e10vq
 

 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
 
 
 
 
Form 10-Q
 
     
þ
  QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2007
OR
o
  TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from          to          
 
Commission file number: 0-32421
 
 
 
 
NII HOLDINGS, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
 
     
Delaware   91-1671412
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
  (I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
 
     
10700 Parkridge Boulevard, Suite 600
Reston, Virginia
  20191
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)   (Zip Code)
 
(703) 390-5100
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
 
Not Applicable
(Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
 
Large accelerated filer  þ     Accelerated filer  o     Non-accelerated filer  o
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o     No þ
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Sections 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934 subsequent to the distribution of securities under a plan confirmed by a court.  Yes þ     No o
 
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.
 
     
    Number of Shares Outstanding
Title of Class
 
on August 2, 2007
 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
  172,897,254
 


 

 
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX
 
                 
        Page
 
   
  Financial Statements    
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006   2
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income — For the Six and Three Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006   3
    Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007   4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007 and 2006   5
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   20
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   53
  Controls and Procedures   54
   
  Legal Proceedings   55
  Risk Factors   55
  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds   55
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   55
  Exhibits   56


1


 

 
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Financial Statements.
 
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except par values)
Unaudited
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
 
ASSETS
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,482,243     $ 708,591  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $19,143 and $15,928
    360,523       298,470  
Handset and accessory inventory
    115,010       70,247  
Deferred income taxes, net
    73,796       60,450  
Prepaid expenses and other
    120,780       71,376  
                 
Total current assets
    2,152,352       1,209,134  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $615,507 and $474,520
    1,641,308       1,389,150  
Intangible assets, net
    384,714       369,196  
Deferred income taxes, net
    151,922       186,867  
Other assets
    207,790       143,331  
                 
Total assets
  $ 4,538,086     $ 3,297,678  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 97,218     $ 107,687  
Accrued expenses and other
    363,116       342,465  
Deferred revenues
    95,633       83,952  
Accrued interest
    14,607       11,703  
Current portion of long-term debt
    47,863       23,294  
                 
Total current liabilities
    618,437       569,101  
Long-term debt
    2,324,762       1,134,387  
Deferred revenues
    34,510       36,156  
Deferred credits
    106,537       110,033  
Other long-term liabilities
    112,359       101,521  
                 
Total liabilities
    3,196,605       1,951,198  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 5)
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding — 2007 and 2006
           
Common stock, par value $0.001, 600,000 shares authorized — 2007 and 2006, 161,550 shares issued and outstanding — 2007, 161,814 shares issued and outstanding — 2006
    162       162  
Paid-in capital
    512,712       723,644  
Retained earnings
    793,625       630,538  
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)
    34,982       (7,864 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    1,341,481       1,346,480  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 4,538,086     $ 3,297,678  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


2


 

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
Unaudited
 
                                 
    Six Months Ended
    Three Months Ended
 
    June 30,     June 30,  
    2007     2006     2007     2006  
 
Operating revenues
                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,449,364     $ 1,040,205     $ 758,681     $ 534,249  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    49,909       44,495       26,985       22,180  
                                 
      1,499,273       1,084,700       785,666       556,429  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    398,940       279,162       210,045       144,812  
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    195,812       140,156       104,729       70,355  
Selling, general and administrative
    489,448       356,990       264,306       186,454  
Depreciation
    136,325       81,884       70,961       41,674  
Amortization
    3,371       2,812       1,727       1,548  
                                 
      1,223,896       861,004       651,768       444,843  
                                 
Operating income
    275,377       223,696       133,898       111,586  
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense, net
    (53,982 )     (42,447 )     (29,653 )     (21,032 )
Interest income
    25,158       25,738       13,788       13,137  
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    5,799       (3,483 )     9,331       (2,342 )
Other income (expense), net
    633       (5,588 )     (1,194 )     (3,224 )
                                 
      (22,392 )     (25,780 )     (7,728 )     (13,461 )
                                 
Income before income tax provision
    252,985       197,916       126,170       98,125  
Income tax provision
    (84,741 )     (77,015 )     (42,090 )     (42,222 )
                                 
Net income
  $ 168,244     $ 120,901     $ 84,080     $ 55,903  
                                 
Net income, per common share, basic
  $ 1.04     $ 0.79     $ 0.52     $ 0.36  
                                 
Net income, per common share, diluted
  $ 0.94     $ 0.70     $ 0.47     $ 0.32  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic
    162,371       152,833       162,867       153,493  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
    185,883       183,535       185,845       184,215  
                                 
Comprehensive income, net of income taxes
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 42,090     $ (27,583 )   $ 47,005     $ (29,406 )
Reclassification for losses on derivatives included in other income (expense), net
    395       1,401       42       314  
Unrealized gains on derivatives, net
    361       1,718       123       1,504  
                                 
Other comprehensive income (loss)
    42,846       (24,464 )     47,170       (27,588 )
Net income
    168,244       120,901       84,080       55,903  
                                 
Total comprehensive income
  $ 211,090     $ 96,437     $ 131,250     $ 28,315  
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


3


 

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
                                                 
                            Accumulated
       
                            Other
    Total
 
    Common Stock     Paid-in
    Retained
    Comprehensive
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     (Loss) Income     Equity  
 
Balance, January 1, 2007
    161,814     $ 162     $ 723,644     $ 630,538     $ (7,864 )   $ 1,346,480  
Cumulative effect of adopting FIN 48
                      (5,157 )           (5,157 )
Net income
                      168,244             168,244  
Other comprehensive income
                            42,846       42,846  
Repurchase of common stock
    (4,044 )     (4 )     (329,976 )                   (329,980 )
Share-based payment expense
                29,123                   29,123  
Conversion of 2.75% notes to common stock
                3                   3  
Exercise of stock options
    3,780       4       77,970                   77,974  
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options
                2,565                   2,565  
Tax benefit of prior periods’ stock option exercises
                9,383                   9,383  
                                                 
Balance, June 30, 2007
    161,550     $ 162     $ 512,712     $ 793,625     $ 34,982     $ 1,341,481  
                                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


4


 

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
                 
    Six Months Ended June 30,  
    2007     2006  
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
               
Net income
  $ 168,244     $ 120,901  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Amortization of debt financing costs
    2,603       2,323  
Depreciation and amortization
    139,696       84,696  
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    21,804       14,759  
Losses on derivative instruments
    585       1,909  
Foreign currency transaction (gains) losses, net
    (5,799 )     3,483  
Deferred income tax provision
    25,662       33,293  
Utilization of deferred credit
    (3,729 )     (5,152 )
Share-based payment expense
    29,448       17,483  
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
    (2,505 )     (19,749 )
Accretion of asset retirement obligations
    2,868       1,668  
Other, net
    150       1,827  
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, gross
    (74,083 )     (40,143 )
Handset and accessory inventory
    (42,977 )     (17,389 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (45,852 )     (30,661 )
Other long-term assets
    (34,708 )     (16,333 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
    34,846       (2,268 )
Current deferred revenue
    9,720       7,742  
Other long-term liabilities
    1,909       3,126  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    227,882       161,515  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
Capital expenditures
    (361,135 )     (265,811 )
Payments for acquisitions, purchases of licenses and other
    (15,365 )     (1,680 )
Transfers to restricted cash
    (919 )     (5,100 )
Other
    74       446  
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (377,345 )     (272,145 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
Proceeds from issuance of convertible notes
    1,200,000        
Repurchase of common stock
    (329,980 )      
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    77,974       45,094  
Borrowings under syndicated loan facility
          59,354  
Repayments under syndicated loan facility
    (9,152 )     (9,941 )
Payment of debt financing costs
    (22,532 )     (2,668 )
Gross proceeds from tower financing transactions
    7,453       2,597  
Repayments under capital leases and tower financing transactions
    (2,578 )     (2,325 )
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
    2,505       19,749  
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    923,690       111,860  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (575 )     (15,120 )
                 
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    773,652       (13,890 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    708,591       877,536  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 1,482,243     $ 863,646  
                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


5


 

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Unaudited
 
Note 1.   Basis of Presentation
 
General.  Our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared under the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC. While they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for complete financial statements, they reflect all adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for interim periods. In addition, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
 
You should read these condensed consolidated financial statements in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes contained in our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2007. You should not expect results of operations for interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).  The components of our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss), net of taxes, are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ 37,170     $ (4,920 )
Unrealized losses on derivatives
    (2,188 )     (2,944 )
                 
    $ 34,982     $ (7,864 )
                 
 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,  
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Capital expenditures
               
Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest
  $ 361,135     $ 265,811  
Changes in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed
    (19,746 )     61,061  
                 
    $ 341,389     $ 326,872  
                 
Interest costs
               
Interest expense
  $ 53,982     $ 42,447  
Interest capitalized
    3,186       7,471  
                 
    $ 57,168     $ 49,918  
                 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 36,766     $ 28,555  
                 
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 70,608     $ 47,065  
                 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, we had $11.3 million and $8.4 million, respectively, in non-cash financing activities related to co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers.
 
Net Income Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted.  Basic net income per common share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted net income per common share reflects the potential dilution of securities that could participate in our earnings.


6


 

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

As presented for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007, our calculation of diluted net income per share includes common shares resulting from shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans and our restricted stock, as well as common shares resulting from the potential conversion of our 2.875% convertible notes and our 2.75% convertible notes. We did not include the common shares resulting from the potential conversion of our 3.125% convertible notes that we issued in the second quarter of 2007, since their effect would have been antidilutive to our net income per share.
 
As presented for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, our calculation of diluted net income per share includes common shares resulting from shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our stock-based employee compensation plans and our restricted stock, as well as common shares resulting from the potential conversion of our 3.5% convertible notes, our 2.875% convertible notes and our 2.75% convertible notes.
 
As discussed in Note 8, on July 25, 2007, we accepted the tender of 99.99% of the $300.0 million in outstanding principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes under a tender offer that expired on July 23, 2007, resulting in the issuance of 11,268,103 shares of our common stock. The completion of the tender offer will result in a higher weighted average share count for basic net income per share in future periods, but will have no effect on our diluted net income per share.
 
The following tables provide a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators used to calculate basic and diluted net income per common share as disclosed in our consolidated statements of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006:
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2007     Six Months Ended June 30, 2006  
    Income
    Shares
    Per Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per Share
 
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Basic net income per share:
                                               
Net income
  $ 168,244       162,371     $ 1.04     $ 120,901       152,833     $ 0.79  
                                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
Stock options
          4,480                     4,804          
Restricted stock
          774                     777          
Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes
    5,797       18,258               7,376       25,121          
                                                 
Diluted net income per share:
                                               
Net income
  $ 174,041       185,883     $ 0.94     $ 128,277       183,535     $ 0.70  
                                                 
 


7


 

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

                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2007     Three Months Ended June 30, 2006  
    Income
    Shares
    Per Share
    Income
    Shares
    Per Share
 
    (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount     (Numerator)     (Denominator)     Amount  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Basic net income per share:
                                               
Net income
  $ 84,080       162,867     $ 0.52     $ 55,903       153,493     $ 0.36  
                                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
Stock options
          4,193                     4,708          
Restricted stock
          527                     895          
Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes
    2,859       18,258               3,747       25,119          
                                                 
Diluted net income per share:
                                               
Net income
  $ 86,939       185,845     $ 0.47     $ 59,650       184,215     $ 0.32  
                                                 
 
Repurchase of Common Stock.  In May 2007, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of our common stock for cash. The Board approved the repurchase of shares having an aggregate market value of up to $500.0 million, depending on market conditions and other factors. During the second quarter of 2007, we repurchased a total of 4,043,725 shares of our common stock for approximately $330.0 million. We treated this purchase as an effective retirement of the purchased shares and therefore reduced our reported shares issued and outstanding by the number of shares repurchased. In addition, we recorded the excess of the purchase price over the par value of the common stock as a reduction to paid-in capital.
 
Reclassifications.  We have reclassified certain prior year amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on previously reported balances.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements.  In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, on Issue 06-3, “How Sales Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation),” or EITF 06-3. EITF 06-3 states that a company should disclose its accounting policy (gross or net presentation) regarding presentation of sales and other similar taxes. If taxes included in gross revenues are significant, a company should disclose the amount of such taxes for each period for which an income statement is presented. EITF 06-3 is effective for financial reports in interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We currently disclose our policy with regard to these types of taxes in our revenue recognition policy; however we do not consider the amounts of these taxes significant for disclosure. Therefore, the adoption of EITF 06-3 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” or FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions and is effective beginning January 1, 2007. FIN 48 provides that the financial statement effects of an income tax position can only be recognized when, based on the technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position will be sustained upon examination. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48 is required to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. The adoption of FIN 48 in the first quarter of 2007 resulted in a $5.2 million decrease to our retained earnings. See Note 6 for more information.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” or SFAS 157, which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities when required for recognition or disclosure purposes. SFAS 157 is intended to make the measurement of fair value more consistent and comparable and improve disclosures about these measures. Specifically, SFAS 157 (1) clarifies the principle that fair value should be based

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

on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, (2) establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions, (3) clarifies the information required to be used to measure fair value, (4) determines the frequency of fair value measures and (5) requires companies to make expanded disclosures about the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value and the fair value measurement’s effect on earnings. However, SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances or determine when fair value should be used in the financial statements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with some exceptions. SFAS 157 is to be applied prospectively as of the first interim period for the fiscal year in which it is initially adopted, except for a limited form of retrospective application for some specific items. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 157 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 159 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
Note 2.   Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
 
Prepaid Expenses and Other.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Short-term value added tax receivables
  $ 27,283     $ 14,813  
Commissions
    15,208       16,164  
Local taxes
    13,932       4,630  
Advertising
    10,171       70  
Spectrum fees
    7,570       3,773  
General prepaid expenses
    6,689       4,337  
Insurance
    5,070       5,767  
Short-term advances to suppliers
    4,945       4,793  
Rent
    4,865       4,172  
Maintenance
    4,177       3,112  
Insurance claims
    3,792       3,193  
Interest receivable
    3,491       527  
Other
    13,587       6,025  
                 
    $ 120,780     $ 71,376  
                 
 
In general, Nextel Mexico enters into advertising agreements with various media suppliers and pre-pays for the entire year’s services during the first quarter of each year. These amounts are reflected in the prepaid expense balance for advertising above.


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

Other Assets.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Long-term value added tax receivables
  $ 86,349     $ 66,931  
Deferred financing costs
    37,516       17,304  
Long-term advances to suppliers
    32,892       14,516  
Deposits
    25,623       20,983  
Income tax receivable
    16,018       15,996  
Handsets under operating leases
    7,038       5,970  
Other
    2,354       1,631  
                 
    $ 207,790     $ 143,331  
                 
 
As of June 30, 2007, the deferred financing costs balance includes $22.8 million related to the issuance of our 3.125% convertible notes in the second quarter of 2007. See Note 4 for more information.
 
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the long-term advances to suppliers balance includes $20.7 million and $2.6 million, respectively, that Nextel Mexico prepaid in accordance with the terms of a commercial agreement with Telmex that was entered into in the first quarter of 2006 under which Nextel Mexico receives telecommunications services.
 
