Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We have established disclosure controls and procedures designed to ensure that material information relating to us, including our consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to the officers who certify our financial reports and to other members of senior management and the Board of Directors.
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that these disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2020 and designed to ensure that the information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the requisite time periods specified in the applicable rules and forms, and that it is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
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Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act. Our internal control system is designed to provide reasonable assurance to our management and Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of published financial statements.
Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020. As discussed in Item 1 of this Annual Report under the caption “Business” and in note 7 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, we completed the InSite Acquisition on December 23, 2020. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at InSite, whose financial statements reflect total assets and revenues constituting 8% and 0%, respectively, of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of, and for the year ended, December 31, 2020.
In making its assessment of internal control over financial reporting, our management used the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (2013) . Based on this assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2020, our internal control over financial reporting is effective.
Deloitte & Touche LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm that audited our financial statements included in this Annual Report, has issued an attestation report on management’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Item 9A under the caption “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the fiscal quarter ended December 31, 2020 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. As set forth above, we excluded from our assessment the internal control over financial reporting at InSite for the year ended December 31, 2020. We consider InSite material to our results of operations, financial position and cash flows, and we are in the process of integrating the internal control procedures of InSite into our internal control structure.
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of American Tower Corporation
Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
We have audited the internal control over financial reporting of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by COSO.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020, of the Company and our report dated February 25, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on those financial statements.
As described in Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting, management excluded from its assessment the internal control over financial reporting at InSite Wireless Group, LLC (“InSite”), which was acquired on December 23, 2020, and whose financial statements constitute 8% of total assets and 0% of total revenues of the consolidated financial statement amounts as of and for the year ended December 31, 2020. Accordingly, our audit did not include the internal control over financial reporting at InSite.
Basis for Opinion
The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 25, 2021
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PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Our executive officers and their respective ages and positions as of February 18, 2021 are set forth below:
Thomas A. Bartlett 62 President and Chief Executive Officer
Rodney M. Smith 55 Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer
Edmund DiSanto 68 Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary
Robert J. Meyer, Jr. 57 Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer
Olivier Puech 53 Executive Vice President and President, Latin America and EMEA
Amit Sharma 70 Executive Vice President and President, Asia
Steven O. Vondran 50 Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division
Thomas A. Bartlett is our President and Chief Executive Officer. Mr. Bartlett joined us in April 2009 as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and served in that role until March 2020 when he was appointed to his current position. Mr. Bartlett served as our Treasurer from February 2012 to December 2013, and again from July 2017 to August 2018. Prior to joining us, Mr. Bartlett served as Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller with Verizon Communications. During his 25-year career with Verizon Communications and its predecessor companies and affiliates, he served in numerous operations and business development roles, including as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bell Atlantic International Wireless from 1995 through 2000, where he was responsible for wireless activities in North America, Latin America, Europe and Asia. In addition, Mr. Bartlett served as CEO of Iusacell, a publicly traded, nationwide cellular company in Mexico, CEO of Verizon's Global Solutions Inc., a global connectivity business providing lit and dark fiber services primarily to global enterprises, and as an Area President for Verizon’s U.S. wireless business, where he was responsible for all operational aspects of the business in the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic states. He began his career at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells. Mr. Bartlett is a member of the World Economic Forum’s Information and Communications Technologies (ICT) Board of Governors, the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trust (NAREIT) Executive Committee and the Business Roundtable. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of Equinix, Inc., sits on the Samaritans advisory council, is on the Board of Advisors of the Rutgers Business School, is a member of the New England Technology Executive Summit and is on the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Presidential CEO Advisory Board. He earned an M.B.A. from Rutgers University and a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from Lehigh University.
Rodney M. Smith is our Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer. Mr. Smith joined us in October 2009, and previously held the roles of Senior Vice President, Corporate Finance and Treasurer and Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of American Tower's U.S. Tower Division. Prior to joining us, Mr. Smith served as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and as a general Board Member of Lightower, a private equity backed wireless infrastructure company. Prior to Lightower, he served as Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (and earlier as Vice President and Controller) for RoweCom, a publicly traded company with operations in eight countries. Early in his career, Mr. Smith held several leadership positions at Nextel Communications, including Director of Finance and General Manager of one of the Company's Northeast markets. Mr. Smith earned his M.B.A from Suffolk University, a Certificate of Accountancy from Bentley College and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from Merrimack College.
Edmund DiSanto is our Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer, General Counsel and Secretary. Prior to joining us in April 2007, Mr. DiSanto was with Pratt & Whitney, a unit of United Technologies Corporation. Mr. DiSanto started with United Technologies in 1989, where he first served as Assistant General Counsel of its Carrier subsidiary, then as corporate Executive Assistant to the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of United Technologies. From 1997, he held various legal and business roles at its Pratt & Whitney unit, including Deputy General Counsel and most recently, Vice President, Global Service Partners, Business Development. Prior to joining United Technologies, Mr. DiSanto served in a number of legal and related positions at United Dominion Industries and New England Electric Systems. Mr. DiSanto earned a J.D. from Boston College Law School and a Bachelor of Science from Northeastern University. In 2013, Mr. DiSanto became a member of the Board of Directors of the Business Council for International Understanding. Mr. DiSanto also currently serves as a Strategic Officer at the World Economic Forum and in 2020, Mr. DiSanto was named to the Board of the U.S.-India Business Council.
Robert J. Meyer, Jr. is our Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Meyer joined us in August 2008 as our Senior Vice President, Finance and Corporate Controller and served in that role until January 2020 when he was appointed to his current position. Prior to joining us, Mr. Meyer was with Bright Horizons Family Solutions since 1998, a provider of child care, early education and work/life consulting services, where he most recently served as Chief Accounting Officer. Mr. Meyer also served as Corporate Controller and Vice President of Finance while at Bright Horizons. Prior to that, from 1997 to 1998,
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Mr. Meyer served as Director of Financial Planning and Analysis at First Security Services Corp. Mr. Meyer earned a Masters in Finance from Bentley University and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from Marquette University, and is a Certified Public Accountant.
Olivier Puech is our Executive Vice President and President, Latin America and EMEA. Mr. Puech joined us in 2013 as Senior Vice President and CEO of Latin America and served in that role until October 2018 when he was appointed to his current position. Prior to joining us, Mr. Puech spent 25 years as a senior executive in the telecom and internet sectors of international organizations. Most recently, he was with Nokia where he held various leadership roles including Senior Vice President Americas, Senior Vice President Asia Pacific and Vice President Latin America. Before Nokia, Mr. Puech spent 12 years at Gemalto, where he last held the position of Vice President, Sales and Marketing with responsibility for South Europe, Eastern Europe and Latin America. Mr. Puech holds a bachelor’s degree in International Business Administration from Ecole Supérieure De Commerce in Marseille, in France. In June 2019, Mr. Puech was appointed by the U.S. Secretary of Commerce to serve on the President’s Advisory Council on Doing Business in Africa. He is fluent in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Portuguese.
Amit Sharma is our Executive Vice President and President, Asia. Mr. Sharma joined us in September 2007. Prior to joining us, from 1992, Mr. Sharma worked at Motorola, where he led country teams in India and Southeast Asia, including as Country President, India and as Head of Strategy, Asia-Pacific. Mr. Sharma also served on Motorola’s Asia-Pacific Board and was a member of its senior leadership team. Previously, Mr. Sharma worked at GE Capital, serving as Vice President, Strategy and Business Development, and prior to that, with McKinsey, New York, serving as a core member of the firm's Electronics and Marketing Practices. Mr. Sharma earned an M.B.A. in International Business from the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, where he was on the Dean’s List and the Director’s Honors List. Mr. Sharma also holds a Master of Science in Computer Science from the Moore School, University of Pennsylvania, and a Bachelor of Technology in Mechanical Engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology.
Steven O. Vondran is our Executive Vice President and President, U.S. Tower Division. Mr. Vondran joined us in 2000 as a member of our corporate legal team and served in a variety of positions until August 2004 when he was appointed Senior Vice President of our U.S. Leasing Operations. In August 2010, Mr. Vondran was appointed Senior Vice President, General Counsel of our U.S. Tower Division and served in that role until August 2018, when he was appointed to his current position. Mr. Vondran joined the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) Board in September 2018, and, in October 2018, he joined the Board of Directors for the Wireless Infrastructure Association (WIA). Prior to joining us, Mr. Vondran was an associate at the law firm of Lewellen & Frazier LLP, served as a telecommunications consultant with the firm of Young & Associates, Inc., and was a Law Clerk to the Hon. John Stroud on the Arkansas Court of Appeals. He received his J.D. with high honors from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock School of Law and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Business from Hendrix College.
The information under “Election of Directors” and “Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports,” if applicable, from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference. Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(c)(3) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our procedures by which security holders may recommend nominees to our Board of Directors, and pursuant to Item 407(d)(4) and 407(d)(5) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to our audit committee financial experts and identification of the audit committee of our Board of Directors, is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information regarding our Code of Conduct applicable to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer, our controller and other senior financial officers appears in Item 1 of this Annual Report under the caption “Business—Available Information.”
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information under “Compensation and Other Information Concerning Directors and Officers” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information under “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management” and “Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information required by this item pursuant to Item 404 of SEC Regulation S-K relating to approval of related party transactions is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.
Information required by this item pursuant to Item 407(a) of SEC Regulation S-K relating to director independence is contained in the Definitive Proxy Statement under “Corporate Governance” and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information under “Independent Auditor Fees and Other Matters” from the Definitive Proxy Statement is incorporated herein by reference.
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PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report:
1. Financial Statements. See Index to Consolidated Financial Statements, which appears on page F-1 hereof. The financial statements listed in the accompanying Index to Consolidated Financial Statements are filed herewith in response to this Item.
2. Financial Statement Schedules. American Tower Corporation and Subsidiaries Schedule III – Schedule of Real Estate and Accumulated Depreciation is filed herewith in response to this Item.
3. Exhibits.
Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, the Company has filed certain agreements as exhibits to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. These agreements may contain representations and warranties by the parties. These representations and warranties have been made solely for the benefit of the other party or parties to such agreements and (i) may have been qualified by disclosures made to such other party or parties, (ii) were made only as of the date of such agreements or such other date(s) as may be specified in such agreements and are subject to more recent developments, which may not be fully reflected in the Company’s public disclosure, (iii) may reflect the allocation of risk among the parties to such agreements and (iv) may apply materiality standards different from what may be viewed as material to investors. Accordingly, these representations and warranties may not describe the Company’s actual state of affairs at the date hereof and should not be relied upon.
The exhibits below are included, either by being filed herewith or by incorporation by reference, as part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Exhibits are identified according to the number assigned to them in Item 601 of SEC Regulation S-K. Documents that are incorporated by reference are identified by their Exhibit number as set forth in the filing from which they are incorporated by reference.
Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
2.1 Agreement and Plan of Merger by and between American Tower Corporation and American Tower REIT, Inc., dated as of August 24, 2011
8-K 001-14195 August 25, 2011 2.1
3.1 Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of December 31, 2011
8-K 001-14195 January 3, 2012 3.1
3.2 Certificate of Merger, effective as of December 31, 2011
8-K 001-14195 January 3, 2012 3.2
3.3 Amended and Restated By-Laws of the Company, effective as of February 12, 2016
8-K 001-14195 February 16, 2016 3.1
3.4 Certificate of Designations of the 5.25% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of May 12, 2014
8-K 001-14195 May 12, 2014 3.1
3.5 Certificate of Designations of the 5.50% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, effective as of March 3, 2015
8-K 001-14195 March 3, 2015 3.1
4.1 Indenture dated as of May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee
S-3ASR 333-166805 May 13, 2010 4.3
4.2 Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of December 30, 2011, to Indenture dated as of May 13, 2010, by and among, the Predecessor Registrant, the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee
8-K 001-14195 January 3, 2012 4.6
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
4.3 Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of March 12, 2012, to Indenture dated as of May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 4.70% Senior Notes due 2022
8-K 001-14195 March 12, 2012 4.1
4.4 Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of January 8, 2013, to Indenture dated as of May 13, 2010, by and between the Company and The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company N.A., as Trustee, for the 3.50% Senior Notes due 2023
8-K 001-14195 January 8, 2013 4.1
4.5 Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
S-3ASR 333-188812 May 23, 2013 4.12
4.6 Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of August 19, 2013, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 5.00% Senior Notes due 2024
8-K 001-14195 August 19, 2013 4.1
4.7 Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of May 7, 2015, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 4.000% Senior Notes due 2025
8-K 001-14195 May 7, 2015 4.1
4.8 Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of January 12, 2016, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 4.400% Senior Notes due 2026
8-K 001-14195 January 12, 2016 4.1
4.9 Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of May 13, 2016, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.375% Senior Notes due 2026
8-K 001-14195 May 13, 2016 4.1
4.10 Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of September 30, 2016, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 2.250% Senior Notes due 2022 and the 3.125% Senior Notes due 2027
8-K 001-14195 September 30, 2016 4.1
4.11 Supplemental Indenture No. 7, dated as of April 6, 2017, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, as Paying Agent, for the 1.375% Senior Notes due 2025
8-K 001-14195 April 6, 2017 4.1
4.12 Supplemental Indenture No. 8, dated as of June 30, 2017, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.55% Senior Notes due 2027
8-K 001-14195 June 30, 2017 4.1
4.13 Supplemental Indenture No. 9, dated as of December 8, 2017, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.000% Senior Notes due 2023 and the 3.600% Senior Notes due 2028
8-K 001-14195 December 8, 2017 4.1
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
4.14 Supplemental Indenture No. 10, dated as of May 22, 2018, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, as Paying Agent, for the 1.950% Senior Notes due 2026
8-K 001-14195 May 22, 2018 4.1
4.15 Supplemental Indenture No. 11, dated as of March 15, 2019, to Indenture dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 3.375% Senior Notes due 2024 and the 3.950% Senior Notes due 2029
8-K 001-14195 March 15, 2019 4.1
4.16 Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between the Company and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
S-3ASR 333-231931 June 4, 2019 4.22
4.17 Supplemental Indenture No. 1, dated as of June 13, 2019, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 2.950% Senior Notes due 2025 and the 3.800% Senior Notes due 2029
8-K 001-14195 June 13, 2019 4.1
4.18 Supplemental Indenture No. 2, dated as of October 3, 2019, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 2.750% Senior Notes due 2027 and the 3.700% Senior Notes due 2049
8-K 001-14195 October 3, 2019 4.1
4.19 Supplemental Indenture No. 3, dated as of January 10, 2020, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 2.400% Senior Notes due 2025 and the 2.900% Senior Notes due 2030
8-K 001-14195 January 10, 2020 4.1
4.20 Supplemental Indenture No. 4, dated as of June 3, 2020, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 1.300% Senior Notes due 2025, the 2.100% Senior Notes due 2030 and the 3.100% Senior Notes due 2050
8-K 001-14195 June 3, 2020 4.1
4.21 Supplemental Indenture No. 5, dated as of September 10, 2020, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between the Company, U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, and Elavon Financial Services DAC, UK Branch, as Paying Agent, for the 0.500% Senior Notes due 2028 and the 1.000% Senior Notes due 2032
8-K 001-14195 September 10, 2020 4.1
4.22 Supplemental Indenture No. 6, dated as of September 28, 2020, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 1.875% Senior Notes due 2030
8-K 001-14195 September 28, 2020 4.1
4.23 Supplemental Indenture No. 7, dated as of November 20, 2020, to Indenture dated as of June 4, 2019, by and between American Tower Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee, for the 0.600% Senior Notes due 2024, the 1.500% Senior Notes due 2028 and the 2.950% Senior Notes due 2051
8-K 001-14195 November 20, 2020 4.1
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
4.24 Third Amended and Restated Indenture, dated May 29, 2015, by and between GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC, ACC Tower Sub, LLC, DCS Tower Sub, LLC, GTP South Acquisitions II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners II, LLC, GTP Acquisition Partners, III, LLC, GTP Infrastructure I, LLC, GTP Infrastructure II, LLC, GTP Infrastructure III, LLC, GTP Towers VIII, LLC, GTP Towers I, LLC, GTP Towers II, LLC, GTP Towers IV, LLC, GTP Towers V, LLC, GTP Towers VII, LLC, GTP Towers IX, LLC, PCS Structures Towers, LLC and GTP TRS I LLC, as Obligors, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee
10-Q 001-14195 July 29, 2015 4.2
4.25 Series 2015-2 Supplement, dated May 29, 2015, to the Third Amended and Restated Indenture dated May 29, 2015
10-Q 001-14195 July 29, 2015 4.4
4.26 Description of Registrant’s Securities
Filed herewith as Exhibit 4.26 — — —
10.1 American Tower Corporation 2000 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended and restated
10-K 001-14195 March 1, 2010 10.5
10.2* American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan
DEF 14A 001-14195 March 22, 2017 Annex A
10.3* Amendment to American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan
8-K 001-14195 March 14, 2017 10.1
10.4* Form of Notice of Grant of Nonqualified Stock Option and Option Agreement (U.S. Employee) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2013 10.6
10.5* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) (For grants made through February 28, 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2013 10.9
10.6* Form of Notice of Grant of Restricted Stock Units and RSU Agreement (U.S. Employee / Time) (Non-Employee Director) (For grants made March 10, 2016 - February 28, 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
8-K 001-14195 March 9, 2016 10.1
10.7* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (U.S. Employee/ Non-Employee Director) (For grants made beginning March 1, 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2019 10.10
10.8* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Agreement (Non-U.S. Employee) (For grants made beginning March 1, 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2019 10.11
10.9* Form of Notice of Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Agreement (U.S. Employee) (For grants made before 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
8-K 001-14195 July 31, 2018 10.1
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
10.10* Form of Notice of Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Agreement (U.S. Employee) (For grants made beginning 2019) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2019 10.14
10.11* Form of Notice of Grant of Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units Agreement (U.S. Employee) (For grants made beginning April 11, 2020) Pursuant to the American Tower Corporation 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended
8-K/A 001-14195 April 16, 2020 10.1
10.12 Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2018, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Assets Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I, as Lender
10-Q 001-14195 May 2, 2018 10.2
10.13 First Amended and Restated Management Agreement, dated as of March 15, 2013, by and between American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Owners, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager
10-Q 001-14195 May 1, 2013 10.2
10.14 Second Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2018, by and among American Tower Depositor Sub, LLC, as Depositor, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee
10-Q 001-14195 May 2, 2018 10.3
10.15 Second Amended and Restated Cash Management Agreement, dated as of March 29, 2018, by and among American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, as Borrowers, and U.S. Bank National Association, as Trustee for American Tower Trust I Secured Tower Revenue Securities, as Lender, Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer, U.S. Bank National Association, as Agent, and SpectraSite Communications, LLC, as Manager
10-Q 001-14195 May 2, 2018 10.4
10.16 Agreement to Sublease by and among ALLTEL Communications, Inc. the ALLTEL entities and American Towers, Inc. and American Tower Corporation, dated December 19, 2000
10-K 001-14195 April 2, 2001 2.2
10.17 Lease and Sublease, dated as of December 14, 2000, by and among SBC Tower Holdings LLC, Southern Towers, Inc., SBC Wireless, LLC and SpectraSite Holdings, Inc.
SpectraSite Holdings, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q 000-27217 May 11, 2001 10.2
10.18** Amendment to Lease and Sublease, dated September 30, 2008, by and between SpectraSite, LLC, American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC, SBC Wireless, LLC and SBC Tower Holdings LLC
10-Q 001-14195 May 8, 2009 10.7
10.19* Summary Compensation Information for Current Named Executive Officers
8-K 001-14195 March 2, 2020 Item 5.02(e)
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
10.20* Summary Compensation Information for Newly Appointed Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer
8-K/A 001-14195 April 16, 2020 Item 5.02(c)
10.21 Form of Waiver and Termination Agreement
8-K 001-14195 March 5, 2009 10.4
10.22* American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, as amended
10-K 001-14195 March 1, 2010 10.35
10.23* American Tower Corporation Severance Plan, Program for Executive Vice Presidents and Chief Executive Officer, as amended
10-K 001-14195 March 1, 2010 10.36
10.24* Assignment Letter Agreement, dated February 1, 2018, by and between the Company and Amit Sharma
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2019 10.31
10.25* Employment Letter Agreement, dated February 1, 2018, by and between the Company and Amit Sharma
10-K 001-14195 February 27, 2019 10.32
10.26* Letter Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2020, by and between the Company and Thomas A. Bartlett
10-Q 001-14195 July 30, 2020 10.3
10.27* Letter Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2020, by and between the Company and Rodney M. Smith
10-Q 001-14195 July 30, 2020 10.4
10.28* Letter Agreement, dated as of September 15, 2018, by and between the Company and Olivier Puech
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.28 — — —
10.29 Second Amended and Restated Multicurrency Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2021, among the Company and certain of its subsidiaries, as Borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, BofA Securities, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Syndication Agent, and BofA Securities, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.29 — — —
10.30 Third Amended and Restated Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2021, among the Company, as Borrower, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender, BofA Securities, Inc., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Syndication Agent, and BofA Securities, Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.30 — — —
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
10.31 Eighth Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2019, providing for the Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2019, among the Company, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Administrative Agent; TD Securities (USA) LLC, as Syndication Agent, Bank of America, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and Royal Bank of Canada as Co-Documentation Agents, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., TD Securities (USA) LLC, Barclays Bank PLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC and RBC Capital Markets as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and the several other lenders that are parties thereto
10-K 001-14195 February 25, 2020 10.30
10.32 First Amendment to Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2021, among the Company, as Borrower, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., as Administrative Agent, and certain other lenders under the Company’s Amended and Restated Term Loan Agreement, dated as of December 20, 2019
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.32 — — —
10.33 Master Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2015, among the Company and Verizon Communications Inc.
10-K 001-14195 February 24, 2015 10.45
10.34 Master Prepaid Lease, dated as of March 27, 2015, among certain subsidiaries of the Company and Verizon Communications Inc.
10-Q 001-14195 April 30, 2015 10.8
10.35 Sale Site Master Lease Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2015, among certain subsidiaries of the Company, Verizon Communications Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries
10-Q 001-14195 April 30, 2015 10.9
10.36 MPL Site Master Lease Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2015, among Verizon Communications Inc. and certain of its subsidiaries and ATC Sequoia LLC
10-Q 001-14195 April 30, 2015 10.10
10.37 Management Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2015, among Verizon Communications Inc., and certain of its subsidiaries and ATC Sequoia LLC
10-Q 001-14195 April 30, 2015 10.11
10.38 Shareholders Agreement, dated as of October 21, 2015, by and amongst Viom Networks Limited, Tata Sons Limited, Tata Teleservices Limited, IDFC Private Equity Fund III, Macquarie SBI Infrastructure Investments Pte Limited, SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Trust and ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd.
10-K 001-14195 February 26, 2016 10.53
10.39 Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of November 4, 2020, by and among IWG Holdings, LLC, American Tower Investments LLC and IWG Rep, LLC
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.39 — — —
10.40 First Amendment to Securities Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 22, 2020, by and among IWG Holdings, LLC, American Tower Investments LLC and IWG Rep, LLC
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.40 — — —
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
10.41 Agreement For the Sale and Purchase of the Towers Europe Division of Telxius Telecom, S.A., dated as of January 13, 2021, between Telxius Telecom, S.A. and American Tower International, Inc.
