T-Mobile USA Reports Third Quarter 2009 Results
T-Mobile USA, Inc. ("T-Mobile USA") today reported third quarter of 2009
results. In the third quarter of 2009, T-Mobile USA reported OIBDA of $1.56
billion, essentially in line with the second quarter of 2009 and the third
quarter of 2008, with an OIBDA margin of 33%. Additionally, T-Mobile USA
reported CCPU of $23, an increase in 3G capable converged device users, and an
increase in 3G coverage by almost 50% to 167 million people.
"In the quarter we took deliberate steps to align our operational cost structure
to market realities while reasserting our position as the value leader in
wireless," said Robert Dotson, president and CEO, T-Mobile USA. "We've made
tremendous progress with our nationwide rollout of 3G. Over six months we will
have almost doubled our high-speed coverage with a goal of reaching 200 million
consumers by the end of December. That coverage is now accompanied by a rich
data experience with the broadest array of 3G Android devices of any wireless
carrier. Lastly, we've introduced our new Even More plans that can cut wireless
consumers' bills in half relative to AT&T and Verizon. These plans make
available affordable unlimited nationwide calling, texting and data services to
customers coast to coast."
"The building blocks are coming into place for our U.S. business to take full
advantage of the sizeable opportunities available to us in wireless data," said
Rene Obermann, CEO, Deutsche Telekom. "I am pleased with the continued progress
on building out our 3G network. The team has expanded distribution, bringing
T-Mobile products and services to more people in more places. The team is also
exercising sound cost management with a focus on solid margins in a challenging
environment."
Customers
* T-Mobile USA served 33.4 million customers at the end of the third quarter of
2009, down slightly from 33.5 million at the end of the second quarter of 2009,
but up from 32.1 million at the end of the third quarter of 2008.
* In the third quarter of 2009, total customers declined by 77,000, compared to
net customer additions of 325,000 in the second quarter of 2009 and 670,000 in
the third quarter of 2008. The number of contract customers declined by 140,000
in the third quarter of 2009.
* Compared to the second quarter of 2009, the number of net new customer
additions decreased due to higher churn of contract customers, as explained
below.
* The number of net new customer additions decreased compared to the
thirdquarter of 2008 due primarily to fewer gross customer additions and higher
churn from FlexPaysm customers.
* Prepaid net customer additions, including wholesale customers, were 63,000 in
the third quarter of 2009, down from 268,000 in the second quarter of 2009 and
377,000 in the third quarter of 2008.
* Lower wholesale net customer additions were the primary reason for lower
sequential prepaid additions. Wholesale customers totaled 1.6 million at
September 30, 2009.
* Contract customers comprised 80% of T-Mobile USA`s total customer base at
September 30, 2009, compared to 81% in the second quarter of 2009 and 83% in the
third quarter of 2008.
Churn
* Contract churn was 2.4% in the third quarter of 2009, up from 2.2% in the
second quarter of 2009 and consistent with 2.4% in the third quarter of 2008.
* Contract churn increased in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the second
quarter of 2009, due in part to competitive intensity, including handset
innovation, and the seasonal impact from the "back-to-school" window.
* Blended churn, including both contract and prepaid customers, was 3.4% in the
third quarter of 2009, up from 3.1% in the second quarter of 2009 and 3.0% in
the third quarter of 2008.
* Sequentially and year-over-year prepaid churn increased in particular due to
wholesale and FlexPay no-contract.
OIBDA and Net Income
* T-Mobile USA reported OIBDA of $1.56 billion in the third quarter of 2009,
compared to $1.60 billion in the second quarter of 2009 and $1.53 billion in the
third quarter of 2008.
* The sequential decrease in OIBDA was due primarily to lower ARPU, as described
below. Year-over-year OIBDA increased as lower customer revenues were offset by
lower customer acquisition costs and lower costs of serving customers.
