American Tower Corporation Reports First Quarter 2005 Results

American Tower Corporation Reports First Quarter 2005 Results

    Business Editors

    BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 4, 2005--American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT)

FIRST QUARTER 2005 HIGHLIGHTS

--	Rental and Management segment revenues increased 10% to $181.6 million
--	Rental and Management segment operating profit increased 14% to $124.9 million
--	Adjusted EBITDA increased 15% to $118.5 million
--	Cash provided by operating activities increased to $92.6 million

    American Tower Corporation (NYSE: AMT) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
    Total revenues increased 9% to $184.4 million and rental and management segment revenue increased 10% to $181.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in 2004. Rental and management segment operating profit increased 14% to $124.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in 2004.
    Adjusted EBITDA (defined as income from operations before depreciation, amortization and accretion and impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets and restructuring expense, plus interest income, TV Azteca, net) increased 15% to $118.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to the same period in 2004.
    Income from operations increased to $30.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $14.2 million for the same period in 2004. Loss from continuing operations was $31.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $47.6 million for the same period in 2004, and includes a $15.0 million pre-tax loss on retirement of long-term obligations related to the refinancing of certain of the Company's outstanding indebtedness. Net loss was $31.6 million, or $(0.14) per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2005.
    Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $92.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005, as compared to $31.7 million for the same period in 2004. Payments for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities were $15.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2005. The Company completed the construction of 59 towers during the quarter.
    Jim Taiclet, American Tower's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, stated "Our first quarter operational and financial results once again reaffirm the power and reliability of the tower business model. Our company delivered its highest level of quarterly tower revenue and Adjusted EBITDA, and our Adjusted EBITDA margin of 64% continues to lead the industry. Our management team and employees throughout the Company continue to focus on growing our core tower leasing business and maximizing the strong operating leverage of our business model.
    "As we look ahead, we see continued opportunity to grow our tower leasing business based on the following trends: first, wireless carriers' subscriber additions continued at a brisk pace during the first quarter. Second, carriers are making significant progress in deploying advanced data networks as wireless data revenues increase and become a more substantial portion of total carrier revenues. Third, the potential for a third, wireless "pipe" to homes and businesses is beginning to become a reality. We expect all three of these trends to be played out over an extended period of time, providing a favorable environment for the kind of sustained, steady growth that we have experienced over the past few years.
    "In addition, our strong operating performance has significantly improved our financial position. In the first quarter, cash from operations reached a quarterly all-time high of $93 million, nearly triple that of the first quarter of 2004 and our net debt to annualized Adjusted EBITDA decreased over a full turn to 6.4x. In sum, we believe that we are successfully executing on all facets of our business plan in a favorable wireless industry environment."

    Financing Highlights

    The Company continued to utilize its available cash on hand to repurchase its 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 during and subsequent to the first quarter of 2005. The Company repurchased in privately negotiated transactions a total of $114 million face amount ($72 million of accreted value, net of $5 million fair value allocated to warrants) of its 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes for an aggregate purchase price of $87 million in cash, $37 million face amount of which were repurchased in the first quarter of 2005 and $77 million face amount of which were repurchased subsequent to the end of the first quarter of 2005. As of May 4, 2005 the Company had outstanding $384 million face amount ($246 million accreted value, net of $15 million fair value allocated to warrants) of its 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes.
    As previously announced, the Company used a portion of the net proceeds from its December 2004 offering of 7.125% senior notes due 2012 to redeem $133 million principal amount of its 9.375% senior notes due 2009 during the quarter ended March 31, 2005. As of May 4, 2005 the Company had outstanding $141.9 million principal amount of its 9.375% senior notes.
    The Company reduced its Net Leverage Ratio (defined as total debt less cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash and investments on hand divided by first quarter annualized Adjusted EBITDA) to 6.4x as of March 31, 2005.

    2005 Quarterly and Full Year Outlook

    The following estimates are based on a number of assumptions that management believes to be reasonable, and reflect the Company's expectations as of May 4, 2005. Please refer to the cautionary language regarding "forward-looking" statements included in this press release when considering this information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update this information.