Accrued Expenses and Other.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Payroll related items and commissions
  $ 63,954     $ 55,654  
Capital expenditures
    63,287       81,839  
Network system and information technology
    54,712       46,741  
Customer deposits
    37,570       31,044  
Non-income based taxes
    35,029       30,430  
Accrued contingencies
    22,378       24,369  
Income taxes
    20,204       16,774  
License fees
    9,794       10,765  
Deferred tax liability
    9,009       7,756  
Marketing
    8,082       5,551  
Professional fees
    5,613       4,288  
Insurance
    3,886       3,163  
Inventory
    3,806       2,236  
Other
    25,792       21,855  
                 
    $ 363,116     $ 342,465  
                 


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

Deferred Credits.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Deferred income tax liability
  $ 89,124     $ 88,886  
Deferred credit from AOL Mexico acquisition
    17,413       21,147  
                 
    $ 106,537     $ 110,033  
                 
 
Other Long-Term Liabilities.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Accrued contingencies
  $ 55,203     $ 61,516  
Asset retirement obligations
    34,847       29,297  
Severance plan liability
    6,940       6,468  
Other
    15,369       4,240  
                 
    $ 112,359     $ 101,521  
                 
 
Note 3.   Intangible Assets
 
Our intangible assets consist of our licenses, customer base and trade name, all of which have finite useful lives, as follows:
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    Gross
          Net
    Gross
          Net
 
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
 
    Value     Amortization     Value     Value     Amortization     Value  
    (in thousands)  
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                                               
Licenses
  $ 408,763     $ (24,049 )   $ 384,714     $ 389,526     $ (20,330 )   $ 369,196  
Customer base
    42,543       (42,543 )           42,401       (42,401 )      
Trade name and other
    1,735       (1,735 )           1,664       (1,664 )      
                                                 
Total intangible assets
  $ 453,041     $ (68,327 )   $ 384,714     $ 433,591     $ (64,395 )   $ 369,196  
                                                 


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

Based solely on the carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets existing as of June 30, 2007 and current exchange rates, we estimate amortization expense for each of the next five years ending December 31 to be as follows (in thousands):
 
         
    Estimated
 
    Amortization
 
Years
  Expense  
 
2007
  $ 16,312  
2008
    29,718  
2009
    29,718  
2010
    29,718  
2011
    29,718  
 
In January 2007, Nextel Brazil renewed 11,900 specialized mobile radio channels of its 800 MHz spectrum licenses with Brazil’s telecommunications regulatory agency, which is known as Anatel, for a term of 15 years, beginning from the respective expiration of each license. In connection with this license renewal, Nextel Brazil paid $13.0 million to Anatel, which will be amortized over the remaining license renewal periods.
 
Nextel Mexico recently filed applications to renew approximately 30 of its licenses, more than half of which have expired or will soon expire. Although Nextel Mexico expects that these renewals will be granted, it cannot guarantee the renewal of these licenses. If some of all of these renewals are not granted, Nextel Mexico could experience an adverse effect on its business.
 
Actual amortization expense to be reported in future periods could differ from these estimates as a result of additional acquisitions of intangibles, as well as changes in exchange rates and other relevant factors. During the three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, we did not acquire, dispose of or write down any goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.
 
Note 4.   Debt
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
2.875% convertible notes due 2034
  $ 300,000     $ 300,000  
2.75% convertible notes due 2025
    349,997       350,000  
3.125% convertible notes due 2012
    1,200,000        
Mexico syndicated loan facility
    288,562       297,577  
Tower financing obligations
    149,564       137,625  
Capital lease obligations
    73,148       62,669  
Brazil spectrum license financing
    11,314       9,770  
Other
    40       40  
                 
Total debt
    2,372,625       1,157,681  
Less: current portion
    (47,863 )     (23,294 )
                 
    $ 2,324,762     $ 1,134,387  
                 
 
3.125% Convertible Notes.  In May 2007, we privately placed $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, which we refer to as the 3.125% notes. In addition, we granted the initial purchaser an option to purchase up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount of 3.125% notes, which the initial purchaser exercised in full. As a result, we issued a total of $1,200.0 million principal amount of the


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

3.125% notes for which we received total gross proceeds of $1,200.0 million. We also incurred direct issuance costs of $22.8 million, which we recorded as a deferred financing cost that we will amortize into interest expense over the term of the 3.125% notes.
 
The 3.125% notes bear interest at a rate of 3.125% per annum on the principal amount of the notes, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2007, and will mature on June 15, 2012, when the entire principal balance of $1,200.0 million will be due. In addition, and subject to specified exceptions, the noteholders have the right to require us to repurchase the notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest (including additional amounts, if any) up to, but excluding, the repurchase date upon the occurrence of a fundamental change. The 3.125% notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of 8.4517 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment, prior to the close of business on the final maturity date under any of the following circumstances:
 
  •  during any fiscal quarter commencing after September 30, 2007, if the closing sale price of our common stock exceeds 120% of the conversion price for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on the last trading day of the preceding fiscal quarter;
 
  •  prior to May 15, 2012, during the five business day period after any five consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per note for each day of such period was less than 98% of the product of the closing sale price of our common stock and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of $1,000 principal amount of notes;
 
  •  at any time on or after May 15, 2012; or
 
  •  upon the occurrence of specified corporate events.
 
We have the option to satisfy the conversion of the 3.125% notes in shares of our common stock, in cash or a combination of both.
 
According to the registration rights agreement that we entered into in connection with the issuance of the 3.125% notes, we are required to prepare a shelf registration statement registering the resale of the 3.125% notes and the shares of our common stock into which the 3.125% notes are convertible and file the shelf registration statement with the SEC within 180 days after the issue date or within 90 days of the issue date, if the shelf registration statement is not an automatic shelf registration statement as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. The registration rights agreement requires us to use our reasonable best efforts to cause the shelf registration statement to be declared effective as promptly as is practicable, but in any event by 180 days after the issue date and to keep the shelf registration statement effective until certain events occur. If we fail to do this, we are required to pay liquidated damages to recordholders of the 3.125% notes or to issue additional shares of common stock as follows:
 
  •  pay interest accruing for each day in the specified damages accrual period at a rate per annum equal to 0.5% of the principal amount of the note; and
 
  •  for any note that is submitted for conversion during the specified damages accrual period, (i) pay on the settlement date interest accruing for each day commencing on and including the first day of the damages accrual period and ending on, but excluding, the settlement date at a rate per annum equal to 0.5% of the principal amount of the note and (ii) issue and deliver for each $1,000 principal amount of notes submitted for conversion additional shares of underlying common stock equal to 1% of the applicable conversion rate, except to the extent that we elect to deliver cash upon conversion.
 
2.875% Convertible Notes.  For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, the closing sale price of our common stock exceeded 120% of the conversion price of $26.62 per share for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on June 30, 2007. As a result, the conversion contingency was met and our 2.875% convertible


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

notes are currently convertible into 37.5660 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or an aggregate of 11,269,800 common shares, at a conversion price of $26.62 per share. On July 25, 2007, we accepted the tender of 99.99% of the $300.0 million in outstanding principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes under a tender offer that expired on July 23, 2007. See Note 8 for more information.
 
2.75% Convertible Notes.  For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2007, the closing sale price of our common stock exceeded 120% of the conversion price of $50.08 per share for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on June 30, 2007. As a result, the conversion contingency was met and our 2.75% convertible notes are currently convertible into 19.967 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or an aggregate of 6,988,390 common shares, at a conversion price of $50.08 per share.
 
Note 5.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Brazilian Contingencies.
 
Nextel Brazil has received various assessment notices from state and federal Brazilian authorities asserting deficiencies in payments related primarily to value-added taxes and import duties based on the classification of equipment and services. Nextel Brazil has filed various administrative and legal petitions disputing these assessments. In some cases, Nextel Brazil has received favorable decisions, which are currently being appealed by the respective governmental authority. In other cases, Nextel Brazil’s petitions have been denied, and Nextel Brazil is currently appealing those decisions. Nextel Brazil is also disputing various other claims.
 
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities of $28.7 million and $24.7 million, respectively, related to contingencies, all of which were classified in accrued contingencies reported as a component of other long-term liabilities. Of the total accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Nextel Brazil had $21.2 million and $18.0 million in unasserted claims, respectively. We currently estimate the range of reasonably possible losses related to matters for which Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities, as they are not deemed probable, to be between $170.8 million and $174.8 million as of June 30, 2007. We are continuing to evaluate the likelihood of probable and reasonably possible losses, if any, related to all known contingencies. As a result, future increases or decreases to our accrued liabilities may be necessary and will be recorded in the period when such amounts are determined to be probable and estimable.
 
Argentine Contingencies.
 
As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Nextel Argentina had accrued liabilities of $30.0 million and $29.4 million, respectively, related primarily to local turnover taxes and local government claims, all of which were classified in accrued contingencies reported as a component of accrued expenses and other.
 
Turnover Tax.  The government of the city of Buenos Aires imposes a turnover tax rate of 6% of revenues for cellular companies while maintaining a 3% rate for other telecommunications services. From a regulatory standpoint, we are not considered a cellular company, although, as noted below, the city of Buenos Aires made claims to the effect that the higher turnover tax rate should apply to our services. As a result, until April 2006, Nextel Argentina paid the turnover tax at a rate of 3% and recorded a liability and related expense for the differential between the higher rate applicable to cellular carriers and the 3% rate, plus interest.
 
In March 2006, Nextel Argentina received an unfavorable decision from the city of Buenos Aires related to the determination of whether it is a cellular company for purposes of this tax. In addition, the city of Buenos Aires confirmed a previously assessed penalty equal to 80% of the principal amount of the additional tax from December 1997 through May 2004. In April 2006, Nextel Argentina decided to pay under protest $18.8 million, which represented the total amount of principal and interest, related to this turnover tax.


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

In August 2006, Nextel Argentina filed a lawsuit against the city of Buenos Aires to pursue the reimbursement of the $18.8 million paid under protest in April 2006. Subsequent to this payment, Nextel Argentina paid $4.5 million under protest from April 2006 through December 2006 related to this tax.
 
In December 2006, the city of Buenos Aires issued new laws, which Nextel Argentina believes support its position that it should be taxed at the general 3% rate and not at the 6% cellular rate. Beginning in January 2007, Nextel Argentina has and will continue to pay the 3% general turnover tax rate and continue with its efforts to obtain reimbursement of amounts previously paid under protest. Nextel Argentina no longer accrues for the incremental difference in the cellular rate. In addition, in March 2007, Nextel Argentina filed an administrative claim to recover the amounts paid under protest from April 2006 through December 2006.
 
Similarly, one of the provincial governments in another one of the markets where Nextel Argentina operates also increased their turnover tax rate from 4.55% to 6% of revenues for cellular companies. Consistent with its earlier position, Nextel Argentina continues to pay the turnover tax in this province at the existing rate and accrues a liability for the incremental difference in the rate on interconnect revenues. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, Nextel Argentina accrued $6.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively, for local turnover taxes in this province, which are included as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
Universal Service Tax.  Nextel Argentina is subject to the Universal Service Regulation, which imposes a tax on telecommunications licensees, equal to 1% of telecommunications service revenue minus applicable taxes and specified related costs. The license holder can choose either to pay the resulting amount into a fund for universal service development or to participate directly in offering services to specific geographical areas under an annual plan designed by the federal government. Although the regulations state that this tax would be applicable beginning January 1, 2001, the authorities did not take the necessary actions to implement the tax. However, a subsequent resolution, issued by the Secretary of Communications in May 2005, prohibits telecommunications operators from itemizing the tax in customer invoices or passing through the tax to customers. In addition, following the Secretary’s instructions, the Argentine CNC ordered Nextel Argentina, among other operators, to reimburse the amounts collected as universal service contributions, plus interest. In June 2007, the Secretary of Communications issued a resolution requiring new universal service tax contributions to be deposited into a financial institution. Nextel Argentina will begin depositing these contributions in September 2007, effective for the period beginning July 1, 2007. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, the accrual for the liability to customers was $7.3 million and $6.9 million, respectively, which is included as a component of accrued expenses and other.
 
Mexican Contingency.
 
Nextel Mexico is a party to a telecommunications services agreement under which it committed to purchase a minimum amount of certain interconnection services over a two year period ending December 31, 2007. Based on actual usage of those services to date and assuming the agreement is not renewed or extended before the end of 2007, it is possible that Nextel Mexico will not meet its minimum commitment, which could result in a shortfall ranging from $8.0 million to $11.0 million. Based on its legal interpretation of certain provisions in the agreement that would eliminate the potential shortfall and the uncertainty regarding the level of Nextel Mexico’s use of the interconnection services over the remainder of 2007, Nextel Mexico believes that it will not be required to pay any additional amounts. As a result, as of June 30, 2007 Nextel Mexico has not accrued for any losses under this agreement. Nextel Mexico is in the process of evaluating whether to negotiate an extension of the agreement beyond December 31, 2007.
 
Legal Proceedings.
 
We are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.


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

Note 6.   Income Taxes
 
Adoption of FIN 48.  We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we operate. Certain of our entities are under examination by the relevant taxing authorities for various tax years. The earliest years that remain subject to examination by jurisdiction are: Chile — 1993; U.S. — 1995; Mexico — 1999; Argentina and Peru — 2001; and Brazil — 2002. We regularly assess the potential outcome of current and future examinations in each of the taxing jurisdictions when determining the adequacy of the provision for income taxes. As of January 1, 2007, we adopted FIN 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes.” As a result of the implementation of FIN 48, we accounted for our change in reserve for uncertain tax positions as a $5.2 million decrease to the beginning balance of retained earnings on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 
The following table shows a reconciliation of our total FIN 48 unrecognized tax benefit for the six months ended June 30, 2007 (in thousands):
 
         
Unrecognized tax benefits — January 1, 2007
  $ 55,965  
Unrecognized tax benefits originating from positions taken during the current period
    6,828  
Foreign currency translation adjustment
    58  
         
Unrecognized tax benefits — June 30, 2007
  $ 62,851  
         
 
The unrecognized tax benefits as of June 30, 2007 include $47.3 million of tax benefits that could potentially reduce our future effective tax rate, if recognized. It also includes $3.0 million related to withholding taxes on intercompany payments that we may recognize in the next 12 months due to the pending expiration of the period of limitation for assessing a tax deficiency related to this position.
 
We record interest and penalties associated with uncertain tax positions as a component of our income tax provision.
 
Deferred Tax Assets.  We assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets during the second quarter of 2007, consistent with the methodology we employed for 2006, and determined that the realizability of those deferred assets has not changed. In that assessment, we considered the reversal of existing temporary differences associated with deferred tax assets and liabilities, future taxable income, tax planning strategies and historical and future pre-tax book income (as adjusted for permanent differences between financial and tax accounting items) in order to determine if it is “more likely than not” that the deferred tax asset will be realized. We will continue to evaluate the amount of the necessary valuation allowance for all of our foreign operating companies and our U.S. companies throughout the remainder of 2007.
 
Mexican Taxes.  During 2004, Nextel Mexico amended its Mexican Federal income tax returns in order to reverse a benefit previously claimed for a disputed provision of the Federal income tax law governing deductions and gains from the sale of property. We filed the amended returns in order to avoid potential penalties, and we also filed administrative petitions seeking clarification of our right to the tax benefits claimed on the original income tax returns. The tax authorities constructively denied our administrative petitions in January 2005. In May 2005, we filed an annulment suit challenging the constructive denial. Resolution of the annulment suit is pending. Based on an opinion by our independent legal counsel in Mexico, we believe it is probable that we will recover this amount. As of June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, our consolidated balance sheet includes $16.0 million in income tax receivables, which are included as components of other non-current assets. The income tax benefit for this item was related to our income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
 
Note 7.   Segment Reporting
 
We have determined that our reportable segments are those that are based on our method of internal reporting, which disaggregates our business by geographical location. Our reportable segments are: (1) Mexico, (2) Brazil, (3) Argentina and (4) Peru. The operations of all other businesses that fall below the segment reporting thresholds


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

are included in the “Corporate and other” segment below. This segment includes our Chilean operating companies and our corporate operations in the U.S. We evaluate performance of these segments and provide resources to them based on operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Because we do not view share-based compensation as an important element of operational performance, we recognize share-based payment expense at the corporate level and exclude it when evaluating the business performance of our segments. For several years, we have charged a management fee to Nextel Mexico for services rendered by corporate management. During 2007, we reported this management fee as a separate line item in the segment reporting information presented below as these amounts are now regularly provided to our chief operating decision maker. During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we charged Nextel Mexico a management fee of $34.1 million and $17.0 million, respectively. However, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, the segment information below does not reflect these management fees as a separate line item because these amounts were not provided to or used by our chief operating decision maker in making operating decisions related to this segment.
 
