AMT 10-K diff: FY 2023-12-31 → FY 2024-12-31
Paragraph-level diff of Risk Factors (Item 1A) and Management's Discussion & Analysis (Item 7).
Item 1A · Risk Factors
+60 paragraphs −55 paragraphs ~55 changed
FY 2023-12-31 (earlier)
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to Our Business Strategy
A significant decrease in leasing demand for our communications infrastructure would materially and adversely affect our business and operating results, and we cannot control that demand.
A significant reduction in leasing demand for our communications infrastructure would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Factors that may affect such demand include:
• the ability and willingness of wireless and cloud service providers to maintain or increase capital expenditures on network infrastructure;
• the financial condition of communications service providers;
• increased mergers, consolidations or exits that reduce the number of communications service providers or increased use of network sharing among governments or communications service providers;• a decrease in demand for wireless or colocation services, including due to general economic conditions, disruption in the financial and credit markets or global social, political or health crises, inflation, slowing growth, rising interest rates or recession;• delays or changes in the deployment of next generation wireless technologies;• technological changes;• zoning, environmental, health, tax or other government regulations or changes in the application and enforcement thereof; and
• governmental licensing of spectrum or restriction or revocation of our customers’ spectrum licenses.
A substantial portion of our current and projected future revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.
A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of customers. If any of these customers are unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under their agreements with us, our revenues, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our growth projections are based on future revenue from a small number of customers, and such projections could be adversely impacted by adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.One or more of our customers, or their parent companies, may experience financial difficulties, file for bankruptcy or reduce or terminate operations as a result of a prolonged economic downturn, economic difficulties (including those from the imposition of taxes, fees, regulations or judicial interpretations of regulations, and any associated penalties or interest, which may be substantial) or otherwise. The current inflationary and high interest rate environment could materially and adversely affect our customers through disruptions of, among other things, their ability to procure their equipment through their supply chains, their ability to procure power and fuel and their ability to maintain liquidity and deploy network capital, with potential decreases in consumer spending contributing to liquidity risks. Such financial difficulties could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and an impairment of our deferred rent asset, tower asset, network location intangible asset, tenant-related intangible asset or goodwill. The loss of significant customers, or the loss of all or a portion of our anticipated lease revenues from certain customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
One of our largest customers in India is VIL, which represented approximately 3% of our total revenue for the year ended December 31, 2023. As a result of the VIL Shortfall, during the year ended December 31, 2022, we determined that certain fixed and intangible assets and tenant-related intangible assets for VIL had been impaired. In the second half of 2023, VIL began making payments in full of its monthly contractual obligations owed to us. Additionally, the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction is subject to pre-closing terms, which may not be satisfied, as well as regulatory and governmental approval, which may prevent us from completing a transaction on acceptable terms. If the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction does not close, additional partial payments from VIL could have further negative effects on our fixed assets, intangible assets or goodwill, could result in additional impairments and could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. For more information on impairments in India, please see the information under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in this Annual Report. For more information on revenue reserves related to the VIL Shortfall, please see the information under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations” included in this Annual Report.
11Table of ContentsDue to the long-term nature of our customer leases, we depend on the continued financial strength of our customers. Many communications service providers operate with substantial levels of debt. In our international operations, many of our customers are subsidiaries of global telecommunications companies. These subsidiaries may not have the explicit or implied financial support of their parent entities.In addition, many of our customers and potential customers rely on capital raising activities to fund their operations and capital expenditures, which may be more difficult or expensive in the event of downturns in the economy or disruptions in the financial and credit markets, such as the current environment driven by the significant disruptions caused by factors such as inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions. If our customers or potential customers are unable to raise adequate capital to fund their business plans or face capital constraints, they may reduce their spending, file for bankruptcy or reduce or terminate operations, which could materially and adversely affect demand for our communications infrastructure and our services business.
In the ordinary course of our business, we do occasionally experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our leases. Historically, we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on us or our relationships with our customers. However, it is possible that such disputes could lead to a termination of our leases with those customers, a material adverse modification of the terms of those leases or a deterioration in our relationships with those customers that leads to a failure to obtain new business from them, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation, our relationship with the applicable customer could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenue or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.If our customers consolidate their operations, exit their businesses or share site infrastructure to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Significant consolidation among our customers could reduce demand for our communications infrastructure and may materially and adversely affect our growth and revenues. Certain combined companies have rationalized duplicative parts of their networks or modernized their networks, and these and other customers could determine not to renew, or attempt to cancel, avoid or limit leases or related payments with us. Additionally, some of our international customers may use consolidation and/or restructuring to address financial or other competitive pressures, which could in turn result in the sale of wireless assets. In the event a customer terminates, consolidates or restructures its business, or separately sells its spectrum or wireless assets, we may experience increased churn as a result. Our ongoing contractual revenues and our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these leases are terminated or not renewed. For example, see our discussion of churn as a result of the T-Mobile MLA in our U.S. & Canada property segment in Item 7 of this Annual Report, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview.”In addition, extensive sharing of site infrastructure, roaming or resale arrangements among wireless service providers, including due to increases in advanced network technology such as 5G, as an alternative to leasing our communications sites, without compensation to us, may cause new lease activity to slow if carriers utilize shared equipment rather than deploy new equipment, or may result in the decommissioning of equipment on certain existing sites because portions of the customers’ networks may become redundant.Increasing competition within our industries may materially and adversely affect our revenue.Our industries are highly competitive and our customers have numerous alternatives in leasing communications infrastructure assets. Competition due to pricing or alternative contractual arrangements from peers could materially and adversely affect our lease rates. We may not be able to renew existing customer leases or enter into new customer leases, or if we are able to renew or enter into new leases, they may be at rates lower than our current rates or on less favorable terms than our current terms, resulting in an adverse impact on our results of operations and growth rate.
In addition, some of our data center competitors have significant advantages over us, including greater name recognition, longer operating histories, lower operating costs, lower levels of leverage, pre-existing relationships with current or potential customers, greater financial, marketing and other resources, access to better networks and access to less expensive power. These advantages could allow our data center competitors to respond more quickly or effectively to strategic opportunities and, as a result, we may lose existing or potential data center customers, incur costs to improve our data centers or be forced to reduce our rental rates. These risks are compounded by the fact that a significant percentage of our data center customer leases expire every year.
12Table of ContentsOur expansion initiatives involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those related to integrating acquired or leased assets, that could adversely affect our operating results, disrupt our operations or expose us to additional risk.
As we continue to acquire and build communications sites and other communications infrastructure assets, including data center facilities and related assets, in our existing markets and expand into new markets, we are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including not meeting our return on investment criteria and financial objectives, increased costs, assumed liabilities and the diversion of managerial attention. Achieving the benefits of acquisition and platform expansion initiatives depends in part on timely and efficient integration of operations, telecommunications infrastructure assets and personnel. Integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among other things, portfolios without requisite permits, differing systems, cultural differences, conflicting policies, procedures and operations or with incomplete information. Significant acquisition-related integration costs, including certain nonrecurring charges such as costs associated with onboarding employees, integrating information technology systems, acquiring permits and visiting, inspecting, engineering and upgrading tower sites or other communications infrastructure assets, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such charges are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. Some of our acquired portfolios have included sites that do not meet our structural specifications, including sites that may be overburdened. In these cases, beyond additional capital expenditures, general liability risks associated with such portfolios will exist until such time as those portfolios are upgraded or otherwise remedied. In addition, integration may significantly burden management and internal resources, including through the potential loss or unavailability of key personnel. Our international expansion initiatives are subject to additional risks, such as those described above, as well as our ability to comply with bribery and anti-corruption laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and similar local laws.
Moreover, we may fail to successfully integrate the assets we acquire or fail to utilize such assets to their full capacity. If we are not able to meet these integration challenges, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquired portfolios and businesses, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected.
We must safeguard our customers’ infrastructure and equipment located in our data centers and ensure our data centers remain operational at all times. Problems at one or more of our data centers, whether or not within our control, could result in service interruptions or significant infrastructure or equipment damage. These could result from numerous factors, including limited power availability and grid distribution constraints due to current high demand, human error, equipment failure, physical, electronic and cybersecurity breaches, fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood, tornado and other natural disasters, extreme temperatures, water damage, fiber cuts, power loss, terrorist acts, sabotage and vandalism, global pandemics or health emergencies and failure of business partners.
We have service level commitment obligations to substantially all of our data center customers. As a result, service interruptions or significant equipment damage in our data centers could result in difficulty maintaining service level commitments to these customers and potential claims related to such failures. Because our data centers are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, service interruptions or significant equipment damage in our data centers could also result in lost profits or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. In addition, any loss of service, equipment damage or inability to meet our service level commitment obligations could reduce the confidence of our customers and could consequently impair our ability to obtain and retain customers, which would adversely affect both our ability to generate revenues and our operating results. Furthermore, we are dependent upon internet service providers, telecommunications carriers and utility providers, some of which have experienced significant system failures and outages in the past. Our customers may in the future experience difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems and offerings. If, for any reason, these providers fail to provide the required services, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
As a result of our acquisitions, we have a substantial amount of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or more frequently in the event of circumstances indicating potential impairment to determine if they are impaired. If, as a result of the factors noted above, the testing performed indicates that an asset may not be recoverable or the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we would be required to record a non-cash impairment charge in the period the determination is made.
Our platform expansion initiatives may not be successful, or we may be required to record impairment charges for our goodwill or for other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, and could limit our continued investments in such platform expansion initiatives.New technologies or changes, or lack thereof, in our or a customer’s business model could make our communications infrastructure leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues and operating results.13
Table of ContentsThe development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks or changes in a customer’s business model could reduce the need for tower-based wireless services, decrease demand for tower space or reduce previously obtainable lease rates. In addition, if the industry trends toward deploying increased capital to the development and implementation of new technologies, then customers may allocate less of their budgets to leasing space on our towers. Examples of these technologies include more spectrally efficient technologies, which could relieve a portion of our customers’ network capacity needs and, as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain small cell complementary network technologies or satellite services could shift a portion of our customers’ network investments away from traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites.Moreover, the emergence of alternative technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. Further, a customer may decide to cease outsourcing tower infrastructure or otherwise change its business model, which would result in a decrease in our revenue and operating results. Similarly, our data center site infrastructure may become antiquated due to the development of new systems that deliver power to, or eliminate heat from, the servers and other customer equipment that we house or the development of new technology that requires levels of power and cooling density that our facilities are not designed to provide. Our failure to innovate in response to the development and implementation of these or other new technologies or changes in a customer’s business model could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations or financial condition. Conversely, we may invest significant capital in technologies, platform expansion initiatives or new additions to our core business that may not provide expected returns or profitability, which could divert management attention and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.Additionally, our customers may overestimate or overvalue the benefits and use of 5G networks and other new technology that are deployed onto our communications sites that, in turn, could adversely affect our customers' growth, thereby adversely affecting our growth.Competition to purchase assets could adversely affect our ability to achieve our return on investment criteria.
We may experience increased competition for the acquisition of communications infrastructure assets or contracts to build new communications infrastructure assets for customers, which could make the acquisition of high-quality assets significantly more costly or prohibitive or cause us to lose contracts to build new sites. Some of our competitors are larger and may have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors may apply less stringent investment criteria or less stringent contractual terms than we do. In addition, we may not anticipate increased competition entering a particular market or competing for the same assets. Higher prices for assets or the failure to add new assets to our portfolio could make it more difficult to achieve our anticipated returns on investment or future growth, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.
Strategic partnerships and divestitures, such as the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction, may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
As we continue to engage in partnership opportunities to support our expansion initiatives, our partners may have business or economic goals that are inconsistent or conflict with ours, be in positions to take action contrary to our interests, policies or objectives, have competing interests in our, or other, markets that could create conflict of interest issues, withhold consents contrary to our requests or become unable or unwilling to fulfill their commitments, any of which could present governance challenges with multiple partners or expose us to additional liabilities or costs, including requiring us to assume and fulfill the obligations of that partnership or to execute buyouts of their interests.
Furthermore, we continually evaluate the performance, capital needs and strategic fit of all of our businesses and, as a result of such evaluation, may sell some or all of the equity interests in a particular business or components of a business. Divestitures involve risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products and personnel. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in managing these or any other significant risks that we may encounter related to the divestiture of a business. Any divestiture we undertake could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and may also result in a diversion of management’s attention, operational difficulties and losses.
Divestitures and our evaluation of assets or businesses in connection with potential divestitures may result in asset impairment charges, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, or losses realized in connection with a transaction, which could have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations. Specifically with respect to our India reporting unit, we concluded that a triggering event occurred as of September 30, 2023, primarily due to indications of value received from third parties in connection with our review of various strategic alternatives for our India operations, including the potential sale of equity interests. As a result, we performed an interim quantitative goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2023
14Table of Contentsusing, among other things, the information obtained from third parties to compare the fair value of the India reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The result of our interim goodwill impairment test as of September 30, 2023 indicated that the carrying amount of our India reporting unit exceeded our estimated fair value. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $322.0 million as of September 30, 2023. The goodwill impairment charge is recorded in Goodwill impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
We expect to complete the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction in the second half of 2024. The Pending ATC TIPL Transaction is subject to pre-closing terms, which may not be satisfied, as well as regulatory and governmental approval, which may prevent us from completing the transaction during 2024 or at all. Further, the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction agreement terms include representations and warranties by us that are supported by indemnification obligations, and breaches could require us to indemnify the buyer for certain events, which could result in adverse impact on the expected financial benefit we expect from the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction.Risks Related to Our Financial Performance or General Economic ConditionsOur leverage and debt service obligations, including during a rising interest rates environment, may materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and may reduce funds available to satisfy our distribution requirements.Our leverage and debt service obligations could have significant negative consequences to our business, results of operations or financial condition, including:
• requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures and REIT distributions;
• impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under those agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt and the loss of the towers securing such debt if a default remains uncured;• limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing, thereby placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources, including with respect to acquiring assets; and• limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete.
We may need to raise additional capital through debt financing activities, asset sales or equity issuances, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable, to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, required purchases of our partners’ interests and to satisfy our distribution requirements and debt service obligations and leverage requirements, including financial ratio covenants. An increase in our total leverage could lead to a downgrade of our credit rating below investment grade, which could negatively impact our ability to access credit markets or preclude us from obtaining funds on investment grade terms, rates and conditions or subject us to additional loan covenants, which could accelerate our debt repayment obligations. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Additional financing, therefore, may be unavailable, more expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.Further, market volatility and disruption caused by factors such as inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions may impact our ability to raise additional capital through debt and equity financing activities or our ability to repay or refinance maturing liabilities, or impact the terms of any new obligations, which in turn may have an adverse impact on our credit ratings. The Federal Reserve Board began to raise interest rates in March 2022 for the first time in over three years, and increased the federal funds rate on four occasions during 2023. Such rate increases have corresponding impact to our costs of borrowing and may have an adverse impact on our ability to raise funds through the offering of our securities or through the issuance of debt due to higher debt capital costs, diminished credit availability and less favorable equity markets. The extent to which these factors will impact our business and financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time due to the rapid evolution of this uncertain situation.
Rising inflation may adversely affect us by increasing costs beyond what we can recover through price increases.
The United States and other large global economies experienced historically high inflation during 2022, which continued into 2023. The Federal Reserve Board and other central banks raised interest rates more aggressively and to their highest levels in the last four to five decades. Current and future inflationary effects may be driven by, among other things, supply chain
15Table of Contentsdisruptions, governmental stimulus or fiscal policies, as well as ongoing global military conflicts. Inflation can materially and adversely affect us by increasing the costs of land, materials, labor and other costs required to manage and grow our business. In addition, should inflation rates exceed our fixed escalator percentages in markets where our leases include fixed escalators, our returns could be adversely affected. In an inflationary environment, such as the current economic environment, depending on the terms of our contracts and other economic conditions, we may be unable to raise prices enough to keep up with the rate of inflation or our customers may be unwilling to pay contractual increases, which would reduce our profit margins and returns. If we are unable to increase our prices to offset the effects of inflation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Rising inflation rates have also contributed to foreign currency exchange rate volatility, including in several of the markets where we operate. The ongoing impact of inflation may continue to create foreign exchange rate instability in our international markets that could, in turn, depress the value of that market’s currency, thereby adversely impacting our business, results of operations, financial condition or the underlying value of foreign subsidiaries.
In addition, inflation is often accompanied by higher interest rates. The Federal Reserve Board and other central banks have recently raised interest rates to their highest levels in decades. The combination of higher interest rates and high inflation could lead to an extended economic downturn, which could reduce our ability to incur debt or access capital and impact our results of operations and financial condition even after these conditions improve. Additionally, higher inflation or higher costs of capital could also impact the risk premiums or market returns on our assets. Changes in costs of capital could adversely impact the underlying value of our assets, which could in turn result in impairment charges.Restrictive covenants in the agreements related to our securitization transactions, our credit facilities and our debt securities could materially and adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility, and we may be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock, which may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT.
The agreements related to our securitization transactions include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the borrowers under the agreements are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. A failure to comply with the covenants in the agreements could prevent the borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the secured assets and could prevent the borrowers from distributing any excess cash from the operation of such assets to us. If the borrowers were to default on any of the loans, the servicer on such loan could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the secured assets, in which case we could lose such assets and the cash flow associated with such assets.
The agreements for our credit facilities also contain restrictive covenants and leverage and other financial maintenance tests that could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness or making distributions to stockholders, including our required REIT distributions, and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. Additionally, our credit facilities restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur liens securing our or their indebtedness. These covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing new tower or other communications infrastructure development, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities. Our credit agreements also contain cross-default and/or cross-acceleration provisions, which may be triggered if we default on certain indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds. In the event of such a default, the resulting cross-defaults or cross-accelerations could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Further, reporting and information covenants in our credit agreements and indentures require that we provide financial and operating information within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants. For more information regarding the covenants and requirements discussed above, please see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
We also enter into hedges for certain debt instruments, which may have an adverse impact on our results to the extent that the counterparties do not perform as expected at the inception of each hedge.
Risks Related to Laws and Regulations
Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.Our international business operations and our potential expansion into additional new markets in the future expose us to potential adverse financial and operational problems not typically experienced in the United States. We anticipate that revenues from our international operations will continue to grow. Accordingly, our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:
16Table of Contents• uncertain, inconsistent or changing laws, regulations, rulings or methodologies impacting our existing and anticipated international operations, fees or other requirements directed specifically at the ownership and operation of communications infrastructure or our international acquisitions, any of which laws, fees or requirements may be applied retroactively or with significant delay;• failure to retain our tax status or to obtain an expected tax status for which we have applied;• expropriation resulting in government takeover of customer operations or governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership or requiring reversion or divestiture;• laws or regulations that tax or otherwise restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds or otherwise limit distributions of capital;• changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, including inflation or currency devaluation;• changes to zoning regulations or construction laws, which could be applied retroactively to our existing communications infrastructure;
• actions restricting or revoking our customers’ spectrum licenses, or alterations or interpretations thereof, or suspending or terminating business under prior licenses;
• failure to comply with anti-bribery laws such as the FCPA or similar local anti-bribery laws, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements;
• failure to comply with data privacy laws or other protections of employee health and personal information;
• material site issues related to security, fuel availability and reliability of electrical grids;
• significant increases in, or implementation of new, license surcharges on our revenue;• loss of key personnel, including expatriates, in markets where talent is difficult or expensive to acquire; and
• price-setting or other similar laws or regulations for the sharing of passive infrastructure.
We also face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those arising from the impacts of the current inflationary and high interest rate environment on the global economy and markets and 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. Our revenues earned from our international operations are primarily denominated in their respective local currencies. We have not historically engaged in significant currency hedging activities relating to our non-U.S. Dollar operations, and a weakening of these foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar would negatively impact our reported revenues, operating profits and income.
Our business, and that of our customers, is subject to laws, regulations and administrative and judicial decisions, and changes thereto, that could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do or impact our competitive landscape.Our business, and that of our customers, is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws, treaties and regulations and administrative and judicial decisions. In certain jurisdictions, these regulations, laws and treaties could be applied or be enforced retroactively. Zoning authorities and community organizations are sometimes opposed to the construction of communications sites in their communities, which can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, modifications, additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demands. Existing or new regulatory policies, regulations or laws may materially and adversely affect the timing, cost or completion of our communications sites or result in changes in the competitive landscape that may negatively affect our business. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to litigants or result in decreased revenue. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, we and certain of our customers are required to pay annual licenses, fees or taxes, which may be subject to substantial increases by the government, or new fees may be enacted and applied retroactively. Governmental licenses may also be subject to periodic renewal and additional conditions to receive or maintain such license. Additionally, we
17Table of Contentshave government customers for several of our communications sites and data centers, which subjects us to risks including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions and penalties.
Furthermore, the tax laws, regulations, applicable license terms and conditions, and interpretations governing our business, and that of our customers, in jurisdictions where we operate, may change at any time, potentially with retroactive effect. Due to the evolving nature of global tax laws and regulations and compliance approaches, it is currently not possible to assess the ultimate impact of these actions on our financial statements, but these actions could have an impact on our financial results. This includes changes in tax laws, transfer pricing regulations, spectrum use terms, administrative compliance guidance or judicial interpretations thereof. For example, the definition and application of adjusted gross revenue (“AGR”) in India and associated fees and charges may have a material financial impact on certain of our customers which could affect their ability to perform their obligations under agreements with us.
In addition, as of January 1, 2024, we and our subsidiaries, in principle, would be subject to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules (more commonly referred to as the “Pillar 2 Rules”) as promulgated by jurisdictions. The Pillar 2 Rules can potentially lead to additional taxes (“Top-Up Tax”) when the effective tax rate (as defined by the Pillar 2 Rules) in a jurisdiction is below 15%. The Pillar 2 Rules, however, do not apply to “Excluded Entities” and certain subsidiaries of Excluded Entities. We are currently analyzing our qualification as an Excluded Entity as a “Real Estate Investment Vehicle.” In the event we do not qualify as a Real Estate Investment Vehicle, Top-Up Taxes may apply beginning in fiscal year 2026 on our United States income and may be material. Safe harbor exceptions are expected to apply for the majority of our non-United States income, and for those entities that do not meet certain safe harbor tests, the impact to us as a whole is expected to be immaterial. It is noted that the Pillar 2 Rules are still yet to be implemented in most of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Developments will be monitored as guidance and local implementation progresses.We may be adversely affected by regulations related to climate change.Efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the use of fossil fuels or requirements to use alternative fuel to power energy resources that serve our data centers or the generators we use in our emerging markets to deliver primary power to our customers may have direct or indirect effects on our business by increasing the cost of compliance. In addition, there is an increased focus by many governments, regulators, investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders regarding environmental and energy policies relating to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and other climate-related matters, including policies related to disclosure requirements. We will likely need to be prepared to contend with overlapping, yet distinct, climate-related disclosure requirements in multiple jurisdictions. These governmental initiatives are becoming more stringent and may require us and our customers to make capital expenditures, such as investing in renewable energy solutions or internal compliance systems, which would result in increased costs for us and our customers. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or other requirements imposed on us could also lead to fines and/or lost revenue.
In 2021, we adopted science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets, which were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative and are in line with the goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Our ability to achieve these goals are based on several factors, some of which are outside of our control including changing regulatory requirements, the pace of changes in technology and the availability of requisite financing. In addition, to meet our goals, we may need to expend significant resources, which could increase our operational costs. We cannot guarantee that we will achieve our announced environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives. In addition, consumers’ perceptions of our efforts to achieve these goals often differ widely and present risks to our reputation and brand. Failing to meet these goals could result in customer dissatisfaction and damage to our reputation with our key stakeholders, which could in turn adversely impact our results of operations, reputation, financial condition and stock price.If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at corporate income tax rates, which may substantially reduce funds otherwise available, and even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may face tax liabilities that impact earnings and available cash flow.
Commencing with the taxable year beginning January 1, 2012, we have operated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Qualification for taxation as a REIT requires the application of certain highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which provisions may change from time to time, to our operations as well as various factual determinations concerning matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. Further, tax legislation may adversely affect our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT or the benefits or desirability of remaining so qualified. There are few judicial or administrative interpretations of the relevant provisions of the Code.
If, in any taxable year, we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT and are not entitled to relief under the Code:18
Table of Contents• we will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders and would be subject to federal and state income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, which could be substantial in amount, and may require us to borrow additional funds or liquidate some investments to pay any additional tax liability and, accordingly, may reduce funds available for other purposes; and
• we will be disqualified from REIT tax treatment for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which we were so disqualified.We are subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. While state and local income tax regimes often parallel the U.S. federal income tax regime for REITs, many of these jurisdictions differ in their treatment of REITs. For example, some state and local jurisdictions currently or in the future may limit or eliminate a REIT’s deduction for dividends paid, which could increase our income tax expense. We are also subject to the continual examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. The results of an audit and examination of previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.Furthermore, we have owned and may from time to time own direct and indirect ownership interests in subsidiary REITs, which must also comply with the same REIT requirements that we must satisfy, together with all other rules applicable to REITs. If the subsidiary REIT is determined to have failed to qualify for taxation as a REIT and certain relief provisions do not apply, then the subsidiary REIT would be subject to federal income tax, which tax we would economically bear along with applicable penalties and interest. In addition, our ownership of shares in such subsidiary REIT would fail to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such subsidiary REIT may cease to be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income test. These consequences could have a material adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT income and asset tests, and thus our ability to qualify for taxation as a REIT.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our flexibility or cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.Our use of TRSs enables us to engage in non-REIT qualifying business activities. Under the Code, no more than 20% of the value of the assets of a REIT may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs and no more than 25% of the value of the assets of the REIT may be represented by non-qualifying assets (including securities of one or more TRSs). This limitation may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments or take advantage of acquisition opportunities, including the purchase of non-qualifying assets, the expansion of non-real estate activities and investments in the businesses to be conducted by our TRSs, and to that extent limit our opportunities and our flexibility to change our business strategy.
