UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form 10-Q

 

þQUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

OR

 

¨TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                    to                    

Commission File Number

1-33409

METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware 20-0836269

(State or other jurisdiction

(I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

2250 Lakeside Boulevard

Richardson, Texas

 75082-4304
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(214) 570-5800

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

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. Yesþ No¨

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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yesþ No¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filerþ Accelerated filer ¨
Non-accelerated filer¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) Smaller reporting company ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes¨ Noþ

On OctoberApril 29, 2010,2011, there were 354,414,781358,760,901 shares of the registrant’s common stock, $0.0001 par value, outstanding.

 

 

 


METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q

Table of Contents

 

   Page 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION  

Item 1. Financial Statements (Unaudited)

  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 20092010

   1  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30,March  31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

   2  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009

   3  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

   4  

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

   2920  

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   4533  

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   4533  
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   4734  

Item 1A. Risk Factors

   4734  

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

   *38  

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

   *  

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

   *  

Item 5. Other Information

   *  

Item 6. Exhibits

   4839  

SIGNATURES

   4940  

 

*No reportable information under this item.


PART I.

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

   September 30,
2010 (1)
  December 31,
2009 (1)
 

CURRENT ASSETS:

   

Cash and cash equivalents

  $889,784   $929,381  

Short-term investments

   1,012,632    224,932  

Inventories, net

   126,201    147,401  

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $2,462 and $2,045 at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively)

   46,737    51,536  

Prepaid expenses

   60,043    48,353  

Deferred charges

   63,677    59,414  

Deferred tax assets

   5,959    1,948  

Other current assets

   40,721    28,426  
         

Total current assets

   2,245,754    1,491,391  

Property and equipment, net

   3,423,533    3,252,213  

Restricted cash and investments

   13,632    15,438  

Long-term investments

   6,319    6,319  

FCC licenses

   2,490,629    2,470,181  

Other assets

   140,746    150,475  
         

Total assets

  $8,320,613   $7,386,017  
         

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $418,873   $558,366  

Current maturities of long-term debt

   20,446    19,326  

Deferred revenue

   198,128    187,654  

Current portion of cash flow hedging derivatives

   18,015    24,157  

Other current liabilities

   33,546    7,966  
         

Total current liabilities

   689,008    797,469  

Long-term debt, net

   4,314,105    3,625,949  

Deferred tax liabilities

   631,969    512,306  

Deferred rents

   95,950    80,487  

Other long-term liabilities

   82,916    81,664  
         

Total liabilities

   5,813,948    5,097,875  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 11)

   

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

   

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

   0    0  

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 354,362,405 and 352,711,263 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   35    35  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,673,934    1,634,754  

Retained earnings

   844,557    664,693  

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (10,275  (11,340

Less treasury stock, at cost, 209,633 and no treasury shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively

   (1,586  0  
         

Total stockholders’ equity

   2,506,665    2,288,142  
         

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $8,320,613   $7,386,017  
         

(1) As a result of the adoption of certain provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 810 (Topic 810,“Consolidation”), the Company is required to separately disclose on its condensed consolidated balance sheets the assets of its consolidated variable interest entity (“VIE”) that can be used only to settle obligations of the VIE and liabilities for which creditors do not have recourse to the Company.

As of September 30, 2010, $866.4 million related to the consolidated VIE were included in the Company’s total assets, which consist of $22.0 million of cash and cash equivalents, $0.1 million of accounts receivable, net, $8.1 million of prepaid expenses, $0.6 million of other current assets, $520.1 million of property and equipment, net, $0.3 million of restricted cash and investments, $293.6 million of FCC licenses and $21.6 million of other assets.

As of December 31, 2009, $807.2 million related to the consolidated VIE were included in the Company’s total assets, which consist of $16.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, $0.1 million of accounts receivable, net, $7.6 million of prepaid expenses, $0.5 million of other current assets, $463.7 million of property and equipment, net, $0.3 million of restricted cash and investments, $293.6 million of FCC licenses and $24.6 million of other assets.

As of September 30, 2010, $45.9 million related to the consolidated VIE were included in the Company’s total liabilities, which consist of $7.0 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $0.3 million of current maturities of long-term debt, $14.5 million of long-term debt, net, $14.3 million of deferred rents, and $9.8 million of other long-term liabilities.

As of December 31, 2009, $33.7 million related to the consolidated VIE were included in the Company’s total liabilities, which consist of $9.4 million of accounts payable and accrued expenses, $0.1 million of current maturities of long-term debt, $4.4 million of long-term debt, net, $10.9 million of deferred rents, and $8.9 million of other long-term liabilities.

December 31,December 31,
   March 31,
2011
   December 31,
2010
 

CURRENT ASSETS:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

  $1,321,550    $796,531  

Short-term investments

   337,401     374,862  

Inventories

   285,849     161,049  

Accounts receivable (net of allowance for uncollectible accounts of $2,906 and $2,494 at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively)

   56,640     58,056  

Prepaid expenses

   60,769     50,477  

Deferred charges

   102,163     83,485  

Deferred tax assets

   6,290     6,290  

Other current assets

   58,848     63,135  
          

Total current assets

   2,229,510     1,593,885  

Property and equipment, net

   3,738,733     3,659,445  

Restricted cash and investments

   2,876     2,876  

Long-term investments

   19,314     16,700  

FCC licenses

   2,537,135     2,522,241  

Other assets

   120,739     123,433  
          

Total assets

  $    8,648,307    $    7,918,580  
          

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

    

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $609,160    $521,788  

Current maturities of long-term debt

   27,536     21,996  

Deferred revenue

   242,013     224,471  

Other current liabilities

   25,015     34,165  
          

Total current liabilities

   903,724     802,420  

Long-term debt, net

   4,255,064     3,757,287  

Deferred tax liabilities

   677,841     643,058  

Deferred rents

   105,458     101,411  

Other long-term liabilities

   73,667     72,828  
          

Total liabilities

   6,015,754     5,377,004  

COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (See Note 9)

    

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

    

Preferred stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares of preferred stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010

   0     0  

Common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, 1,000,000,000 shares authorized, 358,192,717 and 355,318,666 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   36     36  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,720,343     1,686,761  

Retained earnings

   914,486     858,108  

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   2,058     (1,415)  

Less treasury stock, at cost, 404,265 and 237,818 treasury shares at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively

   (4,370)     (1,914)  
          

Total stockholders’ equity

   2,632,553     2,541,576  
          

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $8,648,307    $7,918,580  
          

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

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income and Comprehensive Income

(in thousands, except share and per share information)

(Unaudited)

 

$1,050,217$1,050,217
  For the three months ended
September 30,
 For the nine months ended
September 30,
   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  2010 2009 2010 2009   2011 2010 

REVENUES:

        

Service revenues

  $942,251   $812,340   $2,717,671   $2,305,888    $1,050,217   $853,283  

Equipment revenues

   78,538    83,253    286,156    244,646     144,160    117,220  
                    

Total revenues

   1,020,789    895,593    3,003,827    2,550,534     1,194,377    970,503  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

        

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $99,706, $88,232, $290,532 and $240,803, shown separately below)

   313,688    298,288    906,508    812,596  

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $111,828 and $94,944 shown separately below)

   341,417    284,652  

Cost of equipment

   256,265    199,092    805,357    651,511     409,262    313,738  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $14,098, $10,745, $40,374 and $31,294, shown separately below)

   147,431    138,460    465,940    417,191  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense of $16,867 and $12,857 shown separately below)

   169,771    159,909  

Depreciation and amortization

   113,804    98,977    330,906    272,097     128,695    107,801  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   (18,333  2,569    (16,461  (8,328

Gain on disposal of assets

   (105  (828
                    

Total operating expenses

   812,855    737,386    2,492,250    2,145,067     1,049,040    865,272  
                    

Income from operations

   207,934    158,207    511,577    405,467     145,337    105,231  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

        

Interest expense

   65,726    70,391    198,710    199,358     56,561    67,482  

Interest income

   (497  (855  (1,353  (2,120   (515  (464

Other expense (income), net

   462    397    1,396    1,407  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   15,590    0    15,590    0  

Impairment loss on investment securities

   0    374    0    1,827  

Other (income) expense, net

   (255  455  
                    

Total other expense

   81,281    70,307    214,343    200,472     55,791    67,473  

Income before provision for income taxes

   126,653    87,900    297,234    204,995     89,546    37,758  

Provision for income taxes

   (49,366  (14,350  (117,370  (61,276   (33,168  (15,097
                    

Net income

  $77,287   $73,550   $179,864   $143,719    $56,378   $22,661  
                    

Other comprehensive income:

     

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax

   137    776    261    665  

Unrealized losses on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of tax

   (3,355  (8,570  (13,573  (12,197

Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income, net of tax

   (74  (147  (207  (167

Reclassification adjustment for losses on cash flow hedging derivatives included in net income, net of tax

   2,780    8,939    14,584    23,777  

Other comprehensive income (loss):

   

Unrealized gains on available-for-sale securities, net of tax of $62 and $20, respectively

   99    32  

Unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedging derivatives, net of tax of $376 and tax benefit of $3,779, respectively

   600    (6,027

Reclassification adjustment for gains on available-for-sale securities included in net income, net of tax of $65 and $50, respectively

   (103  (79

Reclassification adjustment for losses on cash flow hedging derivatives included in net income, net of tax benefit of $1,780 and $4,222, respectively

   2,877    6,734  
                    

Total other comprehensive income

   (512  998    1,065    12,078     3,473    660  
       
             

Comprehensive income

  $76,775   $74,548   $180,929   $155,797    $59,851   $23,321  
                    

Net income per common share: (See Note 10)

     

Net income per common share:

   

Basic

  $0.22   $0.21   $0.51   $0.41    $0.16   $0.06  
                    

Diluted

  $0.22   $0.21   $0.50   $0.40    $0.15   $0.06  
                    

Weighted average shares:

        

Basic

       353,954,532        352,182,656        353,342,910        351,732,660     356,988,270    352,782,898  
                    

Diluted

   356,423,216    355,359,436    355,593,779    356,511,560         361,406,194        354,003,541  
                    

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

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

$1,321,550$1,321,550
  For the nine months ended
September 30,
   For the three months ended
March 31,
 
  2010 2009   2011 2010 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net income

  $179,864   $143,719    $56,378   $22,661  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

      

Depreciation and amortization

   330,906    272,097     128,695    107,801  

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

   38    191  

Provision for (recovery of) uncollectible accounts receivable

   166    (28

Deferred rent expense

   15,648    17,765     4,094    5,535  

Cost of abandoned cell sites

   1,450    6,148     56    535  

Stock-based compensation expense

   35,103    35,767     11,284    11,416  

Non-cash interest expense

   10,049    8,176     1,993    3,134  

Gain on disposal of assets

   (16,461  (8,328   (105  (828

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   15,590    0  

Gain on sale of investments

   (340  (272   (168  (129

Impairment loss on investment securities

   0    1,827  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

   2,772    3,716  

Accretion (reduction) of asset retirement obligations

   1,313    (113

Other non-cash expense

   1,455    1,168     0    470  

Deferred income taxes

   114,105    85,070     32,257    14,177  

Changes in assets and liabilities:

      

Inventories, net

   21,199    67,831  

Inventories

   (124,800  29,807  

Accounts receivable, net

   4,761    (13,305   1,250    (1,274

Prepaid expenses

   (11,885  (22,123   (10,306  (21,149

Deferred charges

   (4,263  11,121     (18,679  (7,899

Other assets

   15,730    9,565     8,645    (475

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

   (50,921  171,442     28,083    43,724  

Deferred revenue

   10,474    12,438     17,542    16,148  

Other liabilities

   4,117    (24,599   615    1,519  
              

Net cash provided by operating activities

   679,391    779,414     138,313    225,032  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchases of property and equipment

   (547,943  (636,522   (187,032  (139,295

Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment

   60,348    (10,211   (10,371  2,602  

Proceeds from sale of property and equipment

   7,643    4,836     573    231  

Purchase of investments

   (1,174,773  (374,227   (162,378  (162,372

Proceeds from maturity of investments

   387,500    150,000     200,000    112,500  

Change in restricted cash and investments

   1,262    (13,112   0    1,500  

Acquisitions of FCC licenses

   (3,686  (16,567

Proceeds from exchange of FCC licenses

   0    949  

Acquisitions of FCC licenses and microwave clearing costs

   (1,528  (196

Cash used in asset acquisitions

   (8,000  0  
              

Net cash used in investing activities

   (1,269,649  (894,854   (168,736  (185,030

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Change in book overdraft

   (78,765  (100,368   52,887    (49,523

Proceeds from senior note offerings

   992,770    492,250  

Proceeds from debt issuance, net of discount

   497,500    0  

Debt issuance costs

   (24,250  (11,925   (6,830  0  

Repayment of debt

   (12,000  (12,000   (5,250  (4,000

Retirement of 9 1/4% Senior Notes

   (327,529  0  

Payments on capital lease obligations

   (2,923  (2,680   (2,940  (667

Purchase of treasury stock

   (1,586  0     (2,456  (626

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   4,944    7,793     22,531    7  
              

Net cash provided by financing activities

   550,661    373,070  

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   555,442    (54,809
              

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (39,597  257,630  

INCREASE (DECREASE) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   525,019    (14,807

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

   929,381    697,948     796,531    929,381  
              

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $        889,784   $        955,578    $    1,321,550   $    914,574  
              

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

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

1. Basis of Presentation:

1.Basis of Presentation:

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated interim financial statements include the balances and results of operations of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”) and its consolidated subsidiaries (collectively, the “Company”). MetroPCS indirectly owns, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, 85% of the limited liability company member interest in Royal Street Communications, LLC (“Royal Street Communications”). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the balances and results of operations of MetroPCS and its wholly-owned subsidiaries as well as the balances and results of operations of Royal Street Communications and its wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, “Royal Street”). The Company consolidates its interest in Royal Street in accordance with ASC 810 as a VIE. The Company examined specific criteria and considered factors such as design of Royal Street, risk and reward sharing, voting rights, and involvement in significant capital and operating decisions in reaching its conclusion to consolidate Royal Street. All intercompany accounts and transactions between MetroPCS and its wholly-owned subsidiaries and Royal Street have been eliminated in the consolidated financial statements. The redeemable ownership interest in Royal Street is included in other current liabilities as of September 30, 2010 due to the controlling member exercising its right to put to MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. (“Wireless”) its entire membership interest in Royal Street Communications. The purchase of the membership interest in Royal Street Communications is conditioned on receipt of Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) consent, which was granted on October 8, 2010, but has not yet become final and is expected to close on or after December 22, 2010. The redeemable ownership interest in Royal Street is included in other long-term liabilities as of December 31, 2009.

The condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009,2010, the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and cash flows for the periods ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, and the related footnotes are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).

The unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements included herein reflect all adjustments (consisting of normal, recurring adjustments) which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to state fairly the results for the interim periods presented. Certain amounts reported in previous periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results to be expected for any subsequent interim period or for the fiscal year.

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

The Company has thirteen operating segments based on geographic region within the United States: Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/FortFt. Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota. Effective January 1, 2010, inIn accordance with the provisions of ASCthe Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 280 (Topic 280, “Segment Reporting”), the Company aggregates its thirteen operating segments into one reportable segment.

Federal Universal Service Fund (“FUSF”), E-911 and various other fees are assessed by various governmental authorities in connection with the services that the Company provides to its customers. Beginning in January 2010, theThe Company introducedoffers a new family of service plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees (“tax inclusive plans”). The Company reports regulatory fees for the tax inclusive plans in cost of service on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. When the Company separately assesses these regulatory fees on its customers, for those service plans that do not include taxes or regulatory fees, the Company reports these regulatory fees on a gross basis in service revenues and cost of service on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, the Company recorded $18.5$18.0 million and $47.5 million, respectively, of FUSF, E-911 and other fees on a gross basis. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company recorded $63.1 million and $124.1$23.2 million, respectively, of FUSF, E-911 and other fees on a gross basis. Sales, use and excise taxes for all service plans are reported on a net basis in selling, general and administrative expenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

2. Share-based Payments:

In accordance with ASC 718 (Topic 718, “Compensation – Stock Compensation”), the Company recognizes stock-based compensation expense in an amount equal to the fair value of share-based payments, which includes stock options granted and restricted stock awards to employees. The Company records stock-based compensation expense in cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses. Stock-based compensation expense was $11.8 million and $12.4 million forDuring the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. CostMarch 31, 2011, the Company granted stock options to purchase an aggregate of service for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 includes $0.9 million and $1.1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, selling, general and administrative expenses include $10.9 million and $11.3 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation. Stock-based compensation expense was $35.1 million and $35.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. Cost of service for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 includes $2.7 million and $3.1 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, selling, general and administrative expenses include $32.4 million and $32.7 million, respectively, of stock-based compensation.

Restricted Stock Awards

Restricted stock awards are share awards that entitle the holder to receive3,804,116 shares of the Company’s common stock which become fully tradable upon vesting. Duringto certain employees. The stock options granted generally vest on a four-year vesting schedule with 25% vesting on the first anniversary date of the award and the remainder pro-rata on a monthly basis thereafter. The grant date fair value of these options approximated $24.9 million. In addition, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, pursuant to the Amended and Restated MetroPCS Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan,March 31, 2011, the Company issued 65,000 and 1,916,6741,600,626 restricted stock awards respectively, to certain employees and, in 2010 to the directors of MetroPCS. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, pursuant to the Amended and Restated MetroPCS Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, the Company issued 25,600 and 1,380,710 restricted stock awards, respectively, to certain employees. The restricted stock awards granted to employees generally vest on a four-year vesting schedule with 25% vesting on the first anniversary date of the award and the remainder pro-rata on a monthly or quarterly basis thereafter. The Company determined the grant-date fair value of the restricted stock awards granted during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 to be approximately $0.6 million$23.0 million.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2011, the Company adopted on a prospective basis FASB Accounting Standards Update No. 2009-13 “Multiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements” (“ASU 2009-13”) which amended the methodology upon which companies allocated revenue within arrangements with multiple deliverables, allowing for allocation based upon a selling price hierarchy that permits the use of an estimated selling price to determine the allocation of arrangement consideration to a deliverable in a multiple-deliverable arrangement where neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available for that deliverable, eliminating the residual method.

The Company has determined that the sale of wireless services through its direct and $0.2 million, respectively,indirect sales channels with an accompanying handset constitutes a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables. The Company divides these arrangements into separate units of accounting, and allocates the consideration between the handset and the wireless service. Under the amended provisions of ASU 2009-13, the amount allocable to the delivered unit or units of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items or meeting other

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

specific performance conditions (the “non-contingent amount”). The Company considered its customer service policies and historical practices and concluded that the amount of consideration received related to service revenue is contingent upon delivery of the wireless service as the customer may receive a service credit if the Company did not deliver the service. Any remaining consideration received is recognized as equipment revenue when the handset is delivered and accepted by the customer as it represents the non-contingent amount. Delivery of the wireless service generally occurs over the one month period following delivery and acceptance of the equipment by the customer as the Company does not require its customers to enter into long-term contracts. The fair value allocable to the undelivered wireless service element is based on the closing pricemonthly service amounts charged to customers in the months following their initial month of service. The adoption of ASU 2009-13 did not have a material impact on the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the grant dates. The Company determined the grant-date fair valuefinancial condition, results of the restricted stock awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 to be approximately $12.4 million and $19.8 million, respectively, based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on the grant dates. The estimated compensation cost of the restricted stock awards, which is equal to the fair value of the awards on the date of grant, will be recognized on a ratable basis over the four-year vesting period.operations or cash flows.

Vesting in the restricted stock awards triggers an income tax obligation for the employee that is required to be remitted to the relevant tax authorities. To effect the tax withholding, the Company has agreed to repurchase a sufficient number of common shares from the employee to cover the income tax obligation. The stock repurchase is being accounted for as treasury stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30,

2.Asset Acquisition:

In October 2010, the Company repurchased 82,778entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and 209,633 sharescertain related network assets adjacent to the Northeast metropolitan areas for a total purchase price of stock, respectively, from certain employees$49.5 million. In November 2010, the Company closed on the acquisition of the network assets and paid a total of $41.1 million in cash. In February 2011, the Company closed on the acquisition of the 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and paid $8.0 million in cash. The Company used the relative fair values of the assets acquired to settleallocate the income tax obligation associated with vesting in restricted stock awards.purchase price, of which $35.6 million was allocated to property and equipment and $13.9 million was allocated to Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) licenses.

3. Short-term Investments:

3.Short-term Investments:

The Company’s short-term investments consist of securities classified as available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. The securities include U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of over 90 days. Unrealized gains, net of related income taxes, for available-for-sale securities are reported in accumulated other comprehensive loss,income (loss), a component of stockholders’ equity, until realized. The estimated fair values of investments are based on quoted market prices as of the end of the reporting period.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The U.S. Treasury Securities reported as of March 31, 2011 have contractual maturities of less than one year.

