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

 
FORM 10-Q

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021
OR
oTRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period              to             
Commission File Number 333-187970

CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware20-4300339
(State or other jurisdiction

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

Identification No.)
1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77057-2261
(Address of principal executives office) (Zip Code)
(713)570-3000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: None.
1220 Augusta Drive, Suite 600, Houston, Texas 77057-2261
(AddressTitle of principal executives office) (Zip Code)
each class
Trading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
(713) 570-3000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
N/A
N/AN/A


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  x No  o
Explanatory Note: The registrant is a voluntary filer and not subject to the filing requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; however, the registrant has filed all reports that would have been required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months had the registrant been subject to such filing requirements.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  o
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer,a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," "smaller reporting company,"company" and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated fileroAccelerated filero
Non-accelerated filerx(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)Smaller reporting companyo
Emerging growth companyo
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management's assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  o    No  x
As of September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021, the only member of the registrant is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp.
The registrant is a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp. and meets the conditions set forth in General Instruction (H)(1)(a) and (b) of Form 10-Q and is therefore filing this form with the reduced disclosure format.





CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC

INDEX

Page
Page
ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
ITEM 2.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
EXHIBIT INDEX
SIGNATURES


Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q ("Form 10-Q") contains forward-looking statements that are based on our management's expectations as of the filing date of this report with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Statements that are not historical facts are hereby identified as forward-looking statements. In addition, words such as "estimate," "anticipate," "project," "plan," "intend," "believe," "expect," "likely," "predict,"predicted," "positioned," "continue," "target," "seek," "focus" and any variationvariations of these words, and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements include plans, projections and estimates contained in "Part I—Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"("MD&A")herein. Such forward-looking statements include (1) expectations regarding anticipated growth in the wireless industry and demand for wireless data, including factors driving such demand, (2) wireless carriers' investments in their networks, tenant additions, customer consolidation or ownership changes, orfocus on improving network quality and expanding capacity, (3) demand for our sites, (2) expectations regarding non-renewals of tenant leases (includingtowers, including factors driving such demand, and the impact of our customers' decommissioning of the former Leap Wireless, MetroPCS and Clearwire networks (collectively, the "Acquired Networks")), (3)potential benefits that may be derived therefrom, (4) availability and adequacy of cash flows and liquidity, for, or plans regarding, future discretionary investments including: capital expenditure limitations created as a result(5) value which may be derived from our allocation of being a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp. ("CCIC" or "Crown Castle") and reliance on strategic decisions made by CCIC management that enable such discretionary investments, (4) potential benefits ofcash generated from our discretionary investments, (5) anticipated changes in our financial results, including future revenues, margins, and operating cash flows,business, (6) expectations regarding our capital structure and the credit markets, our availability and cost of capital, or our ability to service our debt and comply with debt covenants,maturities, (7) expectations for sustaining capital expenditures,income taxes and (8) expectations related to CCIC's ability to remain qualified as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") and the advantages, benefits orpotential impact of or opportunities created by the inclusion of our assets and operations in CCIC's REIT.novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Such forward-looking statements should, therefore, be considered in light of various risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including prevailing market conditions, risk factors described in "Item 1A. Risk Factors" of ourthe Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 20162020 ("20162020 Form 10-K") and other factors. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected.
Our filings with the SEC are available through the SEC website at www.sec.gov or through CCIC's investor relations website at investor.crowncastle.com. CCIC uses its investor relations website to disclose information about CCIC and us that may be deemed to be material. We encourage investors, the media and others interested to visit CCIC's investor relations website from time to time to review up-to-date information or to sign up for e-mail alerts to be notified when new or updated information is posted on the site.
Interpretation
As used herein, the term "including," and any variation thereof, means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive.

Unless this 2021 Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context otherwise requires, the terms, "we," "our," or "us" as used in this 2021 Form 10-Q refer to CC Holdings GS V LLC ("CCL") and its consolidated wholly owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Company"). The Company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Global Signal Operating Partnership, L.P. ("GSOP"), which is an indirect subsidiary of CCIC. Capitalized terms used but not defined in this 2021 Form 10-Q have the same meaning given to them in the 2020 Form 10-K.

1


PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ITEM 1.FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
March 31, 2021December 31, 2020
ASSETS  
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$34,727 $17,439 
Receivables, net4,925 4,712 
Prepaid expenses13,274 12,499 
Deferred site rental receivables and other current assets40,238 38,136 
Total current assets93,164 72,786 
Deferred site rental receivables341,017 346,019 
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $1,213,284 and $1,190,055, respectively931,432 951,870 
Operating lease right-of-use assets1,166,886 1,166,726 
Goodwill1,338,730 1,338,730 
Other intangible assets, net536,854 565,274 
Other assets1,732 1,627 
Total assets$4,409,815 $4,443,032 
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$1,997 $1,515 
Accrued interest17,748 8,126 
Deferred revenues86,737 71,427 
Other accrued liabilities10,150 6,107 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities—third parties39,881 40,825 
Current portion of operating lease liabilities—related parties24,327 24,211 
Total current liabilities180,840 152,211 
Debt997,161 996,815 
Operating lease liabilities—third parties850,973 850,272 
Operating lease liabilities—related parties323,664 322,817 
Other long-term liabilities171,881 183,966 
Total liabilities2,524,519 2,506,081 
Commitments and contingencies (note 7)
Member's equity:
Member's equity1,885,296 1,936,951 
Accumulated earnings (deficit)
Total member's equity1,885,296 1,936,951 
Total liabilities and equity$4,409,815 $4,443,032 
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
ASSETS   
Current assets:   
Cash and cash equivalents$24,519
 $19,550
Receivables, net2,379
 3,527
Prepaid expenses25,913
 24,051
Deferred site rental receivables and other current assets29,174
 20,313
Total current assets81,985
 67,441
Deferred site rental receivables330,631
 346,507
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $896,689 and $828,670, respectively1,061,711
 1,088,883
Goodwill1,338,730
 1,338,730
Other intangible assets, net951,352
 1,038,007
Long-term prepaid rent and other assets, net37,906
 35,490
Total assets$3,802,315
 $3,915,058
    
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY   
Current liabilities:   
Accrued expenses and payables$13,372
 $13,243
Accrued interest17,748
 8,126
Deferred revenues11,360
 11,930
Total current liabilities42,480
 33,299
Debt992,317
 991,279
Deferred ground lease payable106,677
 102,519
Above-market leases and other liabilities49,184
 48,716
Total liabilities1,190,658
 1,175,813
Commitments and contingencies (note 7)

