UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
þ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF               
THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 20172018
or
o 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 001-37488
NII HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 91-1671412
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)  
12110 Sunset Hills Road, Suite 600
Reston, Virginia
 (Address of principal executive offices)
 
20190
 (Zip Code)
(703) 390-5100
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

1875 Explorer Street, Suite 800
Reston, Virginia 20190Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)

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 þ     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes þ     No o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer o

 
Accelerated filer þ



 
Non-accelerated filer o

 
Smaller reporting company o
 
Emerging growth company o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o     

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).  Yes o     No þ

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court. Yes þ     No o
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 Number of Shares Outstanding
Title of Classon November 3, 20172, 2018
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share100,481,639100,873,423




                                    

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARES
INDEX
  Page
 
 
 
 
 
   

2


                                    

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
Unaudited
September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
      
ASSETS
Current assets 
  
 
  
Cash and cash equivalents$234,695
 $257,380
$152,712
 $193,888
Short-term investments24,889
 73,859
48,407
 16,711
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $53,317 and $54,221126,030
 153,806
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $22,105 and $42,01197,415
 106,715
Handset and accessory inventory2,901
 8,295
2,295
 3,163
Prepaid expenses and other229,968
 280,145
234,765
 264,017
Total current assets618,483
 773,485
535,594
 584,494
Property, plant and equipment, net107,526
 129,475
121,593
 117,262
Intangible assets, net206,192
 243,681
158,342
 191,757
Other assets251,373
 271,868
224,059
 220,009
Total assets$1,183,574
 $1,418,509
$1,039,588
 $1,113,522
      
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ (DEFICIT) EQUITY
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICITLIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ DEFICIT
Current liabilities 
  
 
  
Accounts payable$48,698
 $69,186
$45,103
 $42,284
Accrued expenses and other280,925
 271,899
265,217
 308,129
Deferred revenues7,677
 11,614
Current portion of long-term debt460,300
 540,474
21,755
 7,990
Total current liabilities797,600
 893,173
332,075
 358,403
Long-term debt216,020
 215,842
623,332
 647,717
Other long-term liabilities230,604
 143,472
271,192
 218,590
Total liabilities1,244,224
 1,252,487
1,226,599
 1,224,710
Contingencies (Note 7)

 

Stockholders’ (deficit) equity 
  
NII Holdings stockholders' equity:   
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)

 

Stockholders’ deficit 
  
Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding
 

 
Common stock, par value $0.001, 140,000 shares authorized, 100,384 shares issued and outstanding — 2017, 100,258 shares issued and outstanding — 2016100
 100
Common stock, par value $0.001, 140,000 shares authorized, 100,744 shares issued and outstanding — 2018, 100,384 shares issued and outstanding — 2017101
 100
Paid-in capital2,139,814
 2,076,612
2,141,079
 2,139,299
Accumulated deficit(2,079,455) (1,834,756)(2,237,135) (2,127,876)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(59,297) (75,934)(1,813) (47,266)
Total NII Holdings stockholders’ equity1,162
 166,022
Total NII Holdings stockholders’ deficit(97,768) (35,743)
Noncontrolling interest(61,812) 
(89,243) (75,445)
Total (deficit) equity(60,650) 166,022
Total liabilities and stockholders’ (deficit) equity$1,183,574
 $1,418,509
Total deficit(187,011) (111,188)
Total liabilities and stockholders’ deficit$1,039,588
 $1,113,522






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

3


                                    

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
Three Months Ended Nine Months EndedThree Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,September 30, September 30,
2017 2016 2017 20162018 2017 2018 2017
Operating revenues     
       
  
Service and other revenues$200,259
 $255,663
 $663,831
 $719,387
$138,596
 $200,874
 $465,603
 $664,446
Handset and accessory revenues4,549
 5,173
 17,066
 17,219
3,141
 4,549
 13,383
 17,066
204,808
 260,836
 680,897
 736,606
141,737
 205,423
 478,986
 681,512
Operating expenses 
  
 

   
  
    
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)94,010
 96,526
 284,560
 268,460
61,634
 91,230
 220,295
 281,780
Cost of handsets and accessories8,736
 5,780
 30,443
 25,807
3,452
 8,736
 19,532
 30,443
Selling, general and administrative139,004
 142,816
 403,082
 412,149
68,503
 139,004
 235,474
 403,082
Impairment, restructuring and other charges39,162
 1,324,205
 165,336
 1,340,677
Impairment, restructuring and other (benefits) charges, net(2) 34,794
 14,070
 160,968
Depreciation3,605
 66,293
 18,208
 126,063
3,614
 2,428
 11,626
 17,031
Amortization3,663
 11,912
 11,420
 32,961
3,191
 3,663
 10,229
 11,420
288,180
 1,647,532
 913,049
 2,206,117
140,392
 279,855
 511,226
 904,724
Operating loss(83,372) (1,386,696) (232,152) (1,469,511)
Operating income (loss)1,345
 (74,432) (32,240) (223,212)
Other (expense) income 
  
 

   
  
    
Interest expense, net(33,278) (29,451) (91,245) (81,854)(24,324) (33,278) (78,940) (91,245)
Interest income19,012
 9,199
 35,956
 29,725
1,887
 19,012
 8,866
 35,956
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net14,174
 (5,221) 12,197
 77,777
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net(12,238) 14,174
 (60,092) 12,197
Other expense, net(10,962) (2,073) (5,549) (7,015)(16,391) (10,964) (25,972) (5,104)
(11,054) (27,546) (48,641) 18,633
(51,066) (11,056) (156,138) (48,196)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit(94,426) (1,414,242) (280,793) (1,450,878)
Reorganization items(2) (150) 445
 (748)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit(49,721) (85,488) (188,378) (271,408)
Income tax benefit
 2,838
 5,778
 2,469

 
 
 5,778
Net loss from continuing operations(94,428) (1,411,554) (274,570) (1,449,157)(49,721) (85,488) (188,378) (265,630)
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(92) (7,389) 2,567
 (16,245)(163) (92) (2,946) 2,567
Net loss(94,520) (1,418,943) (272,003) (1,465,402)(49,884) (85,580) (191,324) (263,063)
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(27,304) 
 (27,304) 
(8,866) (24,622) (47,965) (24,622)
Net loss attributable to NII Holdings$(67,216) $(1,418,943) $(244,699) $(1,465,402)$(41,018) $(60,958) $(143,359) $(238,441)
              
Net loss from continuing operations per common share, basic and diluted$(0.94) $(14.10) $(2.74) $(14.49)$(0.50) $(0.85) $(1.88) $(2.65)
Net (loss) income from discontinued operations per common share, basic and diluted
 (0.07) 0.03
 (0.16)
 
 (0.03) 0.03
Net loss attributable to NII Holdings per common share, basic and diluted$(0.94) $(14.17) $(2.71) $(14.65)$(0.50) $(0.85) $(1.91) $(2.62)
              
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic and diluted100,383
 100,143
 100,314
 100,054
100,592
 100,383
 100,458
 100,314
              
Comprehensive loss, net of income taxes              
Foreign currency translation adjustment$(9,516) $(18,031) $(4,698) $170,962
$7,386
 $(9,516) $45,453
 $(4,698)
Other comprehensive (loss) income(9,516) (18,031) (4,698) 170,962
Other comprehensive income (loss)7,386
 (9,516) 45,453
 (4,698)
Net loss attributable to NII Holdings(67,216) (1,418,943) (244,699) (1,465,402)(41,018) (60,958) (143,359) (238,441)
Total comprehensive loss attributable to NII Holdings$(76,732) $(1,436,974) $(249,397) $(1,294,440)
Total comprehensive loss$(33,632) $(70,474) $(97,906) $(243,139)



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

4


                                    ��                           

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' (DEFICIT) EQUITY
(in thousands)
Unaudited

 Common Stock Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss 
Total NII Holdings Stockholders’
(Deficit) Equity
 Noncontrolling Interest Total (Deficit) Equity
 Shares Amount      
Balance, December 31, 2016100,258
 $100
 $2,076,612
 $(1,834,756) $(75,934) $166,022
 $
 $166,022
Net loss
 
 
 (244,699) 
 (244,699) (27,304) (272,003)
Other comprehensive loss
 
 
 
 (4,698) (4,698) (3,708) (8,406)
Share-based compensation activity126
 
 3,987
 
 
 3,987
 
 3,987
Sale of noncontrolling interest
 
 59,215
 
 21,335
 80,550
 (30,800) 49,750
Balance, September 30, 2017100,384
 $100
 $2,139,814
 $(2,079,455) $(59,297) $1,162
 $(61,812) $(60,650)
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' DEFICIT
(in thousands)
Unaudited

 Common Stock Paid-in Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss Total NII Holdings Stockholders’ Deficit Noncontrolling Interest Total Deficit
 Shares Amount      
Balance, December 31, 2017100,384
 $100
 $2,139,299
 $(2,127,876) $(47,266) $(35,743) $(75,445) $(111,188)
Net loss
 
 
 (143,359) 
 (143,359) (47,965) (191,324)
Other comprehensive income
 
 
 
 45,453
 45,453
 19,278
 64,731
Share-based compensation activity360
 1
 1,780
 
 
 1,781
 286
 2,067
Implementation of revenue recognition accounting standard
 
 
 34,100
 
 34,100
 14,603
 48,703
Balance, September 30, 2018100,744
 $101
 $2,141,079
 $(2,237,135) $(1,813) $(97,768) $(89,243) $(187,011)








































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

5


                                    

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017
      
Cash flows from operating activities:      
Net loss$(272,003) $(1,465,402)$(191,324) $(263,063)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities:      
(Income) loss from discontinued operations(2,567) 16,245
Amortization of debt premiums and financing costs(1,139) (152)
Loss (income) from discontinued operations2,946
 (2,567)
Amortization of debt discounts (premiums) and financing costs1,788
 (1,139)
Depreciation and amortization29,628
 159,024
21,855
 28,451
Provision for losses on accounts receivable63,527
 58,616
27,256
 63,527
Foreign currency transaction gains, net(12,197) (77,777)
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net60,092
 (12,197)
Impairment charges and losses on disposals of fixed assets63,274
 1,329,140
1,610
 63,274
Share-based payment expense3,951
 4,576
2,775
 3,951
Loss on derivative instruments11,739
 16
Other, net(2,165) (342)(2,086) (2,181)
Change in assets and liabilities:      
Accounts receivable(31,859) (47,962)(37,350) (31,859)
Prepaid value-added taxes13,985
 22,805
1,092
 13,985
Handset and accessory inventory4,554
 13,714
36
 4,554
Prepaid expenses and other12,103
 (4,254)(29,494) 8,709
Other long-term assets(25,991) (62,563)(12,348) (27,894)
Accrued value-added taxes7,642
 (10,360)13,745
 7,642
Other long-term liabilities94,739
 14,817
23,510
 92,273
Accounts payable, accrued expenses, deferred revenues and other(8,139) (25,033)7,273
 (8,139)
Net cash used in operating activities(62,657) (74,908)(96,885) (62,657)
Cash flows from investing activities:      
Capital expenditures(52,068) (47,541)(45,357) (52,068)
Purchases of investments(494,975) (810,838)(641,082) (494,975)
Proceeds from sales of investments548,265
 888,509
604,320
 548,265
Purchases of licenses(1,329) (15,936)
Change in restricted cash and other deposits27,237
 67,049
Change in deposits, net43,341
 28,127
Other, net240
 (2,312)(3,689) (1,089)
Total investing cash provided by continuing operations27,370
 78,931
Total investing cash provided by discontinued operations53,308
 17,957
Net cash provided by investing activities80,678
 96,888
Total investing cash (used in) provided by continuing operations(42,467) 28,260
Total investing cash used in discontinued operations(3,953) (117)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(46,420) 28,143
Cash flows from financing activities:      
Proceeds from partnership agreement50,000
 
Gross proceeds from issuance of convertible notes115,000
 
Proceeds from minority interest investment
 50,000
Repayments under equipment financing facility and local bank loans(85,915) (71,433)(1,421) (85,915)
Repayments under capital leases and other(5,334) (1,424)(4,413) (5,334)
Net cash used in financing activities(41,249) (72,857)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents543
 (1,558)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents(22,685) (52,435)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period257,380
 342,184
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$234,695
 $289,749
Payments of debt financing costs(9,299) 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities99,867
 (41,249)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(1,536) 543
Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(44,974) (75,220)
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period305,778
 422,232
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period$260,804
 $347,012








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

6




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Note 1.Basis of Presentation
Overview. Unless the context requires otherwise, "NII Holdings, Inc.," "NII Holdings," "we," "our," "us" and "the Company" refer to the combined businesses of NII Holdings, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries. Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. While these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States for complete financial statements, they reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for interim periods. In addition, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. We refer to our wholly-ownedmajority-owned Brazilian operating company, Nextel Telecomunicações Ltda., as Nextel Brazil. As of September 30, 2017, almost all of our financial and other resources are allocated to, and substantially all of our revenues are generated from, our operations in Brazil.
You should read these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162017 and the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the three monthsperiods ended March 31, 20172018 and for the three months ended June 30, 2017.2018. You should not expect results of operations for interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year. Our consolidated results from continuing operations in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q include the results of operations of Nextel Brazil and our corporate headquarters.
Partnership Agreement.Revision of Prior Period Financial Statements. In connection with the preparation of our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended September 30, 2018, we determined that two errors existed in our previously filed financial statements. Specifically, for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, service and other revenues were understated by $0.6 million, cost of handsets and accessories was overstated by $2.8 million, impairment, restructuring and other charges, net was overstated by $4.3 million and depreciation was overstated by $1.2 million. These errors were the result of improperly recording expenses for certain non-income based tax credits and restructuring charges for certain transmitter and receiver sites. We evaluated these errors in accordance with the Securities and Exchange Commission's, or the SEC's, authoritative guidance on materiality and the quantification of the effect of prior period misstatements on financial statements, and we determined that the impact of these errors on our prior period consolidated financial statements is immaterial. However, since the correction of these errors in the third quarter of 2018 could have been considered material to our results of operations for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and may be material to our results of operations for the year ending December 31, 2018, we revised our prior period financial statements to correct these errors herein.
As a result of the correction of these errors, as of December 31, 2017, prepaid expenses and other increased $9.6 million, intangible assets, net decreased $2.9 million, other assets increased $1.8 million, other long-term liabilities decreased $2.3 million, accumulated deficit decreased $7.9 million, accumulated other comprehensive loss increased $0.3 million and noncontrolling interest increased $3.2 million.
For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the correction of these errors resulted in an $8.9 million decrease in operating loss, loss from continuing operations and net loss, a $2.7 million decrease in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest and a $6.2 million decrease in net loss attributable to NII Holdings. In addition, for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, the correction of these errors resulted in a $0.09 decrease in both net loss from continuing operations per basic and diluted common share and net loss attributable to NII Holdings per basic and diluted common share. The impact of the correction of these errors on each of these line items in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 was immaterial.
Minority Investment. On June 5, 2017, we and AINMT Holdings AB, or ice group, an international telecommunications company operating primarily in Norway under the "ice.net" brand, along with certain affiliates of ours and ice group, entered into an investment agreement to partner in the ownership of Nextel Brazil. On July 20, 2017, ice group completed its initial investment of $50.0 million in Nextel Holdings S. à r.l., or Nextel Holdings, a newly formed subsidiary of NII that indirectly owns Nextel Brazil, in exchange for 30% ownership in Nextel Holdings. In connection with the initial investment, ice group received 50.0 million shares of cumulative preferred voting stock in Nextel Holdings, and we received 116.6 million shares of common stock in this entity. The investment agreement also provided ice group is entitled to receive a 2% annual dividend on its cumulative preferred voting stock and will receive preference in the event of a liquidation. ice group also haswith an option, exercisable on or before November 15, 2017, to invest an additional $150.0 million in Nextel Holdings for an additional 30% ownership. On November 7, 2017, we were advised that ice group maydid not exercise its option, to make a secondand on February 27, 2018, we terminated the investment by November 15, 2017, and the parties are currently discussing the terms of an extension of ice group's option. Ifagreement. In September 2018, ice group exercises this option andcompleted the sale of its second investment is finalized, ice group's $200.0 million total investment would result in ice group owning a 60% controlling stake30% ownership interest in Nextel Holdings by selling the shares of its intermediary holding company, AI Brazil Holdings B.V., to AI Media Holdings (NMT) LLC (90%), or Access Industries, and we would hold a 40% stake.
Prior to the closing of the initial investment by ice group, we contributed $116.6 million in cash to Nextel Holdings. In connection with and subsequent to the closing of the initial investment, we contributed an additional $56.8 million to NextelBridford Music Holdings representing all of our freely distributable cash outside of Nextel Brazil, including proceeds released from escrowed funds from the sale of Nextel Mexico received to date, less $50.0 millionB.V. (10%). Since we retained for our expenses outside of the partnership. We have also agreed to contribute proceeds arising from the release of escrowed funds from the sale of Nextel Mexico from time to time as they are released.
If ice group exercises its option, the closing of the second investment is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. These conditions include approval by our stockholders, receipt of required third party consents and regulatory approvals, transfer of certain guarantees to Nextel Holdings and amendment of each of Nextel Brazil's existing credit facilities. We will seek stockholder approval for the transactions contemplated by this second investment if ice group exercises its option. If the second investment is not completed by January 31, 2018, either party may terminate the option. Until the second investment closes, we will continue to have a controlling interest in Nextel Brazil, and will continue to consolidatewe have consolidated this entity and its subsidiaries.
Pursuant to the investment agreement, we have agreed to conduct Nextel Brazil's business in the ordinary course and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve its business organization and preserve certain business relationships.
Going Concern.The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on a going concern basis, which contemplates the realization of assets and satisfaction of liabilities in the normal course of business. These condensed consolidated financial statements do not include any adjustments that might result from the occurrence of the uncertainties described below.
Over the course of the last two years, we have implemented changes in our business to better align our organization and costs with our available sources of funding, as well as to respond to the impact of the current and expected economic and competitive

7




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

conditions in Brazil. These changesNew Accounting Pronouncements. In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2016-02, "Leases," or Accounting Standards Codification 842, which we refer to as ASC 842. ASC 842 replaces existing leasing rules with a comprehensive lease measurement and recognition standard and expanded disclosure requirements. ASC 842 will require lessees to recognize most leases on their balance sheet as liabilities, with corresponding "right-of-use" assets, and is effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, subject to early adoption. The new standard allows us to make an accounting policy election not to recognize lease assets and liabilities on the balance sheet for leases with a term of 12 months or less. In transition, lessees have included improvementsthe option to recognize and measure leases either at the beginning of the earliest period presented or at the beginning of the period of adoption using a modified retrospective approach. We expect to adopt ASC 842 on January 1, 2019 utilizing the modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a package of optional practical expedients that we plan to elect to apply. Upon adoption, we currently expect to record a material amount of lease liabilities and provide significant new disclosures regarding our operations andleasing activities as required. We are continuing to evaluate the implementation of cost savings measures, spending reductions and headcount reductions.
As of September 30, 2017,additional effects this standard will have on our consolidated sourcesfinancial statements.
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” which we refer to as ASC 606. This new pronouncement provides us with a single revenue recognition model for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and significantly expands the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. We implemented ASC 606 on January 1, 2018 using the modified retrospective method. We did not retroactively adjust prior periods. In utilizing the modified retrospective method, we are recognizing the cumulative effect of funding included $259.6 millionapplying the standard at the date of initial application, and we will continue to disclose the results under both the new and old standards for the remainder of the first year after adoption. See Note 2 for more information regarding the adoption of ASC 606.
In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016-18, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash,” or ASU 2016-18, which provides guidance regarding cash flow statement classification and presentation of changes in restricted cash. We implemented this new standard on January 1, 2018. As required, we provided a reconciliation of cash and short-term investments, $110.0 millioncash equivalents as presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets to cash, heldcash equivalents and restricted cash as presented in escrowour condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for all periods presented in Note 4.
Reclassifications. We have reclassified some prior period amounts in our condensed consolidated financial statements to secureconform to our indemnification obligationscurrent presentation.