Short-term investments, with an original maturity of over 90 days, consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

   As of September 30, 2010 
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated

OCI
   Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated

OCI
  Aggregate
Fair
Value
 

Equity Securities

  $7    $0    $(6 $1  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   1,012,401     230         0    1,012,631  
                   

Total short-term investments

  $    1,012,408    $    230    $(6 $    1,012,632  
                   
   As of December 31, 2009 
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated

OCI
   Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated

OCI
  Aggregate
Fair
Value
 

Equity Securities

  $7    $0    $(5 $2  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   224,790     140     0    224,930  
                   

Total short-term investments

  $224,797    $140    $(5 $224,932  
                   

The cost and aggregate fair values of short-term investments by contractual maturity at September 30, 2010 were as follows (in thousands):

   As of March 31, 2011 
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated

OCI
   Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated

OCI
   Aggregate
Fair
Value
 

Equity Securities

  $7    $0    $(5)    $2  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   337,227     172          337,399  
                    

Total short-term investments

  $  337,234    $  172    $  (5)    $  337,401  
                    

 

   Amortized
Cost
   Aggregate
Fair
Value
 

Less than one year

  $    1,012,401    $    1,012,631  
          
   As of December 31, 2010 
   Amortized
Cost
   Unrealized
Gain in
Accumulated

OCI
   Unrealized
Loss in
Accumulated

OCI
   Aggregate
Fair
Value
 

Equity Securities

  $7    $0    $(6)    $1  

U.S. Treasury Securities

   374,681     180          374,861  
                    

Total short-term investments

  $  374,688    $  180    $  (6)    $  374,862  
                    

4. Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:

4.Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities:

In March 2009, MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. (“Wireless”) entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage the Company’s interest rate risk exposure under Wireless’ senior secured credit facility, as amended (the “Senior Secured Credit Facility”), pursuant to which Wireless may borrow up to approximately $1.7 billion.. These agreements were effective on February 1, 2010 and cover a notional amount of $1.0 billion and effectively convert this portion of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.246%5.952%. These agreements expire on February 1, 2012.

In October 2010, Wireless entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage its interest rate risk exposure under its Senior Secured Credit Facility. These agreements will be effective on February 1, 2012 and will cover a notional amount of $950.0 million and effectively convert this portion of Wireless’ variable

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 4.933%. The monthly interest settlement periods will begin on February 1, 2012. These agreements expire on February 1, 2014.

In April 2011, Wireless entered into three separate three-year interest rate protection agreements to manage its interest rate risk exposure under its Senior Secured Credit Facility. These agreements were effective on April 15, 2011 and cover a notional amount of $450.0 million and effectively convert this portion of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.242%. The monthly interest settlement periods began on April 15, 2011. These agreements expire on April 15, 2014.

Interest rate protection agreements are entered into to manage interest rate risk associated with Wireless’ variable-rate borrowings under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The interest rate protection agreements have been designated as cash flow hedges. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge and the hedging relationship qualifies for hedge accounting under the provisions of ASC 815 (Topic 815, “Derivatives and Hedging”), the effective portion of the change in fair value of the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) and reclassified to interest expense in the period in which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of a derivative qualifying for hedge accounting is recognized in earnings in the period of the change. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the change in fair value did not result in ineffectiveness.

At the inception of the cash flow hedges and quarterly thereafter, the Company performs an assessment to determine whether changes in the fair values or cash flows of the derivatives are deemed highly effective in offsetting changes in the fair values or cash flows of the hedged transaction. If at any time subsequent to the inception of the cash flow hedges, the assessment indicates that the derivative is no longer highly effective as a hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting and recognize all subsequent derivative gains and losses in results of operations. The Company estimates that approximately $18.0$15.7 million of net losses that are reported in accumulated other comprehensive lossincome at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Cross-default Provisions

Wireless’ interest rate protection agreements contain cross-default provisions to its Senior Secured Credit Facility. Wireless’ Senior Secured Credit Facility allows interest rate protection agreements to become secured if the counterparty to the agreement is a current lender under the Senior Secured Credit Facility.facility. If Wireless were to default on the Senior Secured Credit Facility, it would trigger these provisions, and the counterparties to the interest rate protection agreements could request immediate payment on interest rate protection agreements in net liability positions, similar to their existing rights as a lender. There are no collateral requirements in the interest rate protection agreements. The aggregate fair value of interest rate protection agreements with cross-default provisions that are in a net liability position on September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 is $23.2$14.8 million.

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments

 

Fair Values of Derivative Instruments  
(in thousands)  

Liability Derivatives

 
   

As of September 30, 2010

  

As of December 31, 2009

 
   

Balance Sheet Location

  Fair Value  

Balance Sheet Location

  Fair Value 

Derivatives designated as hedging

instruments under ASC 815

       

Interest rate protection agreements

  

Current portion of cash
flow hedging derivatives

  $(18,015 

Current portion of cash
flow hedging derivatives

  $(24,157

Interest rate protection agreements

  

Other long-term liabilities

   (5,186 

Other long-term liabilities

   (702
             

Total derivatives designated as

hedging instruments under ASC

815

    $(23,201   $(24,859
             

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

  

  

Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash

Flow Hedging Relationships

  Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
  Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
  2010  2009    2010  2009 

Interest rate protection agreements

  $(5,591 $(13,954 Interest expense  $(4,663 $(14,581
                   
The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income
For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
   

Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash

Flow Hedging Relationships

  Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative

(Effective Portion)
  Location of Gain
(Loss) Reclassified
from Accumulated
OCI into Income
(Effective Portion)
  Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
  2010  2009    2010  2009 

Interest rate protection agreements

  $(22,246 $(19,915 Interest expense  $(23,904 $(38,862
                   
(in thousands)  Liability Derivatives 
   As of March 31, 2011   As of December 31, 2010 
   Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value   Balance Sheet Location   Fair Value 
Derivatives designated as hedging
instruments under ASC 815
        

Interest rate protection agreements

   Long-term investments    $12,995     Long-term investments    $10,381  

Interest rate protection agreements

   Other current liabilities         (15,652)     Other current liabilities         (17,508)  

Interest rate protection agreements

   Other long-term liabilities     0     Other long-term liabilities     (1,182)  
              

Total derivatives designated as

hedging instruments under ASC

815

    $    (2,657)      $    (8,309)  
              

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The Effect of Derivative Instruments on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income and Comprehensive Income

5. Property and Equipment:

Property and equipment, net, consisted ofFor the following (in thousands):Three Months Ended March 31,

 

   September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

Construction-in-progress

  $383,328   $283,365  

Network infrastructure (1)

   4,074,217    3,756,300  

Office equipment and software

   197,023    158,732  

Leasehold improvements

   57,295    55,631  

Furniture and fixtures

   15,887    14,033  

Vehicles

   401    401  
         
   4,728,151    4,268,462  

Accumulated depreciation and amortization (1)

   (1,304,618  (1,016,249
         

Property and equipment, net

  $    3,423,533   $    3,252,213  
         

Derivatives in ASC 815 Cash
Flow Hedging Relationships
 Amount of Gain (Loss)
Recognized in OCI on Derivative
(Effective Portion)
  Location of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 Amount of Gain (Loss)
Reclassified from
Accumulated OCI into
Income (Effective Portion)
 
 2011  2010   2011  2010 
Interest rate protection agreements $    976   $    (9,806)   Interest expense $    (4,676)   $    (10,956)  
                 

 

(1)5.As of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, approximately $203.9 million and $183.4 million, respectively, of network infrastructure assets were held by the Company under capital lease arrangements. Accumulated amortization relating to these assets totaled $20.1 million and $9.8 million as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, respectively.Intangible Assets:

6. FCC Licenses:

The Company operates wireless broadband mobile networks under licenses granted by the FCC for a particular geographic area on spectrum allocated by the FCC for terrestrial wireless broadband services. The Company holds personal communications services (“PCS”) licenses, granted or acquired on various dates, and in November 2006, the Company acquired a number of advanced wireless services (“AWS”) licenses, which can be used to provide services comparable to the wireless broadband mobile services provided by the Company, and other advanced wireless services. In June 2008, the Company acquired a 700 MHz license that also can be used to provide similar services.licenses granted or acquired on various dates. The PCS licenses previously included, and the AWS licenses currently include, the obligation and resulting costs to relocate existing fixed microwave users of the Company’s licensed spectrum if the Company’s use of its spectrum interferes with their systems and/or reimburse other carriers (according to FCC rules) that relocated prior users if the relocation benefits the Company’s system. Accordingly, the Company incurredincurs costs related to microwave relocation in constructing its PCS and AWS networks.

FCC Licenses on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets include the Company’s microwave relocation costs. The licenses and related microwave relocation costs are recorded at cost.

The change in the carrying value of intangible assets during the three months ended March 31, 2011 is as follows (in thousands):

   FCC Licenses   Microwave
Relocation
Costs
 

Balance at January 1, 2011

  $    2,500,192    $    22,049  

Additions

   13,925     969  

Disposals

   0     0  
          

Balance at March 31, 2011

  $2,514,117    $23,018  
          

Although PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses are issued with a stated term, ten years in the case of the PCS licenses, fifteen years in the case of the AWS licenses and approximately ten years for 700 MHz licenses, the renewal of PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses is generally a routine matter without substantial cost and the Company has determined that no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic, or other factors currently exist that limit the useful life of its PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses. As such, under the provisions of ASC 350, (Topic 350, “Intangibles-GoodwillIntangibles-Goodwill and Other”Other), the Company does not amortize its PCS, AWS and 700 MHz licenses and microwave relocation costs (collectively, its “indefinite-lived intangible assets”) as they are considered to have indefinite lives and together represent the cost of the Company’s spectrum. The carrying value of FCC licenses and microwave relocation costs was approximately $2.5 billion as of September 30, 2010.

In accordance with the requirements of ASC 350, the Company performs its annual indefinite-lived intangible assets impairment test as of each September 30th or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets might be impaired. The impairment test consists of a comparison of the estimated fair value with the carrying value. The Company estimates the fair value of its indefinite-lived intangible assets using a direct value methodology in accordance with ASC 805 (Topic 805, “Business Combinations”). The direct value approach determines fair value using a discounted cash flow model. Cash flow projections and assumptions, although subject to a degree of uncertainty, are based on a combination of the Company’s historical performance and trends, its business plans and management’s estimate of future performance, giving consideration to existing and anticipated competitive economic conditions. Other assumptions include the weighted average cost of capital and long-term rate of growth for the business. The Company believes

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

that its estimates are consistent with assumptions that marketplace participants would use to estimate fair value. The Company corroborates its determination of fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, using the discounted cash flow approach described above, with other market-based valuation metrics. An impairment loss would be recorded as a reduction in the carrying value of the related indefinite-lived intangible assets and charged to results of operations.

For the purpose of performing the annual impairment test as of September 30, 2010, the indefinite-lived intangible assets were aggregated and combined into a single unit of accounting. The Company believes that utilizing its indefinite-lived intangible assets as a group represents the highest and best use of the assets, and the value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets would not be significantly impacted by a sale of one or a portion of the indefinite-lived intangible assets, among other factors. As of September 30, 2010, no No impairment was recognized as the fair valuea result of the indefinite-lived intangible assets was in excess of the carrying value. Although the Company does not expect its estimates or assumptions to change significantly in the future, the use of different estimates or assumptions within the discounted cash flow model when determining the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible assets or using a methodology other than a discounted cash flow model could result in different values for the indefinite-lived intangible assets and may affect any related impairment charge. The most significant assumptions within the Company’s discounted cash flow model are the discount rate, the projected growth rate and management’s future business plans. A one percent decline in annual revenue growth rates, a one percent decline in annual net cash flows or a one percent increase in discount rate would not result in an impairment related to the combined single unit of accounting as oftest performed at September 30, 2010.

Furthermore, if any of the indefinite-lived intangible assets are subsequently determined to have a finite useful life, such assets would be tested for impairment in accordance with ASC 360 (Topic 360,“Property, Plant, and Equipment”), and the intangible assets would then be amortized prospectively over the estimated remaining useful life. There also Further, there have been no subsequent indicators of impairment including those indicated in ASC 360 (Topic 360, “Property, Plant, and accordingly,Equipment”). Accordingly, no subsequent interim impairment tests were performed.

Other Spectrum Acquisitions

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company closed on various agreements for the acquisition and exchange of spectrum in the net aggregate amount of approximately $4.3 million and $14.6 million, respectively, in cash.

On July 27, 2010, the Company entered into a like-kind spectrum exchange agreement for licenses in certain metropolitan areas with another service provider (“Service Provider”). Consummation of this spectrum exchange agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including final FCC consent. The Company will acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Orlando in exchange for 10 MHz of PCS spectrum in Ft. Pierce-Vero Beach-Stuart, Florida, 20 MHz of partitioned AWS spectrum in the Salt Lake City and Portland cellular marketing areas and total cash consideration of $3.0 million.

On August 23, 2010, the Company closed on a like-kind spectrum exchange agreement covering licenses in certain markets with the Service Provider. The Service Provider acquired 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana; and an additional 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in certain other Washington markets, as well as an additional 10 MHz of PCS spectrum in Sacramento, California. The Company acquired 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana; and an additional 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Santa Barbara, California, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida. The exchange of spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of assets in the amount of $19.2 million.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

7. Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses:

Accounts payable and accrued expenses consisted of the following (in thousands):

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 

Accounts payable

  $92,640    $164,246  

Book overdraft

   5,673     84,438  

Accrued accounts payable

   110,967     131,644  

Accrued liabilities

   22,784     26,009  

Payroll and employee benefits

   38,000     30,923  

Accrued interest

   69,689     42,098  

Taxes, other than income

   71,173     71,513  

Income taxes

   7,947     7,495  
          

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $      418,873    $        558,366  
          

8. Long-term Debt:

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

   September 30,
2010
  December 31,
2009
 

9 1/4% Senior Notes

  $1,636,950   $1,950,000  

7 7/8% Senior Notes

   1,000,000    0  

Senior Secured Credit Facility

   1,536,000    1,548,000  

Capital Lease Obligations

   202,115    181,194  
         

Total long-term debt

   4,375,065    3,679,194  

Add: unamortized discount on debt

   (40,514  (33,919
         

Total debt

   4,334,551    3,645,275  

Less: current maturities

   (20,446  (19,326
         

Total long-term debt

  $    4,314,105   $    3,625,949  
         

9  1/4% Senior Notes due 2014

On November 3, 2006, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Initial Notes”). On June 6, 2007, Wireless completed the sale of an additional $400.0 million of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “Additional Notes”) under the existing indenture governing the Initial Notes at a price equal to 105.875% of the principal amount of such Additional Notes. On January 20, 2009, Wireless completed the sale of an additional $550.0 million of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014 (the “New 9 1/4% Senior Notes” and, together with the Initial Notes and Additional Notes, the “9 1/4% Senior Notes”) under a new indenture substantially similar to the indenture governing the Initial Notes at a price equal to 89.50% of the principal amount of such New 9 1/4% Senior Notes resulting in net proceeds of approximately $480.3 million.

The 9 1/4% Senior Notes are unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by MetroPCS, MetroPCS, Inc., and all of Wireless’ direct and indirect wholly-owned subsidiaries, but are not guaranteed by Royal Street and MetroPCS Finance, Inc. (“MetroPCS Finance”). Interest is payable on the 9 1/4% Senior Notes on May 1 and November 1 of each year. Wireless may, at its option, redeem some or all of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes at any time on or after November 1, 2010 for the redemption prices set forth in the indentures governing the 9 1/4% Senior Notes. Wireless may also, at its option, prior to November 1, 2010, redeem some or all of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes at the “make whole” price set forth in the indentures governing the 9 1/4% Senior Notes.

On September 21, 2010, Wireless completed a cash tender offer to purchase $313.1 million of outstanding aggregate principal amount of the initial and additional 9 1/4% Senior Notes at a price equal to 104.625% (the “Tender Offer”) for total cash consideration of $327.5 million. The Tender Offer resulted in a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of $15.6 million.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

6.Long-term Debt:

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in thousands):

 

December 31,December 31,
   March 31,
2011
  December 31,
2010
 

Senior Secured Credit Facility

  $2,026,750   $1,532,000  

7 7/8% Senior Notes

   1,000,000    1,000,000  

6 5/8% Senior Notes

   1,000,000    1,000,000  

Capital Lease Obligations

   265,223    254,336  
         

Total long-term debt

   4,291,973    3,786,336  

Add: unamortized discount on debt

   (9,373  (7,053
         

Total debt

   4,282,600    3,779,283  

Less: current maturities

   (27,536  (21,996
         

Total long-term debt

  $4,255,064   $3,757,287  
         

7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018

OnIn September 21, 2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018 (“7 7/8% Senior Notes”). The terms of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes are governed by the indenture, and the first supplemental indenture, dated September 21, 2010, and the third supplemental indenture, dated December 23, 2010, among Wireless, the guarantors party thereto and the trustee. The net proceeds of the sale of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes were $974.9$974.0 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of $25.1$26.0 million.

6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020

In November 2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020 (“6 5/8% Senior Notes”). The terms of the 6 5/8% Senior Notes are governed by the indenture, the second supplemental indenture, dated November 17, 2010, and the fourth supplemental indenture, dated December 23, 2010, among Wireless, the guarantors party thereto and the trustee. The net proceeds of the sale of the 6 5/8% Senior Notes were $988.1 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of approximately $11.9 million.

Senior Secured Credit Facility

In November 2006, Wireless entered into the Senior Secured Credit Facility, as amended, which consistsconsisted of a $1.6 billion term loan facility and a $100.0 million revolving credit facility. OnIn November 3, 2006, Wireless borrowed $1.6 billion under the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The term loan facility is repayable in quarterly installments in annual aggregate amounts equal to 1% of the initial aggregate principal amount of $1.6 billion. The term loan facility will mature in November 2013 and the revolving credit facility will mature in November 2011.

OnIn July 16, 2010, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement and Resignation and Appointment Agreement (the “Amendment”) which amendsamended and restatesrestated the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The Amendment amendsamended the Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, extend the maturity of $1.0 billion of existing term loans (“Tranche B-2 Term Loans”) under the Senior Secured Credit Facility to November 2016, increase the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.50% on the extended portion only and reduce the revolving credit facility from $100.0 million to $67.5 million. The remaining $536.0 millionterm loans (“Tranche B-1 Term Loans”) under the Senior Secured Credit Facility will mature in November 2013 and the interest rate continues to be LIBOR plus 2.25%. This modification did not result in a loss on extinguishment of debt.

In March 2011, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement Agreement (the “New Amendment”) which further amends and restates the Senior Secured Credit Facility. The New Amendment amended the Senior Secured Credit Facility to, among other things, provide for a new tranche of term loans in the amount of $500.0 million (“Tranche B-3 Term Loans”), with an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75% which will mature in March 2018, and increase the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.821% on the existing Tranche B-1 and Tranche B-2 Term Loans. The

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Tranche B-3 Term Loans are repayable in quarterly installments of $1.25 million. In addition, the aggregate amount of revolving credit facility was increased from $67.5 million to $100.0 million and the maturity of the revolving credit facility was extended to March 2016. The net proceeds from the Tranche B-3 Term Loans were $490.2 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of approximately $9.8 million, of which $0.5 million was included in accounts payable and accrued expenses at March 31, 2011.

The facilities under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are guaranteed by MetroPCS, MetroPCS, Inc. and each of Wireless’ direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries. The facilities are not guaranteed by Royal Street and MetroPCS Finance, but Wireless pledged the promissory note that Royal Street has given it in connection with amounts borrowed by Royal Street from Wireless and the limited liability company member interest held by Wireless in Royal Street Communications. The Senior Secured Credit Facility contains customary events of default, including cross-defaults. The obligations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility are also secured by the capital stock of Wireless as well as substantially all of Wireless’ present and future assets and the capital stock and substantially all of the assets of each of its direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned subsidiaries (except as prohibited by law and certain permitted exceptions), but excludes Royal Street..

UnderThe New Amendment modified certain limitations under the Senior Secured Credit Facility, Wireless is subject to certain limitations, including limitations on its ability to incur additional debt, make certain restricted payments, sell assets, make certain investments or acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends. In addition, Wireless is alsono longer subject to certain financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum senior secured consolidated leverage ratio, and,except under certain circumstances, maximum consolidated leverage and minimum fixed charge coverage ratios.circumstances.