 

Member's equity:   
Member's equity2,611,657
 2,739,245
Accumulated earnings (deficit)
 
Total member's equity2,611,657
 2,739,245
Total liabilities and equity$3,802,315
 $3,915,058


See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)

Three Months Ended March 31,
Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30, 20212020
��2017 2016 2017 2016
       
Site rental revenues$153,732
 $152,523
 $460,028
 $458,781
Site rental revenues:Site rental revenues:
Revenues from tenant contractsRevenues from tenant contracts$176,106 $172,389 
Amortization of tower installations and modifications(a)
Amortization of tower installations and modifications(a)
15,109 14,052 
Total site rental revenuesTotal site rental revenues191,215 186,441 
       
Operating expenses:       Operating expenses:
Site rental cost of operations—third parties(a)
37,504
 38,670
 113,185
 112,575
Site rental cost of operations—related parties(a)
9,234
 8,569
 27,275
 25,238
Site rental cost of operations—total(a)
46,738
 47,239
 140,460
 137,813
Site rental cost of operations—third parties(b)
Site rental cost of operations—third parties(b)
38,180 37,827 
Ground rent expenses—related partiesGround rent expenses—related parties11,804 11,281 
Site rental cost of operations—total(b)
Site rental cost of operations—total(b)
49,984 49,108 
Management fee—related party11,779
 11,425
 35,069
 33,936
Management fee—related party13,423 12,722 
Asset write-down charges
 950
 
 3,724
Asset write-down charges557 424 
Depreciation, amortization and accretion52,714
 52,624
 157,886
 157,098
Depreciation, amortization and accretion52,695 52,346 
Total operating expenses111,231
 112,238
 333,415
 332,571
Total operating expenses116,659 114,600 
Operating income (loss)42,501
 40,285
 126,613
 126,210
Operating income (loss)74,556 71,841 
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs(9,969) (12,934) (29,906) (39,546)Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs(9,969)(9,969)
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations
 (10,273) 
 (10,273)
Other income (expense)(720) (74) 129
 (85)Other income (expense)15 
Income (loss) before income taxes31,812
 17,004
 96,836
 76,306
Income (loss) before income taxes64,590 61,887 
Benefit (provision) for income taxes(88) (84) (264) (253)Benefit (provision) for income taxes(99)(106)
Net income (loss)$31,724
 $16,920
 $96,572
 $76,053
Net income (loss)$64,491 $61,781 
    
(a)
Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately and certain indirect costs included in the management fee.

(a)Represents the amortization of deferred revenues recorded in connection with the tower installation and modification transactions (described in note 4) that result in permanent improvements to the Company's towers. The Company receives no cash from, and is not party to, such transactions.
(b)Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately and certain indirect costs included in the management fee.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3




CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)
 Three Months Ended March 31,
 20212020
Cash flows from operating activities:(a)
  
Net income (loss)$64,491 $61,781 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion52,695 52,346 
Amortization of deferred financing costs346 346 
Asset write-down charges557 424 
Changes in assets and liabilities:
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest9,622 9,622 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable992 1,200 
Increase (decrease) in other liabilities7,000 11,187 
Decrease (increase) in receivables(213)(1,141)
Decrease (increase) in other assets2,505 (2,143)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities137,995 133,622 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures(b)
(4,561)(16,442)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities(4,561)(16,442)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Distributions to member(116,146)(108,620)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities(116,146)(108,620)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents17,288 8,560 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period17,439 20,407 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$34,727 $28,967 
 Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:   
Net income (loss)$96,572
 $76,053
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:   
Depreciation, amortization and accretion157,886
 157,098
Amortization of deferred financing costs1,038
 2,081
Asset write-down charges
 3,724
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations
 10,273
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest9,622
 9,093
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable(893) (399)
Increase (decrease) in deferred revenues, deferred ground lease payable and other liabilities3,788
 2,515
Decrease (increase) in receivables1,148
 1,688
Decrease (increase) in other current assets, deferred site rental receivable, long-term prepaid rent, and other assets5,969
 (8,951)
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities275,130
 253,175
Cash flows from investing activities:   
Capital expenditures(46,001) (39,317)
Net cash provided by (used for) investing activities(46,001) (39,317)
Cash flows from financing activities:   
Purchases and redemptions of debt
 (508,472)
Equity contribution related to debt repayment
 508,472
Distributions to member(224,160) (194,678)
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities(224,160) (194,678)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents4,969
 19,180
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period19,550
 20,401
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$24,519

$39,581

(a)The Company receives no cash from, and is not party to, the tower installation and modification transactions described in note 4. Such transactions, however, are reflected on the cash flow statement for GAAP purposes as if an amount equal to the lease component for such transactions had been received by the Company, and, as such, the amounts have been recorded as deferred revenues.
(b)Includes permanent improvements recorded in connection with the tower installation and modification transactions described in note 4. The Company receives no cash from, and is not party to, such transactions.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN MEMBER'S EQUITY (Unaudited)
(In thousands of dollars)

Member's EquityAccumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
Total
Balance, December 31, 2020$1,936,951 $$1,936,951 
Distributions to member(51,655)(64,491)(116,146)
Net income (loss)64,491 64,491 
Balance, March 31, 2021$1,885,296 $$1,885,296 
Member's EquityAccumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
Total
Balance, December 31, 2019$2,096,954 $$2,096,954 
Distributions to member(46,839)(61,781)(108,620)
Net income (loss)61,781 61,781 
Balance, March 31, 2020$2,050,115 $$2,050,115 
  Member's Equity 
Accumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
 Total
Balance, July 1, 2017 $2,660,691
 $
 $2,660,691
Distributions to member (note 4) (49,034) (31,724) (80,758)
Net income (loss) 
 31,724
 31,724
Balance, September 30, 2017 $2,611,657
 $
 $2,611,657
       
  Member's Equity 
Accumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
 Total
Balance, July 1, 2016 $2,327,938
 $6,033
 $2,333,971
Equity contribution related to debt repayment (note 4)

 508,472
 
 508,472
Distributions to member (note 4) (42,215) (22,953) (65,168)
Net income (loss) 
 16,920
 16,920
Balance, September 30, 2016 $2,794,195
 $
 $2,794,195


  Member's Equity 
Accumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
 Total
Balance at January 1, 2017 $2,739,245
 $
 $2,739,245
Distributions to member (note 4) (127,588) (96,572) (224,160)
Net income (loss) 
 96,572
 96,572
Balance at September 30, 2017 $2,611,657
 $
 $2,611,657
      