Note 2.Revenue Recognition

On January 1, 2018, we implemented ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method. The primary change to our revenue recognition policies relates to contracts with customers where the customer purchases a discounted handset in connection with entering into a contract for telecommunications services. In accordance with ASC 606, we allocate revenue between the salehandset and the service based on relative standalone selling price, or SSP. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by providing services or transferring control of promised handsets and accessories, which are distinct to a customer. We recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled for those performance obligations.

A description of the principal activities from which Nextel Mexico, and $51.8 million in cash pledged as collateral to secure certain performance bonds relating to our obligations to deploy our WCDMA spectrum in Brazil. Based on the weak economy and challenging competitive environment in Brazil that we anticipate will continue,generates its revenue, as well as the continued declineassociated policies that govern the way in which we recognize these revenues, is as follows:

Service and Other Revenues. Nextel Brazil's wireless service revenues primarily consist of access charges for providing customers with voice, data or messaging services over the contract period. We recognize revenue related to access charges ratably over the contract period. The typical length of our iDEN business, we expect that our cash flowservice contracts is 12 months for individual customers and 24 months for corporate customers. We elected the practical expedient to record all revenue net of taxes collected from operations will be negative for the remainder of 2017. We expect that our capital expenditures for 2017 will be at levels similarcustomers, which are subsequently remitted to those experienced in 2016.governmental authorities.
In February 2017, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans entered into amendments to the loan agreements. The amendments provided, among other things, a 120-day standstill period, effective March 2, 2017, during which time we were not required to pay 84.4 million Brazilian reais, or an estimated $25.2 million based on current foreign currency exchange rates, in principal related to Nextel Brazil's local bank loans. Prior to the end of the original standstill period, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans agreed to extensions of the previous standstill agreements through October 31, 2017. These extensions increased the amount of principal payments deferred to 168.9 million Brazilian reais for the period from March 2017 through October 2017. As a condition to the standstill extension, Nextel Brazil agreed that if the semi-annual principal payment due in August 2017 under the equipment financing facility was paid, Nextel Brazil would also make a proportional payment of 63.3 million Brazilian reais to the lenders of our local bank loans. In August 2017, Nextel Brazil made both the semi-annual principal payment and the proportional payment. This prepayment reduced the amount owed under the standstill agreement to 105.6 million Brazilian reais. In October 2017, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans signed fifth amendments to the loan agreements that provide for a new repayment schedule starting on January 31, 2018 that includes the repayment of the 105.6 million Brazilian reais in previously deferred principal on a pro rata basis over the remaining terms of the loans. In connection with the fifth amendments, Nextel Brazil will grant additional security interests to each of its lenders in the form of preferential rights to amounts held in certain of Nextel Brazil's bank accounts and will pledge certain of its equipment and property to these lenders.
In October 2017, Nextel Brazil also entered into an amended and restated equipment financing facility and sixth amendments to the local bank loans, subject to approval by China's export and credit insurance corporation, or Sinosure. Among other changes, these amendments provide for the deferral of substantially all principal payments for the first 48 months from the date of effectiveness and a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020. In addition, Nextel Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries have agreed to make equity contributions of existing cash on hand to Nextel Brazil. If and when these amendments become effective, Nextel Brazil will be subject to minimum cash and minimum receivable requirements. The amendments provide for a loan maturity date 98 months from the date the final amendments become effective.
The amended and restated equipment financing facility and the sixth amendments to the local bank loans remain subject to approval by Sinosure, and until such approval is received, these amendments are not effective. If we are successful in obtaining Sinosure approval and these amendments become effective, we believe our current sources of funding described above will provide us with sufficient liquidity to fund our business beyond 2018.
While we expect to receive Sinosure approval on or before December 31, 2017, there is no guarantee that we will receive the required approval for these amendments. If we do not receive the required approval, and therefore these amendments do not become effective, we may not be able to complete the second investment with ice group discussed above. Based on our projected cash flows, without (i) the deferral of principal payments until the end of 2021 that will be provided in conjunction with the approval of the amendments to Nextel Brazil's financing arrangements; (ii) the $150.0 million second investment by ice group; and (iii) potential reductions in spending, we believe that our current sources of funding are adequate to fund our business into the third quarter of 2018.
Our sources of funding assume the release of cash held in escrow and cash pledged to secure performance bonds. If the ultimate amount recovered from our cash held in escrow or our cash pledged to secure performance bonds does not meet our current forecasted amount or is delayed for a significant amount of time, our business could be negatively impacted, and we would need to obtain additional funding and/or significantly reduce our planned spending to preserve our liquidity.
Under the current agreements governing Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility and local bank loans, we are required to meet certain financial covenants semiannually beginning on December 31, 2017. Based on our current outlook, which reflects significant uncertainty about the economic and competitive conditions in Brazil that are currently impacting our ability to increase our revenues and generate profitability, we believe it is unlikely that we will satisfy the applicable financial covenants included in both of Nextel Brazil's local bank loans and in its equipment financing facility as of the next measurement date at December

8




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

31, 2017. If we are unable to obtain Sinosure approvalHandset and Accessory Revenues. We recognize handset and accessory revenue when a subscriber takes possession of a device. The transaction price of the amendmentshandset sold, if any, is billed at the time of sale. Although more than 90% of our subscribers typically purchase services only and acquire a handset separately, the remainder of our subscriber base purchases a handset offered at a discounted price bundled with services. In these types of bundled sales, we allocate a portion of our future service billings to the existing loan agreements discussed abovehandset and recognize revenue upon handset delivery at the inception of the contract, which results in a contract asset. We determined that provide holidayscontracts with terms longer than one year that involve the sale of both a handset and related services generally do not include a significant financing component.

Significant Judgments and Estimates. Nextel Brazil's subscribers generally enter into service contracts with a commitment period in exchange for financial covenant compliance until June 30, 2020 discounts on handsets and/or secure waivers fromservice fees. The penalty applied upon early termination of a contract declines over time in proportion to the lenders,remaining commitment period. We concluded that the commitment period should be identical to the contract period since, at any point, the early termination penalty is significant relative to the remaining monthly service fees under the contract.

In cases where a contract includes both a handset and accessories, for which we could berecognize handset and accessory revenue at a point in default. Iftime, and services, for which we recognize revenue ratably over time, judgment is required to determine the SSP for each distinct performance obligation in order to allocate consideration properly. We use a default occurs,range of amounts to estimate SSP when we sell each of the lenders could require us to repay the amounts outstanding under these arrangements. In addition, these loan agreements contain cross-acceleration provisions. products and services separately.

Remaining Performance Obligations. As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had $208.0have $270.6 million principal amount outstandingof remaining performance obligations under Nextel Brazil's local bank loansopen service contracts. For these service contracts, we expect to recognize $259.8 million in operating revenues in the period from October 1, 2018 through September 30, 2019 and $244.6$10.8 million principal amount outstanding under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility. See Note 5 for more information.thereafter.
Until we obtain
Contract Assets and Liabilities. Contract assets primarily relate to the required Sinosure approval to amend the termsremaining portion of Nextel Brazil's financing arrangementsfuture service billings allocated to handsets and obtain access to a significant portionrecognized into revenue upon handset delivery at the inception of the escrowedcontract. As of September 30, 2018 and pledged fundsJanuary 1, 2018, Nextel Brazil had $4.4 million and $5.5 million in total contract assets, respectively, $3.8 million and $4.5 million of which we classified as anticipateda component of prepaid expenses and other in our business plan, substantial doubt continuescondensed consolidated balance sheets for these periods. We transfer contract assets to exist about our abilityreceivables when Nextel Brazil's right to continuebill becomes unconditional.
Contract liabilities primarily relate to upfront fees for wireless services for which the services have not yet been provided. As of September 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, Nextel Brazil had $2.3 million and $1.7 million in total contract liabilities, respectively, substantially all of which we classified as a going concern.component of accrued expenses and other in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

The changes to both the contract asset and contract liability balances during the period, which include opening balances amortized into revenue, were not significant.

New Accounting Pronouncements.  In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-09, "Revenue fromCost to Obtain Contracts with Customers," which will provide usCustomers. We recognize an asset for the incremental costs of obtaining a contract with a single revenue recognition modelcustomer. These costs include commissions and related costs for recognizing revenue from contracts with customerssales employees of Nextel Brazil, and significantly expandcommissions payable to our third party distribution channel partners. We amortize these types of costs ratably using the disclosure requirementsportfolio approach over the estimated customer relationship period, which includes expected future contract renewals. Under the previous accounting standard, we expensed commissions as incurred. As of September 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, Nextel Brazil had $36.6 million and $42.8 million of deferred costs, respectively, related to expenses required to obtain a contract. Of these total deferred costs, as of September 30, 2018 and January 1, 2018, we recorded $20.7 million and $16.3 million, respectively, as a component of prepaid expenses and other and the remaining $15.9 million and $26.5 million, respectively, as a component of other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In addition, Nextel Brazil recorded $3.3 million and $11.7 million, respectively, in total commissions expense during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss.

Adoption Impact. Following is a comparison of our reported results of operations for revenue arrangements. The new standard, as amended, will be effective for interimthe three and annual reporting periods beginningnine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to amounts that we would have reported had we not adopted ASC 606 (in thousands):


9




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 Three Months Ended September 30, 2018
 As Reported With ASC 606 Without ASC 606 Impact
Operating revenues 
    
Service and other revenues$138,596
 $142,753
 $(4,157)
Handset and accessory revenues3,141
 4,268
 (1,127)
 141,737
 147,021
 (5,284)
Operating expenses 
  
  
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)61,634
 61,634
 
Cost of handsets and accessories3,452
 3,452
 
Selling, general and administrative68,503
 72,568
 (4,065)
Impairment, restructuring and other benefits, net(2) (2) 
Depreciation3,614
 3,614
 
Amortization3,191
 3,191
 
 140,392
 144,457
 (4,065)
Operating income$1,345
 $2,564
 $(1,219)
Net loss$(49,884) $(48,665) $(1,219)


 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018
 As Reported With ASC 606 Without ASC 606 Impact
Operating revenues 
    
Service and other revenues$465,603
 $479,541
 $(13,938)
Handset and accessory revenues13,383
 12,130
 1,253
 478,986
 491,671
 (12,685)
Operating expenses 
  
  
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)220,295
 220,295
 
Cost of handsets and accessories19,532
 19,532
 
Selling, general and administrative235,474
 249,942
 (14,468)
Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net14,070
 14,070
 
Depreciation11,626
 11,626
 
Amortization10,229
 10,229
 
 511,226
 525,694
 (14,468)
Operating loss$(32,240) $(34,023) $1,783
Net loss$(191,324) $(193,107) $1,783

Without the adoption of ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, at which point we plan to adoptour basic and diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share would have improved by $0.01 for the standard. The two permitted transition methods underthree months ended September 30, 2018 and would have been $0.02 lower for the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in whichnine months ended September 30, 2018.

Components of Transition Adjustment. As of January 1, 2018, the cumulative effectimpact of applying the standard would be recognized atimplementation of ASC 606 included the daterecognition of initial application,contract assets and liabilities, as well as the capitalization of costs to obtain contracts with disclosurecustomers. In total, these effects resulted in a cumulative adjustment on January 1, 2018 that was comprised of results under the new and old standards for the first year of adoption. We expecta $21.2 million increase to utilize the modified retrospective method.
We expect that the new guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements. Upon adoption, we expect that a portion of our revenues related to service plans that are sold concurrently with a subsidized handset will be reallocated from serviceprepaid expenses and other, revenuesa $26.8 million increase to handsetother assets, a $1.1 million increase to accrued expenses and accessory revenuesother and that these revenues will be recognized at an earlier point in time compareda $1.8 million decrease to our current accounting under the existing authoritative guidance. We also expect that the timing of expense recognition related to certain of our contract acquisition costs, such as sales commissions, will be impacted as these expenses will be capitalized and amortized under the new standard.other long-term liabilities.



10




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 2.3.Impairment, Restructuring and Other Charges

Long-Lived Asset Impairments.

During the third quarter of 2016, we reviewed our Nextel Brazil segment for potential impairment and compared the then $1.7 billion carrying value of Nextel Brazil's long-lived assets to our estimate of undiscounted future cash flows. Based on our estimates, we determined that the carrying value of our Nextel Brazil segment was not fully recoverable. As a result, in the third quarter of 2016, we recorded a non-cash asset impairment charge of $1.31 billion to reduce the carrying values of Nextel Brazil's long-lived assets to their respective fair values. We allocated the non-cash asset impairment charge first to reduce the $36.8 million carrying value of our trademark intangible asset to zero, and the remainder between property, plant and equipment, and spectrum licenses on a pro rata basis.Impairment.

During the first quarter of 2017, we reviewed our Nextel Brazil segment for potential impairment and determined that the carrying value of this segment was not fully recoverable. As a result, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recorded non-cash asset impairment charges of $56.5 million to reduce the carrying values of Nextel Brazil's long-lived assets to their respective fair values and allocated these impairment charges on a pro rata basis between property, plant and equipment and spectrum licenses.

During the third quarter of 2017, we reviewed our Nextel Brazil segment for potential impairment and determined that its carrying value was recoverable as of September 30, 2017 based on the equity valuation implied in connection with our partnership agreement with ice group. See Note 1 for more information related to this agreement.



9




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Other Asset Impairments.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Nextel Brazil recognized $3.1 million and $7.0 million in other non-cash asset impairment charges, respectively. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, Nextel Brazil recognized $5.2 million and $13.4 million in other non-cash asset impairment charges, respectively. The charges recognized in all periods primarily related to the abandonment of certain transmitter and receiver sites that were no longer required in Nextel Brazil's business.
Restructuring Charges.

During the third quarterthree and nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil recognized $11.9 million and $37.1 million in restructuring costs, respectively, the majority of 2017, as a result of a changewhich related to future lease costs for approximately 500 iDEN-related transmitter and receiver sites. In addition, during the three months ended September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil reversed $9.4 million in previously accrued restructuring charges in connection with the scope ofdetermination that approximately 400 transmitter and receiver sites related to Nextel Brazil's radio access network, or RAN, sharing implementation,project will continue to be utilized.

In an effort to further reduce costs, in the first quarter of 2018, Nextel Brazil determined that RAN sharing would no longer be utilizedentered into arrangements with certain of its tower lessors for the right to exchange approximately 800600 unused transmitter and receiver sites for other sites. During the first quarter of 2018, we identified approximately 250 transmitter and receiver sites that we plan to exchange pursuant to these arrangements, 200 of which were completed during the second quarter of 2018. As a result, Nextel Brazil recognized $34.2reversed $13.7 million in previously accrued restructuring costs,charges in the first quarter of which $17.5 million relates to2018. During the present valuethird quarter of future payments to which Nextel Brazil was committed and the remainder relates to the impairment of certain prepayments and other deferred costs attributable to these2018, we identified approximately 110 additional transmitter and receiver sites.sites that we plan to exchange pursuant to these arrangements and reversed $3.6 million in previously accrued restructuring charges in the third quarter of 2018.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, Nextel Brazil recognized $9.2 million and $61.8 million in restructuring costs, respectively, the majority of which related to future lease costs for approximately 1,350 transmitter and receiver sites in low-usage areas in connection with Nextel Brazil's RAN sharing agreement. In addition, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Nextel Brazil recognized $4.9 million in severance and other related costs resulting from the separation of certain executive level employees.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $3.4 million in severance and other related costs at the corporate levelthird quarter of 2017, as a result of a change in the separationscope of employees in an effort to streamline our organizational structureNextel Brazil's RAN sharing implementation, Nextel Brazil determined that RAN sharing would no longer be utilized for approximately 700 transmitter and reduce general and administrative expenses. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016,receiver sites. As a result, Nextel Brazil recognized $6.2 million and $11.4$29.9 million in restructuring charges primarily relatedcosts, of which $15.0 million relates to the present value of future leasepayments to which Nextel Brazil was committed and the remainder relates to the impairment of certain prepayments and other deferred costs for certainattributable to these transmitter and receiver sites that are no longer required in its business and certain office closures.sites.