                                                         
                            Corporate
    Intercompany
       
    Mexico     Brazil     Argentina     Peru     and other     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2007
                                                       
Service and other revenues
  $ 822,317     $ 354,625     $ 188,101     $ 83,490     $ 1,382     $ (551 )   $ 1,449,364  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    10,648       17,726       15,654       5,881                   49,909  
                                                         
Operating revenues
  $ 832,965     $ 372,351     $ 203,755     $ 89,371     $ 1,382     $ (551 )   $ 1,499,273  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 310,940     $ 91,612     $ 63,827     $ 17,873     $ (69,179 )   $     $ 415,073  
Management fee
    (19,800 )                       19,800              
Depreciation and amortization
    (68,214 )     (42,657 )     (14,868 )     (10,884 )     (3,270 )     197       (139,696 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    222,926       48,955       48,959       6,989       (52,649 )     197       275,377  
Interest expense
    (29,312 )     (14,342 )     (1,124 )     (67 )     (14,335 )     5,198       (53,982 )
Interest income
    12,909       2,790       2,037       341       12,279       (5,198 )     25,158  
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    1,208       4,239       306       54       (8 )           5,799  
Other income (expense), net
    2,260       (1,554 )     1,577       1       (1,651 )           633  
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 209,991     $ 40,088     $ 51,755     $ 7,318     $ (56,364 )   $ 197     $ 252,985  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 156,758     $ 127,019     $ 25,767     $ 23,657     $ 8,188     $     $ 341,389  
                                                         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
                                                       
Service and other revenues
  $ 605,297     $ 224,337     $ 146,944     $ 62,629     $ 1,369     $ (371 )   $ 1,040,205  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    12,620       17,400       10,641       3,834                   44,495  
                                                         
Operating revenues
  $ 617,917     $ 241,737     $ 157,585     $ 66,463     $ 1,369     $ (371 )   $ 1,084,700  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 248,680     $ 46,055     $ 46,764     $ 12,596     $ (45,703 )   $     $ 308,392  
Depreciation and amortization
    (44,819 )     (25,527 )     (7,495 )     (5,343 )     (1,709 )     197       (84,696 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    203,861       20,528       39,269       7,253       (47,412 )     197       223,696  
Interest expense
    (16,879 )     (11,609 )     (1,449 )     (72 )     (12,485 )     47       (42,447 )
Interest income
    15,995       1,585       1,114       560       6,531       (47 )     25,738  
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (3,542 )     (272 )     405       50       (124 )           (3,483 )
Other (expense) income, net
    (2,294 )     (2,736 )     229             (787 )           (5,588 )
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 197,141     $ 7,496     $ 39,568     $ 7,791     $ (54,277 )   $ 197     $ 197,916  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 169,918     $ 98,383     $ 32,392     $ 16,521     $ 9,658     $     $ 326,872  
                                                         


17


 

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

                                                         
                            Corporate
    Intercompany
       
    Mexico     Brazil     Argentina     Peru     and other     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended June 30, 2007
                                                       
Service and other revenues
  $ 427,197     $ 191,411     $ 96,968     $ 42,555     $ 817     $ (267 )   $ 758,681  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,588       9,592       8,742       3,063                   26,985  
                                                         
Operating revenues
  $ 432,785     $ 201,003     $ 105,710     $ 45,618     $ 817     $ (267 )   $ 785,666  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 157,186     $ 46,864     $ 32,066     $ 8,793     $ (38,323 )   $     $ 206,586  
Management fee
    (9,900 )                       9,900              
Depreciation and amortization
    (35,043 )     (22,888 )     (7,626 )     (5,596 )     (1,634 )     99       (72,688 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    112,243       23,976       24,440       3,197       (30,057 )     99       133,898  
Interest expense
    (15,100 )     (7,821 )     (630 )     (30 )     (8,872 )     2,800       (29,653 )
Interest income
    5,726       1,485       1,138       144       8,095       (2,800 )     13,788  
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    5,858       3,664       (170 )     10       (31 )           9,331  
Other (expense) income, net
    (78 )     (789 )     1,330       1       (1,658 )           (1,194 )
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 108,649     $ 20,515     $ 26,108     $ 3,322     $ (32,523 )   $ 99     $ 126,170  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 63,775     $ 74,730     $ 15,838     $ 12,860     $ 6,664     $     $ 173,867  
                                                         
Three Months Ended June 30, 2006
                                                       
Service and other revenues
  $ 307,182     $ 117,647     $ 76,681     $ 32,113     $ 829     $ (203 )   $ 534,249  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,629       8,835       5,734       1,982                   22,180  
                                                         
Operating revenues
  $ 312,811     $ 126,482     $ 82,415     $ 34,095     $ 829     $ (203 )   $ 556,429  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 125,283     $ 23,743     $ 24,230     $ 6,198     $ (24,646 )   $     $ 154,808  
Depreciation and amortization
    (24,125 )     (13,491 )     (1,917 )     (2,833 )     (955 )     99       (43,222 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    101,158       10,252       22,313       3,365       (25,601 )     99       111,586  
Interest expense
    (7,820 )     (6,040 )     (934 )     (36 )     (6,226 )     24       (21,032 )
Interest income
    8,154       850       580       269       3,308       (24 )     13,137  
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (2,191 )     (171 )     132       9       (121 )           (2,342 )
Other expense, net
    (808 )     (1,745 )                 (671 )           (3,224 )
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 98,493     $ 3,146     $ 22,091     $ 3,607     $ (29,311 )   $ 99     $ 98,125  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 96,123     $ 56,703     $ 24,498     $ 11,910     $ 8,783     $     $ 198,017  
                                                         
June 30, 2007
                                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 780,853     $ 550,140     $ 162,062     $ 96,847     $ 51,769     $ (363 )   $ 1,641,308  
                                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 2,088,206     $ 853,783     $ 371,475     $ 189,502     $ 1,035,483     $ (363 )   $ 4,538,086  
                                                         
December 31, 2006
                                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 690,573     $ 415,577     $ 152,818     $ 83,920     $ 46,822     $ (560 )   $ 1,389,150  
                                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 1,978,469     $ 637,230     $ 322,813     $ 171,871     $ 187,855     $ (560 )   $ 3,297,678  
                                                         

18


 

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

Note 8.   Subsequent Events
 
Tender Offer for Conversion of 2.875% Convertible Notes.  On July 25, 2007, we accepted the tender of 99.99% of the $300.0 million in outstanding principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes under a tender offer that expired on July 23, 2007. In connection with this tender offer, we issued 11,268,103 shares of our common stock and paid to the holders of the tendered notes an aggregate cash premium of $25.5 million and accrued and unpaid interest of $4.2 million.
 
Spectrum Acquisitions.  On July 5, 2007, Nextel Peru entered into an agreement providing for the purchase of 54 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum throughout Peru for $11.3 million from TC Siglo 21 S.A.A. In addition, on July 27, 2007, Proinversion, the privatization agency in Peru, awarded a nationwide license of 35 MHz of 1.9 GHz spectrum to Nextel Peru for $27.0 million through an auction process carried out by the Peruvian government.


19


 

 
Item 2.   Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
 
INDEX TO MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
         
  21
  21
  24
  24
  25
  25
  26
  26
  27
  33
  37
  40
  43
  46
  48
  49
  51
  52


20


 

 
Introduction
 
The following is a discussion and analysis of:
 
  •  our consolidated financial condition and results of operations for the six- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2007 and 2006; and
 
  •  significant factors which we believe could affect our prospective financial condition and results of operations.
 
You should read this discussion in conjunction with our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2007, including but not limited to, the discussion regarding our critical accounting judgments, as described below. Historical results may not indicate future performance. See “Forward Looking Statements” for risks and uncertainties that may impact our future performance.
 
Business Overview
 
We provide digital wireless communication services, primarily targeted at meeting the needs of customers who use our services primarily for business purposes, through operating companies located in selected Latin American markets. Our principal operations are in major business centers and related transportation corridors of Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Peru. In addition, we recently launched our digital services on a limited basis in Santiago, Chile. We also provide analog specialized mobile radio, which we refer to as SMR, services in Mexico, Brazil, Peru and Chile. Our markets are generally characterized by high population densities in major urban and suburban centers, which we refer to as major business centers, and where we believe there is a concentration of the country’s business users and economic activity. We believe that vehicle traffic congestion, low wireline service penetration and the expanded coverage of wireless networks encourage the use of the mobile wireless communications services that we offer in these areas. As of June 30, 2007, our operating companies had a total of 4.06 million digital handsets in commercial service, an increase of 1.14 million, or 39%, from the 2.92 million digital handsets in commercial service as of June 30, 2006.
 
Our principal objective is to grow our business in selected markets in Latin America by providing differentiated, high value wireless communications services to customers who use our services primarily for business purposes, while improving our profitability and cash flow. Our digital mobile networks support multiple digital wireless services, including:
 
  •  digital mobile telephone service, including advanced calling features such as speakerphone, conference calling, voice-mail, call forwarding and additional line service;
 
  •  Nextel Direct Connect® service, which allows subscribers anywhere on our network to talk to each other instantly, on a “push-to-talk” basis, on a private one-to-one call or on a group call;
 
  •  International Direct Connect® service, together with Sprint Nextel Corporation and TELUS Corporation, which allows subscribers to communicate instantly across national borders with our subscribers in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Peru and Chile, with Sprint Nextel Corporation subscribers in the United States and, except for our customers in Chile, with TELUS subscribers in Canada;
 
  •  mobile internet services, text messaging services, e-mail services including Blackberrytm services that we recently introduced, location-based services, which include the use of Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies, digital media services and advanced Javatmenabled business applications, which are generally marketed as “Nextel Onlinesm” services; and
 
  •  international roaming capabilities, which are marketed as “Nextel Worldwidesm” services.
 
We intend to continue growing our business in a balanced manner, with a primary focus on generating growth in operating income and free cash flow and enhancing our profitability by maintaining appropriate controls on costs. To support this goal, we plan to continue to expand the coverage and capacity of our digital mobile networks in our existing markets and increase our existing subscriber base while managing our costs in a manner designed to support that growth and improving our operating metrics. Specifically, we will seek to add subscribers at rates


21


 

which do not have a significant negative impact on our consolidated financial performance as reflected in several key operating measures. We may also explore financially attractive opportunities to expand our network coverage in areas where we currently do not provide wireless service. Based on market data that continues to show the relatively low wireless penetration in our markets and our current market share in those markets, we believe that we can continue to generate subscriber base and revenue growth while improving our profitability and cash flow generation. Although certain Latin American markets have been historically volatile, the Latin American markets in which we operate have recently experienced improving economies that have been relatively more stable compared to historical periods. The key components of our strategy are as follows:
 
Focusing on Major Business Centers in Key Latin American Markets.  We operate primarily in large urban markets, including five of the six largest cities in Latin America, which have a concentration of high usage business customers. We target these markets because we believe they offer favorable long-term growth prospects for our wireless communications services while offering the cost benefits associated with offering services in more concentrated population centers. In addition, the cities in which we operate account for a high proportion of total economic activity in each of their respective countries and provide us with a large potential market without the need to build out nationwide wireless coverage. We believe that there are significant opportunities for growth in these markets due to the high demand for wireless communications services and the large number of target business customers.
 
Targeting High Value Business Customers.  Our main focus is on customers who purchase services under contract with medium to high usage patterns, targeting customers who primarily use our services in their businesses because they value our high quality iDEN networks, our multi-function handsets and our high level of customer service. Our typical customers have between 3 and 30 handsets, while some of our largest customers have over 500 handsets. We believe that our focus on these business customers is a key reason why we have a significantly higher monthly average revenue per unit than that reported by our competitors that rely predominantly on consumer customers who purchase services on a pre-paid basis.
 
Providing Differentiated Services.  We differentiate ourselves from our competitors by offering unique services like our “push-to-talk” digital radio communication service, which we refer to as Direct Connect. This service, which is available throughout our service areas and is fully integrated in a single wireless device that also provides digital mobile telephone service, provides significant value to our customers by eliminating the long distance and domestic roaming fees charged by other wireless service providers, while also providing added functionality due to the near-instantaneous nature of the communication and the ability to communicate on a one-to-many basis. Our competitors have begun to introduce competitive push-to-talk over cellular products, but we believe that the quality of our Direct Connect service is superior at this time. We add further value by customizing data applications that enhance the productivity of our business customers, such as vehicle and delivery tracking, order entry processing and workforce monitoring applications.
 
We believe that the wireless communications industry in the markets in which we operate has been and will continue to be highly competitive on the basis of price, the types of services offered and quality of service. In each of our markets, we compete with at least two large, well-capitalized competitors with substantial financial and other resources. Some of these competitors have the ability to offer bundled telecommunications services that include local, long distance and data services. Although competitive pricing is often an important factor, we believe that the business users who primarily make up our targeted customer base are also likely to base their purchase decisions on quality of service and the availability of differentiated features and services, like our Direct Connect services, that make it easier for them to conduct business quickly and efficiently.
 
Delivering Superior Customer Service.  In addition to our unique service offerings, we seek to further differentiate ourselves by providing a higher level of customer service generally than our competitors. We work proactively with our customers to match them with service plans offering greater value based on their usage patterns. After analyzing customer usage and expense data, we strive to minimize a customer’s per minute costs while increasing overall usage of our array of services, thereby providing higher value to our customers while increasing our monthly revenues. This goal is also furthered by our efforts during and after the sales process to educate customers about our services, multi-function handsets and rate plans. In addition, we have implemented proactive customer retention programs to increase customer satisfaction and retention.


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Selectively Expanding our Service Areas.  We believe that we have significant opportunities to grow through selective expansion of our service into additional areas within the countries in which we currently operate. Such expansion may involve building out certain areas in which we already have spectrum, obtaining additional 800 MHZ spectrum in new areas which would enable us to expand our network service areas, and further developing our business in key urban areas. In addition, we may consider selectively expanding into other Latin American countries where we do not currently operate. As a result of acquiring the spectrum that we won in the March 2005 spectrum auctions in Mexico, in mid-2005, we launched an expansion plan under which we have significantly expanded our service areas in Mexico. We also expanded coverage of our network in Brazil under that expansion plan. In the second quarter of 2007, we decided to develop plans to further significantly expand our service areas in Brazil and Chile. See “Capital Expenditures” for a discussion of the factors that drive our capital spending.
 
Preserving the iDEN Opportunity.  The iDEN networks that we operate allow us to offer differentiated services like Direct Connect while offering high quality voice telephony and innovative data services. The iDEN technology is unique in that it is the only widespread, commercially available digital technology that operates on non-contiguous spectrum, which is important to us because much of the spectrum that our operating companies hold in each of the markets we serve is non-contiguous. Because Motorola is the sole supplier of iDEN technology, we are dependent on Motorola’s support of the evolution of the iDEN technology and of the development of new features, functionality and handset models. Historically, Nextel Communications, Motorola’s largest iDEN customer, provided significant support in the ongoing development of the iDEN technology and related equipment, but following the merger of Nextel Communications and Sprint, Sprint Nextel announced plans to migrate Nextel’s push-to-talk services over time to a next generation CDMA network platform. As a result, we have entered into arrangements with Motorola that are designed to provide us with a continued source of iDEN network equipment and handsets in an environment in which Sprint Nextel’s purchases and support of that equipment may decline. Specifically, in September 2006, we entered into agreements to extend our relationship with Motorola for the supply of iDEN handsets and iDEN network infrastructure through December 31, 2011. Under these agreements, Motorola agreed to maintain an adequate supply of the iDEN handsets and equipment used in our business for the term of the agreement and to continue to invest in the development of new iDEN devices and infrastructure features. In addition, we agreed to annually escalating handset volume purchase commitments and certain pricing parameters for handsets and infrastructure linked to the volume of our purchases. If we do not meet the specified handset volume commitments, we would be required to pay an additional amount based on any shortfall of actual purchased handsets compared to the related annual volume commitment.
 