  Member's Equity 
Accumulated
Earnings (Deficit)
 Total
Balance at January 1, 2016 $2,327,938
 $76,410
 $2,404,348
Equity contribution related to debt repayment (note 4)

 508,472
 
 508,472
Distributions to member (note 4) (42,215) (152,463) (194,678)
Net income (loss) 
 76,053
 76,053
Balance at September 30, 2016 $2,794,195
 $
 $2,794,195

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

5




CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-UnauditedSTATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Tabular dollars in thousands)




1.General
1.General
The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the condensed consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows of CC Holdings GS V LLC ("CCL") and its consolidated wholly-owned subsidiaries (collectively, "Company"). The Company is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Global Signal Operating Partnership, L.P. ("GSOP"), which is an indirect subsidiary of Crown Castle International Corp., a Delaware corporation ("CCIC" or "Crown Castle"). CCL is a Delaware limited liability company that is a holding company and an issuer of the Company's debt. Intercompany accounts, transactions and profits have been eliminated. As used herein, the term "including," and any variation thereof means "including without limitation." The use of the word "or" herein is not exclusive.
The information contained in the following notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements is condensed from that which would appear in the annual consolidated financial statements; accordingly, the condensed consolidated financial statements included herein should be reviewed in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2016,2020, and related notes thereto, included in the 20162020 Form 10-K filed by the Company with the SEC.
The Company is organized specifically to own, lease and manage sitestowers and other structures (collectively, "towers"), and to a lesser extent, interests in land under third party and related party towers in various forms ("land interests") (collectively, "sites") that are geographically dispersed acrossthroughout the United States ("U.S."). The Company's core business is providing access, including space or capacity, to its sites via long-term contracts in various forms, including licenses, subleaseslease, license and lease agreements.sublease agreements (collectively, "tenant contracts"). The Company's customers on its sites are referred to herein as "tenants." Management services related to the Company's sites are performed by Crown Castle USA Inc. ("CCUSA"), an affiliate of the Company, under the Management Agreement, as the Company has no employees.
Approximately 68% of the Company's sites are leased or subleased or operated and managed for an initial period of 32 years (through May 2037) under master leaseleases or other agreements with SprintT-Mobile (which T-Mobile assumed in connection with its merger with Sprint) ("SprintT-Mobile Sites"). CCIC, through its subsidiaries (including the Company), has the option to purchase in 2037 all (but not less than all) of the SprintT-Mobile Sites from SprintT-Mobile for approximately $2.3 billion. CCIC has no obligation to exercise the purchase option.
For U.S federal income tax purposes, CCIC operates as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes,, and as its indirect subsidiary, the Company's assets and operations are part ofincluded in the CCIC REIT. See note 5.
Basis of Presentation
The condensed consolidated financial statements included herein are unaudited; however, they include all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring adjustments) which, in the opinion of management, are necessary to state fairly state the condensed consolidated financial position of the Company as of September 30, 2017, andat March 31, 2021, the condensed consolidated results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 and the condensed consolidated cash flows for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016.2020. The year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. ("GAAP").GAAP. The results of operations for the interim periods presented are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the entirefull year.
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and use assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, and the disclosure forof contingent assets and liabilities atas of the date of the financial statements as well asand the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from thesethose estimates.

2.2.Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
The significant accounting policies used in the preparation of the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements are disclosed in the 2016 Form 10-K.Significant Accounting Policies
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
No new accounting pronouncements adopted during the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 had a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

No new accounting pronouncements issued but not yet adopted are expected to have a material impact on the Company's condensed consolidated financial statements.
6


CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-UnauditedSTATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Tabular dollars in thousands)


3.Debt
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance on the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. The new guidance requires lessees to recognize a right-of-use asset and a lease liability, initially measured at the present value of the lease payments for all leases with a term greater than 12 months. The accounting for lessors remains largely unchanged from existing guidance. This guidance is effective for the Company as of January 1, 2019 and is required to be applied using a modified retrospective approach for all leases existing at, or entered into after, the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. Early adoption is permitted, however, the Company does not expect to early adopt the new guidance. CCIC (1) has established and is progressing through the various steps of a cross functional project plan to assess the impact of the standard; (2) expects this guidance to have a material impact on its condensed consolidated balance sheet due to the addition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for all lessee arrangements with a term greater than 12 months; and (3) continues to assess additional impacts to its condensed consolidated financial statements, including the condensed consolidated statement of operations and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows.

3.Debt
The outstanding balance of the 2012 Secured Notes as of both September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was $992 million, comprised of 3.849% secured notes ("3.849% Secured Notes") due April 2023. The 2012 Secured Notes originally consisted of (1) the previously outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of 2.381% secured notes ("2.381% Secured Notes") due December 2017 and (2) $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% Secured Notes due April 2023. In September 2016, CCIC issued $7002023 as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was $997.2 million aggregate principal amount of 2.25% senior secured notes ("September 2016 Senior Notes"). CCIC used a portion of the net proceeds from the September 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay in full the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes. The Company recorded an equity contribution related to the repayment of the 2.381% Secured Notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 (see note 4).and $996.8 million, respectively.
Interest Expense and Amortization of Deferred Financing Costs
The components of interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs are as follows:
Three Months Ended March 31,
20212020
Interest expense on debt obligations$9,623 $9,623 
Amortization of deferred financing costs346 346 
Total$9,969 $9,969 
4.Related Party Transactions
 Three Months Ended September 30, Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2017 2016 2017 2016
Interest expense on debt obligations$9,623
 $12,267
 $28,868
 $37,465
Amortization of deferred financing costs346
 667
 1,038
 2,081
Total$9,969
 $12,934
 $29,906
 $39,546