Total impairment, restructuring and other (benefits) charges, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 20162017 were as follows (in thousands):
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Brazil$38,880
 $1,282,764
 $164,511
 $1,296,273
Corporate282
 41,441
 825
 44,404
Total impairment, restructuring and other charges$39,162
 $1,324,205
 $165,336
 $1,340,677
As of September 30, 2017, total accrued restructuring charges were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2016$24,103
  Restructuring charges85,111
  Cash payments and other(490)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment1,036
Balance, September 30, 2017$109,760
As of September 30, 2017, we classified $12.4 million of our total accrued restructuring charges as a component of accrued expenses and other, and we classified the remainder as a component of other long-term liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.


 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2018 2017 2018 2017
Brazil$(2) $34,512
 $13,718
 $160,143
Corporate
 282
 352
 825
Total impairment, restructuring and other (benefits) charges, net$(2) $34,794
 $14,070
 $160,968

1011




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

As of September 30, 2018, total accrued restructuring charges were as follows (in thousands):
Balance, December 31, 2017$107,306
  Restructuring charges, net10,021
  Cash payments and other(29,379)
  Foreign currency translation adjustment(16,805)
Balance, September 30, 2018$71,143


Note 3.4.Supplemental Financial Statement Information

Restricted Cash.

In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, which requires condensed consolidated statements of cash flows to explain the change in restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents, in addition to the change in cash and cash equivalents as previously required. We adopted this ASU on January 1, 2018. As a result of this adoption, the cash and cash equivalents balances in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows now include restricted cash of $108.1 million as of September 30, 2018, $111.9 million as of December 31, 2017, $112.3 million as of September 30, 2017 and $164.9 million as of December 31, 2016. Our restricted cash relates to cash held in escrow in connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico and certain judicial deposits of cash in Brazil related to litigation involving tax and other matters. A reconciliation from cash and cash equivalents as presented in our condensed consolidated balance sheets to cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash as reported in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows:

 September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 (in thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents$152,712
 $193,888
Cash in escrow (included in prepaid expenses and other)106,071
 110,024
Other (included in other assets)2,021
 1,866
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash$260,804
 $305,778


Prepaid Expenses and Other.

The components of our prepaid expenses and other current assets are as follows:
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Cash in escrow — Nextel Mexico sale$110,010
 $163,435
Cash in escrow$106,071
 $110,024
Brazil judicial deposits52,755
 43,648
Value-added taxes22,941
 37,191
Cash collateral related to performance bonds48,552
 30,928
578
 50,340
Value-added taxes30,066
 29,829
Prepayment for roaming and radio access network, or RAN, sharing agreements16,130
 27,731
Other prepaid expenses19,605
 23,020
31,270
 14,231
Other current assets5,605
 5,202
21,150
 8,583
$229,968
 $280,145
$234,765
 $264,017


12




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Property, Plant and Equipment, Net.
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, we capitalized immaterial amounts of interest. The components of our property, plant and equipment, net are as follows:
September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Land$510
 $675
$404
 $489
Building and leasehold improvements1,021
 1,489
629
 935
Network equipment, communication towers and network software82,706
 95,298
95,307
 82,493
Software, office equipment, furniture and fixtures and other13,251
 10,952
26,806
 22,498
Less: Accumulated depreciation(8,174) 
Less: Accumulated depreciation and amortization(21,497) (11,461)
89,314
 108,414
101,649
 94,954
Construction in progress18,212
 21,061
19,944
 22,308
$107,526
 $129,475
$121,593
 $117,262


Intangible Assets, Net.
Our intangible assets include the following:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
Average Useful Life (Years) 
Gross Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Value
 
Gross Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Value
Average Useful Life (Years) 
Gross Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Value
 
Gross Carrying
Value
 
Accumulated
Amortization
 
Net Carrying
Value
 (in thousands)  (in thousands) 
Amortizable intangible assets:  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
Licenses26 $197,542
 $(3,776) $193,766
 $226,426
 $
 $226,426
26 $163,444
 $(9,316) $154,128
 $186,983
 $(5,426) $181,557
Customer relationships4 15,976
 (3,550) 12,426
 17,255
 
 17,255
4 12,641
 (8,427) 4,214
 15,300
 (5,100) 10,200
 $213,518
 $(7,326) $206,192
 $243,681
 $
 $243,681
 $176,085
 $(17,743) $158,342
 $202,283
 $(10,526) $191,757
Based on the carrying amount of our intangible assets as of September 30, 20172018 and current exchange rates, we estimate amortization expense for each of the next five years ending December 31 to be as follows (in thousands):

11




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

YearsEstimated Amortization ExpenseEstimated Amortization Expense
2017$15,188
201815,072
$13,287
201911,521
9,424
20207,971
6,615
20217,971
6,615
20226,615
Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of additional acquisitions of intangibles, as well as changes in foreign currency exchange rates and other relevant factors.


Other Assets.
The components of our other long-term assets are as follows:
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 (in thousands)
Brazil judicial deposits$146,802
 $85,123
Prepayment for roaming and RAN sharing agreements16,916
 56,523
Cash collateral related to performance bonds3,231
 37,433
Other84,424
 92,789
 $251,373
 $271,868

Accrued Expenses and Other.
The components of our accrued expenses and other are as follows:
 September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
 (in thousands)
Contingencies$56,216
 $54,260
Network system and information technology49,091
 50,286
Payroll related items and commissions36,268
 45,187
Non-income based taxes19,309
 28,158
Capital expenditures6,377
 17,514
Other113,664
 76,494
 $280,925
 $271,899


1213




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Other Assets.
The components of our other long-term assets are as follows:
 September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 (in thousands)
Brazil judicial deposits$99,590
 $110,758
Cash collateral related to contingencies49,576
 55,027
Other74,893
 54,224
 $224,059
 $220,009

Accrued Expenses and Other.
The components of our accrued expenses and other are as follows:
 September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
 (in thousands)
Contingencies$64,554
 $78,006
Network system and information technology expenses49,077
 48,702
Non-income based taxes36,700
 30,044
Payroll related items and commissions24,016
 32,613
License fees18,013
 17,501
Other72,857
 101,263
 $265,217
 $308,129

Other Long-Term Liabilities.
The components of our other long-term liabilities are as follows:

September 30,
2017
 December 31,
2016
September 30,
2018
 December 31,
2017
(in thousands)(in thousands)
Non-current withholding taxes$77,870
 $67,356
Accrued lease terminations and other restructuring charges$97,364
 $31,365
61,799
 90,128
Non-current withholding taxes64,158
 55,078
Conversion option for convertible senior notes53,503
 
Other69,082
 57,029
78,020
 61,106
$230,604
 $143,472
$271,192
 $218,590

In connection with the issuance of our convertible senior notes in August 2018, we have accounted for the embedded conversion feature separately from the notes and recorded a non-current derivative liability at its fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. See Note 6 for more information regarding our convertible senior notes.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.Income (Loss). As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, the tax impact on our accumulated other comprehensive loss was not material. In addition, as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, all of our accumulated other comprehensive loss represented cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment.


14




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
 Nine Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 20162018 2017
 (in thousands)(in thousands)
Capital expenditures    
   
Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest on property, plant and equipment $52,068
 $47,541
$45,357
 $52,068
Change in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed, including interest capitalized (21,968) (21,971)(4,669) (21,968)
 $30,100
 $25,570
$40,688
 $30,100
In connection with the completion of the sale of Nextel Argentina in January 2016, the promissory note that was initially issued in connection with that transaction was canceled. In addition, as of September 30, 2016, we recorded $126.0 million as a component of current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet in connection with the signing of the license agreement related to our acquisition of 30 MHz of spectrum in the 1.8 GHz band in July 2016. Other than these two transactions, weWe did not have any significant non-cash investing or financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016.2017.
Revenue-Based Taxes.  We recordPrior to the implementation of ASC 606, we recorded certain revenue-based taxes on a gross basis as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated financial statements.basis. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we recognized $6.0 million and $23.1 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes. Fortaxes as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss. As a result of the adoption of ASC 606, we now record all revenue net of taxes collected from customers. If we had not implemented ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, we would have recognized an additional $3.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes as a component of both service and other revenues and selling, general and administrative expenses in our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we recognized $11.5 million and $36.8 million, respectively, in revenue-based taxes.2018.
Basic and Diluted Net Loss Per Common Share.  As presented for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, our calculation of basic net loss from continuing operations per common share includes $27.3 million in net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest but excludes $0.2 million related to undeclared dividends on ice group's preferred stock in Nextel Holdings.
As presented for the three2018 and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 2016, our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share is based on the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during those periods and does not include other potential common shares, including common shares resulting from the potential conversion of our convertible senior notes, common shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans or restricted common shares issued under those plans since their effect would have been antidilutive.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not include 18.5 million common shares related to the potential conversion of our convertible senior notes because their effect would have been antidilutive. For the same periods, we did not include 3.5 million and 3.4 million stock options, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive. In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, we did not include 1.4 million and 0.7 million restricted common shares, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive.
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we did not include 3.7 million and 3.5 million stock options, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive. ForIn addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we did not include 0.1 million and 0.3 million restricted

13




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

common shares, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive. In addition, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not include 3.3 million and 3.5 million stock options, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, we did not include 0.7 million and 0.8 million restricted common shares, respectively, in our calculation of diluted net loss from continuing operations per common share because their effect would have been antidilutive.




15




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 4.5.Discontinued Operations

Sale of Nextel Mexico. On April 30, 2015, we, together with our wholly-owned subsidiary NIU Holdings LLC, completed the sale of our Mexican operations to New Cingular Wireless, an indirect subsidiary of AT&T. The transaction was structured as a sale of all of the outstanding stock of the parent company of Comunicaciones Nextel de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., or Nextel Mexico, for a purchase price of $1.875 billion, including $187.5 million deposited in escrow to satisfy potential indemnification claims. In 2016, we paid $4.0 million, plus interest, out of escrow to settle an indemnification claim, and in July 2018, we utilized $4.0 million of cash held in escrow to settle tax audits for the years 2010 and 2011 discussed below. As of September 30, 2017,2018, $73.5 million of the cash held in escrow has been released to us and $110.0$106.1 million, which includes interest, remains deposited in escrow related to certain potential tax indemnity claims made by New Cingular Wireless. While we are required to continue to indemnify New Cingular Wireless for any valid claims that arise in the future, New Cingular Wireless is not permitted to make any additional claims against the escrow account other than for claims relating to the 2012 tax year totaling not more than $3.8 million.account.

The potential tax indemnity claims submitted by New Cingular Wireless purport to relate to various ongoing tax audits by the Mexican tax authorities for the years 2010 through 2014. Of the total potential tax claims, $12.2 million relates to actual assessments that Nextel Mexico has received. The remaining amounts relate to unassessed matters. New Cingular Wireless' claims include $35.5 million related to the tax audit of Nextel Mexico’s income tax return for 2010 and $36.9 million related to the tax audit of Nextel Mexico's income tax return for 2011. The remaining $37.6 million of potential tax claims relates primarily to non-income tax-based audits for the years 2011 through 2014.

In October 2017, we reached an agreement withDuring July 2018, the Mexican tax authoritiesaudits related to the audits of Nextel Mexico's income tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011. Specifically,2011 were finalized, and we agreed to incrementalfiled amended tax returns. We settled the tax liabilities of $36.9 million to settle all open issues related toassociated with these tax years. We expect to utilizeaudits utilizing existing tax credits, to settle these liabilities, although it is possiblewith the exception of $4.0 million that we may need to settle a portion of these liabilities usingpaid utilizing cash that is currently held in escrow. We expectAs a result, of the $72.4 million in combined claims relating to receivethe tax audits of the years 2010 and 2011, we have requested that New Cingular Wireless agree to the release of $68.3 million from escrow. New Cingular Wireless has disagreed with our interpretation of the escrow and purchase agreements related to the timing of release requirements for escrowed funds. This difference of interpretation could result in a delay of the release of the previously escrowed funds related to the 2010 and 2011 income tax audits, less anyremaining amount of cash used to settle the claims, in the fourth quarter of 2017, and weescrow. We are continuing to work with the Mexican tax authorities to settle the open non-income tax-based audits and accelerate the release of the remaining escrow. We have not accrued any liabilitiesIn addition, New Cingular Wireless has indicated that it may continue to make additional claims for indemnification related to any ofthese open audits in the years under audit as we do not currently believe the amounts are probable of loss.future.

There can be no assurance as to the outcome of the foregoing remaining tax audits or indemnity claims.
In connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico, as well as the sale of Nextel Argentina, Nextel Chile and Nextel Peru, which occurred in 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, we have reported the results of these operating companies as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise noted, amounts included in these notes to our condensed consolidated financial statements exclude amounts attributable to discontinued operations.



14




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 5.6.Debt

As a result of the implementation of fresh start accounting in connection with our emergence from Chapter 11, we remeasured the components of our debt to their fair values as of June 30, 2015. As a result, the carrying values of our bank loans do not represent the outstanding principal balances. The components of our debt are as follows:
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 (in thousands)
Brazil equipment financing facility$242,684
 $291,597
Brazil bank loans209,899
 242,076
Brazil spectrum financing127,689
 125,684
Brazil capital lease and tower financing obligations96,048
 96,722
Other
 237
Total debt676,320
 756,316
Less: current portion(460,300) (540,474)
 $216,020
 $215,842

Brazil Equipment Financing Facility. In December 2014, Nextel Brazil and the lender under its equipment financing facility agreed to amend this facility to remove all financial covenants beginning with the December 31, 2014 measurement date through the June 30, 2017 measurement date so that the first measurement date under the amended facility will be December 31, 2017. In exchange for that covenant relief, Nextel Brazil granted the lender preferential rights to the amounts held in certain bank accounts. Based on our current outlook, which reflects significant uncertainty about the economic and competitive conditions in Brazil that are currently impacting our ability to increase our revenues and generate profitability, we believe it is unlikely that we will satisfy the applicable financial covenants included in Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility as of the next measurement date at December 31, 2017. As a result of this uncertainty, we have continued to classify the amount outstanding under this facility as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. As discussed below, in October 2017, Nextel Brazil entered into an amended and restated equipment financing facility, subject to approval by Sinosure. Among other changes, these amendments provide for a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance until June 30, 2020. As of September 30, 2017, we had $244.6 million in principal amount outstanding under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility. We do not have the ability to borrow additional amounts under this facility.
In July 2016, Nextel Brazil elected to accept the government-provided financing for the remaining amount due for spectrum we purchased in December 2015. In August 2017, Nextel Brazil secured waivers from the lender of its equipment financing facility for Nextel Brazil's incurrance and maintenance of the government-provided spectrum financing. In addition, in August 2017, Nextel Brazil secured waivers relating to an event of default that resulted from a failure to timely notify this lender of a permitted merger that occurred between two guarantors in Brazil.
Brazil Bank Loans. In connection with the agreements governing Nextel Brazil's local bank loans, we are required to meet a net debt financial covenant semiannually. In February 2017, Nextel Brazil secured waivers from the lenders of its local bank loans related to this financial covenant for the December 31, 2016 measurement date. The waivers also provide for a "covenant holiday" inclusive of the June 30, 2017 testing period, during which time no compliance was required with respect to the net debt financial covenant. Starting on December 31, 2017, and on each six-month anniversary thereafter, Nextel Brazil must maintain a net debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, ratio over the trailing 12 months of no greater than 2.5.
In February 2017, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans entered into amendments to these loan agreements. The amendments provided, among other things, a 120-day standstill period, effective March 2, 2017, during which time no amortization payments were required with respect to the related loans. Prior to the end of the original standstill period, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans agreed to extensions of the previous standstill agreements through October 31, 2017. These extensions increased the amount of principal payments deferred to 168.9 million Brazilian reais for the period from March 2017 through October 2017. As a condition to the standstill extension, Nextel Brazil agreed that if the semi-annual principal payment due in August 2017 under the equipment financing facility was paid, Nextel Brazil would also make a proportional payment of 63.3 million Brazilian reais to the lenders of our local bank loans. In August 2017, Nextel Brazil made both the semi-annual principal payment and the proportional payment. This prepayment reduced the amount owed under the standstill agreement
 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 (in thousands)
Brazil equipment financing facility$238,669
 $242,883
Brazil bank loans164,597
 200,567
Brazil spectrum financing100,794
 122,044
Convertible senior notes70,702
 
Brazil capital lease and tower financing obligations70,325
 90,213
Total debt645,087
 655,707
Less: current portion(21,755) (7,990)
 $623,332
 $647,717