Planning for the Future.  Another key component in our overall strategy is to expand and improve the innovative and differentiated services we offer and evaluate the technologies necessary to provide those services. One such initiative is to develop and offer a broader range of data services on our networks like those available on the Blackberry devices we recently launched in all of our markets except Chile, and to evaluate the feasibility of offering next generation voice and broadband data services in the future. This focus on offering innovative and differentiated services requires that we continue to invest in, evaluate and, if appropriate, deploy new services and enhancements to our existing services as well as, in some cases, consider and pursue acquisitions of assets that include spectrum licenses to deploy these services, including in auctions of newly available spectrum and through acquisitions of existing spectrum rights. During 2006, we purchased licenses to use other radio spectrum bands in Mexico and Peru. We are in the process of acquiring licenses to use other radio spectrum bands in Argentina and Peru, pending regulatory approval. The licenses relating to the newly acquired spectrum outside the 800MHz band generally provide for nationwide rights to utilize a significant block of contiguous spectrum that may support the future deployment of new network technologies and services. As part of our ongoing assessment of our ability to meet our customers’ current and future needs, we continually review alternate technologies to assess their technical performance, cost and functional capabilities. These reviews may involve the deployment of the technologies under consideration on a trial basis in order to evaluate their capabilities and market demand for the supported services. We will deploy a new technology only if it is warranted by expected customer demand and when the anticipated benefits of services supported by the new technology outweigh the costs of providing those services. Our decision whether and how to deploy alternative technologies, as well as our choice of alternative technologies, would likely be affected by a number of factors, including the types of features and services supported by the technology, the availability and pricing of related equipment, and our need to continue to support iDEN-based services for our existing customer base either on an ongoing or transitional basis.


23


 

We refer to our operating companies by the countries in which they operate, such as Nextel Mexico, Nextel Brazil, Nextel Argentina, Nextel Peru and Nextel Chile.
 
See “Forward Looking Statements” for information on risks and uncertainties that could affect the above objectives. For information regarding commitments and contingencies, see Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
Digital Handsets in Commercial Service
 
The table below provides an overview of our total digital handsets in commercial service in the countries indicated as of June 30, 2007 and 2006. For purposes of the table, digital handsets in commercial service represent all digital handsets in use by our customers on the digital mobile networks in each of the listed countries.
 
                 
    Total Digital Handsets in
 
    Commercial Service  
    June 30,
    June 30,
 
Country
  2007     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Mexico
    1,848       1,301  
Brazil
    1,082       757  
Argentina
    726       567  
Peru
    399       296  
Chile
    5        
                 
Total
    4,060       2,921  
                 
 
Recent Developments
 
Issuance of 3.125% Convertible Notes.  In May 2007, we privately placed $1,000.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.125% convertible notes due 2012. In addition, we granted the initial purchaser an option to purchase up to an additional $200.0 million principal amount of notes, which the initial purchaser exercised in full. As a result, we issued a total of $1,200.0 million principal amount of 3.125% convertible notes for which we received total gross proceeds of $1,200.0 million. We also incurred direct issuance costs of $22.8 million, which we recorded as a deferred financing cost that we will amortize into interest expense over the term of the 3.125% notes. The notes bear interest at a rate of 3.125% per annum on the principal amount of the notes, payable semi-annually in arrears in cash on June 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning December 15, 2007, and will mature on June 15, 2012, when the entire principal balance of $1,200.0 million will be due. In addition, and subject to specified exceptions, the noteholders have the right to require us to repurchase the notes at a repurchase price equal to 100% of their principal amount, plus any accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, the repurchase date upon the occurrence of a fundamental change. The notes are convertible into shares of our common stock at a conversion rate of 8.4517 shares per $1,000 principal amount of notes, subject to adjustment in specified circumstances.
 
Repurchase of Common Stock.  In May 2007, our Board of Directors authorized a program to repurchase shares of our common stock for cash. The Board approved the repurchase of shares having an aggregate market value of up to $500.0 million, depending on market conditions and other factors. During the second quarter of 2007, we repurchased a total of 4,043,725 shares of our common stock for approximately $330.0 million. We treated this purchase as an effective retirement of the purchased shares and therefore reduced our reported shares issued and outstanding by the number of shares repurchased. In addition, we recorded the excess of the purchase price over the common stock’s par value as a reduction to paid-in capital.
 
Tender Offer for Conversion of 2.875% Convertible Notes.  On July 25, 2007, we accepted the tender of 99.99% of the $300.0 million in outstanding principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes under a tender offer that expired on July 23, 2007. In connection with this tender offer, we issued 11,268,103 shares of our common stock and paid to the holders of the tendered notes an aggregate cash premium of $25.5 million and accrued and unpaid interest of $4.2 million.


24


 

Spectrum Acquisitions.  On July 5, 2007, Nextel Peru entered into an agreement providing for the purchase of 54 MHz of 2.5 GHz spectrum throughout Peru for $11.3 million from TC Siglo 21 S.A.A. In addition, on July 27, 2007, Proinversion, the privatization agency in Peru, awarded a nationwide license of 35 MHz of 1.9 GHz spectrum to Nextel Peru for $27.0 million through an auction process carried out by the Peruvian government.
 
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
 
The preparation of our financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses and related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities in the condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes for the periods presented. Due to the inherent uncertainty involved in making those estimates, actual results to be reported in future periods could differ from those estimates.
 
We consider the following accounting policies to be the most important to our financial position and results of operations or policies that require us to exercise significant judgment and/or estimates:
 
  •  revenue recognition;
 
  •  allowance for doubtful accounts;
 
  •  depreciation of property, plant and equipment;
 
  •  amortization of intangible assets;
 
  •  asset retirement obligations;
 
  •  foreign currency;
 
  •  loss contingencies;
 
  •  stock-based compensation; and
 
  •  income taxes.
 
We adopted Financial Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes,” or FIN 48, in the first quarter of 2007, which changed how we account for uncertain income tax positions, including how we account for reserves related to potential future income tax assessments from taxing authorities. We now recognize the financial statement effects of an income tax position only when we conclude, based on the technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position will be sustained upon examination. Prior to adopting FIN 48, we recognized the financial statement effect of income tax positions based on our income tax return filing positions, and we recorded a reserve for potential future income tax assessments when it was “probable” that the assessment would be realized. We accounted for the changes in connection with the adoption of FIN 48 as an adjustment to the beginning balance of retained earnings on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of June 30, 2007.
 
We believe that there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended June 30, 2007 compared to those discussed in our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
         
Three Months
 
Ended
 
June 30,  
2007
  2006  
 
4.10x
    3.92x  


25


 

For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consist of income from continuing operations before income taxes plus fixed charges and amortization of capitalized interest less capitalized interest. Fixed charges consist of:
 
  •  interest on all indebtedness, amortization of debt financing costs and amortization of original issue discount;
 
  •  interest capitalized; and
 
  •  the portion of rental expense we believe is representative of interest.
 
Reclassifications
 
We have reclassified certain prior year amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation. These reclassifications did not have a material impact on previously reported balances.
 
Results of Operations
 
Operating revenues primarily consist of wireless service revenues and revenues generated from the sale of digital handsets and accessories. Service revenues primarily include fixed monthly access charges for digital mobile telephone service and digital two-way radio and other services, including revenues from calling party pays programs and variable charges for airtime and digital two-way radio usage in excess of plan minutes, long-distance charges, international roaming revenues derived from calls placed by our customers and charges related to the use of data services. Digital handset and accessory revenues represent revenues we earn on the sale of digital handsets and accessories to our customers.
 
In addition, we also have other less significant sources of revenues. These revenues primarily include revenues generated from our handset maintenance programs, roaming revenues generated from other companies’ customers that roam on our networks, revenue-based taxes and co-location rental revenues from third-party tenants that rent space on our towers.
 
Cost of revenues primarily includes the cost of providing wireless service and the cost of digital handset and accessory sales. Cost of providing service consists largely of costs of interconnection with local exchange carrier facilities and direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including property taxes, expenses related to our handset maintenance programs, insurance costs, utility costs, maintenance costs and rent for the network switches and transmitter sites used to operate our digital mobile networks. Interconnection costs have fixed and variable components. The fixed component of interconnection costs consists of monthly flat-rate fees for facilities leased from local exchange carriers, primarily for circuits required to connect our transmitter sites to our network switches and to connect our switches. The variable component of interconnection costs, which fluctuates in relation to the volume and duration of wireless calls, generally consists of per-minute use fees charged by wireline and wireless providers for wireless calls from our digital handsets terminating on their networks. Cost of digital handset and accessory sales consists largely of the cost of the handset and accessories, order fulfillment and installation-related expenses, as well as write-downs of digital handset and related accessory inventory for shrinkage or obsolescence.
 
Our service and other revenues and the variable component of our cost of service are primarily driven by the number of digital handsets in service and not necessarily by the number of customers, as one customer may purchase one or many digital handsets. Our digital handset and accessory revenues and cost of digital handset and accessory sales are primarily driven by the number of new handsets placed into service as well as handset upgrades provided to existing customers during the year.
 
Selling and marketing expenses include all of the expenses related to acquiring customers. General and administrative expenses include expenses related to revenue-based taxes, billing, customer care, collections including bad debt, repairs and maintenance of management information systems, spectrum license fees, corporate overhead and share-based payment for stock options and restricted stock.


26


 

 
a.   Consolidated
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,449,364       97 %   $ 1,040,205       96 %   $ 409,159       39 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    49,909       3 %     44,495       4 %     5,414       12 %
                                                 
      1,499,273       100 %     1,084,700       100 %     414,573       38 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (398,940 )     (27 )%     (279,162 )     (26 )%     (119,778 )     43 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (195,812 )     (13 )%     (140,156 )     (13 )%     (55,656 )     40 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (196,778 )     (13 )%     (146,136 )     (13 )%     (50,642 )     35 %
General and administrative expenses
    (292,670 )     (20 )%     (210,854 )     (19 )%     (81,816 )     39 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (139,696 )     (9 )%     (84,696 )     (8 )%     (55,000 )     65 %
                                                 
Operating income
    275,377       18 %     223,696       21 %     51,681       23 %
Interest expense, net
    (53,982 )     (3 )%     (42,447 )     (4 )%     (11,535 )     27 %
Interest income
    25,158       2 %     25,738       2 %     (580 )     (2 )%
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    5,799             (3,483 )           9,282       (266 )%
Other income (expense), net
    633             (5,588 )     (1 )%     6,221       (111 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax provision
    252,985       17 %     197,916       18 %     55,069       28 %
Income tax provision
    (84,741 )     (6 )%     (77,015 )     (7 )%     (7,726 )     10 %
                                                 
Net income
  $ 168,244       11 %   $ 120,901       11 %   $ 47,343       39 %
                                                 


27


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 758,681       97 %   $ 534,249       96 %   $ 224,432       42 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    26,985       3 %     22,180       4 %     4,805       22 %
                                                 
      785,666       100 %     556,429       100 %     229,237       41 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (210,045 )     (27 )%     (144,812 )     (26 )%     (65,233 )     45 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (104,729 )     (13 )%     (70,355 )     (12 )%     (34,374 )     49 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (108,356 )     (14 )%     (76,295 )     (14 )%     (32,061 )     42 %
General and administrative expenses
    (155,950 )     (20 )%     (110,159 )     (20 )%     (45,791 )     42 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (72,688 )     (9 )%     (43,222 )     (8 )%     (29,466 )     68 %
                                                 
Operating income
    133,898       17 %     111,586       20 %     22,312       20 %
Interest expense, net
    (29,653 )     (4 )%     (21,032 )     (4 )%     (8,621 )     41 %
Interest income
    13,788       2 %     13,137       2 %     651       5 %
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    9,331       1 %     (2,342 )           11,673       NM  
Other expense, net
    (1,194 )           (3,224 )           2,030       (63 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax provision
    126,170       16 %     98,125       18 %     28,045       29 %
Income tax provision
    (42,090 )     (5 )%     (42,222 )     (8 )%     132        
                                                 
Net income
  $ 84,080       11 %   $ 55,903       10 %   $ 28,177       50 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
During the first half of 2007, we experienced significant growth in our consolidated revenues, which was primarily driven by an increase in our consolidated subscriber base across all markets with the majority of those new subscribers located in Mexico and Brazil, where we have significantly expanded the coverage of our networks and the markets we serve. Consolidated operating expenses as a percentage of consolidated operating revenues increased slightly, and consolidated operating margin decreased slightly in the first half of 2007 compared to the first half of 2006. These changes were due mainly to increases in our consolidated cost of service resulting from higher interconnect expenses, general and administrative expenses resulting from an increase in stock-based compensation expenses and depreciation and amortization resulting from the rapid expansion of our digital mobile networks, all of which increased as a percentage of our total revenue. These increases, other than the increase in stock-based compensation, are primarily a result of the expansion of our networks and launch of new markets, increased customer loading and upgrades and higher interconnect costs resulting from a higher proportion of mobile-to-mobile calls, which generally have higher per minute interconnection costs. We expect these costs as a percentage of revenue to remain stable through the remainder of 2007. Our sales productivity improved due to

28


 

various programs implemented to improve our mix of sales channels, as well as resource alignment and allocation to the sales area. In addition, coverage expansion and network improvements resulted in consolidated capital expenditures totaling $341.4 million for the first half of 2007. While we expect that the amounts invested by Nextel Mexico and Nextel Brazil to expand the coverage of their networks and to improve their quality and capacity will continue to represent the majority of our total capital expenditure investments in the future, we expect the capital expenditures invested by Nextel Brazil to increase due to our recent decision to expand our network coverage in Brazil and the capital expenditures invested by Nextel Mexico to decrease due to the substantial completion of our expansion plan in Mexico.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $409.2 million, or 39%, and $224.4 million, or 42%, increases in consolidated service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 38% and 39% increases in the average number of total digital handsets in service, primarily in Mexico and Brazil, resulting from continued strong demand for our services and our balanced growth and expansion strategy, as well as a slight increase in average consolidated revenues per handset from the second quarter of 2006 to the second quarter of 2007. Average consolidated revenues per handset remained relatively stable from the six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same period in 2007.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $119.8 million, or 43%, and $65.2 million, or 45%, increases in consolidated cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $69.7 million, or 51%, and $37.8 million, or 53%, increases in consolidated interconnect costs resulting from 48% and 49% increases in consolidated interconnect minutes of use, as well as an increase in the proportion of mobile-to-mobile minutes of use, which generally have higher per minute costs;
 
  •  $28.3 million, or 30%, and $15.1 million, or 32%, increases in consolidated direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs resulting from a 25% increase in the total number of consolidated transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007; and
 
  •  $15.7 million, or 39%, and $7.0 million, or 33%, increases in consolidated service and repair costs mainly resulting from increases in subscribers participating under our handset maintenance programs.
 
The $55.7 million, or 40%, and $34.4 million, or 49%, increases in consolidated cost of digital handset and accessory sales from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 47% and 49% increases in total handset sales, as well as 50% and 86% increases in handset upgrades, partially offset by lower costs per handset sale resulting from reductions in handset unit costs in 2007.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $50.6 million, or 35%, and $32.1 million, or 42%, increases in consolidated selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $18.8 million, or 32%, and $11.1 million, or 37%, increases in consolidated indirect commissions resulting from 45% and 49% increases in total handset sales through external sales channels, partially offset by decreases in indirect commissions per handset sale resulting from a change in the mix of rate plans sold;
 
  •  $19.1 million, or 36%, and $10.9 million, or 40%, increases in consolidated payroll expenses and direct commissions caused by increases in commissions incurred as a result of 49% and 50% increases in total handset sales by internal sales personnel, partially offset by decreases in indirect commissions per handset sale resulting from a change in the mix of rate plans sold; and
 
  •  $11.0 million, or 38%, and $9.0 million, or 58%, increases in consolidated advertising expenses, primarily in Mexico and Brazil, mainly related to the launch of new markets in connection with our expansion plan and increased advertising initiatives related to overall subscriber growth.