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.41 — — —
10.42 Agreement For the Sale and Purchase of the Towers LatAm Division of Telxius Telecom, S.A., dated as of January 13, 2021, between Telxius Telecom, S.A. and American Tower International, Inc.
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.42 — — —
10.43 Commitment Letter, dated as of January 13, 2021, among the Company, Bank of America, N.A. and BofA Securities, Inc.
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.43 — — —
10.44 364-Day Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2021, among the Company, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, TD Securities (USA), LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as Syndication Agents, BofA Securities, Inc., TD Securities (USA), LLC, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.44 — — —
10.45 3-Year Term Loan Agreement, dated as of February 10, 2021, among the Company, as Borrower, Bank of America, N.A., as Administrative Agent, TD Securities (USA), LLC and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. as Syndication Agents, BofA Securities, Inc., TD Securities (USA), LLC, Mizuho Bank, Ltd., Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., RBC Capital Markets and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners, and Barclays Bank PLC, Citibank, N.A., JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Royal Bank of Canada and Morgan Stanley MUFG Loan Partners, LLC, as Co-Documentation Agents
Filed herewith as Exhibit 10.45 — — —
21 Subsidiaries of the Company
Filed herewith as Exhibit 21 — — —
23 Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Deloitte & Touche LLP
Filed herewith as Exhibit 23 — — —
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.1 — — —
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Incorporated By Reference
Exhibit No. Description of Document Form File No. Date of Filing Exhibit No.
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
Filed herewith as Exhibit 31.2 — — —
32 Certifications filed pursuant to 18. U.S.C. Section 1350
Filed herewith as Exhibit 32 — — —
101 The following materials from American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020, formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language):
101.SCH—Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL—Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB—Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE—Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF—Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition
Filed herewith as Exhibit 101 — — —
104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) — — — —
* Management contracts and compensatory plans and arrangements required to be filed as exhibits to this Form 10-K pursuant to Item 15(a)(3).
** The exhibit has been filed separately with the Commission pursuant to an application for confidential treatment. The confidential portions of the exhibit have been omitted and are marked by an asterisk.
ITEM 16. FORM 10-K SUMMARY
None.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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 on the 25th day of February, 2021.
A MERICAN T OWER C ORPORATION
By: / S / THOMAS A. BARTLETT
Thomas A. Bartlett
President and Chief Executive Officer
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Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been duly signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
/ S / THOMAS A. BARTLETT
President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer), Director February 25, 2021
Thomas A. Bartlett
/ S / RODNEY M. SMITH
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer) February 25, 2021
Rodney M. Smith
/ S / ROBERT J. MEYER, JR
Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) February 25, 2021
Robert J. Meyer, Jr.
/ S / RAYMOND P. DOLAN
Director February 25, 2021
Raymond P. Dolan
/ S / KENNETH R. FRANK
Director February 25, 2021
Kenneth R. Frank
/ S / ROBERT D. HORMATS
Director February 25, 2021
Robert D. Hormats
/ S / GUSTAVO LARA CANTU
Director February 25, 2021
Gustavo Lara Cantu
/ S / GRACE D. LIEBLEIN
Director February 25, 2021
Grace D. Lieblein
/ S / CRAIG MACNAB
Director February 25, 2021
Craig Macnab
/ S / JOANN A. REED
Director February 25, 2021
JoAnn A. Reed
/ S / PAMELA D. A. REEVE
Chair of the Board, Director February 25, 2021
Pamela D. A. Reeve
/ S / DAVID E. SHARBUTT
Director February 25, 2021
David E. Sharbutt
/S/ BRUCE L. TANNER Director February 25, 2021
Bruce L. Tanner
/S/ SAMME L. THOMPSON Director February 25, 2021
Samme L. Thompson
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019
5
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
6
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
7
Consolidated Statements of Equity for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
8
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018
9
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
10
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REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
To the Stockholders and the Board of Directors of American Tower Corporation
Opinion on the Financial Statements
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of American Tower Corporation and subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive income, equity, and cash flows, for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, and the related notes and the schedule listed in the Index at Item 15 (collectively referred to as the "financial statements"). In our opinion, the financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2020, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.
We have also audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2020, based on criteria established in Internal Control — Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission and our report dated February 25, 2021, expressed an unqualified opinion on the Company's internal control over financial reporting.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company's financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
Critical Audit Matters
The critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current-period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.
Revenue Recognition for Significant Contract Modifications - Refer to Notes 1 and 4 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company’s contracts with major tenants are often governed by a master lease agreement that contains terms and provisions governing the tenant’s right to use the Company’s telecommunications sites and the land on which the sites are located (the “lease component”) and the tenant’s responsibility for reimbursement of various costs incurred by the Company in operating the telecommunications towers and supporting the tenant’s equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease components”). The master lease agreements contain both lease and non-lease components, may contain unusual or non-standard terms, and often pertain to many of the Company’s telecommunications sites. In the current year, the Company amended a master lease agreement with a major tenant.
Management of the Company exercised significant judgment in determining the appropriate revenue recognition for the amended master lease agreement, including the following:
• Determination of the lease and non-lease components and whether they should be accounted for as a combined lease component or separately.
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• Determination of the stand-alone selling prices for each performance obligation in the master lease agreement if not accounted for with the lease component.
• Determination of the fixed and variable consideration in the master lease agreement, the impact of cancellation and renewal provisions, the estimated term of each of the individual contracts impacted by the master lease agreement, and the pattern of recognition for each lease component or performance obligation.
We identified the amended master lease agreement with a major tenant as a critical audit matter because the audit effort required to evaluate the Company’s judgments in determining the appropriate revenue recognition for the impact of a multi-faceted, complex master lease agreement entered into with the major tenant was extensive.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our principal audit procedures related to the Company’s amended master lease agreement with the major tenant included the following:
• We tested the effectiveness of internal controls related to the Company’s process for evaluating the proper accounting for the master lease agreement.
• We evaluated the Company’s significant accounting policies related to the master lease agreement for reasonableness and compliance with the applicable accounting standards.
• We evaluated the master lease agreement and performed the following procedures:
◦ Obtained and evaluated the documents that were part of the overall master lease agreement.
◦ Tested the Company’s identification of the significant terms for completeness and accuracy, including the identification of the lease and non-lease components, cancellation and renewal provisions, estimated term and fixed and variable consideration.
◦ Assessed the terms and provisions in the master lease agreement and evaluated the appropriateness of the Company’s application of their accounting policies, along with their use of estimates, in the determination of revenue recognition conclusions.
• We tested the mathematical accuracy of the Company’s determination of revenue and the associated timing of revenue recognized in the financial statements.
InSite Wireless Group, LLC Acquisition – Refer to Notes 1, 5 and 7 to the financial statements
Critical Audit Matter Description
The Company completed the acquisition of InSite Wireless Group, LLC (“InSite”) for the total consideration of $3.5 billion on December 23, 2020. The Company accounted for the transaction with InSite under the acquisition method of accounting for business combinations. Accordingly, the purchase price was allocated on a preliminary basis to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their respective fair values on the acquisition date including property, plant & equipment of $516 million, intangible assets of $1,783 million, income tax liabilities of $117 million and goodwill of $1,354 million. Of the identified intangible assets acquired, the most significant included tenant relationship intangible assets of $1,160 million and network location intangible assets of $623 million. The Company estimated the fair value of these two intangible assets using the multi-period excess earnings method, which is a discounted cash flow method that required the Company to make significant estimates and assumptions related to future cash flows, including those related to tenant growth and attrition rates, long-term growth rates, and discount rate.
We identified the tenant relationship and network location intangible assets for InSite as a critical audit matter because of the significant estimates and assumptions the Company makes to calculate fair value of these assets for purposes of recording the acquisition. This required a high degree of auditor judgment and an increased extent of effort when performing audit procedures to evaluate the reasonableness of the Company’s forecasts of future cash flows as well as the selection of the tenant growth and attrition rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates, including the need to involve our internal fair value specialists.
How the Critical Audit Matter Was Addressed in the Audit
Our principal audit procedures related to the forecasts of future cash flows for the intangible assets and the selection of the tenant growth and attrition rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates included the following:
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• We tested the effectiveness of controls over the purchase price allocation, including controls over the Company’s projections of future cash flows and the selection of tenant growth and attrition rates, long-term growth rates and discount rates utilized in determining the fair value of the intangible assets.
• We evaluated the reasonableness of the Company’s projections of future cash flows, including the selection of tenant growth and attrition rates by comparing the assumptions used in the projections to those of the in-place lease contracts assumed, external market sources, historical data of the Company’s similar contractual relationships, and results from other areas of the audit.
• With the assistance of our fair value specialists, we evaluated the reasonableness of the valuation methodology, long-term growth rates and discount rates by:
◦ Testing the source information underlying the determination of the long-term growth rates and discount rates and testing the mathematical accuracy of the calculations.
◦ Developing a range of independent estimates for the discount rate and comparing those to the discount rate selected by the Company.
/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 25, 2021
We have served as the Company's auditor since 1997.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except share count and per share data)
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,746.3 $ 1,501.2
Restricted cash 115.1 76.8
Accounts receivable, net 511.6 462.2
Prepaid and other current assets 532.6 513.6
Total current assets 2,905.6 2,553.8
PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, net 12,808.7 12,084.4
GOODWILL 7,282.7 6,178.3
OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS, net 13,839.8 12,318.4
DEFERRED TAX ASSET 123.1 131.8
DEFERRED RENT ASSET 2,084.3 1,771.1
RIGHT-OF-USE ASSET 7,789.2 7,357.4
NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS 400.1 406.4
TOTAL $ 47,233.5 $ 42,801.6
LIABILITIES
CURRENT LIABILITIES:
Accounts payable $ 139.1 $ 148.1
Accrued expenses 1,043.7 958.2
Distributions payable 544.6 455.0
Accrued interest 207.8 209.4
Current portion of operating lease liability 539.9 494.5
Current portion of long-term obligations 789.8 2,928.2
Unearned revenue 390.6 294.3
Total current liabilities 3,655.5 5,487.7
LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS 28,497.7 21,127.2
OPERATING LEASE LIABILITY 6,884.4 6,510.4
ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS 1,571.3 1,384.1
DEFERRED TAX LIABILITY 859.5 768.3
OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES 984.6 937.0
Total liabilities 42,453.0 36,214.7
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 212.1 1,096.5
EQUITY (shares in thousands):
Common stock: $ 0.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; 455,245 and 453,541 shares issued; and 444,330 and 442,890 shares outstanding, respectively
4.6 4.5
Additional paid-in capital 10,473.7 10,117.7
Distributions in excess of earnings ( 1,343.0 ) ( 1,016.8 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ( 3,759.4 ) ( 2,823.6 )
Treasury stock ( 10,915 and 10,651 shares at cost, respectively)
( 1,282.4 ) ( 1,226.4 )
Total American Tower Corporation equity 4,093.5 5,055.4
Noncontrolling interests 474.9 435.0
Total equity 4,568.4 5,490.4
TOTAL $ 47,233.5 $ 42,801.6
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in millions, except share and per share data)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
REVENUES:
Property $ 7,953.6 $ 7,464.9 $ 7,314.7
Services 87.9 115.4 125.4
Total operating revenues 8,041.5 7,580.3 7,440.1
OPERATING EXPENSES:
Costs of operations (exclusive of items shown separately below):
Property 2,189.6 2,173.7 2,128.7
Services 37.6 43.1 49.1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,882.3 1,778.4 2,110.8
Selling, general, administrative and development expense 778.7 730.4 733.2
Other operating expenses 265.8 166.3 513.3
Total operating expenses 5,154.0 4,891.9 5,535.1
OPERATING INCOME 2,887.5 2,688.4 1,905.0
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE):
Interest expense, TV Azteca — — ( 0.1 )
Interest income 39.7 46.8 54.7
Interest expense ( 793.5 ) ( 814.2 ) ( 825.5 )
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations ( 71.8 ) ( 22.2 ) ( 3.3 )
Other (expense) income (including foreign currency (losses) gains of $( 216.4 ), $ 6.1 , and $( 4.5 ), respectively)
( 240.8 ) 17.6 23.8
Total other expense ( 1,066.4 ) ( 772.0 ) ( 750.4 )
INCOME FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS BEFORE INCOME TAXES 1,821.1 1,916.4 1,154.6
Income tax (provision) benefit ( 129.6 ) 0.2 110.1
NET INCOME 1,691.5 1,916.6 1,264.7
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 0.9 ) ( 28.8 ) ( 28.3 )
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION STOCKHOLDERS 1,690.6 1,887.8 1,236.4
Dividends on preferred stock — — ( 9.4 )
NET INCOME ATTRIBUTABLE TO AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION COMMON STOCKHOLDERS $ 1,690.6 $ 1,887.8 $ 1,227.0
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE AMOUNTS:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 3.81 $ 4.27 $ 2.79
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 3.79 $ 4.24 $ 2.77
WEIGHTED AVERAGE COMMON SHARES OUTSTANDING (in thousands):
BASIC 443,640 442,319 439,606
DILUTED 446,104 445,520 442,960
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Net income $ 1,691.5 $ 1,916.6 $ 1,264.7
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, each net of tax expense of $ 0
( 0.2 ) ( 0.1 ) ( 0.1 )
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, each net of tax expense of $ 0
0.3 0.2 0.3
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest — — 78.8
Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — 0.5
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax expense (benefit) of $ 0.0 , $ 0.5 , and $( 2.6 ), respectively.
( 701.5 ) ( 157.9 ) ( 869.3 )
Other comprehensive loss ( 701.4 ) ( 157.8 ) ( 789.8 )
Comprehensive income 990.1 1,758.8 474.9
Comprehensive (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 26.1 ) 3.8 96.9
Allocation of accumulated other comprehensive income resulting from purchases of noncontrolling interests and redeemable noncontrolling interest ( 209.2 ) ( 55.5 ) —
Comprehensive income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders $ 754.8 $ 1,707.1 $ 571.8
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY
(in millions, share counts in thousands)
Preferred Stock - Series B Common Stock Treasury Stock Additional
Paid-in
Capital Accumulated Other
Comprehensive
Loss Distributions
in Excess of
Earnings Noncontrolling
Interests Total
Equity
Issued Shares Amount Issued
Shares Amount Shares Amount
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 2018 1,375 $ 0.0 437,729 $ 4.4 ( 8,909 ) $ ( 974.0 ) $ 10,247.5 $ ( 1,978.3 ) $ ( 1,058.1 ) $ 586.6 $ 6,828.1
Stock-based compensation related activity — — 1,782 0.0 — — 190.4 — — — 190.4
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan — — 86 0.0 — — 10.2 — — — 10.2
Conversion of preferred stock ( 1,375 ) ( 0.0 ) 12,020 0.1 — — ( 0.1 ) — — — 0.0
Treasury stock activity — — — — ( 1,648 ) ( 232.8 ) — — — — ( 232.8 )
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 0.1 ) — — ( 0.1 )
Reclassification of unrealized gains on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax — — — — — — — 0.3 — — 0.3
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 744.1 ) — ( 33.1 ) ( 777.2 )
Adjustment to redeemable noncontrolling interest — — — — — — ( 50.7 ) 78.8 — — 28.1
Distributions to noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — ( 15.0 ) ( 15.0 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — — — — — ( 16.5 ) 0.5 — ( 4.5 ) ( 20.5 )
Impact of revenue recognition standard adoption — — — — — — — — 38.4 — 38.4
Common stock distributions declared — — — — — — — — ( 1,397.3 ) — ( 1,397.3 )
Preferred stock dividends declared — — — — — — — — ( 18.9 ) — ( 18.9 )
Net income — — — — — — — — 1,236.4 29.5 1,265.9
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2018 — $ — 451,617 $ 4.5 ( 10,557 ) $ ( 1,206.8 ) $ 10,380.8 $ ( 2,642.9 ) $ ( 1,199.5 ) $ 563.5 $ 5,899.6
Stock-based compensation related activity — — 1,851 0.0 — — 143.2 — — — 143.2
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan — — 73 0.0 — — 11.3 — — — 11.3
Treasury stock activity — — — — ( 94 ) ( 19.6 ) — — — — ( 19.6 )
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 0.1 ) — — ( 0.1 )
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax — — — — — — — 0.2 — — 0.2
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 125.3 ) — ( 24.3 ) ( 149.6 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — ( 14.6 ) ( 14.6 )
Purchase of noncontrolling interest — — — — — — ( 49.5 ) ( 3.1 ) — ( 15.9 ) ( 68.5 )
Reclassification to redeemable noncontrolling interest — — — — — — ( 420.5 ) — — ( 102.5 ) ( 523.0 )
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest — — — — — — 52.4 ( 52.4 ) — — —
Common stock distributions declared — — — — — — — — ( 1,680.4 ) — ( 1,680.4 )
Impact of lease accounting standard adoption — — — — — — — — ( 24.7 ) — ( 24.7 )
Net income — — — — — — — — 1,887.8 28.8 1,916.6
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2019 — $ — 453,541 $ 4.5 ( 10,651 ) $ ( 1,226.4 ) $ 10,117.7 $ ( 2,823.6 ) $ ( 1,016.8 ) $ 435.0 $ 5,490.4
Stock-based compensation related activity 1,633 0.1 — — 133.4 — — — 133.5
Issuance of common stock—stock purchase plan — — 71 0.0 — — 13.4 — — — 13.4
Treasury stock activity — — — — ( 264 ) ( 56.0 ) — — — — ( 56.0 )
Changes in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 0.2 ) — — ( 0.2 )
Reclassification of unrealized losses on cash flow hedges to net income, net of tax — — — — — — — 0.3 — — 0.3
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax — — — — — — — ( 726.7 ) — 40.5 ( 686.2 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interest — — — — — — — — — ( 8.9 ) ( 8.9 )
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — — — — — 209.2 ( 209.2 ) — — —
Common stock distributions declared — — — — — — — — ( 2,016.8 ) — ( 2,016.8 )
Net income — — — — — — — — 1,690.6 8.3 1,698.9
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2020 — $ — 455,245 $ 4.6 ( 10,915 ) $ ( 1,282.4 ) $ 10,473.7 $ ( 3,759.4 ) $ ( 1,343.0 ) $ 474.9 $ 4,568.4
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income $ 1,691.5 $ 1,916.6 $ 1,264.7
Adjustments to reconcile net income to cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,882.3 1,778.4 2,110.8
Stock-based compensation expense 120.8 111.4 137.5
Loss on investments, unrealized foreign currency loss and other non-cash expense 299.6 46.2 47.3
Impairments, net loss on sale of long-lived assets, non-cash restructuring and merger related expenses 239.5 140.0 479.6
Loss on early retirement of long-term obligations 71.8 22.2 3.3
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and other non-cash interest 32.9 25.9 22.1
Deferred income taxes ( 22.5 ) ( 55.1 ) ( 303.0 )
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions:
Accounts receivable ( 175.5 ) 12.5 ( 32.1 )
Prepaid and other assets 84.4 ( 67.6 ) ( 101.7 )
Deferred rent asset ( 322.0 ) ( 183.5 ) ( 87.6 )
Right-of-use asset and Operating lease liability, net ( 10.9 ) 17.4 —
Accounts payable and accrued expenses ( 69.2 ) ( 46.8 ) 69.3
Accrued interest ( 1.8 ) 32.4 8.4
Unearned revenue 60.7 2.5 85.8
Deferred rent liability — — 57.9
Other non-current liabilities ( 0.2 ) 0.1 ( 14.0 )
Cash provided by operating activities 3,881.4 3,752.6 3,748.3
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Payments for purchase of property and equipment and construction activities ( 1,031.7 ) ( 991.3 ) ( 913.2 )
Payments for acquisitions, net of cash acquired ( 3,799.1 ) ( 2,959.6 ) ( 1,881.4 )
Proceeds from sales of short-term investments and other non-current assets 19.6 383.5 1,252.2
Payments for short-term investments — ( 355.9 ) ( 1,154.3 )
Deposits and other 26.6 ( 64.2 ) ( 52.8 )
Cash used for investing activities ( 4,784.6 ) ( 3,987.5 ) ( 2,749.5 )
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Borrowings under credit facilities 8,230.4 5,750.0 3,263.3
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net 7,925.1 4,876.7 584.9
Proceeds from term loans 1,940.0 1,300.0 1,500.0
Proceeds from issuance of securities in securitization transaction — — 500.0
Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loans, senior notes, secured debt, finance leases and capital leases ( 13,875.4 ) ( 9,225.3 ) ( 4,884.8 )
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, net ( 12.3 ) ( 11.8 ) ( 14.4 )
Purchases of common stock ( 56.0 ) ( 19.6 ) ( 232.8 )
Proceeds from stock options and employee stock purchase plan 98.1 105.5 98.9
Distributions paid on common stock ( 1,928.2 ) ( 1,603.0 ) ( 1,323.5 )
Distributions paid on preferred stock — — ( 18.9 )
Payment for early retirement of long-term obligations ( 68.2 ) ( 21.0 ) ( 3.3 )
Deferred financing costs and other financing activities ( 176.5 ) ( 135.6 ) ( 56.6 )
Purchases of redeemable noncontrolling interests ( 861.7 ) ( 425.7 ) —
Purchase of noncontrolling interest — ( 68.5 ) ( 20.5 )
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities 1,215.3 521.7 ( 607.7 )
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash ( 28.7 ) ( 13.7 ) ( 41.1 )
NET INCREASE IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH 283.4 273.1 350.0
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR 1,578.0 1,304.9 954.9
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, AND RESTRICTED CASH, END OF YEAR $ 1,861.4 $ 1,578.0 $ 1,304.9
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
1. BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Business —American Tower Corporation (together with its subsidiaries, “ATC” or the “Company”) is one of the largest global real estate investment trusts and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. The Company’s primary business is the leasing of space on communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. The Company refers to this business as its property operations. Additionally, the Company offers tower-related services in the United States, which the Company refers to as its services operations. These services include site application, zoning and permitting (“AZP”) and structural analysis, which primarily support the Company’s site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites.
The Company’s portfolio primarily consists of towers that it owns and towers that it operates pursuant to long-term lease arrangements, as well as distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, which provide seamless coverage solutions in certain in-building and outdoor wireless environments. In addition to the communications sites in its portfolio, the Company manages rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. The Company also holds other telecommunications infrastructure, fiber and property interests that it leases primarily to communications service providers and third-party tower operators.
American Tower Corporation is a holding company that conducts its operations through its directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries and joint ventures. ATC’s principal domestic operating subsidiaries are American Towers LLC and SpectraSite Communications, LLC. ATC conducts its international operations primarily through its subsidiary, American Tower International, Inc., which in turn conducts operations through its various international holding and operating subsidiaries and joint ventures.
The Company operates as a real estate investment trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes (“REIT”). Accordingly, the Company generally is not required to pay U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its REIT operations, including the income derived from leasing space on its towers, as it receives a dividends paid deduction for distributions to stockholders that generally offsets its REIT income and gains. However, the Company remains obligated to pay U.S. federal income taxes on earnings from its domestic taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”). In addition, the Company’s international assets and operations, regardless of their classification for U.S. tax purposes, continue to be subject to taxation in the jurisdictions where those assets are held or those operations are conducted.
The use of TRSs enables the Company to continue to engage in certain businesses and jurisdictions while complying with REIT qualification requirements. The Company may, from time to time, change the election of previously designated TRSs to be included as part of the REIT. As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s REIT-qualified businesses included its U.S. tower leasing business and a majority of its U.S. indoor DAS networks business and services segment, as well as most of its operations in Mexico, Germany, Costa Rica, Nigeria, France, Canada and Australia.