* OIBDA margin (as defined in Note 6 to the Selected Data, below) was 33% in the
third quarter of 2009, down slightly from 34% in the second quarter of 2009 and
improved from 31% in the third quarter of 2008.
* Net income for the third quarter of 2009 was $417 million, compared to $425
million in the second quarter of 2009 and $442 million in the third quarter of
2008.
Revenue
* Service revenues (as defined in Note 1 to the Selected Data, below) were $4.73
billion in the third quarter of 2009, down from $4.77 billion in the second
quarter of 2009 and $4.91 billion in the third quarter of 2008.
* The sequential and year-over-year decrease in service revenue in the third
quarter of 2009 was primarily due to the fall in ARPU, as described below.
* Total revenues, including service, equipment, and other revenues were $5.38
billion in the third quarter of 2009, up from $5.34 billion in the second
quarter of 2009 and down from $5.51 billion in the third quarter of 2008.
* Sequentially, the increase was driven by higher equipment sales revenue
partially related to distribution growth and an expanded data device lineup.
Compared to the third quarter of 2008, higher equipment sales revenues in the
third quarter of 2009 were offset by lower service revenues.
ARPU
* Blended Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU" as defined in Note 1 to the Selected
Data, below) was $47 in the third quarter of 2009, down from than $48 in the
second quarter of 2009 and $52 in the third quarter of 2008.
* Contract ARPU was $52 in the third quarter of 2009, in line with the second
quarter of 2009, but down from $55 in the third quarter of 2008.
* Contract ARPU year-over-year decreased as growth in data services was offset
by fewer higher-ARPU customers due to competitive intensity, customers moving to
unlimited plans, and less roaming.
* Prepaid ARPU was $20 in the third quarter of 2009, down from $21 in the second
quarter of 2009 and $24 in the third quarter of 2008.
* The decrease in prepaid ARPU is due to fewer Flexpay no-contract customers.
* Data services revenue (as defined in Notes 1 and 8 to the Selected Data,
below) was $1.0 billion in the third quarter of 2009, representing 21.1% of
blended ARPU, or $10.00 per customer, up from 20.8% of blended ARPU, or $9.90
per customer in the second quarter of 2009, and 17.3% of blended ARPU, or $8.90
per customer in the third quarter of 2008. Data services revenue increased 18%
year-over-year.
* 2.8 million 3G-capable converged devices (such as the T-Mobile® MyTouchTM,
T-Mobile® G1TM, and the T-Mobile® Dash 3GTM) were on the T-Mobile USA network at
the end of the third quarter of 2009, an increase of 33% from the second quarter
of 2009.
* The increase of 3G-capable converged devices and the continued build-out of
the 3G network is driving internet access revenue growth with the increased
adoption of 3G data plans, offset partially by a decrease in messaging revenue.
* Messaging revenue continued to be a significant component of data ARPU, with
the total number of messages carried on the network increasing to 75 billion in
the third quarter of 2009, compared to 74 billion in second quarter of 2009 and
49 billion in the third quarter of 2008.
CPGA and CCPU
* The average cost of acquiring a customer, Cost Per Gross Add ("CPGA" as
defined in Note 4 to the Selected Data, below) was $290 in the third quarter of
2009, up from $270 in the second quarter of 2009 and in line with third quarter
of 2008.
* CPGA increased in the third quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of
2009. This was primarily related to higher acquisition costs due to increased
customer adoption of 3G converged data devices.
* The average cash cost of serving customers, Cash Cost Per User ("CCPU" as
defined in Note 3 to the Selected Data, below), was $23 per customer per month
in the thirdquarter of 2009, in line with the second quarter of 2009 and down
from $25 in the third quarter of 2008.
* Year-over-year CCPU decreased due to cost saving initiatives and the customer
base moving towards lower ARPU products which incur lower servicing costs. Both
of these items more than offset higher network costs related to the 3G network
build.
* Compared to the third quarter of 2008, all components of CCPU (network costs,
general and administrative, and subsidy loss unrelated to customer acquisition)
decreased in absolute terms.
