Item 1. Business
Business Overview and Strategy
Un-carrier Strategy
We are the Un-carrier. Through our Un-carrier strategy, we’ve disrupted the wireless communication services industry by listening to our customers and providing them with added value and an exceptional experience, including implementing signature initiatives that changed the wireless industry forever. We ended annual service contracts, overages, unpredictable international roaming fees, data buckets and more. Customer response to our Un-carrier strategy has allowed us to grow into the third largest wireless provider in the United States. We will continue our relentless focus on customers and are determined to bring the Un-carrier to every potential customer in the United States.
Our relentless focus on customer experience through increased investment in network expansion, customer care, distribution expansion, and digital initiatives has strengthened our customer growth and increased customer retention and satisfaction, including the growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials as well as continued growth in existing and Greenfield markets. We continue to invest and innovate in these areas to deliver our customers the best value in the industry. Everything we do is powered by our nationwide 4G Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”) network, and we are rapidly preparing for the next generation of 5G services. Going forward, it is this network that will allow us to deliver innovative new products and services with the same customer focused and industry disrupting mentality that has redefined wireless service in the United States.
History
T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile USA”), a Delaware corporation, was formed in 1994 as VoiceStream Wireless PCS (“VoiceStream”), a subsidiary of Western Wireless Corporation (“Western Wireless”). VoiceStream was spun off from Western Wireless in 1999, acquired by Deutsche Telekom AG (“DT”) in 2001 and renamed T-Mobile USA, Inc. in 2002.
In 2013, T-Mobile US, Inc., a Delaware corporation, was formed through the business combination of T-Mobile USA and MetroPCS Communications, Inc. (“MetroPCS”). The business combination was accounted for as a reverse acquisition with T-Mobile USA as the accounting acquirer. Accordingly, T-Mobile USA’s historical financial statements became the historical financial statements of the combined company.
In September 2018, we announced the rebranding of our prepaid brand, MetroPCS, as Metro™ by T-Mobile.
Business
We provide wireless services to 79.7 million postpaid, prepaid and wholesale customers and generate revenue by providing affordable wireless communication services to these customers, as well as a wide selection of wireless devices and accessories. Our most significant expenses relate to acquiring and retaining high-quality customers, providing a full range of devices, compensating employees, and operating and expanding our network. We provide service, devices and accessories across our flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile, through our owned and operated retail stores, as well as through our websites (www.T-Mobile.com and www.MetroPCS.com) and customer care channels. In addition, we sell devices to dealers and other third-party distributors for resale through independent third-party retail outlets and a variety of third-party websites. The information on our websites is not part of this Form 10-K. See Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations for additional information.
In 2018, we completed the acquisition of television innovator Layer3 TV, Inc. (“Layer3 TV”). This transaction represented an opportunity to acquire a complementary service to our existing wireless service to advance our video strategy. For more information, see Note 2 - Business Combinations of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
On April 29, 2018, we entered into the Business Combination Agreement with Sprint to merge in an all-stock transaction. The combined company will be named “T-Mobile,” and as a result of the Merger, is expected to be able to rapidly launch a nationwide 5G network, accelerate innovation and increase competition in the U.S. wireless, video and broadband industries. The Merger is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. We expect to receive regulatory approval in the first half of 2019. For more information regarding our Business Combination Agreement, see Note 2 - Business Combinations of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Customers
We provide wireless communication services to three primary categories of customers:
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Branded postpaid customers generally include customers who are qualified to pay after receiving wireless communication services utilizing phones, DIGITS or connected devices which includes tablets, wearables and SyncUp DRIVE™;
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Branded prepaid customers generally include customers who pay for wireless communication services in advance. Our branded prepaid customers include customers of T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile; and
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Wholesale customers include Machine-to-Machine (“M2M”) and Mobile Virtual Network Operator (“MVNO”) customers that operate on our network but are managed by wholesale partners.
We generate the majority of our service revenues by providing wireless communication services to branded postpaid and branded prepaid customers. Our ability to acquire and retain branded postpaid and prepaid customers is important to our business in the generation of service revenues, equipment revenues and other revenues. In 2018, our service revenues generated by providing wireless communication services by customer category were:
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65% Branded postpaid customers;
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30% Branded prepaid customers; and
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5% Wholesale customers and Roaming and other services.
All of our revenues for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, and 2016 were earned in the United States, including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Services and Products
We provide wireless communication services through a variety of service plan options. We also offer a wide selection of wireless devices, including smartphones, tablets and other mobile communication devices, which are manufactured by various suppliers.
Our primary service plan offering, which allows customers to subscribe for wireless communication services separately from the purchase of a device is our T-Mobile ONE plan (“T-Mobile ONE”), which includes:
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Unlimited talk, unlimited text and unlimited high-speed 4G LTE data on their device, where monthly wireless service fees and sales taxes are included in the advertised monthly recurring charge;
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Video that typically streams at DVD (480p) quality and tethering is at maximum 3G speeds;
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The ability for customers to keep their price for service until they decide to change it;
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The ability for qualifying T-Mobile ONE customers on family plans to opt in for a standard monthly Netflix service plan at no additional cost; and
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The ability for customers to choose to add on additional features for an additional cost on T-Mobile ONE Plus, where customers also receive:
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Unlimited high definition video streaming;
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20 GB of high-speed 4G LTE tethering;
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Voicemail to Text, NameID and unlimited Gogo in-flight internet passes on capable domestic flights; and
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Up to two times faster speeds when traveling abroad in 210+ countries and destinations.
Depending on their credit profile, customers are qualified either for postpaid or prepaid service.
Our device options for customers on T-Mobile ONE, and previously on Simple Choice plans, include:
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for qualifying customers, depending on their credit profile, the option of financing all or a portion of the device purchase price at the time of sale over an installment period of up to 36 months using an EIP.
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for qualifying customers who finance their initial device with an EIP, an option to enroll in our Just Upgrade My Phone (“JUMP!®”) program to later upgrade their device. Upon a qualifying JUMP! upgrade, the customer’s remaining EIP balance is settled provided they trade-in their used device at the time of upgrade in good working condition and purchase a new device from us on a new EIP.
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JUMP! On Demand™ includes a low monthly payment that covers the cost of leasing a new device and gives qualified customers the freedom to exchange it for a new device up to one time per month for no extra fee. Upon device upgrade or at lease end, customers must return their device in good working condition or purchase their device. Customers that choose to purchase their device have the option to finance their device over a nine-month EIP.
Network
We continue to expand the footprint and increase the capacity of our network to better serve our customers. Our advancements in network technology and our spectrum resources ensure we can continue to increase the capabilities of our 4G LTE network as we prepare for our nationwide deployment of 5G.
Spectrum Growth
We provide wireless communication services utilizing mid-band spectrum licenses, such as Advanced Wireless Services (“AWS”) and Personal Communications Service (“PCS”), and low-band spectrum licenses utilizing our 600 MHz and 700 MHz spectrum.
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We owned an average of 110 MHz of spectrum nationwide as of December 31, 2018, comprised of an average of 31 MHz in the 600 MHz band, 10 MHz in the 700 MHz band, 29 MHz in the 1900 MHz PCS band and 40 MHz in the AWS band. We also own millimeter wave spectrum that comprises an average of 264 MHz covering over 110 million points of presence (“POPs”) in the 28 GHz band and 105 MHz covering nearly 45 million POPs in the 39 GHz band.
We will evaluate future spectrum purchases in current and upcoming auctions and in the secondary market to augment our current spectrum position.
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As of December 31, 2018, we owned a nationwide average of 31 MHz of 600 MHz low-band spectrum. We now own approximately 41 MHz of low-band spectrum (600 MHz and 700 MHz), covering 100% of the U.S.
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We are building out 5G across the US, including deployment in six of the top 10 markets, including New York and Los Angeles, in 2018. This network will be ready for the introduction of the first standards-based 5G smartphones in 2019. We plan on the delivery of a nationwide standards-based network next year.
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In 2018, we entered into two multi-year contracts that will support the deployment of a nationwide 5G network. In July 2018, we and Nokia entered into a multi-year $3.5 billion contract for Nokia to provide us with complete end-to-end 5G technology, software and services. In September 2018, we and Ericsson announced a multi-year $3.5 billion contract in which Ericsson will provide us with the latest 5G New Radio hardware and software compliant with 3rd Generation Partnership Project (“3GPP”) standards.
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We have started deployment of 600 MHz spectrum on an aggressive schedule. As of December 31, 2018, we were live in more than 2,700 cities and towns in 43 states and Puerto Rico covering hundreds of thousands of square miles. Combining 600 and 700 MHz spectrum, we have deployed low band spectrum to 301 million POPs.
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We have actively engaged with broadcasters to accelerate the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) spectrum clearance timelines, entering into 95 agreements with several parties. These agreements are expected to, in aggregate, accelerate clearing, bringing the total clearing target to approximately 272 million POPs by year-end 2019. As of December 31, 2018, we had cleared approximately 135 million POPs. We remain committed to assisting broadcasters occupying 600 MHz spectrum to move to new frequencies.
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We currently have 29 devices compatible with 600 MHz including the latest iPhone generation.
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We expect our 600 MHz spectrum holdings will be used to deploy America’s first nationwide standards-based 5G network next year. 600 MHz 4G LTE radios are software upgradeable to support 5G as it becomes available later this year.
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Over the last year, we have entered into and closed on various agreements for the acquisition and exchange of 700 MHz A-Block, AWS and PCS spectrum licenses. See Note 6 - Goodwill, Spectrum License Transactions and Other Intangible Assets of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
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We intend to opportunistically acquire spectrum licenses in private party transactions and future FCC spectrum license auctions.
Network Coverage Growth
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We continue to expand our coverage breadth and, as of December 31, 2018, covered more than 325 million people with 4G LTE.
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As of December 31, 2018, we had equipment deployed on approximately 64,000 macro towers and 21,000 distributed antenna system (“DAS”) and small cell sites. We remain on plan to roll out approximately 20,000 small cells through 2019.
Network Speed Leadership
We offer the fastest nationwide 4G LTE upload and download speeds in the United States. The fourth quarter of 2018 is the 20th consecutive quarter we have led the industry in both categories based on the results of millions of user-generated speed tests.
Network Capacity Growth
We continue to expand our capacity through the re-farming of existing spectrum and implementation of new technologies including Voice over LTE (“VoLTE”), Carrier Aggregation, 4x4 multiple-input and multiple-output (“MIMO”), 256 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (“QAM”) and Licensed Assisted Access (“LAA”).
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VoLTE comprised 87% of total voice calls as of December 31, 2018, compared to 80% as of December 31, 2017. Moving voice traffic to VoLTE frees up spectrum and allows for the transition of spectrum currently used for 2G and 3G to 4G LTE. We are leading the U.S. wireless industry in the rate of VoLTE adoption.
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Carrier aggregation is live for our customers in 923 markets. This advanced technology delivers superior speed and
performance by bonding multiple discrete spectrum channels together.
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4x4 MIMO is currently available in 564 markets. This technology effectively delivers twice the speed and incremental network capacity to customers by doubling the number of data paths between the cell site and a customer's device. We started deploying massive MIMO (FD-capable and 5G with future software upgrades) in selected locations in late 2018.
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We have rolled out 256 QAM in 988 markets. 256 QAM increases the number of bits delivered per transmission to enable faster speeds. We are the first carrier globally to have rolled out the combination of carrier aggregation, 4x4 MIMO and 256 QAM. This trifecta of standards has been rolled out to more than 500 markets.
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We have also started rolling out LAA, a technology which utilizes unlicensed 5 GHz spectrum to augment available bandwidth. The first LAA small cell went live in New York City in the fourth quarter of 2017 and the technology has since been rolled out to nearly 1,700 cell sites, the vast majority being small cells. Deployments of LAA have also commenced in 28 cities including Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Washington DC, Atlanta, Houston, Las Vegas, San Diego and New Orleans. In areas where LAA has been deployed, customers with capable handsets have observed real-life speeds in excess of 500 Mbps.
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In July 2018, we launched our Narrowband Internet of Things (“NB-IoT”) service nationwide, making us the first to launch NB-IoT in the U.S. and the first in the world to launch NB-IoT in the guard bands for improved efficiency. Built on the 3GPP standard, NB-IoT is a low power, wide area network LTE-advanced technology that provides a pathway to 5G Internet of Things and enables many comparable benefits like low power usage, long battery life and low device cost.
Competition
The wireless telecommunications industry is highly competitive. We are the third largest provider of postpaid service plans and the largest provider of prepaid service plans in the U.S. as measured by customers. Our competitors include other national carriers, such as AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), Verizon Communications, Inc. (“Verizon”) and Sprint. AT&T and Verizon are significantly larger than us and enjoy greater resources and scale advantages as compared to us. In addition, our competitors include numerous smaller regional carriers, existing mobile virtual network operators (“MVNOs”), including TracFone Wireless, Inc., Comcast Corporation (“Comcast”) and Charter Communications, Inc., and future MVNOs, such as Altice USA, Inc., many of which offer or plan to offer no-contract, postpaid and prepaid service plans. Competitors also include providers who offer similar communication services, such as voice, messaging and data services, using alternative technologies or services. Competitive factors within the wireless telecommunications industry include pricing, market saturation, service and product offerings, customer experience, network investment and quality, development and deployment of technologies, availability of additional spectrum licenses and regulatory changes. Some competitors have shown a willingness to use aggressive pricing as a source of differentiation. Other competitors have sought to add ancillary services, like mobile video, to enhance their offerings. Taken together, the competitive factors we face continue to put pressure on growth and margins as companies compete to retain the current customer base and continue to add new customers.
Employees
As of December 31, 2018, we employed approximately 52,000 full-time and part-time employees, including network, retail, administrative and customer support functions.
Regulation
The FCC regulates many key aspects of our business, including licensing, construction, the operation and use of our network, modifications of our network, control and ownership of our licenses and authorizations, the sale, transfer and acquisition of certain licenses, domestic roaming arrangements and interconnection agreements, pursuant to its authority under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (“Communications Act”). The FCC has a number of complex requirements and proceedings that affect our operations and that could increase our costs or diminish our revenues. For example, the FCC has rules regarding provision of 911 and E-911 services, porting telephone numbers, interconnection, roaming, internet openness or net neutrality, disabilities access, privacy and cybersecurity, consumer protection, and the universal service and Lifeline programs. Many of these and other issues are being considered in ongoing proceedings, and we cannot predict whether or how such actions will affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. Our ability to provide services and generate revenues could be harmed by adverse regulatory action or changes to existing laws and regulations. In addition, regulation of companies that offer competing services can impact our business indirectly.
Wireless communications providers must be licensed by the FCC to provide communications services at specified spectrum frequencies within specified geographic areas and must comply with the rules and policies governing the use of the spectrum as
adopted by the FCC. The FCC issues each license for a fixed period of time, typically 10-15 years depending on the particular licenses. While the FCC has generally renewed licenses given to operating companies like us, the FCC has authority to both revoke a license for cause and to deny a license renewal if a renewal is not in the public interest. Furthermore, we could be subject to fines, forfeitures and other penalties for failure to comply with FCC regulations, even if any such non-compliance was unintentional. In extreme cases, penalties can include revocation of our licenses. The loss of any licenses, or any related fines or forfeitures, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Additionally, Congress’ and the FCC’s allocation of additional spectrum for broadband commercial mobile radio service (“CMRS”), which includes cellular, PCS, miscellaneous wireless services and specialized mobile radio, could significantly increase competition. We cannot assess the impact that any developments that may occur in the U.S. economy or any future spectrum allocations by the FCC may have on license values. FCC spectrum auctions and other market developments may adversely affect the market value of our licenses in the future. A significant decline in the value of our licenses could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations. In addition, the FCC periodically reviews its policies on how to evaluate carriers’ spectrum holdings. A change in these policies could affect spectrum resources and competition among us and other carriers.
Congress and the FCC have imposed limitations on foreign ownership of CMRS licensees that exceed 20% direct ownership or 25% indirect ownership. The FCC has ruled that higher levels of indirect foreign ownership, even up to 100%, are presumptively consistent with the public interest albeit subject to review. Consistent with that established policy, the FCC has issued a declaratory ruling authorizing up to 100% ownership of our Company by DT. This declaratory ruling, and our licenses, are conditioned on DT’s and the Company’s compliance with a network security agreement with the Department of Justice, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security. Failure to comply with the terms of this agreement could result in fines, injunctions and other penalties, including potential revocation of our spectrum licenses.
While the Communications Act generally preempts state and local governments from regulating the entry of, or the rates charged by, wireless communication providers, certain state and local governments regulate other terms and conditions of wireless service, including billing, termination of service arrangements and the imposition of early termination fees, advertising, network outages, the use of devices while driving, zoning and land use. Additionally, after the FCC’s adoption of the 2017 “Restoring Internet Freedom” Order, a number of states have sought to impose state-specific net neutrality and privacy requirements on providers’ broadband services. The FCC ruling broadly preempts such state efforts, which are inconsistent with the FCC’s federal deregulatory approach, and there are pending court challenges that will determine if such state enactments are lawful. While most states are largely seeking to codify the repealed federal rules, there are differences in some states, notably California, which has passed separate privacy and net neutrality legislation. There are efforts on the Hill to push for federal legislation to codify uniform federal privacy and net neutrality requirements, while also ensuring the preemption of separate state requirements, including the California laws. If not rescinded, separate state requirements will impose significant business costs and could also result in increased litigation costs and enforcement risks. State authority over wireless broadband services will remain unsettled until final action by the courts or Congress.
In addition, the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) and other federal agencies have jurisdiction over some consumer protection and elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices with respect to the provision of non-common carrier services. Further, the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration regulate the siting, lighting and construction of transmitter towers and antennae. Tower siting and construction are also subject to state and local zoning, as well as federal statutes regarding environmental and historic preservation. The future costs to comply with all relevant regulations are to some extent unknown and changes to regulations, or the applicability of regulations, could result in higher operating and capital expenses, or reduced revenues in the future.
Available Information
The SEC maintains an internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically at www.sec.gov. Our Form 10-K and all other reports and amendments filed with or furnished to the SEC are also publicly available free of charge on the investor relations section of our website at investor.t-mobile.com as soon as reasonably practicable after these materials are filed with or furnished to the SEC. Our corporate governance guidelines, code of ethics for senior financial officers, code of business conduct, and charters for the audit, compensation, nominating and corporate governance and executive committees of our Board of Directors are also posted on the investor relations section of our website at investor.t-mobile.com. The information on our websites is not part of this or any other report we file with, or furnish to, the SEC.
Item 1A.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, the following risk factors should be considered carefully in evaluating our Company. Our business, financial condition, liquidity, or operating results, as well as the price of our common stock and other securities, could be materially adversely affected by any of these risks.
Risks Related to Our Business and the Wireless Industry
Competition, industry consolidation, and changes in the market for wireless services could negatively affect our ability to attract and retain customers and adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We have multiple wireless competitors, some of which have greater resources than us and compete for customers based principally on service/device offerings; price; network coverage, speed and quality and customer service. We expect market saturation to continue to cause the wireless industry’s customer growth rate to be moderate in comparison with historical growth rates, or possibly negative, leading to ongoing competition for customers. We also expect that our customers’ appetite for data services will place increasing demands on our network capacity. This competition and our capacity will continue to put pressure on pricing and margins as companies compete for potential customers. Our ability to compete will depend on, among other things, continued absolute and relative improvement in network quality and customer service, effective marketing and selling of products and services, innovation, attractive pricing, and cost management, all of which will involve significant expenses.
Joint ventures, mergers, acquisitions and strategic alliances in the wireless sector have resulted in and are expected to result in larger competitors competing for a limited number of customers. The two largest national wireless communication providers currently serve a significant percentage of all wireless customers and hold significant spectrum and other resources. Our largest competitors may be able to enter into exclusive handset, device, or content arrangements, execute pervasive advertising and marketing campaigns, or otherwise improve their cost position relative to ours. In addition, refusal of our large competitors to provide critical access to resources and inputs, such as roaming services on reasonable terms could improve their position within the wireless broadband mobile services industry.
We face intense and increasing competition from other service providers as industry sectors converge, such as cable, telecom services and content, satellite, and other service providers. Companies like Comcast and AT&T (with acquisitions of DirecTV and Time Warner, Inc.) will have the scale and assets to aggressively compete in a converging industry. Verizon, through its acquisitions of AOL, Inc. and Yahoo! Inc. is also a significant competitor focusing on premium content offerings to diversify outside of core wireless. Further, some of our competitors now provide content services in addition to voice and broadband services, and consumers are increasingly accessing video content from Internet-based providers and applications, all of which create increased competition in this area. These factors, together with the effects of the increasing aggregate penetration of wireless services in all metropolitan areas and the ability of our larger competitors to use resources to build out their networks and to quickly deploy advanced technologies, such as 5G, could make it more difficult for us to continue to attract and retain customers, and may adversely affect our competitive position and ability to grow, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
The scarcity and cost of additional wireless spectrum, and regulations relating to spectrum use, may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We will need to acquire additional spectrum in order to continue our customer growth, expand and deepen our coverage, maintain our quality of service, meet increasing customer demands and deploy new technologies. We will be at a competitive disadvantage and possibly experience erosion in the quality of service in certain markets if we fail to gain access to necessary spectrum before reaching network capacity. As a result, we are actively seeking to make additional investment in spectrum, which could be significant.
The continued interest in, and acquisition of, spectrum by existing carriers and others may reduce our ability to acquire and/or increase the cost of acquiring spectrum in the secondary market or negatively impact our ability to gain access to spectrum through other means, including government auctions. We may need to enter into spectrum sharing or leasing arrangements, which are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and may involve significant expenditures. Gaining access to the spectrum we won in the FCC 600 MHz auction in 2017 may take up to three years or more. Any material delay could adversely impact our ability to implement our plans and efforts to improve our network. In addition, our return on investment in spectrum depends on our ability to attract additional customers and to provide additional services and usage to existing customers. As a result, the return on any investment in spectrum that we make may not be as much as we anticipate or take longer than
expected. Additionally, we may be unable to secure the spectrum we need in any auction we may elect to participate in or in the secondary market, on favorable terms or at all.
The FCC may impose conditions on the use of new wireless broadband mobile spectrum that may negatively impact our ability to obtain spectrum economically or in appropriate configurations or coverage areas. Additional conditions that may be imposed by the FCC include heightened build-out requirements, limited license terms or renewal rights, and clearing obligations that may make it less attractive or less economical to acquire spectrum. In addition, rules may be established for future government spectrum auctions that may negatively impact our ability to obtain spectrum economically or in appropriate configurations or coverage areas.
If we cannot acquire needed spectrum from the government or otherwise, if competitors acquire spectrum that will allow them to provide services competitive with our services, or if we cannot deploy services over acquired spectrum on a timely basis without burdensome conditions, at reasonable cost, and while maintaining network quality levels, then our ability to attract and retain customers and our business, financial condition and operating results could be materially adversely affected.
If we are unable to take advantage of technological developments on a timely basis, we may experience a decline in demand for our services or face challenges in implementing or evolving our business strategy.
Significant technological changes continue to impact the communications industry. In general, these technological changes enhance communications and enable a broader array of companies to offer services competitive with ours. In order to grow and remain competitive with new and evolving technologies in our industry, we will need to adapt to future changes in technology, continually invest in our network, increase network capacity, enhance our existing offerings, and introduce new offerings to address our current and potential customers’ changing demands. Enhancing our network, such as deploying 5G, is subject to risk from equipment changes and migration of customers from existing spectrum bands and the potential inability to secure spectrum necessary to deploy advanced technologies. Adopting new and sophisticated technologies may result in implementation issues such as scheduling and supplier delays, unexpected or increased costs, technological constraints, regulatory permitting issues, customer dissatisfaction, and other issues that could cause delays in launching new technological capabilities, which in turn could result in significant costs or reduce the anticipated benefits of the upgrades. In general, the development of new services in the wireless telecommunications industry will require us to anticipate and respond to the continuously changing demands of our customers, which we may not be able to do accurately or timely. If our new services fail to retain or gain acceptance in the marketplace or if costs associated with these services are higher than anticipated, this could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We could be harmed by data loss or other security breaches, whether directly or indirectly.
Our business, like that of most retailers and wireless companies, involves the receipt, storage, and transmission of our customers’ confidential information, including sensitive personal information and payment card information, confidential information about our employees and suppliers, and other sensitive information about our Company, such as our business plans, transactions and intellectual property (“Confidential Information”). Unauthorized access to Confidential Information may be difficult to anticipate, detect, or prevent, particularly given that the methods of unauthorized access constantly change and evolve. We are subject to the threat of unauthorized access or disclosure of Confidential Information by state-sponsored parties, malicious actors, third parties or employees, errors or breaches by third-party suppliers, or other security incidents that could compromise the confidentiality and integrity of Confidential Information. In August 2018, we notified affected customers of an incident involving unauthorized access to certain customer contact information (not involving credit card information, financial data, social security numbers or passwords). While we do not believe the August 2018 security incident was material, we expect to continue to be the target of cyber-attacks, data breaches, or security incidents, which may in the future have a material adverse effect on our business, reputation, financial condition, and operating results.
Cyber-attacks, such as denial of service and other malicious attacks, could disrupt our internal systems and applications, impair our ability to provide services to our customers, and have other adverse effects on our business and that of others who depend on our services. As a telecommunications carrier, we are considered a critical infrastructure provider and therefore may be more likely to be the target of such attacks. Such attacks against companies may be perpetrated by a variety of groups or persons, including those in jurisdictions where law enforcement measures to address such attacks are ineffective or unavailable, and such attacks may even be perpetrated by or at the behest of foreign governments.
In addition, we provide confidential, proprietary and personal information to third-party service providers as part of our business operations. These third-party service providers have experienced data breaches and other attacks that included unauthorized access to Confidential Information in the past, and face security challenges common to all parties that collect and process information. Past data breaches include a breach of the networks of one of our credit decisioning providers in
September 2015, during which a subset of records containing current and potential customer information was acquired by an external party.
Our procedures and safeguards to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive data and to defend against attacks seeking to disrupt our services must be continually evaluated and revised to address the ever-evolving threat landscape. We cannot make assurances that all preventive actions taken will adequately repel a significant attack or prevent information security breaches or the misuses of data, unauthorized access by third parties or employees, or exploits against third-party supplier environments. If we or our third-party suppliers are subject to such attacks or security breaches, we may incur significant costs or other material financial impact, which may not be covered by, or may exceed the coverage limits of, our cyber insurance, be subject to regulatory investigations, sanctions and private litigation, experience disruptions to our operations or suffer damage to our reputation. Any future cyber-attacks, data breaches, or security incidents may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
System failures and business disruptions may allow unauthorized use of or interference with our network and other systems which could materially adversely affect our reputation and financial condition.
To be successful, we must provide our customers with reliable, trustworthy service and protect the communications, location, and personal information shared or generated by our customers. We rely upon both our systems and networks and the systems and networks of other providers and suppliers to provide and support our services and, in some cases, protect our customers’ information and our information. Failure of our or others’ systems, networks, or infrastructure may prevent us from providing reliable service or may allow for the unauthorized use of or interference with our networks and other systems or for the compromise of customer information. Examples of these risks include:
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human error such as responding to deceptive communications or unintentionally executing malicious code;
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physical damage, power surges or outages, or equipment failure, including those as a result of severe weather, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, political instability and volatility, and acts of war;
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theft of customer and/or proprietary information offered for sale for competitive advantage or corporate extortion;
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unauthorized access to our IT and business systems or to our network and critical infrastructure and those of our suppliers and other providers;
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supplier failures or delays; and
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system failures or outages of our business systems or communications network.
Such events could cause us to lose customers, lose revenue, incur expenses, suffer reputational damage, and subject us to litigation or governmental investigation. Remediation costs could include liability for information loss, repairing infrastructure and systems, and/or costs of incentives offered to customers. Our insurance may not cover, or be adequate to fully reimburse us for, costs and losses associated with such events.
We are in the process of implementing a new billing system, which will support a portion of our subscribers, while maintaining our legacy billing system. Any unanticipated difficulties, disruption, or significant delays could have adverse operational, financial, and reputational effects on our business.
We are currently implementing a new customer billing system, which involves a new third-party supported platform and utilization of a phased deployment approach. Post implementation, we plan to operate both the existing and new billing systems in parallel to aid in the transition to the new system until all phases of the conversion are complete.
The implementation may cause major system or business disruptions, or we may fail to implement the new billing system in a timely or effective manner. In addition, the third-party billing services supporting vendor may experience errors, cyber-attacks, or other operational disruptions that could negatively impact us and over which we may have limited control. Interruptions and/or failure of this billing services system could disrupt our operations and impact our ability to provide or bill for our services, retain customers, attract new customers, or negatively impact overall customer experience. Any occurrence of the foregoing could cause material adverse effects on our operations and financial condition, material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, and reputational damage.