1516




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Convertible Senior Notes. In August 2018, we privately placed $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% convertible senior notes due 2023, which we refer to 105.6as the convertible senior notes. We also granted the initial purchaser an option to purchase up to an additional $15.0 million Brazilian reais. In October 2017, Nextel Brazil and the lendersprincipal amount of our local bank loans signed fifth amendments to the loan agreements that provideconvertible senior notes, which was exercised in full. As a result, we issued a total of $115.0 million principal amount of convertible senior notes at par for a new repayment schedule starting on January 31, 2018 that includes the repaymenttotal gross proceeds of the 105.6 million Brazilian reais in previously deferred principal on a pro rata basis over the remaining terms of the loans.$115.0 million. In connection with this issuance, we incurred total issuance costs of $5.2 million, $1.9 million of which we allocated to the fifth amendments, Nextel Brazilconversion option and expensed immediately and the remainder of which we recorded as deferred financing costs. We are amortizing the $3.3 million in deferred financing costs into interest expense over the term of the convertible senior notes. Our convertible senior notes are senior unsecured obligations, will grant additional security interests to eachrank equal in right of its lenders in the formpayment with all of preferential rights to amounts held in certain of Nextel Brazil's bank accountsour existing and future unsecured and unsubordinated debt and will pledgebe effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured debt to the extent of the assets securing that debt. With certain exceptions, none of its equipmentour subsidiaries will guarantee the convertible senior notes. As a result, the convertible senior notes will be structurally subordinated to all existing and propertyfuture liabilities and obligations of our subsidiaries, except to these lenders.the extent of any such guarantee.
The convertible senior notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year on the principal amount of the notes, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2019. The convertible senior notes mature on August 15, 2023, unless earlier converted or repurchased, when the entire principal balance of $115.0 million will be due. In October 2017, Nextel Brazil also entered into an amendedaddition, and restated equipment financing facility and sixth amendments to its local bank loans, subject to approval by Sinosure. Among other changes, these amendments provide forspecified exceptions, upon the deferraloccurrence of substantially all principal payments fora fundamental change, the first 48 months fromnoteholders have the date of effectiveness and a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020. In addition, Nextel Holdings and certain of it subsidiaries have agreedright to make equity contributions of existing cash on hand to Nextel Brazil. If and when these amendments become effective, Nextel Brazil will be subject to minimum cash and minimum receivable requirements. The amendments provide for a loan maturity date 98 months from the date the final amendments become effective. The amended and restated equipment financing facility and the sixth amendments to the local bank loans remain subject to approval by Sinosure, and until such approval is received, these amendments are not effective.
Based on our current outlook, we believe it is unlikely that we will satisfy one of the applicable financial covenants currently included in both of Nextel Brazil's local bank loan agreements as of the next measurement date at December 31, 2017. If we are unable to obtain approval from Sinosure as described above in order to render the loan amendments and related covenant relief effective or secure waivers from the lenders, we could be in default. If a default occurs, the lenders could require us to repayrepurchase the amounts outstandingnotes for cash at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be repurchased, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but excluding, the repurchase date.
The convertible senior notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at an initial conversion rate of 160.9658 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or 18,511,067 aggregate common shares, representing an initial conversion price of $6.21 per share, subject to adjustment in certain situations. The convertible senior notes are convertible, subject to adjustment, prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding February 15, 2023 only under these arrangements.the following circumstances:
during any calendar quarter commencing after September 30, 2018 if the last reported sale price of our common stock is greater than or equal to 130% of the conversion price of $6.21 per share for at least 20 trading days during a period of 30 consecutive trading days ending on, and including, the last trading day of the immediately preceding calendar quarter;
during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of notes for each trading day of the measurement period was less than 98% of the product of the last reported sale price of our common stock and the conversion rate on each such trading day; or
upon the occurrence of specified corporate events.
On or after February 15, 2023 until the close of business on the second scheduled trading day immediately preceding the maturity date, noteholders may convert their notes at any time, regardless of the aforementioned circumstances. We have the option to satisfy the conversion of the convertible senior notes in shares of our common stock, in cash or a combination of both. If certain corporate events occur prior to August 15, 2023, or if we deliver a notice of redemption, we will increase the conversion rate for a noteholder who elects to convert its notes in connection with such a corporate event.
The conversion feature embedded in the convertible senior notes meets the criteria of an embedded derivative in accordance with the FASB's authoritative guidance for derivatives. As a result, as of this uncertainty,September 30, 2018, we have continued to classifyseparated the amounts outstanding under Nextel Brazil's local bank loansvalue of the conversion feature from the notes and recorded the derivative liability at its fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2018, we recorded the $53.5 million fair value of the derivative liability as currenta component of other long-term liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, we had $208.0 million principal amount outstanding under Nextel Brazil's local bank loans.sheet.




17




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 6.7.Fair Value Measurements
Financial Instruments.
Available-for-Sale Securities.
As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 2016,2017, available-for-sale securities held by Nextel Brazil included $24.9$48.4 million and $73.8$16.7 million, respectively, in investment funds. These funds are investedinvest primarily in Brazilian government bonds and long-term bank certificates of deposit and Brazilian corporate debentures.deposit. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016,2017, we did not have any material unrealized gains or losses associated with these investments.
We account for our available-for-sale securities at fair value. The fair value of our Brazilian certificates of deposit is based on their current redemption amount, and we classify these certificates of deposit within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of Nextel Brazil's investment funds is measured based on the funds' net asset value as a practical expedient, which is excluded from the fair value hierarchy.
Debt Instruments.
The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our debt instruments are as follows:

 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Brazil equipment financing$242,684
 $236,397
 $291,597
 $280,893
Brazil bank loans and other209,899
 195,203
 242,313
 221,458
Brazil spectrum financing127,689
 114,094
 125,684
 117,059
 $580,272
 $545,694
 $659,594
 $619,410

16




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 September 30, 2018 December 31, 2017
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Carrying
Amount
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 (in thousands)
Brazil equipment financing$238,669
 $233,533
 $242,883
 $237,958
Brazil bank loans and other164,597
 100,358
 200,567
 144,312
Brazil spectrum financing100,794
 114,247
 122,044
 128,225
Convertible senior notes70,702
 73,296
 
 
 $574,762
 $521,434
 $565,494
 $510,495
We estimated the fair value of the Brazil bank loans,our convertible senior notes, as well as the fair value of ourNextel Brazil's bank loans, equipment financing facility in Brazil,and spectrum financing utilizing inputs such as U.S. Treasury security yield curves, prices of comparable bonds, LIBOR, U.S. Treasury bond rates and credit spreads on comparable publicly traded bonds. We consider Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility, bank loansthese fair value measurements to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Conversion Option for Convertible Senior Notes.
We estimated the fair value of the conversion option embedded in the convertible senior notes using a binomial lattice model with daily nodes from the valuation date to the maturity date of the convertible senior notes. This model considered stock price, risk-free rates, credit spreads, dividend yields and expected volatility. We record gains or losses related to changes in the fair value of the conversion option derivative liability during the period. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we recorded $11.7 million as a component of other and its spectrum financingexpense, net, in our condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive loss related to the change in the fair value of the conversion option. We consider this fair value measurement to be Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy.
Other Financial Instruments.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable contained in our condensed consolidated balance sheets approximate their fair values due to the short-term nature of these instruments.




18




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 7.8.Commitments and Contingencies

Brazil Roaming and RAN Sharing Commitments.

In May 2016, Nextel Brazil entered into an amendment to a nationwide roaming voice and data services agreement with Telefonica Brazil, S.A., or Telefonica, to reduce the usage rates for its roaming traffic. Concurrently, Nextel Brazil entered into a 10-year radio access network, or RAN, sharing agreement with Telefonica, under which Telefonica will permit Nextel Brazil to use some of its tower and equipment infrastructure to transmit telecommunications signals on Nextel Brazil's spectrum. These agreements require Nextel Brazil to meet certain commitments over a five-year period totaling 800 million Brazilian reais, or approximately $246.2 million based on foreign currency exchange rates at the time, which replaced the remaining commitments under the original roaming agreement. As of September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil had 218 million Brazilian reais, or $54.5 million based on current foreign currency exchange rates, in remaining commitments related to its roaming agreement and 271 million Brazilian reais, or $67.6 million based on current foreign currency exchange rates, in remaining commitments related to its RAN sharing agreement.

Contingencies.

Nextel Brazil has received various assessment notices from municipal, state and federal Brazilian authorities asserting deficiencies in payments related primarily to value-added taxes excise taxes on imported equipment and other non-income based taxes. Nextel Brazil has filed various administrative and legal petitions disputing these assessments. In some cases, Nextel Brazil has received favorable decisions, which are currently being appealed by the respective governmental authority. In other cases, Nextel Brazil's petitions have been denied, and Nextel Brazil is currently appealing those decisions. In connection with these petitions, Nextel Brazil is regularly required to make a judicial guarantee through a deposit of cash to cover the amount in dispute in order to file and/or appeal claims. As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Nextel Brazil also had contingencies related to certain regulatory, civilconsumer, contract and labor-related matters, assome of September 30, 2017which are secured by judicial guarantees. Even in cases where there is no probable loss, Nextel Brazil may in the future be subject to litigation involving tax and December 31, 2016.other matters requiring material judicial deposits of cash that will not be released until the pending matter is resolved.
As of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities of $97.9$78.3 million and $76.881.2 million, respectively, related to contingencies, of which $3.0$7.5 million and $1.4$7.4 million related to unasserted claims, respectively. We currently estimate the reasonably possible losses related to matters for which Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities, as they are not deemed probable, to be approximately $620.0$730.0 million as of September 30, 20172018. We continue to evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to all known contingencies. As a result, future increases or decreases to our accrued liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such amounts are determined to be probable and reasonably estimable.
Legal Proceedings.
We are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


Note 8.9.Income Taxes

The realization of deferred tax assets is dependent on the generation of future taxable income sufficient to realize our tax loss carryforwards and other tax deductions. Valuation allowances are required to be recognized on deferred tax assets unless it is determined that it is “more-likely-than-not” that the asset will be realized. In 2016,2017, we recordedmaintained full valuation allowances on the deferred tax assets of our foreign operating companies, our U.S. parent company and subsidiaries and our foreign holding companies due to substantial negative evidence such as the recent history of cumulative losses and the projected losses for the remainder of 20172018 and subsequent years. We maintained this same valuation allowance position through the third quarter of 20172018.



19




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 9.10.Segment Reporting
We have determined our reportable segment based on our method of internal reporting, which disaggregates our business by geographic location. We evaluate performance and provide resources to it based on operating income before depreciation, amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Nextel Brazil is our only reportable operating segment.


1720




NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Nextel Brazil Corporate ConsolidatedNextel Brazil Corporate Consolidated
(in thousands)
Three Months Ended September 30, 2018 
  
  
Operating revenues$141,737
 $
 $141,737
Segment earnings (losses)$12,749
 $(4,601) $8,148
Less: 
  
  
Impairment, restructuring and other benefits, net    2
Depreciation and amortization 
  
 (6,805)
Foreign currency transaction losses, net 
  
 (12,238)
Interest expense and other, net 
  
 (38,828)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit 
  
 $(49,721)
Capital expenditures$17,583
 $
 $17,583
(in thousands)     
Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  
  
 
  
  
Operating revenues$204,784
 $24
 $204,808
$205,399
 $24
 $205,423
Segment losses$(30,661) $(6,281) $(36,942)$(27,266) $(6,281) $(33,547)
Less: 
  
  
 
  
  
Impairment, restructuring and other charges    (39,162)
Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net    (34,794)
Depreciation and amortization 
  
 (7,268) 
  
 (6,091)
Foreign currency transaction gains, net 
  
 14,174
 
  
 14,174
Interest expense and other, net 
  
 (25,228) 
  
 (25,230)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit 
  
 $(94,426)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit 
  
 $(85,488)
Capital expenditures$11,661
 $
 $11,661
$11,661
 $
 $11,661
          
Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  
  
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2018 
  
  
Operating revenues$260,798
 $38
 $260,836
$478,964
 $22
 $478,986
Segment earnings (losses)$23,636
 $(7,922) $15,714
$16,436
 $(12,751) $3,685
Less: 
  
  
 
  
  
Impairment, restructuring and other charges    (1,324,205)
Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net    (14,070)
Depreciation and amortization 
  
 (78,205) 
  
 (21,855)
Foreign currency transaction losses, net 
  
 (5,221) 
  
 (60,092)
Interest expense and other, net 
  
 (22,325) 
  
 (96,046)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit 
  
 $(1,414,242)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit 
  
 $(188,378)
Capital expenditures$14,439
 $
 $14,439
$40,688
 $
 $40,688
          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 
  
  
 
  
  
Operating revenues$680,814
 $83
 $680,897
$681,429
 $83
 $681,512
Segment losses$(15,208) $(21,980) $(37,188)$(11,813) $(21,980) $(33,793)
Less: 
  
  
 
  
  
Impairment, restructuring and other charges    (165,336)
Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net    (160,968)
Depreciation and amortization 
  
 (29,628) 
  
 (28,451)
Foreign currency transaction gains, net 
  
 12,197
 
  
 12,197
Interest expense and other, net 
  
 (60,838) 
  
 (60,393)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit 
  
 $(280,793)
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit 
  
 $(271,408)
Capital expenditures$30,100
 $
 $30,100
$30,100
 $
 $30,100
          
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
  
  
Operating revenues$736,469
 $137
 $736,606
Segment earnings (losses)$59,652
 $(29,462) $30,190
Less: 
  
  
Impairment, restructuring and other charges    (1,340,677)
Depreciation and amortization 
  
 (159,024)
Foreign currency transaction gains, net 
  
 77,777
Interest expense and other, net 
  
 (59,144)
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit 
  
 $(1,450,878)
Capital expenditures$25,570
 $
 $25,570
     
September 30, 2017 
  
  
September 30, 2018 
  
  
Identifiable assets$837,260
 $346,314
 $1,183,574
$799,167
 $240,421
 $1,039,588
December 31, 2016 
  
  
December 31, 2017 
  
  
Identifiable assets$1,000,098
 $418,411
 $1,418,509
$965,919
 $147,603
 $1,113,522


1821


                                    


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

INDEX TO MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS



1922


                                    

Introduction
The following is a discussion and analysis of:
our consolidated financial condition as of September 30, 20172018 and December 31, 20162017 and our consolidated results of operations for the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 20172018 and 2016;2017; and
significant factors that we believe could affect our prospective financial condition and results of operations.
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our 20162017 annual report on Form 10-K, including, but not limited to, the discussion regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, as described below. Historical results may not indicate future performance. See "Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements" and "Item 1A. — Risk Factors" in our 20162017 annual report on Form 10-K, andas well as "Part II — Other Information — Item 1A. Risk Factors" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 for risks and uncertainties that may impact our future performance. We refer to our remaining operating company as Nextel Brazil.

Partnership AgreementNextel Brazil Business Overview
We provide wireless communication services under the NextelTM brand in Brazil with our principal operations located in major urban and suburban centers with high population densities and related transportation corridors where there is a concentration of Brazil’s population and economic activity, including primarily Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Nextel Brazil operates a wideband code division multiple access, or WCDMA, network, which has been upgraded to offer long-term evolution, or LTE, services in certain areas. We are also a party to a roaming agreement that allows us to offer our subscribers nationwide voice and data services outside of our network's footprint. Our target market is individual consumers who use our services to meet both professional and personal needs. Our target subscribers generally exhibit above average usage, revenue and loyalty characteristics. We believe our target market is attracted to the services and pricing plans we offer, as well as the quality of and data speeds provided by our network.
The services we currently offer include:
mobile telephone voice and wireless data services;
international voice and data roaming services;
application-based radio connection; and
value-added services, including sports, music and entertainment streaming capabilities; online education; and access to national and international WiFi hotspot networks.
In the last several years, Nextel Brazil experienced iDEN subscriber losses and overall declines in its iDEN service revenue. In response to continued subscriber losses on its iDEN network, in September 2017, Nextel Brazil decided to wind down its iDEN operations. After migrating some subscribers to its WCDMA network, Nextel Brazil disconnected all of its remaining iDEN subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2018 when the iDEN network was shut down.

The majority of our subscribers purchase services from us by acquiring subscriber identity module, or SIM, cards from us and using these SIM cards in handsets that they acquire separately from other sources. As of September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil had about 3.207 million total subscriber units in commercial service, which we estimate to be about 4% of total postpaid mobile handsets and other devices in commercial service in Brazil. We refer to these subscriber units in commercial service collectively as our subscriber base.
Our goal is to grow our subscriber base and revenues by providing differentiated wireless communications services that are valued by our existing and potential subscribers. We are also striving to manage our capital and operating expenditures in the near term and improve our profitability and cash flow over the long term. Our strategy for achieving these goals is based on several core principles, including:
offering a unique and superior customer-centric experience, including a reliable and high quality wireless network and rate plan flexibility;
continuing to implement cost reduction strategies and redesigning our network architecture in order to lower cash costs per user, outweigh scale disadvantages, create an agile organization and improve overall profitability;
focusing on higher value customer segments that generate higher ARPU and lower subscriber turnover; and
building on the strength of the unique positioning of the Nextel brand.

