PR Archives:  LatestBy Company By Date


Press Release -- February 29th, 2012
Source: ntls
Tags:

NTELOS Holdings Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Year-End 2011 Operating Results

Adjusted EBITDA of $34.0 Million in Q4

–Completes Spin-Off of Wireline Business

–Declares Quarterly Dividend of $0.42 Per Share

WAYNESBORO, Va.–(BUSINESS WIRE)– NTELOS Holdings Corp. (“the Company,” NASDAQ: NTLS), a leading regional provider of nationwide wireless voice and data communications services with operations in Virginia, West Virginia, and portions of Pennsylvania, Kentucky, Ohio, Maryland and North Carolina, today announced operating results for its fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011.

Fourth Quarter Highlights

  • Sprint wholesale revenues for the fourth quarter 2011 increased almost 30% to $37.9 million compared to $29.2 million for the same period in 2010;
  • Subscriber churn for the fourth quarter 2011 improved to 3.4% compared to 3.5% for the same period in 2010;
  • Net subscriber losses for the fourth quarter 2011 were (500) compared to (1,300) for the same period in 2010; and
  • Data ARPU for the fourth quarter 2011 increased 28% to $17.36 from $13.56 for the same period of 2010.

“Fourth quarter results reflect positively on the continued strength of our Sprint wholesale business, combined with quantifiable improvements in our retail operations. I am extremely encouraged by the increased competitiveness of our retail distribution model, which experienced favorable growth of prepay subscribers and a significant reduction in postpaid subscriber net losses during the quarter, especially when compared to the past few quarters,” noted James A. Hyde, CEO of NTELOS Holdings Corp.

Highlights from Continued Operations

  • Operating revenues for the fourth quarter 2011 were $106.0 million, up 3% from the fourth quarter 2010. Operating revenues for the year 2011 were $422.6 million, up 4% compared to the year 2010. The increase in operating revenues in both periods was primarily due to an increase in Sprint wholesale revenues offsetting a decline in retail revenues.
  • Retail revenues, which includes subscriber and equipment revenues, were $66.3 million for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to $71.5 million for fourth quarter 2010. Retail revenues for the year 2011 were $278.1 million compared to $289.3 million for the year 2010.
  • Wholesale and Other revenues, primarily driven by the Company’s Strategic Network Alliance with Sprint, increased 28% to $39.6 million for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to $31.0 million for the fourth quarter 2010. Wholesale and Other revenues for the year 2011 were $144.5 million, a 23% increase over $117.5 million for the year 2010.
  • Adjusted EBITDA was $34.0 million for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to $34.0 million for the fourth quarter 2010. Adjusted EBITDA was $143.1 million for the year 2011 compared to $142.1 million for the year 2010.
  • Income from Continuing Operations, less Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, was $4.3 million, or $0.21 per basic share, for fourth quarter of 2011 compared to $4.9 million, or $0.23 per basic share, in the same period in 2010. Net Income from Continuing Operations, less Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, was $21.7 million, or $1.04 per basic share, for the year 2011 compared to $27.9 million, or $1.35 per basic share, for the year 2010.

Total Subscribers

  • Total subscribers were 414,500 as of December 31, 2011, essentially flat with 415,000 at the end of Q3 2011.
  • Total gross additions for the fourth quarter were 41,600 compared to 44,200 in the same period of 2010. Total net subscriber losses for the fourth quarter were (500) compared to (1,300) for the same period in 2010.
  • Total gross additions for 2011 were 158,100 compared to 164,600 in 2010. Total net subscriber losses for the year 2011 were (17,900) compared to (6,100) for 2010.

Postpay Subscribers

  • Postpay subscriber gross additions for fourth quarter were 20,700, a 3% decrease from the fourth quarter 2010 and a 25% increase from third quarter 2011. The improvement in the fourth quarter 2011 compared to the third quarter 2011 was the combination of the Company’s improved retail store experience, increased focus on indirect points of distribution and consistent and improved messaging around the competitiveness of the Company’s offerings.
  • Net postpay subscriber losses were (1,900) for the fourth quarter 2011, compared to an increase of 1,000 for the fourth quarter 2010 and a decrease of (6,400) for the third quarter 2011.
  • At year end, total postpay subscribers were 292,400.

