SBA Communications
Annual Report 2012

Plain-text annual report

SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORP FORM 10-K (Annual Report) Filed 02/27/13 for the Period Ending 12/31/12 Address Telephone CIK Symbol SIC Code 5900 BROKEN SOUND PARKWAY BOCA RATON, FL 33487 5619957670 0001034054 SBAC 4899 - Communications Services, Not Elsewhere Classified Industry Communications Services Sector Fiscal Year Services 12/31 http://www.edgar-online.com © Copyright 2013, EDGAR Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Distribution and use of this document restricted under EDGAR Online, Inc. Terms of Use. Table of Contents UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM 10-K For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2012 OR For the transition period from to Commission file number: 000-30110 SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (561) 995-7670 Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes  No (cid:3) Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act. Yes (cid:3) No   ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 (cid:3) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 Florida 65-0716501 (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) 5900 Broken Sound Parkway NW Boca Raton, Florida 33487 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Title of Each Class Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered Class A Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC (NASDAQ Global Select Market) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No (cid:3) Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes  No (cid:3) Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. (cid:3) Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act) Yes (cid:3) No  The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $6.2 billion as of June 30, 2012. The number of shares outstanding of the Registrant’s common stock (as of February 15, 2013): Class A common stock — 126,954,515 shares Documents Incorporated By Reference Portions of the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement for its 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, which proxy statement will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the Registrant’s fiscal year ended December 31, 2012, are hereby incorporated by reference in Part III of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Large accelerated filer  Accelerated filer (cid:3) Non-Accelerated filer (cid:3) Smaller reporting company (cid:3) Table of Contents Table of Contents Page PART I ITEM 1. BUSINESS 1 ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS 10 ITEM 2. PROPERTIES 22 ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS 23 ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE 23 PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES 24 ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA 26 ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS 28 ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK 55 ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA 58 ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE 58 ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES 58 ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION 61 PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE 61 ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION 61 ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS 61 ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE 62 ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES 62 PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES 63 SIGNATURES 67 Table of Contents ITEM 1. BUSINESS General We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications towers. Our principal operations are in the United States and its territories. In addition, we own and operate towers in Canada, Central America and South America. Our primary business line is our site leasing business, which contributed 97.4% of our total segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2012. In our site leasing business, we lease antenna space primarily to wireless service providers on towers and other structures that we own, manage or lease from others. The towers that we own have been constructed by us at the request of a wireless service provider, built or constructed based on our own initiative or acquired. As of December 31, 2012, we owned 17,491 tower sites, the majority of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to multiple wireless service providers. We also managed or leased approximately 4,800 actual or potential communications sites, approximately 500 of which were revenue producing as of December 31, 2012. Our other business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks. Site Leasing Services Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts in the United States, Canada, Central America and South America. Site leasing revenues are received primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Digicel, Claro, and Telefonica. Wireless service providers enter into numerous different tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual tower site. In the United States and Canada our tenant leases are generally for an initial term of five to ten years with five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases in our Central and South America markets typically have an initial term of 10 years with 5-year renewal periods. In Central America, we have similar rent escalators to that of leases in the United States and Canada while our leases in South America typically escalate in accordance with a standard cost of living index. We expand our tower portfolio, both domestically and internationally, through the construction of new towers, or new builds, and through the acquisition of towers from third parties. In our new build program, we construct towers in locations that were strategically chosen by us or under build-to-suit arrangements. Under build-to-suit arrangements, we build towers for wireless service providers at locations that they have identified. We retain ownership of the tower and the exclusive right to co-locate additional tenants on the tower. When we construct towers in locations chosen by us, we utilize our knowledge of our customers’ network requirements to identify locations where we believe multiple wireless service providers need, or will need, to locate antennas to meet capacity or service demands. We seek to identify attractive locations for new towers and complete pre-construction procedures necessary to secure the site concurrently with our leasing efforts. We generally will have at least one signed tenant lease for each new build tower on the day that it is completed and expect that some will have multiple tenants. During 2013, we intend to build between 380 and 400 new towers, domestically and internationally. In our tower acquisition program, we pursue towers that meet or exceed our internal guidelines regarding current and future potential returns. For each acquisition, we prepare various analyses that include projections of a five-year unlevered internal rate of return, review of available capacity, future lease up projections and a summary of current and future tenant/technology mix. 1 Table of Contents The table below provides information regarding the development and status of our tower portfolio over the past three years. As of December 31, 2012, we had an average of 2.0 tenants per tower. Our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. Our site leasing business generated 88.7% of our total revenues during the year ended December 31, 2012 and has represented 97.4% or more of our total segment operating profit for the past three years. For the year ended December 31, 2012, site leasing revenues generated outside the U.S. and its territories was less than 6% of total revenue. International Operations In 2012, we continued to focus on growing our international operations, including the acquisition of 800 towers in Brazil. We believe that we can create substantial value by expanding our site leasing services into select international markets which we believe have a high-growth wireless industry and relatively stable political and regulatory environments. At December 31, 2012, we owned 2,562 towers in Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua and Panama, and intend to continue expanding in these and other international markets. The majority of these international markets typically have less mature wireless networks with limited wireline infrastructure and wireless data penetration. Accordingly, our expansion in these markets is primarily driven by (i) wireless service providers seeking to increase the quality and coverage of their networks, (ii) consumers’ increased use of high data applications, such as email, internet access and video, and (iii) incremental spectrum auctions, which have resulted in new market entrants, as well as incremental voice and data network deployments. For example, we have had a meaningful build-out of our new towers and communication sites in Costa Rica as a result of spectrum auctions in that country. We expect to continue expanding internationally through buying or building towers, managing communication sites and leasing space to wireless service providers on assets we control. We consider various factors when identifying a market for our international expansion, including: 2 For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Towers owned at beginning of period 8,324 9,111 10,524 Towers acquired 712 1,085 6,630 Towers constructed 124 388 356 Towers reclassified/disposed of (49 ) (60 ) (19 ) Towers owned at end of period 9,111 10,524 17,491 (1) Reclassifications reflect the combination for reporting purposes of multiple tower structures on a single parcel of real estate, which we market and customers view as a single location, into a single owned tower site. Dispositions reflect the decommissioning, sale, conveyance or other legal transfer of owned tower sites. • Country analysis – We consider the country’s political stability, and whether the country’s general business, legal and regulatory environment is conducive to the sustainability and growth of our business. • Market potential – We analyze the expected demand for wireless services, and whether a country has multiple wireless service providers who are actively seeking to invest in deploying voice and data networks, as well as spectrum auctions that have occurred or that are anticipated to occur. • Risk adjusted return criteria – We consider whether buying or building towers in a country, and providing our management and leasing services, will meet our return criteria. As part of this analysis, we consider the risk of entering into an international market, and how our expansion meets our long-term strategic objectives for the region and our business generally. (1) Table of Contents Site Development Services Our site development business, which is conducted in the United States only, is complementary to our site leasing business and provides us the ability to keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and to capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna and equipment installation at our tower locations. Site development services revenues are received primarily from providing a full range of end to end services to wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our services include: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits; (6) tower and related site construction; (7) antenna installation; and (8) radio equipment installation, commissioning and maintenance. We provide our site development services on a local basis, through regional offices, territory offices and project offices. The regional offices are responsible for all site development operations, including hiring employees and opening or closing project offices, and a substantial portion of the sales in such area. For financial information about our operating segments, please see Note 21 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-K. Industry Developments We believe that growing wireless traffic (particularly data and video), the deployment of additional spectrum, and technology advancements will require wireless service providers to improve their network infrastructure and increase their network capacity resulting in an increase in the number of communication sites that they use or the number of antennas at existing communication sites. The following is a discussion of certain growth trends in the wireless communications industry: 3 • As wireless data usage grows rapidly, all four U.S. nationwide carriers are deploying new and upgraded networks and we believe that the continued deployment of 4G wireless technologies, such as LTE, will require our customers to add large numbers of additional cell sites and additional equipment at current cell sites. • We have seen, and anticipate there could be other, new entrants into the wireless communications industry that could deploy regional or national wireless networks for voice and data services. • Spectrum licensed by the Federal Communications Commission in 2006 and 2008 has enabled continued network development, and we expect this and the potential availability of additional spectrum should enable continued network development in the U.S. In August 2012, Verizon received regulatory approval to purchase spectrum originally auctioned in 2006 to SpectrumCo, a joint venture of cable companies. Also, in December, 2012, Dish Networks received regulatory approval to terrestrially deploy certain of its spectrum that was previously limited for use in satellite based networks. • Consumers are increasing their use of wireless data services due to expansion of wireless data applications, such as email, web browsing, social networking, music and video, and continued wireline to wireless migration. Wireless devices are trending toward more bandwidth intensive devices such as smartphones, laptops, netbooks, tablets and other emerging and embedded devices. As a result, management believes that North American mobile data traffic will grow at an approximately 56% compound annual growth rate from 2012 to 2017. • Consumers list network coverage and quality as two of the greatest contributors to their dissatisfaction when terminating or changing service. To decrease subscriber churn rate and drive revenue growth, wireless carriers have made substantial capital expenditures on wireless networks to improve service quality and expand coverage. For example, U.S. wireless carriers’ capital expenditures have increased from an estimated $19.9 billion in 2009 to an estimated $28.6 billion in 2012, and we expect capital expenditures in the foreseeable future to remain elevated as wireless carriers continue to improve their networks. Table of Contents Despite the recent economic challenges affecting the global marketplace, based on these factors, we believe that the world-wide wireless industry will continue to grow and is well-capitalized, highly competitive and focused on quality and advanced services. Therefore, we expect that we will see a multi-year trend of strong additional cell site demand from our customers, which we believe will translate into strong leasing growth for us. Business Strategy Our primary strategy is to continue to focus on expanding our site leasing business due to its attractive characteristics such as long-term contracts, built-in rent escalators, high operating margins and low customer churn. The long-term nature of the revenue stream of our site leasing business makes it less volatile than our site development business, which is more cyclical. By focusing on our site leasing business, we believe that we can maintain a stable, recurring cash flow stream and reduce our exposure to cyclical changes in customer spending. Key elements of our strategy include: Maximizing Use of Tower Capacity. We generally have constructed or acquired towers that accommodate multiple tenants and a majority of our towers are high capacity towers. Most of our towers have significant capacity available for additional antennas and we believe that increased use of our towers can be achieved at a low incremental cost. We actively market space on our towers through our internal sales force. Disciplined Growth of our Tower Portfolio . We believe that our tower operations are highly scalable. Consequently, we believe that we are able to materially increase our tower portfolio without proportionately increasing selling, general and administrative expenses. During 2013, we intend to continue to grow our tower portfolio, domestically and internationally, by 5% to 10%; through tower acquisitions and the construction of new towers. In connection with our international expansion, we have targeted select international markets that we believe have relatively stable political environments and a growing wireless communication industry. We intend to use our available cash from operating activities and available liquidity, including borrowings, to build and/or acquire new towers at prices that we believe will be accretive to our shareholders both in the short and long term and which allow us to maintain our long-term target leverage ratios. Capitalizing on our Scale and Management Experience. We are a large owner, operator and developer of tower and other communication sites, with substantial capital, human and operating resources. We have been developing communication sites for wireless service providers in the U.S. since 1989 and owned and operated tower sites for ourselves since 1997. We believe our size, experience, capabilities and resources make us a preferred partner for wireless service providers both in the U.S. and internationally. Our management team has extensive experience in site leasing and site development, with some of the longest tenures in the tower and site development industries. Management believes that its industry expertise and strong relationships with wireless service providers will allow us to expand our position as a leading provider of site leasing and site development services. Controlling our Underlying Land Positions . We have purchased and intend to continue to purchase and/or enter into perpetual easements or long-term leases for the land that underlies our towers, to the extent available at commercially 4 Table of Contents reasonable prices. We believe that these purchases, perpetual easements, and/or long-term leases will increase our margins, improve our cash flow from operations and minimize our exposure to increases in ground lease rents in the future. For the quarter ended December 31, 2012, approximately 70% of our tower sites were located on land that we own or control for more than 20 years and the average remaining life under our ground leases, including renewal options under our control, was 31 years. As of December 31, 2012, approximately 6.1% of our tower sites have ground leases maturing in the next 10 years. Using our Local Presence to Build Strong Relationships with Major Wireless Service Providers. Given the nature of towers as location specific communications facilities, we believe that substantially all of what we do is done best locally. Consequently, we have a broad field organization that allows us to develop and capitalize on our experience, expertise and relationships in each of our local markets which in turn enhances our customer relationships. We are seeking to replicate this operating model internationally. Due to our presence in local markets, we believe we are well positioned to capture additional site leasing business and new tower build opportunities in our markets and identify and participate in site development projects across our markets. Customers Since commencing operations, we have performed site leasing and site development services for all of the large U.S. wireless service providers. In both our site leasing and site development businesses, we work with large national providers and smaller regional, local or private operators. We depend on a relatively small number of customers for our site leasing and site development revenues. The following customers represented at least 10% of our total revenues during the last three years: During the past two years, we provided services for a number of customers, including: 5 Percentage of Total Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Sprint 20.4 % 19.8 % 21.2 % AT&T 23.9 % 23.8 % 20.4 % T-Mobile 11.6 % 10.7 % 12.7 % Verizon Wireless 14.8 % 14.8 % 12.7 % Alcatel-Lucent Metro PCS AT&T Millicom Bechtel Corporation Nextel International Bell Canada Nortel Cable & Wireless Nsoro Mastec, LLC Cellular South Oi Claro Rogers Cleartalk Sprint Clearwire T-Mobile Cricket Telus Digicel Telefonica Ericsson TIM General Dynamics U.S. Cellular Goodman Networks VelociTel ITT Corporation Verizon Wireless Table of Contents Sales and Marketing Our sales and marketing goals are to: We approach sales on a company-wide basis, involving many of our employees. We have a dedicated sales force that is supplemented by members of our executive management team. Our dedicated salespeople are based regionally as well as in the corporate office. We also rely on our vice presidents, general managers and other operations personnel to sell our services and cultivate customers. Our strategy is to delegate sales efforts to those employees of ours who have the best relationships with our customers. Most wireless service providers have national corporate headquarters with regional and local offices. We believe that wireless service providers make most decisions for site development and site leasing services at the regional and local levels with input from their corporate headquarters. Our sales representatives work with wireless service provider representatives at the regional and local levels and at the national level when appropriate. Our sales staff compensation is heavily weighted to incentive-based goals and measurements. Competition Site Leasing – Our primary competitors for our site leasing activities are (1) the national independent tower companies including American Tower Corporation, Crown Castle International and Global Tower Partners, (2) a large number of regional independent tower owners, (3) wireless service providers that own and operate their own towers and lease, or may in the future decide to lease, antenna space to other providers, and (4) alternative facilities such as rooftops, outdoor and indoor distributed antenna system (“DAS”) networks, billboards and electric transmission towers. As a result of several large mergers and acquisitions, American Tower and Crown Castle have more towers and greater financial resources than we do. Wireless service providers that own and operate their own tower networks are also generally larger and have greater financial resources than we do. We believe that tower location and capacity, quality of service to our tenants, and, to a lesser extent, price have been and will continue to be the most significant competitive factors affecting the site leasing business. Internationally, to date, the competition we have encountered has been from both independent tower companies and wireless service providers that own and operate their own tower networks. In our Central American and Canadian markets, the majority of existing towers are owned by wireless service providers. In Brazil, our competition includes wireless service providers, as well as, independent tower companies. Site Development – The site development business is extremely competitive and price sensitive. We believe that the majority of our competitors in the U.S. site development business operate within local market areas exclusively, while some firms offer their services nationally. The market includes participants from a variety of market segments offering individual, or combinations of, competing services. The field of competitors includes site development consultants, zoning consultants, real estate firms, right-of-way consulting firms, construction companies, tower owners/managers, radio frequency engineering consultants, telecommunications equipment vendors, which provide end-to-end site development services through multiple subcontractors, and wireless service providers’ internal staff. We believe that providers base their decisions for site development services on a number of criteria, including: company experience, price, track record, local reputation, geographic reach and time for completion of a project. 6 • use existing relationships and develop new relationships with wireless service providers to lease antenna space on and sell related services with respect to our owned or managed towers, enabling us to grow our site leasing business; and • successfully bid and win those site development services contracts that will contribute to our operating margins and/or provide a financial or strategic benefit to our site leasing business. Table of Contents Employees Our executive, corporate development, accounting, finance, human resources, legal and regulatory, information technology and site administration personnel, and our network operations center, are located in our headquarters in Boca Raton, Florida. Certain sales, new tower build support and tower maintenance personnel are also located in our Boca Raton office. Our remaining employees are based in our international, regional, and local offices. As of December 31, 2012, we had 1,022 employees, none of whom are represented by a collective bargaining agreement. Of these 1,022 employees, 103 were based outside of the U.S. and its territories. We consider our employee relations to be good. Regulatory and Environmental Matters Federal Regulations. In the U.S., which accounted for 94.3% of our total site leasing revenue for the year ended December 31, 2012, both the FCC and the Federal Aviation Administration (the “FAA”) regulate antenna towers and structures that support wireless communications and radio or television antennas. Many FAA requirements are implemented in FCC regulations. These regulations govern the construction, lighting and painting or other marking of towers and structures, as well as the maintenance, inspection, and record keeping related to towers and structures, and may, depending on the characteristics of particular towers or structures, require prior approval and registration of towers or structures before they may be constructed, altered or used. Wireless communications equipment and radio or television stations operating on towers or structures are separately regulated and may require independent customer licensing depending upon the particular frequency or frequency band used. In addition, any applicant for an FCC antenna tower or structure registration must certify that, consistent with the Anti-Drug Abuse Act of 1988, neither the applicant nor its principals are subject to a denial of Federal benefits because of a conviction for the possession or distribution of a controlled substance. Pursuant to the requirements of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended, the FCC, in conjunction with the FAA, has developed standards to consider proposals involving new or modified antenna towers or structures. These standards mandate that the FCC and the FAA consider the height of the proposed tower or structure, the relationship of the tower or structure to existing natural or man-made obstructions and the proximity of the tower or structure to runways and airports. Proposals to construct or to modify existing towers or structures above certain heights must be reviewed by the FAA to ensure the structure will not present a hazard to air navigation. The FAA may condition its issuance of a no-hazard determination upon compliance with specified lighting and/or painting requirements. Antenna towers that meet certain height and location criteria must also be registered with the FCC. A tower or structure that requires FAA clearance will not be registered by the FCC until it is cleared by the FAA. Upon registration, the FCC may also require special lighting and/or painting. Owners of wireless communications antenna towers and structures may have an obligation to maintain painting and lighting or other marking in conformance with FAA and FCC regulations. Antenna tower and structure owners and licensees that operate on those towers or structures also bear the responsibility of monitoring any lighting systems and notifying the FAA of any lighting outage or malfunction. Owners and operators of antenna towers and structures may be subject to, and therefore must comply with, environmental laws. Any licensed radio facility on an antenna tower or structure is subject to environmental review pursuant to the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, among other statutes, which requires federal agencies to evaluate the environmental impact of their decisions under certain circumstances. The FCC has issued regulations implementing the National Environmental Policy Act. These regulations place responsibility on applicants to investigate potential environmental effects of their operations and to disclose any potential 7 Table of Contents significant effects on the environment in an environmental assessment prior to constructing or modifying an antenna tower or structure and prior to commencing certain operations of wireless communications or radio or television stations from the tower or structure. In the event the FCC determines the proposed structure or operation would have a significant environmental impact based on the standards the FCC has developed, the FCC would be required to prepare an environmental impact statement, which will be subject to public comment. This process could significantly delay the registration of a particular tower or structure. We generally indemnify our customers against any failure to comply with applicable regulatory standards relating to the construction, modification, or placement of antenna towers or structures. Failure to comply with the applicable requirements may lead to civil penalties. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 amended the Communications Act of 1934 by preserving state and local zoning authorities’ jurisdiction over the construction, modification and placement of towers. The law, however, limits local zoning authority by prohibiting any action that would discriminate among different providers of personal wireless services or ban altogether the construction, modification or placement of radio communication towers. Finally, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 requires the federal government to help licensees for wireless communications services gain access to preferred sites for their facilities. This may require that federal agencies and departments work directly with licensees to make federal property available for tower facilities. As an owner and operator of real property, we are subject to certain environmental laws that impose strict, joint and several liability for the cleanup of on-site or off-site contamination and related personal or property damage. We are also subject to certain environmental laws that govern tower or structure placement, including pre-construction environmental studies. Operators of towers or structures must also take into consideration certain radio frequency (“RF”) emissions regulations that impose a variety of procedural and operating requirements. Certain proposals to operate wireless communications and radio or television stations from antenna towers and structures are also reviewed by the FCC to ensure compliance with requirements relating to human exposure to RF emissions. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can produce negative health effects. The potential connection between low-level RF energy and certain negative health effects, including some forms of cancer, has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. We believe that we are in substantial compliance with and we have no material liability under any applicable environmental laws. These costs of compliance with existing or future environmental laws and liability related thereto may have a material adverse effect on our prospects, financial condition or results of operations. State and Local Regulations. Most states regulate certain aspects of real estate acquisition, leasing activities and construction activities. Where required, we conduct the site acquisition portions of our site development services business through licensed real estate brokers’ agents, who may be our employees or hired as independent contractors, and conduct the construction portions of our site development services through licensed contractors, who may be our employees or independent contractors. Local regulations include city and other local ordinances, zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by community developers. These regulations vary greatly from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, but typically require tower and structure owners to obtain approval from local officials or community standards organizations, or certain other entities prior to tower or structure construction and establish regulations regarding maintenance and removal of towers or structures. In addition, many local zoning authorities require tower and structure owners to post bonds or cash collateral to secure their removal obligations. Local zoning authorities generally have been unreceptive to construction of new antenna towers and structures in their communities because of the height and visibility of the towers or structures, and have, in some instances, instituted moratoria. International . Regulatory regimes outside of the U.S. and its territories vary by country and locality, however these regulations typically require tower owners and/or licensees to obtain approval from local officials or government agencies prior to tower construction or modification or the addition of a new antenna to an existing 8 Table of Contents tower. Additionally, some regulations include ongoing obligations regarding painting, lighting, and maintenance. Our international operations may also be subject to limitations on foreign ownership of land in certain areas. Based on our experience to date, these regimes have been similar to, but not more rigorous, burdensome or comprehensive than, those in the U.S. Non-compliance with such regulations may lead to monetary penalties or deconstruction orders. Our international operations are also subject to various regulations and guidelines regarding employee relations and other occupational health and safety matters. As we expand our operations into additional international geographic areas, we will be subject to regulations in these jurisdictions. Backlog Backlog related to our site leasing business consists of lease agreements and amendments, which have been signed, but have not yet commenced. As of December 31, 2012, excluding the Sprint Network Vision Amendment, we had 1,052 new leases and amendments which had been executed with customers but which had not begun generating revenue. These leases and amendments will contractually provide for approximately $8.1 million of annual revenue. By comparison, as of December 31, 2011, we had 251 new leases and amendments which had been executed with customers but which had not begun generating revenue. These leases and amendments contractually provided for approximately $5.1 million of annual revenue. Our backlog for site development services consists of the value of work that has not yet been completed on executed contracts. As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately $45.9 million of contractually committed revenue as compared to approximately $14.5 million as of December 31, 2011. Availability of Reports and Other Information SBA Communications Corporation was incorporated in the State of Florida in March 1997. Our corporate website is www.sbasite.com . We make available, free of charge, access to our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K, Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A and amendments to those materials filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, on our website under “Investor Relations – Reports and Results – SEC Filings,” as soon as reasonably practicable after we file electronically such material with, or furnish it to, the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”). 9 Table of Contents ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS Risks Related to Our Business If our wireless service provider customers combine their operations to a significant degree, our future operating results and our ability to service our indebtedness could be adversely affected. Significant consolidation among our wireless service provider customers may result in our customers failing to renew existing leases for tower space or reducing future capital expenditures in the aggregate because their existing networks and expansion plans may overlap or be very similar. In connection with the combinations of Verizon Wireless and ALLTEL (to form Verizon Wireless), Cingular and AT&T Wireless (to form AT&T Mobility) and Sprint PCS and Nextel (to form Sprint Nextel), the combined companies have rationalized and may continue to rationalize duplicative parts of their networks, which has led and may continue to lead to the non-renewal of certain leases on our towers. If our wireless service provider customers continue to consolidate as a result of, among other factors, limited wireless spectrum for commercial use in the U.S., this consolidation could significantly impact the number of tower leases that are not renewed or the number of new leases that our wireless service provider customers require to expand their networks, which could materially and adversely affect our future operating results. We have a substantial level of indebtedness which may have an adverse effect on our business or limit our ability to take advantage of business, strategic or financing opportunities. As indicated below, we have and will continue to have a significant amount of indebtedness relative to our equity. The following table sets forth our total principal amount of debt and shareholders’ equity as of December 31, 2011 and 2012. Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay the principal, interest or other amounts due on our indebtedness. Subject to certain restrictions under our existing indebtedness, we and our subsidiaries may also incur significant additional indebtedness in the future, some of which may be secured debt. This may have the effect of increasing our total leverage. As a consequence of our indebtedness, (1) demands on our cash resources may increase, (2) we are subject to restrictive covenants that further limit our financial and operating flexibility and (3) we may choose to institute self-imposed limits on our indebtedness based on certain considerations including market interest rates, our relative leverage and our strategic plans. For example, as a result of our substantial level of indebtedness and the uncertainties arising in the credit markets and the U.S. economy: 10 As of December 31, 2011 2012 (in thousands) Total principal amount of indebtedness $ 3,512,500 $ 5,440,073 Shareholders’ (deficit) equity $ (11,313 ) $ 652,991 • we may be more vulnerable to general adverse economic and industry conditions; • we may have to pay higher interest rates upon refinancing or on our variable rate indebtedness if interest rates rise, thereby reducing our cash flows; • we may find it more difficult to obtain additional financing to fund future working capital, capital expenditures and other general corporate requirements that would be in our best long-term interests; Table of Contents These restrictions could have a material adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities. In addition, fluctuations in market interest rates may increase interest expense relating to our floating rate indebtedness, which we expect to incur under our Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans, and may make it difficult to refinance our existing indebtedness at a commercially reasonable rate or at all. There is no guarantee that the future refinancing of our indebtedness will have fixed interest rates or that interest rates on such indebtedness will be equal to or lower than the rates on our current indebtedness. We depend on a relatively small number of customers for most of our revenue, and the loss, consolidation or financial instability of any of our significant customers may materially decrease our revenues. We derive a significant portion of our revenue from a small number of customers. Consequently, a reduction in demand for site leasing, reduced future capital expenditures on the networks, or the loss, as a result of bankruptcy, merger with other customers of ours or otherwise, of any of our largest customers could materially decrease our revenue and have an adverse effect on our growth. Our substantial acquisitions in 2012 further increased our client concentration and exacerbated the risks associated with such concentration. The following is a list of significant customers (representing at least 10% of revenue in any of the last three years) and the percentage of our total revenues for the specified time periods derived from these customers: We also have client concentrations with respect to revenues in each of our financial reporting segments: 11 • we may be required to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the payment of principal and interest on our debt, reducing the available cash flow to fund other investments, including tower acquisition and new build capital expenditures; • we may be required to reduce our annual tower acquisition or new build goals; • we may have limited flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business or in the industry; • we may have a competitive disadvantage relative to other companies in our industry that are less leveraged; and • we may be required to sell debt or equity securities or sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, in order to meet payment obligations. Percentage of Total Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Sprint 20.4 % 19.8 % 21.2 % AT&T 23.9 % 23.8 % 20.4 % T-Mobile 11.6 % 10.7 % 12.7 % Verizon Wireless 14.8 % 14.8 % 12.7 % Percentage of Site Leasing Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Sprint 23.6 % 22.3 % 23.8 % AT&T 28.0 % 26.8 % 22.9 % T-Mobile 11.7 % 11.2 % 13.6 % Verizon Wireless 15.4 % 15.5 % 13.2 % Table of Contents Revenue from these clients is derived from numerous different site leasing contracts and site development contracts. Each site leasing contract relates to the lease of space at an individual tower site and is generally for an initial term of five to ten years in the U.S. and Canada, and renewable for five 5-year periods at the option of the tenant. Our Central and South America markets typically have an initial term of 10 years with 5-year renewal periods. However, if any of our significant site leasing clients were to experience financial difficulty, substantially reduce their capital expenditures or reduce their dependence on leased tower space and fail to renew their leases with us, our revenues, future revenue growth and results of operations would be adversely affected. Our site development customers engage us on a project-by-project basis, and a customer can generally terminate an assignment at any time without penalty. In addition, a customer’s need for site development services can decrease, and we may not be successful in establishing relationships with new customers. Furthermore, our existing customers may not continue to engage us for additional projects. A slowdown in demand for wireless communications services or for tower space could materially and adversely affect our future growth and revenues. If wireless service subscribers significantly reduce their minutes of use, or fail to widely adopt and use wireless data applications, our wireless service provider customers would experience a decrease in demand for their services. Regardless of consumer demand, each wireless service customer must have substantial capital resources and capabilities to build out their wireless networks, including licenses for spectrum. In addition, our wireless service customers have engaged in increased use of network sharing, roaming or resale arrangements. As a result of all of the above, wireless carriers may scale back their business plans or otherwise reduce their spending, which could materially and adversely affect demand for our tower space and our wireless communications services business, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. 