Principles of Consolidation and Basis of Presentation —The accompanying consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and those entities in which it has a controlling interest. Investments in entities that the Company does not control are accounted for using the equity method or as investments in equity securities, depending upon the Company’s ability to exercise significant influence over operating and financial policies. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. As of December 31, 2020, the Company holds (i) a 51 % controlling interest in ATC Europe B.V. (“ATC Europe”), a joint venture that primarily consists of the Company’s operations in France, Germany and Poland (PGGM holds a 49 % noncontrolling interest) and (ii) a 92 % controlling interest in ATC Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ATC TIPL”), formerly Viom Networks Limited (“Viom”), in India (the remaining shareholders, as discussed in note 15, hold a 8 % noncontrolling interest).
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of MTN Group Limited’s (“MTN”) 49 % redeemable noncontrolling interests in each of the Company’s joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda for total consideration of approximately $ 524.4 million, including a net adjustment of $ 1.4 million made during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which resulted in an increase in the Company’s controlling interests in such joint ventures from 51 % to 100 %. The purchase is reflected in the consolidated statements of equity as increases of $ 142.2 million in each of Additional Paid-in Capital and Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss and in the consolidated balance sheets as a reduction of $ 524.4 million in Redeemable noncontrolling interests.
Reportable Segments — During the fourth quarter of 2020, as a result of the Company’s acquisition of InSite Wireless Group, LLC (“InSite,” and the acquisition, the “InSite Acquisition”), the Company updated its reportable segments to rename U.S.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
property and Asia property to U.S. & Canada property and Asia-Pacific property, respectively. The Company continues to report its results in six segments – U.S. & Canada property, Asia-Pacific property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property and services, which are discussed further in note 21. The change in reportable segment names is solely reflective of the inclusion of Canada and Australia in the Company’s business operations, as a result of the InSite Acquisition, and had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any prior periods. Historical financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has not been adjusted.
Significant Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates —The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”) requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results may differ from those estimates, and such differences could be material to the accompanying consolidated financial statements. The significant estimates in the accompanying consolidated financial statements include impairment of long-lived assets (including goodwill), asset retirement obligations, revenue recognition, rent expense and lease accounting, income taxes and accounting for business combinations and acquisitions of assets. The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued as additional evidence for certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosure.
Accounts Receivable and Deferred Rent Asset —The Company derives the largest portion of its revenues and corresponding accounts receivable and the related deferred rent asset from a relatively small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, and 55 % of its current-year revenues are derived from three tenants.
The Company’s deferred rent asset is associated with non-cancellable tenant leases that contain fixed escalation clauses over the terms of the applicable lease in which revenue is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.
The Company mitigates its concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of its borrowers and tenants. In recognizing tenant revenue, the Company assesses the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized in advance of billing on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, revenue recognition is deferred until such point as collectibility is determined to be reasonably assured. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and subsequently determined to be uncollectible are charged to bad debt expense included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Accounts receivable is reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured. These allowances are generally estimated based on payment patterns, days past due and collection history, and incorporate changes in economic conditions that may not be reflected in historical trends, such as tenants in bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization. Receivables are written-off against the allowances when they are determined to be uncollectible. Such determination includes analysis and consideration of the particular conditions of the account. Changes in the allowances were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 (1) 2019 2018
Balance as of January 1, $ 163.3 $ 282.4 $ 131.0
Current year increases 105.6 104.3 157.8
Write-offs, recoveries and other (2) ( 21.3 ) ( 223.4 ) ( 6.4 )
Balance as of December 31, $ 247.6 $ 163.3 $ 282.4
_______________
(1) Year ended December 31, 2020 reflects the Company’s adoption of the current expected credit loss model for non-lease receivables. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements as the majority of the Company’s revenue is derived from its property operations and operating lease receivables are not within the scope of this guidance.
(2) Amounts are primarily related to uncollectible amounts in India. In 2018, recoveries include recognition of revenue resulting from collections of previously reserved amounts.
Functional Currency —The functional currency of each of the Company’s foreign operating subsidiaries is normally the respective local currency, except for Costa Rica and Argentina, where the functional currency is the U.S. Dollar. All foreign currency assets and liabilities held by the subsidiaries are translated into U.S. Dollars at the exchange rate in effect at the end of the applicable fiscal reporting period and all foreign currency revenues and expenses are translated at the average monthly exchange rates. Translation adjustments are reflected in equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive loss
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
(“AOCL”) in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of Comprehensive income in the consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Gains and losses on foreign currency transactions are reflected in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations. However, the effect from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates on intercompany debt for which repayment is not anticipated in the foreseeable future is reflected in AOCL in the consolidated balance sheets and included as a component of Comprehensive income.
The Company recorded the following net foreign currency losses:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Foreign currency losses recorded in AOCL $ 391.0 $ 45.8 $ 385.8
Foreign currency losses (gains) recorded in Other expense 216.4 ( 6.1 ) 4.5
Total foreign currency losses $ 607.4 $ 39.7 $ 390.3
Cash and Cash Equivalents —Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, demand deposits and short-term investments with original maturities of three months or less. The Company maintains its deposits at high-quality financial institutions and monitors the credit ratings of those institutions.
Restricted Cash— Restricted cash includes cash pledged as collateral to secure obligations and all cash whose use is otherwise limited by contractual provisions.
The reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash reported within the applicable balance sheet that sum to the total of the same such amounts shown in the statements of cash flows is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,746.3 $ 1,501.2 $ 1,208.7
Restricted cash 115.1 76.8 96.2
Total cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 1,861.4 $ 1,578.0 $ 1,304.9
Property and Equipment —Property and equipment is recorded at cost or, in the case of acquired properties, at estimated fair value on the date acquired. Cost for self-constructed towers includes direct materials and labor and certain indirect costs associated with construction of the tower, such as transportation costs, employee benefits and payroll taxes. The Company begins the capitalization of costs during the pre-construction period, which is the period during which costs are incurred to evaluate the site, and continues to capitalize costs until the tower is substantially completed and ready for occupancy by a tenant. Labor and related costs capitalized for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $ 51.1 million, $ 48.3 million and $ 55.0 million, respectively.
Expenditures for repairs and maintenance are expensed as incurred. Augmentation and improvements that extend an asset’s useful life or enhance capacity are capitalized.
Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives. Towers and related assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
Towers or assets acquired through finance leases are recorded net at the present value of future minimum lease payments or the fair value of the leased asset at the inception of the lease. Property and equipment and assets held under finance leases are amortized over the shorter of the applicable lease term or the estimated useful life of the respective assets for periods generally not exceeding twenty years .
The Company reviews its tower portfolio for indicators of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company reviews other long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s assets may not be recoverable. The Company records impairment charges in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets —The Company reviews goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable.
Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. The Company employs a discounted cash flow analysis when testing goodwill for impairment. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal sales growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. The Company compares the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, no potential impairment was identified, as the fair value of each of the reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.
Intangible assets that are separable from goodwill and are deemed to have a definite life are amortized over their useful lives, generally ranging from three to twenty years and are evaluated separately for impairment at least annually or whenever events or circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.
The Company reviews its network location intangible assets for indicators of impairment on an individual tower basis. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company monitors its tenant-related intangible assets on a tenant by tenant basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. The Company assesses recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the related assets will be recovered primarily through projected undiscounted future cash flows. If the Company determines that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable, the Company measures any impairment loss based on the projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the asset or available market information relative to the asset’s fair value, as compared to the asset’s carrying amount. The Company records impairment charges, which are discussed in note 17, in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.
Derivative Financial Instruments —Derivatives are recorded on the consolidated balance sheet at fair value. If a derivative is designated as a cash flow hedge, the effective portions of changes in the fair value of the derivative are recorded in AOCL, as well as a component of comprehensive income, and are recognized in the results of operations when the hedged item affects earnings. Changes in fair value of the ineffective portions of cash flow hedges are recognized in the results of operations. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, changes in value of the derivatives are recorded in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations in the current period, along with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For derivative instruments not designated as hedging instruments, changes in fair value are recognized in the results of operations in the period that the change occurs.
The primary risks managed through the use of derivative instruments is interest rate risk, exposure to changes in the fair value of debt attributable to interest rate risk and currency risk. From time to time, the Company enters into interest rate swap agreements or foreign currency contracts to manage exposure to these risks. Under these agreements, the Company is exposed to counterparty credit risk to the extent that a counterparty fails to meet the terms of a contract. The Company’s exposure is limited to the current value of the contract at the time the counterparty fails to perform. The Company assesses, both at the inception of the hedge and on an ongoing basis, whether the derivatives that are used in hedging transactions are highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flows or fair values of hedged items. The Company does not hold derivatives for trading purposes.
Fair Value Measurements —The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.
Asset Retirement Obligations —When required, the Company recognizes the fair value of obligations to remove its tower assets and remediate the leased land upon which certain of its tower assets are located. Generally, the associated retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower assets and depreciated over their estimated useful lives and the liability is accreted through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. Fair value estimates of asset retirement obligations generally involve discounting of estimated future cash flows associated with takedown costs. Periodic accretion of such liabilities due to the passage of time is included in Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense in the consolidated statements of operations. Adjustments are also made to the asset retirement obligation liability to reflect changes in the estimates of timing and amount of expected cash flows, with an offsetting adjustment made to the related long-lived tangible
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
asset. The significant assumptions used in estimating the Company’s aggregate asset retirement obligation are: timing of tower removals; cost of tower removals; timing and number of land lease renewals; expected inflation rates; and credit-adjusted, risk-free interest rates that approximate the Company’s incremental borrowing rate.
Income Taxes —As a REIT, the Company generally is not subject to U.S. federal income taxes on income generated by its REIT operations as it receives a dividends paid deduction for distributions to stockholders that generally offsets its REIT income and gains. However, the Company remains obligated to pay U.S. federal income taxes on certain earnings and continues to be subject to taxation in its foreign jurisdictions. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements reflect provisions for federal, state, local and foreign income taxes. The Company recognizes deferred tax assets and liabilities for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis, as well as operating loss and tax credit carryforwards. The Company measures deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
The Company periodically reviews its deferred tax assets, and provides valuation allowances if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.
The Company classifies uncertain tax positions as income tax liabilities in Other non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet, unless expected to be paid within one year. The Company reports penalties and tax-related interest expense as a component of the income tax provision and interest income from tax refunds as a component of Interest income in the consolidated statements of operations.
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) —Other comprehensive income (loss) refers to items excluded from net income that are recorded as an adjustment to equity, net of tax. The Company’s other comprehensive income (loss) primarily consisted of changes in fair value of effective derivative cash flow hedges, foreign currency translation adjustments and reclassification of unrealized losses on effective derivative cash flow hedges. The AOCL balance included accumulated foreign currency translation losses of $ 3.8 billion, $ 2.8 billion and $ 2.6 billion as of December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively.
Distributions —As a REIT, the Company must annually distribute to its stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, the Company has distributed, and expects to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of its REIT taxable income after taking into consideration its utilization of net operating losses (“NOLs”).
The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of the Board of Directors and will depend upon various factors, a number of which may be beyond the Company’s control, including the Company’s financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that the Company otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in the Company’s existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, the Company’s ability to utilize NOLs to offset the Company’s distribution requirements, limitations on its ability to fund distributions using cash generated through its TRSs and other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant.
Acquisitions —For acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, the Company applies the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of operations are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid by the Company over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. The Company continues to evaluate acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. All other acquisitions are accounted for as asset acquisitions and the purchase price is allocated to the net assets acquired with no recognition of goodwill. The purchase price is not subsequently adjusted.
The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, the Company must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, the
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Table of Contents
AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Company must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.
Revenue —The Company’s revenue is derived from leasing the right to use its communications sites and the land on which the sites are located (the “lease component”) and from the reimbursement of costs incurred by the Company in operating the communications sites and supporting the tenants’ equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease component”). Most of the Company’s revenue is derived from leasing arrangements and is accounted for as lease revenue unless the timing and pattern of revenue recognition of the non-lease component differs from the lease component. If the timing and pattern of the non-lease component revenue recognition differs from that of the lease component, the Company separately determines the stand-alone selling prices and pattern of revenue recognition for each performance obligation. Revenue related to DAS networks and fiber and other related assets results from agreements with tenants that are not leases.
The Company’s revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is probable. Escalation clauses tied to a consumer price index (“CPI”), or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with the Company’s tenants are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total property straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were $ 322.0 million, $ 183.5 million and $ 87.6 million, respectively.
Non-lease revenue— Non-lease revenue consists primarily of revenue generated from DAS networks, fiber and other property related revenue. DAS networks and fiber arrangements require that the Company provide the tenant the right to use the applicable communications infrastructure. Performance obligations are satisfied over time for the duration of the arrangements. Other property related revenue streams, which include site inspections, are not material on either an individual or consolidated basis.
Services revenue— The Company offers tower-related services in the United States. These services include AZP and structural analysis. There is a single performance obligation related to AZP and revenue is recognized over time based on milestones achieved, which are determined based on costs expected to be incurred. Structural analysis services may have more than one performance obligation, contingent upon the number of contracted services. Revenue is recognized at the point in time the services are completed.
Some of the Company’s contracts with tenants contain multiple performance obligations. For these arrangements, the Company allocates revenue to each performance obligation based on its relative standalone selling price, which is typically based on the price charged to tenants.
Since most of the Company’s contracts are leases, costs to enter into lease arrangements are capitalized under the applicable lease accounting guidance. Costs incurred to obtain non-lease contracts that are capitalized primarily relate to DAS networks and are not material to the consolidated financial statements. The Company has excluded sales tax, value added tax and similar taxes from non-lease revenue.
Revenue is disaggregated by geography in a manner consistent with the Company’s business segments, which are discussed further in note 21. A summary of revenue disaggregated by source and geography is as follows:
Year Ended December 31, 2020 U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin
America Total
Non-lease property revenue $ 258.4 $ 9.3 $ 13.8 $ 7.9 $ 118.4 $ 407.8
Services revenue 87.9 — — — — 87.9
Total non-lease revenue $ 346.3 $ 9.3 $ 13.8 $ 7.9 $ 118.4 $ 495.7
Property lease revenue 4,258.6 1,130.1 876.4 141.7 1,139.0 7,545.8
Total revenue $ 4,604.9 $ 1,139.4 $ 890.2 $ 149.6 $ 1,257.4 $ 8,041.5
Year Ended December 31, 2019 U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin
America Total
Non-lease property revenue $ 255.7 $ 8.8 $ 4.0 $ 5.1 $ 138.2 $ 411.8
Services revenue 115.4 — — — — 115.4
Total non-lease revenue $ 371.1 $ 8.8 $ 4.0 $ 5.1 $ 138.2 $ 527.2
Property lease revenue 3,933.0 1,208.2 579.9 129.5 1,202.5 7,053.1
Total revenue $ 4,304.1 $ 1,217.0 $ 583.9 $ 134.6 $ 1,340.7 $ 7,580.3
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Information about non-lease receivables, contract assets and contract liabilities from contracts with tenants is as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Accounts receivable $ 77.2 $ 80.5
Prepaids and other current assets 21.8 8.3
Notes receivable and other non-current assets 23.7 21.3
Unearned revenue (1) 120.3 91.7
Other non-current liabilities (1) 432.4 379.2
_______________
(1) Includes capital contributions related to DAS networks.
The Company records unearned revenue when payments are received from tenants in advance of the completion of the Company’s performance obligations. Long-term unearned revenue is included in Other non-current liabilities.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recognized $ 142.3 million of revenue that was previously included in the contract liabilities balances, primarily arising from balances as of December 31, 2019.
The Company records unbilled receivables, which are included in Prepaids and other current assets, when it has completed a performance obligation prior to its ability to bill under the customer arrangement. Other contract assets are included in Notes receivable and other non-current assets. The Company did not record any change in unbilled receivables attributable to non-lease property revenue recognized during each of the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. The change in contract assets attributable to revenue recognized during the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 was $ 6.8 million and $ 3.1 million, respectively.
The Company does not disclose the value of unsatisfied performance obligations for agreements (i) with an original expected length of one year or less or (ii) for which it recognizes revenue at the amount to which it has the right to invoice for services performed.
Lease Accounting and Rent Expense —The Company accounts for leases using a right-of-use model, which recognizes that, at the date of commencement, a lessee has a financial obligation to make lease payments to the lessor for the right to use the underlying asset during the lease term. The lessee recognizes a corresponding right-of-use asset related to this right.
The Company recognizes a right-of-use lease asset and lease liability for operating and finance leases. The right-of-use asset is measured as the sum of the lease liability, prepaid or accrued lease payments, any initial direct costs incurred and any other applicable amounts. The Company reviews its right-of-use assets for impairment whenever events, changes in circumstances or other evidence indicate that the carrying amount of the Company’s assets may not be recoverable. The Company reviews its right-of-use assets for indicators of impairment at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, as part of its tower portfolio. Impairments primarily result from a tower not having current tenant leases or from having expenses in excess of revenues. The Company records impairment charges in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the Company identifies such impairment.
The calculation of the lease liability requires the Company to make certain assumptions for each lease, including lease term and discount rate implicit in each lease, which could significantly impact the gross lease obligation, the duration and the present value of the lease liability. When calculating the lease term, the Company considers the renewal, cancellation and termination rights available to the Company and the lessor. The Company determines the discount rate by calculating the incremental borrowing rate on a collateralized basis at the commencement of a lease or upon a change in the lease term.
Many of the leases underlying the Company’s tower sites have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable by the Company over time. In addition, certain of the Company’s tenant leases require the Company to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. The Company’s calculation of the lease liability includes straight-line ground rent expense for these leases based on the term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to the Company such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.
The straight-line component of ground rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $ 51.6 million, $ 44.4 million and $ 57.9 million, respectively.
Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense —Selling, general and administrative expense consists of overhead expenses related to the Company’s property and services operations and corporate overhead costs not specifically allocable to
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
any of the Company’s individual business operations. Development expense consists of costs related to the Company’s acquisition efforts, costs associated with new business initiatives and project cancellation costs.
Stock-Based Compensation —Stock-based compensation expense is measured at the accounting measurement date based on the fair value of the award and is generally recognized as an expense over the service period, which typically represents the vesting period. The Company provides for accelerated vesting and extended exercise periods of stock options and restricted stock units upon an employee’s death or permanent disability, or upon an employee’s qualified retirement, provided certain eligibility criteria are met. Accordingly, the Company recognizes compensation expense for stock options and time-based restricted stock units (“RSUs”) over the shorter of (i) the four -year vesting period or (ii) the period from the date of grant to the date the employee becomes eligible for such benefits due to death, disability or qualified retirement, which may occur upon grant. The expense recognized includes the impact of forfeitures as they occur.
The Company grants performance-based restricted stock units (“PSUs”) to its executive officers. Threshold, target and maximum parameters are established for a three -year performance period at the time of grant. The metrics are used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when the awards vest, which may range from zero to 200 % of the target amounts. The Company recognizes compensation expense for PSUs over the three -year vesting period, subject to adjustment based on the date the employee becomes eligible for retirement benefits as well as performance relative to grant parameters.
The fair value of stock options is determined using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model and the fair value of RSUs and PSUs is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock on the date of grant. The Company recognizes all stock-based compensation expense in either Selling, general, administrative and development expense, costs of operations or as part of the costs associated with the construction of the tower assets.
In connection with the vesting of restricted stock units, the Company withholds from issuance a number of shares of common stock to satisfy certain employee tax withholding obligations arising from such vesting. The shares withheld are considered constructively retired. The Company recognizes the fair value of the shares withheld in Additional paid-in capital on the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has withheld from issuance an aggregate of 2.4 million shares, including 0.3 million shares related to the vesting of restricted stock units during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Litigation Costs —The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims and lawsuits that are incidental to its business. The Company regularly monitors the status of pending legal actions to evaluate both the magnitude and likelihood of any potential loss. The Company accrues for these potential losses when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of loss, or possible range of loss, can be reasonably estimated. Should the ultimate losses on contingencies or litigation vary from estimates, adjustments to those liabilities may be required. The Company also incurs legal costs in connection with these matters and records estimates of these expenses, which are reflected in Selling, general, administrative and development expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Earnings Per Common Share — Basic and Diluted —Basic net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted net income per common share represents net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders divided by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period and any dilutive common share equivalents, including (A) shares issuable upon the vesting of RSUs and exercise of stock options and (B) shares expected to be earned upon the achievement of the parameters established for PSUs, each to the extent not anti-dilutive. The Company uses the treasury stock method to calculate the effect of its outstanding RSUs, PSUs and stock options.
Retirement Plan —The Company has a 401(k) plan covering substantially all employees who meet certain age and employment requirements. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company matched 100 % of the first 5 % of a participant's contributions. For the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company contributed $ 13.2 million, $ 11.8 million and $ 11.2 million to the plan, respectively.
Accounting Standards Updates
In June 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the “FASB”) issued guidance that modifies how entities measure credit losses on most financial instruments. The new guidance replaces the current "incurred loss" model with an "expected credit loss" model that requires consideration of a broader range of information to estimate expected credit losses over the lifetime of the asset. Operating lease receivables are not within the scope of this guidance. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new guidance using the modified retrospective approach. There was no cumulative-effect adjustment to Distributions in excess of earnings on the consolidated balance sheet as of the effective date. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements. Results for reporting periods beginning January 1, 2020 are
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
presented under the new standard, while prior-period amounts are not adjusted and continue to be reported in accordance with accounting under the previously applicable guidance.
In January 2017, the FASB issued guidance on accounting for goodwill impairments. The guidance eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test and requires, among other things, recognition of an impairment loss when the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Effective January 1, 2020, the Company adopted the new guidance on a prospective basis. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial statements.
In March 2020, the FASB issued guidance to provide optional expedients and exceptions for applying GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The guidance applies only to contracts, hedging relationships and other transactions that reference the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The expedients and exceptions provided by the guidance do not apply to contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated after December 31, 2022, except for hedging relationships existing as of December 31, 2022 for which an entity has elected certain optional expedients that are retained through the end of the hedging relationship. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not modified any contracts as a result of reference rate reform and is evaluating the impact this standard may have on its financial statements.
In April 2020, the FASB issued guidance on the application of lease accounting guidance to lease concessions provided as a result of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic (the “Lease Modification Q&A”). Under existing guidance, a Company must determine, on a lease by lease basis, if a concession was (i) the result of a new lease agreement and as such treated within the lease modification accounting framework or (ii) under the enforceable rights and obligations within the existing lease agreement and as such precluded from applying the lease modification accounting framework. The Lease Modification Q&A provides an optional exception that allows a Company, if certain criteria have been met, to bypass the lease by lease analysis, and instead elect to either apply the lease modification accounting framework or not, provided that the election is applied consistently to leases with similar characteristics and circumstances. The Company evaluated the impact this guidance may have on its financial statements and has elected to not bypass the lease by lease analysis.