29


 

 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $81.8 million, or 39%, and $45.8 million, or 42%, increases in consolidated general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $30.6 million, or 30%, and $18.3 million, or 35%, increases largely due to higher personnel costs related to an increase in headcount and higher facilities-related expenses due to continued subscriber growth and expansion into new areas;
 
  •  $24.0 million, or 47%, and $12.6 million, or 47%, increases in consolidated customer care expenses, mainly payroll and related expenses, resulting from additional customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base;
 
  •  $8.9 million, or 68%, and $5.1 million, or 64%, increases in stock option compensation expense, primarily resulting from grants of stock options in April 2006 and April 2007;
 
  •  $7.0 million, or 48%, and $4.4 million, or 60%, increases in consolidated bad debt expense, primarily as a result of the 38% and 41% increases in consolidated operating revenues. Bad debt as a percentage of revenue increased from 1.36% for the six months ended June 30, 2006 to 1.45% for the same period in 2007 and from 1.32% for the three months ended June 30, 2006 to 1.49% for the same period in 2007. We expect bad debt as a percentage of revenue to remain relatively stable at its current levels for the remainder of 2007; and
 
  •  $6.2 million, or 30%, and $3.8 million, or 37%, increases in information technology repair and maintenance costs primarily in Mexico and Brazil related to the expansion of their networks and the implementation of new systems.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $55.0 million, or 65%, and $29.5 million, or 68%, increases in consolidated depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to a 65% increase in our consolidated property, plant and equipment in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007 resulting from the continued expansion of our digital mobile networks, mainly in Mexico and Brazil.
 
  6.   Interest expense, net
 
The $11.5 million, or 27%, and $8.6 million, or 41%, increases in consolidated net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to the following:
 
  •  $4.4 million and $1.5 million increases, respectively, in interest incurred on our towers financing transactions and capital lease obligations in Mexico and Brazil primarily due to increases in both the number of towers financed and capital leases;
 
  •  $4.3 million and $1.3 million decreases in capitalized interest related to a significant decrease in average construction-in-progress balances, primarily in Mexico due to the substantial completion of our expansion plan; and
 
  •  $3.1 million in incremental interest expense for both periods incurred on our 3.125% convertible notes that we issued in May 2007.
 
  7.   Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
 
Consolidated foreign currency transaction gains of $5.8 million and $9.3 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 are primarily the result of the strengthening of the Mexican peso and the Brazilian real relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Mexico’s and Nextel Brazil’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities, primarily their intercompany payables.


30


 

Consolidated foreign currency transaction losses of $3.5 million and $2.3 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are primarily the result of the weakening of the Mexican peso relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Mexico’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities, primarily its intercompany payables.
 
  8.   Other income (expense), net
 
The $6.2 million change in other expense, net, from the six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same period in 2007 primarily relates to the reversal of a contingent liability by Nextel Mexico during the first quarter of 2007 and a reduction in realized losses on Nextel Mexico’s hedge of capital expenditures and handset purchases that we reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
 
  9.   Income tax provision
 
The $7.7 million, or 10%, increase in the consolidated income tax provision from the six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same period in 2007 is primarily due to the tax and accounting rules related to the reporting of our intercompany management fee. As the result of a change in the relevant income tax rules, beginning in 2007, we now record the tax effect of these fees evenly throughout the year, which significantly reduced the changes in the quarter-to-quarter tax rate that occurred in 2006.
 
Segment Results
 
We evaluate performance of our segments and provide resources to them based on operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. Because we do not view share-based compensation as an important element of operational performance, we recognize share-based payment expense at the corporate level and exclude it when evaluating the business performance of our segments. For several years, we have charged a management fee to Nextel Mexico for services rendered by corporate management. For the six and three months ended June 30, 2007, we reported this management fee as a separate line item in the segment reporting information as these amounts are now regularly provided to our chief operating decision maker. During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we charged Nextel Mexico a management fee of $34.1 million and $17.0 million, respectively. However, for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, our segment information does not reflect these management fees as a separate line item because these amounts were not provided to or used by our chief operating decision maker in making operating decisions related to this segment. The tables below provide a summary of the components of our consolidated segments for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. The results of Nextel Chile are included in “Corporate and other.”
 
                                                         
                                  % of
       
                                  Consolidated
       
          % of
          % of
    Selling,
    Selling,
       
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    General and
    General and
    Segment
 
Six Months Ended
  Operating
    Operating
    Cost of
    Cost of
    Administrative
    Administrative
    Earnings
 
June 30, 2007
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 832,965       56 %   $ (293,689 )     49 %   $ (228,336 )     47 %   $ 310,940  
Nextel Brazil
    372,351       25 %     (158,250 )     27 %     (122,489 )     25 %     91,612  
Nextel Argentina
    203,755       13 %     (95,274 )     16 %     (44,654 )     9 %     63,827  
Nextel Peru
    89,371       6 %     (46,466 )     8 %     (25,032 )     5 %     17,873  
Corporate and other
    1,382             (1,624 )           (68,937 )     14 %     (69,179 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (551 )           551                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 1,499,273       100 %   $ (594,752 )     100 %   $ (489,448 )     100 %        
                                                         
 


31


 

                                                         
                                  % of
       
                                  Consolidated
       
          % of
          % of
    Selling,
    Selling,
       
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    General and
    General and
    Segment
 
Three Months Ended
  Operating
    Operating
    Cost of
    Cost of
    Administrative
    Administrative
    Earnings
 
June 30, 2007
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 432,785       55 %   $ (154,167 )     49 %   $ (121,432 )     46 %   $ 157,186  
Nextel Brazil
    201,003       26 %     (86,176 )     27 %     (67,963 )     26 %     46,864  
Nextel Argentina
    105,710       13 %     (49,868 )     16 %     (23,776 )     9 %     32,066  
Nextel Peru
    45,618       6 %     (23,908 )     8 %     (12,917 )     5 %     8,793  
Corporate and other
    817             (922 )           (38,218 )     14 %     (38,323 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (267 )           267                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 785,666       100 %   $ (314,774 )     100 %   $ (264,306 )     100 %        
                                                         
 
                                                         
                                  % of
       
                                  Consolidated
       
          % of
          % of
    Selling,
    Selling,
       
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    General and
    General and
    Segment
 
Six Months Ended
  Operating
    Operating
    Cost of
    Cost of
    Administrative
    Administrative
    Earnings
 
June 30, 2006
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 617,917       57 %   $ (202,131 )     48 %   $ (167,106 )     47 %   $ 248,680  
Nextel Brazil
    241,737       22 %     (111,733 )     27 %     (83,949 )     24 %     46,055  
Nextel Argentina
    157,585       15 %     (70,865 )     17 %     (39,956 )     11 %     46,764  
Nextel Peru
    66,463       6 %     (34,216 )     8 %     (19,651 )     5 %     12,596  
Corporate and other
    1,369             (744 )           (46,328 )     13 %     (45,703 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (371 )           371                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 1,084,700       100 %   $ (419,318 )     100 %   $ (356,990 )     100 %        
                                                         
 
                                                         
                                  % of
       
                                  Consolidated
       
          % of
          % of
    Selling,
    Selling,
       
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    General and
    General and
    Segment
 
Three Months Ended
  Operating
    Operating
    Cost of
    Cost of
    Administrative
    Administrative
    Earnings
 
June 30, 2006
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 312,811       56 %   $ (101,670 )     47 %   $ (85,858 )     46 %   $ 125,283  
Nextel Brazil
    126,482       23 %     (58,401 )     27 %     (44,338 )     24 %     23,743  
Nextel Argentina
    82,415       15 %     (37,087 )     17 %     (21,098 )     11 %     24,230  
Nextel Peru
    34,095       6 %     (17,794 )     9 %     (10,103 )     5 %     6,198  
Corporate and other
    829             (418 )           (25,057 )     14 %     (24,646 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (203 )           203                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 556,429       100 %   $ (215,167 )     100 %   $ (186,454 )     100 %        
                                                         

32


 

A discussion of the results of operations for each of our reportable segments is provided below.
 
b.   Nextel Mexico
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Mexico’s
          Mexico’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
                (dollars in thousands)              
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 822,317       99 %   $ 605,297       98 %   $ 217,020       36 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    10,648       1 %     12,620       2 %     (1,972 )     (16 )%
                                                 
      832,965       100 %     617,917       100 %     215,048       35 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (171,776 )     (21 )%     (127,168 )     (21 )%     (44,608 )     35 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (121,913 )     (15 )%     (74,963 )     (12 )%     (46,950 )     63 %
                                                 
      (293,689 )     (36 )%     (202,131 )     (33 )%     (91,558 )     45 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (117,960 )     (14 )%     (90,880 )     (15 )%     (27,080 )     30 %
General and administrative expenses
    (110,376 )     (13 )%     (76,226 )     (12 )%     (34,150 )     45 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    310,940       37 %     248,680       40 %     62,260       25 %
Management fee
    (19,800 )     (2 )%                 (19,800 )     NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (68,214 )     (8 )%     (44,819 )     (7 )%     (23,395 )     52 %
                                                 
Operating income
    222,926       27 %     203,861       33 %     19,065       9 %
Interest expense, net
    (29,312 )     (4 )%     (16,879 )     (3 )%     (12,433 )     74 %
Interest income
    12,909       2 %     15,995       3 %     (3,086 )     (19 )%
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    1,208             (3,542 )     (1 )%     4,750       (134 )%
Other income (expense), net
    2,260             (2,294 )           4,554       (199 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 209,991       25 %   $ 197,141       32 %   $ 12,850       7 %
                                                 


33


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Mexico’s
          Mexico’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
                (dollars in thousands)              
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 427,197       99 %   $ 307,182       98 %   $ 120,015       39 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,588       1 %     5,629       2 %     (41 )     (1 )%
                                                 
      432,785       100 %     312,811       100 %     119,974       38 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (89,178 )     (21 )%     (64,951 )     (21 )%     (24,227 )     37 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (64,989 )     (15 )%     (36,719 )     (12 )%     (28,270 )     77 %
                                                 
      (154,167 )     (36 )%     (101,670 )     (33 )%     (52,497 )     52 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (63,715 )     (15 )%     (46,978 )     (15 )%     (16,737 )     36 %
General and administrative expenses
    (57,717 )     (13 )%     (38,880 )     (12 )%     (18,837 )     48 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    157,186       36 %     125,283       40 %     31,903       25 %
Management fee
    (9,900 )     (2 )%                 (9,900 )     NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (35,043 )     (8 )%     (24,125 )     (8 )%     (10,918 )     45 %
                                                 
Operating income
    112,243       26 %     101,158       32 %     11,085       11 %
Interest expense, net
    (15,100 )     (3 )%     (7,820 )     (3 )%     (7,280 )     93 %
Interest income
    5,726       1 %     8,154       3 %     (2,428 )     (30 )%
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    5,858       1 %     (2,191 )     (1 )%     8,049       NM  
Other expense, net
    (78 )           (808 )           730       (90 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 108,649       25 %   $ 98,493       31 %   $ 10,156       10 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
Nextel Mexico continues to be our largest and most profitable market segment, comprising 56% of our consolidated operating revenues for the six months ended June 30, 2007. During the six months ended June 30, 2007, Nextel Mexico experienced strong subscriber growth as a result of continued customer demand, selectively expanding coverage in new and existing markets and improving network quality and capacity. The corresponding increase in operating expenses was a result of increased costs incurred in connection with Nextel Mexico’s expansion efforts, including network, personnel and other expenses related to the launch of new markets, as well as the high level of subscriber growth throughout 2006 and the first half of 2007. Some of Nextel Mexico’s competitors have lowered prices for certain services and handsets, offered various incentives to larger customers to switch service providers, including reimbursement of cancellation fees, and offered bundled telecommunications services that include local, long distance and data services. Nextel Mexico is addressing these competitive actions through various responses, including aggressive commercial campaigns offering handsets to new and existing customers on terms that result in higher handset subsidies and offering more competitive rate plans, which have resulted in slightly lower average revenue per subscriber and slightly higher customer turnover in 2007 compared to 2006. In addition, Nextel Mexico’s segment earnings margin decreased primarily as a result of an increase in cost of digital handset and accessory revenues because of a 60% increase in handset sales realized in connection with the strong

34


 

subscriber growth. We expect Nextel Mexico’s segment earnings margin to remain stable through the remainder of 2007.
 
During the first half of 2007, Nextel Mexico substantially completed its network expansion plans. Coverage expansion and network improvements resulted in capital expenditures totaling $156.8 million for the first half of 2007, which is a 46% share of consolidated capital expenditure investments. While we expect that Nextel Mexico will continue to represent a significant portion of our total capital expenditure investments in the future we expect its percentage of total capital expenditures to decrease now that its expansion plans are substantially complete. We expect subscriber growth in Mexico to continue as we take advantage of new markets launched during 2006 and 2007 as those markets begin to mature. In addition, as Nextel Mexico continues to expand its customer base in both new and existing markets and continues to address a more competitive sales environment, we expect that Nextel Mexico’s average revenue per subscriber may decline slightly in 2007 compared to 2006. We also expect Nextel Mexico to begin receiving some benefits from additional revenue streams, such as the Blackberry product and short messaging, later this year.
 
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we translated Nextel Mexico’s results of operations using the average exchange rate for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. The average exchange rates of the Mexican peso for the six months ended June 30, 2007 depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 1% from the six months ended June 30, 2006. The average exchange rate of the Mexican peso for the three months ended June 30, 2007 appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 2% from the three months ended June 30, 2006. As a result, compared to 2006, the components of Nextel Mexico’s results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2007 after translation into U.S. dollars reflect slightly lower increases than would have occurred if it were not for the impact of the depreciation of the peso. Conversely, compared to 2006, the components of Nextel Mexico’s results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2007 after translation into U.S. dollars reflect slightly higher increases than would have occurred if it were not for the impact of the appreciation of the peso.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $217.0 million, or 36%, and $120.0 million, or 39%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 40% and 41% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 resulting from growth in Nextel Mexico’s existing markets, as well as the expansion of service coverage into new markets during 2006 and the first six months of 2007, partially offset by slight declines in average revenue per handset.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $44.6 million, or 35%, and $24.2 million, or 37%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are principally due to the following:
 
  •  $25.4 million, or 43%, and $13.4 million, or 44%, increases in interconnect costs generally resulting from 40% and 38% increases in interconnect system minutes of use, as well as an increase in the proportion of mobile-to-mobile minutes of use, which generally have higher per minute costs;
 
  •  $10.5 million, or 23%, and $6.0 million, or 26%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs resulting from a 29% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007; and
 
  •  $5.8 million, or 32%, and $2.5 million, or 26%, increases in service and repair costs largely due to increased activity under Nextel Mexico’s handset maintenance program.
 
The $47.0 million, or 63%, and $28.3 million, or 77%, increases in cost of digital handsets and accessories from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 60% and 65% increases in handset sales, respectively, as well as increases in handset upgrades provided to current customers.


35


 

  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $27.1 million, or 30%, and $16.7 million, or 36%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $11.1 million, or 26%, and $6.4 million, or 29%, increases in indirect commissions primarily due to 50% and 56% increases in handset sales by Nextel Mexico’s outside dealers, partially offset by a decrease in indirect commission per handset sale resulting from a change in the mix of rate plans sold;
 
  •  $9.3 million, or 36%, and $5.5 million, or 42%, increases in direct commissions and payroll expenses principally due to 78% and 81% increases in handset sales by Nextel Mexico’s sales personnel, partially offset by a decrease in direct commission per handset sale resulting from a change in the mix of rate plans sold; and
 
  •  $5.6 million, or 29%, and $4.1 million, or 39%, increases in advertising costs largely due to the launch of new markets in connection with Nextel Mexico’s expansion plan, the launch of new rate plans and objectives to reinforce market awareness of the Nextel brand name.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $34.2 million, or 45%, and $18.8 million, or 48%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are largely a result of the following:
 
  •  $14.9 million, or 60%, and $7.7 million, or 60%, increase in customer care expenses primarily due to an increase in payroll and employee related expenses caused by an increase in customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base, as well as an increase in the number of retail stores;
 
  •  $12.4 million, or 37%, and $6.4 million, or 37%, increases in general corporate costs resulting from an increase in payroll and related expenses caused by more general and administrative personnel, higher business insurance expenses and increased facilities costs due to expansion into new markets; and
 
  •  $5.2 million, or 67%, and $3.7 million, or 104%, increases in bad debt expense. Bad debt as a percentage of revenue increased from 1.26% for the six months ended June 30, 2006 to 1.56% for the same period in 2007 and from 1.13% for the three months ended June 30, 2006 to 1.67% for the same period in 2007. This increase resulted primarily from the introduction of certain rate plans that are available to customers with slightly higher credit risk. We expect bad debt as a percent of revenue to remain relatively stable through the remainder of 2007 and into 2008.
 