12 Percentage of Site Development Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 Ericsson, Inc. 3.0 % 9.0 % 24.5 % Nsoro Mastec, LLC 31.2 % 35.6 % 16.2 % Verizon Wireless 11.2 % 9.5 % 8.9 % T-Mobile 10.6 % 7.0 % 5.8 % Table of Contents Our international operations are subject to economic, political and other risks, including risks associated with foreign currency exchange rates, that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position. Our current business operations in Canada, Central America and South America, and our expansion into any other international markets in the future, could result in adverse financial consequences and operational problems not typically experienced in the United States. Although the consolidated revenues generated by our international operations were less than 6% during the year ended December 31, 2012, we anticipate that our revenues from our international operations will grow in the future. Accordingly, our business is and will in the future be subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including: The majority of our international operations are denominated in United States dollars. However, for some of our international operations, particularly Brazil, we face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those arising from our operations, investments and financing transactions related to our international business. Volatility in foreign currency exchange rates can also affect our ability to plan, forecast and budget for our international operations and expansion efforts. If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers, it could adversely affect our business and operating results. Our real property interests relating to our towers consist primarily of leasehold and sub-leasehold interests, fee interests, easements, licenses, rights-of-way, and other similar interests. From time to time, we experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of the agreements for the land under our towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate such towers. Further, landowners may not want to renew their agreements with us, they may lose their rights to the land, or they may transfer their land interests to third parties, including ground lease aggregators and our competitors, which could affect our ability to renew agreements on commercially viable terms or at all. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a future material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. In addition, we may not always have the ability to analyze and verify all information regarding title, access and other issues regarding the land underlying acquired towers. To the extent that we do not have complete access to, or use of, the land underlying the acquired towers, it could require us to incur additional expenses before we can operate and generate revenue from such tower. 13 • changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions; • laws and regulations that tax or otherwise restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds or otherwise limit distributions of capital; • laws and regulations that dictate how we operate our communications sites and conduct business, including zoning, maintenance and environmental matters, and laws related to ownership of real property; • laws and regulations governing our employee relations, including occupational health and safety matters; • changes to existing or new domestic or international tax laws or fees directed specifically at the ownership and operation of tower sites, which may be applied and enforced retroactively; • expropriation and governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership; • restricting or revoking spectrum licenses; • our ability to comply with, and the costs of compliance with, anti-bribery laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and similar local anti-bribery laws; • our ability to compete with owners and operators of wireless communications towers that have been in the international market for a longer period of time than we have; • uncertainties regarding legal or judicial systems, including inconsistencies between and within laws, regulations and decrees, and judicial application thereof, and delays in the judicial process; • health or similar issues, such as a pandemic or epidemic; • difficulty in recruiting and retaining trained personnel; and • language and cultural differences. Table of Contents Increasing competition may negatively impact our ability to grow our tower portfolio long term. We currently intend to grow our tower portfolio 5% to 10% annually, domestically and internationally, through acquisitions and new builds. Our ability to meet these growth targets significantly depends on our ability to acquire existing towers that meet our investment requirements. Traditionally, our acquisition strategy has focused on acquiring towers from smaller tower companies, independent tower developers and wireless service providers. However, as a result of consolidation in the tower industry there are fewer of these mid-sized tower transactions available and there is more competition to acquire existing towers. Increased competition for acquisitions may result in fewer acquisition opportunities for us, higher acquisition prices, and increased difficulty in negotiating and consummating agreements to acquire such towers. Furthermore, to the extent that the tower acquisition opportunities are for significant tower portfolios, many of our competitors are significantly larger and have greater financial resources than us. As a result of these risks, the cost of acquiring these towers may be higher than we expect or we may not be able to add as many towers as we had planned in 2013. If we are not able to successfully address these challenges, we may not be able to materially increase our tower portfolio in the long-term. Our convertible note hedge transactions may not cover all of the potential dilution or additional cash outlay, if we settled the notes in cash, to which we may be subject upon conversion of the notes. Concurrently with the pricing of our 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (the “1.875% Notes”) and our 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 (the “4.0% Notes”) we entered into convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible note offerings. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 1.875% Notes is $41.46 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of our 1.875% convertible notes) and the upper strike price of the warrants is $67.37 per share. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 4.0% convertible Notes is $30.38 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 4.0% Notes) and the upper strike price of the warrant transactions is $44.64 per share. Pursuant to the terms of the warrant transaction, we are responsible for the dilution or costs, to the extent that we settle in cash or stock, arising from the conversion of the notes to the extent that the market price of our Class A common stock exceeds the strike price of the warrants. We have purchased an aggregate of $81.2 million in principal amount of the 1.875% Notes, and $468.8 million remains outstanding. If the market price of our Class A common stock significantly exceeded either of these strike prices on their respective conversion dates we would be subject to material dilution or, to the extent we elected to settle in cash, material additional costs. Initially we entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions to cover the full amount of the shares that were issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes and the 4.0% Notes. However, as a result of the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”), we terminated the convertible note hedge transaction that we had entered into with Lehman Derivatives. The terminated convertible note hedge transaction had originally covered 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of our 1.875% Notes. Consequently, we do not currently have a hedge with respect to that percentage of the shares issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes To the extent that the market price of our Class A common stock exceeds $41.46 per share upon conversion of the notes, we will be subject to dilution or if we settle in cash, additional costs, upon conversion of that portion of the 1.875% Notes. If any of the other counterparties to our convertible hedge transactions were to default in their obligations, then our potential dilution or costs upon conversion of the respective notes would be materially increased. At the end of the first quarter of 2012 the 4.0% Notes became convertible by the note holders because our Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $39.49 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on March 31, 2012. The requisite conditions were again met as of the end of the second, third and fourth quarters of 2012 and the 4.0% Notes remained convertible by the note holders. The 4.0% Notes will continue to be convertible through March 31, 2013, and will still be convertible thereafter, if one or more of the conversion conditions are satisfied. 14 Table of Contents At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the conversion right for the 1.875% Notes was triggered because our Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $53.90 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on September 30, 2012. The requisite conditions were again met as of the end of the fourth quarter of 2012 and the 1.875% Notes remained convertible by the note holders. The 1.875% Notes will continue to be convertible until March 31, 2013, and may be convertible thereafter, if one or more of the conversion conditions are satisfied. New technologies and their use by carriers may have a material adverse effect on our growth rate and results of operations. The emergence of new technologies could reduce the demand for space on our towers. For example, the increased use by wireless service providers of signal combining and related technologies and products that allow two or more wireless service providers to provide services on different transmission frequencies using the same communications antenna and other facilities normally used by only one wireless service provider (i.e. network sharing) could reduce the demand for our tower space. Additionally, the use of technologies that enhance spectral capacity, such as beam forming or “smart antennae,” that can increase the range and capacity of an antenna could reduce the number of additional sites a wireless service provider needs to adequately serve a certain subscriber base and therefore reduce demand for our tower space. The development and growth of communications and other new technologies that do not require ground-based sites, such as the growth in delivery of video, voice and data services by satellites or other technologies, could also adversely affect the demand for our tower space. If any of these or other new technologies are widely adopted in the future it could have a material adverse effect on our growth and results of operations. Our acquisition initiatives may disrupt our operations or heighten the risks inherent in our growth strategy. In addition, future acquisitions that are material in the aggregate may increase our debt levels and our leverage. A key element of our growth strategy is to increase our tower portfolio through acquisitions. Consequently, as part of our business, we evaluate potential acquisitions, some of which may be, individually or in the aggregate, materially significant in terms of the number of towers to be acquired or the price that we would need to pay. Any future acquisitions that we may consummate that are material could increase our absolute level of debt and our pro forma leverage ratio. In addition, acquisitions which would be material in the aggregate may exacerbate the risks inherent with our growth strategy, such as (i) an adverse impact on our overall profitability if the acquired towers do not achieve the financial results projected in our valuation models, (ii) unanticipated costs associated with the acquisitions that may impact our results of operations for a period, (iii) increased demands on our cash resources that may, among other things, impact our ability to explore other opportunities, (iv) undisclosed and assumed liabilities that we may be unable to recover, (v) increased vulnerability to general economic conditions, (vi) an adverse impact on our existing customer relationships, (vii) additional expenses and exposure to new regulatory, political and economic risks if such acquisitions were in new jurisdictions and (viii) diversion of managerial attention. We may not successfully integrate acquired towers into our operations. As part of our growth strategy, we have made and expect to continue to make acquisitions. The process of integrating any acquired towers into our operations may result in unforeseen operating difficulties and large expenditures and may absorb significant management attention that would otherwise be available for the ongoing development of our business. It may also result in the loss of key customers and/or personnel and expose us to unanticipated liabilities. These risks may be exacerbated in those circumstances in which we acquire a material number of towers. Further, we may not be able to retain the key employees that may be necessary to operate the business we acquire, and, we may not be able to timely attract new skilled employees and management to replace them. There can be no assurance that we will be successful in integrating acquisitions into our existing business. 15 Table of Contents Delays or changes in the deployment or adoption of new technologies or slowing consumer adoption rates may have a material adverse effect on our growth rate. There can be no assurances that 3G, 4G or other new wireless technologies will be deployed or adopted as rapidly as projected or that these new technologies will be implemented in the manner anticipated. The deployment of 3G experienced delays from the original projected timelines of the wireless and broadcast industries, and deployment of 4G has been limited to date. Additionally, the demand by consumers and the adoption rate of consumers for these new technologies once deployed may be lower or slower than anticipated. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our growth rate since growth opportunities and demand for our tower space as a result of such new technologies may not be realized at the times or to the extent anticipated. We may not secure as many site leasing tenants as planned or our lease rates for new tenant leases may decline. If wireless service provider demand for tower space or our lease rates on new leases decrease, we may not be able to successfully grow our site leasing business as expected. This may have a material adverse effect on our strategy, revenue growth and our ability to satisfy our financial and other contractual obligations. Our plan for the growth of our site leasing business largely depends on our management’s expectations and assumptions concerning future tenant demand and potential lease rates for our towers. Increasing competition in the tower industry may create pricing pressures that may materially and adversely affect us. Our industry is highly competitive, and our customers sometimes have alternatives for leasing antenna space. Some of our competitors, such as (1) U.S. and international wireless carriers that allow collocation on their towers and (2) large independent tower companies, are substantially larger and have greater financial resources than us. This could provide them with advantages with respect to establishing favorable leasing terms with wireless service providers or in their ability to acquire available towers. In the site leasing business, we compete with: We believe that tower location and capacity, quality of service, density within a geographic market and, to a lesser extent, price historically have been and will continue to be the most significant competitive factors affecting the site leasing business. However, competitive pricing pressures for tenants on towers from these competitors could materially and adversely affect our lease rates. In addition, we may not be able to renew existing customer leases or enter into new customer leases, resulting in a material adverse impact on our results of operations and growth rate. Increasing competition could also make the acquisition of high quality tower assets more costly, or limit the acquisition opportunities altogether. Any of these factors could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. The site development segment of our industry is also extremely competitive. There are numerous large and small companies that offer one or more of the services offered by our site development business. As a result of 16 • wireless service providers that own and operate their own towers and lease, or may in the future decide to lease, antenna space to other providers; • national and regional tower companies; and • alternative facilities such as rooftops, outdoor and indoor DAS networks, billboards and electric transmission towers. Table of Contents this competition, margins in this segment continue to be under pressure. Many of our competitors have lower overhead expenses and therefore may be able to provide services at prices that we consider unprofitable. If margins in this segment were to further decrease, our consolidated revenues and our site development segment operating profit could be adversely affected. The documents governing our indebtedness contain restrictive covenants that could adversely affect our business by limiting our flexibility. The indentures governing the 8.25% Notes, the 5.75% Notes and the 5.625% Notes, the Senior Credit Agreement and the Secured Tower Revenue Securities contain restrictive covenants imposing significant operational and financial restrictions on us, including restrictions that may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interests. Among other things, the covenants under each indenture limit our ability to: We are required to maintain certain financial ratios under the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement requires SBA Senior Finance II and SBACC to maintain specific financial ratios, including, at the SBA Senior Finance II level, (1) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA not to exceed 6.0 times for any fiscal quarter, (2) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt and Net Hedge Exposure (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) to Annualized Borrower EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter not to exceed 6.0 times for 30 consecutive days and (3) a ratio of Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0 times for any fiscal quarter. In addition, SBACC’s ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) for any fiscal quarter on an annualized basis cannot exceed 9.5 times. Additionally, the mortgage loan relating to our Tower Securities contains financial covenants that require that the mortgage loan borrowers maintain, on a consolidated basis, a minimum debt service coverage ratio. To the extent that the debt service coverage ratio, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30 times or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as “excess cash flow,” will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.30 times for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the debt service coverage ratio falls below 1.15 times as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time that the debt service coverage ratio exceeds 1.15 times for a calendar quarter. These covenants could place us at a disadvantage compared to some of our competitors which may have fewer restrictive covenants and may not be required to operate under these restrictions. Further, these covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisitions or other opportunities. If we fail to comply with these covenants, it could result in an event of default under our debt instruments. If any default occurs, all amounts outstanding under our outstanding notes and the Senior Credit Agreement may become immediately due and payable. 17 • Merge, consolidate or sell assets; • Make restricted payments, including pay dividends or make other distributions; • Enter into transactions with affiliates; • Enter into sale and leaseback transactions; and • Issue guarantees of indebtedness. Table of Contents Our variable rate indebtedness and refinancing obligations subject us to interest rate risk, which could cause our debt service obligations to increase significantly. Fluctuations in market interest rates may increase interest expense relating to our floating rate indebtedness, which we expect to incur under the Revolving Credit Facility and Term Loans or upon refinancing our fixed rate debt. As a result, we are exposed to interest rate risk. If interest rates were to increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness would increase even though the amount borrowed remained the same, and our net income and cash flows, including cash available for servicing our indebtedness, will correspondingly decrease. There is no guarantee that any future refinancing of our indebtedness will have fixed interest rates or that interest rates on such indebtedness will be equal to or lower than the rates on our current indebtedness. In the future, we may enter into interest rate swaps that involve the exchange of floating for fixed rate interest payments in order to reduce interest rate volatility. However, we may not maintain interest rate swaps with respect to all of our variable rate indebtedness, and any swaps we enter into may not fully mitigate our interest rate risk. Our dependence on our subsidiaries for cash flow may negatively affect our business. We are a holding company with no business operations of our own. Our only significant assets are, and are expected to be, the outstanding capital stock and membership interests of our subsidiaries. We conduct, and expect to continue conducting, all of our business operations through our subsidiaries. Accordingly, our ability to pay our obligations is dependent upon dividends and other distributions from our subsidiaries to us. Most of our indebtedness is owed directly by our subsidiaries, including the mortgage loan underlying the Tower Securities, the 8.25% Notes, the 5.75% Notes, the Term Loans and any amounts that we may borrow under the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the first use of any cash flow from operations generated by such subsidiaries will be payments of interest and principal, if any, under their respective indebtedness. Other than the cash required to repay amounts due under our outstanding convertible notes, we currently expect that substantially all the earnings and cash flow of our subsidiaries will be retained and used by them in their operations, including servicing their respective debt obligations. The ability of our operating subsidiaries to pay dividends or transfer assets to us is restricted by applicable state law and contractual restrictions, including the terms of their outstanding debt instruments. Our quarterly operating results for our site development services fluctuate and therefore we may not be able to adjust our cost structure on a timely basis with regard to such fluctuations. The demand for our site development services fluctuates from quarter to quarter and should not be considered indicative of long-term results. Numerous factors cause these fluctuations, including: 18 • the timing and amount of our customers’ capital expenditures; • the size and scope of our projects; • the business practices of customers, such as deferring commitments on new projects until after the end of the calendar year or the customers’ fiscal year; • delays relating to a project or tenant installation of equipment; • seasonal factors, such as weather, vacation days and total business days in a quarter; • the use of third party providers by our customers; • the rate and volume of wireless service providers’ network development; and • general economic conditions. Table of Contents Although the demand for our site development services fluctuates, we incur significant fixed costs, such as maintaining a staff and office space, in anticipation of future contracts. In addition, the timing of revenues is difficult to forecast because our sales cycle may be relatively long. Therefore, we may not be able to adjust our cost structure on a timely basis to respond to the fluctuations in demand for our site development services. We are not profitable and expect to continue to incur losses. We are not profitable. The following chart shows the net losses we incurred for the periods indicated: Our losses are principally due to depreciation, amortization and accretion expenses, interest expense (including non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees), and losses from the extinguishment of debt in the periods presented above. We expect to continue to incur significant losses, which may affect our ability to service our indebtedness. The loss of the services of certain of our key personnel or a significant number of our employees may negatively affect our business. Our success depends to a significant extent upon performance and active participation of our key personnel. We cannot guarantee that we will be successful in retaining the services of these key personnel. We have employment agreements with Jeffrey A. Stoops, our President and Chief Executive Officer, Kurt L. Bagwell, our Senior Vice President and President—International, Thomas P. Hunt, our Senior Vice President, Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, and Brendan T. Cavanagh, our Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. We do not have employment agreements with any of our other key personnel. If we were to lose any key personnel, we may not be able to find an appropriate replacement on a timely basis and our results of operations could be negatively affected. Further, the loss of a significant number of employees or our inability to hire a sufficient number of qualified employees could have a material adverse effect on our business. Our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future regulations could harm our business. We are subject to federal, state and local regulation of our business, both in the U.S. and internationally. In the U.S., both the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”) and the FCC regulate the construction, modification and maintenance of antenna towers and structures that support wireless communications and radio and television antennas. In addition, the FCC separately licenses and regulates wireless communications equipment and television and radio stations operating from such towers and structures. FAA and FCC regulations govern construction, lighting, painting and marking of towers and structures and may, depending on the characteristics of the tower or structure, require registration of the tower or structure. Certain proposals to construct new towers or structures or to modify existing towers or structures are reviewed by the FAA to ensure that the tower or structure will not present a hazard to air navigation. Antenna tower owners and antenna structure owners may have an obligation to mark or paint towers or structures or install lighting to conform to FAA and FCC regulations and to maintain such marking, painting and lighting. Antenna tower owners and antenna structure owners may also bear the responsibility of notifying the FAA of any lighting outages. Certain proposals to operate wireless communications and radio or television stations from antenna towers and structures are also reviewed by the FCC to ensure compliance with 19 For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 (in thousands) Net loss $ (194,421 ) $ (126,892 ) $ (181,390 ) Table of Contents environmental impact requirements. Failure to comply with existing or future applicable requirements may lead to civil penalties or other liabilities and may subject us to significant indemnification liability to our customers against any such failure to comply. In addition, new regulations may impose additional costly burdens on us, which may affect our revenues and cause delays in our growth. Local regulations, including municipal or local ordinances, zoning restrictions and restrictive covenants imposed by community developers, vary greatly, but typically require antenna tower and structure owners to obtain approval from local officials or community standards organizations prior to tower or structure construction or modification. Local regulations can delay, prevent, or increase the cost of new construction, co-locations, or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demand. In addition, new regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us. Furthermore, with respect to our international new builds, our tower construction may be delayed or halted as a result of local zoning restrictions, inconsistencies between laws or other barriers to construction in international markets. These factors could have a material adverse effect on our future growth and operations. Our towers are subject to damage from natural disasters. Our towers are subject to risks associated with natural disasters such as tornadoes, hurricanes and earthquakes. We maintain insurance to cover the estimated cost of replacing damaged towers, but these insurance policies are subject to loss limits and deductibles. We also maintain third party liability insurance, subject to loss limits and deductibles, to protect us in the event of an accident involving a tower. A tower accident for which we are uninsured or underinsured, or damage to a significant number of our towers, could require us to incur significant expenditures and may have a material adverse effect on our operations or financial condition. To the extent that we are not able to meet our contractual obligations to our customers, due to a natural disaster or other catastrophic circumstances, our customers may not be obligated or willing to pay their lease expenses; however, we would be required to continue paying our fixed expenses related to the affected tower, including ground lease expenses. If we are unable to meet our contractual obligations to our customers for a material portion of our towers, our operations could be materially and adversely affected. We could have liability under environmental laws that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, are subject to the requirements of various federal, state, local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials, and wastes. As owner, lessee or operator of numerous tower sites, we may be liable for substantial costs of remediating soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of or were responsible for the contamination. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The current cost of complying with these laws is not material to our financial condition or results of operations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. We could suffer adverse tax and other financial consequences if taxing authorities do not agree with our tax positions, or we are unable to utilize our net operating losses. We are periodically subject to a number of tax examinations by taxing authorities in the states and countries where we do business. We also have significant deferred tax assets related to our net operating losses (“NOLs”) 20 Table of Contents in U.S. federal and state taxing jurisdictions. Generally, for U.S. federal and state tax purposes, NOLs can be carried forward and used for up to twenty years, and all of our tax years will remain subject to examination until three years after our NOLs are used or expire. We expect that we will continue to be subject to tax examinations in the future. In addition, U.S. federal, state and local, as well as international, tax laws and regulations are extremely complex and subject to varying interpretations. We recognize tax benefits of uncertain tax positions when we believe the positions are more likely than not of being sustained upon a challenge by the relevant tax authority. We believe our judgments in this area are reasonable and correct, but there is no guarantee that we will be successful if challenged by a tax authority. If there are tax benefits, including from our use of NOLs or other tax attributes, that are challenged successfully by a taxing authority, we may be required to pay additional taxes or we may seek to enter into settlements with the taxing authorities, which could require significant payments or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In addition, we may be limited in our ability to utilize our NOLs to offset future taxable income and thereby reduce our otherwise payable income taxes. We have substantial federal and state NOLs, including significant portions obtained through acquisitions and dispositions, as well as those generated through our historic business operations. In addition, we have disposed of some entities and restructured other entities in conjunction with financing transactions and other business activities. To the extent we believe that a position with respect to an NOL is not more likely than not to be sustained, we do not record the related deferred tax asset. In addition, for NOLs that meet the recognition threshold, we assess the recoverability of the NOL and establish a valuation allowance against the deferred tax asset related to the NOL if recoverability is questionable. Given the uncertainty surrounding the recoverability of certain of our NOLs, we have established a valuation allowance to offset the related deferred tax asset so as to reflect what we believe to be the recoverable portion of our NOLs. Our ability to utilize our NOLs is also dependent, in part, upon us having sufficient future earnings to utilize our NOLs before they expire. If market conditions change materially and we determine that we will be unable to generate sufficient taxable income in the future to utilize our NOLs, we could be required to record an additional valuation allowance. We review our uncertain tax position and the valuation allowance for our NOLs periodically and make adjustments from time to time, which can result in an increase or decrease to the net deferred tax asset related to our NOLs. Our NOLs are also subject to review and potential disallowance upon audit by the taxing authorities of the jurisdictions where the NOLs were incurred, and future changes in tax laws or interpretations of such tax laws could limit materially our ability to utilize our NOLs. If we are unable to use our NOLs or use of our NOLs is limited, we may have to make significant payments or otherwise record charges or reduce our deferred tax assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Our issuance of equity securities and other associated transactions may trigger a future ownership change which may negatively impact our ability to utilize net operating loss deferred tax assets in the future. The issuance of equity securities and other associated transactions may increase the chance that we will have a future ownership change under Section 382 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. We may also have a future ownership change, outside of our control, caused by future equity transactions by our current shareholders. Depending on our market value at the time of such future ownership change, an ownership change under Section 382 could negatively impact our ability to utilize our net operating loss deferred tax assets in the event we generate future taxable income. Currently, we have recorded a full valuation allowance against our net operating loss deferred tax asset because we have concluded that our loss history indicates that it is not “more likely than not” that such deferred tax assets will be realized. 21 Table of Contents Future sales of our Class A common stock in the public market or the issuance of other equity may cause dilution or adversely affect the market price of our Class A common stock and our ability to raise funds in new equity or equity-related offerings. Sales of a substantial number of shares of our Class A common stock or other equity-related securities in the public market, including sales by any selling shareholder or conversion of our convertible notes, could depress the market price of our Class A common stock and impair our ability to raise capital through the sale of additional equity securities. Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from RF energy. The U.S. government imposes requirements and other guidelines relating to exposure to RF energy. Exposure to high levels of RF energy can cause negative health effects. The potential connection between exposure to low levels of RF energy and certain negative health effects, including some forms of cancer, has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. According to the FCC, the results of these studies to date have been inconclusive. However, public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications media could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, health risks could cause a decrease in the demand for wireless communications services. Moreover, if a connection between exposure to low levels of RF energy and possible negative health effects, including cancer, were demonstrated, we could be subject to numerous claims. If we were subject to claims relating to exposure to RF energy, even if such claims were not ultimately found to have merit, our financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and Florida law provide for anti-takeover provisions that could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us. Provisions of our articles of incorporation, our bylaws and Florida law could make it more difficult for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so would be beneficial to our shareholders. These provisions, alone or in combination with each other, may discourage transactions involving actual or potential changes of control, including transactions that otherwise could involve payment of a premium over prevailing market prices to holders of our Class A common stock, or could limit the ability of our shareholders to approve transactions that they may deem to be in their best interests. ITEM 2. PROPERTIES We are headquartered in Boca Raton, Florida, where we currently lease approximately 103,000 square feet of office space in multiple buildings. These leases expire at different dates extending through February 28, 2022. We have entered into long-term leases for regional and certain site development office locations where we expect our activities to be longer-term. We open and close project offices from time to time in connection with our site development business. We believe our existing facilities are adequate for our current and planned levels of operations and that additional office space suited for our needs is reasonably available in the markets within which we operate. Our interests in towers are comprised of a variety of fee interests, leasehold interests created by long-term lease agreements, perpetual easements, easements, licenses, rights-of-way, and other similar interests. For the quarter ended December 31, 2012, approximately 70% of our tower sites were located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, or parcels of land that have an interest that extends beyond 20 years. The average remaining life under our ground leases, including renewal options under our control, has been extended to 31 years. In rural areas, a wireless communications site typically consists of up to a 10,000 square foot tract, which supports towers, equipment shelters and related equipment. Less than 2,500 square feet is required for a monopole or self-supporting tower structure of the kind typically used in metropolitan areas for wireless communications tower sites. Land leases generally have an initial term of five years with five or more additional automatic renewal periods of five years, for a total of thirty years or more. 22 Table of Contents ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS We are involved in various legal proceedings relating to claims arising in the ordinary course of business. We do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters will have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or liquidity. ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE Not Applicable. 23 Table of Contents PART II ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES Market for our Class A Common Stock Our Class A common stock commenced trading under the symbol “SBAC” on The NASDAQ National Market System on June 16, 1999. We now trade on the NASDAQ Global Select Market, a segment of the NASDAQ Global Market, formally known as the NASDAQ National Market System. The following table presents the high and low sales price for our Class A common stock for the periods indicated: As of February 16, 2013, there were 108 record holders of our Class A common stock. Dividends We have never paid a dividend on any class of common stock and anticipate that we will retain future earnings, if any, to fund the development and growth of our business. Consequently, we do not anticipate paying cash dividends on our Class A common stock in the foreseeable future. In addition, our ability to pay dividends is limited by the terms of our debt instruments. Equity Compensation Plan 24 High Low Quarter ended December 31, 2012 $ 71.17 $ 62.25 Quarter ended September 30, 2012 $ 63.22 $ 55.56 Quarter ended June 30, 2012 $ 57.88 $ 49.37 Quarter ended March 31, 2012 $ 51.51 $ 42.53 Quarter ended December 31, 2011 $ 43.12 $ 32.36 Quarter ended September 30, 2011 $ 40.13 $ 32.76 Quarter ended June 30, 2011 $ 40.35 $ 36.10 Quarter ended March 31, 2011 $ 44.44 $ 36.36 Equity Compensation Plan Information (in thousands except exercise price) Number of Securities to be Issued Upon Exercise of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Weighted Average Exercise Price of Outstanding Options, Warrants and Rights Number of Securities Remaining Available for Future Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans (Excluding Securities Reflected in first column (a)) (a) (b) (c) Equity compensation plans approved by security holders 2001 Plan 1,765 $ 26.06 — 2010 Plan 1,361 $ 37.07 13,540 Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders — — Total 3,126 $ 30.85 13,540 (1) (1) (3) (2) (2) Table of Contents 25 Included in the number of securities in column (a) is approximately 56,000 restricted stock units, which have no exercise price. The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (excluding restricted stock units) is $26.90. Included in the number of securities in column (a) is approximately 239,000 restricted stock units, which have no exercise price. The weighted average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (excluding restricted stock units) is $44.95 This plan has been terminated and we are no longer eligible to issue shares pursuant to the plan. (1) (2) (3) Table of Contents ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA The following table sets forth selected historical financial data as of and for each of the five years ended December 31, 2012. The financial data for the fiscal years ended 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012 have been derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. You should read the information set forth below in conjunction with our “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” and our consolidated financial statements and the related notes to those consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K. 26 For the year ended December 31, 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (in thousands, except for per share data) Operating data: Revenues: Site leasing $ 395,541 $ 477,007 $ 535,444 $ 616,294 $ 846,094 Site development 79,413 78,506 91,175 81,876 107,990 Total revenues 474,954 555,513 626,619 698,170 954,084 Operating expenses: Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below): Cost of site leasing 96,175 111,842 119,141 131,916 188,951 Cost of site development 71,990 68,701 80,301 71,005 90,556 Selling, general and administrative 48,721 52,785 58,209 62,828 72,148 Asset impairment 921 3,884 5,862 5,472 6,383 Acquisition related expenses 120 4,810 10,106 7,144 40,433 Depreciation, accretion and amortization 211,445 258,537 278,727 309,146 408,467 Total operating expenses 429,372 500,559 552,346 587,511 806,938 Operating income 45,582 54,954 74,273 110,659 147,146 Other income (expense): Interest income 6,883 1,123 432 136 1,128 Interest expense (105,328 ) (130,853 ) (149,921 ) (160,896 ) (196,241 ) Non-cash interest expense (33,309 ) (49,897 ) (60,070 ) (63,629 ) (70,110 ) Amortization of deferred financing fees (10,746 ) (10,456 ) (9,099 ) (9,188 ) (12,870 ) (Loss) gain from extinguishment of debt, net 44,269 (5,661 ) (49,060 ) (1,696 ) (51,799 ) Other income (expense) (13,478 ) 163 29 (165 ) 5,654 Total other expense (111,709 ) (195,581 ) (267,689 ) (235,438 ) (324,238 ) Loss before provision for income taxes (66,127 ) (140,627 ) (193,416 ) (124,779 ) (177,092 ) Provision for income taxes (1,037 ) (492 ) (1,005 ) (2,113 ) (6,594 ) Loss from continuing operations (67,164 ) (141,119 ) (194,421 ) (126,892 ) (183,686 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — — — — 2,296 Net loss (67,164 ) (141,119 ) (194,421 ) (126,892 ) (181,390 ) Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest — 248 (253 ) 436 353 Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (67,164 ) $ (140,871 ) $ (194,674 ) $ (126,456 ) $ (181,037 ) Basic and diluted per common share amounts: Loss from continuing operations $ (0.61 ) $ (1.20 ) $ (1.68 ) $ (1.14 ) $ (1.53 ) Income from discontinued operations — — — — 0.02 Net loss per common share $ (0.61 ) $ (1.20 ) $ (1.68 ) $ (1.14 ) $ (1.51 ) Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares 109,882 117,165 115,591 111,595 120,280 Table of Contents 27 As of December 31, 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) Balance Sheet Data: (in thousands) Cash and cash equivalents $ 78,856 $ 161,317 $ 64,254 $ 47,316 $ 233,099 Restricted cash - current 38,599 30,285 29,456 22,266 27,708 Short-term investments 162 5,352 4,016 5,773 5,471 Property and equipment, net 1,502,672 1,496,938 1,534,318 1,583,393 2,671,317 Intangibles, net 1,425,132 1,435,591 1,500,012 1,639,784 3,134,133 Total assets 3,207,829 3,313,646 3,400,175 3,606,399 6,595,617 Total debt 2,392,230 2,489,050 2,827,450 3,354,485 5,356,103 Total shareholders’ equity (deficit) 650,510 599,949 317,110 (11,313 ) 652,991 For the year ended December 31, 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) (audited) Other Data: (in thousands) Cash provided by (used in): Operating activities $ 173,696 $ 222,572 $ 201,140 $ 249,058 $ 340,914 Investing activities (580,549 ) (229,075 ) (425,039 ) (507,888 ) (2,275,051 ) Financing activities 415,437 88,978 126,821 242,047 2,116,412 (1) Restricted cash of $27.7 million as of December 31, 2012 consisted of $26.8 million related to the Tower Securities loan requirements and $0.9 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $22.3 million as of December 31, 2011 consisted of $21.4 million related to 2010 Tower Securities loan requirements and $0.9 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $29.5 million as of December 31, 2010 consisted of $28.6 million related to 2010 Tower Securities loan requirements and $0.9 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $30.3 million as of December 31, 2009 consisted of $29.1 million related to CMBS Mortgage loan requirements and $1.2 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. Restricted cash of $38.6 million as of December 31, 2008 consisted of $36.2 million related to CMBS Mortgage loan requirements and $2.4 million related to surety bonds issued for our benefit. (2) Includes deferred loss from the termination of nine interest rate swap agreements of $4.3 million as of December 31, 2009 and $7.4 million as of December 31, 2008. Includes deferred gain from the termination of interest rate swap agreements of $5.9 million as of December 31, 2008. (1) (2) Table of Contents ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with the information contained in our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The following discussion includes forward-looking statements that involve certain risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in Item 1A. Risk Factors. Our actual results may differ materially from those discussed below. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A. Risk Factors. We are a leading independent owner and operator of wireless communications towers. Our principal operations are in the United States and its territories. In addition, we own and operate towers in Canada, Central America and South America. Our primary business line is our site leasing business, which contributed approximately 97.4% of our total segment operating profit for the year ended December 31, 2012. In our site leasing business, we lease antenna space to wireless service providers on towers and other structures that we own, manage or lease from others. The towers that we own have been constructed by us at the request of a wireless service provider, built or constructed based on our own initiative, or acquired. As of December 31, 2012, we owned 17,491 tower sites, the majority of which have been built by us or built by other tower owners or operators who, like us, have built such towers to lease space to multiple wireless service providers. We also managed or leased approximately 4,800 actual or potential communications sites, approximately 500 of which were revenue producing as of December 31, 2012. Our other business line is our site development business, through which we assist wireless service providers in developing and maintaining their own wireless service networks. Site Leasing Services Our primary focus is the leasing of antenna space on our multi-tenant towers to a variety of wireless service providers under long-term lease contracts in the United States, Canada, Central America and South America. Site leasing revenues are received primarily from wireless service provider tenants, including AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, Digicel, Claro, and Telefonica. Wireless service providers enter into numerous different tenant leases with us, each of which relates to the lease or use of space at an individual tower site. In the United States and Canada our tenant leases are generally for an initial term of five to ten years with five 5-year renewal periods at the option of the tenant. These tenant leases typically contain specific rent escalators, which average 3-4% per year, including the renewal option periods. Tenant leases in our Central and South America markets typically have an initial term of 10 years with 5-year renewal periods. In Central America, we have similar rent escalators to that of leases in the United States and Canada while our leases in South America typically escalate in accordance with a standard cost of living index. Cost of site leasing revenue primarily consists of: 28 • Rental payments on ground leases and other underlying property interests; • Straight-line rent adjustment for the difference between rental payments made and the expense recorded as if the payments had been made evenly throughout the lease term (which may include renewal terms) of the underlying property interests; • Property taxes; • Site maintenance and monitoring costs (exclusive of employee related costs); • Utilities; • Property insurance; and • Deferred lease origination cost amortization. Table of Contents Ground leases are generally for an initial term of five years or more with multiple renewal terms of five year periods at our option and provide for rent escalators which typically average 3-4% annually or provide for term escalators of approximately 15%. Of the 17,491 tower sites we owned as of December 31, 2012, approximately 70% were located on parcels of land that we own, land subject to perpetual easements, or parcels of land in which we have a leasehold or other interest that extends beyond 20 years. For any given tower, costs are relatively fixed over a monthly or an annual time period. As such, operating costs for owned towers do not generally increase as a result of adding additional customers to the tower. The amount of direct costs associated with operating a tower varies from site to site depending on the taxing jurisdiction and the height and age of the tower. The ongoing maintenance requirements are typically minimal and include replacing lighting systems, painting a tower or upgrading or repairing an access road or fencing. As indicated in the table below, our site leasing business generates substantially all of our total segment operating profit. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 21 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. We believe that over the long-term, site leasing revenues will continue to grow as wireless service providers lease additional antenna space on our towers due to increasing minutes of network use and data transfer, network expansion and network coverage requirements. We believe our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures. Due to the relatively young age and mix of our tower portfolio, we expect future expenditures required to maintain these towers to be minimal. Consequently, we expect to grow our cash flows by (1) adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs by using existing tower capacity or requiring wireless service providers to bear all or a portion of the cost of tower modifications and (2) executing monetary amendments as wireless service providers upgrade their equipment. Furthermore, because our towers are strategically positioned and our customers typically do not relocate, we have historically experienced low tenant lease terminations as a percentage of revenue. 29 Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 (in thousands) Site leasing revenue $ 535,444 $ 616,294 $ 846,094 Total revenues $ 626,619 $ 698,170 $ 954,084 Site leasing revenue percentage of total revenues 85.4 % 88.3 % 88.7 % Segment Operating Profit For the year ended December 31, 2010 2011 2012 (in thousands) Site leasing segment operating profit $ 416,303 $ 484,378 $ 657,143 Total segment operating profit $ 427,177 $ 495,249 $ 674,577 Site leasing segment operating profit percentage of total segment operating profit 97.5 % 97.8 % 97.4 % (1) Site leasing segment operating profit and total segment operating profit are non-GAAP financial measures. We reconcile these measures and other Regulation G disclosures in this annual report in the section entitled Non-GAAP Financial Measures. (1) (1) (1) Table of Contents Site Development Services Our site development business, which is conducted in the United States only, is complementary to our site leasing business and provides us the ability to keep in close contact with the wireless service providers who generate substantially all of our site leasing revenue and to capture ancillary revenues that are generated by our site leasing activities, such as antenna and equipment installation at our tower locations. Site development services revenues are received primarily from providing a full range of end to end services to wireless service providers or companies providing development or project management services to wireless service providers. Our services include: (1) network pre-design; (2) site audits; (3) identification of potential locations for towers and antennas; (4) support in buying or leasing of the location; (5) assistance in obtaining zoning approvals and permits; (6) tower and related site construction; (7) antenna installation; and (8) radio equipment installation, commissioning and maintenance. For information regarding our operating segments, see Note 21 of our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this annual report. International Operations As of December 31, 2012, we had operations in Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, Panama, and Brazil. Our operations in these countries are solely in the site leasing business, and we expect to expand operations through new builds and acquisitions. Tenant leases in the Canadian market typically have similar terms and conditions as those in the United States, with an initial term of five years, and specific rent escalators. Tenant leases in Central America and Brazil typically have a ten year initial term. Tenant leases in Central America typically have similar renewal terms and rent escalators as those in the United States and Canada while those in Brazil are based on a standard cost of living index. In our Central American markets, significantly all of our revenue, expenses, and capital expenditures arising from our new build activities are denominated in U.S. dollars. Specifically, our ground leases, our tenant leases and most of our tower related expenses are due, and paid, in U.S. dollars. In our Central American markets, our local currency obligations are principally limited to (1) permitting and other local fees, (2) utilities and (3) taxes. In our Canadian and Brazilian operations, significantly all of our revenue, expenses and capital expenditures, including tenant leases, ground leases and other tower-related expenses, are denominated in local currency. 30 Table of Contents Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates We have identified the policies and significant estimation processes below as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our results of operations. The listing is not intended to be a comprehensive list. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States, with no need for management’s judgment in their application. In other cases, management is required to exercise judgment in the application of accounting principles with respect to particular transactions. The impact and any associated risks related to these policies on our business operations is discussed throughout “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” where such policies affect reported and expected financial results. For a detailed discussion on the application of these and other accounting policies, see Note 2 of our Consolidated Financial Statements for the year ended December 31, 2012, included herein. Our preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. There can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates and such differences could be significant. Revenue Recognition and Accounts Receivable Revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements, which are generally five to ten years. Receivables recorded related to the straight-lining of site leases are reflected in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Site development projects in which we perform consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which we perform work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, we recognize the revenue related to that phase. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete. Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents costs incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” included within other current liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents billings in excess of costs incurred and revenues recognized. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable. On October 31, 2011, we entered into a Master Amendment with one of our wireless service provider customers. The Master Amendment serves as a separate amendment to each individual existing tenant lease agreement that we are currently a party to with that customer. Among other items, the Master Amendment (1) extends the current term of the individual leases, (2) permits the customer limited early termination rights which will be exercisable over a multi-year period, commencing in the second half of 2013, on a specific number of the existing leases, (3) allows the customer to make certain specific equipment changes at the tower sites in exchange for an increase in monthly rental payment due from the customer, and (4) slightly modifies the existing monthly lease rates of certain leases. The customer’s early termination rights are limited with respect to the aggregate 31 Table of Contents number of leases that may be terminated and the number that may be terminated in any quarter. The specific leases to be terminated early and the timing of such terminations has not been determined as of the date of this filing. As a result, for accounting and financial statement purposes, we have made assumptions with regard to the leases to be terminated and the timing of the terminations. We have assumed that the customer will terminate the maximum number of leases allowable in each quarter, selecting the highest rental rate leases at the earliest allowable dates. We believe that these assumptions will ensure that only the minimum known revenue for the pool of leases covered by the Master Agreement will be accrued on a straight-line basis. Our balance sheet and statement of operations reflect these assumptions. The actual leases that the customer terminates and the timing and number of terminations may or may not be those that we have identified in our assumptions. We will monitor actual results and elections under the Master Amendment and record any differences from previously made assumptions on a quarterly basis. To the extent that the actual results materially differ from the assumptions made, we will disclose the impact of these adjustments. We perform periodic credit evaluations of our customers. We monitor collections and payments from our customers and maintain a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience, specific customer collection issues identified, and past due balances as determined based on contractual terms. Interest is charged on outstanding receivables from customers on a case by case basis in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts or agreements with those customers. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts in the period in which uncollectibility is determined to be probable. Asset Impairment We evaluate individual long-lived and related assets with finite lives for indicators of impairment to determine when an impairment analysis should be performed. We evaluate our tower assets and current contract intangibles at the tower level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exists. We evaluate our network location intangibles for impairment at the tower leasing business level whenever indicators of impairment are present. We have established a policy to at least annually evaluate our tower assets and current contract intangibles for impairment. We record an impairment charge when we believe an investment in towers or related assets has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower site and related intangible. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, we make certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value for the purpose of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. Property Tax Expense We typically receive notifications and invoices in arrears for property taxes associated with the tangible personal property and real property used in our site leasing business. As a result, we recognize property tax expense, which is reflected as a component of site leasing cost of revenue, based on our best estimate of anticipated property tax payments related to the current period. We consider several factors in establishing this estimate, including our historical level of incurred property taxes, the location of the property, our awareness of jurisdictional property value assessment methods and industry related property tax information. If our estimates regarding anticipated property tax expenses are incorrect, a future increase or decrease in site leasing cost of revenue may be required. 32 Table of Contents KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS Non-GAAP Financial Measures This report contains certain non-GAAP measures, including Segment Operating Profit and Adjusted EBITDA information. We have provided below a description of such non-GAAP measures, a reconciliation of such non-GAAP measures to their most directly comparable GAAP measures and an explanation as to why management utilizes these measures. Segment Operating Profit: We believe that Segment Operating Profit is an indicator of the operating performance of our site leasing and site development segments and is used to provide management with the ability to monitor the operating results and margin of each segment, while excluding the impact of depreciation, accretion and amortization, which is largely fixed and non-cash in nature. Segment Operating Profit is not intended to be an alternative measure of revenue or segment gross profit as determined in accordance with GAAP. The increase in site leasing segment operating profit of $172.8 million in 2012 is primarily due to additional profit generated by the towers that we acquired or constructed in the latter half of 2011 and during the year ended December 31, 2012, organic site leasing growth from new leases, contractual rent escalators, and lease amendments with current tenants which increased the related rent to reflect additional equipment added to our towers, control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program. The increase in site leasing segment operating profit of $68.1 million in 2011 is primarily related to additional profit generated by the revenues from the towers that we acquired or constructed in the latter half of 2010 and subsequent to December 31, 2010, organic site leasing growth from new leases, contractual rent escalators, and lease amendments with current tenants which increased the related rent to reflect additional equipment added to our towers in the year ended December 31, 2011, control of our site leasing cost of revenue, and the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program. The increase in site development segment operating profit of $6.6 million in 2012 is primarily due to the higher volume of work performed compared to the prior year associated with the deployment of next generation networks by wireless carriers including Sprint’s Network Vision initiative. Each respective Segment Operating Profit is defined as segment revenues less segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization). Total Segment Operating Profit is the total of the operating profits of the two segments. The reconciliation of Segment Operating Profit is as follows: 33 For the year ended December 31, Dollar Change Percentage Change For the year ended December 31, Dollar Change Percentage Change Segment Operating Profit 2012 2011 2011 2010 (in thousands) (in thousands) Site leasing $ 657,143 $ 484,378 $ 172,765 35.7 % $ 484,378 $ 416,303 $ 68,075 16.4 % Site development 17,434 10,871 6,563 60.4 % 10,871 10,874 (3 ) 0.0 % Total $ 674,577 $ 495,249 $ 179,328 36.2 % $ 495,249 $ 427,177 $ 68,072 15.9 % Site leasing segment For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Segment revenue $ 846,094 $ 616,294 $ 535,444 Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization) (188,951 ) (131,916 ) (119,141 ) Segment operating profit $ 657,143 $ 484,378 $ 416,303 Table of Contents Adjusted EBITDA We define Adjusted EBITDA as net loss excluding the impact of net interest expenses, provision for taxes, depreciation, accretion and amortization, asset impairment and other charges, non-cash compensation, net loss from extinguishment of debt, other income and expenses, acquisition related expenses, non-cash straight-line leasing revenue, non-cash straight-line ground lease expense, and income from discontinued operations. We believe that Adjusted EBITDA is an indicator of the financial performance of our core businesses. Adjusted EBITDA is a component of the calculation that has been used by our lenders to determine compliance with certain covenants under our Senior Credit Agreement, 8.25% Notes, 5.625% Notes, and 5.75% Notes. Adjusted EBITDA is not intended to be an alternative measure of operating income or gross profit margin as determined in accordance with GAAP. The reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA is as follows: 34 Site development segment For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Segment revenue $ 107,990 $ 81,876 $ 91,175 Segment cost of revenues (excluding depreciation, accretion and amortization) (90,556 ) (71,005 ) (80,301 ) Segment operating profit $ 17,434 $ 10,871 $ 10,874 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Net loss $ (181,390 ) $ (126,892 ) $ (194,421 ) Interest income (1,128 ) (136 ) (432 ) Total interest expense 279,221 233,713 219,090 Depreciation, accretion and amortization 408,467 309,146 278,727 Asset impairment 6,383 5,472 5,862 Provision for taxes 7,689 4,091 2,904 Loss from extinguishment of debt, net 51,799 1,696 49,060 Acquisition related expenses 40,433 7,144 10,106 Non-cash compensation 13,968 11,469 10,501 Non-cash straight-line leasing revenue (52,009 ) (12,762 ) (5,289 ) Non-cash straight-line ground lease expense 22,463 11,811 11,300 Other (income) expense (5,654 ) 165 (29 ) Income from discontinued operations (2,296 ) — — Adjusted EBITDA $ 587,946 $ 444,917 $ 387,379 (1) Total interest expense includes cash interest expense, non-cash interest expense and amortization of deferred financing fees. (2) Includes $1,095, $1,978 and $1,899 of franchise taxes reflected on the Statement of Operations in selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. (1) (2) Table of Contents Adjusted EBITDA was $587.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $444.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase of $143.0 million is primarily the result of increased segment operating profit from our site leasing and site development segments offset partially by the increase in our cash selling, general, and administrative expenses. Adjusted EBITDA was $444.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to $387.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The increase of $57.5 million is primarily the result of increased segment operating profit from our site leasing segment. 35 Table of Contents RESULTS OF OPERATIONS Year Ended 2012 Compared to Year Ended 2011 Revenues: Site leasing revenue increased $229.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 largely due to (i) revenues from towers acquired in the latter half of fiscal year 2011 and during the year ended December 31, 2012 including $125.7 million of additional revenue from the Mobilitie and TowerCo acquisitions, (ii) Towers constructed in the latter half of 2011 and during the year ended December 31, 2012, (iii) organic site leasing growth from new leases, contractual rent escalators with current tenants and lease amendments with current tenants which increased the related rent to reflect additional equipment added to our towers, and (iv) increased straight-line leasing revenue associated with the Sprint Network Vision Agreement entered into in the fourth quarter of 2011 and the master lease amendment entered into with T-Mobile in September 2012. 36 For the year ended December 31, Dollar Change Percentage Change 2012 2011 (in thousands, except for percentages) Revenues: Site leasing $ 846,094 $ 616,294 $ 229,800 37.3 % Site development 107,990 81,876 26,114 31.9 % Total revenues 954,084 698,170 255,914 36.7 % Operating expenses: Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below): Cost of site leasing 188,951 131,916 57,035 43.2 % Cost of site development 90,556 71,005 19,551 27.5 % Selling, general and administrative 72,148 62,828 9,320 14.8 % Asset impairment 6,383 5,472 911 16.6 % Acquisition related expenses 40,433 7,144 33,289 466.0 % Depreciation, accretion and amortization 408,467 309,146 99,321 32.1 % Total operating expenses 806,938 587,511 219,427 37.3 % Operating income 147,146 110,659 36,487 33.0 % Other income (expense): Interest income 1,128 136 992 729.4 % Interest expense (196,241 ) (160,896 ) (35,345 ) 22.0 % Non-cash interest expense (70,110 ) (63,629 ) (6,481 ) 10.2 % Amortization of deferred financing fees (12,870 ) (9,188 ) (3,682 ) 40.1 % Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (51,799 ) (1,696 ) (50,103 ) 2954.2 % Other (expense) income 5,654 (165 ) 5,819 (3526.7 %) Total other expense (324,238 ) (235,438 ) (88,800 ) 37.7 % Loss before provision for income taxes (177,092 ) (124,779 ) (52,313 ) 41.9 % Provision for income taxes (6,594 ) (2,113 ) (4,481 ) 212.1 % Loss from continuing operations (183,686 ) (126,892 ) (56,794 ) 44.8 % Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 2,296 — 2,296 0.0 % Net loss (181,390 ) (126,892 ) (54,498 ) 42.9 % Net loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest 353 436 (83 ) (19.0 %) Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (181,037 ) $ (126,456 ) $ (54,581 ) 43.2 % Table of Contents Site development revenue increased $26.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2011, as a result of a higher volume of work performed during 2012 as compared to 2011 associated with the deployment of next generation networks by wireless carriers including Sprint’s Network Vision initiative. Operating Expenses: Site leasing cost of revenues increased $57 million primarily as a result of the growth in the number of tower sites owned by us, including $31.3 million (the majority of which is reimbursable to us) from the Mobilitie towers acquired in the second quarter and $17.9 million from the TowerCo towers acquired in the fourth quarter. Site development cost of revenues increased $19.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the prior year due to a higher volume of work performed during 2012 as compared to 2011 associated with the deployment of next generation networks by wireless carriers including Sprint’s Network Vision initiative. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $9.3 million primarily as a result of an increase in personnel, salaries and benefits, and non-cash compensation expense due in part to the Company’s continued portfolio expansion as well as costs incurred in connection with our international expansion. Acquisition related expenses increased $33.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of an increase in acquisition and integration related expenses related to tower acquisitions. Acquisition related costs incurred during the year ended December 31, 2012 associated with the Mobilitie and TowerCo acquisitions were $30.6 million. Depreciation, accretion and amortization expense increased $99.3 million to $408.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 from $309.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 due to an increase in the number of tower sites built and acquired by us, including through the Mobilitie and TowerCo acquisitions. Depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense recorded during the year ended December 31, 2012 includes $73.1 million related to Mobilitie and TowerCo. Operating Income: Operating income increased $36.5 million for year ended December 31, 2012 to $147.1 million compared to $110.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily due to higher segment operating profit in both the site leasing and site development segments offset by increases in depreciation, accretion and amortization expense, acquisition related expenses, and selling, general and administrative expenses. Other Income (Expense): Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased $35.3 million from the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily due to the higher weighted average principal amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to December 31, 2011 resulting from the issuance of the 2011 Term Loan, 2012-1 Term Loan, 5.75% Notes, Mobilitie Bridge Loan, 2012 Tower Securities, 5.625% Notes, and the 2012-2 Term Loan. These were offset by the full redemption of $375.0 million of principal balance of the 8.0% Notes and the redemption of $131.3 million in aggregate principal balance of the 8.25% Notes. Non-cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 increased $6.5 million from the year ended December 31, 2011 primarily as a result of accretion of debt discounts using the effective interest method on the 37 Table of Contents 1.875% Notes, the 4.0% Notes, and the Senior Notes. This was offset by the repurchase of $15.0 million in principal amount of the 1.875% Notes in the first quarter of 2011, the repurchase of $66.2 million in principal amount of the 1.875% Notes in the fourth quarter of 2012, and by the redemption of $375.0 million of the 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million of the 8.25% Notes in 2012. Loss from extinguishment of debt was $51.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2012, an increase of $50.1 million from the year ended December 31, 2011. The increase reflects the premium paid on the redemption of $375.0 million of our 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million of our 8.25% Notes and the write off of their related debt discount and deferred financing fees of $2.5 million and $7.7 million, respectively. Additionally, the loss includes the write off of $3.6 million of deferred financing fees related to the early extinguishment of the Mobilitie Bridge Loan and $2.0 million from the repurchase of $66.2 million of principal balance of the 1.875% Notes. Comparatively, the loss from extinguishment of debt was $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 which was due to the repurchase of $15.0 million in principal amount of the 1.875% Notes. Net Loss: Net loss was $181.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $126.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. The net loss increased in 2012 primarily due to increases in the loss on extinguishment of debt, acquisition related expenses, depreciation, accretion, and amortization expense as well as interest expense, non-cash interest expense, and selling, general, and administrative costs. This was offset by an increase in our site leasing segment and site development segment operating profit. 38 Table of Contents Year Ended 2011 Compared to Year Ended 2010 Revenues Site leasing revenue increased $80.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 largely due to (i) organic site leasing growth from new leases, contractual rent escalators with current tenants and lease amendments with current tenants which increased the related rent to reflect additional equipment added to our towers and (ii) revenues from the towers that we acquired or constructed in the latter half of 2010 and subsequent to December 31, 2010. Site development revenue decreased $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010, as a result of a lower volume of work performed compared to the prior year. Operating Expenses Site leasing cost of revenues increased $12.8 million primarily as a result of the growth in the number of tower sites owned by us, which was 10,524 at December 31, 2011 up from 9,111 at December 31, 2010 offset by the positive impact of our ground lease purchase program. 39 For the year ended December 31, Dollar Change Percentage Change 2011 2010 (in thousands, except for percentages) Revenues: Site leasing $ 616,294 $ 535,444 $ 80,850 15.1 % Site development 81,876 91,175 (9,299 ) (10.2 %) Total revenues 698,170 626,619 71,551 11.4 % Operating expenses: Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below): Cost of site leasing 131,916 119,141 12,775 10.7 % Cost of site development 71,005 80,301 (9,296 ) (11.6 %) Selling, general and administrative 62,828 58,209 4,619 7.9 % Asset impairment 5,472 5,862 (390 ) (6.7 %) Acquisition related expenses 7,144 10,106 (2,962 ) (29.3 %) Depreciation, accretion and amortization 309,146 278,727 30,419 10.9 % Total operating expenses 587,511 552,346 35,165 6.4 % Operating income 110,659 74,273 36,386 49.0 % Other income (expense): Interest income 136 432 (296 ) (68.5 %) Interest expense (160,896 ) (149,921 ) (10,975 ) 7.3 % Non-cash interest expense (63,629 ) (60,070 ) (3,559 ) 5.9 % Amortization of deferred financing fees (9,188 ) (9,099 ) (89 ) 1.0 % Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (1,696 ) (49,060 ) 47,364 (96.5 %) Other income (165 ) 29 (194 ) (669.0 %) Total other expense (235,438 ) (267,689 ) 32,251 (12.0 %) Loss before provision for income taxes (124,779 ) (193,416 ) 68,637 (35.5 %) Provision for income taxes (2,113 ) (1,005 ) (1,108 ) 110.2 % Net loss (126,892 ) (194,421 ) 67,529 (34.7 %) Net (gain) loss attributable to the noncontrolling interest 436 (253 ) 689 (272.3 %) Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (126,456 ) $ (194,674 ) $ 68,218 (35.0 %) Table of Contents Site development cost of revenues decreased $9.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the prior year, as a result of a lower volume of work performed during 2011 as compared to 2010. Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $4.6 million primarily as a result of an increase in salaries, benefits and other employee related expenses resulting primarily from a higher number of employees, increased non-cash compensation expense as well as costs incurred in connection with our international expansion. Acquisition related expenses decreased $3.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2011, as compared to the prior year, primarily as a result of the timing of due diligence and other acquisition related costs for towers acquired or under contract in 2011 compared to 2010. We recognized an asset impairment charge of $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 and $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. These asset impairment charges resulted from a reevaluation of future cash flow expectations, using a discounted cash flow analysis, for those towers that have not achieved expected lease-up results, compared to the related net book value of those towers. Depreciation, accretion and amortization expense increased $30.4 million to $309.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 from $278.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 due to an increase in the number of towers and associated intangible assets owned for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to those owned at December 31, 2010. Operating Income Operating income increased $36.4 million for year ended December 31, 2011 to $110.7 million compared to $74.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to higher segment operating profit in the site leasing segment offset by increases in depreciation, accretion and amortization expense, and selling, general and administrative expenses. Other Income (Expense) Interest income decreased $0.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 compared to the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily as a result of a lower amount of investments held during 2011 compared to 2010. Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $11.0 million from the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily due to the higher weighted average amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding driven by an issuance of a new $500.0 million Term Loan in June 30, 2011. This increase was offset by a lower weighted average interest rate on borrowings for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2010. Non-cash interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2011 increased $3.6 million from the year ended December 31, 2010 primarily as a result of accretion of debt discounts using the effective interest method on the 1.875% Notes, the 4.0% Notes, and the Senior Notes, offset by a reduction of accretion due to final payoff of the 0.375% Notes in December of 2010. The loss from extinguishment of debt of $1.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 is associated with the repurchase of $15.0 million of the 1.875% Notes in the first quarter of 2011. The net loss from extinguishment of debt of $49.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2010 is associated with the repayment of the outstanding balance of $938.6 million in principal of our 2006 CMBS Certificates. 40 Table of Contents Net Loss Net loss was $126.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2011 as compared to $194.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2010. The net loss decreased in 2011 primarily due to an increase in site leasing segment operating profit and a decrease in loss from the extinguishment of debt, offset by increases in interest expense, non-cash interest expense, and depreciation, accretion and amortization expense. LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES SBA Communications Corporation is a holding company with no business operations of its own. SBA Communications’ only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of Telecommunications, which is also a holding company that owns equity interests in entities that directly or indirectly own all of our domestic and international towers and assets. We conduct all of our business operations through Telecommunications’ subsidiaries. Accordingly, our only source of cash to pay our obligations, other than financings, is distributions with respect to our ownership interest in our subsidiaries from the net earnings and cash flow generated by these subsidiaries. A summary of our cash flows is as follows: Sources of Liquidity We fund our growth, including our tower portfolio growth, through cash flows from operations, long-term indebtedness and equity issuances. With respect to our debt financing, we have issued secured and unsecured debt instruments at various levels of our organizational structure to minimize our financing costs while maximizing our operational flexibility. Cash provided by operating activities was $340.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2012 as compared to $249.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2011. This increase was primarily due to an increase in segment operating profit from the site leasing segment partially offset by increased cash interest payments relating to the higher average amount of cash-interest bearing debt outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to the same period in the prior year. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we borrowed $584.0 million and repaid $484.0 million under the Revolving Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2012, the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $600.0 million, subject to compliance with financial ratios. 41 For the years ended December 31, 2010 2012 2011 (in thousands) Summary cash flow information: Cash provided by operating activities $ 340,914 $ 249,058 $ 201,140 Cash used in investing activities (2,275,051 ) (507,888 ) (425,039 ) Cash provided by financing activities 2,116,412 242,047 126,821 Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 182,275 (16,783 ) (97,078 ) Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,212 (155 ) 15 Cash provided by discontinued operations from operating activities 2,296 — — Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of year 47,316 64,254 161,317 Cash and cash equivalents, end of year $ 233,099 $ 47,316 $ 64,254 Table of Contents On March 7, 2012, we sold 6,005,000 shares of our Class A common stock at $47.30 per share resulting in proceeds of $283.9 million, net of related fees. On April 2, 2012, we completed our acquisition of the equity interests in certain entities affiliated with Mobilitie LLC. In connection with the acquisition, we paid approximately $850 million in cash, which we funded from (i) borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and (ii) $400 million from a new bridge loan (“Mobilitie Bridge Loan”). Additionally, we issued 5,250,000 shares of our Class A common stock. On May 9, 2012, we obtained a new $200.0 million senior secured term loan (“2012-1 Term Loan”). On July 13, 2012, we issued $800 million of our 5.75% unsecured senior notes due July 15, 2020 at par with interest due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year beginning on January 15, 2013. On August 9, 2012, we issued $610 million of the 2012-1 Tower Securities (as defined below) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 2017 and a final maturity date of December 2042. The fixed coupon interest rate of the 2012-1 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. On September 6, 2012, we sold certain DAS networks located in New York, Chicago and Las Vegas, to ExteNet Systems, Inc. for approximately $94.3 million in cash and $25 million in the form of a promissory note. On October 23, 2012, an additional DAS network in Auburn, Alabama was sold to ExteNet for cash consideration of $5.7 million. On September 28, 2012, we issued $500 million of our 5.625% unsecured senior notes due October 1, 2019 at par with interest payable semi-annually on October 1 and April 1 of each year, beginning on April 1, 2013. On September 28, 2012, we obtained a new $300 million 2012-2 Term Loan (as defined below). On October 1, 2012, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, completed the acquisition of TowerCo II Holdings LLC, which owned 3,256 tower sites in 47 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid $1.2 billion in cash and issued 4,588,840 shares of its Class A common stock. Registration Statements We have on file with the Commission a shelf registration statement on Form S-4 registering shares of Class A common stock that we may issue in connection with the acquisition of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies who own wireless communication towers, antenna sites or related assets. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we did not issue any shares of Class A common stock under this registration statement. As of December 31, 2012, we had approximately 1.7 million shares of Class A common stock remaining under this shelf registration statement. On February 27, 2012, we filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables us to issue shares of our Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities either separately or represented by warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. Under the rules governing automatic shelf registration statements, we will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time we issue securities under this registration statement. For the year ended December 31, 2012, we issued 6,005,000 shares of our Class A common stock under the automatic shelf registration statement and the prospectus supplement related thereto. Uses of Liquidity We believe that our principal use of liquidity will be to fund tower portfolio growth and, secondarily, to fund our stock repurchase program. In the future, in order to manage our leverage and liquidity positions, we may repurchase, for cash or equity, our outstanding indebtedness in privately-negotiated or open market transactions in order to optimize our liquidity and leverage and take advantage of market opportunities. If we undertake debt repurchases or exchanges, these actions could materially impact the amount and composition of indebtedness outstanding or dilute our existing shareholders. 