2. PREPAID AND OTHER CURRENT ASSETS
Prepaid and other current assets consisted of the following:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Prepaid assets $ 66.1 $ 56.8
Prepaid income tax 143.7 185.8
Unbilled receivables 176.9 142.3
Value added tax and other consumption tax receivables 66.3 71.3
Other miscellaneous current assets 79.6 57.4
Prepaid and other current assets $ 532.6 $ 513.6
3. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
Property and equipment (including assets held under finance leases) consisted of the following:
Estimated
Useful Lives (years) (1) As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Towers Up to 20
$ 14,433.9 $ 13,930.7
Equipment (2) 3 - 20
2,327.1 1,897.3
Buildings and improvements Up to 32
634.0 638.9
Land and improvements (3) Up to 20
2,845.9 2,486.1
Construction-in-progress 431.5 372.6
Total 20,672.4 19,325.6
Less accumulated depreciation ( 7,863.7 ) ( 7,241.2 )
Property and equipment, net $ 12,808.7 $ 12,084.4
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
_______________
(1) Assets on leased land are depreciated over the shorter of the estimated useful life of the asset or the term of the corresponding ground lease taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value.
(2) Includes fiber and DAS assets.
(3) Estimated useful lives apply to improvements only.
Total depreciation expense for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $ 924.3 million, $ 905.5 million and $ 883.1 million, respectively. Depreciation expense includes amounts related to finance lease assets for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019 of $ 153.0 million and $ 168.1 million, respectively.
Information about finance lease-related balances is as follows:
As of December 31,
Finance leases: Classification 2020 2019
Property and equipment Towers $ 2,706.3 $ 2,695.9
Accumulated depreciation ( 1,209.7 ) ( 1,062.0 )
Property and equipment, net $ 1,496.6 $ 1,633.9
Property and equipment Buildings and improvements $ 167.6 $ 167.0
Accumulated depreciation ( 76.3 ) ( 65.3 )
Property and equipment, net $ 91.3 $ 101.7
Property and equipment Land $ 129.9 $ 150.9
Property and equipment Equipment $ 48.8 $ 45.9
Accumulated depreciation ( 15.3 ) ( 13.1 )
Property and equipment, net $ 33.5 $ 32.8
4. LEASES
The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at the inception of the agreement. The Company considers an arrangement to be a lease if it conveys the right to control the use of the communications site or ground space underneath a communications site for a period of time in exchange for consideration. The Company is both a lessor and a lessee.
Lessor —The Company is a lessor in most of its revenue arrangements, as property revenue is derived from tenant leases of specifically-identified, physically distinct space on the Company’s communications real estate assets. The Company’s lease arrangements with its tenants vary depending upon the region and the industry of the tenant and generally have initial non-cancellable terms of five to ten years with multiple renewal terms. The leases also contain provisions that periodically increase the rent due, typically annually, based on a fixed escalation percentage or an inflationary index, or a combination of both. The Company structures its leases to include financial penalties if a tenant terminates the lease, which serve to disincentivize tenants from terminating the lease prior to the expiration of the lease term.
The Company’s leasing arrangements outside of the U.S. may require that the Company provide power to the communications site through an electrical grid connection, diesel fuel generators or other sources and permit the Company to pass through the costs of, or otherwise charge for, these services. Many arrangements require that the communications site has power for a specified percentage of time. In most cases, if delivery of power falls below the specified service level, a corresponding reduction in revenue is recorded. The Company has determined that this performance obligation is satisfied over time for the duration of the lease.
The Company typically has more than one tenant on a site and, by performing ordinary course repair and maintenance work, can often lease a site, either through renewing existing agreements or leasing to new tenants, for periods beyond the existing tenant lease term. Accordingly, the Company has minimal risk with respect to the residual value of its leased assets. Communications sites are depreciated over their estimated useful lives, which generally do not exceed twenty years .
As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have any material related party leases as a lessor. The Company generally does not enter into sales-type leases or direct financing leases. The Company’s leases generally do not include any incentives
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
for the lessee, however, if incentives are present, they are evaluated to determine proper treatment. In addition, the Company’s leases do not include any lessee purchase options.
Historically, the Company has been able to successfully renew its ground leases as needed to ensure continuation of its tower revenue. Accordingly, the Company assumes that it will have access to the land underneath its tower sites when calculating future minimum rental receipts. Future minimum rental receipts expected under non-cancellable operating lease agreements as of December 31, 2020, were as follows:
Year Ended December 31, Amount (1)
2021 $ 6,194.6
2022 5,905.5
2023 5,779.5
2024 5,618.8
2025 5,410.6
Thereafter 29,660.9
Total $ 58,569.9
_______________
(1) Balances are translated at the applicable period-end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
Lessee —The Company enters into arrangements as a lessee primarily for ground space underneath its communications sites. These arrangements are typically long-term lease agreements with initial non-cancellable terms of approximately five to ten years with one or more automatic or exercisable renewal periods and specified increases in lease payments upon exercise of the renewal options. The Company typically exercises its ground lease renewal options in order to provide ongoing tenant space on its communications sites through the end of the tenant lease term. Escalation clauses present in operating leases, excluding those tied to CPI or other inflation-based indices, are recognized on a straight-line basis over the estimated lease term of the applicable lease as a component of rent expense. Additionally, the escalations tied to CPI or another inflation-based index are considered variable lease payments. In certain circumstances, the Company enters into revenue sharing arrangements with the ground space owner, which results in variability in lease payments. In most markets outside of the U.S., in the event there are no tenants on the communications site, the Company generally has unilateral termination rights and in certain situations, the lease is structured to allow for termination by the Company with minimal or no penalties. Ground lease arrangements usually include annual escalations and do not contain any residual value guarantees or restrictions on dividends, other financial obligations or other similar terms. The Company has entered into certain transactions whereby at the end of a lease, sublease or similar arrangement, the Company has the option to purchase the corresponding communications sites. These transactions are further described in note 19.
The Company’s lease liability is the present value of the remaining minimum rental payments to be made over the remaining lease term, including renewal options reasonably certain to be exercised. The Company also considers termination options and factors those into the determination of lease payments when appropriate. To determine the lease term, the Company considers all renewal periods that are reasonably certain to be exercised, taking into consideration all economic factors, including the communications site’s estimated economic life (generally 20 years) and the respective lease terms of the Company’s tenants under the existing lease arrangements on such site.
The Company assesses its right-of-use asset and other lease-related assets for impairment, as described in note 1. During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded $ 76.1 million and $ 9.9 million, respectively, of impairment expense related to these assets.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have any material related party leases as a lessee. The Company does not have any sale-leaseback arrangements as lessee and typically does not enter into leveraged leases.
The Company leases certain land and office space under operating leases and land and improvements, towers and vehicles under finance leases. As of December 31, 2020, operating lease assets were included in Right-of-use asset and finance lease assets were included in Property and equipment, net in the consolidated balance sheet.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Information about other lease-related balances is as follows:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Operating leases:
Right-of-use asset $ 7,789.2 $ 7,357.4
Current portion of lease liability $ 539.9 $ 494.5
Lease liability 6,884.4 6,510.4
Total operating lease liability $ 7,424.3 $ 7,004.9
Finance leases:
Current portion of lease liability $ 4.9 $ 6.7
Lease liability 23.0 24.0
Total finance lease liability $ 27.9 $ 30.7
As most of the Company’s leases do not specifically state an implicit rate, the Company uses a market-specific incremental borrowing rate consistent with the lease term as of the lease commencement date or upon a remeasurement event when calculating the present value of the remaining lease payments. The incremental borrowing rate reflects the cost to borrow on a securitized basis in each market. The remaining lease term does not reflect all renewal options available to the Company, only those renewal options that the Company has assessed as reasonably certain of being exercised taking into consideration the economic and other factors noted above.
The weighted-average remaining lease terms and incremental borrowing rates are as follows:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Operating leases:
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) 13.7 13.1
Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate 5.6 % 6.1 %
Finance leases:
Weighted-average remaining lease term (years) 12.1 15.0
Weighted-average incremental borrowing rate 6.8 % 6.2 %
The following table sets forth the components of lease cost:
Year ended December 31, 2020 Year ended December 31, 2019
Operating lease cost $ 977.2 $ 1,013.1
Variable lease costs not included in lease liability (1) 280.0 261.7
_______________
(1) Includes property tax paid on behalf of the landlord.
The interest expense on finance lease liabilities was $ 1.3 million and $ 1.7 million for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. Assets held under finance leases are recorded in property and equipment and are depreciated over the lesser of the remaining lease term or the remaining useful life.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Supplemental cash flow information is as follows:
Year ended December 31, 2020 Year ended December 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases $ ( 988.3 ) $ ( 1,012.2 )
Operating cash flows from finance leases $ ( 1.3 ) $ ( 1.7 )
Financing cash flows from finance leases $ ( 9.2 ) $ ( 18.0 )
Non-cash items:
New operating leases (1) $ 346.0 $ 409.5
Operating lease modifications and reassessments $ 843.1 $ 334.1
_______________
(1) Amount includes new operating leases and leases acquired in connection with acquisitions.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company does not have material operating or financing leases that have not yet commenced.
Maturities of operating and finance lease liabilities as of December 31, 2020 were as follows:
Fiscal Year Operating Lease (1) Finance Lease (1)
2021 $ 901.1 $ 6.2
2022 869.0 5.3
2023 836.4 3.6
2024 798.0 2.9
2025 751.8 2.1
Thereafter 6,423.4 26.9
Total lease payments 10,579.7 47.0
Less amounts representing interest ( 3,155.4 ) ( 19.1 )
Total lease liability 7,424.3 27.9
Less current portion of lease liability 539.9 4.9
Non-current lease liability $ 6,884.4 $ 23.0
_______________
(1) Balances are translated at the applicable period-end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
5. GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLE ASSETS
The changes in the carrying value of goodwill for each of the Company’s business segments were as follows:
Property Services Total
U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin America
Balance as of December 31, 2018 $ 3,382.5 $ 1,045.5 $ 119.3 $ 262.0 $ 690.6 $ 2.0 $ 5,501.9
Additions and adjustments (1) 32.8 — 670.0 — — — 702.8
Effect of foreign currency translation — ( 23.7 ) 0.9 ( 5.8 ) 2.2 — ( 26.4 )
Balance as of December 31, 2019 $ 3,415.3 $ 1,021.8 $ 790.2 $ 256.2 $ 692.8 $ 2.0 $ 6,178.3
Additions and adjustments (2) 1,335.5 18.7 ( 153.6 ) — — — 1,200.6
Effect of foreign currency translation — ( 23.6 ) ( 11.0 ) 22.9 ( 84.5 ) — ( 96.2 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ 4,750.8 $ 1,016.9 $ 625.6 $ 279.1 $ 608.3 $ 2.0 $ 7,282.7
_______________
(1) Additions consist of $ 704.3 million resulting from 2019 acquisitions, partially offset by $ 1.5 million from revisions to prior-year acquisitions due to measurement period adjustments.
(2) U.S. & Canada and Asia-Pacific consist of an aggregate of $ 1,354.2 million of additions related to the InSite Acquisition. Africa consists of measurement period adjustments related to the Eaton Towers Acquisition (as defined in note 7).
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The Company’s other intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following:
As of December 31, 2020 As of December 31, 2019
Estimated Useful
Lives (years) Gross
Carrying
Value Accumulated
Amortization Net Book
Value Gross
Carrying
Value Accumulated
Amortization Net Book
Value
Acquired network location intangibles (1) Up to 20
$ 5,784.0 $ ( 2,117.6 ) $ 3,666.4 $ 5,150.8 $ ( 1,920.4 ) $ 3,230.4
Acquired tenant-related intangibles Up to 20
14,322.5 ( 4,237.5 ) 10,085.0 12,674.1 ( 3,674.6 ) 8,999.5
Acquired licenses and other intangibles 3 - 20
97.8 ( 9.4 ) 88.4 106.7 ( 18.2 ) 88.5
Total other intangible assets $ 20,204.3 $ ( 6,364.5 ) $ 13,839.8 $ 17,931.6 $ ( 5,613.2 ) $ 12,318.4
_______________
(1) Acquired network location intangibles are amortized over the shorter of the term of the corresponding ground lease, taking into consideration lease renewal options and residual value, generally up to 20 years, as the Company considers these intangibles to be directly related to the tower assets.
The acquired network location intangibles represent the value to the Company of the incremental revenue growth that could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired communications sites. The acquired tenant-related intangibles typically represent the value to the Company of tenant contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition or similar transaction, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals.
The Company amortizes its acquired network location intangibles and tenant-related intangibles on a straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives. As of December 31, 2020, the remaining weighted average amortization period of the Company’s intangible assets was 15 years. Amortization of intangible assets for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $ 867.2 million, $ 791.3 million and $ 1,144.1 million, respectively. Amortization expense decreased for the year ended December 31, 2019 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2018, because in 2018, the Company entered into agreements with one of its tenants in India, Tata Teleservices Limited (“Tata Teleservices”) and related entities (collectively, “Tata”), for a settlement and release of certain contractual lease obligations of Tata Teleservices. As a result, the Company recorded $ 327.5 million of accelerated amortization related to the Tata tenant relationship in 2018, which was subsequently retired.
Based on current exchange rates, the Company expects to record amortization expense as follows over the next five years:
Fiscal Year Amount
2021 $ 999.6
2022 994.0
2023 969.0
2024 959.1
2025 927.6
6. NOTES RECEIVABLE AND OTHER NON-CURRENT ASSETS
Notes receivable and other non-current assets consisted of the following:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Notes receivable $ 6.5 $ 1.1
Other miscellaneous assets 393.6 405.3
Notes receivable and other non-current assets $ 400.1 $ 406.4
7. ACQUISITIONS
The Company evaluates each of its acquisitions under the accounting guidance framework to determine whether to treat an acquisition as an asset acquisition or a business combination. For those transactions treated as asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated to the assets or rights acquired and liabilities assumed, with no recognition of goodwill. For those transactions treated as business combinations, the estimates of the fair value of the assets or rights acquired and liabilities assumed at the
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
date of the applicable acquisition are subject to adjustment during the measurement period (up to one year from the particular acquisition date). The primary areas of the accounting for the acquisitions that are not yet finalized relate to the fair value of certain tangible and intangible assets acquired and liabilities assumed, including tax positions, which may include contingent consideration, residual goodwill and any related tax impact.
The fair value of these net assets acquired are based on management’s estimates and assumptions, as well as other information compiled by management, including valuations that utilize customary valuation procedures and techniques. While the Company believes that such preliminary estimates provide a reasonable basis for estimating the fair value of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, it evaluates any necessary information prior to finalization of the fair value. During the measurement period for those acquisitions accounted for as business combinations, the Company will adjust assets or liabilities if new information is obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have resulted in the revised estimated values of those assets or liabilities as of that date.
Impact of current year acquisitions —The Company typically acquires communications sites and other communications infrastructure assets from wireless carriers or other tower operators and subsequently integrates those sites and related assets into its existing portfolio of communications sites and related assets. The financial results of the Company’s acquisitions have been included in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations for the year ended December 31, 2020 from the date of the respective acquisition. The date of acquisition, and by extension the point at which the Company begins to recognize the results of an acquisition, may depend on, among other things, the receipt of contractual consents, the commencement and extent of leasing arrangements and the timing of the transfer of title or rights to the assets, which may be accomplished in phases. Sites acquired from communications service providers may never have been operated as a business and may instead have been utilized solely by the seller as a component of its network infrastructure. An acquisition may or may not involve the transfer of business operations or employees.
For those acquisitions accounted for as business combinations, the Company recognizes acquisition and merger related expenses in the period in which they are incurred and services are received; for transactions accounted for as asset acquisitions, these costs are capitalized as part of the purchase price. Acquisition and merger related costs may include finder’s fees, advisory, legal, accounting, valuation and other professional or consulting fees and general administrative costs directly related to completing the transaction. Integration costs include incremental and non-recurring costs necessary to convert data, retain employees and otherwise enable the Company to operate acquired businesses or assets efficiently. The Company records acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations, as well as integration costs for all acquisitions, in Other operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded acquisition and merger related expenses for business combinations and non-capitalized asset acquisition costs and integration costs as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Acquisition and merger related expenses $ 15.5 $ 26.9 $ 14.1
Integration costs $ 23.1 $ 9.8 $ 16.1
During the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company recorded net benefits of $ 4.4 million and $ 13.1 million related to pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements, respectively.
2020 Transactions
The estimated aggregate impact of the acquisitions completed in 2020 on the Company’s revenues and gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2020 was approximately $ 14.9 million and $ 10.5 million, respectively. The revenues and gross margin amounts also reflect incremental revenues from the addition of new tenants to such sites subsequent to the transaction date. Acquisitions completed in 2020 were included in all of the Company’s property segments.
InSite Acquisition —On December 23, 2020, the Company acquired 100 % of the outstanding units of IWG Holdings, LLC, the parent company of InSite, which owned, operated and managed approximately 3,000 communications sites in the U.S. and Canada. The portfolio includes approximately 1,400 owned towers in the United States, over 200 owned towers in Canada and approximately 40 DAS networks in the United States. In addition, the portfolio includes more than 600 land parcels under communications sites in the United States, Canada and Australia, as well as approximately 400 rooftop sites. The acquired U.S. and Canada assets and operations are included in the U.S. & Canada property segment and the acquired Australian assets and operations are included in the Asia-Pacific property segment. The total consideration for the InSite Acquisition, including cash acquired, the repayment and assumption of certain debt held by InSite, was approximately $ 3.5 billion, subject to certain
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
closing adjustments. The InSite Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and is subject to post-closing adjustments.
Entel Acquisition —On December 19, 2019, the Company entered into a definitive agreement to acquire approximately 3,200 communications sites in Chile and Peru from Entel PCS Telecomunicaciones S.A. and Entel Peru S.A. (“Entel”) for total consideration of approximately $ 0.8 billion (as of the date of signing). The Company completed the acquisition of approximately 2,400 communications sites in December 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of an additional 530 communications sites pursuant to this agreement for an aggregate total purchase price of $ 137.7 million (as of the dates of acquisition), including value added tax. This acquisition is being accounted for as an acquisition of assets and is included in the table below in “Other.” The remaining communications sites are expected to continue to close in tranches, subject to certain closing conditions.
Poland Acquisition —On June 16, 2020, the Company, through its Polish subsidiary, entered into a definitive agreement with Electronic Control Systems Spółka Akcyjna to acquire up to 50 communications sites in Poland for total consideration of 18.3 million Polish Zloty (“PLN”) ($ 4.6 million at the date of signing). During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of 27 of these communications sites for total consideration of 12.1 million PLN ($ 3.1 million as of the dates of acquisition), including value added tax. This acquisition is being accounted for as an acquisition of assets and is included in the table below in “Other.” The remaining communications sites are expected to continue to close in tranches, subject to customary closing conditions.
Other Acquisitions— During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company acquired a total of 1,299 communications sites, as well as other communications infrastructure assets, in the United States, France, Mexico, Peru and South Africa, including 564 sites in connection with the Company’s agreements with Orange S.A. (“Orange”) as further described below, for an aggregate purchase price of $ 978.0 million. Of the aggregate purchase price, $ 58.9 million is reflected as a payable in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020. The majority of these acquisitions were accounted for as asset acquisitions and are included in the table below in “Other.”
The following table summarizes the allocations of the purchase prices for the fiscal year 2020 acquisitions based upon their estimated fair value at the date of acquisition:
InSite Acquisition Other (1)
Current assets $ 57.2 $ 40.6
Property and equipment 516.4 336.7
Intangible assets (2):
Tenant-related intangible assets 1,160.1 596.5
Network location intangible assets 622.7 166.6
Other intangible assets — 1.3
Other non-current assets 300.7 112.3
Current liabilities ( 75.9 ) ( 10.9 )
Deferred tax liability ( 116.3 ) ( 9.8 )
Other non-current liabilities ( 267.6 ) ( 114.5 )
Net assets acquired 2,197.3 1,118.8
Goodwill (3) 1,354.2 —
Fair value of net assets acquired 3,551.5 1,118.8
Debt assumed (4) ( 800.0 ) —
Purchase price $ 2,751.5 $ 1,118.8
______________
(1) Includes 25 sites in Peru held pursuant to long-term finance leases.
(2) Tenant-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis generally over a 20 year period.
(3) The Company expects goodwill to be partially deductible for tax purposes.
(4) InSite Acquisition debt assumed includes $ 763.5 million of InSite’s indebtedness and a fair value adjustment of $ 36.5 million. The fair value adjustment was based primarily on reported market values using Level 2 inputs.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
In addition to the acquisitions discussed above, the Company purchased 103 towers related to the AT&T transaction described in note 19 for an aggregate purchase price of $ 55.7 million.
Other Signed Acquisitions
Orange— On November 28, 2019, ATC France, a majority-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into definitive agreements with Orange for the acquisition of up to approximately 2,000 communications sites in France over a period of up to five years for total consideration in the range of approximately 500.0 million Euros (“EUR”) to 600.0 million EUR (approximately $ 550.5 million to $ 660.5 million at the date of signing) to be paid over the five -year term. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of 564 of these communications sites. The remaining communications sites are expected to continue to close in tranches, subject to customary closing conditions.
2019 Transactions
Eaton Towers Acquisition —On December 31, 2019, the Company acquired 100 % of the outstanding shares of Eaton Towers Holdings Limited (“Eaton Towers”), which owned and operated approximately 5,800 communications sites across five African markets (the “Eaton Towers Acquisition”). During the year ended December 31, 2020, the purchase price was reduced by approximately $ 4.2 million. The total consideration for the Eaton Towers Acquisition, including the Company’s assumption of Eaton Towers’ existing debt, was approximately $ 2.0 billion. The purchase price reflects a $ 14.0 million receivable from the seller for reimbursement of taxes. The Eaton Towers Acquisition was accounted for as a business combination and the allocation of the purchase price was finalized during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The following table summarizes the preliminary and final allocation of the purchase price paid and the amounts of assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Eaton Towers Acquisition based upon its estimated fair value at the date of acquisition. Balances are reflected in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2020.
Preliminary Allocation Final Allocation
Current assets $ 150.4 $ 151.7
Property and equipment 304.7 306.6
Intangible assets (1):
Tenant-related intangible assets 1,007.6 1,107.7
Network location intangible assets 272.2 326.2
Other non-current assets 99.5 114.8
Current liabilities ( 82.0 ) ( 94.3 )
Deferred tax liability ( 319.3 ) ( 347.2 )
Other non-current liabilities ( 138.3 ) ( 121.3 )
Net assets acquired 1,294.8 1,444.2
Goodwill (2) 670.0 516.4
Fair value of net assets acquired 1,964.8 1,960.6
Debt assumed ( 329.8 ) ( 329.8 )
Purchase price $ 1,635.0 $ 1,630.8
_______________
(1) Tenant-related intangible assets and network location intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over periods of up to 20 years.
(2) The Company expects goodwill to be partially deductible for tax purposes.
Pro Forma Consolidated Results (Unaudited)
The following table presents the unaudited pro forma financial results as if the 2020 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2019 and the 2019 acquisitions had occurred on January 1, 2018. The pro forma results do not include any anticipated cost synergies, costs or other integration impacts. Accordingly, such pro forma amounts are not necessarily indicative of the results that actually would have occurred had the transactions been completed on the dates indicated, nor are they indicative of the
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
future operating results of the Company.