The interest rate on the outstanding debt under the Senior Secured Credit Facility is variable. The weighted average rate as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 was 4.593%5.022%, which includes the impact of Wireless’our interest rate protection agreements (See Note 4).

Capital Lease Obligations

The Company has entered into various non-cancelable capital lease agreements, with varying expiration terms through 2025.2026. Assets and future obligations related to capital leases are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in property and equipment and long-term debt, respectively. Depreciation of assets held under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the Company had approximately $202.1$265.2 million of capital lease obligations, with $4.4$6.5 million and $197.7$258.7 million recorded in current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, respectively.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

9. Fair Value Measurements:

7.Fair Value Measurements:

The Company has adoptedfollows the provisions of ASC 820 (Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures”), for financial assets and liabilities. ASC 820 became effective for financial assets and liabilities on January 1, 2008. The Company adopted the provisions of ASC 820 for non-financial assets and liabilities upon its effectiveness on January 1, 2009. ASC 820 defines fair value, thereby eliminating inconsistencies in guidance found in various prior accounting pronouncements, and increases disclosures surrounding fair value calculations.

. ASC 820 establishes a three-tiered fair value hierarchy that prioritizes inputs to valuation techniques used in fair value calculations. The three levels of inputs are defined as follows:

 

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted market prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets that the Company has the ability to access.

 

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

Level 2 - Quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets; or valuations based on models where the significant inputs are observable (e.g., interest rates, yield curves, prepayment speeds, default rates, loss severities, etc.) or can be corroborated by observable market data.

 

Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use.

Level 3 - Valuations based on models where significant inputs are not observable. The unobservable inputs reflect the Company’s own assumptions about the assumptions that market participants would use.

ASC 820 requires the Company to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. If a financial instrument uses inputs that fall in different levels of the hierarchy, the instrument will be categorized based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value calculation. The Company’s financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis include cash and cash equivalents, short and long-term investments securities and derivative financial instruments.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Included in the Company’s cash and cash equivalents are cash on hand, cash in bank accounts, investments in money market funds consisting of U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of 90 days or less. Included in the Company’s short-term investments are securities classified as available-for-sale, which are stated at fair value. The securities include U.S. Treasury securities with an original maturity of over 90 days. Fair value is determined based on observable quotes from banks and unadjusted quoted market prices from identical or similar securities in an active market at the reporting date. Significant inputs to the valuation are observable in the active markets and are classified as Level 1 in the hierarchy.

Included in the Company’s long-term investments securities are certain auction rate securities, some of which are secured by collateralized debt obligations with a portion of the underlying collateral being mortgage securities or related to mortgage securities. Due to the lack of availability of observable market quotes on the Company’s investment portfolio of auction rate securities, the fair value was estimated based on valuation models that rely exclusively on unobservable Level 3 inputs including those that are based on expected cash flow streams and collateral values, including assessments of counterparty credit quality, default risk underlying the security, discount rates and overall capital market liquidity. The valuation of the Company’s investment portfolio is subject to uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Factors that may impact the Company’s valuation include changes to credit ratings of the securities as well as the underlying assets supporting those securities, rates of default of the underlying assets, underlying collateral values, discount rates, counterparty risk and ongoing strength and quality of market credit and liquidity. Significant inputs to the investments valuation are unobservable in the active markets and are classified as Level 3 in the hierarchy.

Included in the Company’s derivative financial instruments are interest rate swaps. Derivative financial instruments are valued in the market using discounted cash flow techniques. These techniques incorporate Level 1 and Level 2 inputs such as interest rates. These market inputs are utilized in the discounted cash flow calculation considering the instrument’s term, notional amount, discount rate and credit risk. Significant inputs to the derivative valuation for interest rate swaps are observable in the active markets and are classified as Level 2 in the hierarchy.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):

 

   Fair Value Measurements 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $889,784    $0    $0    $889,784  

Short-term investments

   1,012,632     0     0     1,012,632  

Restricted cash and investments

   13,632     0     0     13,632  

Long-term investments

   0     0     6,319     6,319  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $1,916,048    $0    $6,319    $1,922,367  
                    

Liabilities

        

Derivative liabilities

  $0    $    23,201    $            0    $23,201  
                    

Total liabilities measured at fair value

  $0    $23,201    $0    $23,201  
                    

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2009, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):

   Fair Value Measurements 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Assets

        

Cash and cash equivalents

  $929,381    $0    $0    $929,381  

Short-term investments

   224,932     0     0     224,932  

Restricted cash and investments

   15,438     0     0     15,438  

Long-term investments

   0     0     6,319     6,319  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $1,169,751    $0    $    6,319    $1,176,070  
                    

Liabilities

        

Derivative liabilities

  $0    $    24,859    $0    $24,859  
                    

Total liabilities measured at fair value

  $0    $24,859    $0    $24,859  
                    

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s derivative liabilities included in Level 2 assets, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements of Derivative Liabilities Using Level 2 Inputs

  Derivative Liabilities 
   Three Months Ended September 30, 
               2010                           2009              

Beginning balance

  $22,273   $36,643  

Total losses (realized or unrealized):

   

Included in earnings (1)

   4,663    14,581  

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (5,591  (13,954

Transfers in and/or out of Level 2

   0    0  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   0    0  
         

Ending balance

  $                23,201   $                36,016  
         

(1)Losses included in earnings that are attributable to the reclassification of the effective portion of those derivative liabilities still held at the reporting date as reported in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.
$1,319,716$1,319,716$1,319,716$1,319,716
   Fair Value Measurements 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Assets

        

Cash equivalents

  $1,319,716    $0    $0    $1,319,716  

Short-term investments

   337,401     0     0     337,401  

Restricted cash and investments

   2,876     0     0     2,876  

Long-term investments

   0     0     6,319     6,319  

Derivative assets

   0     12,995     0     12,995  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $1,659,993    $12,995    $6,319    $1,679,307  
                    

Liabilities

        

Derivative liabilities

  $0    $15,652    $0    $15,652  
                    

Total liabilities measured at fair value

  $0    $15,652    $0    $15,652  
                    

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The following table summarizes assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis at December 31, 2010, as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):

Fair Value Measurements of Derivative Liabilities Using Level 2 Inputs

  Derivative Liabilities 
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
                   2010                                   2009                  

Beginning balance

  $24,859   $54,963  

Total losses (realized or unrealized):

   

Included in earnings (2)

   23,904    38,862  

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

   (22,246  (19,915

Transfers in and/or out of Level 2

   0    0  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   0    0  
         

Ending balance

  $23,201   $36,016  
         

 

$1,182,267$1,182,267$1,182,267$1,182,267
   Fair Value Measurements 
   Level 1   Level 2   Level 3   Total 

Assets

        

Cash equivalents

  $787,829    $0    $0    $787,829  

Short-term investments

   374,862     0     0     374,862  

Restricted cash and investments

   2,876     0     0     2,876  

Long-term investments

   0     0     6,319     6,319  

Derivative assets

   0     10,381     0     10,381  
                    

Total assets measured at fair value

  $1,165,567    $10,381    $6,319    $1,182,267  
                    

Liabilities

        

Derivative liabilities

  $0    $18,690    $0    $18,690  
                    

Total liabilities measured at fair value

  $0    $18,690    $0    $18,690  
                    

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s net derivative liabilities included in Level 2 assets (in thousands):

$2,657$2,657

Fair Value Measurements of Net Derivative Liabilities Using Level 2 Inputs

  Net Derivative Liabilities 
   Three Months Ended March 31, 
   2011   2010 

Beginning balance

  $8,309    $24,859  

Total losses (realized or unrealized):

    

Included in earnings (1)

   4,676     10,956  

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   976     (9,806

Transfers in and/or out of Level 2

   0     0  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   0     0  
          

Ending balance

  $              2,657    $            23,709  
          

 

(2)(1)Losses included in earnings that are attributable to the reclassification of the effective portion of those derivative liabilities still held at the reporting date as reported in interest expense in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

The following table summarizes the changes in fair value of the Company’s Level 3 assets as required by ASC 820 (in thousands):

 

Fair Value Measurements of Assets Using Level 3 Inputs

  Long-Term Investments   Long-Term Investments 
  Three Months Ended September 30,   Three Months Ended March 31, 
                  2010                                    2009                    2011   2010 

Beginning balance

  $6,319    $3,837    $6,319    $6,319  

Total losses (realized or unrealized):

        

Included in earnings (3)

   0     374     0     0  

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

   0     (383

Included in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

   0     0  

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

   0     0     0     0  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   0     0     0     0  
                

Ending balance

  $6,319    $3,846    $              6,319    $              6,319  
                

(3)Losses included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to those assets still held at the reporting date as reported in impairment loss on investment securities in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

Fair Value Measurements of Assets Using Level 3 Inputs

  Long-Term Investments 
   Nine Months Ended September 30, 
                   2010                                    2009                  

Beginning balance

  $6,319    $5,986  

Total losses (realized or unrealized):

    

Included in earnings (4)

   0     1,827  

Included in accumulated other comprehensive loss

   0     313  

Transfers in and/or out of Level 3

   0     0  

Purchases, sales, issuances and settlements

   0     0  
          

Ending balance

  $6,319    $3,846  
          

(4)Losses included in earnings that are attributable to the change in unrealized losses relating to those assets still held at the reporting date as reported in impairment loss on investment securities in the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income.

The carrying value of the Company’s financial instruments, with the exception of long-term debt including current maturities, reasonably approximate the related fair values as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010. The fair value of the Company’s long-term debt is estimated based on the quoted market prices for the same or similar issues or on the current rates offered to the Company for debt of the same remaining maturities. As of March 31, 2011, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, were $4.0 billion and approximately $4.1 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2010, the carrying value and fair value of long-term debt, including current maturities, were $3.5 billion and $3.5 billion, respectively.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

The estimated fair values of the Company’s financial instruments are as follows (in thousands):

   September 30, 2010   December 31, 2009 
   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value   Carrying
Amount
   Fair Value 

Senior Secured Credit Facility

  $  1,536,000    $  1,505,280    $  1,548,000    $  1,470,600  

9 1/4% Senior Notes

   1,636,950     1,714,705     1,950,000     1,979,250  

7 7/8% Senior Notes

   1,000,000     1,015,000     0     0  

Cash flow hedging derivatives

   23,201     23,201     24,859     24,859  

Short-term investments

   1,012,632     1,012,632     224,932     224,932  

Long-term investments

   6,319     6,319     6,319     6,319  

Although the Company has determined the estimated fair value amounts using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop fair value estimates. The fair value estimates are based on information available at September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 20092010 and have not been revalued since those dates. As such, the Company’s estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amount that the Company, or holders of the instruments, could realize in a current market exchange and current estimates of fair value could differ significantly.

10. Net Income Per Common Share:

8.Net Income Per Common Share:

The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share for the periods indicated (in thousands, except share and per share data):

 

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
   Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009   2011   2010 

Basic EPS:

            

Net income applicable to common stock

  $77,287    $73,550    $179,864    $143,719    $56,378    $22,661  

Amount allocable to common shareholders

   99.2%     99.6%     99.2%     99.6%     99.2%     99.2%  
                        

Rights to undistributed earnings

  $76,695    $73,272    $178,482    $143,175    $55,904    $22,477  
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

           353,954,532             352,182,656             353,342,910             351,732,660     356,988,270     352,782,898  
                        

Net income per common share—basic

  $0.22    $0.21    $0.51    $0.41    $0.16    $0.06  
                        

Diluted EPS:

            

Rights to undistributed earnings

  $76,695    $73,272    $178,482    $143,175    $55,904    $22,477  
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding—basic

   353,954,532     352,182,656     353,342,910     351,732,660             356,988,270             352,782,898  

Effect of dilutive securities:

            

Stock options

   2,468,684     3,176,780     2,250,869     4,778,900     4,417,924     1,220,643  
                        

Weighted average shares outstanding—diluted

   356,423,216     355,359,436     355,593,779     356,511,560     361,406,194     354,003,541  
                        

Net income per common share—diluted

  $0.22    $0.21    $0.50    $0.40    $0.15    $0.06  
                        

In accordance with ASC 260 (Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”), unvested share-based payment awards that contain rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends or dividend equivalents, whether paid or unpaid, are considered a “participating security” for purposes of computing earnings or loss per common share and the two-class method of computing earnings per share is required for all periods presented. During the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, the Company issued restricted stock awards. Unvested shares of restricted stock are participating securities such that they have rights to receive forfeitable dividends. In accordance with ASC 260, the unvested restricted stock was considered a “participating security” for purposes of computing earnings per common share and was therefore included in the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share.

Under the restricted stock award agreements, unvested shares of restricted stock have rights to receive non-forfeitable dividends. For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, the Company has calculated diluted earnings per share under both the treasury stock method and the two-class method. There was not a significant difference in the per share amounts calculated under the two methods, and the two-class method is disclosed. For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, approximately 2.73.0 million of restricted common shares issued to employees have been excluded from the computation of basic net income per common share since the shares are not vested and remain subject to forfeiture. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, approximately 1.32.9 million, respectively, of restricted common shares issued to employees have been excluded from the computation of basic net income per common share since the shares are not vested and remain subject to forfeiture.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, 22.316.7 million and 23.0 million, respectively, of stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share since the effect was anti-dilutive. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, 25.2 million and 15.729.3 million, respectively, of stock options were excluded from the calculation of diluted net income per common share since the effect was anti-dilutive.

11. Commitments and Contingencies:

9.Commitments and Contingencies:

The Company has entered into pricing agreements with various handset manufacturers for the purchase of wireless handsets at specified prices. The terms of these agreements expire on various dates through June 30, 2011.March 31, 2012. The total aggregate commitment outstanding under these pricing agreements is approximately $62.3$70.2 million.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Litigation

The Company is involved in litigation from time to time, including litigation regarding intellectual property claims, that it considers to be in the normal course of business. Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and the matters in which the Company is involved often present complex legal and factual issues. The Company intends to vigorously pursue defenses in all matters in which it is involved and engage in discussions where possible to resolve these matters on terms favorable to the Company. The Company believes that any amounts alleged in the matters discussed below for which it is allegedly liable are not necessarily meaningful indicators of the Company’s potential liability. The Company determines whether it should accrue an estimated loss for a contingency in a particular legal proceeding by assessing whether a loss is deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated. The Company reassesses its views on estimated losses on a quarterly basis to reflect the impact of any developments in the matters in which it is involved. It is possible, however, that the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations in future periods could be materially adversely affected by increased expense, significant settlement costs and/or unfavorable damage awards relating to such matters. Other than the matter listed below, theThe Company is not currently party to any pending legal proceedings that it believes could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

The Company, certain current officers and a director, (collectively,or collectively the “defendants”)“defendants,” have been named as defendants in a securities class action lawsuit filed on December 15, 2009 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-2392. Plaintiff allegesalleged that the defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the defendants made false and misleading statements about the Company’s business, prospects and operations. The claims arewere based upon various alleged public statements made during the period from February 26, 2009 through November 4, 2009. The lawsuit seeks, among other relief, a determination thatOn March 28, 2011, the alleged claims may be asserted on a class-wide basis, unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, other expenses, and costs. Defendants’ filed aCourt granted the Company’s motion to dismiss on August 9, 2010. Plaintiff filed its opposition to Defendant’s motion to dismiss on September 8, 2010,all claims in the class action, and Defendants’ reply was filed on October 8, 2010. Due to the complex nature of the legal and factual issues involved in this action, the outcome is not presently determinable nor is a loss considered probable or reasonably estimatable. If this matter were to proceed beyond the pleading stage, the Company could be required to incur substantial costs and expenses to defend this matter and/or be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs, which could materially adversely affect the Company’s business, financial condition and results of operations.

12. Supplemental Cash Flow Information:Court entered judgment against Plaintiff.

 

   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009 
   (in thousands) 

Cash paid for interest

  $        160,741    $        136,675  

Cash paid for income taxes

   2,359     3,712  

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

10.Supplemental Cash Flow Information:

 

   Three Months Ended
March 31,
 
   2011   2010 
   (in thousands) 

Cash paid for interest

  $        52,038    $        27,329  

Cash paid for income taxes

   427     4  

Non-cash investing and financing activities

The Company’s accrued purchases of property and equipment were $71.1$ 116.2 million and $11.1$64.1 million as of September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively. Included within the Company’s accrued purchases are estimates by management for construction services received based on a percentage of completion.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company returned obsolete network infrastructure assets to one of its vendors in exchange for $19.9 million in credit towards the purchase of additional network infrastructure assets with the vendor.

Assets acquired under capital lease obligations were $23.6$12.5 million and $51.8$8.9 million for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company received $22.0 million and $52.3 million, respectively, in fair value of FCC licenses in exchanges with other parties.

13. Related-Party Transactions:

11.Related-Party Transactions:

One of the Company’s current directors is a managing director of various investment funds affiliated with one of the Company’s greater than 5% stockholders. These funds own in the aggregate an approximate 17% interest in a company that provides services to the Company’s customers, including handset insurance programs. Pursuant to the Company’s agreement with this related-party, the Company bills its customers directly for these services and remits the fees collected from its customers for these services to the related-party. Transactions associated with these services are included in various line items inIn addition, the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Company hadreceives compensation for selling handsets to the following transactions with this related-party (in millions):related-party.

   Three Months  Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 

Fees received by the Company as compensation for providing billing and collection services included in service revenues

  $2.3    $2.0    $6.8    $5.8  

Handsets sold to the related-party included in equipment revenues

   5.4     4.3     15.4     11.5  

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 

Accruals for fees collected from customers included in accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $      4.7    $      4.2  

Receivables from the related-party included in other current assets

   1.7     1.2  

One of the Company’s current directors is the chairman of an equity firm that holds various investment funds affiliated with one of the Company’s greater than 5% stockholders. The equity firm is affiliated with a current director ofowns interest in a company that provides wireless caller ID with name services to the Company. Pursuant to an

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

additional agreement with this related-party, the Company receives compensation for providing access to the Company’s line information database/calling name data storage to the related-party. Transactions associated with these services are included in various line items in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Company had the following transactions with this related-party (in millions):

   Three Months  Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
   2010   2009   2010   2009 

Fees received by the Company as compensation for providing access to the Company’s line information database /calling name data storage included in service revenues

  $1.1    $0    $1.7    $0  

Fees paid by the Company for wireless caller ID with name services included in cost of service

   2.2     0.3     5.4     0.6  

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

One of the Company’s current directors is a managing director of various investment funds affiliated with one of the Company’s greater than 5% stockholders. These funds own in the aggregate an approximate 16% interest in a company that provides advertising services to the Company. The Company paid approximately $1.2 million and $1.3 million to the company for these services during the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The Company paid approximately $4.0 million and $3.8 million to the company for these services during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively.

One of the Company’s current directors is a managing director of various investment funds affiliated with one of the Company’s greater than 5% stockholders. These funds own in the aggregate an approximate 63% interest in a company that provides DAS leases and maintenance to wireless carriers, including the Company. In addition, another of the Company’s current directors is a general partner of various investment funds which own in the aggregate an approximate 13% interest in the same company. These DAS leases are accounted for as capital or operating leases in the Company’s financial statements.

Transactions associated with these leasesthe related parties described above are included in various line items in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets, condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, and condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. The Company hadfollowing tables summarize the following transactions with this related-partyrelated-parties (in millions):

 

  March 31,
2011
   December 31,
2010
 

Network service fees included in prepaid charges

  $1.5    $1.5  

Receivables from related-party included in other current assets

   2.2     0.6  

DAS equipment included in property and equipment, net

           360.1             366.4  

Deferred network service fees included in other assets

   9.5     9.9  

Payments due to related-party included in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   7.9     7.8  

Current portion of capital lease obligations included in current maturities of long-term debt

   5.7     5.2  

Non-current portion of capital lease obligations included in long-term debt, net

   226.0     215.4  

Deferred DAS service fees included in other long-term liabilities

   1.3     1.2  
  Three Months  Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
   Three Months Ended
March  31,
 
      2010           2009           2010           2009       2011   2010 

Operating lease payments and related expenses included in cost of service

  $        2.5    $        3.9    $        7.6    $        9.3  

Capital lease maintenance expenses included in cost of service

   1.0     0.4     3.3     1.2  

Fees received by the Company as compensation included in service revenues

  $            3.5    $            2.3  

Fees received by the Company as compensation included in equipment revenues

   4.6     3.1  

Fees paid by the Company for services and related expenses included in cost of service

   4.1     4.8  

Fees paid by the Company for services included in selling general and administrative expenses

   1.7     1.8  

DAS equipment depreciation included in depreciation expense

   6.0     3.2     17.7     10.2     8.8     5.4  

Capital lease interest included in interest expense

   3.6     2.9     10.6     8.6     4.6     3.5  

Capital lease payments included in financing activities

   2.7     0.6  

 

   September 30,
2010
   December 31,
2009
 

Network service fees included in prepaid charges

  $2.6    $2.3  

DAS equipment included in property and equipment, net

       291.4         257.0  

Deferred network service fees included in other assets

   18.3     22.1  

Lease payments and related fees included in accounts payable and accrued expenses

   2.4     4.9  

Current portion of capital lease obligations included in current maturities of long-term debt

   3.7     2.8  

Non-current portion of capital lease obligations included in long-term debt, net

   166.3     146.0  

Deferred DAS service fees included in other long-term liabilities

   1.7     1.3  
   Nine Months  Ended
September 30,
 
       2010           2009     

Capital lease payments included in financing activities

  $2.3    $2.2  

14. Guarantor Subsidiaries:

12.Guarantor Subsidiaries:

In connection with Wireless’ sale of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes and 7 7/8% Senior Notes, 6 5/8% Senior Notes, and its entry into the Senior Secured Credit Facility, MetroPCS, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries, MetroPCS Inc., and each of Wireless’ direct and indirect present and future wholly-owned domestic subsidiaries (the “guarantor subsidiaries”), provided guarantees on the 9 1/4% Senior Notes, 7 7/8% Senior Notes and Senior Secured Credit Facility. These guaranteeswhich are full and unconditional as well as joint and several. Certain provisions of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the indentures and the supplemental indentures relating to the 97 17/48% Senior Notes and 76 75/8% Senior Notes restrict the ability of Wireless to loan funds to MetroPCS. However, Wireless is allowed to make certain permitted payments to MetroPCS under the terms of the Senior Secured Credit Facility, the indentures and the indentures relatingsupplemental indentures.

