e10vq
 

 
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, 2006
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
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  20191
(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, 2006
 
Common Stock, $0.001 par value per share
  154,481,732
 


 

 
NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
INDEX
 
                 
        Page
 
  Financial Statements   2
    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets — As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005   2
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income — For the Six and Three Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005   3
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders’ Equity — For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005   4
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005   5
    Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements   6
  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations   25
  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk   54
  Controls and Procedures   56
 
  Legal Proceedings   58
  Risk Factors   58
  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   58
  Exhibits   58


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,
 
    2006     2005  
 
ASSETS
Current assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 863,646     $ 877,536  
Short-term investments
    7,481       7,371  
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $12,242 and $11,677
    242,859       220,490  
Handset and accessory inventory, net
    73,385       54,158  
Deferred income taxes, net
    65,029       80,132  
Prepaid expenses and other
    78,178       42,506  
                 
Total current assets
    1,330,578       1,282,193  
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $351,026 and $277,059
    1,166,090       933,923  
Intangible assets, net
    80,596       83,642  
Deferred income taxes, net
    189,459       200,204  
Other assets
    142,410       121,002  
                 
Total assets
  $ 2,909,133     $ 2,620,964  
                 
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current liabilities
               
Accounts payable
  $ 77,886     $ 82,250  
Accrued expenses and other
    350,144       311,758  
Deferred revenues
    67,337       59,595  
Accrued interest
    12,193       11,314  
Current portion of long-term debt
    21,039       24,112  
                 
Total current liabilities
    528,599       489,029  
Long-term debt
    1,213,393       1,148,846  
Deferred revenues (related party)
    37,719       39,309  
Other long-term liabilities and deferred credits
    138,157       132,379  
                 
Total liabilities
    1,917,868       1,809,563  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 6)
               
Stockholders’ equity
               
Undesignated preferred stock, par value $0.001, 10,000 shares authorized — 2006 and 2005, no shares outstanding — 2006 and 2005
           
Common stock, par value $0.001, 154,478 shares issued and outstanding — 2006, 152,148 shares issued and outstanding — 2005
    154       152  
Paid-in capital
    584,206       508,209  
Retained earnings
    456,949       336,048  
Deferred compensation
          (7,428 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
    (50,044 )     (25,580 )
                 
Total stockholders’ equity
    991,265       811,401  
                 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity
  $ 2,909,133     $ 2,620,964  
                 
 
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,  
    2006     2005     2006     2005  
 
Operating revenues
                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,040,205     $ 745,508     $ 534,249     $ 391,313  
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    44,495       35,355       22,180       19,343  
                                 
      1,084,700       780,863       556,429       410,656  
                                 
Operating expenses
                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    279,162       214,496       144,812       108,392  
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    140,156       110,561       70,355       56,311  
Selling, general and administrative
    356,990       236,990       186,454       127,441  
Depreciation
    81,884       53,081       41,674       28,326  
Amortization
    2,812       2,787       1,548       1,445  
                                 
      861,004       617,915       444,843       321,915  
                                 
Operating income
    223,696       162,948       111,586       88,741  
                                 
Other income (expense)
                               
Interest expense, net
    (42,447 )     (26,164 )     (21,032 )     (13,340 )
Interest income
    25,738       10,113       13,137       5,589  
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (3,483 )     2,067       (2,342 )     153  
Debt conversion expense
          (8,930 )           (8,930 )
Other expense, net
    (5,588 )     (3,670 )     (3,224 )     (1,668 )
                                 
      (25,780 )     (26,584 )     (13,461 )     (18,196 )
                                 
Income before income tax provision
    197,916       136,364       98,125       70,545  
Income tax provision
    (77,015 )     (60,814 )     (42,222 )     (40,033 )
                                 
Net income
  $ 120,901     $ 75,550     $ 55,903     $ 30,512  
                                 
Net income, per common share, basic
  $ 0.79     $ 0.53     $ 0.36     $ 0.21  
                                 
Net income, per common share, diluted
  $ 0.70     $ 0.48     $ 0.32     $ 0.20  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, basic
    152,833       141,243       153,493       142,804  
                                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding, diluted
    183,535       172,023       184,215       172,356  
                                 
Comprehensive income, net of income tax
                               
Foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ (27,583 )   $ 25,746     $ (29,406 )   $ 33,180  
Unrealized gains (losses) on derivatives, net
    3,119       (1,569 )     1,818       (1,414 )
                                 
Other comprehensive (loss) income
    (24,464 )     24,177       (27,588 )     31,766  
Net income
    120,901       75,550       55,903       30,512  
                                 
    $ 96,437     $ 99,727     $ 28,315     $ 62,278  
                                 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.


3


 

NII HOLDINGS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
                                                         
                                  Accumulated
       
                                  Other
    Total
 
    Common Stock     Paid-in
    Retained
    Deferred
    Comprehensive
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Compensation     Loss     Equity  
 
Balance, January 1, 2006
    152,148     $ 152     $ 508,209     $ 336,048     $ (7,428 )   $ (25,580 )   $ 811,401  
Net income
                      120,901                   120,901  
Other comprehensive loss
                                  (24,464 )     (24,464 )
Implementation of SFAS 123R
                (7,428 )           7,428              
Share-based payment expense
                17,483                         17,483  
Conversion of 3.5% convertible notes to common stock
                150                         150  
Exercise of stock options
    2,330       2       45,092                         45,094  
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options
                20,700                         20,700  
                                                         
Balance, June 30, 2006
    154,478     $ 154     $ 584,206     $ 456,949     $     $ (50,044 )   $ 991,265  
                                                         
 
                                                         
                                  Accumulated
       
                                  Other
    Total
 
    Common Stock     Paid-in
    Retained
    Deferred
    Comprehensive
    Stockholders’
 
    Shares     Amount     Capital     Earnings     Compensation     Loss     Equity  
 
Balance, January 1, 2005
    139,662     $ 140     $ 316,983     $ 161,267     $ (12,644 )   $ (43,799 )   $ 421,947  
Net income
                      75,550                   75,550  
Other comprehensive income
                                  24,177       24,177  
Reversal of deferred tax asset valuation allowance
                6,135                         6,135  
Conversion of 3.5% convertible notes to common stock
    6,636       6       88,472                         88,478  
Reversal of deferred financing costs on debt conversion
                (1,974 )                       (1,974 )
Amortization of restricted stock expense
                            2,716             2,716  
Exercise of stock options
    4,754       6       18,173                         18,179  
Tax benefit on exercise of stock options
                12,806                         12,806  
                                                         
Balance, June 30, 2005
    151,052     $ 152     $ 440,595     $ 236,817     $ (9,928 )   $ (19,622 )   $ 648,014  
                                                         
 
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
For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2006 and 2005
(in thousands)
Unaudited
 
                 
    2006     2005  
 
Cash flows from operating activities
               
Net income
  $ 120,901     $ 75,550  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Amortization of debt financing costs
    2,323       1,158  
Depreciation and amortization
    84,696       55,868  
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
    14,759       9,444  
Provision for losses on inventory
    557       2,882  
Foreign currency transaction losses (gains), net
    3,483       (2,067 )
Deferred income tax provision
    33,293       29,761  
Amortization of deferred credit
    (5,152 )      
Loss on disposal of property, plant and equipment
    102       60  
Share-based payment expense
    17,483       2,716  
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
    (19,749 )      
Loss on extinguishment of debt
    245        
Losses on derivative instruments
    1,909       725  
Other, net
    2,591       (1,016 )
Change in assets and liabilities:
               
Accounts receivable, gross
    (40,143 )     (32,081 )
Handset and accessory inventory, gross
    (17,389 )     (18,352 )
Prepaid expenses and other
    (30,661 )     (675 )
Other long-term assets
    (16,333 )     (20,968 )
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other
    (2,268 )     (5,307 )
Current deferred revenue
    7,742       4,015  
Other long-term liabilities
    3,126       1,643  
                 
Net cash provided by operating activities
    161,515       103,356  
                 
Cash flows from investing activities
               
Capital expenditures
    (265,811 )     (169,335 )
Proceeds from maturities of short-term investments
          34,638  
Purchases of short-term investments
          (6,855 )
Transfers to restricted cash
    (5,100 )      
Proceeds from sale of fixed assets and property insurance claims
    545        
Payments for acquisitions, purchases of licenses and other
    (1,680 )     (22,525 )
Payments related to derivative instruments, net
    (99 )     (958 )
                 
Net cash used in investing activities
    (272,145 )     (165,035 )
                 
Cash flows from financing activities
               
Borrowings under syndicated loan facility
    59,354       250,000  
Repayments under syndicated loan facility
    (9,941 )      
Proceeds from stock option exercises
    45,094       18,179  
Gross proceeds from towers financing transactions
    2,597       642  
Transfers from restricted cash
          378  
Repayments under capital leases, tower financing transactions and other
    (2,325 )     (1,044 )
Payment of debt financing costs
    (2,668 )     (756 )
Excess tax benefit from share-based payment
    19,749        
                 
Net cash provided by financing activities
    111,860       267,399  
                 
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
    (15,120 )     8,240  
                 
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (13,890 )     213,960  
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    877,536       330,984  
                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 863,646     $ 544,944  
                 
 
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 2005 annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006. You should not expect results of operations of interim periods to be an indication of the results for a full year.
 
Stock Split.  On October 27, 2005, we announced a 2-for-1 common stock split to be effected in the form of a stock dividend, which was paid on November 21, 2005 to holders of record on November 11, 2005. All share and per share amounts in these condensed consolidated financial statements reflect the common stock split.
 
Out-of-Period Adjustments.  During the first half of 2006, we identified errors in our financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2005. These errors primarily related to amortization of leasehold improvements in our operating company in Mexico and amortization of certain software costs in our operating company in Argentina. For both the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we increased operating income by $0.6 million and increased net income by $0.2 million related to the correction of these errors. We do not believe that these adjustments are material to the results for the six- and three-month periods ended June 30, 2006, to any prior periods or to the expected annual 2006 results of operations.
 
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss.  The components of our accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of taxes, are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustment
  $ (48,035 )   $ (20,452 )
Unrealized losses on derivatives
    (2,009 )     (5,128 )
                 
    $ (50,044 )   $ (25,580 )
                 


6


 

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

 
Supplemental Cash Flow Information.
 
                 
    Six Months Ended
 
    June 30,  
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Capital expenditures
               
Cash paid for capital expenditures, including capitalized interest
  $ 265,811     $ 169,335  
Changes in capital expenditures accrued and unpaid or financed
    61,061       23,157  
                 
    $ 326,872     $ 192,492  
                 
Interest costs
               
Interest expense
  $ 42,447     $ 26,164  
Interest capitalized
    7,471       3,164  
                 
    $ 49,918     $ 29,328  
                 
Cash paid for interest, net of amounts capitalized
  $ 28,555     $ 16,899  
                 
Cash paid for income taxes
  $ 47,065     $ 42,717  
                 
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, we had $8.4 million and $6.4 million in non-cash investing and financing activities related to co-location capital lease obligations on our communication towers.
 
In addition, as discussed in Note 5, during the six months ended June 30, 2006, Nextel Brazil and Nextel Argentina financed $4.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, in software purchased from Motorola, Inc., which is due in equal quarterly installments over a period of four years. During the six months ended June 30, 2005, we paid $1.2 million for licenses acquired in Brazil using restricted cash.
 
Net Income Per Common Share, Basic and Diluted.  Basic net income per common share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing the 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.
 
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 presented for the six and three months ended June 30, 2005, our calculation of diluted net income per share includes common shares resulting from shares issuable upon the potential exercise of stock options under our employee share-based payment compensation plans and our restricted stock, as well as common shares resulting from the potential conversion of our 3.5% convertible notes and our 2.875% convertible notes.


7


 

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

 
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, 2006 and 2005:
 
                                                 
    Six Months Ended June 30, 2006     Six Months Ended June 30, 2005  
    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
  $ 120,901       152,833     $ 0.79     $ 75,550       141,243     $ 0.53  
                                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
Stock options
          4,804                     6,039          
Restricted stock
          777                     504          
Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes
    7,376       25,121               7,338       24,237          
Diluted net income per share:
                                               
                                                 
Net income
  $ 128,277       183,535     $ 0.70     $ 82,888       172,023     $ 0.48  
                                                 
 
                                                 
    Three Months Ended June 30, 2006     Three Months Ended June 30, 2005  
    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
  $ 55,903       153,493     $ 0.36     $ 30,512       142,804     $ 0.21  
                                                 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                                               
Stock options
          4,708                     5,330          
Restricted stock
          895                     510          
Convertible notes, net of capitalized interest and taxes
    3,747       25,119               3,607       23,712          
                                                 
Diluted net income per share:
                                               
Net income
  $ 59,650       184,215     $ 0.32     $ 34,119       172,356     $ 0.20  
                                                 
 
Reclassifications.  We have reclassified certain prior year amounts in our unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements to conform to our current year presentation, including spectrum license fees of $20.1 million and $10.5 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 that we reclassified from selling, general and administrative expenses to cost of service. For the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $23.6 million and $12.0 million of spectrum fees in cost of service.
 