Further, as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). To meet our annual distribution requirements, we may be required to distribute amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations, including amounts that may otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. As no more than 25% of our gross income may consist of dividend income from our TRSs and other non-qualifying types of income, our ability to receive distributions from our TRSs may be limited, which may impact our ability to fund distributions to our stockholders or to use income of our TRSs to fund other investments.
In addition, the majority of our income and cash flows from our TRSs are generated from our international operations. In many cases, there are local withholding taxes and currency controls that may impact our ability or willingness to repatriate funds to the United States to help satisfy REIT distribution requirements.We could have liability under environmental and occupational safety and health laws.Our operations are subject to 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 the owner, lessee or operator of real property and facilities, including generators, we may be liable for substantial costs of investigation, removal or remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, and for damages and costs relating to off-site migration of hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination. We may also be liable for certain costs of remediating contamination at third-party sites to which we sent waste for disposal, even if the original disposal may have complied with all legal requirements at the time. Many of these laws and regulations contain information reporting and record keeping requirements. We may not be at all times in compliance with all environmental requirements. Further, our data center properties are subject to various federal, state and local regulations, such as state and local fire and life
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safety regulations and ADA federal requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements.The requirements of the environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and could become more stringent in the future. In certain jurisdictions, these laws and regulations could be applied retroactively or be broadened to cover situations or persons not currently considered. 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, results of operations or financial condition. While we maintain environmental and workers’ compensation insurance, we may not have adequate insurance to cover all costs, fines or penalties.
Risks Related to the Operation of Our BusinessOur towers, fiber networks, data centers or computer systems may be affected by natural disasters (including as a result of climate change) and other unforeseen events for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage or result in increased insurance premiums.
Our towers, fiber networks, data centers and computer systems are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, such as hurricanes, ice and windstorms, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and wildfires, as well as other unforeseen events, such as the potential adverse effects of pandemics and acts of terrorism. During the past several years, we have seen an increase in severe weather events and expect this trend to continue due to climate change. Further, environmental liabilities, such as contamination, asbestos-containing building materials and mold or other air quality issues at some of our data centers, could arise and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and performance.
Any damage or destruction to, or inability to access, our towers, fiber networks, data centers or computer systems may cause supply chain delays or impact our ability to provide services to our customers and lead to customer loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Additionally, our communications sites could be subject to attacks instigated by claims that the deployment of 5G networks is linked to adverse health effects.
While we maintain insurance coverage for certain natural disasters, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs of repair or reconstruction of sites or fiber for a major future event, lost revenue, including from new customers that could have been added to our towers, fiber networks or data centers but for the event, or other costs to remediate the impact of a significant event, such as wildfire damage caused by our towers. Further, we may be liable for damage caused by towers that collapse for any number of reasons including structural deficiencies, which could harm our reputation and require us to incur costs for which we may not have adequate insurance coverage.If we, or third parties on which we rely, experience technology failures, including cybersecurity incidents or the loss of personally identifiable information, we may incur substantial costs and suffer other negative consequences, which may include reputational damage.
As part of our normal business activities, including in our data centers, we rely on energy systems, cooling systems, communication networks, information technology and other computing resources, and collect, store, manage and otherwise process third-party data, including our customers’ data and our own data. We are vulnerable to physical or cybersecurity breaches, attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, fraud, worms, adverse impacts of artificial intelligence, social engineering, denial-of-service attacks, malicious software programs, insider threats, unauthorized access and other cybersecurity incidents that could disrupt our or our vendors’ operations, expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and operating results. These threats may result from human error, equipment failure, fraud or malice on the part of employees or third parties. A party who is able to compromise the security measures on our or our vendors’ networks or the security of our communications infrastructure could misappropriate our proprietary information or the personal information of our customers, our employees or management, or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or our customers’ operations. As we provide assurances to our customers that we provide a high level of security, such a compromise could be particularly harmful to our brand and reputation. We may be required to expend significant capital and resources to address any breaches, protect against such threats or to alleviate problems caused by breaches in security.Globally, the frequency, severity and sophistication of cybersecurity incidents have increased, and these trends will likely continue, especially during times of geopolitical tension or instability among countries from which a number of recent cybersecurity events have been alleged to have originated. Such cyber-attacks could be in the form of espionage, phishing campaigns and otherwise. We are continuously evaluating and enhancing our cybersecurity and information security systems and creating new systems and processes. However, there can be no assurance that these measures are or will be effective in preventing or limiting the impact of future cybersecurity incidents. As techniques used to breach security grow in frequency and sophistication, and are generally not recognized until launched against a target, we, or our vendors, may not be able to promptly
20Table of Contentsdetect that a cyber breach has occurred or implement security measures in a timely manner. If and when implemented, we, or our vendors, may not be able to determine the extent to which these measures could be circumvented. Any breaches that may occur could expose us to increased risk of lawsuits, regulatory penalties, loss of existing or potential customers, damage relating to loss of proprietary information, harm to our reputation and increases in our security costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and operating results. We offer managed services in certain of our data centers where we provide “remote hands” services for our customers. The access to our customers’ networks and data, which is gained from these services, creates some risk that our customers’ networks or data will be improperly accessed. If we were held responsible for any such breach, it could result in a significant loss to us, including damage to our customer relationships, harm to our brand and reputation and legal liability. Additionally, while we maintain insurance coverage for cybersecurity incidents, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs in the event of a breach resulting in loss of data, such as personally identifiable information or other such data protected by data privacy or other laws, and we may be liable for damages, fines and penalties for such losses under applicable regulatory frameworks.Although we and our vendors have disaster recovery programs and security measures in place, if our computer systems and our backup systems are compromised, degraded, damaged, breached or otherwise cease to function properly, we could suffer interruptions in our operations, including our ability to correctly record, process and report financial information, our customers’ network availability may be impacted or we could unintentionally allow misappropriation of proprietary or confidential information (including information about our customers or landlords, or customer information on our fiber, data center or managed networks businesses), which could result in a loss of revenue, damage to our reputation, damage to our customer and vendor relationships, litigation, regulatory investigations and penalties under existing or future data privacy laws and require us to incur significant costs to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.Our costs could increase and our revenues could decrease due to perceived health risks from radio emissions, especially if these perceived risks are substantiated.
Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications technology could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks, including claims that the deployment of 5G networks is linked to adverse health effects, could undermine the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. If a scientific study, court decision or government agency ruling resulted in a finding that radio frequency emissions pose health risks to consumers, it could negatively impact our customers and the market for wireless services, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.
If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers and buildings in which our data centers are located, 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 and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests at a particular tower site may interfere with our ability to operate that tower site and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites, which can affect our rights to access and operate a site. From time to time, we also experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of easements or ground agreements for land under towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate tower sites. Further, for various reasons, landowners may not want to renew their ground 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, which could affect our ability to renew ground agreements on commercially viable terms. A significant number of the communications sites in our portfolio are located on land we lease pursuant to long-term operating leases. Further, for various reasons, title to property interests in some of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate may not be as certain as title to our property interests in the United States. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We do not own the buildings for all of our data centers and our business could be harmed if we are unable to renew the leases for these data centers at favorable terms or at all, though we generally have the right to extend the terms of our leases when the primary terms of the leases expire. Failure to increase operating revenues to sufficiently offset any potential increase in lease costs, including as a result of the current inflationary environment, would adversely impact our operating income. We could also lose customers due to the disruptions in their operations caused by our inability to renew our data center leases. Additionally, we rely on our landlords for basic maintenance of our leased data centers. If such landlords have not maintained our leased properties sufficiently, we may be forced into an early exit from one or more of these data centers, which could be disruptive to our business.
21Table of ContentsIf we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers that are subject to lease and sublease agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows derived from those towers will be eliminated.
Our communications real estate portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of the lease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase the towers at the end of the applicable period, or we may choose, for business or other reasons, not to do so. If we do not exercise these purchase rights, and are unable to extend the lease or sublease or otherwise acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from the towers.
FY 2024-12-31 (later)
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Risks Related to Our Business Strategy
A significant decrease in leasing demand for our communications infrastructure would materially and adversely affect our business and operating results, and we cannot control that demand.
A significant reduction in leasing demand for our communications infrastructure would materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition. Factors that may affect such demand include:
• the ability and willingness of wireless and cloud service providers to maintain or increase capital expenditures on network infrastructure;
• the financial condition of communications service providers;
• increased mergers, consolidations or exits that reduce the number of communications service providers or increased use of network sharing among governments or communications service providers;• a decrease in demand for wireless or colocation services, including due to general economic conditions, changes in global tariff or trade policies or regulations, disruption in the financial and credit markets or global social, political or health crises, inflation, slowing growth, high interest rates or recession;• delays or changes in the deployment of next generation wireless technologies;• technological changes, including artificial intelligence, satellite technology and an increase in the use of radio access network (“RAN”) sharing among wireless service providers;• zoning, environmental, health, tax or other government regulations or changes in the application and enforcement thereof; and
• governmental licensing of spectrum or restriction or revocation of our customers’ spectrum licenses.
A substantial portion of our current and projected future revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.
A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of customers. If any of these customers are unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under their agreements with us, our revenues, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity could be materially and adversely affected. In addition, our growth projections are based on future revenue from a small number of customers, and such projections could be adversely impacted by adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.One or more of our customers, or their parent companies, may experience financial difficulties, file for bankruptcy or reduce or terminate operations as a result of a prolonged economic downturn, economic difficulties (such as those from the imposition of
10Table of Contentstaxes, fees (including the cost of, and access to, spectrum), regulations or judicial interpretations of regulations, and any associated penalties or interest, which may be substantial) or otherwise. The current inflationary and high interest rate environment could materially and adversely affect our customers through disruptions of, among other things, their ability to procure their equipment through their supply chains, their ability to procure power and fuel and their ability to maintain liquidity and deploy network capital, with potential decreases in consumer spending contributing to liquidity risks. Such financial difficulties could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and an impairment of our deferred rent asset, tower asset, network location intangible asset, tenant-related intangible asset or goodwill. The loss of significant customers, or the loss of all or a portion of our anticipated lease revenues from certain customers, could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.Due to the long-term nature of our customer leases, we depend on the continued financial strength of our customers. Many communications service providers operate with substantial levels of debt. In our international operations, many of our customers are subsidiaries of global telecommunications companies. These subsidiaries may not have the explicit or implied financial support of their parent entities.In addition, many of our customers and potential customers rely on capital raising activities to fund their operations and capital expenditures, which may be more difficult or expensive in the event of downturns in the economy or disruptions in the financial and credit markets, such as the current environment driven by the significant challenges caused by factors such as inflation, currency devaluations and other foreign currency exchange rate volatility, higher interest rates and supply chain disruptions. If our customers or potential customers are unable to raise adequate capital to fund their business plans or face capital constraints, they may reduce their spending, file for bankruptcy or reduce or terminate operations, which could materially and adversely affect demand for our communications infrastructure and our services business.
In the ordinary course of our business, we do occasionally experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our leases. Historically, we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on us or our relationships with our customers. However, it is possible that such disputes could lead to a termination of our leases with those customers, a material adverse modification of the terms of those leases or a deterioration in our relationships with those customers that leads to a failure to obtain new business from them, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. If we are forced to resolve any of these disputes through litigation or arbitration, our relationship with the applicable customer could be terminated or damaged, which could lead to decreased revenue or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.If our customers consolidate their operations, exit their businesses or share site infrastructure to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected.
Significant consolidation among our customers could reduce demand for our communications infrastructure and may materially and adversely affect our growth and revenues. Certain combined companies have rationalized duplicative parts of their networks or modernized their networks, and these and other customers could determine not to renew, or attempt to cancel, avoid or limit leases or related payments with us. Additionally, some of our international customers may use consolidation and/or restructuring to address financial or other competitive pressures, which could in turn result in the sale of wireless assets. In the event a customer terminates, consolidates or restructures its business, or separately sells its spectrum or wireless assets, we may experience increased churn as a result. Our ongoing contractual revenues and our future results may be negatively impacted if a significant number of these leases are terminated or not renewed. For example, see our discussion of churn as a result of the T-Mobile MLA in our U.S. & Canada property segment in Item 7 of this Annual Report, under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Executive Overview.”In addition, extensive sharing of site infrastructure through RAN sharing, roaming or resale arrangements among wireless service providers, including due to increases in advanced network technology such as 5G, as an alternative to leasing our communications sites, without compensation to us, may cause new lease activity to slow if carriers utilize shared equipment rather than deploy new equipment, or may result in the decommissioning of equipment on certain existing sites because portions of the customers’ networks may become redundant.Increasing competition within our industries may materially and adversely affect our revenue.Our industries are highly competitive and our customers have numerous alternatives in leasing communications infrastructure assets. Competition due to pricing or alternative contractual arrangements from peers could materially and adversely affect our lease rates. We may not be able to renew existing customer leases or enter into new customer leases, or if we are able to renew
11Table of Contentsor enter into new leases, they may be at rates lower than our current rates or on less favorable terms than our current terms, resulting in an adverse impact on our results of operations and growth rate.
In addition, some of our data center competitors have significant advantages over us, including greater name recognition, longer operating histories, lower operating costs, lower levels of leverage, pre-existing relationships with current or potential customers, greater financial, marketing and other resources, access to better networks and access to less expensive power. These advantages could allow our data center competitors to respond more quickly or effectively to strategic opportunities and, as a result, we may lose existing or potential data center customers, incur costs to improve our data centers or be forced to reduce our rental rates. These risks are compounded by the fact that a significant percentage of our data center customer leases expire every year.
Competition to build or purchase assets could adversely affect our ability to achieve our return on investment criteria.
We may experience increased competition for contracts to build or acquire communications infrastructure assets, which could cause us to lose such contracts or make them significantly more costly. Some of our competitors are larger and may have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors may apply less stringent investment criteria or less stringent contractual terms than we have. In addition, we may not anticipate or be able to address increased competition entering a particular market or competing for the build or acquisition of the same assets. Higher prices or less favorable terms for the construction or acquisition of assets or the failure to build or otherwise add new assets to our portfolio could make it more difficult to achieve our anticipated returns on investment or future growth, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.New technologies or changes, or lack thereof, in our or a customer’s business model could make our communications infrastructure leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues and operating results.The development and implementation of new technologies designed to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks or changes in a customer’s business model could reduce the need for tower-based wireless services, decrease demand for tower space or reduce previously obtainable lease rates. In addition, if the industry trends toward deploying increased capital to the development and implementation of new technologies, then customers may allocate less of their budgets to leasing space on our towers. Examples of these technologies include more spectrally efficient technologies, which could relieve a portion of our customers’ network capacity needs and, as a result, could reduce the demand for tower-based antenna space. Additionally, certain small cell complementary network technologies or satellite services could shift a portion of our customers’ network investments away from traditional tower-based networks, which may reduce the need for carriers to add more equipment at certain communications sites.Moreover, the emergence of alternative technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. Further, a customer may decide to cease outsourcing tower infrastructure or otherwise change its business model, which would result in a decrease in our revenue and operating results. Similarly, our data center site infrastructure may become antiquated due to the development of new systems that deliver power to, or eliminate heat from, the servers and other customer equipment that we house or due to the development of new technology, such as artificial intelligence, which is potentially more power-intensive, that requires levels of power and cooling density that our facilities may not be designed to provide. Our failure to innovate in response to the development and implementation of these or other new technologies or changes in a customer’s business model could have a material adverse effect on the growth of our business, results of operations or financial condition. Conversely, we may invest significant capital in technologies, platform expansion initiatives or new additions to our core business that may not provide expected returns or profitability, which could divert management attention and have a material adverse effect on our operating results.Additionally, our customers may overestimate or overvalue the benefits and use of 5G networks and other new technology that are deployed onto our communications sites that, in turn, could adversely affect our customers' growth, thereby adversely affecting our growth.Divestitures and strategic partnerships may materially and adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We continually evaluate the performance, capital needs and strategic fit of all of our businesses and, as a result of such evaluation, may sell some or all of the equity interests in a particular business or components of a business. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we divested from operations in several markets, including India, Australia and New Zealand. Divestitures involve risks, including difficulties in the separation of operations, services, products and personnel or requirements to obtain consents from third parties. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in managing these or any
12Table of Contentsother significant risks that we may encounter related to the divestiture of a business. Any divestiture we undertake could materially and adversely affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, and may also result in a diversion of management’s attention, operational difficulties and losses. Divestitures and our evaluation of assets or businesses in connection with potential divestitures may result in asset impairment charges, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, or losses realized in connection with a transaction, which could have an impact on our financial condition and results of operations.
Furthermore, as we continue to engage in partnership opportunities to support our expansion initiatives, our partners may have business or economic goals that are inconsistent or conflict with ours, be in positions to take action contrary to our interests, policies or objectives, have competing interests in our, or other, markets that could create conflict of interest issues, withhold consents contrary to our requests or become unable or unwilling to fulfill their commitments, any of which could present challenges with multiple partners or expose us to additional liabilities or costs, including requiring us to assume and fulfill the obligations of that partnership or to execute buyouts of our partners’ interests.Risks Related to Our Financial Performance or General Economic ConditionsOur leverage and debt service obligations, including during a high interest rates environment, may materially and adversely affect our ability to raise additional financing to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives and may reduce funds available to satisfy our distribution requirements.Our leverage and debt service obligations could have significant negative consequences to our business, results of operations or financial condition, including:
• requiring the dedication of a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to service our debt, thereby reducing the amount of our cash flow available for other purposes, including capital expenditures and REIT distributions;
• impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratio covenants contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal due under those agreements, which could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt and the loss of the towers securing such debt if a default remains uncured;• limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing, thereby placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage to less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources, including with respect to acquiring or building assets; and• limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the markets in which we compete.
We may need to raise additional capital through debt financing activities, asset sales or equity issuances, even if the then-prevailing market conditions are not favorable, to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, required purchases of our partners’ interests and to satisfy our distribution requirements and debt service obligations and leverage requirements, including financial ratio covenants. An increase in our total leverage could lead to a downgrade of our credit rating below investment grade, which could negatively impact our ability to access credit markets or preclude us from obtaining funds on investment grade terms, rates and conditions or subject us to additional loan covenants, which could accelerate our debt repayment obligations. Further, certain of our current debt instruments limit the amount of indebtedness we and our subsidiaries may incur. Additional financing, therefore, may be unavailable, more expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness.Further, market volatility and disruption caused by factors such as inflation, higher interest rates and supply chain disruptions may impact our ability to raise additional capital through debt and equity financing activities or our ability to repay or refinance maturing liabilities, or impact the terms of any new obligations, which in turn may have an adverse impact on our credit ratings. Federal fund rates have been elevated for several years and, although there were several rate cuts in 2024, rates could remain at current elevated levels for an extended period of time. Such elevated rates have a corresponding impact to our costs of borrowing and may have an adverse impact on our ability to raise funds through the offering of our securities or through the issuance of debt due to higher debt capital costs, diminished credit availability and less favorable equity markets. The extent to which these factors will impact our business and financial results will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted at this time due to the rapid evolution of this uncertain situation.
High inflation may adversely affect us by increasing costs beyond what we can recover through price increases.
The United States and other large global economies experienced historically high inflation in recent years. Current and future inflationary effects may be driven by, among other things, supply chain disruptions, changes in trade policies, governmental stimulus or fiscal policies, as well as ongoing global military conflicts. Inflation can materially and adversely affect us by increasing the costs of land, materials, labor and other costs required to manage and grow our business. In addition, should
13Table of Contentsinflation rates exceed our fixed escalator percentages in markets where our leases include fixed escalators, our returns could be adversely affected. In an inflationary environment, such as the current economic environment, depending on the terms of our contracts and other economic conditions, we may be unable to raise prices enough to keep up with the rate of inflation or our customers may be unwilling to pay contractual increases or demand discounts upon renewal, which would reduce our profit margins and returns. If we are unable to increase our prices to offset the effects of inflation, our business, results of operations and financial condition could be materially and adversely affected. Inflation has also contributed to foreign currency exchange rate volatility, including in several of the markets where we operate. The ongoing impact of inflation may continue to create foreign exchange rate instability in our international markets, including in markets such as Africa and Latin America, that could, in turn, depress the value of that market’s currency, thereby adversely impacting our business, results of operations, financial condition or the underlying value of foreign subsidiaries.
In addition, inflation is often accompanied by higher interest rates. Although the Federal Reserve Board and other central banks began cutting interest rates in the latter part of 2024, interest rates remain above recent norms. The combination of higher interest rates and high inflation could lead to an extended economic downturn, which could reduce our ability to incur debt or access capital and impact our results of operations and financial condition even after these conditions improve. Additionally, higher inflation or higher costs of capital could also impact the risk premiums or market returns on our assets. Changes in costs of capital could adversely impact the underlying value of our assets, which could in turn result in impairment charges.Restrictive covenants in the agreements related to our securitization transactions, our credit facilities and our debt securities could materially and adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility, and we may be prohibited from paying dividends on our common stock, which may jeopardize our qualification for taxation as a REIT.
The agreements related to our securitization transactions include operating covenants and other restrictions customary for loans subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, the borrowers under the agreements are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets. A failure to comply with the covenants in the agreements could prevent the borrowers from taking certain actions with respect to the secured assets and could prevent the borrowers from distributing any excess cash from the operation of such assets to us. If the borrowers were to default on any of the loans, the servicer on such loan could seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of the secured assets, in which case we could lose such assets and the cash flow associated with such assets.
The agreements for our credit facilities also contain restrictive covenants and leverage and other financial maintenance tests that could limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness or making distributions to stockholders, including our required REIT distributions, and engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets. Additionally, our credit facilities restrict our and our subsidiaries’ ability to incur liens securing our or their indebtedness. These covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing new tower or other communications infrastructure development, mergers and acquisitions or other opportunities. Our credit agreements also contain cross-default and/or cross-acceleration provisions, which may be triggered if we default on certain indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds. In the event of such a default, the resulting cross-defaults or cross-accelerations could have an adverse effect on our business and financial condition. Further, reporting and information covenants in our credit agreements and indentures require that we provide financial and operating information within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants. For more information regarding the covenants and requirements discussed above, please see Item 7 of this Annual Report under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity” and note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
We also enter into hedges for certain debt instruments, which may have an adverse impact on our results to the extent that the counterparties do not perform as expected at the inception of each hedge.
Risks Related to Laws and Regulations
Our foreign operations are subject to economic, political and other risks that could materially and adversely affect our revenues or financial position, including risks associated with fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates.Our international business operations and our potential expansion into additional new markets in the future expose us to potential adverse financial and operational problems not typically experienced in the United States. Our business is subject to risks associated with doing business internationally, including:
• uncertain, inconsistent or changing laws, regulations, rulings or methodologies impacting our existing and anticipated international operations, fees or other requirements directed specifically at the ownership and operation of
14Table of Contentscommunications infrastructure or our international acquisitions, any of which laws, fees or requirements may be applied retroactively or with significant delay;• failure to retain our tax status or to obtain an expected tax status for which we have applied;• expropriation resulting in government takeover of our or our customers’ operations;
• governmental regulation restricting foreign ownership or requiring reversion or divestiture;• laws or regulations that tax or otherwise restrict repatriation of earnings or other funds or otherwise limit distributions of capital;• changes in a specific country’s or region’s political or economic conditions, including inflation, currency devaluation, coup d’états and other violent and/or unplanned transitions of power;• changes to zoning regulations or construction laws, which could be applied retroactively to our existing communications infrastructure;
• actions restricting or revoking our customers’ spectrum licenses, or alterations or interpretations thereof, or suspending or terminating business under prior licenses;
• failure to comply with anti-bribery laws such as the FCPA or similar local anti-bribery laws, or the Office of Foreign Assets Control requirements;
• failure to comply with data privacy laws or other protections of employee health and personal information;
• material site issues related to security, fuel availability and reliability of electrical grids;
• significant increases in, or implementation of new, license surcharges on our revenue;• anti-American sentiment or adverse impacts from United States trade or foreign policy;• loss of key personnel, including expatriates, in markets where talent is difficult or expensive to acquire; and
• price-setting or other similar laws or regulations for the sharing of passive infrastructure.
We also face risks associated with changes in foreign currency exchange rates, including those arising from the impacts of the current inflationary and high interest rate environment on the global economy and markets and 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. Our revenues earned from our international operations are primarily denominated in their respective local currencies. We have not historically engaged in significant currency hedging activities relating to our non-U.S. Dollar operations, and a weakening of these foreign currencies against the U.S. Dollar would negatively impact our reported revenues, operating profits and income.
Our business, and that of our customers, is subject to laws, regulations and administrative and judicial decisions, and changes thereto, that could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do or impact our competitive landscape.Our business, and that of our customers, is subject to federal, state, local and foreign laws, treaties and regulations and administrative and judicial decisions. In certain jurisdictions, these regulations, laws and treaties could be applied or be enforced retroactively. Zoning authorities and community organizations are sometimes opposed to the construction of communications sites in their communities, which can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower or data center construction, modifications, additions of new antennas to a site or site upgrades, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demands. Existing or new regulatory policies, regulations or laws may materially and adversely affect the timing, cost or completion of our communications sites or result in changes in the competitive landscape that may negatively affect our business. Noncompliance could result in the imposition of fines or an award of damages to litigants or result in decreased revenue. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, we and certain of our customers are required to pay annual licenses, fees or taxes, which may be subject to substantial increases by the government, or new fees may be enacted and applied retroactively. In some instances, government regulation restricting foreign ownership of our customers could result in loss of revenue or penalties. Governmental licenses may also be subject to periodic renewal and additional conditions to receive or maintain such license. Additionally, we have government customers for several of our communications sites and data centers, which subjects us to risks including early termination, audits, investigations, sanctions and penalties.