4.Related Party Transactions
Pursuant to the Management Agreement, CCUSA has agreed to employ, supervise and pay at all times a sufficient number of capable employees as may be necessary to perform services in accordance with the operation standards defined in the Management Agreement. CCUSA currently acts as the Manager of the sites held by subsidiaries of CCIC. The management fee is equal to 7.5% of the Company’s OperatingCompany's "Operating Revenues," as defined in the Management Agreement, which is based on the Company’sCompany's reported revenues adjusted to exclude certain items including revenues related to the accounting for leases with fixed escalators. The fee is compensation for those functions reasonably necessary to maintain, market, operate, manage and administer the sites, other than the operating expenses (which includes real estate and personal property taxes, ground lease and easement payments, and insurance premiums).
Further, in connection with its role as Manager, CCUSA may makeoffer certain modificationsinstallation and modification services to the Company's sites.
In addition, CCUSA may perform installation servicestenants on the Company's towers, for whichtowers; however, the Company receives no cash from, and is not a party to, any agreementsuch transactions. The Company includes the deferred revenue for a portion of the transaction price for the tower installation and formodification services, which norepresents a lease component under GAAP, within "Deferred revenues," on the Company's condensed consolidated balance sheet and recognizes it as "Amortization of tower installations and modifications" on the Company's condensed consolidated statement of operations over the associated estimated lease term. The portions of the transaction price which do not represent a lease component are not reflected in the Company's operating results are reflected herein.results.
As part of the CCICCCIC's strategy to obtain long-term control of the land under its towers, affiliates of the Company have acquired rights to land interests under the Company's towers. These affiliates then lease the land to the Company.Company, and the Company pays ground rent expenses to the affiliates. Under such circumstances, the Company's obligation typically continues with the same or similar economic terms as the lease agreementcontract for the land that existed prior to an affiliate acquiring rights tothe purchase of such land.land by the affiliate. As of September 30, 2017, there was approximately 28%March 31, 2021, more than 30% of the Company's sites where thetowers were located on land under the tower is controlled by an affiliate. Also, the Company receives rent revenuesite rental revenues from affiliates for land controlledowned by the Company thaton which affiliates have towers on.towers.

CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited
(Tabular dollars in thousands)


For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017,March 31, 2021 and 2020, the Company recorded an equity distributiondistributions of $224.2$116.1 million and $108.6 million, respectively, reflecting distributions to its member and ultimately other subsidiaries of CCIC. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company recorded a net equity contribution of $313.8 million, which was inclusive of (1) an equity contribution from CCIC of $508.5 million related to the repayment of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes (see note 3) and (2) an equity distribution of $194.7 million, reflecting distributions to its member and ultimately other subsidiaries of CCIC.member. Cash on handon-hand above the amount that is required by the Management Agreement has been, and is expected to continue to be, distributed to the Company's parent company. As of September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016,2020, other than the amounts of its ROU assets and operating lease liabilities related to land leased from affiliates of the Company reflected in "Operating lease right-of-use assets," "Current portion of operating lease liabilitiesrelated parties" and "Operating lease liabilitiesrelated parties," the Company had no material related party assets or liabilities on its condensed consolidated balance sheet.

5.Income Taxes
5.Income Taxes
CCIC operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a REIT, CCIC is generally entitled to a deduction for dividends that it pays and therefore is not subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its net taxable income that is currently distributed to its stockholders. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company's assets and operations are part ofincluded in the CCIC REIT.
For the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016,2020, the Company's effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate predominately due to (1) CCIC's REIT status, including the dividends paid deduction, and (2) state taxes.

7
6.Fair Values


CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(Tabular dollars in thousands)
6.Fair Values
Level in Fair Value HierarchyMarch 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Carrying
 Amount
Fair
Value
Carrying
 Amount
Fair
Value
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents1$34,727 $34,727 $17,439 $17,439 
Liabilities:
Debt2997,161 1,063,900 996,815 1,076,000 
The fair value of cash and cash equivalents approximates the carrying value. The Company determines the fair value of its debt securities based on indicative, non-binding quotes (that are non-binding quotes)from brokers. Quotes from brokers that require judgment to interpretand are based on the brokers' interpretation of market information, including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices or quotes from active markets if applicable. There wereavailable. Since December 31, 2020, there have been no changes since December 31, 2016 in the Company's valuation techniques used to measure fair values. The estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments, along with the carrying amounts of the related assets
7.Commitments and liabilities, are as follows:Contingencies
 Level in Fair Value Hierarchy September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016
  
Carrying
 Amount
 
Fair
Value
 
Carrying
 Amount
 
Fair
Value
Assets:         
Cash and cash equivalents1 $24,519
 $24,519
 $19,550
 $19,550
Liabilities:         
Debt2 992,317
 1,050,230
 991,279
 1,013,300

7.Commitments and Contingencies
The Company is involved in various claims, assessments, lawsuits or proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters, and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs or losses that may be incurred, if any, management believes the adverse resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs should not have a material adverse effect on the Company's condensed consolidated financial position or results of operations. In addition, CCIC, through its subsidiaries (including the Company) has thesee note 1 for a discussion of CCIC's option to purchase in 2037 all (but not less than all) of the Sprint Sites, which represent approximately 68% of the Company's sites.towers at the end of their respective lease terms. CCIC has no obligation to exercise thesuch purchase option.

8.Supplemental Cash Flow Information
8.Supplemental Cash Flow Information
Nine Months Ended September 30,Three Months Ended March 31,
2017 201620212020
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:   Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid$19,246
 $28,372
Cash payments related to operating lease liabilities(a)(b)
Cash payments related to operating lease liabilities(a)(b)
$26,699 $26,402 
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities:Supplemental disclosure of non-cash operating, investing and financing activities:
New ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(b)
New ROU assets obtained in exchange for operating lease liabilities(b)
8,599 11,756 
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipmentIncrease (decrease) in accounts payable for purchases of property and equipment(510)(1,798)


CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS-Unaudited
(Tabular dollars in thousands)


9.Guarantor Subsidiaries
CCL has no independent assets or operations. The 2012 Secured Notes(a)Excludes the Company's contingent payments pursuant to operating leases, which are guaranteed by all subsidiaries of CCL, each of which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of CCL, other than Crown Castle GS III Corp., which is a co-issuer of the 2012 Secured Notes and a wholly-owned finance subsidiary. Such guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. Subject to the provisions of the Indenture, a guarantor may be released and relieved of its obligations under its guarantee under certain circumstances including: (1)recorded as expense in the eventperiod such contingencies are resolved.
(b)Inclusive of any sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise to a person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) CCL or a subsidiary of CCL, (2) in the event of any sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any guarantor, to a person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) CCL or a subsidiary of CCL, (3) upon CCL's exercise of legal defeasance in accordanceleases with the relevant provisions of the Indenture, or (4) upon the discharge of the Indenture in accordance with its terms.related parties. See note 4.

