitions of cellular properties partially offset by the cash on hand
resulting from the proceeds of the $170.0 million 10-3/4% Senior Notes received
in November 1996.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
The cellular telephone business requires substantial capital to acquire,
construct and expand cellular telephone systems and to fund operating
requirements. The Company historically has financed its acquisitions and other
capital needs through the proceeds from the issuance of debt securities, the
sale of equity interests, borrowings, vendor credit facilities and more recently
internally generated cash flows. As of December 31, 1997, the Company had $59.5
million of cash and cash equivalents and $45.7 million of working capital. In
addition, the Company had $13.0 million segregated on the Balance Sheet at
December 31, 1997 as cash committed for the acquisition of the TN-4 RSA.
29
<PAGE>
During 1997, the $49.5 million of cash provided by operations was the Company's
principal source of cash. In addition $22.4 million was generated from the sale
of the Florence License and $4.8 million was provided by the return of monies
placed in escrow. The Company's principal uses of cash in 1997 were $25.5
million for the purchase of cellular equipment and $39.0 million for the
acquisition of cellular operations (including $13.0 million committed for an
acquisition in 1998). In January 1998, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company
entered into a $60.0 million credit agreement with Morgan Guaranty Trust Company
of New York due December 31, 2005. The proceeds were used to acquire
substantially all of the assets of the TN-4 RSA. Repayment of the loan will
commence with the quarter ending June 30, 2001. Interest is payable quarterly at
the LIBOR rate plus a premium ranging from 1.50% to 2.25% based on the ratio of
total debt (as defined) to annualized cash flow (as defined) for the most recent
fiscal quarter.
Cash interest in 1997 amounted to $18.3 million and is deducted in arriving at
the $49.5 million of net cash provided by operations on the Statement of Cash
Flows. Beginning in 1998, the Company has two instruments requiring cash
interest payments; the first is the 14.0%, $165.0 million face Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes due 2001, requiring $23.1 million of cash interest.
The second issue requiring cash interest is the 10 3/4%, $170.0 million Notes
requiring $18.3 million of interest in 1998. The Company's 12 1/4% Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes due 2003 was issued with an original issue discount
and does not pay cash interest until April 1999.
During 1996, the Company's principal sources of cash were (i) the issuance of
$170.0 million aggregate principal amount 10 3/4% Senior Notes due 2004, (ii) an
aggregate of $37.2 million of proceeds from the disposition of certain
non-strategic Systems (the Systems serving the AL-4 RSA and the MI-2 RSA and
certain minority pops), (iii) $33.6 million capital contribution from Parent,
(iv) $26.1 million representing the payment for and simultaneous contribution by
Parent of the assets of the PA-9 RSA, and (v) $36.8 million of cash provided by
operating activities. The Company's principal uses of cash in 1996 were (i)
$177.7 million to finance acquisitions (the acquisitions of the Systems serving
the NY-6 RSA, Poughkeepsie, NY MSA, WV-3 RSA, and WI-2 RSA) and the cash
committed for the acquisition of the Kentucky Cluster in January 1997, and (ii)
$29.5 million of capital expenditures related to the build-out and improvement
of its Systems. In connection with the acquisition of the Poughkeepsie, NY MSA,
the Company issued a $19.0 million aggregate principal amount three-year note
bearing interest at the prime rate (the "Poughkeepsie Note"). The Poughkeepsie
Note was repaid in November 1996.
As was previously mentioned, the cellular telephone industry requires
significant expenditures for capital additions. Certain of the Company's new
acquisitions will require substantial expenditures as the Company seeks to
better develop subscriber coverage and in general enhance the market's
performance as has been the Company's operating strategy. The Company continues
to expand its marketing efforts which include, but are not limited to, the
increase in funds for advertising, cellular telephone inventory purchases and
other expenditures relating to subscriber growth.
The Company has reviewed the possible effect of the Year 2000 on the operating
software currently in use including the software that is an integral part of the
switches and the related billing information. It does not believe that any
significant financial requirement is currently required to make any
modifications that may become necessary. The Company has obtained assurances
from its third party billing provider and its principal source at cellular
equipment that they have addressed the potential problems of the Year 2000.
The Company continually reviews plans for future growth through acquisitions
which may require additional financing. Although the Company has historically
been able to obtain such financing, there is no guarantee that such financing
will continue to be available.
30
<PAGE>
Forward Looking Statements
The Company has made in this report, and from time to time may otherwise make,
statements which constitute forward looking statements within the meaning of the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These statements include
statements regarding the intent, belief or current expectations of the Company,
its directors or its officers primarily with respect to the Company's operations
and financial performance. Investors are cautioned that any such forward looking
statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and
uncertainties, and that actual results may differ materially from those in the
forward looking statements as a result of various factors. Some of these factors
may include (i) the Company's limited operating history and history of net
losses, (ii) the Company's high degree of leverage and the requirement for
significant and sustained growth in the Company's cash flow to meet its debt
service requirements, (iii) the status of any pending potential acquisitions or
dispositions of Systems and the risk that new Systems and Systems recently
acquired may not perform as expected, (iv) competition from the other cellular
operator in the Company's Clusters or from other technologies, (v) dependence on
corporate management, (vi) reliance on the CELLULARONE(R), trademark, (vii)
potential for adverse regulatory change and the need for renewal of cellular
licenses, (viii) fluctuations in market value of licenses, (ix) equipment
failure or natural disaster and (x) concerns about radio frequency emissions.
