investors

2012 Highlights

• Reinforced US leadership position in shared wireless infrastructure through key acquisitions
• Grew AFFO per share by 18% to $3.04
• $7 billion in financing activities significantly lowering average cost of debt
• Inclusion in S&P 500 Index

HOUSTON, Jan. 23, 2013 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Crown Castle International Corp. (NYSE:CCI) today reported results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2012.   

"We delivered excellent financial results throughout 2012 and successfully enhanced Crown Castle's position as the leading provider of shared wireless infrastructure in the US by closing on approximately $4 billion in acquisitions," stated Ben Moreland, Crown Castle's President and Chief Executive Officer. "These strategic acquisitions include the acquisition of exclusive rights to approximately 7,100 T-Mobile USA towers; the acquisition of NextG Networks, the industry leader in distributed antenna systems; and the acquisition of 2,300 ground lease related assets from Wireless Capital Partners. We expect these acquisitions to further strengthen our premier portfolio in the US, positioning us for long-term growth in the largest, fastest growing and most profitable wireless market in the world. I believe the growth we are currently experiencing is an early indicator of the important and increasing role Crown Castle's assets and capabilities will play in enabling wireless carriers to meet the mobile broadband demand of consumers." 

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL RESULTS

Total revenue for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased 30% to $674 million from $519 million for the same period in 2011. Site rental revenue for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased $99 million, or 21%, to $570 million from $471 million for the same period in the prior year. Site rental gross margin, defined as site rental revenue less site rental cost of operations, increased $70 million, or 20%, to $421 million in the fourth quarter of 2012 from $351 million in the same period in 2011. Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2012 increased $79 million, or 23%, to $414 million from $335 million in the same period in 2011. 

Adjusted Funds from Operations ("AFFO") increased 26% to $243 million in fourth quarter 2012 compared to $193 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. AFFO per share increased 22% to $0.83 in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $0.68 in the fourth quarter of 2011. Funds from Operations ("FFO") decreased 52% to $88 million, inclusive of a $117 million loss on retirement of debt in the fourth quarter of 2012, compared to $182 million in the fourth quarter of 2011. FFO per share decreased 53% to $0.30 in the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to $0.64 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Net loss for the fourth quarter of 2012 was $10 million, inclusive of the aforementioned loss on retirement of debt, compared to net income of $49 million for the same period in 2011. Net loss attributable to CCI stockholders per common share was $0.07 for the fourth quarter of 2012 compared to income of $0.16 in the fourth quarter of 2011.

Site rental revenues for full year 2012 increased 15% to $2.12 billion, up $271 million from $1.85 billion for full year 2011. Site rental gross margin for full year 2012 increased 16% to $1.58 billion, up $213 million from $1.37 billion for full year 2011. Adjusted EBITDA for full year 2012 increased $246 million, or 19%, to $1.55 billion, up from $1.31 billion for full year 2011. 

AFFO increased $149 million, or 20%, from $737 million for full year 2011 to $886 million for full year 2012. AFFO per share increased 18% to $3.04 in full year 2012 compared to $2.58 for full year 2011. FFO decreased $13 million, inclusive of a $132 million loss on retirement of debt, from $708 million for full year 2011 to $696 million for full year 2012. FFO per share decreased $0.09 to $2.39 in full year 2012 compared to $2.48 for full year 2011. 

Net income for full year 2012 increased to $201 million, inclusive of the aforementioned loss on retirement of debt, compared to $171 million for the same period in 2011. Net income per common share was $0.64 for full year 2012 compared to $0.52 for full year 2011. 

T-MOBILE USA TOWER TRANSACTION

In November 2012, Crown Castle completed its transaction to acquire exclusive rights to approximately 7,100 T-Mobile USA ("T-Mobile") towers for cash consideration of approximately $2.5 billion. Crown Castle expects the operating results of the T-Mobile towers to contribute approximately $125 million to $130 million to AFFO in 2013. Further, Crown Castle expects the T-Mobile towers to produce between $260 million and $265 million in site rental revenue and between $95 million and $100 million in Adjusted EBITDA in 2013. The contribution to 2013 Adjusted EBITDA from the T-Mobile towers is expected to be net of approximately $25 million to $30 million in adjustments related to straight-line lease accounting and certain adjustments related to the fair market value of certain ground leases for the T-Mobile towers.

FINANCING AND INVESTING ACTIVITIES

During the fourth quarter of 2012, Crown Castle closed on a $1.65 billion senior notes offering, with an interest rate of 5.25% per annum, the proceeds of which were used to fund a portion of the aforementioned T-Mobile tower transaction, with the balance of such transaction funded by cash-on-hand and funds from the revolving credit facility. The $1.65 billion of notes mature in 2023. Crown Castle expects the total cash interest expense on the debt raised to fund the T-Mobile transaction to be approximately $108 million in 2013. 