  5.   Management fee
 
We charge a management fee to Nextel Mexico for its share of the corporate management services performed by us, which effective January 1, 2007, is being included in our segment reporting information. The management fee charged to Nextel Mexico was $19.8 million and $9.9 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007.
 
  6.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $23.4 million, or 52%, and $10.9 million, or 45%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to a 68% increase in Nextel Mexico’s property, plant and equipment in service resulting from the continued build-out of Nextel Mexico’s digital mobile network in connection with its expansion plan.
 
  7.   Interest expense, net
 
Excluding $5.2 million and $2.8 million in interest on the management fee for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 that was not recognized for segment reporting purposes in the prior year, Nextel Mexico’s interest expense increased $7.3 million, or 43%, and $4.5 million, or 58%, mostly due to decreases in capitalized interest related to a significant decrease in average construction-in-progress balances due to the substantial completion of its


36


 

expansion plan, as well as an increase in interest incurred on its co-location capital leases resulting from an increase in the number of communication tower co-location agreements.
 
  8.   Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
 
Foreign currency transaction gains of $1.2 million and $5.9 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 are primarily due to the impact of an increase in the value of the Mexican peso on Nextel Mexico’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities.
 
Foreign currency transaction losses of $3.5 million and $2.2 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are mostly due to the relative weakening of the peso compared to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Mexico’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities.
 
  9.   Other income (expense), net
 
The $4.6 million change in other expense, net, from the six months ended June 30, 2006 to the same period in 2007 primarily relates to the reversal of a contingent liability during the first quarter of 2007 and a reduction in realized losses on Nextel Mexico’s hedge of capital expenditures and handset purchases that we reclassify from accumulated other comprehensive loss.
 
c.   Nextel Brazil
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Brazil’s
          Brazil’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 354,625       95 %   $ 224,337       93 %   $ 130,288       58 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    17,726       5 %     17,400       7 %     326       2 %
                                                 
      372,351       100 %     241,737       100 %     130,614       54 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (123,296 )     (33 )%     (77,785 )     (32 )%     (45,511 )     59 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (34,954 )     (9 )%     (33,948 )     (14 )%     (1,006 )     3 %
                                                 
      (158,250 )     (42 )%     (111,733 )     (46 )%     (46,517 )     42 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (49,620 )     (13 )%     (31,357 )     (13 )%     (18,263 )     58 %
General and administrative expenses
    (72,869 )     (20 )%     (52,592 )     (22 )%     (20,277 )     39 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    91,612       25 %     46,055       19 %     45,557       99 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (42,657 )     (12 )%     (25,527 )     (11 )%     (17,130 )     67 %
                                                 
Operating income
    48,955       13 %     20,528       8 %     28,427       138 %
Interest expense, net
    (14,342 )     (4 )%     (11,609 )     (5 )%     (2,733 )     24 %
Interest income
    2,790       1 %     1,585       1 %     1,205       76 %
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    4,239       1 %     (272 )           4,511       NM  
Other expense, net
    (1,554 )           (2,736 )     (1 )%     1,182       (43 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 40,088       11 %   $ 7,496       3 %   $ 32,592       NM  
                                                 


37


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Brazil’s
          Brazil’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 191,411       95 %   $ 117,647       93 %   $ 73,764       63 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    9,592       5 %     8,835       7 %     757       9 %
                                                 
      201,003       100 %     126,482       100 %     74,521       59 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (67,299 )     (34 )%     (41,197 )     (32 )%     (26,102 )     63 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (18,877 )     (9 )%     (17,204 )     (14 )%     (1,673 )     10 %
                                                 
      (86,176 )     (43 )%     (58,401 )     (46 )%     (27,775 )     48 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (29,023 )     (15 )%     (16,188 )     (13 )%     (12,835 )     79 %
General and administrative expenses
    (38,940 )     (19 )%     (28,150 )     (22 )%     (10,790 )     38 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    46,864       23 %     23,743       19 %     23,121       97 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (22,888 )     (11 )%     (13,491 )     (11 )%     (9,397 )     70 %
                                                 
Operating income
    23,976       12 %     10,252       8 %     13,724       134 %
Interest expense, net
    (7,821 )     (4 )%     (6,040 )     (5 )%     (1,781 )     29 %
Interest income
    1,485       1 %     850             635       75 %
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    3,664       2 %     (171 )           3,835       NM  
Other expense, net
    (789 )     (1 )%     (1,745 )     (1 )%     956       (55 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 20,515       10 %   $ 3,146       2 %   $ 17,369       NM  
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
Over the last several years, Nextel Brazil’s subscriber base and segment earnings have increased as a result of a continued focus on customer service, the expansion of its digital mobile network and significant improvements in its operating cost structure. In addition to these factors, improvements in the Brazilian economy and increasing demand for its services have resulted in continued growth in existing markets and have led Nextel Brazil to make significant investments in order to expand its services into new markets. As this expansion has occurred, Nextel Brazil’s costs have declined as a percentage of operating revenues as Nextel Brazil has begun to realize scale benefits associated with its subscriber growth. Coverage expansion and network improvements resulted in capital expenditures totaling $127.0 million for the first half of 2007, which is a 37% share of consolidated capital expenditure investments. We believe that Nextel Brazil’s network expansion and quality improvements are contributing factors to our low consolidated customer turnover rate and our consolidated subscriber growth. Throughout the remainder of 2007, Nextel Brazil plans to continue to expand its digital mobile network and grow its subscriber base. In addition, in the second quarter of 2007, we decided to develop plans to further expand our network coverage in Brazil over the next two to three years.
 
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we translated Nextel Brazil’s results of operations using the average exchange rate for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007, which appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 7% and 10% from the same periods in 2006. As a result, the components of Nextel Brazil’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 after translation into U.S. dollars reflect higher increases than would have occurred if it were not for the impact of the appreciation in the average value of the Brazilian real.

38


 

  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $130.3 million, or 58%, and $73.8 million, or 63%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily a result of 42% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service resulting from growth in Nextel Brazil’s existing markets, and the expansion of service coverage into new markets in connection with our balanced growth and expansion objectives, as well as increases in local currency-based average revenue per subscriber.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $45.5 million, or 59%, and $26.1 million, or 63%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to the following:
 
  •  $28.4 million, or 79%, and $16.8 million, or 89%, increases in interconnect costs resulting from 51% and 53% increases in interconnect minutes of use, as well as an increase in the proportion of mobile-to-mobile minutes of use, which generally have higher per minute costs; and
 
  •  $12.6 million, or 43%, and $6.6 million, or 43%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including spectrum license fees, resulting from a 22% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007 and increases in cost per site.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $18.3 million, or 58%, and $12.8 million, or 79%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are principally due to the following:
 
  •  $7.8 million, or 50%, and $4.9 million, or 61%, increases in payroll expenses and direct commissions largely as a result of 45% and 49% increases in handset sales by Nextel Brazil’s internal sales force and 37% increases in selling and marketing personnel necessary to support continued sales growth;
 
  •  $5.4 million, or 69%, and $3.5 million, or 83%, increases in indirect commissions resulting from 44% and 50% increases in handset sales through Nextel Brazil’s external sales channels, as well as increases in indirect commissions earned per handset sale resulting from premiums paid on sales exceeding pre-established thresholds; and
 
  •  $4.7 million, or 74%, and $4.3 million, or 132%, increases in advertising expenses resulting from the launch of new markets in connection with Nextel Brazil’s expansion plan, Nextel Brazil’s sponsorship of the Copa Nextel Stock Car series, a professional racecar event, and its continued print and media campaigns for various products and services, including the launch of Blackberry services.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $20.3 million, or 39%, and $10.8 million, or 38%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $7.3 million, or 55%, and $4.2 million, or 61%, increases in revenue-based taxes that we report on a gross basis as both service and other revenues and general and administrative expenses, primarily due to the 54% and 59% increases in Nextel Brazil’s operating revenues;
 
  •  $6.0 million, or 39%, and $3.3 million, or 41%, increases in customer care expenses resulting from increases in customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base, as well as increases in various facilities expenses;
 
  •  $4.3 million, or 31%, and $1.8 million, or 24%, increases in general corporate and facilities costs primarily resulting from an increase in general and administrative personnel; and
 
  •  $2.3 million, or 52%, and $1.2 million, or 54%, increases in information technology expenses related to the expansion of Nextel Brazil’s network and its growing subscriber base.


39


 

 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $17.1 million, or 67%, and $9.4 million, or 70%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to a 73% increase in Nextel Brazil’s property, plant and equipment in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007 resulting from the continued build-out of Nextel Brazil’s digital mobile network.
 
  6.   Interest expense, net
 
The $2.7 million, or 24%, and $1.8 million, or 29%, increases in net interest expense are primarily the result of decreases in capitalized interest related to a decrease in average construction-in-progress balances, as well as increases in interest incurred on Nextel Brazil’s towers financing transactions and capital lease obligations primarily due to increases in both the number of towers financed and the number of capital leases.
 
  7.   Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
 
Foreign currency transaction gains of $4.2 million and $3.7 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 are primarily due to the strengthening of the Brazil real relative to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Brazil’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities, primarily its intercompany payables.
 
d.   Nextel Argentina
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Argentina’s
          Argentina’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 188,101       92 %   $ 146,944       93 %   $ 41,157       28 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    15,654       8 %     10,641       7 %     5,013       47 %
                                                 
      203,755       100 %     157,585       100 %     46,170       29 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (70,720 )     (35 )%     (51,630 )     (33 )%     (19,090 )     37 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (24,554 )     (12 )%     (19,235 )     (12 )%     (5,319 )     28 %
                                                 
      (95,274 )     (47 )%     (70,865 )     (45 )%     (24,409 )     34 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (15,131 )     (7 )%     (12,815 )     (8 )%     (2,316 )     18 %
General and administrative expenses
    (29,523 )     (15 )%     (27,141 )     (17 )%     (2,382 )     9 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    63,827       31 %     46,764       30 %     17,063       36 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (14,868 )     (7 )%     (7,495 )     (5 )%     (7,373 )     98 %
                                                 
Operating income
    48,959       24 %     39,269       25 %     9,690       25 %
Interest expense, net
    (1,124 )     (1 )%     (1,449 )     (1 )%     325       (22 )%
Interest income
    2,037       1 %     1,114       1 %     923       83 %
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    306             405             (99 )     (24 )%
Other income, net
    1,577       1 %     229             1,348       NM  
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 51,755       25 %   $ 39,568       25 %   $ 12,187       31 %
                                                 


40


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Argentina’s
          Argentina’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 96,968       92 %   $ 76,681       93 %   $ 20,287       26 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    8,742       8 %     5,734       7 %     3,008       52 %
                                                 
      105,710       100 %     82,415       100 %     23,295       28 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (36,520 )     (34 )%     (26,802 )     (33 )%     (9,718 )     36 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (13,348 )     (13 )%     (10,285 )     (12 )%     (3,063 )     30 %
                                                 
      (49,868 )     (47 )%     (37,087 )     (45 )%     (12,781 )     34 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (8,042 )     (8 )%     (6,876 )     (9 )%     (1,166 )     17 %
General and administrative expenses
    (15,734 )     (15 )%     (14,222 )     (17 )%     (1,512 )     11 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    32,066       30 %     24,230       29 %     7,836       32 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (7,626 )     (7 )%     (1,917 )     (2 )%     (5,709 )     298 %
                                                 
Operating income
    24,440       23 %     22,313       27 %     2,127       10 %
Interest expense, net
    (630 )           (934 )     (1 )%     304       (33 )%
Interest income
    1,138       1 %     580       1 %     558       96 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (170 )           132             (302 )     (229 )%
Other income, net
    1,330       1 %                 1,330       NM  
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 26,108       25 %   $ 22,091       27 %   $ 4,017       18 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we translated Nextel Argentina’s results of operations using the average exchange rates for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006. The average exchange rates of the Argentine peso for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 1% from the same periods in 2006. As a result, the components of Nextel Argentina’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 after translation into U.S. dollars reflect slightly lower increases than would have occurred if it were not for the impact of the depreciation in the average value of the peso.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $41.2 million, or 28%, and $20.3 million, or 26%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  29% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service, resulting primarily from growth in Nextel Argentina’s existing markets; and
 
  •  $4.9 million, or 34%, and $2.5 million, or 33%, increases in revenues generated from Nextel Argentina’s handset maintenance program due to a growth in the number of Nextel Argentina’s customers that are utilizing this program.

41


 

 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $19.1 million, or 37%, and $9.7 million, or 36%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $8.7 million, or 31%, and $4.3 million, or 29%, increases in interconnect costs largely as a result of 19% increases in interconnect system minutes of use, as well as an increase in the proportion of mobile-to-mobile minutes of use, which generally have higher per minute costs;
 
  •  $6.6 million, or 60%, and $3.1 million, or 54%, increases in service and repair costs largely due to increased activity under Nextel Argentina’s handset maintenance program; and
 
  •  $3.2 million, or 26%, and $1.6 million, or 26%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including spectrum license fees, due to a 16% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007, as well as increases in rental costs and municipal taxes per site.
 
The $5.3 million, or 28%, and $3.1 million, or 30%, increases in cost of digital handset and accessory sales from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 25% and 22% increases in handset sales, as well as 31% and 36% increases in handset upgrades.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $2.3 million, or 18%, and $1.2 million, or 17%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to $1.7 million, or 32%, and $1.0 million, or 36%, increases in indirect commissions principally resulting from 33% and 29% increases in handset sales obtained through Nextel Argentina’s external sales channels.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $2.4 million, or 9%, and $1.5 million, or 11%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are largely a result of $1.8 million, or 32%, and $0.9 million, or 29%, increases in customer care expenses resulting from an increase in customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $7.4 million, or 98%, and $5.7 million, or 298%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 33% increases in Nextel Argentina’s property, plant and equipment in service.