Furthermore, the tax laws, regulations, applicable license terms and conditions, and interpretations governing our business, and that of our customers, in jurisdictions where we operate, may change at any time, potentially with retroactive effect. Due to the evolving nature of global tax laws and regulations and compliance approaches, it is currently not possible to assess the ultimate impact of these actions on our financial statements, but these actions could have an impact on our financial results. This includes changes in tax laws, transfer pricing regulations, spectrum use terms, administrative compliance guidance or judicial interpretations thereof. In recent years, there have been some legislative proposals regarding tax laws applicable to REITs. Any increases in tax liability could reduce the amount of cash available for other purposes.
In addition, as of January 1, 2024, we and our subsidiaries, in principle, would be subject to the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) Global Anti-Base Erosion Rules (more commonly referred to as the “Pillar 2 Rules”) as
15Table of Contentspromulgated by jurisdictions. The Pillar 2 Rules can potentially lead to additional taxes (“Top-Up Tax”) when the effective tax rate (as defined by the Pillar 2 Rules) in a jurisdiction is below 15%. The Pillar 2 Rules, however, do not apply to “Excluded Entities” and certain subsidiaries of Excluded Entities. We are currently analyzing our qualification as an Excluded Entity as a “Real Estate Investment Vehicle.” In the event we do not qualify as a Real Estate Investment Vehicle, Top-Up Taxes may apply beginning in fiscal year 2026 on our United States income and may be material. Safe harbor exceptions are expected to apply for the majority of our non-United States income, and for those entities that do not meet certain safe harbor tests, the impact to us as a whole is expected to be immaterial. It is noted that the Pillar 2 Rules are still yet to be implemented in most of the jurisdictions in which we operate. Developments will be monitored as guidance and local implementation progresses.We may be adversely affected by regulations related to climate change.Efforts to regulate greenhouse gas emissions, the use of fossil fuels or requirements to use alternative fuel to power energy resources that serve our data centers or the generators we use in our emerging markets to deliver primary power to our customers may have direct or indirect effects on our business by increasing the cost of compliance. In addition, there is an increased focus by many governments, regulators, investors, employees, customers and other stakeholders regarding environmental and energy policies relating to climate change, greenhouse gas emissions and other climate-related matters, including policies related to disclosure requirements. Additionally, we will need to be prepared to contend with overlapping, yet distinct, climate-related disclosure requirements in multiple jurisdictions, including in California and in the European Union. These governmental initiatives are becoming more stringent and may require us and our customers to make capital expenditures, such as investing in internal compliance systems and personnel, which would result in increased costs for us. Failure to comply with applicable laws and regulations or other requirements imposed on us could also lead to fines and/or lost revenue.
In 2021, we adopted science-based greenhouse gas reduction targets, which were approved by the Science Based Targets initiative and are in line with the goals set forth in the 2015 Paris Agreement. Our ability to achieve these goals are based on several factors, some of which are outside of our control including changing regulatory requirements, the pace of changes in technology and the availability of requisite financing. With changes to our portfolio, such as the divestiture of India and the CoreSite Acquisition, our ability to meet these goals may also be impacted. In addition, to meet our goals, we may need to expend significant resources, which could increase our operational costs. We cannot guarantee that we will achieve our announced environmental, social and governance goals and initiatives. In addition, consumers’ perceptions of our efforts to achieve these goals often differ widely and present risks to our reputation and brand. Failing to meet these goals could result in customer dissatisfaction and damage to our reputation with our key stakeholders, which could in turn adversely impact our results of operations, reputation, financial condition and stock price.If we fail to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we will be subject to tax at corporate income tax rates, which may substantially reduce funds otherwise available, and even if we qualify for taxation as a REIT, we may face tax liabilities that impact earnings and available cash flow.
Commencing with the taxable year beginning January 1, 2012, we have operated as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Qualification for taxation as a REIT requires the application of certain highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), which provisions may change from time to time, to our operations as well as various factual determinations concerning matters and circumstances not entirely within our control. Further, tax legislation may adversely affect our ability to remain qualified for taxation as a REIT or the benefits or desirability of remaining so qualified. There are few judicial or administrative interpretations of the relevant provisions of the Code.
If, in any taxable year, we fail to qualify for taxation as a REIT and are not entitled to relief under the Code:• we will not be allowed a deduction for distributions to stockholders and would be subject to federal and state income tax on our taxable income at regular corporate income tax rates, which could be substantial in amount, and may require us to borrow additional funds or liquidate some investments to pay any additional tax liability and, accordingly, may reduce funds available for other purposes; and
• we will be disqualified from REIT tax treatment for the four taxable years immediately following the year during which we were so disqualified.We are subject to certain federal, state, local and foreign taxes on our income and assets, including taxes on any undistributed income and state, local or foreign income, franchise, property and transfer taxes. While state and local income tax regimes often parallel the U.S. federal income tax regime for REITs, many of these jurisdictions differ in their treatment of REITs. For example, some state and local jurisdictions currently or in the future may limit or eliminate a REIT’s deduction for dividends paid, which could increase our income tax expense. We are also subject to the continual examination of our income tax returns by the U.S. Internal Revenue Service and state, local and foreign tax authorities. The results of an audit and examination of
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previously filed tax returns and continuing assessments of our tax exposures may have an adverse effect on our provision for income taxes and cash tax liability.Furthermore, we have owned and may from time to time own direct and indirect ownership interests in subsidiary REITs, which must also comply with the same REIT requirements that we must satisfy, together with all other rules applicable to REITs. If the subsidiary REIT is determined to have failed to qualify for taxation as a REIT and certain relief provisions do not apply, then the subsidiary REIT would be subject to federal income tax, which tax we would economically bear along with applicable penalties and interest. In addition, our ownership of shares in such subsidiary REIT would fail to be a qualifying asset for purposes of the asset tests applicable to REITs and any dividend income or gains derived by us from such subsidiary REIT may cease to be treated as income that qualifies for purposes of the 75% gross income test. These consequences could have a material adverse effect on our ability to comply with the REIT income and asset tests, and thus our ability to qualify for taxation as a REIT.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our flexibility or cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.Our use of TRSs enables us to engage in non-REIT qualifying business activities. Under the Code, no more than 20% of the value of the assets of a REIT may be represented by securities of one or more TRSs and no more than 25% of the value of the assets of the REIT may be represented by non-qualifying assets (including securities of one or more TRSs). This limitation may hinder our ability to make certain attractive investments or take advantage of acquisition opportunities, including the purchase of non-qualifying assets, the expansion of non-real estate activities and investments in the businesses to be conducted by our TRSs, and to that extent limit our opportunities and our flexibility to change our business strategy. Further, as a REIT, we must distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). To meet our annual distribution requirements, we may be required to distribute amounts that may otherwise be used for our operations, including amounts that may otherwise be invested in future acquisitions, capital expenditures or repayment of debt. As no more than 25% of our gross income may consist of dividend income from our TRSs and other non-qualifying types of income, our ability to receive distributions from our TRSs may be limited, which may impact our ability to fund distributions to our stockholders or to use income of our TRSs to fund other investments.
In addition, the majority of our income and cash flows from our TRSs are generated from our international operations. In many cases, there are local withholding taxes and currency controls that may impact our ability or willingness to repatriate funds to the United States to help satisfy REIT distribution requirements. Additionally, to the extent we have excess cash in foreign locations that could be used in, or is needed by, our U.S. or foreign operations, we may incur significant foreign taxes to repatriate these funds, which would reduce the net amount ultimately available for such purposes.We could have liability under environmental and occupational safety and health laws.Our operations are subject to 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 the owner, lessee or operator of real property and facilities, including generators, we may be liable for substantial costs of investigation, removal or remediation of soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, and for damages and costs relating to off-site migration of hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of, or were responsible for, the contamination. We may also be liable for certain costs of remediating contamination at third-party sites to which we sent waste for disposal, even if the original disposal may have complied with all legal requirements at the time. Many of these laws and regulations contain information reporting and record keeping requirements. We may not be at all times in compliance with all environmental requirements. Further, our data center properties are subject to various federal, state and local regulations, such as state and local fire and life safety regulations and ADA federal requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements.The requirements of the environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations are complex, change frequently and could become more stringent in the future. In certain jurisdictions, these laws and regulations could be applied retroactively or be broadened to cover situations or persons not currently considered. 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, results of operations or financial condition. While we maintain environmental and workers’ compensation insurance, we may not have adequate insurance to cover all costs, fines or penalties.
Risks Related to the Operation of Our Business17
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If we are unable to protect our rights to the land under our towers and buildings in which our data centers are located, 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 and rights-of-way. A loss of these interests at a particular tower site may interfere with our ability to operate that tower site and generate revenues. For various reasons, we may not always have the ability to access, analyze and verify all information regarding titles and other issues prior to completing an acquisition of communications sites, which can affect our rights to access and operate a site. From time to time, we also experience disputes with landowners regarding the terms of easements or ground agreements for land under towers, which can affect our ability to access and operate tower sites. Further, for various reasons, landowners may not want to renew their ground 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, which could affect our ability to renew ground agreements on commercially viable terms. A significant number of the communications sites in our portfolio are located on land we lease pursuant to long-term operating leases. Further, for various reasons, title to property interests in some of the foreign jurisdictions in which we operate may not be as certain as title to our property interests in the United States. Our inability to protect our rights to the land under our towers may have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We do not own the buildings for all of our data centers and our business could be harmed if we are unable to renew the leases for these data centers at favorable terms or at all, though we generally have the right to extend the terms of our leases when the primary terms of the leases expire. Failure to increase operating revenues to sufficiently offset any potential increase in lease costs, including as a result of the current inflationary environment, would adversely impact our operating income. We could also lose customers due to the disruptions in their operations caused by our inability to renew our data center leases.
Additionally, we rely on our landlords for basic maintenance of our leased data centers. If such landlords have not maintained our leased properties sufficiently, we may be forced into an early exit from one or more of these data centers, which could be disruptive to our business or cause us to incur additional costs.If we, or third parties on which we rely, experience technology failures, including cybersecurity incidents or the loss of personally identifiable information, we may incur substantial costs and suffer other negative consequences, which may include reputational damage.
As part of our normal business activities, including in our data centers, we rely on energy systems, cooling systems, communication networks, information technology and other computing resources, and collect, store, manage and otherwise process third-party data, including our customers’ data and our own data. We are vulnerable to physical or cybersecurity breaches, attacks, computer viruses, ransomware, malware, fraud, worms, adverse impacts of artificial intelligence, social engineering, denial-of-service attacks, malicious software programs, insider threats, unauthorized access and other cybersecurity incidents that could disrupt our or our vendors’ operations, expose us to liability and have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and operating results. These threats may result from human error, equipment failure, fraud or malice on the part of employees or third parties. A party who is able to compromise the security measures on our or our vendors’ networks or the security of our communications infrastructure could misappropriate our proprietary information or the personal information of our customers, our employees or management, or cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations or our customers’ operations. As we provide assurances to our customers that we provide a high level of security, such a compromise could be particularly harmful to our brand and reputation. We may be required to expend significant capital and resources to address any breaches, protect against such threats or to alleviate problems caused by breaches in security.Globally, the frequency, severity and sophistication of cybersecurity incidents have increased, and these trends will likely continue, especially during times of geopolitical tension or instability among countries from which a number of recent cybersecurity events have been alleged to have originated. Such cyber-attacks could be in the form of espionage, phishing campaigns and otherwise. We are continuously evaluating and enhancing our cybersecurity and information security systems and creating new systems and processes. However, there can be no assurance that these measures are or will be effective in preventing or limiting the impact of future cybersecurity incidents. As techniques used to breach security grow in frequency and sophistication, and are generally not recognized until launched against a target, we, or our vendors, may not be able to promptly detect that a cyber breach has occurred or implement security measures in a timely manner. If and when implemented, we, or our vendors, may not be able to determine the extent to which these measures could be circumvented. Any breaches that may occur could expose us to increased risk of lawsuits, regulatory penalties, loss of existing or potential customers, damage relating to loss of proprietary information, harm to our reputation and increases in our security costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial performance and operating results. We offer managed services in certain of our data centers where we provide “remote hands” services for our customers. The access to our customers’ networks and data, which is gained from these services, creates some risk that our customers’ networks or data will be improperly accessed. If we were held
18Table of Contentsresponsible for any such breach, it could result in a significant loss to us, including damage to our customer relationships, harm to our brand and reputation and legal liability. Additionally, while we maintain insurance coverage for cybersecurity incidents, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs in the event of a breach resulting in loss of data, such as personally identifiable information or other such data protected by data privacy or other laws, and we may be liable for damages, fines and penalties for such losses under applicable regulatory frameworks.Although we and our vendors have disaster recovery programs and security measures in place, if our computer systems and our backup systems are compromised, degraded, damaged, breached or otherwise cease to function properly, we could suffer interruptions in our operations, including our ability to correctly record, process and report financial information, our customers’ network availability may be impacted or we could unintentionally allow misappropriation of proprietary or confidential information (including information about our customers or landlords, or customer information on our fiber, data center or managed networks businesses), which could result in a loss of revenue, damage to our reputation, damage to our customer and vendor relationships, litigation, regulatory investigations and penalties under existing or future data privacy laws and require us to incur significant costs to remediate or otherwise resolve these issues.Our expansion and operational initiatives involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including those related to integrating acquired or leased assets, that could adversely affect our operating results, disrupt our operations or expose us to additional risk.
As we continue to acquire and build communications sites and other communications infrastructure assets, including data center facilities and related assets, in our existing markets and expand into new markets, we are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties, including not meeting our return on investment criteria and financial objectives, increased costs, assumed liabilities and the diversion of managerial attention. Achieving the benefits of acquisition and platform expansion initiatives depends in part on timely and efficient integration of operations, telecommunications infrastructure assets and personnel. Integration may be difficult and unpredictable for many reasons, including, among other things, increased construction costs or supply chain disruptions, portfolios without requisite permits, differing systems, cultural differences, conflicting policies, procedures and operations or with incomplete information.
We continue to seek to drive organizational improvement through a variety of actions, including operational and digital transformation, integration activities, strategic initiatives and business and operating model assessments. These initiatives can be time-consuming, disruptive to operations, and costly in the short-term. Successfully implementing these and other initiatives throughout our operations is critical to our future competitiveness and our ability to achieve long-term profitability. However, we cannot be certain that these initiatives will be successful in creating profit margins sufficient to sustain our current operating structure and business. Additionally, our future success depends upon our ability to recruit and retain the services of, among others, personnel with IT, data centers and telecommunications-related skills. There may be competition in attracting qualified personnel, and we may experience difficulty retaining and motivating existing employees and attracting qualified personnel to fill key positions.
Significant acquisition-related integration costs, including certain nonrecurring charges such as costs associated with onboarding employees, integrating information technology systems, acquiring permits and visiting, inspecting, engineering and upgrading tower sites or other communications infrastructure assets, could materially and adversely affect our results of operations in the period in which such charges are recorded or our cash flow in the period in which any related costs are actually paid. Some of our acquired portfolios have included sites that do not meet our structural specifications, including sites that may be overburdened. In these cases, beyond additional capital expenditures, general liability risks associated with such portfolios will exist until such time as those portfolios are upgraded or otherwise remedied. In addition, integration may significantly burden management and internal resources, including through the potential loss or unavailability of key personnel. Our international expansion initiatives are subject to additional risks, such as those described above, as well as our ability to comply with bribery and anti-corruption laws such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (the “FCPA”) and similar local laws.
Moreover, we may fail to successfully integrate the assets we acquire or fail to utilize such assets to their full capacity. If we are not able to meet these integration challenges, we may not realize the benefits we expect from our acquired portfolios and businesses, and our business, financial condition and results of operations will be adversely affected. Post-integration, certain operational complexities may remain into the mid- or long-term arising from the acquisition of assets from different sellers until they can be renegotiated, such as the requirement to manage multiple master lease agreements with differing terms with a single client.
We must safeguard our customers’ infrastructure and equipment located in our data centers and ensure our data centers remain operational at all times. Problems at one or more of our data centers, whether or not within our control, could result in service interruptions or significant infrastructure or equipment damage. These could result from numerous factors, including limited
19Table of Contentspower availability and grid distribution constraints due to current high demand, human error, equipment failure, physical, electronic and cybersecurity breaches, fire, earthquake, hurricane, flood, tornado and other natural disasters, extreme temperatures, water damage, fiber cuts, power loss, terrorist acts, sabotage and vandalism, global pandemics or health emergencies and failure of business partners.
We have service level commitment obligations to substantially all of our data center customers. As a result, service interruptions, increased construction costs, significant equipment damage in our data centers and failing to recruit and develop qualified personnel could result in difficulty maintaining service level commitments to these customers and potential claims related to such failures. Because our data centers are critical to many of our customers’ businesses, service interruptions or significant equipment damage in our data centers could also result in lost profits or other indirect or consequential damages to our customers. In addition, any loss of service, equipment damage or inability to meet our service level commitment obligations could reduce the confidence of our customers and could consequently impair our ability to obtain and retain customers, which would adversely affect both our ability to generate revenues and our operating results. Furthermore, we are dependent upon internet service providers, telecommunications carriers and utility providers, some of which have experienced significant system failures and outages in the past. Our customers may in the future experience difficulties due to system failures unrelated to our systems and offerings. If, for any reason, these providers fail to provide the required services, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely impacted.
As a result of our acquisitions, we have a substantial amount of intangible assets and goodwill. In accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”), we are required to assess our goodwill and other intangible assets annually or more frequently in the event of circumstances indicating potential impairment to determine if they are impaired. If, as a result of the factors noted above, the testing performed indicates that an asset may not be recoverable or the carrying value exceeds the fair value, we would be required to record a non-cash impairment charge in the period the determination is made.
Our platform expansion growth initiatives may not be successful, or we may be required to record impairment charges for our goodwill or for other intangible assets, which could have an adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition, and could limit our continued investments in such platform expansion initiatives.
Our towers, fiber networks, data centers or computer systems may be affected by natural disasters (including as a result of climate change), public perception of health risks and other unforeseen events for which our insurance may not provide adequate coverage or result in increased insurance premiums.
Our towers, fiber networks, data centers and computer systems are subject to risks associated with natural disasters, such as hurricanes, ice and windstorms, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes and wildfires, as well as other unforeseen events, such as the potential adverse effects of pandemics and acts of terrorism. During the past several years, we have seen an increase in severe weather events and expect this trend to continue due to climate change. Additionally, certain natural disasters or unforeseen events could lead to supply chain delays or shortages, which could impact our operational and financial performance. Further, environmental liabilities, such as contamination, asbestos-containing building materials, lead or lead-based paint and mold or other air quality issues at some of our data centers, could arise and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and performance.
Any damage or destruction to, or inability to access, our towers, fiber networks, data centers or computer systems may cause supply chain delays or impact our ability to provide services to our customers and lead to customer loss, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations or financial condition. Additionally, our communications sites could be subject to attacks instigated by claims that the deployment of 5G or similar networks is linked to adverse health effects.
While we maintain insurance coverage for certain natural disasters, we may not have adequate insurance to cover the associated costs of repair or reconstruction of sites or fiber for a major future event, lost revenue, including from new customers that could have been added to our towers, fiber networks or data centers but for the event, or other costs to remediate the impact of a significant event, such as wildfire damage caused by our towers. Further, we may be liable for damage caused by towers that collapse for any number of reasons including structural deficiencies, which could harm our reputation and require us to incur costs for which we may not have adequate insurance coverage.
Public perception of possible health risks associated with cellular and other wireless communications technology could slow the growth of wireless companies, which could in turn slow our growth. In particular, negative public perception of, and regulations regarding, these perceived health risks, including claims that the deployment of 5G networks is linked to adverse health effects, could undermine the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. If a scientific study, court decision, government agency ruling, or misinformation, disinformation or
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malinformation campaigns resulted in a finding that radio frequency emissions pose health risks to consumers, it could negatively impact our customers and the market for wireless services, which could materially and adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition.If we are unable or choose not to exercise our rights to purchase towers that are subject to lease and sublease agreements at the end of the applicable period, our cash flows derived from those towers will be eliminated.
Our communications real estate portfolio includes towers that we operate pursuant to lease and sublease agreements that include a purchase option at the end of the lease period. We may not have the required available capital to exercise our right to purchase the towers at the end of the applicable period, or we may choose, for business or other reasons, not to do so. If we do not exercise these purchase rights, and are unable to extend the lease or sublease or otherwise acquire an interest that would allow us to continue to operate these towers after the applicable period, we will lose the cash flows derived from the towers.
Item 7 · Management's Discussion & Analysis
+451 paragraphs −369 paragraphs ~369 changed
FY 2023-12-31 (earlier)
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follow are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to the financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report and the accompanying notes, and the information set forth under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below.We report our results in seven segments – U.S. & Canada property (which includes all assets in the United States and Canada, other than our data center facilities and related assets), Asia-Pacific property, Africa property, Europe property, Latin America property, Data Centers and Services. In evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit (see note 20 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).Executive OverviewWe are one of the largest global REITs and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold other telecommunications infrastructure and property interests that we lease primarily to communications service providers and third-party tower operators, and, as discussed further below, we hold a portfolio of highly interconnected data center facilities and related assets in the United States. Our customers include our tenants, licensees and other payers. We refer to the business encompassing the above as our property operations, which accounted for 99% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2023 and includes our U.S. & Canada property, Asia-Pacific property, Africa property, Europe property and Latin America property segments and Data Centers segment.We also offer tower-related services in the United States, including site application, zoning and permitting, structural and mount analyses, and construction management, which primarily support our site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites.28Table of ContentsThe following table details the number of communications sites, excluding managed sites, that we owned or operated as of December 31, 2023:Number of Owned Towers Number of Operated Towers (1) Number of Owned DAS Sites
U.S. & Canada:Canada 220 — —
United States 27,142 15,091 452
U.S. & Canada total 27,362 15,091 452
Asia-Pacific: (2)
Bangladesh 579 — —
India (3) 75,950 — 763
Philippines 355 — —
Asia-Pacific total 76,884 — 763
Africa:
Burkina Faso 731 — —
Ghana 3,486 — 37
Kenya 3,855 — 11Niger 916 — —Nigeria 8,296 — —
South Africa 2,692 — —
Uganda 4,184 — 21
Africa total 24,160 — 69
Europe: (4)
France 4,096 303 9
Germany 14,947 — —
Spain 11,885 — 1
Europe total 30,928 303 10Latin America:Argentina 499 — 11
Brazil 20,563 2,029 122
Chile 3,700 — 144
Colombia 4,969 — 6
Costa Rica 705 — 2
Mexico 9,581 186 92
Paraguay 1,455 — —
Peru 3,965 450 1
Latin America total 45,437 2,665 378_______________
(1) Approximately 98% of the operated towers are held pursuant to long-term finance leases, including those subject to purchase options.(2) We also control land under carrier or other third-party communications sites in Australia and New Zealand, which provide recurring cash flows through tenant leasing arrangements.
(3) As further discussed below, in January 2024, we entered into the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction.
(4) During the year ended December 31, 2023, we completed the sale of our subsidiary in Poland.
As of December 31, 2023, our property portfolio included 28 operating data center facilities across ten markets in the United States that collectively comprise approximately 3.3 million NRSF of data center space, as detailed below:
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(in thousands)San Francisco Bay, CA 8 939Los Angeles, CA 3 724Northern Virginia, VA 5 586New York, NY 2 285
Chicago, IL 2 216
Boston, MA 1 143Orlando, FL 1 126
Miami, FL 2 115Atlanta, GA 2 95Denver, CO 2 37
Total 28 3,266_______________(1) Excludes approximately 0.4 million of office and light-industrial NRSF acquired as part of the CoreSite Acquisition.
In most of our markets, our tenant leases for our communications sites with wireless carriers generally have initial non-cancellable terms of five to ten years with multiple renewal terms. Accordingly, the vast majority of the revenue generated by our property operations during the year ended December 31, 2023 was recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Most of our tenant leases for our communications sites have provisions that periodically increase or “escalate” the rent due under the lease, typically based on (a) an annual fixed escalation (averaging approximately 3% in the United States) or (b) an inflationary index in most of our international markets, or a combination of both. In addition, certain of our tenant leases provide for additional revenue primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.
Based upon existing customer leases and foreign currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2023, we expect to generate over $60 billion of non-cancellable customer lease revenue over future periods, before the impact of straight-line lease accounting.
Following the rulings by the Supreme Court of India regarding carriers’ obligations for the AGR fees and charges prescribed by the court, we have experienced variability and a level of uncertainty in collections in India. As further discussed in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our current and projected revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers,” in the third quarter of 2022, one of our largest customers in India, VIL, communicated that it would make partial payments. We recorded reserves in late 2022 and the first half of 2023 for the VIL Shortfall. In the second half of 2023, VIL began making payments in full of its monthly contractual obligations owed to us.
In February 2023, and as amended in August 2023, VIL issued the VIL OCDs, which are (a) to be repaid by VIL with interest, or (b) convertible into equity of VI L. If converted, such equity shall be free to trade in the open market beginning on the one year anniversary of the date of issuance of the VIL OCDs. The VIL OCDs were issued for an aggregate face value of 16.0 billion Indian Rupees (“INR”) (approximately $193.2 million on the date of issuance) and will mature on August 27, 2024. The fair value of the VIL OCDs at issuance was approximately $116.5 million.
We considered these developments and the uncertainty with respect to amounts owed under our tenant leases when conducting our 2022 annual impairment assessments for long-lived assets and goodwill in India, and, as a result, we determined that certain fixed and intangible assets had been impaired during the year ended December 31, 2022, which resulted in an impairment charge of $508.6 million.