Prepay Subscribers

  • Prepay subscriber gross additions for fourth quarter were 20,900, compared to 22,900 for the fourth quarter 2010 and 20,000 for third quarter 2011. The improved quarter-over-quarter results for the fourth quarter 2011 were primarily due to the continued success of the Company’s $45 per month, all-inclusive rate plan introduced in June 2011, which eliminated a competitive pricing disadvantage and, through anticipated churn reductions, potentially enhances lifetime revenues.
  • Net prepay subscriber additions were 1,400 for the fourth quarter 2011, compared to a decrease of (2,300) in the fourth quarter 2010 and a decrease of (3,400) for the third quarter 2011.
  • At year end, total prepay subscribers were 122,100.

Mr. Hyde continued, “The strength of our combined wholesale and retail models continues to gain momentum. Our relationship with Sprint has never been stronger, driven in part by Sprint’s own subscriber growth, improved smartphone penetration and commensurate data ARPU increases. Similarly, the improved subscriber experience at our upgraded retail locations, combined with simple and competitively priced voice and data plans and a commitment to superior customer service, bodes well for the continued success of NTELOS within our operational footprint.”

Discontinued Operations

The Company completed the separation of its wireless and wireline operations with the spin-off of Lumos Networks Corp. (Nasdaq: LMOS) on October 31, 2011. The wireline results are reflected as Discontinued Operations for all periods presented. As such, the reported operating results are reflective of the wireless operations of NTELOS, including certain expenses related to the business separation. In addition, the Company recorded an after tax charge of $65.7 million, recorded in Discontinued Operations, related to an October 31, 2011 impairment of goodwill, property, plant and equipment and other intangible assets of the Rural Local Exchange Carrier (“RLEC”) portion of the spun-off wireline business.

Net Income (Loss)

Net Loss, after Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, was ($60.5) million, or ($2.91) per basic share, for the fourth quarter 2011 compared to Net Income, after Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, of $8.7 million, or $0.41 per basic share, in the fourth quarter 2010. Net Loss, after Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, was ($23.7) million, or ($1.14) per basic share, for the year 2011 compared to Net Income, after Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, of $44.8 million, or $2.17 per basic share, for the year 2010. The Net Loss, after Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests, for the fourth quarter 2011 and the full year 2011 reflects the impairment charge recorded in Discontinued Operations as described above.

Declaration of Dividend

On February 24, 2012, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend on its common stock in the amount of $0.42 per share to be paid on April 12, 2012 to stockholders of record on March 14, 2012.

Business Outlook

The Company will provide financial guidance updates during the Fourth Quarter 2011 Earnings Conference Call scheduled for today, February 29, 2012, at 10:00 A.M. ET.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call with investors and analysts to discuss its fourth quarter and year 2011 results this morning, February 29, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. ET. To participate, please dial 1-877-317-6789, 1-866-605-3852 in Canada and +1 412-317-6789 for international approximately 10 minutes before the scheduled start of the call. The conference call will also be accessible live on the Investor Relations section of the nTelos website at http://ir.ntelos.com.

An archive of the conference call will be available online at http://ir.ntelos.com beginning approximately two hours after the call and continuing until March 8, 2012. A replay will also be available via telephone by dialing 1-877-344-7529, 1-412-317-0088 internationally and entering access code 10010813 beginning approximately two hours after the call and continuing until March 8, 2012.

Non-GAAP Measures

Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp. before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, accretion of asset retirement obligations, gain/loss on derivatives, net income attributable to noncontrolling interests, other expenses/income, equity based compensation charges, acquisition related charges, net loss from discontinued operations and costs related to the separation of the wireless and wireline companies.

ARPU, or average monthly revenues per subscriber/unit with service, is computed by dividing service revenues per period by the weighted average number of subscribers with service during that period. Please see the footnotes in the exhibits for a complete definition of this measure.

Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric used by investors to determine if the Company is generating sufficient cash flows to continue to generate shareholder value, provide liquidity for future growth and continue to fund dividends and dividend increases, and the increased weight of this metric reflects the Company’s increased focus on improving this key metric.

ARPU provides management useful information concerning the appeal of NTELOS rate plans and service offerings and the Company’s performance in attracting and retaining high value customers.

Adjusted EBITDA and ARPU are non-GAAP financial performance measures. They should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures determined in accordance with GAAP. Please refer to the exhibits and materials posted on the Company’s website for a reconciliation of these non-GAAP financial performance measures to the most comparable measures reported in accordance with GAAP and for a discussion of the presentation, comparability and use of such financial performance measures.