Capital Expenditures
* Cash capital expenditures (as defined in Note 7 to the Selected Data, below)
were $787 million in the third quarter of 2009, compared to $1.08 billion in the
second quarter of 2009 and $956 million in the third quarter of 2008.
* The decrease in cash capital expenditures in the third quarter of 2009 was a
result of timing of network build, with a continued focus on enhancing and
expanding the national coverage of the UMTS/HSPA (3G) network during the
quarter.
* T-Mobile USA`s 3G network now reaches 167 million people, and is continuing to
grow. Furthermore, the entire 3G network will be HSPA 7.2 Mbps (megabits per
second) enabled by year end.
* In September, T-Mobile USA launched a trial of HSPA+ technology with a maximum
download speed of up to 21 Mbps in Philadelphia.
Stick Together Highlights
* On August 13, 2009, T-Mobile USA achieved the highest ranking in a tie for the
J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Wireless Customer Care Performance StudySM -
Volume 2. Since 2004, T-Mobile USA has received the highest ranking, including
two ties, in nine of the last 10 Customer Care Performance Studies conducted by
J.D. Power and Associates.
* In August T-Mobile USA`s products and services started being offered in more
than 4,000 RadioShack stores across the U.S. and Puerto Rico, almost doubling
our national retail distribution network.
* On September 17, 2009, T-Mobile USA received the highest ranking among
national wireless carriers in the J.D. Power and Associates 2009 Wireless Retail
Sales Satisfaction StudySM - Volume 2. The award further reflects T-Mobile`s
continued achievements for overall customer experiences, whether in-store,
online or on the phone.
* On October 21, 2009,T-Mobile USA announced the fourth quarter of 2009
availability of the BlackBerry® Bold 9700 with Wi-Fi Calling from T-Mobile. It
will be the first 3G-powered BlackBerry smartphone available through T-Mobile
USA, adding to the holiday lineup of 3G converged devices such as the T-Mobile®
myTouchTM and recently announced Samsung Behold® II. Additionally, on November
2, 2009, T-Mobile USA launched the national availability of the MotorolaTM
CLIQTM. This is the first AndroidTM-powered device with MOTOBLURTM, a solution
developed to manage and integrate communication sources together on the home
screen.
* On October 25, 2009, T-Mobile USA unveiled its new `Even More` and `Even More
Plus` rate plans. These plans respond to customers needs for affordable
nationwide calling, texting, and data plans; while providing new ways to get new
phones and data devices with equipment installment plans.
T-Mobile USA is the U.S. wireless operation of Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT).
In order to provide comparability with the results of other US wireless
carriers, all financial amounts are in US dollars and are based on accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP"). T-Mobile USA
results are included in the consolidated results of Deutsche Telekom, but differ
from the information contained herein as Deutsche Telekom reports financial
results in Euros and in accordance with International Financial Reporting
Standards (IFRS).
This press release includes non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial
measures should be considered in addition to, but not as a substitute for, the
information provided in accordance with GAAP. Reconciliations from the non-GAAP
financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures are
provided below following Selected Data and the financial statements.