42


 

 
e.   Nextel Peru
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Peru’s
          Peru’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 83,490       93 %   $ 62,629       94 %   $ 20,861       33 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,881       7 %     3,834       6 %     2,047       53 %
                                                 
      89,371       100 %     66,463       100 %     22,908       34 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (32,635 )     (37 )%     (22,206 )     (33 )%     (10,429 )     47 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (13,831 )     (15 )%     (12,010 )     (18 )%     (1,821 )     15 %
                                                 
      (46,466 )     (52 )%     (34,216 )     (51 )%     (12,250 )     36 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (9,323 )     (10 )%     (7,844 )     (12 )%     (1,479 )     19 %
General and administrative expenses
    (15,709 )     (18 )%     (11,807 )     (18 )%     (3,902 )     33 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    17,873       20 %     12,596       19 %     5,277       42 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (10,884 )     (12 )%     (5,343 )     (8 )%     (5,541 )     104 %
                                                 
Operating income
    6,989       8 %     7,253       11 %     (264 )     (4 )%
Interest expense, net
    (67 )           (72 )           5       (7 )%
Interest income
    341             560       1 %     (219 )     (39 )%
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    54             50             4       8 %
Other income, net
    1                         1       NM  
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 7,318       8 %   $ 7,791       12 %   $ (473 )     (6 )%
                                                 


43


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Peru’s
          Peru’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 42,555       93 %   $ 32,113       94 %   $ 10,442       33 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    3,063       7 %     1,982       6 %     1,081       55 %
                                                 
      45,618       100 %     34,095       100 %     11,523       34 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (16,745 )     (37 )%     (11,647 )     (34 )%     (5,098 )     44 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (7,163 )     (16 )%     (6,147 )     (18 )%     (1,016 )     17 %
                                                 
      (23,908 )     (53 )%     (17,794 )     (52 )%     (6,114 )     34 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (5,173 )     (11 )%     (4,321 )     (13 )%     (852 )     20 %
General and administrative expenses
    (7,744 )     (17 )%     (5,782 )     (17 )%     (1,962 )     34 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    8,793       19 %     6,198       18 %     2,595       42 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (5,596 )     (12 )%     (2,833 )     (8 )%     (2,763 )     98 %
                                                 
Operating income
    3,197       7 %     3,365       10 %     (168 )     (5 )%
Interest expense, net
    (30 )           (36 )           6       (17 )%
Interest income
    144             269       1 %     (125 )     (46 )%
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    10             9             1       11 %
Other income, net
    1                         1       NM  
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 3,322       7 %   $ 3,607       11 %   $ (285 )     (8 )%
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
Because the U.S. dollar is the functional currency in Peru, Nextel Peru’s results of operations are not significantly impacted by changes in the U.S. dollar to Peruvian sol exchange rate.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $20.9 million, or 33%, and $10.4 million, or 33%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to 37% and 36% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service, partially offset by decreases in average revenue per handset mainly resulting from lower rate plans implemented in response to increased competition.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $10.4 million, or 47%, and $5.1 million, or 44%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are largely a result of the following:
 
  •  $7.3 million, or 53%, and $3.3 million, or 46%, increases in interconnect costs largely as a result of 37% and 31% increases in interconnect minutes of use, as well as an increase in the proportion of mobile-to-mobile minutes of use, which generally have higher per minute costs; and
 
  •  $1.6 million, or 30%, and $0.8 million, or 29%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs due to a 16% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2006 to June 30, 2007.

44


 

 
The $1.8 million, or 15%, and $1.0 million, or 17%, increases in cost of digital handsets and accessories from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are largely a result of 25% and 24% increases in handset sales.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $1.5 million, or 19%, and $0.9 million, or 20%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to $1.0 million, or 24%, and $0.5 million, or 24%, increases in direct commissions and payroll expenses principally due to 16% and 8% increases in handset sales by Nextel Peru’s sales personnel.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $3.9 million, or 33%, and $2.0 million, or 34%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to the following:
 
  •  $1.3 million, or 30%, and $0.8 million, or 34%, increases in general corporate costs due to increases in general and administrative personnel necessary to support an increase in information technology infrastructure associated with the continued expansion of Nextel Peru’s business;
 
  •  $1.0 million, or 22%, and $0.6 million, or 24%, increases in customer care expenses primarily due to increases in customer care and billing operations personnel caused by the need to support a growing customer base; and
 
  •  $0.9 million, or 251%, and $0.2 million, or 147%, increases in bad debt expenses. Bad debt as a percentage of revenue increased from 0.52% for the six months ended June 30, 2006 to 1.35% for the same period in 2007 and from 0.49% for the three months ended June 30, 2006 to 0.90% for the same period in 2007, resulting from the introduction of certain rate plans that are available to customers with slightly higher credit risk.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $5.5 million, or 104%, and $2.8 million, or 98%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to increased depreciation resulting from a 61% increase in Nextel Peru’s property, plant and equipment, as well as additional depreciation related to the early retirement of certain network equipment.


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f.   Corporate and other
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Corporate
          Corporate
             
          and other
          and other
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
                (dollars in thousands)              
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,382       100 %   $ 1,369       100 %   $ 13       1 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
                                   
                                                 
      1,382       100 %     1,369       100 %     13       1 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (1,064 )     (77 )%     (744 )     (54 )%     (320 )     43 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (560 )     (41 )%                 (560 )     NM  
                                                 
      (1,624 )     (118 )%     (744 )     (54 )%     (880 )     118 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (4,744 )     NM       (3,240 )     (237 )%     (1,504 )     46 %
General and administrative expenses
    (64,193 )     NM       (43,088 )     NM       (21,105 )     49 %
                                                 
Segment losses
    (69,179 )     NM       (45,703 )     NM       (23,476 )     51 %
Management fee
    19,800       NM                   19,800       NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (3,270 )     (237 )%     (1,709 )     (125 )%     (1,561 )     91 %
                                                 
Operating loss
    (52,649 )     NM       (47,412 )     NM       (5,237 )     11 %
Interest expense, net
    (14,335 )     NM       (12,485 )     NM       (1,850 )     15 %
Interest income
    12,279       NM       6,531       NM       5,748       88 %
Foreign currency transaction losses, net
    (8 )     (1 )%     (124 )     (9 )%     116       (94 )%
Other expense, net
    (1,651 )     (119 )%     (787 )     (57 )%     (864 )     110 %
                                                 
Loss before income tax
  $ (56,364 )     NM     $ (54,277 )     NM     $ (2,087 )     4 %
                                                 


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          % of
          % of
             
          Corporate
          Corporate
             
          and other
          and other
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2007     Revenues     2006     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
                (dollars in thousands)              
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 817       100 %   $ 829       100 %   $ (12 )     (1 )%
Digital handset and accessory revenues
                            ——          
                                                 
      817       100 %     829       100 %     (12 )     (1 )%
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (570 )     (70 )%     (418 )     (50 )%     (152 )     36 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (352 )     (43 )%                 (352 )     NM  
                                                 
      (922 )     (113 )%     (418 )     (50 )%     (504 )     121 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (2,403 )     (294 )%     (1,932 )     (233 )%     (471 )     24 %
General and administrative expenses
    (35,815 )     NM       (23,125 )     NM       (12,690 )     55 %
                                                 
Segment losses
    (38,323 )     NM       (24,646 )     NM       (13,677 )     55 %
Management fee
    9,900       NM                   9,900       NM  
Depreciation and amortization
    (1,634 )     (200 )%     (955 )     (115 )%     (679 )     71 %
                                                 
Operating loss
    (30,057 )     NM       (25,601 )     NM       (4,456 )     17 %
Interest expense, net
    (8,872 )     NM       (6,226 )     NM       (2,646 )     42 %
Interest income
    8,095       NM       3,308       399 %     4,787       145 %
Foreign currency transaction losses, net
    (31 )     (4 )%     (121 )     (15 )%     90       (74 )%
Other expense, net
    (1,658 )     (203 )%     (671 )     (81 )%     (987 )     (147 )%
                                                 
Loss before income tax
  $ (32,523 )     NM     $ (29,311 )     NM     $ (3,212 )     11 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
For the six and three months ended June 30, 2007, corporate and other operating revenues and cost of revenues primarily represent the results of both digital and analog operations reported by Nextel Chile as a result of the launch of digital services in Chile during the fourth quarter of 2006. We plan to significantly expand and enhance our network in Chile over the next several years, which will require additional investments in capital expenditures and will likely result in a modest level of start-up losses. For the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, corporate and other operating revenues and cost of revenues primarily represent the results of analog operations reported by Nextel Chile.
 
  1.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $21.1 million, or 49%, and $12.7 million, or 55%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 are primarily due to $8.9 million and $5.1 million increases in stock option expense, $3.0 million and $0.4 million increases in share-based payment expense for restricted stock, increases in corporate payroll and related expenses and increases in outside service costs, specifically for consulting services.

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  2.   Management fee
 
For the six and three months ended June 30, 2007, we charged management fees of $19.8 million and $9.9 million to Nextel Mexico for services rendered by corporate management. Although we have been charging this fee to Nextel Mexico for several years, we began reporting this management fee as a separate line item in our segment reporting information beginning January 1, 2007.
 
  3.   Interest expense, net
 
The $1.9 million, or 15%, and $2.6 million, or 42%, increases in net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 are substantially the result of interest related to our 3.125% convertible notes that we issued in the second quarter of 2007.
 
  4.   Interest income
 
The $5.7 million, or 88%, and $4.8 million, or 145%, increases in interest income from the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 to the same periods in 2007 are primarily due to interest earned on the proceeds received from the issuance of our 3.125% convertible notes in the second quarter of 2007.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We had a working capital surplus of $1,533.9 million as of June 30, 2007, an $893.9 million increase compared to the working capital surplus of $640.0 million as of December 31, 2006. The increase in working capital, which is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, primarily resulted from $1,177.2 million in net cash proceeds we received from the issuance of $1,200.0 million in 3.125% convertible notes, partially offset by $330.0 million in cash we used to purchase shares of our common stock.
 
We recognized net income of $168.2 million and $84.1 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and $120.9 million and $55.9 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006. During the six and three months ended June 30, 2007 and 2006, our operating revenues more than offset our operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, and cash capital expenditures.
 
Cash Flows
 
Our operating activities provided us with $227.9 million of cash during the six months ended June 30, 2007, a $66.4 million, or 41%, increase compared to the six months ended June 30, 2006. This increase in generation of cash is primarily due to higher operating income resulting from our profitable growth strategy, partially offset by a significant increase in working capital investments, due to the continued growth of our business, and cash we paid for income taxes due to higher levels of book income, primarily in Mexico.
 
We used $377.3 million of cash in our investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2007, a $105.2 million, or 39%, increase from the six months ended June 30, 2006 primarily due to increased capital expenditures and acquisition costs. Cash capital expenditures increased $95.3 million from $265.8 million during the six months ended June 30, 2006 to $361.1 million during the six months ended June 30, 2007, primarily due to the continued build-out of our digital mobile networks. We paid $15.4 million in cash for acquisitions and purchases of spectrum licenses during the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $1.7 million during the six months ended June 30, 2006 primarily due to Nextel Brazil’s renewal of licenses for 11,900 channels of 800 MHz spectrum during the first quarter of 2007.
 
Our financing activities provided us with $923.7 million of cash during the six months ended June 30, 2007, an $811.8 million increase from the six months ended June 30, 2006, primarily due to a $1,200.0 million in cash received from the issuance of our 3.125% convertible notes and a $32.9 million increase in cash received from stock option exercises, partially offset by $330.0 million in cash used for the repurchase of our common stock and $59.4 million in borrowings under our syndicated loan facility in 2006.


48


 

 
Future Capital Needs and Resources
 
Capital Resources.  Our ongoing capital resources depend on a variety of factors, including our existing cash and cash equivalents balances, cash flows generated by our operating companies and external financial sources that may be available. As of June 30, 2007, our capital resources included $1,482.2 million of cash and cash equivalents. Our ability to generate sufficient net cash from our operating activities is dependent upon, among other things:
 
  •  the amount of revenue we are able to generate and collect from our customers;
 
  •  the amount of operating expenses required to provide our services;
 
  •  the cost of acquiring and retaining customers, including the subsidies we incur to provide handsets to both our new and existing customers;
 
  •  our ability to continue to grow our customer base; and
 
  •  fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.
 
Capital Needs and Contractual Obligations.  We currently anticipate that our future capital needs will principally consist of funds required for:
 
  •  operating expenses relating to our digital mobile networks;
 
  •  capital expenditures to expand and enhance our digital mobile networks, as discussed below under “Capital Expenditures;”
 
  •  future spectrum or other related purchases;
 
  •  debt service requirements, including tower financing and capital lease obligations;
 
  •  cash taxes; and
 
  •  other general corporate expenditures.
 
The following table sets forth the amounts and timing of contractual payments for our most significant contractual obligations determined as of June 30, 2007. The information in the table reflects future unconditional payments and is based upon, among other things, the current terms of the relevant agreements, appropriate classification of items under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States that are currently in effect and certain assumptions, such as future interest rates. Future events could cause actual payments to differ significantly from these amounts. See “Forward Looking Statements.” Except as required by law, we disclaim any obligation to modify or update the information contained in the table.
 
                                         
    Payments due by period  
    Less than
                More than
       
Contractual Obligations
  1 Year     1-3 Years     3-5 Years     5 Years     Total  
    (in thousands)  
 
Convertible notes(1)
  $ 55,750     $ 111,500     $ 1,311,500     $ 969,688     $ 2,448,438  
Tower financing obligations(1)
    42,264       84,523       84,516       262,836       474,139  
Mexico syndicated loan facility(1)
    63,689       122,559       168,877             355,125  
Capital lease obligations(2)
    11,913       24,547       23,921       101,965       162,346  
Spectrum fees(3)
    13,839       27,677       27,677       172,982       242,175  
Spectrum license financing(4)
    2,117       4,233       4,233       2,116       12,699  
Operating leases(5)
    99,742       173,923       125,162       160,608       559,435  
Purchase obligations(6)
    570,013       53,169       39,744             662,926  
Other long-term obligations(7)
    5,950       16,890       15,616       159,234       197,690  
                                         
Total contractual commitments
  $ 865,277     $ 619,021     $ 1,801,246     $ 1,829,429     $ 5,114,973  
                                         
 
 
(1) These amounts include estimated principal and interest payments over the full term of the obligation based on our expectations as to future interest rates, assuming the current payment schedule. The future payments due for


49


 

convertible notes include the amounts previously due as of June 30, 2007 under the $300.0 million principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes that were tendered in July 2007.
 
(2) These amounts represent principal and interest payments due under our co-location agreements to American Tower and our existing corporate aircraft lease. The amounts related to our existing aircraft lease exclude amounts that are contingently due in the event of our default under the lease, but do include remaining amounts due under the letter of credit provided for our new corporate aircraft.
 
(3) These amounts do not include variable fees based on certain operating revenues and are subject to increases in the Mexican Consumer Pricing Index.
 
(4) These amounts represent payments related to spectrum license financing in Brazil.
 
(5) These amounts principally include future lease costs related to our transmitter and receiver sites and switches and office facilities.
 
(6) These amounts include maximum contractual purchase obligations under various agreements with our vendors, as well as estimated payments related to spectrum obligations in Argentina.
 
(7) These amounts include our current estimates of asset retirement obligations based on our expectations as to future retirement costs, inflation rates and timing of retirements, as well as amounts related to our FIN 48 liabilities.
 
Capital Expenditures.  Our capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, were $341.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2007 compared to $326.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Almost half of our total capital investment was attributable to our network site upgrades for additional capacity and improved quality related to our expected growth in existing markets. Our capital expenditures related to the expansion of our coverage areas as a percentage of our total capital expenditures is significantly lower than the levels we invested during the same period last year, and we expect this trend to continue. In the future, we expect to finance our capital spending using the most effective combination of cash from operations, cash on hand and proceeds from external financing that may become available. Our capital spending is expected to be driven by several factors, including:
 
  •  the expansion of the coverage of our digital mobile networks to new market areas, primarily in Brazil and Chile;
 
  •  the construction of additional transmitter and receiver sites to increase system capacity and maintain system quality and the installation of related switching equipment in some of our existing market coverage areas;
 
  •  the enhancement of our digital mobile network coverage around some major market areas;
 
  •  future minimum build-out requirements related to spectrum that we acquired or are in the process of acquiring in Mexico, Argentina and Peru;
 
  •  potential funding of future technology initiatives; and
 
  •  non-network related information technology projects.
 
Our future capital expenditures will be significantly affected by future technology improvements and technology choices. Motorola and Sprint Nextel Corporation have developed and deployed a significant technology upgrade to the iDEN digital mobile network, the 6:1 voice coder software upgrade, which is designed to increase the capacity of iDEN networks for interconnect calls. Beginning in 2004, we started selling handsets that can operate on the new 6:1 voice coder, and we have deployed the related network software modifications that are necessary to utilize this technology in some of our networks. This network software allows us to adjust the extent to which we utilize the 6:1 voice coder technology as required to meet our network capacity needs. This software is designed to increase our voice capacity for interconnect calls without requiring the investment in additional network infrastructure equipment. However, if there are substantial delays in realizing the benefits of the 6:1 voice coder or if the technology does not perform satisfactorily, we could be required to invest significant additional capital in our infrastructure to satisfy our network capacity needs. See “Forward Looking Statements.”
 