23



Recently, Brazil experienced one of the worst economic recessions in its history, characterized by years of negative wage growth, a net loss of jobs, higher unemployment and lower consumer confidence. These economic conditions and trends resulted in a decline in the amount of consumer disposable income that is available to purchase telecommunications services and negatively impacted Nextel Brazil's results of operations for recent prior years. Although recent data indicates that Brazil's economy is beginning to recover, the growth is slow with gradual improvements.
In recent years, we have implemented changes in our business to better align our organization and costs with our operational and financial results. These changes have included a transition to lower cost subscriber acquisition channels, initiatives to reduce operating costs, including headcount reductions, and projects designed to improve operational and capital expenditure efficiencies in Brazil, all of which were intended to reduce costs while maintaining the support necessary to meet our subscribers' needs.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, our WCDMA subscriber turnover levels were lower than the same period last year, resulting in positive net WCDMA subscriber additions. We expect that, if we can continue to maintain similar turnover levels and grow our WCDMA subscriber base, we will be able to generate higher revenues in the future. We are also continuing to focus on opportunities to reduce operating expenses through operational improvements and cost reductions to preserve our liquidity. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” and “Future Capital Needs and Resources” for more information. While we are focused on effectively managing our business, we are also considering potential strategic alternatives with third parties involving Nextel Brazil. There can be no assurances that any such transaction will materialize or result in value to our stockholders at or above our current or future trading market value.
Additionally, effective in January 2018, we entered into amendments to Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility and two bank loans, which aligned the material financing terms in all three facilities. Among other changes, these amendments provide for the deferral of substantially all principal payments for the first 48 months from the date of effectiveness, an extension of the loan maturity dates to 98 months from the date of effectiveness, and a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020. Also, in August 2018, we issued a total of $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% convertible senior notes due 2023 for total net proceeds of $109.8 million that will help to fund our operations.
Minority Investment. On June 5, 2017, we and AINMT Holdings AB, or ice group, an international telecommunications company operating primarily in Norway under the "ice.net"“ice.net” brand, along with certain affiliates of ours and ice group, entered into an investment agreement to partner in the ownership of Nextel Brazil. On July 20, 2017, ice group completed its initial investment of $50.0 million in Nextel Holdings S.à r.l., or Nextel Holdings, a newly formed subsidiary of NII that indirectly owns Nextel Brazil, in exchange for 30% ownership in Nextel Holdings. In connection with the initial investment, ice group received 50.0 million shares of cumulative preferred voting stock in Nextel Holdings, and we received 116.6 million shares of common stock in this entity. The investment agreement also provided ice group is entitled to receive a 2% annual dividend on its cumulative preferred voting stock and will receive preference in the event of a liquidation. ice group also haswith an option, exercisable on or before November 15, 2017, to invest an additional $150.0 million in Nextel Holdings for an additional 30% ownership. On November 7, 2017, we were advised that ice group maydid not exercise its option, to make a secondand on February 27, 2018, we terminated the investment by November 15, 2017, and the parties are currently discussing the terms of an extension of ice group's option. Ifagreement. In September 2018, ice group exercises this option andcompleted the sale of its second investment is finalized, ice group's $200.0 million total investment would result in ice group owning a 60% controlling stake30% ownership interest in Nextel Holdings by selling the shares of its intermediary holding company, AI Brazil Holdings B.V., to AI Media Holdings (NMT) LLC (90%), or Access Industries, and we would hold a 40% stake.
Prior to the closing of the initial investment by ice group, we contributed $116.6 million in cash to Nextel Holdings. In connection with and subsequent to the closing of the initial investment, we contributed an additional $56.8 million to NextelBridford Music Holdings representing all of our freely distributable cash outside of Nextel Brazil, including proceeds released from escrowed funds from the sale of Nextel Mexico received to date, less $50.0 millionB.V. (10%). Since we retained for our expenses outside of the partnership. We have also agreed to contribute proceeds arising from the release of escrowed funds from the sale of Nextel Mexico from time to time as they are released.
If ice group exercises its option, the closing of the second investment is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. These conditions include approval by our stockholders, receipt of required third party consents and regulatory approvals, transfer of certain guarantees to Nextel Holdings and amendment of each of Nextel Brazil's existing credit facilities. We will seek stockholder approval for the transactions contemplated by this second investment if ice group exercises its option. If the second investment is not completed by January 31, 2018, either party may terminate the option. Until the second investment closes, we will continue to have a controlling interest in Nextel Brazil, and will continue to consolidatewe have consolidated this entity and its subsidiaries.
Pursuant to the investment agreement, we have agreed to conduct Nextel Brazil's business in the ordinary course and use commercially reasonable efforts to maintain and preserve its business organization and preserve certain business relationships.




2024


                                    

Nextel Brazil Business Update

Business Overview. We provide wireless communication services under the NextelTM brand in Brazil with our principal operations located in major urban and suburban centers with high population densities and related transportation corridors of that country where we believe there is a concentration of Brazil's business users and economic activity, including primarily Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo. Nextel Brazil's wideband code division multiple access, or WCDMA, network enables us to offer a wide range of products and services supported by that technology, including data services provided at substantially higher speeds than can be delivered on our legacy integrated digital enhanced network, or iDEN.
The target market for our WCDMA network is individual consumers who use our services to meet both professional and personal needs. Our target subscribers generally exhibit above average usage, revenue and loyalty characteristics. We believe our target market is attracted to the services and pricing plans we offer, as well as the quality of and data speeds provided by our WCDMA network.
We also offer long-term evolution, or LTE, services in Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo, and we continue to provide services on our legacy iDEN network throughout various regions in Brazil. The majority of our subscribers purchase services from us by acquiring the subscriber identity module, or SIM, cards from us separately, and use the SIM cards in one or more devices that they acquire from other sources.
The services we currently offer include:
mobile telephone voice service;
wireless data services, including mobile internet services, text messaging services and email services;
push-to-talk services, including Direct Connect®, Prip and International Direct Connect® services, which allow subscribers to talk to each other instantly;
other value-added services, including location-based services, which include the use of Global Positioning System, or GPS, technologies; digital media services; and a wide ranging set of applications available via our content management system, as well as the AndroidTM open application market;
business solutions, such as security, work force management, logistics support and other applications that help our business subscribers improve their productivity; and
voice and data roaming services outside of our coverage areas.
As of September 30, 2017, Nextel Brazil had about 3.296 million total subscriber units in commercial service, which we estimate to be about 4% of total postpaid mobile handsets and other devices in commercial service in Brazil. We refer to these subscriber units in commercial service collectively as our subscriber base.
Our goal is to grow our WCDMA-based subscriber base and revenues, as well as to promote the migration of our iDEN-based subscribers to our WCDMA-based subscriber base, by providing differentiated wireless communications services that are valued by our existing and potential subscribers. We are also striving to manage our capital and operating expenditures in the near term and improve our profitability and cash flow over the long term. Our strategy for achieving these goals is based on several core principles, including:
aligning our costs with our current business through continuous evaluation and streamlining of all capital and operating expenditures;
focusing on higher value customer segments that generate higher average revenue per user, or ARPU, and lower subscriber turnover;
utilizing the most profitable sales channels;
offering a unique and superior customer experience, including a reliable and high quality wireless network and online self-care and rate plan flexibility; and
building on the strength of the unique positioning of the Nextel brand.
To support our business plan, we have made significant capital and other investments as we deployed our WCDMA network and LTE upgrade. These investments have increased our costs and negatively impacted our profitability and are expected to continue to have that impact as we incur the fixed costs associated with our network while building the subscriber base it serves. However, we believe our investments have enhanced, and will continue to enhance, the competitiveness of our service offerings while continuing to support the differentiated services and superior customer service that have historically been significant factors supporting our business.

21



As a result of the weak economy and challenging competitive environment in Brazil, we implemented and will continue to implement changes in our business to better align our organization and costs with our operational and financial results. These have included lower investments in costs to support subscriber growth, reductions in capital expenditures, significant reductions in our headquarters staff through the reorganization of certain roles and responsibilities between our Brazil and corporate teams, and headcount reductions in Brazil, all of which are designed to reduce costs while maintaining the support necessary to meet our subscribers' needs. While some of these initiatives have led to better operating results, the challenges we face in Brazil, together with our debt service requirements, are placing significant pressure on our liquidity. See "Liquidity and Capital Resources and Future Capital Needs and Resources"for more information.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires us to make estimates, assumptions and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in theour condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Although we believe that our estimates, assumptions and judgments are reasonable, they are based on presently available information. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, actual results reported in future periods could differ from those estimates.
As described in more detail in our 20162017 annual report on Form 10-K under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” we consider the following accounting policies to be the most important to our financial position and results of operations or policies that require us to exercise significant judgment and/or estimates:
revenue recognition;
allowance for doubtful accounts;
depreciation of property, plant and equipment;
amortization of intangible assets;
valuation of long-lived assets;
foreign currency;
loss contingencies; and
income taxes.
ThereChange to Revenue Recognition Accounting Policy. As a result of the implementation of Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, No. 606, or ASC 606, beginning January 1, 2018, we allocate revenue between the handset and the service based on relative standalone selling price, or SSP. We recognize revenue when we satisfy a performance obligation by providing services or transferring control of promised handsets and accessories, which are distinct to a customer. We recognize revenue in an amount that reflects the consideration to which we expect to be entitled for those performance obligations.
We recognize revenue related to access charges ratably over the contract period and net of taxes collected from customers. We recognize handset and accessory revenue when a subscriber takes possession of a device. The transaction price of the handset sold, if any, is billed at the time of sale. Although more than 90% of our subscribers typically purchase services only and acquire a handset separately, the remainder of our subscriber base purchases a handset offered at a discounted price bundled with services. In these types of bundled sales, we allocate a portion of our future service billings to the handset and recognize revenue upon handset delivery at the inception of the contract. We determined that contracts with terms longer than one year that involve the sale of both a handset and related services generally do not include a significant financing component.
Other than these changes to our revenue recognition policy, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the threenine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to those discussed under “Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our 2016 annual report on Form 10-K.2018.


2225


                                    


Results of Operations
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S., we translated the results of operations of our Brazilian operating segment into U.S. dollars using the average foreign currency exchange rates for the applicable period. The following table presents the average foreign currency exchange rates we used to translate Nextel Brazil's results of operations, as well as changes from the average foreign currency exchange rates utilized in the prior period.
 Three Months Ended September 30, Actual Percent Change From Prior Year
 2017 2016 
Brazilian real3.16
 3.25
 3%

 Three Months Ended September 30, Actual Percent Change From Prior Year
 2018 2017 
Brazilian real3.96
 3.16
 (25)%
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Actual Percent Change From Prior Year
 2017 2016 
Brazilian real3.17
 3.56
 11%
 Nine Months Ended September 30, Actual Percent Change From Prior Year
 2018 2017 
Brazilian real3.61
 3.17
 (14)%

During 2016, foreign currency exchange rates in Brazil generally appreciated in value relative to the U.S. dollar. During the first nine months of 2017, the foreign currency exchange rates experienced a slight appreciation compared to the rate in effect at the end of the prior year. The following table presents the foreign currency exchange rates in effect at the end of each of the quarters in 2016,2017, as well as at the end of the first three quarters of 2017.2018.
 2016 2017
 March June September December March June September
Brazilian real3.56
 3.21
 3.25
 3.26
 3.13
 3.31
 3.17
 2017 2018
 March June September December March June September
Brazilian real3.13
 3.31
 3.17
 3.31
 3.32
 3.86
 4.00

ToThe percentage amounts presented in the “Actual Change from Previous Year” and the “Constant Currency Change from Previous Year” columns in the tables below reflect the positive (better, or B,) or negative (worse, or W,) growth rates for each of the line items. In addition, to provide better insighttransparency into Nextel Brazil's results of operations, we present the year-over-year percentage change in each of the line items presented on a consolidated basis and for Nextel Brazil on a constant currency basis in the "Constant Currency Change from Previous Year" columns in the tables below. The comparison of results for these line items on a constant currency basis shows the impact of changes in foreign currency exchange rates (i) by adjusting the relevant measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 to amounts that would have resulted if the average foreign currency exchange ratesrate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 were2017 was the same as the average foreign currency exchange ratesrate that werewas in effect for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017;2018; and (ii) by comparing the constant currency financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 to the actual financial measures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017.2018. This constant currency comparison applies consistent exchange rates to the operating revenues earned in Brazilian reais and to the other components of segment earnings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. The constant currency information reflected in the tables below is not a measurement under accounting principles generally accepted in the U.S. and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in our results of operations.


2326


                                    

a.    Consolidated
September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 
Actual Change from
Previous Year
 Constant Currency Change from Previous YearSeptember 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 
Actual Change from
Previous Year
 Constant Currency Change from Previous Year
 Dollars Percent Percent Dollars B(W) Change B(W) Change
(dollars in thousands)  (dollars in thousands)  
Three Months Ended                  
Brazil segment (losses) earnings$(30,661) $23,636
 $(54,297) (230)% (226)%
Brazil segment earnings (losses)12,749
 (27,266) 40,015
 147 % 158 %
Corporate segment losses(6,281) (7,922) 1,641
 (21)% (21)%(4,601) (6,281) 1,680
 27 % 27 %
Consolidated segment (losses) earnings(36,942) 15,714
 (52,656) (335)% (252)%
Impairment, restructuring and other charges(39,162) (1,324,205) 1,285,043
 (97)% (97)%
Consolidated segment earnings (losses)8,148
 (33,547) 41,695
 124 % 129 %
Impairment, restructuring and other benefits (charges), net2
 (34,794) 34,796
 100 % 100 %
Depreciation and amortization(7,268) (78,205) 70,937
 (91)% (91)%(6,805) (6,091) (714) (12)% (40)%
Operating loss(83,372) (1,386,696) 1,303,324
 (94)% (94)%
Operating income (loss)1,345
 (74,432) 75,777
 102 % 102 %
Interest expense, net(33,278) (29,451) (3,827) 13 % 8 %(24,324) (33,278) 8,954
 27 % (6)%
Interest income19,012
 9,199
 9,813
 107 % 101 %1,887
 19,012
 (17,125) (90)% (85)%
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net14,174
 (5,221) 19,395
 NM
 NM
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net(12,238) 14,174
 (26,412) (186)% (208)%
Other expense, net(10,962) (2,073) (8,889) NM
 NM
(16,391) (10,964) (5,427) (49)% (87)%
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit(94,426) (1,414,242) 1,319,816
 (93)% (94)%
Reorganization items(2) (150) 148
 (99)% (99)%
Income tax benefit
 2,838
 (2,838) (100)% (100)%
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit(49,721) (85,488) 35,767
 42 % 27 %
Income taxes
 
 
 NM
 NM
Net loss from continuing operations(94,428) (1,411,554) 1,317,126
 (93)% (93)%(49,721) (85,488) 35,767
 42 % 27 %
Loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(92) (7,389) 7,297
 (99)% (99)%(163) (92) (71) (77)% (77)%
Net loss(94,520) (1,418,943) 1,324,423
 (93)% (94)%(49,884) (85,580) 35,696
 42 % 27 %
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(27,304) 
 (27,304) NM
 NM
(8,866) (24,622) 15,756
 64 % 64 %
Net loss attributable to NII Holdings$(67,216) $(1,418,943) $1,351,727
 (95)% (95)%$(41,018) $(60,958) $19,940
 33 % 7 %
                  
Nine Months Ended                  
Brazil segment (losses) earnings$(15,208) $59,652
 $(74,860) (125)% (123)%
Brazil segment earnings (losses)16,436
 (11,813) 28,249
 239 % 258 %
Corporate segment losses(21,980) (29,462) 7,482
 (25)% (25)%(12,751) (21,980) 9,229
 42 % 42 %
Consolidated segment (losses) earnings(37,188) 30,190
 (67,378) (223)% (156)%
Impairment, restructuring and other charges(165,336) (1,340,677) 1,175,341
 (88)% (89)%
Consolidated segment earnings (losses)3,685
 (33,793) 37,478
 111 % 111 %
Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net(14,070) (160,968) 146,898
 91 % 90 %
Depreciation and amortization(29,628) (159,024) 129,396
 (81)% (83)%(21,855) (28,451) 6,596
 23 % 12 %
Operating loss(232,152) (1,469,511) 1,237,359
 (84)% (86)%(32,240) (223,212) 190,972
 86 % 84 %
Interest expense, net(91,245) (81,854) (9,391) 11 % (6)%(78,940) (91,245) 12,305
 13 % (7)%
Interest income35,956
 29,725
 6,231
 21 % 8 %8,866
 35,956
 (27,090) (75)% (71)%
Foreign currency transaction gains, net12,197
 77,777
 (65,580) (84)% (86)%
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net(60,092) 12,197
 (72,289) NM
 NM
Other expense, net(5,549) (7,015) 1,466
 (21)% (29)%(25,972) (5,104) (20,868) NM
 NM
Loss from continuing operations before reorganization items and income tax benefit(280,793) (1,450,878) 1,170,085
 (81)% (83)%
Reorganization items445
 (748) 1,193
 (159)% (159)%
Loss from continuing operations before income tax benefit(188,378) (271,408) 83,030
 31 % 22 %
Income tax benefit5,778
 2,469
 3,309
 134 % 134 %
 5,778
 (5,778) (100)% (100)%
Net loss from continuing operations(274,570) (1,449,157) 1,174,587
 (81)% (83)%(188,378) (265,630) 77,252
 29 % 20 %
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes2,567
 (16,245) 18,812
 (116)% (116)%
(Loss) income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes(2,946) 2,567
 (5,513) (215)% (215)%
Net loss(272,003) (1,465,402) 1,193,399
 (81)% (83)%(191,324) (263,063) 71,739
 27 % 18 %
Net loss attributable to noncontrolling interest(27,304) 
 (27,304) NM
 NM
(47,965) (24,622) (23,343) (95)% (95)%
Net loss attributable to NII Holdings$(244,699) $(1,465,402) $1,220,703
 (83)% (85)%$(143,359) $(238,441) $95,082
 40 % 31 %

NM-Not Meaningful

2427


                                    

We define segment (losses) earnings as operating loss before depreciation, amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges. We recognized consolidated segment lossesearnings of $36.9$8.1 million and $37.2$3.7 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to consolidated segment earningslosses of $15.7$33.5 million and $30.2$33.8 million during the same periods in 2016.2017. Our consolidated results include the results of operations of our Brazil segment and our corporate operations in the sections that follow.