31
<PAGE>
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by Item 8 of Part II is incorporated herein by
reference to the Consolidated Financial Statements filed with this report; see
Item 14 of Part IV.
Quarterly Results of Operations
The following is a summary of the quarterly results of operations for the years
ended December 31, 1997 and 1996.
Three months ended
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
--------------------------------------------------
1997
Operating revenues (1) $35,546 $42,738 $51,757 $48,994
Operating income (1) 6,065 8,994 14,922 8,622
Net income (loss) (1) 1,450 (4,446) 408 (5,950)
1996
Operating revenues $21,025 $27,106 $32,847 $31,400
Operating income 1,845 5,295 8,273 3,787
Net loss (7,265) (4,679) (1,213) (8,974)
(1)--The quarterly results of operations for 1997 include the acquisitions in
January of the Kentucky Cluster and the WI-4 RSA.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
32
<PAGE>
Part III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
Item 11. Executive Compensation.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.
Omitted pursuant to General Instruction J of Form 10-K.
33
<PAGE>
Part IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) 1. The Consolidated Financial Statements of PriCellular Wireless
Corporation (see index to financial statements at F-1).
2. Financial Statement Schedules:
Schedules not included with this. Additional financial data has been
omitted because it is not applicable or the required information is
shown in the Consolidated Financial Statements or Notes thereto.
3. Exhibits:
Exhibit Index
2.1 Contribution Agreement by and among Texas/Illinois Cellular
Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership,
Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Inc., a Delaware and
Virginia corporation, the Company, Cellular Information
Systems of Laredo, Inc., a Texas corporation, dated as of
April 10, 1995 (certain schedules have been omitted but will
be furnished supplementally to the Commission upon request)
(2)
2.2 Asset Acquisition Agreement dated as of October 15, 1996 among
Parent, Cellular Information Systems of Florence, Inc. and
Horizon Cellular Telephone Company of Central Kentucky, L.P.
(1)
3.1 Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the
Company (3)
3.8 By-Laws of the Company (3)
4.1 Indenture to 14% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2001
among Parent, the Company and Bank of Montreal Trust Company,
as Trustee (including form of Note) (3)
4.2 Indenture of 12 1/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 among
Parent, the Company and Bank of Montreal Trust Company,
Trustee (including form of Note) (5)
4.3 Indenture to 10 3/4% Senior Subordinated Convertible Discount
Notes due 2004 between the Company and Bank of Montreal Trust
Company, as Trustee (including form of Note) (5)
10.1 1994 Stock Option Plan of Parent (3)
10.2 Operating Agreement, dated as of April 28, 1994 by and between
Parent and McCaw (3)
10.3 Voting Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1995, by and among
the Company and the parties named therein (4)
10.4 Form of Purchase and Sales Agreement of Parent relating to the
CIS Acquisition (see Exhibit 2.1)
34
<PAGE>
10.5 Contribution Agreement by and among Texas/Illinois Cellular
Limited Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership,
Southwestern Bell Mobile Systems, Inc., a Delaware and
Virginia corporation, the Company, Cellular Information
Systems of Laredo, Inc., a Texas corporation, dated as of
April 10, 1995 (certain schedules have been omitted but will
be furnished supplementally to the Commission upon request)
(see Exhibit 2.2)
10.7 Asset Acquisition Agreement dated as of October 15, 1996 among
the Company, Cellular Information Systems of Florence, Inc.
and Horizon Cellular Telephone Company of Central Kentucky,
L.P. (see Exhibit 2.2)
10.9 Employment Agreement, dated as of December 28, 1995, by and
between Parent and Robert Price (4)
21.1 Subsidiaries of the Registrant
27.1 Financial Data Schedule (included in electronic version only)
- ---------
(1) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1, No. 33-95834.
(2) Incorporated herein by reference to Parent's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1997.
(3) Incorporated herein by reference to Parent's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-85678.
(4) Incorporated herein by reference to Parent's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1995.
(5) Incorporated herein by reference to Parent's Registration Statement on
Form S-1, No. 33-98156.
(6) Incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-4, No. 333-17067.
<PAGE>
Signatures
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized in the City of New York,
State of New York, on the 23rd day of March 1998.
PriCellular Wireless Corporation
By /s/ Steven Price
-----------------------------
Steven Price
President
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this Report
has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and
in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
/s/ Steven Price
- -------------------------
Steven Price Director and President (Principal
Executive Officer) March 23, 1998
/s/ Stuart B. Rosenstein
- -------------------------
Stuart B. Rosenstein Executive Vice President, Chief March 23, 1998
Financial Officer and Treasurer
(PrincipalFinancial and Accounting
Officer)
/s/ Kim I. Pressman
- -------------------------
Kim I. Pressman Director, Executive Vice President March 23, 1998
and Secretary Corporate Development
/s/ Scott Anderson
- -------------------------
Scott Anderson Director March 23, 1998
/s/ Brion B. Applegate
- -------------------------
Brion B. Applegate Director March 23, 1998
/s/ Robert Price
- -------------------------
Robert Price Director March 23, 1998
/s/ Scott Sperling
- -------------------------
Scott Sperling Director March 23, 1998
<PAGE>
Form 10-K--Item 14(a)(1) and (2)
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Index to Consolidated Financial Statements
The following consolidated financial statements of PriCellular Wireless
Corporation and subsidiaries are included in Item 8:
Report of Independent Auditors.......................................... F- 2
Consolidated Balance Sheets--December 31, 1997 and 1996................. F- 3
Consolidated Statements of Operations--Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...................................... F- 4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity--Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...................................... F- 5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows--Years Ended
December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995...................................... F- 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.............................. F- 8
The following consolidated financial statement schedule of PriCellular Wireless
Corporation is included in Item 14(a):
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts......................... F-23
All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting
regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are not required under the
related instructions or are inapplicable, and therefore have been omitted.