($ millions) Second Quarter Full Year 2005 2005 ---------------- ---------------- Rental and management segment revenue $182 to $184 $735 to $744 Rental and management segment operating profit $124 to $125 $507 to $513

Services segment revenue $3 to $4 $12 to $15 Services segment operating profit $1 to $1 $4 to $4

Total revenue $185 to $188 $747 to $759 Total segment operating profit $125 to $126 $511 to $517

Corporate SG&A $7 to $6 $26 to $27

Adjusted EBITDA $118 to $120 $485 to $490

Non-cash interest expense (1) $12 to $12 $50 to $50 Cash interest expense $42 to $40 $167 to $161

Loss from continuing operations (2) $(28) to $(26) $(87) to $(79)

Basic and diluted net loss per common share from continuing operations $(0.12) to $(0.11)$(0.38) to$(0.34)

Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities (3) $14 to $18 $60 to $70

(1) Non-cash interest expense includes the accretion from the Company's 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes, warrant discount and the amortization of deferred financing fees.

(2) The loss from continuing operations includes an $11 million pre-tax loss from retirement of long-term obligations as a result of our debt repurchases through May 4, 2005.

(3) The Company's full year 2005 outlook for capital expenditures is $60 million to $70 million, including $35 million to $40 million for the construction of approximately 150-175 new wireless towers, and approximately $25 million to $30 million for tower improvements and augmentation and corporate capital expenditures.

    Conference Call Information

    American Tower previously announced that it would host a conference call today at 11:00 a.m. EST to discuss its first quarter results for 2005 and the Company's outlook for the second quarter and full year 2005. As set forth in the Company's press release issued this morning with respect to the Company's agreement to merge with SpectraSite Inc., the Company will host a conference call today at 11:00 am EST, but will discuss the planned merger with Spectrasite Inc. instead of its first quarter results and outlook. The dial-in numbers are US/Canada: (877) 235-9047, International: (706) 645-9644 access code 5629795. A replay of the call will be available from 12:00 p.m. EST May 4, 2005 until 11:59 p.m. EST May 11, 2005. The replay dial-in numbers are US/Canada: (800) 642-1687 and International: (706) 645-9291, access code 5629795. American Tower will also sponsor a live simulcast of the call on its website, http://investor.americantower.com. When available, a replay of the call can also be accessed on the website.
    American Tower is the leading independent owner, operator and developer of broadcast and wireless communications sites in North America. American Tower operates over 14,800 sites in the United States, Mexico, and Brazil, including approximately 300 broadcast tower sites. For more information about American Tower Corporation, please visit our website www.americantower.com.

    Non-GAAP Financial Measures

    In addition to the results prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) provided throughout this press release, we have presented the following non-GAAP financial measures: Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Net Leverage Ratio. These measures are not intended as substitutes for other measures of financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP. They are presented as additional information because management believes they are useful indicators of the current financial performance of our core businesses. We believe that these measures can assist in comparing company performances on a consistent basis without regard to depreciation and amortization or capital structure. Our concern is that depreciation and amortization can vary significantly among companies depending on accounting methods, particularly where acquisitions or non-operating factors including historical cost bases are involved. Additionally, interest expense may vary significantly depending on capital structure. Notwithstanding the foregoing, our measures of Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin and Net Leverage Ratio may not be comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of these measures to GAAP are included on page 9 of this press release. Our results under GAAP are set forth in the financial statements attached as pages 5 to 7 of this press release.