We rely on third parties to provide products and services for the operation of our business, and the failure or inability of such parties to provide these products or services could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We depend heavily on suppliers, their subcontractors, and other third parties for us to efficiently operate our business. Due to the complexity of our business, it is not unusual to engage a diverse set of suppliers to help us develop, maintain, and
troubleshoot products and services such as network components, software development services, and billing and customer service support. Some of our suppliers may provide services from outside of the United States, which carries additional regulatory and legal obligations. We commonly rely on suppliers to provide us with contractual assurances and to disclose accurate information regarding risks associated with their provision of products or services in accordance with our policies and standards, including our Supplier Code of Conduct and our third party-risk management practices. The failure of our suppliers to comply with our expectations and standards could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Many of the products and services we use are available through multiple sources and suppliers. However, there are a limited number of suppliers who can support or provide billing services, voice and data communications transport services, network infrastructure, equipment, handsets, other devices, and payment processing services, among other products and services. Disruptions or failure of such suppliers to adequately perform could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
In the past, our suppliers, contractors, service providers and third-party retailers may not have always performed at the levels we expected or at the levels required by their contracts. Our business could be severely disrupted if critical suppliers, contractors, service providers, or third-party retailers fail to comply with their contracts or become unable to continue providing goods or services. Our business could also be disrupted if we experience delays or service degradation during any transition to a new outsourcing provider or other supplier or if we are required to replace the supplied products or services with those from another source, especially if the replacement becomes necessary on short notice. Any such disruptions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Economic, political, and market conditions may adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results, as well as our access to financing on favorable terms or at all.
Our business, financial condition, and operating results are sensitive to changes in general economic conditions, including interest rates, consumer credit conditions, consumer debt levels, consumer confidence, rates of inflation (or concerns about deflation), unemployment rates, economic growth, energy costs, and other macro-economic factors. Difficult, or worsening, general economic conditions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Market volatility, political and economic uncertainty, and weak economic conditions, such as a recession or economic slowdown, may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results in a number of ways. Our services and device financing plans are available to a broad customer base, a significant segment of which may be more vulnerable to weak economic conditions, particularly our subprime customers. We may have greater difficulty in gaining new customers within this segment, and existing customers may be more likely to terminate service and default on device financing plans due to an inability to pay.
Weak economic conditions and credit conditions may also adversely impact our suppliers and dealers, some of which have filed for or may be considering bankruptcy, or may experience cash flow or liquidity problems, or are unable to obtain or refinance credit such that they may no longer be able to operate. Any of these could adversely impact our ability to distribute, market, or sell our products and services.
In addition, instability in the global financial markets could lead to periodic volatility in the credit, equity, and fixed income markets. This volatility could limit our access to the credit markets, leading to higher borrowing costs or, in some cases, the inability to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to us or at all.
The agreements governing our indebtedness and other financing arrangements include restrictive covenants that limit our operating flexibility.
The agreements governing our indebtedness and other financing arrangements impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us. These restrictions, subject in certain cases to customary baskets, exceptions, and incurrence-based ratio tests, may limit our or our subsidiaries’ ability to pursue strategic business opportunities and engage in certain transactions, including the following:
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incurring additional indebtedness and issuing preferred stock;
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paying dividends, redeeming capital stock, or making other restricted payments or investments;
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selling or buying assets, properties, or licenses;
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developing assets, properties, or licenses that we have or in the future may procure;
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creating liens on assets securing indebtedness or other obligations;
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participating in future FCC auctions of spectrum or private sales of spectrum;
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engaging in mergers, acquisitions, business combinations, or other transactions;
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entering into transactions with affiliates; and
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placing restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments.
These restrictions could limit our ability to obtain debt financing, engage in share repurchases, refinance or pay principal on our outstanding indebtedness, complete acquisitions for cash or indebtedness or react to business, economic, market and industry conditions and other changes in our operating environment or the economy. Any future indebtedness that we incur may contain similar or more restrictive covenants. Any failure to comply with the restrictions of our debt agreements and other financing arrangements may result in an event of default under these agreements, which in turn may result in defaults or acceleration of obligations under these and other agreements, giving our lenders the right to terminate any commitments they had made to provide us with further funds and to require us to repay all amounts then outstanding. Any of these events could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Our significant indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our ability to make payments on our debt, to repay our existing indebtedness when due, to fund our capital-intensive business and operations, and to make significant planned capital expenditures will depend on our ability to generate cash in the future, which is in turn subject to the operational risks described elsewhere in this report. Our debt service obligations could have material adverse effects on our business, financial condition, and operating results, including by:
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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or the communications industry or pursuing growth opportunities;
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reducing the amount of cash available for other operational or strategic needs; and
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placing us at a competitive disadvantage to competitors who are less leveraged than we are.
Some of our debt has a variable rate of interest linked to various indices and only some of our exposure is hedged. If the changes in indices result in interest rate increases, our debt service requirements will increase, which could adversely affect our cash flow and operating results. In particular, some or all of our variable-rate indebtedness may use the London Inter-Bank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or similar rates as a benchmark for establishing the rate. LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely or to perform differently than in the past. The consequence of these developments cannot be entirely predicted but could include an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness. In addition, any hedging agreements we have and may continue to enter into to limit our exposure to interest rate increases or foreign currency fluctuations may not offer complete protection from these risks or may be unsuccessful, and consequently may effectively increase the interest rate we pay on our debt or the exchange rate with respect to such debt, and any portion not subject to such hedging agreements would have full exposure to interest rate increases or foreign currency fluctuations, as applicable. If any financial institutions that are parties to our hedging agreements were to default on their payment obligations to us, declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, we would be unhedged against the underlying exposures. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Failure to maintain effective internal controls in accordance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could result in a loss of investor confidence regarding our financial statements or may have a material adverse effect on our business.
Under Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, we along with our independently registered public accounting firm are required to report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. We rely heavily on IT systems as an important part of our internal controls in order to operate, transact, and otherwise manage our business, as well as provide effective and timely reporting of our financial results. Failure to design and maintain effective internal controls, including those over our IT systems, could constitute a material weakness that could result in inaccurate financial statements, inaccurate disclosures, or failure to prevent fraud. If we or our independent registered public accounting firm were unable to conclude that we have effective internal control over financial reporting, investor confidence regarding our financial statements and our business could be materially adversely affected.
Our financial condition and operating results will be impaired if we experience high fraud rates related to device financing, credit cards, dealers, or subscriptions.
Our operating costs could increase substantially as a result of fraud, including device financing, customer credit card, subscription, or dealer fraud. If our fraud detection strategies and processes are not successful in detecting and controlling fraud, whether directly or by way of the systems, processes, and operations of third parties such as national retailers, dealers, and others, the resulting loss of revenue or increased expenses could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and operating results.
We rely on highly-skilled personnel throughout all levels of our business. Our business could be harmed if we are unable to retain or motivate key personnel, hire qualified personnel or maintain our corporate culture.
The market for highly-skilled workers and leaders in our industry is extremely competitive. We believe that our future success depends in substantial part on our ability to recruit, hire, motivate, develop, and retain talented and highly-skilled personnel for all areas of our organization. Doing so may be difficult due to many factors, including fluctuations in economic and industry conditions, changes to U.S. immigration policy, competitors’ hiring practices, employee tolerance for the significant amount of change within and demands on our Company and our industry, and the effectiveness of our compensation programs. Our continued ability to compete effectively depends on our ability to retain and motivate our existing employees and to attract new employees. If we do not succeed in retaining and motivating our existing key employees and attracting new key personnel, we may not be able to meet our business plan and, as a result, our revenue growth and profitability may be materially adversely affected.
Any acquisition, investment, or merger may subject us to significant risks, any of which may harm our business.
We may pursue acquisitions of, investments in or mergers with businesses, technologies, services and/or products that complement or expand our business. Some of these potential transactions could be significant relative to the size of our business and operations. Any such transaction would involve a number of risks and could present financial, managerial and operational challenges, including:
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diversion of management attention from running our existing business;
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increased costs to integrate the networks, spectrum, technology, personnel, customer base and business practices of the business involved in any such transaction with our business;
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difficulties in effectively integrating the financial and operational systems of the business involved in any such transaction into (or supplanting such systems with) our financial and operational reporting infrastructure and internal control framework in an effective and timely manner;
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potential exposure to material liabilities not discovered in the due diligence process or as a result of any litigation arising in connection with any such transaction;
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significant transaction expenses in connection with any such transaction, whether consummated or not;
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risks related to our ability to obtain any required regulatory approvals necessary to consummate any such transaction;
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acquisition financing may not be available on reasonable terms or at all and any such financing could significantly increase our outstanding indebtedness or otherwise affect our capital structure or credit ratings; and
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any business, technology, service, or product involved in any such transaction may significantly under-perform relative to our expectations, and we may not achieve the benefits we expect from the transaction, which could, among other things, also result in a write-down of goodwill and other intangible assets associated with such transaction.
For any or all of these reasons, our pursuit of an acquisition, investment, or merger may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Risks Related to Legal and Regulatory Matters
Changes in regulations or in the regulatory framework under which we operate could adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
The FCC regulates the licensing, construction, modification, operation, ownership, sale, and interconnection of wireless communication systems, as do some state and local regulatory agencies. In particular, the FCC imposes significant regulation on licensees of wireless spectrum with respect to how radio spectrum is used by licensees, the nature of the services that licensees may offer and how the services may be offered, and the resolution of issues of interference between spectrum bands. Additionally, the FTC and other federal and state agencies have asserted that they have jurisdiction over some consumer protection, and elimination and prevention of anticompetitive business practices with respect to the provision of wireless
products and services. We are subject to regulatory oversight by various federal, state and local agencies, as well as judicial review and actions, on issues related to the wireless industry that include, but are not limited to: roaming, interconnection, spectrum allocation and licensing, facilities siting, pole attachments, intercarrier compensation, Universal Service Fund (“USF”), net neutrality, 911 services, consumer protection, consumer privacy, and cybersecurity. We are also subject to regulations in connection with other aspects of our business, including handset financing and insurance activities.
We cannot assure you that the FCC or any other federal, state or local agencies will not adopt regulations or take enforcement or other actions that would adversely affect our business, impose new costs, or require changes in current or planned operations. For example, under the Obama administration, the FCC established net neutrality and privacy regimes that applied to our operations. Both sets of rules potentially subjected some of our initiatives and practices to more burdensome requirements and heightened scrutiny by federal and state regulators, the public, edge providers, and private litigants regarding whether such initiatives or practices are compliant. While the FCC rules are now largely rolled back under the Trump administration, some state legislators and regulators are seeking to replace them with state laws, perpetuating uncertainty regarding the regulatory environment around these issues.
In addition, states are increasingly focused on the quality of service and support that wireless communication providers provide to their customers and several states have proposed or enacted new and potentially burdensome regulations in this area. We also face potential investigations by, and inquiries from or actions by state public utility commissions. We also cannot assure you that Congress will not amend the Communications Act, from which the FCC obtains its authority, and which serves to limit state authority, or enact other legislation in a manner that could be adverse to our business. Additionally, California passed the California Consumer Privacy Act (the “CCPA”) in June 2018, putting into place new data privacy rights for consumers, effective in January 2020. Legislators have stated that they intend to propose amendments to the CCPA before it goes into effect, and it remains unclear what, if any, modifications will be made to this legislation or how it will be interpreted. We will likely have to incur significant implementation costs to ensure compliance with the CCPA, and we could see increased litigation costs once the law goes into effect. If we are unable to put proper controls and procedures in place to ensure compliance, it could have an adverse effect on our business. Other states are considering similar legislation, which, if passed, could create more risks and potential costs for us.
Failure to comply with applicable regulations could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results. We could be subject to fines, forfeitures, and other penalties (including, in extreme cases, revocation of our spectrum licenses) for failure to comply with FCC or other governmental regulations, even if any such non-compliance was unintentional. The loss of any licenses, or any related fines or forfeitures, could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Unfavorable outcomes of legal proceedings may adversely affect our business, financial condition and operating results.
We are regularly involved in a number of legal proceedings before various state and federal courts, the FCC, the FTC, other federal agencies, and state and local regulatory agencies, including state attorneys general. Such legal proceedings can be complex, costly, and highly disruptive to our business operations by diverting the attention and energy of management and other key personnel. The assessment of the outcome of legal proceedings, including our potential liability, if any, is a highly subjective process that requires judgments about future events that are not within our control. The amounts ultimately received or paid upon settlement or pursuant to final judgment, order or decree may differ materially from amounts accrued in our financial statements. In addition, litigation or similar proceedings could impose restraints on our current or future manner of doing business. Such potential outcomes including judgments, awards, settlements or orders could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
We offer highly regulated financial services products. These products expose us to a wide variety of state and federal regulations.
The financing of devices, through our EIP and JUMP! On Demand programs, has expanded our regulatory compliance obligations. Failure to remain compliant with applicable regulations, may increase our risk exposure in the following areas:
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consumer complaints and potential examinations or enforcement actions by federal and state regulatory agencies, including but not limited to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, state attorneys general, the FCC and the FTC; and
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regulatory fines, penalties, enforcement actions, civil litigation, and/or class action lawsuits.
Failure to comply with applicable regulations and the realization of any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
We may not be able to adequately protect the intellectual property rights on which our business depends or may be accused of infringing intellectual property rights of third parties.
We rely on a combination of patent, service mark, trademark, and trade secret laws and contractual restrictions to establish and protect our proprietary rights, all of which offer only limited protection. The steps we have taken to protect our intellectual property may not prevent the misappropriation of our proprietary rights. We may not have the ability in certain jurisdictions to adequately protect intellectual property rights. Moreover, others may independently develop processes and technologies that are competitive to ours. Also, we may not be able to discover or determine the extent of any unauthorized use of our proprietary rights. Unauthorized use of our intellectual property rights may increase the cost of protecting these rights or reduce our revenues. We cannot be sure that any legal actions against such infringers will be successful, even when our rights have been infringed. We cannot assure you that our pending or future patent applications will be granted or enforceable, or that the rights granted under any patent that may be issued will provide us with any competitive advantages. In addition, we cannot assure you that any trademark or service mark registrations will be issued with respect to pending or future applications or will provide adequate protection of our brands. We do not have insurance coverage for intellectual property losses, and as such, a charge for an anticipated settlement or an adverse ruling awarding damages represents an unplanned loss event. Any of these factors could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Third parties may claim we infringe their intellectual property rights. We are a defendant in numerous intellectual property lawsuits, including patent infringement lawsuits, which exposes us to the risk of adverse financial impact either by way of significant settlement amounts or damage awards. As we adopt new technologies and new business systems and provide customers with new products and/or services, we may face additional infringement claims. These claims could require us to cease certain activities or to cease selling relevant products and services. These claims can be time-consuming and costly to defend, and divert management resources, and expose us to significant damages awards or settlements, any or all of which could have a material adverse effect on our operations and financial condition. In addition to litigation directly involving our Company, our vendors and suppliers can be threatened with patent litigation and/or subjected to the threat of disruption or blockage of sale, use, or importation of products, posing the risk of supply chain interruption to particular products and associated services which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our business may be impacted by new or amended tax laws or regulations, judicial interpretations of same or administrative actions by federal, state, and/or local taxing authorities.
In connection with the products and services we sell, we calculate, collect, and remit various federal, state, and local taxes, fees and regulatory charges (“tax” or “taxes”) to numerous federal, state and local governmental authorities, including federal USF contributions and common carrier regulatory fees. In addition, we incur and pay state and local taxes and fees on purchases of goods and services used in our business.
Tax laws are dynamic and subject to change as new laws are passed and new interpretations of the law are issued or applied. In many cases, the application of existing, newly enacted or amended tax laws (such as the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017) may be uncertain and subject to differing interpretations, especially when evaluated against new technologies and telecommunications services, such as broadband internet access and cloud related services. Changes in tax laws could also impact revenue reported on tax inclusive plans.
In the event that we have incorrectly described, disclosed, determined, calculated, assessed, or remitted amounts that were due to governmental authorities, we could be subject to additional taxes, fines, penalties, or other adverse actions, which could materially impact our business, financial condition and operating results. In the event that federal, state, and/or local municipalities were to significantly increase taxes on our network, operations, or services, or seek to impose new taxes, it could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Our wireless licenses are subject to renewal and may be revoked in the event that we violate applicable laws.
Our existing wireless licenses are subject to renewal upon the expiration of the 10-year or 15-year period for which they are granted. Historically, the FCC has approved our license renewal applications. However, the Communications Act provides that licenses may be revoked for cause and license renewal applications denied if the FCC determines that a renewal would not serve the public interest. In addition, our licenses are subject to our compliance with the terms set forth in the agreement pertaining to national security among us, DT, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security. The failure of DT or the Company to comply with the terms of this agreement could result in fines, injunctions and other penalties, including potential revocation or non-renewal of our spectrum licenses. If we fail to timely file to renew any wireless license or fail to meet any regulatory requirements for renewal, including construction and
substantial service requirements, we could be denied a license renewal. Many of our wireless licenses are subject to interim or final construction requirements and there is no guarantee that the FCC will find our construction, or the construction of prior licensees, sufficient to meet the build-out or renewal requirements. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that the FCC will renew our wireless licenses upon their expiration. If any of our wireless licenses were to be revoked or not renewed upon expiration, we would not be permitted to provide services under that license, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and operating results.
Our business could be adversely affected by findings of product liability for health or safety risks from wireless devices and transmission equipment, as well as by changes to regulations or radio frequency emission standards.
We do not manufacture the devices or other equipment that we sell, and we depend on our suppliers to provide defect-free and safe equipment. Suppliers are required by applicable law to manufacture their devices to meet certain governmentally imposed safety criteria. However, even if the devices we sell meet the regulatory safety criteria, we could be held liable with the equipment manufacturers and suppliers for any harm caused by products we sell if such products are later found to have design or manufacturing defects. We generally seek to enter into indemnification agreements with the manufacturers who supply us with devices to protect us from losses associated with product liability, but we cannot guarantee that we will be fully protected against all losses associated with a product that is found to be defective.
Allegations have been made that the use of wireless handsets and wireless transmission equipment, such as cell towers, may be linked to various health concerns, including cancer and brain tumors. Lawsuits have been filed against manufacturers and carriers in the industry claiming damages for alleged health problems arising from the use of wireless handsets. In addition, the FCC has from time to time gathered data regarding wireless handset emissions and its assessment of this issue may evolve based on its findings. The media has also reported incidents of handset battery malfunction, including reports of batteries that have overheated. These allegations may lead to changes in regulatory standards. There have also been other allegations regarding wireless technology, including allegations that wireless handset emissions may interfere with various electronic medical devices (including hearing aids and pacemakers), airbags and anti-lock brakes. Defects in the products of our suppliers, such as the 2016 recall by a handset original equipment manufacturer on one of its smartphone devices, could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Additionally, there are safety risks associated with the use of wireless devices while operating vehicles or equipment. Concerns over any of these risks and the effect of any legislation, rules or regulations that have been and may be adopted in response to these risks could limit our ability to sell our wireless services.
Risks Related to Ownership of our Common Stock
We are controlled by DT, whose interests may differ from the interests of our other stockholders.
DT beneficially owns and possesses majority voting power of the fully diluted shares of our common stock. Through its control of the voting power of our common stock and the rights granted to DT in our certificate of incorporation and the Stockholder’s Agreement, DT controls the election of our directors and all other matters requiring the approval of our stockholders. By virtue of DT’s voting control, we are a “controlled company,” as defined in The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (“NASDAQ”) listing rules, and are not subject to NASDAQ requirements that would otherwise require us to have a majority of independent directors, a nominating committee composed solely of independent directors or a compensation committee composed solely of independent directors. Accordingly, our stockholders will not be afforded the same protections generally as stockholders of other NASDAQ-listed companies with respect to corporate governance for so long as we rely on these exemptions from the corporate governance requirements.
In addition, our certificate of incorporation and the Stockholder’s Agreement restrict us from taking certain actions without DT’s prior written consent as long as DT beneficially owns 30% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock, including:
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the incurrence of debt (excluding certain permitted debt) if our consolidated ratio of debt to cash flow, as defined in the indenture dated April 28, 2013, for the most recently ended four full fiscal quarters for which financial statements are available would exceed 5.25 to 1.0 on a pro forma basis;
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the acquisition of any business, debt or equity interests, operations or assets of any person for consideration in excess of $1.0 billion;
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the sale of any of our or our subsidiaries’ divisions, businesses, operations or equity interests for consideration in excess of $1.0 billion;
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the incurrence of secured debt (excluding certain permitted secured debt);
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any change in the size of our Board of Directors;
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the issuances of equity securities in excess of 10% of our outstanding shares or to repurchase debt held by DT;
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the repurchase or redemption of equity securities or the declaration of extraordinary or in-kind dividends or distributions other than on a pro rata basis; and
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the termination or hiring of our chief executive officer.
These restrictions could prevent us from taking actions that our Board of Directors may otherwise determine are in the best interests of the Company and our stockholders or that may be in the best interests of our other stockholders.
DT effectively has control over all matters submitted to our stockholders for approval, including the election or removal of directors, changes to our certificate of incorporation, a sale or merger of our Company and other transactions requiring stockholder approval under Delaware law. DT’s controlling interest may have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire, or discouraging a third party from seeking to acquire, the Company. DT may have strategic, financial, or other interests different from our other stockholders, including as the holder of a substantial amount of our indebtedness and as the counter-party in a number of commercial arrangements, and may make decisions adverse to the interests of our other stockholders.
In addition, we license certain trademarks from DT, including the right to use the trademark “T-Mobile” as a name for the Company and our flagship brand, under a trademark license agreement with DT. As described in more detail in our proxy statement under the heading “Transactions with Related Persons and Approval”, we are obligated under the trademark license agreement to pay DT a royalty in an amount equal to 0.25%, which we refer to as the royalty rate, of the net revenue (as defined in the trademark license) generated by products and services we sell under the licensed trademarks. The trademark license agreement includes a royalty rate adjustment mechanism that would have occurred in early 2018 and potentially resulted in a new royalty rate effective in January 2019. The license agreement includes a royalty rate adjustment mechanism that has been postponed until the conclusion of the proposed Sprint Merger. The current royalty rate will remain effective until that time. The royalty rate under the license agreement will be adjusted retroactively if the Business Combination Agreement is terminated. We also have the right to terminate the trademark license upon one year’s prior notice. An increase in the royalty rate or termination of the trademark license could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
Future sales or issuances of our common stock, including sales by DT, could have a negative impact on our stock price.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, that market sales of shares or the availability of shares of our common stock will have on the prevailing trading price of our common stock from time to time. Sales or issuances of a substantial number of shares of our common stock could cause our stock price to decline and could result in dilution of your shares.
We and DT are parties to the Stockholder’s Agreement pursuant to which DT is free to transfer its shares in public sales without notice, as long as such transactions would not result in the transferee owning 30% or more of the outstanding shares of our common stock. If a transfer would exceed the 30% threshold, it is prohibited unless the transferee makes a binding offer to purchase all of the other outstanding shares on the same price and terms. The Stockholder’s Agreement does not otherwise impose any other restrictions on the sales of common stock by DT. Moreover, we have filed a shelf registration statement with respect to the common stock and certain debt securities held by DT, which would facilitate the resale by DT of all or any portion of the shares of our common stock it holds. The sale of shares of our common stock by DT (other than in transactions involving the purchase of all of our outstanding shares) could significantly increase the number of shares available in the market, which could cause a decrease in our stock price. In addition, even if DT does not sell a large number of its shares into the market, its right to transfer a large number of shares into the market may depress our stock price.
Our stock price may be volatile and may fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our business, financial condition and operating results.
The trading prices of the securities of communications companies historically have been highly volatile, and the trading price of our common stock may be subject to wide fluctuations. Our stock price may fluctuate in reaction to a number of events and factors that may include, among other things:
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our or our competitors’ actual or anticipated operating and financial results;
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introduction of new products and services by us or our competitors or changes in service plans or pricing by us or our competitors;
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analyst projections, predictions and forecasts, analyst target prices for our securities and changes in, or our failure to meet, securities analysts’ expectations;
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transaction in our common stock by major investors;
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share repurchases by us or purchases by DT;
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DT’s financial performance, results of operation, or actions implied or taken by DT;
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entry of new competitors into our markets or perceptions of increased price competition, including a price war;
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our performance, including subscriber growth, and our financial and operational metric performance;
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market perceptions relating to our services, network, handsets, and deployment of our LTE platform and our access to iconic handsets, services, applications, or content;
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market perceptions of the wireless communications industry and valuation models for us and the industry;
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conditions or trends in the Internet and the industry sectors in which we operate;
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changes in our credit rating or future prospects;
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changes in interest rates;
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changes in our capital structure, including issuance of additional debt or equity to the public;
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the availability or perceived availability of additional capital in general and our access to such capital;
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actual or anticipated consolidation, or other strategic mergers or acquisition activities involving us or our competitors, or other participants in related or adjacent industries, or market speculations regarding such activities, including the pending Merger and views of market participants regarding the likelihood the conditions to the Merger will be satisfied and the anticipated benefits of the Merger will be realized;
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disruptions of our operations or service providers or other vendors necessary to our network operations;
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the general state of the U.S. and world politics and economies; and
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availability of additional spectrum, whether by the announcement, commencement, bidding and closing of auctions for new spectrum or the acquisition of companies that own spectrum, and the extent to which we or our competitors succeed in acquiring additional spectrum.
In addition, the stock market has been volatile in the recent past and has experienced significant price and volume fluctuations, which may continue for the foreseeable future. This volatility has had a significant impact on the trading price of securities issued by many companies, including companies in the communications industry. These changes frequently occur irrespective of the operating performance of the affected companies. Hence, the trading price of our common stock could fluctuate based upon factors that have little or nothing to do with our business, financial condition and operating results.
We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future.
We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our credit facilities and the indentures and supplemental indentures governing our long-term debt to affiliates and third parties contain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our common stock. We currently intend to use future earnings, if any, to invest in our business and to fund our previously authorized stock repurchase program if the Merger fails to close.
Our previously announced stock repurchase program, and any subsequent stock purchase program put in place from time to time, could affect the price of our common stock, increase the volatility of our common stock and could diminish our cash reserves. Such repurchase program may be suspended or terminated at any time, which may result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.
We may have in place from time to time, a stock repurchase program. Any such stock repurchase program adopted will not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares of common stock and may be suspended or discontinued at any time, which could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. The timing and actual number of shares repurchased under any such stock repurchase program depends on a variety of factors including the timing of open trading windows, the price of our common stock, corporate and regulatory requirements and other market conditions. We may effect repurchases under any stock repurchase program from time to time in the open market, in privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, including accelerated stock repurchase arrangements. Repurchases pursuant to any such stock repurchase program could affect our stock price and increase its volatility. The existence of a stock repurchase program could also cause our stock price to be higher than it would be in the absence of such a program and could potentially reduce the market liquidity for our stock. There can be no assurance that any stock repurchases will enhance stockholder value because the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of common stock. Although our stock repurchase program is intended to enhance stockholder value, short-term stock price fluctuations could reduce the program’s effectiveness. Additionally, our share repurchase program could diminish our cash reserves, which may impact our ability to finance future growth and to pursue possible future strategic opportunities and acquisitions. See Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II of this Form 10-K for further information.
Risks Related to the Proposed Transactions
The closing of the Transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including the receipt of approvals from various governmental entities, which may not approve the Transactions, may delay the approvals for, or may impose conditions or restrictions on, jeopardize or delay completion of, or reduce or delay the anticipated benefits of, the Transactions, and if these conditions are not satisfied or waived, the Transactions will not be completed.
The completion of the Transactions is subject to a number of conditions, including, among others, obtaining certain governmental authorizations, consents, orders or other approvals, including the expiration or termination of applicable waiting periods under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, the receipt of required approvals from the FCC and any state and territorial public utility commissions or similar state and foreign regulatory bodies, and the absence of any injunction prohibiting the Transactions or any legal requirements enacted by a court or other governmental entity preventing the completion of the Transactions. There is no assurance that these required authorizations, consents, orders or other approvals will be obtained or that they will be obtained in a timely manner, or whether they will be subject to required actions, conditions, limitations or restrictions on the combined company’s business, operations or assets. If any such required actions, conditions, limitations or restrictions are imposed, they may jeopardize or delay completion of the Transactions, reduce or delay the anticipated benefits of the Transactions or allow the parties to the Business Combination Agreement to terminate the Business Combination Agreement, which could result in a material adverse effect on our or the combined company’s business, financial condition or operating results. In addition, the completion of the Transactions is also subject to T-Mobile USA having specified minimum credit ratings on the closing date of the Transactions (after giving effect to the Merger) from at least two of three specified credit rating agencies, subject to certain qualifications. In the event that we terminate the Business Combination Agreement in connection with a failure to satisfy the closing condition related to the specified minimum credit ratings, then in certain circumstances, we may be required to pay Sprint an amount equal to $600 million. If the Transactions are not completed by April 29, 2019 (subject to extension to July 29, 2019, and further extension to October 29, 2019, if the only conditions not satisfied or waived (other than those conditions that by their terms are to be satisfied at the closing, which conditions are then capable of being satisfied) are conditions relating to the required regulatory and other governmental consents and the absence of restraints), either we or Sprint may terminate the Business Combination Agreement. The Business Combination Agreement may also be terminated if the other conditions to closing are not satisfied, and we and Sprint may also mutually decide to terminate the Business Combination Agreement.
Failure to complete the Merger could negatively impact us and our business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition or results of operations.
If the Merger is not completed for any reason, we may be subject to a number of material risks. The price of our common stock may decline to the extent that its current market price reflects a market assumption that the Merger will be completed. In addition, some costs related to the Transactions must be paid by us whether or not the Transactions are completed. Furthermore, we may experience negative reactions from our stockholders, customers, employees, suppliers, distributors, retailers, dealers and others who deal with us, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, it is expected that if the Merger is not completed, we will continue to lack the network, scale and financial resources of the current market share leaders in, and other companies that have more recently begun providing, wireless services. Further, if the Merger is not completed, it is expected that we will not be able to deploy a nationwide 5G network on the same scale and on the same timeline as the combined company, and therefore will continue to be limited in their respective abilities to compete effectively in the 5G era.