New Accounting Pronouncements.  In October 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Staff Position No. 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period,” or FSP No. 13-1, to address accounting for rental costs associated with building and ground operating leases. FSP No. 13-1 requires that rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. 13-1 is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005 and requires public companies that are currently capitalizing these rental costs for operating lease arrangements entered into prior to the effective date to cease capitalizing such costs. Retroactive application in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, 154 is permitted but not required. We


8


 

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

implemented FSP No. 13-1, effective January 1, 2006, as required. The adoption of FSP No. 13-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 150,” or SFAS 155. SFAS 155 permits fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, clarifies that certain instruments are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that may contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, clarifies what may be an embedded derivative for certain concentrations of credit risk and amends SFAS 140 to eliminate certain prohibitions related to derivatives on a qualifying special-purpose entity. SFAS 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 155 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, reached a consensus on Issue 05-1, “Accounting for the Conversion of an Instrument That Becomes Convertible upon the Issuer’s Exercise of a Call Option,” or EITF 05-1. EITF 05-1 states that the issuance of equity securities to settle an instrument (pursuant to the instrument’s original conversion terms) that becomes convertible upon the issuer’s exercise of a call option should be accounted for as a conversion as opposed to an extinguishment if, at issuance, the debt instrument contains a substantive conversion feature other than the issuer’s call option. EITF 05-1 is effective for all conversions within its scope occurring in interim or annual periods beginning after June 28, 2006. The future impact of EITF 05-1 will depend on the facts and circumstances specific to a given conversion within the scope of this Issue. However, we do not believe the adoption of EITF 05-1 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2006, the EITF discussed 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, which was ratified by the FASB, is effective for financial reports in interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact that EITF 06-3 may have on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, we reported certain revenue-based taxes imposed on us in Brazil as a reduction of revenue. We viewed them as pass-through costs since they were billed to and collected from customers on behalf of local government agencies. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we increased our operating revenues and general and administrative expenses to gross-up these revenue-based taxes related to the full year 2005 because they are the primary obligation of Nextel Brazil. This presentation is in accordance with EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent.” During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, Nextel Brazil recorded $13.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively, of revenue-based taxes as a component of service and other revenues and a corresponding amount as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
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 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. FIN 48 provides that the financial statement effects of an income tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements 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 should be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact that FIN 48 may have on our consolidated financial statements.


9


 

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

 
Note 2.   Share-Based Payments
 
We adopted SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), “Share-Based Payment,” or SFAS 123R, effective January 1, 2006. As of June 30, 2006, we had the following share-based compensation plans:
 
Under our Revised Third Amended Joint Plan of Reorganization, on November 12, 2002, we adopted the 2002 Management Incentive Plan for the benefit of our employees and directors. Although there are currently 222,390 stock options outstanding under the 2002 Management Incentive Plan as of June 30, 2006, no additional awards will be granted under the Plan. The 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan was adopted in April 2004. The 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan provides us the opportunity to compensate selected employees with stock options, stock appreciation rights (SAR), stock awards, performance share awards, incentive awards and/or stock units. Through June 30, 2006, we have not granted any SARs, performance share awards, incentive awards or stock units. The 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan provides equity and equity-related incentives to directors, officers or key employees of and consultants to our company up to a maximum of 39,600,000 shares of common stock, subject to adjustments. A stock option entitles the optionee to purchase shares of common stock from us at the specified exercise price. A SAR entitles the holder to receive the excess of the fair market value of each share of common stock encompassed by such SARs over the initial value of such share as determined on the date of grant. Stock awards consist of awards of common stock, subject to certain restrictions specified in the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan. An award of performance shares entitles the participant to receive cash, shares of common stock, stock units or a combination thereof if certain requirements are satisfied. An incentive award is a cash-denominated award that entitles the participant to receive a payment in cash or common stock, stock units, or a combination thereof. Stock units are awards stated with reference to a specified number of shares of common stock that entitle the holder to receive a payment for each stock unit equal to the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date of payment. All grants or awards made under the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan are governed by written agreements between us and the participants and have a maximum contractual term of ten years. We issue new shares when both stock options and stock awards are exercised.
 
Generally, our Board of Directors grants stock options and other equity awards to employees on an annual basis usually at about the same time each year. On April 26, 2006, our Board of Directors granted 2.9 million stock options and 519,000 restricted shares to certain of our employees and directors.
 
Through December 31, 2005, we accounted for share-based payments using the intrinsic value method under the recognition and measurement provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” or APB 25 and related interpretations, as permitted by SFAS No. 123, “Accounting for Stock Based Compensation,” or SFAS 123. In accordance with APB 25, no compensation cost was required to be recognized for options granted that had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the grant date. Additionally, we provided pro forma disclosure amounts in accordance with FASB Statement No. 148, “Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation — Transition and Disclosure,” or SFAS 148, as if the fair value method defined by SFAS 123 had been applied to the share-based payment.


10


 

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

 
The following table illustrates the effect on net income and net income per common share if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123, as amended by SFAS 148, to employee share-based payments in 2005:
 
                 
    Six Months
    Three Months
 
    Ended     Ended  
    June 30, 2005  
    (in thousands, except per share data)  
 
Net income, as reported
  $ 75,550     $ 30,512  
Add:
               
Stock-based employee compensation expense included in reported net income, net of related tax effects
    2,716       1,358  
Deduct:
               
Total stock-based employee compensation expense determined under fair value-based method for all awards, net of related tax effects
    (10,057 )     (6,087 )
                 
Pro forma net income
  $ 68,209     $ 25,783  
                 
Net income per common share:
               
Basic — as reported
  $ 0.53     $ 0.21  
                 
Basic — pro forma
  $ 0.48     $ 0.18  
                 
Diluted — as reported
  $ 0.48     $ 0.20  
                 
Diluted — pro forma
  $ 0.44     $ 0.17  
                 
 
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R. We used the modified prospective transition method and therefore have not restated our prior periods results. Under this transition method, share-based payment expense for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 includes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards granted prior to, but not fully vested, as of January 1, 2006 based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the original provisions of SFAS 123. Share-based payment expense for all share-based payment awards granted after January 1, 2006 is based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS 123R. We recognize these compensation costs net of a forfeiture rate and recognize the compensation costs for only those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period of the award. The stock options generally vest twenty-five percent per year over a four-year period, and the restricted shares generally vest in full on the third anniversary of the grant. We estimated the forfeiture rate based on our historical experience during the preceding three fiscal years. If our actual forfeiture rate is materially different from our estimate, the stock option awards’ compensation expense could be materially different.
 
For the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, the impact of adopting SFAS 123R on operating income and income before income taxes was $13.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively, and the impact on net income was $10.0 million and $5.9 million, respectively. We include substantially all share-based payment expense, including restricted stock expense, as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses. The impact of the share-based payment expense reduced our basic earnings per share for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 by $0.07 and $0.04 and our diluted earnings per share by $0.05 and $0.04, respectively. In addition, prior to the adoption of SFAS 123R, we presented the tax benefit of stock option exercises as operating cash flows. Upon the adoption of SFAS 123R, we classify tax benefits resulting from tax deductions in excess of the compensation cost recognized for share-based awards as financing cash flows. 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. As of June 30, 2006, there was


11


 

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

approximately $107.0 million in unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested employee stock option awards. We expect this cost to be recognized over a four year period and a weighted average period of approximately 1.97 years.
 
Stock Option Awards
 
The following table summarizes stock option activity during the first six months of 2006 under all plans:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
          Average
 
    Number of
    Exercise Price
 
    Options     per Option  
 
Outstanding, January 1, 2006
    11,270,219     $ 22.70  
Granted
    3,134,900       60.15  
Exercised
    (2,319,091 )     19.44  
Forfeited
    (376,452 )     30.23  
                 
Outstanding, June 30, 2006
    11,709,576       33.13  
                 
Exercisable, June 30, 2006
    1,244,501       20.39  
                 
 
Following is a summary of the status of employee stock options outstanding and exercisable as of June 30, 2006:
 
                                                                 
    Options Outstanding     Options Exercisable  
          Weighted
  Weighted
                Weighted
  Weighted
       
          Average
  Average
    Aggregate
          Average
  Average
    Aggregate
 
Exercise Price or
        Remaining
  Exercise
    Intrinsic
          Remaining
  Exercise
    Intrinsic
 
Range
  Shares     Life   Price     Value     Shares     Life   Price     Value  
 
$ 0.41 - 0.42
    101,190     6.4 years   $ 0.42     $ 5,662,936       101,190     6.4 years   $ 0.42     $ 5,662,936  
  4.31 - 16.76
    121,200     7.3 years     11.41       5,449,999       67,200     7.2 years     9.77       3,131,904  
 17.67 - 25.12
    2,874,546     7.8 years     18.99       107,486,403       490,046     7.8 years     18.99       18,323,531  
 26.20 - 52.97
    5,641,940     8.8 years     26.85       166,607,814       586,065     8.7 years     26.23       17,670,173  
 56.98 - 60.77
    2,970,700     9.8 years     60.73                            
                                                         
      11,709,576                 $ 285,207,152       1,244,501                 $ 44,788,544  
                                                         
 
The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above of $285.2 million represents the total pre-tax intrinsic value (the difference between our closing stock price on the last trading day of the three months ended June 30, 2006 and the exercise price, multiplied by the number of in-the-money options) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on June 30, 2006. This amount changes based on the fair market value of our stock. Total intrinsic value of options exercised for the six months ended June 30, 2006 was $92.4 million. The total fair value of options vested was $22.3 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006. Generally, our stock options are non-transferable, except by will or laws of descent or distribution, and the actual value of the stock options that a recipient may realize, if any, will depend on the excess of the market price on the date of exercise over the exercise price.


12


 

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

 
The fair value of the stock option awards on their grant dates using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model was $22.54 for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and $7.82 for the six months ended June 30, 2005 based on the following assumptions:
 
         
    For the Six Months Ended June 30,
    2006   2005
 
Risk free interest rate
  4.73% - 4.79%   3.70% - 3.82%
Expected stock price volatility
  31.00% - 38.49%   30.50% - 45.00%
Expected term in years
  4.00 - 4.43   4.00
Expected dividend yield
  0.00%   0.00%
Forfeiture rate
  3.50%   1.00%
 
The expected term of stock option awards granted represents the period that our stock option awards are expected to be outstanding and was determined based on (1) historical data on employee exercise and post-vesting employment termination behavior, (2) the contractual terms of the stock option awards, (3) vesting schedules and (4) expectations of future employee behavior. The risk-free interest rate for periods consistent with the contractual life of the stock option award is based on the yield curve of U.S. Treasury strip securities in effect at the time of the grant. Expected volatility for options granted after April 1, 2006 takes into consideration historical volatility, as well as the implied volatility from traded options on our stock. SFAS 123R includes implied volatility in its list of factors that should be considered in estimating expected volatility. For stock option awards granted between January 1, 2005 and April 1, 2006, the expected volatility was based on the implied volatility from traded options on our common stock.
 
The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. In addition, option-pricing models such as the Black-Scholes-Merton model require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected stock price volatility. We hired an independent consulting firm with expertise in this area to review our assumptions, methodology and calculations. The assumptions listed above represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Consequently, there is a risk that our estimates of the fair values of our stock option awards on the grant dates may bear little resemblance to the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, early termination or forfeiture of those stock option awards in the future. Certain stock option awards may expire worthless or otherwise result in zero intrinsic value as compared to the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Alternatively, value may be realized from the stock option awards that is significantly in excess of the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Additionally, application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of stock option awards and consequently, the related amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Currently, there is no market-based mechanism or other practical application to verify the reliability and accuracy of the estimates from option-pricing valuation models, such as Black-Scholes-Merton, nor is there a means to compare and adjust the estimates to actual values. Although the fair value of stock option awards is determined in accordance with SFAS 123R and SAB Topic 14 (SAB 107) using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, the fair value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction. Because stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, we believe that the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the stock options.


13


 

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

 
Restricted Stock Awards
 
A summary of the status of our non-vested restricted stock awards as of January 1, 2006 and changes during the first six months of 2006 is presented below:
 
                 
          Weighted
 
    Number of
    Average Grant
 
    Shares     Date Fair Value  
 
Non-vested restricted stock awards as of January 1, 2006
    864,000     $ 19.13  
Granted
    554,000       59.99  
Vested
           
Forfeited
    (30,000 )     46.51  
                 
Non-vested restricted stock awards as of June 30, 2006
    1,388,000       34.75  
                 
 
If a participant terminates employment prior to the vesting dates, the unvested shares will be forfeited and available for reissuance under the terms of the 2004 Incentive Compensation Plan. The fair value of our restricted stock awards is determined based on the quoted price of our common stock at the grant date. As of June 30, 2006, there was approximately $36.2 million in unrecognized compensation costs related to non-vested restricted stock awards. We expect this cost to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 1.73 years.
 
Note 3.   Supplemental Balance Sheet Information
 
Prepaid Expenses and Other.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Prepaid expenses
  $ 15,487     $ 14,121  
Spectrum fees
    11,347       3,721  
Commissions
    9,949        
Value added tax receivables
    8,648       9,951  
Advertising
    8,413       36  
Insurance claims
    3,195       2,851  
Advances to suppliers
    3,019       3,715  
Derivative asset
    2,125        
Other assets
    15,995       8,111  
                 
    $ 78,178     $ 42,506  
                 


14


 

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

 
Other Assets.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Value added tax receivables
  $ 64,433     $ 55,116  
Deferred financing costs
    20,858       20,960  
Deposits and restricted cash
    19,206       14,671  
Income tax receivable
    15,272       16,150  
Long-term prepaid expenses
    15,201       8,790  
Handsets under operating leases
    5,072       4,410  
Other
    2,368       905  
                 
    $ 142,410     $ 121,002  
                 
 
Accrued Expenses and Other.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Capital expenditures
  $ 107,223     $ 65,018  
Payroll related items and commissions
    45,908       50,729  
Network system and information technology
    43,705       37,689  
Income taxes
    35,177       34,312  
Non-income based taxes
    27,535       26,133  
Customer deposits
    25,037       22,164  
Tax and non-tax accrued contingencies
    22,249       38,028  
Marketing
    5,104       2,829  
Professional fees
    3,621       3,457  
Insurance
    2,730       3,301  
Other
    31,855       28,098  
                 
    $ 350,144     $ 311,758  
                 


15


 

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

 
Other Long-Term Liabilities and Deferred Credits.
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Tax and non-tax accrued contingencies
  $ 68,047     $ 59,102  
Deferred credit from AOL Mexico acquisition
    23,724       30,368  
Asset retirement obligations
    20,290       14,923  
Deferred income tax liability
    16,148       17,770  
Severance plan liability
    6,946       6,901  
Derivative liability
    963       1,174  
Other
    2,039       2,141  
                 
    $ 138,157     $ 132,379  
                 
 
Note 4.   Intangible Assets
 
Our intangible assets primarily consist of our licenses, customer base and trade name, all of which have finite useful lives, as follows:
 
                                                 
    June 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  
    Gross
          Net
    Gross
          Net
 
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
    Carrying
    Accumulated
    Carrying
 
    Value     Amortization     Value     Value     Amortization     Value  
    (in thousands)  
 
Amortizable intangible assets:
                                               
Licenses
  $ 97,115     $ (16,815 )   $ 80,300     $ 98,009     $ (15,205 )   $ 82,804  
Customer base
    40,534       (40,238 )     296       42,727       (41,889 )     838  
Trade name and other
    1,611       (1,611 )           1,619       (1,619 )      
                                                 
Total intangible assets
  $ 139,260     $ (58,664 )   $ 80,596     $ 142,355     $ (58,713 )   $ 83,642  
                                                 
 
Based solely on the carrying amount of amortizable intangible assets existing as of June 30, 2006 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  
 
2006
  $ 5,443  
2007
    5,262  
2008
    5,262  
2009
    5,262  
2010
    5,262  
 
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, 2006 and 2005, we did not acquire, dispose of or write down any goodwill or intangible assets with indefinite useful lives.