F-1
<PAGE>
Report of Independent Auditors
Board of Directors
PriCellular Wireless Corporation
We have audited the consolidated balance sheets of PriCellular Wireless
Corporation and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1997 and 1996, and the related
consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's equity and cash flows for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997. Our audits also
included the financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 14(a).
These financial statements and schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain
reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting
the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and subsidiaries at December 31, 1997 and 1996,
and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1997, in conformity with
generally accepted accounting principles. Also, in our opinion, the related
financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein.
ERNST & YOUNG LLP
New York, New York
January 22, 1998, except for the third paragraph of Note 12
as to which the date is March 10, 1998
F-2
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
1997 1996
----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 59,523 $ 67,331
Accounts receivable (less allowance of $1,648 in 1997 and $1,767
in 1996) 18,979 13,429
Inventory 2,215 2,096
Due from affiliate 1,236 --
Other current assets 1,789 980
----------------------
Total current assets 83,742 83,836
Fixed assets--at cost:
Cellular facilities and equipment 123,934 71,801
Furniture and equipment 10,018 5,142
Deposits on cellular equipment -- 10,100
----------------------
133,952 87,043
Less accumulated depreciation (29,267) (13,728)
----------------------
Net fixed assets 104,685 73,315
Investment in cellular operations 37,017 39,641
Cellular licenses (less accumulated amortization of $23,119 in 1997
and $10,415 in 1996) 493,315 377,808
Cellular license held for sale -- 13,721
Deferred financing costs (less accumulated amortization of $4,807
in 1997 and $2,542 in 1996) 12,281 14,031
Cash committed for the acquisition of cellular operations 13,000 91,400
Other assets 256 5,197
----------------------
Total assets $ 744,296 $ 698,949
======================
Liabilities and stockholder's equity Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 31,694 $ 21,394
Deferred revenue 4,242 2,531
Other current liabilities 2,125 4,776
Due to affiliate -- 4,929
----------------------
Total current liabilities 38,061 33,630
Long-term debt 522,700 483,430
Deferred taxes 3,797 --
Other long-term liabilities 1,018 1,756
Commitments and contingent liabilities
Stockholder's equity:
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share:
100 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
Additional paid-in capital 218,767 211,642
Accumulated deficit (40,047) (31,509)
----------------------
Total stockholder's equity 178,720 180,133
----------------------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity $ 744,296 $ 698,949
======================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Dollars in thousands)
Year ended December 31
1997 1996 1995
-----------------------------------
Revenues
Cellular service $ 167,846 $ 104,950 $ 38,757
Equipment sales 5,211 3,430 1,717
Other 5,978 3,998 1,030
-----------------------------------
179,035 112,378 41,504
Costs and expenses
Cost of cellular service 47,327 29,571 10,694
Cost of equipment sold 12,687 10,073 4,951
Selling, general and administrative 51,762 33,997 16,219
Depreciation and amortization 28,656 19,537 10,279
-----------------------------------
140,432 93,178 42,143
-----------------------------------
Operating income (loss) 38,603 19,200 (639)
Other income (expense)
Gain (loss) on sale of investments in
cellular operations 8,423 (1,401) 11,598
Interest expense (62,692) (44,053) (21,569)
Interest income 3,878 2,497 2,996
Other income, net 3,250 1,626 520
-----------------------------------
(47,141) (41,331) (6,455)
-----------------------------------
Net loss $ (8,538) $ (22,131) $ (7,094)
===================================
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity
(Dollars in thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Common Stock Additional
----------------- Paid-in Accumulated Stockholder's
Shares Amount Capital Deficit Equity
----------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance--December 31, 1994 100 $-- $ 74,647 $ (2,284) $ 72,363
Contributions by stockholder -- -- 55,644 -- 55,644
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 1995 -- -- -- (7,094) (7,094)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance--December 31, 1995 100 -- 130,291 (9,378) 120,913
Contributions by stockholder -- -- 59,692 -- 59,692
Forgiveness of Junior subordinated
debt to parent -- -- 21,659 -- 21,659
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 1996 -- -- (22,131) (22,131)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance--December 31, 1996 100 -- 211,642 (31,509) 180,133
Dividend paid to stockholder -- -- (12,000) -- (12,000)
Contributions by stockholder -- -- 19,125 -- 19,125
Net loss for the year ended December 31, 1997 -- -- -- (8,538) (8,538)
-------------------------------------------------------------------
Balance--December 31, 1997 100 $-- $ 218,767 $ (40,047) $ 178,720
===================================================================
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31
1997 1996 1995
-----------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating activities
Net loss $ (8,538) $ (22,131) $ (7,094)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided
by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 28,656 19,537 10,278
Interest on Senior Subordinated Discount Notes 41,536 40,150 21,254
(Gain) loss on sale of investment in cellular
operations (8,423) 1,401 (11,598)
Amortization of covenant not to compete (3,250) (1,625) (500)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 2,293 2,079 936
Proceeds from covenant not to compete 2,000 2,500 3,000
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (6,990) (9,098) (4,768)
Inventory 120 (369) (891)
Other current assets (733) (343) (193)
Other assets 587 -- --
Accounts payable and accrued expenses 1,453 3,478 (2,778)
Deferred revenue 600 1,151 600
Other current liabilities -- (250) (4,490)
Other long-term liabilities 183 410 (388)