We are subject to various uncertainties, including litigation and contractual restrictions and requirements while the Transactions are pending that could disrupt our or the combined company’s business and adversely affect our or the combined company’s business, assets, liabilities, prospects, outlook, financial condition and results of operations.
Uncertainty about the effect of the Transactions on employees, customers, suppliers, vendors, distributors, dealers and retailers may have an adverse effect on us or the combined company. These uncertainties may impair the ability to attract, retain and motivate key personnel during the pendency of the Transactions and, if the Transactions are completed, for a period of time thereafter, as existing and prospective employees may experience uncertainty about their future roles with the combined company. If key employees depart because of issues related to the uncertainty and difficulty of integration or a desire not to remain with the combined company, the combined company’s business following the completion of the Transactions could be negatively impacted. We or the combined company may have to incur significant costs in identifying, hiring and retaining replacements for departing employees and may lose significant expertise and talent. Additionally, these uncertainties could cause customers, suppliers, distributors, dealers, retailers and others to seek to change or cancel existing business relationships
with us or the combined company or fail to renew existing relationships. Suppliers, distributors and content and application providers may also delay or cease developing for us or the combined company new products that are necessary for the operations of its business due to the uncertainty created by the Transactions. Competitors may also target our existing customers by highlighting potential uncertainties and integration difficulties that may result from the Transactions.
The Business Combination Agreement also restricts us, without Sprint’s consent, from taking certain actions outside of the ordinary course of business while the Transactions are pending, including, among other things, certain acquisitions or dispositions of businesses and assets, entering into or amending certain contracts, repurchasing or issuing securities, making capital expenditures and incurring indebtedness, in each case subject to certain exceptions. These restrictions may have a significant negative impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Management and financial resources have been diverted and will continue to be diverted toward the completion of the Transactions. We have incurred, and expect to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional services and other transaction costs in connection with the Transactions. These costs could adversely affect our or the combined company’s financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, we and our affiliates are involved in various disputes, governmental and/or regulatory inspections, investigations and proceedings and litigation matters that arise from time to time, and it is possible that an unfavorable resolution of these matters could adversely affect us and our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows and the results of operations, financial condition and cash flows of the combined company.
The Business Combination Agreement contains provisions that restrict the ability of our Board to pursue alternatives to the Transactions.
The Business Combination Agreement contains non-solicitation provisions that restrict our ability to solicit, initiate, knowingly encourage or knowingly take any other action designed to facilitate, any inquiries regarding, or the making of, any proposal the completion of which would constitute an alternative transaction for purposes of the Business Combination Agreement. In addition, the Business Combination Agreement does not permit us to terminate the Business Combination Agreement in order to enter into an agreement providing for, or to complete, such an alternative transaction.
Our directors and officers may have interests in the Transactions different from the interests of our stockholders.
Certain of our directors and executive officers negotiated the terms of the Business Combination Agreement. Our directors and executive officers may have interests in the Transactions that are different from, or in addition to, those of our stockholders. These interests include, but are not limited to, the continued service of certain of our directors as directors of the combined company, the continued employment of certain of our executive officers by the combined company, severance agreements and amended employment terms and other rights held by our directors and executive officers, and provisions in the Business Combination Agreement regarding continued indemnification of and advancement of expenses to our directors and officers.
Risks Related to Integration and the Combined Company
Although we expect that the Transactions will result in synergies and other benefits, those synergies and benefits may not be realized or may not be realized within the expected time frame.
Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions will depend, to a large extent, on the combined company’s ability to integrate our and Sprint’s businesses in a manner that facilitates growth opportunities and achieves the projected standalone cost savings and revenue growth trends identified by each company without adversely affecting current revenues and investments in future growth. In addition, some of the anticipated synergies are not expected to occur for a significant time period following the completion of the Transactions and will require substantial capital expenditures in the near term to be fully realized. Even if the combined company is able to integrate the two companies successfully, the anticipated benefits of the Transactions, including the expected synergies and network benefits, may not be realized fully or at all or may take longer to realize than expected.
Our business and Sprint’s business may not be integrated successfully or such integration may be more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected. Operating costs, customer loss and business disruption, including difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, suppliers or vendors, may be greater than expected following the Transactions. Revenues following the Transactions may be lower than expected.
The combination of two independent businesses is complex, costly and time-consuming and may divert significant management attention and resources to combining our and Sprint’s business practices and operations. This process may disrupt
our business. The failure to meet the challenges involved in combining the two businesses and to realize the anticipated benefits of the Transactions could cause an interruption of, or a loss of momentum in, the activities of the combined company and could adversely affect the results of operations of the combined company. The overall combination of our and Sprint’s businesses may also result in material unanticipated problems, expenses, liabilities, competitive responses, and loss of customer and other business relationships. The difficulties of combining the operations of the companies include, among others:
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the diversion of management attention to integration matters;
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difficulties in integrating operations and systems, including intellectual property and communications systems, administrative and information technology infrastructure and financial reporting and internal control systems;
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challenges in conforming standards, controls, procedures and accounting and other policies, business cultures and compensation structures between the two companies;
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differences in control environments, cultures, and auditor expectations may result in future weaknesses and deficiencies while we work to integrate the companies and align guidelines and practices;
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alignment of key performance measurements may result in a greater need to communicate and manage clear expectations while we work to integrate the companies and align guidelines and practices;
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difficulties in integrating employees and attracting and retaining key personnel;
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challenges in retaining existing customers and obtaining new customers;
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difficulties in achieving anticipated cost savings, synergies, accretion targets, business opportunities, financing plans and growth prospects from the combination;
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difficulties in managing the expanded operations of a significantly larger and more complex company;
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the impact of the additional debt financing expected to be incurred in connection with the Transactions;
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the transition of management to the combined company management team, and the need to address possible differences in corporate cultures and management philosophies;
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contingent liabilities that are larger than expected; and
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potential unknown liabilities, adverse consequences and unforeseen increased expenses associated with the Transactions.
Some of these factors are outside of our control and/or will be outside the control of the combined company, and any one of them could result in lower revenues, higher costs and diversion of management time and energy, which could materially impact the business, financial condition and results of operations of the combined company. In addition, even if the operations of our and Sprint’s businesses are integrated successfully, the full benefits of the Merger may not be realized, including, among others, the synergies, cost savings or sales or growth opportunities that are expected. These benefits may not be achieved within the anticipated time frame or at all. Further, additional unanticipated costs may be incurred in the integration of our and Sprint’s businesses. All of these factors could cause dilution to the earnings per share of the combined company, decrease or delay the projected accretive effect of the Merger, and negatively impact the price of our common stock following the Merger. As a result, it cannot be assured that the combination of T-Mobile and Sprint will result in the realization of the full benefits expected from the Transactions within the anticipated time frames or at all.
The indebtedness of the combined company following the completion of the Transactions will be substantially greater than the indebtedness of each of T-Mobile and Sprint on a standalone basis prior to the execution of the Business Combination Agreement. This increased level of indebtedness could adversely affect the combined company’s business flexibility and increase its borrowing costs.
In connection with the Transactions, we and Sprint have conducted, and expect to conduct, certain pre-Merger financing transactions, which will be used in part to prepay a portion of our and Sprint’s existing indebtedness and to fund liquidity needs. After giving effect to the pre-Merger financing transactions and the Transactions, we anticipate that the combined company will have consolidated indebtedness of up to approximately $75.0 billion to $77.0 billion, based on estimated December 31, 2018 debt and cash balances and excluding tower obligations.
Our substantially increased indebtedness following the Transactions will have the effect, among other things, of reducing our flexibility to respond to changing business, economic, market and industry conditions and increasing the amount of cash required to meet interest payments. In addition, this increased level of indebtedness following the Transactions may reduce funds available to support efforts to combine our and Sprint’s businesses and realize the expected benefits of the Transactions, and may also reduce funds available for capital expenditures, share repurchases and other activities that may put the combined company at a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies with lower debt levels. Further, it may be necessary for the combined company to incur substantial additional indebtedness in the future, subject to the restrictions contained in its debt instruments, which could increase the risks associated with the capital structure of the combined company.
Because of the substantial indebtedness of the combined company following the completion of the Transactions, there is a risk that the combined company may not be able to service its debt obligations in accordance with their terms.
The ability of the combined company to service its substantial debt obligations following the Transactions will depend in part on future performance, which will be affected by business, economic, market and industry conditions and other factors, including the ability of the combined company to achieve the expected benefits of the Transactions. There is no guarantee that the combined company will be able to generate sufficient cash flow to service its debt obligations when due. If the combined company is unable to meet such obligations or fails to comply with the financial and other restrictive covenants contained in the agreements governing such debt obligations, it may be required to refinance all or part of its debt, sell important strategic assets at unfavorable prices or make additional borrowings. The combined company may not be able to, at any given time, refinance its debt, sell assets or make additional borrowings on commercially reasonable terms or at all, which could have a material adverse effect on its business, financial condition and results of operations after the Transactions.
Some or all of the combined company’s variable-rate indebtedness may use the LIBOR as a benchmark for establishing the rate. LIBOR is the subject of recent national, international and other regulatory guidance and proposals for reform. These reforms and other pressures may cause LIBOR to disappear entirely or to perform differently than in the past. The consequence of these developments cannot be entirely predicted, but could include an increase in the cost of our variable rate indebtedness. In addition, any hedging agreements we have and may continue to enter into to limit our exposure to interest rate increases or foreign currency fluctuations may not offer complete protection from these risks or may be unsuccessful, and consequently may effectively increase the interest rate we pay on our debt or the exchange rate with respect to such debt, and any portion not subject to such hedging agreements would have full exposure to interest rate increases or foreign currency fluctuations, as applicable. If any financial institutions that are parties to our hedging agreements were to default on their payment obligations to us, declare bankruptcy or become insolvent, we would be unhedged against the underlying exposures. Any of these risks could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
The agreements governing the combined company’s indebtedness and other financings will include restrictive covenants that limit the combined company’s operating flexibility.
The agreements governing the combined company’s indebtedness and other financings will impose material operating and financial restrictions on the combined company. These restrictions, subject in certain cases to customary baskets, exceptions and maintenance and incurrence-based financial tests, may limit the combined company’s ability to engage in transactions and pursue strategic business opportunities, including the following:
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incurring additional indebtedness and issuing preferred stock;
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paying dividends, redeeming capital stock or making other restricted payments or investments;
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selling or buying assets, properties or licenses;
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developing assets, properties or licenses which the combined company has or in the future may procure;
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creating liens on assets securing indebtedness or other obligations;
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participating in future FCC auctions of spectrum or private sales of spectrum;
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engaging in mergers, acquisitions, business combinations or other transactions;
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entering into transactions with affiliates; and
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placing restrictions on the ability of subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments.
These restrictions could limit the combined company’s ability to obtain debt financing, make share repurchases, refinance or pay principal on its outstanding indebtedness, complete acquisitions for cash or indebtedness or react to business, economic, market and industry conditions and other changes in its operating environment or the economy. Any future indebtedness that the combined company incurs may contain similar or more restrictive covenants. Any failure to comply with the restrictions of the combined company’s debt agreements may result in an event of default under these agreements, which in turn may result in defaults or acceleration of obligations under these and other agreements, giving the combined company’s lenders the right to terminate any commitments they had made to provide it with further funds and to require the combined company to repay all amounts then outstanding.
The financing of the Transactions is not assured.
Although we have received debt financing commitments from lenders to provide various financing arrangements to facilitate the Transactions, the obligation of the lenders to provide these facilities is subject to a number of conditions and the financing of the Transactions may not be obtained on the expected terms or at all.
In particular, we have received commitments for $30.0 billion in debt financing to fund the Transactions which is comprised of (i) a $4.0 billion secured revolving credit facility, (ii) a $7.0 billion term loan credit facility and (iii) a $19.0 billion secured bridge loan facility. Our reliance on the financing from the $19.0 billion secured bridge loan facility commitment is intended to be reduced through one or more secured note offerings or other long-term financings prior to the merger closing. However, there can be no assurance that we will be able to issue any such secured notes or other long-term financings on terms we find acceptable or at all, especially in light of the recent debt market volatility, in which case we may have to exercise some or all of the commitments under the secured bridge facility to fund the Transactions. Accordingly, the costs of financing for the Transactions may be higher than expected.
Credit rating downgrades could adversely affect the businesses, cash flows, financial condition and operating results of T-Mobile and, following the Transactions, the combined company.
Credit ratings impact the cost and availability of future borrowings, and, as a result, cost of capital. Our current ratings reflect each rating agency’s opinion of our financial strength, operating performance and ability to meet our debt obligations or, following the completion of the Transactions, obligations to the combined company’s obligors. Each rating agency reviews these ratings periodically and there can be no assurance that such ratings will be maintained in the future. A downgrade in the rating of us and/or Sprint could adversely affect the businesses, cash flows, financial condition and operating results of T-Mobile and, following the Transactions, the combined company.
We have incurred, and will incur, direct and indirect costs as a result of the Transactions.
We have incurred, and will incur, substantial expenses in connection with and as a result of completing the Transactions, and over a period of time following the completion of the Transactions, the combined company also expects to incur substantial expenses in connection with integrating and coordinating our and Sprint’s businesses, operations, policies and procedures. A portion of the transaction costs related to the Transactions will be incurred regardless of whether the Transactions are completed. While we have assumed that a certain level of transaction expenses will be incurred, factors beyond our control could affect the total amount or the timing of these expenses. Many of the expenses that will be incurred, by their nature, are difficult to estimate accurately. These expenses will exceed the costs historically borne by us. These costs could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations prior to the Transactions and the financial condition and results of operations of the combined company following the Transactions.
Item 1B.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2.
Item 2. Properties
As of December 31, 2018, our significant properties that we primarily lease and use in connection with switching centers, data centers, call centers and warehouses were as follows:
As of December 31, 2018, we primarily leased:
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Approximately 64,000 macro towers and 21,000 distributed antenna system and small cell sites.
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Approximately 2,200 T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile retail locations, including stores and kiosks ranging in size from approximately 100 square feet to 17,000 square feet.
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Office space totaling approximately 1,000,000 square feet for our corporate headquarters in Bellevue, Washington. In January 2019, we executed leases totaling approximately 170,000 additional square feet for our corporate headquarters. We use these offices for engineering and administrative purposes.
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Office space throughout the U.S., totaling approximately 1,700,000 square feet, for use by our regional offices primarily for administrative, engineering and sales purposes.
Item 3.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding certain legal proceedings in which we are involved.
Item 4.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
None.
PART II.
Item 5.
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Market Information
Our common stock is traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “TMUS.” As of December 31, 2018, there were 265 registered stockholders of record of our common stock, but we estimate the total number of stockholders to be much higher as a number of our shares are held by brokers or dealers for their customers in street name.
Performance Graph
The graph below compares the five-year cumulative total returns of T-Mobile, the S&P 500 index, the NASDAQ Composite index and the Dow Jones US Mobile Telecommunications TSM index. The graph tracks the performance of a $100 investment, with the reinvestment of all dividends, from December 31, 2013 to December 31, 2018.
The stock price performance included in this graph is not necessarily indicative of future stock price performance.
Item 6.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data are derived from our consolidated financial statements. The data below should be read together with Risk Factors included in Part I, Item 1A, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in Part II, Item 7
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
The objectives of our Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations (“MD&A”) are to provide users of our Consolidated Financial Statements with the following:
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A narrative explanation from the perspective of management of our financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, liquidity and certain other factors that may affect future results;
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Context to the financial statements; and
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Information that allows assessment of the likelihood that past performance is indicative of future performance.
Our MD&A is provided as a supplement to, and should be read together with, our audited Consolidated Financial Statements for the three years ended December 31, 2018, included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K. Except as expressly stated, the financial condition and results of operations discussed throughout our MD&A are those of T-Mobile US, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Business Overview
Un-carrier Strategy
We are the Un-carrier. Through our Un-carrier strategy, we’ve disrupted the wireless communication services industry by listening to our customers and providing them with added value and an exceptional experience, including implementing signature initiatives that changed the wireless industry forever. These Un-carrier initiatives include the following launched during 2018:
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In August 2018, we introduced Un-carrier Next, a new initiative that radically changes the structure of our customer service department and solves several significant pain points for customers. Postpaid customers will get directly through to a human when they call customer support, and that human will be one member of a “Team of Experts” devoted to that customer and other customers in their geographic region. No bots, no bouncing, no BS.
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Un-carrier Next also provided customers exclusive access to a free one-year Pandora Plus subscription via the T-Mobile Tuesdays App in August 2018. In addition, we announced an exclusive multi-year partnership with Live Nation, the world’s largest live entertainment company, giving Un-carrier customers rock star status at Live Nation amphitheater and arena concerts, including access to last-minute reserve seats in sold-out sections and discounted tickets.
In September 2018, in connection with the rebranding of our prepaid brand, MetroPCS, as Metro by T-Mobile, we introduced new unlimited rate plans with tiers that feature added benefits of Google One and Amazon Prime as well as an expanded selection of the latest and greatest smartphones. Gone are the outdated perceptions that prepaid service is synonymous with limited coverage, cheap flip phones or bad credit.
Our ability to acquire and retain branded customers is important to our business in the generation of revenues and we believe our Un-carrier strategy, along with ongoing network improvements, has been successful in attracting and retaining customers as evidenced by continued branded customer growth and improved branded postpaid phone and branded prepaid customer churn.
Proposed Sprint Transaction
On April 29, 2018, we entered into the Business Combination Agreement to merge with Sprint in an all-stock transaction at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.10256 shares of T-Mobile common stock for each share of Sprint common stock, or 9.75 shares of Sprint common stock for each share of T-Mobile common stock. The combined company will be named “T-Mobile” and, as a result of the Merger, is expected to be able to rapidly launch a nationwide 5G network, accelerate innovation and increase competition in the U.S. wireless, video and broadband industries. Immediately following the Merger, it is anticipated that DT and SoftBank Group Corp. will hold, directly or indirectly, on a fully diluted basis, approximately 41.7% and 27.4%, respectively, of the outstanding T-Mobile common stock, with the remaining approximately 30.9% of the outstanding T-Mobile common stock held by other stockholders, based on closing share prices and certain other assumptions as of December 31, 2018. The Merger is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. We expect to receive regulatory approval in the first half of 2019.
For more information regarding our Business Combination Agreement, see Note 2 - Business Combinations of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Acquisitions
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On January 1, 2018, we closed on our previously announced Unit Purchase Agreement to acquire the remaining equity in Iowa Wireless Services, LLC (“IWS”), a 54% owned unconsolidated subsidiary, for a purchase price of $25 million. We accounted for our acquisition of IWS as a business combination and recognized a bargain purchase gain of approximately $25 million as part of our purchase price allocation and a gain on our previously held equity interest of approximately $15 million in Other income, net in 2018.
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On January 22, 2018, we completed our acquisition of television innovator Layer3 TV for cash consideration of $318 million. Upon closing of the transaction, Layer3 TV became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary. Layer3 TV acquires and distributes digital entertainment programming primarily through the internet to residential customers, offering direct to home digital television and multi-channel video programming distribution services. This transaction represented an opportunity to acquire a complementary service to our existing wireless service to advance our video strategy. We accounted for the purchase of Layer3 TV as a business combination and recognized $218 million of goodwill as part of our purchase price allocation.
For more information regarding our acquisitions, see Note 2 - Business Combinations of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year
Revenue Recognition
On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new revenue standard. See Note 10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding the new revenue standard and Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.
The impact of our adoption of the new revenue standard is presented in Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements and in the following table which presents a comparison of selected financial information under both the new revenue standard and the previous revenue standard for the year ended December 31, 2018:
Statement of Cash Flows
On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new cash flow standard which impacted the presentation of our cash flows related to our beneficial interests in securitization transactions, which is the deferred purchase price, resulting in a reclassification of cash inflows from Operating activities to Investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The new cash flow standard also impacted the presentation of our cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, resulting in a reclassification of cash outflows from Operating activities to Financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We have applied the new cash flow standard retrospectively to all periods presented. For additional information regarding the new cash flow standard and the impact of our adoption, see “Selected Financial Data” and Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities.” The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard became effective for us, and we adopted the standard, on January 1, 2018. The standard requires the impact of adoption to be recorded to retained earnings under a modified retrospective approach. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Income Taxes
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Accounting for Income Taxes: Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The standard requires that the income tax impact of intra-entity sales and transfers of property, except for inventory, be recognized when the transfer occurs. The standard became effective for us, and we adopted the standard, on January 1, 2018. The standard requires any deferred taxes not yet recognized on intra-entity transfers to be recorded to retained earnings under a modified retrospective approach. The implementation of this standard did not have a material impact on our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Derivatives and Hedging
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvement to Accounting for Hedging Activities.” The standard modified the guidance for the designation and measurement of qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. We adopted this standard on October 1, 2018, and have applied the standard to hedging transactions prospectively.
Hurricane Impacts
During 2018, we recognized $61 million in costs related to hurricanes, including $36 million in incremental costs to maintain services primarily in Puerto Rico related to hurricanes that occurred in 2017 and $25 million related to hurricanes that occurred in 2018. Additional costs related to a hurricane that occurred in 2018 are expected to be immaterial in the first quarter of 2019.
During 2018, we received reimbursement payments from our insurance carriers of $307 million related to hurricanes, of which $93 million was previously accrued for as a receivable as of December 31, 2017.
We have accrued insurance recoveries related to a hurricane that occurred in 2018 of approximately $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as an offset to the costs incurred within Cost of services in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and as an increase to Other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table shows the impacts of hurricanes to our results, operating metrics and non-GAAP financial measures for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no significant hurricane impacts in 2016.
Results of Operations
Highlights for the years ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017
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Total revenues of $43.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $2.7 billion, or 7%, primarily driven by growth in service and equipment revenues as further discussed below.
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Service revenues of $32.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $1.8 billion, or 6%, primarily due to growth in our average branded customer base driven by the continued growth in existing and Greenfield markets including the growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials, along with lower churn, growth in connected devices and the success of our Metro by T-Mobile brand.
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Equipment revenues of $10.0 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $634 million, or 7%, primarily due to a higher average revenue per device sold and a positive impact from the new revenue standard of $393 million, partially offset by a decrease in the number of devices sold, excluding purchased leased devices, lower volumes of purchased leased devices at the end of the lease term and lower lease revenues.
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Operating income of $5.3 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $421 million, or 9%, primarily due to higher Total revenues, partially offset by higher Selling, general and administrative expenses, Depreciation and amortization, Cost of equipment sales, Cost of services and lower Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses. Operating income for the year ended December 31, 2018 included the positive impacts from the adoption of the new revenue standard of $398 million and from insurance reimbursements related to hurricanes, net of costs incurred, of $158 million as well as the negative impact of Costs associated with the Transactions of $196 million. Operating income also included gains on disposal of spectrum licenses of $235 million and the negative impact from hurricanes of $201 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
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Net income of $2.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 decreased $1.6 billion, or 36%, primarily due to higher Income tax (expense) benefit, partially offset by higher Operating income and lower Other income (expense), net. Net income for the year ended December 31, 2018 included the positive impacts from the adoption of the new revenue standard of $295 million and from insurance reimbursements related to hurricanes, net of costs, of $99 million as well as the negative impact of Costs associated with the Transactions of $180 million. Net income also included the negative impact from hurricanes of $130 million and net, after-tax gains on disposal of spectrum licenses of $174 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
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Adjusted EBITDA of $12.4 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $1.2 billion, or 11%, primarily due to higher Operating income driven by the factors described above. See “Performance Measures” for additional information.
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Net cash provided by operating activities of $3.9 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $68 million, or 2%. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information.
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Free Cash Flow of $3.6 billion for the year ended December 31, 2018 increased $827 million, or 30%. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources” for additional information.
Set forth below is a summary of our consolidated financial results:
NM - Not Meaningful
The following discussion and analysis is for the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the same period in 2017 unless otherwise stated.
Total revenues increased $2.7 billion, or 7%, as discussed below.
Branded postpaid revenues increased $1.4 billion, or 7%, primarily from:
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Higher average branded postpaid phone customers, primarily from growth in our customer base driven by the continued growth in existing and Greenfield markets including the growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials, along with lower churn; and
•
Higher average branded postpaid other customers; partially offset by
•
Lower branded postpaid phone Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”). See “Branded Postpaid Phone ARPU” in the “Performance Measures” section of this MD&A; and
•
The negative impact of the new revenue standard of $25 million, primarily due to the impact of certain promotions previously recognized as a reduction in equipment revenues now recognized as a reduction in branded postpaid revenues, partially offset by certain equipment revenues reclassified to branded postpaid revenues.
Branded prepaid revenues increased $218 million, or 2%, primarily from:
•
Higher average branded prepaid customers driven by the success of our Metro by T-Mobile brand; partially offset by
•
Lower branded prepaid ARPU. See “Branded Prepaid APRU” in the “Performance Measures” section of this MD&A; and
•
The negative impact of the new revenue standard of $10 million, primarily due to the impact of certain promotions previously recognized as a reduction in equipment revenues now recognized as a reduction in branded prepaid revenues.
Wholesale revenues increased $81 million, or 7%, primarily from the continued success of our MVNO partnerships.
Roaming and other service revenues increased $119 million, or 52%, primarily from an increase in international and domestic roaming revenues.
Equipment revenues increased $634 million, or 7%, primarily from:
•
An increase of $1.1 billion in device sales revenues, excluding purchased leased devices, primarily due to:
•
Higher average revenue per device sold due to an increase in the high-end device mix; and
•
A positive impact from the new revenue standard of $393 million primarily related to:
▪
Commission costs of $438 million previously recorded as a reduction in Equipment revenues now recorded as Selling, general and administrative expenses and certain promotions previously recorded as a reduction in Equipment revenues now recorded as a reduction in Service revenues; partially offset by
▪
Certain promotional bill credits now capitalized as contract assets and certain Equipment revenues now recognized as Service revenues; partially offset by
•
A 6% decrease in the number of devices sold, excluding purchased leased devices; partially offset by
•
A decrease of $310 million from lower volumes of purchased leased devices at the end of the lease term; and
•
A decrease of $185 million in lease revenues from JUMP! On Demand customers preferring affordable device options on leasing programs with lower monthly lease payments and shifting focus to our EIP financing option for high-end devices.
Under our JUMP! On Demand program, upon device upgrade or at lease end, customers must return or purchase their device. Revenue for purchased leased devices is recorded as equipment revenues when revenue is recognition criteria have been met.
Other revenues increased $240 million, or 22%, primarily due to revenue share agreements with third parties, the positive impact from $71 million in insurance reimbursements related to the hurricanes, and higher amortized imputed discount on EIP receivables due to continued growth in EIP sales.
Our operating expenses consist of the following categories:
•
Cost of services primarily includes costs directly attributable to providing wireless service through the operation of our network, including direct switch and cell site costs, such as rent, network access and transport costs, utilities, maintenance, associated labor costs, long distance costs, regulatory program costs, roaming fees paid to other carriers and data content costs. In addition, certain costs for customer appreciation programs are included in Cost of services.
•
Cost of equipment sales primarily includes costs of devices and accessories sold to customers and dealers, device costs to fulfill insurance and warranty claims, costs related to returned and purchased leased devices, write-downs of inventory related to shrinkage and obsolescence, and shipping and handling costs.
•
Selling, general and administrative primarily includes costs not directly attributable to providing wireless service for the operation of sales, customer care and corporate activities. These include commissions paid to dealers and retail employees for activations and upgrades, labor and facilities costs associated with retail sales force and administrative space, marketing and promotional costs, customer support and billing, bad debt expense, losses from sales of receivables and back office administrative support activities.
Operating expenses increased $2.3 billion, or 6%, primarily from higher Selling, general and administrative expenses, Depreciation and amortization expense, Cost of equipment sales, Cost of services, and lower Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses as discussed below.
Cost of services increased $207 million, or 3%, primarily from:
•
Higher lease, employee-related and repair and maintenance expenses associated with network expansion; and
•
The impact from the new revenue standard of $74 million primarily related to certain contract fulfillment costs reclassified to Cost of services from Selling, general and administrative expenses; partially offset by
•
Lower regulatory program costs; and
•
The positive impact from insurance reimbursements related to hurricanes, net of costs, of $76 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to costs incurred related to hurricanes, net of insurance recoveries, of $105 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Cost of equipment sales increased $439 million, or 4%, primarily from:
•
An increase of $947 million in device cost of equipment sales, excluding purchased leased devices, primarily due to:
•
A higher average cost per device sold, primarily due to an increase in the high-end device mix; partially offset by
•
A 6% decrease in the number of devices sold, excluding purchased lease devices. This increase was partially offset by
•
A decrease of $342 million in leased device cost of equipment sales, primarily from lower volumes of purchased leased devices at the end of the lease term; and
•
A decrease of $178 million primarily due to lower inventory adjustments and lower warranty program costs.