16


 

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

 
Note 5.   Debt
 
The components are as follows:
 
                 
    June 30,
    December 31,
 
    2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
3.5% convertible notes due 2033
  $ 91,372     $ 91,522  
2.875% convertible notes due 2034
    300,000       300,000  
2.75% convertible notes due 2025
    350,000       350,000  
Mexico syndicated loan facility
    297,042       252,654  
Tower financing obligations
    128,039       127,314  
Capital lease obligations
    52,116       43,845  
Brazil spectrum license financing
    8,819       7,583  
Software financing
    7,004        
13.0% senior secured discount notes
    40       40  
                 
Total debt
    1,234,432       1,172,958  
Less: current portion
    (21,039 )     (24,112 )
                 
    $ 1,213,393     $ 1,148,846  
                 
 
3.5% Convertible Notes.  For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, the closing sale price of our common stock exceeded 110% of the conversion price of $13.34 per share for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading days ending on June 30, 2006. As a result, the conversion contingency was met, and our 3.5% convertible notes are currently convertible into 75.00 shares of our common stock per $1,000 principal amount of notes, or an aggregate of 6,852,900 common shares, at a conversion price of about $13.34 per share.
 
2.875% Convertible Notes.  For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, 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, 2006. As a result, the conversion contingency was met and our 2.875% convertible 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 about $26.62 per share.
 
2.75% Convertible Notes.  For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2006, the closing sale price of our common stock did not exceed 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, 2006. As a result, the conversion contingency was not met, and our 2.75% convertible notes are not convertible.
 
Refinancing of Mexico Syndicated Loan Facility.  On June 27, 2006, Nextel Mexico entered into an agreement to refinance its syndicated loan. The loan principal was increased from the original $250.0 million to approximately $297.0 million after the refinancing. Under the agreement, the loan was refinanced using the same variable (i.e., LIBOR and TIIE) or fixed rates as the original agreement but with lower spreads for each tranche. Of the total amount of the refinanced loan, $156.6 million is denominated in U.S. dollars, with a floating interest rate based on LIBOR (Tranche A — 6.38% as of June 30, 2006), $57.0 million is denominated in Mexican pesos, with a floating interest rate based on the Mexican reference rate TIIE (Tranche C — 8.68% as of June 30, 2006), and $83.0 million is denominated in Mexican pesos, at an interest rate fixed at the time of funding (Tranche B — 11.36% as of June 30, 2006). For Tranche B and Tranche C, the principal and interest payments will take place on the same dates as previously scheduled under the original agreement. Under the original agreement, principal for Tranche A was also due on the same dates as the principal under Tranches B and C. However, after the refinancing, principal for Tranche A will now be due in a lump sum of $156.6 million in June 2011.


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

 
Under EITF Issue No. 96-19, “Debtor’s Accounting for a Modification or Exchange of Debt Instruments,” an exchange of debt instruments by a debtor and a creditor is deemed to have been accomplished with debt instruments that are substantially different if the present value of cash flows under the terms of the new debt instrument is at least 10% different from the present value of the remaining cash flows under the terms of the original instrument. If the terms of a debt instrument are changed or modified and the cash flow effect on a present value basis is less than 10%, the debt instruments are not considered to be substantially different. We applied the provisions of EITF 96-19 to the Mexico syndicated loan facility refinancing and determined that two of the loans in the syndicate were extinguished because those banks did not participate in the refinancing. As a result, we recorded a $0.3 million loss on extinguishment of debt. However, the remaining loans in the syndicate were not substantially different. If the exchange of the debt instruments is determined to be substantially different, the old debt is considered extinguished and the new debt instrument is recognized initially at its fair value, which is the price used to calculate the gain or loss on extinguishment.
 
Software Financing.  In March 2006, Nextel Brazil acquired software from Motorola for $4.0 million, which will enable Nextel Brazil to increase interconnect subscriber capacity without increasing frequencies in their digital mobile network while providing similar audio quality characteristics. Similarly, in June 2006, Nextel Argentina acquired software from Motorola for $3.0 million, which will enable Nextel Argentina to increase interconnect subscriber capacity without increasing frequencies in their digital mobile network while providing similar audio quality characteristics. Both Nextel Brazil and Nextel Argentina financed the purchase of this software through facilities in which principal is due in equal quarterly installments over a period of four years. Neither Nextel Brazil nor Nextel Argentina is charged interest under these facilities, however we are imputing interest expense at an annual rate of 12% on both facilities.
 
Note 6.   Commitments and Contingencies
 
Telmex Agreement.
 
Nextel Mexico signed an agreement with Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., or Telmex, effective February 14, 2006, that allows Nextel Mexico to interconnect and terminate traffic with Telmex in 27 nationwide cities throughout Mexico using 5 local connections. The agreement covers each individual city for its own term of 15 years from the date service begins in that city for a total cost of $44.5 million, plus any applicable value-added taxes. We are accounting for the Telmex agreement as a service agreement. As a result, we are expensing any payments made under this agreement in the period to which they relate. Nextel Mexico paid a $7.0 million deposit to Telmex on March 31, 2006, of which $2.4 million was recorded as a component of prepaid expenses and other and $4.3 million was recorded as a component of other assets as of June 30, 2006. The agreement specifies the second of three total installment payments in the amount of $18.5 million should be made on March 15, 2007, and the last payment in the amount of $19.0 million should be made on March 15, 2008.
 
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, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Nextel Brazil had accrued liabilities related to contingencies of $32.0 million and $27.6 million, respectively, all of which were classified in tax and non-tax accrued contingencies reported as a component of other long-term liabilities and deferred credits. Of the total accrued liabilities as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Nextel Brazil had $25.2 million and $21.7 million in unasserted claims that are possible of assertion, respectively. We currently estimate the range of possible losses related to matters for which


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

Nextel Brazil has not accrued liabilities to be between approximately $103 million and $107 million as of June 30, 2006. We have not accrued liabilities for these matters because they are not deemed probable of loss. 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 probable and estimable.
 
Argentine Contingencies.
 
Turnover Tax.  In the city of Buenos Aires, the city government had previously increased the turnover tax rate from 3% to 6% of revenues for cellular companies. From a regulatory standpoint, we are not considered a cellular company. As a result, until April 2006, we continued to pay the turnover tax at the existing rate and recorded a liability for the differential between the old rate and the new rate, plus interest.
 
In March 2006, Nextel Argentina received an unfavorable decision from the city of Buenos Aires related to the determination of whether we are 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 represents the total amount of principal and interest, related to this turnover tax. Nextel Argentina decided not to pay penalties based on a legal opinion that considers the probability of having to pay penalties to be remote despite the city’s decision. Nextel Argentina also decided to begin paying the higher tax amount until this issue is settled. Nextel Argentina plans to appeal the city’s decision at the judicial court level.
 
Similarly, one of the provincial governments in another one of the markets where we operate also increased their turnover tax rate from 4.55% to 6% of revenues for cellular companies. Consistent with our earlier position, we continue to pay the turnover tax in this province at the existing rate and accrue a liability for the incremental difference in the rate. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we accrued $4.3 million and $3.4 million for local turnover taxes in this province, which are included as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
Universal Service Tax.  During the year ended December 31, 2000, the Argentine government enacted the Universal Service Regulation, which established a tax on telecommunications licensees effective January 1, 2001, equal to 1% of telecommunications service revenue, net of applicable taxes and specified related costs. The license holder can choose either to pay the tax 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 Argentine government. Although the regulations state that this tax would be applicable beginning January 1, 2001, the authorities have not taken the necessary actions to implement this tax, such as creating policies relating to collection or opening accounts into which the funds would be deposited. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the accrual for this liability to the government was $6.0 million and $5.1 million, respectively, which are included as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
Nextel Argentina billed this tax as Universal Tax on customer invoices during the period from January 2001 to August 2001 for a total amount of $0.2 million. Subsequent to August 2001, Nextel Argentina did not segregate a specific charge or identify any portion of its customer billings as relating to the Universal Tax and, in fact, raised its rates and service fees to customers several times after this period unrelated to the Universal Tax.
 
As a result of various recent events and an opinion of counsel, during the fourth quarter of 2005, Nextel Argentina accrued for the maximum liability due to customers for amounts billed during all periods ending December 31, 2005, plus interest. Nextel Argentina continued accruing the higher amount during the first quarter of 2006 while maintaining its position that there is no basis for such reimbursement to customers. As of April 1, 2006, Nextel Argentina changed its rate plan structure, which eliminated all other charges and any further contingencies related to this tax.
 
As required by legislation that was passed in October 2005, in March 2006, Nextel Argentina reimbursed to customers the amounts invoiced during the period from January 2001 to August 2001 for a total amount of


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

$0.2 million, plus interest. In addition, in April 2006, Nextel Argentina filed a judicial claim against the legislation passed in May 2005, which is currently pending. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, the accrual for this liability to customers was $6.3 million and $6.4 million, respectively, which are included as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, Nextel Argentina had accrued liabilities of $25.7 million and $40.2 million, respectively, related primarily to local turnover taxes and local government claims, all of which were classified in tax and non-tax accrued contingencies reported as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
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.
 
Income Taxes.
 
We are subject to income taxes in both the United States and the non-U.S. jurisdictions in which we operate. Certain of our subsidiaries are under routine examination by the relevant taxing authorities for various tax years. 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. We have established tax liabilities which we believe to be adequate in relation to the potential for additional assessments. Once established, we adjust the liabilities only when there is more information available or when an event occurs necessitating a change to the liabilities. While we believe that the amount of the tax estimates is reasonable, it is possible that the ultimate outcome of current or future examinations may exceed our tax liabilities in amounts that could be material.
 
Note 7.   Derivative Instruments
 
Foreign Currency Hedges
 
In September 2005, Nextel Mexico entered into a derivative agreement to reduce its foreign currency transaction risk associated with a portion of its 2006 U.S. dollar forecasted capital expenditures and handset purchases. This risk is hedged by forecasting Nextel Mexico’s capital expenditures and handset purchases for a 12-month period that began in January 2006. Under this agreement, Nextel Mexico purchased a U.S. dollar call option for $3.6 million and sold a call option on the Mexican peso for $1.1 million for a net cost of $2.5 million. We recorded the initial net purchase price of the derivative instrument as a non-current asset of $2.5 million in September 2005. As of June 30, 2006, our net purchased option, which is designated as a cash flow hedge, decreased in value by $1.1 million. We recorded this amount to accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we reclassified $0.8 million and $0.3 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other expense, net, since the underlying capital expenditures and purchased handsets had impacted earnings. The foreign currency hedge qualifies for cash flow hedge accounting under SFAS 133. As a result, and because the instrument is 100% effective in hedging interest exposure, we record the unrealized gain or loss upon measuring the change in the hedge at its fair value at each balance sheet date as a component of other comprehensive income and either a derivative instrument asset or liability on the balance sheet. We reclassify the amount recorded as a component of other comprehensive income into other expense, net as the underlying capital expenditures and purchased handsets impact our earnings.
 
In October 2005, Nextel Mexico entered into another derivative agreement to further reduce its foreign currency transaction risk associated with a portion of its 2006 U.S. dollar forecasted capital expenditures and handset purchases. This risk is hedged by forecasting Nextel Mexico’s capital expenditures and handset purchases for a 12-month period that began in January 2006. Under this agreement, Nextel Mexico purchased a U.S. dollar call option for $1.4 million and sold a call option on the Mexican peso for $0.3 million for a net cost of $1.1 million. As of June 30, 2006, our net


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

purchased option, which is designated as a cash flow hedge, decreased in value by $0.2 million. We recorded this amount to accumulated other comprehensive loss. During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we reclassified $0.1 million from accumulated other comprehensive loss to other expense, net, since the underlying capital expenditures and purchased handsets had impacted earnings. The foreign currency hedge qualifies for cash flow hedge accounting under SFAS 133. As a result, and because the instrument is 100% effective in hedging interest exposure, we record the unrealized gain or loss upon measuring the change in the hedge at its fair value at each balance sheet date as a component of other comprehensive income and either a derivative instrument asset or liability on the balance sheet. We reclassify the amount recorded as a component of other comprehensive income into other expense, net as the underlying capital expenditures and purchased handsets impact our earnings.
 
We view the foreign currency hedges in Mexico as investment transactions as they relate to financial instruments. Therefore, we have classified the cash flows related to the hedges as an investing activity in our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows.
 
Interest Rate Swap
 
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 interest 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 syndicated loan facility commencing on August 31, 2005 and will continue over the life of the facility based on a fixed rate of about 11.95% per year. The interest rate swap qualifies for cash flow hedge accounting under SFAS 133. As a result, and because the instrument is 100% effective in hedging interest exposure, we record the unrealized gain or loss upon measuring the change in the swap at its fair value at each balance sheet date as a component of other comprehensive income and either a derivative instrument asset or liability on the balance sheet. We reclassify the amount recorded as a component of other comprehensive income into other expense, net, as the future interest payments affect earnings.
 