Other, net (27) (99) 21
-----------------------------------
Net cash provided by operating activities 49,467 36,791 3,389
-----------------------------------
Investing activities
Redemption of short-term investments -- -- 991
Purchase of cellular equipment (25,525) (29,470) (6,794)
Amounts refunded from (deposited in) escrow to acquire
cellular properties (net) 4,835 (5,000) --
Advances from (to) affiliate (6,165) 6,904 209
Proceeds from sale of cellular operations, net of cash 22,396 31,936 19,478
Proceeds from sale of investment in cellular operations 1,255 2,813 --
Dividend paid to parent (12,000) -- --
Acquisition of cellular operations, net of cash (26,032) (86,285) (213,686)
Investment in cellular operations (2,523) (75) (166)
Cash committed for the acquisition of cellular
operations (13,000) (91,400) --
-----------------------------------
Net cash used in investing activities (56,759) (170,577) (199,968)
-----------------------------------
Financing activities
Proceeds from capital contributions -- 33,600 30,903
Repayments of notes payable and due to stockholders -- (23,540) (3,499)
Payments for deferred financing costs (516) (5,612) (6,145)
Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt -- 170,000 163,307
-----------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities (516) 174,448 184,566
-----------------------------------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (7,808) 40,662 (12,013)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 67,331 26,669 38,682
-----------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 59,523 $ 67,331 $ 26,669
===================================
</TABLE>
F-6
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (continued)
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Year ended December 31
1997 1996 1995
---------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest $18,275 $ 1,110 $ 874
Income taxes 424 448 2,803
Supplemental schedule of noncash investing and
financing activities
Capital contribution of cellular systems from Parent -- 26,079 24,741
Contribution of net assets into joint venture -- -- 35,516
Forgiveness of junior subordinated debt to Parent -- 21,659 --
Debt issued in connection with acquisition of cellular
systems -- 19,429 --
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
F-7
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
December 31, 1997
1. Organization
PriCellular Wireless Corporation, including its subsidiaries ("Wireless" or the
"Company") was incorporated on August 23, 1994 and is wholly-owned by
PriCellular Corporation ("Parent"). The Company is principally engaged in the
ownership and operation of cellular telephone systems.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have
been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and
accompanying notes.
Cash Equivalents
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents.
Inventory
Inventory is stated at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out method) or market.
Inventory consists primarily of cellular telephones and accessories.
F-8
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Investments in Cellular Operations
Investments in cellular operations in which the Company's interest is 20% or
more are accounted for under the equity method. Interest in investments that are
less than 20% are accounted for under the cost method.
On November 30, 1995, the Company entered into a Joint Venture with SBC
Communications, Inc. ("SBC"), formerly Southwestern Bell, in which the Company
contributed its system serving the Laredo, TX MSA (approximately 176,000 Pops)
and SBC contributed cellular properties in the Illinois-4 and -6 RSAs. The
Company owns 44.5% of the combined 594,000 Pops or approximately 264,000 Net
Pops. Under the terms of the Joint Venture agreement, the Company receives
preferential distributions in the first four years of the Joint Venture rising
from $3.3 million in the first year to $5.8 million in the final year. Such
preferential distributions are guaranteed by SBC. The Company also has an option
to put its Joint Venture interest to SBC at prices beginning at $28.5 million
and escalating to $39.0 million at the end of the four year period. SBC has
operating control of the properties and has certain rights to purchase the
Company's interests on the day prior to the fourth anniversary. The Company's
guaranteed preferential distribution from the Joint Venture for 1997, 1996 and
the month of December 1995 amounted to $4.3 million, $3.4 million and $275,000,
respectively, which are included in other revenue.
Cellular Licenses
The Company primarily uses a 40 year life to amortize cellular licenses
acquired. Amortization expense for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and
1995 was $12.7 million, $9.5 million and $4.3 million, respectively.
The Company periodically reviews the carrying value of licenses to determine
whether such amounts are recoverable based on undiscounted future cash flows of
the market to which the license relates, and by comparing the cellular licenses
to the estimated market value of the cellular systems, in order to determine
whether a reduction to fair value is necessary. The Company has determined that
no such reductions were necessary through December 31, 1997.
F-9
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
2. Significant Accounting Policies (continued)
Income Recognition
Revenues are recognized during the period service is provided or when equipment
is delivered.
Expense Recognition
Marketing costs relating to new subscribers are expensed in the period that they
are incurred. Advertising expense amounted to $3.7 million, $2.3 million and
$1.5 million for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively.
Fixed Assets
Fixed assets are recorded at cost. Depreciation is computed using the
straight-line method over the estimated useful life of the asset of three to
seven years.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs primarily represent underwriting discounts and related
fees incurred in connection with the issuance of the Company's long-term debt.
These costs are being amortized over the terms of the related debt and are
included in interest expense.
Reclassification
Certain items have been reclassified in the consolidated balance sheets and the
consolidated statements of cash flows to conform to the current presentation.