Under our JUMP! On Demand program, upon device upgrade or at the end of the lease term, customers must return or purchase their device. The cost of purchased leased devices is recorded as Cost of equipment sales. Returned devices transferred from Property and equipment, net are recorded as inventory and are valued at the lower of cost or market with any write-down to market recognized as Cost of equipment sales.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $902 million, or 7%, primarily from:
•
Higher employee-related costs and costs related to managed services;
•
Higher commissions driven by compensation structure and channel mix changes; and
•
Costs associated with the Transactions of $196 million; partially offset by
•
The positive impact from the new revenue standard of $96 million, primarily due to:
•
Capitalized commission costs in excess of the related amortization of $495 million; and
•
Certain contract fulfillment costs reclassified to Cost of services from Selling, general and administrative expenses partially offset by
•
Commission costs of $438 million previously recorded as a reduction in Equipment revenues now recognized in Selling, general and administrative expense;
•
Lower bad debt expense and losses from sales of receivables reflecting our ongoing focus on managing customer quality;
•
Lower promotional and advertising costs;
•
Lower handset repair services costs due to lower demand for repaired phones for the fulfillment of warranty and insurance claims following the introduction of the AppleCare+ Program in the third quarter of 2017; and
•
The positive impact from insurance reimbursements related to hurricanes, net of costs, of $12 million in the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to costs incurred related to hurricanes of $36 million for the year ended December 31, 2017.
Depreciation and amortization increased $502 million, or 8%, primarily from:
•
The continued build-out of our 4G LTE network and deployment of low band spectrum and 5G compatible radios; and
•
The implementation of the first component of our new billing system; partially offset by
•
Lower depreciation expense related to our JUMP! On Demand program resulting from an increase in the affordable device mix. Under our JUMP! On Demand program, the cost of a leased wireless device is depreciated to its estimated residual value over the period expected to provide utility to us.
Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses were $0 for the year ended December 31, 2018, as compared to $235 million for the year ended December 31, 2017, due to gains from spectrum license transactions with AT&T and Verizon in 2017.
Operating income, the components of which are discussed above, increased $421 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2018 and included:
•
The net positive impacts from the new revenue standard of $398 million; and
•
The positive impact from insurance reimbursements related to hurricanes, net of costs, of $158 million, compared to a negative impact of $201 million in the same period in 2017; partially offset by
•
Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses of $235 million in 2017. There were no gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in 2018; and
•
Costs associated with the Transactions of $196 million.
Interest expense decreased $276 million, or 25%, primarily from:
•
Redemption in April 2017 of aggregate principal amount of $6.8 billion of Senior Notes, with various interest rates and maturity dates;
•
Redemption in January 2018 of $1.0 billion of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022;
•
Redemption in April 2018 of aggregate principal amount of $2.4 billion of Senior Notes due 2023, with various interest rates and maturity dates; and
•
Increase in capitalized interest costs of $100 million primarily due to the build out of our network to utilize our 600 MHz spectrum licenses in the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017;
partially offset by
•
Issuance in March 2017 of aggregate principal amount of $1.5 billion of Senior Notes, with various interest rates and maturity dates;
•
Issuance in January 2018 of $1.0 billion of public 4.500% Senior Notes due 2026; and
•
Issuance in January 2018 of $1.5 billion of public 4.750% Senior Notes due 2028.
See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Interest expense to affiliates decreased $38 million, or 7%, primarily from:
•
A decrease from lower interest rates achieved through refinancing in April 2017 of a total of $2.5 billion of Senior Reset Notes;
•
A decrease from lower interest rates achieved through refinancing in April 2018 of a total of $2.5 billion of Senior Reset Notes; and
•
Increase in capitalized interest costs of $126 million primarily due to build out of our network to utilize our 600 MHz spectrum licenses in the year ended December 31, 2018, compared to the year ended December 31, 2017; partially offset by
•
Issuance in January 2017 of $4.0 billion of Incremental Secured Term Loan facility, which refinanced $1.98 billion of outstanding senior secured term loans;
•
Issuance in May 2017 of aggregate principal amount of $4.0 billion of Senior Notes, with various interest rates and maturity dates;
•
Issuance in April 2017 of aggregate principal amount of $3.0 billion of Senior Notes, with various interest rates and maturity dates; and
•
Issuance in September 2017 of aggregate principal amount of $500 million of 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027.
See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Other income (expense), net decreased $19 million, or 26%, primarily from:
•
A $30 million gain on sale of certain investments;
•
A $25 million bargain purchase gain as part of our purchase price allocation of the IWS acquisition; and
•
A $15 million gain on our previously held equity interest in IWS; partially offset by
•
A $36 million increase in losses on early redemption of debt, including:
◦
An $86 million loss on early redemption of $2.5 billion in DT Senior Reset Notes in April 2018; and
◦
A $32 million loss on early redemption of $1.0 billion of 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 in January 2018; partially offset by
◦
A $73 million net loss on early redemption of aggregate principal amount of $8.25 billion in Senior Notes, with various interest rates and maturity dates, during the year ended December 31, 2017; and
◦
A $13 million loss on refinancing of $1.98 billion of outstanding senior secured term loans in January 2017.
Income tax expense increased $2.4 billion, or 175%, primarily from:
•
The impact of the TCJA, which resulted in a net tax benefit of $2.2 billion in 2017, substantially due to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities; and
•
Higher income before taxes in 2018.
See Note 13 - Income Taxes of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Net income, the components of which are discussed above, decreased $1.6 billion, or 36%, and included:
•
The impact of the TCJA as discussed above;
•
Costs associated with the Transactions of $180 million; and
•
Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses of $174 million in 2017. There were no gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in 2018; partially offset by
•
The net positive impact from the new revenue standard of $295 million; and
•
Insurance reimbursements related to the hurricanes, net of costs, of $99 million, compared to costs of $130 million in the same period in 2017.
Guarantor Subsidiaries
The financial condition and results of operations of the Parent, Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries is substantially similar to our consolidated financial condition. The most significant components of the financial condition of our Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries were as follows:
NM - Not Meaningful
The most significant components of the results of operations of our Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries were as follows:
The change to the results of operations of our Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily from:
•
Higher Service revenues primarily due to an increase in activity of the non-guarantor subsidiary that provides device insurance, primarily driven by growth in our customer base and higher average revenue related to the new device protection product launched at the end of August 2018; partially offset by
•
Higher Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily due to operating costs from the non-guarantor Layer3 TV subsidiary acquired in the first quarter of 2018, an increase in customer notification expenses related to the new insurance product launched at the end of August 2018, and an increase in program expenses related to Apple Care Service Fees, partially offset by lower valuation losses in the non-guarantor subsidiary involved in the EIP sale arrangement; and
•
Higher Cost of equipment sales primarily due to an increase in higher cost devices used for device insurance claims fulfillment, partially offset by an increase in device liquidations and a decrease in device non-return fees charged to customers.
All other results of operations of the Parent, Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries are substantially similar to the Company’s consolidated results of operations. See Note 17 - Guarantor Financial Information of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Performance Measures
In managing our business and assessing financial performance, we supplement the information provided by our financial statements with other operating or statistical data and non-GAAP financial measures. These operating and financial measures are utilized by our management to evaluate our operating performance and, in certain cases, our ability to meet liquidity requirements. Although companies in the wireless industry may not define each of these measures in precisely the same way, we believe that these measures facilitate comparisons with other companies in the wireless industry on key operating and financial measures.
Total Customers
A customer is generally defined as a SIM number with a unique T-Mobile identifier which is associated with an account that generates revenue. Branded customers generally include customers that are qualified either for postpaid service utilizing phones, DIGITS or connected devices which includes tablets, wearables and SyncUp DRIVE, where they generally pay after receiving service, or prepaid service, where they generally pay in advance. Wholesale customers include M2M and MVNO customers that operate on our network but are managed by wholesale partners.
The following table sets forth the number of ending customers:
(1)
As a result of the acquisition of IWS, we included an adjustment of 13,000 branded postpaid phone and 4,000 branded prepaid IWS customers in our reported subscriber base as of January 1, 2018. Additionally, as a result of the acquisition of Layer3 TV, we included an adjustment of 5,000 branded prepaid customers in our reported subscriber base as of January 22, 2018.
(2)
During 2017, we retitled our “Branded postpaid mobile broadband customers” category to “Branded postpaid other customers” and reclassified 253,000 DIGITS customers from our “Branded postpaid phone customers” category for the second quarter of 2017, when the DIGITS product was released.
(3)
We believe current and future regulatory changes have made the Lifeline program offered by our wholesale partners uneconomical. We will continue to support our wholesale partners offering the Lifeline program, but have excluded the Lifeline customers from our reported wholesale subscriber base resulting in the removal of 4,528,000 reported wholesale customers in 2017.
(4)
As a result of the MVNO transaction, we included an adjustment of 1,365,000 branded postpaid phone customers and 326,000 branded prepaid customers to wholesale customers on September 1, 2016. Prospectively from September 1, 2016, net customer additions for these customers are included within wholesale customers.
Branded Customers
Total branded customers increased 4,941,000, or 8%, in 2018 primarily from:
•
Higher branded postpaid phone customers driven by the growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials and continued growth in existing and Greenfield markets, along with lower churn, partially offset by competitive activity;
•
Higher branded postpaid other customers primarily due to higher gross customer additions from wearables; and
•
Higher branded prepaid customers driven by the continued success of our Metro by T-Mobile brand due to promotional activities and rate plan offers.
Wholesale
Wholesale customers increased 2,125,000, or 15%, in 2018 primarily due to the continued success of our M2M and MVNO partnerships.
Net Customer Additions
The following table sets forth the number of net customer additions:
(1)
As a result of the acquisition of IWS and Layer3 TV, customer activity post acquisition was included in our net customer additions beginning in the first quarter of 2018.
(2)
During 2017, we retitled our “Branded postpaid mobile broadband customers” category to “Branded postpaid other customers” and included DIGITS customers and reclassified 253,000 DIGITS customer net additions from our “Branded postpaid phone customers” category for the second quarter of 2017, when the DIGITS product was released.
(3)
Net customer activity for Lifeline was excluded beginning in the second quarter of 2017, due to our determination based upon changes in the applicable government regulations that the Lifeline program offered by our wholesale partners is uneconomical.
Branded Customers
Total branded net customer additions increased 444,000, or 10%, in 2018 primarily from:
•
Higher branded postpaid other net customer additions primarily due to higher gross customer additions from wearables and lower churn, partially offset by lower gross customer additions from other connected devices; and
•
Higher branded postpaid phone net customer additions primarily due to lower churn and continued growth in existing and Greenfield markets including the growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials, partially offset by the impact from more aggressive service promotions and the launch of Un-carrier Next - All Unlimited with taxes and fees in the first quarter of 2017. These increases were partially offset by
•
Lower branded prepaid net customer additions primarily due to increased competitive activity, partially offset by lower migrations to branded postpaid plans.
Wholesale
Wholesale net customer additions increased 942,000, or 80%, in 2018 primarily due to lower deactivations driven by the removal of Lifeline program customers.
Customers Per Account
Customers per account is calculated by dividing the number of branded postpaid customers as of the end of the period by the number of branded postpaid accounts as of the end of the period. An account may include branded postpaid phone customers and branded postpaid other customers which includes DIGITS and connected devices such as tablets, wearables and SyncUp DRIVE. We believe branded postpaid customers per account provides management, investors and analysts with useful information to evaluate our branded postpaid customer base on a per account basis.
The following table sets forth the branded postpaid customers per account:
Branded postpaid customers per account increased 3% in 2018 primarily from continued growth of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials, promotional activities targeting families and the success of connected devices.
Churn
Churn represents the number of customers whose service was disconnected as a percentage of the average number of customers during the specified period. The number of customers whose service was disconnected is presented net of customers that subsequently have their service restored within a certain period of time. We believe that churn provides management, investors and analysts with useful information to evaluate customer retention and loyalty.
The following table sets forth the churn:
Branded postpaid phone churn decreased 17 basis points in 2018, primarily from increased customer satisfaction and loyalty from ongoing improvements to network quality, industry-leading customer service and the overall value of our offerings.
Branded prepaid churn decreased 8 basis points in 2018, primarily due to the continued impact from the optimization of our third-party distribution channels which was substantially completed during the first quarter of 2017, partially offset by higher deactivations from a growing customer base and increased competitive activity.
Average Revenue Per User, Average Billings Per User
Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) represents the average monthly service revenue earned from customers. We believe ARPU provides management, investors and analysts with useful information to assess and evaluate our service revenue realization per customer and assist in forecasting our future service revenues generated from our customer base. Branded postpaid phone ARPU excludes Branded postpaid other customers and related revenues which includes DIGITS and connected devices such as tablets, wearables and SyncUp DRIVE.
Average Billings Per User (“ABPU”) represents the average monthly customer billings, including monthly lease revenues and EIP billings before securitization, per customer. We believe Branded Postpaid ABPU was an important metric during the transition from classic plans to EIP based plans as it helped explain the customer billing relationship in a period which had shifts in customer billings from branded postpaid service revenues to equipment sales revenues. We believe the usefulness of ABPU to management, investors and analysts has decreased in recent periods as the remaining classic plan base is immaterial and Branded postpaid service revenue and Branded postpaid phone ARPU metrics in periods presented are now comparable. We therefore plan to discontinue reporting ABPU beginning with the quarter ending March 31, 2019.
The following tables illustrate the calculation of our operating measures ARPU and ABPU and reconcile these measures to the related service revenues:
Branded Postpaid Phone ARPU
Branded postpaid phone ARPU decreased $0.57, or 1%, in 2018 primarily due to:
•
The growing success of new customer segments and rate plans such as T-Mobile ONE Unlimited 55+, T-Mobile ONE Military, T-Mobile for Business and T-Mobile Essentials;
•
The ongoing growth in our Netflix offering, which totaled $0.35 for 2018 and decreased branded postpaid phone ARPU by $0.32 compared to full-year 2017;
•
A reduction in certain non-recurring charges;
•
The negative impact of the new revenue standard of $0.05; partially offset by
•
A net reduction in promotional activities.
We continue to expect that Branded postpaid phone ARPU in full-year 2019 will be generally stable compared to full-year 2018.
Branded Postpaid ABPU
Branded postpaid ABPU decreased $2.05, or 3%, in 2018 primarily from:
•
Lower branded postpaid phone ARPU;
•
Lower lease revenues; and
•
Growth in the branded postpaid other customer base with a lower ARPU than branded postpaid phone.
Branded Prepaid ARPU
Branded prepaid ARPU decreased $0.16 in 2018 primarily from dilution from promotional rate plans, partially offset by the continued growth of Metro by T-Mobile customers.
Adjusted EBITDA
Adjusted EBITDA represents earnings before Interest expense, net of Interest income, Income tax expense, Depreciation and amortization, non-cash Stock-based compensation and certain income and expenses not reflective of our operating performance. Net income margin represents Net income divided by Service revenues. Adjusted EBITDA margin represents Adjusted EBITDA divided by Service revenues.
Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure utilized by our management to monitor the financial performance of our operations. We use Adjusted EBITDA internally as a measure 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 believes analysts and investors use Adjusted EBITDA as a supplemental measure to evaluate overall operating performance and facilitate comparisons with other wireless communications companies because it is indicative of our ongoing operating performance and trends by excluding the impact of interest expense from financing, non-cash depreciation and amortization from capital investments, non-cash stock-based compensation, network decommissioning costs and costs related to the Transactions, as they are not indicative of our ongoing operating performance, as well as certain other nonrecurring income and expenses. 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 U.S. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).
The following table illustrates the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA and reconciles Adjusted EBITDA to Net income, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
(1)
Stock-based compensation includes payroll tax impacts and may not agree to stock-based compensation expense in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2)
Other, net may not agree to the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income primarily due to certain non-routine operating activities, such as other special items that would not be expected to reoccur or are not reflective of T-Mobile’s ongoing operating performance, and are therefore excluded in Adjusted EBITDA.
Adjusted EBITDA increased $1.2 billion, or 11%, in 2018 primarily from:
•
Higher service revenues, as further discussed above;
•
The positive impact from the new revenue standard of $398 million;
•
Higher other revenues, as further discussed above;
•
Lower losses on equipment;
•
The positive impact of the reimbursements from our insurance carriers, net of costs incurred related to hurricanes, for the year ended December 31, 2018 of $158 million, compared to costs incurred related to hurricanes, net of insurance recoveries, of $201 million in the year ended December 31, 2017; partially offset by
•
Higher selling, general and administrative expenses;
•
Lower gains on disposal of spectrum licenses of $235 million; and
•
Higher cost of services.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our principal sources of liquidity are our cash and cash equivalents and cash generated from operations, proceeds from issuance of long-term debt and common stock, capital leases, the sale of certain receivables, financing arrangements of vendor payables which effectively extend payment terms and secured and unsecured revolving credit facilities with DT. Upon consummation of the Transactions, we will incur substantial third-party indebtedness which will increase our future financial commitments, including aggregate interest payments on higher total indebtedness, and may adversely impact our liquidity. Further, the incurrence of additional indebtedness may inhibit our ability to incur new debt under the terms governing our existing and future indebtedness, which may make it more difficult for us to incur new debt in the future to finance our business strategy.
Cash Flows
On January 1, 2018, we adopted the new cash flow standard which impacted the presentation of our cash flows related to our beneficial interests in securitization transactions, which is the deferred purchase price, resulting in a reclassification of cash inflows from Operating activities to Investing activities of approximately $5.4 billion, $4.3 billion and $3.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The new cash flow standard also impacted the presentation of our cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, resulting in a reclassification of cash outflows from Operating activities to Financing activities of $212 million and $188 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There were no cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs during the year ended December 31, 2016. We have applied the new cash flow standard retrospectively to all periods presented.
For additional information regarding the new cash flow standard and the impact of our adoption, see “Selected Financial Data” and Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following is a condensed schedule of our cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016:
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased $68 million, or 2%, primarily from higher net non-cash adjustments to Net income, partially offset by lower Net income and higher net cash outflows from working capital changes.
•
The change in Net income and the net non-cash adjustments to Net income were primarily from the impacts of the TCJA in 2017 and the absence of Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in 2018.
•
The higher net use in working capital was primarily from a paydown of Accounts payable and changes in Accounts receivable, partially offset by changes in Inventories and EIP receivables.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities decreased $6.2 billion, or 91%, to a use of $579 million for 2018.
The use of cash for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily from:
•
$5.5 billion in Purchases of property and equipment, including capitalized interest, primarily driven by growth in network build as we continued deployment of low band spectrum, including the continued deployment of 600 MHz, and started laying the groundwork for 5G; and
•
$338 million of cash consideration paid, net of cash acquired, for the acquisitions of Layer3 TV and IWS; partially offset by
•
$5.4 billion in Proceeds related to beneficial interest in securitization transactions.
Financing Activities
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities increased $2.0 billion, or 144%, to a use of $3.3 billion for 2018.
The use of cash for the year ended December 31, 2018 was primarily from:
•
$6.3 billion for Repayments of our revolving credit facility;
•
$3.3 billion for Repayments of long-term debt;
•
$1.1 billion for Repurchases of common stock; and
•
$700 million for Repayments of capital lease obligations; partially offset by
•
$6.3 billion in Proceeds from borrowing on our revolving credit facility; and
•
$2.5 billion in Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
As of December 31, 2018, our Cash and cash equivalents were $1.2 billion.
Free Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow represents Net cash provided by operating activities less payments for Purchases of property and equipment, including Proceeds related to beneficial interests in securitization transactions and less Cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs. Free Cash Flow is a non-GAAP financial measure utilized by our management, investors and analysts of our financial information to evaluate cash available to pay debt and provide further investment in the business.
In the first quarter of 2018, we redefined our non-GAAP financial measure Free Cash Flow to reflect the adoption of the new cash flow standard to present cash flows on a consistent basis for investor transparency. We have applied the change in definition retrospectively in the table below, which illustrates the calculation of Free Cash Flow and reconciles Free Cash Flow to Net cash provided by operating activities, which we consider to be the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:
Free Cash Flow increased $827 million, or 30%, for 2018 from:
•
Higher proceeds related to our deferred purchase price from securitization transactions and net cash provided by operating activities; partially offset by
•
Higher Purchases of property and equipment, net of capitalized interest of $362 million and $136 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. The increase in cash purchases of property and equipment was primarily due to growth in network build as we continued deployment of low band spectrum, including the continued deployment of 600 MHz, and started laying the groundwork for 5G.
Borrowing Capacity and Debt Financing
As of December 31, 2018, our total debt was $27.5 billion, excluding our tower obligations, of which $26.7 billion was classified as long-term debt. See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for a detailed discussion of our debt to third parties and debt to affiliates.
In December 2016, T-Mobile USA entered into a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility with DT which is comprised of (i) a three-year $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement and (ii) a three-year $1.5 billion secured revolving credit agreement. In January 2018, we utilized proceeds under the revolving credit facility to redeem $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 and for general corporate purposes. On January 29, 2018, the proceeds utilized under our revolving credit facility with DT were repaid. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility. In November 2018, we amended the terms of the revolving credit facility with DT to extend the maturity date to December 29, 2021.
We maintain a handset financing arrangement with Deutsche Bank AG (“Deutsche Bank”), which allows for up to $108 million in borrowings. Under the handset financing arrangement, we can effectively extend payment terms for invoices payable to certain handset vendors. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no outstanding balance.
We maintain vendor financing arrangements with our primary network equipment suppliers. Under the respective agreements, we can obtain extended financing terms. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no outstanding balance.
Consents on Debt to Third Parties
On May 18, 2018, under the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, we obtained consents necessary to effect certain amendments to our Senior Notes to third parties in connection with the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the Consent Solicitation Statement, third-party note holders agreed, among other things, to consent to increasing the amount of Secured Indebtedness under Credit Facilities that can be incurred from the greater of $9 billion and 150% of Consolidated Cash Flow to the greater of $9 billion and an amount that would not cause the Secured Debt to Cash Flow Ratio (calculated net of cash and cash equivalents) to exceed 2.00x (the “Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments”) and in each case as such capitalized term is defined in the Indenture. In connection with receiving the requisite consents for the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments, we made upfront payments to third-party note holders of $17 million during the second quarter of 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These upfront payments increased the effective interest rate of the related debt.
In addition, note holders agreed, among other things, to allow certain entities related to Sprint’s existing spectrum securitization notes program (“Existing Sprint Spectrum Program”) to be non-guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that the principal amount of the spectrum notes issued and outstanding under the Existing Sprint Spectrum Program does not exceed $7.0 billion and that the principal amount of such spectrum notes reduces the amount available under the Credit Facilities ratio basket, and to revise the definition of GAAP to mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time, unless the Company elects to “freeze” GAAP as of any date, and to exclude the effect of the changes in the accounting treatment of lease obligations (the “Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments,” and together with the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments, the “Proposed Amendments”). In connection with receiving the requisite consents for the Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments, we made upfront payments to third-party note holders of $14 million during the second quarter of 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These upfront payments increased the effective interest rate of the related debt.
In connection with obtaining the requisite consents, on May 20, 2018, T-Mobile USA, the guarantors and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, executed and delivered the 37th supplemental indenture to the Indenture, pursuant to which, with respect to each of the Notes, the Proposed Amendments will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger.
We paid third-party bank fees associated with obtaining the requisite consents related to the Proposed Amendments of $6 million during the second quarter of 2018, which we recognized as Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. If the Merger is consummated, we will make additional payments to third-party note holders for requisite consents related to the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments of up to $54 million and additional payments to third-party note holders for requisite consents related to the Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments of up to $41 million. We have not accrued these payments as of December 31, 2018.
See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Future Sources and Uses of Liquidity
We may seek additional sources of liquidity, including through the issuance of additional long-term debt in 2019, to continue to opportunistically acquire spectrum licenses or other assets in private party transactions or for the refinancing of existing long-term debt on an opportunistic basis. Excluding liquidity that could be needed for spectrum acquisitions, or for other assets, we expect our principal sources of funding to be sufficient to meet our anticipated liquidity needs for business operations for the next 12 months as well as our longer-term liquidity needs. Our intended use of any such funds is for general corporate purposes, including for capital expenditures, spectrum purchases, opportunistic investments and acquisitions, redemption of high yield callable debt and stock purchases.
We determine future liquidity requirements, for both operations and capital expenditures, based in large part upon projected financial and operating performance, and opportunities to acquire additional spectrum. We regularly review and update these projections for changes in current and projected financial and operating results, general economic conditions, the competitive landscape and other factors. There are a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause our financial and operating results and capital requirements to differ materially from our projections, which could cause future liquidity to differ materially from our assessment.
The indentures and credit facilities governing our long-term debt to affiliates and third parties, excluding capital leases, contain covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of the Issuer and the Guarantor Subsidiaries to: incur more debt; pay dividends and make distributions on our common stock; make certain investments; repurchase stock; create liens or other encumbrances; enter into transactions with affiliates; enter into transactions that restrict dividends or distributions from subsidiaries; and merge, consolidate or sell, or otherwise dispose of, substantially all of their assets. Certain provisions of each of the credit facilities, indentures and supplemental indentures relating to the long-term debt to affiliates and third parties restrict the ability of the Issuer to loan funds or make payments to the Parent. However, the Issuer is allowed to make certain permitted payments to the Parent under the terms of each of the credit facilities, indentures and supplemental indentures relating to the long-term debt to affiliates and third parties. We were in compliance with all restrictive debt covenants as of December 31, 2018.
Capital Lease Facilities
We have entered into uncommitted capital lease facilities with certain partners, which provide us with the ability to enter into capital leases for network equipment and services. As of December 31, 2018, we have committed to $3.0 billion of capital leases under these capital lease facilities, of which $885 million was executed during the year ended December 31, 2018.
Capital Expenditures
Our liquidity requirements have been driven primarily by capital expenditures for spectrum licenses and the construction, expansion and upgrading of our network infrastructure. Property and equipment capital expenditures primarily relate to our network transformation, including the build-out of 600 MHz low-band spectrum licenses. We expect cash purchases of property and equipment, excluding capitalized interest of approximately $400 million, to be $5.4 to $5.7 billion and cash purchases of property and equipment, including capitalized interest, to be to be $5.8 to $6.1 billion in 2019. This includes expenditures for 600 MHz and 5G deployment. This does not include property and equipment obtained through capital lease agreements, leased wireless devices transferred from inventory or any additional purchases of spectrum licenses.
Share Repurchases
On December 6, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $1.5 billion of our common stock through December 31, 2018 (the “2017 Stock Repurchase Program”). Repurchased shares are retired. The 2017 Stock Repurchase Program completed on April 29, 2018.
On April 27, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the total stock repurchase program to $9.0 billion, consisting of the $1.5 billion in repurchases previously completed and up to an additional $7.5 billion of repurchases of our common stock. The additional $7.5 billion repurchase authorization is contingent upon the termination of the Business Combination Agreement and the abandonment of the Transactions contemplated under the Business Combination Agreement. See Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Dividends
We have never paid or declared any cash dividends on our common stock, and we do not intend to declare or pay any cash dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. Our credit facilities and the indentures and supplemental indentures governing our long-term debt to affiliates and third parties, excluding capital leases, contain covenants that, among other things, restrict our ability to declare or pay dividends on our common stock.
Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our contractual obligations and borrowings as of December 31, 2018 and the timing and effect that such commitments are expected to have on our liquidity and capital requirements in future periods:
(1)
Represents principal amounts of long-term debt to affiliates and third parties at maturity, excluding unamortized premium from purchase price allocation fair value adjustment, capital lease obligations and vendor financing arrangements. See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(2)
Future minimum payments, including principal and interest payments and imputed lease rental income, related to the tower obligations. See Note 9 - Tower Obligations of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(3)
Future minimum lease payments for all cell site leases presented above to include payments due for the initial non-cancelable lease term only as they represent the payments which we cannot avoid at our option and also corresponds to our lease term assessment for new leases.
(4)
The minimum commitment for certain obligations is based on termination penalties that could be paid to exit the contracts. Termination penalties are included in the above table as payments due as of the earliest we could exit the contract, typically in less than one year. For certain contracts that include fixed volume purchase commitments and fixed prices for various products, the purchase obligations are calculated using fixed volumes and contractually fixed prices for the products that are expected to be purchased. This table does not include open purchase orders as of December 31, 2018 under normal business purposes. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
(5)
Represents future undiscounted cash flows related to decommissioned MetroPCS CDMA network and certain other redundant cell sites as of December 31, 2018.
Certain commitments and obligations are included in the table based on the year of required payment or an estimate of the year of payment. Other long-term liabilities, excluding network decommissioning, have been omitted from the table above due to the uncertainty of the timing of payments, combined with the absence of historical trending to be used as a predictor of such payments. See Note 16 - Additional Financial Information of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
The purchase obligations reflected in the table above are primarily commitments to purchase handsets and accessories, equipment, software, programming and network services and marketing activities, which will be used or sold in the ordinary course of business. These amounts do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items for which we are contractually committed. Where we are committed to make a minimum payment to the supplier regardless of whether we take delivery, we have included only that minimum payment as a purchase obligation. Additionally, included within purchase obligations are amounts for the acquisition of spectrum licenses, which are subject to regulatory approval and other customary closing conditions.
In October 2018, we entered into, and designated, interest rate lock derivatives as cash flow hedges to reduce variability in cash flows due to changes in interest payments attributable to increases or decreases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. The fair value of interest rate lock derivatives as of December 31, 2018 was $447 million and is included in Other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Balances related to the cash flow hedges have been omitted from the table above due to the uncertainty of the amount and timing of settlements. See Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have arrangements, as amended from time to time, to sell certain EIP accounts receivable and service accounts receivable on a revolving basis as a source of liquidity. As of December 31, 2018, we derecognized net receivables of $2.6 billion upon sale through these arrangements. See Note 4 - Sales of Certain Receivables of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Related Party Transactions
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we entered into certain debt-related transactions with affiliates. See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
In the first quarter of 2018, DT, our majority stockholder and an affiliated purchaser, purchased 3.3 million additional shares of our common stock at an aggregate market value of $200 million in the public market or from other parties, in accordance with the rules of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements. There were no purchases in the remainder of 2018. We did not receive proceeds from these purchases. See Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
We also have related party transactions associated with DT or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, including intercompany servicing and licensing.