8


ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
ITEM 2.MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the response to Part I, Item 1 of this reportForm 10-Q and the consolidated financial statements of the Company including the related notes and "Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" ("MD&A")&A included in our 2016the 2020 Form 10-K. Capitalized terms used but not defined in
Throughout this Item 2 and this Form 10-Q, have the same meaning given to them in our 2016 Form 10-K. Unless this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q indicates otherwise or the context requires, the terms "we," "our," "our company," "the company," or "us" as used herein refer to CC Holdings GS V LLCsite rental revenues include both revenues from tenant contracts and its subsidiaries.amortization of tower installations and modifications.
General Overview
We own, lease orand manage sites that are geographically dispersed throughout the United States. The vast majority of our site rental revenues is of a recurring nature and has been contracted for in a prior year.is subject to long-term contracts with our tenants.
Business Fundamentals and Results
The following are certain highlights of our business fundamentals and results as of and for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017.March 31, 2021:
Potential growth resulting from wireless network expansion and new entrants caused bythe increasing demand for wireless data
We expect U.S. wireless carriers will continue their focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity (including through 5G initiatives) by adding additional antennas or other equipment on our sites.
We expect existing and potential new tenant demand for our towers will result from (1) new technologies, (2) increased usage of mobile entertainment, mobile internet, and machine-to-machine applications, (3) adoption of other emerging and embedded wireless devices (including smartphones, laptops, tablets, wearables and other devices), (4) increasing smartphone penetration, (5) wireless carrier focus on expanding both network quality and capacity, (6) the adoption of other bandwidth-intensive applications (such as cloud services and video communications), (7) the availability of additional spectrum and (8) increased government initiatives to support connectivity throughout the U.S.
We expect wireless carriers will continue their focus on improving network quality and expanding capacity by adding additional antennas or other equipment on our wireless infrastructure.
We expect existing and potential new customer demand for our towers will result from (1) new technologies, (2) increased usage of wireless applications (including mobile entertainment, mobile internet usage, and machine-to-machine applications), (3) adoption of other emerging and embedded wireless devices (including laptops, tablets, and other devices), (4) increasing smartphone penetration, (5) wireless carrier focus on expanding both network quality and capacity, or (6) the availability of additional spectrum.
Substantially all of our towers can accommodate additional tenancy, either as currently constructed or with appropriate modifications to the structure (which may include extensions or structural reinforcement).
U.S. wireless carriers continue to invest in their networks.
Tenant additions on our existing sites are achieved at a low incremental operating cost, delivering high incremental returns.
Substantially all of our sites can accommodate additional tenancy, either as currently constructed or with appropriate modifications to the structure (which may include extensions or structural reinforcement).
Organizational structure
CCIC operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, our assets and operations are part of the CCIC REIT.
Our subsidiaries (other than Crown Castle GS III Corp.) were organized specifically to own, lease, and manage certain shared wireless infrastructure, such as towers or other structures, and have no employees.
Management services, including those functions reasonably necessary to maintain, market, operate, manage or administer our sites, are performed by CCUSA. The management fee is equal to 7.5% of our Operating Revenues as defined in the Management Agreement.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, CCIC operates as a REIT and, as its indirect subsidiary, our assets and operations are included in the CCIC REIT.
Our subsidiaries (other than Crown Castle GS III Corp.) were organized specifically to own, lease and manage certain sites, such as towers or other structures, and have no employees.
Management services, including those functions reasonably necessary to maintain, market, operate, manage or administer our sites, are performed by CCUSA. The management fee is equal to 7.5% of our Operating Revenues as defined in the Management Agreement.
Site rental revenues under long-term tenant leasescontracts
Initial terms of five to 15 years for site rental revenues derived from tenant contracts, with contractual escalations and multiple renewal periods of five to 10 years each, exercisable at the option of the tenant.
Initial terms of five to 15 years with multiple renewal periods at the option of the tenant of five to ten years each.
The weighted-average remaining term (calculated by weighting the remaining term for each lease by the related site rental revenue) of approximately five years, exclusive of renewals at the tenants' option, currently representing approximately $3.6 billion of expected future cash inflows.
Revenues predominatelyWeighted-average remaining term of approximately five years, exclusive of renewals exercisable at the tenants' option, currently representing approximately $4.1 billion of expected future cash inflows.
Majority of our revenues from large wireless carriers
Approximately 88% of our site rental revenues were derived from Sprint, AT&T, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.
Approximately 89% of our site rental revenues were derived from T-Mobile, AT&T and Verizon Wireless.
Majority of land interests under our wireless infrastructure aretowers under long-term control
More than 80% and more than 50% of our sites are under our control for greater than 10 and 20 years, respectively. The aforementioned amounts include sites that reside on land interests that are owned, including fee interests and perpetual easements.
Approximately 19% of our site rental cost of operations represents ground lease payments to our affiliates. Such affiliates acquired the rights to such land interests as a result of negotiated transactions with third parties in connection with a program established by CCIC to extend the rights to the land under its portfolio of towers.
More than 80% and more than 50% of our sites are under our control for greater than 10 and 20 years, respectively. The aforementioned percentages include towers located on land that is owned, including through fee interests and perpetual easements.
Approximately one-fourth of our site rental costs of operations represent ground lease payments to our affiliates. Such affiliates acquired the rights to such land interests as a result of negotiated transactions with third parties in connection with a program established by CCIC to extend the rights to the land under its portfolio of towers.
Relatively fixed tower operating costs
Our operating costs tend to escalate at approximately the rate of inflation and are not typically influenced by tenant additions or non-renewals.
Our operating costs tend to escalate at approximately the rate of inflation and are not typically influenced by tenant additions or non-renewals.
9


Minimal sustaining capital expenditure requirements
Sustaining capital expenditures represented approximately 1% of site rental revenues.