Prior to the 9 1/4% Senior NotesDecember 2010, Royal Street Communications, LLC and 7 7/8% Senior Notes. its subsidiaries (“Royal Street Communications”) and MetroPCS Finance, Inc. (“MetroPCS Finance”) (the “non-guarantor subsidiaries”) arewere not guarantors of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes, 7 7/8% Senior Notes, 6 5/8% Senior Notes or the Senior Secured Credit Facility. In December 2010, Wireless completed the acquisition of the remaining 15% limited liability company member interest in Royal Street Communications, making Royal Street Communications a wholly-owned subsidiary. In addition, MetroPCS Finance was dissolved. Therefore, the Company no longer had any non-guarantors of any of its

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

outstanding debt as of December 31, 2010. As a result, the comparative historical condensed consolidating financial information has been revised to present this information as if the new guarantor structure existed for all periods presented with the results of Royal Street Communications and MetroPCS Finance being reported as guarantor subsidiaries.

The following information presents condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2009,2010, condensed consolidating statements of income for the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, and condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009 of the parent company (MetroPCS), the issuer (Wireless), and the guarantor subsidiaries and the non-guarantor subsidiaries (Royal Street and MetroPCS Finance).subsidiaries. Investments in subsidiaries held by the parent company and the issuer have been presented using the equity method of accounting.

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011

 

  Parent Issuer Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $500,498   $366,670   $665    $21,951   $0   $889,784    $1,077,442    $243,371    $737    $0    $1,321,550  

Short-term investments

   374,862    637,770    0     0    0    1,012,632     337,401     0     0     0     337,401  

Inventories, net

   0    117,018    9,183     0    0    126,201  

Accounts receivable, net

   0    46,591    0     146    0    46,737  

Prepaid expenses

   0    293    51,639     8,111    0    60,043  

Inventories

   0     268,734     17,115     0     285,849  

Deferred charges

   0    63,677    0     0    0    63,677     0     102,163     0     0     102,163  

Deferred tax assets

   0    5,959    0     0    0    5,959  

Current receivable from subsidiaries

   0    707,765    0     17,975    (725,740  0  

Advances to subsidiaries

   642,052    586,372    0     3,463    (1,231,887  0     147,144     922,780     0     (1,069,924   0  

Other current assets

   87    21,504    18,520     610    0    40,721     380     86,861     95,306     0     182,547  
                                        

Total current assets

   1,517,499    2,553,619    80,007     52,256    (1,957,627  2,245,754     1,562,367     1,623,909     113,158     (1,069,924   2,229,510  

Property and equipment, net

   0    46,686    2,813,915     562,932    0    3,423,533     0     229,084     3,509,649     0     3,738,733  

Restricted cash and investments

   0    13,307    0     325    0    13,632  

Long-term investments

   6,319    0    0     0    0    6,319     6,319     12,995     0     0     19,314  

Investment in subsidiaries

   984,468    2,550,681    0     0    (3,535,149  0     1,065,644     4,136,791     0     (5,202,435   0  

FCC licenses

   0    3,800    2,193,230     293,599    0    2,490,629     0     3,800     2,533,335     0     2,537,135  

Long-term receivable from subsidiaries

   0    712,201    0     0    (712,201  0  

Other assets

   0    64,884    54,232     21,630    0    140,746     0     89,941     33,674     0     123,615  
                                        

Total assets

  $      2,508,286   $      5,945,178   $      5,141,384    $930,742   $      (6,204,977 $      8,320,613    $2,634,330    $6,096,520    $6,189,816    $(6,272,359  $8,648,307  
                                        

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $5   $102,340   $291,531    $24,997   $0   $418,873    $0    $261,215    $347,945    $0    $609,160  

Current maturities of long-term debt

   0    16,000    3,088     1,358    0    20,446  

Current payable to subsidiaries

   0    0    17,975     707,765    (725,740  0  

Deferred revenue

   0    38,760    159,368     0    0    198,128  

Current portion of cash flow hedging derivatives

   0    18,015    0     0    0    18,015  

Advances from subsidiaries

   0    0    1,229,233     2,654    (1,231,887  0     0     0     1,069,924     (1,069,924   0  

Other current liabilities

   0    26,182    7,332     32    0    33,546     0     91,618     202,946     0     294,564  
                                        

Total current liabilities

   5    201,297    1,708,527     736,806    (1,957,627  689,008     0     352,833     1,620,815     (1,069,924   903,724  

Long-term debt

   0    4,116,436    139,937     57,732    0    4,314,105     0     3,996,377     258,687     0     4,255,064  

Long-term payable to subsidiaries

   0    0    0     712,201    (712,201  0  

Deferred tax liabilities

   1,616    630,353    0     0    0    631,969  

Deferred rents

   0    0    81,682     14,268    0    95,950  

Deferred credits

   1,777     674,316     107,206     0     783,299  

Other long-term liabilities

   0    12,624    60,495     9,797    0    82,916     0     7,350     66,317     0     73,667  
                                        

Total liabilities

   1,621    4,960,710    1,990,641     1,530,804    (2,669,828  5,813,948     1,777     5,030,876     2,053,025     (1,069,924   6,015,754  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                  

Preferred stock

   0    0    0     0    0    0  

Common stock

   35    0    0     0    0    35     36     0     0     0     36  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,673,934    0    0     20,000    (20,000  1,673,934  

Retained earnings (deficit)

   844,557    996,928    3,150,743     (620,062  (3,527,609  844,557  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

   (10,275  (12,460  0     0    12,460    (10,275

Less treasury stock, at cost

   (1,586  0    0     0    0    (1,586

Other stockholders’ equity

   2,632,517     1,065,644     4,136,791     (5,202,435   2,632,517  
                                        

Total stockholders’ equity

   2,506,665    984,468    3,150,743     (600,062  (3,535,149  2,506,665     2,632,553     1,065,644     4,136,791     (5,202,435   2,632,553  
                                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $2,508,286   $5,945,178   $5,141,384    $930,742   $(6,204,977 $8,320,613    $2,634,330    $6,096,520    $6,189,816    $(6,272,359  $8,648,307  
                                        

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet

As of December 31, 20092010

 

ConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidated
  Parent Issuer Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

CURRENT ASSETS:

                  

Cash and cash equivalents

  $642,089   $269,836   $682    $16,774   $0   $929,381    $507,849    $287,942    $740    $0    $796,531  

Short-term investments

   224,932    0    0     0    0    224,932     374,862     0     0     0     374,862  

Inventories, net

   0    131,599    15,802     0    0    147,401  

Accounts receivable, net

   0    51,438    0     98    0    51,536  

Prepaid expenses

   0    201    40,547     7,605    0    48,353  

Inventories

   0     145,260     15,789     0     161,049  

Deferred charges

   0    59,414    0     0    0    59,414     0     89,775     0     0     89,775  

Deferred tax assets

   0    1,948    0     0    0    1,948  

Current receivable from subsidiaries

   0    423,275    0     14,574    (437,849  0  

Advances to subsidiaries

   610,505    999,234    0     866    (1,610,605  0     647,701     462,518     0     (1,110,219   0  

Other current assets

   199    7,848    19,913     466    0    28,426     94     81,557     90,017     0     171,668  
                                        

Total current assets

   1,477,725    1,944,793    76,944     40,383    (2,048,454  1,491,391     1,530,506     1,067,052     106,546     (1,110,219   1,593,885  

Property and equipment, net

   0    34,128    2,722,813     495,272    0    3,252,213     0     246,249     3,413,196     0     3,659,445  

Restricted cash and investments

   0    15,113    0     325    0    15,438  

Long-term investments

   6,319    0    0     0    0    6,319     6,319     10,381     0     0     16,700  

Investment in subsidiaries

   804,847    2,162,686    0     0    (2,967,533  0     1,006,295     3,994,553     0     (5,000,848   0  

FCC licenses

   0    3,800    2,172,782     293,599    0    2,470,181     0     3,800     2,518,441     0     2,522,241  

Long-term receivable from subsidiaries

   0    829,360    0     0    (829,360  0  

Other assets

   0    92,973    32,885     24,617    0    150,475     0     75,085     51,224     0     126,309  
                                        

Total assets

  $    2,288,891   $    5,082,853   $    5,005,424    $    854,196   $(5,845,347 $7,386,017    $2,543,120    $5,397,120    $6,089,407    $(6,111,067  $7,918,580  
                                        

CURRENT LIABILITIES:

                  

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

  $0   $223,973   $310,097    $24,296   $0   $558,366    $0    $150,994    $370,794    $0    $521,788  

Current maturities of long-term debt

   0    16,000    2,451     875    0    19,326  

Current payable to subsidiaries

   0    0    14,574     423,275    (437,849  0  

Deferred revenue

   0    38,502    149,152     0    0    187,654  

Current portion of cash flow hedging derivatives

   0    24,157    0     0    0    24,157  

Advances from subsidiaries

   0    0    1,610,605     0    (1,610,605  0     0     0     1,110,219     (1,110,219   0  

Other current liabilities

   0    84    7,851     31    0    7,966     0     82,684     197,948     0     280,632  
                                        

Total current liabilities

   0    302,716    2,094,730     448,477    (2,048,454  797,469     0     233,678     1,678,961     (1,110,219   802,420  

Long-term debt

   0    3,448,081    142,096     35,772    0    3,625,949     0     3,508,948     248,339     0     3,757,287  

Long-term payable to subsidiaries

   0    0    0     829,360    (829,360  0  

Deferred tax liabilities

   749    511,557    0     0    0    512,306  

Deferred rents

   0    0    69,574     10,913    0    80,487  

Deferred credits

   1,544     639,766     103,159     0     744,469  

Other long-term liabilities

   0    15,652    57,084     8,928    0    81,664     0     8,433     64,395     0     72,828  
                                        

Total liabilities

   749    4,278,006    2,363,484     1,333,450    (2,877,814  5,097,875     1,544     4,390,825     2,094,854     (1,110,219   5,377,004  

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY:

                  

Preferred stock

   0    0    0     0    0    0  

Common stock

   35    0    0     0    0    35     36     0     0     0     36  

Additional paid-in capital

   1,634,754    0    0     20,000    (20,000  1,634,754  

Retained earnings (deficit)

   664,693    818,343    2,641,940     (499,254  (2,961,029  664,693  

Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income

   (11,340  (13,496  0     0    13,496    (11,340

Other stockholders’ equity

   2,541,540     1,006,295     3,994,553     (5,000,848   2,541,540  
                                        

Total stockholders’ equity

   2,288,142    804,847    2,641,940     (479,254  (2,967,533  2,288,142     2,541,576     1,006,295     3,994,553     (5,000,848   2,541,576  
                                        

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

  $2,288,891   $5,082,853   $5,005,424    $854,196   $(5,845,347 $7,386,017    $2,543,120    $5,397,120    $6,089,407    $(6,111,067  $7,918,580  
                                        

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

Three Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2011

   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

REVENUES:

          

Total Revenues

  $0    $4,483    $1,197,944    $(8,050  $1,194,377  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

          

Cost of revenues

   0     4,302     754,427     (8,050   750,679  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   0     187     169,584     0     169,771  

Other operating expenses

   0     94     128,496     0     128,590  
                         

Total operating expenses

   0     4,583     1,052,507     (8,050   1,049,040  
                         

(Loss) income from operations

   0     (100   145,437     0     145,337  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

          

Interest expense

   0     52,376     4,185     0     56,561  

Interest income

   (506   (7   (2   0     (515

Other expense (income), net

   0     0     (255   0     (255

Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

   (55,872   (142,238   0     198,110     0  
                         

Total other (income) expense

   (56,378   (89,869   3,928     198,110     55,791  

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   56,378     89,769     141,509     (198,110   89,546  

Provision for income taxes

   0     (33,897   729     0     (33,168
                         

Net income (loss)

  $56,378    $55,872    $142,238    $(198,110  $56,378  
                         

Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income

Three Months Ended March 31, 2010

 

ConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidated
  Parent Issuer Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
 Eliminations Consolidated   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
  (in thousands)   (in thousands) 

REVENUES:

                 

Service revenues

  $0   $0   $946,773   $54,516   $(59,038 $942,251  

Equipment revenues

   0    4,437    74,101    0    0    78,538  
                   

Total revenues

   0    4,437    1,020,874    54,516    (59,038  1,020,789  

Total Revenues

  $0    $3,136    $1,016,033    $(48,666  $970,503  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

                 

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    0    339,145    33,581    (59,038  313,688  

Cost of equipment

   0    4,118    252,147    0    0    256,265  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    320    142,031    5,080    0    147,431  

Depreciation and amortization

   0    53    95,186    18,565    0    113,804  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   0    0    (18,315  (18  0    (18,333

Cost of revenues

   0     3,031     644,025     (48,666   598,390  

Selling, general and administrative expenses

   0     105     159,804     0     159,909  

Other operating expenses

   0     32     106,941     0     106,973  
                                       

Total operating expenses

   0    4,491    810,194    57,208    (59,038  812,855     0     3,168     910,770     (48,666   865,272  
                                       

(Loss) income from operations

   0    (54  210,680    (2,692  0    207,934     0     (32   105,263     0     105,231  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

                 

Interest expense

   0    63,136    2,358    40,541    (40,309  65,726     0     65,179     40,343     (38,040   67,482  

Interest income

   (456  (40,319  (31  0    40,309    (497   (456   (38,043   (846   38,881     (464

Other expense (income), net

   0    492    947    (977  0    462     0     455     841     (841   455  

Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

   (76,831  (165,150  0    0    241,981    0     (22,205   (64,925   0     87,130     0  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   0    15,590    0    0    0    15,590  
                                       

Total other (income) expense

   (77,287  (126,251  3,274    39,564    241,981    81,281     (22,661   (37,334   40,338     87,130     67,473  

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   77,287    126,197    207,406    (42,256  (241,981  126,653     22,661     37,302     64,925     (87,130   37,758  

Provision for income taxes

   0    (49,366  0    0    0    (49,366   0     (15,097   0     0     (15,097
                                       

Net income (loss)

  $      77,287   $      76,831   $      207,406   $(42,256 $      (241,981 $  77,287    $22,661    $22,205    $64,925    $(87,130  $22,661  
                                       

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Condensed Consolidated Statement of IncomeCash Flows

Three Months Ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2011

 

   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

REVENUES:

       

Service revenues

  $0   $0   $    813,265   $42,088   $(43,013 $812,340  

Equipment revenues

   0    4,335    78,918    0    0    83,253  
                         

Total revenues

   0    4,335    892,183    42,088    (43,013  895,593  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

       

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    0    314,582    26,719    (43,013  298,288  

Cost of equipment

   0    4,086    195,006    0    0    199,092  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    249    132,984    5,227    0    138,460  

Depreciation and amortization

   0    73    85,634    13,270    0    98,977  

Loss (gain) on disposal of assets

   0    0    2,731    (162  0    2,569  
                         

Total operating expenses

   0    4,408    730,937    45,054    (43,013  737,386  
                         

(Loss) income from operations

   0    (73  161,246    (2,966  0    158,207  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

       

Interest expense

   0    69,184    1,678    33,942    (34,413  70,391  

Interest income

   (703  (34,459  (101  (5  34,413    (855

Other expense (income), net

   0    397    0    0    0    397  

Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

   (73,221  (122,766  0    0    195,987    0  

Impairment loss on investment securities

   374    0    0    0    0    374  
                         

Total other (income) expense

   (73,550  (87,644  1,577    33,937    195,987    70,307  

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   73,550    87,571    159,669    (36,903  (195,987  87,900  

Provision for income taxes

   0    (14,350  0    0    0    (14,350
                         

Net income (loss)

  $        73,550   $        73,221   $159,669   $(36,903 $(195,987 $73,550  
                         
   Parent   Issuer   Guarantor
Subsidiaries
   Eliminations   Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

          

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $55,924    $(27,413  $307,912    $(198,110  $138,313  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

          

Purchases of property and equipment

   0     (4,815   (182,217   0     (187,032

Purchase of investments

   (162,378   0     0     0     (162,378

Proceeds from maturity of investments

   200,000     0     0     0     200,000  

Investment in subsidiaries

   (55,872   (142,238   0     198,110     0  

Change in advances – affiliates

   511,844     (398,041   0     (113,803   0  

Other investing activities, net

   0     (10,371   (8,955   0     (19,326
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities

   493,594     (555,465   (191,172   84,307     (168,736

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

          

Proceeds from debt issuance

   0     497,500     0     0     497,500  

Change in advances – affiliates

   0     0     (113,803   113,803     0  

Repayment of debt

   0     (5,250   0     0     (5,250

Other financing activities, net

   20,075     46,057     (2,940   0     63,192  
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   20,075     538,307     (116,743   113,803     555,442  
                         

INCREASE(DECREASE)IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   569,593     (44,571   (3   0     525,019  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

   507,849     287,942     740     0     796,531  
                         

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $1,077,442    $243,371    $737    $0    $1,321,550  
                         

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

 

Consolidated Statement of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010

   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

REVENUES:

       

Service revenues

  $0   $0   $2,726,002   $153,377   $(161,708 $2,717,671  

Equipment revenues

   0    13,908    272,248    0    0    286,156  
                         

Total revenues

   0    13,908    2,998,250    153,377    (161,708  3,003,827  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

       

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    0    975,689    92,527    (161,708  906,508  

Cost of equipment

   0    13,153    792,204    0    0    805,357  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    756    449,986    15,198    0    465,940  

Depreciation and amortization

   0    137    278,391    52,378    0    330,906  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   0    (19  (16,071  (371  0    (16,461
                         

Total operating expenses

   0    14,027    2,480,199    159,732    (161,708  2,492,250  
                         

(Loss) income from operations

   0    (119  518,051    (6,355  0    511,577  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

       

Interest expense

   0    191,338    6,655    117,145    (116,428  198,710  

Interest income

   (1,279  (116,448  (49  (5  116,428    (1,353

Other expense (income), net

   0    1,441    2,643    (2,688  0    1,396  

Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

   (178,585  (387,995  0    0    566,580    0  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   0    15,590    0    0    0    15,590  
                         

Total other (income) expense

   (179,864  (296,074  9,249    114,452    566,580    214,343  

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   179,864    295,955    508,802    (120,807  (566,580  297,234  

Provision for income taxes

   0    (117,370  0    0    0    (117,370
                         

Net income (loss)

  $    179,864   $    178,585   $    508,802   $(120,807 $(566,580 $179,864  
                         

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Income

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

REVENUES:

       

Service revenues

  $0   $0   $2,308,579   $117,756   $(120,447 $2,305,888  

Equipment revenues

   0    11,541    233,105    0    0    244,646  
                         

Total revenues

   0    11,541    2,541,684    117,756    (120,447  2,550,534  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

       

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    0    854,485    78,558    (120,447  812,596  

Cost of equipment

   0    10,808    640,703    0    0    651,511  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization expense shown separately below)

   0    734    400,607    15,850    0    417,191  

Depreciation and amortization

   0    174    234,203    37,720    0    272,097  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   0    0    (8,432  104    0    (8,328
                         

Total operating expenses

   0    11,716    2,121,566    132,232    (120,447  2,145,067  
                         

(Loss) income from operations

   0    (175  420,118    (14,476  0    405,467  

OTHER EXPENSE (INCOME):