About NTELOS

NTELOS Holdings Corp. (NASDAQ: NTLS), operating through its subsidiaries as “nTelos Wireless,” is headquartered in Waynesboro, VA, and provides high-speed, dependable nationwide voice and data coverage for over 400,000 retail subscribers based in Virginia, West Virginia and portions of Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Ohio and Kentucky. nTelos’s licensed territories have a total population of approximately 8 million residents, of which its wireless network covers approximately 5.9 million residents. nTelos is also the exclusive wholesale provider of network services to Sprint Nextel in the western Virginia and West Virginia portions of its territories for all Sprint CDMA wireless customers. Additional information about NTELOS is available at www.ntelos.com or www.facebook.com/nteloswireless and www.twitter.com/ntelos_wireless.

SPECIAL NOTE FROM THE COMPANY REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Any statements contained in this press release or made on the above-referenced conference call that are not statements of historical fact, including statements about our beliefs and expectations, are forward-looking statements and should be evaluated as such. The words “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “targets,” “projects,” “should,” “may,” “will” and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements reflect, among other things, our current expectations, plans and strategies, and anticipated financial results, all of which are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and factors that may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Many of these risks are beyond our ability to control or predict. Because of these risks, uncertainties and assumptions, you should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. Furthermore, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. We do not undertake any obligation to update or review any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Important factors with respect to any such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, include, but are not limited to: our ability to attract and retain retail subscribers to our services; the dependence on our affiliation with Sprint Nextel (“Sprint”); a potential increase in roaming rates and wireless handset subsidy costs; rapid development and intense competition in the telecommunications industry; the potential to experience a high rate of customer turnover; the potential for Sprint and others to build networks in our markets; cash and capital requirements; operating and financial restrictions imposed by our senior credit facility; adverse economic conditions; federal and state regulatory fees, requirements and developments; loss of ability to use our current cell sites; our ability to realize the benefits anticipated following the spinoff of our wireline business; our continued reliance on indirect channels of retail distribution; our reliance on certain suppliers and vendors; and other unforeseen difficulties that may occur. These risks and uncertainties are not intended to represent a complete list of all risks and uncertainties inherent in our business, and should be read in conjunction with the more detailed cautionary statements and risk factors included in our SEC filings, including our Annual Reports filed on Form 10-K.

Exhibits:

  • Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
  • Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
  • Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to Adjusted EBITDA
  • Key Metrics
  • ARPU Reconciliation
NTELOS Holdings Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (audited)
December 31, 2011December 31, 2010
(in thousands)
ASSETS
Current Assets
Cash$59,950$15,187
Restricted cash1991,148
Accounts receivable, net36,29235,523
Inventories and supplies7,5707,058
Other receivables2,5871,160
Income tax receivable11,008
Prepaid expenses and other11,85810,258
Current assets of discontinued operations 132,595
118,456113,937
Securities and investments1,4031,165
Property, plant and equipment, net288,368293,092
Other Assets
Goodwill63,70063,700
Customer relationship intangibles, net9,44712,978
Trademarks and other intangibles, net3,8894,355
Radio spectrum licenses in service115,866115,449
Radio spectrum licenses not in service16,45216,859
Deferred income taxes5,888
Deferred charges and other assets10,40913,416
Non-current assets of discontinued operations 1508,606
219,763741,251
Total Assets$627,990$1,149,445
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current Liabilities
Current portion of long-term debt$4,412$8,017
Accounts payable18,11818,994
Dividends payable8,90211,749
Advance billings and customer deposits10,00311,673
Accrued compensation5,3266,518
Accrued interest1373,727
Deferred revenue720
Accrued operating taxes4,5282,324
Other accrued liabilities3,6054,633
Current liabilities of discontinued operations 130,251
55,75197,886
Long-Term Liabilities
Long-term debt453,997739,109
Other long-term liabilities67,10847,314
Long-term liabilities of discontinued operations 186,277
521,105872,700
Equity51,134178,859
Total Liabilities and Equity$627,990$1,149,445
1On October 31, 2011, the wireline operations of NTELOS were separated through a spin-off of Lumos Networks Corp. The results of these wireline operations are reflected as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
NTELOS Holdings Corp.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (audited)Three months ended:Year ended:
(in thousands, except per share amounts)December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2011December 31, 2010
Operating Revenues$105,996$102,483$422,629$406,793
Operating Expenses
Cost of sales and services (exclusive of items shown separately below)36,21934,919143,323135,803
Customer operations29,10629,275117,105108,664
Corporate operations9,4968,01732,20628,658
Depreciation and amortization17,58915,01563,08358,016
Accretion of asset retirement obligations156188658770
92,56687,414356,375331,911
Operating Income13,43015,06966,25474,882
Other Income (Expenses)
Interest expense(5,463)(6,766)(23,380)(24,728)
(Loss) gain on derivatives(31)(147)(264)(147)
Corporate financing fees(1,366)(1,567)
Other (expense) income, net223208(1,240)(413)
Income from Continuing Operations Before Income Taxes6,7938,36439,80349,594
Income Tax Expense2,0723,06516,36320,251
Income from Continuing Operations4,7215,29923,44029,343
Discontinued Operations, net(64,812)3,717(45,386)16,882
Net Income(60,091)9,016(21,946)46,225
Net Income from Continuing Operations Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests(447)(363)(1,769)(1,417)
Net Income Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.$(60,538)$8,653$(23,715)$44,808
Basic and Diluted Earnings per Common Share Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp. Stockholders: 1
Income per share – basic
Continuing operations$0.21$0.23$1.04$1.35
Discontinued operations$(3.12)$0.18$(2.18)$0.82
Total$(2.91)$0.41$(1.14)$2.17
Income per share – diluted
Continuing operations$0.20$0.23$1.02$1.34
Discontinued operations$(3.06)$0.18$(2.13)$0.81
Total$(2.86)$0.41$(1.11)$2.15
Weighted average shares outstanding – basic20,81720,87820,77920,661
Weighted average shares outstanding – diluted21,18721,00421,27620,847
Cash Dividends Declared per Share – Common Stock$0.42$0.56$2.10$2.24
1All share and per-share amounts presented in this quarterly report and on Form 10-K have been adjusted for the impact of the reverse stock split which occurred after market close on October 31, 2011 in connection with the Business Separation.
NTELOS Holdings Corp.
Reconciliation of Net Income Attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp. to Adjusted EBITDA
(in thousands)
 Three months ended:Year ended:
December 31, 2010December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2011
Net income attributable to NTELOS Holdings Corp.$8,653$(60,538)$44,808$(23,715)
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests(363)(447)(1,417)(1,769)
Net Income$9,016$(60,091)$46,225$(21,946)
Discontinued operations3,717(64,812)16,882(45,386)
Income from continuing operations$5,299$4,721$29,343$23,440
Interest expense6,7665,46324,72823,380
Loss (gain) on derivatives14731147264
Income taxes3,0652,07220,25116,363
Corporate financing fees1,3661,567
Other expense (income)(208)(223)4131,240
Operating income$15,069$13,430$74,882$66,254
Depreciation and amortization15,01517,58958,01663,083