    This press release contains "forward-looking statements" concerning our goals, beliefs, expectations, strategies, objectives, plans, future operating results and underlying assumptions, and other statements that are not necessarily based on historical facts. Examples of these statements include, but are not limited to, our second quarter and full year 2005 Outlook and planned future capital expenditures. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including: (1) a decrease in demand for tower space would materially and adversely affect our operating results; (2) our substantial leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect our operating results; (3) restrictive covenants in our loan agreement and indentures could adversely affect our business by further limiting our flexibility; (4) our participation or inability to participate in tower industry consolidation could involve certain risks; (5) if our wireless service provider customers consolidate or merge with each other to a significant degree, our growth, our revenue and our ability to generate positive cash flows could be adversely affected; (6) due to the long-term expectations of revenue from tenant leases, we are dependent on the creditworthiness of our tenants; (7) our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks; (8) a substantial portion of our revenues is derived from a small number of customers; (9) the status of Iusacell Celular's financial restructuring exposes us to risks; (10) new technologies could make our tower antenna leasing services less desirable to potential tenants and result in decreasing revenues; (11) we could have liability under environmental laws; (12) our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future laws or regulations could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do; (13) increasing competition in the tower industry may create pricing pressures; (14) if we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect our business; (15) our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio emissions; and (16) the bankruptcy proceeding of our Verestar subsidiary exposes us to risks and uncertainties. For other important factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in our forward-looking statements, we refer you to the information under the caption entitled "Factors That May Affect Future Results" in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004, which we incorporate herein by reference. We undertake no obligation to update the information contained in this press release to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands) March 31, December 31, 2005 2004 ------------ ------------ ASSETS Current Assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 122,797 $ 215,557 Accounts receivable, net 30,424 38,634 Other current assets 41,910 51,457 Assets held for sale 3,389 3,389 ------------ ------------ Total current assets 198,520 309,037 ------------ ------------ Property and equipment, net 2,231,278 2,273,356 Goodwill and other intangible assets, net 1,559,912 1,577,986 Deferred income taxes 642,145 633,814 Notes receivable and other long-term assets 293,045 291,779 ------------ ------------ Total $ 4,924,900 $ 5,085,972 ============ ============ LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current Liabilities: Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 120,666 $ 121,672 Accrued interest 43,586 39,466 Current portion of long-term obligations 5,350 138,386 Other current liabilities 28,422 32,681 ------------ ------------ Total current liabilities 198,024 332,205 ------------ ------------ Long-term obligations 3,141,835 3,155,228 Other long-term liabilities 126,740 121,505 ------------ ------------ Total liabilities 3,466,599 3,608,938 ------------ ------------

Minority interest in subsidiaries 5,970 6,081 ------------ ------------

STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Class A Common Stock 2,308 2,297 Additional paid-in capital 4,025,353 4,012,425 Accumulated deficit (2,570,964) (2,539,403) Treasury stock (4,366) (4,366) ------------ ----------- Total stockholders' equity 1,452,331 1,470,953 ------------ ------------ Total $ 4,924,900 $ 5,085,972 ============ ============

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS Three Months Ended (In thousands, except per share data) March 31, -------------------- 2005 2004 ---------- ---------

REVENUES: Rental and management $ 181,570 $ 164,576 Network development services 2,785 4,215 ---------- --------- Total operating revenues 184,355 168,791 ---------- --------- OPERATING EXPENSES: Rental and management 60,180 58,876 Network development services 2,202 3,561 Depreciation, amortization and accretion 81,971 81,345 Corporate general, administrative and development expense 6,973 6,879 Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets and restructuring expense 2,777 3,914 ---------- --------- Total operating expenses 154,103 154,575 ---------- --------- INCOME FROM OPERATIONS 30,252 14,216 ---------- --------- OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE): Interest income, TV Azteca, net 3,498 3,540 Interest income 699 1,114 Interest expense (54,716) (69,157) Loss on retirement of long-term obligations (15,042) (8,053) Other income (expense) 670 (204) ---------- --------- Total other expense (64,891) (72,760) ---------- ---------

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES, MINORITY INTEREST AND EQUITY METHOD INVESTMENTS ---------- --------- (34,639) (58,544) ---------- ---------

Income tax benefit 4,338 13,018 Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries (55) (1,423) Loss on equity method investments (1,098) (618) ---------- ---------

