SpectraSite, Inc. (ticker: **SSI, exchange: Privately Held) News Release - 21-Apr-2004


SpectraSite Reports First Quarter 2004 Results & Updates 2004 Guidance for Improved Financial Results

CARY, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 21, 2004--SpectraSite, Inc. (NYSE: SSI), one of the largest wireless tower operators in the United States, today reported results for the quarter ended March 31, 2004, and updated its guidance for the remainder of the year.

The Company has designated the periods prior to January 31, 2003, as "Predecessor Company" and the periods subsequent to January 31, 2003, as "Reorganized Company." As a result of the implementation of fresh start accounting, the financial statements of the Reorganized Company are not comparable to the Predecessor Company's financial statements for prior periods.

Total revenues for the first quarter of 2004 were $84.6 million, compared to revenues of $51.1 million for the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $25.6 million for the one month ended January 31, 2003. Revenues associated with the 545 towers sold to SBC on February 10, 2003, were $0.4 million for the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $1.2 million for the one month ended January 31, 2003. Operating income for the first quarter of 2004 was $21.4 million, an increase from operating income of $9.1 million for the two months ended March 31, 2003, and an operating loss of $3.2 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003. Operating income associated with the 545 towers sold to SBC on February 10, 2003, was $0.2 million for the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $0.7 million for the one month ended January 31, 2003.

Other expense during the first quarter of 2004 was $1.6 million as compared to other expense of $1.2 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and other expense of $0.5 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003. Other expense items during the first quarter of 2004 primarily related to expenses associated with the public offering of approximately 10.4 million shares of the Company's common stock.

The Company's net income was $7.1 million for the first quarter of 2004 versus a net loss of $1.7 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and net income of $345.0 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003. The Company's net income during the one month ended January 31, 2003, consisted principally of a gain on the early extinguishment of debt related to the Company's emergence from chapter 11 on February 10, 2003. The Company's basic net income per share was $0.15 during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to a basic net loss of $0.04 per share during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and basic net income per share of $2.24 during the one month ended January 31, 2003. The Company's diluted net income per share was $0.14 during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to a diluted net loss of $0.04 per share during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and diluted net income per share of $2.24 during the one month ended January 31, 2003.

Adjusted EBITDA increased to $45.2 million during the first quarter of 2004 from $24.6 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $12.2 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003. Other expense items in the amount of $1.6 million during the first quarter of 2004 and $1.2 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $0.5 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003, are included in the Company's Adjusted EBITDA calculations.

The Company's presentation of Adjusted EBITDA is based on recent regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") related to non-GAAP financial measures. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA for the Reorganized Company as net income (loss) before depreciation, amortization and accretion, interest, income tax expense (benefit) and, if applicable, before discontinued operations and cumulative effect of change in accounting principle. For the Predecessor Company, Adjusted EBITDA also excludes gain on debt discharge, reorganization items, and write-offs of investments in and loans to affiliates. The Company uses a different definition of Adjusted EBITDA for the fiscal periods prior to its reorganization to enable investors to view the Company's operating performance on a consistent basis before the impact of the items discussed above on the Predecessor Company. Each of these historical items was incurred prior to, or in connection with, the Company's reorganization and is excluded from Adjusted EBITDA to reflect the results of the Company's core operations. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable to a similarly titled measure employed by other companies and is not a measure of performance calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

Net cash provided by operating activities increased to $27.8 million during the first quarter of 2004 as compared to net cash provided by operating activities of $11.9 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and net cash provided by operating activities of $5.9 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003. Purchases of property and equipment during the first quarter of 2004 were $6.3 million, as compared to $2.3 million for the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $2.7 million the one month ended January 31, 2003. Free cash flow, defined as net cash provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment, during the first quarter of 2004 was $21.5 million as compared to free cash flow of $9.7 million during the two months ended March 31, 2003, and $3.2 million during the one month ended January 31, 2003.