       

Interest expense

   0    201,215    1,894    95,535    (99,286  199,358  

Interest income

   (4,101  (97,168  (125  (12  99,286    (2,120

Other expense (income), net

   0    1,407    0    0    0    1,407  

Earnings from consolidated subsidiaries

   (141,445  (308,350  0    0    449,795    0  

Impairment loss on investment securities

   1,827    0    0    0    0    1,827  
                         

Total other (income) expense

   (143,719  (202,896  1,769    95,523    449,795    200,472  

Income (loss) before provision for income taxes

   143,719    202,721    418,349    (109,999  (449,795  204,995  

Provision for income taxes

   0    (61,276  0    0    0    (61,276
                         

Net income (loss)

  $    143,719   $    141,445   $418,349   $(109,999 $(449,795 $143,719  
                         

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

NineThree Months Ended September 30,March 31, 2010

 

   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

       

Net income (loss)

  $179,864   $178,585   $508,802   $(120,807 $(566,580 $179,864  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization

   0    137    278,391    52,378    0    330,906  

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

   0    38    0    0    0    38  

Deferred rent expense

   0    0    12,152    3,496    0    15,648  

Cost of abandoned cell sites

   0    0    1,426    24    0    1,450  

Stock-based compensation expense

   0    0    35,103    0    0    35,103  

Non-cash interest expense

   0    10,049    0    0    0    10,049  

Gain on disposal of assets

   0    (19  (16,071  (371  0    (16,461

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   0    15,590    0    0    0    15,590  

Gain on sale of investments

   (340  0    0    0    0    (340

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

   0    0    2,473    299    0    2,772  

Other non-cash expense

   0    1,455    0    0    0    1,455  

Deferred income taxes

   0    114,107    0    (2  0    114,105  

Changes in assets and liabilities

   (178,467  (324,788  (67,914  (6,199  566,580    (10,788
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   1,057    (4,846  754,362    (71,182  0    679,391  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

       

Purchases of property and equipment

   0    (141,945  (334,550  (71,448  0    (547,943

Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment

   0    60,348    0    0    0    60,348  

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment

   0    0    1,003    6,640    0    7,643  

Purchase of investments

   (537,003  (637,770  0    0    0    (1,174,773

Proceeds from maturity of investments

   387,500    0    0    0    0    387,500  

Change in restricted cash and investments

   0    1,262    0    0    0    1,262  

Change in advances – affiliates

   3,497    428,393    0    0    (431,890  0  

Issuance of affiliate debt

   0    (543,000  0    0    543,000    0  

Proceeds from affiliate debt

   0    385,664    0    0    (385,664  0  

Acquisitions of FCC licenses

   0    0    (3,686  0    0    (3,686
                         

Net cash used in investing activities

   (146,006  (447,048  (337,233  (64,808  (274,554  (1,269,649

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       

Change in book overdraft

   0    (80,263  0    1,498    0    (78,765

Proceeds from long-term loan

   0    0    0    543,000    (543,000  0  

Proceeds from senior note offerings

   0    992,770    0    0    0    992,770  

Change in advances – affiliates

   0    0    (414,488  (17,402  431,890    0  

Debt issuance costs

   0    (24,250  0    0    0    (24,250

Repayment of debt

   0    (12,000  0    (385,664  385,664    (12,000

Retirement of 9 1/4% Senior Notes

   0    (327,529  0    0    0    (327,529

Payments on capital lease obligations

   0    0    (2,658  (265  0    (2,923

Purchase of treasury stock

   (1,586  0    0    0    0    (1,586

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   4,944    0    0    0    0    4,944  
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   3,358    548,728    (417,146  141,167    274,554    550,661  
                         

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (141,591  96,834    (17  5,177    0    (39,597

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

   642,089    269,836    682    16,774    0    929,381  
                         

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $      500,498   $      366,670   $665   $21,951   $0   $889,784  
                         

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

ConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidatedConsolidated
   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

      

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

  $911   $141,587   $88,701   $(6,167 $225,032  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

      

Purchases of property and equipment

   0    (4,182  (135,113  0    (139,295

Purchase of investments

   (162,372  0    0    0    (162,372

Proceeds from maturity of investments

   112,500    0    0    0    112,500  

Proceeds from affiliate debt

   0    106,975    0    (106,975  0  

Issuance of affiliate debt

   0    (163,000  0    163,000    0  

Other investing activities, net

   0    4,102    35    0    4,137  
                     

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

   (49,872  (56,105  (135,078  56,025    (185,030

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

      

Proceeds from long-term loan

   0    0    163,000    (163,000  0  

Repayment of debt

   0    (4,000  (106,975  106,975    (4,000

Other financing activities, net

   (619  (50,015  (6,342  6,167    (50,809
                     

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

   (619  (54,015  49,683    (49,858  (54,809
                     

(DECREASE) INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   (49,580  31,467    3,306    0    (14,807

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS,
beginning of period

   642,089    269,836    17,456    0    929,381  
                     

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $592,509   $301,303   $20,762   $0   $914,574  
                     

 

13.Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

   Parent  Issuer  Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Non-Guarantor
Subsidiaries
  Eliminations  Consolidated 
   (in thousands) 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:

       

Net income (loss)

  $143,719   $141,445   $418,349   $(109,999 $(449,795 $143,719  

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:

       

Depreciation and amortization

   0    174    234,203    37,720    0    272,097  

Provision for uncollectible accounts receivable

   0    191    0    0    0    191  

Deferred rent expense

   0    0    14,718    3,047    0    17,765  

Cost of abandoned cell sites

   0    0    3,593    2,555    0    6,148  

Stock-based compensation expense

   0    0    35,767    0    0    35,767  

Non-cash interest expense

   0    8,183    (7  0    0    8,176  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   0    0    (8,432  104    0    (8,328

Gain on sale of investments

   (31  (241  0    0    0    (272

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

   0    0    3,179    537    0    3,716  

Other non-cash expense

   0    1,168    0    0    0    1,168  

Impairment loss in investment securities

   1,827    0    0    0    0    1,827  

Deferred income taxes

   0    85,070    0    0    0    85,070  

Changes in assets and liabilities

   112,620    (369,579  (96,256  (1,276  566,861    212,370  
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities

   258,135    (133,589  605,114    (67,312  117,066    779,414  

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:

       

Purchases of property and equipment

   0    3,720    (591,699  (49,471  928    (636,522

Change in prepaid purchases of property and equipment

   0    (10,211  0    0    0    (10,211

Proceeds from sale of plant and equipment

   0    0    1,137    4,627    (928  4,836  

Purchase of investments

   (374,227  0    0    0    0    (374,227

Proceeds from maturity of investments

   150,000    0    0    0    0    150,000  

Change in restricted cash and investments

   0    (13,112  0    0    0    (13,112

Acquisitions of FCC licenses

   0    (3,800  (12,767  0    0    (16,567

Proceeds from exchange of FCC licenses

   0    0    949    0    0    949  
                         

Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities

   (224,227  (23,403  (602,380  (44,844  0    (894,854

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:

       

Change in book overdraft

   0    (97,184  0    (3,184  0    (100,368

Proceeds from long-term loan

   0    0    0    335,000    (335,000  0  

Proceeds from 9 1/4% Senior Notes Due 2014

   0    492,250    0    0    0    492,250  

Debt issuance costs

   0    (11,925  0    0    0    (11,925

Repayment of debt

   0    (12,000  0    (206,104  206,104    (12,000

Payments on capital lease obligations

   0    0    (2,680  (11,830  11,830    (2,680

Proceeds from exercise of stock options

   7,793    0    0    0    0    7,793  
                         

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

   7,793    371,141    (2,680  113,882    (117,066  373,070  
                         

INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS

   41,701    214,149    54    1,726    0    257,630  

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, beginning of period

   598,823    78,121    624    20,380    0    697,948  
                         

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, end of period

  $      640,524   $      292,270   $678   $22,106   $0   $955,578  
                         

MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and Subsidiaries

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Interim Financial Statements

(Unaudited)

15. Subsequent Events:

On April 21, 2011, the Company entered into a capital lease arrangement with a related-party in which the Company has future minimum rental payments of approximately $51.5 million for a term of fifteen years.

On October 13, 2010,May 2, 2011, Wireless entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreementsannounced that it had launched a $0.6 billion incremental term loan to manage its interest rate risk exposure under itsexisting Senior Secured Credit Facility. These agreementsWireless will be effective on February 1, 2012use the proceeds to repay all of its existing outstanding Tranche B-1 Term Loans and cover a notional amountwill use the remainder of $950.0 million and effectively convert this portionthe proceeds for general corporate purposes, including opportunistic spectrum acquisitions. The transaction is expected to close in mid-May of Wireless’ variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 4.612%. The monthly interest settlement periods will begin on February 1, 2012. These agreements expire on February 1, 2014.

On October 14, 2010, the Company entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and certain related network assets in the Northeast metropolitan area for $47.5 million in cash. Consummation of this asset purchase agreement is2011, subject to market and other customary closing conditions, including final FCC consent. The Company closed on a portion of the asset purchase agreement on November 1, 2010.conditions.

On November 1, 2010, Wireless completed the redemption of an additional $686.9 million in outstanding aggregate principal amount of the Initial and Additional 9 1/4% Senior Notes at a price equal to 104.625% for total cash consideration of $718.7 million. The redemption will result in a loss on extinguishment of debt in the amount of approximately $31.8 million.

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

Forward-Looking Statements

Any statements made in this quarterly report that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs, opinions and expectations, are “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, and should be evaluated as such. Forward-looking statements include our expectations of customer growth, the effect of seasonality on our business, the difficultyimportance of obtaining financing, selling additional equity in debt securities, orour key non-GAAP financial measures, opportunities to refinancing existing indebtedness in the future if and when we need it, the impact of theenhance current adverse economic and financial conditions in the credit and capital markets on our liquidity, cash flow, financial flexibility and ability to fund operations,operating segments, whether existing cash, cash equivalents and short termshort-term investments and anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fully fund planned operations, our belief that increased services areas and capacity will improve our service offerings, and help us to attract additional customers, retain existing customer, and increase revenues, the challenges and opportunities facing our business, competitive differentiators, our strategy and business plans, customer expectations, our projections of capital expenditures for 2010,2011, the effect of inflation on our operations, the effect of adoption of new accounting standards on us, the effect of changes in aggregate fair value of financial assets and liabilities, whether litigation may have a material adverse effect on our business, our litigation defense strategy, financial condition or operations, and other statements that may relate to our plans, objectives, beliefs, strategies, goals, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, outcomes of litigation and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements often include words such as “anticipate,” “expect,” “suggests,” “plan,” “believe,” “intend,” “estimates,” “targets,” “views,” “becomes,” “projects,” “should,” “would,” “could,” “may,” “will,” “forecast,” and other similar expressions. Forward-looking statements are contained throughout this quarterly report, including in the “Company Overview,” “Risk Factors,” and the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” “Legal Proceedings,” and “Risk Factors.”Operations” sections of this report.

We base the forward-looking statements or projections made in this report on our current expectations, plans, beliefs, opinions and assumptions that have been made in light of our experience in the industry, as well as our perceptions of historical trends, current conditions, expected future developments and other factors we believe are appropriate under the circumstances and at such times. As you read and consider this quarterly report, you should understand that these forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and no assurances can be given that such statements or results will be obtained. Although we believe that these forward-looking statements are based on reasonable expectations, beliefs, opinions and assumptions at the time they are made, you should be aware that many of these factors are beyond our control and that many factors could affect our actual financial results, performance or results of operations and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements. Factors that may materially affect such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited, to:

 

the highly competitive nature of our industry;

 

our ability to manage our rapid growth, achieve planned growth, manage churn rates and maintain our cost structure;

 

our and our competitors’ current and planned promotions, marketing and sales initiatives and our ability to respond and support them;

 

our ability to negotiate and maintain acceptable agreements with our suppliers and vendors, including roaming arrangements;

 

the seasonality of our business and any failure to have strong customer growth in the first and fourth quarters;

 

increases or changes in taxes and regulatory fees;

 

the rapid technological changes in our industry, our ability to adapt and therespond to such technological changes, our ability ofto deploy new technologies, such as long term evolution, or 4G LTE, in our suppliers to developnetworks and provide us with technological developments we need to remain competitive;

the current economic environment in the United States and the state of the capital markets in the United States;successfully offer new services using such new technology;

our exposure to counterparty risk in our financial agreements;

our ability to meet the demands and expectations of our customers, to maintain adequate customer care and manage our churn rate;

our ability to achieve planned growth and churn rates;

our ability to manage our rapid growth, train additional personnel and maintain our financial and disclosure controls and procedures;

our ability to secure the necessary products, services, applications, content and network infrastructure equipment;equipment we need or which our customers or potential customers demand and to maintain adequate customer care;

 

our ability to secure spectrum, or secure it at acceptable prices, when we need it;

 

our ability to respondmanage our networks to technology changes,deliver the services our customers expect and to maintain and upgradeincrease capacity of our networks and business systems;

systems to satisfy the demands of our deployment of new technologies, such as long term evolution, or LTE, in our networks and its success and our ability to offer new services using such new technology;customers;

 

our ability to adequately enforce or protect our intellectual property rights and defend against suits filed by others;

 

governmental regulation affecting our services and the costs of compliance and our failure to comply with such regulations;

our capital structure, including our indebtedness amounts and the limitations imposed by the covenants in our indebtedness;

changes in consumer preferences or demand forindebtedness and maintain our products;financial and disclosure controls and procedures;

 

our inability to attract and retain key members of management;management and train personnel;

 

our reliance on third parties to provide distribution, products, software and services that are integral to our business;business and the ability of our suppliers to perform, develop and timely provide us with technological developments, products and services we need to remain competitive;

 

governmental regulation affecting our services and the performancecosts of compliance and our suppliers and other third parties on whom we rely;failure to comply with such regulations; and

 

other factors described under “Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092010 as updated or supplemented under “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in each of our subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q as filed with the SEC, including this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011.

These forward-looking statements speak only as to the date made and are subject to the factors above, among other things, and involve risks, events, circumstances, uncertainties and assumptions, many of which are beyond our ability to control or ability to predict. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements which are based on current expectations and speak only as of the date of this report. The results presented for any period, including the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, may not be reflective of results for any subsequent period or for the fiscal year. All future written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by our cautionary statements. We do not intend to, and do not undertake a duty to, update any forward-looking statement in the future to reflect the occurrence of events or circumstances, except as required by law.

Company Overview

Except as expressly stated, the financial condition and results of operations discussed throughout Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations are those of MetroPCS Communications, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, including MetroPCS Wireless, Inc., or Wireless, and Royal Street Communications, LLC and their respective subsidiaries.Wireless. References to “MetroPCS,” “MetroPCS

“MetroPCS Communications,” “our Company,” “the Company,” “we,” “our,” “ours” and “us” refer to MetroPCS Communications, Inc., a Delaware corporation, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries.

We are a wireless telecommunications carrier that currently offers wireless broadband mobile services primarily in selected major metropolitan areas in the greaterUnited States, including the Atlanta, Boston, Dallas/Fort Worth, Detroit, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New York, Orlando/Jacksonville, Philadelphia, Sacramento, San Francisco and Tampa/Sarasota metropolitan areas. In 2005, Royal Street Communications, LLC, or Royal Street Communications,September 2010, we introduced the first commercial 4G LTE service in our Las Vegas and with its wholly-owned subsidiaries, or collectively, Royal Street, was granted licenses by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC,Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan areas. Subsequently in 2010, we launched our 4G LTE service in our Detroit, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Boston, New York, San Francisco and variousSacramento metropolitan areas. We further expanded our 4G LTE services into Atlanta, Jacksonville, Miami and Orlando metropolitan areas throughout northern Florida. We own 85%in January of 2011 and the limited liability company member interestTampa metropolitan area in Royal Street Communications, but may only elect two of the five members of Royal Street Communications’ management committee. We have a wholesale arrangement with Royal Street under which we purchase up to 85% of the engineered capacity of Royal Street’s systems allowing us to sell our standard products and services under the MetroPCS brand to the public. Additionally, upon Royal Street’s request, we have provided and will provide financing to Royal Street under a loan agreement. As of September 30, 2010, the maximum amount that Royal Street could borrow from us under the loan agreement was approximately $2.4 billion of which Royal Street had borrowed approximately $1.6 billion and had net outstanding borrowings of $1.2 billion through September 30, 2010. Royal Street has incurred an additional $14.0 million in net borrowings through October 31, 2010. Under that certain Amended and Restated Limited Liability Company Agreement of Royal Street Communications, LLC, or the Royal Street agreement, C9 Wireless, or C9, the controlling member of Royal Street Communications, has the right to put its member interest in Royal Street Communications to us for a return of capital plus a fixed return, or the put. On April 26, 2010, we received a written notice from C9 that it was exercising its put in accordance with the Royal Street agreement with the closing to not occur before the fifth anniversary of the grant of FCC licenses to Royal Street, or on or after December 22, 2010. The put is subject to customary closing conditions, including consent of the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, which was granted on October 8, 2010, but has not yet become final.2011.

As a result of the significant growth we have experienced since we launched operations, our results of operations to date are not necessarily indicative of the results that can be expected in future periods. Moreover, we expect that our number of customers will continue to increase, which will continue to contribute to increases in our revenues and operating expenses.

We sell products and services to customers through our Company-owned retail stores as well as indirectly through relationships with independent retailers. Our service allows our customers to place unlimited local calls from within our local service area and to receive unlimited calls from any area while in our local service area, for a flat-rate monthly service fee. In January 2010, we introduced a new family of service plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees and offering nationwide voice, text and web services on an unlimited basis beginning at $40 per month. For an additional $5 to $20 per month, our customers may select alternative service plans that offer additional features on an unlimited basis. For additional usage fees, we also provide certain other value-added services. OnIn November 4, 2010, we introduced Metro USAsmSMwhich allows our customers to receive services in an area covering over 280 million population for the same rates as we previously charged to use our voice, text messaging and web browsing services in an area of over 280 million population through a combination of our own networks and roaming arrangements with third parties. In January 2011, we introduced new 4G LTE service plans, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees, that allow subscribers to enjoy voice, text and web access services at fixed monthly rates starting as low as $40 per month. All of these plans require payment in advance for one month of service. If no payment is made in advance for the following month of service, service is suspended at the end of the month that was paid for by the customer and, if the customer does not pay within 30 days, the customer is terminated. Our service plans differentiate us from the more complex plans and long-term contract requirements of traditional wireless carriers. In addition, the above products and services are offered by us under the MetroPCS brand in the metropolitan areas where we purchase services from Royal Street. We introduced the first commercial 4G LTE service in our Las Vegas and Dallas/Fort Worth metropolitan areas in September 2010, in our Detroit metropolitan area in October 2010 and in our Los Angeles and Philadelphia metropolitan areas in November 2010. Our 4G LTE service plans offer talk, text and 4G web access starting as low as $55 per month including taxes and regulatory fees.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, or GAAP, requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of certain assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, and related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements. We have discussed those estimates that we believe are critical and require the use of complex judgment in their application in “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092010 filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC, on March 1, 2010.2011.

Other than the adoptionAdoption of New Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2011, we adopted on a prospective basis Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, Accounting Standards Update, or ASU, 2009-17,No. 2009-13ImprovementsMultiple-Deliverable Revenue Arrangements,” or ASU 2009-13, which amended the methodology upon which companies allocated revenue within arrangements with multiple deliverables, allowing for allocation based upon a selling price hierarchy that permits the use of an estimated selling price to Financial Reportingdetermine the allocation of arrangement consideration to a deliverable in a multiple-deliverable arrangement where neither vendor specific objective evidence nor third-party evidence is available for that deliverable, eliminating the residual method.

We have determined that the sale of wireless services through our direct and indirect sales channels with an accompanying handset constitutes a revenue arrangement with multiple deliverables. We divide these arrangements into separate units of accounting, and allocate the consideration between the handset and the wireless service. Under the amended provisions of ASU 2009-13, the amount allocable to the delivered unit or units of accounting is limited to the amount that is not contingent upon the delivery of additional items or meeting other specific performance conditions, or the non-contingent amount. We have considered our customer service policies and historical practices and concluded that the amount of consideration received related to service revenue is contingent upon delivery of the wireless service as the customer may receive a service credit if we did not deliver the service. Any remaining consideration received is recognized as equipment revenue when the handset is delivered and accepted by Enterprises Involved with Variable Interest Entitiesthe customer as it represents the non-contingent amount. Delivery of the wireless service generally occurs over the one month period following delivery and acceptance of the equipment by the customer as we do not require our customers to enter into long-term contracts. The fair value allocable to the undelivered wireless service element is based on the monthly service amounts charged to customers in the months following their initial month of service. The adoption of ASU 2010-06, “Improving Disclosures about Fair Value Measurements,”2009-13 did not have a material impact on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.