Additionally, in 2023, we initiated a strategic review of our India business, where we evaluated the appropriate level of exposure to the India market within our global portfolio of communications assets, and assessed opportunities to repurpose capital to drive long-term shareholder value and sustained growth. The strategic review concluded in January 2024 with our signed agreement with DIT for the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction. During the process, and based on information gathered therein, we updated our estimate on the fair value of the India reporting unit and determined that the carrying value exceeded fair value. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $322.0 million for the quarter ended September 30, 2023.
On January 4, 2024, we entered into an agreement with DIT for the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction, pursuant to which DIT will acquire a 100% ownership interest in ATC TIPL. We will retain the full economic benefit associated with the VIL OCDs and rights to payments on certain existing customer receivables. Total aggregate consideration would potentially represent up to approximately 210 billion INR (approximately $2.5 billion), including the value of the VIL OCDs, payments on certain existing customer receivables, the repayment of existing intercompany debt and the repayment, or assumption, of our existing term loan in India, by DIT. The Pending ATC TIPL Transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approval.
30Table of ContentsWe will continue to evaluate the carrying value of our Indian assets, which may result in the realization of additional impairment expense or other similar charges. For more information on impairments in India, please see the information under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” included in this Annual Report.The revenues generated by our property operations may be affected by cancellations of existing tenant leases. As discussed above, most of our tenant leases with wireless carriers and broadcasters are multiyear contracts, which typically are non-cancellable; however, in some instances, a lease may be cancelled upon the payment of a termination fee.Revenue lost from either tenant lease cancellations or the non-renewal of leases or rent renegotiations, which we refer to as churn, has historically not had a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our consolidated property operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, churn was approximately 3% of our tenant billings, primarily driven by churn in our U.S. & Canada property segment, as discussed below.We expect that our churn rate in our U.S. & Canada property segment will remain elevated through 2025 due to contractual lease cancellations and non-renewals by T-Mobile, including legacy Sprint Corporation leases, pursuant to the terms of the T-Mobile MLA entered into in September 2020.
Property Operations Revenue Growth . Due to our diversified communications site portfolio, our tenant lease rates vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, amount, type and position of tenant equipment on the tower, remaining tower capacity and tower location. We measure the remaining tower capacity by assessing several factors, including tower height, tower type, environmental conditions, existing equipment on the tower and zoning and permitting regulations in effect in the jurisdiction where the tower is located. In many instances, tower capacity can be increased with relatively modest tower augmentation capital expenditures, which are often reimbursed to us.
The primary factors affecting the revenue growth of our property segments are:
• Growth in tenant billings, including:
• New revenue attributable to leasing additional space on our sites (“colocations”) and lease amendments;
• Contractual rent escalations on existing tenant leases, net of churn; and
• New revenue attributable to leases in place on day one on sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior-year period.
• Revenue growth from our Data Centers segment in the United States, including rental and power revenue from new lease commencements and expansions, contractual rent and power escalations on existing leases, mark-to-market increases on renewing leases and increased interconnection services and solutions.
• Revenue growth from other items, including additional tenant payments primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs included in certain tenant leases (“pass-through”), straight-line revenue and decommissioning, partially offset, in certain cases, by revenue reserve provisions.
We continue to believe that our site leasing revenue, which makes up the vast majority of our property segment revenue, is likely to increase due to the growing use of wireless services globally and our ability to meet the corresponding incremental demand for our communications real estate. By adding new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, we are able to increase these sites’ utilization and profitability. We believe the majority of our site leasing activity will continue to come from wireless service providers, with tenants in a number of other industries contributing incremental leasing demand. Our site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with new business opportunities, which have historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth as wireless carriers seek to increase the coverage and capacity of their existing networks, while also deploying next generation wireless technologies. In addition, we intend to continue to supplement our organic growth by selectively developing or acquiring new sites in our existing and new markets where we can achieve our risk-adjusted return on investment objectives.Property Operations Organic Revenue Growth . Consistent with our strategy to increase the utilization and return on investment from our sites, our objective is to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants through colocation and lease amendments. Our ability to lease additional space on our sites is primarily a function of the rate at which wireless carriers and other tenants deploy capital to improve and expand their wireless networks. This rate, in turn, is influenced by the growth of wireless services, the penetration of advanced wireless devices, the level of emphasis on network quality and capacity in carrier competition, the financial performance of our tenants and their access to capital and general economic conditions. According to industry data, recent aggregate annual wireless capital spending in the United States has averaged at least $30 billion, resulting in consistent demand for our sites.
Based on industry research and projections, we expect that a number of key industry trends will result in incremental revenue opportunities for us:31
Table of Contents• In less advanced wireless markets where network deployments are in earlier stages, we expect these deployments to drive demand for our tower space as carriers seek to expand their footprints and increase the scope and density of their networks. We have established operations in many of these markets at the early stages of wireless development, which we believe will enable us to meaningfully participate in these deployments over the long term.
• Subscribers’ use of mobile data continues to grow rapidly given increasing smartphone and other advanced device penetration, the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications on these devices and the continuing evolution of the mobile ecosystem. We believe carriers will be compelled to deploy additional equipment on existing networks while also rolling out more advanced wireless networks to address coverage and capacity needs resulting from this increasing mobile data usage.
• The deployment of advanced mobile technology, such as 4G and 5G, will provide higher speed data services and further enable fixed broadband substitution. As a result, we expect that our tenants will continue deploying additional equipment across their existing networks.
• Wireless service providers compete based on the quality of their networks, which is driven by capacity and coverage. To maintain or improve their network performance as overall network usage increases, our tenants continue to deploy additional equipment across their existing sites while also adding new cell sites. We anticipate increasing network densification over the next several years, as existing network density is anticipated to be insufficient to account for rapidly increasing levels of wireless data usage.
• Wireless service providers continue to acquire additional spectrum, and as a result are expected to add additional sites and equipment to their networks as they seek to optimize their network configuration and utilize additional spectrum. We expect this to be particularly relevant in the context of higher-band spectrum such as 2.5 gigahertz (GHz) and C-Band being deployed for 5G, as these spectrum assets tend to have more limited propagation characteristics compared to the lower-band spectrum that has historically been deployed on our towers.
• Next generation technologies requiring wireless connectivity have the potential to provide incremental revenue opportunities for us. These technologies may include edge computing functionality, autonomous vehicle networks and a number of other internet-of-things, or IoT, applications, as well as other potential use cases for wireless services. These technologies may create new and complementary use cases for our communications real estate over time, although these use cases are currently in nascent stages.• Continued data growth and emerging high-performance, latency-sensitive applications will drive an increased need for reliable, secure and interconnected data center solutions. We believe these trends will result in incremental utilization and interconnection demand at our data center facilities.
As part of our international expansion initiatives, we have targeted markets in various stages of network development to diversify our international exposure and position us to benefit from a number of different wireless technology deployments over the long term. In addition, we have focused on building relationships with large multinational carriers to increase the opportunities for growth or mutually beneficial transactional opportunities across common markets. We believe that consistent carrier network investments across our international markets will, over the long term, position us to generate meaningful organic revenue growth going forward.
In emerging markets, such as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ghana, India, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uganda, wireless networks tend to be significantly less advanced than those in the United States, and initial voice networks continue to be deployed in certain underdeveloped areas. A majority of consumers in these markets still utilize basic wireless services and advanced device penetration remains low. In more developed urban locations within these markets, mobile data usage tends to be higher and advanced network deployments are further along. Carriers are focused on completing voice network build-outs while increasing investments in data networks as mobile data usage and smartphone penetration within their customer bases begin to accelerate.
In markets with rapidly evolving network technology, such as South Africa and most of the countries in Latin America where we do business, initial voice networks, for the most part, have already been built out, and carriers are increasingly focused on the early stages of 5G network deployments. Consumers in these regions are increasingly adopting smartphones and other advanced devices, in particular as lower cost smartphones become increasingly available. As a result, the usage of bandwidth-intensive mobile applications is growing materially. Recent spectrum auctions in these rapidly evolving markets have allowed incumbent carriers to accelerate their data network deployments and have also enabled new entrants to begin initial investments in data networks. Smartphone penetration and wireless data usage in these markets are advancing rapidly, which typically requires that carriers continue to invest in their networks to maintain and augment their quality of service.
Finally, in markets with more mature network technology, such as Australia, Canada, Germany, France, New Zealand and Spain, carriers are focused on deploying 5G data networks to account for rapidly increasing wireless data usage among their customer base.
32Table of ContentsWe believe that the network technology migration we have seen in the United States, which has led to significantly denser networks and meaningful new business commencements for us over a number of years, will be replicated in our international markets over time. As a result, we expect to be able to leverage our extensive international portfolio of approximately 182,000 communications sites and the relationships we have built with our carrier tenants to drive sustainable, long - term growth.We have master lease agreements with many of our tenants for our communications sites that provide for consistent, long-term revenue and reduce the likelihood of non-contractual churn. Certain of those master lease agreements are comprehensive in nature and further build and augment strong strategic partnerships with our tenants while significantly reducing colocation cycle times, thereby providing our tenants with the ability to rapidly and efficiently deploy equipment on our sites.Demand for our communications infrastructure assets could be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including an increase in network sharing or consolidation among our customers, as set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the captions “Risk Factors—If our customers consolidate their operations, exit their businesses or share site infrastructure to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected” and “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.” In addition, the emergence and growth of new technologies could reduce demand for our sites, as set forth under the caption “Risk Factors—New technologies or changes,or lack thereof, in our or a customer’s business model could make our communications infrastructure leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues and operating results.” Further, our customers may be subject to new regulatory policies from time to time that materially and adversely affect the demand for our communications infrastructure assets.
Property Operations New Site Revenue Growth. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we grew our portfolio of communications real estate through the acquisition and construction of approximately 3,355 communications sites globally. In a majority of our Asia-Pacific, Africa, Europe and Latin America markets, the revenue generated from newly acquired or constructed sites resulted in increases in both tenant and pass-through revenues (such as ground rent or power and fuel costs) and expenses. We continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire communications real estate portfolios, both domestically and internationally, to determine whether they meet our risk-adjusted hurdle rates and whether we believe we can effectively integrate them into our existing portfolio.
New Sites (Acquired or Constructed) 2023 2022 2021
U.S. & Canada 20 55 170
Asia-Pacific 975 4,640 3,780
Africa 1,590 1,680 2,355
Europe 555 690 24,775
Latin America 215 340 7,870Property Operations Expenses. Direct operating expenses incurred by our property segments include direct site or facility level expenses and consist primarily of ground rent and power and fuel costs, some or all of which may be passed through to our customers, as well as property taxes and repairs and maintenance expenses. These segment direct operating expenses exclude all segment and corporate selling, general, administrative and development expenses, which are aggregated into one line item entitled Selling, general, administrative and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations. In general, our property segments’ selling, general, administrative and development expenses do not significantly increase as a result of adding incremental customers to our sites or facilities and typically increase only modestly year-over-year. As a result, leasing additional space to new customers on our sites or within our facilities provides significant incremental gross margin and cash flow. We may, however, incur additional segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses as we increase our presence in our existing markets or expand into new markets. Our profit margin growth is therefore positively impacted by the addition of new customers to our sites or facilities but can be temporarily diluted by our development activities.Services Segment Revenue Growth . As we continue to focus on growing our property operations, we anticipate that our services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.33Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIncluded in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit FFO”) attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Consolidated Adjusted Funds From Operations (“Consolidated AFFO”) and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net income before Income (loss) from equity method investments; Income tax benefit (provision); Other income (expense); Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; Interest expense; Interest income; Other operating income (expense), including Goodwill impairment; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; and stock-based compensation expense.
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate, real estate related impairment charges, real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion less dividends to noncontrolling interests, and including adjustments for (i) unconsolidated affiliates and (ii) noncontrolling interests. In this section, we refer to Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “Nareit FFO (common stockholders).”
We define Consolidated AFFO as Nareit FFO (common stockholders) before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) the deferred portion of income tax and other income tax adjustments; (iv) non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion; (v) amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges; (vi) other income (expense); (vii) gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; (viii) other operating income (expense); and adjustments for (ix) unconsolidated affiliates and (x) noncontrolling interests, less cash payments related to capital improvements and cash payments related to corporate capital expenditures.
We define AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as Consolidated AFFO, excluding the impact of noncontrolling interests on both Nareit FFO (common stockholders) and the other adjustments included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO. In this section, we refer to AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “AFFO (common stockholders).”
Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. None of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO or AFFO (common stockholders) represents cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity or a measure of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for decision making purposes and for evaluating our operating segments’ performance; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a component underlying our credit ratings; (3) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to measure operating performance as depreciation, amortization and accretion may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (4) Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) are widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to adjust Nareit FFO (common stockholders) for items that may otherwise cause material fluctuations in Nareit FFO (common stockholders) growth from period to period that would not be representative of the underlying performance of property assets in those periods; (5) each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (6) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies, particularly those in our industry.
Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), Consolidated AFFO and AFFO (common stockholders) to net income, the most directly comparable GAAP measure, have been included below.
34Table of Contents
Results of OperationsYear Ended December 31, 2022 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2021
For a discussion of our 2022 Results of Operations, including a discussion of our financial results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, refer to Part I, Item 7 of our annual report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 23, 2023 (the “2022 Form 10-K”).
Years Ended December 31, 2023 and 2022(in millions, except percentages)
RevenueYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 5,216.2 $ 5,006.3 4 %
Asia-Pacific 1,150.8 1,077.0 7
Africa 1,225.6 1,192.5 3
Europe 775.6 735.7 5
Latin America 1,798.3 1,691.9 6
Data Centers 834.7 766.6 9
Total property 11,001.2 10,470.0 5
Services 143.0 241.1 (41)
Total revenues $ 11,144.2 $ 10,711.1 4 %Year ended December 31, 2023
U.S. & Canada property segment revenue growth of $209.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $232.5 million, which was driven by:
◦ $229.9 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $12.5 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ Partially offset by:▪ a decrease of $8.5 million from other tenant billings; and
▪ a decrease of $1.4 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, which includes the impact of the disposition in the second quarter of 2022 of certain operations acquired in connection with our acquisition of InSite Wireless Group, LLC;• Partially offset by a decrease of $22.0 million in other revenue, which includes a $66.9 million decrease due to straight-line accounting, partially offset by equipment removal and other fees.Segment revenue growth included a decrease of $0.6 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Canadian Dollar.
Asia-Pacific property segment revenue growth of $73.8 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $51.4 million, which was driven by:
◦ $41.3 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $17.4 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites; and
◦ $1.6 million from other tenant billings;
◦ Partially offset by a decrease of $8.9 million resulting from churn in excess of contractual escalations;
• An increase of $45.2 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to a decrease in revenue reserves of $26.6 million as a result of reserves taken in the prior year period related to the VIL Shortfall (as discussed above); and
• An increase of $34.6 million in other revenue, primarily due to a decrease in revenue reserves of $31.4 million as a result of reserves taken in the prior year period related to the VIL Shortfall.
Segment revenue decline included a decrease of $57.4 million primarily attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in INR.
Africa property segment revenue growth of $33.1 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $141.1 million, which was driven by:
◦ $58.1 million due to colocations and amendments;35
Table of Contents◦ $43.6 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ $35.1 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
◦ $4.3 million from other tenant billings;
• An increase of $126.6 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to an increase in energy costs; and
• An increase of $1.3 million in other revenue, primarily due to an increase from straight-line accounting, partially offset by an increase in revenue reserves.
Segment revenue growth included a decrease of $235.9 million attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, negative impacts of $148.2 million related to fluctuations in Nigerian Naira, $45.4 million related to fluctuations in Ghanaian Cedi, $22.3 million related to fluctuations in Kenyan Shilling and $20.4 million related to fluctuations in South African Rand, partially offset by positive impacts of $2.0 million related to fluctuations in West African CFA Franc.Europe property segment revenue growth of $39.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $47.2 million, which was driven by:
◦ $25.8 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ $13.6 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $8.5 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ Partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $9.9 million in other revenue, which includes an increase attributable to our Spain fiber business acquired in the second quarter of 2022;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $36.4 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to a decrease in energy costs.Segment revenue growth included an increase of $19.2 million, primarily attributable to the positive impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Euro (“EUR”).Latin America property segment revenue growth of $106.4 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $58.0 million, which was driven by:
◦ $35.3 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $20.2 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ $2.2 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites; and
◦ $0.3 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $23.8 million in pass-through revenue, primarily attributable to increased pass-through ground rent costs in Brazil;• Partially offset by a decrease of $74.0 million in other revenue, primarily attributable to the sale of one of our subsidiaries in Mexico that held fiber assets (“Mexico Fiber”) and a decrease in tenant settlements in Mexico.
Segment revenue growth included an increase of $98.6 million, attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, positive impacts of $69.3 million related to fluctuations in Mexican Peso, $25.4 million related to fluctuations in Brazilian Real and $4.0 million related to fluctuations in Chilean Peso, partially offset by negative impacts of $1.9 million related to fluctuations in Colombian Peso.Data Centers segment revenue growth of $68.1 million was attributable to:
• An increase of $31.9 million in rental, related and other revenue, primarily due to new lease commencements, customer expansions and rent increases upon customer renewals;
• An increase of $27.7 million in power revenue from new lease commencements, increased power consumption and pricing increases from existing customers; and
• An increase of $9.6 million in interconnection revenue, primarily due to customer interconnection net additions and set-up fees;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in straight-line revenue.
Services segment revenue decrease of $98.1 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in site application, zoning and permitting, structural and mount analyses services and construction management services.36
Table of ContentsGross MarginYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 4,366.3 $ 4,160.9 5 %
Asia-Pacific 446.6 379.4 18
Africa 792.3 747.4 6
Europe 476.1 416.1 14
Latin America 1,232.3 1,165.2 6
Data Centers 487.1 444.6 10
Total property 7,800.7 7,313.6 7
Services 82.9 133.7 (38) %Year ended December 31, 2023
• The increase in U.S. & Canada property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $4.5 million.• The increase in Asia-Pacific property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $43.7 million due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including fuel costs. Direct expenses also benefited by $37.1 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Africa property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $91.1 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including energy costs. Direct expenses also benefited by $102.9 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.• The increase in Europe property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, and a decrease in direct expenses of $27.6 million, primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including energy costs. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $7.5 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $15.0 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including land rent costs. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $24.3 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Data Centers segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $25.6 million, primarily due to power costs.
• The decrease in Services segment gross margin was primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $47.3 million.
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Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense (“SG&A”)Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 165.1 $ 183.2 (10) %
Asia-Pacific 42.1 69.1 (39)
Africa 79.3 80.0 (1)
Europe 65.6 52.4 25
Latin America 107.9 107.6 0
Data Centers 72.4 63.9 13
Total property 532.4 556.2 (4)
Services 22.9 22.3 3
Other 437.2 393.8 11
Total selling, general, administrative and development expense $ 992.5 $ 972.3 2 %Year Ended December 31, 2023
• The decrease in our U.S. & Canada property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel and related costs.• The decrease in our Asia-Pacific property segment SG&A was primarily driven by a net decrease in bad debt expense of $18.8 million and decreased personnel and related costs. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the impact of the VIL Shortfall is reflected in revenue reserves as described above.
• The decrease in our Africa property segment SG&A was primarily driven by a benefit from the impact of foreign currency translation, partially offset by increased personnel and related costs to support our business, increased costs associated with the cancellation of projects and an increase in bad debt expense.• The increases in our Europe property and Data Centers segment SG&A were primarily driven by increased personnel and related costs to support our business.
• The increases in our Latin America property and Services segment SG&A were primarily driven by net increases in bad debt expense, partially offset by decreased personnel and related costs. The Latin America property segment SG&A increase also includes the negative impact of foreign currency translation.• The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $26.4 million, including an increase of $7.9 million related to the change in vesting terms as described in note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, and an increase in corporate SG&A, including an increase in personnel and related costs to support our business.Operating ProfitYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 4,201.2 $ 3,977.7 6 %
Asia-Pacific 404.5 310.3 30
Africa 713.0 667.4 7
Europe 410.5 363.7 13
Latin America 1,124.4 1,057.6 6
Data Centers 414.7 380.7 9
Total property 7,268.3 6,757.4 8
Services 60.0 111.4 (46) %Year Ended December 31, 2023• The increases in operating profit for our U.S. & Canada, Asia-Pacific and Africa property segments were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin and decreases in our segment SG&A.
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• The increases in operating profit for our Europe and Latin America property segments and our Data Centers segment were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin, partially offset by increases in our segment SG&A.• The decrease in operating profit for our Services segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in our segment gross margin and an increase in our segment SG&A.
Depreciation, Amortization and AccretionYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Depreciation, amortization and accretion $ 3,086.5 $ 3,355.1 (8) %The decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to the decrease in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization as a result of impairments taken and disposals since the beginning of the prior-year period and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.We are in the process of finalizing our review of the estimated useful lives of our tower assets. Based on preliminary information obtained to date, we expect that our estimated asset lives may be extended, which would result in an estimated $700 million to $800 million decrease in depreciation and amortization for the year ended December 31, 2024. For more information on the change in the estimated useful lives of our tower assets, see the information under the caption “Property and Equipment” included in note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.Other Operating ExpensesYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Other operating expenses $ 377.7 $ 767.6 (51) %
The decrease in other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a decrease in impairment charges, excluding goodwill impairments, of $453.5 million, and a decrease in integration and acquisition related costs, including pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements, of $63.2 million, partially offset by a loss on the sale of Mexico Fiber of $80.0 million and an increase in severance and related costs of $21.8 million. For the year ended December 31, 2022, impairment charges included $97.0 million related to tower and network location intangible assets and $411.6 million related to tenant-related intangible assets in our India reporting unit related to VIL in India. For more information on these impairments, see the information under the caption “India Impairments” included in note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.Goodwill ImpairmentGoodwill impairment consists of $402.0 million of impairment charges recorded for our India and Spain reporting units during the year ended December 31, 2023. For more information on these impairments, see the information under the caption “Goodwill Impairments” included in note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.Total Other ExpenseYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Total other expense $ 1,503.6 $ 631.6 138 %Total other expense consists primarily of interest expense and realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses. We record unrealized foreign currency gains or losses as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations primarily associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies.The increase in total other expense during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to foreign currency losses of $330.8 million in the current period, as compared to foreign currency gains of $449.4 million in the prior-year period, and an increase in net interest expense of $189.9 million, primarily due to increases in our weighted average interest rate, partially offset by an unrealized gains of $76.7 million related to the VIL OCDs held as of December 31, 2023.
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Table of ContentsIncome Tax ProvisionYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Income tax provision $ 154.2 $ 24.0 543 %
Effective tax rate 10.1 % 1.4 %
As a REIT, we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated by our REIT operations. Consequently, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022 differs from the federal statutory rate.
The increase in the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to increased earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions in the current year after adjusting for non-deductible amounts, partially offset by a benefit in the current year from the application of a tax law change in Kenya. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2022 included a reduction in income due to intangible asset impairment charges in India. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 included the reversal of valuation allowances of $87.2 million in certain foreign jurisdictions as compared to the reversal of valuation allowances of $76.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Net Income / Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income / Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders / Consolidated AFFO / AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders
Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Net income $ 1,367.1 $ 1,696.7 (19) %
Income tax provision 154.2 24.0 543
Other expense (income) 248.5 (433.7) (157)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations 0.3 0.4 (25)
Interest expense 1,398.2 1,136.5 23
Interest income (143.4) (71.6) 100
Other operating expenses 377.7 767.6 (51)
Goodwill impairment 402.0 — 100
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 3,086.5 3,355.1 (8)
Stock-based compensation expense 195.7 169.3 16
Adjusted EBITDA $ 7,086.8 $ 6,644.3 7 %40
Table of ContentsYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2023 2022
Net income $ 1,367.1 $ 1,696.7 (19) %
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 2,834.1 3,108.9 (9)
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges (1) 732.8 684.3 7
Dividends to noncontrolling interests (2) (137.8) (22.2) 521
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (186.2) (188.2) (1)
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 4,610.0 $ 5,279.5 (13) %
Straight-line revenue (472.0) (499.8) (6)
Straight-line expense 30.2 39.6 (24)
Stock-based compensation expense 195.7 169.3 16
Deferred portion of income tax and other income tax adjustments
(152.3) (298.3) (49)
GTP one-time cash tax settlement (3) — 48.3 (100)
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 252.4 246.2 3
Amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges 49.8 47.5 5
Other expense (income) (4) 248.5 (433.7) (157)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations 0.3 0.4 (25)
Other operating expenses (5) 46.9 83.3 (44)
Capital improvement capital expenditures (201.2) (176.2) 14
Corporate capital expenditures (16.2) (9.4) 72
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests 186.2 188.2 (1)
Consolidated AFFO $ 4,778.3 $ 4,684.9 2 %
Adjustments for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (6) (166.8) (168.2) (1)
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 4,611.5 $ 4,516.7 2 %_______________(1) Included in these amounts are impairment charges of $202.4 million and $655.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, also includes goodwill impairment charges of $402.0 million recorded for the India and Spain reporting units and a loss on the sale of Mexico Fiber of $80.0 million.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily includes distributions related to the outstanding mandatorily convertible preferred equity in connection with our agreements with certain investment vehicles affiliated with Stonepeak Partners LP (such investment vehicles, collectively, “Stonepeak,” and the distributions, the “Stonepeak Preferred Distributions”) and common dividends payable to us and Stonepeak in proportion to our equity interests in our U.S. data center business (the “Stonepeak Common Dividend”). For the year ended December 31, 2023, the amount included for the Stonepeak Common Dividend was $91.7 million.
(3) In 2015, we incurred charges in connection with certain tax elections wherein MIP Tower Holdings LLC, parent company to Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), would no longer operate as a separate REIT for federal and state income tax purposes. We finalized a settlement related to this tax election during the year ended December 31, 2022. We believe that these related transactions are nonrecurring, and do not believe it is an indication of our operating performance. Accordingly, we believe it is more meaningful to present Consolidated AFFO excluding these amounts.