Future Outlook.  We believe that our current business plan, which includes significant network expansions in Brazil and Chile, will not require any additional external funding, and we will be able to operate and grow our business while servicing our debt obligations using a combination of cash on hand and funds generated by our


50


 

business. We may, nonetheless, elect to meet a portion of our funding needs with funds provided from external sources in order to implement a more efficient capital structure or benefit from financing that is available on favorable terms. Our revenues are primarily denominated in foreign currencies. We expect that if current foreign currency exchange rates do not significantly adversely change, we will continue to generate net income for the foreseeable future. See “Forward Looking Statements.”
 
In making our assessments of a fully funded business plan and net income, we have considered:
 
  •  cash and cash equivalents on hand and available to fund our operations;
 
  •  expected cash flows from operations;
 
  •  the anticipated level of capital expenditures;
 
  •  the anticipated level of spectrum acquisitions;
 
  •  our scheduled debt service; and
 
  •  income taxes.
 
If our business plans change, including as a result of changes in technology, or if we decide to expand into new markets or further in our existing markets, as a result of the construction of additional portions of our networks or the acquisition of competitors or others, or if economic conditions in any of our markets change generally, or competitive practices in the mobile wireless telecommunications industry change materially from those currently prevailing or from those now anticipated, or if other presently unexpected circumstances arise that have a material effect on the cash flow or profitability of our mobile wireless business, then the anticipated cash needs of our business as well as the conclusions presented herein as to the adequacy of the available sources of cash and timing on our ability to generate net income could change significantly. Any of these events or circumstances could involve significant additional funding needs in excess of the identified currently available sources, and could require us to raise additional capital to meet those needs. In addition, we continue to assess the opportunities to raise additional funding on attractive terms and conditions and at times that do not involve any of these events or circumstances and may do so if the opportunity presents itself. However, our ability to seek additional capital, if necessary, is subject to a variety of additional factors that we cannot presently predict with certainty, including:
 
  •  the commercial success of our operations;
 
  •  the volatility and demand of the capital markets; and
 
  •  the future market prices of our securities.
 
Forward Looking Statements
 
“Safe Harbor” Statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Certain statements made in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q are not historical or current facts, but deal with potential future circumstances and developments. They can be identified by the use of forward-looking words such as “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “would,” “could,” “should” or “anticipates” or other comparable words, or by discussions of strategy that involve risks and uncertainties. We caution you that these forward-looking statements are only predictions, which are subject to risks and uncertainties, including technical uncertainties, financial variations, changes in the regulatory environment, industry growth and trend predictions. We have attempted to identify, in context, some of the factors that we currently believe may cause actual future experience and results to differ from our current expectations regarding the relevant matter or subject area. The operation and results of our wireless communications business also may be subject to the effects of other risks and uncertainties in addition to the other qualifying factors identified in this Item, including, but not limited to:
 
  •  our ability to meet the operating goals established by our business plan;
 
  •  general economic conditions in Latin America and in the market segments that we are targeting for our digital mobile services;


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  •  the political and social conditions in the countries in which we operate, including political instability, which may affect the economies of our markets and the regulatory schemes in these countries;
 
  •  substantive terms of any international financial aid package that may be made available to any country in which our operating companies conduct business;
 
  •  the impact of foreign exchange volatility in our markets as compared to the U.S. dollar and related currency depreciation in countries in which our operating companies conduct business;
 
  •  reasonable access to and the successful performance of the technology being deployed in our service areas, and improvements thereon, including technology deployed in connection with the introduction of digital two-way mobile data or Internet connectivity services in our markets;
 
  •  the availability of adequate quantities of system infrastructure and subscriber equipment and components at reasonable pricing to meet our service deployment and marketing plans and customer demand;
 
  •  Motorola’s ability and willingness to provide handsets and related equipment and software applications or to develop new technologies or features for us, including the timely development and availability of new handsets with expanded applications and features;
 
  •  our ability to successfully scale our billing, collection, customer care and similar back-office operations to keep pace with customer growth, increased system usage rates and growth;
 
  •  the success of efforts to improve and satisfactorily address any issues relating to our digital mobile network performance;
 
  •  future legislation or regulatory actions relating to our SMR services, other wireless communication services or telecommunications generally;
 
  •  the ability to achieve and maintain market penetration and average subscriber revenue levels sufficient to provide financial viability to our digital mobile network business;
 
  •  the quality and price of similar or comparable wireless communications services offered or to be offered by our competitors, including providers of cellular services and personal communications services;
 
  •  market acceptance of our new service offerings;
 
  •  our ability to access sufficient debt or equity capital to meet any future operating and financial needs; and
 
  •  other risks and uncertainties described in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q and from time to time in our other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Effect of New Accounting Standards
 
In June 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or the FASB, ratified the consensus of the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, on Issue 06-3, “How Sales Taxes Collected from Customers and Remitted to Governmental Authorities Should Be Presented in the Income Statement (That Is, Gross Versus Net Presentation),” or EITF 06-3. EITF 06-3 states that a company should disclose its accounting policy (gross or net presentation) regarding presentation of sales and other similar taxes. If taxes included in gross revenues are significant, a company should disclose the amount of such taxes for each period for which an income statement is presented. EITF 06-3 is effective for financial reports in interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We currently disclose our policy with regard to these types of taxes in our revenue recognition policy; however we do not consider the amounts of these taxes significant for disclosure. Therefore, the adoption of EITF 06-3 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In July 2006, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes — An Interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109,” or FIN 48. FIN 48 clarifies the accounting for uncertainty in income tax positions and is effective beginning January 1, 2007. FIN 48 provides that the financial statement effects of an income tax position can only be recognized when, based on the technical merits, it is “more-likely-than-not” that the position


52


 

will be sustained upon examination. The cumulative effect of applying the provisions of FIN 48 is required to be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. The adoption of FIN 48 in the first quarter of 2007 resulted in a $5.2 million decrease to our retained earnings. See Note 6 for more information.
 
In September 2006, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, No. 157, “Fair Value Measurement,” or SFAS 157, which provides guidance for using fair value to measure assets and liabilities when required for recognition or disclosure purposes. SFAS 157 is intended to make the measurement of fair value more consistent and comparable and improve disclosures about these measures. Specifically, SFAS 157 (1) clarifies the principle that fair value should be based on the assumptions market participants would use when pricing the asset or liability, (2) establishes a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the information used to develop those assumptions, (3) clarifies the information required to be used to measure fair value, (4) determines the frequency of fair value measures and (5) requires companies to make expanded disclosures about the methods and assumptions used to measure fair value and the fair value measurement’s effect on earnings. However, SFAS 157 does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances or determine when fair value should be used in the financial statements. SFAS 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with some exceptions. SFAS 157 is to be applied prospectively as of the first interim period for the fiscal year in which it is initially adopted, except for a limited form of retrospective application for some specific items. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 157 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, “The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an Amendment of FASB Statement No. 115.” SFAS No. 159 permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. Unrealized gains and losses on items for which the fair value option has been elected are reported in earnings. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS No. 159 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
Item 3.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
 
Our revenues are primarily denominated in foreign currencies, while a significant portion of our operations are financed in U.S. dollars through our convertible notes and a portion of our syndicated loan facility in Mexico. As a result, fluctuations in exchange rates relative to the U.S. dollar expose us to foreign currency exchange risks. These risks include the impact of translating our local currency reported earnings into U.S. dollars when the U.S. dollar strengthens against the local currencies of our foreign operations. In addition, Nextel Mexico, Nextel Brazil, Nextel Argentina and Nextel Chile purchase some capital assets and the majority of handsets in U.S. dollars, but record the related revenue generated from their operations in local currency.
 
We enter into derivative transactions only for hedging or risk management purposes. We have not and will not enter into any derivative transactions for speculative or profit generating purposes. In the past, Nextel Mexico entered into hedge arrangements to reduce its foreign currency transaction risk associated with a portion of its U.S. dollar-forecasted capital expenditures and handset purchases. As of June 30, 2007, we have not entered into any derivative transactions to hedge our foreign currency transaction risk during 2007 or any future period.
 
Interest rate changes expose our fixed rate long-term borrowings to changes in fair value and expose our variable rate long-term borrowings to changes in future cash flows. As of June 30, 2007, $2,162.3 million, or 91%, of our total consolidated debt was fixed rate debt, and the remaining $210.3 million, or 9%, of our total consolidated debt was variable rate debt. In July 2005, Nextel Mexico entered into an interest rate swap agreement to hedge the variability of future cash flows associated with the $31.0 million Mexican peso-denominated variable interest rate portion of its $250.0 million syndicated loan facility. Under the interest rate swap, Nextel Mexico agreed to exchange the difference between the variable Mexican reference rate, TIIE, and a fixed interest rate, based on a notional amount of $31.4 million. The interest rate swap fixed the amount of interest expense associated with this portion of the Mexico syndicated loan facility effective August 31, 2005.
 
The table below presents principal amounts, related interest rates by year of maturity and aggregate amounts as of June 30, 2007 for our fixed rate debt obligations, including our convertible notes, our syndicated loan facility in


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Mexico and our tower financing obligations, the notional amounts of our purchased call options and written put options and the fair value of our interest rate swap.
 
This table includes the amounts previously due as of June 30, 2007 under the $300.0 million principal amount of our 2.875% convertible notes that were tendered in July 2007. We determined the fair values included in this section based on:
 
  •  quoted market prices for our convertible notes;
 
  •  carrying values for our tower financing obligations and syndicated loan facility as interest rates were set recently when we entered into these transactions; and
 
  •  market values as determined by an independent third party investment banking firm for our purchased call options, written put options and interest rate swap.
 
The changes in the fair values of our consolidated debt compared to their fair values as of December 31, 2006 reflect changes in applicable market conditions. All of the information in the table is presented in U.S. dollar equivalents, which is our reporting currency. The actual cash flows associated with our consolidated long-term debt are denominated in U.S. dollars (US$), Mexican pesos (MP) and Brazilian reais (BR).
 
                                                                                 
    Year of Maturity     June 30, 2007     December 31, 2006  
    1 Year     2 Years     3 Years     4 Years     5 Years     Thereafter     Total     Fair Value     Total     Fair Value  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Long-Term Debt:
                                                                               
Fixed Rate (US$)
  $ 1,393     $ 1,781     $ 1,872     $ 1,885     $ 1,201,450     $ 669,192     $ 1,877,573     $ 2,780,196     $ 678,202     $ 1,258,202  
Average Interest Rate
    10.0 %     10.0 %     10.0 %     10.0 %     3.1 %     3.0 %     3.1 %             3.1 %        
Fixed Rate (MP)
  $ 27,181     $ 40,573     $ 23,155     $ 5,882     $ 6,971     $ 92,207     $ 195,969     $ 195,969     $ 189,867     $ 189,867  
Average Interest Rate
    12.1 %     11.9 %     12.5 %     16.7 %     16.7 %     16.4 %     14.5 %             14.4 %        
Fixed Rate (BR)
  $ 3,038     $ 3,379     $ 3,813     $ 4,384     $ 5,129     $ 68,987     $ 88,730     $ 88,730     $ 75,589     $ 75,589  
Average Interest Rate
    17.5 %     18.4 %     19.3 %     20.2 %     21.1 %     25.9 %     24.5 %             25.5 %        
Variable Rate (US$)
  $     $     $     $ 156,600     $     $     $ 156,600     $ 156,600     $ 156,600     $ 156,600  
Average Interest Rate
                      6.6 %                 6.6 %             6.7 %        
Variable Rate (MP)
  $ 16,250     $ 25,000     $ 12,501     $     $     $     $ 53,751     $ 53,751     $ 57,423     $ 57,423  
Average Interest Rate
    8.5 %     8.5 %     8.5 %                       8.5 %             8.5 %        
Interest Rate Swap:
                                                                               
Variable to Fixed
  $ 8,587     $ 13,210     $ 6,605     $     $     $     $ 28,402     $ (867 )   $ 29,128     $ (1,406 )
Average Pay Rate
    10.8 %     10.8 %     10.8 %                       10.8 %             10.8 %        
Average Receive Rate
    8.5 %     8.5 %     8.5 %                       8.5 %             8.5 %        
 
Item 4.   Controls and Procedures.
 
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
 
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods required by the Securities and Exchange Commission and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
 
As of the end of the period covered in this report, an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management teams in the United States and in our operating companies, including our chief executive officer and chief financial officer. Based on and as of the date of such evaluation, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
 
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
 
Item 1.   Legal Proceedings.
 
We are subject to claims and legal actions that may arise in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that any of these pending claims or legal actions will have a material effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
 
For information on our various loss contingencies, see Note 5 to our condensed consolidated financial statements above.
 
Item 1A.   Risk Factors.
 
There have been no material changes in our risk factors from those disclosed in our 2006 annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 2.   Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
 
(c) On May 29, 2007, our Board of Directors authorized, and we announced, a new program to repurchase shares of our common stock for cash. The Board approved the repurchase of shares having an aggregate market value of up to $500.0 million, depending on market conditions and other factors. The program has no specific end date. The following table presents details of our repurchases during the three months ended June 30, 2007:
 
                                 
                      Approximate Dollar
 
                Total Number of
    Value of Shares That
 
                Shares Purchased as
    May Yet Be
 
    Total Number of
    Average Price
    Part of Publicly
    Purchased Under the
 
Period
  Shares Purchased     Per Share     Announced Plan     Plan  
 
April 1, 2007 – April 30, 2007
        $                
May 1, 2007 – May 31, 2007
                         
June 1, 2007 – June 30, 2007
    4,043,725       81.60       4,043,725          
                                 
Total
    4,043,725       81.60       4,043,725     $ 170,039,910  
                                 
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
 
(a) Our Annual Meeting of Stockholders was held on Wednesday, May, 16, 2007.
 
(c) The common stockholders voted for the election of three directors to serve for terms of three years each, expiring on the date of the annual meeting in 2010 or until their successors are elected. The results of the voting in these elections are set forth below:
 
                         
          Votes
    Broker Non
 
Nominee
  Votes For     Withheld     Votes  
 
John Donovan
    94,209,702       55,747,598       N/A  
Steven P. Dussek
    106,902,306       43,054,994       N/A  
Steven M. Shindler
    143,752,555       6,204,745       N/A  
 
In addition, the stockholders voted to ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2007. The results of the voting are set forth below:
 
                                 
          Votes
    Votes
    Broker Non
 
Nominee
  Votes For     Against     Withheld     Votes  
 
Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
    149,592,610       316,821       47,869       N/A  
 
No other matters were voted upon at the Annual Meeting or during the quarter covered by this report.


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Item 6.   Exhibits.
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
  4 .1   Indenture governing our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated June 5, 2007, by and between NII Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Indenture Trustee.
  10 .1   Purchase Agreement for the sale of our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated as of May 30, 2007, by and among NII Holdings, Inc. and the initial purchasers.
  10 .2   Registration Rights Agreement related to our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated as of June 5, 2007, by and among NII Holdings, Inc. and the initial purchasers.
  12 .1   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  31 .1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  31 .2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  32 .1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
  32 .2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


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SIGNATURE
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
  By: 
/s/  DANIEL E. FREIMAN
Daniel E. Freiman
Vice President and Controller
(on behalf of the registrant and as
chief accounting officer)
 
Date: August 6, 2007


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
  4 .1   Indenture governing our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated June 5, 2007, by and between NII Holdings, Inc. and Wilmington Trust Company, as Indenture Trustee.
  10 .1   Purchase Agreement for the sale of our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated as of May 30, 2007, by and among NII Holdings, Inc. and the initial purchasers.
  10 .2   Registration Rights Agreement related to our 3.125% convertible notes due 2012, dated as of June 5, 2007, by and among NII Holdings, Inc. and the initial purchasers.
  12 .1   Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
  31 .1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  31 .2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a).
  32 .1   Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.
  32 .2   Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.


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