3. Acquisition of Cellular Operations
All acquisitions were accounted for utilizing the purchase method of accounting.
The allocation of purchase price for certain acquisitions described below is
subject to adjustments.
During the year ended December 31, 1997, the Company established its fourth
operating cluster by consummating the acquisition of four RSAs in Kentucky from
a subsidiary of Horizon Cellular Telephone Company, L.P. ("Horizon"). The
785,000 Pop cluster was
F-10
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. Acquisition of Cellular Operations (continued)
acquired for approximately $96.4 million in cash and 1,948,052 shares of
Parent's Class A common stock. In addition, the Company strengthened its Upper
Midwest cluster through the acquisition of the WI-4 RSA, consisting of
approximately 119,000 Pops on January 7, 1997 from a subsidiary of BellSouth
Corporation for approximately $6.3 million in cash, and the acquisition of three
counties in the WI-5 RSA consisting of approximately 81,000 Pops on May 29, 1997
from United States Cellular Corporation for approximately $10.6 million in cash
and the contribution of minority Pops (approximately 18,000 Pops).
The following acquisitions were completed during 1997 and 1996:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Acquisition Purchase Net Pops
System Market Date Price Acquired
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
1997
Kentucky Cluster KY-4, KY-5, KY-6 and
KY-8 RSAs January 7, 1997 $115,500,000 (A) 785,000
-----------
785,000
Upper Midwest Cluster WI-4 RSA January 7,1997 6,300,000 119,000
WI-5 RSA May 29, 1997 10,600,000 81,000
-----------
200,000
-----------
Total for 1997 985,000
===========
1996
Upper Midwest Cluster WI-2 RSA November 18, 1996 4,300,000 85,645
-----------
85,645
Mid-Atlantic Cluster PA-9 RSA February 2, 1996 26,100,000 188,096
WV-3 RSA July 23, 1996 35,000,000 269,709
-----------
457,805
-----------
New York Cluster NY-6 RSA April 23, 1996 19,800,000 (B) 111,373
Poughkeepsie, NY MSA April 23, 1996 38,900,000 (B)(C) 218,890
Orange County, NY MSA October 17, 1996 (C) 327,053
-----------
657,316
-----------
Various Various October 17, 1996 (C) 70,740
-----------
Total for 1996 1,271,506
===========
</TABLE>
F-11
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
3. Acquisition of Cellular Operations (continued)
(A) The Company acquired from a subsidiary of Horizon the system serving four
RSAs in Kentucky for approximately $96.4 million in cash and 1,948,052
shares of the Parent's Class A common stock valued at approximately $19.1
million.
(B) The Company acquired from a subsidiary of United States Cellular
Corporation the system serving the NY-6 RSA for approximately $19.8
million and 83% of the stock of the system serving the Poughkeepsie, NY
MSA for approximately $38.9 million, with one-half paid in cash and the
balance in a three-year note (subsequently repaid in November 1996, see
Note 4--Long-Term Debt.)
(C) The Company exchanged with Vanguard Cellular Systems, Inc. its OH-9 RSA,
the majority of its OH-10 RSA and its Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH MSA for
the Orange County, NY MSA, an additional 11.1% of the Poughkeepsie, NY
MSA, 12.2% of the Janesville, WI MSA and 28,509 additional Pops, including
small interests in the Eau Claire, WI and Wausau, WI MSAs (in each of
which the Company currently has a majority interest).
The pro forma unaudited condensed consolidated results of operations for the
years ended December 31, 1996 and 1995, assuming the transactions were
consummated as of January 1, 1995, are as follows:
December 31
1996 1995
------------------------------
Revenue $ 135,010,000 $ 82,109,000
==============================
Net loss $ (25,227,000) $ (52,421,000)
==============================
No pro forma effect was given for 1997, 1996 and 1995 for the WI-4 or WI-5
acquisitions as their results are not significant nor is the pro forma effect
presented for one week in 1997 for the Kentucky Cluster acquisition as this is
also not significant.
F-12
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4. Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
1997 1996
-------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
14% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2001 $ 165,000,000 $ 146,783,000
12-1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Note due 2003 187,700,000 166,647,000
10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2004 170,000,000 170,000,000
-------------------------------
$ 522,700,000 $ 483,430,000
===============================
</TABLE>
On November 23, 1994, the Company issued approximately $165.0 million aggregate
principal amount of 14% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2001 (the "14%
Notes") primarily to finance the acquisition of Cellular Information Systems,
Inc. ("CIS"). The 14% Notes were issued at a price of 66.834% or $110.3 million.
The original issue discount on the 14% Notes accreted at a rate of 14%,
compounded semiannually, to an aggregate principal amount of approximately
$165.0 million. Interest is now accruing at the rate of 14% per annum, payable
semiannually in cash beginning May 15, 1998.
On September 27, 1995, the Company issued approximately $205.0 million aggregate
principal amount of 12-1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes due 2003 (the
"12-1/4% Notes") to finance the acquisition of the OH-7 RSA, OH-9 RSA, OH-10
RSA, Parkersburg, WV/Marietta, OH MSA, WV-2 RSA, AL-4 RSA, PA-9 RSA and NY-5 RSA
cellular systems. The 12-1/4% Notes were issued at a price of 69.906% or $143.3
million. The original issue discount on the 12-1/4% Notes accretes at a rate of
12-1/4% compounded semiannually to an aggregate principal amount of
approximately $205.0 million by October 1, 1998. Interest will thereafter accrue
at 12-1/4% per annum payable semiannually in cash beginning April 1, 1999.