1.Impairment, restructuring and other charges, net

Consolidated impairment, restructuring and other charges, net recognized during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 primarily consisted of $11.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively, in restructuring costs, the majority of which related to future lease costs for approximately 500 iDEN-related transmitter and receiver sites. Consolidated impairment, restructuring and other charges, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were partially offset by the reversal of $3.6 million and $17.3 million, respectively, in previously accrued restructuring charges related to approximately 360 transmitter and receiver sites that Nextel Brazil has identified as sites that it plans to exchange with certain of its tower lessors, as well as the reversal of $9.4 million in previously accrued restructuring charges in the third quarter of 2018 in connection with the determination that approximately 400 transmitter and receiver sites related to Nextel Brazil's radio access network, or RAN, sharing project will be utilized.

Consolidated impairment, restructuring and other charges recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 included $34.2$29.9 million in restructuring costs related to a change in the scope of Nextel Brazil's radio access network, or RAN sharing implementation, as well as $9.2 million and $61.8 million in other restructuring costs, respectively, most of which related to future lease costs for certain transmitter and receiver sites that are no longer required in Nextel Brazil's business and $3.1 million and $7.0 million in other non-cash asset impairment charges, respectively, primarily related to the abandonment of certain transmitter and receiver sites that were no longer required in Nextel Brazil's business. Consolidated impairment, restructuring and other charges recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2017 also included a $56.5 million non-cash asset impairment charge to reduce the carrying values of Nextel Brazil's long-lived assets to their respective fair values and $4.9 million in severance and other related costs resulting from the separation of certain executive level employees in Brazil.

2.Interest income
During
The $17.1 million, or 90%, and $27.1 million, or 75%, decreases in consolidated interest income from the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 to the same periods in 2018 were mostly the result of the recognition of monetary corrections on certain tax credits in the third quarter of 2016, we determined that the carrying value2017.

3.Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net

Consolidated foreign currency transaction losses of our Nextel Brazil segment is not fully recoverable. As a result of this determination, we recorded a $1.31 billion non-cash asset impairment charge to reduce the carrying values of Nextel Brazil's long-lived assets to their respective fair values, as well as to impair our trademark intangible asset$12.2 million and other property, plant and equipment at the corporate level. Consolidated impairment, restructuring and other charges$60.1 million recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 also included $5.2 million and $13.4 million, respectively, in non-cash asset impairment charges2018 were primarily related to the abandonment of transmitter and receiver sites in Brazil and $6.2 million and $11.4 million, respectively, in restructuring charges primarily related to future lease costs for certain transmitter and receiver sites that are no longer required in Nextel Brazil's business and office closures. In the nine months ended September 30, 2016, these charges also included $3.4 million in severance and other related costs at the corporate level as a result of the separation of employees in an effort to streamline our organizational structure and reduce general and administrative expenses.

2.Depreciation and amortization

The $70.9 million, or 91%, and $129.4 million, or 81%, decreases in consolidated depreciation and amortization on a reported basis, and 91% and 83% decreases on a constant currency basis, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 resulted primarily from the $1.31 billion non-cash asset impairment charge we recognized in the third quarter of 2016.

3.Interest expense, net

Consolidated net interest expense increased $3.8 million, or 13%, on a reported basis, and 8% on a constant currency basis, during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 primarily due to interest incurred under Nextel Brazil's spectrum financing arrangement. Consolidated net interest expense increased $9.4 million, or 11%, on a reported basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016 as a result of the impact of the appreciationdepreciation in the value of the Brazilian real on our reported results. Consolidated net interest expense decreased 6% on a constant currency basis overrelative to the same period primarily due to principal payments underU.S. dollar during those periods on Nextel Brazil's U.S. dollar-denominated equipment financing facility and local bank loans, partially offset by interest incurred under Nextel Brazil's spectrum financing arrangement.facility.

4.Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net

Consolidated foreign currency transaction gains of $14.2 million and $12.2 million recognized in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 were primarily the result of the impact of the appreciation in the value of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar during those periods on Nextel Brazil's U.S. dollar-denominated net liabilities.

Consolidated foreign currency transaction losses of $5.2 million during the three months ended September 30, 2016 were primarily due to the depreciation in the value of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Brazil's U.S. dollar-denominated net liabilities during that period. Foreign currency transaction gains of $77.8 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2016 were primarily due to the appreciation in the value of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Brazil's U.S. dollar-denominated net liabilities during the first half of 2016, partially offset by a decline in its value relative to the U.S. dollar during the three months ended September 30, 2016.

25


equipment financing facility.






28



b.    Nextel Brazil
 September 30, 2017 
% of
Nextel Brazil’s
Operating Revenues
 September 30, 2016 
% of
Nextel Brazil’s
Operating Revenues
 
Actual Change from
Previous Year
 Constant Currency Change from Previous Year
     Dollars Percent Percent
 (dollars in thousands)  
Three Months Ended  ��          
Service and other revenues$200,235
 98 % $255,625
 98 % $(55,390) (22)% (24)%
Handset and accessory revenues4,549
 2 % 5,173
 2 % (624) (12)% (14)%
Cost of handsets and accessories(8,736) (4)% (5,780) (2)% (2,956) 51 % 47 %
Handset and accessory net subsidy(4,187) (2)% (607) 
 (3,580) NM
 NM
Cost of service (exclusive of
  depreciation and amortization)
(94,010) (46)% (96,526) (37)% 2,516
 (3)% (5)%
Selling and marketing expenses(28,275) (14)% (30,439) (12)% 2,164
 (7)% (10)%
General and administrative expenses(104,424) (51)% (104,417) (40)% (7) 
 (3)%
Segment (losses) earnings$(30,661) (15)% $23,636
 9 % $(54,297) (230)% (226)%
              
Nine Months Ended             
Service and other revenues$663,748
 97 % $719,250
 98 % $(55,502) (8)% (18)%
Handset and accessory revenues17,066
 2 % 17,219
 2 % (153) (1)% (12)%
Cost of handsets and accessories(30,443) (4)% (25,807) (3)% (4,636) 18 % 5 %
Handset and accessory net subsidy(13,377) (2)% (8,588) (1)% (4,789) 56 % 39 %
Cost of service (exclusive of
  depreciation and amortization)
(284,560) (42)% (268,460) (37)% (16,100) 6 % (6)%
Selling and marketing expenses(78,843) (11)% (80,491) (11)% 1,648
 (2)% (13)%
General and administrative expenses(302,176) (44)% (302,059) (41)% (117) 
 (11)%
Segment (losses) earnings$(15,208) (2) $59,652
 8 % $(74,860) (125)% (123)%

NM-Not Meaningful
 September 30, 2018 
% of
Nextel Brazil’s
Operating Revenues
 September 30, 2017 
% of
Nextel Brazil’s
Operating Revenues
 
Actual Change from
Previous Year
 Constant Currency Change from Previous Year
     Dollars B(W) Change B(W) Change
 (dollars in thousands)  
Three Months Ended             
Service and other revenues$138,596
 98 % $200,850
 98 % $(62,254) (31)% (14)%
Handset and accessory revenues3,141
 2 % 4,549
 2 % (1,408) (31)% (14)%
Cost of handsets and accessories(3,452) (2)% (8,736) (4)% 5,284
 60 % 51 %
Handset and accessory net subsidy(311) 
 (4,187) (2)% 3,876
 93 % 91 %
Cost of service (exclusive of
  depreciation and amortization)
(61,634) (44)% (91,230) (44)% 29,596
 32 % 15 %
Selling and marketing expenses(18,902) (13)% (28,275) (14)% 9,373
 33 % 16 %
General and administrative expenses(45,000) (32)% (104,424) (51)% 59,424
 57 % 46 %
Segment earnings (losses)$12,749
 9 % $(27,266) (13)% $40,015
 147 % 158 %
              
Nine Months Ended             
Service and other revenues$465,581
 97 % $664,363
 97 % $(198,782) (30)% (20)%
Handset and accessory revenues13,383
 3 % 17,066
 2 % (3,683) (22)% (11)%
Cost of handsets and accessories(19,532) (4)% (30,443) (4)% 10,911
 36 % 27 %
Handset and accessory net subsidy(6,149) (1)% (13,377) (2)% 7,228
 54 % 48 %
Cost of service (exclusive of
  depreciation and amortization)
(220,295) (46)% (281,780) (41)% 61,485
 22 % 11 %
Selling and marketing expenses(55,628) (12)% (78,843) (12)% 23,215
 29 % 20 %
General and administrative expenses(167,073) (35)% (302,176) (44)% 135,103
 45 % 37 %
Segment earnings (losses)$16,436
 3 % $(11,813) (2)% $28,249
 239 % 258 %
The average value of the Brazilian real appreciateddepreciated relative to the U.S. dollar during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 by 3%25% and 11%, respectively,14% compared to the average value that prevailed during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.2017. As a result, the components of Nextel Brazil's results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, after translation into U.S. dollars, reflect higherlower revenues and expenses in U.S. dollars than would have occurred if the Brazilian real had not appreciateddepreciated relative to the U.S. dollar. To the extent the value of the Brazilian real depreciates further relative to the U.S. dollar, Nextel Brazil's future reported results of operations will be adversely affected.

We use the term "subscriber unit," which we also refer to as a subscriber, to represent an active SIM card, which is the level at which we track subscribers. The table below provides an overview of Nextel Brazil's subscriber units in commercial service on both its iDEN and WCDMA networks, as well as Nextel Brazil's subscriber turnover rates for each of the quarters in 20162017 and for the first three quarters of 2017.2018. We calculate subscriber turnover by dividing subscriber deactivations for the period by the average number of subscriber units during that period.


26
29


                                    

Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
March 31, 2016 
June 30,
2016
 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2017 June 30, 2017 September 30, 2017March 31, 2017 
June 30,
2017
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 June 30, 2018 September 30, 2018
(subscribers in thousands)(subscribers in thousands)
WCDMA subscriber units2,815.2
 2,874.6
 2,864.8
 2,845.8
 2,896.1
 3,023.8
 3,121.0
iDEN subscriber units1,552.0
 1,315.1
 1,127.8
 962.1
 822.7
 686.3
 563.3
822.7
 686.3
 563.3
 449.7
 349.6
 230.4
 
WCDMA subscriber units2,744.7
 2,708.7
 2,717.1
 2,746.3
 2,815.2
 2,874.6
 2,864.8
Total subscriber units in commercial service — beginning of period4,296.7
 4,023.8
 3,844.9
 3,708.4
 3,637.9
 3,560.9
 3,428.1
3,637.9
 3,560.9
 3,428.1
 3,295.5
 3,245.7
 3,254.2
 3,121.0
                          
WCDMA net subscriber additions (losses)38.4
 (29.3) (32.3) 26.8
 92.9
 65.7
 85.7
iDEN net subscriber losses(195.2) (149.7) (130.8) (110.1) (115.4) (103.5) (100.3)(115.4) (103.5) (100.3) (76.6) (84.4) (198.9) 
WCDMA net subscriber (losses) additions(77.7) (29.2) (5.7) 39.6
 38.4
 (29.3) (32.3)
Total net subscriber losses(272.9) (178.9) (136.5) (70.5) (77.0) (132.8) (132.6)
Total net subscriber (losses) additions(77.0) (132.8) (132.6) (49.8) 8.5
 (133.2) 85.7
                          
Migrations from iDEN to WCDMA41.7
 37.6
 34.9
 29.3
 21.0
 19.5
 13.3
21.0
 19.5
 13.3
 23.5
 34.8
 31.5
 
                          
WCDMA subscriber units2,874.6
 2,864.8
 2,845.8
 2,896.1
 3,023.8
 3,121.0
 3,206.7
iDEN subscriber units1,315.1
 1,127.8
 962.1
 822.7
 686.3
 563.3
 449.7
686.3
 563.3
 449.7
 349.6
 230.4
 
 
WCDMA subscriber units2,708.7
 2,717.1
 2,746.3
 2,815.2
 2,874.6
 2,864.8
 2,845.8
Total subscriber units in commercial service — end of period4,023.8
 3,844.9
 3,708.4
 3,637.9
 3,560.9
 3,428.1
 3,295.5
3,560.9
 3,428.1
 3,295.5
 3,245.7
 3,254.2
 3,121.0
 3,206.7
                          
WCDMA subscriber turnover3.23% 3.53% 4.04% 3.47% 2.37% 2.75% 2.68%
iDEN subscriber turnover5.52% 5.88% 6.89% 6.36% 9.67% NM
 
Total subscriber turnover4.34% 3.99% 3.99% 3.65% 3.71% 3.95% 4.47%3.71% 3.95% 4.47% 3.83% 3.02% 4.68% 2.68%
iDEN subscriber turnover4.80% 4.46% 4.65% 4.71% 5.52% 5.88% 6.89%
WCDMA subscriber turnover4.10% 3.78% 3.73% 3.31% 3.23% 3.53% 4.04%

NM-Not Meaningful
Over the last several years, Nextel Brazil experienced high subscriber turnover on its iDEN network, and in September 2017, Nextel Brazil decided to wind down its iDEN operations. After migrating some customers to its WCDMA network, Nextel Brazil disconnected all of its remaining iDEN subscribers at the end of the second quarter of 2018 when the iDEN network was shut down. Although Nextel Brazil did not have any significant non-recurring cash expenditures associated with its iDEN network shutdown, Nextel Brazil will continue to incur rent expenses related to certain iDEN transmitter and receiver sites subsequent to their shutdown until these leases end.

Nextel Brazil's WCDMA subscriber turnover steadily decreased throughout 2016 as a result of various actions Nextel Brazil implemented in an effort to retain existing subscribers. These actions included the implementation of new simplified rate plans, the issuance of loyalty discounts and customer care credits, more customer self-care offerings, better delivery of service and other actions to improve our customers' overall experience. During the second and third quarters of 2017, Nextel Brazil's WCDMA subscriber turnover increased as a result of the introduction of unlimited voice offerings by competitors and the tightening of certain credit and collections policies in the first nine months of 2017. In addition, the increase in Nextel Brazil's WCDMA subscriber turnover in the third quarter of 2017 was partially caused by a significant number of customer contract expirations. In August 2017, Nextel Brazil introduced similar types ofbegan offering unlimited voice offeringsrate plans on its WCDMA network in response to the increasingly competitive environment and is actively workingenvironment. As a result of its efforts to migrate its existing customers to these types of unlimited rate plans. We expectplans, as well as other targeted efforts to promote customer loyalty and improve collections, Nextel Brazil's WCDMA subscriber turnover to declinebegan declining in the fourth quarter of 2017 asand decreased further in the first quarter of 2018 before stabilizing at a resultslightly higher level in the second and third quarters of these efforts.2018.

The following table represents Nextel Brazil's ARPU for subscribers on both its iDEN and WCDMA networks for each of the quarters in 2016,2017, as well as for the first three quarters of 2017,2018, in both U.S. dollars (US$) and in Brazilian reais (BR). We calculate service ARPU by dividing service revenues per period by the weighted average number of subscriber units in commercial service during that period.
 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2016 
June 30,
2016
 September 30, 2016 December 31, 2016 March 31, 2017 
June 30,
2017
 September 30, 2017
Total service ARPU (US$)16
 19
 21
 20
 21
 19
 19
  WCDMA service ARPU (US$)16
 20
 21
 21
 22
 20
 19
  iDEN service ARPU (US$)15
 16
 19
 18
 17
 15
 15
              
Total service ARPU (BR)62
 66
 67
 67
 65
 62
 59
  WCDMA service ARPU (BR)64
 70
 69
 69
 68
 65
 61
  iDEN service ARPU (BR)57
 56
 60
 59
 54
 49
 47


2730


                                    

 Three Months Ended
 March 31, 2017 
June 30,
2017
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2017 March 31, 2018 
June 30,
2018
 
September 30,
2018
Total service ARPU (US$)21
 19
 19
 18
 17
 15
 14
  WCDMA service ARPU (US$)22
 20
 19
 18
 18
 15
 14
  iDEN service ARPU (US$)17
 15
 15
 14
 12
 8
 
              
Total service ARPU (BR)65
 62
 59
 57
 56
 54
 56
  WCDMA service ARPU (BR)68
 65
 61
 58
 58
 55
 56
  iDEN service ARPU (BR)54
 49
 47
 47
 38
 26
 
During the first half of 2017, Nextel Brazil's WCDMA service ARPU in Brazilian reais decreased over the course of the first two quarters in 2017 compared to recent prior quarters as thea result of a higher volume of discounts to retain existing customers and slightly lower loading ARPU in an effort to attract new customers. Nextel Brazil's WCDMA service ARPU in Brazilian reais continued to decrease in the third quartersecond half of 2017 due primarily to price deterioration in part tothe overall wireless market and new types of unlimited rate plans beingthat were introduced in response to the competitive environment as theseenvironment. These types of plans removeexclude many of the usage-based fees that Nextel Brazil charged in previous quarters, which resulted in less revenue per customer.
Overall market pricing in Brazil has been declining over time and continued to put pressure on Nextel Brazil's WCDMA service ARPU in 2018. In addition, a higher proportion of new subscribers have selected entry level plans, resulting in a decrease in WCDMA service ARPU during the second quarter of 2018. Nextel Brazil's WCDMA service ARPU increased slightly in local currency in the third quarter of 2018 as a result of an annual inflationary-based price increase. Although Nextel Brazil is taking actionspromoting the migration of certain of its customers to upgraded rate plans in an effort to stabilize its WCDMA service ARPU, in the remainder of 2017.
Nextel Brazil continues to offer services on its iDEN network, which does not support data services that are competitive with the higher speed data services offered by its competitors or available on its WCDMA network. As a result,trends Nextel Brazil has hadrecently experienced could continue to offer iDEN service plans with lower ARPU levelsapply downward pressure to retain subscribers on its iDEN network and offer incentives to transition those subscribers to services on its WCDMA network. Nextel Brazil has experienced net subscriber losses and overall declines in its iDEN service ARPU. Nextel Brazil's iDEN service ARPU increased in the third quarter of 2016 as the result of an annual inflationary price adjustment. In response to continued subscriber losses on its iDEN network, in September 2017, Nextel Brazil made a decision to wind down its iDEN operations with a target to cease all iDEN services by the second quarter of 2018. Nextel Brazil is currently working to actively migrate the remainder of its iDEN subscriber base to its WCDMA network. As a result of this decision, we expect a significant decrease in iDEN-based operating revenue from 2017 to 2018 with minimal associated cost savings.future.
Results Overview.
Until recently, Brazil was experiencing one of the worst economic recessions in its history. As a result, the economic environment in Brazil has been characterized by negative real wage growth, a net loss of jobs, higher unemployment and lower consumer confidence. These conditions and trends have resulted in a decline in the amount of consumer disposable income that is available to purchase telecommunications services and have had an adverse impact on our ability to attract and retain subscribers and on our collection rates. We expect that these economic conditions will continue to have a negative impact on Nextel Brazil's reported results of operations for the remainder of 2017.
Over the course of the last two years, we have made adjustments to our business plan to reflect our available cash resources and the impact of the current and expected economic and competitive conditions in Brazil on both our subscriber growth and revenues, and have aligned our costs with this revised outlook. As a result, we are not aggressively investing in subscriber growth, but are focusing on attracting high value subscribers while simultaneously reducing operating expenses, handset subsidies and customer turnover.Overview
Nextel Brazil's segment earnings decreased $54.3WCDMA operating revenues were $141.7 million or 230%, and $74.9$463.5 million or 125%, on a reported basis,in the three and 226%nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively, and 123% on a constant currency basis,$176.1 million and $557.3 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, comparedrespectively. Nextel Brazil did not have any iDEN operating revenues in the three months ended September 30, 2018 due to the same periods in 2016 primarily as a resultshutdown of a decline inthe iDEN network at the end of the second quarter of 2018. Nextel Brazil's iDEN operating revenues partially offset by lower operating expenses as follows:

1.Service and other revenues
Servicewere $15.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and other revenues decreased $55.4$29.3 million and $124.2 million in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Nextel Brazil's segment earnings increased $40.0 million, or 22%147%, and $55.5$28.2 million, or 8%239%, on a reported basis, and 24%158% and 18%258% on a constant currency basis, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 20162017 primarily as a result of cost reductions, partially offset by lower revenues.