Disclosure of Iranian Activities under Section 13(r) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Section 219 of the Iran Threat Reduction and Syria Human Rights Act of 2012 added Section 13(r) to the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”). Section 13(r) requires an issuer to disclose in its annual or quarterly reports, as applicable, whether it or any of its affiliates knowingly engaged in certain activities, transactions or dealings relating to Iran or with designated natural persons or entities involved in terrorism or the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction. Disclosure is required even where the activities, transactions or dealings are conducted outside the U.S. by non-U.S. affiliates in compliance with applicable law, and whether or not the activities are sanctionable under U.S. law.
As of the date of this report, we are not aware of any activity, transaction or dealing by us or any of our affiliates for the year ended December 31, 2018, that requires disclosure in this report under Section 13(r) of the Exchange Act, except as set forth below with respect to affiliates that we do not control and that are our affiliates solely due to their common control with DT. We have relied upon DT for information regarding their activities, transactions and dealings.
DT, through certain of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, is party to roaming and interconnect agreements with the following mobile and fixed line telecommunication providers in Iran, some of which are or may be government-controlled entities: Gostaresh Ertebatat Taliya, Irancell Telecommunications Services Company, Telecommunication Kish Company, Mobile Telecommunication Company of Iran, and Telecommunication Infrastructure Company of Iran. In addition, DT, through certain of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, provided basic telecommunications services in 2018 to Telecommunication Company of Iran and to three customers in Germany identified on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List maintained by the U.S. Department of Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control: Bank Melli, Bank Sepah, and Europäisch-Iranische Handelsbank. These services have been terminated or are in the process of being terminated. For the year ended December 31, 2018, gross revenues of all DT affiliates generated by roaming and interconnection traffic and telecommunications services with the Iranian parties identified herein were less than $1 million, and the estimated net profits were less than $1 million.
In addition, DT, through certain of its non-U.S. subsidiaries, operating a fixed-line network in their respective European home countries (in particular Germany), provides telecommunications services in the ordinary course of business to the Embassy of Iran in those European countries. Gross revenues and net profits recorded from these activities for the year ended December 31, 2018 were less than $0.1 million. We understand that DT intends to continue these activities.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our significant accounting policies are fundamental to understanding our results of operations and financial condition as they require that we use estimates and assumptions that may affect the value of our assets or liabilities and financial results. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
Seven of these policies, below, are critical because they require management to make difficult, subjective and complex judgments about matters that are inherently uncertain and because it is likely that materially different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using different assumptions or inputs. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Management and the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors have reviewed and approved these critical accounting policies.
Revenue Recognition
We primarily generate our revenue from providing wireless services to customers and selling or leasing devices and accessories. Our contracts with customers may involve multiple performance obligations, which include wireless services, wireless devices or a combination thereof, and we allocate the transaction price between each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.
Significant Judgments
The most significant judgments affecting the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with our customers include the following items:
•
Revenue for service contracts that we assess are not probable of collection is not recognized until the contract is completed and cash is received. Collectibility is re-assessed when there is a significant change in facts or circumstances. Our assessment of collectibility considers whether we may limit our exposure to credit risk through our right to stop transferring additional service in the event the customer is delinquent as well as certain contract terms such as down payments that reduce our exposure to credit risk. Customer credit behavior is inherently uncertain. See “Allowances,” below, for more discussion on how we assess credit risk.
•
Promotional EIP bill credits offered to a customer on an equipment sale that are paid over time and are contingent on the customer maintaining a service contract may result in an extended service contract based on whether a substantive penalty is deemed to exist. Determining whether contingent EIP bill credits result in a substantive termination penalty may require significant judgment.
•
The identification of distinct performance obligations within our service plans may require significant judgment.
•
Revenue is recorded net of costs paid to another party for performance obligations where we arrange for the other party to transfer goods or services to the customer (i.e., when we are acting as an agent). For example, performance obligations relating to services provided by third-party content providers where we neither controls a right to the content provider’s service nor controls the underlying service itself are presented net because we are acting as an agent. The determination of whether we control the underlying service or right to the service prior to our transfer to the customer requires, at times, significant judgment.
•
For transactions where we recognize a significant financing component, judgment is required to determine the discount rate. For EIP sales, the discount rate used to adjust the transaction price primarily reflects current market interest rates and the estimated credit risk of the customer. Customer credit behavior is inherently uncertain. See “Allowances”, below, for more discussion on how we assess credit risk.
•
Our products are generally sold with a right of return, which is accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Device return levels are estimated based on the expected value method as there are a large number of contracts with similar characteristics and the outcome of each contract is independent of the others. Historical return rate experience is a significant input to our expected value methodology.
•
Sales of equipment to indirect dealers who have been identified as our customer (referred to as the sell-in model) often include credits subsequently paid to the dealer as a reimbursement for any discount promotions offered to the end consumer. These credits (payments to a customer) are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize from the sales of equipment to indirect dealers and are estimated based on historical experience and other factors, such as expected promotional activity.
•
The determination of the standalone selling price for contracts that involve more than one performance obligation may require significant judgment, such as when the selling price of a good or service is not readily observable.
•
For capitalized contract costs, determining the amortization period over which such costs are recognized as well as assessing the indicators of impairment may require significant judgment.
Allowances
We maintain an allowance for credit losses, which is management’s estimate of such losses inherent in our receivables portfolio, comprised of accounts receivable and EIP receivable segments. Changes in the allowance for credit losses and, therefore, in related provision for credit losses (“bad debt expense”) can materially affect earnings. Credit risk characteristics are assessed for each receivable segment. In applying the judgment and review required to determine the allowance for credit losses, management considers a number of factors, including receivable volumes, receivable delinquency status, historical loss experience and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as macro-economic conditions. While our methodology attributes portions of the allowance to specific portfolio segments, the entire allowance for credit losses is available to absorb credit losses inherent in the total receivables portfolio.
Management also considers an amount that represents management’s judgment of risks inherent in the process and assumptions used in establishing the allowance for credit losses, including process risk and other subjective factors, including industry trends and emerging risk assessments.
To the extent that actual loss experience differs significantly from historical trends or assumptions, the appropriate allowance levels for realized credit losses could differ from the estimate. We write off account balances if collection efforts are unsuccessful and the receivable balance is deemed uncollectible, based on customer credit ratings and the length of time from the original billing date.
We offer certain retail customers the option to pay for their devices and other purchases in installments over a period of up to 36 months using an EIP. EIP receivables not held for sale are reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, allowance for credit losses and unamortized discounts. Receivables held for sale are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At the time of an installment sale, we impute a discount for interest if the EIP term exceeds 12 months as there is no stated rate of interest on the EIP receivables. The EIP receivables are recorded at their present value, which is determined by discounting future cash payments at the imputed interest rate. The difference between the recorded amount of the EIP receivables and their unpaid principal balance (i.e., the contractual amount due from the customer) results in a discount which is recorded as a reduction in transaction price and allocated to the performance obligations of the arrangement. We determine the imputed discount rate based primarily on current market interest rates and the estimated credit risk on the EIP receivables. As a result, we do not recognize a separate credit loss allowance at the time of issuance as the effects of uncertainty about future cash flows resulting from credit risk are included in the initial present value measurement of the receivable. The imputed discount on EIP receivables is amortized over the financed installment term using the effective interest method and recognized as Other revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Subsequent to the initial determination of the imputed discount, we assess the need for and, if necessary, recognize an allowance for credit losses to the extent the amount of estimated probable losses on the gross EIP receivable balances exceed the remaining unamortized imputed discount balances.
Total imputed discount and allowances was approximately 8.1% of the total amount of gross accounts receivable, including EIP receivables at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Deferred Purchase Price Assets
In connection with the sales of certain service and EIP accounts receivable pursuant to the sale arrangements, we have deferred purchase price assets measured at fair value that are based on a discounted cash flow model using unobservable Level 3 inputs, including customer default rates and credit worthiness, dilutions and recoveries. See Note 4 - Sales of Certain Receivables for further information.
Depreciation
Depreciation commences once assets have been placed in service. We generally depreciate property and equipment over the period the property and equipment provide economic benefit. Leased wireless devices are depreciated to their estimated residual value over the period expected to provide utility to us, which is generally shorter than the lease term and considers expected losses. Depreciable life studies are performed periodically to confirm the appropriateness of depreciable lives for certain categories of property, plant and equipment. These studies consider actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history and assumptions about technology evolution. When these factors indicate that the useful life of an asset is different from the previous assessment, the remaining book values are depreciated prospectively over the adjusted remaining estimated useful
life. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 5 - Property and Equipment of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding depreciation of assets, including management’s underlying estimates of useful lives.
Evaluation of Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets for Impairment
We assess the carrying value of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as our spectrum licenses, for potential impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate such assets might be impaired.
When assessing goodwill for impairment we may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. If we do not perform a qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not the fair value of the reporting unit is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative test. We recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
The fair value of the reporting unit is determined using a market approach, which is based on market capitalization. We recognize market capitalization is subject to volatility and will monitor changes in market capitalization to determine whether declines, if any, necessitate an interim impairment review. In the event market capitalization does decline below its book value, we will consider the length, severity and reasons for the decline when assessing whether potential impairment exists, including considering whether a control premium should be added to the market capitalization. We believe short-term fluctuations in share price may not necessarily reflect the underlying aggregate fair value.
We test spectrum licenses for impairment on an aggregate basis, consistent with our management of the overall business at a national level. We may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If we do not perform the qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not the fair value of the intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, we calculate the estimated fair value of the intangible asset. If the estimated fair value of the spectrum licenses is lower than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized. We estimate fair value using the Greenfield methodology, which is an income approach, to estimate the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The Greenfield methodology values the spectrum licenses by calculating the cash flow generating potential of a hypothetical start-up company that goes into business with no assets except the asset to be valued (in this case, spectrum licenses). The value of the spectrum licenses can be considered as equal to the present value of the cash flows of this hypothetical start-up company. We base the assumptions underlying the Greenfield methodology on a combination of market participant data and our historical results, trends and business plans. Future cash flows in the Greenfield methodology are based on estimates and assumptions of market participant revenues, EBITDA margin, network build-out period and a long-term growth rate for a market participant. The cash flows are discounted using a weighted average cost of capital.
The valuation approaches utilized to estimate fair value for the purposes of the impairment tests of goodwill and spectrum licenses require the use of assumptions and estimates, which involve a degree of uncertainty. If actual results or future expectations are not consistent with the assumptions, this may result in the recording of significant impairment charges on goodwill or spectrum licenses. The most significant assumptions within the valuation models are the discount rate, revenues, EBITDA margins, capital expenditures and the long-term growth rate. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies and Note 6 - Goodwill, Spectrum Licenses and Other Intangible Assets of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding our annual impairment test and impairment charges.
Rent Expense
We have operating leases for cell sites, retail locations, corporate offices and dedicated transportation lines, some of which have escalating rentals during the initial lease term and during subsequent optional renewal periods. We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis, over the non-cancelable lease term and renewal periods that are considered reasonably assured at the inception of the lease. We consider several factors in assessing whether renewal periods are reasonably assured of being exercised, including the continued maturation of our network nationwide, technological advances within the telecommunications industry and the availability of alternative sites.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when these differences are realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of a deferred tax asset depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character and in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions within the carryforward periods available.
We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with the accounting guidance for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We assess whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position and adjust the unrecognized tax benefits in light of changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for information regarding recently issued accounting standards.
Item 7A.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to economic risks in the normal course of business, primarily from changes in interest rates, including changes in investment yields and changes in spreads due to credit risk and other factors. These risks, along with other business risks, impact our cost of capital. Our policy is to manage exposure related to fluctuations in interest rates in order to manage capital costs, control financial risks and maintain financial flexibility over the long term. We have established interest rate risk limits that are closely monitored by measuring interest rate sensitivities of our debt portfolio. We do not foresee significant changes in the strategies used to manage market risk in the near future.
We are exposed to changes in interest rates on our Incremental Term Loan Facility with DT, our majority stockholder. See Note 8 - Debt of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
To perform the sensitivity analysis, we selected hypothetical changes in market rates that are expected to reflect reasonably possible near-term changes in those rates. We assessed the risk of a change in the fair value from the effect of a hypothetical interest rate change for 30-day LIBOR rates of positive 150 and negative 50 basis points. In cases where the debt is redeemable and the fair value calculation results in a liability greater than the cost to replace the debt, the maximum liability is assumed to be no greater than the current cost to redeem the debt. As of December 31, 2018, the change in the fair value of our Incremental Term Loan Facility, based on this hypothetical change, is shown in the table below:
We are exposed to changes in the benchmark interest rate associated with our interest rate lock derivatives. See Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.
To perform the sensitivity analysis, we selected hypothetical changes in market rates that are expected to reflect reasonably possible near-term changes in those rates. We assessed the risk of a change in fair value from the effect of a hypothetical interest rate change for eight and 10-year LIBOR swap rates of positive 200 and negative 100 basis points. As of December 31, 2018, the change in the fair value of our interest rate lock derivatives, based on this hypothetical change, is show in the table below:
Item 8.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Board of Directors and Stockholders of T-Mobile US, Inc.
Opinions on the Financial Statements and Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of T-Mobile US, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, of stockholders’ equity and of cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018, including the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). We also have audited the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2018 in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO.
Change in Accounting Principle
As discussed in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company changed the manner in which it accounts for revenues and the manner in which it accounts for cash receipts and cash payments in 2018.
Basis for Opinions
The Company's management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting appearing under Item 9A. Our responsibility is to express opinions on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and on the Company's internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (“PCAOB”) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with
generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Seattle, Washington
February 6, 2019
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2001.
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
(1) On January 1, 2018, we adopted three ASUs which resulted in adjustments to Accumulated other comprehensive income and Accumulated deficit. The adoption of the new revenue standard resulted in an adjustment to Accumulated deficit of $213 million. The adoption of ASU 2016-01 resulted in a reclassification of Accumulated other comprehensive income to Accumulated deficit of $8 million. The adoption of ASU 2016-16 resulted in an adjustment to Accumulated deficit of $11 million. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K for further information.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
T-Mobile US, Inc.
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business
T-Mobile US, Inc. (“T-Mobile,” “we,” “our,” “us” or the “Company”), together with its consolidated subsidiaries, is a leading provider of mobile communications services, including voice, messaging and data, under its flagship brands, T-Mobile and Metro™ by T-Mobile (“Metro by T-Mobile”), in the United States (“U.S.”), Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All of our revenues were earned in, and all of our long-lived assets are located in, the U.S., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We provide mobile communications services primarily using 4G Long-Term Evolution (“LTE”) technology. We also offer a wide selection of wireless devices, including handsets, tablets and other mobile communication devices, and accessories for sale, as well as financing through Equipment Installment Plans (“EIP”) and leasing through JUMP! On Demand™. Additionally, we provide reinsurance for handset insurance policies and extended warranty contracts offered to our mobile communications customers.
Basis of Presentation
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) requires our management to make estimates and assumptions which affect the financial statements and accompanying notes. Examples include service revenues earned but not yet billed, service revenues billed but not yet earned, relative standalone selling prices, allowances for credit losses and sales returns, discounts for imputed interest on EIP receivables, guarantee liabilities, losses incurred but not yet reported, tax liabilities, deferred income taxes including valuation allowances, useful lives of long-lived assets, fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations, residual values on leased handsets, reasonably assured renewal terms for operating leases, stock-based compensation forfeiture rates, and fair value measurements, including those related to goodwill, spectrum licenses, intangible assets, beneficial interests in factoring and securitization transactions and derivative financial instruments. Estimates are based on historical experience, where applicable, and other assumptions which our management believes are reasonable under the circumstances. These estimates are inherently subject to judgment and actual results could differ from these estimates. We operate as a single operating segment.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. See “Accounting Pronouncements Adopted in the Current Year” below.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid money market funds and U.S. Treasury securities with remaining maturities of three months or less at the date of purchase.
Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
Accounts receivable consist primarily of amounts currently due from customers, other carriers and third-party retail channels. Accounts receivable not held for sale are reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs and the allowance for credit losses. Accounts receivable held for sale are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. We have an arrangement to sell the majority of service accounts receivable on a revolving basis, which are treated as sales of financial assets.
We offer certain retail customers the option to pay for their devices and other purchases in installments over a period of up to 36 months using an EIP. EIP receivables not held for sale are reported in our Consolidated Balance Sheets at outstanding principal adjusted for any charge-offs, allowance for credit losses and unamortized discounts. Receivables held for sale are reported at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. At the time of an installment sale, we impute a discount for interest if the EIP term exceeds 12 months as there is no stated rate of interest on the EIP receivables. The EIP receivables are recorded at their present value, which is determined by discounting future cash payments at the imputed interest rate. The difference between the recorded amount of the EIP receivables and their unpaid principal balance (i.e., the contractual amount due from the customer) results in a discount which is allocated to the performance obligation of the arrangement and recorded as a reduction in transaction price in Total service revenues and Equipment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. We determine the imputed discount rate based primarily on current market interest rates and the estimated credit risk on the EIP receivables. As a result, we do not recognize a separate credit loss allowance at the time of
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issuance as the effects of uncertainty about future cash flows resulting from credit risk are included in the initial present value measurement of the receivable. The imputed discount on EIP receivables is amortized over the financed installment term using the effective interest method and recognized as Other revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Subsequent to the initial determination of the imputed discount, we assess the need for and, if necessary, recognize an allowance for credit losses to the extent the amount of estimated probable losses on the gross EIP receivable balances exceed the remaining unamortized imputed discount balances.
Total imputed discount and allowances was approximately 8.1% of the total amount of gross accounts receivable, including EIP receivables at both December 31, 2018 and 2017.
The current portion of the EIP receivables is included in Equipment installment plan receivables, net and the long-term portion of the EIP receivables is included in Equipment installment plan receivables due after one year, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We have an arrangement to sell certain EIP receivables on a revolving basis, which are treated as sales of financial assets.
We maintain an allowance for credit losses and determine its appropriateness through an established process that assesses the losses inherent in our receivables portfolio. We develop and document our allowance methodology at the portfolio segment level - accounts receivable portfolio and EIP receivable portfolio segments. While we attribute portions of the allowance to our respective accounts receivable and EIP portfolio segments, the entire allowance is available to absorb credit losses inherent in the total receivables portfolio.
Our process involves procedures to appropriately consider the unique risk characteristics of our accounts receivable and EIP receivable portfolio segments. For each portfolio segment, losses are estimated collectively for groups of receivables with similar characteristics. Our allowance levels are influenced by receivable volumes, receivable delinquency status, historical loss experience and other conditions influencing loss expectations, such as macro-economic conditions.
Inventories
Inventories consist primarily of wireless devices and accessories, which are valued at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using standard cost which approximates average cost. Shipping and handling costs paid to wireless device and accessories vendors, and costs to refurbish used devices recovered through our device upgrade programs are included in the standard cost of inventory. We record inventory write-downs to net realizable value for obsolete and slow-moving items based on inventory turnover trends and historical experience.
Long-Lived Assets
Long-lived assets include assets that do not have indefinite lives, such as property and equipment and other intangible assets. All of our long-lived assets are located in the U.S., including Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. We assess potential impairments to our long-lived assets when events or changes in circumstances indicate the carrying amount of the asset may not be recoverable. If any indicators of impairment are present, we test recoverability. The carrying value of a long-lived asset or asset group is not recoverable if it exceeds the sum of the undiscounted cash flows expected to be generated from the use and eventual disposition of the asset or asset group. If the undiscounted cash flows do not exceed the asset or asset group’s carrying amount, then an impairment loss is recorded, measured as the amount by which the carrying amount of a long-lived asset or asset group exceeds its fair value.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment consists of buildings and equipment, wireless communication systems, leasehold improvements, capitalized software, leased wireless devices and construction in progress. Buildings and equipment include certain network server equipment. Wireless communication systems include assets to operate our wireless network and IT data centers, including tower assets and leasehold improvements, assets related to the liability for the retirement of long-lived assets and capital leases. Leasehold improvements include asset improvements other than those related to the wireless network.
Property and equipment are recorded at cost less accumulated depreciation and impairments, if any, in Property and equipment, net on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We generally depreciate property and equipment over the period the property and equipment provide economic benefit. Depreciable life studies are performed periodically to confirm the appropriateness of depreciable lives for certain categories of property and equipment. These studies take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history and assumptions about technology evolution. When these factors indicate the useful life of an
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asset is different from the previous assessment, the remaining book value is depreciated prospectively over the adjusted remaining estimated useful life. Leasehold improvements are depreciated over the shorter of their estimated useful lives or the related lease term.
JUMP! On Demand allows customers to lease a device over a period of up to 18 months and upgrade it for a new device up to one time per month. To date, all of our leased devices were classified as operating leases. At operating lease inception, leased wireless devices are transferred from inventory to property and equipment. Leased wireless devices are depreciated to their estimated residual value over the period expected to provide utility to us, which is generally shorter than the lease term and considers expected losses. Revenues associated with the leased wireless devices, net of incentives, are generally recognized over the lease term. Upon device upgrade or at lease end, customers must return or purchase their device. Returned devices transferred from Property and equipment, net are recorded as inventory and are valued at the lower of cost or market with any write-down to market recognized as Cost of equipment sales in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Costs of major replacements and improvements are capitalized. Repair and maintenance expenditures which do not enhance or extend the asset’s useful life are charged to operating expenses as incurred. Construction costs, labor and overhead incurred in the expansion or enhancement of our wireless network are capitalized. Capitalization commences with pre-construction period administrative and technical activities, which includes obtaining leases, zoning approvals and building permits, and ceases at the point at which the asset is ready for its intended use. We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain property and equipment. Capitalized interest is reported as a reduction in interest expense and depreciated over the useful life of the related assets.
Future obligations related to capital leases are included in Short-term debt and Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. Depreciation of assets held under capital leases is included in Depreciation and amortization expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
We record an asset retirement obligation for the fair value of legal obligations associated with the retirement of tangible long-lived assets and a corresponding increase in the carrying amount of the related asset in the period in which the obligation is incurred. In periods subsequent to initial measurement, we recognize changes in the liability resulting from the passage of time and revisions to either the timing or the amount of the original estimate. Over time, the liability is accreted to its present value and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the asset. Our obligations relate primarily to certain legal obligations to remediate leased property on which our network infrastructure and administrative assets are located.
We capitalize certain costs incurred in connection with developing or acquiring internal use software. Capitalization of software costs commences once the final selection of the specific software solution has been made and management authorizes and commits to funding the software project. Capitalized software costs are included in Property and equipment, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are amortized on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the asset. Costs incurred during the preliminary project stage, as well as maintenance and training costs, are expensed as incurred.
Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets that do not have indefinite useful lives are amortized over their estimated useful lives. Customer lists are amortized using the sum-of-the-years-digits method over the expected period in which the relationship is expected to contribute to future cash flows. The remaining finite-lived intangible assets are amortized using the straight-line method.
Goodwill and Indefinite-Lived Intangible Assets
Goodwill
Goodwill consists of the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of identifiable net assets acquired in a business combination.
Spectrum Licenses
Spectrum licenses are carried at costs incurred to acquire the spectrum licenses and the costs to prepare the spectrum licenses for their intended use, such as costs to clear acquired spectrum licenses. The Federal Communications Commission
(“FCC”) issues spectrum licenses which provide us with the exclusive right to utilize designated radio frequency spectrum within specific geographic service areas to provide wireless communication services. While spectrum licenses are issued for a fixed period of time, typically for up to fifteen years, the FCC has granted license renewals routinely and at a nominal cost. The spectrum licenses held by us expire at various dates. We believe we will be able to meet all requirements necessary to secure
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renewal of our spectrum licenses at nominal costs. Moreover, we determined there are currently no legal, regulatory, contractual, competitive, economic or other factors that limit the useful lives of our spectrum licenses. Therefore, we determined the spectrum licenses should be treated as indefinite-lived intangible assets.
At times, we enter into agreements to sell or exchange spectrum licenses. Upon entering into the arrangement, if the transaction has been deemed to have commercial substance, spectrum licenses are reviewed for impairment and transferred at their carrying value, net of any impairment, to assets held for sale included in Other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets until approval and completion of the exchange or sale. Upon closing of the transaction, spectrum licenses acquired as part of an exchange of nonmonetary assets are valued at fair value and the difference between the fair value of the spectrum licenses obtained, book value of the spectrum licenses transferred and cash paid, if any, is recognized as a gain and included in Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Our fair value estimates of spectrum licenses are based on information for which there is little or no observable market data. If the transaction lacks commercial substance or the fair value is not measurable, the acquired spectrum licenses are recorded at the book value of the assets transferred or exchanged.
Impairment
We assess the carrying value of our goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets, such as our spectrum licenses, for potential impairment annually as of December 31, or more frequently if events or changes in circumstances indicate such assets might be impaired.
When assessing goodwill for impairment we may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment for a reporting unit to determine if the quantitative impairment test is necessary. If we do not perform a qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of the two reporting units, wireless business and Layer3 TV, is less than its carrying amount, we perform a quantitative test. We recognize an impairment charge for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value; however, the loss recognized would not exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
We test our spectrum licenses for impairment on an aggregate basis, consistent with our management of the overall business at a national level. We may elect to first perform a qualitative assessment to determine whether it is more likely than not that the fair value of an intangible asset is less than its carrying value. If we do not perform the qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates it is more likely than not that the fair value of the intangible asset is less than its carrying amount, we calculate the estimated fair value of the intangible asset. If the estimated fair value of the spectrum licenses is lower than their carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized for the difference. We estimate fair value using the Greenfield methodology, which is an income approach, to estimate the price at which an orderly transaction to sell the asset would take place between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions.
Guarantee Liabilities
We offer a device trade-in program, Just Upgrade My Phone (“JUMP!”), which provides eligible customers a specified-price trade-in right to upgrade their device. Upon enrollment, participating customers must finance the purchase of a device on an EIP and have a qualifying T-Mobile monthly wireless service plan, which is treated as a single multiple-element arrangement when entered into at or near the same time. Upon a qualifying JUMP! program upgrade, the customer’s remaining EIP balance is settled provided they trade-in their eligible used device in good working condition and purchase a new device from us on a new EIP.
For customers who enroll in JUMP!, we recognize a liability and reduce revenue for the portion of revenue which represents the estimated fair value of the specified-price trade-in right guarantee. The guarantee liability is valued based on various economic and customer behavioral assumptions, which requires judgment, including estimating the customer's remaining EIP balance at trade-in, the expected fair value of the used device at trade-in, and the probability and timing of trade-in. When customers upgrade their device, the difference between the EIP balance credit to the customer and the fair value of the returned device is recorded against the guarantee liabilities. All assumptions are reviewed periodically.
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Fair Value Measurements
We carry certain assets and liabilities at fair value. Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The three-tier hierarchy for inputs used in measuring fair value, which prioritizes the inputs based on the observability as of the measurement date, is as follows:
Level 1
Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;
Level 2
Observable inputs other than the quoted prices in active markets for identical assets and liabilities; and
Level 3
Unobservable inputs for which there is little or no market data, which require us to develop assumptions of what market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability.
Assets and liabilities are classified in their entirety based on the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. Our assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement requires judgment, and may affect the placement of assets and liabilities being measured within the fair value hierarchy.
The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, accounts receivable, accounts receivable from affiliates and accounts payable approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments. The carrying values of EIP receivables approximate fair value as the receivables are recorded at their present value, net of unamortized discount and allowance for credit losses. There were no financial instruments with a carrying value materially different from their fair value, based on quoted market prices or rates for the same or similar instruments, or internal valuation models.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Derivative financial instruments are recognized as either assets or liabilities and are measured at fair value. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
For derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges, changes in fair value are reported as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) until reclassified into Interest expense in the same period the hedged transaction affects earnings, generally over the life of the related debt. Unrealized gains on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as assets, and unrealized losses on derivatives designated as cash flow hedges are recorded at fair value as liabilities.
We have embedded derivatives for certain components of the reset feature of the Senior Reset Notes to affiliates, which are required to be bifurcated and are recorded on the Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value. Changes in fair value are recognized in Interest expense to affiliates in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Revenue Recognition (effective January 1, 2018)
We primarily generate our revenue from providing wireless services to customers and selling or leasing devices and accessories. Our contracts with customers may involve multiple performance obligations, which include wireless services, wireless devices or a combination thereof, and we allocate the transaction price between each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price.
Significant Judgments
The most significant judgments affecting the amount and timing of revenue from contracts with our customers include the following items:
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Revenue for service contracts that we assess are not probable of collection is not recognized until the contract is completed and cash is received. Collectibility is re-assessed when there is a significant change in facts or circumstances. Our assessment of collectibility considers whether we may limit our exposure to credit risk through our right to stop transferring additional service in the event the customer is delinquent as well as certain contract terms such as down payments that reduce our exposure to credit risk. Customer credit behavior is inherently uncertain. See “Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses”, above, for more discussion on how we assess credit risk.
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Promotional EIP bill credits offered to a customer on an equipment sale that are paid over time and are contingent on the customer maintaining a service contract may result in an extended service contract based on whether a substantive penalty is deemed to exist. Determining whether contingent EIP bill credits result in a substantive termination penalty may require significant judgment.
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The identification of distinct performance obligations within our service plans may require significant judgment.