Also during the fourth quarter of 2012, Crown Castle closed on a $1.5 billion senior secured notes offering (the "Notes"), comprised of $500 million of senior secured notes due 2017 and $1.0 billion of senior secured notes due 2023. The Notes due 2017 have an interest rate of 2.38% per annum, and the Notes due 2023 have an interest rate of 3.85%. The weighted average interest rate on the Notes is approximately 3.36%. The proceeds from the Notes, together with funds from the revolving credit facility, were used to repay in full approximately $830 million of the 9% senior notes due 2015 and $965 million of the 7.75% senior secured notes due 2017. The refinancing will reduce Crown Castle's annual consolidated cash interest expense by approximately $85 million.  

Further, during the fourth quarter of 2012, Crown Castle increased the size of its $1.0 billion revolving credit facility maturing January 31, 2017 to $1.5 billion. As of January 23, 2013, Crown Castle had approximately $1.3 billion drawn under the revolving credit facility. 

During the fourth quarter of 2012, Crown Castle invested approximately $158 million in capital expenditures, comprised of $47 million of land purchases, $18 million of sustaining capital expenditures and $93 million of revenue generating capital expenditures, the latter consisting of $51 million on existing sites and $41 million on the construction of new sites, primarily DAS nodes.  

"We had a tremendous 2012 as we completed more than $7 billion of financing activities to refinance existing debt and fund several acquisitions," stated Jay Brown, Crown Castle's Chief Financial Officer. "These financings lowered our total average cost of debt from 6.2% to 4.5% and extended the average maturity of our debt to approximately seven years.  In addition, we were able to grow 2012 AFFO per share to $3.04 per share, an increase of 18% from 2011.  Based on the 2013 Outlook provided in this release, we expect to grow AFFO per share by 21% and generate more than $1.0 billion of cash flow to invest in activities we believe will maximize long-term AFFO per share.  We are excited about the significant growth in our business during 2012 and the opportunities we see for growth in 2013."

OUTLOOK   

This Outlook section contains forward-looking statements, and actual results may differ materially. Information regarding potential risks which could cause actual results to differ from the forward-looking statements herein is set forth below and in Crown Castle's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC").  

The following Outlook table is based on current expectations and assumptions and assumes a US dollar to Australian dollar exchange rate of 1.0 US dollar to 1.0 Australian dollar for first quarter 2013 and full year 2013 Outlook. As reflected in the following table, Crown Castle has increased its full year 2013 Outlook previously issued on October 24, 2012. The changes to the 2013 Outlook are related to the aforementioned T-Mobile tower transaction and the refinancing activities.

The following table sets forth Crown Castle's current Outlook for the first quarter of 2013 and full year 2013:

CONFERENCE CALL DETAILS

Crown Castle has scheduled a conference call for January 24, 2013, at 10:30 a.m. eastern time. The conference call may be accessed by dialing 480-629-9645 and asking for the Crown Castle call at least 30 minutes prior to the start time. The conference call may also be accessed live over the Internet at http://investor.crowncastle.com. Supplemental materials for the call will be posted on the Crown Castle website at http://investor.crowncastle.com.

A telephonic replay of the conference call will be available from 12:30 p.m. eastern time on January 24, 2013, through 11:59 p.m. eastern time on January 31, 2013, and may be accessed by dialing 303-590-3030 using access code 4589198. An audio archive will also be available on the company's website at http://investor.crowncastle.com shortly after the call and will be accessible for approximately 90 days.

Crown Castle owns, operates, and leases towers and other infrastructure for wireless communications. Crown Castle offers significant wireless communications coverage to 98 of the top 100 US markets and to substantially all of the Australian population. Crown Castle owns, operates and manages over 30,000 and approximately 1,700 wireless communication sites in the US and Australia, respectively. For more information on Crown Castle, please visit www.crowncastle.com.

The Crown Castle International Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=3063

Non-GAAP Financial Measures and Other Calculations

This press release includes presentations of Adjusted EBITDA, Funds from Operations and Adjusted Funds from Operations, which are non-GAAP financial measures. These non-GAAP financial measures are not intended as alternative measures of operating results or cash flow from operations (as determined in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles ("GAAP")). Each of the amounts included in the calculation of Adjusted EBITDA, FFO, and AFFO are computed in accordance with GAAP, with the exception of: (1) sustaining capital expenditures, which is not defined under GAAP and (2) our adjustment to the income tax provision in calculations of FFO and AFFO.   

Our measures of Adjusted EBITDA, FFO and AFFO may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other companies, including other companies in the tower sector or those reported by REITs. FFO and AFFO presented are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have been achieved had we converted to a REIT, nor are they necessarily indicative of future financial position or operating results. Our FFO and AFFO may not be comparable to those reported in accordance with National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts, including as a result of our adjustment to the income tax provision to reflect our estimate of the cash taxes had we been a REIT. 

Adjusted EBITDA, FFO and AFFO are presented as additional information because management believes these measures are useful indicators of the financial performance of our core businesses. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA is a measure of current financial performance used in our debt covenant calculations. 