1.Service and other revenues

Service and other revenues decreased $62.3 million, or 31%, and $198.8 million, or 30%, on a reported basis, and 14% and 20% on a constant currency basis, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 as a result of the decline in Nextel Brazil's iDEN subscriber base, as well as the decreasesdecrease in service ARPU discussed above.

Nextel Brazil's WCDMA subscriber base grew 13% from 2.72.8 million subscribers as ofat the end of the third quarter of 20162017 to 2.83.2 million subscribers as ofat the end of the third quarter of 2017.2018. Despite the overall growth in its WCDMA subscriber base, Nextel Brazil's WCDMA-based service and other revenues decreased 10%19% and 4%, respectively,17% on a constant currencyreported basis from the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 to the same periods in 2018 and 6% on a constant currency basis from the nine months ended September 30, 2017 to the same period in 2018 due to a decrease in local currency WCDMA service ARPU. Nextel Brazil's WCDMA-based services and other revenues increased 1% on a constant currency basis from the three months ended September 30, 2017 to the same period in 2018 as a result of the 13% increase in its WCDMA subscriber base, partially offset by a decrease in WCDMA service ARPU.

Nextel Brazil's iDEN-based service and other revenues decreased $42.3$29.6 million, or 59%100%, and $97.2$105.7 million, or 44%87%, from the three and nine months ended September 30, 20162017 to the same periods in 2017,2018, or 61%100% and 51%85% on a constant currency basis, as a result of a decrease inthe completion of the shutdown of Nextel Brazil's iDEN subscriber base from 1.0network in May 2018.

Service and other revenues would have been $4.1 million subscribers asand $13.9 million higher in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 without the implementation of the end of the third quarter of 2016 to 0.4 million subscribers as of the end of the third quarter of 2017.ASC 606.

31



2.Handset and accessory net subsidy
Nextel Brazil recognized $4.2 million and $13.4 million in handset and accessory net subsidy in
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to $0.6 million and $8.6 million in the same periods in 2016. During the periods presented,2018, approximately 93% and 94%, respectively, of ourNextel Brazil's new WCDMA gross subscriber additionssubscribers represented subscribers who utilized their existing handsets rather than purchasing a new handset from Nextel Brazil compared to 93% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, resulting in relatively low levels of handset and accessory net subsidy.

28




3.Cost of service
Cost of service decreased $2.5$29.6 million, or 3%32%, on a reported basis during the three months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. Cost of service increased $16.1and $61.5 million, or 6%, on a reported basis during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same period in 2016. On a constant currency basis, Nextel Brazil's cost of service decreased 5% and 6% during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the same periods in 2016 mainly due to lower transmitter and receiver site maintenance and utility costs, a reduction in the volume of calls on Nextel Brazil's iDEN network and lower mobile termination rates, partially offset by expenses related to Nextel Brazil's RAN sharing agreement. Nextel Brazil will continue to incur certain rent expenses related to iDEN transmitter and receiver sites subsequent to their shutdown until these sites are dismantled or the lease ends.

4.Selling and marketing expenses
Selling and marketing expenses decreased $2.2 million, or 7%, and $1.6 million, or 2%22%, on a reported basis during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 2016.2017. On a constant currency basis, Nextel Brazil's sellingcost of service decreased 15% and marketing expenses decreased 10% and 13%, respectively, in the three and the nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to11% over the same periods in 2016 as a result of a change in the mix between direct and indirect commissions to less costly channels, as well as lower advertising expensesmainly due to fewer television marketing campaigns.lower transmitter and receiver site rent and maintenance costs, the elimination of calls on Nextel Brazil's iDEN network and lower mobile termination rates.

5.4.GeneralSelling and administrativemarketing expenses
General
Selling and administrativemarketing expenses remained relatively stabledecreased $9.4 million, or 33%, and $23.2 million, or 29%, on a reported basis, and decreased 3%16% and 11%20% on a constant currency basis, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 20162017 primarily due to a shift to lower cost sales channels.

The adoption of ASC 606 resulted in the capitalization of both direct and indirect commissions beginning on January 1, 2018 compared to the expensing of these types of commissions during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. If we had not implemented ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, Nextel Brazil would have recognized an additional $0.7 million and $2.4 million in selling and marketing expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil recognized gains of $1.2 million and $4.4 million related to the utilization of certain non-income based tax credits that were expensed in prior periods because they were not expected to be realized.

5.General and administrative expenses

General and administrative expenses decreased $59.4 million, or 57%, and $135.1 million, or 45%, on a reported basis, and 46% and 37% on a constant currency basis, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017 primarily resulting from $13.2 million and $36.3 million decreases in consulting costs, partially offset by slight increases in bad debt expense asresulting from lower overall levels of involuntary subscriber turnover compared to prior years and improvements in collections, lower payroll-related expenses and $10.1 million and $28.6 million decreases in customer care-related expenses. In addition, in connection with the implementation of ASC 606, we recognized revenue-based taxes on a resultnet basis in 2018 rather than on a gross basis in 2017. If we had not implemented ASC 606 on January 1, 2018, Nextel Brazil would have recognized an additional $3.4 million and $12.1 million, respectively, in general and administrative expenses during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, Nextel Brazil recognized gains of lower collections due$2.9 related to the challenging macroeconomic environment.



utilization of certain non-income based tax credits that were expensed in prior periods because they were not expected to be realized. We will continue to explore additional tax savings opportunities in future periods.


2932


                                    

c.    Corporate

September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016 
Change from
Previous Year
September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017 
Change from
Previous Year
 Dollars Percent Dollars B(W) Change
(dollars in thousands)(dollars in thousands)
Three Months Ended              
Service and other revenues$24
 $38
 $(14) (37)%$
 $24
 $(24) (100)%
General and administrative expenses(6,305) (7,960) 1,655
 (21)%(4,601) (6,305) 1,704
 27 %
Segment losses$(6,281) $(7,922) $1,641
 (21)%$(4,601) $(6,281) $1,680
 27 %
              
Nine Months Ended              
Service and other revenues$83
 $137
 $(54) (39)%$22
 $83
 $(61) (73)%
General and administrative expenses(22,063) (29,599) 7,536
 (25)%(12,773) (22,063) 9,290
 42 %
Segment losses$(21,980) $(29,462) $7,482
 (25)%$(12,751) $(21,980) $9,229
 42 %
Segment losses decreased $1.6$1.7 million, or 21%27%, and $7.5$9.2 million, or 25%42%, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172018 compared to the same periods in 20162017 primarily due to reductions in payroll costs resulting from fewer general and administrative personnel following reductions in force, as well as lower rent expense and lower information technology costs resulting from the reorganization of certain roles and responsibilities between our Brazil and corporate teams. General and administrative expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 included approximately $0.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, of transaction costs related to our partnership agreement with ice group.decreases in professional fees.


Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2017,2018, we had a working capital deficit of $179.1$203.5 million, a $22.6 million decrease compared to a working capital deficit of $119.7$226.1 million as of December 31, 2016. As of September 30, 2017, due to cash used in our operations. Our working capital included $234.7$152.7 million in cash and cash equivalents, of which $2.0$1.6 million was held by Nextel Brazil in Brazilian reais, and $24.9$48.4 million in short-term investments, which was also held in Brazilian reais. During the second quarter of 2017, we recovered $41.7 million in cash securing performance bonds. As of September 30, 2017, we had $51.8 million of cash collateral securing the remaining performance bonds, of which we recorded $48.6 million as a component of prepaid expenses and other and the remaining $3.2 million as a component of other assets in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. As of September 30, 2017,2018, we also had $110.0$106.1 million in cash held in escrow in connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico, which we classified as a component of prepaid expenses and other in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. In October 2017, we reached an agreement with the Mexican tax authorities related to the audits of Nextel Mexico's income tax returns for the years 2010 and 2011. Specifically, we agreed to incremental tax liabilities of $36.9 million to settle all open issues related to these tax years. We expect to utilize existing tax credits to settle these liabilities, although it is possible that we may need to settle a portion of these liabilities using cash that is currently held in escrow. We expect to receive a release of the previously escrowed funds related to the 2010 and 2011 income tax audits, less any cash used to settle the claims, in the fourth quarter of 2017. See Note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for more information.
A substantial portion of our U.S. dollar-denominated cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments is held in bank deposits, and our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments held in Brazilian reais are typically maintained in a combination of money market funds highly liquid overnight securities and fixed income investments.that have daily liquidity. The values of our cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments that are held in Brazilian reais will fluctuate in U.S. dollars based on changes in the exchange rate of the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar.

In October 2017, Nextel Brazil entered into an amended and restated equipment financing facility and sixth amendments to its two bank loans with Brazilian lenders. In January 2018, we received final approval from the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation, or Sinosure, for the amended and restated equipment financing facility, at which point all of these amendments became effective. As a result of the amendments, the material financing terms in all three facilities were aligned. Among other changes, loans under these agreements have a 48-month grace period from January 2018 for material repayments, a 50-month material repayment term that begins in January 2022 and a final maturity of March 2026 for Nextel Brazil's bank loans and February 2026 for Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility. These amendments also provide for a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020.

In August 2018, we privately placed $100.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% convertible senior notes. We also granted the initial purchaser an option to purchase up to an additional $15.0 million principal amount of convertible senior notes, which was exercised in full. As a result, we issued a total of $115.0 million principal amount of convertible senior notes at par for total net proceeds of $109.8 million. The convertible senior notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year on the principal amount of the notes, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2019. The convertible senior notes mature on August 15, 2023, unless earlier converted or repurchased, when the entire principal balance of $115.0 million will be due.

3033


                                    

Cash Flows
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2017 September 30, 2016
    
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period$257,380
 $342,184
Net cash used in operating activities(62,657) (74,908)
Net cash provided by investing activities80,678
 96,888
Net cash used in financing activities(41,249) (72,857)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents543
 (1,558)
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period$234,695
 $289,749
 Nine Months Ended
 September 30, 2018 September 30, 2017
    
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, beginning of period$305,778
 $422,232
Net cash used in operating activities(96,885) (62,657)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities(46,420) 28,143
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities99,867
 (41,249)
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash(1,536) 543
Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash, end of period$260,804
 $347,012

The following is a discussion of the primary sources and uses of cash in our operating, investing and financing activities.

We used $96.9 million and $62.7 million of cash in our operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 a $12.3primarily to fund operating losses and working capital and to make interest payments under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing and bank loans. We expect that our cash flow from operations will continue to be negative through at least 2018.

We used $46.4 million decrease fromof cash in our investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, largely resulting from efforts2018, primarily due to reduce operating costs$36.8 million in net purchases of short-term investments in Brazil and lower interest. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, cash used in our operating activities included $75.3$45.4 million and $80.0 million, respectively, in cash paid for interest.

capital expenditures, partially offset by a $43.3 million net return of deposits, which included the release of substantially all of the cash securing certain performance bonds relating to our obligations to deploy spectrum in Brazil. Our investing activities provided us with $80.7$28.1 million of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to $53.5 million in cash released from escrow, $31.3 million of net cash returned to us from the release of performance bonds and $53.3 million in net proceeds received from maturities of our short-term investments in Brazil, partially offset by $52.1 million in cash capital expenditures.

Our investingfinancing activities provided us with $96.9$99.9 million of cash during the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2018, primarily due to $81.1 million of net cash returned to us from the release of performance bonds, $16.0$115.0 million in cash released from escrow and $77.7 milliongross proceeds that we received in net proceeds received from maturitiesconnection with the issuance of our short-term investmentsconvertible senior notes in Brazil and at the corporate level,August 2018, partially offset by $47.5the payment of $5.2 million in cash capital expendituresdebt financing costs related to the issuance of our convertible senior notes and $14.1the payment of $4.1 million paid for judicial deposits.

in debt financing costs related to the amendments to Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility and bank loans. We used $41.2 million of cash in our financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2017 primarily due to $48.9 million in semi-annual principal payments under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility and $36.5 million in principal payments under Nextel Brazil's localits bank loans, partially offset by $50.0 million in cash we received in connection with our partnership agreementa minority investment made by ice group, now with ice group. We used $72.9 million of cash in our financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2016, primarily due to $48.9 million in semi-annual principal payments under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility and $23.0 million in principal payments in total under our local bank loans.Access Industries.


Future Capital Needs and Resources

Capital Resources.  Our ongoing capital resources depend on a variety of factors, including our existing cash, cash equivalents and investment balances, cash flows generated by our operating activities, cash that we recover from the amounts held in escrow to secure our indemnification obligations in connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico, the return of cash pledged as collateral to secure certain performance bonds relating to our obligations to deploy our spectrum in Brazil, external financial sources, other financing arrangements and the availability of cash proceeds from the sale of assets. In addition, in connection with the partnership agreement we entered into with ice group in June 2017, ice group may elect to invest an additional $150.0 million in our business by exercising its option by November 15, 2017. On November 7, 2017, we were advised that ice group may not exercise its option to make a second investment by November 15, 2017, and the parties are currently discussing the terms of an extension of ice group's option.
Our ability to generate sufficient net cash from our operating activities in the future is dependent upon, among other things:
the amount of revenue we are able to generate and collect from our subscribers, including our ability to increase the size of our subscriber base;
the amount of operating expenses required to provide our services;
the cost of acquiring and retaining subscribers, including the subsidies we incur to provide handsets to both our new and existing subscribers; and

changes in foreign currency exchange rates.

3134


                                    

changes in foreign currency exchange rates.
Due to the impact of our recent and projected results of operations and other factors, we expect our access to the capital markets in the near term may be limited. See "— Future Outlook, Liquidity and Going Concern"for more information.
Capital Needs and Contractual Obligations.  We currently anticipate that our future capital needs will principally consist of funds required for:
operating expenses and capital expenditures relating to our existing network and the continued deployment of LTE in other commercial areas in Brazil;São Paulo;
payments in connection with previous spectrum purchases and ongoing spectrum license fees;
debt service requirements;
obligations relating to our tower financing arrangements and capital lease obligations;
cash taxes; and
other general corporate expenditures.

ThereOther than the issuance of the convertible senior notes in August 2018 discussed below, there were no material changes to our total contractual obligations during the nine months ended September 30, 20172018 as described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
Capital Expenditures.  Our capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, were $30.1$40.7 million and $25.6$30.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, and 2016, respectively. Compared to recent prior years, we have reducedWe expect our investments in capital expenditures including making substantial reductionsfor 2018 to our investmentsbe slightly higher than the levels experienced in network development and deployment. We2017. In addition, we expect to continue theseour efforts to conserve our cash resources while simultaneously meeting the capacity needs of our network.
Our capital spending and related expenses are expected to be driven by several factors, including:
the amount we spend to enhance our WCDMA network in Brazil and deploy LTE;LTE in certain areas;
the extent to which we expand the coverage of our network in new or existing market areas;
the number of additional transmitter and receiver sites we build in order to increase system capacity, maintain system quality and meet our regulatory requirements, as well as the costs associated with the installation of network infrastructure and switching equipment; and
the costs we incur in connection with non-network related information technology projects.
Our future capital expenditures may also be affected by future technology improvements, technology choices and our available capital.
Covenants Under Financing Agreements. As of September 30, 2017, we had $208.0 million principal amount outstanding under Nextel Brazil's local bank loans. As discussed in more detail in Note 1 and Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements, we are required to meet a net debt financial covenant semiannually in connection with the agreements governing Nextel Brazil's local bank loans. The next measurement date for this financial covenant will be December 31, 2017. Based on our current outlook, which reflects significant uncertainty about the economic and competitive conditions in Brazil that are currently impacting our ability to increase our revenues and generate profitability, we believe it is unlikely that we will satisfy one of the applicable financial covenants included in both of Nextel Brazil's local bank loan agreements as of the next measurement date at December 31, 2017. As a result of this uncertainty, we have continued to classify the amounts outstanding under Nextel Brazil's local bank loans as current liabilities in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. In addition, Nextel Brazil's local bank loans and its equipment financing facility each contain cross-acceleration provisions.
We are also required to meet certain financial covenants semiannually in connection with the agreement governing Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility. Based on our current outlook, we believe it is unlikely that we will satisfy the applicable financial covenants included in Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility as of the next measurement date at December 31, 2017. As a result of this uncertainty, we have continued to classify the amount outstanding under this facility as a current liability in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, we had $244.6 million principal amount outstanding under Nextel Brazil's equipment financing facility.
As discussed below, in October 2017, Nextel Brazil entered into an amended and restated equipment financing facility and sixth amendments to the local bank loans, subject to approval by China's export and credit insurance corporation, or Sinosure.