Sustaining capital expenditures represented less than 1% of total site rental revenues.
Fixed rate debt with no short-term maturities
Our debt consists of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% Secured Notes. See note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Our debt consists of $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of 3.849% Secured Notes. See note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Significant cash flows from operations
Net cash provided by operating activities was $275.1 million. See "Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Outlook Highlights
Net cash provided by operating activities was $138.0 million. See "Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Coronavirus (COVID-19)
In accordance with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security guidance issued in March 2020 designating telecommunications infrastructure and networks as critical infrastructure, we have continued our operations to ensure viability of communications networks, which are essential to public health and safety. We do not believe that COVID-19 had a material impact on our financial position, results of operations and cash flows during the three months ended March 31, 2021. We currently anticipate that we will be able to maintain sufficient liquidity as we manage through the current environment. See also "Item 2. MD&A—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Liquidity Position."
Guarantor Subsidiaries
Summary financial information of certain of CCL’s wholly owned subsidiaries whose securities are pledged as collateral for our 3.849% Secured Notes is not provided in this Form 10-Q because the assets, liabilities and results of operations of the combined guarantors of the 3.849% Secured Notes and CCL affiliates whose securities are so pledged are not materially different than the corresponding amounts presented in CCL's condensed consolidated financial statements. Below is a description of certain material terms of the guarantees of the 3.849% Secured Notes and the pledge of the equity interests of the Guarantors (as defined below) that secures the 3.849% Secured Notes.
The following3.849% Secured Notes were co-issued by CCL and its wholly owned finance subsidiary, Crown Castle GS III Corp. ("Co-Issuer" and, together with CCL, "Issuers"), and are guaranteed by all direct and indirect wholly owned subsidiaries of CCL, other than Co-Issuer (collectively, "Guarantors"). Subject to the provisions of the Secured Notes Indenture, a Guarantor may be released and relieved of its obligations under its guarantee under certain highlightscircumstances, including: (1) in the event of our outlookany sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of any Guarantor, by way of merger, consolidation or otherwise to a person that impact ouris not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) CCL or one of its subsidiaries, (2) in the event of any sale or other disposition of all of the capital stock of any Guarantor, to a person that is not (either before or after giving effect to such transaction) CCL or a subsidiary of CCL, (3) upon CCL's exercise of legal defeasance in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Secured Notes Indenture or (4) upon the discharge of the Secured Notes Indenture in accordance with its terms.
CCL is a holding company with no significant operations or material assets other than the direct and indirect equity interests it holds in the Co-Issuer and the Guarantors. CCL conducts all of its business fundamentals described above.
We expect demand for tenant leasingoperations through the Guarantors. As a result, its ability to continue during 2017pay principal and 2018.
During 2017interest on the 3.849% Secured Notes is dependent on the cash flow generated by the Guarantors and 2018, wetheir ability to make such cash available to CCL by dividend or otherwise. The Guarantors' earnings will depend on their financial and operating performance, which will be affected by general economic, industry, financial, competitive, operating, legislative, regulatory and other factors beyond CCL's control. Any payments of dividends, distributions, loans or advances to CCL by the Guarantors could also expectbe subject to restrictions on dividends under applicable local law in the jurisdictions in which the Guarantors operate. In the event that CCL does not receive distributions from the Guarantors, or to the extent that the impactearnings from, tenant leasingor other available assets of, the Guarantors are insufficient, CCL may be unable to make payments on the 3.849% Secured Notes. Furthermore, the Co-Issuer has no material assets and conducts no operations. Therefore, the Co-Issuer has no independent ability to service the interest and principal obligations under the 3.849% Secured Notes.
Pursuant to the Secured Notes Indenture, and the terms of a pledge and security agreement related thereto ("Pledge Agreement" and, together with the Secured Notes Indenture, "Notes Documents"), the 3.849% Secured Notes and the related guarantees are secured by perfected, first priority (subject to certain permitted liens set forth in the Secured Notes Indenture) pledges of the equity interests of each of the Guarantors and proceeds thereof. The 3.849% Secured Notes are not secured by any other assets, including any mortgage liens on properties.
Pursuant to the terms of the Notes Documents, the trustee under the Secured Notes Indenture may pursue remedies under the Secured Notes Indenture, or pursue foreclosure proceedings on the collateral, following an event of default under the
10


Secured Notes Indenture. However, unless a principal payment event of default or a bankruptcy event of default under the Secured Notes Indenture has occurred and is continuing or any other event has occurred that resulted in the acceleration of the 3.849% Secured Notes, the pledgors of such equity interests will receive any dividends and distributions on such pledged equity interests free and clear of the lien securing the 3.849% Secured Notes. Because the collateral consists of equity interests, its value is subject to fluctuations based on factors that include, among other things, general economic conditions and the ability to realize on the collateral as part of a going concern and in an orderly fashion to available and willing buyers and not under distressed circumstances. There is no trading market for the pledged equity interests.
Under the terms of the Notes Documents, the Issuers and the Guarantors will be offset by non-renewals of tenant leases, primarily from our customers' decommissioningentitled to the release of the Acquired Networks, at leastcollateral from the liens securing the 3.849% Secured Notes under one or more circumstances, including (1) to enable the Issuers or any subsidiary to consummate the disposition of such collateral as described under the asset sale covenant of the Secured Notes Indenture; (2) as permitted under the amendment provisions of the Secured Notes Indenture; or (3) as otherwise provided in part.the Pledge Agreement. Upon the release of any subsidiary from its guarantee, if any, in accordance with the terms of the Secured Notes Indenture, the lien on any collateral held by such Guarantor and the lien on any pledged equity interests issued by such Guarantor will automatically terminate. In addition, upon the occurrence of (i) payment in full of the 3.849% Secured Notes and any other payment obligations under the Notes Documents, together with accrued and unpaid interest, or (ii) a defeasance or discharge of the Secured Notes Indenture as provided in the Secured Notes Indenture, the liens on all collateral created under the Pledge Agreement will terminate.

The foregoing description of the Notes Documents is qualified in its entirety by the terms of the Secured Notes Indenture and the Pledge Agreement, which are incorporated by reference as Exhibit 4.1 and Exhibit 4.2, respectively, to our 2020 Form 10-K.
Consolidated Results of Operations
The following discussion of our results of operations should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and our 2016the 2020 Form 10-K.
The following discussion of our results of operations is based on our condensed consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with GAAP which requires us to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts. See amounts (see "Item 2. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" herein and note 2 to the 2020 Form 10-K).















11


Highlights of our 2016 Form 10-K.
Comparison of Consolidated Results of Operations
The following information is derived from our historical consolidated statementsresults of operations for the periods indicated.three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020 are depicted below.
Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands of dollars)20212020Percent Change
Site rental revenues:
Revenues from tenant contracts$176,106 $172,389 %
Amortization of tower installations and modifications(a)
15,109 14,052 %
Total site rental revenues191,215 186,441 %
Operating expenses:
Site rental cost of operations—third parties(b)
38,180 37,827 %
Ground rent expenses—related parties11,804 11,281 %
Site rental cost of operations—total(b)
49,984 49,108 %
Management fee—related party13,423 12,722 %
Asset write-down charges557 424 *
Depreciation, amortization and accretion52,695 52,346 %
Total operating expenses116,659 114,600 %
Operating income (loss)74,556 71,841 %
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs(9,969)(9,969)— %
Other income (expense)15 *
Income (loss) before income taxes64,590 61,887 %
Benefit (provision) for income taxes(99)(106)*
Net income (loss)$64,491 $61,781 %
 Three Months Ended September 30, 2017 Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 
Percent
Change
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Site rental revenues$153,732
 $152,523
 1 %
 

 

  
Operating expenses:     
Costs of operations(a)(b)
46,738
 47,239
 (1)%
Management fee(b)
11,779
 11,425
 3 %
Asset write-down charges
 950
 *
Depreciation, amortization and accretion52,714
 52,624
  %
Total operating expenses111,231
 112,238
 (1)%
Operating income (loss)42,501
 40,285
 6 %
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs(9,969) (12,934) (23)%
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations
 (10,273)  
Other income (expense)(720) (74)  
Income (loss) before income taxes31,812
 17,004
  
Benefit (provision) for income taxes(88) (84)  
Net income (loss)$31,724
 $16,920
  
____________________
*Percentage not meaningful
(a)Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately and certain indirect costs included in the management fee.
(b)Inclusive of related parties transactions.