On November 6, 1996, the Company issued $170.0 million principal amount of
10-3/4% Senior Notes due 2004, primarily to finance the acquisition in January
1997 of the Kentucky cluster for $115.5 million consisting of approximately
$96.4 million in cash and $19.1 million in Parent's Class A common stock.
Approximately $19.0 million of the proceeds was used to repay the note issued in
connection with the purchase on April 23, 1996 of the Poughkeepsie, NY MSA.
Interest is payable semiannually on each May 1 and November 1.
F-13
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
4. Long-Term Debt (continued)
The Company's long-term debt includes restrictions on the Company's incurrence
of additional debt, the payment of dividends, the incurrence of liens, and on
payments and transfer of net assets from the Company to Parent. Restricted net
assets of the Company as of December 31, 1997 approximated $177.8 million.
The maturities of the Company's long-term debt for each of the five years
subsequent to December 31, 1997 are as follows:
1998 $ --
1999 --
2000 --
2001 165,000,000
2002 --
Thereafter 357,700,000
--------------
Total $ 522,700,000
==============
5. Income Taxes
The significant components of the Company's deferred tax liabilities and assets
are as follows:
December 31
1997 1996
------------------------------
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation $ (9,652,000) $ (4,340,000)
Amortization (11,407,000) (5,957,000)
License basis difference (3,797,000) --
Other (4,385,000) --
Deferred tax assets:
Net operating loss carryforwards 4,675,000 3,195,000
Amortization of original issue discount 33,726,000 19,745,000
State and local deferred taxes 2,019,000 1,956,000
Accruals 2,049,000 2,658,000
Other 2,504,000 1,805,000
------------------------------
Net deferred tax assets 15,732,000 19,062,000
Valuation allowance (19,529,000) (19,062,000)
------------------------------
Net deferred tax liability $ (3,797,000) $ --
==============================
F-14
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
5. Income Taxes (continued)
At December 31, 1997, the Company had tax net operating loss carryforwards
("NOLs") of approximately $13.8 million, which are available to offset future
taxable income. NOLs begin expiring in the year 2007 through 2012 as follows:
2007--$1.3 million, 2009--$2.9 million, 2010--$1.1 million, 2011--$4.7 million
and 2012--$3.8 million.
As a result of the acquisition of certain markets wherein the book and tax basis
of the Cellular licenses are different, the Company recorded a deferred tax
liability and an increase to the book basis of the licenses related to these
acquisitions.
6. Capital Contributions
During 1996 and 1995, Parent entered into the following transactions:
In connection with the over-allotment agreement with the underwriters of the
Parent's Initial Public Offering ("IPO"), during January 1995, Parent sold an
additional 586,000 shares of Class A common stock which resulted in net proceeds
of approximately $2,567,000 of which $927,000 was contributed to the Company.
On July 14, 1995, Harvard private Capital Group, Inc. and Spectrum Equity
Investors L.P. exercised an option to purchase a total of 1,293,000 shares of
Parent's Class A common stock. The proceeds to Parent totaled $5,000,000, of
which $1,750,000 was contributed to the Company.
On August 21, 1995, Parent issued approximately $60,000,000 aggregate principal
amount of 10-3/4% Senior Subordinated Convertible Discount Notes due 2004. The
notes were issued at a price of 59.345% or $35,607,000 of which $18,600,000 was
concurrently contributed to the Company.
On November 22, 1995, Parent sold 3,125,000 shares of Class A common stock to an
institutional investor. Proceeds to parent totaled $24,066,000, of which
$8,575,000 was contributed to the Company.
During 1996, the Company's Parent issued 96,000 shares of Series A cumulative
convertible preferred stock. The issuance resulted in net proceeds to the Parent
of approximately $80,000,000 of which $33,600,000 was contributed to the
Company.
F-15
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
7. Sale of Cellular Operations
The Company made the following dispositions of cellular properties and
interests:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Date Description Sales Price Gain (Loss)
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
1997
January Florence, AL MSA and AL-1B RSA, sale of license $ 22,396,000 $ 8,451,000
April Sale of Minority Pops 1,255,000 (28,000)
-------------
$ 8,423,000
=============
1996
July AL-4 RSA, sale of license $ 25,000,000 $ (1,640,000)
September Sale of Minority Pops 2,813,000 1,817,000
November MI-2 RSA, sale of license 6,500,000 (1,578,000)
-------------
$ (1,401,000)
=============
1995
January Abilene, TX MSA, sale of assets $ 15,928,000 $ 11,598,000
March MN-6 MSA, sale of a portion of the license
representing 31,000 Pops 3,550,000 --
-------------
$ 11,598,000
=============
</TABLE>
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Stock Option Plan
Under Parent's 1994 Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Board of Directors can
grant options to purchase up to 2,636,000 shares of Class A common stock to
certain eligible employees and directors (Class A shares are entitled to one
vote per share). During 1996, Parent registered approximately 2,636,000 shares
of Class A common stock reserved for issuance under the Plan. The Plan provides
that the option price cannot be less than the fair market value of the stock on
the date of grant and, accordingly, no compensation expense is recognized. All
options granted subsequent to January 1, 1995 have a 10 year term and vest and
become fully exercisable at the end of three years of continued employment.