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019
Pro forma revenues $ 8,230.9 $ 8,083.8
Pro forma net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 1,515.7 $ 1,651.0
Pro forma net income per common share amounts:
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 3.42 $ 3.73
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 3.40 $ 3.71
8. ACCRUED EXPENSES
Accrued expenses consisted of the following:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Accrued construction costs $ 46.5 $ 27.8
Accrued income tax payable 20.6 55.2
Accrued pass-through costs 67.1 74.2
Amounts payable for acquisitions 58.9 —
Amounts payable to tenants 66.4 77.9
Accrued property and real estate taxes 219.1 198.1
Accrued rent 82.6 75.6
Payroll and related withholdings 104.4 102.4
Other accrued expenses 378.1 347.0
Accrued expenses $ 1,043.7 $ 958.2
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
9. LONG-TERM OBLIGATIONS
Outstanding amounts under the Company’s long-term obligations, reflecting discounts, premiums, debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps consisted of the following:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019 Contractual Interest Rate (1) Maturity Date (1)
2019 364-Day Term Loan (1) (2) $ — $ 999.9 N/A N/A
2020 Term Loan (1) (3) 749.4 — 0.800 % February 12, 2021
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility (1) — 700.0 — % June 28, 2023
2019 Term Loan (1) 996.1 995.2 1.275 % January 31, 2025
2019 Credit Facility (1) 2,295.0 1,600.0 1.235 % January 31, 2025
2.800 % senior notes (4)
— 749.4 N/A N/A
3.300 % senior notes (5)
— 748.5 N/A N/A
3.450 % senior notes (5)
— 647.7 N/A N/A
5.900 % senior notes (6)
— 498.9 N/A N/A
2.250 % senior notes
605.1 592.1 2.250 % January 15, 2022
4.70 % senior notes
699.0 698.2 4.700 % March 15, 2022
3.50 % senior notes
996.1 994.3 3.500 % January 31, 2023
3.000 % senior notes
721.9 704.9 3.000 % June 15, 2023
0.600 % senior notes
496.8 — 0.600 % January 15, 2024
5.00 % senior notes
1,001.3 1,001.7 5.000 % February 15, 2024
3.375 % senior notes
645.7 644.4 3.375 % May 15, 2024
2.950 % senior notes
643.1 641.3 2.950 % January 15, 2025
2.400 % senior notes
745.0 — 2.400 % March 15, 2025
1.375 % senior notes (7)
604.1 553.0 1.375 % April 4, 2025
4.000 % senior notes
744.3 743.2 4.000 % June 1, 2025
1.300 % senior notes
495.4 — 1.300 % September 15, 2025
4.400 % senior notes
497.1 496.6 4.400 % February 15, 2026
1.950 % senior notes (7)
605.2 554.4 1.950 % May 22, 2026
3.375 % senior notes
989.5 987.9 3.375 % October 15, 2026
3.125 % senior notes
397.9 397.6 3.125 % January 15, 2027
2.750 % senior notes
744.3 743.5 2.750 % January 15, 2027
3.55 % senior notes
744.8 744.1 3.550 % July 15, 2027
0.500 % senior notes (7)
907.4 — 0.500 % January 15, 2028
3.600 % senior notes
693.4 692.6 3.600 % January 15, 2028
1.500 % senior notes
645.1 — 1.500 % January 31, 2028
3.950 % senior notes
590.6 589.6 3.950 % March 15, 2029
3.800 % senior notes
1,633.5 1,631.7 3.800 % August 15, 2029
2.900 % senior notes
741.7 — 2.900 % January 15, 2030
2.100 % senior notes
740.2 — 2.100 % June 15, 2030
1.875 % senior notes
790.5 — 1.875 % October 15, 2030
1.000 % senior notes (7)
786.1 — 1.000 % January 15, 2032
3.700 % senior notes
591.9 591.8 3.700 % October 15, 2049
3.100 % senior notes
1,037.7 — 3.100 % June 15, 2050
2.950 % senior notes
538.2 — 2.950 % January 15, 2051
Total American Tower Corporation debt 26,113.4 20,942.5
Series 2013-2A Securities (8) 1,296.6 1,295.0 3.070 % March 15, 2023
Series 2018-1A Securities (8) 494.6 493.8 3.652 % March 15, 2028
Series 2015-1 Notes (9) — 349.6 N/A N/A
Series 2015-2 Notes (10) 522.1 521.4 3.482 % June 16, 2025
InSite Debt (11) 800.0 — Various Various
Other subsidiary debt (12) 32.9 422.4 Various Various
Total American Tower subsidiary debt 3,146.2 3,082.2
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Finance lease obligations 27.9 30.7
Total 29,287.5 24,055.4
Less current portion of long-term obligations ( 789.8 ) ( 2,928.2 )
Long-term obligations $ 28,497.7 $ 21,127.2
_______________
(1) Accrues interest at a variable rate.
(2) Repaid in full on February 13, 2020 using proceeds from the 2020 Term Loan (as defined below), borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility (as defined below) and cash on hand.
(3) Repaid in full on February 5, 2021 using borrowings from the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(4) Repaid in full on May 11, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(5) Repaid in full on July 6, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(6) Repaid in full on January 15, 2020 with borrowings from the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
(7) Notes are denominated in EUR.
(8) Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is March 15, 2048.
(9) Repaid in full on the June 2020 payment date with cash on hand.
(10) Maturity date reflects the anticipated repayment date; final legal maturity is June 15, 2050.
(11) Debt entered into by certain InSite subsidiaries acquired in connection with the InSite Acquisition (the “InSite Debt”)
(12) Includes (a) the Colombian credit facility, which is denominated in Colombian Pesos (“COP”) and amortizes through April 24, 2021, (b) debt entered into by the Company’s Kenyan subsidiary in connection with an acquisition of sites in Kenya, which is denominated in U.S. Dollars (“USD”) and is payable either (i) in future installments subj ect to the satisfaction of specified conditions or (ii) three years from the note origination date, and (c) U.S. subsidiary debt related to a seller-financed acquisition. As of December 31, 2019, included (a) debt entered into by certain Eaton Towers subsidiaries acquired in connection with the Eaton Towers Acquisition (the “Eaton Towers Debt”), which was denominated i n multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, Kenyan Shilling (“KES”) and West African CFA Franc (“XOF”) and was repaid during the year ended December 31, 2020, (b) the Brazil credit facility, which was denominated in Brazilian Reais (“BRL”) and was repaid on March 6, 2020, and (c) the South African credit facility, which was denominated in South African Rand (“ZAR”) and was repaid on the December 17, 2020 maturity date.
Current portion of long-term obligations — The Company’s current portion of long-term obligations primarily includes $ 750.0 million under its unsecured term loan entered into on February 13, 2020 (the “2020 Term Loan”).
American Tower Corporation Debt
Bank Facilities
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company increased the commitments under its senior unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 (the “2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility”), and its senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended and restated in December 2019 ( the “2019 Credit Facility”), by $ 100.0 million each to $ 3.1 billion and $ 2.35 billion, respectively.
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility— The Company has the ability to borrow up to $ 3.1 billion under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, which includes a $ 1.0 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $ 200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $ 50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company borrowed an aggregate of 910.0 million EUR ($ 1.0 billion as of the borrowing dates) and repaid an aggregate of $ 1.8 billion, including 910.0 million EUR ($ 1.1 billion as of the repayment dates), of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility. The Company used the borrowings to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
2019 Credit Facility— The Company has the ability to borrow up to $ 2.35 billion under the 2019 Credit Facility, which includes a $ 200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $ 50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company borrowed an aggregate of $ 7.2 billion and repaid an aggregate of $ 6.5 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. The Company used the borrowings to fund acquisitions, including the InSite Acquisition, to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
2020 Term Loan— On February 13, 2020, the Company entered into the 2020 Term Loan, the net proceeds of which were used, together with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand, to repay all outstanding indebtedness under its $ 1.3 billion unsecured term loan entered into on February 14, 2019 (the “2019 364 -Day Term Loan”). The 2020 Term Loan matures on February 12, 2021. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity.
April 2020 Term Loan —On April 3, 2020, the Company entered into a $ 1.14 billion unsecured term loan due April 2, 2021, which was subsequently increased to $ 1.19 billion effective April 21, 2020 (the “April 2020 Term Loan”), the net proceeds of which were used to repay outstanding indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the April 2020 Term Loan with proceeds from the issuances of the 0.500 % Notes, the 1.000 % Notes, the 1.875 % Notes and the Reopened 3.100 % Notes (each as defined below).
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at the Company’s option without penalty or premium. The Company has the option of choosing either a defined base rate or LIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan. The interest rates on the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, and the 2019 Term Loan range between 0.875 % to 1.750 % above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 0.750 % above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings. The interest rate on the 2020 Term Loan is 0.650 % above LIBOR for LIBOR based borrowings or up to 0.000 % above the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based upon the Company’s debt ratings.
As of December 31, 2020, the key terms under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan were as follows:
Outstanding Principal Balance Undrawn letters of credit Maturity Date Current margin over LIBOR Current commitment fee (1)
2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility — $ 3.8 June 28, 2023 (3) 1.125 % 0.110 %
2019 Credit Facility $ 2,295.0 $ 0.8 January 31, 2025 (3) 1.125 % 0.110 %
2019 Term Loan $ 1,000.0 (2) N/A January 31, 2025 1.125 % N/A
2020 Term Loan $ 750.0 (2) N/A February 12, 2021 0.650 % N/A
_______________
(1) Fee on undrawn portion of each credit facility.
(2) Borrowed at LIBOR
(3) Subject to two optional renewal periods.
The loan agreements for the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility, the 2019 Term Loan and the 2020 Term Loan contain certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding under the applicable agreement, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
The Company’s bank facility activity subsequent to December 31, 2020 is described further in note 23.
Senior Notes
Repayments of Senior Notes
Repayment of 5.900 % Senior Notes —On January 15, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $ 500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900 % senior unsecured notes due 2021 at a price equal to 106.7090 % of the principal amount, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding January 15, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $ 539.6 million, including $ 6.1 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of $ 34.6 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $ 33.5 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Repayment of 2.800 % Senior Notes —On May 11, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.800 % senior unsecured notes due 2020 at a price equal to the principal amount, together with accrued interest up to, but excluding May 11, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of approximately $ 759.3 million, including $ 9.3 million in accrued interest. The redemption was funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Repayment of 3.450 % Senior Notes and 3.300 % Senior Notes —On July 6, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $ 650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.450 % senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “ 3.450 % Notes”) at a price equal to 103.5980 % of the principal amount of the 3.450 % Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $ 680.3 million, including $ 6.9 million in accrued and unpaid interest. Also on July 6, 2020, the Company redeemed all of the $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.300 % senior unsecured notes due 2021 (the “ 3.300 % Notes”) at a price equal to 101.5090 % of the principal amount of the 3.300 % Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, July 6, 2020, for an aggregate redemption price of $ 771.0 million, including $ 9.7 million in accrued and unpaid interest.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of approximately $ 37.2 million, which includes prepayment consideration of $ 34.7 million and the associated unamortized discount and deferred financing costs. The redemptions of the 3.450 % Notes and the 3.300 % Notes were funded with borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Offerings of Senior Notes
2.400 % Senior Notes and 2.900 % Senior Notes Offering— On January 10, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.400 % senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “ 2.400 % Notes”) and $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.900 % senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “ 2.900 % Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $ 1,483.4 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility. Accrued and unpaid interest is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the offering date on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, beginning on September 15, 2020 and July 15, 2020 for the 2.400 % Notes and the 2.900 % Notes, respectively.
1.300 % Senior Notes, 2.100 % Senior Notes and 3.100 % Senior Notes Offering— On June 3, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $ 500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.300 % senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “ 1.300 % Notes”), $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.100 % senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “ 2.100 % Notes”) and $ 750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.100 % senior unsecured notes due 2050 (the “Initial 3.100 % Notes”) . The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $ 1,968.2 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes. Accrued and unpaid interest is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the offering date on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, beginning on March 15, 2021, December 15, 2020 and December 15, 2020 for the 1.300 % Notes, the 2.100 % Notes and the Initial 3.100 % Notes, respectively.
0.500 % Senior Notes and 1.000 % Senior Notes Offering— On September 10, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of 750.0 million EUR ($ 886.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 0.500 % senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “ 0.500 % Notes”) and 650.0 million EUR ($ 768.0 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 1.000 % senior unsecured notes due 2032 (the “ 1.000 % Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 1,385.2 million EUR ($ 1,636.6 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the April 2020 Term Loan and for general corporate purposes. Accrued and unpaid interest is payable in EUR annually in arrears and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the notes, beginning on January 15, 2021 for each of the 0.500 % Notes and the 1.000 % Notes.
1.875 % Senior Notes and 3.100 % Senior Notes Offering— On September 28, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $ 300.0 million aggregate principal amount through a reopening of the Initial 3.100 % Notes (the “Reopened 3.100 % Notes” and, collectively with the Initial 3.100 % Notes, the “ 3.100 % Notes”) and $ 800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.875 % senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “ 1.875 % Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $ 1,092.1 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and the April 2020 Term Loan. Accrued and unpaid interest is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the offering date (which shall be June 3, 2020 for the Reopened 3.100 % Notes) on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, beginning on April 15, 2021 and December 15, 2020 for the 1.875 % Notes and the Reopened 3.100 % Notes, respectively.
0.600 % Senior Notes, 1.500 % Senior Notes and 2.950 % Senior Notes Offering— On November 20, 2020, the Company completed a registered public offering of $ 500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 0.600 % senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “ 0.600 % Notes”), $ 650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 1.500 % senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “ 1.500 % Notes”) and $ 550.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2.950 % senior unsecured notes due 2051 (the “ 2.950 % Notes” and, collectively with the 2.400 % Notes, the 2.900 % Notes, the 1.300 % Notes, the 2.100 % Notes, the 3.100 % Notes, the 0.500 % Notes, the 1.000 % Notes, the 1.875 % Notes, the 0.600 % Notes and the 1.500 % Notes, the “Notes”) . The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $ 1,678.9 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. The Company used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2019 Credit Facility and for general corporate purposes including the funding of the InSite Acquisition. Accrued and unpaid interest is payable in U.S. Dollars semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the offering date on the basis of a 360 day year comprised of twelve 30-day months, beginning on July 15, 2021, July 31, 2021 and July 15, 2021 for the 0.600 % Notes, the 1.500 % Notes and the 2.950 % Notes, respectively.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The following table outlines key terms related to the Company ’ s outstanding senior notes as of December 31, 2020:
Adjustments to Principal Amount (1)
Aggregate Principal Amount 2020 2019 Interest
payments due (2) Issue Date Par Call Date (3)
2.250 % Notes (4)
$ 600.0 $ 5.1 $ ( 7.9 ) January 15 and July 15 September 30, 2016 N/A
4.70 % Notes
$ 700.0 ( 1.0 ) ( 1.8 ) March 15 and September 15 March 12, 2012 N/A
3.50 % Notes
$ 1,000.0 ( 3.9 ) ( 5.7 ) January 31 and July 31 January 8, 2013 N/A
3.000 % Notes (5)
$ 700.0 21.9 4.9 June 15 and December 15 December 8, 2017 N/A
0.600 % Notes
$ 500.0 ( 3.2 ) — January 15 and July 15 November 20, 2020 N/A
5.00 % Notes (6)
$ 1,000.0 1.3 1.7 February 15 and August 15 August 19, 2013 N/A
3.375 % Notes
$ 650.0 ( 4.3 ) ( 5.6 ) May 15 and November 15 March 15, 2019 April 15, 2024
2.950 % Notes
$ 650.0 ( 6.9 ) ( 8.7 ) January 15 and July 15 June 13, 2019 December 15, 2024
2.400 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 5.0 ) — March 15 and September 15 January 10, 2020 February 15, 2025
1.375 % Notes (7)
$ 610.8 ( 6.7 ) ( 7.6 ) April 4 April 6, 2017 January 4, 2025
4.000 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 5.7 ) ( 6.8 ) June 1 and December 1 May 7, 2015 March 1, 2025
1.300 % Notes
$ 500.0 ( 4.6 ) — March 15 and September 15 June 3, 2020 August 15, 2025
4.400 % Notes
$ 500.0 ( 2.9 ) ( 3.4 ) February 15 and August 15 January 12, 2016 November 15, 2025
1.950 % Notes (7)
$ 610.8 ( 5.6 ) ( 6.2 ) May 22 May 22, 2018 February 22, 2026
3.375 % Notes
$ 1,000.0 ( 10.5 ) ( 12.1 ) April 15 and October 15 May 13, 2016 July 15, 2026
3.125 % Notes
$ 400.0 ( 2.1 ) ( 2.4 ) January 15 and July 15 September 30, 2016 October 15, 2026
2.750 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 5.7 ) ( 6.5 ) January 15 and July 15 October 3, 2019 November 15, 2026
3.55 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 5.2 ) ( 5.9 ) January 15 and July 15 June 30, 2017 April 15, 2027
0.500 % Notes (7)
$ 916.2 ( 8.8 ) — January 15 September 10, 2020 October 15, 2027
3.600 % Notes
$ 700.0 ( 6.6 ) ( 7.4 ) January 15 and July 15 December 8, 2017 October 15, 2027
1.500 % Notes
$ 650.0 ( 4.9 ) — January 31 and July 31 November 20, 2020 November 30, 2027
3.950 % Notes
$ 600.0 ( 9.4 ) ( 10.4 ) March 15 and September 15 March 15, 2019 December 15, 2028
3.800 % Notes
$ 1,650.0 ( 16.5 ) ( 18.3 ) February 15 and August 15 June 13, 2019 May 15, 2029
2.900 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 8.3 ) — January 15 and July 15 January 10, 2020 October 15, 2029
2.100 % Notes
$ 750.0 ( 9.8 ) — June 15 and December 15 June 3, 2020 March 15, 2030
1.875 % Notes
$ 800.0 ( 9.5 ) — April 15 and October 15 September 28, 2020 July 15, 2030
1.000 % Notes (7)
$ 794.0 ( 7.9 ) — January 15 September 10, 2020 October 15, 2031
3.700 % Notes
$ 600.0 ( 8.1 ) ( 8.2 ) April 15 and October 15 October 3, 2019 April 15, 2049
3.100 % Notes (8)
$ 1,050.0 ( 12.3 ) — June 15 and December 15 June 3, 2020 December 15, 2049
2.950 % Notes
$ 550.0 ( 11.8 ) — January 15 and July 15 November 20, 2020 July 15, 2050
_______________
(1) Includes unamortized discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments due to interest rate swaps.
(2) Interest payments are due semi-annually for each series of senior notes, except for the 1.375 % Notes, the 1.950 % Notes, the 0.500 % Notes and the 1.000 % Notes, for which interest payments are due annually.
(3) The Company may redeem the notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100 % of the principal amount of the notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If the Company redeems the notes on or after the par call date, the Company will not be required to pay a make-whole premium.
(4) Includes $ 6.3 million and ($ 5.9 ) million fair value adjustment due to interest rate swaps in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(5) Includes $ 25.1 million and $ 9.2 million fair value adjustment due to interest rate swaps in 2020 and 2019, respectively.
(6) The original issue date for the 5.00 % Notes was August 19, 2013. The issue date for the reopened 5.00 % Notes was January 10, 2014.
(7) Notes are denominated in EUR.
(8) The original issue date for the Initial 3.100 % Notes was June 3, 2020. The issue date for the Reopened 3.100 % Notes was September 28, 2020.
The Company may redeem each series of senior notes at any time, subject to the terms of the applicable supplemental indenture, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100 % of the principal amount of the notes plus a make-whole premium, as applicable, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. In addition, if the Company undergoes a change
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture, it may be required to repurchase all of the applicable notes at a purchase price equal to 101 % of the principal amount of such notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The Notes rank equally with all of the Company’s other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of its subsidiaries.
Each applicable supplemental indenture for the Notes contains certain covenants that restrict the Company’s ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and its (together with its subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that the Company and its subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by such liens does not exceed 3.5 x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture. As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with each of these covenants.
American Tower Subsidiary Debt
Securitizations
The Company has several securitizations in place. Cash flows generated by the sites that secure the securitized debt are only available for payment of such debt and are not available to pay the Company’s other obligations or the claims of its creditors. However, subject to certain restrictions, the Company holds the right to receive the excess cash flows not needed to pay the securitized debt and other obligations arising out of the securitizations. The securitized debt is the obligation of the issuers thereof or borrowers thereunder, as applicable, and their subsidiaries, and not of the Company or its other subsidiaries.
American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A and Series 2015-2, Class A —In May 2015, GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”), one of the Company’s wholly owned subsidiaries, refinanced existing debt with cash on hand and proceeds from a private issuance (the “2015 Securitization”) of $ 350.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-1, Class A (the “Series 2015-1 Notes”) and $ 525.0 million of American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes,” and together with the Series 2015-1 Notes, the “2015 Notes”).
The 2015 Notes were issued by GTP Acquisition Partners pursuant to a Third Amended and Restated Indenture and related series supplements, each dated as of May 29, 2015 (collectively, the “2015 Indenture”), between GTP Acquisition Partners and its subsidiaries (the “GTP Entities”) and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee. The effective weighted average life and interest rate of the 2015 Notes was 8.1 years and 3.029 %, respectively, as of the date of issuance.
Repayment of Series 2015-1 Notes —On the June 2020 payment date, the Company repaid the entire $ 350.0 million aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Series 2015-1 Notes, pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such securities. The repayment was funded with cash on hand.
The outstanding Series 2015-2 Notes are secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the 3,538 communications sites (the “2015 Secured Sites”) owned by the GTP Entities and their operating cash flows, (ii) a security interest in substantially all of the personal property and fixtures of the GTP Entities, including GTP Acquisition Partners’ equity interests in its subsidiaries and (iii) the rights of the GTP Entities under a management agreement. American Tower Holding Sub II, LLC, whose only material assets are its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners, has guaranteed repayment of the Series 2015-2 Notes and pledged its equity interests in GTP Acquisition Partners as security for such payment obligations.
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A , Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A and Series 2018-1, Subclass R —On March 29, 2018, the Company completed a securitization transaction (the “2018 Securitization”), in which the American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”) issued $ 500.0 million aggregate principal amount of Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2018-1A Securities”). To satisfy the applicable risk retention requirements of Regulation RR promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act” and, such requirements, the “Risk Retention Rules”), the Trust issued, and one of the Company’s affiliates purchased, $ 26.4 million aggregate principal amount of Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2018-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2018-1A Securities, the “2018 Securities”) to retain an “eligible horizontal residual interest” (as defined in the Risk Retention Rules) in an amount equal to at least 5% of the fair value of the 2018 Securities.
The Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A (the “Series 2013-2A Securities” and, together with the 2018 Securities the “Trust Securities”) issued in a securitization transaction in March 2013 (the “2013 Securitization” and, together with the 2018 Securitization, the “Trust Securitizations”) remain outstanding and are subject to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Trust and Servicing Agreement entered into in connection with the 2018 Securitization.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The assets of the Trust consist of a nonrecourse loan (the “Loan”) made by the Trust to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (together, the “AMT Asset Subs”). The AMT Asset Subs are jointly and severally liable under the Loan, which is secured primarily by mortgages on the AMT Asset Subs’ interests in 5,114 broadcast and wireless communications towers and related assets (the “Trust Sites”).