As discussed in Note 5, in June 2006, Nextel Mexico entered into an agreement to refinance its syndicated loan. Based on Derivatives Implementation Group Issue No. G13, “Cash Flow Hedges: Hedging the Variable Interest Payments on a Group of Floating-Rate Interest-Bearing Loans,” the interest rate swap is still effective based on the following: (1) our original hedge documentation referred to hedging Tranche C as a whole, (2) the terms of the debt and swap remained the same, (3) the principal amount of Tranche C after refinancing is greater than the original $31.0 million, and (4) the hedged forecasted transactions in the documented cash flow hedging relationships are probable of occurring. Accordingly, no settlement adjustments from other comprehensive income to the income statement are necessary. As of June 30, 2006, we recognized a cumulative unrealized pre-tax loss of $1.0 million, which represents the current fair value of the interest rate swap in accumulated other comprehensive loss and a corresponding liability on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.
 
The carrying values of our derivative instruments, which represent fair values, as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005 are as follows:
 
                         
    2006
             
    Foreign
    2006
    Total
 
    Currency
    Interest
    June 30,
 
    Hedge     Rate Swap     2006  
    (in thousands)  
 
Purchased call options
  $ 2,412     $     $ 2,412  
Written put options
    (287 )           (287 )
                         
Net purchased options
    2,125             2,125  
Interest rate swap
          (963 )     (963 )
                         
Net derivative asset (liability)
  $ 2,125     $ (963 )   $ 1,162  
                         


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

 
                         
    2005
             
    Foreign
    2005
    Total
 
    Currency
    Interest
    December 31,
 
    Hedge     Rate Swap     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Purchased call options
  $ 2,016     $     $ 2,016  
Written put options
    (2,250 )           (2,250 )
                         
Net purchased options
    (234 )           (234 )
Interest rate swap
          (1,174 )     (1,174 )
                         
Net derivative liability
  $ (234 )   $ (1,174 )   $ (1,408 )
                         
 
Note 8.   Income Taxes
 
Deferred Tax Assets.  We assessed the realizability of our deferred tax assets during the first and second quarters of 2006, consistent with the methodology we employed for 2005, 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 2006.
 
Pre-Reorganization Tax Benefits.  As of June 30, 2006, we made no change to the deferred tax assets and related valuation allowance in Brazil and Chile that existed as of the date we emerged from reorganization. As of December 31, 2005, there is no longer a deferred tax asset and associated valuation allowance in the U.S. related to pre-reorganization tax benefits.
 
Tax Benefits on Exercise of Stock Options.  During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we realized $20.7 million of tax benefits from excess tax deductions in the U.S. related to a combination of current year stock option exercises and utilization of net operating loss carryovers that resulted from prior year stock option exercises. We recorded this benefit as an increase to paid-in capital in accordance with SFAS 123R.
 
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, 2006 and December 31, 2005, our consolidated balance sheet includes $15.3 million and $16.2 million in income tax receivables, respectively, which are included as components of other non-current assets. The income tax benefit for this item is reflected in our income tax provision for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003.
 
Note 9.   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 are included in the “Corporate and other” segment below. This segment includes our Chilean operating companies, our corporate operations in the U.S. and our Cayman entity that issued our senior secured discount notes. We


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

evaluate performance of these segments and provide resources to them primarily based on operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. We allocated $34.1 million and $17.0 million in corporate overhead costs to our operating companies during the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and $16.1 million and $8.1 million during the six and three months ended June 30, 2005. We treat a portion of these allocated amounts as tax deductions, where relevant. Our segment information below does not reflect the allocations of the corporate overhead costs because the amounts of these expenses are not provided to or used by our chief operating decision maker in making operating decisions related to these segments. In addition, because we do not view share-based compensation as an important element of our operational performance, we recognize share-based compensation expense at the corporate level and exclude it when evaluating the business performance of our segments.
 
                                                         
                            Corporate
    Intercompany
       
    Mexico     Brazil     Argentina     Peru     and other     Eliminations     Consolidated  
    (in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended June 30, 2006
                                                       
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  
                                                         
Six Months Ended June 30, 2005
                                                       
Operating revenues
  $ 456,933     $ 144,329     $ 125,220     $ 53,819     $ 857     $ (295 )   $ 780,863  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 189,192     $ 13,702     $ 33,945     $ 11,807     $ (29,830 )   $     $ 218,816  
Depreciation and amortization
    (31,108 )     (12,459 )     (7,732 )     (4,012 )     (754 )     197       (55,868 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    158,084       1,243       26,213       7,795       (30,584 )     197       162,948  
Interest expense
    (9,834 )     (7,122 )     (1,202 )     (75 )     (7,965 )     34       (26,164 )
Interest income
    7,201       891       221       305       1,529       (34 )     10,113  
Foreign currency transaction gains (losses), net
    1,543       264       217       47       (4 )           2,067  
Debt conversion expense
                            (8,930 )           (8,930 )
Other expense, net
    (620 )     (2,737 )     (6 )     (8 )     (299 )           (3,670 )
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 156,374     $ (7,461 )   $ 25,443     $ 8,064     $ (46,253 )   $ 197     $ 136,364  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 99,584     $ 60,881     $ 25,231     $ 6,398     $ 398     $     $ 192,492  
                                                         


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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, 2006
                                                       
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  
                                                         
Three Months Ended June 30, 2005
                                                       
Operating revenues
  $ 238,927     $ 76,885     $ 66,762     $ 27,807     $ 433     $ (158 )   $ 410,656  
                                                         
Segment earnings (losses)
  $ 97,844     $ 10,669     $ 18,176     $ 6,462     $ (14,639 )   $     $ 118,512  
Depreciation and amortization
    (15,936 )     (7,080 )     (4,364 )     (2,103 )     (387 )     99       (29,771 )
                                                         
Operating income (loss)
    81,908       3,589       13,812       4,359       (15,026 )     99       88,741  
Interest expense
    (4,768 )     (4,028 )     (613 )     (40 )     (3,909 )     18       (13,340 )
Interest income
    4,043       505       126       182       751       (18 )     5,589  
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (117 )     127       130       10       3             153  
Debt conversion expense
                            (8,930 )           (8,930 )
Other (expense) income, net
    (493 )     (1,003 )     (16 )     1       (157 )           (1,668 )
                                                         
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 80,573     $ (810 )   $ 13,439     $ 4,512     $ (27,268 )   $ 99     $ 70,545  
                                                         
Capital expenditures
  $ 64,490     $ 35,534     $ 15,139     $ 4,085     $ 224     $     $ 119,472  
                                                         
June 30, 2006
                                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 582,655     $ 341,100     $ 131,394     $ 70,561     $ 41,136     $ (756 )   $ 1,166,090  
                                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 1,638,927     $ 539,252     $ 299,866     $ 156,126     $ 275,718     $ (756 )   $ 2,909,133  
                                                         
December 31, 2005
                                                       
Property, plant and equipment, net
  $ 486,841     $ 247,222     $ 108,238     $ 59,388     $ 33,187     $ (953 )   $ 933,923  
                                                         
Identifiable assets
  $ 1,459,298     $ 401,013     $ 274,397     $ 148,429     $ 338,780     $ (953 )   $ 2,620,964  
                                                         

24


 

 
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
 
         
  26
  26
  27
  28
  28
  29
  29
  29
  31
  36
  40
  43
  45
  48
  49
  50
  52
  53


25


 

 
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, 2006 and 2005; 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 2005 annual report on Form 10-K and our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2006, including but not limited to, the discussion regarding our critical accounting policies and estimates, 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 business customers 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. 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 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. In addition, vehicle traffic congestion, low wireline penetration and unreliability of the land-based telecommunications infrastructure encourage the use of mobile wireless communications services in these areas.
 
We use a transmission technology called integrated digital enhanced network, or iDEN, technology developed by Motorola, Inc. to provide our digital mobile services on 800 MHz spectrum holdings in all of our digital markets. This technology allows us to use our spectrum more efficiently and offer multiple digital wireless services integrated on one digital handset device. 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, in partnership with Nextel Communications, Nextel Partners and TELUS Corporation, which allows subscribers to communicate instantly across national borders with our subscribers in Mexico, Brazil, Argentina and Peru, with Nextel Communications and Nextel Partners subscribers in the United States and with TELUS subscribers in Canada;
 
  •  Internet services, mobile messaging services, e-mail, location-based services via Global Positioning System (GPS) technologies and advanced Javatm enabled business applications, which are marketed as “Nextel Onlinesm” services; and
 
  •  international roaming capabilities, which are marketed as “Nextel Worldwidesm”.
 
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.


26


 

 
The table below provides an overview of our total digital handsets in commercial service in the countries indicated as of June 30, 2006 and 2005. 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
  2006     2005  
    (in thousands)  
 
Mexico
    1,301       937  
Brazil
    757       536  
Argentina
    567       432  
Peru
    296       215  
                 
Total
    2,921       2,120  
                 
 
Recent Developments
 
Refinancing of Mexico Syndicated Loan Facility.  On June 27, 2006, Nextel Mexico entered into an agreement to refinance its syndicated loan. The loan principal was increased from the original $250.0 million to approximately $297.0 million after the refinancing. Under the agreement, the loan was refinanced using the same variable (i.e., LIBOR and TIIE) or fixed rates as the original agreement but with lower spreads for each tranche. Of the total amount of the refinanced loan, $156.6 million is denominated in U.S. dollars, with a floating interest rate based on LIBOR (Tranche A — 6.38% as of June 30, 2006), $57.0 million is denominated in Mexican pesos, with a floating interest rate based on the Mexican reference rate TIIE (Tranche C — 8.68% as of June 30, 2006), and $83.0 million is denominated in Mexican pesos, at an interest rate fixed at the time of funding (Tranche B — 11.36% as of June 30, 2006). For Tranche B and Tranche C, the principal and interest payments will take place on the same dates as previously scheduled under the original agreement. Under the original agreement, principal for Tranche A was also due on the same dates as the principal under Tranches B and C. However, after the refinancing, principal for Tranche A will now be due in a lump sum of $156.6 million in June 2011.
 
Telmex Agreement.  Nextel Mexico signed an agreement with Telefonos de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., or Telmex, effective February 14, 2006, that allows Nextel Mexico to interconnect and terminate traffic with Telmex in 27 nationwide cities throughout Mexico using 5 local connections. The agreement covers each individual city for its own term of 15 years from the date service begins in that city for a total cost of $44.5 million, plus any applicable value-added taxes. We are accounting for the Telmex agreement as a service agreement. As a result, we are expensing any payments made under this agreement in the period to which they relate. Nextel Mexico paid a $7.0 million deposit to Telmex on March 31, 2006, of which $2.4 million was recorded as a component of prepaid expenses and other and $4.3 million was recorded as a component of other assets as of June 30, 2006. The agreement specifies the second of three total installment payments in the amount of $18.5 million should be made on March 15, 2007, and the last payment in the amount of $19.0 million should be made on March 15, 2008.
 
Argentina Turnover Tax Contingency.  In the city of Buenos Aires, the city government had previously increased the turnover tax rate from 3% to 6% of revenues for cellular companies. From a regulatory standpoint, we are not considered a cellular company. As a result, until April 2006, we continued to pay the turnover tax at the existing rate and recorded a liability for the differential between the old rate and the new rate, plus interest.
 
In March 2006, Nextel Argentina received an unfavorable decision from the city of Buenos Aires related to the determination of whether we are 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 represents the total amount of principal and interest, related to this turnover tax. Nextel Argentina decided not to pay penalties based on a legal opinion that considers the probability of having to pay penalties to be remote despite the city’s decision. Nextel Argentina also decided to begin paying the higher tax amount until this issue is settled. Nextel Argentina plans to appeal the city’s decision at the judicial court level.


27


 

Similarly, one of the provincial governments in another one of the markets where we operate also increased their turnover tax rate from 4.55% to 6% of revenues for cellular companies. Consistent with our earlier position, we continue to pay the turnover tax in this province at the existing rate and accrue a liability for the incremental difference in the rate. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we accrued $4.3 million and $3.4 million for local turnover taxes in this province, which are included as components of accrued expenses and other.
 
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;
 
  •  foreign currency;
 
  •  loss contingencies;
 
  •  share-based payments; and
 
  •  income taxes.
 
We believe that, except for the change in our accounting for share-based payment awards with the adoption of Financial Accounting Standards Board Statement No. 123, “Share-Based Payment,” or SFAS 123R, there have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates during the three months ended June 30, 2006 compared to those discussed in our 2005 annual report of Form 10-K under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
 
Share-Based Payments
 
Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS 123R, which requires that we expense the cost of stock options and other forms of share-based payments. We used the modified prospective transition method and therefore we have not restated prior periods’ results. In accordance with SFAS 123R:
 
  •  We calculate estimated compensation cost based on the fair value of the stock option awards and restricted stock awards on their grant date;
 
  •  We account for the estimated compensation cost under the modified prospective transition method for all share-based payment awards granted after January 1, 2006 and awards granted prior to January 1, 2006 that had not vested as of January 1, 2006;
 
  •  We recognize share-based payment expense over the requisite service period of the award;
 
  •  We expense share-based payment cost only for those shares expected to vest on a straight-line basis over the expected term of the award, net of an estimated forfeiture rate;
 
  •  We do not recognize share-based payment cost for awards for which the requisite service is not completed; and
 
  •  We account for share-based payment for stock option awards to employees and non-employees at fair value.


28


 

 
For stock option awards under SFAS 123R, we use the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model and management’s assumptions to estimate their fair values. The Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model was developed for use in estimating the fair value of traded options that have no vesting restrictions and are fully transferable. Option-pricing models such as the Black-Scholes- Merton model require the input of highly subjective assumptions, including the expected term of the share-based payment awards and the stock price volatility. We hired an independent consulting firm with expertise in this area to review our assumptions, methodology and calculations. The assumptions represent our best estimates, but these estimates involve inherent uncertainties and the application of management judgment. Consequently, there is a risk that our estimates of the fair values of our stock option awards on the grant dates may bear little resemblance to the actual values realized upon the exercise, expiration, early termination or forfeiture of those stock option awards in the future. Certain stock option awards may expire worthless or otherwise result in zero intrinsic value as compared to the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Alternatively, value may be realized from the stock option awards that is significantly in excess of the fair values originally estimated on the grant date and reported in our financial statements. Additionally, application of alternative assumptions could produce significantly different estimates of the fair value of stock option awards and consequently, the related amounts recognized in the consolidated statements of operations. Currently, there is no market-based mechanism or other practical application to verify the reliability and accuracy of the estimates from option-pricing valuation models, such as Black-Scholes-Merton, nor is there a means to compare and adjust the estimates to actual values. Although the fair value of stock option awards is determined in accordance with SFAS 123R and SAB Topic 14 (SAB 107) using the Black-Scholes-Merton option-pricing model, the fair value may not be indicative of the fair value observed in a willing buyer/willing seller market transaction. Because stock options have characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the fair value estimate, we believe that the existing models do not necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of the stock options. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q for a further discussion on share-based payments.
 
Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
 
     
Three Months Ended
June 30,
2006   2005
 
3.92x
  4.56x
 
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, including spectrum license fees of $20.1 million and $10.5 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 that we reclassified from selling, general and administrative expenses to cost of service. For the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $23.6 million and $12.0 million of spectrum fees in cost of service.
 
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


29


 

programs and variable charges for airtime and digital two-way radio usage in excess of plan minutes, long-distance charges and international roaming revenues derived from calls placed by our customers. 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 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, spectrum license fees and rent for the network switches and 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. 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, management information systems and corporate overhead.


30


 

 
a.  Consolidated
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,040,205       96 %   $ 745,508       95 %   $ 294,697       40 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    44,495       4 %     35,355       5 %     9,140       26 %
                                                 
      1,084,700       100 %     780,863       100 %     303,837       39 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (279,162 )     (26 )%     (214,496 )     (27 )%     (64,666 )     30 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (140,156 )     (13 )%     (110,561 )     (14 )%     (29,595 )     27 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (146,136 )     (13 )%     (99,172 )     (13 )%     (46,964 )     47 %
General and administrative expenses
    (210,854 )     (19 )%     (137,818 )     (18 )%     (73,036 )     53 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (84,696 )     (8 )%     (55,868 )     (7 )%     (28,828 )     52 %
                                                 
Operating income
    223,696       21 %     162,948       21 %     60,748       37 %
Interest expense, net
    (42,447 )     (4 )%     (26,164 )     (4 )%     (16,283 )     62 %
Interest income
    25,738       2 %     10,113       1 %     15,625       155 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (3,483 )           2,067             (5,550 )     (269 )%
Debt conversion expense
                (8,930 )     (1 )%     8,930       (100 )%
Other expense, net
    (5,588 )     (1 )%     (3,670 )           (1,918 )     52 %
                                                 
Income before income tax provision
    197,916       18 %     136,364       17 %     61,552       45 %
Income tax provision
    (77,015 )     (7 )%     (60,814 )     (7 )%     (16,201 )     27 %
                                                 
Net income
  $ 120,901       11 %   $ 75,550       10 %   $ 45,351       60 %
                                                 


31


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Consolidated
          Consolidated
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 534,249       96 %   $ 391,313       95 %   $ 142,936       37 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    22,180       4 %     19,343       5 %     2,837       15 %
                                                 
      556,429       100 %     410,656       100 %     145,773       35 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (144,812 )     (26 )%     (108,392 )     (26 )%     (36,420 )     34 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (70,355 )     (12 )%     (56,311 )     (14 )%     (14,044 )     25 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (76,295 )     (14 )%     (54,220 )     (13 )%     (22,075 )     41 %
General and administrative expenses
    (110,159 )     (20 )%     (73,221 )     (18 )%     (36,938 )     50 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (43,222 )     (8 )%     (29,771 )     (7 )%     (13,451 )     45 %
                                                 
Operating income
    111,586       20 %     88,741       22 %     22,845       26 %
Interest expense, net
    (21,032 )     (4 )%     (13,340 )     (3 )%     (7,692 )     58 %
Interest income
    13,137       2 %     5,589       1 %     7,548       135 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (2,342 )           153             (2,495 )     NM  
Debt conversion expense
                (8,930 )     (2 )%     8,930       (100 )%
Other expense, net
    (3,224 )           (1,668 )     (1 )%     (1,556 )     93 %
                                                 
Income before income tax provision
    98,125       18 %     70,545       17 %     27,580       39 %
Income tax provision
    (42,222 )     (8 )%     (40,033 )     (10 )%     (2,189 )     5 %
                                                 
Net income
  $ 55,903       10 %   $ 30,512       7 %   $ 25,391       83 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $294.7 million, or 40%, and $142.9 million, or 37%, increases in consolidated service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of 36% and 37% increases in the average number of total digital handsets in service, respectively, increases in average consolidated revenues per handset and $17.9 million, or 49%, and $8.8 million, or 46%, respectively, increases in consolidated revenues generated from our handset maintenance programs, primarily in Mexico and Brazil.
 
The $9.1 million, or 26%, and $2.8 million, or 15%, increases in consolidated digital handset and accessory revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005, respectively, to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to 47% and 43% increases, respectively, in total handset sales, as well as 11% and 1% increases in total handset upgrades.

32


 

  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $64.7 million, or 30%, and $36.4 million, or 34%, increases in consolidated cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $31.5 million, or 30%, and $18.8 million, or 36%, increases in consolidated interconnect costs resulting from 45% and 43% increases in consolidated interconnect minutes of use, partially offset by lower costs per minute of use;
 
  •  $18.8 million, or 25%, and $8.9 million, or 23%, increases in consolidated direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs resulting from a 30% increase in the total number of consolidated transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006; and
 
  •  $11.2 million, or 39%, and $7.1 million, or 50%, increases in consolidated service and repair costs mainly resulting from increases in subscribers participating under our handset maintenance programs, primarily in Mexico and Brazil.
 
The $29.6 million, or 27%, and $14.0 million, or 25%, increases in consolidated cost of digital handset and accessory sales from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to 47% and 43% increases in total handset sales, as well as 11% and 1% increases in total handset upgrades.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $47.0 million, or 47%, and $22.1 million, or 41%, increases in consolidated selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $22.9 million, or 64%, and $10.1 million, or 50%, increases in consolidated indirect commissions resulting from 46% and 40% increases in handset sales through indirect channels;
 
  •  $16.2 million, or 44%, and $7.7 million, or 39%, increases in consolidated direct commissions and payroll expenses largely due to increases in commissions incurred as a result of 48% and 47% increases in handset sales across all markets by internal sales personnel; and
 
  •  $7.9 million, or 38%, and $4.3 million, or 38%, increases in consolidated advertising expenses, primarily in Mexico and Brazil, mainly related to the launch of new markets and increased advertising initiatives related to overall subscriber growth.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $73.0 million, or 53%, and $36.9 million, or 50%, increases in consolidated general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $18.5 million, or 25%, and $8.5 million, or 21%, increases largely due to higher personnel costs related to increases in headcount and higher facilities-related expenses due to continued subscriber growth;
 
  •  $16.8 million, or 49%, and $8.4 million, or 46%, increases in consolidated customer care expenses resulting from increases in payroll and related expenses necessary to support a larger consolidated customer base;
 
  •  $13.1 million and $7.9 million, respectively, in incremental share-based payment expense in connection with the implementation of SFAS 123R;
 
  •  $13.2 million and $6.9 million in revenue-based taxes in Brazil that we started reporting on a gross basis as both service and other revenues and general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005; and
 
  •  $5.3 million, or 56%, and $2.5 million, or 52%, increases in consolidated bad debt expense, which increased slightly as a percentage of revenues from 1.2% for both periods in 2005 to 1.4% and 1.3% in 2006, primarily in Mexico. We do not expect bad debt expense as a percentage of revenues to increase significantly in future periods.


33


 

 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $28.8 million, or 52%, and $13.5 million, or 45%, increases in consolidated depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to increased depreciation on a larger base of consolidated property, plant and equipment resulting from continued expansion of our digital mobile networks, mainly in Mexico and Brazil.
 
  6.   Interest expense, net
 
The $16.3 million, or 62%, and $7.7 million, or 58%, increases in consolidated net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to interest incurred related to our syndicated loan facility in Mexico that we drew down in May 2005, as well as interest incurred on our 2.75% convertible notes that we issued in August 2005.
 
  7.   Interest income
 
The $15.6 million, or 155%, and $7.5 million, or 135%, increases in interest income from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely the result of increases in Nextel Mexico’s average consolidated cash balances due to the draw-down of Nextel Mexico’s syndicated loan facility in May 2005 and cash generated from operations, as well as interest earned in the U.S. on the $350.0 million proceeds received from the issuance of our 2.75% convertible notes in August 2005.
 
  8.   Debt conversion expense
 
Debt conversion expense represents consideration that we paid in connection with the conversion of $88.5 million of our 3.5% convertible notes during the second quarter of 2005.
 
  9.   Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
 
Foreign currency transaction losses of $3.5 million and $2.3 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are primarily related to losses in Mexico caused by a decline in the value of the Mexican peso compared to the U.S. dollar on Nextel Mexico’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities.
 
Foreign currency transaction gains of $2.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 are primarily related to gains in Mexico due to the impact of an increase in the value of the Mexican peso on Nextel Mexico’s U.S. dollar-denominated liabilities.
 
  10.   Income tax provision
 
The $16.2 million, or 27%, and $2.2 million, or 5%, increases in the income tax provision from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to $61.6 million, or 45%, and $27.6 million, or 39%, increases in income before tax.
 
Segment Results
 
We evaluate performance of our segments and provide resources to them primarily based on operating income before depreciation and amortization and impairment, restructuring and other charges, which we refer to as segment earnings. We allocated $34.1 million and $17.0 million in corporate overhead costs to our operating companies during the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and $16.1 million and $8.1 million during the six and three months ended June 30, 2005. We treat a portion of these allocated amounts as tax deductions, where relevant. Our segment information below does not reflect the allocations of the corporate overhead costs because the amounts of these expenses are not provided to or used by our chief operating decision maker in making operating decisions related to these segments. In addition, because we do not view share-based compensation as an important element of our operational performance, we recognize share-based payment expense at the corporate level and exclude it when


34


 

evaluating the business performance of our segments. The tables below provide a summary of the components of our consolidated segments for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. 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, 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 %        
                                                         
 
                                                         
                                  % 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, 2005
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 456,933       59 %   $ (154,293 )     47 %   $ (113,448 )     48 %   $ 189,192  
Nextel Brazil
    144,329       18 %     (84,376 )     26 %     (46,251 )     19 %     13,702  
Nextel Argentina
    125,220       16 %     (60,116 )     19 %     (31,159 )     13 %     33,945  
Nextel Peru
    53,819       7 %     (25,667 )     8 %     (16,345 )     7 %     11,807  
Corporate and other
    857             (900 )           (29,787 )     13 %     (29,830 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (295 )           295                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 780,863       100 %   $ (325,057 )     100 %   $ (236,990 )     100 %        
                                                         
 


35


 

                                                         
                                  % 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, 2005
  Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Revenues     Expenses     Expenses     (Losses)  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Nextel Mexico
  $ 238,927       58 %   $ (79,497 )     48 %   $ (61,586 )     48 %   $ 97,844  
Nextel Brazil
    76,885       19 %     (40,250 )     25 %     (25,966 )     20 %     10,669  
Nextel Argentina
    66,762       16 %     (31,956 )     19 %     (16,630 )     13 %     18,176  
Nextel Peru
    27,807       7 %     (12,828 )     8 %     (8,517 )     7 %     6,462  
Corporate and other
    433             (330 )           (14,742 )     12 %     (14,639 )
Intercompany eliminations
    (158 )           158                          
                                                         
Total consolidated
  $ 410,656       100 %   $ (164,703 )     100 %   $ (127,441 )     100 %        
                                                         
 
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  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 605,297       98 %   $ 445,894       98 %   $ 159,403       36 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    12,620       2 %     11,039       2 %     1,581       14 %
                                                 
      617,917       100 %     456,933       100 %     160,984       35 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (127,168 )     (21 )%     (98,123 )     (21 )%     (29,045 )     30 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (74,963 )     (12 )%     (56,170 )     (13 )%     (18,793 )     33 %
                                                 
      (202,131 )     (33 )%     (154,293 )     (34 )%     (47,838 )     31 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (90,880 )     (15 )%     (63,032 )     (14 )%     (27,848 )     44 %
General and administrative expenses
    (76,226 )     (12 )%     (50,416 )     (11 )%     (25,810 )     51 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    248,680       40 %     189,192       41 %     59,488       31 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (44,819 )     (7 )%     (31,108 )     (6 )%     (13,711 )     44 %
                                                 
Operating income
    203,861       33 %     158,084       35 %     45,777       29 %
Interest expense, net
    (16,879 )     (3 )%     (9,834 )     (2 )%     (7,045 )     72 %
Interest income
    15,995       3 %     7,201       1 %     8,794       122 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (3,542 )     (1 )%     1,543             (5,085 )     (330 )%
Other expense, net
    (2,294 )           (620 )           (1,674 )     270 %
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 197,141       32 %   $ 156,374       34 %   $ 40,767       26 %
                                                 

36


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Mexico’s
          Mexico’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 307,182       98 %   $ 233,015       98 %   $ 74,167       32 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,629       2 %     5,912       2 %     (283 )     (5 )%
                                                 
      312,811       100 %     238,927       100 %     73,884       31 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (64,951 )     (21 )%     (52,013 )     (22 )%     (12,938 )     25 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (36,719 )     (12 )%     (27,484 )     (11 )%     (9,235 )     34 %
                                                 
Selling and marketing expenses
    (101,670 )     (33 )%     (79,497 )     (33 )%     (22,173 )     28 %
      (46,978 )     (15 )%     (33,812 )     (14 )%     (13,166 )     39 %
General and administrative expenses
    (38,880 )     (12 )%     (27,774 )     (12 )%     (11,106 )     40 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    125,283       40 %     97,844       41 %     27,439       28 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (24,125 )     (8 )%     (15,936 )     (7 )%     (8,189 )     51 %
                                                 
Operating income
    101,158       32 %     81,908       34 %     19,250       24 %
Interest expense, net
    (7,820 )     (3 )%     (4,768 )     (2 )%     (3,052 )     64 %
Interest income
    8,154       3 %     4,043       2 %     4,111       102 %
Foreign currency transaction losses, net
    (2,191 )     (1 )%     (117 )           (2,074 )     NM  
Other expense, net
    (808 )           (493 )           (315 )     64 %
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 98,493       31 %   $ 80,573       34 %   $ 17,920       22 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful
 
In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, we translated Nextel Mexico’s results of operations using the average exchange rates for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005. The average exchange rates of the Mexican peso for the six months ended June 30, 2006 appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 2% from the six months ended June 30, 2005. The average exchange rates of the Mexican peso for the three months ended June 30, 2006 depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 2% from the three months ended June 30, 2005. As a result, compared to 2005, the components of Nextel Mexico’s results of operations for the six months ended June 30, 2006 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. Conversely, compared to 2005, the components of Nextel Mexico’s results of operations for the three months ended June 30, 2006 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.