32



Among other changes, these amendments provide for a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020. Until the required Sinosure approval is received, these amendments are not effective.
Future Outlook, Liquidity and Going Concern.Outlook.  As of September 30, 2017,2018, our consolidated sources of funding included $259.6$201.1 million in cash and short-term investments $110.0and $106.1 million in cash held in escrow to secure our indemnification obligations in connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico,Mexico.
As a result of the amendments to Nextel Brazil's bank loans and $51.8 million in cash pledged as collateral to secure certain performance bonds relating to our obligations to deploy our WCDMA spectrum in Brazil. Based on the weak economy and challenging competitive environment in Brazil that we anticipate will continue,equipment financing facility, as well as the continued declineissuance of our iDEN business, we expect thatconvertible senior notes, our cash flow from operations will be negative for the remainder of 2017. We expect that our capital expenditures for 2017 will be at levels similar to those experienced in 2016.
In February 2017, Nextel Brazilliquidity forecast has substantially improved, and the lenders of our local bank loans entered into amendments to the loan agreements. The amendments provided, among other things, a 120-day standstill period, effective March 2, 2017, during which time we were not required to pay 84.4 million Brazilian reais, or an estimated $25.2 million based on current foreign currency exchange rates, in principal related to Nextel Brazil's local bank loans. Prior to the end of the original standstill period, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans agreed to extensions of the previous standstill agreements through October 31, 2017. These extensions increased the amount of principal payments deferred to 168.9 million Brazilian reais for the period from March 2017 to October 2017. As a condition to the standstill extension, Nextel Brazil agreed that if the semi-annual principal payment due in August 2017 under the equipment financing facility was paid, Nextel Brazil would also make a proportional payment of 63.3 million Brazilian reais to the lenders of our local bank loans. In August 2017, Nextel Brazil made both the semi-annual principal payment and the proportional payment. This prepayment reduced the amount owed under the standstill agreement to 105.6 million Brazilian reais. In October 2017, Nextel Brazil and the lenders of our local bank loans signed fifth amendments to the loan agreements that provide for a new repayment schedule starting on January 31, 2018 that includes the repayment of the 105.6 million Brazilian reais in previously deferred principal on a pro rata basis over the remaining terms of the loans. In connection with the fifth amendments, Nextel Brazil will grant additional security interests to each of its lenders in the form of preferential rights to amounts held in certain of Nextel Brazil's bank accounts and will pledge certain of its equipment and property to these lenders.
In October 2017, Nextel Brazil also entered into an amended and restated equipment financing facility and sixth amendments to the local bank loans, subject to approval by Sinosure. Among other changes, these amendments provide for the deferral of substantially all principal payments for the first 48 months from the date of effectiveness and a holiday for certain financial covenant compliance, including the net debt financial covenant, until June 30, 2020. In addition, Nextel Holdings and certain of its subsidiaries have agreed to make equity contributions of existing cash on hand to Nextel Brazil. If and when these amendments become effective, Nextel Brazil will be subject to minimum cash and minimum receivable requirements. The amendments provide for a loan maturity date 98 months from the date the final amendments become effective.
The amended and restated equipment financing facility and the sixth amendments to the local bank loans remain subject to approval by Sinosure, and until such approval is received, these amendments are not effective. If we are successful in obtaining Sinosure approval and these amendments become effective,business plan, we believe our current sources of funding described belowabove will provide us with sufficient liquidity to fund our business beyond 2018.
While we expect to receive Sinosure approvalfor the next several years. Our business plan is based on or before December 31, 2017, there is no guaranteea number of assumptions, including assumptions that we will receive the required approval for these amendments. Ifmaintain subscriber turnover levels that are similar to those we do not receive the required approval, and therefore these amendments do not become effective,have experienced in 2018 to date. In addition, our business plan currently assumes that we may not be able to complete the second investment with ice group. Based on our projected cash flows, without (i) the deferral of principal payments until the end of 2021 that will be provided in conjunction with the approvalrecover substantially all of the amendmentsamount held in escrow in a timely manner. During July 2018, the tax audits related to Nextel Brazil's financing arrangements; (ii)Mexico's income tax returns for the $150.0 million second investment by ice group;years 2010 and (iii) potential reductions in spending,2011 were finalized, and we believefiled amended tax returns. As a result, we have requested that our current sources of funding are adequateNew Cingular Wireless agree to fund our business into the third quarter of 2018.
Our sources of funding assume the release of cash held in$68.3 million from escrow. New Cingular Wireless has disagreed with our interpretation of the escrow and purchase agreements related to the timing of release requirements for escrowed funds. This difference of interpretation could result in a delay of the release of the remaining amount of cash pledgedin escrow. In addition, New Cingular Wireless has indicated that it may continue to secure performance bonds. make additional claims for indemnification related to these open audits in the future.
If our actual results of operations differ from our business plan and/or the ultimate amount recovered from our cash held in escrow or our cash pledged to secure performance bonds does not meet our current forecasted amount or is delayed for a significant amountperiod of time, our business could be negatively impacted, andimpacted. Also, while we would need to obtain additional funding and/or significantly reduce our planned spending to further preserve our liquidity.
Until we obtain the required Sinosure approval to amend the terms of Nextel Brazil's financing arrangements and obtain access to a significant portion of the escrowed and pledged funds as anticipated inare focused on effectively managing our business, plan, substantial doubt continueswe are considering potential strategic alternatives with third parties involving Nextel Brazil. There can be no assurances that any such transaction will materialize or result in value to exist about our ability to continue as a going concern.stockholders at or above our current or future trading market value.

35



In making the assessment of our funding needs and the adequacy of our current sources of funding, we have considered:

33



cash and cash equivalents on hand and short-term investments available to fund our operations;
restricted cash currently held in escrow to secure our indemnification obligations in connection with the sale of Nextel Mexico;
the future return of cash pledged as collateral to secure certain performance bonds relating to our obligations to deploy our spectrum in Brazil;
expected cash flows from our operations in Brazil;
the timing of spectrum payments, including ongoing fees for spectrum use;
our anticipated level of capital expenditures;
our scheduled debt service obligations;
our other contractual obligations;
potential incremental investments by Access Industries; and
cash income and other taxes.
In addition to the factors described above, the anticipated cash needs of our business, as well as the conclusions presented herein regarding our liquidity needs, could change significantly:
if ice group exercises its option to invest an additional $150.0 million in Nextel Holdings;
based on the continued development of our business plans and strategy;
if currency values in Brazil depreciate or appreciate relative to the U.S. dollar in a manner that is more significant than we currently expect and assume as part of our plans;
if economic conditions in Brazil do not improve or worsen;
if we are subject to litigation involving tax and other matters requiring material judicial deposits of cash that will not be released until the pending matter is resolved;
if competitive practices in the mobile wireless telecommunications industry in Brazil change materially from those currently prevailing or from those now anticipated; or
if other presently unexpected circumstances arise that have a material effect on the cash flow or profitability of our business.business, such as contingencies.


Effect of New and Recently Adopted Accounting Standards
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, issued Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," which will provide us with a single revenue recognition modelSee Note 1 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for recognizing revenue from contracts with customers and significantly expand the disclosure requirements for revenue arrangements. The new standard, as amended, will be effective for interim and annual reporting periods beginning on January 1, 2018, at which point we plan to adopt the standard. The two permitted transition methods under the new standard are the full retrospective method, in which the standard would be applied to each prior reporting period presented, or the modified retrospective method, in which the cumulative effect of applying the standard would be recognized at the date of initial application, with disclosure of results under thedisclosures concerning new and old standards for the first year of adoption. We expect to utilize the modified retrospective method.
We expect that the new guidance will have a material impact on our financial statements. Upon adoption, we expect that a portion of our revenues related to service plans that are sold concurrently with a subsidized handset will be reallocated from service and other revenues to handset and accessory revenues and that these revenues will be recognized at an earlier point in time compared to our currentrecently adopted accounting under the existing authoritative guidance. We also expect that the timing of expense recognition related to certain of our contract acquisition costs, such as sales commissions, will be impacted as these expenses will be capitalized and amortized under the new standard.standards.



34




Forward-Looking and Cautionary Statements

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Statements regarding expectations, including forecasts regarding operating results, performance assumptions and estimates relating to capital requirements, as well as other statements that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by such words or phrases as “we expect,” “we believe,” “would be,” “will allow,” “expects to,” “will continue,” “is anticipated,” “estimate,” “project” or similar expressions. These forward-looking statements involve risk and uncertainty, and a variety of facts could cause our actual results and experience to differ materially from the anticipated results or other expectations expressed in these forward-looking statements. We do not have a policy of updating or revising forward-looking statements except as otherwise required by law.

While we provide forward-looking statements to assist in the understanding of our anticipated future financial performance, we caution readers not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date that we make them. Forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Except as otherwise required by law, we undertake no obligation to publicly release any updates to forward-looking statements to reflect events after the date of this quarterly report on Form 10-Q, including unforeseen events.


36



Our ability to predict results or the actual effect of future plans or strategies is inherently uncertain. Factors that could have a material adverse effect on our operations and results of our business include, but are not limited to:
our ability to attract and retain subscribers;
Sinosure's approval of the amendments to Nextel Brazil's financing arrangements;
our ability to satisfy the requirements of or obtain relief under our debt obligations;
our ability to access sufficient debt or equity capital to meet any future operating and financial needs;
our ability to meet established operating goals and generate cash flow;
the availability of other funding sources, including the timely resolution of claims and receipt of proceeds from the sale of Nextel Mexico held in escrow, proceeds derived from other asset sales and proceeds derived from an equity investment by ice group;escrow;
risks associated with our partnership with ice group;
our ability to complete the ice group investment in a timely fashion or at all;
the impact of business uncertainties in connection with the pending ice group investment;Access Industries;
general economic conditions in Brazil and in the market segments that we are targeting for our services;
the political and social conditions in Brazil, including political instability, which may affect Brazil's economy and the regulatory environment there;
the impact of foreign currency exchange rate volatility in the local currency in Brazil when compared to the U.S. dollar and the impact of related currency depreciation in Brazil;
our having reasonable access to and the successful performance of the technology being deployed in our service areas, and improvements thereon, including technology deployed in connection with the introduction of digital two-way mobile data or internet connectivity services in our markets;Brazil;
the availability of adequate quantities of system infrastructure and subscriber equipment and components at reasonable pricing to meet our service deployment and marketing plans and customer demand;
risks related to the operation and expansion of our WCDMA network in Brazil, including the potential need for additional funding to support enhanced coverage and capacity, and the risk that new services supported by the WCDMA networkwe will not attract enough subscribers to support the related costs of deploying or operating the network;
our ability to successfully scale our billing, collection, customer care and similar back-office operations to keep pace with customer growth as necessary, increased system usage rates and growth or to successfully deploy new systems that support those functions;
future legislation or regulatory actions relating to our services, other wireless communications services or telecommunications generally and the costs and/or potential customer impacts of compliance with regulatory mandates;

35



the ability to achieve and maintain market penetration and average subscriber revenue levels sufficient to provide financial viability to our network business;
the quality and price of similar or comparable wireless communications services offered or to be offered by our competitors, including providers of cellular services and personal communications services;
market acceptance of our new service offerings;
our abilitya requirement to successfully wind down our legacy iDEN networkprovide material judicial deposits of cash that will not be released until the pending matter is resolved in Brazilorder for litigation involving tax and migrate our iDEN subscriber baseother matters to WCDMA;be heard by the courts in Brazil;
equipment failure, natural disasters, terrorist acts or other breaches of network or information technology security; and
other risks and uncertainties described in Part I, Item 1A. "Risk Factors," in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, in2017, as well as Part II — Other Information — Item 1A. "Risk Factors,"Factors" in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 20172018 and, from time to time, in our other reports filed with the SEC.


37



Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

DuringIn August 2018, we privately placed $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 4.25% convertible senior notes due 2023 at par for total gross proceeds of $115.0 million. The convertible senior notes bear interest at a rate of 4.25% per year on the principal amount of the notes, payable semi-annually in arrears on February 15 and August 15 of each year, beginning on February 15, 2019. The convertible senior notes mature on August 15, 2023, unless earlier converted or repurchased, when the entire principal balance of $115.0 million will be due. Other than the issuance of the convertible senior notes, during the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2018, there were no material changes to our market risk policies or our market risk sensitive instruments and positions as described in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.


Item 4.Controls and Procedures

Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company's management, including our principal executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
As of September 30, 2017,2018, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management teams in the United States and Brazil, including our principal executive officer and chief financial officer. Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our principal executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective due to a material weakness in Nextel Brazil'sthe Company's internal control environment and information and communication processes.over financial reporting. This material weakness is fully described in "Item 9A. Controls and Procedures" of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.2017.
We have been implementing and monitoring improved controls in orderOur remediation efforts related to remediate this material weakness. In April 2017 and September 2017, respectively,weakness are ongoing. During 2018, we hired several additional experienced accounting resources in Nextel Brazil hired a new principal executive officer and a new chief financial officer, both of whom continuecontinued to enhanceimplement and improve processes and controls. Due in part to these initiatives, we identified errors that were the monitoring of compliance with internal control objectives by formalizing internal control accountability measures across the organization in Brazil. As a result of improperly recording expenses for certain non-income based tax credits and restructuring charges for certain transmitter and receiver sites. We are continuing to implement and improve controls in these and other actions demonstrating an increased commitmentprocess areas. We remain committed to establishing an appropriate tone atdedicating the top in Nextel Brazil, we believe theresources necessary to ensure sustained effective control deficiencies underlying the control environment component of our material weakness have been addressed. We plan to finalize our evaluation of this component of our material weakness by December 31, 2017.
In addition, to address the information and communication component of our material weakness, we are designing and implementing controls to identify and evidence the completeness and accuracy of data and assumptions used to support accounting analyses and reconciliations. These design and implementation efforts are ongoing.operation, and will continue to work to ensure we maintain sufficient experienced resources, automate processes such as lease accounting, and monitor risks related to new accounting requirements or changes that could place an unmanageable strain on our resources.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
In connection with the Company's implementation of ASU No. 2014-09, "Revenue from Contracts with Customers," the Company is reviewing its control framework for any new internal controls related to revenue recognition that will be required, as well as any changes to existing internal controls. We expect that the implementation of ASU No. 2014-09 will result in substantial incremental efforts to adhere to the requirements of the new accounting standard. Other than as described above, there have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.



36
38


                                    

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.Legal Proceedings

We are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. For information on our various loss contingencies, see Note 78 to our condensed consolidated financial statements above.

Item 1A.Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 and in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended June 30, 2017.


Item 2.Issuer PurchasesUnregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

(b) (c) Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities. The following table presents information related to repurchases of our common stock during the three months ended September 30, 2017:2018:
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Program Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
July 1, 2017 - July 31, 2017 10
(1) 
$0.65
 10
  
August 1, 2017 - August 31, 2017 194
(1) 
0.54
 194
  
September 1, 2017 - September 30, 2017 44
(1) 
0.60
 44
  
Total 248
(1) 
0.56
 248
 $
Period Total Number of Shares Purchased Average Price Per Share Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Program Approximate Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Program
July 1, 2018  July 31, 2018
 
(1) 
$
 
  
August 1, 2018  August 31, 2018
 114,571
(1) 
5.47
 114,571
  
September 1, 2018  September 30, 2018
 
(1) 

 
  
Total 114,571
(1) 
5.47
 114,571
 $

(1) Pursuant to a general authorization, which was not publicly announced, whereby we are authorized to repurchase shares of our common stock to satisfy employee withholding tax obligations related to stock-based compensation.



37




Item 6.     Exhibits
Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form Exhibit Incorporated by Reference Filing Date Filed Herewith
10.1  8-K 10.1 11/01/2017  
10.2  8-K 10.2 11/01/2017  
10.3  8-K 10.3 11/01/2017  
10.4  8-K 10.4 11/01/2017  
10.5  8-K 10.5 11/01/2017  
10.6  8-K 10.6 11/01/2017  
10.7  8-K 10.7 11/01/2017  
10.8  8-K 10.8 11/01/2017  
31.1        *
31.2        *
32.1        *
32.2        *
101 The following materials from the NII Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2017 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ (Deficit) Equity, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.       *

Exhibit Number Exhibit Description Form Exhibit Incorporated by Reference Filing Date Filed Herewith
4.1  8-K 4.1 08/14/18  
4.2  8-K 4.2 08/14/18  
31.1        *
31.2        *
32.1        *
32.2        *
101 The following materials from the NII Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2018 formatted in eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Deficit, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.       *

3839


                                    

SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements 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.
 
                        
By:/s/ TIMOTHY M. MULIERI
   
  Timothy M. Mulieri
  Vice President, Corporate Controller
  (on behalf of the registrant and as Principal Accounting Officer)
Date: November 9, 20178, 2018


3940