SELECTED DATA FOR T-MOBILE USA
Full
Year
(thousands) Q3 09 Q2 09 Q1 09 2008 Q4 08 Q3 08
Customers, end of period2 33,420 33,497 33,173 32,758 32,758 32,136
Thereof contract customers 26,882 27,022 26,966 26,806 26,806 26,539
Thereof prepaid customers 6,538 6,475 6,207 5,952 5,952 5,597
Net customer (losses) / additions (77) 325 415 2,940 621 670
Acquired customers - - - 1,132 - -
Minutes of use/contract customer/month 1,160 1,150 1,130 1,150 1,130 1,140
Contract churn 2.40% 2.20% 2.30% 2.10% 2.40% 2.40%
Blended churn 3.40% 3.10% 3.10% 2.90% 3.30% 3.00%
($)
ARPU (blended)1 47 48 48 51 50 52
ARPU (contract) 52 52 52 55 54 55
ARPU (prepaid) 20 21 21 23 23 24
Data ARPU (blended)8 10.00 9.90 9.40 8.90 9.30 8.90
Cost of serving (CCPU)3,9 23 23 24 25 25 25
Cost per gross add (CPGA)4 290 270 300 290 270 290
($ million)
Total revenues 5,380 5,342 5,398 21,885 5,722 5,506
Service revenues1 4,733 4,766 4,774 19,242 4,904 4,911
OIBDA5 1,556 1,601 1,383 6,123 1,568 1,531
OIBDA margin6 33% 34% 29% 32% 32% 31%
Capital expenditures7 787 1,078 1,125 3,603 895 956
Since all companies do not calculate these figures in the same manner, the information contained in this press release may not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies.
1 Average Revenue Per User ("ARPU") represents the average monthly service revenue we earn from our customers. ARPU is calculated
by dividing service revenues for the specified period by the average customers during the period, and further dividing by the
number of months in the period. We believe ARPU provides management with useful information to evaluate the revenues generated
from our customer base.
Service revenues include contract, prepaid, and roaming and other service revenues, and do not include equipment sales and other
revenues. Data services revenues (including messaging and non-messaging revenue) are a component of service revenues. Within the
consolidated financial statements below, other revenues include co-location rental income and, through 2008, wholesale revenues
from the usage of our network in California, Nevada, and New York by AT&T customers, among other items, and are therefore not
included in ARPU.
2 A customer is defined as a SIM card with a unique mobile identity number which generates revenue. Contract customers and prepaid
customers include FlexPay customers depending on the type of rate plan selected. FlexPay customers with a contract are included
in contract customers, and FlexPay customers without a contract are included in prepaid customers. Wholesale customers are
included in prepaid customers as they most closely align with this customer segment. Machine-to-machine customers have contracts
and are therefore included in contract customers.
3 The average cash cost of serving customers, or Cash Cost Per User ("CCPU") is a non-GAAP financial measure and includes all
network and general and administrative costs as well as the subsidy loss unrelated to customer acquisition. Subsidy loss
unrelated to customer acquisition includes upgrade handset costs for existing customers offset by upgrade equipment revenues and
other related direct costs. This measure is calculated as a per month average by dividing the total costs for the specified
period by the average total customers during the period and further dividing by the number of months in the period. We believe
that CCPU, which is a measure of the costs of serving a customer, provides relevant and useful information and is used by our
management to evaluate the operating performance of our business.
4 Cost Per Gross Add ("CPGA") is a non-GAAP financial measure and is calculated by dividing the costs of acquiring a new customer,
consisting of customer acquisition costs plus the subsidy loss related to customer acquisition for the specified period, by
gross customers added during the period. Subsidy loss related to customer acquisition consists primarily of the excess of
handset and accessory costs over related revenues incurred to acquire new customers. We believe that CPGA, which is a measure of
the cost of acquiring a customer, provides relevant and useful information and is used by our management to evaluate the
operating performance of our business.
5 Operating Income Before Interest, Depreciation and Amortization ("OIBDA") is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as
operating income before depreciation and amortization. In a capital-intensive industry such as wireless telecommunications, we
believe OIBDA, as well as the associated percentage margin calculation, to be meaningful measures of our operating performance.
OIBDA should not be construed as an alternative to operating income or net income as determined in accordance with GAAP, as an
alternative to cash flows from operating activities as determined in accordance with GAAP or as a measure of liquidity. We use
OIBDA as an integral part of our planning and internal financial reporting processes, to evaluate the performance of our
business by senior management and to compare our performance with that of many of our competitors. We believe that operating
income is the financial measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP that is the most directly comparable to OIBDA.