LOSS FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS (31,454) (47,567) ---------- --------- LOSS FROM DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS, NET (107) (671) ---------- --------- NET LOSS $(31,561) $(48,238) ========== ========= BASIC AND DILUTED NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS Loss from continuing operations $(0.14) $(0.22) Loss from discontinued operations ---------- --------- NET LOSS PER COMMON SHARE $(0.14) $(0.22) ========== =========

WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING 230,158 220,408 ========== =========

UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Three Months Ended (In thousands) March 31, -------------------- 2005 2004 ---------- --------- CASH FLOWS PROVIDED BY OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (31,561)$ (48,238) Other non-cash items reflected in statements of operations 109,829 102,720 Decrease in assets 13,606 10,829 Increase (decrease) in liabilities 681 (33,595) ---------- --------- Cash provided by operating activities 92,555 31,716 ---------- --------- CASH FLOWS USED FOR INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities (15,881) (10,832) Payments for acquisitions (932) (13,373) Payment for acquisition of Mexico minority interest (7,270) Proceeds from sale of businesses and other long-term assets 910 20,818 Deposits, investments and other long-term assets (310) (2,586) ---------- --------- Cash used for investing activities (23,483) (5,973) ---------- ---------

CASH FLOWS USED FOR FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Repayment of notes payable, credit facility and capital leases (169,086) (307,704) Proceeds from issuance of debt securities 225,000 Net proceeds from stock options 7,500 4,271 Restricted cash and investments 50,899 Deferred financing costs and other financing activities (246) (4,976) ---------- --------- Cash used for financing activities (161,832) (32,510) ---------- ---------

NET DECREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS (92,760) (6,767) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF YEAR 215,557 105,465 ---------- --------- CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD $ 122,797 $ 98,698 ========== =========

CASH PAID FOR INCOME TAXES $ 958 $ 279 ========== ========= CASH PAID FOR INTEREST $ 37,255 $ 75,149 ========== =========

UNAUDITED SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

SELECTED CAPITAL EXPENDITURE DETAIL Three Months Ended (in millions) March 31, 2005 ------------------- CAPITAL EXPENDITURES (PAYMENTS FOR PURCHASE OF PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT AND CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES) Discretionary $7 Improvements/Augumentation 8 Corporate 1 ------------------- Total $16 -------------------

SELECTED INTEREST EXPENSE DETAIL Three Months Ended (in millions) March 31, 2005 ------------------- Credit facility $ 9 12.25% Senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 9 9.375% Senior notes due 2009 3 5.0% Convertible notes due 2010 3 3.25% Convertible notes due 2010 2 7.25% Senior subordinated notes due 2011 7 7.50% Senior notes due 2012 4 3.00% Convertible notes due 2012 3 7.125% Senior notes due 2012 9 Deferred financing amortization, warrant discount and other discount/(premium) amortization 4 Other 2 ------------------ Total interest expense $ 55 ------------------

SELECTED BALANCE SHEET DETAIL (in millions)

LONG TERM OBLIGATIONS BREAKOUT, INCLUDING CURRENT PORTION March 31, 2005 ------------------ Term loan A $ 300 Term loan B 397 12.25% Senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 292 9.375% Senior notes due 2009 142 5.0% Convertible notes due 2010 276 3.25% Convertible notes due 2010 210 7.25% Senior subordinated notes due 2011 400 7.50% Senior notes due 2012 225 3.00% Convertible notes due 2012 344 7.125% Senior notes due 2012 502 Other debt 59 ------------------ Total debt 3,147 Cash & cash equivalents 123 ------------------ Net debt (Total debt less total cash and cash equivalents) $ 3,024 ==================

SELECTED SHARE DETAIL March 31, 2005 -------------- TOTAL SHARES OUTSTANDING (in millions) 230.6 ==============