42 Table of Contents Our cash capital expenditures, including cash used for acquisitions, for the year ended December 31, 2012 were $2,371.9 million. The $2,371.9 million includes cash capital expenditures of $2,211.8 million that we incurred primarily in connection with the acquisition of 6,630 completed towers, net of related working capital adjustments and earnouts associated with previous acquisitions. The $2,371.9 million also includes $76.0 million for construction and related costs associated with the completion of 356 new towers during the year ended December 31, 2012 and for the sites in process at December 31, 2012, $8.6 million for tower maintenance capital expenditures, $24.4 million for augmentations and tower upgrades (of which, $16.7 was recovered from our tenants), $3.7 million for general corporate expenditures, and $46.9 million for ground lease purchases (excluding $9.7 million spent to extend ground lease terms). On April 2, 2012, we completed our acquisition of the equity interests in certain entities affiliated with Mobilitie LLC. In connection with the acquisition, we paid approximately $850 million in cash, which we funded from (i) borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility and (ii) $400 million from a new bridge loan (“Mobilitie Bridge Loan”). Additionally, we issued 5,250,000 shares of our Class A common stock. On April 13, 2012, the proceeds from the equity offering of 6,005,000 shares of our Class A common stock were used to redeem $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of our 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of our 8.25% Notes and to pay the applicable premium for the redemption. On May 9, 2012, we used the proceeds from the $200.0 million 2012-1 Term Loan to pay off the outstanding balance on the Revolving Credit Facility. On July 13, 2012, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 5.75% Notes to repay the $400.0 million outstanding balance under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan and to repay the $284.0 million outstanding balance under our Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. On August 9, 2012, we used the net proceeds from the issuance of the 2012-1 Tower Securities to repay in full the remaining $243.8 million balance of the 8.0% Notes plus $19.0 million in applicable premium and fees associated with early redemption. The remaining net proceeds were used to pay a portion of the cash consideration in connection with our acquisition of TowerCo and for general corporate purposes. On October 1, 2012, we completed our previously announced acquisition of TowerCo II Holdings LLC, which owns 3,256 tower sites in 47 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As consideration for the acquisition, we paid $1.2 billion in cash and issued 4,588,840 shares of our Class A common stock. In November 2012, we repurchased $66.2 million of aggregate principal balance of the 1.875% Notes for $107.5 million in cash through multiple transactions. On December 20, 2012, we acquired 800 freestanding wireless towers in Brazil from Vivo S.A. for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $175.9 million which was paid on January 4, 2013 from cash on hand and borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we did not repurchase any shares of our Class A common stock under our stock repurchase program. As of December 31, 2012, we had a remaining authorization to repurchase $150.0 million of Class A common stock under our current $300.0 million stock repurchase program. 43 Table of Contents In order to manage our leverage and liquidity positions, take advantage of market opportunities and ensure continued compliance with our financial covenants, we may decide to pursue a variety of other financial transactions. These transactions may include the issuance of additional indebtedness, the repurchase of our outstanding indebtedness for cash or equity, selling certain assets or lines of business, issuing common stock or securities convertible into shares of common stock, or pursuing other financing alternatives, including securitization transactions. If either our debt repurchases or exchanges or any of the other financial transactions are implemented, these actions could materially impact the amount and composition of indebtedness outstanding, increase our interest expense and/or dilute our existing shareholders. We cannot assure you that we will not implement any of these strategies or that, if implemented, these strategies could be implemented on terms favorable to us and our shareholders. During 2013, we expect to incur non-discretionary cash capital expenditures associated with tower maintenance and general corporate expenditures of $16.0 million to $21.0 million and discretionary cash capital expenditures, based on current obligations, of $355.0 million to $385.0 million primarily associated with the towers we intend to build in 2013, tower acquisitions closed or currently under contract, tower augmentations and ground lease purchases. We may spend additional capital in 2013 on acquiring revenue producing or expense reducing assets not yet identified and under contract, or possibly stock repurchases. We estimate we will incur less than $1,000 per tower per year for non-discretionary maintenance capital improvements related to our towers. We expect to fund cash capital expenditures from cash on hand, cash flow from operations and borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility. The exact amount of our future capital expenditures will depend on a number of factors including amounts necessary to support our tower portfolio, our new tower build and tower acquisition programs, and our ground lease purchase program. Debt Instruments and Debt Service Requirements Senior Credit Agreement On February 11, 2010, SBA Senior Finance II, LLC (“SBA Senior Finance II”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of our Company, entered into a credit agreement for a $500.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” formerly referred to as the 2010 Credit Facility) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the credit agreement. On June 30, 2011, SBA Senior Finance II entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “Senior Credit Agreement”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to extend the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility, to obtain a new $500.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2011 Term Loan”), and to amend certain terms of the existing credit agreement. In addition, at the time of entering into the Senior Credit Agreement, the remaining deferred financing fees balance related to the existing Credit Agreement prior to the amendment was transferred to the Revolving Credit Facility in accordance with accounting guidance for revolving credit facilities. On April 2, 2012 and again on May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II exercised its right to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement from $500.0 million to $600.0 million and from $600.0 million to $700.0 million, respectively. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $1.1 million in relation to these increases. On May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a First Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to May 9, 2017. 44 Table of Contents Also on May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a Second Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to obtain a new $200.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2012-1 Term Loan”). We incurred financing fees of $2.7 million associated with the closing of this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. On September 28, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a Third Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) and Fourth Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to amend certain definitions related to the calculation of leverage at the SBA level to be consistent with the method for calculating leverage at the SBA Senior Finance II level and to amend the Senior Credit Agreement to permit SBA Senior Finance II, without the consent of the other lenders, to request that one or more lenders provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans or to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. SBA Senior Finance II’s ability to request such additional term loans or increases in the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to its compliance with the conditions set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement. On September 28, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II also entered into a Fifth Amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to obtain a new $300.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2012-2 Term Loan” collectively with the 2011 Term Loan and the 2012-1 Term Loan, the “Term Loans”). We incurred financing fees of $3.5 million associated with the closing of this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. On January 28, 2013, SBA Senior Finance II exercised its right to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility from $700.0 million to $730.0 million. Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $700.0 million aggregate principal amount as of December 31, 2012 ($730.0 million as of January 28, 2013) may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with specific financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 187.5 basis points to 237.5 basis points or at a Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 87.5 basis points to 137.5 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, May 9, 2017. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. A per annum commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% of the unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is charged based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period. As of December 31, 2012, the amount outstanding of $100 million was accruing interest at 2.335% per annum. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we borrowed $584.0 million and repaid $484.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility using proceeds from the 2012-1 Term Loan and the 5.75% Notes (as defined below). As of December 31, 2012, the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $600.0 million, subject to compliance with specified financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. 45 Table of Contents Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement 2011 Term Loan The 2011 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million and matures on June 30, 2018. The 2011 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin of 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2%) or Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1%). As of December 31, 2012, the 2011 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. The proceeds from the 2011 Term Loan were used to pay down $270.0 million of the existing balance on the Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended 2011 and for general corporate purposes. Principal on the 2011 Term Loan is repaid in quarterly installments of $1.25 million on the last day of each March, June, September and December, which commenced on September 30, 2011. The remaining principal balance of the 2011 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2011 Term Loan. The 2011 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. We incurred financing fees of $4.9 million associated with the closing of this transaction. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we made repayments totaling $5.0 million on the 2011 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2012, the 2011 Term Loan had a principal balance of $492.5 million. 2012-1 Term Loan The 2012-1 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million and matures on May 9, 2017. The 2012-1 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 100 to 150 basis points or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-1 Term Loan was accruing interest at 2.47% per annum. Having commenced on September 30, 2012, principal of the 2012-1 Term Loan is being repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September and December, in an amount equal to $2.5 million for each of the first eight quarters, $3.75 million for the next four quarters and $5.0 million for each quarter thereafter. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2012-1 Term Loan without premium or penalty. To the extent not previously paid, the 2012-1 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. The 2012-1 Term Loan was issued at par. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $2.7 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. Proceeds from the 2012-1 Term Loan were used to pay amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility during the second quarter of 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, We made repayments totaling $5.0 million on the 2012-1 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-1 Term Loan had a principal balance of $195.0 million. 2012-2 Term Loan The 2012-2 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million and matures on September 28, 2019. The 2012-2 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2%) or Eurodollar Rate plus 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1%). As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-2 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. Principal of the 2012-2 Term Loan is to be repaid in equal quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing in March 2013, in an aggregate amount equal to $3.0 million per year. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2012-2 Term Loan without premium or penalty, with the exception of a 1% premium if 46 Table of Contents prepayment occurs during the first year of the loan with proceeds from certain refinancing or repricing transactions. To the extent not previously paid, the 2012-2 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. The 2012-2 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $3.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. We used borrowings under the 2012-2 Term Loan to pay a part of the cash consideration in the TowerCo II Holdings LLC acquisition. The remaining proceeds under the 2012-2 Term Loan were used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-2 Term Loan had a principal balance of $300.0 million. Terms of the Senior Credit Agreement The Senior Credit Agreement, as amended, requires SBA Senior Finance II and SBA Communications Corporation (“SBAC”) to maintain specific financial ratios, including, at the SBA Senior Finance II level, (1) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA not to exceed 6.0 times for any fiscal quarter, (2) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt and Net Hedge Exposure (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) to Annualized Borrower EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter not to exceed 6.0 times for 30 consecutive days and (3) a ratio of Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0 times for any fiscal quarter. In addition, SBAC’s ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) for any fiscal quarter on an annualized basis cannot exceed 9.5 times. The Senior Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of SBA Senior Finance II and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain investments, enter into sale leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate, make certain restricted payments, enter into transactions with affiliates, and engage in certain asset dispositions, including a sale of all or substantially all of their property. As of December 31, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II and SBAC were in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement is also subject to customary events of default. Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loans and certain hedging transactions that may be entered into by SBA Senior Finance II or the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) with lenders or their affiliates are secured by a first lien on the capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (formerly known as SBA Telecommunications Inc.), SBA Senior Finance, LLC (formerly known as SBA Senior Finance, Inc.) and SBA Senior Finance II and on substantially all of the assets (other than leasehold, easement and fee interests in real property) of SBA Senior Finance II and the Subsidiary Guarantors. As of December 31, 2012, the Senior Credit Agreement permits SBA Senior Finance II, without the consent of the other lenders, to request that one or more lenders provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $700.0 million of which up to $200.0 million may be a Term Loan A, provided that up to $200.0 million of incremental capacity may instead be used to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. SBA Senior Finance II’s ability to request such increases in the Revolving Credit Facility or additional term loans is subject to its compliance with customary conditions set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement including, with respect to any additional term loan, compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the financial covenants and ratios set forth therein and an increase in the margin on existing term loans, to the extent required by the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement. Upon SBA Senior Finance II’s request, each lender may decide, in its sole discretion, whether to increase all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Facility commitment or whether to provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans and, if so, upon what terms. On January 28, 2013, $30.0 million of this incremental capacity was committed under the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $670 million of total available incremental capacity. 47 Table of Contents Mobilitie Bridge Loan Simultaneous with the closing of the Mobilitie acquisition, our wholly-owned subsidiary, SBA Monarch, as borrower, entered into a credit agreement with the several lenders from time to time parties thereto (the “Bridge Loan Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement, SBA Monarch borrowed an aggregate principal amount of $400 million under a senior secured bridge loan (the “Mobilitie Bridge Loan”). The Mobilitie Bridge Loan bore interest, at SBA Monarch’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranged from 2.00% to 2.50% or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranged from 3.00% to 3.50%, in each case based on SBA Monarch’s ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement). On July 13, 2012, we repaid the $400 million principal outstanding under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan from the proceeds of the 5.75% Senior Notes. Secured Tower Revenue Securities 2010 Tower Securities On April 16, 2010, a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), initially formed by our indirect subsidiary, issued $680.0 million of 2010-1 Tower Securities and $550.0 million of 2010-2 Tower Securities (together the “2010 Tower Securities”). The 2010-1 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 4.254% and the 2010-2 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101%. The weighted average annual fixed coupon interest rate of the 2010 Tower Securities is 4.7%, including borrowers’ fees, payable monthly. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–1 Tower Securities is April 15, 2015 and April 16, 2040, respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–2 Tower Securities is April 17, 2017 and April 15, 2042, respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of the Borrowers (as defined below). We incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $17.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2010 Tower Securities. Net proceeds from the 2010 Tower Securities were used to repay in full the outstanding 2006 CMBS Certificates in the amount of $938.6 million and pay the related prepayment consideration plus accrued interest and fees. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. 2012-1 Tower Securities On August 9, 2012, we, through our Trust, issued $610 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 (the “2012-1 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 15, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 15, 2042. The fixed coupon interest rate of the 2012-1 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. A portion of the net proceeds from the 2012-1 Tower Securities were used to repay in full the remaining $243.8 million balance of the 8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 plus $14.6 million in applicable premium associated with early redemption. The remaining net proceeds were used (1) to pay a portion of the cash consideration in connection with our acquisition of TowerCo II Holdings LLC and (2) for general corporate purposes. In connection with the issuance of the 2012-1 Tower Securities, the parties entered into the Fifth Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of August 9, 2012 (the “Fifth Loan Supplement”), which amended and supplemented the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005. The Fifth Loan Supplement was executed by and among SBA Properties, LLC (formerly known as SBA Properties, Inc.), SBA Sites, LLC (formerly known as SBA Sites, Inc.), and SBA Structures, LLC (formerly known as SBA Structures, Inc.) (the “Initial Borrowers”) and SBA Infrastructure, LLC, SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC and SBA Towers USVI II, Inc. (the “Additional Borrowers” and together with the Initial Borrowers, the “Borrowers”) and other parties. Pursuant to the Fifth Loan Supplement, the Additional Borrowers were added as obligors under the mortgage loan and, with the Initial Borrowers, became jointly and severally liable for the aggregate $1.84 billion borrowed under the mortgage loan corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities and 2012-1 Tower Securities. 48 Table of Contents Tower Revenue Securities Terms The mortgage loan underlying the 2010 Tower Securities and the 2012-1 Tower Securities (together the “Tower Securities”) will be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 5,152 tower sites owned by the Borrowers. The mortgage loan is secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on a substantial portion of the tower sites, (ii) a security interest in the towers and substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, (iii) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, and (iv) all of the proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management, Inc., our indirect subsidiary, is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 7.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month. The Borrowers may prepay any of the mortgage loan components, in whole or in part, with no prepayment consideration, (i) within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities) or twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012-1 Tower Securities) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component, (ii) with proceeds received as a result of any condemnation or casualty of any tower site owned by the Borrowers or (iii) during an amortization period. In all other circumstances, the Borrowers may prepay the mortgage loan, in whole or in part, upon payment of the applicable prepayment consideration. The prepayment consideration is determined based on the class of the Tower Securities to which the prepaid mortgage loan component corresponds and consists of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value associated with the portion of the principal balance being prepaid, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in the mortgage loan agreement, on the date of prepayment of all future installments of principal and interest required to be paid from the date of prepayment to and including the first due date within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities) or twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012-1 Tower Securities) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component over (2) that portion of the principal balance of such class prepaid on the date of such prepayment. To the extent that the mortgage loan components corresponding to the Tower Securities are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate of each such component will increase by the greater of (i) 5% and (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten-year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such component (as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement) plus (z) 5%, exceeds the original interest rate for such component. Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities, all rents and other sums due on any of the tower sites owned by the Borrowers are directly deposited by the lessees into a controlled deposit account and are held by the indenture trustee. The monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash on our Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 4). However, if the Debt Service Coverage Ratio, defined as the net cash flow (as defined in the mortgage loan agreement) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers are required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30x or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as “excess cash flow,” will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.30x for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the Debt Service Coverage Ratio falls below 1.15x as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time that the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.15x for a calendar quarter. In addition, if either the 2010-1 Tower Securities, 2010-2 Tower Securities or the 2012-1 Tower Securities are not fully repaid 49 Table of Contents by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the cash flow from the tower sites owned by the Borrowers will be trapped by the trustee for the Tower Securities and applied first to repay the interest, at the original interest rates, on the mortgage loan components underlying the Tower Securities, second to fund all reserve accounts and operating expenses associated with those tower sites, third to pay the management fees due to SBA Network Management, Inc., fourth to repay principal of the Tower Securities and fifth to repay the additional interest discussed above. The mortgage loan agreement, as amended, also includes covenants customary for mortgage loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. As of December 31, 2012, the Borrowers met the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants. 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 As of December 31, 2012, we had $468.8 million outstanding of 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes (the “1.875% Notes”) which were recorded at their discounted carrying value of $457.4 million. The maturity date of the 1.875% Notes is May 1, 2013, and as such they are included in current maturities of long term debt in current liabilities. Interest on the 1.875% Notes is payable semi-annually each May 1 and November 1. The 1.875% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008, the purchase agreement date. Effective February 4, 2013, we elected to settle all of our conversion obligations pursuant to the Indenture governing the 1.875% Notes in cash. During the first quarter of 2011, we repurchased $15.0 million of the 1.875% Notes resulting in a principal balance of $535.0 million. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2012, we repurchased $66.2 million of the aggregate principal balance of the 1.875% Notes for $107.5 million in cash. Concurrently with the pricing of our 1.875% Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible note offerings. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 1.875% Notes is $41.46 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of our 1.875% Notes) and the upper strike price of the warrants is $67.37 per share. Although we initially entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions to cover the full amount of the shares that were issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes, as a result of the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”), on November 7, 2008, we terminated the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives which covered 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of our Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of our 1.875% Notes. Consequently, we do not currently have a hedge with respect to those shares and, to the extent that the market price of our Class A common stock exceeds $41.46 per share upon conversion of the notes, we will be subject to dilution, or if we settle in cash, additional costs, upon conversion of that portion of the 1.875% Notes. During the year ended 2012, we received partial settlements of $4.9 million relating to the Chapter 11 bankruptcy case of Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc. and its affiliated debtors related to the Lehman Derivatives. The amounts received were recorded as a gain in other income in the statement of operations and reflected as an inflow of cash from financing activities in the statement of cash flow. 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 As of December 31, 2012, we had outstanding $500.0 million of our 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes (the “4.0% Notes”) which were recorded at their discounted carrying value of $430.8 million. The maturity date of the 4.0% Notes is October 1, 2014. Interest on the 4.0% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. 50 Table of Contents The 4.0% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 32.9164 shares of our Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.0% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $30.38 per share or a 22.5% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $24.80 per share of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 20, 2009, the purchase agreement date. Concurrently with the pricing of our 4.0% Notes, we entered into convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible note offerings. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to our 4.0% Notes is $30.38 per share of our Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 4.0% Notes) and the upper strike price of the warrant transactions is $44.64 per share. Convertible Senior Notes Conversion Options The 1.875% Notes and 4.0% Notes (collectively “the Notes”) are convertible only under the following circumstances: Upon conversion, we have the right to settle our conversion obligation in cash, shares of Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of our Class A common stock. From time to time, upon notice to the holders of the Notes, we may change our election regarding the form of consideration that we will use to settle our conversion obligation; provided, however, that we are not permitted to change its settlement election after February 18, 2013 for the 1.875% Notes and July 21, 2014 for the 4.0% Notes. As of February 4, 2013, we had elected to settle 100% of our conversion obligation pursuant to the Indenture governing the 1.875% Notes in cash. At the end of the first quarter of 2012 the 4.0% Notes became convertible by the note holders because our Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $39.49 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on March 31, 2012. During each of the second, third, and fourth quarters, the 4.0% Notes remained convertible by the note holders. The 4.0% Notes will continue to be convertible through March 31, 2013, and will still be convertible thereafter, if one or more of the conversion conditions specified in the Indenture, dated as of April 24, 2009, are satisfied during future measurement periods. During 2012, we received 5 conversion notices totaling 17 notes valued at $1,000 per note. A portion of these notes were settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the fourth quarter of 2012. The remaining portion is expected to settle during the first quarter of 2013. 51 • during any calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of our Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter, • during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate, • if specified distributions to holders of Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, and • at any time on or after February 19, 2013 for the 1.875% Notes and July 22, 2014 for the 4.0% Notes. Table of Contents At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the conversion right for the 1.875% Notes was triggered because our Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $53.90 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on September 30, 2012. The 1.875% Notes remained convertible by the noteholders as of December 31, 2012. During 2012, we received 8 conversion notices totaling 5,314 notes valued at $1,000 per note. A portion of these notes were settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the fourth quarter of 2012. The remaining portion is expected to settle during the first quarter of 2013. Furthermore, during the first quarter of 2013, we received 4 conversion notices totaling 12,810 notes valued at $1,000 per note. These notes will be settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the first and second quarter of 2013. Senior Notes 8.0% Senior Notes and 8.25% Senior Notes On July 24, 2009, Telecommunications issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “Senior Notes”), $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2016 (the “8.0% Notes”) and $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2019 (the “8.25% Notes”). The 8.0% Notes had an interest rate of 8.00% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.330% of their face value. The 8.25% Notes have an interest rate of 8.25% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.152% of their face value. Interest on each of the Senior Notes is due semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning on February 15, 2010. During the year ended December 31, 2012, we redeemed the full $375.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of our 8.25% Notes and paid the applicable premium for the redemption. The 8.25% Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by SBAC. 5.75% Senior Notes On July 13, 2012, we issued $800.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.75% Notes”) due July 15, 2020. The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.75% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year beginning on January 15, 2013. We used the net proceeds from this offering to (1) repay all amounts outstanding under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan and (2) repay all amounts outstanding under our Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. In connection with the issuance of the 5.75% Notes, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to use our respective reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.75% Notes for new notes guaranteed by us registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on or prior to July 8, 2013. If we fail to satisfy certain filings and other obligations with respect to the exchange, we will be obligated to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period and an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until our registration obligations are fulfilled, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. 5.625% Senior Notes On September 28, 2012, we issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.625% Notes”) due October 1, 2019. The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is due semi-annually on October 1 and April 1 of each year beginning on April 1, 2013. We used the proceeds from the issuance of the 5.625% Notes to pay a portion of the cash consideration in the TowerCo II Holdings LLC acquisition. 52 Table of Contents In connection with the issuance of the 5.625% Notes, we entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, we agreed to use our reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.625% Notes for new notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on or prior to September 23, 2013. If we fail to satisfy certain filings and other obligations with respect to the exchange, we will be obligated to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period and an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until our registration obligations are fulfilled, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. Debt Service As of December 31, 2012, we believe that our cash on hand, capacity available under our Revolving Credit Facility and our cash flows from operations for the next twelve months will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months. The following table illustrates our estimate of our debt service requirement over the next twelve months based on the amounts outstanding as of December 31, 2012 and the interest rates accruing on those amounts on such date (in thousands): Inflation The impact of inflation on our operations has not been significant to date. However, we cannot assure you that a high rate of inflation in the future will not adversely affect our operating results particularly in light of the fact that our site leasing revenues are governed by long-term contracts with pre-determined pricing that we will not be able to increase in response to increases in inflation. 53 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 $ 471,733 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 19,999 8.25% Senior Notes due 2019 20,109 5.625% Senior Notes due 2019 28,125 5.75% Senior Notes due 2020 46,000 4.254% and 5.101 % Tower Securities 2010-1 & 2 57,373 2.933% Tower Securities 2012-1 18,085 Revolving Credit Facility 5,335 2011 Term Loan 23,398 2012-1 Term Loan 14,724 2012-2 Term Loan 14,208 Total debt service for next 12 months: $ 719,089 Table of Contents Commitments and Contractual Obligations The following table summarizes our scheduled contractual commitments as of December 31, 2012: Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements We are not involved in any off-balance sheet arrangements. 54 Contractual Obligations 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Thereafter Total (in thousands) Debt $ 486,836 $ 520,487 $ 705,500 $ 28,000 $ 1,403,000 $ 2,296,250 $ 5,440,073 Interest payments 232,254 223,802 187,505 178,234 150,963 226,123 1,198,881 Operating leases 141,711 143,636 144,337 143,442 144,149 5,385,802 6,103,077 Capital leases 1,640 1,437 1,039 353 24 — 4,493 Employment agreements 1,670 1,670 1,045 — — — 4,385 $ 864,111 $ 891,032 $ 1,039,426 $ 350,029 $ 1,698,136 $ 7,908,175 $ 12,750,909 (1) Represents interest payments based on the 2010-1 Tower Securities interest rate of 4.254%, the 2010-2 Tower Securities interest rate of 5.1010%, the 2012-1 Tower Securities interest rate of 2.933%, the Revolving Credit Facility interest rate of 2.335% as of December 31, 2012, the 2011 Term Loan at an interest rate of 3.750% as of December 31, 2012, 2012-1 Term Loan at an interest rate of 2.470% as of December 31, 2012, 2012-2 Term Loan at an interest rate of 3.750% as of December 31, 2012, the Convertible Senior Notes interest rate of 1.875% and 4.0%, and the Senior Notes interest rate of 8.25%, 5.625%, and 5.750%. (1) Table of Contents ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK We are exposed to certain market risks that are inherent in our financial instruments. These instruments arise from transactions entered into in the normal course of business. The following table presents the future principal payment obligations and fair values associated with our long-term debt instruments assuming our actual level of long-term indebtedness as of December 31, 2012: Our current primary market risk exposure is interest rate risk relating to (1) our ability to meet financial covenants and (2) the impact of interest rate movements on our 2011 Term Loan, 2012-1 Term Loan, 2012-2 Term Loan and any borrowings that we may incur under our Revolving Credit Facility, which are at floating rates. We manage the interest rate risk on our outstanding debt through our large percentage of fixed rate debt. While we cannot predict our ability to refinance existing debt or the impact interest rate movements will have on our existing debt, we continue to evaluate our financial position on an ongoing basis. In addition, in connection with our convertible notes, we are subject to market risk associated with the market price of our common stock. Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements This annual report contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. These statements concern expectations, beliefs, projections, plans and strategies, anticipated events or trends and similar expressions concerning matters that are not historical facts. Specifically, this annual report contains forward-looking statements regarding: 55 2013 2014 2015 2016 2017 Thereafter Total Fair Value (in thousands) Debt: 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 $ 468,836 $ — $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 468,836 $ 714,094 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 — 499,987 — — — — $ 499,987 $ 1,060,620 8.25% Senior Notes due 2019 — — — — — 243,750 $ 243,750 $ 272,391 5.625% Senior Notes due 2019 — — — — — 500,000 $ 500,000 $ 523,750 5.75% Senior Notes due 2020 — — — — — 800,000 $ 800,000 $ 848,000 4.254% 2010-1 Tower Securities — — 680,000 — — — $ 680,000 $ 713,619 5.101% 2010-2 Tower Securities — — — — 550,000 — $ 550,000 $ 621,379 2.933% 2012-1 Tower Securities — — — — 610,000 — $ 610,000 $ 635,614 Revolving Credit Facility — — — — 100,000 — $ 100,000 $ 100,000 2011 Term Loan 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 5,000 467,500 $ 492,500 $ 493,731 2012-1 Term Loan 10,000 12,500 17,500 20,000 135,000 — $ 195,000 $ 194,513 2012-2 Term Loan 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 3,000 285,000 $ 300,000 $ 300,750 Total debt obligation $ 486,836 $ 520,487 $ 705,500 $ 28,000 $ 1,403,000 $ 2,296,250 $ 5,440,073 $ 6,478,461 (1) Amounts set forth reflect the principal amount of the relevant convertible notes and do not reflect the total obligations that may be due on the convertible notes if they are converted prior to their maturity date. As of December 31, 2012, both the 1.875% Notes and the 4.0% Notes are convertible pursuant to the terms of their applicable indenture. (2) The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010-1 Tower Securities is April 15, 2015 and April 16, 2040, respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010-2 Tower Securities is April 17, 2017 and April 15, 2042, respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2012-1 Tower Securities is December 15, 2017 and December 15, 2042, respectively. • our expectations on the future growth and financial health of the wireless industry and the industry participants, and the drivers of such growth; • our beliefs regarding our ability to capture and capitalize on industry growth and the impact of such growth on our financial and operational results; (1) (1) (2) (2) (2) Table of Contents These forward-looking statements reflect our current views about future events and are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions. We wish to caution readers that certain important factors may have affected and could in the future affect our actual results and could cause actual results to differ significantly from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our goals, and cause the assumptions underlying forward-looking statements and the actual results to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by those forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: 56 • our expectations regarding the opportunities in the international wireless markets in which we currently operate or have targeted for growth, our beliefs regarding how we can capitalize on such opportunities, and our intent to continue expanding internationally; • our belief that our site leasing business is characterized by stable and long-term recurring revenues, predictable operating costs and minimal non-discretionary capital expenditures; • our belief that our towers have significant capacity to accommodate additional tenants, that our tower operations are highly scalable, that we can add tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs, and the impact of these economies of scale on our cash flow and financial results; • our expectation that we will grow our cash flows by adding tenants to our towers at minimal incremental costs and executing monetary amendments; • our intent to grow our tower portfolio, domestically and internationally, by 5% to 10% through tower acquisitions and the construction of new towers; • our intent to build between 380 and 400 new towers in 2013, domestically and internationally, and our expectation regarding the number of tenants on our new build towers; • our expectation that we will continue our ground lease purchase program and the estimates of the impact of such program on our financial results; • our expectation that we will continue to incur losses; • our expectations regarding our future cash capital expenditures, both discretionary and non-discretionary, including expenditures required to maintain, improve and modify our towers and general corporate expenditures, and the source of funds for these expenditures; • our intended use of our liquidity; • our expectations regarding our annual debt service in 2013 and thereafter, and our belief that our cash on hand, cash flows from operations for the next twelve months and availability under our Revolving Credit Facility will be sufficient to service our outstanding debt during the next twelve months; • our expectation that our revenues from our international operations will grow in the future; • our expectations regarding the effectiveness of our convertible note hedge transactions to minimize the dilution and costs associated with our outstanding convertible notes; • our expectations regarding the settlement of our convertible notes; • our belief regarding our credit risk; and • our belief regarding our compliance with applicable laws and litigation matters, and our estimates regarding certain accounting and tax matters. • the impact of consolidation among wireless service providers on our leasing revenue; • our ability to continue to comply with covenants and the terms of our credit instruments, our ability to obtain additional financing to fund our capital expenditures and our ability to refinance our 1.875% Notes on expected terms; • our ability to successfully manage the risks associated with international operations, including risks relating to political or economic conditions, tax laws, currency restrictions legal or judicial systems, and land ownership; • our ability to successfully manage the risks associated with our acquisition initiatives, including our ability to effectively integrate acquired towers into our business and to achieve the financial results projected in our valuation models for the acquired towers; • developments in the wireless communications industry in general, and for wireless communications infrastructure providers in particular, that may slow growth or affect the willingness or ability of the wireless service providers to expend capital to fund network expansion or enhancements; • our ability to secure as many site leasing tenants as anticipated, recognize our expected economies of scale with respect to new tenants on our towers, and retain current leases on towers; Table of Contents 57 • our ability to secure and deliver anticipated services business at contemplated margins; • our ability to build new towers, including our ability to identify and acquire land that would be attractive for our clients and to successfully and timely address zoning, permitting, weather, availability of labor and supplies and other issues that arise in connection with the building of new towers; • competition for the acquisition of towers and other factors that may adversely affect our ability to purchase towers that meet our investment criteria and are available at prices which we believe will be accretive to our shareholders and allow us to maintain our long-term target leverage ratios; • our ability to protect our rights to the land under our towers, and our ability to acquire land underneath our towers on terms that are accretive; • our ability to sufficiently increase our revenues and maintain expenses and cash capital expenditures at appropriate levels to permit us to meet our anticipated uses of liquidity for operations, debt service and estimated portfolio growth; • our ability to successfully estimate the impact of regulatory and litigation matters; • our ability to successfully estimate the impact of certain accounting and tax matters, including the effect on our company of adopting certain accounting pronouncements and the availability of sufficient net operating losses to offset future taxable income; • natural disasters and other unforeseen damage for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage; • a decrease in demand for our communications sites; and • the introduction of new technologies or changes in a tenant’s business model that may make our tower leasing business less desirable to potential tenants. Table of Contents ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA Financial statements and supplementary data are on pages F-1 through F-52. ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE None. ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES Disclosure Controls and Procedures – We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, as ours are designed to do, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. In connection with the preparation of this Annual Report on Form 10-K, as of December 31, 2012, an evaluation was performed under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including the CEO and CFO, of the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Exchange Act). Based on such evaluation, our CEO and CFO concluded that, as of December 31, 2012, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. There has been no change in our internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended December 31, 2012 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting. Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting – Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, and for performing an assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012. 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. Our system of internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of SBA; (ii) 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 SBA are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of SBA; and (iii) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of SBA’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements. Management performed an assessment of the effectiveness of SBA’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012 based upon criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment, management determined that SBA’s internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2012 based on the criteria in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by COSO. 58 Table of Contents 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. Ernst & Young LLP, the independent registered certified public accounting firm that audited the financial statements included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, has issued an attestation report on SBA’s internal control over financial reporting. 59 Table of Contents Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm The Board of Directors and Shareholders of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries We have audited SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (the COSO criteria). SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries’ 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 conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). 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. 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. In our opinion, SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on the COSO criteria . We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ (deficit) equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012 of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries and our report dated February 27, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Certified Public Accountants Boca Raton, Florida February 27, 2013 60 Table of Contents Item 9B. Other Information Item 1.01 Entry into a Material Definitive Agreement. On January 28, 2013, SBA Senior Finance II LLC entered into a Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender, pursuant to which SBA Senior Finance II exercised its right to upsize the aggregate principal amount of its Revolving Credit Facility from $700 million to $730 million. All other terms of the Senior Credit Agreement remained the same. SBA Communications and certain of its affiliates have previously entered into commercial financial arrangements with Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas and its affiliates, and they have in the past provided financial, advisory, investment banking and other services to SBA Communications and its affiliates. Specifically, (i) Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas acts as trustee in connection with our 2010 Tower Securities, (ii) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas have served as bookrunner and lender, respectively, in connection with amounts borrowed under the Senior Credit Agreement, and (iii) Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. acted as one of the underwriters in connection with (a) the issuance by SBA Telecommunications, Inc. of the 5.75% Senior Notes due 2020, (b) the issuance by SBA Communications of the 5.625% Senior Notes due 2019 and (c) the issuance by SBA Tower Trust of the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1. Item 2.03 Creation of a Direct Financial Obligation or an Obligation under an Off-Balance Sheet Arrangement of a Registrant. The information set forth under Item 1.01 is incorporated by reference herein. PART III ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERANCE We have adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to our Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer and Chief Accounting Officer. The Code of Ethics is located on our internet web site at www.sbasite.com under “Investor Relations – Corporate Governance – Governance Documents.” We intend to provide disclosure of any amendments or waivers of our Code of Ethics on our website within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver. The remaining items required by Part III, Item 10 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2013. ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The items required by Part III, Item 11 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2013. ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS The items required by Part III, Item 12 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2013. 61 Table of Contents ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE The items required by Part III, Item 13 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2013. ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES The items required by Part III, Item 14 are incorporated herein by reference from the Registrant’s Proxy Statement for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be filed on or before April 30, 2013. 62 Table of Contents PART IV ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES (a) Documents filed as part of this report: (1) Financial Statements See Item 8 for Financial Statements included with this Annual Report on Form 10-K. (2) Financial Statement Schedules None. (3) Exhibits Exhibit No. Description of Exhibits 1.1 Underwriting Agreement, dated March 7, 2012, by and among SBA Communications Corporation, Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC. (1) 1.2 Underwriting Agreement, dated April 2, 2012, by and among SBA Communications Corporation, Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, Mobilitie Holdings, L.L.C., Mobilitie Holdings II, L.L.C., Mobilitie Investments, LLC (f/k/a New Mobilitie Investments, LLC), Mobilitie Investments II, LLC (f/k/a New Mobilitie Investments II, LLC), Orlin Properties, LLC and Chicago Deferred Exchange Company, LLC. (2) 1.3 Underwriting Agreement, dated October 1, 2012, by and among SBA Communications Corporation, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC and the selling shareholders listed on Schedule 1 thereto. (3) 2.1 Purchase and Sale Agreement, dated February 18, 2012, by and among SBA Communications Corporation, Monarch Towers Acquisition, LLC, Mobilitie Investments, LLC, Mobilitie Investments II, LLC, MPGJ-I, LLC, MPMA-I, LLC, MPGJ-II, LLC, and the Sellers identified on the signature pages thereto. (4) 2.2 Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated June 25, 2012, by and among SBA Communications Corporation, SBA 2012 Acquisition, LLC, TowerCo II Holdings LLC and TowerCo III Holdings LLC. (5) 3.4 Fourth Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, as Amended, of SBA Communications Corporation. (6) 3.5A Amended and Restated Bylaws of SBA Communications Corporation, effective as of January 16, 2012. (7) 4.6 Rights Agreement, dated as of January 11, 2002, between SBA Communications Corporation and the Rights Agent. (8) 4.6A First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of March 17, 2006, between SBA Communications Corporation and Computershare Trust Company, N.A (9) 4.13 Indenture, dated May 16, 2008, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (10) 4.14 Form of 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 (included in Exhibit 4.13). (10) 4.15 Indenture, dated April 24, 2009, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (11) 4.15A Form of Senior Indenture. (12) 4.16 Form of 4.0% Convertible Senior Note due 2014 (included in Exhibit 4.15). (11) 4.16A Form of Subordinated Indenture. (12) 4.17 Indenture, dated July 24, 2009, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (13) 4.18 Form of 8.000% Senior Notes due 2016 (included in Exhibit 4.17). (13) 4.19 Form of 8.250% Senior Notes due 2019 (included in Exhibit 4.17). (13) 4.20 Indenture, dated July 13, 2012, between SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (14) 4.21 Form of 5.75% Senior Notes due 2020 (included in Exhibit 4.20). (14) 4.22 Indenture, dated as of September 28, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association. (15) 4.23 Form of 5.625% Senior Notes due 2019 (included in Exhibit 4.22). (15) 10.1 SBA Communications Corporation Registration Rights Agreement dated as of March 5, 1997, among the Company, Steven E. Bernstein, Ronald G. Bizick, II and Robert Grobstein. (16) 63 Table of Contents 10.2 Purchase Agreement, dated July 26, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance, LLC, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as trustee, and the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule I thereto. (17) 10.3 Fifth Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of August 9, 2012, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc. and SBA Structures, Inc., as Borrowers, SBA Infrastructure, LLC, SBA Towers USVI II, Inc. and SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC, as Additional Borrowers, and Midland Loan Services, a Division of PNC Bank, National Association, as Servicer on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. (17) 10.24 1999 Equity Participation Plan. (18)+ 10.25 1999 Employee Stock Purchase Plan. (18)+ 10.33 2001 Equity Participation Plan as Amended and Restated on May 16, 2002. (19)+ 10.35E Employment Agreement, dated July 1, 2011, between SBA Communications Corporation and Jeffrey A. Stoops. (20)+ 10.49 Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, by and between SBA Properties, Inc. and the Additional Borrower or Borrowers that may become a party thereto and SBA CMBS 1 Depositor LLC. (21) 10.50 Management Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Network Management, Inc. and SBA Senior Finance, Inc. (21) 10.57B Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of January 1, 2010, between SBA Communications Corporation and Kurt L. Bagwell. (22)+ 10.57C Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and Kurt L. Bagwell. (23)+ 10.58B Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of January 1, 2010, between SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt. (22)+ 10.58C Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and Thomas P. Hunt. (23)+ 10.60 Joinder and Amendment to Management Agreement, dated November 6, 2006, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Puerto Rico, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Towers USVI, Inc., and SBA Structures, Inc., and SBA Network Management, Inc., and SBA Senior Finance, Inc. (24) 10.61 Second Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of November 6, 2006, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., and SBA Towers, Inc., SBA Puerto Rico, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc., SBA Towers USVI, Inc., and SBA Structures, Inc. and Midland Loan Services, Inc., as Servicer on behalf of LaSalle Bank National Association, as Trustee. (24) 10.71 Form of Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc., Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association. (25) 10.72 Form of Issuer Warrant Transaction Letter Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc., Citibank, N.A., Deutsche Bank AG London Branch, and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC and Wachovia Bank, National Association. (25) 10.75A SBA Communications Corporation 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan, as amended on May 4, 2011. (26)+ 10.76 Form of Indemnification Agreement dated January 15, 2009 between SBA Communications Corporation and its directors and certain officers. (27) 10.79 Form of Convertible Bond Hedge Transaction Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Citibank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC. (28) 10.80 Form of Issuer Warrant Transaction Letter Agreement entered into by SBA Communications Corporation with each of Citibank, N.A., Barclays Bank PLC, Deutsche Bank AG, London Branch, JP Morgan Chase Bank, National Association and Wachovia Capital Markets, LLC. (28) 10.85 Employment Agreement, made and entered into as of October 28, 2009, between SBA Communications Corporation and Brendan T. Cavanagh. (29)+ 10.85B Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated as of July 30, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and Brendan T. Cavanagh. (23)+ 10.86A Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011, among SBA Senior Finance II, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as term loan syndication agent, Barclays Capital, as co-term loan syndication agent, The Royal Bank of Scotland plc and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as co-term loan documentation agents, Citibank, N.A. and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as  64 co-revolving facility documentation agents, and the other agents thereto. (30) 10.86D First Amendment, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, the Extending Revolving Lenders (as defined therein) and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent. (31) 10.86E Second Amendment, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, the Incremental Tranche A Term Lenders (as defined therein) and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, TD Securities (USA) LLC and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, as joint lead arrangers, and TD Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS Securities Inc., Citibank, N.A. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as bookrunners. (31) 10.86F Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Citibank, N.A., Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (31) Table of Contents 10.86G Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (31) 10.86H Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, The Royal Bank of Scotland Plc, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (31) 10.86I Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Toronto Dominion (New York) LLC, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (31) 10.86J Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of May 9, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Wells Fargo Bank, N.A., Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (31) 10.86K Third Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as bookrunners. (15) 10.86L Fourth Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as bookrunners. (15) 10.86M Fifth Amendment, dated as of September 28, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, the Incremental Tranche B Term Lenders (as defined therein) and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as joint lead arrangers, and Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Barclays Bank PLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, TD Securities (USA) LLC, Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, RBS Securities Inc. and Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., as bookrunners. (15) 10.86N Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of January 28, 2013, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. * 10.87A Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011, among SBAC, SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Senior Finance, Inc., SBA Senior Finance II and certain of SBA Senior Finance II’s subsidiaries, as identified in the Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, in favor of Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent. (30) 10.89 SBA Communications Corporation 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan. (32)+ 10.90 Third Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of April 16, 2010, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc. and SBA Structures, Inc., as Borrowers, and Midland Loan Services, Inc., as Servicer on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. (33) 10.91 Fourth Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of April 16, 2010, by and among SBA Properties, Inc., SBA Sites, Inc. and SBA Structures, Inc., as Borrowers, and Midland Loan Services, Inc., as Servicer on behalf of Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas, as Trustee. (33) 10.92 Credit Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2012, among SBA Monarch Acquisition, LLC (formerly known as Monarch Towers Acquisition, LLC), as borrower, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC and Barclays Bank PLC, as joint lead arrangers and bookrunners. (34) 10.93 Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, dated as of April 2, 2012, among SBA Telecommunications, Inc., SBA Monarch Acquisition, LLC (formerly known as Monarch Towers Acquisition, LLC) and certain of its subsidiaries, in favor of JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. (34) 10.94 Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of April 2, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (34) 10.95 Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, dated as of April 2, 2012, among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, as borrower, Barclays Bank PLC, Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, New York Branch, as issuing lender. (34) 10.96 Purchase Agreement, dated July 10, 2012, among SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc. and J.P.  65 Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 thereto. (14) 10.97 Registration Rights Agreement, dated July 13, 2012, among SBA Communications Corporation, SBA Telecommunications, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 2 thereto. (14) 10.98 Purchase Agreement, dated September 20, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 1 thereto. (35) 10.99 Registration Rights Agreement, dated September 28, 2012, between SBA Communications Corporation and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the several initial purchasers listed on Schedule 2 thereto. (15) *21 Subsidiaries. *23.1 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP. *31.1 Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. Table of Contents 66 *31.2 Certification by Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *32.1 Certification by Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. *32.2 Certification by Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. **101.INS XBRL Instance Document. **101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document. **101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document. **101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document. **101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document. **101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document. + Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement. * Filed herewith ** Furnished herewith. (1) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated March 12, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (2) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated April 5, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (3) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated October 4, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (4) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated February 27, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (5) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated June 28, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (6) Incorporated by reference to the Form S-4 dated May 19, 2010, previously filed by the Registrant. (7) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated February 1, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (8) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated January 14, 2002, previously filed by the Registrant. (9) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant. (10) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated May 22, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant. (11) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, previously filed by the Registrant. (12) Incorporated by reference to the Form S-3ASR dated February 27, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (13) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, previously filed by the Registrant. (14) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated July 16, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (15) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated September 28, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (16) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-4, previously filed by the Registrant (Registration No. 333-50219). (17) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (18) Incorporated by reference to the Registration Statement on Form S-1/A, previously filed by the Registrant (Registration No. 333-76547). (19) Incorporated by reference to the Schedule 14A Preliminary Proxy Statement dated April 16, 2002, previously filed by the Registrant. (20) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2011, previously filed by the Registrant. (21) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, previously filed by the Registrant. (22) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, previously filed by the Registrant. (23) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (24) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2006, previously filed by the Registrant. (25) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant. (26) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2011, previously filed by the Registrant. (27) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, previously filed by the Registrant. (28) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, previously filed by the Registrant. (29) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, previously filed by the Registrant. (30) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated July 7, 2011, previously filed by the Registrant. (31) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated May 14, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (32) Incorporated by reference to the Form S-8 dated May 20, 2010, previously filed by the Registrant. (33) Incorporated by reference to the Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010, previously filed by the Registrant. (34) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated April 2, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. (35) Incorporated by reference to the Form 8-K dated September 25, 2012, previously filed by the Registrant. Table of Contents 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. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. 67 SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops Jeffrey A. Stoops Chief Executive Officer and President Date: February 27, 2013 Signature Title Date /s/ Steven E. Bernstein Chairman of the Board of Directors February 27, 2013 Steven E. Bernstein /s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops Chief Executive Officer and President February 27, 2013 Jeffrey A. Stoops (Principal Executive Officer) /s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh Chief Financial Officer February 27, 2013 Brendan T. Cavanagh (Principal Financial Officer) /s/ Brian D. Lazarus Chief Accounting Officer February 27, 2013 Brian D. Lazarus (Principal Accounting Officer) /s/ Brian C. Carr Director February 27, 2013 Brian C. Carr /s/ Duncan H. Cocroft Director February 27, 2013 Duncan H. Cocroft /s/ George R. Krouse Jr. Director February 27, 2013 George R. Krouse Jr. /s/ Jack Langer Director February 27, 2013 Jack Langer /s/ Kevin L. Beebe Director February 27, 2013 Kevin L. Beebe Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Table of Contents Page Report of Independent Registered Certified Public Accounting Firm F-1 Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011 F-2 Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 F-3 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Loss for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 F-4 Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity (Deficit) for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 F-5 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 F-7 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements F-9 Table of Contents REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM The Board of Directors and Shareholders of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the related consolidated statements of operations, comprehensive loss, shareholders’ equity (deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit also includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion. In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries at December 31, 2012 and 2011, and the consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2012, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries’ internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2012, based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission, and our report dated February 27, 2013 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon. Boca Raton, Florida February 27, 2013 F-1 /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Certified Public Accountants Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except par values) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-2 December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 ASSETS Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 233,099 $ 47,316 Restricted cash 27,708 22,266 Short-term investments 5,471 5,773 Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $246 and $135 at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively 39,099 22,100 Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts 23,644 17,655 Prepaid and other current assets 39,542 14,246 Total current assets 368,563 129,356 Property and equipment, net 2,671,317 1,583,393 Intangible assets, net 3,134,133 1,639,784 Deferred financing fees, net 66,324 42,064 Other assets 355,280 211,802 Total assets $ 6,595,617 $ 3,606,399 LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 27,694 $ 12,755 Accrued expenses 42,052 23,746 Current maturities of long-term debt 475,351 5,000 Deferred revenue 76,668 49,779 Accrued interest 46,233 32,351 Other current liabilities 195,690 3,250 Total current liabilities 863,688 126,881 Long-term liabilities: Long-term debt 4,880,752 3,349,485 Other long-term liabilities 186,475 129,282 Total long-term liabilities 5,067,227 3,478,767 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 11,711 12,064 Shareholders’ equity (deficit): Preferred stock - par value $.01, 30,000 shares authorized, no shares issued or outstanding — — Common stock - Class A, par value $.01, 400,000 shares authorized 126,933 and 109,675 shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively 1,269 1,097 Additional paid-in capital 3,111,107 2,268,244 Accumulated deficit (2,462,176 ) (2,281,139 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income, net 2,791 485 Total shareholders’ equity (deficit) 652,991 (11,313 ) Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity (deficit) $ 6,595,617 $ 3,606,399 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (in thousands, except per share amounts) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-3 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Revenues: Site leasing $ 846,094 $ 616,294 $ 535,444 Site development 107,990 81,876 91,175 Total revenues 954,084 698,170 626,619 Operating expenses: Cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization shown below): Cost of site leasing 188,951 131,916 119,141 Cost of site development 90,556 71,005 80,301 Selling, general and administrative 72,148 62,828 58,209 Acquisition related expenses 40,433 7,144 10,106 Asset impairment 6,383 5,472 5,862 Depreciation, accretion and amortization 408,467 309,146 278,727 Total operating expenses 806,938 587,511 552,346 Operating income 147,146 110,659 74,273 Other income (expense): Interest income 1,128 136 432 Interest expense (196,241 ) (160,896 ) (149,921 ) Non-cash interest expense (70,110 ) (63,629 ) (60,070 ) Amortization of deferred financing fees (12,870 ) (9,188 ) (9,099 ) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net (51,799 ) (1,696 ) (49,060 ) Other income (expense) 5,654 (165 ) 29 Total other expense (324,238 ) (235,438 ) (267,689 ) Loss before provision for income taxes (177,092 ) (124,779 ) (193,416 ) Provision for income taxes (6,594 ) (2,113 ) (1,005 ) Net loss from continuing operations (183,686 ) (126,892 ) (194,421 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes 2,296 — — Net loss (181,390 ) (126,892 ) (194,421 ) Net loss (income) attributable to the noncontrolling interest 353 436 (253 ) Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (181,037 ) $ (126,456 ) $ (194,674 ) Basic and diluted per common share amounts: Loss from continuing operations $ (1.53 ) $ (1.14 ) $ (1.68 ) Income from discontinued operations 0.02 — — Net loss per common share $ (1.51 ) $ (1.14 ) $ (1.68 ) Basic and diluted weighted average number of common shares 120,280 111,595 115,591 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSS FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011 AND 2010 (in thousands) The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-4 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Net loss from continuing operations $ (183,686 ) $ (126,892 ) $ (194,421 ) Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes 2,296 — — Other comprehensive loss associated with derivative instruments: Amortization of net deferred loss from settlement of derivative financial instruments — — 632 Write-off of net deferred loss from derivative instruments related to repurchase of debt — — 3,645 Foreign currency translation adjustments 2,306 (1,728 ) 701 Comprehensive loss (179,084 ) (128,620 ) (189,443 ) Other comprehensive loss (gain) attributable to noncontrolling interest 353 436 (298 ) Comprehensive loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (178,731 ) $ (128,184 ) $ (189,741 ) Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011 AND 2010 (in thousands) (continued) F-5 Class A Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Noncontrolling Interests Total Shares Amount BALANCE, December 31, 2009 117,082 $ 1,171 $ 2,228,268 $ (1,627,602 ) $ (2,803 ) $ 915 $ 599,949 Net loss attributable to SBA Communications — — — (194,674 ) — 253 (194,421 ) Amortization of net deferred loss from settlement of derivative financial instruments — — — — 632 — 632 Write-off of net deferred loss from derivative instruments related to repurchase of debt — — — — 3,645 — 3,645 Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — — 701 — 701 Non-cash compensation — — 10,560 — — — 10,560 Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans 924 9 16,124 — — — 16,133 Proceeds from the settlement of convertible note hedges — — 8,497 — — — 8,497 Purchase of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (7,500 ) — — (703 ) (8,203 ) Exchange of redeemable noncontrolling interests — — (12,492 ) — — (465 ) (12,957 ) Repurchase and retirement of common stock (3,174 ) (32 ) — (107,394 ) — — (107,426 ) BALANCE, December 31, 2010 114,832 $ 1,148 $ 2,243,457 $ (1,929,670 ) $ 2,175 $ — $ 317,110 Net loss attributable to SBA Communications — — — (126,456 ) — — (126,456 ) Foreign currency translation adjustments — — (38 ) — (1,690 ) — (1,728 ) Equity component related to repurchases of the 1.875% convertible debt — — (2,607 ) — — — (2,607 ) Non-cash compensation — — 11,639 — — — 11,639 Common stock issued in connection with stock purchase/option plans 761 8 15,793 — — — 15,801 Repurchase and retirement of common stock (5,918 ) (59 ) — (225,013 ) — — (225,072 ) BALANCE, December 31, 2011 109,675 $ 1,097 $ 2,268,244 $ (2,281,139 ) $ 485 $ — $ (11,313 ) Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY (DEFICIT) FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2012, 2011 AND 2010 (in thousands) The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements F-6 Class A Common Stock Additional Paid-In Capital Accumulated Deficit Accumulated Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income Noncontrolling Interests Total Shares Amount BALANCE, December 31, 2011 109,675 $ 1,097 $ 2,268,244 $ (2,281,139 ) $ 485 $ — $ (11,313 ) Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation — — — (181,037 ) — — (181,037 ) Foreign currency translation adjustments — — — — 2,306 — 2,306 Equity component related to repurchases of convertible debt — — (41,569 ) — — — (41,569 ) Non-cash compensation — — 14,202 — — — 14,202 Common stock issued in connection with acquisitions 9,839 98 555,280 — — — 555,378 Common stock issued in connection with options plans/restriction lapse 1,414 14 31,138 — — — 31,152 Proceeds from sale of common stock 6,005 60 283,812 — — — 283,872 BALANCE, December 31, 2012 126,933 $ 1,269 $ 3,111,107 $ (2,462,176 ) $ 2,791 $ — $ 652,991 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) (continued) F-7 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES: Net loss $ (181,390 ) $ (126,892 ) $ (194,421 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities: Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes (2,296 ) — — Depreciation, accretion, and amortization 408,467 309,146 278,727 Non-cash interest expense 70,110 63,629 60,070 Deferred income tax expense (benefit) 1,360 (1,686 ) (737 ) Asset impairment 6,383 5,472 5,862 Non-cash compensation expense 13,968 11,469 10,501 Amortization of deferred financing fees 12,870 9,188 9,099 Loss from extinguishment of debt, net 51,799 1,696 49,060 Other non-cash items reflected in the Statements of Operations (5,317 ) 768 163 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of acquisitions: Accounts receivable and costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts (18,804 ) (3,709 ) (5,919 ) Prepaid and other assets (82,759 ) (27,425 ) (15,023 ) Accounts payable and accrued expenses 8,251 3,814 (3,313 ) Accrued interest 13,882 58 (3,300 ) Other liabilities 44,390 3,530 10,371 Net cash provided by operating activities 340,914 249,058 201,140 CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES: Acquisitions and related earn-outs (2,258,655 ) (379,320 ) (328,045 ) Capital expenditures (113,265 ) (126,938 ) (66,618 ) Proceeds from sale of DAS networks 100,000 — — Other investing activities (3,131 ) (1,630 ) (30,376 ) Net cash used in investing activities (2,275,051 ) (507,888 ) (425,039 ) CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES: Proceeds from 5.625% and 5.75% Senior Notes, net of fees 1,277,729 — — Proceeds from SBA Tower Trust Series 2012, net of fees 596,083 — — Borrowings under Revolving Credit Facility 584,000 250,000 20,000 Repayments under Revolving Credit Facility (484,000 ) (270,000 ) — Proceeds from Term Loans, net of fees 493,107 492,560 — Proceeds from Mobilitie Bridge Loan, net of fees 395,000 — — Proceeds from sale of common stock, net of fees 283,872 — — Repurchase of 8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes (542,203 ) — — Repayment of Mobilitie Bridge Loan (400,000 ) — — Payments on early extinguishment of convertible debt (107,493 ) (17,038 ) (30,409 ) Repayments of Term Loans (10,000 ) (2,500 ) — Repurchase and retirement of common stock — (225,072 ) (107,426 ) Proceeds from 2010 Tower Securities, net of fees — — 1,212,194 Payment on extinguishment of CMBS Certificates — — (979,368 ) Proceeds from employee stock purchase/stock option plans 31,152 15,801 16,133 Other financing activities (835 ) (1,704 ) (4,303 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 2,116,412 242,047 126,821 Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,212 (155 ) 15 Net cash provided by discontinued operations: Operating Activities 2,296 — — NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 185,783 (16,938 ) (97,063 ) CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS: Beginning of year 47,316 64,254 161,317 End of year $ 233,099 $ 47,316 $ 64,254 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (in thousands) The accompanying condensed notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements. F-8 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION: Cash paid during the period for: Interest $ 182,474 $ 161,257 $ 153,607 Income taxes $ 5,304 $ 4,218 $ 1,545 SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION OF NON-CASH ACTIVITIES: Assets acquired through capital leases $ 2,509 $ 2,570 $ 1,130 Increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses for capital expenditures $ 10,166 $ 2,470 $ 2,800 Deferred payment on Brazil acquired assets $ 175,890 $ — $ — Issuance of stock for acquisitions $ 555,378 $ — $ — Promissory note received in connection with disposition of DAS assets $ 25,000 $ — $ — Contribution of DAS Networks in exchange for equity investment $ — $ — $ 11,000 Exchange of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ — $ — $ 12,500 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS SBA Communications Corporation (the “Company” or “SBA”) was incorporated in the State of Florida in March 1997. The Company is a holding company that holds all of the outstanding capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (formerly known as SBA Telecommunications, Inc.), (“Telecommunications”). Telecommunications is a holding company that holds the outstanding capital stock of SBA Senior Finance, LLC (formerly known as SBA Senior Finance, Inc.), (“SBA Senior Finance”) and SBA Towers IV, an operating subsidiary that is not a party to any loan agreement. SBA Towers IV also owns the interest in our Brazilian subsidiaries. SBA Senior Finance is a holding company that holds, directly or indirectly, the equity interest in certain subsidiaries that issued the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 (the “2010-1 Tower Securities”), the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 (the “2010-2 Tower Securities” and together with the 2010-1 Tower Securities, the “2010 Tower Securities”) and the Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 (the “2012-1 Tower Securities” and together with the 2010 Tower Securities, the “Tower Securities”) and certain subsidiaries that were not involved in the issuance of the SBA Tower Securities. With respect to the subsidiaries involved in the issuance of the SBA Tower Securities, SBA Senior Finance is the sole member of SBA Holdings, LLC and SBA Depositor, LLC. SBA Holdings, LLC is the sole member of SBA Guarantor, LLC. SBA Guarantor, LLC holds all of the capital stock of the companies referred to as the “Borrowers” under the SBA Tower Securities (see Note 13). With respect to subsidiaries not involved in the issuance of the SBA Tower Securities, SBA Senior Finance holds all of the membership interests in SBA Senior Finance II, LLC (“SBA Senior Finance II”) and certain non-operating subsidiaries. SBA Senior Finance II holds, directly or indirectly, all the capital of the International subsidiaries, with the exception of our Brazilian subsidiary, and certain other tower companies (known as “Tower Companies”). SBA Senior Finance II also holds, directly or indirectly, all the capital stock and/or membership interests of certain other subsidiaries involved in providing services, including SBA Network Services, LLC (formerly known as SBA Network Services, Inc.), (“Network Services”) as well as SBA Network Management, Inc. (“Network Management”) which manages and administers the operations of the Borrowers. F-9 1. GENERAL Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The table below outlines the legal structure of the Company at December 31, 2012: As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned and operated wireless communications towers in the United States and its territories. In addition, the Company owned towers in Brazil, Canada, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Nicaragua, and Panama. Space on these towers is leased primarily to wireless service providers. As of December 31, 2012, the Company owned 17,491 tower sites. A summary of the significant accounting policies applied in the preparation of the accompanying consolidated financial statements is as follows: Principles of Consolidation The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) and include the Company and its majority and wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Use of Estimates The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. The significant estimates made by management relate to the allowance for doubtful accounts, the costs and revenue relating to the Company’s construction contracts, stock-based compensation assumptions, valuation allowance related to deferred tax assets, fair value of long-lived assets, the useful lives of towers and intangible assets, anticipated property tax assessments, fair value of investments and asset retirement obligations. Management develops estimates based on historical experience and on various assumptions about the future that are believed to be reasonable based on the information available. These estimates ultimately may differ from actual results and such differences could be material. F-10 2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cash and Cash Equivalents Cash and cash equivalents consist primarily of cash in banks, money market funds, commercial paper and other marketable securities with an original maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase. These investments are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. Investments Investment securities with original maturities of more than three months but less than one year at time of purchase are considered short-term investments. The Company’s short-term investments primarily consist of certificates of deposit with maturities of less than a year. Investment securities with maturities of more than a year are considered long-term investments and are classified in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Long-term investments primarily consist of U.S. Treasuries, mutual funds, and preferred securities. Gross purchases and sales of the Company’s investments are presented within “Cash flows from investing activities” on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The Company accounts for its equity investments in privately held companies under the cost method. The aggregate carrying value of the Company’s cost-method investments was approximately $51.7 million and $48.