Other than the adoption of ASU 2009-13, our accounting policies and the methodologies and assumptions we apply under them have not changed from our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009.2010.

Revenues

We derive our revenues from the following sources:

Service.We sell wireless broadband mobile services. The various types of service revenues associated with wireless broadband mobile for our customers include monthly recurring charges for airtime, one-time or monthly recurring charges for optional features (including nationwide long distance, unlimited international long distance, unlimited text messaging, international text messaging, voicemail, downloads, ringtones, games and content applications, unlimited directory assistance, enhanced directory assistance, ring back tones, mobile Internet browsing, mobile instant messaging, navigation, video streaming, video on demand, push e-mail and nationwide roaming) and charges for long distance service. Service revenues also include intercarrier compensation and nonrecurring reactivation service charges to customers.

Equipment.We sell wireless broadband mobile handsets and accessories that are used by our customers in connection with our wireless services. This equipment is also sold to our independent retailers to facilitate distribution to our customers.

Costs and Expenses

Our costs and expenses include:

Cost of Service.The major components of our cost of service are:

 

  

Cell Site Costs.We incur expenses for the rentalrent of cell sites, network facilities, engineering operations, field technicians and related utility and maintenance charges.

 

  

Intercarrier Compensation.Interconnection Costs.We pay charges to other telecommunications companies and third-party providers for theirleased facilities and usage-based charges for transporting and terminating network traffic from our cell sites and switching centers. We have pre-negotiated rates for transport and termination of calls originated by our customers, and destined for customersincluding negotiated interconnection agreements with relevant exchange carriers in each of other networks. These variable charges are based on our customers’ usage and generally applied at pre-negotiated rates with other carriers, although some carriers have sought to impose such charges unilaterally.service areas.

 

  

Variable Long Distance.We pay charges to other telecommunications companies for long distance service provided to our customers. These variable charges are based on our customers’ usage, applied at pre-negotiated rates with the long distance carriers.

 

  

Customer Support.We pay charges to nationally recognized third-party providers for customer care, billing and payment processing services.

Cost of Equipment.Cost of equipment primarily includes the cost of handsets and accessories purchased from third-party vendors to resell to our customers and independent retailers in connection with our services. We do not

manufacture any of this equipment.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses.Our selling expenses include advertising and promotional costs associated with marketing and selling to new customers and fixed charges such as retail store rent and retail associates’ salaries. General and administrative expenses include support functions including technical operations, finance, accounting, human resources, information technology and legal services. We record stock-based compensation expense in cost of service and in selling, general and administrative expenses for expense associated with employee stock options and restricted stock awards, which is measured at the date of grant, based on the estimated fair value of the award.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation is applied using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets once the assets are placed in service, which are seven to ten years for network infrastructure assets, three to ten years for capitalized interest, up to fifteen years for capital leases, three to eight years for office equipment, which includes software and computer equipment, three to seven years for furniture and fixtures and five years for vehicles. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the term of the respective leases, which includes renewal periods that are reasonably assured, or the estimated useful life of the improvement, whichever is shorter.

Interest Expense and Interest Income. Interest expense includes interest incurred on our borrowings and capital lease obligations, amortization of debt issuance costs and amortization of discounts and premiums on long-term debt. Interest income is earned primarily on our cash, cash equivalents and short termshort-term investments.

Income Taxes.For the three and nine months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 and 2009, we paid no federal income taxes. For the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009March 31, 2011 we paid $0.1$0.4 million and $0.2 million inof state income taxes, respectively. Fortax and an insignificant amount of state income tax for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 we paid approximately $2.4 million and $2.8 million in state income taxes, respectively.March 31, 2010.

Seasonality

Our customer activity is influenced by seasonal effects related to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that arise from our target customer base. Based on historical results, we generally expect net customer additions to be strongest in the first and fourth quarters. Softening of sales and increased customer turnover, or churn, in the second and third quarters of the year usually combine to result in fewer net customer additions. However, sales activity and churn can be strongly affected by the launch of new and surrounding metropolitan areas, introduction of new price plans, and by promotional activity, which could reduce or outweigh certain seasonal effects.

Results of Operations

Three Months Ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 Compared to Three Months Ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2010

Operating Items

Set forth below is a summary of certain consolidated financial information for the periods indicated:

 

   Three Months
Ended September 30,
   Change 
   2010  2009   
   (in thousands)     

REVENUES:

     

Service revenues

  $942,251   $812,340     16%  

Equipment revenues

   78,538    83,253     (6)%  
              

Total revenues

       1,020,789    895,593     14%  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

     

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below) (1)

   313,688    298,288     5%  

Cost of equipment

   256,265    199,092     29%  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below) (1)

   147,431    138,460     6%  

Depreciation and amortization

   113,804    98,977     15%  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   (18,333  2,569     **  
              

Total operating expenses

   812,855    737,386     10%  
              

Income from operations

  $207,934   $    158,207             31%  
              

** Not meaningful

$1,050,217$1,050,217$1,050,217
   Three Months
Ended March 31,
    
   2011  2010  Change 
   (in thousands)    

REVENUES:

    

Service revenues

  $1,050,217   $853,283    23%  

Equipment revenues

   144,160    117,220    23%  
             

Total revenues

   1,194,377    970,503    23%  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately

below)(1)

   341,417    284,652    20%  

Cost of equipment

   409,262    313,738    30%  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below)(1)

   169,771    159,909    6%  

Depreciation and amortization

   128,695    107,801    19%  

Gain on disposal of assets

   (105  (828  (87)%  
             

Total operating expenses

   1,049,040    865,272    21%  
             

Income from operations

  $145,337   $105,231    38%  
             

 

(1)Cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, cost of service includes approximately $0.9 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes approximately $10.9$10.4 million of stock-based compensation expense. For the three months ended September 30, 2009,March 31, 2010, cost of service includes approximately $1.1 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes $11.3$10.3 million of stock-based compensation expense.

Service Revenues.Service revenues increased $129.9$196.9 million, or 16%23%, to $942.2approximately $1.1 billion for the three months ended March 31, 2011 from approximately $853.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from $812.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to net customer additions of 1.5 million customers for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011.

Equipment Revenues.Equipment revenues decreased $4.7increased $27.0 million, or approximately 6%23%, to $78.5approximately $144.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $83.2$117.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The decrease in equipment revenueincrease is primarily driven by a lower average price of handsets activated accounting for approximately $15.8 million, coupled with approximately $12.5 million that would have been recognized as service revenues but was classified as equipment revenues during the three months ended September 30, 2009, in accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification, or ASC, 605, (Topic 605,“Revenue Recognition”), because the consideration received from customers was less than the fair value of promotionally priced handsets. These decreases were partially offset byattributable to an increase in upgrade handset sales to existing customers accounting for approximately $22.5$17.5 million as well as a higher average price of handsets activated accounting for approximately $10.0 million.

Cost of Service. Cost of service increased $15.4$56.7 million, or 5%approximately 20%, to approximately $313.7$341.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from approximately $298.3$284.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase in cost of service is primarily attributable to the 24%21% growth in our customer base during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010,and the deployment of additional network infrastructure, including network infrastructure for 4G LTE, during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010.March 31, 2011.

Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment increased approximately $57.2$95.6 million, or approximately 29%30%, to approximately $256.3$409.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from approximately $199.1$313.7 million

for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase is primarily attributable to higher average cost of handsets activated accounting for approximately $52.3 million, as well as higher upgrade handset costs to existing customers, which led to an approximate $69.0$43.9 million increase, partially offset by a lower average cost of handsets accounting for approximately $12.3 million.increase.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased approximately $9.0$9.9 million, or 6%, to $147.4approximately $169.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $138.4$159.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. Selling expenses increased by $0.4$2.7 million, or approximately 1%3%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase in

selling expenses is primarily attributable to an approximate $1.8 million increase in marketing and advertising expenses, as well as an approximate $1.3 million increase in employee related costs to support our growth. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $9.0$7.1 million, or approximately 17%12%, for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2009March 31, 2010, primarily due to the growth in our business.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased $14.8approximately $20.9 million, or 15%19%, to $113.8approximately $128.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from approximately $99.0$107.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase related primarily to an increase in network infrastructure assets placed into service during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 to support the continued growth and expansion of our network.

(Gain) Loss on Disposal of Assets.Non-Operating ItemsGain on disposal of assets was $18.3

$67,482$67,482$67,482
   Three Months
Ended March 31,
     
   2011   2010   Change 
   (in thousands)     

Interest expense

  $56,561    $67,482     (16)%  

Provision for income taxes

   33,168     15,097     120%  

Net income

   56,378     22,661     149%  

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $10.9 million, or 16%, to approximately $56.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to a loss on disposal of assets ofMarch 31, 2011 from approximately $2.6$67.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The gain on disposal of assets was primarily due to a spectrum exchange agreement that was consummated during the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2010. The loss on disposal of assets during the three months ended September 30, 2009 was due primarily to the disposal of assets related to certain network technology that was retired and replaced with newer technology during the three months ended September 30, 2009.

Non-Operating Items

   Three Months
Ended September 30,
   Change 
       2010           2009       
   (in thousands)     

Interest expense

  $    65,726    $    70,391     (7)%  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   15,590              100%  

Provision for income taxes

   49,366     14,350     244%  

Net income

   77,287     73,550     5%  

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased approximately $4.7 million, or approximately 7%, to $65.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $70.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to a $8.3an $8.8 million reductiondecrease in interest expense on senior notes as a result of the redemption of our 9 1/4% senior notes due 2014, or 9 1/4% Senior Notes, in late 2010 and the issuance of new senior notes at a lower rate of interest. In addition, interest expense on our senior secured credit facility decreased approximately $1.7 million as a result of a lower weighted average annual interest rate due to the interest rate protection agreements that were effective on February 1, 2010, partially offset by an increase in interest expense on senior notes of approximately $1.4 million due to the issuance of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018, or 7 7/8% Senior Notes, in September 2010 coupled with a $1.1 million decrease in capitalized interest.2010. Our weighted average interest rate decreased to 7.33%6.14% for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to 8.25%7.71% for the three months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. Average debt outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009 was $3.5 billion.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was due to the redemption of $313.1 million of outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 9 1$3.6 billion and approximately $3.5 billion, respectively./4% senior notes during the three months ended September 30, 2010.

Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense was approximately $49.4$33.2 million and approximately $14.4$15.1 million for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively. The effective tax rate was approximately 39.0%37.0% and 16.3%40.0% for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively. For the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, our effective rate differs from the statutory federal rate of 35.0% due to net state and local taxes, tax credits, non-deductible expenses impairment on investment securities and a net change in uncertain tax positions.

Net Income. Net income increased $3.7 million, or 5%, to approximately $77.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to approximately $73.6 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was primarily attributable to a 31% increase in income from operations and an approximate 7% decrease in interest expense, partially offset by an approximate 244% increase in provision for income taxes and a loss on extinguishment of debt.

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 Compared to Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009

Operating Items

Set forth below is a summary of certain consolidated financial information for the periods indicated:

   Nine Months
Ended September 30,
  Change 
   2010  2009  
   (in thousands)    

REVENUES:

    

Service revenues

  $    2,717,671   $    2,305,888    18%  

Equipment revenues

   286,156    244,646    17%  
             

Total revenues

   3,003,827    2,550,534    18%  

OPERATING EXPENSES:

    

Cost of service (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below) (1)

   906,508    812,596    12%  

Cost of equipment

   805,357    651,511    24%  

Selling, general and administrative expenses (excluding depreciation and amortization disclosed separately below) (1)

   465,940    417,191    12%  

Depreciation and amortization

   330,906    272,097    22%  

Gain on disposal of assets

   (16,461  (8,328  98%  
             

Total operating expenses

   2,492,250    2,145,067    16%  
             

Income from operations

  $511,577   $405,467            26%  
             

(1)Cost of service and selling, general and administrative expenses include stock-based compensation expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cost of service includes approximately $2.7 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes $32.4 million of stock-based compensation expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, cost of service includes $3.1 million and selling, general and administrative expenses includes approximately $32.7 million of stock-based compensation expense.

Service Revenues.Service revenues increased approximately $411.8 million, or approximately 18%, to $2.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $2.3 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in service revenues is primarily attributable to net customer additions of 1.5 million customers for the twelve months ended September 30, 2010.

Equipment Revenues.Equipment revenues increased $41.5 million, or 17%, to approximately $286.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $244.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to an increase in upgrade handset sales to existing customers accounting for approximately $57.5 million as well as a higher average price of handsets activated accounting for approximately $17.3 million. These increases were partially offset by a decrease of $36.4 million that would have been recognized as service revenues but was classified as equipment revenues during the nine months ended September 30, 2009, in accordance with ASC 605, because the consideration received from customers was less than the fair value of promotionally priced handsets.

Cost of Service. Cost of service increased $93.9 million, or approximately 12%, to $906.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $812.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in cost of service is primarily attributable to the 24% growth in our customer base during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, the deployment of additional network infrastructure, including network infrastructure for 4G LTE, during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 and costs associated with our unlimited international calling product.

Cost of Equipment. Cost of equipment increased approximately $153.9 million, or approximately 24%, to approximately $805.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $651.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase is primarily attributable to higher upgrade handset costs to existing customers which led to an approximate $180.7 million increase, partially offset by a decrease in gross customer additions accounting for an approximate $25.2 million decrease.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $48.7 million, or approximately 12%, to $465.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $417.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Selling expenses increased by approximately $26.6 million, or 12%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in selling expenses is primarily attributable to an approximate $30.9 million increase in marketing and advertising expenses as well as an approximate $5.1 million increase in employee related costs to support our growth. These increases were partially offset by a $9.6 million decrease in MetroFLASH® expense. General and administrative expenses increased approximately $22.4 million, or approximately 14%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily due to the growth in our business.

Depreciation and Amortization. Depreciation and amortization expense increased approximately $58.8 million, or 22%, to $330.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $272.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase related primarily to an increase in network infrastructure assets placed into service during the twelve months ended September 30, 2010 to support the continued growth and expansion of our network.

Gain on Disposal of Assets.Gain on disposal of assets increased $8.1 million, or approximately 98%, to approximately $16.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $8.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase in the gain on disposal of assets was primarily due to asset sales and exchanges consummated during the nine months ended September 30, 2010, partially offset by the disposal of assets related to certain network technology that was retired and replaced with newer technology during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Non-Operating Items

   Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   Change 
   2010   2009   
   (in thousands)     

Interest expense

  $    198,710    $    199,358     (0)%  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   15,590          100%  

Provision for income taxes

   117,370     61,276     92%  

Net income

   179,864     143,719             25%  

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased approximately $0.7 million to $198.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from approximately $199.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The decrease in interest expense was primarily attributable to a $20.4 million reduction in interest expense on the senior secured credit facility as a result of a lower weighted average annual interest rate due to the interest rate protection agreements that were effective on February 1, 2010, partially offset by an decrease in capitalized interest of $12.7 million coupled with an increase in interest expense on senior notes of approximately $4.1 million due to the issuance of the 77/8% Senior Notes. Our weighted average interest rate decreased to 7.49% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to 8.22% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. Average debt outstanding for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 was $3.5 billion and $3.4 billion, respectively.

Loss on Extinguishment of Debt. The loss on extinguishment of debt of approximately $15.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was due to the redemption of $313.1 million of outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 9 1/4% senior notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2010.

Provision for Income Taxes. Income tax expense was approximately $117.4 million and approximately $61.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. The effective tax rate was approximately 39.5% and 30.0% for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, our effective rate differs from the statutory federal rate of 35.0% due to net state and local taxes, tax credits, non-deductible expenses, impairment on investment securities and a net change in uncertain tax positions.

Net Income. Net income increased approximately $36.2$33.7 million, or 25%approximately 149%, to approximately $179.9$56.4 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to $143.7approximately $22.7 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase was primarily attributable to an approximate 26%a 38% increase in income from operations combined with a 16% decrease in interest expense, partially offset by an approximate 92%120% increase in provision for income taxes and a loss on extinguishment of debt.taxes.

Performance Measures

In managing our business and assessing our financial performance, we supplement the information provided by financial statement measures with several customer-focused performance metrics that are widely used in the wireless industry. These metrics include average revenue per user per month, or ARPU, which measures service revenue per customer; cost per gross customer addition, or CPGA, which measures the average cost of acquiring a new customer; cost per user per month, or CPU, which measures the non-selling cash cost of operating our business on a per customer basis; and churn, which measures turnover in our customer base.base; and Adjusted EBITDA, which measures the financial performance of our operations. For a reconciliation of non-GAAP performance measures and a further discussion of the measures, please read “— Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures” below.

The following table shows metric information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 and 2009.2010.

 

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
   Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   Three Months
Ended March 31,
 
  2010   2009   2010   2009   2011   2010 

Customers:

            

End of period

       7,857,384         6,322,269         7,857,384         6,322,269         8,881,055         7,331,126  

Net additions

   223,249     66,157     1,217,860     955,436     725,945     691,602  

Churn:

            

Average monthly rate

   3.8%     5.8%     3.6%     5.5%     3.1%     3.7%  

ARPU

  $39.69    $41.08    $39.78    $40.68    $40.42    $39.83  

CPGA

  $160.54    $153.94    $155.80    $148.27    $157.28    $146.18  

CPU

  $18.47    $17.27    $18.38    $16.93    $19.79    $18.79  

Adjusted EBITDA (in thousands)

  $285,211    $223,620  

Customers. Net customer additions were 223,249725,945 for the three months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, compared to 66,157691,602 for the three months ended September 30, 2009,March 31, 2010. Total customers were 8,881,055 as of March 31, 2011, an increase of 237%. Net customer additions were 1,217,860 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, compared to 955,436 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an increase of 27%. Total customers were 7,857,384 as of September 30, 2010, an increase of 24%21% over the customer total as of September 30, 2009 and 18% over the customer total as of DecemberMarch 31, 2009.2010. The increase in total customers is primarily attributable to the continued demand for our service offerings.

Churn. As we do not require a long-term service contract, our churn percentage is expected to be higher than traditional wireless carriers that require customers to sign a one- to two-year contract with significant early termination fees. Average monthly churn represents (a) the number of customers who have been disconnected from our system during the measurement period less the number of customers who have reactivated service, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. We classify delinquent customers as churn after they have been delinquent for 30 days. In addition, when an existing customer establishes a new account in connection with the purchase of an upgraded or replacement phone and does not identify themselves as an existing customer, we count the phone leaving service as a churn and the new phone entering service as a gross customer addition (“false churn”). Churn for the three months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009,March 31, 2011 was 3.8% and 5.8%3.1%, respectively. Churncompared to 3.7% for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, was 3.6% and 5.5%, respectively.March 31, 2010. The decrease in churn was primarily related to the continued acceptance of ourWireless for All tax and regulatory fee inclusive service plans including a decline in false churn.plans. Our customer activity is influenced by

seasonal effects related to traditional retail selling periods and other factors that arise from our target customer base. Based on historical results, we generally expect net customer additions to be strongest in the first and fourth quarters. Softening of sales and increased churn in the second and third quarters of the year usually combine to result in fewer net customer additions during these quarters. See – “Seasonality.”

Average Revenue Per User. ARPU represents (a) service revenues plus impact to service revenues of promotional activity less pass through charges for the measurement period, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. ARPU was $39.69$40.42 and $41.08$39.83 for three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010, and 2009, respectively, a decrease of $1.39. ARPU was $39.78 and $40.68 for nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, respectively, a decrease of $0.90.respectively. The decrease$0.59 increase in ARPU for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, when compared to the same period in 2009, was primarily attributable to the continued demand for our newWireless for Allservice plans that were introduced in January 2010, which include all applicable taxes and regulatory fees.4G LTE rate plans.

Cost Per Gross Addition.CPGA is determined by dividing (a) selling expenses plus the total cost of equipment associated with transactions with new customers less equipment revenues associated with transactions with new customers during the measurement period adjusted for impact to service revenues of promotional activity by (b) gross customer additions during such period. Retail customer service expenses and equipment margin on handsets sold to existing customers when they are identified, including handset upgrade transactions, are excluded, as these costs are incurred specifically for existing customers. CPGA costs increased to $160.54$157.28 for the three months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from $153.94$146.18 for the three months ended September 30, 2009. CPGA costs increased to $155.80 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $148.27 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. This increase in CPGA was primarily driven by lower gross additions.increased promotional activities.