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Revenue is recorded net of costs paid to another party for performance obligations where we arrange for the other party to transfer goods or services to the customer (i.e., when we are acting as an agent). For example, performance obligations relating to services provided by third-party content providers where we neither controls a right to the content provider’s service nor controls the underlying service itself are presented net because we are acting as an agent. The determination of whether we control the underlying service or right to the service prior to our transfer to the customer requires, at times, significant judgment.
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For transactions where we recognize a significant financing component, judgment is required to determine the discount rate. For EIP sales, the discount rate used to adjust the transaction price primarily reflects current market interest rates and the estimated credit risk of the customer. Customer credit behavior is inherently uncertain. See “Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses”, above, for more discussion on how we assess credit risk.
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Our products are generally sold with a right of return, which is accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize. Device return levels are estimated based on the expected value method as there are a large number of contracts with similar characteristics and the outcome of each contract is independent of the others. Historical return rate experience is a significant input to our expected value methodology.
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Sales of equipment to indirect dealers who have been identified as our customer (referred to as the sell-in model) often include credits subsequently paid to the dealer as a reimbursement for any discount promotions offered to the end consumer. These credits (payments to a customer) are accounted for as variable consideration when estimating the amount of revenue to recognize from the sales of equipment to indirect dealers and are estimated based on historical experience and other factors, such as expected promotional activity.
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The determination of the standalone selling price for contracts that involve more than one performance obligation may require significant judgment, such as when the selling price of a good or service is not readily observable.
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For capitalized contract costs, determining the amortization period over which such costs are recognized as well as assessing the indicators of impairment may require significant judgment.
Wireless Services Revenue
We generate our wireless services revenues from providing access to, and usage of, our wireless communications network. Service revenues also include revenues earned for providing value added services to customers, such as handset insurance services. Service contracts are billed monthly either in advance or arrears, or are prepaid. Generally, service revenue is recognized as we satisfy our performance obligation to transfer service to our customers. We typically satisfy our stand-ready performance obligations, including unlimited wireless services, evenly over the contract term. For usage-based and prepaid wireless services, we satisfy our performance obligations when services are rendered.
Revenue for service contracts that we assess are not probable of collection is not recognized until the contract is completed and cash is received. Collectibility is re-assessed when there is a significant change in facts or circumstances. Our assessment of collectibility considers whether we may limit our exposure to credit risk through our right to stop transferring additional service in the event the customer is delinquent.
Consideration payable to a customer is treated as a reduction of the total transaction price, unless the payment is in exchange for a distinct good or service, such as certain commissions paid to dealers.
Revenue is recorded net of costs paid to another party for performance obligations where we arrange for the other party to transfer goods or services to the customer (i.e., when we are acting as an agent). For example, performance obligations relating to services provided by third-party content providers where we neither controls a right to the content provider’s service nor controls the underlying service itself are presented net because we are acting as an agent.
Federal Universal Service Fund (“USF”) and other regulatory fees are assessed by various governmental authorities in connection with the services we provide to our customers and are included in Cost of services. When we separately bill and collect these regulatory fees from customers, they are recorded gross in Total service revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded approximately $161 million, $258 million and $409 million, respectively, of USF fees on a gross basis.
We have made an accounting policy election to exclude from the measurement of the transaction price all taxes assessed by a governmental authority that are both imposed on and concurrent with a specific revenue-producing transaction and collected by us from a customer (for example, sales, use, value added, and some excise taxes).
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Equipment Revenues
We generate equipment revenues from the sale or lease of mobile communication devices and accessories. For performance obligations related to equipment contracts, we typically transfer control at a point in time when the device or accessory is delivered to, and accepted by, the customer or dealer. We have elected to account for shipping and handling activities that occur after control of the related good transfers as fulfillment activities instead of assessing such activities as performance obligations. We estimate variable consideration (e.g., device returns or certain payments to indirect dealers) primarily based on historical experience. Equipment sales not probable of collection are generally recorded as payments are received. Our assessment of collectibility considers contract terms such as down payments that reduce our exposure to credit risk.
We offer certain customers the option to pay for devices and accessories in installments using an EIP. Generally, we recognize as a reduction of the total transaction price the effects of a financing component in contracts where customers purchase their devices and accessories on an EIP with a term of more than one year, including those financing components that are not considered to be significant to the contract. However, we have elected the practical expedient to not recognize the effects of a significant financing component for contracts where we expect, at contract inception, that the period between the transfer of a performance obligation to a customer and the customer’s payment for that performance obligation will be one year or less.
In addition, for customers who enroll in our JUMP! program, we recognize a liability based on the estimated fair value of the specified-price trade-in right guarantee. The fair value of the guarantee is deducted from the transaction price and the remaining transaction price is allocated to other elements of the contract, including service and equipment performance obligations. See “Guarantee Liabilities” above for further information.
JUMP! On Demand allows customers to lease a device over a period of up to 18 months and upgrade it for a new device up to one time per month. To date, all of our leased wireless devices are accounted for as operating leases and estimated contract consideration is allocated between lease elements and non-lease elements (such as service and equipment performance obligations) based on the relative standalone selling price of each performance obligation in the contract. Lease revenues are recorded as equipment revenues and recognized as earned on a straight-line basis over the lease term. Lease revenues on contracts not probable of collection are limited to the amount of payments received. See “Property and Equipment” above for further information.
Contract Balances
Generally, our devices and service plans are available at standard prices, which are maintained on price lists and published on our website and/or within our retail stores.
For contracts that involve more than one product or service that are identified as separate performance obligations, the transaction price is allocated to the performance obligations based on their relative standalone selling prices. The standalone selling price is the price at which we would sell the good or service separately to a customer and is most commonly evidenced by the price at which we sell that good or service separately in similar circumstances and to similar customers.
A contract asset is recorded when revenue is recognized in advance of our right to receive consideration (i.e., we must perform additional services in order to receive consideration). Amounts are recorded as receivables when our right to consideration is unconditional. When consideration is received, or we have an unconditional right to consideration in advance of delivery of goods or services, a contract liability is recorded. The transaction price can include non-refundable upfront fees, which are allocated to the identifiable performance obligations.
Contract assets are included in Other current assets and Other assets and contract liabilities are included in Deferred revenue in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
Contract Modifications
Our service contracts allow customers to frequently modify their contracts without incurring penalties in many cases. Each time a contract is modified, we evaluate the change in scope or price of the contract to determine if the modification should be treated as a separate contract, as if there is a termination of the existing contract and creation of a new contract, or if the modification should be considered a change associated with the existing contract. We typically do not have significant impacts from contract modifications.
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Contract Costs
We incur certain incremental costs to obtain a contract that we expect to recover, such as sales commissions. We record an asset when these incremental costs to obtain a contract are incurred and amortize them on a systematic basis that is consistent with the transfer to the customer of the goods or services to which the asset relates.
We amortize deferred costs incurred to obtain service contracts on a straight-line basis over the term of the initial contract and anticipated renewal contracts to which the costs relate, currently 24 months. However, we have elected the practical expedient permitting expensing of costs to obtain a contract when the expected amortization period is one year or less.
Incremental costs to obtain equipment contracts (e.g., commissions paid on device and accessory sales) are recognized when the equipment is transferred to the customer.
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 for more discussion regarding the accounting policies that governed revenue recognition prior to January 1, 2018.
Rent Expense
We have operating leases for cell sites, retail locations, corporate offices and dedicated transportation lines, some of which have escalating rentals during the initial lease term and during subsequent optional renewal periods. We recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis, over the non-cancelable lease term and renewal periods that are considered reasonably assured at the inception of the lease. We consider several factors in assessing whether renewal periods are reasonably assured of being exercised, including the continued maturation of our network nationwide, technological advances within the telecommunications industry and the availability of alternative sites.
Advertising Expense
We expense the cost of advertising and other promotional expenditures to market our services and products as incurred. For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, advertising expenses included in Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income were $1.7 billion, $1.8 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively.
Income Taxes
Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on temporary differences between the financial statement and tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to be in effect when these differences are realized. A valuation allowance is recorded when it is more likely than not that some portion or all of a deferred tax asset will not be realized. The ultimate realization of a deferred tax asset depends on the ability to generate sufficient taxable income of the appropriate character and in the appropriate taxing jurisdictions within the carryforward periods available.
We account for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in the financial statements in accordance with the accounting guidance for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. We assess whether it is more likely than not that a tax position will be sustained upon examination based on the technical merits of the position and adjust the unrecognized tax benefits in light of changes in facts and circumstances, such as changes in tax law, interactions with taxing authorities and developments in case law.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) consists of adjustments, net of tax, related to unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges and available-for-sale securities. This is reported in AOCI as a separate component of stockholders’ equity until realized in earnings.
Stock-Based Compensation
Stock-based compensation cost for stock awards, which include restricted stock units (“RSUs”) and performance-based restricted stock units (“PRSUs”), is measured at fair value on the grant date and recognized as expense, net of expected forfeitures, over the related service period. The fair value of stock awards is based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of grant. RSUs are recognized as expense using the straight-line method. PRSUs are recognized as expense following a graded vesting schedule.
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Earnings Per Share
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing Net income attributable to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed by giving effect to all potentially dilutive common shares outstanding during the period. Potentially dilutive common shares consist of outstanding stock options, RSUs and PRSUs, calculated using the treasury stock method, and prior to the conversion of our preferred stock, potentially dilutive common shares included mandatory convertible preferred stock calculated using the if-converted method. See Note 14 - Earnings Per Share for further information.
Our Board of Directors authorized a share repurchase program during the fourth quarter of 2017 and increased the repurchase program in the second quarter of 2018. Repurchased shares are retired and reduce the number of shares issued and outstanding. See Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock for further information.
Variable Interest Entities
Variable Interest Entities (“VIEs”) are entities which lack sufficient equity to permit the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties, have equity investors which do not have the ability to make significant decisions relating to the entity's operations through voting rights, do not have the obligation to absorb the expected losses or do not have the right to receive the residual returns of the entity. The most common type of VIE is a special purpose entity (“SPE”). SPEs are commonly used in securitization transactions in order to isolate certain assets and distribute the cash flows from those assets to investors. SPEs are generally structured to insulate investors from claims on the SPE’s assets by creditors of other entities, including the creditors of the seller of the assets.
The primary beneficiary is required to consolidate the assets and liabilities of the VIE. The primary beneficiary is the party which has both the power to direct the activities of an entity that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and through its interests in the VIE, the obligation to absorb losses or the right to receive benefits from the VIE which could potentially be significant to the VIE. We consolidate VIEs when we are deemed to be the primary beneficiary or when the VIE cannot be deconsolidated.
In assessing which party is the primary beneficiary, all the facts and circumstances are considered, including each party’s role in establishing the VIE and its ongoing rights and responsibilities. This assessment includes, first, identifying the activities that most significantly impact the VIE’s economic performance, and second, identifying which party, if any, has power over those activities. In general, the parties that make the most significant decisions affecting the VIE (such as asset managers and servicers) or have the right to unilaterally remove those decision-makers are deemed to have the power to direct the activities of a VIE.
Accounting Pronouncements Adopted During the Current Year
Revenue
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606),” and has since modified the standard with several ASUs (collectively, the “new revenue standard”). The new revenue standard requires entities to recognize revenue through the application of a five-step model, which includes: identification of the contract; identification of the performance obligations; determination of the transaction price; allocation of the transaction price to the performance obligations; and recognition of revenue as the entity satisfies the performance obligations. We adopted the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method with the cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application. Comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the standards in effect for those periods. We have applied the new revenue standard only to contracts not completed as of the date of initial application, referred to as open contracts. We have elected the practical expedient that permits an entity to reflect the aggregate effect of all of the modifications (on a contract-by-contract basis) that occurred before the date of initial application in determining the transaction price, identifying the satisfied and unsatisfied performance obligations, and allocating the transaction price to the performance obligations. Electing this practical expedient does not have a significant impact on our financial statements due to the short-term duration of most of our contracts and the nature of our contract modifications.
We have implemented significant new revenue accounting systems, processes and internal controls over revenue recognition to assist us in the application of the new revenue standard.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Financial Statement Impacts of Applying the New Revenue Standard
The cumulative effect of initially applying the new revenue standard to all open contracts as of January 1, 2018 is as follows:
The most significant impacts upon adoption of the new revenue standard on January 1, 2018 include the following items:
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A deferred contract cost asset of $150 million was recorded at transition in Other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets for incremental contract acquisition costs paid on open contracts, which consists primarily of commissions paid to acquire branded postpaid service contracts; and
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A contract asset of $140 million was recorded at transition in Other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets primarily for contracts with promotional bill credits offered to customers on equipment sales that are paid over time and are contingent on the customer maintaining a service contract.
Financial statement results as reported under the new revenue standard as compared to the previous revenue standard for the year ended December 31, 2018 are as follows:
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The most significant impacts to financial statement results as reported under the new revenue standard as compared to the previous revenue standard for the current reporting period are as follows:
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Under the new revenue standard, certain commissions paid to dealers previously recognized as a reduction to Equipment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are now recorded as commission costs in Selling, general and administrative expense.
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Contract costs capitalized for new contracts accumulated in Other assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets during 2018. As a result, there was a net benefit to Operating income in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income during 2018 as capitalization of costs exceeded amortization. As capitalized costs amortize into expense over time, the accretive benefit to Operating income is expected to moderate in 2019 and normalize in 2020.
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Certain promotions previously recognized as a reduction in Equipment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are now recorded as a reduction in Service revenues.
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Certain revenues previously recognized as Equipment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are now recorded as Service revenues.
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Certain contract fulfillment costs have been reclassified to Cost of services in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income from Selling, general and administrative expenses.
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Wholesale revenues for minimum guaranteed amounts (guarantee shortfall) are recognized when it is probable that a reversal of such revenue will not occur, which may impact the timing of recognition as compared to the previous standard.
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For contracts with promotional bill credits that are contingent on the customer maintaining a service contract that result in an extended service contract, a contract asset is recorded when control of the equipment transfers to the customer and is subsequently amortized as a reduction to Total service revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income over the extended contract term.
See disclosures related to Contracts with Customers under the new revenue standard in Note 10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers.
Statement of Cash Flows
On January 1, 2018, we adopted ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments” (the “new cash flow standard”) which impacted the presentation of our cash flows related to our beneficial interests in securitization transactions, which is the deferred purchase price, resulting in a reclassification of cash inflows from Operating activities to Investing activities of approximately $5.4 billion, $4.3 billion, and $3.4 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The new cash flow standard also impacted the presentation of our cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs, resulting in a reclassification of cash outflows from Operating activities to Financing activities of $212 million and $188 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. There were no cash payments for debt prepayment and debt extinguishment costs during the year ended December 31, 2016. We have applied the new cash flow standard retrospectively to all periods presented.
Financial Instruments
In January 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-01, “Financial Instruments (Topic 825): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities,” and has since modified the standard in February 2018 with ASU 2018-03,
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
“Technical Corrections and Improvements to Financial Instruments - Overall (Subtopic 825-10): Recognition and Measurement of Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities”. The standard addresses certain aspects of recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of financial instruments. The standard became effective for us, and we adopted the standard, on January 1, 2018. The standard requires the impact of adoption to be recorded to retained earnings under a modified retrospective approach, resulting in a reclassification of Accumulated other comprehensive income to Accumulated deficit of $8 million.
Income Taxes
In October 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-16, “Accounting for Income Taxes (Topic 740): Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory.” The standard requires that the income tax impact of intra-entity sales and transfers of property, except for inventory, be recognized when the transfer occurs. The standard became effective for us, and we adopted the standard, on January 1, 2018. The standard requires any deferred taxes not yet recognized on intra-entity transfers to be recorded to retained earnings under a modified retrospective approach, resulting in an adjustment to Accumulated deficit of $11 million.
Derivatives and Hedging
In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-12, “Derivatives and Hedging (Topic 815): Targeted Improvement to Accounting for Hedging Activities” (the “new derivatives and hedging standard”). The standard modified the guidance for the designation and measurement of qualifying hedging relationships and the presentation of hedge results. We adopted this standard on October 1, 2018 and have applied the standard to hedging transactions prospectively.
Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases (Topic 842),” and has since modified the standard with several ASUs (collectively, the “new lease standard”). The standard is effective for us, and we adopted the standard, on January 1, 2019.
The new lease standard requires most lessees to report a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. The income statement recognition is similar to existing lease accounting and is based on lease classification. The new lease standard requires lessees and lessors to classify most leases using principles similar to existing lease accounting. For lessors, the new lease standard modifies the classification criteria and the accounting for sales-type and direct financing leases. The new lease standard provides entities two options for applying the modified retrospective approach, either (1) retrospectively to each prior reporting period presented in the financial statements with the cumulative-effect adjustment recognized at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented or (2) retrospectively at the beginning of the period of adoption (January 1, 2019) through a cumulative-effect adjustment. We plan to adopt the standard by recognizing and measuring leases at the adoption date with a cumulative effect of initially applying the guidance recognized at the date of initial application.
The new standard provides for a number of optional practical expedients in transition. We do not expect to elect the “package of practical expedients” and as a result we would be required to reassess under the new standard our prior accounting conclusions about lease identification, lease classification and initial direct costs. We do expect to elect the use of hindsight for determining the reasonably certain lease term. We do not expect to elect the practical expedient pertaining to land easements as it is not applicable to us.
Upon the adoption of the new lease standard entities are required to reassess any previous failed sale-leaseback transactions that remain failed as of the effective date of the new standard. This reassessment should consider if a sale would have occurred as of the beginning of the reporting period in which the entity applies the new lease standard. Under the new lease standard, a sale is assessed using the transfer of control criteria in the new revenue standard. If the revised sale-leaseback guidance criteria are met and a sale has occurred as of the effective date, the gain or loss on the sale of the underlying asset is recognized as an adjustment to equity and the accounting for the leaseback will follow the transition provisions provided for all other operating leases.
We expect the most significant judgments and impacts upon adoption of the standard to include the following items:
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Upon adoption on January 1, 2019, we will recognize right-of-use assets and lease liabilities that have not previously been recorded. The lease liability for operating leases is based on the net present value of future minimum lease payments. The right-of-use asset for operating leases is based on the lease liability adjusted for the reclassification of certain balance sheet amounts such as deferred rent, subsequent to re-measurement from the assessment of lease term
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
described below, and prepaid rent. Deferred and prepaid rent will not be presented separately after the adoption of the new lease standard.
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We expect to elect the use of hindsight in determining the expected lease term for all cell sites and have generally concluded to include only payments due for the initial non-cancelable lease term. This assessment of expected lease term corresponds to our lease term assessment for new leases and aligns with the payments that have been disclosed as lease commitments in prior years. As a result, the average remaining lease term for cell sites has decreased from approximately 9 years to 4 years based on lease contracts in effect at transition on January 1, 2019.
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We are also required to reassess the previously failed sale-leaseback of certain T-Mobile-owned wireless communication tower sites and determine whether the transfer of the assets to the tower operator under the arrangement met the transfer of control criteria in the new revenue standard and whether a sale should be recognized. We are continuing to finalize our assessment of the previously failed sale-leaseback. If we conclude a sale should be recognized, upon adoption on January 1, 2019, we would derecognize our existing long-term financial obligation and the net book value of the tower-related property and equipment associated with the previously failed sale-leaseback transaction. A change in the sale-leaseback accounting conclusion would also result in the recognition of a lease liability and right of use asset for the leaseback, decreases in Other revenues and Interest expense and a reclassification of certain cash payments from financing outflows to operating outflows in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
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Excluding the impacts of a potential change in the accounting conclusion around the previously failed sale leaseback, the cumulative effects of initially applying the new lease standard on January 1, 2019 and for fiscal year 2019 would be as follows:
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The cumulative effect of initially applying the new lease standard on January 1, 2019 is estimated to be an increase in total assets of $8.5 billion to $9.4 billion, an increase in total liabilities of $8.2 billion to $8.9 billion and a decrease to Accumulated deficit of $300 million to $500 million.
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The aggregate impact is expected to result in a decrease in Total operating expenses of $190 million to $230 million and an increase to Net income of $140 million to $180 million in fiscal year 2019.
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Including the impacts that would result from a change in the accounting conclusion on the previously failed sale-leaseback, the cumulative effects of initially applying the new lease standard on January 1, 2019 and for fiscal year 2019 would be as follows:
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The cumulative effect of initially applying the new lease standard on January 1, 2019 is estimated to be an increase in total assets of $9.1 billion to $10.0 billion, an increase in total liabilities of $7.0 billion to $7.5 billion and a decrease to Accumulated deficit of $2.1 billion to $2.5 billion.
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The aggregate impact is expected to result in a decrease in Other revenues of $230 million to $250 million, a decrease in Interest expense of $200 million to $240 million, a decrease in Total operating expenses of $220 million to $260 million and an increase to Net income of $140 million to $180 million in fiscal year 2019.
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The expected impact on our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in fiscal year 2019 is a decrease in Net cash provided by operating activities of $20 million to $40 million and a decrease in Net cash used in financing activities of $20 million to $40 million.
The new lease standard provides practical expedients and policy elections for an entity’s ongoing accounting. We currently expect to elect the practical expedient to not separate lease and non-lease components for all of our leases. We do not expect to elect the short-term lease recognition exemption, which includes the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for existing short-term leases at transition.
For arrangements where we are the lessor, we do not expect the adoption of the new lease standard to have a material impact on our financial statements as all of our leases are operating leases. The new lease standard provides a practical expedient for lessors in which the lessor may elect, by class of underlying asset, to not separate non-lease components from the associated lease component and, instead, to account for these components as a single component if both of the following are met: (1) the timing and pattern of transfer of the non-lease component(s) and associated lease component are the same and (2) the lease component, if accounted for separately, would be classified as an operating lease. We do not expect to elect this expedient for leased wireless devices under our JUMP! On Demand program.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
We are in the process of implementing significant new lease accounting systems and are updating processes and implementing new internal controls over lease recognition to assist in the application of the new lease standard.
Financial Instruments
In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments.” In November 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-19, “Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses,” which amends the scope and transition requirements of ASU 2016-13. The standard requires a financial asset (or a group of financial assets) measured at amortized cost basis to be presented at the net amount expected to be collected. The measurement of expected credit losses is based on relevant information about past events, including historical experience, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectibility of the reported amount. The standard will become effective for us beginning January 1, 2020 and will require a cumulative-effect adjustment to Accumulated deficit as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective (that is, a modified-retrospective approach). Early adoption is permitted for us as of January 1, 2019. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and the timing of adoption.
Cloud Computing Arrangements
In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, “Intangibles - Goodwill and Other - Internal-Use Software (Topic 350): Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That is a Service Contract.” The standard aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The standard will become effective for us beginning January 1, 2020 and can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted for us at any time. We are currently evaluating the impact this guidance will have on our Consolidated Financial Statements and the timing of adoption.
Other recent accounting pronouncements issued by the FASB (including its Emerging Issues Task Force), the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants, and the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) did not have, or are not believed by management to have, a significant impact on our present or future Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 2 - Business Combinations
Proposed Sprint Transactions
On April 29, 2018, we entered into a Business Combination Agreement to merge with Sprint in an all-stock transaction at a fixed exchange ratio of 0.10256 shares of T-Mobile common stock for each share of Sprint common stock, or 9.75 shares of Sprint common stock for each share of T-Mobile common stock (the “Merger”). The combined company will be named “T-Mobile” and, as a result of the Merger, is expected to be able to rapidly launch a nationwide 5G network, accelerate innovation and increase competition in the U.S. wireless, video and broadband industries. Neither T-Mobile nor Sprint on its own could generate comparable benefits to consumers.
The Transactions have been approved by the boards of directors of T-Mobile and Sprint and the required approvals of each of T-Mobile and Sprint have been obtained. Immediately following the Merger, it is anticipated that Deutsche Telekom (“DT”) and SoftBank Group Corp. will hold, directly or indirectly, on a fully diluted basis, approximately 41.7% and 27.4%, respectively, of the outstanding T-Mobile common stock, with the remaining approximately 30.9% of the outstanding T-Mobile common stock held by other stockholders, based on closing share prices and certain other assumptions as of December 31, 2018.
In connection with the entry into the Business Combination Agreement, T-Mobile USA, Inc. (“T-Mobile USA”) entered into a commitment letter, dated as of April 29, 2018 (as amended and restated on May 15, 2018, the “Commitment Letter”). The funding of the debt facilities provided for in the Commitment Letter is subject to the satisfaction of the conditions set forth therein, including consummation of the Merger. The proceeds of the debt financing provided for in the Commitment Letter will be used to refinance certain existing debt of us, Sprint and our and Sprint’s respective subsidiaries and for post-closing working capital needs of the combined company. See Note 8 - Debt for further information.
In connection with the entry into the Business Combination Agreement, DT and T-Mobile USA entered into a financing matters agreement, dated as of April 29, 2018 (the “Financing Matters Agreement”). See Note 8 - Debt for further information.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
On May 18, 2018, under the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement dated as of May 14, 2018, (the “Consent Solicitation Statement”) we obtained consents necessary to effect certain amendments to certain existing debt of us and our subsidiaries. In connection with receiving the requisite consents, we made upfront payments to third-party note holders of approximately $31 million during 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt. We paid third-party bank fees associated with obtaining the requisite consents of $6 million during 2018, which we recognized as Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Under the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, Sprint may be required to reimburse us for 33% of the upfront consent and related bank fees we paid, or $14 million, if the Business Combination Agreement is terminated. There was no reimbursement accrued as of December 31, 2018. On May 18, 2018, Sprint also obtained consents necessary to effect certain amendments to certain existing debt of it and its subsidiaries. In connection with receiving the requisite consents, Sprint made upfront payments to third-party note holders and related bank fees of $241 million during 2018. Under the terms of the Business Combination Agreement, we may also be required to reimburse Sprint for 67% of the upfront consent and related bank fees it paid, or $161 million, if the Business Combination Agreement is terminated. There was no fee accrued as of December 31, 2018.
For the year ended December 31, 2018, we recognized costs associated with the Transactions of $196 million. These costs generally included bank fees associated with obtaining the requisite consents on debt to third parties, consulting and legal fees and were recognized as Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
The consummation of the Transactions is subject to regulatory approvals and certain other customary closing conditions. We expect to receive regulatory approval in the first half of 2019. The Business Combination Agreement contains certain termination rights for both Sprint and us. If we terminate the Business Combination Agreement in connection with a failure to satisfy the closing condition related to specified minimum credit ratings for the combined company on the closing date of the Merger (after giving effect to the Merger) from at least two of the three credit rating agencies, then in certain circumstances, we may be required to pay Sprint an amount equal to $600 million.
On June 18, 2018, we filed the Public Interest Statement and applications for approval of our Merger with Sprint with the FCC. On July 18, 2018, the FCC issued a Public Notice formally accepting our applications and establishing a period for public comment. The FCC is reviewing the modeling provided by us and Sprint under its informal 180-day transaction shot clock. On July 30, 2018, we filed a registration statement on Form S-4 with the SEC related to the Merger. The registration statement became effective on October 29, 2018.
Acquisition of Layer3 TV
On January 22, 2018, we completed our acquisition of television innovator Layer3 TV, Inc. (“Layer3 TV”) for cash consideration of $318 million. The consideration included a $5 million payment that was made after the closing date in the second quarter of 2018. Upon closing of the transaction, Layer3 TV became a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary. Layer3 TV acquires and distributes digital entertainment programming primarily through the internet to residential customers, offering direct to home digital television and multi-channel video programming distribution services. This transaction represented an opportunity to acquire a complementary service to our existing wireless service to advance our video strategy.
We accounted for the purchase of Layer3 TV as a business combination. Costs related to this acquisition were immaterial to our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The grant-date fair value of cash-based and share-based incentive compensation awards attributable to post-combination services was approximately $37 million.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table shows the amounts recognized as of the acquisition date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resultant purchase price allocation:
We recognized a liability of $21 million within Accounts payable and accrued liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and an associated indemnification asset of $12 million in our Consolidated Balance Sheets related to minimum commitments under acquired content agreements. As of December 31, 2018, the $12 million had been received.
Goodwill of $218 million is calculated as the excess of the purchase price paid over the net assets acquired. The goodwill recorded as part of the Layer3 TV acquisition primarily reflects industry knowledge of the retained management team, as well as intangible assets that do not qualify for separate recognition. None of the goodwill is deductible for tax purposes. See Note 6 - Goodwill, Spectrum Licenses and Other Intangible Assets for further information.
As part of the transaction, we acquired an identifiable intangible asset of developed technology with an estimated fair value of $100 million, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a useful life of 5 years.
The financial results from the acquisition of Layer3 TV since the closing date through December 31, 2018 were not material to our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Acquisition of Iowa Wireless
On January 1, 2018 (the “IWS Acquisition Date”), we closed on our previously announced Unit Purchase Agreement to acquire the remaining equity in Iowa Wireless Services, LLC (“IWS”), a 54% owned unconsolidated subsidiary, for a purchase price of $25 million. We accounted for our acquisition of IWS as a business combination.
Prior to the IWS Acquisition Date, we accounted for our previously-held investment in IWS under the equity method as we had significant influence, but not control. Authoritative guidance on accounting for business combinations requires that an acquirer re-measure its previously held equity interest in the acquiree at its acquisition date fair value and recognize the resulting gain or loss in earnings. As such, we valued our previously held equity interest in IWS at $56 million as of the IWS Acquisition Date and recognized a gain of $15 million.