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 respectively, and is classified within other assets on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Company evaluates its cost-method investments for impairment at least annually. The Company determines the fair value of its cost-method investments by considering available evidence, including general market conditions, the investee’s financial condition, near-term prospects, market comparables and subsequent rounds of financing. The Company measures and records its cost-method investments at fair value when they are deemed to be other-than-temporarily impaired. The Company did not recognize any impairment loss during the years ended December 31, 2012, December 31, 2011, and December 31, 2010. Restricted Cash The Company classifies all cash pledged as collateral to secure certain obligations and all cash whose use is limited as restricted cash. This includes cash held in escrow to fund certain reserve accounts relating to the Tower Securities as well as for payment and performance bonds and surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company in the ordinary course of business (see Note 4). Property and Equipment Property and equipment are recorded at cost or at estimated fair value (in the case of acquired properties), adjusted for asset impairment and estimated asset retirement obligations. Costs associated with the development and construction of towers are capitalized as a cost of the towers. Costs for self-constructed towers include direct materials and labor, indirect costs and capitalized interest. Approximately $0.3 million, $0.5 million, and $0.4 million of interest cost was capitalized in 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Depreciation on towers and related components is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives, not to exceed the minimum lease term of the underlying ground lease. The Company defines the minimum lease term as the shorter of the period from lease inception through the end of the term of all tenant lease obligations in existence at ground lease inception, including renewal periods, or the ground lease term, including renewal periods. If no tenant lease obligation exists at the date of ground lease inception, the initial term of the ground lease is considered the minimum lease term. Leasehold improvements are amortized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the useful life of the improvement or the minimum lease term of the lease. For all other property and equipment, depreciation is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives. F-11 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company performs ongoing evaluations of the estimated useful lives of its property and equipment for depreciation purposes. The estimated useful lives are determined and continually evaluated based on the period over which services are expected to be rendered by the asset. If the useful lives of assets are reduced, depreciation may be accelerated in future years. Property and equipment under capital leases are amortized on a straight-line basis over the term of the lease or the remaining estimated life of the leased property, whichever is shorter, and the related amortization is included in depreciation expense. Expenditures for maintenance and repair are expensed as incurred. Asset classes and related estimated useful lives are as follows: Betterments, improvements and significant repairs, which increase the value or extend the life of an asset, are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining estimated useful life of the respective asset. Changes in an asset’s estimated useful life are accounted for prospectively, with the book value of the asset at the time of the change being depreciated over the revised remaining useful life. There has been no material impact for changes in estimated useful lives for any years presented. Deferred Financing Fees Financing fees related to the issuance of debt have been deferred and are being amortized using the effective interest rate method over the expected length of related indebtedness (see Note 13). Deferred Lease Costs The Company defers certain initial direct costs associated with the origination of tenant leases and lease amendments and amortizes these costs over the initial lease term or over the lease term remaining if related to a lease amendment. Such deferred costs were approximately $10.2 million, $5.1 million, and $4.7 million in 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Amortization expense was $4.6 million, $4.6 million, and $3.6 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, and is included in cost of site leasing on the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, unamortized deferred lease costs were $15.6 million and $9.9 million, respectively, and are included in other assets on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets. Intangible Assets The Company classifies as intangible assets the fair value of current leases in place at the acquisition date of towers and related assets (referred to as the “Current contract intangibles”), and the fair value of future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the acquired towers (referred to as the “Network location intangibles”). These intangibles are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. For all intangible assets, amortization is provided using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives as the benefit associated with these intangible assets is anticipated to be derived evenly over the life of the asset. F-12 Towers and related components 3 - 15 years Furniture, equipment and vehicles 2 - 7 years Buildings and improvements 5 - 10 years Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Impairment of Long-Lived Assets The Company evaluates its individual long-lived and related assets with finite lives for indicators of impairment to determine when an impairment analysis should be performed. The Company evaluates its tower assets and Current contract intangibles at the tower level, which is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows exists. The Company evaluates its Network location intangibles for impairment at the tower leasing business level whenever indicators of impairment are present. The Company has established a policy to at least annually evaluate its tower assets and Current contract intangibles for impairment. The Company records an impairment charge when the Company believes an investment in towers or related assets has been impaired, such that future undiscounted cash flows would not recover the then current carrying value of the investment in the tower site and related intangible. Estimates and assumptions inherent in the impairment evaluation include, but are not limited to, general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. In addition, the Company makes certain assumptions in determining an asset’s fair value for the purpose of calculating the amount of an impairment charge. The Company recorded an impairment charge of $6.4 million, $5.5 million and $5.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Fair Value Measurements The Company determines the fair market values 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. The following three levels of inputs may be used to measure fair value: Revenue Recognition Revenue from site leasing is recorded monthly and recognized on a straight-line basis over the current term of the related lease agreements, which are generally five to ten years. Receivables recorded related to the straight-lining of site leases are reflected in other assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Rental amounts received in advance are recorded as deferred revenue on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Site development projects in which the Company performs consulting services include contracts on a time and materials basis or a fixed price basis. Time and materials based contracts are billed at contractual rates as the services are rendered. For those site development contracts in which the Company performs work on a fixed price basis, site development billing (and revenue recognition) is based on the completion of agreed upon phases of the project on a per site basis. Upon the completion of each phase on a per site basis, the Company recognizes the revenue related to that phase. Site development projects generally take from 3 to 12 months to complete. F-13 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. Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Revenue from construction projects is recognized on the percentage-of-completion method of accounting, determined by the percentage of cost incurred to date compared to management’s estimated total cost for each contract. This method is used because management considers total cost to be the best available measure of progress on the contracts. These amounts are based on estimates, and the uncertainty inherent in the estimates initially is reduced as work on the contracts nears completion. The asset “costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts” represents costs incurred and revenues recognized in excess of amounts billed. The liability “billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts,” included within other current liabilities on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets, represents billings in excess of costs incurred and revenues recognized. Provisions for estimated losses on uncompleted contracts are made in the period in which such losses are determined to be probable. On October 31, 2011, the Company entered into a Master Amendment with one of its wireless service provider customers. The Master Amendment serves as a separate amendment to each individual existing tenant lease agreement that the Company is currently a party to with that customer. Among other items, the Master Amendment (1) extends the current term of the individual leases, (2) permits the customer limited early termination rights which will be exercisable over a multi-year period, commencing in the second half of 2013, on a specific number of the existing leases, (3) allows the customer to make certain specific equipment changes at the tower sites in exchange for an increase in monthly rental payment due from the customer, and (4) slightly modifies the existing monthly lease rates of certain leases. The customer’s early termination rights are limited with respect to the aggregate number of leases that may be terminated and the number that may be terminated in any quarter. The specific leases to be terminated early and the timing of such terminations has not been determined as of the date of this filing. As a result, for accounting and financial statement purposes, the Company has made assumptions with regard to the leases to be terminated and the timing of the terminations. The Company has assumed that the customer will terminate the maximum number of leases allowable in each quarter, selecting the highest rental rate leases at the earliest allowable dates. The Company believes that these assumptions will ensure that only the minimum known revenue for the pool of leases covered by the Master Agreement will be accrued on a straight-line basis. The Company’s balance sheet and statement of operations reflect these assumptions. The actual leases that the customer terminates and the timing and number of terminations may or may not be those that we have identified in our assumptions. The Company will monitor actual results and elections under the Master Amendment and record any differences from previously made assumptions on a quarterly basis. To the extent that the actual results materially differ from the assumptions made, the Company will disclose the impact of these adjustments. Allowance for Doubtful accounts The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers. The Company monitors collections and payments from its customers and maintains a provision for estimated credit losses based upon historical experience, specific customer collection issues identified, and past due balances as determined based on contractual terms. Interest is charged on outstanding receivables from customers on a case by case basis in accordance with the terms of the respective contracts or agreements with those customers. Amounts determined to be uncollectible are written off against the allowance for doubtful accounts in the period in which uncollectibility is determined to be probable. The following is a rollforward of the allowance for doubtful accounts for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010; F-14 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 135 $ 263 $ 350 Provision for doubtful accounts 330 70 630 Write-offs, net of recoveries (219 ) (198 ) (717 ) Ending balance $ 246 $ 135 $ 263 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cost of Revenue Cost of site leasing revenue includes ground lease rent, property taxes, maintenance and other tower operating expenses. All ground lease rental obligations due to be paid out over the lease term, including fixed escalations, are recorded on a straight-line basis over the minimum lease term. Liabilities recorded related to the straight-lining of ground leases are reflected in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Cost of site development revenue includes the cost of materials, salaries and labor costs, including payroll taxes, subcontract labor, vehicle expense and other costs directly and indirectly related to the projects. All costs related to site development projects are recognized as incurred. Income Taxes The Company had taxable losses during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, and as a result, net operating loss carry-forwards have been generated. The majority of these net operating loss carry-forwards are fully reserved as management believes it is not “more-likely-than-not” that the Company will generate sufficient taxable income in future periods to recognize the losses. The tax years 1997 through 2011 remain open to examination by the major jurisdictions in which the Company operates. The Company determines whether it is “more-likely-than-not” that a tax position taken in an income tax return will be sustained upon examination, including resolution of any related appeals or litigation processes, based on the technical merits of the position. Once it is determined that a position meets the more-likely-than-not recognition threshold, the position is measured to determine the amount of benefit to recognize in the financial statements. The Company has not identified any tax exposures that require a reserve. In the future, to the extent that the Company records unrecognized tax exposures, any related interest and penalties will be recognized as interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. The Company does not calculate U.S. taxes on undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries because substantially all such earnings are expected to be reinvested indefinitely. Stock-Based Compensation The Company measures and recognizes compensation expense for all share-based payment awards made to employees and directors, including stock options, restricted stock units and employee stock purchases under employee stock purchase plans. The Company records compensation expense, net of estimated forfeitures, for stock options and restricted stock units on a straight-line basis over the vesting period. Compensation expense for employee stock options is based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of the grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model. Any stock options granted to non-employees would be valued using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model based on the market price of the underlying common stock on the “valuation date,” which for options to non-employees is the vesting date. Expense related to options granted to non-employees would be recognized on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the period over which services are to be received or the vesting period. Compensation expense for restricted stock units is based on the fair market value of the units awarded at the date of the grant. F-15 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Asset Retirement Obligations The Company has entered into ground leases for the land underlying the majority of the Company’s towers. A majority of these leases require the Company to restore leaseholds to their original condition upon termination of the ground lease. The Company recognizes asset retirement obligations in the period in which they are incurred, if a reasonable estimate of a fair value can be made, and accretes such liability through the obligation’s estimated settlement date. The associated asset retirement costs are capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related tower fixed assets, and over time, the liability is accreted to its present value each period and the capitalized cost is depreciated over the estimated useful life of the tower. The asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 was $7.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively, and is included in other long-term liabilities on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Upon settlement of the obligations, any difference between the cost to retire an asset and the recorded liability is recorded in the Consolidated Statements of Operations as a gain or loss. In determining the impact of the asset retirement obligations, the Company considered the nature and scope of the contractual restoration obligations contained in the Company’s third party ground leases, the historical retirement experience as an indicator of future restoration probabilities, intent in renewing existing ground leases through lease termination dates, current and future value and timing of estimated restoration costs and the credit adjusted risk-free rate used to discount future obligations. The following summarizes the activity of the asset retirement obligation liability: Loss Per Share The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options and convertible senior notes. These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive in calculating the full year earnings per share. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computations are the same for all periods presented in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Comprehensive Income (Loss) Comprehensive income (loss) is defined as the change in equity (net assets) of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources, and is comprised of net income (loss) and other comprehensive income (loss). Foreign Currency Translation All assets and liabilities of foreign subsidiaries that do not utilize the United States dollar as its functional currency are translated at period-end rates of exchange, while revenues and expenses are translated at monthly weighted average rates of exchange for the year. Unrealized translation gains and losses are reported as foreign currency translation adjustments through other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. F-16 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 (in thousands) Beginning balance $ 5,386 $ 5,214 Additions 2,261 9 Currency translation adjustment 1 (2 ) Accretion expense 333 250 Removal / revision in estimates (475 ) (85 ) Ending balance $ 7,506 $ 5,386 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Reclassifications Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts or balances to conform to the presentation adopted in the current year. Acquisitions The Company accounts for acquisitions under the acquisition method of accounting. The assets and liabilities acquired are recorded at fair market value at the date of each acquisition and the results of operations of the acquired assets are included with those of the Company from the dates of the respective acquisitions. The Company continues to evaluate all acquisitions for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable closing 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. The intangible assets represent the value associated with the current leases at the acquisition date (“Current contract Intangibles”) and future tenant leases anticipated to be added to the towers (“Network location intangibles”) and were calculated using the discounted values of the current or future expected cash flows. The intangible assets are estimated to have a useful life consistent with the useful life of the related tower assets, which is typically 15 years. In connection with certain acquisitions, the Company may agree to pay additional consideration (or earnouts) if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets over a period of one to three years after they have been acquired. The Company records contingent consideration for acquisitions that occurred prior to January 1, 2009 when the contingent consideration is paid. Effective January 1, 2009, the Company accrues for contingent consideration in connection with acquisitions at fair value as of the date of the acquisition. All subsequent changes in fair value of contingent consideration are recorded through Consolidated Statements of Operations. In certain acquisitions, the additional consideration may be paid in cash or shares of Class A common stock at the Company’s option. Items Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis — The Company’s earnouts related to acquisitions are measured at fair value on a recurring basis using Level 3 inputs. The Company determines the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration, and any subsequent changes in fair value, using a discounted probability-weighted approach, as determined using Level 3 inputs. The fair value of the earnouts is reviewed quarterly and is based on the payments the Company expects to make based on historical internal observations related to the anticipated performance of the underlying assets. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its obligation if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $9.8 million and $5.5 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, which the Company recorded in accrued expenses on its Consolidated Balance Sheet. Items Measured at Fair Value on a Nonrecurring Basis —The Company’s long-lived assets (see Note 2), intangibles and asset retirement obligations (see Note 2) are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis using Level 3 inputs. Level 3 valuations rely on unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability. The Company considers many factors and makes certain assumptions when making this assessment, including but not limited to: general market and economic conditions, historical operating results, geographic location, lease-up potential and expected timing of lease-up. The fair value of the long-lived assets, intangibles and asset retirement obligations is calculated using a discounted cash flow model. F-17 3. FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Fair Value of Financial Instruments —The carrying values of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable, and short-term investments, which consist of $5.3 million and $5.6 million in certificate of deposits, as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively, approximate their related estimated fair values due to the short maturity of those instruments. The Company’s estimate of the fair value of its investments in treasury and corporate bonds, including current portion, are based primarily upon Level 1 reported market values. As of the date ending December 31, 2012, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, was $1.3 million and $1.5 million, respectively. As of the date ending December 31, 2011, the carrying value and fair value of the held-to-maturity investments, including current portion, was $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively. The Company determines fair value of its debt instruments utilizing various Level 2 sources including quoted prices and indicative quotes (non-binding quotes) from brokers that require judgment to interpret market information including implied credit spreads for similar borrowings on recent trades or bid/ask prices. The fair value of the Revolving Credit Facility is considered to be equal to the carrying value because the interest payments are based on Eurodollar rates that reset every month. The Company does not believe its credit risk has changed materially from the date the applicable Eurodollar Rate plus 187.5 basis points was set for the Revolving Credit Facility. The following table reflects fair values, principal balances and carrying values of the Company’s debt instruments (see Note 13). F-18 As of December 31, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 Fair Value Principal Balance Carrying Value Fair Value Principal Balance Carrying Value (in millions) 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 $ 714.1 $ 468.8 $ 457.4 $ 605.2 $ 535.0 $ 485.0 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 1,060.6 500.0 430.8 761.6 500.0 397.6 8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 — — — 405.0 375.0 373.2 8.25% Senior Notes due 2019 272.4 243.8 242.2 407.8 375.0 372.4 5.625% Senior Notes due 2019 523.8 500.0 500.0 — — — 5.75% Senior Notes due 2020 848.0 800.0 800.0 — — — 4.254% 2010-1 Tower Securities 713.6 680.0 680.0 699.0 680.0 680.0 5.101% 2010-2 Tower Securities 621.4 550.0 550.0 579.0 550.0 550.0 2.933% 2012-1 Tower Securities 635.6 610.0 610.0 — — — Revolving Credit Facility 100.0 100.0 100.0 — — — 2011 Term Loan 493.7 492.5 491.5 494.4 497.5 496.3 2012-1 Term Loan 194.5 195.0 195.0 — — — 2012-2 Term Loan 300.8 300.0 299.3 — — — Totals: $ 6,478.5 $ 5,440.1 $ 5,356.2 $ 3,952.0 $ 3,512.5 $ 3,354.5 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Restricted cash consists of the following: Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities (see Note 13), the Company is required to establish a securitization escrow account, held by the indenture trustee, into which all rents and other sums due on the towers that secure the Tower Securities are directly deposited by the lessees. These restricted cash amounts are used to fund reserve accounts for the payment of (1) debt service costs, (2) ground rents, real estate and personal property taxes and insurance premiums related to tower sites, (3) trustee and servicing expenses, (4) management fees, and (5) to reserve a portion of advance rents from tenants. The restricted cash in the controlled deposit account in excess of required reserve balances is subsequently released to the Borrowers (as defined in Note 13) monthly, provided that the Borrowers are in compliance with their debt service coverage ratio and that no Event of Default has occurred. All monies held by the indenture trustee are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. Payment and performance bonds relate primarily to collateral requirements for tower construction currently in process by the Company. Cash is pledged as collateral related to surety bonds issued for the benefit of the Company or its affiliates in the ordinary course of business and primarily related to the Company’s tower removal obligations. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had $35.1 million in surety, payment and performance bonds for which it is only required to post $10.5 million in collateral. The Company periodically evaluates the collateral posted for its bonds to ensure that it meets the minimum requirements. As of December 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company had pledged $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, as collateral related to its workers compensation policy. Restricted cash for surety bonds and workers compensation are included in other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. F-19 4. RESTRICTED CASH As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 Included on Balance Sheet (in thousands) Securitization escrow accounts $ 26,774 $ 21,378 Restricted cash - current asset Payment and performance bonds 934 888 Restricted cash - current asset Surety bonds and workers compensation 11,989 11,495 Other assets - noncurrent Total restricted cash $ 39,697 $ 33,761 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company’s other assets are comprised of the following: Mobilitie Acquisition On April 2, 2012, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary SBA Monarch Acquisition, LLC (“SBA Monarch”), completed the acquisition of the equity interests of specified entities that were affiliates of Mobilitie LLC (the “Mobilitie Acquisition”). As of April 2, 2012, these entities owned 2,281 towers with an additional 36 towers in development in the U.S. and Central America and also owned indoor and outdoor distributed antenna system (“DAS”) assets in Chicago, Las Vegas, New York City and Auburn, Alabama. The total consideration paid by the Company in the Mobilitie Acquisition was $1.1 billion consisting of (i) $850.0 million in cash and (ii) 5,250,000 newly issued shares of the Company’s Class A common stock. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were approximately $13.6 million and are included in acquisition related expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company has included the effect of the Mobilitie Acquisition in its results of operations prospectively from the date of the acquisition. Since the acquisition date through December 31, 2012, the Mobilitie assets had revenues of $83.3 million and a net loss of $23.6 million. The net loss includes the impact of discontinued operations from certain of the DAS assets that the Company sold to ExteNet Systems, Inc. (“ExteNet”) on September 6, 2012 and October 23, 2012. The preliminary estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date relating to the Mobilitie Acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): F-20 5. OTHER ASSETS As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Restricted cash-LT $ 11,989 $ 11,495 Long-term investments 52,939 49,529 Prepaid land rent 112,940 57,510 Straight-line receivable 116,361 64,357 Other 61,051 28,911 Total other assets $ 355,280 $ 211,802 6. ACQUISITIONS Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,536 Accounts receivable 522 Other current assets 3,734 Assets held for sale (discontinued operations) 125,000 Property and equipment 498,638 Intangible assets: Current contract intangibles 399,799 Network location intangibles 87,157 Other assets 22,599 Total assets acquired 1,138,985 Current liabilities assumed (10,438 ) Long-term deferred tax liability (13,457 ) Net assets acquired $ 1,115,090 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The preliminary allocation of the purchase price will be finalized upon the completion of analyses of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired primarily related to property tax accruals and other working capital items. TowerCo Acquisition On October 1, 2012, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, completed the acquisition of TowerCo II Holdings LLC, which owned 3,256 tower sites in 47 states across the U.S. and Puerto Rico. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid $1.2 billion in cash and issued 4,588,840 shares of its Class A common stock. Transaction costs associated with the acquisition were approximately $17.0 million and are included in acquisition related expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company has included the effect of the TowerCo Acquisition in its results of operations prospectively from the date of the acquisition. Since the acquisition date through December 31, 2012, the TowerCo assets had revenues of $42.4 million and a net loss of $18.8 million. The preliminary estimate of the fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date relating to the TowerCo Acquisition is summarized below (in thousands): The preliminary allocation of the purchase price will be finalized upon the completion of analyses of the fair value of the assets and liabilities acquired primarily related to property tax accruals and other working capital items. F-21 Cash and cash equivalents $ 3,636 Accounts receivable 2,944 Other current assets 7,591 Property and equipment 538,680 Intangible assets: Current contract intangibles 787,674 Network location intangibles 151,787 Other assets 11,150 Total assets acquired 1,503,462 Liabilities assumed (8,568 ) Net assets acquired $ 1,494,894 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Information The following table presents the unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations of the Company for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively, as if the Mobilitie and TowerCo acquisitions were completed as if the acquisition of Mobilitie and TowerCo was completed as of January 1, 2011: Other Acquisitions During the year ended December 31, 2012, in addition to the Mobilitie and TowerCo acquisitions, the Company acquired 1,093 completed towers and related assets and liabilities. Of these, the Company acquired 800 freestanding wireless towers in Brazil from Vivo S.A. on December 20, 2012 for an aggregate purchase price of approximately $175.9 million which was paid on January 4, 2013 from cash on hand and borrowings under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. These acquisitions were not significant to the Company and, accordingly, pro forma financial information has not been presented. The Company evaluates all acquisitions after the applicable closing 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 by major balance sheet caption, as well as the separate recognition of intangible assets from goodwill if certain criteria are met. Summary of Acquisitions The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition activity: The following table summarizes the Company’s acquisition capital expenditures: The Company paid, as part of the ground lease purchase program, $9.7 million, $9.8 million, and $9.0 million for long-term extensions during the years ending 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. Earnouts The Company recorded $0.8 million of additional expense, net, and $0.7 million of a reduction in expense, net, related to contingent consideration fair value adjustments during the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Adjustments recorded to contingent consideration in the year ended December 31, 2010 was not material. F-22 For the years ended December 31, 2012 2011 (in thousands) Revenues: Site leasing $ 988,216 $ 852,847 Site development 107,990 81,876 Total revenues 1,096,206 934,723 Operating income $ 91,974 $ (955 ) Net loss $ (281,795 ) $ (328,825 ) For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Tower acquisitions (number of towers) 6,630 1,085 712 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Towers and related intangible assets $ 2,205,859 $ 348,950 $ 294,426 Ground lease land purchases 46,865 25,755 24,950 Earnouts 5,931 4,615 8,669 Total acquisition capital expenditures $ 2,258,655 $ 379,320 $ 328,045 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s estimate of its obligation if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $9.8 million which the Company recorded in accrued expenses, compared to the potential obligation of $5.5 million at December 31, 2011. On September 6, 2012, the Company sold certain DAS networks located in New York, Chicago and Las Vegas, to ExteNet for approximately $119.3 million, comprised of $94.3 million in cash and $25 million in the form of a promissory note. One additional DAS network in Auburn, Alabama was sold to ExteNet on October 23, 2012 for $5.7 million in cash. The sold DAS networks, which are included in the Company’s Site Leasing segment, met both the component and held for sale criteria during the second quarter of 2012 and the results of operations associated with these assets have been reported as discontinued operations in the Company’s consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The Company did not allocate any portion of the Company’s interest expense to discontinued operations. The key components of discontinued operations for the year ended December 31, 2012 were as follows: The following table provides the gross and net carrying amounts for each major class of intangible assets: All intangibles noted above are contained in the Company’s site leasing segment. The Company amortizes its intangibles using the straight line method over the estimated life of the associated tower asset. Amortization expense relating to the intangible assets above was $188.7 million, $133.1 million and $117.0 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. These amounts are subject to changes in estimates until the preliminary allocation of the purchase price is finalized for each acquisition. F-23 7. DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 (in thousands) Site leasing revenue $ 5,046 $ — Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes 2,296 — 8. INTANGIBLE ASSETS, NET As of December 31, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 Gross carrying Accumulated Net book Gross carrying Accumulated Net book amount amortization value amount amortization value (in thousands) Current contract intangibles $ 2,744,968 $ (462,016 ) $ 2,282,952 $ 1,391,001 $ (333,522 ) $ 1,057,479 Network location intangibles 1,101,566 (250,385 ) 851,181 772,467 (190,162 ) 582,305 Intangible assets $ 3,846,534 $ (712,401 ) $ 3,134,133 $ 2,163,468 $ (523,684 ) $ 1,639,784 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Estimated amortization expense on the Company’s intangibles assets is as follows: F-24 For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2013 $ 256,436 2014 256,436 2015 256,436 2016 256,436 2017 256,436 Thereafter 1,851,953 Total $ 3,134,133 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Property and equipment, net (including assets held under capital leases) consists of the following: Construction-in-process represents costs incurred related to towers that are under development and will be used in the Company’s operations. Depreciation expense was $219.5 million, $175.8 million, and $161.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively. At December 31, 2012 and 2011, non-cash capital expenditures that are included in accounts payable and accrued expenses were $17.3 million and $7.2 million, respectively. Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts consist of the following: These amounts are included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets under the following captions: At December 31, 2012, five significant customers comprised 86.5% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings, while at December 31, 2011, five significant customers comprised 91.4% of the costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts, net of billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings. F-25 9. PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT, NET As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Towers and related components $ 3,757,859 $ 2,587,897 Construction-in-process 25,454 23,076 Furniture, equipment and vehicles 35,278 29,711 Land, buildings and improvements 290,931 168,988 4,109,522 2,809,672 Less: accumulated depreciation (1,438,205 ) (1,226,279 ) Property and equipment, net $ 2,671,317 $ 1,583,393 10. COSTS AND ESTIMATED EARNINGS IN EXCESS OF BILLINGS ON UNCOMPLETED CONTRACTS As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Costs incurred on uncompleted contracts $ 55,349 $ 37,790 Estimated earnings 20,883 14,268 Billings to date (53,708 ) (34,706 ) $ 22,524 $ 17,352 As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Costs and estimated earnings in excess of billings on uncompleted contracts $ 23,644 $ 17,655 Other current liabilities (Billings in excess of costs and estimated earnings on uncompleted contracts) (1,120 ) (303 ) $ 22,524 $ 17,352 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company’s credit risks consist primarily of accounts receivable with national, regional and local wireless service providers and federal and state government agencies. The Company performs periodic credit evaluations of its customers’ financial condition and provides allowances for doubtful accounts, as required, based upon factors surrounding the credit risk of specific customers, historical trends and other information. The Company generally does not require collateral. The following is a list of significant customers (representing at least 10% of revenue for all periods reported) and the percentage of total revenue for the specified time periods derived from such customers: The Company’s site leasing and site development segments derive revenue from these customers. Client percentages of total revenue in each of the segments are as follows: Five significant customers comprised 55.5% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2012 compared to five significant customers which comprised 50.4% of total gross accounts receivable at December 31, 2011. F-26 11. CONCENTRATION OF CREDIT RISK Percentage of Total Revenues For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Sprint 21.2 % 19.8 % 20.4 % AT&T 20.4 % 23.8 % 23.9 % T-Mobile 12.7 % 10.7 % 11.6 % Verizon Wireless 12.7 % 14.8 % 14.8 % Percentage of Site Leasing Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Sprint 23.8 % 22.3 % 23.6 % AT&T 22.9 % 26.8 % 28.0 % T-Mobile 13.6 % 11.2 % 11.7 % Verizon Wireless 13.2 % 15.5 % 15.4 % Percentage of Site Development Revenues for the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Ericsson, Inc. 24.5 % 9.0 % 3.0 % Nsoro Mastec, LLC 16.2 % 35.6 % 31.2 % Verizon Wireless 8.9 % 9.5 % 11.2 % T-Mobile 5.8 % 7.0 % 10.6 % Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company’s accrued expenses are comprised of the following: As of December 31, 2012, total other current liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet was $195.7 million of which $177.5 million related to the deferred payment on the recent acquisition of the 800 towers in Brazil. F-27 12. ACCRUED EXPENSES AND OTHER LIABILITIES As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Accrued earnouts $ 9,840 $ 5,534 Salaries and benefits 8,810 5,432 Real estate and property taxes 9,580 5,557 Other 13,822 7,223 Total $ 42,052 $ 23,746 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The carrying and principal values of debt consist of the following (in thousands): The Company’s future principal payment obligations (based on the outstanding debt as of December 31, 2012 and assuming the Tower Securities are repaid at their respective ARD dates) are as follows: F-28 13. DEBT Maturity As of As of Date December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 Carrying Value Principal Balance Carrying Value Principal Balance 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes May 1, 2013 $ 457,351 $ 468,836 $ 484,970 $ 535,000 4.000% Convertible Senior Notes Oct. 1, 2014 430,751 499,987 397,612 500,000 8.000% Senior Notes Aug. 15, 2016 — — 373,198 375,000 8.250% Senior Notes Aug. 15, 2019 242,205 243,750 372,365 375,000 5.625% Senior Notes Oct. 1, 2019 500,000 500,000 — — 5.750% Senior Notes July 15, 2020 800,000 800,000 — — 4.254% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-1 April 15, 2015 680,000 680,000 680,000 680,000 5.101% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2010-2 April 17, 2017 550,000 550,000 550,000 550,000 2.933% Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 Dec. 15, 2017 610,000 610,000 — — Revolving Credit Facility May 9, 2017 100,000 100,000 — — 2011 Term Loan B June 30, 2018 491,518 492,500 496,340 497,500 2012-1 Term Loan A May 9, 2017 195,000 195,000 — — 2012-2 Term Loan B Sept. 28, 2019 299,278 300,000 — — Total debt 5,356,103 5,440,073 3,354,485 3,512,500 Less: current maturities of long-term debt (475,351 ) (5,000 ) Total long-term debt, net of current maturities $ 4,880,752 $ 3,349,485 (in thousands) 2013 $ 486,836 2014 520,487 2015 705,500 2016 28,000 2017 1,403,000 Thereafter 2,296,250 Total $ 5,440,073 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The table below reflects cash and non-cash interest expense amounts recognized by debt instrument for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively: Senior Credit Agreement On February 11, 2010, SBA Senior Finance II, LLC (“SBA Senior Finance II”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company, entered into a credit agreement for a $500.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Revolving Credit Facility,” formerly referred to as the 2010 Credit Facility) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the credit agreement. On June 30, 2011, SBA Senior Finance II entered into an Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (as amended, supplemented, or modified from time to time, the “Senior Credit Agreement”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to extend the maturity of the Revolving Credit Facility, to obtain a new $500.