Cost Per User.CPU is determined by dividing (a) cost of service and general and administrative costs (excluding applicable stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense) plus net loss on handset equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition, divided by (b) the sum of the average monthly number of customers during such period. CPU increased to $18.47 for the three months ended September 30,March 31, 2011 and 2010 from $17.27was $19.79 and $18.79, respectively. The $1.00 increase in CPU for the three months ended September 30, 2009. ThisMarch 31, 2011 was primarily driven by the increase in handset subsidies for upgrades by existing customers, and the inclusion of regulatory fees in ourWireless for Allservice plans. CPU increased to $18.38 for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 from $16.93 for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. This was primarily driven by the increase in handset subsidies for upgrades by existing customers and the inclusion of regulatory fees in ourWireless for Allservice plans, as well as the costs associated with our unlimited international calling service.4G LTE network upgrade.

Adjusted EBITDA.Adjusted EBITDA is defined as consolidated net income plus depreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; stock-based compensation expense; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest expense; minus interest and other income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income. Adjusted EBITDA for the three months ended March 31, 2011 increased to $285,211 from $223,620 for the three months ended March 31, 2010.

Reconciliation of non-GAAP Financial Measures

We utilize certain financial measures and key performance indicators that are not calculated in accordance with GAAP to assess our financial and operating performance. A non-GAAP financial measure is defined as a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance that (i) excludes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of excluding amounts, that are included in the comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP in the statement of income or statement of cash flows, or (ii) includes amounts, or is subject to adjustments that have the effect of including amounts, that are excluded from the comparable measure so calculated and presented.

ARPU, CPGA, CPU and CPUAdjusted EBITDA are non-GAAP financial measures utilized by our management to judge our ability to meet our liquidity requirements and to evaluate our operating performance. We believe these measures are important in understanding the performance of our operations from period to period, and although every company in the wireless industry does not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, we believe that these measures (which are common in the wireless industry) facilitate key liquidity and operating performance comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry. The following tables reconcile our non-GAAP financial measures with our financial statements presented in accordance with GAAP.

ARPU — We utilize ARPU to evaluate our per-customer service revenue realization and to assist in forecasting our future service revenues. ARPU is calculated exclusive of pass through charges that we collect from our customers and remit to the appropriate government agencies.

Average number of customers for any measurement period is determined by dividing (a) the sum of the average monthly number of customers for the measurement period by (b) the number of months in such period. Average monthly number of customers for any month represents the sum of the number of customers on the first day of the month and the last day of the month divided by two. ARPU for the ninethree months ended September 30,March 31, 2010 includes approximately $0.8 million and ARPU for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 includes approximately $12.5 million and $37.2 million, respectively, that would have been recognized as service revenues but were classified as equipment revenues because the consideration received from customers was less than the fair value of promotionally priced handsets. The following table shows the calculation of ARPU for the periods indicated.

 

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
 Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
  2010 2009 2010 2009   2011 2010 
  

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and ARPU)

   (in thousands, except average
number of customers and ARPU)
 

Calculation of Average Revenue Per User (ARPU):

        

Service revenues

  $942,251   $812,340   $2,717,671   $2,305,888    $1,050,217   $853,283  

Add:

        

Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

       12,481    778    37,209         778  

Less:

        

Pass through charges

   (21,270  (48,030  (69,204  (125,314   (21,275  (23,745
                    

Net service revenues

  $920,981   $776,791   $2,649,245   $2,217,783    $  1,028,942   $     830,316  
                    

Divided by: Average number of customers

     7,734,525      6,303,075      7,398,960      6,058,007     8,485,035    6,949,153  
                    

ARPU

  $39.69   $41.08   $39.78   $40.68    $40.42   $39.83  
                    

CPGA — We utilize CPGA to assess the efficiency of our distribution strategy, validate the initial capital invested in our customers and determine the number of months to recover our customer acquisition costs. This measure also allows us to compare our average acquisition costs per new customer to those of other wireless broadband mobile providers. Equipment revenues related to new customers, adjusted for the impact to service revenues of promotional activity, are deducted from selling expenses in this calculation as they represent amounts paid by customers at the time their service is activated that reduce our acquisition cost of those customers. Additionally, equipment costs associated with existing customers, net of related revenues, are excluded as this measure is intended to reflect only the acquisition costs related to new customers. The following table reconciles

total costs used in the calculation of CPGA to selling expenses, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPGA.

 

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
 Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
  2010 2009 2010 2009   2011 2010 
  

(in thousands, except gross customer

additions and CPGA)

   (in thousands, except gross
customer additions and
CPGA)
 

Calculation of Cost Per Gross Addition (CPGA):

        

Selling expenses

  $73,380   $72,968   $248,721   $222,146    $91,863   $89,146  

Less: Equipment revenues

   (78,538  (83,253  (286,156  (244,646   (144,160  (117,220

Add: Impact to service revenues of promotional activity

       12,481    778    37,209         778  

Add: Equipment revenue not associated with new customers

   54,201    38,742    171,905    121,786     75,234    63,313  

Add: Cost of equipment

   256,265    199,092    805,357    651,511     409,262    313,738  

Less: Equipment costs not associated with new customers

   (128,016  (62,041  (376,137  (198,523   (192,202  (134,744
                    

Gross addition expenses

  $177,292   $177,989   $564,468   $589,483    $239,997   $215,011  
                    

Divided by: Gross customer additions

   1,104,350    1,156,242    3,623,113    3,975,625     1,525,880    1,470,865  
                    

CPGA

  $160.54   $153.94   $155.80   $148.27    $157.28   $146.18  
                    

CPU — We utilize CPU as a tool to evaluate the non-selling cash expenses associated with ongoing business operations on a per customer basis, to track changes in these non-selling cash costs over time, and to help evaluate how changes in our business operations affect non-selling cash costs per customer. In addition, CPU provides management with a useful measure to compare our non-selling cash costs per customer with those of other wireless providers. We believe investors use CPU primarily as a tool to track changes in our non-selling cash costs over time and to compare our non-selling cash costs to those of other wireless providers, although other wireless carriers may calculate this measure differently. The following table reconciles total costs used in the calculation of CPU to cost of service, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure to CPU.

 

  Three Months
Ended September 30,
 Nine Months
Ended September 30,
   

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
  2010 2009 2010 2009   2011 2010 
  

(in thousands, except average number

of customers and CPU)

   (in thousands, except average
number of customers and
CPU)
 

Calculation of Cost Per User (CPU):

        

Cost of service

  $313,688   $298,288   $906,508   $812,596    $341,417   $284,652  

Add: General and administrative expense

   74,051    65,492    217,219    195,045     77,908    70,763  

Add: Net loss on equipment transactions unrelated to initial customer acquisition

   73,815    23,299    204,232    76,737     116,968    71,431  

Less: Stock-based compensation expense included in cost of service and general and administrative expense

   (11,770  (12,426  (35,103  (35,767   (11,284  (11,416

Less: Pass through charges

   (21,270  (48,030  (69,204  (125,314   (21,275  (23,745
                    

Total costs used in the calculation of CPU

  $428,514   $326,623   $1,223,652   $923,297    $503,734   $391,685  
                    

Divided by: Average number of customers

    7,734,525     6,303,075     7,398,960     6,058,007     8,485,035    6,949,153  
                    

CPU

  $18.47   $17.27   $18.38   $16.93    $19.79   $18.79  
                    

Adjusted EBITDA — We utilize Adjusted EBITDA to monitor the financial performance of our operations. This measurement, together with GAAP measures such as revenue and income from operations, assists management in its decision-making process related to the operation of our business. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical tool and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for income from operations, net income, or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, other wireless carriers may calculate this measure differently.

We believe that analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate our overall operating performance and that this metric facilitates comparisons with other wireless communications companies. We use Adjusted EBITDA internally as a metric to evaluate and compensate our personnel and management for their performance, and as a benchmark to evaluate our operating performance in comparison to our competitors. Management also uses Adjusted EBITDA to measure, from period-to-period, our ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt services, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and fund future growth. The following tables illustrate the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to net income and cash flows from operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures to Adjusted EBITDA.

   

Three Months

Ended March 31,

 
   2011  2010 
   (in thousands) 

Calculation of Adjusted EBITDA:

   

Net income

  $56,378   $22,661  

Adjustments:

   

Depreciation and amortization

   128,695    107,801  

Gain on disposal of assets

   (105  (828

Stock-based compensation expense

   11,284    11,416  

Interest expense

   56,561    67,482  

Interest income

   (515  (464

Other (income) expense, net

   (255  455  

Provision for income taxes

   33,168    15,097  
         

Adjusted EBITDA

  $  285,211   $  223,620  
         

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Adjusted EBITDA:

   

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $138,313   $225,032  

Adjustments:

   

Interest expense

   56,561    67,482  

Non-cash interest expense

   (1,993  (3,134

Interest income

   (515  (464

Other (income) expense, net

   (255  455  

Other non-cash expense

       (470

(Provision for) recovery of uncollectible accounts receivable

   (166  28  

Deferred rent expense

   (4,094  (5,535

Cost of abandoned cell sites

   (56  (535

Gain on sale and maturity of investments

   168    129  

(Accretion) reduction of asset retirement obligations

   (1,313  113  

Provision for income taxes

   33,168    15,097  

Deferred income taxes

   (32,257  (14,177

Changes in working capital

   97,650    (60,401
         

Adjusted EBITDA

  $  285,211   $  223,620  
         

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Our principal sources of liquidity are our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and cash generated from operations. At September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had a total of $1.9approximately $1.7 billion in cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments. In recent years the capital and credit markets have become increasingly volatile as a result of adverse economic and financial conditions that have triggered the failure and near failure of a number of large financial services companies and a global recession. We believe that this increased volatility and global recession may make it difficult at times to obtain additional financing, sell additional equity or debt securities, or to refinance existing indebtedness. We believe that, based on our current level of cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments, and our anticipated cash flows from operations, the current adverse economic and financial conditions will notwe have a material impact on ouradequate liquidity, cash flow and financial flexibility or our ability to fund our operations in the near-term.

On January 20, 2009, Wireless completed the sale of $550.0 million of 9 1/4% Senior Notes due 2014, or the New 9 1/4% Senior Notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the New 9 1/4% Senior Notes were approximately $480.3 million. The net proceeds will be used for general corporate purposes which could include working capital, capital expenditures, future liquidity needs, additional opportunistic spectrum acquisitions, corporate development opportunities and future technology initiatives or the retirement of outstanding debt.

OnIn July 16, 2010, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement and Resignation and Appointment Agreement, or the Amendment, which amendsamended and restatesrestated the Senior Secured Credit Facility.senior secured credit facility. The Amendment amendsamended the Senior Secured Credit Facilitysenior secured credit facility to, among other things, extend the maturity of $1.0 billion of existing term loans under the Senior Secured Credit Facilitysenior secured credit facility to November 2016 as well as increase the interest rate to LIBOR plus 3.50% on the extended portion only. The remaining $536.0 millionterm loans under the senior secured credit facility will mature in 2013 and the interest rate continues to be LIBOR plus 2.25%.

OnIn September 21, 2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 7 7/8% Senior Notes due 2018, or the 7 7/8% Senior Notes. The net proceeds from the sale of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes were $974.9 million after underwriter fees, discounts and other debt issuance costs of $25.1$974.0 million. A portion of the netNet proceeds from the sale of the 7 7/8% Senior Notes were used to fundredeem a cash tender offer to redeem $313.1 millionportion of the outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes at a price equal to 104.625% for total cash consideration of $327.5 million.Notes.

OnIn November 1,2010, Wireless completed the sale of $1.0 billion of principal amount of 6 5/8% Senior Notes due 2020, or the 6 5/8% Senior Notes. The net proceeds of the sale of the 6 5/8% Senior Notes were $988.1 million.

In November 2010, Wireless completed the redemption of an additional $686.9 million inthe remaining outstanding aggregate principal amount of the 9 1/4% Senior Notes atNotes.

In March 2011, Wireless entered into an Amendment and Restatement, or the New Amendment, which further amends and restates the senior secured credit facility to, among other things, provide for a price equal to 104.625% for total cash considerationnew tranche of $718.7 million. The redemption will result in a loss on extinguishment of debtterm loans in the amount of approximately $31.8 million.$500.0 million which will mature in March 2018 and have an interest rate of LIBOR plus 3.75%. The New Amendment also increases the interest rate on the existing term loans under the senior secured credit facility to LIBOR plus 3.821%. The New Amendment modified certain limitations under the senior secured credit facility, including limitations on our ability to incur additional debt, make certain restricted payments, sell assets, make certain investments or acquisitions, grant liens and pay dividends. In addition, Wireless is no longer subject to certain financial covenants, including maintaining a maximum senior secured consolidated leverage ratio. However, under certain circumstances, we could be subject to certain financial covenants that contain ratios based on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as defined by the senior secured credit facility. Under the New Amendment, the definition of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA has changed and no longer excludes interest and other income.

Our strategy has been to offer our services in major metropolitan areas and their surrounding areas, which we refer to as operating segments. We are seeking opportunities to enhance our current operating segments and to potentially provide service in new geographic areas. From time to time, we may purchase spectrum and related assets from third parties or the FCC. We believe that our existing cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be sufficient to fully fund planned expansion.

The construction of our network and the marketing and distribution of our wireless communications products and services have required, and will continue to require, substantial capital investment. Capital outlays have included license acquisition costs, capital expenditures for construction, increasing the capacity, or upgrade of our network infrastructure, including network infrastructure for 4G LTE, costs associated with clearing and relocating non-governmental incumbent licenses, funding of operating cash flow losses incurred as we launch services in new metropolitan areas and other working capital costs, debt service and financing fees and expenses. Our capital expenditures for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 were $547.9$187.0 million and capital expenditures for the year ended December 31, 20092010 were approximately $831.7$790.4 million. The expenditures for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 were primarily associated with our efforts to increase the service area and capacity of our existing network and the upgrade of our network to 4G LTE in select metropolitan areas.LTE. We believe the increased service area and capacity in existing markets will improve our service offerings, helping us to attract additional customers and retain existing customers and increaseresulting in increased revenues.

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we owed an aggregate of $4.2$4.0 billion under our senior secured credit facility, 9 1/4% senior notes and 7 7/8% Senior Notes and 6 5/8% Senior Notes, as well as $202.1$265.2 million under our capital lease obligations.

Our senior secured credit facility defines consolidated Adjusted EBITDA as: consolidated net incomeplusdepreciation and amortization; gain (loss) on disposal of assets; non-cash expenses; gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt; provision for income taxes; interest expense; and certain expenses of MetroPCS Communications, Inc.minusinterest and other income and non-cash items increasing consolidated net income.

We consider consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined above, to be an important indicator to investors because it provides information related to our ability to provide cash flows to meet future debt service, capital expenditures and working capital requirements and fund future growth. We present consolidated Adjusted EBITDA because covenants in our senior secured credit facility contain ratios based on this measure. Other wireless carriers may calculate consolidated Adjusted EBITDA differently. If our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA were to decline below certain levels, covenants in our senior secured credit facility that are based on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, including our maximum senior secured leverage ratio covenant, may be violated and could cause, among other things, an inability to incur further indebtedness and in certain circumstances a default or mandatory prepayment under our senior secured credit facility. Our maximum senior secured leverage ratio is required to be less than 4.5 to 1.0 based on consolidated Adjusted EBITDA plus the impact of certain new markets. The lenders under our senior secured credit facility use the senior secured leverage ratio to measure our ability to meet our obligations on our senior secured debt by comparing the total amount of such debt to our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, which our lenders use to estimate our cash flow from operations. The senior secured leverage ratio is calculated as the ratio of senior secured indebtedness to consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined by our senior secured credit facility. For the twelve months ended September 30, 2010, our senior secured leverage ratio was 1.56 to 1.0, which means for every $1.00 of consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, we had $1.56 of senior secured indebtedness. In addition, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is also utilized, among other measures, to determine management’s compensation under their annual cash performance awards. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and should not be considered a substitute for operating income, net income, or any other measure of financial performance reported in accordance with GAAP. In addition, consolidated Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to, or more meaningful than cash flows from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP.

The following table shows the calculation of our consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit facility, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

   Three Months
Ended September 30,
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   2010  2009  2010  2009 
   (in thousands) 

Calculation of Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

     

Net income

  $77,287   $73,550   $179,864   $143,719  

Adjustments:

     

Depreciation and amortization

   113,804    98,977    330,906    272,097  

(Gain) loss on disposal of assets

   (18,333  2,569    (16,461  (8,328

Stock-based compensation expense (1)

   11,770    12,426    35,103    35,767  

Interest expense

   65,726    70,391    198,710    199,358  

Interest income

   (497  (855  (1,353  (2,120

Other expense (income), net

   462    397    1,396    1,407  

Impairment loss on investment securities

       374        1,827  

Loss on extinguishment of debt

   15,590        15,590      

Provision for income taxes

   49,366    14,350    117,370    61,276  
                 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

  $  315,175   $  272,179   $  861,125   $  705,003  
                 

(1)Represents a non-cash expense, as defined by our senior secured credit facility.

In addition, for further information, the following table reconciles consolidated Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in our senior secured credit facility, to cash flows from operating activities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009.

   Three Months
Ended September 30,
  Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   2010  2009  2010  2009 
   (in thousands) 

Reconciliation of Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA:

     

Net cash provided by operating activities

  $341,940   $313,421   $679,391   $779,414  

Adjustments:

     

Interest expense

   65,726    70,391    198,710    199,358  

Non-cash interest expense

   (3,637  (3,019  (10,049  (8,176

Interest income

   (497  (855  (1,353  (2,120

Other expense (income), net

   462    397    1,396    1,407  

Other non-cash expense

   (492  (395  (1,455  (1,168

Recovery of (provision for) uncollectible accounts receivable

   19    (80  (38  (191

Deferred rent expense

   (4,733  (5,876  (15,648  (17,765

Cost of abandoned cell sites

   (547  (1,541  (1,450  (6,148

Gain on sale of investments

   123    241    340    272  

Accretion of asset retirement obligations

   (1,487  (1,320  (2,772  (3,716

Provision for income taxes

   49,366    14,350    117,370    61,276  

Deferred income taxes

   (48,405  (40,072  (114,105  (85,070

Changes in working capital

   (82,663  (73,463  10,788    (212,370
                 

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA

  $  315,175   $  272,179   $861,125   $705,003  
                 

Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities decreased approximately $100.0$86.7 million to approximately $679.4$138.3 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 from approximately $779.4$225.0 million for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The decrease wasis primarily attributable to a decrease in cash flows fromprovided by changes in working capital changes partially offset by a 25% increase in net income duringfor the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 as compared to the same period in 2009.2010, partially offset by a 149% increase in net income.

Investing Activities

Cash used in investing activities was approximately $1.3 billion during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to approximately $894.9$168.7 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009. The increase was due primarilyMarch 31, 2011 compared to a $563.0$185.0 million increaseduring the three months ended March 31, 2010. Purchases of property and equipment increased $47.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011 compared to the same period in net purchases of short term investments2010, partially offset by an approximate $88.6 million decreaseincrease in cash flows provided by net purchases of property and equipment.

short-term investments.

Financing Activities

Cash provided by financing activities was approximately $550.7$555.4 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 compared to $373.1cash used in financing activities of $54.8 million during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2009.March 31, 2010. The increase during the three months ended March 31, 2011 was due primarily to $974.9approximately $490.2 million in net proceeds from borrowings under the issuance of the 77/8% Senior Notes, partially offset by an approximate $327.5senior secured credit facility coupled with a $102.4 million increase in cash used for the Tender Offer during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to $480.3 millionprovided by changes in net proceeds from the issuance of the New 9 1/4% Senior Notes during the nine months ended September 30, 2009.book overdraft.

Capital Lease Obligations

We have entered into various non-cancelable capital lease agreements, with expirations through 2025.2026. Assets and future obligations related to capital leases are included in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets in property and equipment and long-term debt, respectively. Depreciation of assets held under capital lease obligations is included in depreciation and amortization expense. As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had $202.1$265.2 million of capital lease obligations, with $4.4$6.5 million and $197.7$258.7 million recorded in current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt, respectively.

Capital Expenditures and Other Asset Acquisitions and Dispositions

Capital Expenditures.We currently expect to incur capital expenditures in the range of $750.0$700.0 million to $850.0$900.0 million on a consolidated basis for the year ending December 31, 2010.2011.

During the ninethree months ended September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we incurred $547.9$187.0 million in capital expenditures. During the year ended December 31, 2009,2010, we incurred approximately $831.7$790.4 million in capital expenditures. TheThese capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 were primarily associated with our efforts to increase the service area and capacity of our existing network and the upgrade of our network to 4G LTE in select metropolitan areas.