The following table highlights the consideration transferred, the fair value of our previously held equity interest and bargain purchase:
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
As part of the acquisition of IWS, we recognized a bargain purchase gain of approximately $25 million, which represents the fair value of the identifiable net assets acquired, primarily IWS spectrum licenses, in excess of the purchase price and fair value of our previously held equity interest. We were in a favorable position to acquire the remaining shares of IWS as a result of our previously held 54% equity interest in IWS, an unprofitable business with valuable spectrum holdings.
The following table shows the amounts recognized as of the IWS Acquisition Date for each major class of assets acquired and liabilities assumed and the resultant purchase price allocation:
We included both the gain on our previously held equity interest in IWS and the bargain purchase gain within Other income (expense), net for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Pro Forma Information
The acquisitions of Layer3 TV and IWS were not material to our prior period consolidated results on a pro forma basis.
Note 3 - Receivables and Allowance for Credit Losses
Our portfolio of receivables is comprised of two portfolio segments, accounts receivable and EIP receivables. Our accounts receivable segment primarily consists of amounts currently due from customers, including service and leased device receivables, other carriers and third-party retail channels.
Based upon customer credit profiles, we classify the EIP receivables segment into two customer classes of “Prime” and “Subprime.” Prime customer receivables are those with lower delinquency risk and Subprime customer receivables are those with higher delinquency risk. Customers may be required to make a down payment on their equipment purchases. In addition, certain customers within the Subprime category are required to pay an advance deposit.
To determine a customer’s credit profile, we use a proprietary credit scoring model that measures the credit quality of a customer using several factors, such as credit bureau information, consumer credit risk scores and service and device plan characteristics.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table summarizes the EIP receivables, including imputed discounts and related allowance for credit losses:
To determine the appropriate level of the allowance for credit losses, we consider a number of credit quality indicators, including historical credit losses and timely payment experience as well as current collection trends such as write-off frequency and severity, aging of the receivable portfolio, credit quality of the customer base and other qualitative factors such as macro-economic conditions.
We write off account balances if collection efforts are unsuccessful and the receivable balance is deemed uncollectible, based on customer credit quality and the aging of the receivable.
For EIP receivables, subsequent to the initial determination of the imputed discount, we assess the need for and, if necessary, recognize an allowance for credit losses to the extent the amount of estimated probable losses on the gross EIP receivable balances exceed the remaining unamortized imputed discount balances.
The EIP receivables had weighted average effective imputed interest rates of 10.0%, 9.6% and 9.0% as of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Activity for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 in the allowance for credit losses and unamortized imputed discount balances for the accounts receivable and EIP receivables segments were as follows:
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Management considers the aging of receivables to be an important credit indicator. The following table provides delinquency status for the unpaid principal balance for receivables within the EIP portfolio segment, which we actively monitor as part of our current credit risk management practices and policies:
Note 4 - Sales of Certain Receivables
We have entered into transactions to sell certain service and EIP receivables. The transactions, including our continuing involvement with the sold receivables and the respective impacts to our Consolidated Financial Statements, are described below.
Sales of Service Accounts Receivable
Overview of the Transaction
In 2014, we entered into an arrangement to sell certain service accounts receivable on a revolving basis and in November 2016, the arrangement was amended to increase the maximum funding commitment to $950 million (the “service receivable sale arrangement”) and extend the scheduled expiration date to March 2018. In February 2018, the service receivable sale arrangement was amended and restated to extend the scheduled expiration date to March 2019. In November 2018, the service receivable sale arrangement was again amended to extend the maturity of certain third-party credit support under the arrangement until March 2019. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, the service receivable sale arrangement provided funding of $774 million and $880 million, respectively. Sales of receivables occur daily and are settled on a monthly basis. The receivables consist of service charges currently due from customers and are short-term in nature.
In connection with the service receivable sale arrangement, we formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, which qualifies as a bankruptcy remote entity, to sell service accounts receivable (the “Service BRE”). The Service BRE does not qualify as a VIE, and due to the significant level of control we exercise over the entity, it is consolidated. Pursuant to the service receivable sale arrangement, certain of our wholly-owned subsidiaries transfer selected receivables to the Service BRE. The Service BRE then sells the receivables to an unaffiliated entity (the “Service VIE”), which was established to facilitate the sale of beneficial ownership interests in the receivables to certain third parties.
Variable Interest Entity
We determined that the Service VIE qualifies as a VIE as it lacks sufficient equity to finance its activities. We have a variable interest in the Service VIE but are not the primary beneficiary as we lack the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the Service VIE’s economic performance. Those activities include committing the Service VIE to legal agreements to purchase or sell assets, selecting which receivables are purchased in the service receivable sale arrangement, determining whether the Service VIE will sell interests in the purchased service receivables to other parties, funding of the entity and servicing of receivables. We do not hold the power to direct the key decisions underlying these activities. For example, while we act as the servicer of the sold receivables, which is considered a significant activity of the Service VIE, we are acting as an agent in our capacity as the servicer and the counterparty to the service receivable sale arrangement has the ability to remove us as the servicing agent of the receivables at will with no recourse available to us. As we have determined we are not the primary beneficiary, the balances and results of the Service VIE are not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and classification of assets, which consists primarily of the deferred purchase price and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets that relate to our variable interest in the Service VIE:
Sales of EIP Receivables
Overview of the Transaction
In 2015, we entered into an arrangement to sell certain EIP accounts receivable on a revolving basis. In August 2017, the EIP sale arrangement was amended to reduce the maximum funding commitment to $1.2 billion (the “EIP sale arrangement”) and extend the scheduled expiration date to November 2018. In December 2017, the EIP sale arrangement was again amended to increase the maximum funding commitment to $1.3 billion. In October 2018, we amended and restated the EIP sale arrangement to, among other things, extend the scheduled expiration date to November 2020 and expand the types of EIP receivables that may be sold. In December 2018, we amended the EIP sale arrangement to increase the term of EIP accounts receivables relating to handset devices that may be sold in the EIP sale arrangement to expand the eligibility criteria for longer tenor EIP loans.
As of both December 31, 2018 and 2017, the EIP sale arrangement provided funding of $1.3 billion. Sales of EIP receivables occur daily and are settled on a monthly basis.
In connection with this EIP sale arrangement, we formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, which qualifies as a bankruptcy remote entity (the “EIP BRE”). Pursuant to the EIP sale arrangement, our wholly-owned subsidiary transfers selected receivables to the EIP BRE. The EIP BRE then sells the receivables to a non-consolidated and unaffiliated third-party entity for which we do not exercise any level of control, nor does the third-party entity qualify as a VIE.
Variable Interest Entity
We determined that the EIP BRE is a VIE as its equity investment at risk lacks the obligation to absorb a certain portion of its expected losses. We have a variable interest in the EIP BRE and determined that we are the primary beneficiary based on our ability to direct the activities which most significantly impact the EIP BRE’s economic performance. Those activities include selecting which receivables are transferred into the EIP BRE and sold in the EIP sale arrangement and funding of the EIP BRE. Additionally, our equity interest in the EIP BRE obligates us to absorb losses and gives us the right to receive benefits from the EIP BRE that could potentially be significant to the EIP BRE. Accordingly, we include the balances and results of operations of the EIP BRE in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and classification of assets, which consists primarily of the deferred purchase price and liabilities included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets that relate to the EIP BRE:
In addition, the EIP BRE is a separate legal entity with its own separate creditors who will be entitled, prior to any liquidation of the EIP BRE, to be satisfied prior to any value in the EIP BRE becoming available to us. Accordingly, the assets of the EIP BRE may not be used to settle our general obligations and creditors of the EIP BRE have limited recourse to our general credit.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Sales of Receivables
The transfers of service receivables and EIP receivables to the non-consolidated entities are accounted for as sales of financial assets. Once identified for sale, the receivable is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value. Upon sale, we derecognize the net carrying amount of the receivables.
We recognize the cash proceeds received upon sale in Net cash provided by operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. We recognize proceeds net of the deferred purchase price, consisting of a receivable from the purchasers that entitles us to certain collections on the receivables. We recognize the collection of the deferred purchase price in Net cash used in investing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as Proceeds related to beneficial interests in securitization transactions.
The deferred purchase price represents a financial asset that is primarily tied to the creditworthiness of the customers and which can be settled in such a way that we may not recover substantially all of our recorded investment, due to default by the customers on the underlying receivables. We elected, at inception, to measure the deferred purchase price at fair value with changes in fair value included in Selling, general and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The fair value of the deferred purchase price is determined based on a discounted cash flow model which uses primarily unobservable inputs (Level 3 inputs), including customer default rates. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our deferred purchase price related to the sales of service receivables and EIP receivables was $746 million and $745 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes the impacts of the sale of certain service receivables and EIP receivables in our Consolidated Balance Sheets:
We recognized losses from sales of receivables, including adjustments to the receivables’ fair values and changes in fair value of the deferred purchase price, of $157 million, $299 million and $228 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in Selling, general and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Continuing Involvement
Pursuant to the sale arrangements described above, we have continuing involvement with the service receivables and EIP receivables we sell as we service the receivables and are required to repurchase certain receivables, including ineligible receivables, aged receivables and receivables where write-off is imminent. We continue to service the customers and their related receivables, including facilitating customer payment collection, in exchange for a monthly servicing fee. As the receivables are sold on a revolving basis, the customer payment collections on sold receivables may be reinvested in new receivable sales. While servicing the receivables, we apply the same policies and procedures to the sold receivables as we apply to our owned receivables, and we continue to maintain normal relationships with our customers. Pursuant to the EIP sale arrangement, under certain circumstances, we are required to deposit cash or replacement EIP receivables primarily for contracts terminated by customers under our JUMP! Program.
In addition, we have continuing involvement with the sold receivables as we may be responsible for absorbing additional credit losses pursuant to the sale arrangements. Our maximum exposure to loss related to the involvement with the service receivables
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
and EIP receivables sold under the sale arrangements was $1.2 billion as of December 31, 2018. The maximum exposure to loss, which is a required disclosure under GAAP, represents an estimated loss that would be incurred under severe, hypothetical circumstances whereby we would not receive the deferred purchase price portion of the contractual proceeds withheld by the purchasers and would also be required to repurchase the maximum amount of receivables pursuant to the sale arrangements without consideration for any recovery. As we believe the probability of these circumstances occurring is remote, the maximum exposure to loss is not an indication of our expected loss.
Note 5 - Property and Equipment
The components of property and equipment were as follows:
Wireless communication systems include capital lease agreements for network equipment with varying expiration terms through 2033. Capital lease assets and accumulated amortization were $3.1 billion and $867 million, and $2.4 billion and $533 million, as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of certain property and equipment and spectrum intangible assets. We recognized capitalized interest of $362 million, $136 million and $142 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The components of leased wireless devices under our JUMP! On Demand program were as follows:
Future minimum payments expected to be received over the lease term related to the leased wireless devices, which exclude optional residual buy-out amounts at the end of the lease term, are summarized below:
Total depreciation expense relating to property and equipment was $6.4 billion, $5.8 billion and $6.0 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively. Included in the total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016 was $940 million, $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, related to leased wireless devices.
For the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recorded additional depreciation expense of $60 million, $63 million and $101 million, respectively, as a result of adjustments to useful lives of network equipment expected to be replaced in connection with our network transformation and decommissioning the MetroPCS CDMA network and redundant network cell sites.
Asset retirement obligations are primarily for certain legal obligations to remediate leased property on which our network infrastructure and administrative assets are located.
Activity in our asset retirement obligations was as follows:
The corresponding assets, net of accumulated depreciation, related to asset retirement obligations were $194 million and $220 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Note 6 - Goodwill, Spectrum License Transactions and Other Intangible Assets
Goodwill
The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
On January 22, 2018, we completed our acquisition of Layer3 TV. This purchase was accounted for as a business combination resulting in $218 million in goodwill. Layer3 TV is a separate reporting unit and the acquired goodwill is tested for impairment at this level. See Note 2 - Business Combinations for further information.
Spectrum Licenses
The following table summarizes our spectrum license activity for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017:
We had the following spectrum license transactions during 2018:
•
We recorded spectrum licenses received as part of our acquisition of the remaining equity interest in IWS at their estimated fair value of approximately $87 million. See Note 2 - Business Combinations for further information.
•
We closed on multiple spectrum purchase agreements in which we acquired total spectrum licenses of approximately $50 million for cash consideration.
•
In September 2018, we signed a reciprocal long-term lease agreement with Sprint in which both parties have the right to use a portion of spectrum owned by the other party. This executory agreement does not qualify as an acquisition of spectrum licenses, and we have not capitalized amounts related to the lease. The reciprocal long-term lease is a distinct transaction from the Merger. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies for further information.
We had the following spectrum license transactions during 2017:
•
In March 2017, we closed on an agreement with a third party for the exchange of certain AWS and PCS spectrum licenses. Upon closing of the transaction, we recorded the spectrum licenses received at their estimated fair value of approximately $123 million and recognized a gain of $37 million included in Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
•
In April 2017, the FCC announced that we were the winning bidder of 1,525 licenses in the 600 MHz spectrum auction for an aggregate price of $8.0 billion. At inception of the auction in June 2016, we deposited $2.2 billion with the FCC which, based on the outcome of the auction, was sufficient to cover our down payment obligation due in April 2017. In May 2017, we paid the FCC the remaining $5.8 billion of the purchase price using cash reserves and by issuing debt to Deutsche Telekom AG (“DT”), our majority stockholder, pursuant to existing purchase commitments.
The licenses are included in Spectrum licenses as of December 31, 2017, in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. We began deployment of these licenses on our network in the third quarter of 2017.
•
In September 2017, we closed on an agreement with a third party for the exchange of certain AWS and PCS spectrum licenses. Upon closing of the transaction, we recorded the spectrum licenses received at their estimated fair value of approximately $115 million and recognized a gain of $29 million included in Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
•
In September 2017, we entered into a Unit Purchase Agreement (“UPA”) to acquire the remaining equity in Iowa Wireless Services, LLC (“IWS”), a 54% owned unconsolidated subsidiary, for a purchase price of $25 million. On January 1, 2018, we closed on the purchase agreement and received the IWS spectrum licenses, among other assets. As of December 31, 2017, we accounted for our existing investment in IWS under the equity method as we had significant influence, but not control.
•
In December 2017, we closed on an agreement with a third party for the exchange of certain AWS and PCS spectrum licenses. Upon closing of the transaction, we recorded the spectrum licenses received at their estimated fair value of approximately $352 million and recognized a gain of $168 million included in Gains on disposal of spectrum licenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets Impairment Assessments
Our impairment assessment of goodwill and other indefinite-lived intangible assets (spectrum licenses) resulted in no impairment as of December 31, 2018 and 2017.
Other Intangible Assets
The components of Other intangible assets were as follows:
Amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization was $124 million, $163 million and $220 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for intangible assets subject to amortization are summarized below:
Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements
The carrying values of Cash and cash equivalents, Accounts receivable, Accounts receivable from affiliates, Accounts payable and accrued liabilities, and borrowings under our revolving credit facility with DT, our majority stockholder, approximate fair value due to the short-term maturities of these instruments.
Derivative Financial Instruments
Interest rate lock derivatives
On October 1, 2018, we adopted the new derivatives and hedging standard and have applied the standard to hedging transactions prospectively. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion on the adoption of this standard.
Periodically, we use derivatives to manage exposure to market risk, such as interest rate risk. We designate certain derivatives as hedging instruments in a qualifying hedge accounting relationship (cash flow hedge) to help minimize significant, unplanned fluctuations in cash flows caused by interest rate volatility. We do not use derivatives for trading or speculative purposes.
We enter into and designate interest rate lock derivatives (forward-starting swap instruments) as cash flow hedges to reduce variability in cash flows due to changes in interest payments attributable to increases or decreases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt.
We record interest rate lock derivatives on our Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value that is derived primarily from observable market data, including yield curves. Interest rate lock derivatives were classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Cash flows associated with derivative instruments are presented in the same category on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows as the item being hedged.
In October 2018, we entered into interest rate lock derivatives with notional amounts of $9.6 billion. The fair value of interest rate lock derivatives as of December 31, 2018 was $447 million and is included in Other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of and for the year ended December 31, 2018, no amounts were accrued or amortized into Interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income while changes in fair value, net of tax, of $332 million are presented in AOCI.
Embedded derivatives
In connection with our business combination with MetroPCS, we issued senior reset notes to DT. We determined certain components of the reset feature are required to be bifurcated from the senior reset notes and separately accounted for as embedded derivative instruments.
The interest rates on our senior reset notes to DT were adjusted at the reset dates to rates defined in the applicable supplemental indentures to manage interest rate risk related to the senior reset notes. Our embedded derivatives are recorded at fair value primarily based on unobservable inputs and were classified as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy for 2018 and 2017.
The fair value of embedded derivative instruments was $19 million and $66 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively, and is included in Other long-term liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. For the years ended December
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, we recognized $29 million, $52 million and $25 million from the gain activity related to embedded derivatives instruments in Interest expense to affiliates in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Deferred Purchase Price Assets
In connection with the sales of certain service and EIP accounts receivable pursuant to the sale arrangements, we have deferred purchase price assets measured at fair value that are based on a discounted cash flow model using unobservable Level 3 inputs, including customer default rates. See Note 4 - Sales of Certain Receivables for further information.
The carrying amounts and fair values of our assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
Long-term Debt
The fair value of our Senior Notes to third parties was determined based on quoted market prices in active markets, and therefore was classified as Level 1 within the fair value hierarchy. The fair values of our Senior Notes to affiliates, Incremental Term Loan Facility to affiliates and Senior Reset Notes to affiliates were determined based on a discounted cash flow approach using market interest rates of instruments with similar terms and maturities and an estimate for our standalone credit risk. Accordingly, our Senior Notes to affiliates, Incremental Term Loan Facility to affiliates and Senior Reset Notes to affiliates were classified as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Although we have determined the estimated fair values using available market information and commonly accepted valuation methodologies, considerable judgment was required in interpreting market data to develop fair value estimates for the Senior Notes to affiliates, Incremental Term Loan Facility to affiliates and Senior Reset Notes to affiliates. The fair value estimates were based on information available as of December 31, 2018 and 2017. As such, our estimates are not necessarily indicative of the amount we could realize in a current market exchange.
The carrying amounts and fair values of our short-term and long-term debt included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were as follows:
Guarantee Liabilities
We offer a device trade-in program, JUMP!, which provides eligible customers a specified-price trade-in right to upgrade their device. For customers who enroll in JUMP!, we recognize a liability and reduce revenue for the portion of revenue which represents the estimated fair value of the specified-price trade-in right guarantee, incorporating the expected probability and timing of handset upgrade and the estimated fair value of the handset which is returned. Accordingly, our guarantee liabilities were classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy. When customers upgrade their device, the difference between the EIP balance credit to the customer and the fair value of the returned device is recorded against the guarantee liabilities. Guarantee liabilities are included in Other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The carrying amounts of our guarantee liabilities measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis included in our Consolidated Balance Sheets were $73 million and $105 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
The total estimated remaining gross EIP receivable balances of all enrolled handset upgrade program customers, which are the
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
remaining EIP amounts underlying the JUMP! guarantee, including EIP receivables that have been sold, was $3.0 billion as of December 31, 2018. This is not an indication of our expected loss exposure as it does not consider the expected fair value of the used handset or the probability and timing of the trade-in.
Note 8 - Debt
Debt was as follows:
Debt to Third Parties
During the year ended December 31, 2018 we issued the following Senior Notes:
We used the net proceeds of $2.494 billion from the public debt issuance to redeem our $1.750 billion of 6.625% Senior Notes due 2023 on April 1, 2018, and to redeem our $600 million of 6.836% Senior Notes due 2023 on April 28, 2018, and for general corporate purposes, including the partial repayment of borrowings under our revolving credit facility with DT.
During the year ended December 31, 2018 we made the following note redemptions:
(1)
Write-off of premiums, discounts, issuance costs and call penalties are included in Other income (expense), net in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. Write-off of premiums, discounts and issuance costs are included in Losses on redemption of debt within Net cash provided by operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
(2)
The call penalty is the excess paid over the principal amount. Call penalties are included within Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
Debt to Affiliates
On April 30, 2018, DT purchased (i) $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of 4.500% Senior Notes due 2026 and (ii) $1.5 billion in aggregate principal amount of 4.750% Senior Notes due 2028 directly from T-Mobile USA and certain of its affiliates, as guarantors, with no underwriting discount (the “New DT Notes”).
We used the net proceeds of $2.5 billion from the transaction to refinance existing indebtedness to DT as follows:
(1)
Certain components of the reset features were required to be bifurcated from the DT Senior Reset Notes and separately accounted for as embedded derivative instruments. Write-off of embedded derivatives are included in Losses on redemption of debt within Net cash provided by operating activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows.
(2)
Cash for the premium portion of the redemption price set forth in the indenture governing the DT Senior Reset Notes, plus accrued but unpaid interest on the DT Senior Reset Notes to, but not including, the exchange date.
Incremental Term Loan Facility
In March 2018, we amended the terms of our secured term loan facility (“Incremental Term Loan Facility”) with DT, our majority stockholder. Following this amendment, the applicable margin payable on LIBOR indexed loans is 1.50% under the $2.0 billion Incremental Term Loan Facility maturing on November 9, 2022 and 1.75% under the $2.0 billion Incremental Term Loan Facility maturing on January 31, 2024. The amendment also modified the Incremental Term Loan Facility to (i) include a soft-call prepayment premium of 1.00% of the outstanding principal amount of the loans under the Incremental Term Loan Facility payable to DT upon certain refinancings of such loans by us with lower priced debt prior to a date that is six months after March 29, 2018 and (ii) update certain covenants and other provisions to make them substantially consistent, subject to certain additional carve outs, with our most recently issued public notes. No issuance fees were incurred related to this debt facility for the years ended December 31, 2018 or 2017.
Commitment Letter
Under the Commitment Letter in connection with the Merger, certain financial institutions named therein have committed to provide up to $30.0 billion in secured and unsecured debt financing, including a $4.0 billion secured revolving credit facility, a $7.0 billion secured term loan facility and a $19.0 billion secured bridge loan facility. In connection with the financing provided for in the Commitment Letter, we expect to incur certain fees if the Merger closes, including fees for the financial institutions structuring and providing the commitments for the secured term loan facility, secured revolving loan facility and the secured bridge loan, and certain take-out fees associated with the issuance of permanent secured bond debt in lieu of the secured bridge loan. We expect to incur up to approximately $340 million if the closing date occurs on or after April 29, 2019. There was no fee accrued as of December 31, 2018. We also may be required to draw down on the $7.0 billion secured term loan facility on May 1, 2019, and would be required to place the proceeds in escrow and pay interest thereon until the Merger closes.
Financing Matters Agreement
Pursuant to the Financing Matters Agreement, DT agreed, among other things, to consent to the incurrence by T-Mobile USA of secured debt in connection with and after the consummation of the Merger, and to provide a lock up on sales thereby as to certain senior notes of T-Mobile USA held thereby. In addition, T-Mobile USA agreed, among other things, to repay and terminate, upon closing of the Merger, the Incremental Term Loan Facility and the revolving credit facility of T-Mobile USA which are provided by DT, as well as $2.0 billion of T-Mobile USA’s 5.300% Senior Notes due 2021 and $2.0 billion of T-Mobile USA’s 6.000% Senior Notes due 2024. In addition, T-Mobile USA and DT agreed, upon closing of the Merger, to amend the $1.25 billion of T-Mobile USA’s 5.125% Senior Notes due 2025 and $1.25 billion of T-Mobile USA’s 5.375% Senior Notes due 2027 to change the maturity dates thereof to April 15, 2021 and April 15, 2022, respectively (the “2025 and 2027 Amendments”). In connection with receiving the requisite consents, we made upfront payments to DT of $7 million during the second quarter of 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt to affiliates in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In accordance with the consents received from DT, on December 20, 2018, T-Mobile USA, the guarantors and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, executed and delivered the 38th supplemental indenture to the Indenture, pursuant to which, with respect to certain T-Mobile USA Senior Notes held by DT, the Proposed Amendments (as defined below under “Consents on Debt to Third Parties”) and the 2025 and 2027 Amendments will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger. If the Merger is consummated, we will make additional payments for requisite consents to DT of $20 million. There was no additional payment accrued as of December 31, 2018.
Consents on Debt to Third Parties
On May 18, 2018, under the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement, we obtained consents necessary to effect certain amendments to our Senior Notes to third parties in connection with the Business Combination Agreement. Pursuant to the Consent Solicitation Statement, third-party note holders agreed, among other things, to consent to increasing the amount of Secured Indebtedness under Credit Facilities that can be incurred from the greater of $9.0 billion and 150% of Consolidated Cash Flow to the greater of $9.0 billion and an amount that would not cause the Secured Debt to Cash Flow Ratio (calculated net of cash and cash equivalents) to exceed 2.00x (the “Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments”) and in each case as such capitalized term is defined in the Indenture. In connection with receiving the requisite consents for the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments, we made upfront payments to third-party note holders of $17 million during the second quarter of 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These upfront payments increased the effective interest rate of the related debt.
In addition, note holders agreed, among other things, to allow certain entities related to Sprint’s existing spectrum securitization notes program (“Existing Sprint Spectrum Program”) to be non-guarantor Restricted Subsidiaries, provided that the principal amount of the spectrum notes issued and outstanding under the Existing Sprint Spectrum Program does not exceed $7.0 billion and that the principal amount of such spectrum notes reduces the amount available under the Credit Facilities ratio basket, and to revise the definition of GAAP to mean generally accepted accounting principles in effect from time to time, unless the Company elects to “freeze” GAAP as of any date, and to exclude the effect of the changes in the accounting treatment of lease obligations (the “Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments,” and together with the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments, the “Proposed Amendments”). In connection with receiving the requisite consents for the Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments, we made upfront payments to third-party note holders of $14 million during the second quarter of 2018. These payments were recognized as a reduction to Long-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. These upfront payments increased the effective interest rate of the related debt.
In connection with obtaining the requisite consents, on May 20, 2018, T-Mobile USA, the guarantors and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, executed and delivered the 37th supplemental indenture to the Indenture, pursuant to which,
with respect to each of the Notes, the Proposed Amendments will become effective immediately prior to the consummation of the Merger.
We paid third-party bank fees associated with obtaining the requisite consents related to the Proposed Amendments of $6 million during the second quarter of 2018, which we recognized as Selling, general and administrative expenses in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. If the Merger is consummated, we will make additional payments to third-party note holders for requisite consents related to the Ratio Secured Debt Proposed Amendments of up to $54 million and additional payments to third-party note holders for requisite consents related to the Existing Sprint Spectrum and GAAP Proposed Amendments of up to $41 million. There was no payment accrued as of December 31, 2018.
Financing Arrangements
We maintain a handset financing arrangement with Deutsche Bank AG (“Deutsche Bank”), which allows for up to $108 million in borrowings. Under the handset financing arrangement, we can effectively extend payment terms for invoices payable to certain handset vendors. The interest rate on the handset financing arrangement is determined based on LIBOR plus a specified margin per the arrangement. Obligations under the handset financing arrangement are included in Short-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In 2017, we utilized and repaid $100 million under the financing arrangement. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no outstanding balance.
We maintain vendor financing arrangements with our primary network equipment suppliers. Under the respective agreements, we can obtain extended financing terms. The interest rate on the vendor financing arrangements is determined based on the difference between LIBOR and a specified margin per the agreements. Obligations under the vendor financing arrangements are included in Short-term debt in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. In 2018, we utilized and repaid $300 million under the financing arrangement. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there was no outstanding balance.
Revolving Credit Facility
We have a $2.5 billion revolving credit facility with DT that is comprised of (i) a $1.0 billion unsecured revolving credit agreement (“Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility”) and (ii) a $1.5 billion secured revolving credit agreement (“Secured Revolving Credit Facility”). In January 2018, we utilized proceeds under our revolving credit facility with DT to redeem $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount of our 6.125% Senior Notes due 2022 and for general corporate purposes. On January 29, 2018, the proceeds utilized under our revolving credit facility with DT were repaid.
In March 2018, we amended the terms of our Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and our Secured Revolving Credit Facility. Following these amendments, (i) the range of the applicable margin payable under the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is 2.05% to 3.05%, (ii) the range of applicable margin payable under the Secured Revolving Credit Facility is 1.05% to 1.80%, (iii) the range of the undrawn commitment fee applicable to the Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility is 0.20% to 0.575%, (iv) the range of the undrawn commitment fee applicable to the Secured Revolving Credit Facility is 0.25% to 0.45%, and (v) the maturity date of the revolving credit facility with DT is December 29, 2020. The amendments also modify the facility to update certain covenants and other provisions to make them substantially consistent, subject to certain additional carve outs, with our most recently issued public notes.
In November 2018, we amended the terms of the revolving credit facility with DT to extend the maturity date to December 29, 2021.
The proceeds and borrowings from the revolving credit facility are presented in Proceeds from borrowing on revolving credit facility and Repayments of revolving credit facility within Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities in our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no outstanding borrowings under the revolving credit facility.
Capital Leases
Capital lease agreements primarily relate to network equipment with varying expiration terms through 2033. Future minimum payments required under capital leases, including interest and maintenance, over their remaining terms are summarized below:
Standby Letters of Credit
For the purposes of securing our obligations to provide handset insurance services, we maintain an agreement for standby letters of credit with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. (“JP Morgan Chase”). For purposes of securing our general purpose obligations, we maintain a letter of credit reimbursement agreement with Deutsche Bank.