Adjusted EBITDA. Crown Castle defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income (loss) plus restructuring charges (credits), asset write-down charges, acquisition and integration costs, depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of prepaid lease purchase price adjustments, interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, gains (losses) on retirement of long-term obligations, net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, impairment of available-for-sale securities, interest income, other income (expense), benefit (provision) for income taxes, cumulative effect of change in accounting principle, income (loss) from discontinued operations and stock-based compensation expense. 

Funds from Operations. Crown Castle defines Funds from Operations as net income plus adjusted tax provision plus real estate depreciation, amortization and accretion. 

Adjusted Funds from Operations. Crown Castle defines Adjusted Funds from Operations as Funds from Operations before straight-line revenue, straight-line expense, stock-based compensation expense, non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion, amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts, and interest rate swaps, other (income) and expense, gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations, net gain (loss) on interest rate swaps, acquisition and integration costs, asset write-down charges and less capital improvement capital expenditures and corporate capital expenditures. 

Sustaining capital expenditures. Crown Castle defines sustaining capital expenditures as either (1) corporate related capital improvements, such as information technology equipment and office equipment or (2) capital improvements to tower sites that enable our customers' ongoing quiet enjoyment of the tower.

The tables set forth below reconcile these non-GAAP financial measures to comparable GAAP financial measures. The components in these tables may not sum to the total due to rounding.

Cautionary Language Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements and information that are based on our management's current expectations. Such statements include, but are not limited to, plans, projections, Outlook and estimates regarding (i) the contribution and impact of our financing activities and acquisitions, including the T-Mobile, NextG and Wireless Capital Partners transactions referenced herein on our financial and operational results, (ii) qualitative characteristics of the US wireless communications market, (iii) our role in the telecommunications industry, (iv) the contribution to AFFO, site rental revenue and Adjusted EBITDA of the T-Mobile transaction, (v) interest expense related to debt used to fund the T-Mobile transaction, (vi) cash flow, (vii) our investments and the potential benefits derived therefrom, (viii) our growth, (ix) currency exchange rates, (x) site rental revenues, (xi) site rental cost of operations, (xii) site rental gross margin, (xiii) Adjusted EBITDA, (xiv) interest expense and amortization of deferred financing costs, (xv) FFO, (xvi) AFFO, including on a per share basis, (xvii) net income (loss), including on a per share basis, (xviii) our common shares outstanding, and (xix) the utility of certain financial measures in analyzing our results. Such forward-looking statements are subject to certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including but not limited to prevailing market conditions and the following:

• Our business depends on the demand for wireless communications and wireless infrastructure, and we may be adversely affected by any slowdown in such demand. Additionally, a reduction in carrier network investment may materially and adversely affect our business (including reducing demand for new tenant additions and network services).
• A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from a small number of customers, and the loss, consolidation or financial instability of any of our limited number of customers may materially decrease revenues and reduce demand for our wireless infrastructure and network services.
• Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect our ability to react to changes in our business, and the terms of our debt instruments limit our ability to take a number of actions that our management might otherwise believe to be in our best interests. In addition, if we fail to comply with our covenants, our debt could be accelerated.
• We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. In the event we do not repay or refinance such indebtedness, we could face substantial liquidity issues and might be required to issue equity securities or securities convertible into equity securities, or sell some of our assets to meet our debt payment obligations.
• Sales or issuances of a substantial number of shares of our common stock may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
• As a result of competition in our industry, including from some competitors with significantly more resources or less debt than we have, we may find it more difficult to achieve favorable rental rates on our new or renewing customer contracts.
• The business model for our small cell operations contains differences from our traditional site rental business, resulting in different operational risks. If we do not successfully operate that business model or identify and manage those operational risks, such operations may produce results that are less than anticipated.
• New technologies may significantly reduce demand for our wireless infrastructure and negatively impact our revenues.
• New wireless technologies may not deploy or be adopted by customers as rapidly or in the manner projected.
• If we fail to retain rights to the land under our wireless infrastructure, our business may be adversely affected.
• Our network services business has historically experienced significant volatility in demand, which reduces the predictability of our results.
• The expansion and development of our business, including through acquisitions, increased product offerings, and other strategic growth opportunities, may cause disruptions in our business, which may have an adverse effect on our business, operations and financial results.
• If we fail to comply with laws and regulations which regulate our business and which may change at any time, we may be fined or even lose our right to conduct some of our business.
• If radio frequency emissions from wireless handsets or equipment on our wireless infrastructure are demonstrated to cause negative health effects, potential future claims could adversely affect our operations, costs and revenues.
• Certain provisions of our certificate of incorporation, bylaws and operative agreements and domestic and international competition laws may make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us or for us to acquire control of a third party, even if such a change in control would be beneficial to our stockholders.
• We may be adversely affected by our exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates relating to our operations in Australia.

Should one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those expected. More information about potential risk factors which could affect our results is included in our filings with the SEC.

CONTACTS: Jay Brown, CFO
          Fiona McKone, VP - Corporate Finance
          Crown Castle International Corp.
          713-570-3050