37


 

  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $159.4 million, or 36%, and $74.2 million, or 32%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to the following:
 
  •  37% and 38% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 resulting from growth in Nextel Mexico’s existing markets, as well as the expansion of service coverage into new markets during 2005 and the first six months of 2006; and
 
  •  $5.9 million, or 37%, and $2.8 million, or 34%, increases in revenues generated from Nextel Mexico’s handset maintenance program from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 due to growth in the number of Nextel Mexico’s customers that are utilizing this program.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $29.0 million, or 30%, and $12.9 million, or 25%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are principally due to the following:
 
  •  $13.3 million, or 29%, and $5.8 million, or 24%, increases in interconnect costs generally resulting from 55% and 53% increases in interconnect system minutes of use, partially offset by lower per minute charges achieved through volume discounts negotiated with various carriers;
 
  •  $7.5 million, or 19%, and $3.4 million, or 17%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including spectrum license fees, resulting from a 45% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006, partially offset by decreases in cost per cell site; and
 
  •  $6.4 million, or 54%, and $3.1 million, or 46%, increases in service and repair costs largely due to increased activity under Nextel Mexico’s handset maintenance program.
 
The $18.8 million, or 33%, and $9.2 million, or 34%, increases in cost of digital handsets and accessories from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to 52% and 47% increases in handset sales, respectively, as well as increases in handset upgrades provided to current customers.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $27.8 million, or 44%, and $13.2 million, or 39%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $16.5 million, or 64%, and $7.2 million, or 50%, increases in indirect commissions primarily due to 47% and 40% increases in handset sales by Nextel Mexico’s outside dealers, as well as an increase in indirect commissions per handset sale;
 
  •  $5.9 million, or 30%, and $2.9 million, or 29%, increases in direct commissions and payroll expenses principally due to 64% and 65% increases in handset sales by Nextel Mexico’s sales personnel; and
 
  •  $4.9 million, or 34%, and $2.9 million, or 38%, increases in advertising costs largely due to the launch of new markets, the launch of new rate plans and objectives to reinforce market awareness of the Nextel brandname.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $25.8 million, or 51%, and $11.1 million, or 40%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of the following:
 
  •  $9.9 million, or 42%, and $4.4 million, or 34%, increases in general corporate costs resulting from increases 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;


38


 

 
  •  $8.3 million, or 50%, and $3.9 million, or 43%, increases in customer care expenses primarily due to increases in payroll and employee related expenses caused by an increase in customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base;
 
  •  $5.0 million and $1.7 million, increases in bad debt expense, which increased as a percentage of revenues from 0.6% and 0.8% in 2005 to 1.3% and 1.1% in 2006; and
 
  •  $2.2 million, or 35%, and $1.0 million, or 30%, increases in information technology expenses.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $13.7 million, or 44%, and $8.2 million, or 51%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to increased depreciation on Nextel Mexico’s significantly higher property, plant and equipment base primarily as a result of the build-out of Nextel Mexico’s digital mobile network.
 
  6.   Interest expense, net
 
The $7.0 million, or 72%, and $3.1 million, or 64%, increases in net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of interest incurred on Nextel Mexico’s syndicated loan facility, which we drew down in May 2005.
 
  7.   Interest income
 
The $8.8 million, or 122%, and $4.1 million, or 102%, increases in interest income from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of an increase in Mexico’s average cash balances resulting primarily from the draw-down of Nextel Mexico’s $250.0 million syndicated loan facility in May 2005 and cash generated from operations.
 
  8.   Foreign currency transaction losses, net
 
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.
 
Foreign currency transaction gains of $1.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005 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.


39


 

 
c.  Nextel Brazil
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Brazil’s
          Brazil’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 224,337       93 %   $ 132,919       92 %   $ 91,418       69 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    17,400       7 %     11,410       8 %     5,990       52 %
                                                 
      241,737       100 %     144,329       100 %     97,408       67 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (77,785 )     (32 )%     (58,144 )     (40 )%     (19,641 )     34 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (33,948 )     (14 )%     (26,232 )     (18 )%     (7,716 )     29 %
                                                 
      (111,733 )     (46 )%     (84,376 )     (58 )%     (27,357 )     32 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (31,357 )     (13 )%     (17,842 )     (12 )%     (13,515 )     76 %
General and administrative expenses
    (52,592 )     (22 )%     (28,409 )     (21 )%     (24,183 )     85 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    46,055       19 %     13,702       9 %     32,353       236 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (25,527 )     (11 )%     (12,459 )     (8 )%     (13,068 )     105 %
                                                 
Operating income
    20,528       8 %     1,243       1 %     19,285       NM  
Interest expense, net
    (11,609 )     (5 )%     (7,122 )     (5 )%     (4,487 )     63 %
Interest income
    1,585       1 %     891       1 %     694       78 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (272 )           264             (536 )     (203 )%
Other expense, net
    (2,736 )     (1 )%     (2,737 )     (2 )%     1        
                                                 
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 7,496       3 %   $ (7,461 )     (5 )%   $ 14,957       (200 )%
                                                 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 117,647       93 %   $ 70,674       92 %   $ 46,973       66 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    8,835       7 %     6,211       8 %     2,624       42 %
                                                 
      126,482       100 %     76,885       100 %     49,597       65 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (41,197 )     (32 )%     (26,816 )     (35 )%     (14,381 )     54 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (17,204 )     (14 )%     (13,434 )     (17 )%     (3,770 )     28 %
                                                 
      (58,401 )     (46 )%     (40,250 )     (52 )%     (18,151 )     45 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (16,188 )     (13 )%     (10,358 )     (14 )%     (5,830 )     56 %
General and administrative expenses
    (28,150 )     (22 )%     (15,608 )     (20 )%     (12,542 )     80 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    23,743       19 %     10,669       14 %     13,074       123 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (13,491 )     (11 )%     (7,080 )     (9 )%     (6,411 )     91 %
                                                 
Operating income
    10,252       8 %     3,589       5 %     6,663       186 %
Interest expense, net
    (6,040 )     (5 )%     (4,028 )     (5 )%     (2,012 )     50 %
Interest income
    850             505       1 %     345       68 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (171 )           127             (298 )     (235 )%
Other expense, net
    (1,745 )     (1 )%     (1,003 )     (2 )%     (742 )     74 %
                                                 
Income (loss) before income tax
  $ 3,146       2 %   $ (810 )     (1 )%   $ 3,956       (488 )%
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful


40


 

In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, we translated Nextel Brazil’s results of operations using the average exchange rate for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006. The average exchange rate for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 appreciated against the U.S. dollar by 17% and 13%, respectively, from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005. As a result, the components of Nextel Brazil’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 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 real.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $91.4 million, or 69%, and $47.0 million, or 66%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  37% and 39% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service resulting from growth in Nextel Brazil’s existing markets, as well as expansion into new markets;
 
  •  the 17% and 13% appreciation, respectively, of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar; and
 
  •  $7.0 million, or 94%, and $3.8 million, or 92%, increases in revenues generated from Nextel Brazil’s handset maintenance program due to growth in the number of customers that are utilizing this program.
 
The increases in service and other revenues are also due to $13.2 million and $6.9 million in revenue-based taxes in Brazil that we started reporting on a gross basis as both service and other revenues and general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005.
 
The $6.0 million, or 52%, and $2.6 million, or 42%, increases in digital handset and accessory revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely the result of 52% and 48% increases in handset sales.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $19.6 million, or 34%, and $14.4 million, or 54%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to $8.7 million, or 42%, and $4.1 million, or 37%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including spectrum license fees, resulting from a 27% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006, as well as $7.3 million, or 26%, and $7.1 million, or 60%, increases in interconnect costs resulting from 48% and 46% increases in interconnect minutes of use, partially offset by the reduction of interconnect costs due to new interconnect regulations that became effective in May 2005. The increases in cost of service were also attributable to the 17% and 13% appreciation, respectively, of the Brazilian real.
 
The $7.7 million, or 29%, and $3.8 million, or 28%, increases in cost of digital handset and accessory sales from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to 52% and 48% increases in handset sales.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $13.5 million, or 76%, and $5.8 million, or 56%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are principally due to the following:
 
  •  $7.4 million, or 90%, and $3.3 million, or 71%, increases in payroll and direct commissions largely as a result of 51% and 46% increases in handset sales by Nextel Brazil’s sales force, as well as increases in direct commissions earned per handset sale;
 
  •  $3.9 million, or 99%, and $2.0 million, or 86%, increases in indirect commissions resulting from 54% and 51% increases in handset sales through Nextel Brazil’s indirect channels, as well as increases in indirect commissions earned per handset sale; and


41


 

 
  •  $2.7 million, or 73%, and $0.9 million, or 36%, increases in advertising expenses due to the implementation of more advertising campaigns during the first half of 2006 primarily as a result of increased initiatives related to overall subscriber growth and the launch of new markets.
 
All of these increases also resulted from the 17% and 13% appreciation for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $24.2 million, or 85%, and $12.5 million, or 80%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  $13.2 million and $6.9 million in revenue-based taxes in Brazil that we started reporting on a gross basis as both service and other revenues and general and administrative expenses in the fourth quarter of 2005;
 
  •  $6.0 million, or 65%, and $3.0 million, or 58%, increases in customer care expenses resulting from increases in payroll and related expenses due to more customer care personnel necessary to support a larger customer base;
 
  •  $3.3 million, or 32%, and $1.3 million, or 21%, increases in general corporate costs; and
 
  •  $1.4 million, or 46%, and $0.7 million, or 49%, increases in information technology expenses.
 
All of these increases also resulted from the 17% and 13% appreciation, respectively, of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $13.1 million, or 105%, and $6.4 million, or 91%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to increased depreciation on Nextel Brazil’s significantly higher property, plant and equipment base primarily as a result of the build-out of Nextel Brazil’s digital mobile network, as well as the 17% and 13% appreciation, respectively, of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar.
 
  6.   Interest expense, net
 
The $4.5 million, or 63%, and $2.0 million, or 50%, increases in net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily the result of increased interest incurred on Nextel Brazil’s tower financing obligations, as well as the 17% and 13% appreciation, respectively, of the Brazilian real against the U.S. dollar.


42


 

 
  d.   Nextel Argentina
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Argentina’s
          Argentina’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 146,944       93 %   $ 114,750       92 %   $ 32,194       28 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    10,641       7 %     10,470       8 %     171       2 %
                                                 
      157,585       100 %     125,220       100 %     32,365       26 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (51,630 )     (33 )%     (40,700 )     (32 )%     (10,930 )     27 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (19,235 )     (12 )%     (19,416 )     (16 )%     181       (1 )%
                                                 
      (70,865 )     (45 )%     (60,116 )     (48 )%     (10,749 )     18 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (12,815 )     (8 )%     (9,736 )     (8 )%     (3,079 )     32 %
General and administrative expenses
    (27,141 )     (17 )%     (21,423 )     (17 )%     (5,718 )     27 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    46,764       30 %     33,945       27 %     12,819       38 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (7,495 )     (5 )%     (7,732 )     (6 )%     237       (3 )%
                                                 
Operating income
    39,269       25 %     26,213       21 %     13,056       50 %
Interest expense, net
    (1,449 )     (1 )%     (1,202 )     (1 )%     (247 )     21 %
Interest income
    1,114       1 %     221             893       NM  
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    405             217             188       87 %
Other income (expense), net
    229             (6 )           235       NM  
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 39,568       25 %   $ 25,443       20 %   $ 14,125       56 %
                                                 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 76,681       93 %   $ 60,900       91 %   $ 15,781       26 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    5,734       7 %     5,862       9 %     (128 )     (2 )%
                                                 
      82,415       100 %     66,762       100 %     15,653       23 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (26,802 )     (33 )%     (21,140 )     (32 )%     (5,662 )     27 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (10,285 )     (12 )%     (10,816 )     (16 )%     531       (5 )%
                                                 
      (37,087 )     (45 )%     (31,956 )     (48 )%     (5,131 )     16 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (6,876 )     (9 )%     (5,350 )     (8 )%     (1,526 )     29 %
General and administrative expenses
    (14,222 )     (17 )%     (11,280 )     (17 )%     (2,942 )     26 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    24,230       29 %     18,176       27 %     6,054       33 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (1,917 )     (2 )%     (4,364 )     (6 )%     2,447       (56 )%
                                                 
Operating income
    22,313       27 %     13,812       21 %     8,501       62 %
Interest expense, net
    (934 )     (1 )%     (613 )     (1 )%     (321 )     52 %
Interest income
    580       1 %     126             454       360 %
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    132             130             2       2 %
Other expense, net
                (16 )           16       (100 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 22,091       27 %   $ 13,439       20 %   $ 8,652       64 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful


43


 

 
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, 2006 and 2005. The average exchange rates of the Argentine peso for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 depreciated against the U.S. dollar by 5% and 6% from the same period in 2005. As a result, the components of Nextel Argentina’s results of operations for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 after translation into U.S. dollars reflect lower increases than would have occurred if it were not for the impact of the appreciation in the average value of the peso.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $32.2 million, or 28%, and $15.8 million, or 26%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily a result of the following:
 
  •  a 32% increase in the average number of digital handsets in service, resulting primarily from growth in Nextel Argentina’s existing markets; and
 
  •  $4.4 million, or 43%, and $1.9 million, or 34%, 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.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $10.9 million, or 27%, and $5.7 million, or 27%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are principally a result of the following:
 
  •  $6.2 million, or 28%, and $3.1 million, or 26%, increases in interconnect costs largely as a result of 23% and 19% increases in interconnect system minutes of use, as well as an increase in termination fees between mobile-to-mobile handsets;
 
  •  $2.5 million, or 30%, and $1.7 million, or 42%, increases in service and repair costs largely due to increased activity under Nextel Argentina’s handset maintenance program; and
 
  •  $2.2 million, or 22%, and $1.0 million, or 19%, increases in direct switch and transmitter and receiver site costs, including spectrum license fees, due to a 13% increase in the number of transmitter and receiver sites in service from June 30, 2005 to June 30, 2006 as well as an increase in new claims from municipalities.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $3.1 million, or 32%, and $1.5 million, or 29%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of the following:
 
  •  $1.6 million, or 44%, and $0.7 million, or 30%, increases in indirect commissions primarily due to 34% and 27% increases in handset sales obtained through indirect channels;
 
  •  $0.7 million, or 17%, and $0.2 million, or 11%, increases in other sales costs largely due to increases in direct commissions resulting from 20% and 18% increases in handset sales obtained through direct channels; and
 
  •  $0.6 million, or 41%, and $0.5 million, or 81%, increases in advertising expenses primarily related to efforts to reinforce market awareness of the Nextel brandname.