Based on trailing twelve-month revenues on towers owned or operated as of March 31, 2003, and still owned or operated as of March 31, 2004, same tower revenue growth was 10.0%. The Company owned or operated 7,582 towers and in-building sites as of March 31, 2004.

In describing the first quarter, Stephen H. Clark, President and CEO, stated, "The first quarter of 2004 represents the first quarter in which SpectraSite has operated solely as a site leasing and licensing company and I am extremely pleased with our results. On an annual and sequential basis, both revenues and Adjusted EBITDA increased significantly. Through focus, diligence and sheer hard work, our operating teams continue to exceed their goals. The results they have achieved clearly have placed our company ahead of where we thought we would be at this point during the year and, as a result, we are increasing our guidance for the balance of 2004."

Amendment to Credit Facility

On February 9, 2004, SpectraSite Communications, Inc. ("Communications"), the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, completed an amendment to its credit facility that reduced the interest rate on its term loan from, at Communications' option, Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's base rate plus 1.75% per annum or the Eurodollar rate plus 3.00% per annum to Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce's base rate plus 1.00% per annum or the Eurodollar rate plus 2.25% per annum. The amendment also provides that the interest rate margins will automatically be further reduced if Communications' credit ratings improve. As a result of this transaction, the Company expects to generate annual interest expense savings of approximately $1.9 million.

Acquisitions

Under the terms of an amended agreement with affiliates of SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC"), completed on November 14, 2002, the Company agreed to lease or sublease up to 600 SBC towers between May, 2003, and August, 2004, subject to the towers meeting certain requirements. The agreement with SBC provides that the Company will lease or sublease no more than 100 towers per quarter beginning with the second quarter of 2003 and ending in the second quarter of 2004. In the event that the Company leases or subleases fewer than 100 SBC towers in any quarter, the final closing in the third quarter of 2004 may include additional SBC towers necessary to meet the 600 tower commitment. During the first quarter of 2004 the Company leased or subleased 6 SBC towers, for which it paid approximately $1.7 million in cash. As of March 31, 2004, the Company was committed to leasing or subleasing an additional 474 SBC towers during 2004.

Updated 2004 Guidance

The Company's 2004 outlook includes estimates and assumptions relating to the Company's existing business without regard to possible additional tower acquisitions under the Company's contract with affiliates of SBC.

Without giving effect to possible SBC tower acquisitions during 2004, the Company expects 2004 site leasing and licensing revenues will be between $342 million and $348 million, representing an increase from the Company's prior guidance of $336 million to $341 million.

The Company has not changed its outlook for 2004 site operations costs excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses. The Company expects these costs will be between $108 million and $111 million.

The Company expects 2004 selling, general and administrative expenses will be between $48 million and $50 million representing a reduction from its prior guidance range of $48 million to $51 million.

The Company's 2004 cash interest expense is expected to be approximately $35 million to $38 million, representing a reduction from the Company's prior guidance of $37 million to $41 million.

During 2004, the Company expects to spend approximately $15 million to $20 million in capital expenditures related to tower upgrades, information technology purchases, and other general corporate requirements. The Company also expects to spend between $25 million to $30 million in discretionary capital expenditures related to its in-building initiative and the purchase of ground rights under certain towers. The Company's overall capital expenditure range of $40 million to $50 million represents an increase from its prior guidance range of $25 million to $40 million, primarily due to the allocation of additional capital expenditures to the Company's initiative to purchase ground rights under certain of its towers.

At March 31, 2004, the Company had approximately $639 million of outstanding debt and approximately $84 million of cash on hand. Based on current assumptions, the Company does not expect to require borrowings from its $200 million unused revolving credit facility during 2004.

Conference Call Information

The Company is planning to host a conference call on Thursday April 22, 2004, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time to discuss first quarter 2004 results. Dial in information is as follows: 800-261-6483, access code 6513879. A replay of the conference call will be available beginning two hours after the call has ended until April 29, 2004. The replay dial in information is as follows: (800) 642-1687, access code 6513879.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Additional Information

For a discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including their usefulness to investors and material limitations, please see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Non-GAAP Financial Measures" included in the Company's SEC filings. Additional information may be found in the Company's Form 10-Q report filed with the SEC or by accessing the Company's website at www.spectrasite.com.