Parent has elected to follow APB 25 and related interpretations in accounting
for its employee stock options because, as discussed below, the alternative fair
value accounting provided for under FASB No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation, requires use of option valuation models that were not developed
for use in valuing employee stock options and are highly subjective.
F-16
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Pro forma information regarding net income (loss) is required by Statement No.
123, and has been determined as if the Company has accounted for Parent's
employee stock options under the fair value method of that statement.
The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant using a
Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 1995, 1996 and 1997 risk free interest rate of 6.25%; dividend
yield 0%; .480 for 1995 and 1996 and .323 for 1997 volatility factors of the
expected market price of Parent's Class A common stock; and a weighted-average
expected life of option of four years.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in estimating the
fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions and are fully
transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the input of highly
subjective assumptions including the expected stock price volatility. Because
Parent's employee stock options have characteristics significantly different
from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input
assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, in management's
opinion, the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single
measure of the fair value of its employee stock options.
For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the estimated fair value of the options
is amortized to expense over the options' vesting period. The Company's pro
forma information follows (in thousands):
December 31
1997 1996
-----------------------
Net income (loss):
As reported $(8,538) $(22,131)
Pro forma $(9,685) $(22,906)
Since compensation expense associated with option grants is recognized over the
vesting period, the initial impact of applying FAS 123 on pro forma net income
(loss) is not representative of the potential impact on pro forma net income
(loss) in future years when the effect of recognition of a portion of
compensation expense from multiple awards would be reflected.
F-17
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
A summary of Parent's stock option activity, and related information is as
follows:
Number of
Shares Under Price Per
Options Share
--------------------------------
Balance at December 31, 1994 1,040,039 $3.71
Options granted 770,117 $4.54 to $8.72
Options returned for future issuance (41,016) $4.54 to $4.67
--------------
Balance at December 31, 1995 1,769,140 $3.71 to $8.72
Options granted 343,125 $10.80 to $10.90
Options exercised (8,329) $4.54 to $4.67
Options returned for future issuance (55,704) $4.54 to $10.90
--------------
Balance at December 31, 1996 2,048,232 $3.71 to $10.90
Options granted 217,500 $8.88
Options exercised (750,649) $3.71 to $8.72
Options returned for future issuance (38,102) $4.55 to $10.90
--------------
Balance at December 31, 1997 1,476,981 $3.71 to $10.90
==============
The following table summarizes information about stock options outstanding at
December 31, 1997:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Options
Options Outstanding Exercisable
--------------------------------------- -----------------------
Weighted
Number Average Weighted Number Weighted
Range of Outstanding Remaining Average Exercisable Average
Exercise at December Contractual Exercise at December Exercise
Prices 31, 1997 Life Price 31, 1997 Price
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
$3.71 to $4.67 848,957 7 years $ 4.29 676,821 $ 4.20
$8.72 to $8.88 314,899 8.8 years $ 8.83 64,965 $ 8.72
$10.80 to $11.40 313,125 8.6 years $ 10.88 104,271 $ 10.88
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
8. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)
Lease Commitments
Total rent expense amounted to approximately $3,416,000, $2,378,000 and $877,000
for the years ended December 31, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively, of which
$47,000, $137,000 and $60,000 was paid to an affiliate during 1997, 1996 and
1995, respectively. At December 31, 1997, the Company is committed under the
following noncancellable operating leases:
Year
1998 $ 3,513,000
1999 3,040,000
2000 2,382,000
2001 1,708,000
2002 1,063,000
Thereafter 2,946,000
------------
$ 14,652,000
============
9. Related Party Transactions
The Company and AT&T Wireless Services Inc. ("AT&T") are parties to an operating
agreement dated April 28, 1994, which provides for, among other services, switch
sharing agreements with AT&T's adjacent systems, assistance in obtaining
cellular system service and equipment discounts, assistance in evaluating
potential acquisitions and in securing financing.
10. Fair Values of Financial Instruments
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in estimating its
fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amounts reported in the
consolidated balance sheets approximate fair value.
Long-term debt: The fair value of the Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior
Subordinated Discount Notes is based on the quoted market price.
F-19
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
10. Fair Values of Financial Instruments (continued)
The carrying amounts and fair values of the Company's financial instruments at
December 31, 1997 are as follows:
Carrying Fair
Amount Value
-----------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents $ 59,523,000 $ 59,523,000
Long-term debt:
14% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes 165,000,000 182,738,000
12-1/4% Senior Subordinated Discount Notes 187,700,000 193,801,000
10-3/4% Senior Notes 170,000,000 187,000,000
11. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued expenses consist of the following:
December 31
1997 1996
---------------------------
Accounts payable $ 9,312,000 $ 4,592,000
Interest payable 5,920,000 2,792,000
Accrued operating expenses 10,496,000 3,819,000
Income and other taxes payable 1,718,000 2,597,000
Other 4,248,000 7,594,000
---------------------------
$ 31,694,000 $ 21,394,000
===========================
F-20
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
11. Accounts Payable, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities (continued)
Other current liabilities consist of the following:
December 31
1997 1996
---------------------------
Amount due for untendered CIS shares $ -- $ 2,523,000
Unearned covenant not to compete 2,125,000 2,250,000
Other -- 3,000
---------------------------
$ 2,125,000 $ 4,776,000
===========================
12. Subsequent Events
Tennessee Acquisition
In January 1998, Kyle Cellular, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company,
acquired, subject to FCC approval, the TN-4 RSA with approximately 264,000 Pops
from Bachtel Liquidity, L.P., an affiliate of Bachow & Associates, Inc. for
approximately $73.0 million in cash. The RSA, adjacent to three MSAs including
Knoxville, TN, is located south of the Company's Kentucky Cluster and features
such tourist attractions as the towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge, Dollywood
and the entrance to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. $13.0 million will
be funded through available cash with the balance being provided by a $60.0
million Senior Secured Reducing Revolver (the "Borrowing") with J.P. Morgan
Securities Inc. The Borrowing matures eight years from the closing date with
repayment commencing in the year 2001 with final payment in the year 2005 in
amounts ranging from 10.0% to 25.0%. Interest will be charged at the LIBOR rate
plus a premium ranging from 1.500% to 2.250% depending on the ratio of debt to
cash flow as defined. The Borrowing requires the attainment of certain financial
ratios in order to maintain the permitted indebtedness. Violation of such ratios
requires the permanent prepayment of an amount to cure the deficiency. The
Borrowing is secured by the assets of Kyle Cellular.