(4) Includes (losses) gains on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of $(330.8) million and $449.4 million, respectively.
(5) Primarily includes acquisition-related costs, integration costs and disposition costs.
(6) Includes adjustments for the impact on both Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as well as the other line items included in the calculation of Consolidated AFFO.
Year Ended December 31, 2023
The decrease in net income was primarily due to (i) changes in other expense (income) primarily due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ii) an increase in goodwill impairment expense, (iii) an increase in net interest expense and (iv) an increase in the income tax provision, partially offset by (a) an increase in segment operating profit, (b) a decrease in other operating expenses and (c) a decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to an increase in our gross margin and a decrease in SG&A, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense, of $6.2 million.
The increases in Consolidated AFFO and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders were primarily attributable to the increase in our operating profit, excluding the impact of straight-line accounting, partially offset by (i) increases in net cash paid for interest, (ii) increases in dividends to noncontrolling interests, including the Stonepeak41
Table of ContentsPreferred Distributions and the Stonepeak Common Dividend, (iii) increases in cash paid for income taxes and (iv) increases in capital improvement capital expenditures.42
Table of ContentsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesFor a discussion of our 2022 Liquidity and Capital Resources, including a discussion of cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021, refer to Part I, Item 7 of the 2022 Form 10-K.OverviewDuring the year ended December 31, 2023, we increased our financial flexibility and our ability to grow our business while maintaining our long-term financial policies. Our significant 2023 financing transactions included:
• Redemption of our 3.50% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.50% Notes”) and our 3.000% senior unsecured notes due 2023 (the “3.000% Notes”) upon their maturity;
• Registered public offering in an aggregate amount of $5.7 billion, including 1.1 billion EUR, of senior unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2027 to 2033;
• Securitization transactions, including the repayment of $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under our Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2013-2A due 2023 (the “Series 2013-2A Securities”) and the issuance of $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of the Series 2023-1A Securities (as defined below);
• Repayment of $1.5 billion under our $1.5 billion unsecured term loan entered into in December 2021 (the “2021 USD Two Year Delayed Draw Term Loan”); and
• Amendment of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility and the 2021 Term Loan (each as defined below) to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity dates under each of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility and (ii) adopt an Adjusted Term SOFR (as defined in the amendment agreements) pricing benchmark.
The following table summarizes our liquidity as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):
Available under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility $ 5,276.6
Available under the 2021 Credit Facility 2,396.6
Letters of credit (33.9)
Total available under credit facilities, net 7,639.3
Cash and cash equivalents 1,973.3
Total liquidity $ 9,612.6
Subsequent to December 31, 2023, we made additional net borrowings of $485.0 million under the 2021 Credit Facility (as defined below) and $1.8 billion under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility (as defined below). The borrowings were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.
On January 4, 2024, we entered into an agreement with DIT for the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction, pursuant to which DIT will acquire a 100% ownership interest in ATC TIPL. We will retain the full economic benefit associated with the VIL OCDs and rights to payments on certain existing customer receivables. Subject to certain pre-closing terms, total aggregate consideration would potentially represent up to 210 billion INR (approximately $2.5 billion), including the value of the VIL OCDs, payments on certain existing customer receivables, the repayment of existing intercompany debt and the repayment, or assumption, of our existing term loan in India, by DIT. The Pending ATC TIPL Transaction is expected to close in the second half of 2024, subject to customary closing conditions, including government and regulatory approval. We expect to use the proceeds from the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction to repay existing indebtedness, including under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility.Summary cash flow information is set forth below for the years ended December 31, (in millions):2023 2022Net cash provided by (used for):Operating activities $ 4,722.4 $ 3,696.2
Investing activities (1,695.5) (2,355.2)
Financing activities (3,097.4) (1,423.2)
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash 23.2 (120.4)
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ (47.3) $ (202.6)
We use our cash flows to fund our operations and investments in our business, including maintenance and improvements, communications site and data center construction, managed network installations and acquisitions. Additionally, we use our cash flows to make distributions, including distributions of our REIT taxable income to maintain our qualification for taxation
43Table of Contentsas a REIT under the Code. We may also periodically repay or repurchase our existing indebtedness or equity. We typically fund our international expansion efforts primarily through a combination of cash on hand, intercompany debt and equity contributions.
On an on-going basis, we also perform a comprehensive assessment of our global operations to ensure our portfolio is positioned to drive sustained growth and achieve our risk-adjusted return objectives. This assessment may result in our decision to divest a portion, or all, of certain assets, including our Mexico fiber and Poland businesses in 2023, and our signed agreement in January 2024 with DIT for the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction, and repurpose proceeds, and potential future capital, to other capital priorities.
As of December 31, 2023, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $39.2 billion, with a current portion of $3.2 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations, together with borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our equity and debt issuances and cash on hand, to fund our acquisitions, capital expenditures and debt service obligations, as well as our required distributions. We believe the cash generated by operating activities during the year ending December 31, 2024, together with our borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will suffice to fund our required distributions, capital expenditures, debt service obligations (interest and principal repayments) and signed acquisitions.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $1.6 billion of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2023, we had $223.6 million of cash and cash equivalents held by our joint ventures, of which $196.6 million was held by our foreign joint ventures. While certain subsidiaries may pay us interest or principal on intercompany debt, we have historically not repatriated earnings from our foreign subsidiaries. However, in the event that we do repatriate any funds, we may be required to accrue and pay certain taxes.Cash Flows from Operating ActivitiesFor the year ended December 31, 2023, cash provided by operating activities increased $1.0 billion as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022. The primary factors that impacted cash provided by operating activities as compared to the year ended December 31, 2022, include:
• Changes in unearned revenue, as the prior year ended December 31, 2022 included the impact of advance payments from a customer during the year ended December 31, 2021; and
• An increase in our property segment operating profit of $510.9 million;
• Partially offset by an increase of approximately $171.4 million in cash paid for interest.Cash Flows from Investing ActivitiesOur significant investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2023 are highlighted below:
• We spent approximately $168.0 million for acquisitions, including payments made for acquisitions completed in 2022.
• We spent $1.8 billion for capital expenditures, as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) $ 849.3
Ground lease purchases (2) 154.0
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures (3) 217.4
Redevelopment 481.0
Start-up capital projects 128.1
Total capital expenditures (4) $ 1,829.8_______________(1) Includes the construction of 3,198 communications sites globally and approximately $395 million of spend related to data center assets.
(2) Includes $38.7 million of perpetual land easement payments reported in Deferred financing costs and other financing activities in the cash flows from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(3) Includes $6.2 million of finance lease payments reported in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, term loans, senior notes, secured debt and finance leases in the cash flows from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(4) Net of purchase credits of $13.2 million on certain assets, which are reported in investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
We plan to continue to allocate our available capital, after satisfying our distribution requirements, among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria, while maintaining our commitment to our long-term financial policies. Accordingly, we expect to continue to deploy capital through our annual capital expenditure program, including land purchases and new site and data center facility construction, and through acquisitions. We also regularly review our portfolios as to capital
44Table of Contentsexpenditures required to upgrade our infrastructure to our structural standards or address capacity, structural or permitting issues.
We expect that our 2024 total capital expenditures will be as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) $ 790 to $ 820
Ground lease purchases 70 to 90
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures 165 to 175
Redevelopment 455 to 485
Start-up capital projects 65 to 85
Total capital expenditures $ 1,545 to $ 1,655_______________(1) Includes the construction of approximately 2,500 to 3,500 communications sites globally and approximately $450 million of anticipated spend related to data center assets.Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our significant financing activities were as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,2023 2022
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net $ 5,678.3 $ 1,293.6
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net — 2,291.7
Repayments of credit facilities, net (2,563.8) (860.0)
Repayments of term loans (1,500.0) (3,000.0)
Proceeds from issuance of securities in securitization transaction 1,300.0 —
Repayments of securitized debt (1,300.0) —
Repayments of senior notes (1) (1,700.0) (1,555.1)
Contributions from noncontrolling interest holders (2) 4.1 3,120.8
Distributions to noncontrolling interest holders (46.5) (10.9)
Purchases of common stock — (18.8)
Distributions paid on common stock (2,949.3) (2,630.4)_______________(1) For the year ended December 31, 2022, included payment in full of $875.0 million aggregate principal amount and a fair value adjustment of $80.1 million of debt assumed in connection with the CoreSite Acquisition.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2022, included $3.1 billion of contributions received in connection with Stonepeak’s acquisition of a noncontrolling ownership interest in our U.S. data center business.
Securitizations
Repayment of Series 2013-2A Securities —On the March 2023 repayment date, we repaid the entire $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount outstanding under the Series 2013-2A Securities, pursuant to the terms of the agreements governing such securities. The repayment was funded with proceeds from the 2023 Securitization (as defined below).
Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass A and Series 2023-1, Subclass R —On March 13, 2023, we completed a securitization transaction (the “2023 Securitization”), in which American Tower Trust I (the “Trust”) issued $1.3 billion aggregate principal amount of Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2023-1A Securities”). To satisfy the applicable risk retention requirements of Regulation RR promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act” and, such requirements, the “Risk Retention Rules”), the Trust issued, and one of our affiliates purchased, $68.5 million aggregate principal amount of Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2023-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2023-1A Securities, the “2023 Securities”) to retain an “eligible horizontal residual interest” (as defined in the Risk Retention Rules) in an amount equal to at least 5% of the fair value of the 2023 Securities.
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The assets of the Trust consist of a nonrecourse loan broken into components or “componentized” (the “Loan”), which also secures each of (i) the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2018-1A Securities”) and (ii) the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2018-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2018-1A Securities, the “2018 Securities”) issued in a securitization transaction in March 2018 (the “2018 Securitization” and, together with the 2023 Securitization, the “Trust Securitizations”) made by the Trust to American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (together, the “AMT Asset Subs”).
The AMT Asset Subs are jointly and severally liable under the Loan, which is secured primarily by mortgages on the AMT Asset Subs’ interests in 5,034 broadcast and wireless communications towers and related assets (the “Trust Sites”).
The 2023 Securities correspond to components of the Loan made to the AMT Asset Subs pursuant to the Second Supplement and Amendment dated as of March 13, 2023 (the “2023 Supplement”) to the Second Amended and Restated Loan and Security Agreement dated as of March 29, 2018 (the “Loan Agreement,” which continues to govern the 2018 Securities, and collectively, the “Trust Loan Agreement”).
The 2023 Securities (a) represent a pass-through interest in the components of the Loan corresponding to the 2023 Securities and (b) have an expected life of approximately five years with a final repayment date in March 2053. The Series 2023-1A Securities and the Series 2023-1R Securities have interest rates of 5.490% and 5.735%, respectively.
The debt service on the Loan will be paid solely from the cash flows generated from the operation of the Trust Sites held by the AMT Asset Subs. The AMT Asset Subs are required to make monthly payments of interest on the Loan. Subject to certain limited exceptions described below, no payments of principal will be required to be made on the components of the Loan corresponding to the 2023 Securities prior to the monthly payment date in March 2028, which is the anticipated repayment date for such components.
The AMT Asset Subs may prepay the Loan at any time, provided that prepayment is accompanied by applicable prepayment consideration. If the prepayment occurs within twelve months of the anticipated repayment date for the 2023 Securities, no prepayment consideration is due. The entire unpaid principal balance of the components of the Loan corresponding to the 2023 Securities will be due in March 2053.Senior Notes
Repayments of Senior NotesRepayment of 3.50% Senior Notes— On January 31, 2023, we repaid $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 3.50% Notes upon their maturity. The 3.50% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 3.50% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 3.000% Senior Notes— On June 15, 2023, we repaid $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.000% Notes upon their maturity. The 3.000% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 3.000% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 0.600% Senior Notes —On January 12, 2024, we repaid $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 0.600% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “0.600% Notes”) upon their maturity. The 0.600% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 0.600% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 5.00% Senior Notes —On February 14, 2024, we repaid $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of our 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”) upon their maturity. The 5.00% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 5.00% Notes remained outstanding.Offerings of Senior Notes5.500% Senior Notes and 5.650% Senior Notes Offering— On March 3, 2023, we completed a registered public offering of $700.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “5.500% Notes”) and $800.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.650% senior unsecured notes due 2033 (the “5.650% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,480.9 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses, which we used to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility.
4.125% Senior Notes and 4.625% Senior Notes Offering— On May 16, 2023, we completed a registered public offering of 600.0 million EUR ($652.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 4.125% senior unsecured notes due 2027 (the “4.125% Notes”) and 500.0 million EUR ($543.4 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of
46Table of Contents4.625% senior unsecured notes due 2031 (the “4.625% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 1,089.5 million EUR (approximately $1,184.1 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses, which we used to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility.
5.250% Senior Notes and 5.550% Senior Notes Offering— On May 25, 2023, we completed a registered public offering of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.250% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “5.250% Notes”) and $850.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.550% senior unsecured notes due 2033 (the “5.550% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,481.9 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses, which we used to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
5.800% Senior Notes and 5.900% Senior Notes Offering— On September 15, 2023, we completed a registered public offering of $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.800% senior unsecured notes due 2028 (the “5.800% Notes”) and $750.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.900% senior unsecured notes due 2033 (the “5.900% Notes” and, together with the 5.500% Notes, the 5.650% Notes, the 4.125% Notes, the 4.625% Notes, the 5.250% Notes, the 5.550% Notes and the 5.800% Notes, the “2023 Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,482.8 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses, which we used to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
The key terms of the 2023 Notes are as follows:Senior Notes Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions) Issue Date and Interest Accrual Date Maturity Date Contractual Interest Rate First Interest Payment Interest Payments Due (1) Par Call Date (2)5.500% Notes $ 700.0 March 3, 2023 March 15, 2028 5.500 % September 15, 2023 March 15 and September 15 February 15, 2028
5.650% Notes $ 800.0 March 3, 2023 March 15, 2033 5.650 % September 15, 2023 March 15 and September 15 December 15, 2032
4.125% Notes (3) $ 652.1 May 16, 2023 May 16, 2027 4.125 % May 16, 2024 May 16 March 16, 2027
4.625% Notes (3) $ 543.4 May 16, 2023 May 16, 2031 4.625 % May 16, 2024 May 16 February 16, 2031
5.250% Notes $ 650.0 May 25, 2023 July 15, 2028 5.250 % January 15, 2024 January 15 and July 15 June 15, 2028
5.550% Notes $ 850.0 May 25, 2023 July 15, 2033 5.550 % January 15, 2024 January 15 and July 15 April 15, 2033
5.800% Notes $ 750.0 September 15, 2023 November 15, 2028 5.800 % May 15, 2024 May 15 and November 15 October 15, 2028
5.900% Notes $ 750.0 September 15, 2023 November 15, 2033 5.900 % May 15, 2024 May 15 and November 15 August 15, 2033_______________
(1) Accrued and unpaid interest on U.S. Dollar (“USD”) denominated notes is payable in USD semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the issue date on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest on EUR denominated notes is payable in EUR annually in arrears and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the notes, beginning on the issue date.(2) We may redeem the 2023 Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2023 Notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If we redeem the 2023 Notes on or after the par call date, we will not be required to pay a make-whole premium.
(3) The 4.125% Notes and the 4.625% Notes are denominated in EUR; dollar amounts represent the aggregate principal amount at the issuance date.
If we undergo a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture for the 2023 Notes, we may be required to repurchase all of the 2023 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount of those 2023 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The 2023 Notes rank equally with all of our other senior unsecured debt and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.Each applicable supplemental indenture contains certain covenants that restrict our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and our (together with our subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that we and our subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture.
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Amendments to Bank Facilities— On June 29, 2023, we amended our (i) $6.0 billion senior unsecured multicurrency revolving credit facility, as previously amended and restated on December 8, 2021 (the “2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility”), (ii) $4.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as previously amended and restated on December 8, 2021, (the “2021 Credit Facility”) and (iii) $1.0 billion unsecured term loan, as previously amended and restated on December 8, 2021, (the “2021 Term Loan”).These amendments, among other things,i. extend the maturity dates of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility to July 1, 2026 and July 1, 2028, respectively;
ii. commemorate commitments under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility of $6.0 billion and $4.0 billion, respectively; and
iii. replace the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) pricing benchmark with an Adjusted Term Secured Overnight Financing Reserve (“SOFR”) pricing benchmark.
2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility— As of December 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, which includes a $3.5 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we borrowed an aggregate of $3.0 billion and repaid an aggregate of $6.1 billion, including 842.6 million EUR ($919.1 million as of the repayment date), of revolving indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay outstanding indebtedness, including the 2021 USD Two Year Delayed Draw Term Loan, and for general corporate purposes.
2021 Credit Facility— As of December 31, 2023, we had the ability to borrow up to $4.0 billion under the 2021 Credit Facility, which includes a $2.5 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we borrowed an aggregate of $3.1 billion and repaid an aggregate of $2.6 billion of revolving indebtedness under the 2021 Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay outstanding indebtedness, including the 3.50% Notes and the 3.000% Notes, and for general corporate purposes.
Repayment of 2021 USD Two Year Delayed Draw Term Loan— On June 27, 2023, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2021 USD Two Year Delayed Draw Term Loan with borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023, the key terms under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility, the 2021 Term Loan and our 825.0 million EUR unsecured term loan, as amended in December 2021 (the “2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan”) were as follows:
Bank Facility Outstanding Principal Balance Maturity Date SOFR or EURIBOR borrowing interest rate range (1) Base rate borrowing interest rate range (1) Current margin over SOFR or EURIBOR and the base rate, respectively
2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility (2) $ 723.4 July 1, 2026 (3) 0.875% - 1.500% 0.000% - 0.500% 1.125% and 0.125%
2021 Credit Facility (4) 1,603.4 July 1, 2028 (3) 0.875% - 1.500% 0.000% - 0.500% 1.125% and 0.125%
2021 Term Loan (4) 1,000.0 January 31, 2027 0.875% - 1.750% 0.000% - 0.750% 1.125% and 0.125%
2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan (5) 910.7 May 28, 2024 0.875% - 1.625% 0.000% - 0.625% 1.125% and 0.125%_______________(1) Represents interest rate above: (a) SOFR for SOFR based borrowings, (b) Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“EURIBOR”) for EURIBOR based borrowings and (c) the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based on our debt ratings.
(2) Currently borrowed at SOFR for USD denominated borrowings and at EURIBOR for EUR denominated borrowings.
(3) Subject to two optional renewal periods.
(4) Currently borrowed at SOFR.
(5) Currently borrowed at EURIBOR.We must pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of each of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility. The commitment fee for the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility ranges from 0.080% to 0.200% per annum, based upon our debt ratings, and is currently 0.110%.The 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility, the 2021 Term Loan and the 2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan and the associated loan agreements (the “Bank Loan Agreements”) do not require amortization of principal
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and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium. We have the option of choosing either a defined base rate, SOFR or EURIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under these bank facilities.Each Bank Loan Agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding under the applicable agreement, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.India Term Loan— On February 16, 2023, we entered into a 12.0 billion INR (approximately $145.1 million at the date of signing) unsecured term loan with a maturity date that is one year from the date of the first draw thereunder (the “India Term Loan”). On February 17, 2023, we borrowed 10.0 billion INR (approximately $120.7 million at the date of borrowing) under the India Term Loan. The India Term Loan bears interest at the three month treasury bill rate as announced by the Financial Benchmarks India Private Limited at the time of borrowing plus a margin of 1.95%. Any outstanding principal and accrued but unpaid interest will be due and payable in full at maturity. The India Term Loan does not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium. In January 2024, we amended the India Term Loan to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2024.
India Working Capital Facilities —The working capital facilities bear interest at rates that consist of the applicable bank’s Marginal Cost of Funds based Lending Rate or Market Benchmark (as defined in the applicable agreement), plus a spread. Generally, the working capital facilities are payable on demand prior to maturity. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we increased the borrowing capacity of our working capital facilities in India by 2.8 billion INR (approximately $33.7 million). During the year ended December 31, 2023, we did not borrow under these facilities.
Amounts outstanding and key terms of the India credit facilities consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 (in millions, except percentages):
Amount Outstanding (INR) Amount Outstanding (USD) Interest Rate (Range) Maturity Date (Range)
Working capital facilities (1)
— $ — 8.33% - 9.30%
February 4, 2024 - October 23, 2024_______________(1) 10.7 billion INR ($128.7 million) of borrowing capacity as of December 31, 2023. We have 0.2 billion INR (approximately $2.7 million) of bank guarantees outstanding included within the overall borrowing capacity.Stock Repurchase Programs —In March 2011, our Board approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, our Board approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock (the “2017 Buyback,” and, together with the 2011 Buyback, the “Buyback Programs”).During the year ended December 31, 2023, there were no repurchases under either of the Buyback Programs.Under each program, we are authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices and subject to market conditions and other factors. With respect to open market purchases, we may use plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, which allows us to repurchase shares during periods when we may otherwise be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. These programs may be discontinued at any time.
We have repurchased a total of 14.5 million shares of our common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $1.5 billion, including commissions and fees. We expect to continue managing the pacing of the remaining approximately $2.0 billion under the Buyback Programs in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. We expect to fund any further repurchases of our common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit facilities. Repurchases under the Buyback Programs are subject to, among other things, us having available cash to fund the repurchases.Sales of Equity Securities —We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) and upon exercise of stock options granted under our equity incentive plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”). During the year ended December 31, 2023, we received an aggregate of $22.1 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.
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Table of ContentsFuture Financing Transactions — We regularly consider various options to obtain financing and access the capital markets, subject to market conditions, to meet our funding needs. Such capital raising alternatives, in addition to those noted above, may include amendments and extensions of our bank facilities, entry into new bank facilities, transactions with private equity funds or partnerships, additional senior note and equity offerings and securitization transactions. No assurance can be given as to whether any such financing transactions will be completed or as to the timing or terms thereof.Distributions— As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed, and expect to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of NOLs. We have distributed an aggregate of approximately $17.5 billion to our common stockholders, including the dividend paid in February 2024, primarily classified as ordinary income that may be treated as qualified REIT dividends under Section 199A of the Code for taxable years beginning before 2026.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid $6.31 per share, or $2.9 billion, to our common stockholders of record. In addition, we declared a distribution of $1.70 per share, or $792.7 million, paid on February 1, 2024 to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 28, 2023.
We accrue distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. The amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $21.5 million and $17.0 million as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we paid $9.0 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board and will depend on various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board may deem relevant.For more details on the cash distributions paid to our common stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2023, see note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Material Cash Requirements — The following table summarizes material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations as of December 31, 2023 (in millions):
2024 2025 2026 2027 2028 Thereafter Total
Debt obligations (1) $ 3,187.5 $ 3,729.9 $ 4,077.5 $ 5,593.6 $ 7,682.2 $ 14,911.1 $ 39,181.8
Operating lease obligations (2) 1,204.8 1,098.7 1,044.2 981.5 917.8 6,029.3 11,276.3______________
(1) Includes aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including finance lease obligations (see note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).
(2) Includes payments under non-cancellable initial terms, as well as payments for certain renewal periods at our option, which we expect to renew because failure to do so could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases (see note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).Distributions— We expect that our 2024 total distributions declared to our common stockholders will be $3.0 billion. The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board.
Asset Retirement Obligations— We are required to remove our assets and remediate the leased sites upon which certain of our assets are located. As of December 31, 2023, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was $4.0 billion.Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
Our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities, borrow funds under our credit facilities and maintain compliance with the contractual agreements governing our indebtedness. We believe that the debt agreements discussed below represent our material debt agreements that contain covenants, our compliance with which would be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.Internally Generated Funds —Because the majority of our customer leases are multiyear contracts, a significant majority of the revenues generated by our property operations as of the end of 2023 is recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Accordingly, a key factor affecting our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is to maintain this recurring revenue and to convert it into operating profit by minimizing operating costs and fully achieving our operating
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efficiencies. In addition, our ability to increase cash flow from operating activities depends upon the demand for our communications infrastructure and our related services and our ability to increase the utilization of our existing communications infrastructure.
Restrictions Under Loan Agreements Relating to Our Credit Facilities —Each Bank Loan Agreement contains certain financial and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to us and our subsidiaries that are not designated as unrestricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. These restrictions include limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens. The Bank Loan Agreements also contain covenants that establish financial tests with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply related to total leverage and senior secured leverage, as set forth in the table below. As of December 31, 2023, we were in compliance with each of these covenants.
Compliance Tests For The 12 Months Ended December 31, 2023 ($ in billions)Ratio (1) Additional Debt Capacity Under Covenants (2) Capacity for Adjusted EBITDA Decrease Under Covenants (3)Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 6.00:1.00 ~4.2 ~0.7
Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 3.00:1.00 ~19.1 (4) ~6.4 (4)_______________
(1) Each component of the ratio as defined in the applicable loan agreement.
(2) Assumes no change to Adjusted EBITDA.
(3) Assumes no change to our debt levels.
(4) Effectively, however, additional Senior Secured Debt under this ratio would be limited to the capacity under the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.
The Bank Loan Agreements also contain reporting and information covenants that require us to provide financial and operating information to the lenders within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants.Failure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and certain other covenants of the Bank Loan Agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may also constitute a default under these credit facilities, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness. The key factors affecting our ability to comply with the debt covenants described above are our financial performance relative to the financial maintenance tests defined in the Bank Loan Agreements and our ability to fund our debt service obligations. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results during the next 12 months will be sufficient to comply with these covenants.Restrictions Under Agreements Relating to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations— The indenture and related supplemental indenture governing the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes”) issued by GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”) in the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Loan Agreement (collectively, the “Securitization Loan Agreements”) include certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, GTP Acquisition Partners and the AMT Asset Subs are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets, subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the applicable agreements).