The component of the Loan corresponding to the Series 2013-2A Securities also remains outstanding and is subject to the terms of the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement among the Trust and the AMT Asset Subs, dated as of March 29, 2018 (the “Loan Agreement”). The Loan Agreement includes terms and conditions, including with respect to secured assets, substantially consistent with the First Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 15, 2013. The 2018 Securities correspond to components of the Loan made to the AMT Asset Subs pursuant to the Loan Agreement and were issued in two separate subclasses of the same series. The 2018 Securities represent a pass-through interest in the components of the Loan corresponding to the 2018 Securities. The Series 2018-1A Securities have an interest rate of 3.652 % and the Series 2018-1R Securities have an interest rate of 4.459 %. The 2018 Securities have an expected life of approximately ten years with a final repayment date in March 2048. Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made on the components of the Loan corresponding to the 2018 Securities prior to the monthly payment date in March 2028, which is the anticipated repayment date for such components.
The Loan is secured by (1) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on substantially all of the Trust Sites and their operating cash flows, (2) a security interest in substantially all of the AMT Asset Subs’ personal property and fixtures and (3) the AMT Asset Subs’ rights under that certain management agreement among the AMT Asset Subs and SpectraSite Communications, LLC entered into in March 2013. American Tower Holding Sub, LLC (the “Guarantor”), whose only material assets are its equity interests in each of the AMT Asset Subs, and American Tower Guarantor Sub, LLC whose only material asset is its equity interests in the Guarantor, have each guaranteed repayment of the Loan and pledged their equity interests in their respective subsidiary or subsidiaries as security for such payment obligations.
Under the terms of the Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the Trust Sites or the 2015 Secured Sites, respectively, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed solely pursuant to the terms of the Loan Agreement or 2015 Indenture, as applicable. On a monthly basis, after payment of all required amounts under the Loan Agreement or 2015 Indenture, as applicable, including interest payments, subject to the conditions described below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of such assets are released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, which can then be distributed to, and used by, the Company.
In order to distribute any excess cash flow to the Company, the AMT Asset Subs and GTP Acquisition Partners must each maintain a specified debt service coverage ratio (the “DSCR”), which is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the Loan or the 2015 Notes, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination. If the DSCR were equal to or below 1.30 x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for any quarter, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required under the applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable. The funds in the Cash Trap Reserve Account will not be released to the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, unless the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.
Additionally, an “amortization period” commences if, as of the end of any calendar quarter, the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15 x (the “Minimum DSCR”) and will continue to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. With respect to the Trust Securities, an “amortization period” also commences if, on the anticipated repayment date the component of the Loan corresponding to the applicable subclass of the Trust Securities has not been repaid in full, provided that such amortization period shall apply with respect to such component that has not been repaid in full. If the Series 2015-2 Notes have not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the Series 2015-2 Notes, and such notes will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow. During an amortization period, all excess cash flow and any amounts in the applicable Cash Trap Reserve Account would be applied to pay the principal of the Loan or the Series 2015-2 Notes, as applicable, on each monthly payment date.
The Loan and the Series 2015-2 Notes may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, provided such payment is accompanied by the applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within 18 months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2013-2A Securities or the Series 2015-2 Notes, or 36 months of the anticipated repayment date with respect to the Series 2018 Securities, no prepayment consideration is due.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the AMT Asset Subs and the GTP Entities, as applicable, are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the Loan Agreement or the 2015 Indenture, as applicable). The organizational documents of the AMT Asset Subs and the GTP Entities contain provisions consistent with rating agency securitization criteria for special purpose entities, including the requirement that they maintain independent directors. The Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture also contain certain covenants that require the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, to provide the respective trustee with regular financial reports and operating budgets, promptly notify such trustee of events of default and material breaches under the Loan Agreement and other agreements related to the Trust Sites or the 2015 Indenture and other agreements related to the 2015 Secured Sites, as applicable, and allow the applicable trustee reasonable access to the sites, including the right to conduct site investigations.
A failure to comply with the covenants in the Loan Agreement or the 2015 Indenture could prevent the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, as applicable, from distributing excess cash flow to the Company. Furthermore, if the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners were to default on the Loan or the Series 2015-2 Notes, the applicable trustee may seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of all or any portion of the Trust Sites or the 2015 Secured Sites, respectively, in which case the Company could lose the revenue associated with those assets. With respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes, upon the occurrence and during an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50 % of the aggregate outstanding principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes, declare such notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of such notes.
Further, under the Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture, the AMT Asset Subs or GTP Acquisition Partners, respectively, are required to maintain reserve accounts, including for ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums, and, under the 2015 Indenture and in certain circumstances under the Loan Agreement, to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants on the Trust Sites. Based on the terms of the Loan Agreement and the 2015 Indenture, all rental cash receipts received for each month are reserved for the succeeding month and held in an account controlled by the applicable trustee and then released. The $ 69.8 million held in the reserve accounts with respect to the Trust Securitizations and the $ 11.2 million held in the reserve accounts with respect to the 2015 Securitization as of December 31, 2020 are classified as Restricted cash on the Company’s accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
India Indebtedness — The India indebtedness includes several working capital facilities, most of which are subject to annual renewal. The working capital facilities bear interest at rates that consist of the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate (as defined in the applicable agreement), plus a spread. Generally, the working capital facilities are payable on demand prior to maturity.
Amounts outstanding and key terms of the India indebtedness consisted of the following as of December 31, 2020 (in millions, except percentages):
Amount Outstanding (INR) Amount Outstanding (USD) Interest Rate (Range) Maturity Date (Range)
Working capital facilities (1)
— $ — 7.45 % - 8.75 %
March 18, 2021 - October 23, 2021
_______________
(1) 5.6 billion Indian Rupees (“INR”) ($ 76.9 million) of borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2020.
Other Subsidiary Debt — The Company’s other subsidiary debt as of December 31, 2020 includes (i) a long-term credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries in October 2014 (the “Colombian Credit Facility”), (ii) a note entered into by one of the Company’s subsidiaries in October 2018 in connection with the acquisition of sites in Kenya (the “Kenya Debt”), and (iii) U.S. subsidiary debt related to a seller-financed acquisition (the “U.S. Subsidiary Debt”).
As of December 31, 2019, other subsidiary debt also included (i) a credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s South African subsidiaries in December 2015, as amended (the “South African Credit Facility”), (ii) a credit facility entered into by one of the Company’s Brazilian subsidiaries in December 2014 (the “Brazil Credit Facility”) with Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social and (iii) the Eaton Towers Debt.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Amounts outstanding and key terms of other subsidiary debt consisted of the following as of December 31, (in millions, except percentages):
Carrying Value
(Denominated Currency) (1) Carrying Value
(USD) (1) Interest Rate Maturity Date
2020 2019 2020 2019
South African Credit Facility (2) — 288.7 $ — $ 20.6 N/A N/A
Colombian Credit Facility (3) 40,000.0 79,647.3 $ 11.6 $ 24.3 8.45 % April 24, 2021
Brazil Credit Facility (4) — 65.4 $ — $ 16.2 Various January 15, 2022
Kenya Debt (5) 20.1 29.6 $ 20.1 $ 29.6 8.00 % October 1, 2021
U.S. Subsidiary Debt (6) 1.2 1.9 $ 1.2 $ 1.9 — % January 1, 2022
Eaton Towers Debt (7):
USD Denominated — 238.8 $ — $ 238.8 N/A N/A
EUR Denominated — 26.2 $ — $ 29.5 N/A N/A
XOF Denominated — 16,836.8 $ — $ 28.8 N/A N/A
KES Denominated — 3,319.2 $ — $ 32.7 N/A N/A
_______________
(1) Includes applicable deferred financing costs.
(2) Denominated in ZAR, with an original principal amount of 830.0 million ZAR. On December 23, 2016, the borrower borrowed an additional 500.0 million ZAR. Debt accrued interest at a variable rate. On the December 17, 2020 maturity date, the Company repaid all outstanding amounts under the South African Credit Facility.
(3) Denominated in COP, with an original principal amount of 200.0 billion COP. Debt accrues interest at a variable rate. The loan agreement for the Colombian Credit Facility requires that the borrower manage exposure to variability in interest rates on certain of the amounts outstanding under the Colombian Credit Facility. The borrower no longer maintains the ability to draw on the Colombian Credit Facility.
(4) Denominated in BRL, with an original principal amount of 271.0 million BRL. Debt accrued interest at a variable rate. On March 6, 2020, the Company repaid all outstanding amounts under the Brazil Credit Facility.
(5) Denominated in USD, with an original principal amount of $ 51.8 million. The loan agreement for the Kenya Debt requires that the debt be paid either (i) in future installments subject to the satisfaction of specified conditions or (ii) three years from the note origination date with an optional two year extension.
(6) Related to a seller-financed acquisition. Denominated in USD with an original principal amount of $ 2.5 million.
(7) Related to the Eaton Towers Acquisition. Denominated in multiple currencies, including USD, EUR, KES and XOF. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repaid all of the outstanding Eaton Towers Debt.
Pursuant to the agreement governing the Colombian Credit Facility, payments of principal and interest are generally payable quarterly in arrears. Outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The Colombian Credit Facility may be prepaid in whole or in part at any time, subject to certain limitations and prepayment consideration.
The Colombian Credit Facility is secured by, among other things, liens on towers owned by the applicable borrower.
Each of the agreements governing the other subsidiary debt contains contractual covenants and other restrictions. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants could constitute a default under the applicable debt agreement, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
InSite Debt — The InSite Debt includes securitizations entered into by certain InSite subsidiaries. The Company acquired this debt in connection with the InSite Acquisition. The InSite Debt was recorded at fair value upon acquisition. On January 15, 2021, the Company repaid the entire amount outstanding under the InSite Debt, plus accrued and unpaid interest up to, but excluding, January 15, 2021, for an aggregate redemption price of $ 826.4 million, including $ 2.3 million in accrued and unpaid interest. The Company recorded a loss on retirement of long-term obligations of approximately $ 24.5 million, which consists of prepayment consideration offset by the unamortized fair value adjustment recorded upon acquisition. The repayment of the InSite Debt was funded with borrowings from the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility, and cash on hand.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
As of December 31, 2020, the key terms were as follows:
Carrying Value Interest Rate Maturity Date
2020 2019
2016-1 Securitized Debt (1)
Series 2016-1A Class A $ 218.0 $ — 2.883 % November 15, 2023
Series 2016-1A Class B 22.4 — 4.557 % November 15, 2023
Series 2016-1A Class C 75.7 — 6.414 % November 15, 2023
2018-1 Securitized Debt (2)
Series 2018-1A Class A 235.4 — 4.103 % December 15, 2025
Series 2018-1A Class B 60.5 — 4.844 % December 15, 2025
Series 2018-1A Class C 22.8 — 6.115 % December 15, 2025
2020-1 Securitized Debt (3)
Series 2020-1A Class A 121.5 — 1.496 % September 15, 2025
Series 2020-1A Class B 21.7 — 2.488 % September 15, 2025
Series 2020-1A Class C 22.0 — 4.213 % September 15, 2025
Total InSite Debt $ 800.0 $ —
_______________
(1) Maturity dates reflect the anticipated repayment dates; final legal maturity is November 15, 2046.
(2) Maturity dates reflect the anticipated repayment dates; final legal maturity is December 15, 2048.
(3) Maturity dates reflect the anticipated repayment dates; final legal maturity is September 15, 2050.
Finance Lease Obligations —The Company’s finance lease obligations appro ximated $ 27.9 million and $ 30.7 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respective ly. Finance lease obligations are described further in note 4.
Maturities — Aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including finance leases, for the next five years and thereafter are expected to be:
Fiscal Year Amount
2021 $ 789.8
2022 1,304.6
2023 3,318.9
2024 2,151.9
2025 7,566.0
Thereafter 14,331.5
Total cash obligations 29,462.7
Unamortized discounts, premiums and debt issuance costs and fair value adjustments, net ( 175.2 )
Balance as of December 31, 2020 $ 29,287.5
10. OTHER NON-CURRENT LIABILITIES
Other non-current liabilities consisted of the following:
As of
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Unearned revenue $ 576.1 $ 525.9
Other miscellaneous liabilities 408.5 411.1
Other non-current liabilities $ 984.6 $ 937.0
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
11. ASSET RETIREMENT OBLIGATIONS
The changes in the carrying amount of the Company’s asset retirement obligations were as follows:
2020 2019
Beginning balance as of January 1, $ 1,384.1 $ 1,210.0
Additions 94.2 61.8
Accretion expense 90.8 81.6
Revisions in estimates (1) 8.3 56.8
Settlements ( 6.1 ) ( 26.1 )
Balance as of December 31, $ 1,571.3 $ 1,384.1
_______________
(1) Revisions in estimates include decreases to the liability of $ 42.1 million and $ 6.7 million related to foreign currency translation for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was $ 3.7 billion.
12. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
The Company determines the fair value of its financial instruments based on the fair value hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. Below are the three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:
Level 1 Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access at the measurement date.
Level 2 Observable inputs other than Level 1 prices, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities; quoted prices in markets that are not active; or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full term of the assets or liabilities.
Level 3 Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis — The fair values of the Company’s financial assets and liabilities that are required to be measured on a recurring basis at fair value were as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Fair Value Measurements Using Fair Value Measurements Using
Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Level 1 Level 2 Level 3
Assets:
Interest rate swap agreements — $ 29.2 — — $ 9.0 —
Embedded derivative in lease agreement — — — — — $ 10.7
Liabilities:
Interest rate swap agreements — $ 0.1 — — $ 7.5 —
Fair value of debt related to interest rate swap agreements (1) $ 31.4 — — $ 3.3 — —
_______________
(1) Included in the carrying values of the corresponding debt obligations.
Interest Rate Swap Agreements
The fair value of the Company’s interest rate swap agreements is determined using pricing models with inputs that are observable in the market or can be derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market data. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as fair value hedges, changes in the value of the derivatives are recognized in the consolidated statements of operations in the current period, along with the offsetting gain or loss on the hedged item attributable to the hedged risk. For derivative instruments that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the Company records the change in fair value for the effective portion of the cash flow hedges in AOCL in the consolidated balance sheets and reclassifies a portion of the value from AOCL into Interest expense on a quarterly basis as the cash flows from the hedged item
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
affects earnings. The Company records the settlement of interest rate swap agreements in (Loss) gain on retirement of long-term obligations in the consolidated statements of operations in the period in which the settlement occurs.
The Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $ 500.0 million related to the 3.000 % senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “ 3.000 % Notes”). These interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, were entered into to hedge against changes in fair value of the 3.000 % Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. The interest rate swap agreements require the Company to pay interest at a variable interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and to receive fixed interest at a rate of 3.000 % through June 15, 2023.
The Company entered into three interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional value of $ 600.0 million related to the 2.250 % senior unsecured notes due 2022 (the “ 2.250 % Notes”). These interest rate swaps, which were designated as fair value hedges at inception, were entered into to hedge against changes in fair value of the 2.250 % Notes resulting from changes in interest rates. The interest rate swap agreements require the Company to pay interest at a variable interest rate of one-month LIBOR plus applicable spreads and to receive fixed interest at a rate of 2.250 % through January 15, 2022.
The fair value of the U.S. interest rate swap asset of $ 29.2 million was included in Other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2020. The fair values of the U.S. interest rate swap asset of $ 9.0 million and U.S. interest rate swap liability of $ 7.4 million were included in Other non-current assets and Other non-current liabilities, respectively, on the consolidated balance sheets at December 31, 2019. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded net fair value adjustments of $ 0.4 million related to interest rate swaps and the change in fair value of debt due to interest rate swaps in Other expense in the consolidated statements of operations.
One of the Company’s Colombian subsidiaries is party to an interest rate swap agreement with certain lenders under the Colombian Credit Facility (the “Colombia Interest Rate Swap”). The Colombia Interest Rate Swap, which was designated as a cash flow hedge at inception, was entered into to manage exposure to variability in interest rates on debt. The Colombia Interest Rate Swap requires the payment of a fixed interest rate of 5.37 % and pays variable interest at the three-month Inter-bank Rate through the earlier of termination of the underlying debt or April 24, 2021. As of December 31, 2020, the aggregate notional amount of the Colombia Interest Rate Swap was 30.0 billion COP ($ 8.7 million). The fair value of the Colombia Interest Rate Swap as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 was less than $ 0.1 million and $ 0.1 million, respectively, and was included in Other non-current liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets.
Embedded Derivative in Lease Agreement
In connection with the acquisition of communications sites in Nigeria, the Company entered into a site lease agreement where a portion of the monthly rent to be received is escalated based on an index outside the lessor’s economic environment. The fair value of the portion of the lease tied to the U.S. CPI was $ 14.6 million at the date of acquisition and was recorded in Notes receivable and other non-current assets on the consolidated balance sheets. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded an adjustment to the embedded derivative of $ 10.2 million, which is included in Other income (expense) in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had no embedded derivatives outstanding.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests
The Company records the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests as described in note 15.
Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis
Assets Held and Used —The Company’s long-lived assets are recorded at amortized cost and, if impaired, are adjusted to fair value using Level 3 inputs.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $ 24.1 billion were written down to their net realizable value as a result of an asset impairment charge of $ 222.8 million. During the year ended December 31, 2019, certain long-lived assets held and used with a carrying value of $ 22.4 billion were written down to their net realizable value as a result of an asset impairment charge of $ 94.2 million. The asset impairment charges are recorded in Other operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. These adjustments were determined by comparing the estimated fair value utilizing projected future discounted cash flows to be provided from the long-lived assets to the asset’s carrying value.
There were no other items measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2020.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments —The Company’s financial instruments for which the carrying value reasonably approximates fair value at December 31, 2020 and 2019 include cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts receivable
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
and accounts payable. The Company’s estimates of fair value of its long-term obligations, including the current portion, are based primarily upon reported market values. For long-term debt not actively traded, fair value is estimated using either indicative price quotes or a discounted cash flow analysis using rates for debt with similar terms and maturities. As of December 31, 2020, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $ 29.3 billion and $ 31.4 billion, respectively, of which $ 24.0 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $ 7.4 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs. As of December 31, 2019, the carrying value and fair value of long-term obligations, including the current portion, were $ 24.1 billion and $ 25.0 billion, respectively, of which $ 17.5 billion was measured using Level 1 inputs and $ 7.5 billion was measured using Level 2 inputs.
13. INCOME TAXES
Beginning in the taxable year ended December 31, 2012, the Company has filed, and intends to continue to file, U.S. federal income tax returns as a REIT, and its domestic TRSs filed, and intend to continue to file, separate tax returns as required. The Company also files tax returns in various states and countries. The Company’s state tax returns reflect different combinations of the Company’s subsidiaries and are dependent on the connection each subsidiary has with a particular state and form of organization. The following information pertains to the Company’s income taxes on a consolidated basis.
The income tax provision from continuing operations consisted of the following:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Current:
Federal $ 8.7 $ ( 1.7 ) $ ( 1.4 )
State ( 10.7 ) ( 5.0 ) ( 1.8 )
Foreign ( 150.1 ) ( 48.2 ) ( 189.7 )
Deferred:
Federal ( 1.0 ) 1.4 4.0
State ( 1.0 ) 0.5 0.7
Foreign 24.5 53.2 298.3
Income tax (provision) benefit $ ( 129.6 ) $ 0.2 $ 110.1
The effective tax rate (“ETR”) on income from continuing operations for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 differs from the federal statutory rate primarily due to the Company’s qualification for taxation as a REIT, as well as adjustments for state and foreign items. As a REIT, the Company may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated by its REIT operations. In addition, the Company is able to offset certain income by utilizing its remaining NOLs, subject to specified limitations.
In 2019, there was an income tax law change in India that allows companies to elect into an optional concessional tax regime. The new regime allows for a lower effective tax rate from approximately 35 % to approximately 25 % and no minimum alternative tax, while disallowing the benefit of the minimum alternative tax credits. As a result, the Company recorded a $ 113.0 million one-time tax benefit during the year ended December 31, 2019 arising from revaluing its net deferred tax liability.
In 2018, the income tax benefit was attributable to impairment charges and accelerated amortization on intangible assets taken in India as well as a benefit of $ 85.7 million related to the restructuring of international operations in certain jurisdictions. These benefits were partially offset by the receipt of the payment related to the Tata settlement.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Reconciliation between the U.S. statutory rate and the effective rate from continuing operations is as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Statutory tax rate 21 % 21 % 21 %
Adjustment to reflect REIT status (1) ( 21 ) ( 21 ) ( 21 )
Foreign taxes 4 3 ( 8 )
Foreign withholding taxes 3 3 4
Uncertain tax positions 1 1 —
Changes in tax laws — ( 6 ) —
Impact from restructuring — ( 1 ) ( 6 )
Changes in valuation allowance ( 1 ) — —
Effective tax rate 7 % ( 0 )% ( 10 ) %
_______________
(1) As a result of the ability to utilize the dividends paid deduction to offset the Company’s REIT income and gains.
The domestic and foreign components of income from continuing operations before income taxes are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
United States $ 1,683.0 $ 1,527.0 $ 1,212.7
Foreign 138.1 389.4 ( 58.1 )
Total $ 1,821.1 $ 1,916.4 $ 1,154.6
The components of the net deferred tax asset and liability and related valuation allowance were as follows:
December 31, 2020 December 31, 2019
Assets:
Operating lease liability $ 837.1 $ 878.5
Net operating loss carryforwards 327.1 356.6
Accrued asset retirement obligations 187.8 174.9
Stock-based compensation 9.2 5.6
Unearned revenue 34.6 31.7
Unrealized loss on foreign currency 4.9 3.8
Other accruals and allowances 83.4 65.6
Nondeductible interest 60.9 15.9
Items not currently deductible and other 65.8 10.2
Liabilities:
Depreciation and amortization ( 1,140.3 ) ( 1,040.3 )
Right-of-use asset ( 824.0 ) ( 865.1 )
Deferred rent ( 92.9 ) ( 79.7 )
Investment in affiliate (1) ( 60.4 ) —
Other ( 1.1 ) —
Subtotal ( 507.9 ) ( 442.3 )
Valuation allowance ( 228.5 ) ( 194.2 )
Net deferred tax liabilities $ ( 736.4 ) $ ( 636.5 )
_______________
(1) Includes basis difference associated with investment in subsidiary related to the InSite Acquisition.
The Company provides valuation allowances if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances may be reversed if, based on changes in facts and circumstances, the net deferred tax assets have been determined to be realizable.
At December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company has provided a valuation allowance of $ 228.5 million and $ 194.2 million, respectively, which primarily relates to foreign items. The increase in the valuation allowance for the year ending December 31, 2020 is due to uncertainty as to the timing of, and the Company’s ability to recover, net deferred tax assets in certain foreign operations in the foreseeable future, offset by reversals and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. The amount of deferred tax assets considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if objective evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight may be given to subjective evidence such as the Company’s projections for growth.
A summary of the activity in the valuation allowance is as follows:
2020 2019 2018
Balance as of January 1, $ 194.2 $ 151.9 $ 142.0
Additions (1) 64.7 42.5 15.7
Usage, expiration and reversals ( 22.0 ) — —
Foreign currency translation ( 8.4 ) ( 0.2 ) ( 5.8 )
Balance as of December 31, $ 228.5 $ 194.2 $ 151.9
_______________
(1) Includes net charges to expense and allowances established due to acquisition.