The following table summarizes the outstanding standby letters of credit under each agreement:
Note 9 - Tower Obligations
In 2012, we conveyed to Crown Castle International Corp. (“CCI”) the exclusive right to manage and operate approximately 7,100 T-Mobile-owned wireless communication tower sites (“CCI Tower Sites”) in exchange for net proceeds of $2.5 billion (the “2012 Tower Transaction”). Rights to approximately 6,200 of the tower sites were transferred to CCI via a master prepaid lease with site lease terms ranging from 23 to 37 years (“CCI Lease Sites”), while the remaining tower sites were sold to CCI (“CCI Sales Sites”). CCI has fixed-price purchase options for these towers totaling approximately $2.0 billion, based on the estimated fair market value at the end of the lease term. We lease back space at certain tower sites for an initial term of ten years, followed by optional renewals at customary terms.
In 2015, we conveyed to Phoenix Tower International (“PTI”) the exclusive right to manage and operate approximately 600 T-Mobile-owned wireless communication tower sites (“PTI Tower Sites”) in exchange for net proceeds of approximately $140 million (the “2015 Tower Transaction”). As of December 31, 2018, rights to approximately 150 of the tower sites remain operated by PTI under a management agreement (“PTI Managed Sites”). We lease back space at certain tower sites for an initial term of ten years, followed by optional renewals at customary terms.
Assets and liabilities associated with the operation of certain of the tower sites were transferred to SPEs. Assets included ground lease agreements or deeds for the land on which the towers are situated, the towers themselves and existing subleasing agreements with other mobile network operator tenants, who lease space at the tower sites. Liabilities included the obligation to pay ground lease rentals, property taxes and other executory costs. Upon closing of the 2012 Tower Transaction, CCI acquired all of the equity interests in the SPEs containing CCI Sales Sites and an option to acquire the CCI Lease Sites at the end of their respective lease terms and entered into a master lease agreement under which we agreed to lease back space at certain of the tower sites. Upon closing of the 2015 Tower Transaction, PTI acquired all of the equity interests in the SPEs containing PTI Sales Sites and entered into a master lease agreement under which we agreed to lease back space at certain of the tower sites.
We determined the SPEs containing the CCI Lease Sites (“Lease Site SPEs”) are VIEs as our equity investment lacks the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the VIEs. These activities include managing tenants and underlying ground leases, performing repair and maintenance on the towers, the obligation to absorb expected losses and the right to receive the expected future residual returns from the purchase option to acquire the CCI Lease Sites. As we determined that we are not the primary beneficiary and do not have a controlling financial interest in the Lease Site SPEs, the balances and operating results of the Lease Site SPEs are not included in our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Due to our continuing involvement with the tower sites, we determined that we were precluded from applying sale-leaseback accounting. We recorded long-term financial obligations in the amount of the net proceeds received and recognized interest on the tower obligations at a rate of approximately 8% for the 2012 Tower Transaction and 5% for the 2015 Tower Transaction using the effective interest method. The tower obligations are increased by interest expense and amortized through contractual leaseback payments made by us to CCI or PTI and through estimated future net cash flows generated and retained by CCI or PTI from operation of the tower sites. Our historical tower site asset costs continue to be reported in Property and equipment, net in our Consolidated Balance Sheets and are depreciated.
The following table summarizes the impacts to the Consolidated Balance Sheets:
Future minimum payments related to the tower obligations are expected to be approximately $195 million in 2019, $391 million in total for 2020 and 2021, $392 million in total for 2022 and 2023 and $835 million in total for years thereafter.
We are contingently liable for future ground lease payments through the remaining term of the CCI Lease Sites. These contingent obligations are not included in the above table as any amount due is contractually owed by CCI based on the subleasing arrangement. See Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies for further information.
If we conclude a sale should be recognized, upon adoption of the new lease standard on January 1, 2019, we would derecognize our existing long-term financial obligation and the net book value of the tower-related property and equipment associated with the previous failed sale-leaseback transaction. See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information.
Note 10 - Revenue from Contracts with Customers
Disaggregation of Revenue
We provide wireless communication services to three primary categories of customers:
•
Branded postpaid customers generally include customers who are qualified to pay after receiving wireless communication services utilizing phones, mobile broadband devices (including tablets), DIGITS, SyncUP DRIVE™ or other devices including wearables;
•
Branded prepaid customers generally include customers who pay for wireless communication services in advance. Our branded prepaid customers include customers of T-Mobile and Metro by T-Mobile; and
•
Wholesale customers include M2M and MVNO customers that operate on our network but are managed by wholesale partners.
See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further discussion.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Branded postpaid service revenues, including branded postpaid phone revenues and branded postpaid other revenues, were as follows:
We operate as a single operating segment. The balances presented within each revenue line item in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income represent categories of revenue from contracts with customers disaggregated by type of product and service. Service revenues also include revenues earned for providing value added services to customers, such as handset insurance services. Revenue generated from the lease of mobile communication devices and accessories is included within Equipment revenues in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Equipment revenues from the lease of mobile communication devices and accessories were as follows:
Contract Balances
The opening and closing balances of our contract asset and contract liability balances from contracts with customers as of January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018, were as follows:
Contract assets primarily represent revenue recognized for equipment sales with promotional bill credits offered to customers that are paid over time and are contingent on the customer maintaining a service contract. The change in the contract asset balance includes customer activity related to new promotions, offset by billings on existing contracts and impairment which is recognized as bad debt expense.
Contract liabilities are recorded when fees are collected, or we have an unconditional right to consideration (a receivable) in advance of delivery of goods or services. The change in contract liabilities is primarily related to customer activity associated with our prepaid plans including the receipt of cash payments and the satisfaction of our performance obligations.
Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2018, include the following:
Remaining Performance Obligations
As of December 31, 2018, the aggregate amount of transaction price allocated to remaining service performance obligations for branded postpaid contracts with promotional bill credits that result in an extended service contract is $308 million. We expect to recognize this revenue as service is provided over the extended contract term in the next 24 months.
Certain of our wholesale, roaming and other service contracts include variable consideration based on usage. This variable consideration has been excluded from the disclosure of remaining performance obligations. As of December 31, 2018, the
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
aggregate amount of the contractual minimum consideration allocated to remaining service performance obligations for wholesale, roaming and other service contracts is $1.1 billion, $1.0 billion and $1.5 billion for 2019, 2020 and 2021 and beyond, respectively. These contracts have a remaining duration of less than one year to six years.
Information about remaining performance obligations that are part of a contract that has an original expected duration of one year or less have been excluded from the above, which primarily consists of monthly service contracts. The aggregate amount of the transaction price allocated to remaining service performance obligations includes the estimated amount to be invoiced to the customer.
Contract Costs
The total balance of deferred incremental costs to obtain contracts as of December 31, 2018 was $644 million. Deferred contract costs incurred to obtain postpaid service contracts are amortized over a period of 24 months. The amortization period is monitored to reflect any significant change in assumptions. Amortization of deferred contract costs was $267 million for the year ended December 31, 2018.
The deferred contract cost asset is assessed for impairment on a periodic basis. There were no impairment losses recognized on deferred contract cost assets for the year ended December 31, 2018.
Note 11 - Employee Compensation and Benefit Plans
On February 14, 2018, our Board of Directors adopted, and on June 13, 2018, our stockholders approved an amendment (the “Amendment”) to the 2013 Omnibus Incentive Plan (as amended, the “Plan”) which increased the number of shares authorized for issuance under the Plan by 18,500,000 shares. On June 18, 2018, we filed a Form S-8 to register a total of 19,345,005 shares of common stock pursuant to the Plan, representing those covered by the Amendment, certain other predecessor plans, and certain equity arrangements assumed in connection with the acquisition of Layer3 TV in January 2018.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we granted or assumed an aggregate of 6,259,169 RSUs and restricted stock awards (“RSAs”) to eligible employees, certain non-employee directors, and eligible key executives, which primarily included annual awards. RSUs entitle the grantee to receive shares of our common stock at the end of a vesting period of generally up to three years, subject to continued service through the applicable vesting date.
During the year ended December 31, 2018, we granted an aggregate of 3,364,629 PRSUs to eligible key executives, which primarily included annual awards and an aggregate of 1,317,386 PRSUs to certain executive officers in connection with the entry into the Business Combination Agreement with Sprint. PRSUs entitle the holder to receive shares of our common stock at the end of a performance period of generally up to three years, based on the attainment of the applicable performance goals and generally subject to continued employment through the applicable performance period. The number of shares ultimately received by the holder of PRSUs is dependent on our business performance against the specified performance goal(s) over a pre-established performance period.
As discussed in Note 2 - Business Combinations, in January 2018 we completed our acquisition of Layer3 TV. The fair value of share-based incentive compensation awards attributable to post-combination services was approximately $30 million.
Stock-based compensation expense and related income tax benefits were as follows:
Stock Awards
Time-Based Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Awards
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units and Restricted Stock Awards
PRSUs included in the table above are shown at target. Share payout can range from 0% to 200% based on different performance outcomes.
Payment of the underlying shares in connection with the vesting of stock awards generally triggers a tax obligation for the employee, which is required to be remitted to the relevant tax authorities. We have agreed to withhold shares of common stock otherwise issuable under the award to cover certain of these tax obligations, with the net shares issued to the employee accounted for as outstanding common stock. We withheld 2,321,827 and 2,754,721 shares of common stock to cover tax obligations associated with the payment of shares upon vesting of stock awards and remitted cash of $146 million and $166 million to the appropriate tax authorities for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Employee Stock Purchase Plan
Our employee stock purchase plan (“ESPP”) allows eligible employees to contribute up to 15% of their eligible earnings toward the semi-annual purchase of our common stock at a discounted price, subject to an annual maximum dollar amount. Employees can purchase stock at a 15% discount applied to the closing stock price on the first or last day of the six-month offering period, whichever price is lower. The number of shares issued under our ESPP was 2,011,794 and 1,832,043 for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Stock Options
Stock options outstanding relate to the Metro Communications, Inc. 2010 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, the Amended and Restated Metro Communications, Inc. 2004 Equity Incentive Compensation Plan, the Second Amended and Restated 1995 Stock Option Plan and the Layer3 TV, Inc. 2013 Stock Plan (collectively, the “Stock Option Plans”). No new awards have been or may be granted under the Stock Option Plans.
The following activity occurred under the Stock Option Plans:
Stock options exercised under the Stock Option Plans generated proceeds of approximately $3 million and $21 million for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Employee Retirement Savings Plan
We sponsor a retirement savings plan for the majority of our employees under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and similar plans. The plans allow employees to contribute a portion of their pretax income in accordance with specified guidelines. The plans provide that we match a percentage of employee contributions up to certain limits. Employer matching contributions were $102 million, $87 million and $83 million for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Legacy Long-Term Incentive Plan
Prior to the business combination with MetroPCS Communications, Inc., we maintained a performance-based Long-Term Incentive Plan (“LTIP”) which aligned to our long-term business strategy. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, there were no LTIP awards outstanding and no new awards are expected to be granted under the LTIP. There was no compensation expense reported within operating expenses related to our LTIP for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016. There were no payments to participants related to our LTIP for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. Payments were $52 million for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Note 12 - Repurchases of Common Stock
2017 Stock Repurchase Program
On December 6, 2017, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program for up to $1.5 billion of our common stock through December 31, 2018 (the “2017 Stock Repurchase Program”). Repurchased shares are retired. The 2017 Stock Repurchase Program completed on April 29, 2018.
The following table summarizes information regarding repurchases of our common stock under the 2017 Stock Repurchase Program:
(In millions, except shares and per share price)
2018 Stock Repurchase Program
On April 27, 2018, our Board of Directors authorized an increase in the total stock repurchase program to $9.0 billion, consisting of the $1.5 billion in repurchases previously completed and for up to an additional $7.5 billion of repurchases of our common stock, allocated as up to $500 million of shares of common stock through December 31, 2018, up to $3.0 billion of shares of common stock for the year ending December 31, 2019 and up to $4.0 billion of shares of common stock for the year ending December 31, 2020, with any authorized but unutilized repurchase capacity for any of the foregoing periods increasing
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
the authorized repurchase capacity for the succeeding period by the amount of such unutilized repurchase capacity. The additional $7.5 billion repurchase authorization is contingent upon the termination of the Business Combination Agreement and the abandonment of the transactions contemplated under the Business Combination Agreement.
Under the repurchase program, repurchases can be made from time to time using a variety of methods, which may include open market purchases, privately negotiated transactions or otherwise, all in accordance with the rules of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements. The specific timing, price and size of purchases will depend on prevailing stock prices, general economic and market conditions, and other considerations. The repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire any particular amount of common stock, and the repurchase program may be suspended or discontinued at any time at our discretion. Repurchased shares are retired.
Stock Purchases by Affiliate
In the first quarter of 2018, DT, our majority stockholder and an affiliated purchaser, purchased 3.3 million additional shares of our common stock at an aggregate market value of $200 million in the public market or from other parties, in accordance with the rules of the SEC and other applicable legal requirements. There were no purchases in the remainder of 2018. We did not receive proceeds from these purchases.
Note 13 - Income Taxes
Our sources of Income before income taxes were as follows:
Income tax expense is summarized as follows:
The reconciliation between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate is as follows:
Significant components of deferred income tax assets and liabilities, tax effected, are as follows:
In 2017, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (“SAB”) No. 118 which permitted the recording of provisional amounts related to the impact of the U.S. Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (the “TCJA”) during a measurement period not to exceed one year from the enactment date of the TCJA. We recorded an immaterial amount for provisional items related to the TCJA in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the year ended December 31, 2017. Our accounting for these items is now complete. Current period adjustments related to the provisional items were immaterial.
As of December 31, 2018, we have tax effected net operating loss (“NOL”) carryforwards of $1.1 billion for federal income tax purposes and $797 million for state income tax purposes, expiring through 2038. Federal NOLs and certain state NOLs generated in 2018 do not expire. As of December 31, 2018, our tax effected federal and state NOL carryforwards for financial reporting purposes were approximately $119 million and $261 million, respectively, less than our NOL carryforwards for federal and state income tax purposes, due to unrecognized tax benefits of the same amount. The financial reporting amounts exclude indirect tax effects in other jurisdictions.
As of December 31, 2018, we have available Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”) credit carryforwards of $48 million. Under the TCJA, the AMT credits will be fully recovered by 2021. We also have research and development and foreign tax credit carryforwards with a combined value of $312 million for federal income tax purposes, which begin to expire in 2019.
As of December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, our valuation allowance was $210 million, $273 million and $573 million, respectively. The change from December 31, 2017 to December 31, 2018 primarily related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in certain state jurisdictions from a change in tax status of certain subsidiaries. The change from December 31, 2016 to December 31, 2017 primarily related to a reduction in the valuation allowance against deferred tax assets in state jurisdictions of $359 million, partially offset by a $26 million valuation allowance established during 2017 for the impact of the TCJA on certain tax credits and a $33 million increase in the valuation allowance associated with the reduced federal benefit of state items. We will continue to monitor positive and negative evidence related to the utilization of the remaining deferred tax assets for which a valuation allowance continues to be provided. It is possible that our valuation allowance may change within the next twelve months.
We file income tax returns in the U.S. federal jurisdiction, various state jurisdictions and in Puerto Rico. We are currently under examination by various states. Management does not believe the resolution of any of the audits will result in a material change to our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. The IRS has concluded its audits of our federal tax returns through the 2013 tax year; however, NOL and other carryforwards for certain audited periods remain open for examination. We are generally closed to U.S. federal, state and Puerto Rico examination for years prior to 1999.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits were as follows:
As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $315 million and $254 million, respectively, in unrecognized tax benefits that, if recognized, would affect our annual effective tax rate. Included in the 2018 increase to unrecognized tax benefits is $10 million related to tax positions acquired through the acquisition of Layer3 TV. Penalties and interest on income tax assessments are included in Selling, general and administrative expenses and Interest expense, respectively, in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income. The accrued interest and penalties associated with unrecognized tax benefits are insignificant.
Note 14 - Earnings Per Share
The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share was as follows:
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
As of December 31, 2018, we had authorized 100 million shares of 5.50% mandatory convertible preferred stock series A, with a par value of $0.00001 per share. There were no preferred shares outstanding as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Potentially dilutive securities were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share if to do so would have been anti-dilutive.
Note 15 - Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments
Operating Leases
We have non-cancellable operating leases for cell sites, switch sites, retail stores and office facilities with contractual terms expiring through 2028. The majority of cell site leases have an initial non-cancelable term of five to ten years with several renewal options. In addition, we have operating leases for dedicated transportation lines with varying expiration terms through 2027. Our commitments under these leases are approximately $2.7 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019, $4.7 billion in total for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2021, $3.3 billion in total for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2023 and $3.8 billion in total for years thereafter.
As of December 31, 2018, we were contingently liable for future ground lease payments related to the tower obligations. These contingent obligations are not included in the above table as the amounts due are contractually owed by CCI based on the subleasing arrangement. See Note 9 - Tower Obligations for further information.
Total rent expense under operating leases, including dedicated transportation lines, was $3.0 billion, $2.9 billion and $2.8 billion for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and is classified as Cost of services and Selling, general and administrative expense in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income.
Purchase Commitments
We have commitments for non-dedicated transportation lines with varying expiration terms through 2029. In addition, we have commitments to purchase and lease spectrum licenses, wireless devices, network services, equipment, software, marketing sponsorship agreements and other items in the ordinary course of business, with various terms through 2043. These amounts are not reflective of our entire anticipated purchases under the related agreements but are determined based on the non-cancelable quantities or termination amounts to which we are contractually obligated.
Our purchase obligations are approximately $3.4 billion for the year ending December 31, 2019, $2.8 billion in total for the years ending December 31, 2020 and 2021, $1.8 billion in total for the years ending December 31, 2022 and 2023 and $1.4 billion in total for the years thereafter.
In June 2018, we entered into an agreement for the purchase of network equipment totaling approximately $3.5 billion. Based on unavoidable spend, the minimum commitment under this agreement is $377 million as of December 31, 2018.
In September 2018, we amended an agreement with a third party to increase the total amount of network equipment to purchase by approximately $3.5 billion. Based on unavoidable spend, the minimum commitment under this agreement is $259 million as of December 31, 2018.
In September 2018, we signed a reciprocal long-term spectrum lease with Sprint that included a total commitment of $535 million and an offsetting amount to be received from Sprint for the lease of our spectrum. Lease payments began in the fourth quarter of 2018. The reciprocal long-term lease is a distinct transaction from the Merger.
In October 2018, we entered into agreements with a third-party associated with a device upgrade program, trade-in services, and device protection products and services offered to our mobile communications customers, with initial terms of one to three years. Device protection products and services include reinsurance for device insurance policies and extended warranty contracts, mobile security applications, and technical support services.
Interest rate lock derivatives
In October 2018, we entered into interest rate lock derivatives with notional amounts of $9.6 billion These interest rate lock derivatives were designated as cash flow hedges to reduce variability in cash flows due to changes in interest payments
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
attributable to increases or decreases in the benchmark interest rate during the period leading up to the probable issuance of fixed-rate debt. The fair value of interest rate lock derivatives as of December 31, 2018 was $447 million and is included in Other current liabilities in our Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 7 - Fair Value Measurements for further information.
Renewable Energy Purchase Agreements
During 2018, T-Mobile USA entered four renewable energy purchase agreements (“REPAs”) with third parties. The REPAs are based on the expected operation of energy-generating facilities and will remain in effect for terms of between 15 and 20 years from the commencement of facility’s entry into commercial operation. Commercial operations are set to begin at the end of 2019 or 2020. Each REPA consists of an energy forward agreement that is net settled based on energy prices and the energy output generated by the facility. We have determined that each of the REPAs does not meet the definition of a derivative because the expected energy output of the facility may not be reliably estimated (the arrangement lacks a notional amount). The REPAs do not contain any unconditional purchase obligations because amounts under the agreement are not fixed and determinable. Our participations in the REPAs did not require upfront investments or capital commitments. We do not control the activities that most significantly impact the energy-generating facilities, nor do we receive specific energy output from them.
Contingencies and Litigation
Litigation Matters
We are involved in various lawsuits and disputes, claims, government agency investigations and enforcement actions, and other proceedings (“Litigation Matters”) that arise in the ordinary course of business, which include claims of patent infringement (most of which are asserted by non-practicing entities primarily seeking monetary damages), class actions, and proceedings to enforce FCC rules and regulations. The Litigation Matters described above have progressed to various stages and some of them may proceed to trial, arbitration, hearing or other adjudication that could result in fines, penalties, or awards of monetary or injunctive relief in the coming 12 months if they are not otherwise resolved. We have established an accrual with respect to certain of these matters, where appropriate, which is reflected in the Consolidated Financial Statements but that we do not consider, individually or in the aggregate, material. An accrual is established when we believe it is both probable that a loss has been incurred and an amount can be reasonably estimated. For other matters, where we have not determined that a loss is probable or because the amount of loss cannot be reasonably estimated, we have not recorded an accrual due to various factors typical in contested proceedings, including but not limited to uncertainty concerning legal theories and their resolution by courts or regulators, uncertain damage theories and demands, and a less than fully developed factual record. While we do not expect that the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, individually or in the aggregate, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, an unfavorable outcome of some or all of these proceedings could have a material adverse impact on results of operations or cash flows for a particular period. This assessment is based on our current understanding of relevant facts and circumstances. As such, our view of these matters is subject to inherent uncertainties and may change in the future.
Note 16 - Additional Financial Information
Supplemental Consolidated Balance Sheets Information
Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities are summarized as follows:
Book overdrafts included in accounts payable and accrued liabilities were $630 million and $455 million as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Hurricane Impacts
During 2018, we recognized $61 million in costs related to hurricanes, including $36 million in incremental costs to maintain services primarily in Puerto Rico related to hurricanes that occurred in 2017 and $25 million related to hurricanes that occurred in 2018. Additional costs related to a hurricane that occurred in 2018 are expected to be immaterial in the first quarter of 2019.
During 2018, we received reimbursement payments from our insurance carriers of $307 million related to hurricanes, of which $93 million was previously accrued for as a receivable as of December 31, 2017.
We have accrued insurance recoveries related to a hurricane that occurred in 2018 of approximately $5 million for the year ended December 31, 2018 as an offset to the costs incurred within Cost of services in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income and as an increase to Other current assets in our Consolidated Balance Sheets.
The following table shows the hurricane impacts in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017. There were no significant hurricane impacts in 2016.
Supplemental Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income Information
Related Party Transactions
We have related party transactions associated with DT or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business, which are included in the Consolidated Financial Statements.
The following table summarizes the impact of significant transactions with DT or its affiliates included in Operating expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income:
We have an agreement with DT for the reimbursement of certain administrative expenses, which were $11 million for each of the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Note 17 - Guarantor Financial Information
Pursuant to the applicable indentures and supplemental indentures, the long-term debt to affiliates and third parties issued by T-Mobile USA (“Issuer”) is fully and unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, on a senior unsecured basis by T-Mobile (“Parent”) and certain of the Issuer’s 100% owned subsidiaries (“Guarantor Subsidiaries”). See Note 8 - Debt for further information.
The guarantees of the Guarantor Subsidiaries are subject to release in limited circumstances only upon the occurrence of certain customary conditions. The indentures and credit facilities governing the long-term debt contain covenants that, among other
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
things, limit the ability of the Issuer and the Guarantor Subsidiaries to incur more debt, pay dividends and make distributions, make certain investments, repurchase stock, create liens or other encumbrances, enter into transactions with affiliates, enter into transactions that restrict dividends or distributions from subsidiaries, and merge, consolidate or sell, or otherwise dispose of, substantially all of their assets. Certain provisions of each of the credit facilities, indentures and supplemental indentures relating to the long-term debt restrict the ability of the Issuer to loan funds or make payments to Parent. However, the Issuer and Guarantor Subsidiaries are allowed to make certain permitted payments to the Parent under the terms of the indentures and the supplemental indentures.
On October 23, 2018, SLMA LLC was formed as a limited liability company in Delaware to serve as an escrow subsidiary to facilitate the contemplated issuance of notes by Parent in connection with the Transactions. SLMA LLC is an indirect, 100% owned finance subsidiary of Parent, as such term is used in Rule 3-10(b) of Regulation S-X, and has been designated as an unrestricted subsidiary under Issuer’s existing debt securities. Any debt securities that may be issued from time to time by SLMA LLC will be fully and unconditionally guaranteed by Parent.
Presented below is the condensed consolidating financial information as of December 31, 2018 and 2017, and for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017 and 2016.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
December 31, 2018
(1)
Assets and liabilities for Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are primarily included in VIEs related to the 2012 Tower Transaction. See Note 9 - Tower Obligations for further information.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheet Information
December 31, 2017
(1)
Assets and liabilities for Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries are primarily included in VIEs related to the 2012 Tower Transaction. See Note 9 - Tower Obligations for further information.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Information
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Information
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Comprehensive Income Information
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Information
Year Ended December 31, 2018
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Information
Year Ended December 31, 2017
Balances have been revised based on the guidance in ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for further information.
Index for Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
Condensed Consolidating Statement of Cash Flows Information
Year Ended December 31, 2016
Balances have been revised based on the guidance in ASU 2016-15, “Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments.” See Note 1 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements, for further information.
Supplementary Data
Quarterly Financial Information (Unaudited)
In December 2017, the TCJA was signed into legislation. The TCJA included numerous changes to existing tax law, including a permanent reduction in the federal corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. The rate reduction took place on January 1, 2018. We recognized a net tax benefit of $2.2 billion associated with the enactment of the TCJA in Income tax (expense) benefit in our Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income in the fourth quarter of 2017, primarily due to a re-measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities.
Earnings per share is computed independently for each quarter and the sum of the quarters may not equal earnings per share for the full year.
Item 9.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure information required to be disclosed in our periodic reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Our disclosure controls are also designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, we carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures, as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective, as of the end of the period covered by this Form 10-K.
The certifications required by Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 are filed as exhibits 31.1 and 31.2, respectively, to this Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Beginning January 1, 2018, we adopted the new revenue standard and implemented significant new revenue accounting systems, processes and internal controls over revenue recognition to assist us in the application of the new revenue standard. Other than as discussed above, there were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting, as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act, during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.
Management's Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is a process to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of our financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions, providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made in accordance with management authorization, and providing reasonable assurance that unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of company assets that could have a material effect on our financial statements would be prevented or detected on a timely basis. Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with policies and procedures may deteriorate.
Management conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework and criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013), issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Based on this evaluation, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2018.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2018 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report herein.
Item 9B.
Item 9B. Other Information
None.
PART III.
Item 10.
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
We maintain a code of ethics applicable to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Accounting Officer, Treasurer, and Controller, which is a “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers” as defined by applicable rules of the SEC. This code is publicly available on our website at investor.t-mobile.com. If we make any amendments to this code other than technical, administrative or other non-substantive amendments, or grant any waivers, including implicit waivers, from a provision of this code we will disclose the nature of the amendment or waiver, its effective date and to whom it applies on our website at investor.t-mobile.com or in a Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC.
The remaining information required by this item, including information about our Directors, Executive Officers and Audit Committee, will be incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A or be included in an amendment to this Report.
Item 11.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item will be incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A or to be included in an amendment to this Report.
Item 12.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
The information required by this item will be incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A or to be included in an amendment to this Report.
Item 13.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
The information required by this item will be incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A or to be included in an amendment to this Report.
Item 14.
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
The information required by this item will be incorporated by reference from our definitive Proxy Statement to be filed with the SEC pursuant to Regulation 14A or to be included in an amendment to this Report.
PART IV.
Item 15.
Item 15. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules
(a) Documents filed as a part of this Form 10-K:
1. Financial Statements
The following financial statements are included in Part II, Item 8 of this Form 10-K:
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Consolidated Statement of Stockholders’ Equity
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
2. Financial Statement Schedules
All other schedules have been omitted because they are not required, not applicable, or the required information is otherwise included.
3. Exhibits
See the Index to Exhibits immediately following “Item 16. Form 10-K Summary” of this Form 10-K.
Item 16. Form 10-K Summary
None.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
*
Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.
**
Furnished herein.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Each person whose signature appears below constitutes and appoints John J. Legere and J. Braxton Carter, and each or either of them, his or her true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent, each acting alone, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him or her and in his or her name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any or all amendments or supplements (including post-effective amendments) to this Report, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and all documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorney-in-fact and agent, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he or she might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorney-in-fact and agent, or his or her substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities indicated as of February 6, 2019.
Signature
Title
/s/ John J. Legere
Chief Executive Officer and
John J. Legere
Director (Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ G. Michael Sievert
President and Chief Operating Officer
G. Michael Sievert
Director
/s/ J. Braxton Carter
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
J. Braxton Carter
(Principal Financial Officer)
/s/ Peter Osvaldik
Senior Vice President, Finance and Chief Accounting
Peter Osvaldik
Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ Timotheus Höttges
Chairman of the Board
Timotheus Höttges
/s/ Srikant Datar
Director
Srikant Datar
/s/ Lawrence H. Guffey
Director
Lawrence H. Guffey
/s/ Christian P. Illek
Director
Christian P. Illek
/s/ Bruno Jacobfeuerborn
Director
Bruno Jacobfeuerborn
/s/ Raphael Kübler
Director
Raphael Kübler
/s/ Thorsten Langheim
Director
Thorsten Langheim
/s/ Olaf Swantee
Director
Olaf Swantee
/s/ Teresa A. Taylor
Director
Teresa A. Taylor
/s/ Kelvin R. Westbrook
Director
Kelvin R. Westbrook