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2011 Term Loan”), and to amend certain terms of the existing credit agreement. In addition, at the time of entering into the Senior Credit Agreement, the remaining deferred financing fees balance related to the existing Credit Agreement prior to the amendment was transferred to the Revolving Credit Facility in accordance with accounting guidance for revolving credit facilities. On April 2, 2012 and again on May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II exercised its right to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement from $500.0 million to $600.0 million and from $600.0 million to $700.0 million, respectively. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $1.1 million in relation to these increases. On May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a first amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to extend the maturity date of the Revolving Credit Facility to May 9, 2017. F-29 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Cash Interest Non-cash Interest Cash Interest Non-cash Interest Cash Interest Non-cash Interest (in thousands) 0.375% Convertible Senior Notes $ — $ — $ — $ — $ 46 $ 1,755 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes 9,885 36,388 10,090 33,844 10,313 31,511 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes 20,000 33,149 20,000 29,149 20,000 25,643 8.0% Senior Notes 15,867 174 30,000 309 30,000 285 8.25% Senior Notes 23,177 192 30,938 237 30,938 218 5.625% Senior Notes 7,266 — — — — — 5.75% Senior Notes 21,594 — — — — — CMBS Certificate Series 2006-1 — — — — 16,430 — 2010 Secured Tower Revenue Securities 57,377 — 57,371 — 40,682 — 2012 Secured Tower Revenue Securities 7,133 — — — — — Revolving Credit Facility 4,392 — 3,209 — 1,903 — 2011 Term Loan 18,894 179 9,705 90 — — 2012-1 Term Loan 3,567 — — — — — 2012-2 Term Loan 2,969 28 — — — — Mobilitie Bridge Loan 4,239 — — — — — Capitalized interest (319 ) — (518 ) — (447 ) — Other 200 — 101 — 56 658 Total $ 196,241 $ 70,110 $ 160,896 $ 63,629 $ 149,921 $ 60,070 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Also on May 9, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a second amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Second Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to obtain a new $200.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2012-1 Term Loan”). The Company incurred financing fees of $2.7 million associated with the closing of this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. On September 28, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II entered into a third amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) and fourth amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Fourth Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to amend certain definitions related to the calculation of leverage at the SBA level to be consistent with the method for calculating leverage at the SBA Senior Finance II level and to amend the Senior Credit Agreement to permit SBA Senior Finance II, without the consent of the other lenders, to request that one or more lenders provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans or to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. SBA Senior Finance II’s ability to request such additional term loans or increases in the Revolving Credit Facility is subject to its compliance with the conditions set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement. On September 28, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II also entered into a fifth amendment to the Senior Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amendment”) with several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties to the Senior Credit Agreement, to obtain a new $300.0 million senior secured term loan (the “2012-2 Term Loan” collectively with the 2011 Term Loans and 2012-1 Term Loan, the “Term Loans”). The Company incurred financing fees of $3.5 million associated with the closing of this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. On January 28, 2013, SBA Senior Finance II exercised its right to increase the aggregate principal amount of the Revolving Credit Facility from $700.0 million to $730.0 million. Revolving Credit Facility under the Senior Credit Agreement The Revolving Credit Facility consists of a revolving loan under which up to $700.0 million aggregate principal amount as of December 31, 2012 ($730.0 million as of January 28, 2013) may be borrowed, repaid and redrawn, subject to compliance with specific financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. Amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility accrue interest at the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 187.5 basis points to 237.5 basis points or at a Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 87.5 basis points to 137.5 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA, calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement. If not earlier terminated by SBA Senior Finance II, the Revolving Credit Facility will terminate on, and SBA Senior Finance II will repay all amounts outstanding on or before, May 9, 2017. The proceeds available under the Revolving Credit Facility may be used for general corporate purposes. A per annum commitment fee of 0.375% to 0.5% of the unused commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility is charged based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). SBA Senior Finance II may, from time to time, borrow from and repay the Revolving Credit Facility. Consequently, the amount outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility at the end of a period may not be reflective of the total amounts outstanding during such period. As of December 31, 2012, the amount outstanding of $100 million was accruing interest at 2.335% per annum. During the year ended December 31, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II borrowed $584.0 million and repaid $484.0 million of the outstanding balance under the Revolving Credit Facility using proceeds from the 2012-1 Term Loan and the 5.75% Notes (as defined below). As of December 31, 2012, the availability under the Revolving Credit Facility was $600.0 million, subject to compliance with specified financial ratios and the satisfaction of other customary conditions to borrowing. F-30 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Term Loans under the Senior Credit Agreement 2011 Term Loan The 2011 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $500.0 million and matures on June 30, 2018. The 2011 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin of 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2%) or Eurodollar Rate plus a margin of 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1%). As of December 31, 2012, the 2011 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. The proceeds from the 2011 Term Loan were used to pay down $270.0 million of the existing balance on the Revolving Credit Facility during the year ended 2011 and for general corporate purposes. Principal on the 2011 Term Loan is repaid in quarterly installments of $1.25 million on the last day of each March, June, September and December, which commenced on September 30, 2011. The remaining principal balance of the 2011 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2011 Term Loan without premium or penalty. The 2011 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. The Company incurred financing fees of $4.9 million associated with the closing of this transaction. During the year ended December 31, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II made repayments totaling $5.0 million on the 2011 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2012, the 2011 Term Loan had a principal balance of $492.5 million. 2012-1 Term Loan The 2012-1 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $200.0 million and matures on May 9, 2017. The 2012-1 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranges from 100 to 150 basis points or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranges from 200 to 250 basis points, in each case based on the ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement). As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-1 Term Loan was accruing interest at 2.47% per annum. Having commenced on September 30, 2012, principal of the 2012-1 Term Loan is being repaid in quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September and December, in an amount equal to $2.5 million for each of the first eight quarters, $3.75 million for the next four quarters and $5.0 million for each quarter thereafter. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all amounts under the 2012-1 Term Loan without premium or penalty. To the extent not previously paid, the 2012-1 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. The 2012-1 Term Loan was issued at par. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $2.7 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. Proceeds from the 2012-1 Term Loan were used to pay amounts outstanding under the Revolving Credit Facility during the second quarter of 2012. During the year ended December 31, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II made repayments totaling $5.0 million on the 2012-1 Term Loan. As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-1 Term Loan had a principal balance of $195.0 million. 2012-2 Term Loan The 2012-2 Term Loan consists of a senior secured term loan in an initial aggregate principal amount of $300.0 million and matures on September 28, 2019. The 2012-2 Term Loan accrues interest, at SBA Senior Finance II’s election, at either the Base Rate plus 175 basis points (with a Base Rate floor of 2%) or Eurodollar Rate plus 275 basis points (with a Eurodollar Rate floor of 1%). As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-2 Term Loan was accruing interest at 3.75% per annum. Principal of the 2012-2 Term Loan is to be repaid in equal quarterly installments on the last day of each March, June, September and December, commencing in March 2013, in an aggregate amount equal to $3.0 million per year. SBA Senior Finance II has the ability to prepay any or all F-31 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS amounts under the 2012-2 Term Loan without premium or penalty, with the exception of a 1% premium if prepayment occurs during the first year of the loan with proceeds from certain refinancing or repricing transactions. To the extent not previously paid, the 2012-2 Term Loan will be due and payable on the maturity date. The 2012-2 Term Loan was issued at 99.75% of par value. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $3.5 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The Company used borrowings under the 2012-2 Term Loan to pay a part of the cash consideration in the TowerCo II Holdings LLC acquisition. The remaining proceeds under the 2012-2 Term Loan were used for general corporate purposes. As of December 31, 2012, the 2012-2 Term Loan had a principal balance of $300.0 million. Terms of the Senior Credit Agreement The Senior Credit Agreement, as amended, requires SBA Senior Finance II and SBA Communications Corporation (“SBAC”) to maintain specific financial ratios, including, at the SBA Senior Finance II level, (1) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Annualized Borrower EBITDA not to exceed 6.0 times for any fiscal quarter, (2) a ratio of Consolidated Total Debt and Net Hedge Exposure (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) to Annualized Borrower EBITDA for the most recently ended fiscal quarter not to exceed 6.0 times for 30 consecutive days and (3) a ratio of Annualized Borrower EBITDA to Annualized Cash Interest Expense (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) of not less than 2.0 times for any fiscal quarter. In addition, SBAC’s ratio of Consolidated Total Net Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Senior Credit Agreement) for any fiscal quarter on an annualized basis cannot exceed 9.5 times. The Senior Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and negative covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of SBA Senior Finance II and its subsidiaries to incur indebtedness, grant certain liens, make certain investments, enter into sale leaseback transactions, merge or consolidate, make certain restricted payments, enter into transactions with affiliates, and engage in certain asset dispositions, including a sale of all or substantially all of their property. As of December 31, 2012, SBA Senior Finance II and SBAC were in compliance with the financial covenants contained in the Senior Credit Agreement. The Senior Credit Agreement is also subject to customary events of default. Pursuant to an Amended and Restated Guarantee and Collateral Agreement, amounts borrowed under the Revolving Credit Facility, the Term Loans and certain hedging transactions that may be entered into by SBA Senior Finance II or the Subsidiary Guarantors (as defined in the Senior Credit Agreement) with lenders or their affiliates are secured by a first lien on the capital stock of SBA Telecommunications, LLC (formerly known as SBA Telecommunications Inc.), SBA Senior Finance, LLC (formerly known as SBA Senior Finance, Inc.) and SBA Senior Finance II and on substantially all of the assets (other than leasehold, easement and fee interests in real property) of SBA Senior Finance II and the Subsidiary Guarantors. As of December 31, 2012, the Senior Credit Agreement permits SBA Senior Finance II, without the consent of the other lenders, to request that one or more lenders provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans in an aggregate principal amount of up to $700.0 million of which up to $200.0 million may be a Term Loan A, provided that up to $200.0 million of incremental capacity may instead be used to increase the commitments under the Revolving Credit Facility. SBA Senior Finance II’s ability to request such increases in the Revolving Credit Facility or additional term loans is subject to its compliance with customary conditions set forth in the Senior Credit Agreement including, with respect to any additional term loan, compliance, on a pro forma basis, with the financial covenants and ratios set forth therein and an increase in the margin on existing term loans, to the extent required by the terms of the Senior Credit Agreement. Upon SBA Senior Finance II’s request, each lender may decide, in its sole discretion, whether to increase all or a portion of its Revolving Credit Facility commitment or whether to provide SBA Senior Finance II with additional term loans and, if so, upon what terms. On January 28, 2013, $30.0 million of this incremental capacity was committed under the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $670.0 million of total available incremental capacity. F-32 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Mobilitie Bridge Loan On April 2, 2012, the Company, through its wholly-owned subsidiary SBA Monarch, entered into a credit agreement (the “Bridge Loan Credit Agreement”). Pursuant to the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement, SBA Monarch borrowed an aggregate principal amount of $400.0 million under a senior secured bridge loan (the “Mobilitie Bridge Loan”). The Mobilitie Bridge Loan was scheduled to mature on April 1, 2013. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $5.0 million in relation to this transaction which were being amortized through the maturity date. The Mobilitie Bridge Loan bore interest, at SBA Monarch’s election, at either the Base Rate plus a margin that ranged from 2.00% to 2.50% or the Eurodollar Rate plus a margin that ranged from 3.00% to 3.50%, in each case based on SBA Monarch’s ratio of Consolidated Total Debt to Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (calculated in accordance with the Bridge Loan Credit Agreement). On July 13, 2012, the Company repaid the $400.0 million outstanding principal balance under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan. The Company recorded $3.6 million as a loss on extinguishment of debt related to the write off of deferred financing fees on the Mobilitie Bridge Loan. CMBS Certificates and Secured Tower Revenue Securities Commercial Mortgage Pass-Through Certificates Series 2006-1 On November 6, 2006, a New York common law trust (the “Trust”), issued in a private transaction $1.15 billion of 2006 CMBS Certificates. The 2006 CMBS Certificates consisted of nine subclasses with annual pass-through interest rates ranging from 5.314% to 7.825%. The weighted average annual fixed coupon interest rate of the 2006 CMBS Certificates was 5.9%, payable monthly, and the effective weighted average annual fixed interest rate was 6.2% after giving effect to the settlement of the nine interest rate swap agreements entered into in contemplation of the transaction (see Note 14). On April 16, 2010, the Company repaid the remaining principal balance of $938.6 million of the 2006 CMBS Certificates and paid $38.5 million for prepayment consideration plus accrued interest and fees. During the year-to-date period ended December 31, 2010, but prior to the payoff of the principal balance, the Company repurchased an aggregate of $2.0 million in principal amount of 2006 CMBS Certificates for $2.1 million in cash. The Company recorded on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations a $49.0 million loss on extinguishment of debt related to the repurchases and prepayment during the year ended December 31, 2010. Secured Tower Revenue Securities 2010 Tower Securities On April 16, 2010, the Trust issued $680.0 million of 2010-1 Tower Securities and $550.0 million of 2010-2 Tower Securities (together the “2010 Tower Securities”). The 2010-1 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 4.254% and the 2010-2 Tower Securities have an annual interest rate of 5.101%. The weighted average annual fixed coupon interest rate of the 2010 Tower Securities is 4.7%, including borrowers’ fees, payable monthly. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–1 Tower Securities is April 15, 2015 and April 16, 2040, respectively. The anticipated repayment date and the final maturity date for the 2010–2 Tower Securities is April 17, 2017 and April 15, 2042, respectively. The sole asset of the Trust consists of a non-recourse mortgage loan made in favor of the Borrowers (as defined below). The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $17.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the 2010 Tower Securities. Net proceeds from the 2010 Tower Securities were used to repay in full the outstanding 2006 CMBS Certificates in the amount of $938.6 million and pay the related prepayment consideration plus accrued interest and fees. The remaining net proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. F-33 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2012-1 Tower Securities On August 9, 2012, the Company, through the Trust, issued $610 million of Secured Tower Revenue Securities Series 2012-1 (the “2012-1 Tower Securities”) which have an anticipated repayment date of December 15, 2017 and a final maturity date of December 15, 2042. The fixed coupon interest rate of the 2012-1 Tower Securities is 2.933% per annum, payable monthly. A portion of the net proceeds from the 2012-1 Tower Securities were used to repay in full the remaining $243.8 million balance of the 8.0% Senior Notes due 2016 plus $14.6 million in applicable premium associated with early redemption. The remaining net proceeds were used (1) to pay a portion of the cash consideration in connection with SBA’s acquisition of TowerCo II Holdings LLC and (2) for general corporate purposes. In connection with the issuance of the 2012-1 Tower Securities, the parties entered into the Fifth Loan and Security Agreement Supplement and Amendment, dated as of August 9, 2012 (the “Fifth Loan Supplement”), which amended and supplemented the Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement, dated as of November 18, 2005. The Fifth Loan Supplement was executed by and among SBA Properties, LLC (formerly known as SBA Properties, Inc.), SBA Sites, LLC (formerly known as SBA Sites, Inc.), and SBA Structures, LLC (formerly known as SBA Structures, Inc.) (the “Initial Borrowers”) and SBA Infrastructure, LLC, SBA Monarch Towers III, LLC and SBA Towers USVI II, Inc. (the “Additional Borrowers” and together with the Initial Borrowers, the “Borrowers”) and other parties. Pursuant to the Fifth Loan Supplement, the Additional Borrowers were added as obligors under the mortgage loan and, with the Initial Borrowers, became jointly and severally liable for the aggregate $1.84 billion borrowed under the mortgage loan corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities and 2012-1 Tower Securities. Tower Revenue Securities Terms The mortgage loan underlying the 2010 Tower Securities and the 2012-1 Tower Securities (together the “Tower Securities”) will be paid from the operating cash flows from the aggregate 5,152 tower sites owned by the Borrowers. The mortgage loan is secured by (i) mortgages, deeds of trust and deeds to secure debt on a substantial portion of the tower sites, (ii) a security interest in the towers and substantially all of the Borrowers’ personal property and fixtures, (iii) the Borrowers’ rights under certain tenant leases, and (iv) all of the proceeds of the foregoing. For each calendar month, SBA Network Management, Inc., the Company’s indirect subsidiary, is entitled to receive a management fee equal to 7.5% of the Borrowers’ operating revenues for the immediately preceding calendar month. The Borrowers may prepay any of the mortgage loan components, in whole or in part, with no prepayment consideration, (i) within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities) or twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012-1 Tower Securities) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component, (ii) with proceeds received as a result of any condemnation or casualty of any tower site owned by the Borrowers or (iii) during an amortization period. In all other circumstances, the Borrowers may prepay the mortgage loan, in whole or in part, upon payment of the applicable prepayment consideration. The prepayment consideration is determined based on the class of the Tower Securities to which the prepaid mortgage loan component corresponds and consists of an amount equal to the excess, if any, of (1) the present value associated with the portion of the principal balance being prepaid, calculated in accordance with the formula set forth in the mortgage loan agreement, on the date of prepayment of all future installments of principal and interest required to be paid from the date of prepayment to and including the first due date within nine months (in the case of the components corresponding to the 2010 Tower Securities) or twelve months (in the case of the component corresponding to the 2012-1 Tower Securities) of the anticipated repayment date of such mortgage loan component over (2) that portion of the principal balance of such class prepaid on the date of such prepayment. F-34 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS To the extent that the mortgage loan components corresponding to the Tower Securities are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the interest rate of each such component will increase by the greater of (i) 5% and (ii) the amount, if any, by which the sum of (x) the ten-year U.S. treasury rate plus (y) the credit-based spread for such component (as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement) plus (z) 5%, exceeds the original interest rate for such component. Pursuant to the terms of the Tower Securities, all rents and other sums due on any of the tower sites owned by the Borrowers are directly deposited by the lessees into a controlled deposit account and are held by the indenture trustee. The monies held by the indenture trustee after the release date are classified as restricted cash on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets (see Note 4). However, if the Debt Service Coverage Ratio, defined as the net cash flow (as defined in the mortgage loan agreement) divided by the amount of interest on the mortgage loan, servicing fees and trustee fees that the Borrowers are required to pay over the succeeding twelve months, as of the end of any calendar quarter, falls to 1.30x or lower, then all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, to fund required reserves, to pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and to make other payments required under the loan documents, referred to as “excess cash flow,” will be deposited into a reserve account instead of being released to the Borrowers. The funds in the reserve account will not be released to the Borrowers unless the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.30x for two consecutive calendar quarters. If the Debt Service Coverage Ratio falls below 1.15x as of the end of any calendar quarter, then an “amortization period” will commence and all funds on deposit in the reserve account will be applied to prepay the mortgage loan until such time that the Debt Service Coverage Ratio exceeds 1.15x for a calendar quarter. In addition, if either the 2010-1 Tower Securities, 2010-2 Tower Securities, or the 2012-1 Tower Securities are not fully repaid by their respective anticipated repayment dates, the cash flow from the tower sites owned by the Borrowers will be trapped by the trustee for the Tower Securities and applied first to repay the interest, at the original interest rates, on the mortgage loan components underlying the Tower Securities, second to fund all reserve accounts and operating expenses associated with those tower sites, third to pay the management fees due to SBA Network Management, Inc., fourth to repay principal of the Tower Securities and fifth to repay the additional interest discussed above. The mortgage loan agreement, as amended, also includes covenants customary for mortgage loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the Borrowers are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. As of December 31, 2012, the Borrowers met the required Debt Service Coverage Ratio as set forth in the mortgage loan agreement and were in compliance with all other covenants. 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes due 2013 On May 16, 2008, the Company issued $550.0 million of its 1.875% Convertible Senior Notes (the “1.875% Notes”). Interest is payable semi-annually on May 1 and November 1, and the Notes mature on May 1, 2013. The Company incurred fees of $12.9 million with the issuance of the 1.875% Notes of which $9.1 million was recorded as deferred financing fees and $3.8 million was recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. The Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of our Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 24.1196 shares of Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 1.875% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $41.46 per share or a 20% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $34.55 per share of Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on May 12, 2008, the purchase agreement date. Effective February 4, 2013, the Company elected to settle its conversion obligation pursuant to the Indenture governing the 1.875% Notes in cash. F-35 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company repurchased $15.0 million of the aggregate principal balance of the 1.875% Notes for $17.0 million in cash. Additionally, during the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company repurchased $66.2 million of the aggregate principal balance of the 1.875% Notes for $107.5 million in cash. Concurrently with the pricing of the 1.875% Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge transactions and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible notes. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to the 1.875% Notes is $41.46 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 1.875% convertible notes) and the upper strike price of the warrants is $67.37 per share. Although the Company initially entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions to cover the full amount of the shares that were issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes, as a result of the bankruptcy of Lehman Brothers OTC Derivatives Inc. (“Lehman Derivatives”), on November 7, 2008, the Company terminated the convertible note hedge transaction with Lehman Derivatives which covered 55% of the 13,265,780 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock potentially issuable upon conversion of the 1.875% Notes. Consequently, the Company does not currently have a hedge with respect to those shares and, to the extent that the market price of the Company’s Class A common stock exceeds $41.46 per share upon conversion of the notes, the Company will be subject to dilution or if the Company settles in cash, additional costs, upon conversion of that portion of the 1.875% Notes. The Company is amortizing the debt discount on the 1.875% Notes utilizing the effective interest method over the life of the 1.875% Notes which increases the effective interest rate of the 1.875% Notes from its coupon rate of 1.875% to 9.351%. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of the equity component related to the 1.875% Notes was $115.0 million. The 1.875% Notes are reflected in long-term debt in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at carrying value. The following table summarizes the balances for the 1.875% Notes: 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes due 2014 On April 24, 2009, the Company issued $500.0 million of its 4.0% Convertible Senior Notes (“4.0% Notes”) in a private placement transaction. Interest on the 4.0% Notes is payable semi-annually on April 1 and October 1. The maturity date of the 4.0% Notes is October 1, 2014. The Company incurred fees of $11.7 million with the issuance of the 4.0% Notes of which $7.7 million was recorded as deferred financing fees and $4.0 million was recorded as a reduction to shareholders’ equity. The 4.0% Notes are convertible, at the holder’s option, into shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, at an initial conversion rate of 32.9164 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock per $1,000 principal amount of 4.0% Notes (subject to certain customary adjustments), which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $30.38 per share or a 22.5% conversion premium based on the last reported sale price of $24.80 per share of our Class A common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market on April 20, 2009, the purchase agreement date. F-36 As of December 31, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Principal balance $ 468,836 $ 535,000 Debt discount (11,485 ) (50,030 ) Carrying value $ 457,351 $ 484,970 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Concurrently with the pricing of the 4.0% Notes, the Company entered into convertible note hedge and warrant transactions with affiliates of certain of the initial purchasers of the convertible notes. The initial strike price of the convertible note hedge transactions relating to the 4.0% Notes is $30.38 per share of the Company’s Class A common stock (the same as the initial conversion price of the 4.0% Notes) and the upper strike price of the warrant transactions is $44.64 per share. The Company is amortizing the debt discount on the 4.0% Notes utilizing the effective interest method over the life of the 4.0% Notes which increases the effective interest rate of the 4.0% Notes from its coupon rate of 4.0% to 12.9%. As of December 31, 2012, the carrying amount of the equity component related to the 4.0% Notes was $169.0 million. The 4.0 % Notes are reflected in long-term debt in the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets at carrying value. The following table summarizes the balances for the 4.0% Notes: Convertible Senior Notes Conversion Options The 1.875% Notes and 4.0% Notes (collectively “the Notes”) are convertible only under the following circumstances: Upon conversion, the Company has the right to settle its conversion obligation in cash, shares of Class A common stock or a combination of cash and shares of its Class A common stock. From time to time, upon notice to the holders of the Notes, the Company may change its election regarding the form of consideration that it will use to settle its conversion obligation; provided, however, that the Company is not permitted to change its settlement election after February 18, 2013 for the 1.875% Notes and July 21, 2014 for the 4.0% Notes. Effective February 4, 2013, the Company elected to settle its conversion obligation pursuant to the Indenture governing the 1.875% Notes in cash. F-37 As of December 31, 2012 As of December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Principal balance $ 499,987 $ 500,000 Debt discount (69,236 ) (102,388 ) Carrying value $ 430,751 $ 397,612 • during any calendar quarter, if the last reported sale price of the Company’s Class A common stock for at least 20 trading days in the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on the last trading day of the preceding calendar quarter is more than 130% of the applicable conversion price per share of Class A common stock on the last day of such preceding calendar quarter, • during the five business day period after any ten consecutive trading day period in which the trading price per $1,000 principal amount of the Notes for each day in the measurement period was less than 95% of the product of the last reported sale price of Class A common stock and the applicable conversion rate, • if specified distributions to holders of Class A common stock are made or specified corporate transactions occur, and • at any time on or after February 19, 2013 for the 1.875% Notes and July 22, 2014 for the 4.0% Notes. Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS At the end of the first quarter of 2012, the 4.0% Notes became convertible by the note holders because the Company’s Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $39.49 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on March 31, 2012. During each of the second, third, and fourth quarters, the 4.0% Notes remained convertible by the note holders. During 2012, the Company received 5 conversion notices totaling 17 notes valued at $1,000 per note. A portion of these notes were settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the fourth quarter of 2012. The remaining portion is expected to settle during the first quarter of 2013. Along with the conversion, the Company exercised the applicable bond hedges with the counterparties. At the end of the third quarter of 2012, the conversion right for the 1.875% Notes was triggered because SBA’s Class A common stock closing price per share exceeded $53.90 for at least 20 trading days during the 30 consecutive trading day period ending on September 30, 2012. The 1.875% Notes remained convertible by the note holders as of December 31, 2012. During 2012, the Company received 8 conversion notices totaling 5,314 notes valued at $1,000 per note. A portion of these notes were settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the fourth quarter of 2012. The remaining portion is expected to settle during the first quarter of 2013. Furthermore, during the first quarter of 2013, the Company received 4 conversion notices totaling 12,810 notes valued at $1,000 per note. These notes will be settled in shares of our Class A common stock and cash for fractional shares during the first and second quarter of 2013. Senior Notes 8.0% Senior Notes and 8.25% Senior Notes On July 24, 2009, the Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, SBA Telecommunications, LLC (formerly known as Telecommunications, Inc.) (“Telecommunications”), issued $750.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “Senior Notes”), $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2016 (the “8.0% Notes”) and $375.0 million of which were due August 15, 2019 (the “8.25% Notes”). The 8.0% Notes had an interest rate of 8.00% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.330% of their face value. The 8.25% Notes have an interest rate of 8.25% per annum and were issued at a price of 99.152% of their face value. Interest on each of the Senior Notes was due semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year beginning on February 15, 2010. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $16.5 million in relation to this transaction which were being amortized through the anticipated repayment date of each of the Senior Notes. Net proceeds of this offering were $727.8 million after deducting expenses and the original issue discount. The Company was amortizing the debt discount on the Senior Notes utilizing the effective interest method over the life of the 8.0% Notes and 8.25% Notes. On April 13, 2012, the Company used the proceeds of an equity offering to redeem $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.0% Notes and $131.3 million in aggregate principal amount of its 8.25% Notes and to pay $21.3 million as a premium on the redemption of the notes. Additionally, the Company wrote off $1.5 million and $4.3 million of debt discount and deferred financing fees, respectively, related to the redemption of the notes. On August 29, 2012, the Company redeemed the remaining $243.8 million principal balance of the 8.0% Notes plus paid $14.6 million in applicable premium on the redemption of the notes. Additionally, the Company wrote off $1.0 million and $3.4 million of debt discount and deferred financing fees, respectively, related to the redemption of the notes. As of December 31, 2012, the principal balance of the 8.25% Notes was $243.8 million and the carrying value was $242.2 million. F-38 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The 8.25% Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after August 15, 2014, at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to August 15, 2014, Telecommunications may at its option redeem all or a portion of the 8.25% Notes at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount thereof plus a “make whole” premium plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Indenture governing the Senior Notes contains customary covenants, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on Telecommunications’ ability to (1) incur additional indebtedness unless its Consolidated Indebtedness to Annualized Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Indenture), pro forma for the additional indebtedness does not exceed 7.0x for the fiscal quarter, (2) merge, consolidate or sell assets, (3) make restricted payments, including dividends or other distributions, (4) enter into transactions with affiliates, and (5) enter into sale and leaseback transactions and restrictions on the ability of Telecommunications’ Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to incur liens securing indebtedness. SBA Communications Corporation is a holding company with no business operations of its own and its only significant asset is the outstanding capital stock of Telecommunications. Telecommunications is 100% owned by SBA Communications Corporation. The Company has fully and unconditionally guaranteed the Senior Notes issued by Telecommunications. On July 15, 2010, Telecommunications and the Company consummated an exchange offer pursuant to which outstanding unregistered notes of each series of the Senior Notes were exchanged for registered notes of the respective series. 5.75% Senior Notes On July 13, 2012, Telecommunications issued $800.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.75% Notes”) due July 15, 2020. The Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.75% and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.75% Notes is due semi-annually on July 15 and January 15 of each year beginning on January 15, 2013. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $13.9 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The Company used the net proceeds from this offering to (1) repay all amounts outstanding under the Mobilitie Bridge Loan and (2) repay all amounts outstanding under its Revolving Credit Facility. The remaining proceeds were used for general corporate purposes. In connection with the issuance of the 5.75% Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company and Telecommunications agreed to use their respective reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.75% Notes for new notes guaranteed by the Company registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on or prior to July 8, 2013. If the Company fails to satisfy certain filing and other obligations with respect to the exchange, the Company will be obligated to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period and an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until the Company’s registration obligations are fulfilled, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. The 5.75% Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after July 15, 2016 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to July 15, 2015, the Company may at its option redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.75% Notes originally issued at a redemption price of 105.75% of the principal amount of the 5.75% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. If redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on July 15, 2016, July 15, 2017, or July 15, 2018 through maturity, the redemption price will be 102.875%, 101.438%, and 100.000%, respectively, of the principal amount of the 5.75% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest. F-39 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Indenture governing the 5.75% Notes contains customary covenants, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on Telecommunications’ ability to (1) incur additional indebtedness unless its Consolidated Indebtedness to Annualized Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Indenture), pro forma for the additional indebtedness does not exceed 7.5x for the fiscal quarter, (2) merge, consolidate or sell assets, (3) make restricted payments, including dividends or other distributions, (4) enter into transactions with affiliates, and (5) enter into sale and leaseback transactions and restrictions on the ability of Telecommunications’ Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to incur liens securing indebtedness. 