The recoverability of the Company’s deferred tax assets has been assessed utilizing projections based on its current operations. Accordingly, the recoverability of the deferred tax assets is not dependent on material asset sales or other non-routine transactions. Based on its current outlook of future taxable income during the carryforward period, the Company believes that deferred tax assets, other than those for which a valuation allowance has been recorded, will be realized.
At December 31, 2020, the Company had net federal, state and foreign operating loss carryforwards available to reduce future taxable income. If not utilized, the Company’s NOLs expire as follows:
Years ended December 31, Federal State Foreign
2021 to 2025 $ 141.6 $ 180.2 $ 12.4
2026 to 2030 0.0 193.7 85.6
2031 to 2035 9.5 48.7 3.5
2036 to 2040 61.7 183.0 —
Indefinite carryforward 142.1 47.7 679.5
Total $ 354.9 $ 653.3 $ 781.0
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total amount of unrecognized tax benefits that would impact the ETR, if recognized, is $ 105.9 million and $ 158.1 million, respectively. The amount of unrecognized tax benefits for the year ended December 31, 2020 includes additions to the Company’s existing tax positions of $ 26.2 million.
The Company expects the unrecognized tax benefits to change over the next 12 months if certain tax matters ultimately settle with the applicable taxing jurisdiction during this timeframe, or if the applicable statute of limitations lapses. The impact of the amount of such changes to previously recorded uncertain tax positions could range from zero to $ 32.7 million.
A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits are as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Balance at January 1 $ 175.6 $ 107.7 $ 116.7
Additions based on tax positions related to the current year 4.7 33.3 8.1
Additions and reductions for tax positions of prior years (1) ( 5.0 ) 37.5 0.3
Foreign currency ( 9.6 ) ( 1.6 ) ( 8.1 )
Reduction as a result of the lapse of statute of limitations ( 26.0 ) ( 1.3 ) ( 2.6 )
Reduction as a result of effective settlements ( 3.5 ) — ( 6.7 )
Balance at December 31 $ 136.2 $ 175.6 $ 107.7
_______________
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
(1) Year ended December 31, 2020 includes adjustments of $(21.0) million for positions related to the Eaton Towers Acquisition that were revised in connection with settlements or effective settlements.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, including effective settlements and revisions of prior year positions related to the Eaton Towers Acquisition, which resulted in a decrease in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits of $ 50.5 million. During the years ended December 31, 2019 and 2018, the statute of limitations on certain unrecognized tax benefits lapsed and certain positions were effectively settled, which resulted in decreases of $ 2.5 million and $ 9.3 million, respectively, in the liability for unrecognized tax benefits.
The Company recorded penalties and tax-related interest expense to the tax provision of $ 16.4 million, $ 10.3 million and $ 8.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, due to the expiration of the statute of limitations in certain jurisdictions and certain positions that were effectively settled, the Company reduced its liability for penalties and income tax-related interest expense related to uncertain tax positions during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 by $ 4.8 million, $ 2.7 million and $ 16.2 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2020 and 2019, the total amount of accrued income tax-related interest and penalties included in the consolidated balance sheets were $ 34.4 million and $ 26.6 million, respectively.
The Company has filed for prior taxable years, and for its taxable year ended December 31, 2020 will file, numerous consolidated and separate income tax returns, including U.S. federal and state tax returns and foreign tax returns. The Company is subject to examination in the U.S. and various state and foreign jurisdictions for certain tax years. As a result of the Company’s ability to carryforward federal, state and foreign NOLs, the applicable tax years generally remain open to examination several years after the applicable loss carryforwards have been used or have expired. The Company regularly assesses the likelihood of additional assessments in each of the tax jurisdictions resulting from these examinations. The Company believes that adequate provisions have been made for income taxes for all periods through December 31, 2020.
14. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION
Summary of Stock-Based Compensation Plans —The Company maintains equity incentive plans that provide for the grant of stock-based awards to its directors, officers and employees. The 2007 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”), provides for the grant of non-qualified and incentive stock options, as well as restricted stock units, restricted stock and other stock-based awards. Exercise prices for non-qualified and incentive stock options are not less than the fair value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. Equity awards typically vest ratably, generally over four years for RSUs and stock options and three years for PSUs. Stock options generally expire 10 years from the date of grant. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had the ability to grant stock-based awards with respect to an aggregate of 6.5 million shares of common stock under the 2007 Plan. In addition, the Company maintains an employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) pursuant to which eligible employees may purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the last day of each bi-annual offering period at a 15 % discount from the lower of the closing market value on the first or last day of such offering period. The offering periods run from June 1 through November 30 and from December 1 through May 31 of each year.
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company recorded and capitalized the following stock-based compensation expenses:
2020 2019 2018
Stock-based compensation expense - Property $ 1.9 $ 1.8 $ 2.4
Stock-based compensation expense - Services 1.1 1.0 0.9
Stock-based compensation expense - SG&A 117.8 108.6 134.2
Total stock-based compensation expense $ 120.8 $ 111.4 $ 137.5
Stock-based compensation expense capitalized as property and equipment $ 1.7 $ 1.6 $ 2.0
Stock Options —There were no options granted during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018. The fair values of previously granted stock options were estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model based on the assumptions at the date of grant.
The intrinsic value of stock options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 was $ 176.3 million, $ 145.5 million and $ 98.8 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested stock options was less than $ 0.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of less than
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
one year . The amount of cash received from the exercise of stock options was $ 84.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.
The Company’s option activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (share and per share data disclosed in full amounts):
Options Weighted
Average
Exercise Price Per Share Weighted
Average
Remaining
Life (Years) Aggregate
Intrinsic Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020 3,060,242 $ 85.90
Granted — —
Exercised ( 1,043,981 ) 81.16
Forfeited — —
Expired — —
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 2,016,261 $ 88.36 3.15 $ 274.4
Exercisable as of December 31, 2020 2,014,628 $ 88.33 3.15 $ 274.2
Vested or expected to vest as of December 31, 2020 2,016,261 $ 88.36 3.15 $ 274.4
The following table sets forth information regarding options outstanding at December 31, 2020 (share and per share data disclosed in full amounts):
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
Range of Exercise
Price Per Share Outstanding
Number of
Options Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share Weighted Average
Remaining Life
(Years) Options
Exercisable Weighted
Average Exercise
Price Per Share
$ 50.78 - $ 71.07
102,447 $ 61.55 1.14 102,447 $ 61.55
$ 76.90 - $ 77.75
221,435 76.92 1.82 221,435 76.92
$ 81.18 - $ 94.23
432,352 81.58 2.66 432,352 81.58
$ 94.57 - $ 94.71
1,240,897 94.61 3.69 1,240,897 94.61
$ 99.67 - $ 121.15
19,130 111.97 5.45 17,497 111.39
$ 50.78 - $ 121.15
2,016,261 $ 88.36 3.15 2,014,628 $ 88.33
Restricted Stock Units and Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units — The Company’s RSU and PSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2020 was as follows (share and per share data disclosed in full amounts):
RSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value PSUs Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding as of January 1, 2020 (1) 1,454,350 $ 147.67 528,908 $ 136.94
Granted (2) 456,369 243.25 151,341 216.36
Vested and Released (3) ( 618,013 ) 134.53 ( 282,774 ) 113.58
Forfeited (4) ( 47,631 ) 173.74 ( 76,965 ) 211.21
Outstanding as of December 31, 2020 1,245,075 $ 188.23 320,510 $ 177.22
Expected to vest as of December 31, 2020 1,245,075 $ 188.23 320,510 $ 177.22
Vested and deferred as of December 31, 2020 (5) 58,204 $ 181.26 — $ —
_______________
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
(1) PSUs consist of the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three -year performance period for the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs (each as defined below), or 114,823 and 131,311 shares, respectively, and the shares issuable at the end of the three -year vesting period for the PSUs granted in 2017 (the “2017 PSUs”), based on achievement against the performance metrics for the three -year performance period, or 282,774 shares.
(2) PSUs consist of the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three -year performance period for the 2020 PSUs, or 110,925 shares, which includes 17,593 shares granted during the three months ended June 30, 2020 to the Company’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer and also includes 40,186 shares granted to the Company’s former CEO during the three months ended March 31, 2020 which were subsequently forfeited upon his retirement. PSUs also includes the shares above target that are issuable for the 2018 PSUs at the end of the three -year performance cycle based on exceeding the performance metric for the three -year performance period, or 40,416 shares.
(3) This includes 19,810 of previously vested and deferred RSUs. PSUs consist of shares vested pursuant to the 2017 PSUs. There are no additional shares to be earned related to the 2017 PSUs.
(4) PSUs consist of shares forfeited in connection with the retirement of the Company’s former CEO, which includes the target number of shares issuable at the end of the three -year performance period for the 2020 PSUs and the pro-rated target numbers of shares issuable at the end of the three -year performance periods for the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs as calculated pursuant to the award agreements related to the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs.
(5) Vested and deferred RSUs are related to deferred compensation for certain former employees.
The total fair value of RSUs and PSUs that vested during the year ended December 31, 2020 was $ 214.1 million.
Restricted Stock Units— As of December 31, 2020, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested RSUs granted under the 2007 Plan was $ 125.7 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately two years . Vesting of RSUs is subject generally to the employee’s continued employment or death, disability or qualified retirement (each as defined in the applicable RSU award agreement).
Performance-Based Restricted Stock Units— During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company’s Compensation Committee granted an aggregate of 110,925 PSUs (the “2020 PSUs”), 114,823 PSUs (the “2019 PSUs”) and 131,311 PSUs (the “2018 PSUs”), respectively, to its executive officers and established the performance metrics for these awards. Threshold, target and maximum parameters were established for the metrics for a three -year performance period with respect to each of the 2020 PSUs, the 2019 PSUs and the 2018 PSUs and will be used to calculate the number of shares that will be issuable when each award vests, which may range from zero to 200 % of the target amounts. At the end of each three -year performance period, the number of shares that vest will depend on the degree of achievement against the pre-established performance goals. PSUs will be paid out in common stock at the end of each performance period, subject generally to the executive’s continued employment or death, disability or qualified retirement (each as defined in the applicable PSU award agreement). PSUs will accrue dividend equivalents prior to vesting, which will be paid out only in respect of shares that actually vest.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company recorded $ 20.9 million in stock-based compensation expense for equity awards in which the performance goals have been established and were probable of being achieved. The remaining unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards at December 31, 2020 was $ 4.3 million based on the Company’s current assessment of the probability of achieving the performance goals. The weighted-average period over which the cost will be recognized is approximately two years .
15. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS
India Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests —On April 21, 2016, the Company, through its wholly owned subsidiary, ATC Asia Pacific Pte. Ltd., acquired a 51 % controlling ownership interest in ATC TIPL (formerly Viom), a telecommunications infrastructure company that owns and operates wireless communications towers and indoor DAS networks in India (the “Viom Acquisition”), which was subsequently merged with the Company’s existing India property operations.
In connection with the Viom Acquisition, the Company, through one of its subsidiaries, entered into a shareholders agreement (the “Shareholders Agreement”) with Viom and the following remaining Viom shareholders: Tata Sons Limited (“Tata Sons”), Tata Teleservices, IDFC Private Equity Fund III (“IDFC”), Macquarie SBI Infrastructure Investments Pte Limited and SBI Macquarie Infrastructure Trust (together, “Macquarie,” and, collectively with Tata Sons, Tata Teleservices and IDFC, the “Remaining Shareholders”).
The Shareholders Agreement also provides the Remaining Shareholders with put options, which allow them to sell outstanding shares of ATC TIPL to the Company, and the Company with call options, which allow it to buy the noncontrolling shares of ATC TIPL. The put options, which are not under the Company’s control, cannot be separated from the noncontrolling interests. As a result, the combination of the noncontrolling interests and the redemption feature requires classification as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the consolidated balance sheet, separate from equity.
The noncontrolling interests become redeemable after the passage of time, and therefore, the Company records the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interests outside of permanent equity at the greater of (i) the initial carrying amount, increased or decreased for the noncontrolling interests’ share of net income or loss and foreign currency translation adjustments, or (ii) the
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
estimated redemption value. If required, the Company will adjust the redeemable noncontrolling interests to the estimated redemption value on each balance sheet date with changes in the estimated redemption value recognized as an adjustment to Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests. The Company adjusts the estimated redemption value of the noncontrolling interests based on the operating results of ATC TIPL and previously recorded adjustments to the estimated redemption value.
The put options may be exercised, requiring the Company to purchase the Remaining Shareholders’ equity interests, on specified dates through March 31, 2021.
During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company redeemed 50 % of Tata Teleservices and Tata Sons’ combined holdings of ATC TIPL and 100 % of IDFC’s holdings of ATC TIPL, for total consideration of INR 29.4 billion ($ 425.7 million at the date of redemption). As a result of the redemption, the Company’s controlling interest in ATC TIPL increased from 63 % to 79 % and the noncontrolling interest decreased from 37 % to 21 %.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company redeemed 100 % of Tata Teleservices and Tata Sons’ remaining combined holdings of ATC TIPL, for total consideration of INR 24.8 billion ($ 337.3 million at the date of redemption). As a result of the redemption, the Company’s controlling interest in ATC TIPL increased from 79 % to 92 % and the noncontrolling interest decreased from 21 % to 8 %.
In February 2021, the Company entered into an agreement with Macquarie to redeem 100 % of their combined holdings in ATC TIPL at price of INR 175 per share, subject to certain adjustments. Accordingly, the Company expects to pay an amount equivalent to INR 12.9 billion (approximately $ 176.6 million) to redeem the shares in 2021, subject to regulatory approval. After the completion of the redemption, the Company will hold a 100 % ownership interest in ATC TIPL.
Other Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests —During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company completed the acquisition of MTN’s noncontrolling interests in each of the Company’s joint ventures in Ghana and Uganda for total consideration of approximately $ 524.4 million, including a net adjustment of $ 1.4 million made during the three months ended March 31, 2020, which resulted in an increase in the Company’s controlling interests in such joint ventures from 51 % to 100 %. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company, through a subsidiary of ATC Europe, entered into an agreement with its local partners in France to form Eure-et-Loir Réseaux Mobiles SAS (“Eure-et-Loir”), a telecommunications infrastructure company that owns and operates wireless communications towers in France. The Company’s controlling interest in Eure-et-Loir is 51 % with local partners holding a 49 % noncontrolling interest. The value of the Eure-et-Loir interests as of December 31, 2020 was $ 2.6 million.
The changes in Redeemable noncontrolling interests for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Balance as of January 1, $ 1,096.5 $ 1,004.8 $ 1,126.2
Additions to redeemable noncontrolling interests — 525.7 —
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests 6.6 35.8 ( 87.9 )
Adjustment to noncontrolling interest redemption value ( 14.0 ) ( 35.8 ) 86.7
Adjustment to noncontrolling interest due to merger — — ( 28.1 )
Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interest ( 861.7 ) ( 425.7 ) —
Foreign currency translation adjustment attributable to noncontrolling interests ( 15.3 ) ( 8.3 ) ( 92.1 )
Balance as of December 31, $ 212.1 $ 1,096.5 $ 1,004.8
16. EQUITY
Dividends —The Company may pay dividends in cash or, subject to certain limitations, in shares of common stock or any combination of cash and shares of common stock.
Sales of Equity Securities —The Company receives proceeds from sales of its equity securities pursuant to the ESPP and upon exercise of stock options granted under the 2007 Plan. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company received an aggregate of $ 98.1 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.
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(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
2020 “At the Market” Stock Offering Program —In August 2020, the Company established an “at the market” stock offering program through which it may issue and sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate gross sales price of up to $ 1.0 billion (the “2020 ATM Program”). Sales under the 2020 ATM Program may be made by means of ordinary brokers’ transactions on the New York Stock Exchange or otherwise at market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to prevailing market prices or, subject to specific instructions of the Company, at negotiated prices. The Company intends to use the net proceeds from any issuances under the 2020 ATM Program for general corporate purposes, which may include, among other things, the funding of acquisitions, additions to working capital and repayment or refinancing of existing indebtedness. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has not sold any shares of common stock under the 2020 ATM Program.
Stock Repurchase Programs —In March 2011, the Company’s Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $ 1.5 billion of its common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, the Board of Directors approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $ 2.0 billion of its common stock (the “2017 Buyback,” and, together with the 2011 Buyback, the “Buyback Programs”).
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 264,086 shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $ 56.0 million, including commissions and fees. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had repurchased a total of 14,361,283 shares of its common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $ 1.5 billion, including commissions and fees. There were no repurchases under the 2017 Buyback.
Under the Buyback Programs, the Company is authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices and subject to market conditions and other factors. With respect to open market purchases, the Company may use plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, which allows the Company to repurchase shares during periods when it may otherwise be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods.
The Company expects to fund any further repurchases of its common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under its credit facilities. Repurchases under the Buyback Programs are subject to, among other things, the Company having available cash to fund the repurchases.
Distributions — During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company declared the following cash distributions (per share data reflects actual amounts):
For the year ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Distribution
per share Aggregate
Payment Amount Distribution
per share Aggregate
Payment Amount Distribution
per share Aggregate
Payment Amount
Common Stock $ 4.53 $ 2,010.7 $ 3.78 $ 1,672.8 $ 3.15 $ 1,389.8
Series B Preferred Stock (1) $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 13.75 $ 18.9
_______________
(1) 5.50 % Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series B, par value $ 0.01 per share (the “Series B Preferred Stock”), which converted into shares of the Company’s common stock pursuant to the provisions of the Certificate of Designations governing the Series B Preferred Stock in 2018.
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(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
The following table characterizes the tax treatment of distributions declared per share of common stock and Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock.
For the year ended December 31,
2020 2019 2018
Per Share % Per Share % Per Share %
Common Stock
Ordinary dividend $ 3.3200 (1) 100.00 % $ 3.7800 100.00 % $ 3.1500 100.00 %
Capital gains distribution — — — — — —
Total $ 3.3200 100.00 % $ 3.7800 100.00 % $ 3.1500 100.00 %
Series B Preferred Stock (2)
Ordinary dividend $ — — % $ — — % $ 2.1314 (3) 100.00 %
Capital gains distribution — — — — — —
Total $ — — % $ — — % $ 2.1314 100.00 %
_______________
(1) Excludes dividend declared on December 3, 2020 of $ 1.21 per share, which was paid on February 2, 2021 to common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 28, 2020 and which will apply to the 2021 tax year.
(2) Represents the tax treatment on dividends per depositary share, each of which represents a 1/10th interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock.
(3) Includes a deemed distribution as a result of a conversion rate adjustment triggered on January 18, 2018.
The Company accrues distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. The amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $ 12.6 million and $ 14.3 million as of December 31, 2020 and 2019, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company paid $ 7.8 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units. To maintain its qualification for taxation as a REIT, the Company expects to continue paying distributions, the amount, timing and frequency of which will be determined, and subject to adjustment, by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Dividend to noncontrolling interest — The Company’s joint ventures may, from time to time, declare dividends. During the year ended December 31, 2020, ATC Europe declared a dividend of EUR 13.2 million (approximately $ 16.2 million) payable in cash to the Company and PGGM in proportion to their respective equity interests in the joint venture on or before June 30, 2021 and is accrued for as of December 31, 2020.
17. OTHER OPERATING EXPENSE
Other operating expense consists primarily of impairment charges, net losses on sales or disposals of assets and other operating expense items. The Company records impairment charges to write down certain assets to their net realizable value after an indicator of impairment is identified and subsequent analysis determines that the asset is either partially recoverable or not recoverable. These assets consisted primarily of towers and related assets, which are typically assessed on an individual basis, network location intangibles, which relate directly to towers, tenant-related intangibles, which are assessed on a tenant basis, and right-of-use assets. Net losses on sales or disposals of assets primarily relate to certain non-core towers, other assets and miscellaneous items. Other operating expenses includes acquisition-related costs and integration costs.
Other operating expenses included the following for the years ended December 31,:
2020 (1) 2019 (2) 2018
Impairment charges $ 222.8 $ 94.2 $ 394.0
Net losses on sales or disposals of assets 17.3 45.1 85.6
Other operating expenses 25.7 27.0 33.7
Total Other operating expenses $ 265.8 $ 166.3 $ 513.3
_______________
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2020, Other operating expenses includes an $ 11.9 million benefit in Brazil.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2019, Other operating expenses includes $ 13.1 million of refunds related to pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements.
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(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Impairment charges included the following for the years ended December 31,:
2020 2019 2018 (1)
Tower and network location intangible assets $ 142.4 $ 77.4 $ 284.9
Tenant relationships — — 107.3
Right-of-use assets 76.1 9.9 —
Other 4.3 6.9 1.8
Total impairment charges $ 222.8 $ 94.2 $ 394.0
_______________
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2018, impairment charges on tower and network location intangible assets included $ 258.3 million in India primarily related to carrier consolidation-driven churn events. In addition, the Company fully impaired the tenant relationship for Aircel Ltd., which resulted in an impairment charge of $ 107.3 million.
18. EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE
The following table sets forth basic and diluted net income per common share computational data for the years ended December 31, (shares in thousands, except per share data):
2020 2019 2018
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation stockholders $ 1,690.6 $ 1,887.8 $ 1,236.4
Dividends on preferred stock — — ( 9.4 )
Net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 1,690.6 $ 1,887.8 $ 1,227.0
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding 443,640 442,319 439,606
Dilutive securities 2,464 3,201 3,354
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding 446,104 445,520 442,960
Basic net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share $ 3.81 $ 4.27 $ 2.79
Diluted net income attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders per common share $ 3.79 $ 4.24 $ 2.77
Shares Excluded From Dilutive Effect
The following shares were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effect would be anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, (in thousands, on a weighted average basis):
2020 2019 2018
Restricted stock awards 1 2 —
Preferred stock (1) — — 1,456
_______________
(1) For the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019, the Company had no preferred stock outstanding.
19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Litigation —The Company periodically becomes involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings that are incidental to its business. In the opinion of Company management, after consultation with counsel, there are no matters currently pending that would, in the event of an adverse outcome, materially impact the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity.
Verizon Transaction —In March 2015, the Company entered into an agreement with various operating entities of Verizon Communications Inc. (“Verizon”) that currently provides for the lease, sublease or management of approximately 11,250 wireless communications sites commencing March 27, 2015. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 28 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the leased sites in tranches, subject to the applicable lease, sublease or management rights upon its scheduled expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2034 to 2047, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to the towers in that tranche. The purchase price for each tranche is a fixed amount stated in the lease for such tranche plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related
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(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
towers. The aggregate purchase option price for the towers leased and subleased is approximately $ 5.0 billion. Verizon will occupy the sites as a tenant for an initial term of ten years with eight optional successive five -year terms; each such term shall be governed by standard master lease agreement terms established as a part of the transaction.