Under the Securitization Loan Agreements, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the assets securing the Series 2015-2 Notes or the assets securing the Loan, as applicable, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed, solely pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement. On a monthly basis, after paying all required amounts under the applicable agreement, subject to the conditions described in the table below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of these assets are released to GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs, as applicable, which can then be distributed to us for use. As of December 31, 2023, $76.3 million held in such reserve accounts was classified as restricted cash.Certain information with respect to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations is set forth below. The debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”) is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination.51Table of ContentsIssuer or Borrower Notes/Securities Issued Conditions Limiting Distributions of Excess Cash Excess Cash Distributed During Year Ended December 31, 2023 DSCR as of December 31, 2023 Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Cash Trap DSCR (1) Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Minimum DSCR (1)Cash Trap DSCR Amortization Period
(in millions) (in millions) (in millions)2015 Securitization GTP Acquisition Partners American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (2) (3)(4) $322.1 17.42x $296.6 $299.3
Trust Securitizations AMT Asset Subs Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass A, Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass R, Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A and Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (2) (3)(5) $547.2 6.87x $502.0 $515.5_______________(1) Based on the net cash flow of the applicable issuer or borrower as of December 31, 2023 and the expenses payable over the next 12 months on the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable.
(2) If the DSCR were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for any quarter, all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required under the applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the applicable issuer or borrower. Once triggered, a Cash Trap DSCR condition continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters. Additionally, if the borrower under the 2023 Securitization does not meet certain title insurance policy requirements within the specified time period under the agreements, excess cash flow will also be deposited into the Cash Trap Reserve Account.(3) An amortization period commences if the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.
(4) No amortization period is triggered if the outstanding principal amount of a series has not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date. However, in that event, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series, and that series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow.
(5) An amortization period exists if the outstanding principal amount has not been paid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date and continues to exist until the principal has been repaid in full.A failure to meet the noted DSCR tests could prevent GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs from distributing excess cash flow to us, which could affect our ability to fund our capital expenditures, including tower construction and acquisitions and to meet REIT distribution requirements. During an “amortization period,” all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the applicable Cash Trap Reserve Account would be applied to pay the principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, on each monthly payment date, and so would not be available for distribution to us. Further, additional interest will begin to accrue with respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes or subclass of the Loan from and after the anticipated repayment date at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the applicable agreement. With respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes, upon the occurrence of, and during, an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes, declare the Series 2015-2 Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of those notes. Furthermore, if GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs were to default on the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, the applicable trustee may seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of all or any portion of the 3,343 communications sites that secure the Series 2015-2 Notes or the 5,034 broadcast and wireless communications towers and related assets that secure the Loan, respectively, in which case we could lose those sites and their associated revenue.
As discussed above, we use our available liquidity and seek new sources of liquidity to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our distribution requirements and repay or repurchase our debt. If we determine that it is desirable or necessary to raise additional capital, we may be unable to do so, or such additional financing may be prohibitively
52Table of Contentsexpensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. Further, as further discussed under Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” market volatility and disruption caused by inflation, rising interest rates and supply chain disruptions may impact our ability to raise additional capital through debt financing activities or our ability to repay or refinance maturing liabilities, or impact the terms of any new obligations. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our REIT distribution requirements and debt service obligations, or refinance our existing indebtedness.
In addition, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities. As set forth under Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” we derive a substantial portion of our revenues from a small number of customers and, consequently, a failure by a significant customer to perform its contractual obligations to us could adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity.Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.We have reviewed our policies and estimates to determine our critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2023. We have identified the following policies as critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This is not a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a summary of our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.• Impairment of Assets—Assets Subject to Depreciation and Amortization : We review long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events, changes in circumstances or other indicators or evidence indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be recoverable.
We review our tower portfolio, network location intangible and right-of-use assets for indicators of impairment at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, typically at an individual tower basis. Possible indicators include a tower not having current tenant leases or having expenses in excess of revenues. A cash flow modeling approach is utilized to assess recoverability and incorporates, among other items, the tower location, the tower location demographics, the timing of additions of new tenants, lease rates and estimated length of tenancy and ongoing cash requirements.
We review our tenant-related intangible assets on a tenant by tenant basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. We assess recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the tenant-related intangible assets will be recovered primarily through projected undiscounted future cash flows.
If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of our long-lived assets is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss may be recognized. Key assumptions included in the undiscounted cash flows are future revenue projections, estimates of ongoing tenancies and operating margins. An impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the asset, which is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows to be provided from the asset. We record any related impairment charge in the period in which we identify such impairment.In October 2019, the Supreme Court of India issued a ruling regarding the definition of AGR and associated fees and charges, which was reaffirmed in both March 2020 and July 2021 with respect to the total charges, which may (a) have a material financial impact on certain of our customers and (b) affect their ability to perform their obligations under agreements with us. In September 2020, the Supreme Court of India defined the expected timeline of ten years for payments owed under the ruling. In September 2021, the government of India approved a relief package that, among other things, included (i) a four-year moratorium on the payment of AGR fees owed and (ii) a prospective change in the definition of AGR. In the third quarter of 2022, one of our largest customers in India, VIL, communicated that it would make partial payments of its contractual amounts owed to us and indicated that it would continue to make partial payments for the remainder of 2022. In late 2022, VIL had communicated its intent to resume payments in full under its contractual obligations owed to us beginning on January 1, 2023. However, in early 2023, VIL communicated that it would not be able to resume payments in full of its contractual obligations owed to us, and that it
53Table of Contentswould instead continue to make partial payments, for which we recorded reserves in late 2022 and the first half of 2023. In the second half of 2023, VIL began making payments in full of its monthly contractual obligations owed to us.
We determined that certain fixed and intangible assets had been impaired during the year ended December 31, 2022. During the year ended December 31, 2022, an impairment of $97.0 million was taken on tower and network location intangible assets in India. We also impaired the tenant-related intangible assets for VIL, which resulted in an impairment of $411.6 million during the year ended December 31, 2022.
We will continue to monitor the status of these developments, as it is possible that the estimated future cash flows may differ from current estimates and changes in estimated cash flows from customers in India could have further negative effects on previously recorded tangible and intangible assets, including amounts originally recorded as tenant-related intangible assets, resulting in additional impairments. Events that could negatively affect our India reporting unit’s financial results include increased tenant attrition exceeding our forecast, additional VIL payment shortfalls, carrier tenant bankruptcies and other factors set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors.”
The carrying value of tenant-related intangible assets in India was $344.8 million as of December 31, 2023, which represents 3% of our consolidated balance of $12.2 billion. Additionally, a significant reduction in customer-related cash flows in India could also impact our tower portfolio and network location intangible assets. The carrying values of our tower portfolio and network location intangible assets in India were $916.2 million and $243.6 million, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, which represent 10% and 8% of our consolidated balances of $8.8 billion and $3.2 billion, respectively.
• Impairment of Assets—Goodwill: We review goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. We employ a discounted cash flow analysis when testing goodwill. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal revenue growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. We compare the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
In 2023, we initiated a strategic review of our India business, where we evaluated the appropriate level of exposure to the India market within our global portfolio of communications assets, and assessed opportunities to repurpose capital to drive long-term shareholder value and sustained growth. The strategic review concluded in January 2024 with our signed agreement with DIT for the Pending ATC TIPL Transaction. During the process, and based on information gathered therein, we updated our estimate on the fair value of the India reporting unit and determined that the carrying value exceeded fair value. We performed a quantitative goodwill impairment test for the quarter ended September 30, 2023 using, among other things, the information obtained from third parties to compare the fair value of the India reporting unit to its carrying amount, including goodwill. The result of our goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying amount of our India reporting unit exceeded our estimated fair value. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $322.0 million.
We also performed our annual goodwill impairment test as of December 31, 2023. The results of the annual goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying amount of our Spain reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $80.0 million. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal revenue growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. The reduction in the fair value of the Spain reporting unit was due to an increase in the weighted average cost of capital.
The goodwill impairment charges in India and Spain are recorded in Goodwill impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations. During the year ended December 31, 2023, no other goodwill impairment was identified as the fair value of each of our reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.
• Acquisitions : We evaluate each of our acquisitions under the accounting guidance framework to determine whether to treat an acquisition as an asset acquisition or a business combination. For those transactions treated as asset acquisitions, the purchase price is allocated to the assets acquired, with no recognition of goodwill. For those acquisitions that meet the definition of a business combination, we apply the acquisition method of accounting where assets acquired and liabilities assumed are recorded at fair value at the date of each acquisition, and the results of
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operations are included with our results from the dates of the respective acquisitions. Any excess of the purchase price paid over the amounts recognized for assets acquired and liabilities assumed is recorded as goodwill. We continue to evaluate acquisitions accounted for as business combinations for a period not to exceed one year after the applicable acquisition date of each transaction to determine whether any additional adjustments are needed to the allocation of the purchase price paid for the assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The fair value of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is typically determined by using either estimates of replacement costs or discounted cash flow valuation methods. When determining the fair value of tangible assets acquired, we must estimate the cost to replace the asset with a new asset taking into consideration such factors as age, condition and the economic useful life of the asset. When determining the fair value of intangible assets acquired, we must estimate the applicable discount rate and the timing and amount of future tenant cash flows, including rate and terms of renewal and attrition.
• Revenue Recognition: Our revenue is derived from leasing the right to use our communications sites, the land on which the sites are located and our data center facilities (the “lease component”) and from the reimbursement of costs incurred in operating the communications sites and supporting the tenants’ equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease component”). Most of our revenue is derived from leasing arrangements and is accounted for as lease revenue unless the timing and pattern of revenue recognition of the non-lease component differs from the lease component. If the timing and pattern of the non-lease component revenue recognition differs from that of the lease component, we separately determine the stand-alone selling prices and pattern of revenue recognition for each performance obligation.
Our revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is probable. Escalation clauses tied to a consumer price index or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with our tenants, are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total property straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were $472.0 million, $499.8 million and $465.6 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable lease arrangements. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met. Periodically, we provide lease incentives to our tenants. If incentives are present in our leases, they are evaluated to determine proper treatment and, to the extent present, are recorded in Other current assets and Other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized on a straight line basis over the corresponding lease term as a non-cash reduction to revenue.
We derive the largest portion of our revenues, corresponding trade receivables and the related deferred rent asset from a small number of tenants in the telecommunications industry, with 45% of our revenues derived from three tenants. In addition, we have concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas. We mitigate the concentrations of credit risk with respect to notes and trade receivables by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of our borrowers and tenants. In recognizing tenant revenue we assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes tenant credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as the uncertainty is resolved. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and are subsequently determined to present a risk of collection are reserved as bad debt expense. Accounts receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a tenant’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured.• Rent Expense and Lease Accounting: Many of the leases underlying our tower sites and data centers have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable over time. In addition, certain of our tenant leases require us to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. Our calculation of the lease liability includes the term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to us such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.
We recognize a right-of-use lease asset and lease liability for operating and finance leases. The right-of-use asset is measured as the sum of the lease liability, prepaid or accrued lease payments, any initial direct costs incurred and any other applicable amounts.The calculation of the lease liability requires us to make certain assumptions for each lease, including lease term and discount rate implicit in each lease, which could significantly impact the gross lease obligation, the duration and the
55Table of Contentspresent value of the lease liability. When calculating the lease term, we consider the renewal, cancellation and termination rights available to us and the lessor. We determine the discount rate by calculating the incremental borrowing rate on a collateralized basis at the commencement of a lease or upon a change in the lease term.
• Income Taxes: Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate the timing and impact of amounts recorded in our financial statements that may be recognized differently for tax purposes. To the extent that the timing of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes differs from the timing of recognition for tax reporting purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are required to be recorded. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We do not expect to pay federal income taxes on our REIT taxable income.We periodically review our deferred tax assets, and we record a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes, if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.
We recognize the benefit of uncertain tax positions when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that positions we have taken in our tax returns will be sustained upon examination, which are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We adjust our tax liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information or information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which additional information is available or the position is ultimately settled under audit.
Accounting Standards Update
For a discussion of recent accounting standards updates, see note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
FY 2024-12-31 (later)
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations that follow are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of our financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, revenues and expenses, and the related disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of our financial statements. Actual results may differ from these estimates and such differences could be material to the financial statements. This discussion should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report and the accompanying notes, and the information set forth under the caption “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” below.During the year ended December 31, 2024, we completed the sale of ATC TIPL. The divestiture qualified for presentation as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion. Prior to the divestiture and classification as discontinued operations, ATC TIPL’s operating results were included within the Asia-Pacific property segment. Historical financial information included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been adjusted to reflect the operating results of ATC TIPL as discontinued operations for all periods presented.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we also completed the sales of ATC Australia and ATC New Zealand. The divestitures did not qualify for presentation as discontinued operations.
During the fourth quarter of 2024, following recent divestitures, including the ATC TIPL Transaction, and changes to our organizational structure, we reviewed and changed our reportable segments. Our APAC property segment and our Africa property segment were combined into the Africa & APAC property segment. As a result, we now report our results in six segments: U.S. & Canada property (which includes all assets in the United States and Canada, other than our data center facilities and related assets), Africa & APAC property, Europe property, Latin America property, Data Centers and Services. In evaluating financial performance in each business segment, management uses, among other factors, segment gross margin and segment operating profit (see note 20 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report). Historical financial information included in Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations has been adjusted to reflect the change in reportable segments.Executive OverviewWe are one of the largest global REITs and a leading independent owner, operator and developer of multitenant communications real estate. Our primary business is the leasing of space on communications sites to wireless service providers, radio and television broadcast companies, wireless data providers, government agencies and municipalities and tenants in a number of other industries. In addition to the communications sites in our portfolio, we manage rooftop and tower sites for property owners under various contractual arrangements. We also hold other telecommunications infrastructure and property interests that we lease primarily to communications service providers and third-party tower operators, and, as discussed further below, we hold a portfolio of highly interconnected data center facilities and related assets in the United States. Our customers include our tenants, licensees and other payers. We refer to the business encompassing the above as our property operations, which accounted for 98% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2024 and includes our U.S. & Canada property, Africa & APAC property, Europe property and Latin America property segments and Data Centers segment.We also offer tower-related services in the United States, including site application, zoning and permitting, structural and mount analyses, and construction management, which primarily support our site leasing business, including the addition of new tenants and equipment on our sites.27Table of ContentsThe following table details the number of communications sites, excluding managed sites, that we owned or operated as of December 31, 2024:Number of Owned Towers Number of Operated Towers (1) Number of Owned DAS Sites
U.S. & Canada:Canada 226 — —
United States 26,583 14,979 434
U.S. & Canada total 26,809 14,979 434
Africa & APAC:
Bangladesh 900 — —
Burkina Faso 733 — —
Ghana 3,477 — 37
Kenya 4,272 — 11Niger 916 — —Nigeria 9,079 — —
Philippines 373 — —
South Africa 2,517 — —
Uganda 4,302 — 25
Africa & APAC total
26,569 — 73
Europe:
France 4,189 303 9
Germany 15,204 — —
Spain 12,080 — 1
Europe total 31,473 303 10Latin America:Argentina 498 — 11
Brazil 21,171 1,440 124
Chile 3,712 — 110
Colombia 4,945 — 6
Costa Rica 712 — 2
Mexico 9,423 186 89
Paraguay 1,451 — —
Peru 3,976 450 1
Latin America total 45,888 2,076 343_______________
(1) Approximately 98% of the operated towers are held pursuant to long-term finance leases, including those subject to purchase options.As of December 31, 2024, our property portfolio included 29 operating data center facilities across ten markets in the United States that collectively comprise approximately 3.3 million NRSF of data center space, as detailed below:Number of Data Centers Total NRSF (1)
(in thousands)San Francisco Bay, CA 9 998Los Angeles, CA 3 724Northern Virginia, VA 5 651New York, NY 2 285
Chicago, IL 2 216
Boston, MA 1 143Orlando, FL 1 104Atlanta, GA 2 95Miami, FL 2 89
Denver, CO 2 38
Total 29 3,343_______________(1) Excludes approximately 0.4 million of office and light-industrial NRSF.
In most of our markets, our tenant leases for our communications sites with wireless carriers generally have initial non-cancellable terms of five to ten years with multiple renewal terms. Accordingly, the vast majority of the revenue generated by our property operations during the year ended December 31, 2024 was recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in
28Table of Contentsfuture periods. Most of our tenant leases for our communications sites have provisions that periodically increase or “escalate” the rent due under the lease, typically based on (a) an annual fixed escalation (averaging approximately 3% in the United States), (b) an inflationary index in most of our international markets, or (c) a combination of both. In addition, certain of our tenant leases provide for additional revenue primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs.
Based upon existing customer leases and foreign currency exchange rates as of December 31, 2024, we expect to generate nearly $54 billion of non-cancellable customer lease revenue over future periods, before the impact of straight-line lease accounting.
In 2023, we initiated a strategic review of our India business, as further discussed below under “Results of Operations—Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes.” The strategic review concluded in January 2024 with the signed agreement for the ATC TIPL Transaction. The ATC TIPL Transaction received all government and regulatory approvals during the three months ended September 30, 2024. On September 12, 2024, we completed the ATC TIPL Transaction and received total consideration of 182 billion INR (approximately $2.2 billion). ATC TIPL’s operating results are presented as discontinued operations. See discussion below and Note 22 for further discussion.The revenues generated by our property operations may be affected by cancellations of existing tenant leases. As discussed above, most of our tenant leases with wireless carriers and broadcasters are multiyear contracts, which typically are non-cancellable; however, in some instances, a lease may be cancelled upon the payment of a termination fee.Revenue lost from either tenant lease cancellations or the non-renewal of leases or rent renegotiations, which we refer to as churn, has historically not had a material adverse effect on the revenues generated by our consolidated property operations. During the year ended December 31, 2024, churn was approximately 2% of our tenant billings, primarily driven by churn in our U.S. & Canada property segment, as discussed below.We expect that our churn rate in our U.S. & Canada property segment will remain elevated through 2025 due to contractual lease cancellations and non-renewals by T-Mobile, including legacy Sprint Corporation leases, pursuant to the terms of the T-Mobile MLA entered into in September 2020.
Property Operations Revenue Growth . Due to our diversified communications site portfolio, our tenant lease rates vary considerably depending upon numerous factors, including, but not limited to, amount, type and position of tenant equipment on the tower, remaining tower capacity and tower location. We measure the remaining tower capacity by assessing several factors, including tower height, tower type, environmental conditions, existing equipment on the tower and zoning and permitting regulations in effect in the jurisdiction where the tower is located. In many instances, tower capacity can be increased with relatively modest tower augmentation capital expenditures, which are often reimbursed to us.
The primary factors affecting the revenue growth of our property segments are:
• Growth in tenant billings, including:
• New revenue attributable to leasing additional space on our sites (“colocations”) and lease amendments;
• Contractual rent escalations on existing tenant leases, net of churn; and
• New revenue attributable to leases in place on day one on sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior-year period.
• Revenue growth from our Data Centers segment in the United States, including rental and power revenue from new lease commencements and expansions, contractual rent and power escalations on existing leases, mark-to-market increases on renewing leases and increased interconnection services and solutions.
• Revenue growth from other items, including additional tenant payments primarily to cover costs, such as ground rent or power and fuel costs included in certain tenant leases (“pass-through”), straight-line revenue and decommissioning, partially offset, in certain cases, by revenue reserve provisions.
We continue to believe that our site leasing revenue, which makes up the vast majority of our property segment revenue, is likely to increase due to the growing use of wireless services globally and our ability to meet the corresponding incremental demand for our communications real estate. By adding new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants on our sites, we are able to increase these sites’ utilization and profitability. We believe the majority of our site leasing activity will continue to come from wireless service providers, with tenants in a number of other industries contributing incremental leasing demand. Our site portfolio and our established tenant base provide us with new business opportunities, which have historically resulted in consistent and predictable organic revenue growth as wireless carriers seek to increase the coverage and capacity of their existing networks, while also deploying next generation wireless technologies. In addition, we intend to continue to supplement our organic growth by selectively developing or acquiring new sites in our existing and new markets where we can achieve our risk-adjusted return on investment objectives.29
Table of ContentsProperty Operations Organic Revenue Growth . Consistent with our strategy to increase the utilization and return on investment from our sites, our objective is to add new tenants and new equipment for existing tenants through colocation and lease amendments. Our ability to lease additional space on our sites is primarily a function of the rate at which wireless carriers and other tenants deploy capital to improve and expand their wireless networks. This rate, in turn, is influenced by the growth of wireless services, the penetration of advanced wireless devices, the level of emphasis on network quality and capacity in carrier competition, the financial performance of our tenants and their access to capital and general economic conditions. According to industry data, recent aggregate annual wireless capital spending in the United States has averaged at least $30 billion, resulting in consistent demand for our sites.
Based on industry research and projections, we expect that a number of key industry trends will result in incremental revenue opportunities for us:• In less advanced wireless markets where network deployments are in earlier stages, we expect these deployments to drive demand for our tower space as carriers seek to expand their footprints and increase the scope and density of their networks. We have established operations in many of these markets at the early stages of wireless development, which we believe will enable us to meaningfully participate in these deployments over the long term.
• Subscribers’ use of mobile data continues to grow rapidly given increasing smartphone and other advanced device penetration, the proliferation of bandwidth-intensive applications on these devices and the continuing evolution of the mobile ecosystem. We believe carriers will be compelled to deploy additional equipment on existing networks while also rolling out more advanced wireless networks to address coverage and capacity needs resulting from this increasing mobile data usage.
• The deployment of advanced mobile technology, such as 4G and 5G, will provide higher speed data services and further enable fixed broadband substitution. As a result, we expect that our tenants will continue deploying additional equipment across their existing networks.
• Wireless service providers compete based on the quality of their networks, which is driven by capacity and coverage. To maintain or improve their network performance as overall network usage increases, our tenants continue to deploy additional equipment across their existing sites while also adding new cell sites. We anticipate increasing network densification over the next several years, as existing network density is anticipated to be insufficient to account for rapidly increasing levels of wireless data usage.
• Wireless service providers continue to acquire additional spectrum, and as a result are expected to add additional sites and equipment to their networks as they seek to optimize their network configuration and utilize additional spectrum. We expect this to be particularly relevant in the context of higher-band spectrum such as 2.5 gigahertz (GHz) and C-Band being deployed for 5G, as these spectrum assets tend to have more limited propagation characteristics compared to the lower-band spectrum that has historically been deployed on our towers.
• Next generation technologies requiring wireless connectivity have the potential to provide incremental revenue opportunities for us. These technologies may include edge computing functionality, autonomous vehicle networks and a number of other internet-of-things, or IoT, applications, as well as other potential use cases for wireless services. These technologies may create new and complementary use cases for our communications real estate over time, although these use cases are currently in nascent stages.• Continued data growth, including through increased use of artificial intelligence, and emerging high-performance, latency-sensitive applications will drive an increased need for reliable, secure and interconnected data center solutions. We believe these trends will result in incremental utilization and interconnection demand at our data center facilities.
As part of our international expansion initiatives, we have targeted markets in various stages of network development to diversify our international exposure and position us to benefit from a number of different wireless technology deployments over the long term, while benefitting from our shared global experience, capabilities and services. In addition, we have focused on building relationships with large multinational carriers to increase the opportunities for growth or mutually beneficial transactional opportunities across common markets. We believe that consistent carrier network investments across our international markets will, over the long term, position us to generate meaningful organic revenue growth going forward.
In emerging markets, such as Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Kenya, Niger, Nigeria, the Philippines and Uganda, wireless networks tend to be significantly less advanced than those in the United States, and initial voice networks continue to be deployed in certain underdeveloped areas. A majority of consumers in these markets still utilize basic wireless services and advanced device penetration remains low. In more developed urban locations within these markets, mobile data usage tends to be higher and advanced network deployments are further along. Carriers are focused on completing voice network build-outs while increasing investments in data networks as mobile data usage and smartphone penetration within their customer bases begin to accelerate.
In markets with rapidly evolving network technology, such as South Africa and most of the countries in Latin America where we do business, initial voice networks, for the most part, have already been built out, and carriers are increasingly focused on
30Table of Contentsthe early stages of 5G network deployments. Consumers in these regions are increasingly adopting smartphones and other advanced devices, in particular as lower cost smartphones become increasingly available. As a result, the usage of bandwidth-intensive mobile applications is growing materially. Recent spectrum auctions in these rapidly evolving markets have allowed incumbent carriers to accelerate their data network deployments and have also enabled new entrants to begin initial investments in data networks. Smartphone penetration and wireless data usage in these markets are advancing rapidly, which typically requires that carriers continue to invest in their networks to maintain and augment their quality of service.
Finally, in markets with more mature network technology, such as Canada, Germany, France and Spain, carriers are focused on deploying 5G data networks to account for rapidly increasing wireless data usage among their customer base.
We believe that the network technology migration we have seen in the United States, which has led to significantly denser networks and meaningful new business commencements for us over a number of years, will be replicated in our international markets over time. As a result, we expect to be able to leverage our extensive international portfolio of approximately 107,000 communications sites and the relationships we have built with our carrier tenants to drive sustainable, long - term growth.We have master lease agreements with many of our tenants for our communications sites that provide for consistent, long-term revenue and reduce the likelihood of non-contractual churn. Certain of those master lease agreements are comprehensive in nature and further build and augment strong strategic partnerships with our tenants while significantly reducing colocation cycle times, thereby providing our tenants with the ability to rapidly and efficiently deploy equipment on our sites.Demand for our communications infrastructure assets could be negatively impacted by a number of factors, including an increase in network sharing or consolidation among our customers and financial difficulties for our customers, as set forth in Item 1A of this Annual Report under the captions “Risk Factors—If our customers consolidate their operations, exit their businesses or share site infrastructure to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be materially and adversely affected” and “Risk Factors—A substantial portion of our current and projected future revenue is derived from a small number of customers, and we are sensitive to adverse changes in the creditworthiness and financial strength of our customers.” In addition, the emergence and growth of new technologies could reduce demand for our sites, as set forth under the caption “Risk Factors—New technologies or changes, or lack thereof, in our or a customer’s business model could make our communications infrastructure leasing business less desirable and result in decreasing revenues and operating results.” Further, our customers may be subject to new regulatory policies from time to time that materially and adversely affect the demand for our communications infrastructure assets.