Other Acquisitions and Dispositions. On July 27, 2010, we entered into a like-kind spectrum exchange agreement for licenses in certain metropolitan areas with another service provider, or the Service Provider. Consummation of this spectrum exchange agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including final FCC consent. We will acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Orlando in exchange for 10 MHz of PCS spectrum in Ft. Pierce-Vero Beach-Stuart, Florida, 20 MHz of partitioned AWS spectrum in the Salt Lake City and Portland cellular marketing areas and total cash consideration of $ 3.0 million.

On August 23, 2010, we closed on a like-kind spectrum exchange agreement covering licenses in certain markets with the Service Provider. The Service Provider acquired 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas; Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana; and an additional 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in certain other Washington markets, as well as an additional 10 MHz of PCS spectrum in Sacramento, California. We acquired 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Dallas/Fort Worth, Texas and Shreveport-Bossier City, Louisiana; and an additional 10 MHz of AWS spectrum in Santa Barbara, California, and Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida. The exchange of spectrum resulted in a gain on disposal of asset in the amount of $19.2 million.

OnIn October 14, 2010, we entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire 10 MHz of AWS spectrum and certain related network assets inadjacent to the Northeast market areametropolitan areas and surrounding areas for $47.5a total purchase price of $49.5 million. In November 2010, we closed on the acquisition of the network assets and paid a total of $41.1 million in cash. Consummation of this asset purchase agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including final FCC consent. The CompanyIn February 2011, we closed on a portionthe acquisition of the asset purchase agreement on November 1, 2010.10 MHz of AWS spectrum and paid $8.0 million in cash.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Inflation

We believe that inflation has not materially affected our operations.

Effect of New Accounting Standards

We believeEffective January 1, 2011, the Company prospectively adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2009-13, “Multiple Deliverable Revenue Arrangements – a consensus of the EITF,” (“ASU 2009-13”) which amended ASC 605 (Topic 605, “Revenue Recognition”) to require overall arrangement consideration be allocated to each element in the multiple deliverable arrangement based on their relative selling prices, regardless of whether those selling prices are evidenced by vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) or third party evidence (“TPE”). In the absence of VSOE or TPE, entities are required to estimate the selling prices of deliverables using management’s best estimates of the prices that would be charged on a standalone basis. The residual method of allocating arrangement consideration is eliminated; however the adoptionbalance of new accounting standards hasrevenue that can be recognized for the delivered element is limited to the non-contingent amount. The implementation of this standard did not materially affected ourhave a material impact on the Company’s financial condition, results of operations.operations or cash flows.

Fair Value Measurements

We do not expect changes in the aggregate fair value of our financial assets and liabilities to have a material adverse impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements. See Note 97 to the financial statements included in this report.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Market risk is the potential loss arising from adverse changes in market prices and rates, including interest rates. We do not routinely enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading, speculative or hedging purposes, unless it is hedging interest rate risk exposure or is required by our senior secured credit facility. We do not currently conduct business internationally, so we are generally not subject to foreign currency exchange rate risk.

As of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, we had approximately $1.5$2.0 billion in outstanding indebtedness under our senior secured credit facility that bears interest at floating rates based on the London Inter Bank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, plus 2.25%3.821% for the TermTranche B-1 and Tranche B-2 term loans and LIBOR plus 3.50%3.75% for the Term B-2 Tranche.Tranche B-3 term loan. The interest rate on the outstanding debt under our senior secured credit facility as of September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 was 4.593%5.022%, which includes the impact of our interest rate protection agreements. In March 2009, we entered into three separate two-year interest rate protection agreements to manage the Company’s interest rate risk exposure. These agreements were effective on February 1, 2010 and cover a notional amount of $1.0 billion and effectively convert this portion of our variable rate debt to fixed rate debt at a weighted average annual rate of 5.246%5.952%. The monthly interest settlement periods began on February 1, 2010. These agreements expire on February 1, 2012. If market LIBOR rates increase 100 basis points over the rates in effect at September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, annual interest expense on the approximate $536.0 million$1.0 billion in variable rate debt that is not subject to interest rate protection agreements would increase approximately $5.4$10.3 million.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported as required by the SEC and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our CEO and CFO, as appropriate, to allow for appropriate and timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our management, with participation by our CEO and CFO, has designed the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures to provide reasonable assurance of achieving these desired objectives. As required by SEC Rule 13a-15(b), we conducted an evaluation, with the participation of our CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2010,March 31, 2011, the end of the period covered by this report. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures (as defined by SEC Rule 13a – 15(e)), our management recognizes that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management is necessarily required to apply judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and objectives. Based upon that evaluation, our CEO and CFO have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective as of September 30, 2010.

March 31, 2011.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

We implemented a new system for our Human Resource and Payroll functions effective January 1, 2011. There werehave been no other changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2010March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II

OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

We are involved in litigation from time to time, including litigation regarding intellectual property claims, that we consider to be in the normal course of business. Legal proceedings are inherently unpredictable, and the matters in which we are involved often present complex legal and factual issues. We intend to vigorously pursue defenses in all matters in which we are involved and engage in discussions where possibleappropriate to resolve these matters on terms favorable to us. We believe that any amounts alleged in the matters discussed below for which we are allegedly liable are not necessarily meaningful indicators of our potential liability. We determine whether we should accrue an estimated loss for a contingency in a particular legal proceeding by assessing whether a loss is deemed probable and can be reasonably estimated. We reassess our views on estimated losses on a quarterly basis to reflect the impact of any developments in the matters in which we are involved. It is possible, however, that our business, financial condition and results of operations in future periods could be materially adversely affected by increased expense, including legal and litigation expenses, significant settlement costs and/or unfavorable damage awards relating to such matters. Other than the matter listed below weWe are not currently party to any pending legal proceedings that we believe could, individually or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or liquidity.

MetroPCS, certain current officers and a director, (collectively,collectively, the “defendants”)“defendants,” have been named as defendants in a securities class action lawsuit filed on December 15, 2009 in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas, Civil Action No. 3:09-CV-2392. Plaintiff allegesalleged that the defendants violated Section 10(b) of the Exchange Act and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act. The complaint alleges that the defendants made false and misleading statements about MetroPCS’ business, prospects and operations. The claims arewere based upon various alleged public statements made during the period from February 26, 2009 through November 4, 2009. The lawsuit seeks, among other relief, a determination that the alleged claims may be asserted on a class-wide basis, unspecified compensatory damages, attorneys’ fees, other expenses, and costs. On February 16, 2010, Kevin Hopson, an alleged MetroPCS shareholder, filed a motion in the United States District Court for the Northern District of Texas seeking to be designated as the lead plaintiff in this action. On May 11, 2010,March 28, 2011, the Court appointed Kevin Hopson as lead plaintiff and Plaintiff (an individual on behalf of others similarly situated) on June 25, 2010 filed an amended complaint. Defendants’ filed agranted MetroPCS’ motion to dismiss on August 9, 2010. Plaintiff filed its opposition to Defendant’s motion to dismiss on September 8, 2010,all claims in the class action, and Defendants’ reply was filed on October 8, 2010. Due to the complex nature of the legal and factual issues involved in this action, the outcome is not presently determinable. If this matter were to proceed beyond the pleading stage, MetroPCS could be required to incur substantial costs and expenses to defend this matter and/or be required to pay substantial damages or settlement costs, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.Court entered judgment against Plaintiff.

Item 1A. Risk Factors

There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those previously disclosed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20092010 filed with the SEC on March 1, 2010,2011 other than the changes and additions to the Risk Factors set forth in our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2010 and for the quarter ended June 30, 2010 filed with the SEC on August 9, 2010.below. You should be aware that the risk factors included in all our filings with the SEC and other information contained in our filings with the SEC may not describe every risk facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us, or that we currently deem to be immaterial, also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Failing to manage our churn rate or experiencing a higher rate of customer turnover than we have forecasted could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

Our customers do not have long-term contracts and can discontinue their service at any time without penalty or advance notice to us. Our rate of customer churn can be affected by a number of factors, including the following:

network issues, including network coverage, network reliability, technology upgrades, dropped and blocked calls, data speeds, network responsiveness, network congestion and network availability;

limitations in our customer service, billing and other systems;

geographic coverage, including roaming coverage for all our services at affordable rates, which has historically been less extensive than our competitors;

affordability and general economic conditions;

supplier or vendor failures;

customer perceptions of, and demand for, our products, services, content, applications and offerings;

customer care concerns, including reliance on automated customer service solutions that do not provide customers with the personal attention they desire;

our ability to differentiate our services from our competitors;

our ability to offer products including smartphones, tablets, services, content, applications and data services, that our customers expect, want or demand;

our rate of growth;

our rate plans, distribution model, and incentives to our direct dealers and agents;

handset, application, and content selection and related issues, including lack of access, or early access, to the newest handsets, innovative wireless applications, and content, and handset prices and handset problems, including greater demand by our customers;

the types, make-up and nature of our service plans and our marketing and promotional offers;

wireless number portability requirements that allow customers to keep their wireless phone numbers when switching between service providers;

our inability to offer bundled services or services offered by our competitors;

our lack of 4G LTE broadband wireless network over all of our current CDMA service area and in our roaming service areas;

delays or problems in our roll-out of, and operation of, 4G LTE; and

competition and competitive offers by other wireless broadband mobile service providers.

We cannot assure you that our strategies to address customer churn will be successful. In addition, we may not be able to profitably replace customers who leave our service or replace them at all. If we experience a churn rate higher than we expect, or fail to replace lost customers, we could experience reduced revenues and increased marketing costs to attract replacement customers, which could reduce our profit margin and could reduce the cash available to construct and operate new metropolitan areas, to expand coverage and capacity in existing metropolitan areas, to upgrade our networks to 4G LTE, all of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

The continuing consolidation in the wireless industry through mergers, acquisitions and joint ventures is creating increased competition and marketing initiatives.

Joint ventures, mergers and strategic alliances in the wireless industry have resulted in, and if the trend continues, will continue to foster, larger competitors competing for a limited number of customers. Currently, two of the largest national wireless broadband mobile carriers currently hold in excess of 60% of all wireless subscribers in the industry and may have dominant market power. In addition, the second largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier recently announced the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire the fourth largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier which, if approved and consummated, will result in the two largest national wireless broadband mobile carriers holding a significant portion of all wireless subscribers in the United States and further increasing the dominant market power of the two largest national wireless broadband mobile carriers. With the increased competition and with the effect of the aggregate penetration of wireless services in all markets, which has made it more difficult to attract and retain customers, our operating results could be adversely affected by such larger competitors with greater resources and means to compete and our ability to grow may be hindered. Our competitors have licensed spectrum which is not always in the same bands as our spectrum and the extent to which future handsets will be compatible across all bands of spectrum is uncertain. Accordingly, we may not achieve the same economies of scale with respect to the future handsets as we enjoy today. Many of our competitors with greater access to capital and production and distribution resources also have entered into or may enter into exclusive deals with vendors and suppliers, including

handset vendors, wireless application developers and content providers, or may cause such venders to only develop products, or services useable on their spectrum. As handset, application, and content selection and pricing are increasingly important to customers, the lack of availability to us of some of the latest and most popular handsets, applications, and content, whether as a result of exclusive dealings or volume discounting, could put us at a significant competitive disadvantage and could make it more difficult for us to attract and retain our customers, especially as our competitors continue to offer aggressively handset promotions. Similarly, we believe we pay more, on average, than other national wireless broadband mobile carriers for our handsets and if this continues and new technologies force us to offer new handsets and services, we could be forced to further subsidize the price of our handsets and pay higher sales commissions on the sale or upgrade of handsets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.

We are dependent on certain network technology improvements, which may not occur or may be materially delayed.

Most national wireless broadband mobile carriers have greater spectrum capacity than we do that can be used to support 3G and 4G services. These national wireless broadband mobile carriers currently are investing substantial capital to deploy the necessary equipment to deliver 3G or 4G enhanced services, and have invested in additional spectrum to deliver 4G LTE services. Two of our national wireless broadband mobile competitors acquired a significant portion of the 700 MHz spectrum auctioned by the FCC. We hold a 700 MHz license which is in a different spectrum block than the 700 MHz licenses held by the two largest national wireless broadband mobile competitors, which presents certain risks because some equipment manufacturers are focusing their 700 MHz equipment development efforts on the channel blocks held by the major carriers, and the 700 MHz equipment made by these manufacturers will not be cross-compatible for use on the 700 MHz channel block we hold. As a result, we may be unable to use, or may be materially delayed in using, our 700 MHz spectrum. And, we may have higher costs for devices and equipment for our 700 MHz spectrum and the prospects for both inbound and outbound roaming may be limited on 700 MHz spectrum. Further, we are deploying 4G LTE on PCS and AWS spectrum so unless our customer’s handsets are capable of using the 700 MHz spectrum on which our competitors are deploying 4G LTE, our customers will not be able to roam on their networks for 4G LTE services. This may affect our ability to offer roaming on 4G LTE broadband services. The national wireless broadband mobile carriers in many instances on average have more spectrum in each of the metropolitan areas in which we operate, or plan to operate, which may increase further if the recently announced acquisition of the fourth largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier by the second largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier is approved and is consummated, and may have spectrum with better propagation characteristics. We have deployed and are selling 4G LTE services in all of our major metropolitan areas. Our decision to develop 4G LTE technology has and will continue to require significant capital expenditures. In some cases, because of the limited amount of spectrum available to us in certain metropolitan areas, we have deployed 4G LTE on 1.4 or 3 MHz channels adjacent to our existing CDMA network in those metropolitan areas. This deployment will require engineering solutions, which may not work as anticipated, or which may take longer to deploy than anticipated. We currently are dependent on a limited number of infrastructure and equipment providers to assist us in the development and deployment of our 4G LTE network and to manufacture equipment for use on our network. Our plans to upgrade our network to 4G LTE technology may result in additional risks and expenditures such as, among other things:

inability to timely develop and engineer design and network changes for the deployment and offering of 4G LTE services;

reliance on existing engineering staff in each of our metropolitan markets to oversee our 4G LTE deployment;

network and system compatibility issues;

unanticipated and unforeseen costs or higher costs attributable to the lack of experience with 4G LTE technology and the maintenance of the 4G LTE technology and network;

inability to acquire or lease additional cell sites or lease additional space at existing cell sites needed for expansion;

obtaining necessary permits and regulatory approvals or third-party approvals for network construction, implementation and deployment;

possible quality and reliability issues of the 4G LTE network due to integration, compatibility or coverage concerns;

dependency on a limited number of providers for necessary engineering, design and manufacture of technology, equipment and products compatible with 4G LTE technology; and

ongoing improvements with digital technology and shorter development cycles for new equipment, technology and products with the everchanging customer requirements and preferences.

In the meantime, our limited spectrum may require us to lease more cell sites to provide equivalent service, spend greater capital compared to our competitors, deploy more expensive network equipment, such as six-sector antennas, make more extensive use of DAS systems, deploy equipment sooner, redeploy spectrum from 4G LTE to CDMA or EVDO, or make us more dependent on technological development, than our competitors. There can be no assurance that we can lease adequate tower sites or additional spectrum, have access to DAS systems, or that our suppliers will undertake the necessary and timely technological developments. Moreover, our 4G LTE technology may not perform as expected or deliver the quality and types of services or performance we expect. Further, as a result of increased use of our CDMA networks, we may be required to reduce the amount of spectrum used for 4G LTE in order to increase the capacity of our existing CDMA networks. We cannot assure you that necessary quantities of equipment and compatible devices will be available on commercially reasonable terms, or at all, or will operate on our network or will provide the customer with the quality and quantity of features desired, nor that when delivered such equipment and devices will be at cost-effective prices.

If the anticipated 4G LTE technology improvements are not achieved, or are not achieved in the projected timeframes, or at the costs we anticipate or can afford, or are not developed by our existing suppliers, we may not have adequate spectrum in certain metropolitan areas, which may limit our ability to increase our customer base, may inhibit our ability to achieve additional economies of scale, may limit our ability to offer new services offered by our competitors, may require us to spend considerably more capital and incur more operating expenses than our competitors with more spectrum, and may force us to purchase additional spectrum at a potentially material cost. If our network infrastructure vendors do not supply such improvements, or materially delay the delivery of such improvements, and other network equipment manufacturers are able to develop such technology, we may be at a material competitive disadvantage to our competitors and we may be required to change network infrastructure vendors, which would result in lost time and expense. Further, our 4G LTE expansion may result in the degradation of our existing services. There can be no assurance that our 4G LTE services will meet customer expectations, provide wireless broadband mobile data service on a profitable basis, that we will be able to enter into roaming arrangements for 3G/4G services on economical terms or at all, or that vendors will develop and make available to companies of our size popular applications and handsets with features, functionality and pricing desired by customers. These risks could reduce our customer growth, increase our costs of providing services and increase our churn, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Future regulatory changes may also affect our ability to enter into new or maintain existing roaming agreements on competitive terms.

Our ability to replicate other carriers’ roaming service offerings at rates that will make us, or allow us to be, competitive is uncertain at this time. The FCC recently clarified that broadband commercial mobile radio service, or CMRS, providers must offer automatic roaming voice and short message service, or SMS, service, both in and out of a requesting carrier’s market, on just, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms, but found that a CMRS provider is not required to offer roaming services if the request is not reasonable. The FCC will presume in the first instance that a request for automatic roaming for voice and SMS is reasonable if the requesting carrier provides technologically compatible services. However, in assessing whether a denial is reasonable, the FCC will consider

the request based on a totality of the circumstances and may use a number of factors, including the extent of the requesting carrier’s build-out where it holds spectrum, and whether alternative roaming partners are available, to determine whether a particular roaming request can be denied. The FCC also has extended roaming rights to roaming services that are classified as information services (such as high-speed wireless Internet access services), and for roaming services that are not classified as CMRS (such as non-interconnected services). These services are not considered common carrier services and must be offered on commercially reasonable terms and conditions, including price, but are not required to be offered on a non-discriminatory basis. The FCC has established a dispute resolution mechanism which includes arbitration. The second largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier has announced the execution of a definitive agreement to acquire the fourth largest national wireless broadband mobile carrier. If approved and consummated, this acquisition would further reduce the carriers which we could receive roaming services, especially 4G LTE roaming services. If we are unable to enter into or maintain roaming agreements for roaming services that our customers desire at reasonable rates, including in areas where we have licenses or lease spectrum but have not constructed facilities, we may be unable to compete effectively and attract and retain customers, and we may lose revenues. We also may be unable to continue to receive roaming services in areas in which we hold licenses or lease spectrum after the expiration or termination of our existing roaming agreements. We also may be obligated to allow customers of other technically compatible carriers to roam automatically on our systems, which may enhance their ability to compete with us. If these risks occur, they may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Further, our roaming agreements and services may be with certain of our competitors and may create actual or potential conflicts of interest, and may cause the parties to make decisions or take actions that do not reflect the other’s best interests. None of these agreements restricts us from entering into similar arrangements with other parties, but certain rights could be lost or agreements terminated if we enter into a similar relationship.

Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

None.

Share Repurchases

The following table provides information about shares acquired from employees during the first quarter of 2011 as payment of withholding taxes in connection with the vesting of restricted stock:

Period

 

Total Number of

Shares Purchased

During Period

     Average Price Paid    
Per Share
  

Total Number of

Shares Purchased as

Part of Publicly

Announced Plans or

Programs

 

Maximum Number

of Shares That May

Yet Be Purchased

Under the Plans or

Programs

January 1 – January 31

 8,442 $13.90   —  — 

February 1 – February 28

 8,634 $12.97   —  — 

March 1 – March 31

 149,371 $14.91   

— 

 — 
          

Total

 166,447 $14.76    
          

Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4. (Removed and Reserved)

None.

Item 5. Other Information

None.

Item 6. Exhibits

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

10.1†Amendment No. 1 to Master Services Agreement, effective as of the 4th day of March, 2011, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and InComm Holdings, Inc.
31.1  Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2  Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
101  XBRL Instance DocumentDocument.

Confidential Treatment requested

SIGNATURES

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.

 

 METROPCS COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
Date: November 5, 2010By:

/s/ Roger D. Linquist

May 6, 2011  By:  /s/ Roger D. Linquist
  

Roger D. Linquist

President, Chief Executive Officer and

Chairman of the Board

Date: November 5, 2010By:

/s/ J. Braxton Carter

May 6, 2011  By:  /s/ J. Braxton Carter
  

J. Braxton Carter

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

 

Exhibit

Number

  

Description

10.1†Amendment No. 1 to Master Services Agreement, effective as of the 4th day of March, 2011, by and between MetroPCS Wireless, Inc. and InComm Holdings, Inc.
31.1  Certifications of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2  Certifications of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C., Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Pursuant to SEC Release 34-47551, this Exhibit is furnished to the SEC and shall not be deemed to be “filed.”
101  XBRL Instance DocumentDocument.

Confidential Treatment requested

 

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