Accretion of asset retirement obligations188156770658
Equity based compensation1,4261,2255,2706,072
Acquisition related charges1,987(41)2,815
Business separation charges 13521,6403526,988
Adjusted EBITDA$34,037$33,999$142,105$143,055
1Charges for legal and consulting services in connection with the separation of the wireless and wireline operations.
NTELOS Holdings Corp.
Key Metrics Year ended:
Quarter Ended:12/31/20103/31/20116/30/20119/30/201112/31/201112/31/201012/31/2011
Subscribers
Beginning Subscribers433,700432,400429,500424,800415,000438,500432,400
Prepay128,000125,600127,900122,800120,000131,800125,600
Postpay305,700306,800301,600302,000295,000306,700306,800
Gross Additions44,20042,90037,10036,50041,600164,600158,100
Prepay22,90025,00019,20020,00020,90088,20085,100
Postpay21,30017,90017,90016,50020,70076,40073,000
Disconnections45,50045,80041,80046,30042,100170,700176,000
Prepay25,20023,10024,50023,40019,50093,70090,500
Postpay20,30022,70017,30022,90022,60077,00085,500
Net Additions (Losses)(1,300)(2,900)(4,700)(9,800)(500)(6,100)(17,900)
Prepay(2,300)1,900(5,300)(3,400)1,400(5,400)(5,400)
Postpay1,000(4,800)600(6,400)(1,900)(700)(12,500)
Ending Subscribers432,400429,500424,800415,000414,500432,400414,500
Prepay125,600127,900122,800120,000122,100125,600122,100
Postpay306,800301,600302,000295,000292,400306,800292,400
Churn, net3.5%3.5%3.3%3.7%3.4%3.3%3.5%
Prepay6.7%6.0%6.5%6.5%5.4%5.9%6.1%
Postpay2.2%2.5%1.9%2.6%2.6%2.1%2.4%
Other Items
ARPU$51.60$50.80$49.96$49.77$48.57$50.85$49.79
Prepay$36.53$34.98$33.30$33.68$33.01$36.88$33.76
Postpay$57.79$57.41$56.90$56.26$54.94$56.99$56.39
Data ARPU$13.56$14.54$15.46$16.17$17.36$12.08$15.86
Licensed Population (millions)8.08.08.08.18.18.08.1
Covered Population (millions)5.85.85.95.95.95.85.9
Total Cell Sites1,3131,3151,3261,3371,3531,3131,353
Strategic Network Alliance Revenues (000’s)
Total Voice$20,642$21,054$21,678$22,825$23,122$77,634$88,679
Total Data8,5189,98910,98312,57914,78026,05748,330
Revenue Minimum Adjustment6,657
Total$29,160$31,044$32,661$35,403$37,901$110,348$137,010
NTELOS Holdings Corp.
ARPU ReconciliationThree months endedYear ended:
Average Revenue per Handset/Unit (ARPU) 1December 31, 2010December 31, 2011December 31, 2010December 31, 2011
(amounts in thousands except for subscribers and ARPU)
Operating Revenues102,482105,996406,793422,629
Less: Equipment revenue from sales to new customers(1,936)(2,877)(8,233)(9,091)
Less: Equipment revenue from sales to existing customers(3,240)(3,642)(14,893)(17,793)
Less: Wholesale & Other revenue(30,566)(39,326)(116,575)(143,477)
PCS gross subscriber revenue$66,740$60,151$267,092$252,268
Less: prepay subscriber revenue(13,335)(11,588)(58,918)(48,758)
(Less) Plus: adjustments to prepay subscriber revenue(427)(304)(276)(1,175)
PCS gross postpay subscriber revenue$52,978$48,259$207,898$202,335
Prepay subscriber revenue13,33511,58858,91848,758
Plus (Less): adjustments to prepay subscriber revenue4273042761,175
Wireless gross prepay subscriber revenue$13,762$11,892$59,194$49,933
Average subscribers431,151412,851437,735422,256
Total ARPU$51.60$48.57$50.85$49.79
Average postpay subscribers305,556292,775303,986298,992
Postpay ARPU$57.79$54.94$56.99$56.39
Average prepay subscribers125,595120,076133,750123,264
Prepay ARPU$36.53$33.01$36.88$33.76
PCS gross subscriber revenue$66,740$60,151$267,092$252,268
Less: PCS voice and other feature revenue(49,201)(38,651)(203,657)(171,882)
PCS data revenue$17,539$21,500$63,435$80,386
Average subscribers431,151412,851437,735422,256
Total Data ARPU$13.56$17.36$12.08$15.86
PCS gross postpay subscriber revenue$52,978$48,259$207,898$202,335
Less: Wireless postpay voice and other feature revenue(39,590)(33,224)(158,890)(144,114)
PCS postpay data revenue$13,388$15,035$49,008$58,221
PCS gross prepay subscriber revenue$13,762$11,892$59,194$49,933
Less: Wireless prepay voice and other feature revenue(9,611)(5,427)(44,768)(27,768)
PCS prepay data revenue$4,151$6,465$14,426$22,165
Average postpay subscribers305,556292,775303,986298,992
Postpay data ARPU$14.61$17.12$13.43$16.23
Average prepay subscribers125,595120,076133,750123,264
Prepay data ARPU$11.02$17.95$8.99$14.99
1Average monthly revenues per subscriber/unit with service, or ARPU, is an industry metric that measures service revenues per period divided by the weighted average number of subscribers with service during that period. ARPU as defined may not be similar to ARPU measures of other companies, is not a measurement under GAAP and should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the information contained in the Company’s statement of operations. The Company closely monitors the effects of new rate plans and service offerings on ARPU in order to determine their effectiveness. ARPU provides management useful information concerning the appeal of NTELOS rate plans and service offerings and the Company’s performance in attracting and retaining high value customers.

Investor Relations:
KCSA Strategic Communications
Jeffrey Goldberger, 212-896-1249
jgoldberger@kcsa.com
or
Rob Fink, 212-896-1206
rfink@kcsa.com

Source: NTELOS Holdings Corp.

PR Archives: Latest, By Company, By Date