   Adjusted EBITDA.

   Adjusted EBITDA was calculated as follows for the periods
presented:


                                Reorganized   Reorganized  Predecessor
                                 Company       Company      Company
                                Three Months  Two Months   One Month
                                  Ended         Ended        Ended
                                 March 31,     March 31,    Jan. 31,
                                  2004          2003         2003
                                --------------------------------------
                                            (in thousands)

Net income (loss)                $7,130      $(1,692)     $344,970
Depreciation, amortization and
   accretion expenses            25,416      16,652         15,930
Interest income                    (214)       (217)          (137)
Interest expense                  9,616       9,261          4,721
Gain on debt discharge               --          --     (1,034,764)
Income tax expense                2,806         578              5
Reorganization items:
   Adjust accounts to fair value     --          --        644,688
   Professional and other fees       --          --         23,894
Loss (income) from operations
of discontinued segment, net of
 income tax expense                 124         (14)           686
Loss on disposal of
 discontinued segment               343          --             --
Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle                --          --         12,236
                                --------------------------------------
Adjusted EBITDA                 $45,221     $24,568        $12,229
                                ======================================
    Free Cash Flow.

    Free cash flow (deficit) was calculated as follows for the periods
presented:

                               Reorganized   Reorganized  Predecessor
                                Company       Company      Company
                               Three Months  Two Months   One Month
                                 Ended         Ended        Ended
                                March 31,     March 31,    Jan. 31,
                                 2004          2003         2003
                               ---------------------------------------
                                           (in thousands)
Net cash provided by
  operating activities          $27,840      $11,927       $5,892
Less: Purchases of property
 and equipment                   (6,309)      (2,255)      (2,737)
                               ---------------------------------------
Free cash flow (deficit)        $21,531       $9,672       $3,155
                               =======================================

About SpectraSite, Inc.

SpectraSite, Inc. (www.spectrasite.com), based in Cary, North Carolina, is one of the largest wireless tower operators in the United States. At March 31, 2004, SpectraSite owned or operated approximately 10,000 revenue producing sites, including 7,582 towers and in-building sites primarily in the top 100 markets in the United States. SpectraSite's customers are leading wireless communications providers, including AT&T Wireless, Cingular, Nextel, Sprint PCS, T-Mobile and Verizon Wireless.

Safe Harbor

This press release and oral statements made from time to time by representatives of the Company may contain "forward-looking statements" concerning the Company's financial outlook, future expectations, financial and operating projections, plans and strategies and the trading markets for its securities. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. The Company wishes to caution readers that certain factors may impact the Company's actual results and could cause results for subsequent periods to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company. Such factors include, but are not limited to (i) the Company's substantial capital requirements and debt, (ii) market conditions, (iii) the Company's dependence on demand for wireless communications and related infrastructure, (iv) competition in the communications tower industry, including the impact of technological developments, (v) consolidation in the wireless industry, (vi) future regulatory actions, (vii) conditions in its operating areas and (viii) management's estimates and assumptions included in the Company's 2004 outlook. These and other important factors are described in more detail in the "Risk Factors" and the "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" sections of the Company's SEC filings and public announcements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently occurring events or circumstances.

                  SPECTRASITE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                At March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003


                                               Reorganized Reorganized
                                                  Company    Company
                                                 March 31,    Dec.31,
                                                   2004        2003
                                                ----------------------
                                                (unaudited)
                                                (dollars in thousands)
                     ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                       $84,329    $60,410
   Accounts receivable, net of allowance of
    $6,918 and $7,849, respectively                  9,067      7,880
   Prepaid expenses and other                       14,492     11,606
   Assets held for sale                                 --      5,737
                                                ----------------------
      Total current assets                         107,888     85,633
Property and equipment, net                      1,191,115  1,207,626
Customer contracts, net                            177,551    179,359
Other assets                                        38,718     39,990
                                                ----------------------
      Total assets                              $1,515,272 $1,512,608
                                                ======================

            LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                 $8,657    $11,482
   Accrued and other expenses                       81,010     83,825
   Liabilities under SBC agreement                  48,721     49,528
   Liabilities held for sale                            --      2,903
                                                ----------------------
      Total current liabilities                    138,388    147,738
                                                ----------------------
Long-term portion of credit facility               439,155    439,555
Senior notes                                       200,000    200,000
Other long-term liabilities                         56,056     55,582
                                                ----------------------
      Total long-term liabilities                  695,211    695,137
                                                ----------------------
Stockholders' equity:
   Common stock, $0.01 par value, 250,000,000
   shares authorized, 48,216,194 and
   47,750,453 issued and outstanding
   at March 31, 2004 and December 31, 2003,
   respectively                                        482        478
   Additional paid-in-capital                      693,747    688,941
   Accumulated deficit                             (12,556)   (19,686)
                                                ----------------------
      Total stockholders' equity                   681,673    669,733
                                                ----------------------
      Total liabilities and stockholders'
       equity                                   $1,515,272 $1,512,608
                                                ======================



                  SPECTRASITE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
       UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

                                  Reorganized  Reorganized Predecessor
                                    Company      Company     Company
                                  Three Months  Two Months  One Month
                                     Ended        Ended       Ended
                                    March 31,    March 31,   Jan. 31,
                                      2004         2003        2003
                                  ------------------------------------
                                    (in thousands, except per share
                                                amounts)


 Revenues                             $84,590     $51,108     $25,626
 Operating expenses:
   Costs of operations, excluding
    depreciation, amortization
    and accretion expenses             25,743      17,080       8,901
   Selling, general and
    administrative expenses            12,042       8,231       4,003
   Depreciation, amortization and
    accretion expenses                 25,416      16,652      15,930
                                  ------------------------------------
         Total operating expenses      63,201      41,963      28,834
                                  ------------------------------------
Operating income (loss)                21,389       9,145      (3,208)
                                  ------------------------------------
Other income (expense):
   Interest income                        214         217         137
   Interest expense                    (9,616)     (9,261)     (4,721)
   Gain on debt discharge                  --          --   1,034,764
   Other income (expense)              (1,584)     (1,229)       (493)
                                  ------------------------------------
         Total other income
          (expense)                   (10,986)    (10,273)  1,029,687
                                  ------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations before income taxes        10,403      (1,128)  1,026,479
Income tax expense                      2,806         578           5
                                  ------------------------------------
Income (loss) from continuing
 operations                             7,597      (1,706)  1,026,474
Reorganization items:
   Adjust accounts to fair value           --          --    (644,688)
   Professional and other fees             --          --     (23,894)
                                  ------------------------------------
         Total reorganization
          items                            --          --    (668,582)
                                  ------------------------------------
Income (loss) before discontinued
 operations                             7,597      (1,706)    357,892
Discontinued operations:
   Income (loss) from operations
    of discontinued broadcast
    services division, net of income
    tax expense                          (124)         14        (686)
   Loss on disposal of
    discontinued broadcast
    services division, net of
    income tax expense                   (343)         --          --
                                  ------------------------------------
Income (loss) before cumulative
 effect of change in accounting
 principle                              7,130      (1,692)    357,206
Cumulative effect of change in
 accounting principle (Note 4)             --          --     (12,236)
                                  ------------------------------------
Net income (loss)                      $7,130     $(1,692)   $344,970
                                  ====================================
Basic earnings per share:
   Income (loss) from continuing
    operations                          $0.16      $(0.04)      $6.66
   Reorganization items                    --          --       (4.34)
   Discontinued operations              (0.01)         --          --
   Cumulative effect of change in
    accounting principle                   --          --       (0.08)
                                  ------------------------------------
   Net income (loss)                    $0.15      $(0.04)      $2.24
                                  ====================================
Diluted earnings per share:
   Income (loss) from continuing
    operations                          $0.15      $(0.04)      $6.66
   Reorganization items                    --          --       (4.34)
   Discontinued operations              (0.01)         --          --
   Cumulative effect of change in
    accounting principle                   --          --       (0.08)
                                  ------------------------------------
   Net income (loss)                    $0.14      $(0.04)      $2.24
                                  ====================================
Weighted average common shares
 outstanding (basic)                   47,880      47,174     154,014
                                  ====================================
Weighted average common shares
 outstanding (diluted)                 52,368      47,174     154,014
                                  ====================================