OIBDA is not adjusted for integration costs of T-Mobile`s acquisition of SunCom Wireless in February of 2008.
6 OIBDA margin is a non-GAAP financial measure, which we define as OIBDA (as described in Note 5 above) divided by service
revenues.
7 Capital expenditures consist of amounts paid by T-Mobile USA for purchases of property and equipment.
8 Data ARPU is defined as total data revenues divided by average total customers during the period. Total data revenues include
data revenues from contract customers, prepaid customers, Wi-Fi revenues and data roaming revenues. The relative fair value of
data revenues from unlimited voice and data plans are included in total data revenues.
9 Certain of the comparative figures in the prior period have been reclassified to conform to the current period CCPU
presentation.
T-MOBILE USA
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
September December
30, 31,
2009 2008
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 67 $ 306
Receivables from affiliates 611 113
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $314 and $291, respectively 2,621 2,809
Inventory 915 931
Current portion of net deferred tax assets 1,259 1,148
Other current assets 580 644
Total current assets 6,053 5,951
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $11,988 and $10,830, respectively 12,925 12,600
Goodwill 12,025 12,011
Spectrum licenses 15,244 15,254
Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $98 and $562, respectively 172 212
Long-term investments and other assets 243 262
$ 46,662 $ 46,290
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $ 3,039 $ 4,057
Current payables to affiliates 5,536 1,557
Other current liabilities 343 364
Total current liabilities 8,918 5,978
Long-term payables to affiliates 9,181 13,850
Deferred tax liabilities 3,217 2,452
Other long-term liabilities 1,403 1,227
Total long-term liabilities 13,801 17,529
Commitments and contingencies
Stockholder`s equity:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital 36,594 36,594
Accumulated other comprehensive loss 8 -
Accumulated deficit (12,742 ) (13,906 )
Total stockholder`s equity 23,844 22,688
Noncontrolling interest 99 95
Total equity 23,943 22,783
$ 46,662 $ 46,290
T-MOBILE USA
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
Quarter Quarter Quarter
Ended Ended Ended
September June 30, September
30, 2009 2009 30, 2008
Revenues:
Contract $ 4,197 $ 4,211 $ 4,342
Prepaid 382 396 382
Roaming and other services 154 159 187
Equipment sales* 602 535 542
Other* 45 41 53
Total revenues 5,380 5,342 5,506
Operating expenses:
Network 1,261 1,236 1,284
Cost of equipment sales* 937 862 858
General and administrative* 827 852 927
Customer acquisition 799 791 906
Depreciation and amortization 713 723 678
Total operating expenses 4,537 4,464 4,653
Operating income 843 878 853
Other expense, net (175 ) (191 ) (128 )
Income before income taxes 668 687 725
Income tax expense (251 ) (262 ) (283 )
Net income 417 425 442
Other comprehensive loss, net of tax:
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities - 8 -
Total comprehensive income $ 417 $ 417 $ 442
* Certain of the comparative figures in the prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
T-MOBILE USA
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(dollars in millions)
(unaudited)
Quarter Ended Quarter Ended
September 30, September 30,
2009 2008
Operating activities:
Net income $ 417 $ 442
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 713 678
Income tax expense 251 283
Bad debt expense 128 140
Other, net 46 54
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (146 ) (156 )
Inventory 58 (76 )
Other current and non-current assets 11 (15 )
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities 7 131
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,485 1,481
Investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment (787 ) (956 )
Purchase of intangible assets (10 ) (33 )
Short-term affiliate loan receivable, net (850 ) (475 )
Other, net 2 (1 )
Net cash used in investing activities (1,645 ) (1,465 )
Financing activities:
Long-term debt borrowings from affiliates - 750
Long-term debt repayment to affiliates (50 ) (825 )
Other, net - 1
Net cash used in financing activities (50 ) (74 )
Change in cash and cash equivalents (210 ) (58 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 277 218
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 67 $ 160
Non-cash investing and financing activities with affiliates:
In the third quarter of 2009, T-Mobile USA remitted $850 million to affiliates
as a short-term receivable. $250 million of the cash outflow was used during the
period as settlement of debt upon maturity.