44


 

 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $5.7 million, or 27%, and $2.9 million, or 26%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of the following:
 
  •  $3.7 million, or 27%, and $1.7 million, or 23%, increases in general corporate costs resulting from certain revenue-based taxes, increases in payroll and related expenses caused by increases in general and administrative personnel and increases in legal fees; and
 
  •  $1.5 million, or 37%, and $0.9 million, or 43%, increases in customer care expenses primarily as a result of an increase in personnel needed to support a growing customer base.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $2.4 million, or 56%, decrease in depreciation and amortization from the three months ended June 30, 2005 to the three months ended June 30, 2006 is due to a software useful life depreciation error correction discussed in Note 1 to the condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
  e.   Nextel Peru
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Peru’s
          Peru’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 62,629       94 %   $ 51,383       95 %   $ 11,246       22 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    3,834       6 %     2,436       5 %     1,398       57 %
                                                 
      66,463       100 %     53,819       100 %     12,644       23 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (22,206 )     (33 )%     (16,924 )     (32 )%     (5,282 )     31 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (12,010 )     (18 )%     (8,743 )     (16 )%     (3,267 )     37 %
                                                 
      (34,216 )     (51 )%     (25,667 )     (48 )%     (8,549 )     33 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (7,844 )     (12 )%     (6,219 )     (11 )%     (1,625 )     26 %
General and administrative expenses
    (11,807 )     (18 )%     (10,126 )     (19 )%     (1,681 )     17 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    12,596       19 %     11,807       22 %     789       7 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (5,343 )     (8 )%     (4,012 )     (8 )%     (1,331 )     33 %
                                                 
Operating income
    7,253       11 %     7,795       14 %     (542 )     (7 )%
Interest expense, net
    (72 )           (75 )           3       (4 )%
Interest income
    560       1 %     305       1 %     255       84 %
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    50             47             3       6 %
Other expense, net
                (8 )           8       (100 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 7,791       12 %   $ 8,064       15 %   $ (273 )     (3 )%
                                                 


45


 

                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Nextel
          Nextel
             
          Peru’s
          Peru’s
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 32,113       94 %   $ 26,449       95 %   $ 5,664       21 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
    1,982       6 %     1,358       5 %     624       46 %
                                                 
      34,095       100 %     27,807       100 %     6,288       23 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation and amortization included below)
    (11,647 )     (34 )%     (8,251 )     (30 )%     (3,396 )     41 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
    (6,147 )     (18 )%     (4,577 )     (16 )%     (1,570 )     34 %
                                                 
      (17,794 )     (52 )%     (12,828 )     (46 )%     (4,966 )     39 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (4,321 )     (13 )%     (3,386 )     (12 )%     (935 )     28 %
General and administrative expenses
    (5,782 )     (17 )%     (5,131 )     (19 )%     (651 )     13 %
                                                 
Segment earnings
    6,198       18 %     6,462       23 %     (264 )     (4 )%
Depreciation and amortization
    (2,833 )     (8 )%     (2,103 )     (7 )%     (730 )     35 %
                                                 
Operating income
    3,365       10 %     4,359       16 %     (994 )     (23 )%
Interest expense, net
    (36 )           (40 )           4       (10 )%
Interest income
    269       1 %     182             87       48 %
Foreign currency transaction gains, net
    9             10             (1 )     (10 )%
Other income, net
                1             (1 )     (100 )%
                                                 
Income before income tax
  $ 3,607       11 %   $ 4,512       16 %   $ (905 )     (20 )%
                                                 
 
The U.S. dollar is the functional currency in Peru. As a result, Nextel Peru’s results of operations are not significantly impacted by the changes in the U.S. dollar to Peruvian sol exchange rate.
 
  1.   Operating revenues
 
The $11.2 million, or 22%, and $5.7 million, or 21%, increases in service and other revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to 36% and 37% increases in the average number of digital handsets in service, partially offset by decreases in average revenue per handset mainly resulting from increased competition, which resulted in lower rate plans.
 
The $1.4 million, or 57%, and $0.6 million, or 46%, increases in digital handset and accessory revenues from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006, are primarily the result of 46% and 47% increases in handset sales mainly as a result of a stronger local economy as well as Nextel Peru’s strategy of increasing penetration in small to mid-size accounts.
 
  2.   Cost of revenues
 
The $5.3 million, or 31%, and $3.4 million, or 41%, increases in cost of service from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of $4.8 million, or 53%, and $2.9 million, or 64%, increases in interconnect costs largely as a result of 74% and 67% increases in interconnect minutes of use, partially offset by a decrease in per minute costs due to new interconnect regulations that became effective in January 2006.

46


 

The $3.3 million, or 37%, and $1.6 million, or 34%, increases in cost of digital handsets and accessories from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are largely a result of 46% and 47% increases in handset sales.
 
  3.   Selling and marketing expenses
 
The $1.6 million, or 26%, and $0.9 million, or 28%, increases in selling and marketing expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to $1.0 million, or 34%, and $0.5 million, or 28%, increases in direct commissions and payroll expenses principally due to 48% and 55% increases in handset sales by Nextel Peru’s sales personnel, partially offset by decreases in commissions per handset sale.
 
  4.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $1.7 million, or 17%, and $0.7 million, or 13%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to the following:
 
  •  $0.9 million, or 24%, and $0.5 million, or 25%, 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
 
  •  $0.4 million, or 9%, and $0.1 million, or 7%, increases in general corporate costs due to increases in general and administrative personnel and various taxes paid to regulatory agencies.
 
  5.   Depreciation and amortization
 
The $1.3 million, or 33%, and $0.7 million, or 35%, increases in depreciation and amortization from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 are primarily due to increased depreciation resulting from an increase in Nextel Peru’s property, plant and equipment.


47


 

 
  f.   Corporate and other
 
                                                 
          % of
          % of
             
          Corporate
          Corporate
             
          and other
          and other
    Change from
 
    June 30,
    Operating
    June 30,
    Operating
    Previous Year  
    2006     Revenues     2005     Revenues     Dollars     Percent  
    (dollars in thousands)  
 
Six Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 1,369       100 %   $ 857       100 %   $ 512       60 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
                                   
                                                 
      1,369       100 %     857       100 %     512       60 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation included below)
    (744 )     (54 )%     (900 )     (105 )%     156       (17 )%
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
                                   
                                                 
      (744 )     (54 )%     (900 )     (105 )%     156       (17 )%
Selling and marketing expenses
    (3,240 )     (237 )%     (2,343 )     (273 )%     (897 )     38 %
General and administrative expenses
    (43,088 )     NM       (27,444 )     NM       (15,644 )     57 %
                                                 
Segment losses
    (45,703 )     NM       (29,830 )     NM       (15,873 )     53 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (1,709 )     (125 )%     (754 )     (88 )%     (955 )     127 %
                                                 
Operating loss
    (47,412 )     NM       (30,584 )     NM       (16,828 )     55 %
Interest expense, net
    (12,485 )     NM       (7,965 )     NM       (4,520 )     57 %
Interest income
    6,531       NM       1,529       178 %     5,002       327 %
Foreign currency transaction losses, net
    (124 )     (9 )%     (4 )           (120 )     NM  
Debt conversion expense
                (8,930 )     NM       8,930       NM  
Other expense, net
    (787 )     (57 )%     (299 )     (35 )%     (488 )     163 %
                                                 
Loss before income tax
  $ (54,277 )     NM     $ (46,253 )     NM     $ (8,024 )     17 %
                                                 
Three Months Ended
                                               
Operating revenues
                                               
Service and other revenues
  $ 829       100 %   $ 433       100 %   $ 396       91 %
Digital handset and accessory revenues
                                   
                                                 
      829       100 %     433       100 %     396       91 %
                                                 
Cost of revenues
                                               
Cost of service (exclusive of depreciation included below)
    (418 )     (50 )%     (330 )     (76 )%     (88 )     27 %
Cost of digital handsets and accessories
                                   
                                                 
      (418 )     (50 )%     (330 )     (76 )%     (88 )     27 %
Selling and marketing expenses
    (1,932 )     (233 )%     (1,314 )     (303 )%     (618 )     47 %
General and administrative expenses
    (23,125 )     NM       (13,428 )     NM       (9,697 )     72 %
                                                 
Segment losses
    (24,646 )     NM       (14,639 )     NM       (10,007 )     68 %
Depreciation and amortization
    (955 )     (115 )%     (387 )     (89 )%     (568 )     147 %
                                                 
Operating loss
    (25,601 )     NM       (15,026 )     NM       (10,575 )     70 %
Interest expense, net
    (6,226 )     NM       (3,909 )     NM       (2,317 )     59 %
Interest income
    3,308       399 %     751       173 %     2,557       340 %
Foreign currency transaction (losses) gains, net
    (121 )     (15 )%     3       1 %     (124 )     NM  
Debt conversion expense
                (8,930 )     NM       8,930       (100 )%
Other expense, net
    (671 )     (81 )%     (157 )     (36 )%     (514 )     327 %
                                                 
Loss before income tax
  $ (29,311 )     NM     $ (27,268 )     NM     $ (2,043 )     7 %
                                                 
 
 
NM-Not Meaningful


48


 

Corporate and other operating revenues and cost of revenues primarily represent the results of analog operations reported by Nextel Chile. Operating revenues and cost of revenues did not significantly change from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the same periods in 2006 because Nextel Chile’s subscriber base remained stable.
 
 
  1.   General and administrative expenses
 
The $15.6 million, or 57%, and $9.7 million, or 72%, increases in general and administrative expenses from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are primarily due to $13.1 million and $7.9 million in incremental share-based payment expense recorded in connection with the implementation of SFAS 123R.
 
 
  2.   Interest expense, net
 
The $4.5 million, or 57%, and $2.3 million, or 59%, increases in net interest expense from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are substantially the result of interest related to our 2.75% convertible notes that we issued in August 2005.
 
 
  3.   Interest income
 
The $5.0 million, or 327%, and $2.6 million, or 340%, increases in interest income from the six and three months ended June 30, 2005 to the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 are primarily due to interest earned on the $350.0 million proceeds received from the issuance of our 2.75% convertible notes.
 
 
  4.   Debt conversion expense
 
Debt conversion expense represents an inducement that we paid in connection with the conversion of $88.5 million of our 3.5% convertible notes that occurred during the second quarter in 2005.
 
Liquidity and Capital Resources
 
We had a working capital surplus of $802.0 million as of June 30, 2006, an $8.8 million increase compared to December 31, 2005. The increase in our working capital, which is defined as total current assets less total current liabilities, is primarily attributable to higher accounts receivable, inventory and prepaid assets associated with higher subscriber growth and our network expansion program.
 
We recognized net income of $120.9 million and $55.9 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2006 and $75.6 million and $30.5 million for the six and three months ended June 30, 2005. During the first half of 2006, our operating revenues more than offset our operating expenses, excluding depreciation and amortization, and cash capital expenditures. However, we cannot be sure that this trend will continue in the future as we intend to continue the current expansion of our networks, primarily in Mexico and Brazil. We anticipate that 2006 will be our peak year for cash capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. See “Future Capital Needs and Resources” for a discussion of our future outlook and anticipated sources and uses of funds for the remainder of 2006.
 
Cash Flows.  Our operating activities provided us with $161.5 million of net cash during the six months ended June 30, 2006 and $103.4 million of net cash during the six months ended June 30, 2005. The $58.1 million increase in generation of cash is primarily due to higher operating income resulting from our profitable growth strategy.
 
We used $272.1 million of net cash in our investing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to $165.0 million during the six months ended June 30, 2005. The $107.1 million increase in cash used in our investing activities is primarily due to a $96.5 million increase in cash capital expenditures during the first six months of 2006 compared to the same period in 2005 related to the accelerated build out of our digital mobile networks in Mexico and Brazil, as well as $34.6 million in proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments that we received during the first six months of 2005, partially offset by $22.5 million in payments for acquisitions and purchases of licenses during the first six months of 2005.
 
Our financing activities provided us with $111.9 million of net cash during the six months ended June 30, 2006, primarily due to $59.4 million in additional borrowings from the refinancing of Nextel Mexico’s syndicated loan


49


 

facility, $45.1 million in proceeds from stock option exercises and $19.7 million in excess tax benefits from share-based payment we recognized in connection with our adoption of SFAS 123R, which was effective January 1, 2006. Our financing activities provided us with $267.4 million of net cash during the six months ended June 30, 2005, primarily due to the draw down of $250.0 million of Nextel Mexico’s syndicated loan facility in May 2005 and $18.2 million in proceeds from stock option exercises.
 
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, 2006, our capital resources included $863.6 million of cash and cash equivalents and $7.5 million of available short-term investments. 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.  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.