Property Operations New Site Revenue Growth. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we grew our portfolio of communications real estate through the acquisition and construction of approximately 2,450 communications sites globally. In a majority of our Africa & APAC, Europe and Latin America markets, the revenue generated from newly acquired or constructed sites resulted in increases in both tenant and pass-through revenues (such as ground rent or power and fuel costs) and expenses. We continue to evaluate opportunities to acquire communications real estate portfolios, both domestically and internationally, to determine whether they meet our risk-adjusted hurdle rates and whether we believe we can effectively integrate them into our existing portfolio.
New Sites (Acquired or Constructed) 2024 2023 2022
U.S. & Canada 15 20 55
Africa & APAC (1)
1,660 1,700 2,285
Europe 590 555 690
Latin America 185 215 340
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(1) For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, excludes approximately 90, 865, and 4,035 new sites in India, respectively.Property Operations Expenses. Direct operating expenses incurred by our property segments include direct site or facility level expenses and consist primarily of ground rent and power and fuel costs, some or all of which may be passed through to our customers, as well as property taxes and repairs and maintenance expenses. These segment direct operating expenses exclude all segment and corporate selling, general, administrative and development expenses, which are aggregated into one line item entitled Selling, general, administrative and development expense in our consolidated statements of operations. In general, our property segments’ selling, general, administrative and development expenses do not significantly increase as a result of adding incremental customers to our sites or facilities and typically increase only modestly year-over-year. As a result, leasing additional space to new customers on our sites or within our facilities provides significant incremental gross margin and cash flow. We may, however, incur additional segment selling, general, administrative and development expenses as we increase our presence in our existing markets or expand into new markets. Our profit margin growth is therefore positively impacted by the addition of new customers to our sites or facilities but can be temporarily diluted by our development activities.31
Table of ContentsServices Segment Revenue Growth . As we continue to focus on growing our property operations, we anticipate that our services revenue will continue to represent a small percentage of our total revenues.32Table of Contents
Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresIncluded in our analysis of our results of operations are discussions regarding earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and accretion, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”), Funds From Operations, as defined by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts (“Nareit FFO”) attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders, Adjusted Funds From Operations (“AFFO”) attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders (“AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders”) and Segment gross margin.
We define Adjusted EBITDA as Net income before Income (loss) from equity method investments; Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes; Income tax benefit (provision); Other income (expense); Gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; Interest expense; Interest income; Other operating income (expense), including Goodwill impairment; Depreciation, amortization and accretion; and stock-based compensation expense.
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders is defined as net income before gains or losses from the sale or disposal of real estate, real estate related impairment charges, real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion including adjustments and distributions for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests and discontinued operations. In this section, we refer to Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “Nareit FFO (common stockholders).”
We define AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as Nareit FFO (common stockholders) before (i) straight-line revenue and expense; (ii) stock-based compensation expense; (iii) the deferred portion of income tax and other income tax adjustments; (iv) non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion; (v) amortization of deferred financing costs, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges; (vi) other income (expense); (vii) gain (loss) on retirement of long-term obligations; and (viii) other operating income (expense); less cash payments related to capital improvements and cash payments related to corporate capital expenditures and including adjustments and distributions for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests and adjustments for discontinued operations, which includes the impact of noncontrolling interests and discontinued operations on both Nareit FFO and the corresponding adjustments included in AFFO. In this section, we refer to AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders as “AFFO (common stockholders).”
We define Segment gross margin as segment revenue less segment operating expenses, excluding depreciation, amortization and accretion; selling, general, administrative and development expense; and other operating expenses.
Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), AFFO (common stockholders) and Segment gross margin are not intended to replace net income or any other performance measures determined in accordance with GAAP. None of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), AFFO (common stockholders) or Segment gross margin represents cash flows from operating activities in accordance with GAAP and, therefore, these measures should not be considered indicative of cash flows from operating activities, as a measure of liquidity or a measure of funds available to fund our cash needs, including our ability to make cash distributions. Rather, Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), AFFO (common stockholders) and Segment gross margin are presented as we believe each is a useful indicator of our current operating performance. We believe that these metrics are useful to an investor in evaluating our operating performance because (1) each is a key measure used by our management team for decision making purposes and for evaluating our operating segments’ performance; (2) Adjusted EBITDA is a component underlying our credit ratings; (3) Adjusted EBITDA is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to measure operating performance as depreciation, amortization and accretion may vary significantly among companies depending upon accounting methods and useful lives, particularly where acquisitions and non-operating factors are involved; (4) AFFO (common stockholders) is widely used in the telecommunications real estate sector to adjust Nareit FFO (common stockholders) for items that may otherwise cause material fluctuations in Nareit FFO (common stockholders) growth from period to period that would not be representative of the underlying performance of property assets in those periods; (5) Segment gross margin provides valuable insight into the site-level profitability of our assets (6) each provides investors with a meaningful measure for evaluating our period-to-period operating performance by eliminating items that are not operational in nature; and (7) each provides investors with a measure for comparing our results of operations to those of other companies, particularly those in our industry.
Our measurement of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders), AFFO (common stockholders) and Segment gross margin may not, however, be fully comparable to similarly titled measures used by other companies. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA, Nareit FFO (common stockholders) and AFFO (common stockholders) to net income and Segment gross margin to gross margin, the most directly comparable GAAP measures, have been included below.
33Table of Contents
Results of OperationsYears Ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022(in millions, except percentages)
RevenueYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 5,248.1 $ 5,216.2 $ 5,006.3 1 % 4 %
Africa & APAC (1) 1,208.0 1,244.4 1,203.8 (3) 3
Europe 834.7 775.6 735.7 8 5
Latin America 1,717.9 1,798.3 1,691.9 (4) 6
Data Centers 924.8 834.7 766.6 11 9
Total property 9,933.5 9,869.2 9,404.3 1 5
Services 193.7 143.0 241.1 35 (41)
Total revenues $ 10,127.2 $ 10,012.2 $ 9,645.4 1 % 4 %
_______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion.
Year ended December 31, 2024
U.S. & Canada property segment revenue growth of $31.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $216.2 million, which was driven by:
◦ $180.3 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $49.1 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ Partially offset by a decrease of $13.2 million from other tenant billings;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $184.1 million in other revenue, which includes a $162.7 million decrease due to straight-line accounting and a decrease due to equipment removal and other fees received in the prior year period.
Segment revenue growth was partially offset by the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Canadian Dollar (“CAD”).
Africa & APAC property segment revenue decrease of $36.4 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $157.3 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related which included, among others, negative impacts of $131.4 million related to fluctuations in Nigerian Naira (“NGN”), $29.3 million related to fluctuations in Ghanaian Cedi (“GHS”), $1.9 million related to fluctuations in Ugandan Shilling, partially offset by positive impacts of $5.0 million related to fluctuations in Kenyan Shilling (“KES”); and
• A decrease of $39.4 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to a decrease in fuel costs;
• Partially offset by:
• Tenant billings growth of $154.2 million, which was driven by:
◦ $51.7 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $49.3 million generated from sites acquired or constructed since the beginning of the prior-year period (“newly acquired or constructed sites”);
◦ $49.2 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
◦ $4.0 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $6.1 million in other revenue.
Europe property segment revenue growth of $59.1 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $38.5 million, which was driven by:
◦ $20.4 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $11.3 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
◦ $8.0 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ Partially offset by a decrease of $1.2 million from other tenant billings;
• An increase of $14.3 million in pass-through revenue; and
• An increase of $5.5 million in other revenue.
Segment revenue growth included an increase of $0.8 million, primarily attributable to the positive impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in Euro (“EUR”).
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Latin America property segment revenue decrease of $80.4 million was attributable to:
• A decrease of $79.9 million, attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, negative impacts of $58.6 million related to fluctuations in Brazilian Real (“BRL”), $13.4 million related to fluctuations in Mexican Peso (“MXN”) and $13.1 million related to fluctuations in Chilean Peso (“CLP”), partially offset by positive impacts of $6.4 million related to fluctuations in Colombian Peso (“COP”); and
• A decrease of $43.9 million in other revenue, primarily attributable to an increase in revenue reserves related to a customer in Colombia, a decrease in tenant settlements in Mexico and the sale of one of our subsidiaries in Mexico that held fiber assets (“Mexico Fiber”) in the prior year period, partially offset by the recognition of previously deferred revenue in Brazil;
• Partially offset by:
• Tenant billings growth of $28.9 million, which was driven by:
◦ $31.8 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $1.9 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ Partially offset by decreases of:
◦ $3.2 million from other tenant billings; and
◦ $1.6 million from churn in excess of contractual escalations; and
• An increase of $14.5 million in pass-through revenue.
Data Centers segment revenue growth of $90.1 million was attributable to:
• An increase of $56.9 million in rental, related and other revenue, primarily due to new lease commencements, customer expansions and rent increases upon customer renewals;
• An increase of $30.8 million in power revenue from new lease commencements, increased power consumption and pricing increases from existing customers; and
• An increase of $11.9 million in interconnection revenue, primarily due to customer interconnection net additions and set-up fees;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $9.5 million in straight-line revenue.
Services segment revenue growth of $50.7 million was primarily attributable to an increase in construction management and structural and mount analyses services.Year ended December 31, 2023
U.S. & Canada property segment revenue growth of $209.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $232.5 million, which was driven by:
◦ $229.9 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $12.5 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ Partially offset by:◦ a decrease of $8.5 million from other tenant billings; and
◦ a decrease of $1.4 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites, which includes the impact of the disposition in the second quarter of 2022 of certain operations acquired in connection with our acquisition of InSite Wireless Group, LLC;• Partially offset by a decrease of $22.0 million in other revenue, which includes a $66.9 million decrease due to straight-line accounting, partially offset by equipment removal and other fees.Segment revenue growth included a decrease of $0.6 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in CAD.
Africa & APAC property segment revenue growth of $40.6 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $147.9 million, which was driven by:
◦ $58.5 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $49.5 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ $35.4 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn; and
◦ $4.5 million from other tenant billings;
• An increase of $126.9 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to an increase in energy costs; and
• An increase of $2.7 million in other revenue, primarily due to an increase from straight-line accounting, partially offset by an increase in revenue reserves.
Segment revenue growth was partially offset by a decrease of $236.9 million attributable to the negative impact of foreign currency translation related which included, among others, negative impacts of $148.2 million related to fluctuations in NGN, $45.4 million related to fluctuations in GHS, $22.3 million related to fluctuations in KES and $20.4 million related to fluctuations in South African Rand.35
Table of ContentsEurope property segment revenue growth of $39.9 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $47.2 million, which was driven by:
◦ $25.8 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ $13.6 million due to colocations and amendments; and
◦ $8.5 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites;
◦ Partially offset by a decrease of $0.7 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $9.9 million in other revenue, which includes an increase attributable to our Spain fiber business acquired in the second quarter of 2022;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $36.4 million in pass-through revenue, primarily due to a decrease in energy costs.Segment revenue growth included an increase of $19.2 million, primarily attributable to the positive impact of foreign currency translation related to fluctuations in EUR.Latin America property segment revenue growth of $106.4 million was attributable to:
• Tenant billings growth of $58.0 million, which was driven by:
◦ $35.3 million due to colocations and amendments;
◦ $20.2 million resulting from contractual escalations, net of churn;
◦ $2.2 million generated from newly acquired or constructed sites; and
◦ $0.3 million from other tenant billings; and
• An increase of $23.8 million in pass-through revenue, primarily attributable to increased pass-through ground rent costs in Brazil;• Partially offset by a decrease of $74.0 million in other revenue, primarily attributable to the sale of Mexico Fiber and a decrease in tenant settlements in Mexico.
Segment revenue growth included an increase of $98.6 million, attributable to the impact of foreign currency translation, which included, among others, positive impacts of $69.3 million related to fluctuations in MXN, $25.4 million related to fluctuations in BRL and $4.0 million related to fluctuations in CLP, partially offset by negative impacts of $1.9 million related to fluctuations in COP.Data Centers segment revenue growth of $68.1 million was attributable to:
• An increase of $31.9 million in rental, related and other revenue, primarily due to new lease commencements, customer expansions and rent increases upon customer renewals;
• An increase of $27.7 million in power revenue from new lease commencements, increased power consumption and pricing increases from existing customers; and
• An increase of $9.6 million in interconnection revenue, primarily due to customer interconnection net additions and set-up fees;
• Partially offset by a decrease of $1.1 million in straight-line revenue.
Services segment revenue decrease of $98.1 million was primarily attributable to a decrease in site application, zoning and permitting, structural and mount analyses services and construction management services.Gross MarginYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 4,377.2 $ 4,366.3 $ 4,160.9 0 % 5 %
Africa & APAC (1) 827.5 806.0 755.7 3 7
Europe 525.3 476.1 416.1 10 14
Latin America 1,187.7 1,232.3 1,165.2 (4) 6
Data Centers 534.0 487.1 444.6 10 10
Total property 7,451.7 7,367.8 6,942.5 1 6
Services 101.1 82.9 133.7 22 % (38) %
_______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion.
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Year ended December 31, 2024
• The increase in U.S. & Canada property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $21.0 million, primarily attributable to impacts of straight-line accounting.
• The increase in Africa & APAC property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to a decrease in direct expenses of $12.9 million, primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including fuel costs, partially offset by an increase in repair and maintenance spending. The decrease in direct expenses was partially offset by the decrease in revenue described above. Direct expenses also benefited by $45.0 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Europe property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $9.6 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including energy costs, an increase in land rent costs and an increase in repair and maintenance spending. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $0.3 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The decrease in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $13.8 million, including a decrease due to the sale of Mexico Fiber in the prior year period, as well as land rent costs. Direct expenses also benefited by $22.0 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Data Centers segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $43.2 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with power revenue, including utility costs.
• The increase in Services segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $32.5 million.Year ended December 31, 2023
• The increase in U.S. & Canada property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $4.5 million.• The increase in Africa & APAC property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $93.4 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including energy costs. Direct expenses also benefited by $103.1 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.• The increase in Europe property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, and a decrease in direct expenses of $27.6 million, primarily due to a decrease in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including energy costs. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $7.5 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Latin America property segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $15.0 million, primarily due to an increase in costs associated with pass-through revenue, including land rent costs. Direct expenses were also negatively impacted by $24.3 million from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in Data Centers segment gross margin was primarily attributable to the increase in revenue described above, partially offset by an increase in direct expenses of $25.6 million, primarily due to power costs.
• The decrease in Services segment gross margin was primarily due to the decrease in revenue described above, partially offset by a decrease in direct expenses of $47.3 million.
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Selling, General, Administrative and Development Expense (“SG&A”)Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 161.1 $ 165.1 $ 183.2 (2) % (10) %
Africa & APAC (1) 68.0 87.3 86.5 (22) 1
Europe 64.8 65.6 52.4 (1) 25
Latin America 111.0 107.9 107.6 3 0
Data Centers 78.8 72.4 63.9 9 13
Total property 483.7 498.3 493.6 (3) 1
Services 21.0 22.9 22.3 (8) 3
Other 428.7 424.8 386.2 1 10
Total selling, general, administrative and development expense $ 933.4 $ 946.0 $ 902.1 (1) % 5 %
_______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion.
Year Ended December 31, 2024
• The decrease in our U.S. & Canada property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel and related costs and lower canceled construction costs.
• The decrease in our Africa & APAC property segment SG&A was primarily driven by a benefit from the impact of foreign currency translation of $11.5 million and lower canceled construction costs, partially offset by a net increase in bad debt expense.
• The decrease in our Europe property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased professional services costs and decreased personnel and related costs.
• The increase in our Latin America property segment SG&A was primarily driven by a net increase in bad debt expense of $14.1 million, partially offset by decreased professional services costs, decreased personnel and related costs and a benefit from the impact of foreign currency translation.
• The increase in our Data Centers segment SG&A was primarily driven by increased personnel and related costs to support our business.
• The decrease in our Services segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel and related costs.
• The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense and an increase in personnel and related costs to support our business, partially offset by a decrease in other corporate SG&A.Year Ended December 31, 2023
• The decrease in our U.S. & Canada property segment SG&A was primarily driven by decreased personnel and related costs.• The increase in our Africa & APAC property segment SG&A was primarily driven by increased personnel and related costs to support our business, increased costs associated with the cancellation of projects and an increase in bad debt expense, partially offset by a benefit from the impact of foreign currency translation.• The increases in our Europe property and Data Centers segment SG&A were primarily driven by increased personnel and related costs to support our business.
• The increases in our Latin America property and Services segment SG&A were primarily driven by net increases in bad debt expense, partially offset by decreased personnel and related costs. The Latin America property segment SG&A increase also includes the negative impact of foreign currency translation.• The increase in other SG&A was primarily attributable to an increase in stock-based compensation expense of $21.6 million, including an increase of $7.6 million related to the change in vesting terms as described in note 13 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report, and an increase in corporate SG&A, including an increase in personnel and related costs to support our business.
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Table of ContentsOperating ProfitYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022PropertyU.S. & Canada $ 4,216.1 $ 4,201.2 $ 3,977.7 0 % 6 %
Africa & APAC (1) 759.5 718.7 669.2 6 7
Europe 460.5 410.5 363.7 12 13
Latin America 1,076.7 1,124.4 1,057.6 (4) 6
Data Centers 455.2 414.7 380.7 10 9
Total property $ 6,968.0 $ 6,869.5 $ 6,448.9 1 % 7 %
Services $ 80.1 $ 60.0 $ 111.4 34 % (46) %
_______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion.
Year Ended December 31, 2024
• The increases in operating profit for our U.S. & Canada, Africa & APAC and Europe property segments and our Services segment were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin and decreases in our segment SG&A.
• The decrease in operating profit for Latin America property segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in our segment gross margin and an increase in our segment SG&A.
• The increase in operating profit for our Data Centers segment was primarily attributable to an increase in our segment gross margin, partially offset by an increase in our segment SG&A.Year Ended December 31, 2023• The increase in operating profit for our U.S. & Canada property segment was primarily attributable to an increase in our segment gross margin and a decrease in our segment SG&A.
• The increases in operating profit for our Africa & APAC, Europe and Latin America property segments and our Data Centers segment were primarily attributable to increases in our segment gross margin, partially offset by increases in our segment SG&A.• The decrease in operating profit for our Services segment was primarily attributable to a decrease in our segment gross margin and an increase in our segment SG&A.
Depreciation, Amortization and AccretionYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Depreciation, amortization and accretion $ 2,028.8 $ 2,928.5 $ 3,164.9 (31) % (7) %
The decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to the change in estimated useful lives of our tower assets.
During the first quarter of 2024, we finalized our reviews of the estimated useful lives of our tower assets and estimated settlement dates for our asset retirement obligations. Based on information obtained, we determined that our estimated asset lives and our estimated settlement dates should be extended, which resulted in an estimated $730 million decrease in depreciation and amortization expense and an estimated $75 million decrease in accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2024. For more information on the change in the estimated useful lives of our tower assets and the change in the estimated settlement dates for our asset retirement obligations, see the information under the captions “Property and Equipment” and “Asset Retirement Obligations” included in note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report (“Note 1”).The decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to the decrease in property and equipment and intangible assets subject to amortization as a result of impairments taken and disposals since the beginning of the prior-year period and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.39
Table of ContentsOther Operating ExpensesYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Other operating expenses $ 74.1 $ 370.7 $ 270.6 (80) % 37 %
The decrease in other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to a decrease in impairment charges, excluding goodwill impairments, of $131.4 million, a decrease in losses on sales or disposals of assets of $113.4 million, primarily attributable to the loss on the sale of Mexico Fiber of $80.0 million in the prior year period, and a decrease in integration and acquisition related costs, including benefits related to pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements.
The increase in other operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a loss on the sale of Mexico Fiber of $80.0 million, an increase in impairment charges, excluding goodwill impairments, of $52.7 million and an increase in severance and related costs of $21.8 million, partially offset by a decrease in integration and acquisition related costs, including pre-acquisition contingencies and settlements, of $67.2 million.Goodwill ImpairmentThere was no Goodwill impairment recorded during the year ended December 31, 2024. During the year ended December 31, 2023, Goodwill impairment consisted of $80.0 million of an impairment charge recorded for our Spain reporting unit. For more information on these impairments, see the information under the caption “Goodwill Impairments” included in note 5 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.Total Other ExpenseYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Total other expense $ 891.7 $ 1,596.2 $ 652.6 (44) % 145 %Total other expense consists primarily of interest expense and realized and unrealized foreign currency gains and losses. We record unrealized foreign currency gains or losses as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations primarily associated with our intercompany notes and similar unaffiliated balances denominated in a currency other than the subsidiaries’ functional currencies.The decrease in total other expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to foreign currency gains of $308.3 million in the current period, as compared to foreign currency losses of $330.6 million in the prior-year period. Total other expense during the year ended December 31, 2024 also includes $70.4 million in unrealized gains from equity securities in the United States.
The increase in total other expense during the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily due to foreign currency losses of $330.6 million in the current period, as compared to foreign currency gains of $451.4 million in the prior-year period, and an increase in net interest expense of $182.7 million, primarily due to increases in our weighted average interest rate.Income Tax ProvisionYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Income tax provision $ 366.3 $ 90.8 $ 112.8 303 % (20) %
Effective tax rate 10.1 % 5.9 % 5.4 %
As a REIT, we may deduct earnings distributed to stockholders against the income generated by our REIT operations. Consequently, the effective tax rate on income from continuing operations for each of the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 differs from the federal statutory rate.
The increase in the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily attributable to increased earnings in certain foreign jurisdictions, partially due to the impacts of the change in estimated useful lives on depreciation and amortization expense as described in Note 1 and withholding taxes on equity distributions, including those related to the ATC TIPL Transaction, and management fees from certain foreign subsidiaries. Additionally, the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2024 included the reversal of valuation allowances of $20.5 million in foreign and domestic jurisdictions as compared to the reversal of valuation allowances of $87.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 also included a benefit from the application of a tax law change in Kenya. For more information on the change in the estimated useful lives of our tower assets, see the information under the caption “Property and Equipment” included in Note 1.40
Table of ContentsThe decrease in the income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 was primarily attributable to a benefit in 2023 from the application of a tax law change in Kenya. The income tax provision for the year ended December 31, 2023 included the reversal of valuation allowances of $87.2 million in certain foreign jurisdictions as compared to the reversal of valuation allowances of $76.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Loss from Discontinued Operations, Net of Taxes
The ATC TIPL Transaction received all government and regulatory approvals during the three months ended September 30, 2024. The divestiture qualified for presentation as discontinued operations. Accordingly, the operating results of ATC TIPL are reported as discontinued operations for all periods presented. Prior to the divestiture and classification as discontinued operations, ATC TIPL’s operating results were included within the Asia-Pacific property segment. See Note 22 for further discussion.
On September 12, 2024, we completed the ATC TIPL Transaction and received total consideration of 182 billion INR (approximately $2.2 billion). We used the proceeds from the ATC TIPL Transaction to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. We recorded a loss on the sale of ATC TIPL of $1.2 billion, which primarily included the reclassification of our cumulative translation adjustment in India upon exiting the market of $1.1 billion.
The following table presents key components of Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the consolidated statements of operations:
Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 (1) 2023 2022
Revenue $ 911.2 $ 1,132.0 $ 1,065.7 (20) % 6 %
Cost of operations (473.8) (699.1) (694.6) (32) 1
Depreciation, amortization and accretion (96.0) (158.0) (190.2) (39) (17)
Selling, general, administrative and development expense (58.7) (46.5) (70.2) 26 (34)
Other operating expense (6.7) (7.0) (497.0) (4) (99)
Loss on sale of ATC TIPL (1,245.5) — — 100 —
Goodwill impairment — (322.0) — (100) 100
Operating loss $ (969.5) $ (100.6) $ (386.3) 864 % (74) %
Interest income 30.7 24.8 22.5 24 10
Interest expense (7.6) (10.0) (0.5) (24) 1,900
Other income (expense), net 46.5 77.8 (1.0) (40) (7,880)
Loss from discontinued operations before taxes $ (899.9) $ (8.0) $ (365.3) 11,149 % (98) %
Income tax provision (benefit) 78.4 63.4 (88.8) 24 (171)
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes $ (978.3) $ (71.4) $ (276.5) 1,270 % (74) %_______________(1) Includes the results of operations for ATC TIPL through September 12, 2024.
Following the rulings by the Supreme Court of India regarding carriers’ obligations for the adjusted gross revenue fees and charges prescribed by the court, we experienced variability and a level of uncertainty in collections in India. In the third quarter of 2022, one of our largest customers in India, Vodafone Idea Limited (“VIL”), communicated that it would make partial payments of its contractual amounts owed to us (the “VIL Shortfall”). We recorded reserves in late 2022 and the first half of 2023 for the VIL Shortfall. In the second half of 2023, VIL began making payments in full of its monthly contractual obligations owed to us.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, we deferred recognition of revenue of approximately $27.3 million, net of recoveries, related to VIL in India. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized approximately $95.7 million of this previously deferred revenue. As of December 31, 2024, we have fully recognized this previously deferred revenue.
In 2023, we initiated a strategic review of our India business. During the process, and based on information gathered therein, we updated our estimate on the fair value of the India reporting unit and determined that the carrying value exceeded fair value. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $322.0 million in the third quarter of 2023 for our India reporting unit.