In the third quarter of 2008, T-Mobile USA remitted $475 million to affiliates
as a short term receivable. $400 million of the cash outflow, together with $825
million cash was used during the period as settlement of debt in line with the
repayment schedule.
T-MOBILE USA
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures
(dollars in millions, except for CPGA and CCPU)
(unaudited)
OIBDA is reconciled to operating income as follows:
Q3 Q2 Q1 Full Q4 Q3
2009 2009 2009 Year 2008 2008
2008
OIBDA $ 1,556 $ 1,601 $ 1,383 $ 6,123 $ 1,568 $ 1,531
Depreciation and amortization (713 ) (723 ) (697 ) (2,753 ) (730 ) (678 )
Operating income $ 843 $ 878 $ 686 $ 3,370 $ 838 $ 853
The following schedule reflects the CPGA calculation and provides a
reconciliation of cost of acquiring customers used for the CPGA calculation to
customer acquisition costs reported on our condensed consolidated statements of
operations:
Q3 Q2 Q1 Full Q4 Q3
2009 2009 2009 Year 2008 2008
2008
Customer acquisition costs $799 $791 $851 $3,540 $897 $906
Plus: Subsidy loss
Equipment sales (602) (535) (578) (2,386) (715) (542)
Cost of equipment sales 937 862 1,013 3,647 1,056 858
Total subsidy loss 335 327 435 1,261 341 316
Less: Subsidy loss unrelated to customer acquisition (164) (184) (251) (734) (214) (178)
Subsidy loss related to customer acquisition 171 143 184 527 127 138
Cost of acquiring customers $970 $934 $1,035 $4,067 $1,024 $1,044
CPGA ($ / new customer added) $290 $270 $300 $290 $270 $290
T-MOBILE USA
Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures to GAAP Financial Measures
(dollars in millions, except for CPGA and CCPU)
(unaudited)
The following schedule reflects the CCPU calculation and provides a reconciliation of the cost of serving customers used for the CCPU calculation to total network costs plus general and administrative costs reported on our condensed consolidated statements of operations:
Q3 Q2 Q1 Full Q4 Q3
2009 2009 2009 Year 2008 2008
2008
Network costs $ 1,261 $ 1,236 $ 1,249 $ 5,007 $ 1,286 $ 1,284
General and administrative costs* 827 852 902 3,569 916 927
Total network and general and administrative costs* 2,088 2,088 2,151 8,576 2,202 2,211
Plus: Subsidy loss unrelated to customer acquisition* 164 184 251 734 214 178
Total cost of serving customers* $ 2,252 $ 2,272 $ 2,402 $ 9,310 $ 2,416 $ 2,389
CCPU ($ / customer per month)* $ 23 $ 23 $ 24 $ 25 $ 25 $ 25
* Certain of the comparative figures in prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current period CCPU presentation.
About T-Mobile USA:
Based in Bellevue, Wash., T-Mobile USA, Inc. is the U.S. wireless operation of
Deutsche Telekom AG (NYSE: DT). By the end of the third quarter of 2009, almost
151 million mobile customers were served by the mobile communication segments of
the Deutsche Telekom group - 33.4 million by T-Mobile USA - all via a common
technology platform based on GSM and UMTS, the world`s most widely-used digital
wireless standards. T-Mobile USA`s innovative wireless products and services
help empower people to connect to those who matter most. Multiple independent
research studies continue to rank T-Mobile USA among the highest in numerous
regions throughout the U.S. in wireless customer care and call quality. For more
information, please visit http://www.T-Mobile.com. T-Mobile is a federally
registered trademark of Deutsche Telekom AG. For further information on Deutsche
Telekom, please visit www.telekom.de/investor-relations.