                  SPECTRASITE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
       UNAUDITED CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


                                  Reorganized Reorganized Predecessor
                                   Company     Company      Company
                                    Three       Two          One
                                   Months      Months       Month
                                    Ended       Ended       Ended
                                   March 31,   March 31,    Jan. 31,
                                    2004        2003         2003
                                --------------------------------------
                                              (in thousands)
Operating activities
Net income (loss)                   $7,130     $(1,692)     $344,970
Adjustments to reconcile net
 income (loss) to net cash
 provided by (used in)
 operating activities:
   Depreciation                     20,866      13,889     15,609
   Cumulative effect of change in
    accounting principle                --          --     12,236
   Amortization of intangible
    assets                           3,855       2,509        252
   Amortization of debt issuance
    costs                            1,067         790        425
   Amortization of asset retirement
    obligation                         695         429        214
   Write-off of debt issuance costs      7       1,614         --
   (Gain) loss on disposal of assets   175       1,203        (84)
   Write-off of customer contracts     567          --         --
   Loss on disposal of discontinued
    operations                         343          --         --
   Deferred income taxes             2,469          --         --
   Gain on debt discharge               --          -- (1,034,764)
   Adjust accounts to fair value        --          --    644,688
   Changes in operating assets and
   liabilities, net of acquisitions:
      Accounts receivable             (687)      1,488      5,045
      Costs and estimated earnings in
       excess of billings, net          --        (944)      (272)
      Inventories                       --         184         (2)
      Prepaid expenses and other    (2,782)     (1,003)    (2,238)
      Accounts payable              (2,822)     (6,170)    13,549
      Other liabilities             (3,043)       (370)     6,264
                                  ------------------------------------
         Net cash provided by
          operating activities      27,840      11,927      5,892
                                  ------------------------------------
Investing activities
Purchases of property and equipment (6,309)     (2,255)    (2,737)
Acquisitions of towers              (1,671)         --         --
Disposal of discontinued operations,
 net of cash sold                     (551)         --         --
Proceeds from the sale of assets       714      81,128         --
                                  ------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by (used in)
    investing activities            (7,817)     78,873     (2,737)
                                  ------------------------------------
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common
 stock                               4,506          --         --
Repayments of debt and capital
 leases                               (522)    (76,128)   (10,884)
Repayments of executive notes          304          --         --
Debt issuance costs                   (392)         --         --
                                  ------------------------------------
   Net cash provided by (used in)
    financing activities             3,896     (76,128)   (10,884)
                                  ------------------------------------
   Net increase (decrease) in cash
    and cash equivalents            23,919      14,672     (7,729)
Cash and cash equivalents at
 beginning of period                60,410      73,232     80,961
                                  ------------------------------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
 of period                         $84,329     $87,904    $73,232
                                  ====================================
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
 information:
Cash paid for interest              $5,202      $3,263     $4,265
Cash paid for income taxes           1,245         602          5
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash
 investing
and financing activities:
Common stock issued for deposits       $--         $--       $408
Tower acquisitions applied against
 liability under SBC contract          639          --         --
Interest capitalized                   155          --         --
Capital lease obligations incurred
 (terminated) related to property
  and equipment                        (95)         68         --

    CONTACT: SpectraSite, Inc.
             Investor Relations Department, 919-466-5492
             investorrelations@spectrasite.com

    SOURCE: SpectraSite, Inc.