SELECTED TOWER PORTFOLIO DETAIL Three Months Ended March 31, 2005 ACTIVE TOWER COUNTS Owned Wireless Broadcast Managed or Towers Towers Lease/ Sublease Total ------------- -------- ---------- ------ Beginning Balance, 1/1/05 13,741 327 710 14,778 New Construction 59 - - 59 Acquisitions 6 - - 6 Reductions (11) - (15) (26) ------------- -------- ---------- ------ Ending Balance, 3/31/05 13,795 327 695 14,817 ============= ======== ========== ======

UNAUDITED RECONCILIATIONS TO GAAP MEASURES

First Quarter 2005 and 2004: Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA margin Three Months Ended March 31 -------------------- 2005 2004 ---------- --------- The reconciliation of net loss to adjusted EBITDA is as follows: (in thousands of dollars)

Net loss $ (31,561)$ (48,238)

Loss from discontinued operations, net 107 671 ---------- --------- Loss from continuing operations (31,454) (47,567) ---------- ---------

Interest expense 54,716 69,157 Interest income (699) (1,114) Income tax benefit (4,338) (13,018) Depreciation, amortization and accretion 81,971 81,345 Impairments, net loss on sale of long- lived assets and restructuring expense 2,777 3,914 Loss on retirement of long-term obligations 15,042 8,053 Minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries 55 1,423 Loss on equity method investments 1,098 618 Other (income)expense (670) 204 ---------- --------- Adjusted EBITDA $ 118,498 $ 103,015 ========== =========

Divided by total operating revenues $ 184,355 $ 168,791 ---------- --------- Adjusted EBITDA margin 64% 61% ========== =========

First Quarter 2005 and 2004: Net Leverage Ratio The calculation March 31, of net leverage is as follows:

(in thousands of dollars, March 31, except ratios) -------------------- 2005 2004 ---------- --------- Cash and cash equivalents $ 122,797 $ 98,698 Restricted cash and investments - 119,137 ---------- --------- Total cash and cash equivalents 122,797 217,835 ---------- --------- Current portion of long-term obligations 5,350 82,619 Long-term obligations 3,141,835 3,216,627 ---------- --------- Total debt 3,147,185 3,299,246 ---------- ---------

Net debt (Total debt less total cash and cash equivalents) 3,024,388 3,081,411

Respective 1Q Adjusted EBITDA 118,498 103,015 Multiplied by 4 (annualization) x 4 x 4 ---------- --------- Respective 1Q annualized Adjusted EBITDA $ 473,992 $ 412,060 ---------- --------- Net Leverage Ratio (Net debt divided by respective 1Q annualized Adjusted EBITDA) 6.4x 7.5x ========== =========

Reconciliation of 2005 Outlook to GAAP Measures

The reconciliation of loss from continuing operations to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows: Second Quarter 2005 Full Year 2005 --------------------------- --------------- (in millions of dollars) Low High Low High ---------- ---------- ------ ------ Loss from continuing operations (1) (2) $ (28) to $ (26) $(87) to $ (79)

Total interest expense 54 to 52 217 to 211

Other, including depreciation, amortization and accretion, impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets and restructuring expense, interest income, loss on retirement of long- term obligations, loss on equity method investments, other expense, income tax benefit and minority interest in net earnings of subsidiaries.(2) 92 to 94 355 to 358 ---------- ---------- ------ ------ Adjusted EBITDA $ 118 to $ 120 $485 to $ 490 ========== ========== ====== ======

(1) The Company has not reconciled our Adjusted EBITDA to net loss because we do not provide guidance for loss from discontinued operations, net, which is the reconciling item between loss from continuing operations and net loss.

(2) The Company's second quarter loss from continuing operations includes an $11 million pre- tax loss from retirement of long-term obligations as a result of our debt repurchases as of May 4, 2005.

--30--DP/ny*

CONTACT: American Tower Corporation Brad Singer, 617-375-7500

KEYWORD: MASSACHUSETTS INDUSTRY KEYWORD: ADVERTISING/MARKETING BANKING TELEVISION/RADIO CABLE EARNINGS SOURCE: American Tower Corporation

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