*    Percentage is not meaningful.

(a)Represents the amortization of deferred revenues recorded in connection with the tower installation and modification transactions described in note 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements that result in permanent improvements to our towers. We receive no cash from, and are not party to, such transactions.
(b)Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately and certain indirect costs included in the management fee.
 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 
Percent
Change
 (Dollars in thousands)  
Site rental revenues$460,028
 $458,781
  %
      
Operating expenses:     
Costs of operations(a)(b)
140,460
 137,813
 2 %
Management fee(b)
35,069
 33,936
 3 %
Asset write-down charges
 3,724
 *
Depreciation, amortization and accretion157,886
 157,098
 1 %
Total operating expenses333,415
 332,571
  %
Operating income (loss)126,613
 126,210
  %
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs(29,906) (39,546) (24)%
Gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations
 (10,273)  
Other income (expense)129
 (85)  
Income (loss) before income taxes96,836
 76,306
  
Benefit (provision) for income taxes(264) (253)  
Net income (loss)$96,572
 $76,053
  
First Quarter 2021 and 2020
____________________
*Percentage not meaningful
(a)Exclusive of depreciation, amortization and accretion shown separately and certain indirect costs included in the management fee.
(b)Inclusive of related parties transactions.
Third Quarter 2017 and 2016
SiteTotal site rental revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 increased by $1.2$4.8 million, or 1%3%, from the same period in the prior year. ThisThe increase in total site rental revenues was impacted by the following items, inclusive of straight-line accounting, in no particular order:accounting: tenant additions across our entire portfolio, renewals or extensions of tenant leases,contracts and escalations andoffset by non-renewals of tenant leases.contracts. Tenant additions were influenced by our customers'tenants' ongoing efforts to improve network quality and capacity. See also "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview" and the 2016 Form 10-K for further discussion regarding our customers' decommissioning of the Acquired Networks.
Operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 increased by $2.2$2.7 million, or 6%4%, from the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating income was predominatelyprimarily due to the aforementioned increase in total site rental revenues, and a decrease in asset write-down charges and cost of operations, partially offset by an increase in the management fee and depreciation, amortization and accretioncost of operations from the three months ended September 30, 2016.
During September 2016, CCIC issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of September 2016 Senior Notes and used a portion of the proceeds to repay all of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes, which resulted in a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $10.3 million.March 31, 2020.
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $3.0 million, or 23%,March 31, 2021 remained unchanged from the same period in the prior year. This decrease was related to the aforementioned repayment of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes in September 2016.
Net income for the three months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 was $31.7$64.5 million, compared to net income of $16.9$61.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016.March 31, 2020. The increase was primarily due primarily to the aforementioned loss on retirement of long-term obligations recorded for the repayment of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notesincrease in September 2016 and a corresponding decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs.total site rental revenues.

First Nine Months 2017 and 2016
Site rental revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 remained consistent with the same period in the prior year. Site rental revenues were impacted by the following items, inclusive of straight-line accounting, in no particular order: new tenant additions across our entire portfolio, renewals or extensions of tenant leases, escalations and non-renewal of tenant leases. Tenant additions were influenced by our customers' ongoing efforts to improve network quality and capacity. See also "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview" herein.


Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 remained consistent with the same period in the prior year.
During September 2016, CCIC issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of September 2016 Senior Notes and used a portion of the proceeds to repay all of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes which resulted in a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $10.3 million.
Interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 decreased $9.6 million, or 24%, from the same period in the prior year. This decrease was related to the aforementioned repayment of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes in September 2016.
Net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $96.6 million compared to net income of $76.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The increase was due primarily to the aforementioned loss on retirement of long-term obligations recorded for the repayment of the previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes in September 2016 and a corresponding decrease in interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
General. Our core business generates revenues under long-term leasestenant contracts (See "Item 2. MD&A—General Overview"), predominantly from the largest U.S. wireless carriers. Historically, our net cash provided by operating activities has exceeded our capital expenditures. For the foreseeable future, we expect to generate net cash provided by operating activities (exclusive of movements in working capital) that exceedexceeds our capital expenditures. We seek to allocate the net cash generated from our business in a manner that we believe drives value for our member and ultimately CCIC.member.
12


From a cash management perspective, we currently distribute cash on hand to our member above amounts required pursuant to the Management Agreement to our member and ultimately other subsidiaries of CCIC.Agreement. If any future event would occur that would leave us with a deficiency in our operating cash flow, while not required, CCIC may contribute cash back to us.
CCIC operates as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, our assets and operations are part ofincluded in the CCIC REIT. We expect to continue to pay minimal cash income taxes as a result of CCIC's REIT status and NOLs.
Liquidity Position. The following is a summary of our capitalization and liquidity position as of September 30, 2017:March 31, 2021:
 September 30, 2017
 (In thousands of dollars)
Cash and cash equivalents$24,519
Debt992,317
Total member's equity2,611,657
(In thousands of dollars)March 31, 2021
Cash and cash equivalents$34,727 
Debt997,161 
Total member's equity1,885,296 
Over the next 12 months:
We expect that our net cash provided by operating activities should be sufficient to cover our expected capital expenditures.
We have no scheduled contractual debt maturities.
See note 3 to our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding our debt.
Summary Cash Flow Information
Three Months Ended March 31,
Nine Months Ended September 30,  
2017 2016 Change
(In thousands of dollars)
(In thousands of dollars)(In thousands of dollars)20212020Change
Net cash provided by (used for):     Net cash provided by (used for):
Operating activities$275,130
 $253,175
 $21,955
Operating activities$137,995 $133,622 $4,373 
Investing activities(46,001) (39,317) (6,684)Investing activities(4,561)(16,442)11,881 
Financing activities(224,160) (194,678) (29,482)Financing activities(116,146)(108,620)(7,526)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$4,969
 $19,180
 $(14,211)Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents$17,288 $8,560 $8,728 
Operating Activities
The increase in net cash provided by operating activities for the first ninethree months of 20172021 of $22.0$4.4 million, or 9%3%, from the first ninethree months of 2016,2020, was primarily due primarily to a net benefit from changes in working capital and growth in cash revenues, including cash escalations that are subject to straight-line accounting. Changes in working capital contribute to variability in net cash provided by operating activities, largely due to the timing of advanced payments by us and advanced receipts from tenants.