Pursuant to the agreement, the Company is required to enter into an interest
rate swap which effectively converts a portion of the interest on the
outstanding indebtedness from a variable rate basis to a fixed rate. The
notional amount required to be hedged is 50% of the aggregate outstanding
principal amount.
F-21
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation and Subsidiaries
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (continued)
12. Subsequent Events (continued)
Merger Agreement
On March 6, 1998, Parent and American Cellular Corporation, a Delaware
corporation ("ACC"), entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the "Merger
Agreement"). Pursuant to the Merger Agreement and subject to the terms and
conditions set forth therein, ACC will merge with and into Parent, with ACC as
the surviving corporation of the merger (the "Merger"). At the effective time
(as defined in the Merger Agreement) of the Merger, each issued and outstanding
share of Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share of Parent (the "Class A
Shares") and Class B common stock, par value $0.01 per share, of Parent will
receive $14.00 in cash, without interest (the "Merger Consideration"), and each
issued and outstanding share of Series A Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock,
par value $0.01 per share (the "Series A Preferred Stock"), of Parent will be
converted into the right to receive the product of the Merger Consideration and
the number of Class A Shares into which each such share of Series A Preferred
Stock is convertible at such time in connection with a change of control. The
Merger Agreement permits Parent, under certain circumstances, to respond to
unsolicited third party acquisition proposals and, upon payment of certain fees
to ACC, to terminate the Merger Agreement.
F-22
<PAGE>
PriCellular Wireless Corporation
Schedule II--Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
(Dollars in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions Additions
Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance
Beginning Cost and Other at End
Description of Year Expenses Accounts Deductions of Year
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Year ended December 31, 1995
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 735 $ 936 $1,982 (A) $(1,577) $ 2,076
==========================================================
Valuation allowance for
deferred income taxes $ 1,461 $ 6,917 $ - $ - $ 8,378
==========================================================
Year ended December 31, 1996
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 2,076 $ 2,079 $ 58 (A) $(2,446) $ 1,767
==========================================================
Valuation allowance for
deferred income taxes $ 8,378 $10,684 $ - $ - $19,062
==========================================================
Year ended December 31, 1997
Allowance for doubtful
accounts $ 1,767 $ 2,293 $ 513 (A) $(2,925) $ 1,648
==========================================================
Valuation allowance for
deferred income taxes $19,062 $ 467 $ - $ - $19,529
==========================================================
</TABLE>
(A) Results principally from the acquisition of cellular systems.
F-23
Subsidiaries of PriCellular Wireless Corporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Name of Subsidiary State of Incorporation
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PCPCS Corporation Delaware
Alexandra Cellular Corporation Delaware
Amro Cellular Corporation Delaware
Bunyan Cellular Corporation Delaware
Cellular Kentucky Cellular Corporation Alabama
Cellular Information Systems of Laredo, Inc. Texas
Minnesota Six Cellular Corporation Louisiana
Vilas Cellular Corporation Wisconsin
One Cellular Corporation Wisconsin
Chill Cellular Corporation Delaware
Chippewa Cellular Corporation Delaware
Duluth/Superior Cellular, Inc. Minnesota
Eastern Wireless Cellular Corporation Delaware
Gilro Cellular Corporation Delaware
Marathon Cellular Corporation Delaware
Northland Cellular Corporation Delaware
Pebbles Cellular Corporation Delaware
Seven Cellular Corporation Delaware
Four Cellular Corporation Delaware
Five Cellular Corporation Delaware
Dutches County Cellular Telephone Company, Inc. Delaware
1
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 12-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1997
<CASH> 59,523
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 18,979
<ALLOWANCES> 1,648
<INVENTORY> 2,215
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 83,742
<PP&E> 133,952
<DEPRECIATION> 29,267
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 744,296
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 38,061
<BONDS> 522,700
0
0
<COMMON> 0
<OTHER-SE> 178,720
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 744,296
<SALES> 5,211
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 179,035
<CGS> 12,687
<TOTAL-COSTS> 140,432
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 3,250<F2>
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 62,692
<INCOME-PRETAX> 8,538
<INCOME-TAX> 0
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 8,538
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 8,538
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
<FN>
<F2> Additional Gain 8,423
</FN>
</TABLE>