5.625% Senior Notes On September 28, 2012, the Company issued $500.0 million of unsecured senior notes (the “5.625% Notes”) due October 1, 2019. The 5.625% Notes accrue interest at a rate of 5.625% per annum and were issued at par. Interest on the 5.625% Notes is due semi-annually on October 1 and April 1 of each year beginning on April 1, 2013. The Company incurred deferred financing fees of approximately $8.4 million in relation to this transaction which are being amortized through the maturity date. The Company used the proceeds from the issuance of the 5.625% Notes to pay a portion of the cash consideration in the TowerCo II Holdings LLC acquisition. In connection with the issuance of the 5.625% Notes, the Company entered into a Registration Rights Agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”) with J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, as representative of the Initial Purchasers. Pursuant to the terms of the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company agreed to use its reasonable best efforts to file and have declared effective a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange the 5.625% Notes for new notes registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), on or prior to September 23, 2013. If the Company fails to satisfy certain filing and other obligations with respect to the exchange, the Company will be obligated to pay additional interest of 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period and an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period thereafter, until the Company’s registration obligations are fulfilled, up to a maximum of 1.00% per annum. The 5.625% Notes are subject to redemption in whole or in part on or after October 1, 2016 at the redemption prices set forth in the indenture agreement plus accrued and unpaid interest. Prior to October 1, 2015, the Company may at its option redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 5.625% Notes originally issued at a redemption price of 105.625% of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest with the net proceeds of certain equity offerings. If redeemed during the twelve-month period beginning on October 1, 2016, October 1, 2017, or October 1, 2018 until maturity, the redemption price will be 102.813%, 101.406%, and 100.000%, respectively, of the principal amount of the 5.625% Notes to be redeemed on the redemption date plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Indenture governing the 5.625% Notes contains customary covenants, subject to a number of exceptions and qualifications, including restrictions on the Company’s ability to (1) incur additional indebtedness unless its Consolidated Indebtedness to Annualized Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA Ratio (as defined in the Indenture), pro forma for the additional indebtedness does not exceed 9.5x for the fiscal quarter, (2) merge, consolidate or sell assets, (3) make restricted payments, including dividends or other distributions, (4) enter into transactions with affiliates, and (5) enter into sale and leaseback transactions and restrictions on the ability of the Company’s Restricted Subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) to incur liens securing indebtedness. F-40 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 2006 CMBS Certificate Swaps During 2006, an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company entered into nine forward-starting swap agreements (the “2006 CMBS Certificate Swaps”) in anticipation of the 2006 CMBS Transaction. In October 2006, the Company terminated the 2006 CMBS Certificate Swaps in connection with entering into the purchase and sale agreement for the 2006 CMBS Certificates (see Note 13). The Company determined a portion of the swaps to be an effective cash flow hedge and as a result, recorded a deferred loss of $12.8 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of applicable income taxes on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The deferred loss was being amortized utilizing the effective interest method over the anticipated five year life of the 2006 CMBS Certificates and increased the effective interest rate on these certificates by 0.3%. On April 16, 2010, the Company wrote-off the remaining unamortized deferred loss of $3.6 million in connection with the repayment of the 2006 CMBS Certificates (see Note 13). The Company recorded amortization of $0.6 million as non-cash interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations for the year ended December 31, 2010. In connection with the Company’s business operations in Canada and Central America, the Company entered into agreements with non-affiliated joint venture partners that contain both a put option for its partners and a call option for the Company, requiring or allowing the Company, in certain circumstances, to purchase the remaining interest in such entity at a price based on predetermined earnings multiples. Each of these options is triggered upon the occurrence of specified events and/or upon the passage of time. During 2011, the Company paid approximately $0.7 million to purchase the outstanding 4.6% interest in the Canadian joint venture increasing the Company’s interest in that joint venture to 100%. The put right in the Central American joint venture may be exercised after a certain date causing the Company to purchase the partner’s equity interests (the “Redemption Amount”) based on a formula defined in the joint venture agreement. None of these options are currently exercisable by either the Company or its partners. The noncontrolling interest is classified as a redeemable equity interest in mezzanine (or temporary equity) on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company allocates income and losses to the noncontrolling interest holder based on the applicable membership interest percentage. After applying those provisions, the Company calculates the redemption amount at each reporting period and records the amount, if any, by which the redemption amount exceeds the book value as a charge against income (loss) available to common shareholders. In December 2010, the Company acquired an additional 10% interest in the Central American joint venture for consideration of $7.5 million. This acquisition increased the Company’s ownership to 90% of the joint venture. The acquisition of the noncontrolling interest has been reflected as a reduction of additional-paid-in capital in accordance with ASC 810. As of December 31, 2012 the redeemable noncontrolling interest presented on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet represents the estimated fair value of the amount the Company could be required to pay to redeem the noncontrolling interest at the date of the exercise of either the put or the call option. Common Stock equivalents The Company has potential common stock equivalents related to its outstanding stock options (see Note 17), restricted stock units, the 1.875% Notes and the 4.0% Notes (see Note 13). These potential common stock equivalents were not included in diluted loss per share because the effect would have been anti-dilutive for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. Accordingly, basic and diluted loss per common share and the weighted average number of shares used in the computation are the same for the years presented. F-41 14. DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS 15. REDEEMABLE NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS 16. SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Stock Repurchases The Company’s Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program on April 27, 2011. This program authorizes the Company to purchase, from time to time, up to $300.0 million of the Company’s outstanding Class A common stock through open market repurchases in compliance with Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and/or in privately negotiated transactions at management’s discretion based on market and business conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. This program became effective on April 28, 2011 and will continue until otherwise modified or terminated by the Company’s Board of Directors at any time in the Company’s sole discretion. During the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company did not repurchase any shares in conjunction with the stock repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2011, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 5,917,940 shares for an aggregate of $225.1 million (of which $75.1 million, including commissions and fees, was purchased under a previous repurchase plan) including commissions and fees. During the year ended December 31, 2010, the Company repurchased and retired approximately 3,174,385 shares for an aggregate of $107.4 million including commissions and fees. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had a remaining authorization to repurchase an additional $150.0 million of its common stock under its current $300.0 million stock repurchase program. Registration of Additional Shares On May 20, 2010, the Company filed a registration statement on Form S-8 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 15.0 million shares of the Company’s Class A common stock issuable under the 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan. See Note 17. The Company filed shelf registration statements on Form S-4 with the Securities and Exchange Commission registering 4.0 million shares of its Class A common stock in 2007. These shares may be issued in connection with acquisitions of wireless communication towers or antenna sites and related assets or companies that own wireless communication towers, antenna sites or related assets. During the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company did not issue any shares of its Class A common stock pursuant to this registration statement in connection with acquisitions. At December 31, 2012, approximately 1.7 million shares remain available for issuance under this shelf registration statement. On February 27, 2012, the Company filed with the Commission an automatic shelf registration statement for well-known seasoned issuers on Form S-3ASR. This registration statement enables the Company to issue shares of the Company’s Class A common stock, preferred stock or debt securities either separately or represented by warrants, or depositary shares as well as units that include any of these securities. Under the rules governing automatic shelf registration statements, the Company will file a prospectus supplement and advise the Commission of the amount and type of securities each time the Company issues securities under this registration statement. For the year ended December 31, 2012, the Company did not issue any securities under this automatic shelf registration statement. On March 7, 2012, the Company entered into an underwriting agreement (the “Underwriting Agreement”) with Citigroup Global Markets Inc. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC (together, the “Underwriters”) pursuant to which the Company sold to the Underwriters 6,005,000 shares of the Company’s Class A common stock at $47.30 per share (proceeds of $283.9 million, net of related fees). The shares were issued and sold pursuant to the Company’s shelf registration statement on Form S-3 and prospectus supplement related thereto. On April 13, 2012, the proceeds of this offering were used to partially redeem principal balances of the Senior Notes. F-42 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS On April 2, 2012, the Company completed the Mobilitie Acquisition. See Note 6. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid $850.0 million in cash and issued 5,250,000 shares of its Class A common stock. On October 1, 2012, the Company completed the TowerCo Acquisition. See Note 6. As consideration for the acquisition, the Company paid $1.2 billion with cash on-hand and issued 4,588,840 shares of its Class A common stock. F-43 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company has two equity participation plans (the 2001 Equity Participation Plan and the 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan, the “2010 Plan”) whereby options (both non-qualified and incentive stock options), restricted stock units, stock appreciation rights and other equity and performance based instruments may be granted to directors, employees and consultants. The options and restricted stock units generally vest from the date of grant on a straight-line basis over the vesting term and generally have a seven-year or a ten-year contractual life. Upon the adoption of the 2010 Plan by the Company’s shareholders on May 6, 2010, no further grants were permitted under the 2001 Equity Participation Plan. The 2010 Plan provides for the issuance of a maximum of 15.0 million shares of our Class A common stock, however, the aggregate number of shares that may be issued pursuant to restricted stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, stock bonus awards, performance awards, other stock-based awards or other awards granted under the 2010 Plan will not exceed 7.5 million. As of December 31, 2012, the Company had 13.5 million shares remaining available for future issuance under the 2010 Plan. Restricted shares of Class A common stock or options to purchase Class A common stock have been granted in the past under the Company’s equity participation plans at prices below market value at the time of grant. The Company did not have any non-cash compensation expense during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, relating to the issuance of restricted shares or options to purchase Class A common stock at below market value at the time of grant. Stock Options The Company records compensation expense for employee stock options based on the estimated fair value of the options on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model with the assumptions included in the table below. The Company uses a combination of historical data and historical volatility to establish the expected volatility. Historical data is used to estimate the expected option life and the expected forfeiture rate. The risk-free rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for the estimated life of the option. The following assumptions were used to estimate the fair value of options granted using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model: F-44 17. STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 Risk free interest rate 0.58% - 0.83% 0.66% - 2.17% 1.35% - 1.83% Dividend yield 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% Expected volatility 53.0% 53.9% 55.2% Expected lives 3.8 - 4.6 years 3.5 - 4.5 years 3.6 - 4.3 years Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table summarizes the Company’s activities with respect to its stock option plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 as follows (dollars and number of shares in thousands, except for per share data): The weighted-average per share fair value of options granted during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $20.31, $18.53 and $15.88, respectively. The total intrinsic value for options exercised during the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $49.0 million, $12.7 million and $17.8 million, respectively. Cash received from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was approximately $32.0 million, $15.2 million and $15.1 million, respectively. No tax benefit was realized for the tax deductions from option exercises under all plans for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The aggregate intrinsic value for stock options in the preceding tables represents the total intrinsic value based on the Company’s closing stock price of $70.98 as of December 31, 2012. The amount represents the total intrinsic value that would have been received by the holders of the stock-based awards had these awards been exercised and sold as of that date. Additional information regarding options outstanding and exercisable at December 31, 2012 is as follows: F-45 Number of Shares Weighted- Average Exercise Price Per Share Weighted- Average Remaining Contractual Life (in years) Aggregate Intrinsic Value Outstanding at December 31, 2009 4,196 $ 21.77 Granted 539 $ 35.64 Exercised (889 ) $ 17.01 Canceled (60 ) $ 26.71 Outstanding at December 31, 2010 3,786 $ 24.78 Granted 578 $ 41.91 Exercised (704 ) $ 21.53 Canceled (52 ) $ 32.07 Outstanding at December 31, 2011 3,608 $ 28.06 Granted 613 $ 47.58 Exercised (1,381 ) $ 24.37 Canceled (9 ) $ 37.71 Outstanding at December 31, 2012 2,831 $ 34.06 4.1 $ 104,549 Exercisable at December 31, 2012 1,305 $ 27.66 2.9 $ 56,545 Unvested at December 31, 2012 1,526 $ 39.53 5.1 $ 48,004 Options Outstanding Options Exercisable Range Outstanding (in thousands) Weighted Average Contractual Life (in years) Weighted Average Exercise Price Exercisable (in thousands) Weighted Average Exercise Price $0.00 - $5.25 1 0.3 $ 1.32 1 $ 1.32 $5.26 - $10.50 19 2.1 $ 8.56 19 $ 8.56 $10.51 - $21.00 717 3.2 $ 19.53 479 $ 19.46 $21.01 - $31.50 230 2.5 $ 28.14 209 $ 28.11 $31.51 - $47.25 1,258 4.0 $ 37.30 597 $ 34.70 $47.26 - $52.50 606 6.2 $ 47.58 — $ — 2,831 1,305 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The following table summarizes the activity of options outstanding that had not yet vested: As of December 31, 2012, the total unrecognized compensation cost related to unvested stock options outstanding under the Plans is $17.5 million. That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.42 years. The total fair value of shares vested during 2012, 2011, and 2010 was $9.0 million, $9.0 million, and $8.7 million, respectively. Restricted Stock Units The following table summarized the Company’s restricted stock unit activity for the year ended December 31, 2012: As of December 31, 2012, total unrecognized compensation expense related to unvested restricted stock units granted under the 2010 Plan was $9.1 million and is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 3.22 years. F-46 Number of Shares (in thousands) Weighted- Average Fair Value Per Share Unvested as of December 31, 2011 1,640 $ 14.00 Shares granted 613 $ 20.31 Vesting during period (718 ) $ 12.58 Forfeited or canceled (9 ) $ 15.20 Unvested as of December 31, 2012 1,526 $ 17.20 Number of Units Weighted- Average Grant Date Fair Value per share (in thousands) Outstanding at December 31, 2011 225 $ 39.22 Granted 138 $ 47.71 Vested (68 ) $ 38.78 Forfeited/canceled (1 ) $ 44.19 Outstanding at December 31, 2012 294 $ 43.27 Expected to vest, net of estimated forfeitures, as of December 31, 2012 291 $ 43.31 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Employee Stock Purchase Plan In 2008, the Board of Directors of the Company adopted the 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (“2008 Purchase Plan”) which reserved 500,000 shares of Class A common stock for purchase. The 2008 Purchase Plan permits eligible employee participants to purchase Class A common stock at a price per share which is equal to 85% of the fair market value of Class A common stock on the last day of an offering period. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 23,724 shares of Class A common stock were issued under the 2008 Purchase Plan, which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.1 million compared to the year ended December 31, 2011 when approximately 30,942 shares of Class A common stock were issued under the 2008 Purchase Plan, which resulted in cash proceeds to the Company of $1.0 million. At December 31, 2012, 380,045 shares remained available for issuance under the 2008 Purchase Plan. In addition, the Company recorded $0.2 million of non-cash compensation expense relating to the shares issued under the 2008 Purchase Plans for each of the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010. Non-Cash Compensation Expense The table below reflects a break out by category of the non-cash compensation expense amounts recognized on the Company’s Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, respectively: In addition, the Company capitalized $0.2 million, $0.2 million and $0.1 million of non-cash compensation for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively, to fixed and intangible assets. Loss before provision for income taxes from continuing operations by geographic area is as follows: F-47 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Cost of revenues $ 187 $ 187 $ 189 Selling, general and administrative 13,781 11,282 10,312 Total cost of non-cash compensation included in loss before provision for income taxes 13,968 11,469 10,501 Amount of income tax recognized in earnings — — — Amount charged against loss $ 13,968 $ 11,469 $ 10,501 18. INCOME TAXES For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Domestic $ (175,679 ) $ (118,671 ) $ (193,048 ) Foreign (1,413 ) (6,108 ) (368 ) Total $ (177,092 ) $ (124,779 ) $ (193,416 ) Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The provision for income taxes on continuing operations consists of the following components: A reconciliation of the provision for income taxes on continuing operations at the statutory U.S. Federal tax rate (35%) and the effective income tax rate is as follows: F-48 For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Current (benefit) provision for taxes: Federal (1) $ (1,237 ) $ — $ — Foreign 3,769 1,608 897 State (1) 2,702 2,191 845 Total current 5,234 3,799 1742 Deferred (benefit) provision for taxes: Federal income taxes (53,501 ) (38,303 ) (59,363 ) State and local taxes (13,750 ) (5,111 ) (6,083 ) Foreign tax (1 ) (1,104 ) (388 ) Increase in valuation allowance 68,612 42,832 65,097 Total deferred 1,360 (1,686 ) (737 ) Total provision for income taxes $ 6,594 $ 2,113 $ 1,005 (1) Included in the 2012 current provision for income taxes on continuing operations is a benefit of $1.5 million that is an offset to the tax expense netted in discontinued operations. Of the $1.5 million benefit, $1.2 million relates to federal taxes and $0.3 million relates to state taxes. For the year ended December 31, 2012 2011 2010 (in thousands) Statutory Federal benefit $ (61,982 ) $ (43,673 ) $ (67,696 ) Foreign tax expense 1,878 1,576 1,065 State and local taxes benefit (7,181 ) (1,898 ) (3,405 ) Convertible debt interest expense and COD income 1,178 1,333 4,364 Non-deductible non-cash compensation 987 — — Other 3,102 1,943 1,580 Valuation allowance 68,612 42,832 65,097 Provision for income taxes $ 6,594 $ 2,113 $ 1,005 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The components of the net deferred income tax asset (liability) accounts are as follows: Valuation allowances of $233.7 million and $175.8 million were being carried to offset net deferred income tax assets as of December 31, 2012 and 2011, respectively. The net increase in the valuation allowance for the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011 was $57.9 million and $38.1 million, respectively. At December 31, 2012 the valuation allowance related to federal and state tax credit carryovers was approximately $4.4 million and $0.4 million, respectively. These tax credits expire beginning 2017. The Company has available at December 31, 2012, a net federal operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $1.2 billion and an additional $152.9 million of net operating tax loss carry forward from stock options which will benefit additional paid-in capital when the loss is utilized. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards will expire between 2019 and 2032. The Internal Revenue Code places limitations upon the future availability of net operating losses based upon changes in the equity of the Company. If these occur, the ability of the Company to offset future income with existing net operating losses may be limited. In addition, the Company has available at December 31, 2012, a foreign net operating loss carry-forward of $15.4 million and a net state operating tax loss carry-forward of approximately $579.3 million. These net operating tax loss carry-forwards will expire between 2013 and 2032. F-49 As of December 31, 2012 2011 (in thousands) Current deferred tax assets: Allowance for doubtful accounts $ 648 $ 9 Deferred revenue 30,237 18,207 Accrued liabilities 4,891 2,885 Valuation allowance (35,668 ) (20,962 ) Total current deferred tax assets, net (1) $ 108 $ 139 Noncurrent deferred tax assets: Net operating losses $ 436,083 $ 402,392 Property, equipment & intangible basis differences 46,357 27,849 Accrued liabilities 15,259 10,166 Straight-line rents — 8,090 Non-cash compensation 7,448 7,437 Other 5,081 2,741 Total noncurrent deferred tax assets 510,228 458,675 Noncurrent deferred tax liabilities: Property, equipment & intangible basis differences (318,446 ) (300,432 ) Convertible debt instruments (3,660 ) (3,823 ) Straight-line Rents (4,259 ) (610 ) Other (6,631 ) (4,887 ) Valuation allowance (198,016 ) (154,886 ) Total noncurrent deferred tax liabilities, net (2) $ (20,784 ) $ (5,963 ) (1) Amounts are included in Prepaid and other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets. (2) Of these amounts, $148 and ($20,932) are included in the Other assets and Other long-term liabilities respectively on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2012. As of December 31, 2011, $(5,963) is included within other long-term liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheet. Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS In accordance with the Company’s methodology for determining when stock option deductions are deemed realized, the Company utilizes a “with-and-without” approach that will result in a benefit not being recorded in APIC if the amount of available net operating loss carry-forwards generated from operations is sufficient to offset the current year taxable income. The Company does not expect to remit earnings from its foreign subsidiaries. Undistributed earnings of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries amounted to approximately $4.6 million at December 31, 2012. Those earnings are considered to be permanently reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. Federal and state income taxes have been provided thereon. Upon distribution of those earnings in the form of dividends or otherwise, the Company could be subject to both U.S. income taxes (subject to an adjustment for foreign tax credits) and withholding taxes payable to various foreign countries. Leases The Company is obligated under various non-cancelable operating leases for land, office space, equipment and site leases that expire at various times through December 2112. In addition, the Company is obligated under various non-cancelable capital leases for vehicles that expire at various times through December 2017. The annual minimum lease payments under non-cancelable operating and capital leases in effect as of December 31, 2012 are as follows (in thousands): Future minimum rental payments under noncancelable ground leases include payments for certain renewal periods at the Company’s option because failure to renew could result in a loss of the applicable tower site and related revenue from tenant leases, thereby making it reasonably assured that the Company will renew the lease. The majority of operating leases provide for renewal at varying escalations. Fixed rate escalations have been included in the table disclosed above. Rent expense for operating leases was $133.1 million, $82.8 million and $75.4 million for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. In addition, certain of the Company’s leases include contingent rent provisions which provide for the lessor to receive additional rent upon the attainment of certain tower operating results and/or lease-up. Contingent rent expense for the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010 was $16.1 million, $13.7 million and $12.5 million, respectively. F-50 19. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES For the year ended December 31, Capital Leases Operating Leases 2013 $ 1,640 $ 141,711 2014 1,437 143,636 2015 1,039 144,337 2016 353 143,442 2017 24 144,149 Thereafter — 5,385,802 Total minimum lease payments 4,493 $ 6,103,077 Less: amount representing interest (301 ) Present value of future payments 4,192 Less: current obligations (1,520 ) Long-term obligations $ 2,672 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Capital Lease Obligations The amounts applicable to capital leases for vehicles included in property and equipment, net were: The Company’s capital lease obligations outstanding (included in other current and other long-term liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets) were $ 4.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and $3.1 million as of December 31, 2011. As of December 31, 2012, these obligations bore interest rates ranging from 0.2% to 1.7% and will mature in periods ranging from approximately one to five years. Tenant Leases The annual minimum tower lease income to be received for tower space and antenna rental under non-cancelable operating leases in effect as of December 31, 2012 is as follows: The Company’s tenant leases provide for annual escalations and multiple renewal periods, at the tenant’s option. The tenant rental payments disclosed in the table above do not assume exercise of tenant renewal options, however, fixed rate escalations have been included. Litigation The Company is involved in various claims, lawsuits and proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. While there are uncertainties inherent in the ultimate outcome of such matters and it is impossible to presently determine the ultimate costs that may be incurred, management believes the resolution of such uncertainties and the incurrence of such costs will not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. Contingent Purchase Obligations As discussed in Note 6, from time to time, the Company agrees to pay additional consideration (or earnouts) for acquisitions if the towers or businesses that are acquired meet or exceed certain performance targets in the one to three years after they have been acquired. For the years ended December 31, 2012 and 2011, certain earnings targets associated with the acquired towers were achieved, and therefore, the Company paid in cash $5.9 million and $4.6 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2012, the Company’s estimate of its potential obligation if the performance targets contained in various acquisition agreements were met was $9.8 million which the Company recorded in accrued expenses. The maximum potential obligation related to the performance targets was $17.1 million and $11.2 million as of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. F-51 As of As of December 31, 2012 December 31, 2011 (in thousands) Vehicles $ 7,826 $ 5,546 Less: accumulated depreciation (3,069 ) (1,932 ) Vehicles, net $ 4,757 $ 3,614 For the year ended December 31, (in thousands) 2013 $ 934,199 2014 867,696 2015 769,680 2016 657,011 2017 544,214 Thereafter 2,833,582 Total $ 6,606,382 Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS The Company has a defined contribution profit sharing plan under Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code that provides for voluntary employee contributions up to the limitations set forth in Section 402(g) of the Internal Revenue Code. Employees have the opportunity to participate following completion of three months of employment and must be 21 years of age. Employer matching begins immediately upon the employee’s participation in the plan. For the years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, the Company made a discretionary matching contribution of 50% of an employee’s contributions up to a maximum of $3,000. Company matching contributions were approximately $1.0 million, $0.9 million and $0.7 million for years ended December 31, 2012, 2011 and 2010, respectively. The Company operates principally in two business segments: site leasing and site development. The Company’s reportable segments are strategic business units that offer different services. They are managed separately based on the fundamental differences in their operations. The site leasing segment includes results of the managed and sublease businesses. The site development segment includes the results of both consulting and construction related activities. During the fourth quarter of 2012, the Company combined its site development segments, as the nature of the services were complimentary to one another. All prior periods presented have been restated to conform to the current year presentation. For the year ended December 31, 2012, 2011, and 2010, the Company’s leasing revenues generated outside of the United States were 5.7%, 3.4%, and 1.0%, respectively, of total consolidated leasing revenues. As of December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s total assets outside of the United States were 12.2% and 8.7%, respectively, of total consolidated assets. Revenues, cost of revenues (exclusive of depreciation, accretion and amortization), capital expenditures (including assets acquired through the issuance of shares of the Company’s Class A common stock) and identifiable assets pertaining to the segments in which the Company continues to operate are presented below: F-52 20. DEFINED CONTRIBUTION PLAN 21. SEGMENT DATA Site Leasing Site Development Not Identified by Segment Total (in thousands) For the year ended December 31, 2012 Revenues $ 846,094 $ 107,990 $ — $ 954,084 Cost of revenues $ 188,951 $ 90,556 $ — $ 279,507 Depreciation, amortization and accretion $ 404,976 $ 2,118 $ 1,373 $ 408,467 Operating income (loss) $ 149,642 $ 7,129 $ (9,625 ) $ 147,146 Capital expenditures $ 2,364,212 $ 6,466 $ 3,751 $ 2,374,429 For the year ended December 31, 2011 Revenues $ 616,294 $ 81,876 $ — $ 698,170 Cost of revenues $ 131,916 $ 71,005 $ — $ 202,921 Depreciation, amortization and accretion $ 306,386 $ 1,583 $ 1,177 $ 309,146 Operating income (loss) $ 116,681 $ 2,077 $ (8,099 ) $ 110,659 Capital expenditures $ 502,222 $ 3,935 $ 2,671 $ 508,828 For the year ended December 31, 2010 Revenues $ 535,444 $ 91,175 $ — $ 626,619 Cost of revenues $ 119,141 $ 80,301 $ — $ 199,442 Depreciation, amortization and accretion $ 276,598 $ 1,241 $ 888 $ 278,727 Operating income (loss) $ 78,422 $ 2,527 $ (6,676 ) $ 74,273 Capital expenditures $ 393,133 $ 1,735 $ 925 $ 395,793 Assets As of December 31, 2012 $ 6,422,577 $ 58,804 $ 114,236 $ 6,595,617 As of December 31, 2011 $ 3,439,401 $ 42,164 $ 124,834 $ 3,606,399 (1) Assets not identified by segment consist primarily of general corporate assets. (2) Excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion. (3) Includes acquisitions and related earn-outs and vehicle capital lease additions. (1) (2) (3) (2) (3) (2) (3) Table of Contents SBA COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Basic and diluted net loss per share is computed by dividing net income by the weighted average number of shares for the period. Potentially dilutive instruments have been excluded from the computation of diluted loss per share as their impact would have been anti-dilutive. Because loss per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average number of common and dilutive common shares outstanding during each quarter, the sum of the per share amounts for the four quarters may not equal the total loss per share amounts for the year. F-53 22. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (unaudited) Quarter Ended December 31, 2012 September 30, 2012 June 30, 2012 March 31, 2012 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 293,841 $ 238,606 $ 229,147 $ 192,490 Operating income $ 31,048 $ 41,071 $ 34,738 $ 40,289 Depreciation, accretion and amortization $ (131,357 ) $ (101,012 ) $ (93,998 ) $ (82,100 ) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net $ (2,007 ) $ (22,643 ) $ (27,149 ) $ — Income (Loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes $ (53 ) $ 969 $ 1,380 $ — Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (52,489 ) $ (52,445 ) $ (53,472 ) $ (22,631 ) Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.42 ) $ (0.43 ) $ (0.44 ) $ (0.20 ) Quarter Ended December 31, 2011 September 30, 2011 June 30, 2011 March 31, 2011 (in thousands, except per share amounts) Revenues $ 183,819 $ 175,549 $ 171,053 $ 167,749 Operating income $ 31,980 $ 27,571 $ 27,209 $ 23,899 Depreciation, accretion and amortization $ (79,441 ) $ (78,136 ) $ (76,691 ) $ (74,878 ) Loss from extinguishment of debt, net $ — $ — $ — $ (1,696 ) Net loss attributable to SBA Communications Corporation $ (29,081 ) $ (33,305 ) $ (29,819 ) $ (34,251 ) Net loss per share - basic and diluted $ (0.27 ) $ (0.30 ) $ (0.27 ) $ (0.30 ) Exhibit 10.86n EXECUTION VERSION REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT INCREASE SUPPLEMENT January 28, 2013 Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of June 30, 2011 (as amended by the First and Second Amendments thereto, dated as of May 9, 2012, as further amended by the Third, Fourth and Fifth Amendments thereto, dated as of September 28, 2012, and as further amended, supplemented or modified from time to time, the “ Credit Agreement ”), among SBA Senior Finance II LLC, a Florida limited liability company (the “ Borrower ”), the several banks and other financial institutions or entities from time to time parties thereto (the “ Lenders ”) and Toronto Dominion (Texas) LLC, as Administrative Agent. Unless otherwise defined herein, terms defined in the Credit Agreement and used herein shall have the meanings given to them in the Credit Agreement. The Increasing Lender identified on Schedule l hereto (the “ Increasing Lender ”), the Administrative Agent and the Borrower agree as follows: 1. The Increasing Lender hereby irrevocably increases its Revolving Credit Commitment(s) to the Borrower by the amount set forth on Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Increased Revolving Credit Commitment ”) pursuant to Section 2.19(c) of the Credit Agreement. From and after the Effective Date (as defined below), the Increasing Lender will be a Lender under the Credit Agreement with respect to the Increased Revolving Credit Commitment as well as its existing Revolving Credit Commitment(s) under the Credit Agreement. 2. The Administrative Agent (a) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to any statements, warranties or representations made in or in connection with the Credit Agreement or with respect to the execution, legality, validity, enforceability, genuineness, sufficiency or value of the Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant thereto; and (b) makes no representation or warranty and assumes no responsibility with respect to the financial condition of the Parent, Holdings, SBA Senior Finance or the Borrower, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other obligor or the performance or observance by the Parent, Holdings, SBA Senior Finance or the Borrower, any of their respective Subsidiaries or Affiliates or any other obligor of any of their respective obligations under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto. 3. The Increasing Lender (a) represents and warrants that it is legally authorized to enter into this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement; (b) confirms that it has received a copy of the Credit Agreement, together with copies of the most recent financial statements delivered pursuant to Section 4.1 of the Credit Agreement and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate to make its own credit analysis and decision to enter into this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement; (c) agrees that it will, independently and without reliance upon the Administrative Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents and information as it shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in taking or not taking action under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto; (d) appoints and authorizes the Administrative Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise such powers and discretion under the Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents or any other instrument or document furnished pursuant hereto or thereto as are delegated to the Administrative Agent by the terms thereof, together with such powers as are incidental thereto; and (e) agrees that it will be bound by the provisions of the Credit Agreement and will perform in accordance with its terms all the obligations which by the terms of the Credit Agreement are required to be performed by it as a Lender, including, if it is organized under the laws of a jurisdiction outside the United States, its obligation pursuant to Section 2.15 of the Credit Agreement. 4. The effective date of this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement shall be the Effective Date of the Increased Revolving Credit Commitment described in Schedule 1 hereto (the “ Effective Date ”). Following the execution of this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement by each of the Increasing Lender and the Borrower, it will be delivered to the Administrative Agent for acceptance and recording by it pursuant to the Credit Agreement, effective as of the Effective Date (which shall not, unless otherwise agreed to by the Administrative Agent, be earlier than five Business Days after the date of such acceptance and recording by the Administrative Agent). 5. Upon such acceptance and recording, from and after the Effective Date, the Administrative Agent shall make all payments in respect of the Increased Revolving Credit Commitment (including payments of principal, interest, fees and other amounts) to the Increasing Lender for amounts which have accrued on and subsequent to the Effective Date. 6. From and after the Effective Date, the Increasing Lender shall be a party to the Credit Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement, have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder and shall be bound by the provisions thereof. 7. This Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York. IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement to be executed as of the date first above written by their respective duly authorized officers on Schedule 1 hereto. 2 Schedule 1 to Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement Name of Increasing Lender: Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas Effective Date of Increased Revolving Credit Commitment: January 28, 2013 [ Signature Pages Follow ] Principal Amount of Increased Revolving Credit Commitment: Total Amount of Revolving Credit Commitment(s) of Increasing Lender (including Increased Revolving Credit Commitment): $ 30,000,000 $ 118,000,000 Schedule 1 to Revolving Credit Commitment Increase Supplement [ Signature Page to Revolving Increase Supplement ] DEUTSCHE BANK TRUST COMPANY AMERICAS SBA SENIOR FINANCE II LLC By: /s/ Catherine MaJigar By: /s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh Name: Catherine MaJigar Name: Brendan T. Cavanagh Title: Managing Director Title: Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer By: /s/ Lauren Borgen Name: Lauren Borgen Title: Associate Accepted: TORONTO DOMINION (TEXAS) LLC, as Administrative Agent By: /s/ Bebi Yasin Name: Bebi Yasin Title: Authorized Signatory THE TORONTO-DOMINION BANK, NEW YORK BRANCH, as Issuing Lender By: /s/ Robyn Zeller Name: Robyn Zeller Title: Vice President Exhibit 21 Subsidiaries of SBA Communications Corporation As of December 31, 2012, SBA Communications Corporation owned, directly or indirectly, 59 additional subsidiaries, 52 of which are incorporated in U.S. jurisdictions and 7 of which are organized in foreign jurisdictions. These subsidiaries, in the aggregate as a single subsidiary, would not constitute a “Significant Subsidiary” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act as of December 31, 2012. Name Relationship Jurisdiction SBA Telecommunications, LLC 100% owned by SBA Communications Corporation Florida SBA Senior Finance II, LLC 100% owned by SBA Senior Finance, LLC. Florida SBA 2012 TC Holdings, LLC 100% owned by SBA Telecommunications, LLC Delaware SBA Senior Finance, LLC 100% owned by SBA Telecommunications, LLC Florida SBA Towers, LLC 100% owned by SBA Senior Finance II, LLC Florida SBA Towers II, LLC 100% owned by SBA Towers, LLC Florida SBA Towers IV, LLC 100% owned by SBA Telecommunications, LLC Florida SBA Structures, LCC 100% owned by SBA Guarantor, LLC Delaware SBA Towers III, LLC 100% owned by SBA Senior Finance II, LLC Florida SBA 2012 TC II, LLC 100% owned by SBA 2012 TC Holdings, LLC Delaware SBA Monarch Acquisition, LLC 100% owned by SBA Telecommunications, LLC Florida Brazil Shareholder I, LLC 100% by SBA Towers IV, LLC Florida Central America Equityholder, LLC 90% by SBA Central America, LLC; 10% by non SBA entity Florida SBA Central America, LLC 100% by SBA Senior Finance II, LLC Florida SBA Infrastructure, LLC 100% owned by SBA Holdings, LLC Delaware SBA Properties, Inc. 100% by SBA Guarantor, LLC Florida SBA Torres Panama, S.A. 100% by Panama Shareholder, LLC Panama Panama Shareholder, LLC 100% by Central America Equityholder, LLC Florida Costa Rica Quotaholder, LLC 100% by Central America Equityholder, LLC Florida Costa Pacifico Torres LTDA 99% by Costa Rica Quotaholder, LLC; 1% by Costa Rica Quotaholder II, LLC Costa Rica Exhibit 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements: of our reports dated February 27, 2013 with respect to the consolidated financial statements of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of SBA Communications Corporation and Subsidiaries, included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2012. /s/ Ernst & Young LLP Certified Public Accountants Boca Raton, Florida February 27, 2013 1. Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-41306) 2. Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-157647) 3. Registration Statement (Form S-3 No. 333-179737) 4. Registration Statement (Form S-4 No. 333-147473) 5. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-166969) pertain to 2010 Performance and Equity Incentive Plan 6. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-155289) pertaining to 2008 Employee Stock Purchase Plan 7. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-69236) pertaining to 2001 Equity Participation Plan 8. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-46734) pertaining to 1999 Equity Participation Plan 9. Registration Statement (Form S-8 No. 333-139006) pertaining to 2001 Equity Participation Plan, as Amended and Restated on May 16, 2002 Exhibit 31.1 CERTIFICATION I, Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of SBA Communications Corporation; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 27, 2013 By: /s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops Name: Jeffrey A. Stoops Title: Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 31.2 CERTIFICATION I, Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer, certify that: 1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K of SBA Communications Corporation; 2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report; 3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report; 4. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have: a. Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared; b. Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, 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; c. Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and d. Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and 5. The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions): a. All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and b. Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting. Date: February 27, 2013 By: /s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh Name: Brendan T. Cavanagh Title: Chief Financial Officer Exhibit 32.1 Certification Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) In connection with the Annual Report of SBA Communications Corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Jeffrey A. Stoops, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, that to the best of my knowledge: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: February 27, 2013 /s/ Jeffrey A. Stoops Jeffrey A. Stoops Chief Executive Officer Exhibit 32.2 Certification Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 (as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002) In connection with the Annual Report of SBA Communications Corporation (the “Company”), on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2012, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Brendan T. Cavanagh, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, that to the best of my knowledge: 1. The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and 2. The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company. Date: February 27, 2013 /s/ Brendan T. Cavanagh Brendan T. Cavanagh Chief Financial Officer 

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