AT&T Transaction —The Company has an agreement with SBC Communications Inc., a predecessor entity to AT&T Inc. (“AT&T”), that currently provides for the lease or sublease of approximately 2,100 towers commencing between December 2000 and August 2004. Substantially all of the towers are part of the Trust Securitizations. The average term of the lease or sublease for all sites at the inception of the agreement was approximately 27 years, assuming renewals or extensions of the underlying ground leases for the sites. The Company has the option to purchase the sites subject to the applicable lease or sublease upon its expiration. Each tower is assigned to an annual tranche, ranging from 2013 to 2032, which represents the outside expiration date for the sublease rights to that tower. The purchase price for each site is a fixed amount stated in the lease for that site plus the fair market value of certain alterations made to the related tower by AT&T. As of December 31, 2020, the Company has purchased an aggregate of 331 of the subleased towers which are subject to the applicable agreement, including 103 towers purchased during the year ended December 31, 2020 for an aggregate purchase price of $ 55.7 million. The aggregate purchase option price for the remaining towers leased and subleased is $ 973.4 million and includes per annum accretion through the applicable expiration of the lease or sublease of a site. For all such sites, AT&T has the right to continue to lease the reserved space through June 30, 2025 at the then-current monthly fee, which shall escalate in accordance with the standard master lease agreement for the remainder of AT&T’s tenancy. Thereafter, AT&T shall have the right to renew such lease for up to five successive five -year terms.
Other Contingencies —The Company is subject to income tax and other taxes in the geographic areas where it holds assets or operates, and periodically receives notifications of audits, assessments or other actions by taxing authorities. Taxing authorities may issue notices or assessments while audits are being conducted. In certain jurisdictions, taxing authorities may issue assessments with minimal examination. These notices and assessments do not represent amounts that the Company is obligated to pay and are often not reflective of the actual tax liability for which the Company will ultimately be liable. In the process of responding to assessments of taxes that the Company believes are not enforceable, the Company avails itself of both administrative and judicial remedies. The Company evaluates the circumstances of each notification or assessment based on the information available and, in those instances in which the Company does not anticipate a successful defense of positions taken in its tax filings, a liability is recorded in the appropriate amount based on the underlying assessment.
On December 5, 2016, the Company received an income tax assessment of Essar Telecom Infrastructure Private Limited (“ETIPL”) from the India Income Tax Department (the “Tax Department”) for the fiscal year ending 2008 in the amount of INR 4.75 billion ($ 69.8 million on the date of assessment) related to capital contributions. The Company challenged the assessment before the Office of Commissioner of Income Tax - Appeals, which ruled in the Company’s favor in January 2018. However, the Tax Department has appealed this ruling at a higher appellate authority. The Company estimates that there is a more likely than not probability that the Company’s position will be sustained upon appeal. Accordingly, no liability has been recorded. Additionally, the assessment was made with respect to transactions that took place in the tax year commencing in 2007, prior to the Company’s acquisition of ETIPL. Under the Company’s definitive acquisition agreement with ETIPL, the seller is obligated to indemnify and defend the Company with respect to any tax-related liability that may arise from activities prior to March 31, 2010.
Guaranties and Indemnifications —The Company enters into agreements from time to time in the ordinary course of business pursuant to which it agrees to guarantee or indemnify third parties for certain claims. The Company has also entered into purchase and sale agreements relating to the sale or acquisition of assets containing customary indemnification provisions. The Company’s indemnification obligations under these agreements generally are limited solely to damages resulting from breaches of representations and warranties or covenants under the applicable agreements. In addition, payments under such indemnification clauses are generally conditioned on the other party making a claim that is subject to whatever defenses the Company may have and are governed by dispute resolution procedures specified in the particular agreement. Further, the Company’s obligations under these agreements may be limited in duration and amount, and in some instances, the Company may have recourse against third parties for payments made by the Company. The Company has not historically made any material payments under these agreements and, as of December 31, 2020, is not aware of any agreements that could result in a material payment. If the Company is unable to close the Pending Telxius Acquisition, as defined in note 23, the Company would be liable under the terms of the agreements to make certain payments to Telxius, which could be material.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
20. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION
Supplemental cash flow information and non-cash investing and financing activities are as follows for the years ended December 31,:
2020 2019 2018
Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest $ 762.3 $ 750.2 $ 789.7
Cash paid for income taxes (net of refunds of $ 27.0 , $ 11.2 and $ 25.0 , respectively)
146.3 147.5 163.9
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable and accrued expenses for purchases of property and equipment and construction activities 45.8 ( 21.0 ) 8.3
Purchases of property and equipment under finance leases, perpetual easements and capital leases 75.0 81.3 57.8
Fair value of debt assumed through acquisitions (1) 800.0 329.8 —
Acquisition of Commercialization Rights (2) — — 24.8
Debt financed acquisition of communication sites — — 54.2
Settlement of third-party debt ( 5.0 ) — —
_______________
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2020, consists of the InSite Debt.
(2) Related to the note extinguishment with TV Azteca, S.A. de C.V. in 2018.
21. BUSINESS SEGMENTS
The Company’s primary business is leasing space on multitenant communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. This business is referred to as the Company’s property operations.
During the fourth quarter of 2020, as a result of the InSite Acquisition, the Company updated the names of its reportable segments to rename U.S. property and Asia property to U.S. & Canada property and Asia-Pacific property, respectively. The Company continues to report its results in six segments – U.S. & Canada property, Asia-Pacific property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property and services. This change was made to better align the names of the Company’s reportable segments with the geographical areas of the Company’s business operations following the InSite Acquisition. The change in the names the Company’s reportable segments is solely reflective of the inclusion of Canada and Australia in its business operations, as a result of the InSite Acquisition. The change in reportable segments had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements for any prior periods. Historical financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K has not been adjusted.
As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s property operations consisted of the following:
• U.S. & Canada: property operations in Canada and the United States;
• Asia-Pacific: property operations in Australia and India;
• Africa: property operations in Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, South Africa and Uganda;
• Europe: property operations in France, Germany and Poland; and
• Latin America: property operations in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Mexico, Paraguay and Peru.
The Company’s services segment offers tower-related services in the United States, including AZP and structural analysis, which primarily support its site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on its sites. The services segment is a strategic business unit that offers different services from, and requires different resources, skill sets and marketing strategies than, the property operating segments.
The accounting policies applied in compiling segment information below are similar to those described in note 1. Among other factors, in evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses segment gross margin and segment operating profit. The Company defines segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses excluding stock-based compensation expense recorded in costs of operations; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; Selling, general, administrative and development expense; and Other operating expenses. The Company defines segment operating profit as segment gross margin less Selling, general, administrative and development expense attributable to the segment, excluding stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses. For reporting purposes, for periods through September 30, 2018,
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the Latin America property segment gross margin and segment operating profit also included Interest income (expense), TV Azteca, net. These measures of segment gross margin and segment operating profit are also before Interest income, Interest expense, Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, Other income (expense), Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests and Income tax benefit (provision). The categories of expenses indicated above, such as depreciation, have been excluded from segment operating performance as they are not considered in the review of information or the evaluation of results by management. There are no significant revenues resulting from transactions between the Company’s operating segments. All intercompany transactions are eliminated to reconcile segment results and assets to the consolidated statements of operations and consolidated balance sheets.
Summarized financial information concerning the Company’s reportable segments for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 is shown in the following tables. The “Other” column (i) represents amounts excluded from specific segments, such as business development operations, stock-based compensation expense and corporate expenses included in Selling, general, administrative and development expense; Other operating expenses; Interest income; Interest expense; Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and Other income (expense), and (ii) reconciles segment operating profit to Income from continuing operations before income taxes.
Property Total
Property
Services Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2020 U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin America
Segment revenues $ 4,517.0 $ 1,139.4 $ 890.2 $ 149.6 $ 1,257.4 $ 7,953.6 $ 87.9 $ 8,041.5
Segment operating expenses (1) 808.0 661.4 297.7 28.1 392.5 2,187.7 36.5 2,224.2
Segment gross margin 3,709.0 478.0 592.5 121.5 864.9 5,765.9 51.4 5,817.3
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) 162.2 97.4 94.4 23.0 93.1 470.1 14.8 484.9
Segment operating profit $ 3,546.8 $ 380.6 $ 498.1 $ 98.5 $ 771.8 $ 5,295.8 $ 36.6 $ 5,332.4
Stock-based compensation expense $ 120.8 120.8
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense 176.0 176.0
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,882.3 1,882.3
Other expense (2) 1,332.2 1,332.2
Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,821.1
Capital expenditures (3) (4) $ 360.6 $ 112.9 $ 334.9 $ 31.6 $ 221.1 $ 1,061.1 $ — $ 10.1 $ 1,071.2
_______________
(1) Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $ 3.0 million and $ 117.8 million, respectively.
(2) Primarily includes interest expense, losses from foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and $ 222.8 million in impairment charges.
(3) Includes $ 9.2 million of finance lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loans, senior notes, secured debt and finance leases in the cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
(4) Includes $ 36.9 million of perpetual land easement payments reported in Deferred financing costs and other financing activities in the cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
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(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Property Total
Property
Services Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2019 U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin America
Segment revenues $ 4,188.7 $ 1,217.0 $ 583.9 $ 134.6 $ 1,340.7 $ 7,464.9 $ 115.4 $ 7,580.3
Segment operating expenses (1) 807.9 715.9 209.0 27.8 411.3 2,171.9 42.1 2,214.0
Segment gross margin 3,380.8 501.1 374.9 106.8 929.4 5,293.0 73.3 5,366.3
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (1) 175.5 99.9 53.7 23.2 101.0 453.3 12.0 465.3
Segment operating profit $ 3,205.3 $ 401.2 $ 321.2 $ 83.6 $ 828.4 $ 4,839.7 $ 61.3 $ 4,901.0
Stock-based compensation expense $ 111.4 111.4
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense 156.5 156.5
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,778.4 1,778.4
Other expense (2) 938.3 938.3
Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,916.4
Capital expenditures (3) (4) $ 359.5 $ 134.5 $ 258.5 $ 13.2 $ 260.4 $ 1,026.1 $ — $ 12.8 $ 1,038.9
_______________
(1) Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $ 2.8 million and $ 108.6 million, respectively.
(2) Primarily includes interest expense.
(3) Includes $ 18.0 million of finance lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes, secured debt and finance leases in the cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
(4) Includes $ 29.6 million of perpetual land easement payments reported in Deferred financing costs and other financing activities in the cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
Property Total
Property
Services Other Total
Year ended December 31, 2018 U.S. & Canada Asia-Pacific Africa Europe Latin America
Segment revenues (1) $ 3,822.1 $ 1,540.5 $ 545.5 $ 141.8 $ 1,264.8 $ 7,314.7 $ 125.4 $ 7,440.1
Segment operating expenses (2) 771.0 710.9 208.0 30.1 406.3 2,126.3 48.2 2,174.5
Interest income, TV Azteca, net — — — — ( 0.1 ) ( 0.1 ) — ( 0.1 )
Segment gross margin 3,051.1 829.6 337.5 111.7 858.4 5,188.3 77.2 5,265.5
Segment selling, general, administrative and development expense (2) 165.2 110.7 48.0 21.1 83.5 428.5 14.4 442.9
Segment operating profit $ 2,885.9 $ 718.9 $ 289.5 $ 90.6 $ 774.9 $ 4,759.8 $ 62.8 $ 4,822.6
Stock-based compensation expense $ 137.5 137.5
Other selling, general, administrative and development expense 156.1 156.1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 2,110.8 2,110.8
Other expense (3) 1,263.6 1,263.6
Income from continuing operations before income taxes $ 1,154.6
Capital expenditures (4) $ 376.9 $ 101.0 $ 212.5 $ 20.2 $ 220.7 $ 931.3 $ — $ 13.9 $ 945.2
_______________
(1) Asia-Pacific segment revenues include a net impact of $ 333.7 million as a result of the settlement payment received from Tata in the fourth quarter of 2018.
(2) Segment operating expenses and segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses exclude stock-based compensation expense of $ 3.3 million and $ 134.2 million, respectively.
(3) Primarily includes interest expense and $ 394.0 million in impairment charges.
(4) Includes $ 32.0 million of capital lease payments included in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loan, senior notes, secured debt and capital leases in the cash flows from financing activities in the Company’s consolidated statements of cash flows.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Additional information relating to the total assets of the Company’s operating segments is as follows for the years ended December 31,:
2020 2019 2018
Total Assets (1):
U.S. & Canada property $ 27,352.9 $ 22,624.6 $ 18,782.0
Asia-Pacific property 5,191.8 5,307.8 4,938.8
Africa property 4,894.8 4,711.1 1,929.7
Europe property 1,868.6 1,535.3 1,438.1
Latin America property 7,434.2 8,125.5 5,594.7
Services 38.7 26.8 46.3
Other (2) 452.5 470.5 280.8
Total assets $ 47,233.5 $ 42,801.6 $ 33,010.4
_______________
(1) Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
(2) Balances include corporate assets such as cash and cash equivalents, certain tangible and intangible assets and income tax accounts that have not been allocated to specific segments.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Summarized geographic information related to the Company’s operating revenues for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 and long-lived assets as of December 31, 2020 and 2019 is as follows:
2020 2019 2018
Operating Revenues:
U.S. & Canada:
Canada (1) (2) $ 0.3 $ — $ —
United States 4,604.6 4,304.1 3,947.5
Asia-Pacific (2):
Australia (1) 0.0 — —
India 1,139.4 1,217.0 1,540.5
Africa (2):
Burkina Faso 43.9 — —
Ghana 174.3 124.3 125.4
Kenya 97.7 27.3 7.0
Niger 40.0 — —
Nigeria 249.5 229.9 220.7
South Africa 128.7 129.1 125.3
Uganda 156.1 73.3 67.1
Europe (2):
France 79.4 68.0 72.7
Germany 70.0 66.6 69.1
Poland (1) 0.2 — —
Latin America (2):
Argentina 22.1 17.3 16.0
Brazil 506.4 605.5 595.5
Chile 67.3 43.3 44.2
Colombia 96.1 102.1 103.8
Costa Rica 23.4 21.1 18.4
Mexico 483.0 515.3 456.5
Paraguay 12.5 12.6 10.4
Peru 46.6 23.5 20.0
Total operating revenues $ 8,041.5 $ 7,580.3 $ 7,440.1
_______________
(1) The Company launched operations in Canada and Australia through the InSite Acquisition, which closed on December 23, 2020. The Company launched operations in Poland through the Poland Acquisition, which closed on June 16, 2020.
(2) Balances are translated at the applicable exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
2020 2019
Long-Lived Assets (1):
U.S. & Canada:
Canada (2) $ 373.7 $ —
United States 19,977.8 16,578.7
Asia-Pacific (2):
Australia 20.0 —
India 3,482.3 3,708.8
Africa (2):
Burkina Faso 315.7 275.3
Ghana 676.8 671.0
Kenya 730.0 761.7
Niger 215.7 199.8
Nigeria 663.7 648.6
South Africa 424.4 409.4
Uganda 867.3 847.3
Europe (2):
France 1,176.5 917.1
Germany 370.9 357.3
Poland 2.9 —
Latin America (2):
Argentina 111.9 100.0
Brazil 1,629.9 2,138.4
Chile 538.7 437.6
Colombia 350.7 375.2
Costa Rica 123.1 124.1
Mexico 1,395.2 1,524.9
Paraguay 103.6 111.3
Peru 380.4 394.6
Total long-lived assets $ 33,931.2 $ 30,581.1
_______________
(1) Includes Property and equipment, net, Goodwill and Other intangible assets, net.
(2) Balances are translated at the applicable period end exchange rate, which may impact comparability between periods.
The following tenants within the property and services segments individually accounted for 10% or more of the Company’s consolidated operating revenues for the years ended December 31,:
2020 2019 2018
AT&T 22 % 22 % 19 %
T-Mobile 19 % 10 % 9 %
Verizon Wireless 14 % 15 % 15 %
22. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
During the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018, the Company had no significant related party transactions.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
23. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
Pending Telxius Acquisition— On January 13, 2021, the Company entered into two agreements with Telxius Telecom, S.A. (“Telxius”), a subsidiary of Telefónica, S.A., pursuant to which the Company expects to acquire Telxius’ European and Latin American tower divisions, comprising approximately 31,000 communications sites in Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Germany, Peru and Spain, for approximately 7.7 billion EUR (approximately $ 9.4 billion at the date of signing) (the “Pending Telxius Acquisition”), subject to limited adjustments. The Pending Telxius Acquisition is expected to close in tranches beginning in the second quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approval.
Repayment of the 2020 Term Loan —On February 5, 2021, the Company repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2020 Term Loan with borrowings from the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and cash on hand.
Amendments to Bank Facilities —On February 10, 2021, the Company amended and restated the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility and entered into an amendment agreement with respect to the 2019 Term Loan.
These amendments, among other things,
i. extend the maturity dates by one year to June 28, 2024 and January 31, 2026 for the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility, respectively,
ii. increase the commitments under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility to $ 4.1 billion and $ 2.9 billion, respectively, of which 1.3 billion EUR borrowed under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility is to be reserved to finance the Pending Telxius Acquisition,
iii. increase the maximum Revolving Loan Commitments, after giving effect to any Incremental Commitments (each as defined in the loan agreements for each of the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility) to $ 6.1 billion and $ 4.4 billion under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2019 Credit Facility, respectively,
iv. expand the sublimit for multicurrency borrowings under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility from $ 1.0 billion to $ 3.0 billion and add a EUR borrowing option for the 2019 Credit Facility with a $ 1.5 billion sublimit,
v. amend the limitation of the Company’s permitted ratio of Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA (each as defined in each of the loan agreements for each of the facilities) to be no greater than 7.50 to 1.00 for the four fiscal quarters following the consummation of the Pending Telxius Acquisition, stepping down to 6.00 to 1.00 thereafter (with a further step up to 7.00 to 1.00 if the Company consummates a Qualified Acquisition (as defined in each of the loan agreements for the facilities)),
vi. amend the limitation on indebtedness of, and guaranteed by, the Company’s subsidiaries to the greater of (a) $ 3.0 billion and (b) 50 % of Adjusted EBITDA (as defined in each of the loan agreements for the facilities) of the Company and its subsidiaries on a consolidated basis and
vii. increase the threshold for certain defaults with respect to judgments, attachments or acceleration of indebtedness from $ 400.0 million to $ 500.0 million.
2021 Delayed Draw Term Loans —On February 10, 2021, the Company entered into (i) a 1.1 billion EUR (approximately $ 1.3 billion at the date of signing) unsecured term loan, the proceeds of which are to be used to fund the Pending Telxius Acquisition, with a maturity date that is 364 days from the date of the first draw thereunder and bears interest at a rate based on the senior unsecured debt rating of the Company, which, based on the Company’s current debt ratings, is 1.000 % above the Euro Interbank Offered Rate (“EURIBOR”) (the “2021 364 -Day Delayed Draw Term Loan”) and (ii) an 825.0 million EUR (approximately $ 1.0 billion at the date of signing) unsecured term loan, the proceeds of which are to be used to fund the Pending Telxius Acquisition, with a maturity date that is three years from the date of the first draw thereunder and bears interest at a rate based on the senior unsecured debt rating of the Company, which, based on the Company’s current debt ratings, is 1.125 % above EURIBOR (the “2021 Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan,” and, together with the 2021 364 -Day Delayed Draw Term Loan, the “2021 Delayed Draw Term Loans”).
The loan agreements for the 2021 Delayed Draw Term Loans contain certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which the Company must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements could not only prevent the Company from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
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NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Tabular amounts in millions, unless otherwise disclosed)
Bridge Facility —In connection with entering into the Pending Telxius Acquisition, the Company entered into a commitment letter (the “Commitment Letter”), dated January 13, 2021, with Bank of America, N.A. and BofA Securities, Inc. (together, “BoA”) pursuant to which BoA has committed to provide up to 7.5 billion EUR (approximately $ 9.1 billion at date of signing) in bridge loans (the “Bridge Loan Commitment”) to ensure financing for the Pending Telxius Acquisition. Effective February 10, 2021, the Bridge Loan Commitment was reduced to 4.275 billion EUR (approximately $ 5.2 billion at the date of signing) as a result of an aggregate of 3.225 billion EUR (approximately $ 3.9 billion at the date of signing) of additional committed amounts under the 2019 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2019 Credit Facility and the 2021 Delayed Draw Term Loans, as described above.
The Commitment Letter contains, and the credit agreement in respect of the Bridge Loan Commitment, if any, will contain, certain customary conditions to funding, including, without limitation, (i) the execution and delivery of definitive financing agreements for the Bridge Loan Commitment and (ii) other customary closing conditions set forth in the Commitment Letter. The Company will pay certain customary commitment fees and, in the event it makes any borrowings in connection with the Bridge Loan Commitment, funding and other fees.
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AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SCHEDULE III—SCHEDULE OF REAL ESTATE
AND ACCUMULATED DEPRECIATION
(dollars in millions)
Description Encumbrances Initial cost
to company Cost
capitalized
subsequent to
acquisition Gross amount
carried at
close of current
period Accumulated
depreciation at close of current period Date of
construction Date
acquired Life on which
depreciation in
latest income
statements is
computed
183,860 Sites (1) $ 3,136.7 (2) (3) (3) $ 18,492.9 (4) $ ( 6,921.0 ) Various Various Up to 20 years
_______________
(1) No single site exceeds 5 % of the total amounts indicated in the table above.
(2) Certain assets secure debt of $ 3.1 billion.
(3) The Company has omitted this information, as it would be impracticable to compile such information on a site-by-site basis.
(4) Does not include those sites under construction.
2020 2019 2018
Gross amount at beginning $ 17,429.3 $ 15,960.1 $ 15,349.0
Additions during period:
Acquisitions 722.4 887.0 721.4
Discretionary capital projects (1) 308.0 258.1 173.5
Discretionary ground lease purchases (2) 214.3 189.8 180.4
Redevelopment capital expenditures (3) 176.7 213.6 177.3
Capital improvements (4) 91.4 161.2 94.0
Start-up capital expenditures (5) 119.4 71.3 113.1
Other (6) 72.8 45.2 ( 3.0 )
Total additions 1,705.0 1,826.2 1,456.7
Deductions during period:
Cost of real estate sold or disposed ( 259.7 ) ( 304.6 ) ( 395.7 )
Other (7) ( 381.7 ) ( 52.4 ) ( 449.9 )
Total deductions: ( 641.4 ) ( 357.0 ) ( 845.6 )
Balance at end $ 18,492.9 $ 17,429.3 $ 15,960.1
2020 2019 2018
Gross amount of accumulated depreciation at beginning $ ( 6,382.2 ) $ ( 5,724.7 ) $ ( 5,181.2 )
Additions during period:
Depreciation ( 771.5 ) ( 768.4 ) ( 751.4 )
Other — — —
Total additions ( 771.5 ) ( 768.4 ) ( 751.4 )
Deductions during period:
Amount of accumulated depreciation for assets sold or disposed 132.3 121.4 129.3
Other (7) 100.4 ( 10.5 ) 78.6
Total deductions 232.7 110.9 207.9
Balance at end $ ( 6,921.0 ) $ ( 6,382.2 ) $ ( 5,724.7 )
_______________
(1) Includes amounts incurred primarily for the construction of new sites.
(2) Includes amounts incurred to purchase or otherwise secure the land under communications sites.
(3) Includes amounts incurred to increase the capacity of existing sites, which results in new incremental tenant revenue.
(4) Includes amounts incurred to enhance existing sites by adding additional functionality, capacity or general asset improvements.
(5) Includes amounts incurred in connection with acquisitions or new market launches. Start-up capital expenditures includes non-recurring expenditures contemplated in acquisitions, new market launch business cases or initial deployment of new technologies or platform expansion initiatives that lead to an increase in site-level cash flow generation.
(6) Primarily includes regional improvements and other additions.
(7) Primarily includes foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and other deductions.
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