50


 

 
The following table sets forth the amounts and timing of contractual payments for our most significant contractual obligations determined as of June 30, 2006. 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 “Item 1A. — Risk Factors — Our forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from current beliefs.” 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)
  $ 21,453     $ 42,907     $ 42,907     $ 1,151,533     $ 1,258,800  
Tower financing obligations(1)
    35,722       71,455       71,453       249,811       428,441  
Mexico syndicated loan facility(1)
    34,725       137,122       209,322             381,169  
Capital lease obligations(2)
    7,217       24,242       15,584       52,662       99,705  
Spectrum fees(3)
    13,140       25,569       25,569       172,589       236,867  
Spectrum acquisition obligations(4)
    1,159       10,602       5,362       3,277       20,400  
Operating leases(5)
    67,409       122,857       94,603       127,308       412,177  
Purchase obligations(6)
    165,546       539                   166,085  
Other long-term obligations(7)
                      145,554       145,554  
                                         
Total contractual commitments
  $ 346,371     $ 435,293     $ 464,800     $ 1,902,734     $ 3,149,198  
                                         
 
 
(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.
 
(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 include estimated principal and interest payments related to spectrum obligations in Brazil.
 
(5) These amounts principally include future lease costs related to our transmitter and receiver sites and switches and office facilities as of June 30, 2006.
 
(6) These amounts include maximum contractual purchase obligations under various agreements with our vendors.
 
(7) The amounts due in more than five years include our current estimates of asset retirement obligations based on our expectations as to future retirement costs, inflation rates and timing of retirements.
 
Capital Expenditures.  Our capital expenditures, including capitalized interest, were $326.9 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 compared to $192.5 million for the six months ended June 30, 2005. In the future, we expect to finance our capital spending using the most effective combination of cash from operations, cash on hand and any other external financing that becomes available. We anticipate that 2006 will be our peak year for capital expenditures for the foreseeable future. Our capital spending is driven by several factors, including:
 
  •  the expansion of our digital mobile networks to new market areas, primarily including the current expansions in Mexico and Brazil;
 
  •  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;


51


 

 
  •  enhancements to our existing iDEN technology to increase voice capacity; and
 
  •  non-network related information technology projects.
 
Our future capital expenditures will be significantly affected by future technology improvements and technology choices. In October 2001, Motorola and Nextel Communications announced an anticipated significant technology upgrade to the iDEN digital mobile network, the 6:1 voice coder software upgrade. Beginning in 2004, we started selling handsets that can operate on the new 6:1 voice coder. We expect that this software upgrade will increase our voice capacity for interconnect calls and leverage our existing investment in infrastructure. With the exception of Mexico, we do not expect to realize significant benefits from the operation of the 6:1 voice coder until after 2006. If there are substantial delays in realizing the benefits of the 6:1 voice coder, we could be required to invest 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 contemplates significant expansions in Mexico and Brazil, will not require any additional external funding, and we will be able to operate and grow our business while servicing our debt obligations. 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, cash equivalents and short-term investments 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 network or the acquisition of competitors or others, or if economic conditions in any of our markets 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


52


 

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;
 
  •  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;
 
  •  the impact of foreign exchange volatility in our markets as compared to the U.S. dollar and related currency devaluations 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;
 
  •  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 specialized mobile radio 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.
 
Effect of New Accounting Standards
 
In October 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, or FASB, issued Staff Position No. 13-1, “Accounting for Rental Costs Incurred during a Construction Period,” or FSP No. 13-1, to address accounting for rental costs associated with building and ground operating leases. FSP No. 13-1 requires that rental costs associated with ground or building operating leases that are incurred during a construction period be recognized as rental expense. FSP No. 13-1 is effective for the first reporting period beginning after December 15, 2005 and requires public companies that are currently capitalizing these rental costs for operating lease arrangements entered into prior to the effective date to cease capitalizing such costs. Retroactive application in accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards, or SFAS, 154 is permitted but not required. We implemented FSP No. 13-1, effective January 1, 2006, as required. The adoption of FSP No. 13-1 did not have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, “Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments — An Amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 150,” or SFAS 155. SFAS 155 permits fair value remeasurement


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for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation, clarifies that certain instruments are not subject to the requirements of SFAS 133, establishes a requirement to evaluate interests in securitized financial assets to identify interests that may contain an embedded derivative requiring bifurcation, clarifies what may be an embedded derivative for certain concentrations of credit risk and amends SFAS 140 to eliminate certain prohibitions related to derivatives on a qualifying special-purpose entity. SFAS 155 is effective for fiscal years beginning after September 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact that SFAS 155 may have on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2006, the Emerging Issues Task Force, or EITF, reached a consensus on Issue 05-1, “Accounting for the Conversion of an Instrument That Becomes Convertible upon the Issuer’s Exercise of a Call Option,” or EITF 05-1. EITF 05-1 states that the issuance of equity securities to settle an instrument (pursuant to the instrument’s original conversion terms) that becomes convertible upon the issuer’s exercise of a call option should be accounted for as a conversion as opposed to an extinguishment if, at issuance, the debt instrument contains a substantive conversion feature other than the issuer’s call option. EITF 05-1 is effective for all conversions within its scope occurring in interim or annual periods beginning after June 28, 2006. The future impact of EITF 05-1 will depend on the facts and circumstances specific to a given conversion within the scope of this issue. However, we do not believe the adoption of EITF 05-1 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.
 
In March 2006, the EITF discussed 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, which was ratified by the FASB, is effective for financial reports in interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2006. We are currently evaluating the impact that EITF 06-3 may have on our consolidated financial statements. Historically, we reported certain revenue-based taxes imposed on us in Brazil as a reduction of revenue. We viewed them as pass-through costs since they were billed to and collected from customers on behalf of local government agencies. During the fourth quarter of 2005, we increased our operating revenues and general and administrative expenses to gross-up these revenue-based taxes related to the full year 2005 because they are the primary obligation of Nextel Brazil. This presentation is in accordance with EITF 99-19, “Reporting Revenue Gross as a Principal Versus Net as an Agent.” During the six and three months ended June 30, 2006, Nextel Brazil recorded $13.2 million and $6.9 million, respectively, of revenue-based taxes as a component of service and other revenues and a corresponding amount as a component of selling, general and administrative expenses.
 
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 for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2006. FIN 48 provides that the financial statement effects of an income tax position can only be recognized in the financial statements 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 should be reported as an adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings for that fiscal year. We are currently evaluating the impact that FIN 48 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 and Nextel Argentina purchase some capital assets and all handsets in U.S. dollars but record the related revenue generated from these purchases 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 November 2004, Nextel


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Mexico entered into a hedge agreement to reduce its foreign currency transaction risk associated with a portion of its 2005 U.S. dollar forecasted capital expenditures and handset purchases. This risk was hedged by forecasting Nextel Mexico’s capital expenditures and handset purchases for a 12-month period from January to December 2005. Under this agreement, Nextel Mexico purchased U.S. dollar call options and sold call options on the Mexican peso. In September and October 2005, Nextel Mexico entered into derivative agreements to reduce its foreign currency transaction risk associated with a portion of its 2006 U.S. dollar forecasted capital expenditures and handset purchases. This risk was hedged by forecasting Nextel Mexico’s capital expenditures and handset purchases for a 12-month period that began in January 2006. Under this agreement, Nextel Mexico purchased U.S. dollar call options and sold call options on the Mexican peso.
 
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. 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.
 
In June 2006, Nextel Mexico entered into an agreement to refinance its syndicated loan. The loan amount was increased from the original $250.0 million to about $297.0 million after the refinancing. Under the agreement, the loan will be refinanced using the same variable (i.e., LIBOR and TIIE) or fixed rates as the original agreement but with lower spreads for each tranche. Of the total amount of the refinanced loan, $57.0 million is denominated in Mexican pesos, with a floating interest rate based on the Mexican reference rate TIIE (Tranche C). The refinancing of the syndicated loan had no effect on Nextel Mexico’s interest rate swap. As of June 30, 2006, a significant portion of our borrowings were fixed-rate long-term debt obligations.
 
The table below presents principal amounts, related interest rates by year of maturity and aggregate amounts as of June 30, 2006 for our fixed rate debt obligations, including our convertible notes, our syndicated loan facility in 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. 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 debt compared to their fair values as of December 31, 2005 reflect changes in applicable market conditions as well as a $60.9 million increase due to the refinancing of Nextel Mexico’s syndicated loan. The amount of our forecasted hedge agreements as of June 30, 2006 represents our 2006 foreign currency hedges. All of the information in the table is presented in U.S. dollar equivalents, which is our reporting currency. The actual cash flows associated with our long-term debt are denominated in U.S. dollars (US$), Mexican pesos (MP) and Brazilian reais (BR).
 


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    Year of Maturity     June 30, 2006     December 31, 2005  
    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$)
  $ 3,317     $ 2,803     $ 3,533     $ 3,624     $ 1,885     $ 762,034     $ 777,196     $ 1,544,979     $ 770,950     $ 1,301,140  
Average Interest Rate
    11.3 %     11.0 %     11.0 %     11.0 %     10.0 %     3.1 %     3.2 %             3.2 %        
Fixed Rate (MP)
  $ 11,110     $ 25,538     $ 38,215     $ 21,518     $ 4,943     $ 74,297     $ 175,621     $ 175,621     $ 182,848     $ 182,848  
Average Interest Rate
    12.7 %     12.1 %     11.9 %     12.6 %     17.6 %     17.5 %     14.7 %             15.3 %        
Fixed Rate (BR)
  $ 655     $ 855     $ 2,591     $ 2,941     $ 3,404     $ 57,364     $ 67,810     $ 67,810     $ 58,196     $ 58,196  
Average Interest Rate
    27.9 %     27.9 %     18.9 %     20.0 %     21.0 %     26.5 %     25.7 %             26.2 %        
Variable Rate (US$)
  $     $     $     $     $ 156,600     $     $ 156,600     $ 156,600     $ 129,000     $ 129,000  
Average Interest Rate
                            6.8 %           6.8 %             6.8 %        
Variable Rate (MP)
  $ 5,959     $ 15,493     $ 23,835     $ 11,918     $     $     $ 57,205     $ 57,205     $ 31,964     $ 31,964  
Average Interest Rate
    10.8 %     10.8 %     10.8 %     10.8 %                 10.8 %             11.1 %        
Forecasted Hedge Agreements:
                                                                               
Purchased call options
  $ 94,820     $     $     $     $     $     $ 94,820     $ 2,412     $ 181,426     $ 2,016  
Written put options
  $ 94,820     $     $     $     $     $     $ 94,820     $ 287     $ 181,426     $ (2,250 )
Interest Rate Swap:
                                                                               
Variable to Fixed
  $ 3,023     $ 7,859     $ 12,091     $ 6,045     $     $     $ 29,018     $ (963 )   $ 31,964     $ (1,174 )
Average Pay Rate
    11.95 %     11.95 %     11.95 %     11.95 %                 11.95 %             11.95 %        
Average Receive Rate
    9.80 %     9.80 %     9.80 %     9.80 %                 9.80 %             11.13 %        
 
Item 4.   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 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 management 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. This evaluation included the item described in management’s report on internal control over financial reporting included in Item 9A of our 2005 annual report on Form 10-K. Based on and as of the date of such evaluation and as a result of the material weakness described below, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective.
 
In light of the material weakness described below, we performed additional analysis and other post-closing procedures to ensure our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Accordingly, management believes that the financial statements included in this report fairly present in all material respects our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows for the periods presented.
 
We did not maintain effective controls over the completeness and accuracy of the income tax provision and the related balance sheet accounts and note disclosures. Specifically, our controls over the processes and procedures related to the determination and review of the quarterly tax provisions were not adequate to ensure that the income tax provision was prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. This control deficiency, which continues to exist as of June 30, 2006, resulted in audit adjustments to the 2005 consolidated financial statements. Additionally, this control deficiency could result in a misstatement of the income tax provision and the related balance sheet accounts and note disclosures that would result in a material misstatement to our interim consolidated financial statements that would not be prevented or detected. Accordingly, management determined that this control deficiency constitutes a material weakness.

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Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
 
During the six months ended June 30, 2006, we implemented Hyperion Financial Management at our corporate headquarters and in Mexico as a tool to support our accounting consolidation and external reporting processes. These changes will reduce the need for manual spreadsheets and facilitate our workflow thus allowing more time for analysis. We have realigned our teams and have trained them to adapt the new processes and controls. As a direct result, we have been updating our key control activities documentation related to our compliance with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act.
 
We have also continued to work on a number of initiatives to remediate the material weakness related to the calculation of the income tax provision and related balance sheet accounts, including the following:
 
  •  We have made significant progress in filling the tax positions at corporate headquarters, with the hiring of a senior tax manager experienced in income tax calculations under U.S. GAAP, a senior tax manager experienced in many aspects of income tax accounting in both Mexico and the U.S., and an additional income tax specialist with broad experience in tax and finance in Latin America;
 
  •  We are currently training our recently hired U.S.-based individuals with regard to controls surrounding the calculation of the income tax provision and related accounts;
 
  •  We are maintaining our on-going training program to deepen and broaden the understanding of U.S. GAAP income tax provision calculation procedures in our foreign subsidiaries;
 
  •  We have evaluated our quarterly procedures, and reallocated the ownership of some of those controls between headquarters and our foreign markets to increase the effectiveness of those procedures; and
 
  •  We continue to work with a third party tax advisor to perform detailed reviews of the income tax calculations as a means to both improve the accuracy of our income tax calculations and assess the effectiveness of the control procedures being performed by our own employees.
 
No other changes have been identified that would have materially affected, or are likely to materially affect, our 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 6 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 2005 annual report on Form 10-K.
 
Item 4.   Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.
 
The information called for by this Item 4 was previously furnished in our quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the three months ended March 31, 2006, filed on May 8, 2006.
 
Item 6.   Exhibits.
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
  10 .1   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2006 by and among Communicaciones Nextel de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., the financial institutions thereto, as lenders, Citibank N.A., Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A.
  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 7, 2006


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EXHIBIT INDEX
 
         
Exhibit
   
Number
 
Exhibit Description
 
  10 .1   Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 27, 2006 by and among Communicaciones Nextel de Mexico, S.A. de C.V., the financial institutions thereto, as lenders, Citibank N.A., Citigroup Global Markets, Inc. and Scotiabank Inverlat, S.A.
  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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