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Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures
Our capital expenditures are primarily recorded as a result of tower installation and modification services performed by CCUSA that result in permanent improvements to our towers. We receive no cash from, and are not party to, such transactions. Such capital expenditures include the following:
Site improvementDiscretionary capital expenditures primarily consist of improvementsexpansion or development of sites (including capital expenditures related to (1) enhancing sites in order to add new tenants for the first time or support subsequent tenant equipment augmentations, or (2) modifying the structure of a site asset to accommodate additional tenants). Discretionary capital expenditures also include purchases of land interests (which primarily relate to land assets under towers as CCIC seeks to manage its interests in the land beneath its towers), certain technology-related investments necessary to support and scale future tenant demand for our sites, and other capital projects. The expansion or development of existing sites to accommodate new leasing and typically varyvaries based on, among other factors: (1) the type of site, (2) the scope, volume and mix of work performed on the site, (3) existing capacity prior to installation or (4) changes in structural engineering regulations and standards. Our decisions regarding discretionary capital expenditures are influenced by (1) sufficient potential to enhance CCIC's long-term stockholder value, (2) CCIC's availability and cost of capital and (3) CCIC's expected returns on alternative uses of cash, such as payments of dividends and investments.
Sustaining capital expenditures consist of maintenance capital improvementsexpenditures on our sites that enable our customers'tenants' ongoing quiet enjoyment of the site.
Capital expenditures for the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 20162020 were as follows:
 Three Months Ended March 31,
(In thousands of dollars)20212020Change
Discretionary$3,811 $15,311 $(11,500)
Sustaining750 1,131 (381)
Total$4,561 $16,442 $(11,881)
 Nine Months Ended September 30,  
 2017 2016 Change
 (In thousands of dollars)
Site improvements$40,338
 $32,980
 $7,358
Sustaining5,663
 6,337
 (674)
Total$46,001
 $39,317
 $6,684
Discretionary capital expenditures were primarily impacted by the timing of tenant activity during the first three months of 2021 compared to the same period in 2020.
Financing Activities
The net cash flows used for financing activities induring the ninethree months ended September 30, 2017March 31, 2021 and 2016 includes the impact from2020 were impacted by our continued practice of distributing excess cash to our member and ultimately other subsidiaries of CCIC. In September 2016, CCIC issued $700 million aggregate principal amount of September 2016 Senior Notes. CCIC used a portion of the net proceeds from the September 2016 Senior Notes offering to repay $508.5 million of our previously outstanding 2.381% Secured Notes. We recorded an equity contribution related to the debt repayment of our 2.381% Secured Notes for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. See notes 3 and 4 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.member.
2012 Secured Notes
See our 2016the 2020 Form 10-K for a discussion of the 2012 Secured Notes, debt restrictions and disclosures about market risk. There are no financial maintenance covenants in the 2012 Secured Notes.Notes Indenture. We are currently not restricted in our ability to incur additional indebtedness or distribute cash to affiliates or issue dividends to our parent.member.

Accounting and Reporting Matters
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our critical accounting policies and estimates are those that we believe (1) are most important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations or (2) require our most difficult, subjective or complex judgments, often as a result of the need to make estimates about the effect of matters that are inherently uncertain. The critical accounting policies and estimates for 2017 are not intended to be a comprehensive list of our accounting policies and estimates. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictatedprescribed by GAAP, with no need for management's judgment.GAAP. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The critical accounting policies and estimates for 2021 are not intended to be a comprehensive list of our accounting policies and estimates. Our critical accounting policies and estimates as of December 31, 20162020 are described in "Item 7. MD&A—Accounting and Reporting Matters" and in note 2 of our consolidated financial statements in our 2016the 2020 Form 10-K. The critical accounting policies and estimates for the first nine months of 2017 have not changed from the critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2016.

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Accounting Pronouncements
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements.
See note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted.
See note 2 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.


ITEM 4.CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 4.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
The Company conducted an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of the Company's management, including the Company's Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and Chief Financial Officer ("CFO"), of the effectiveness of the Company's disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on thistheir evaluation, the Chief Executive OfficerCEO and Chief Financial OfficerCFO concluded that as of March 31, 2021, the Company's disclosure controls and procedures were effective in alerting them in a timely manner to material information relating to the Company required to be included in the Company's periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the fiscal quarter covered by this reportForm 10-Q that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 1.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
See the disclosure in note 7 to our condensed consolidated financial statements set forth in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, which disclosure is hereby incorporated herein by reference.10-Q.

ITEM 1A.RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
There are no material changes to the risk factors discussed in "Item 1A—1A. Risk Factors" in our 2016the 2020 Form 10-K.

ITEM 6.EXHIBITS
Exhibit Index
ITEM 6.
Exhibit No.
EXHIBITS

Exhibit Index
Description
Exhibit No.(a)3.1Description
(a)3.1
(a)3.2
*(b)31.122
*31.1
*31.2
32.1
*101.INSXBRL Instance Document
*101.SCHXBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
*101.DEFXBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
*101.CALXBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
*101.LABXBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
*101.PREXBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
________________
*Filed herewith.101The following financial statements from CC Holdings GS V LLC's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations, (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes of Member's Equity, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags
*Furnished herewith.104
(a)Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the RegistrantThe cover page from CC Holdings GS V LLC's Quarterly Report on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-187970) on April 17, 2013.10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2021, formatted in Inline XBRL



*    Filed herewith.
†    Furnished herewith.
(a)Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Form S-4 (Registration No. 333-187970) on April 17, 2013.
(b)Incorporated by reference to the exhibit previously filed by the Registrant on Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020.
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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.

CC HOLDINGS GS V LLC
Date:November 6, 2017May 3, 2021By:
/s/ DANIEL K. SCHLANGER
Daniel K. Schlanger
Daniel K. Schlanger
SeniorExecutive Vice President
and Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)
Date:November 6, 2017May 3, 2021By:
/s/  ROBERT S. COLLINS
Robert S. Collins
Robert S. Collins
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)


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