In February 2023, and as amended in August 2023, VIL issued optionally convertible debentures (the “VIL OCDs”) to ATC TIPL in exchange for VIL’s payment of certain amounts towards accounts receivables. The VIL OCDs were issued for an aggregate face value of 16.0 billion INR (approximately $193.2 million on the date of issuance). On March 23, 2024, we41
Table of Contentsconverted an aggregate face value of 14.4 billion INR (approximately $172.7 million) of VIL OCDs into 1,440 million shares of equity of VIL (the “VIL Shares”). On April 29, 2024, we completed the sale of 1,440 million VIL Shares at a price of 12.78 INR per share. The net proceeds for this transaction were approximately 18.0 billion INR (approximately $216.0 million at the date of settlement) after deducting commissions and fees. On June 5, 2024, we completed the sale of the remaining aggregate face value of 1.6 billion INR (approximately $19.2 million) of the VIL OCDs. The net proceeds for this transaction, excluding accrued interest, were approximately 1.8 billion INR (approximately $22.0 million at the date of settlement) after deducting fees. As of December 31, 2024, none of the VIL Shares or the VIL OCDs remained outstanding.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized a gain of $46.4 million on the sale of the VIL Shares and the VIL OCDs. The gains on the sales of the VIL Shares and the VIL OCDs are recorded in Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the consolidated statements of operations in the current period. During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized an unrealized gain of $76.7 million related to the VIL OCDs. Gains related to the VIL Shares and the VIL OCDs are included in Other income, net in the table above.
During the year ended December 31, 2022, we recorded impairment charges of $97.0 million related to tower and network location intangible assets and $411.6 million related to tenant-related intangible assets related to a customer of ATC TIPL in India. Impairment changes are included in Other operating expense in the able above. For more information on these impairments, see the information under the caption “India Impairments” included in Note 22.
Net Income / Adjusted EBITDA and Net Income / Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders / AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we updated our presentation of Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders and AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders to remove the separate presentation of Consolidated AFFO. We believe this presentation better aligns our reporting with management’s current approach of allocating capital and resources, managing growth and profitability and assessing the operating performance of our business. The change in presentation has no impact on our Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders or AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders for any periods. Historical financial information included below has been adjusted to reflect the change in presentation.
Year Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Net income $ 2,280.2 $ 1,367.1 $ 1,696.7 67 % (19) %
Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes 978.3 71.4 276.5 1,270 (74)
Income tax provision 366.3 90.8 112.8 303 (20)
Other (income) expense (377.6) 326.3 (434.7) (216) (175)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations — 0.3 0.4 (100) (25)
Interest expense 1,404.5 1,388.2 1,136.0 1 22
Interest income (135.2) (118.6) (49.1) 14 142
Other operating expenses 74.1 370.7 270.6 (80) 37
Goodwill impairment — 80.0 — (100) 100
Depreciation, amortization and accretion 2,028.8 2,928.5 3,164.9 (31) (7)
Stock-based compensation expense 192.7 183.3 161.7 5 13
Adjusted EBITDA (1) $ 6,812.1 $ 6,688.0 $ 6,335.8 2 % 6 %
_______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See Note 22 for further discussion.42
Table of ContentsYear Ended December 31, Percent Change 2024 vs 2023 Percent Change 2023 vs 2022
2024 2023 2022
Net income (1) $ 2,280.2 $ 1,367.1 $ 1,696.7 67 % (19) %
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,879.6 2,682.7 2,925.5 (30) (8)
Losses from sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges (2) 91.6 414.6 184.0 (78) 125
Adjustments and distributions for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (3) (352.7) (324.0) (210.4) 9 54
Adjustments for discontinued operations (4) 1,334.5 469.6 683.7 184 (31)
Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 5,233.2 $ 4,610.0 $ 5,279.5 14 % (13) %
Straight-line revenue (277.6) (465.4) (508.5) (40) (8)
Straight-line expense 46.8 24.4 34.0 92 (28)
Stock-based compensation expense 192.7 183.3 161.7 5 13
Deferred portion of income tax and other income tax adjustments (5)
88.7 (162.6) (195.4) (155) (17)
GTP one-time cash tax settlement (6) — — 48.3 — (100)
Non-real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 149.2 245.8 239.4 (39) 3
Amortization of deferred financing costs, capitalized interest, debt discounts and premiums and long-term deferred interest charges 54.1 49.8 47.5 9 5
Other (income) expense (7) (377.6) 326.3 (434.7) (216) (175)
Loss on retirement of long-term obligations — 0.3 0.4 (100) (25)
Other operating (income) expenses (8) (17.5) 36.1 86.6 (148) (58)
Capital improvement capital expenditures (157.4) (186.6) (164.8) (16) 13
Corporate capital expenditures (13.9) (16.2) (9.4) (14) 72
Adjustments and distributions for unconsolidated affiliates and noncontrolling interests (9) 4.4 19.4 20.0 (77) (3)
Adjustments for discontinued operations (10) 9.0 (53.1) (87.9) (117) (40)
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders $ 4,934.1 $ 4,611.5 $ 4,516.7 7 % 2 %
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders from continuing operations $ 4,568.9 $ 4,266.4 $ 4,197.4 7 % 2 %
AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders from discontinued operations $ 365.2 $ 345.1 $ 319.3 6 % 8 %
_______________
(1) For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, includes Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes of $978.3 million, $71.4 million and $276.5 million, respectively.
(2) For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, includes impairment charges of $68.6 million, $200.0 million and $147.3 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, also includes a goodwill impairment charge of $80.0 million recorded for the Spain reporting unit and a loss on the sale of Mexico Fiber of $80.0 million.
(3) Includes distributions to noncontrolling interest holders, distributions related to the outstanding mandatorily convertible preferred equity in connection with our agreements with certain investment vehicles affiliated with Stonepeak Partners LP and adjustments for the impact of noncontrolling interests on Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.
(4) For the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, includes (i) real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion for discontinued operations of $91.3 million, $151.4 million and $183.4 million, respectively, and (ii) losses from the sale or disposal of real estate and real estate related impairment charges for discontinued operations of $1.2 billion, $318.2 million and $500.3 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2024, includes a loss on the sale of ATC TIPL of $1.2 billion. For the year ended December 31, 2023, includes goodwill impairment charges of $322.0 million recorded for the India reporting unit.
(5) For the year ended December 31, 2024, includes adjustments for withholding taxes paid in Singapore of $36.4 million, which were incurred as a result of the ATC TIPL Transaction. We believe that these withholding tax payments are nonrecurring, and do not believe these are an indication of our operating performance. Accordingly, we believe it is more meaningful to present AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders excluding these amounts.
(6) In 2015, we incurred charges in connection with certain tax elections wherein MIP Tower Holdings LLC, parent company to Global Tower Partners (“GTP”), would no longer operate as a separate REIT for federal and state income tax purposes. We finalized a settlement related to this tax election during the year ended December 31, 2022. We believe that these related transactions are nonrecurring, and do not believe it is an indication of our operating performance. Accordingly, we believe it is more meaningful to present AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders excluding these amounts.
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(7) Includes (gains) losses on foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations of $(308.3) million, $330.6 million and $(451.4) million, respectively.
(8) Primarily includes acquisition-related costs, integration costs and disposition costs.
(9) Includes adjustments for the impact of noncontrolling interests on other line items, excluding those already adjusted for in Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.
(10) Includes the impact of discontinued operations associated with other line items, excluding the impact already included in Nareit FFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders.
Year Ended December 31, 2024
The increase in net income from continuing operations was primarily due to (i) a decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense, (ii) changes in other (income) expense, primarily due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (iii) a decrease in other operating expense, (iv) an increase in segment operating profit and (v) a decrease in goodwill impairment, partially offset by an increase in the income tax provision.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to an increase in our gross margin and a decrease in SG&A, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense of $22.0 million.
The increase in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in our operating profit, excluding the impact of straight-line accounting, (ii) a decrease in capital improvement capital expenditures and (iii) an increase in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders from discontinued operations, partially offset by distributions and adjustments for noncontrolling interests, including distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in our Europe property segment and Data Centers segment.
Year Ended December 31, 2023
The decrease in net income from continuing operations was primarily due to (i) changes in other expense (income) primarily due to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, (ii) an increase in net interest expense, (iii) an increase in other operating expenses and (iv) an increase in goodwill impairment expense, partially offset by (x) an increase in segment operating profit, (y) a decrease in depreciation, amortization and accretion expense and (z) a decrease in the income tax provision.
The increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributable to an increase in our gross margin, partially offset by an increase in SG&A, excluding the impact of stock-based compensation expense, of $22.3 million.
The increase in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders was primarily attributable to (i) an increase in our operating profit, excluding the impact of straight-line accounting, and (ii) an increase in AFFO attributable to American Tower Corporation common stockholders from discontinued operations, partially offset by (x) an increase in net cash paid for interest, (y) distributions and adjustments for noncontrolling interests, including distributions to noncontrolling interest holders in our Data Centers segment and (z) increases in cash paid for income taxes and capital improvement capital expenditures.
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Segment Gross Margin Reconciliation
Gross margin is defined as revenue less costs of operations inclusive of real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion. Segment gross margin excludes depreciation, amortization and accretion.
Property Total Property Services Total
Year ended December 31, 2024 U.S. & Canada Africa & APAC (1) Europe Latin America Data Centers
Gross margin $ 3,790.6 $ 610.9 $ 240.9 $ 985.9 $ (56.2) $ 5,572.1 $ 101.1 $ 5,673.2
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 586.6 216.6 284.4 201.8 590.2 1,879.6 — 1,879.6
Segment gross margin $ 4,377.2 $ 827.5 $ 525.3 $ 1,187.7 $ 534.0 $ 7,451.7 $ 101.1 $ 7,552.8
______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See note 22 for further discussion.
Property Total Property Services Total
Year ended December 31, 2023 U.S. & Canada Africa & APAC (1) Europe Latin America Data Centers
Gross margin $ 3,362.7 $ 505.0 $ 122.9 $ 890.5 $ (196.0) $ 4,685.1 $ 82.9 $ 4,768.0
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,003.6 301.0 353.2 341.8 683.1 2,682.7 — 2,682.7
Segment gross margin $ 4,366.3 $ 806.0 $ 476.1 $ 1,232.3 $ 487.1 $ 7,367.8 $ 82.9 $ 7,450.7
______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See note 22 for further discussion.
Property Total Property Services Total
Year ended December 31, 2022 U.S. & Canada Africa & APAC (1) Europe Latin America Data Centers
Gross margin $ 3,136.3 $ 433.7 $ 71.0 $ 803.0 $ (427.0) $ 4,017.0 $ 133.7 $ 4,150.7
Real estate related depreciation, amortization and accretion 1,024.6 322.0 345.1 362.2 871.6 2,925.5 — 2,925.5
Segment gross margin $ 4,160.9 $ 755.7 $ 416.1 $ 1,165.2 $ 444.6 $ 6,942.5 $ 133.7 $ 7,076.2
______________
(1) Excludes the operating results of ATC TIPL, which are reported as discontinued operations. See note 22 for further discussion.
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Table of ContentsLiquidity and Capital ResourcesFor a discussion of our 2023 Liquidity and Capital Resources, including a discussion of cash flows for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, refer to Part I, Item 7 of the 2023 Form 10-K.OverviewDuring the year ended December 31, 2024, we increased our financial flexibility and our ability to grow our business while maintaining our long-term financial policies. Our significant 2024 financing transactions included:
• Redemption of our 0.600% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “0.600% Notes”), our 5.00% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “5.00% Notes”) and our 3.375% senior unsecured notes due 2024 (the “3.375% Notes”) upon their maturity;
• Registered public offering in an aggregate principal amount of $3.6 billion, including 1.0 billion EUR, of senior unsecured notes with maturities ranging from 2029 to 2035;
• Repayment of 825.0 million EUR ($895.5 million as of the repayment date) unsecured term loan, as amended in December 2021 (the “2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan”); and
• Repayment of indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility using proceeds from the ATC TIPL Transaction.
The following table summarizes our liquidity as of December 31, 2024 (in millions):
Available under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility $ 6,000.0
Available under the 2021 Credit Facility 4,000.0
Letters of credit (35.6)
Total available under credit facilities, net 9,964.4
Cash and cash equivalents 1,999.6
Total liquidity $ 11,964.0
Subsequent to December 31, 2024, we made additional borrowings of $610.0 million under the 2021 Credit Facility (as defined below) and net borrowings of $210.0 million under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. The borrowings were used to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes.Summary cash flow information is set forth below for the years ended December 31, (in millions):2024 2023Net cash provided by (used for):Operating activities $ 5,290.5 $ 4,722.4
Investing activities (1) 410.6 (1,695.5)
Financing activities (5,452.4) (3,097.4)
Net effect of changes in foreign currency exchange rates on cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash (233.9) 23.2
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash $ 14.8 $ (47.3)
_______________
(1) For the year ended December 31, 2024, includes $2.2 billion of proceeds from the ATC TIPL Transaction.
We use our cash flows to fund our operations and investments in our business, including maintenance and improvements, communications site and data center construction, managed network installations and acquisitions. Additionally, we use our cash flows to make distributions, including distributions of our REIT taxable income to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT under the Code. We may also periodically repay or repurchase our existing indebtedness or equity. We typically fund our international expansion efforts primarily through a combination of cash on hand, intercompany debt and equity contributions.
On an on-going basis, we also perform a comprehensive assessment of our global operations to ensure our portfolio is positioned to drive sustained growth and achieve our risk-adjusted return objectives. This assessment may result in our decision to divest a portion, or all, of certain assets, including our Australia and New Zealand businesses in 2024, and the ATC TIPL Transaction, and repurpose proceeds, and potential future capital, to other capital priorities.
As of December 31, 2024, we had total outstanding indebtedness of $36.8 billion, with a current portion of $3.7 billion. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we generated sufficient cash flow from operations, together with borrowings under our credit facilities, proceeds from our debt issuances and cash on hand, to fund our acquisitions, capital expenditures and debt service obligations, as well as our required distributions. We believe the cash generated by operating activities during the year
46Table of Contentsending December 31, 2025, together with our borrowing capacity under our credit facilities, will suffice to fund our required distributions, capital expenditures, debt service obligations (interest and principal repayments) and signed acquisitions.
As of December 31, 2024, we had $1.1 billion of cash and cash equivalents held by our foreign subsidiaries. As of December 31, 2024, we had $228.2 million of cash and cash equivalents held by our joint ventures, of which $211.6 million was held by our foreign joint ventures. Certain foreign subsidiaries may pay us interest or principal on intercompany debt. Additionally, in the event that we repatriate funds from our foreign subsidiaries, we may be required to accrue and pay certain taxes.Cash Flows from Operating ActivitiesFor the year ended December 31, 2024, cash provided by operating activities increased $568.1 million as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023. The primary factors that impacted cash provided by operating activities as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, include:
• increases in the operating profits of our U.S. & Canada, Africa & APAC and Europe property segments, our Data Centers segment, our Services segment and in India, excluding the loss on sale of ATC TIPL;
• a decrease in the impact of straight-line revenue; and
• a decrease in cash required for working capital;
• Partially offset by increases in cash paid for interest and cash paid for taxes.Cash Flows from Investing ActivitiesOur significant investing activities during the year ended December 31, 2024 are highlighted below:
• We spent approximately $123.0 million for acquisitions, including $25.7 million in payments made for acquisitions completed in 2023, $59.1 million in payments for sites acquired in connection with the AT&T transaction described in note 18 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
• We received $238.0 million from the sales of the VIL Shares and the VIL OCDs.
• We received $2.2 billion from the ATC TIPL Transaction.
• We spent $1.6 billion for capital expenditures, as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) $ 851.0
Ground lease purchases (2) 144.2
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures (3) 189.3
Redevelopment 350.0
Start-up capital projects 81.3
Total capital expenditures (4) $ 1,615.8_______________(1) Includes the construction of 2,391 communications sites globally, the construction of 90 communications sites in India, which are reported as discontinued operations, and approximately $491.6 million of spend related to data center assets.
(2) Includes $32.7 million of perpetual land easement payments reported in Deferred financing costs and other financing activities in the cash flows from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(3) Includes $4.7 million of finance lease payments reported in Repayments of notes payable, credit facilities, senior notes, secured debt, term loans and finance leases in the cash flows from financing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
(4) Net of purchase credits of $11.6 million on certain assets, which are recorded in investing activities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
We plan to continue to allocate our available capital, after satisfying our distribution requirements, among investment alternatives that meet our return on investment criteria, while maintaining our commitment to our long-term financial policies. Accordingly, we expect to continue to deploy capital through our annual capital expenditure program, including land purchases and new site and data center facility construction, and through acquisitions. We also regularly review our portfolios as to capital expenditures required to upgrade our infrastructure to our structural standards or address capacity, structural or permitting issues.
We expect that our 2025 total capital expenditures will be as follows (in millions):
Discretionary capital projects (1) $ 880 to $ 910
Ground lease purchases 190 to 210
Capital improvements and corporate expenditures 155 to 165
Redevelopment 360 to 390
Start-up capital projects 50 to 70
Total capital expenditures $ 1,635 to $ 1,745
47Table of Contents_______________(1) Includes the construction of approximately 1,950 to 2,550 communications sites globally and approximately $610 million of anticipated spend related to data center assets.Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Our significant financing activities were as follows (in millions):
Year Ended December 31,2024 2023
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes, net $ 3,568.6 $ 5,678.3
Repayments of credit facilities, net (2,321.1) (2,563.8)
Repayments of term loans (1) (1,015.4) (1,500.0)
Proceeds from issuance of securities in securitization transaction — 1,300.0
Repayments of securitized debt — (1,300.0)
Repayments of senior notes (2,150.0) (1,700.0)
Distributions paid on common stock (3,074.9) (2,949.3)_______________(1) For the year ended December 31, 2024, includes the repayments of the 2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan and the India Term Loan (as defined below).Senior Notes
Repayments of Senior NotesRepayment of 0.600% Senior Notes— On January 12, 2024, we repaid $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 0.600% Notes upon their maturity. The 0.600% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 0.600% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 5.00% Senior Notes— On February 14, 2024, we repaid $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount of the 5.00% Notes upon their maturity. The 5.00% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 5.00% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 3.375% Senior Notes —On May 15, 2024, we repaid $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of the 3.375% Notes upon their maturity. The 3.375% Notes were repaid using borrowings under the 2021 Credit Facility (as defined below). Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 3.375% Notes remained outstanding.
Repayment of 2.950% Senior Notes— On January 14, 2025, we repaid $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2.950% senior unsecured notes due 2025 (the “2.950% Notes”) upon their maturity. The 2.950% Notes were repaid using cash on hand and borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. Upon completion of the repayment, none of the 2.950% Notes remained outstanding.Offerings of Senior Notes5.200% Senior Notes and 5.450% Senior Notes Offering— On March 7, 2024, we completed a registered public offering of $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.200% senior unsecured notes due 2029 (the “5.200% Notes”) and $650.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.450% senior unsecured notes due 2034 (the “5.450% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,281.3 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
3.900% Senior Notes and 4.100% Senior Notes Offering— On May 29, 2024, we completed a registered public offering of 500.0 million EUR ($540.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 3.900% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “3.900% Notes”) and 500.0 million EUR ($540.1 million at the date of issuance) aggregate principal amount of 4.100% senior unsecured notes due 2034 (the “4.100% Notes”). The net proceeds from this offering were approximately 988.4 million EUR (approximately $1,067.5 million at the date of issuance), after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing EUR indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
5.000% Senior Notes and 5.400% Senior Notes Offering— On November 21, 2024, we completed a registered public offering of $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.000% senior unsecured notes due 2030 (the “5.000% Notes”) and $600.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.400% senior unsecured notes due 2035 (the “5.400% Notes” and, collectively with the 5.200% Notes, the 5.450% Notes, the 3.900% Notes, the 4.100% Notes and the 5.000% Notes, the “2024 Notes”). The
48Table of Contentsnet proceeds from this offering were approximately $1,183.7 million, after deducting commissions and estimated expenses. We used the net proceeds to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility.
The key terms of the 2024 Notes are as follows:Senior Notes Aggregate Principal Amount (in millions) Issue Date and Interest Accrual Date Maturity Date Contractual Interest Rate First Interest Payment Interest Payments Due (1) Par Call Date (2)5.200% Notes $ 650.0 March 7, 2024 February 15, 2029 5.200 % August 15, 2024 February 15 and August 15 January 15. 2029
5.450% Notes $ 650.0 March 7, 2024 February 15, 2034 5.450 % August 15, 2024 February 15 and August 15 November 15. 2033
3.900% Notes (3) $ 540.1 May 29, 2024 May 16, 2030 3.900 % May 16, 2025 May 16 February 16, 2030
4.100% Notes (3) $ 540.1 May 29, 2024 May 16, 2034 4.100 % May 16, 2025 May 16 February 16. 2034
5.000% Notes $ 600.0 November 21, 2024 January 31, 2030 5.000 % July 31, 2025 January 31 and July 31 December 31, 2029
5.400% Notes $ 600.0 November 21, 2024 January 31, 2035 5.400 % July 31, 2025 January 31 and July 31 October 31, 2034_______________
(1) Accrued and unpaid interest on U.S. Dollar (“USD”) denominated notes is payable in USD semi-annually in arrears and will be computed from the issue date on the basis of a 360-day year comprised of twelve 30-day months. Interest on EUR denominated notes is payable in EUR annually in arrears and will be computed on the basis of the actual number of days in the period for which interest is being calculated and the actual number of days from and including the last date on which interest was paid on the notes, beginning on the issue date.(2) We may redeem the 2024 Notes at any time, in whole or in part, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount of the 2024 Notes plus a make-whole premium, together with accrued interest to the redemption date. If we redeem the 2024 Notes on or after the par call date, we will not be required to pay a make-whole premium.
(3) The 3.900% Notes and the 4.100% Notes are denominated in EUR; dollar amounts represent the aggregate principal amount at the issuance date.
If we undergo a change of control and corresponding ratings decline, each as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture for the 2024 Notes, we may be required to repurchase all of the 2024 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount of those 2024 Notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest (including additional interest, if any), up to but not including the repurchase date. The 2024 Notes rank equally in right of payment with all of our other senior unsecured debt obligations and are structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of our subsidiaries.Each applicable supplemental indenture contains certain covenants that restrict our ability to merge, consolidate or sell assets and our (together with our subsidiaries’) ability to incur liens. These covenants are subject to a number of exceptions, including that we and our subsidiaries may incur certain liens on assets, mortgages or other liens securing indebtedness if the aggregate amount of indebtedness secured by such liens does not exceed 3.5x Adjusted EBITDA, as defined in the applicable supplemental indenture.
Bank FacilitiesAmendments to Bank Facilities— On January 28, 2025, we amended our (i) 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, (ii) $4.0 billion senior unsecured revolving credit facility, as amended and restated on December 8, 2021, as further amended (the “2021 Credit Facility”) and (iii) $1.0 billion unsecured term loan, as amended and restated on December 8, 2021, as further amended (the “2021 Term Loan”).These amendments, among other things,i. extend the maturity dates of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility to January 28, 2028 and January 28, 2030, respectively;
ii. extend the maturity date of the 2021 Term Loan to January 28, 2028; and
iii. update the Applicable Margins (as defined in the loan agreements).
2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility— As of December 31, 2024, we had the ability to borrow up to $6.0 billion under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, which includes a $3.5 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, a $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we borrowed an aggregate of $5.4 billion, including 0.9 billion EUR ($1.0 billion as of the borrowing date) and repaid an aggregate of $6.1 billion, including 1.1 billion EUR ($1.2 billion as of the repayment date), of revolving indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay outstanding indebtedness, including the 0.600% Notes, the
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5.00% Notes and the 2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan, and for general corporate purposes. We used the proceeds from the ATC TIPL Transaction to repay existing indebtedness under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2024, there are no EUR borrowings outstanding under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
2021 Credit Facility— As of December 31, 2024, we had the ability to borrow up to $4.0 billion under the 2021 Credit Facility, which includes a $2.5 billion sublimit for multicurrency borrowings, $200.0 million sublimit for letters of credit and a $50.0 million sublimit for swingline loans. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we borrowed an aggregate of $1.5 billion and repaid an aggregate of $3.1 billion of revolving indebtedness under our 2021 Credit Facility. We used the borrowings to repay outstanding indebtedness, including the 3.375% Notes, and for general corporate purposes.
Repayment of 2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan— On May 21, 2024, we repaid all amounts outstanding under the 2021 EUR Three Year Delayed Draw Term Loan using borrowings under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2024, the key terms under the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility and the 2021 Term Loan were as follows:
Bank Facility Outstanding Principal Balance Maturity Date SOFR or EURIBOR borrowing interest rate range (1) Base rate borrowing interest rate range (1) Current margin over SOFR or EURIBOR and the base rate, respectively (2)
2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility (3) $ — July 1, 2026 (4) 0.875% - 1.500% 0.000% - 0.500% 1.125% and 0.125%
2021 Credit Facility (3) — July 1, 2028 (4) 0.875% - 1.500% 0.000% - 0.500% 1.125% and 0.125%
2021 Term Loan (3) 1,000.0 January 31, 2027 0.875% - 1.750% 0.000% - 0.750% 1.125% and 0.125%_______________(1) Represents interest rate above: (a) Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) for SOFR based borrowings, (b) Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“EURIBOR”) for EURIBOR based borrowings and (c) the defined base rate for base rate borrowings, in each case based on our debt ratings.
(2) As further discussed above, on January 28, 2025, we amended the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility and the 2021 Term Loan to update the current margin over SOFR or EURIBOR and the base rate to 1.000% and 0.000%, respectively.
(3) Currently borrowed at SOFR.
(4) Subject to two optional renewal periods.We must pay a quarterly commitment fee on the undrawn portion of each of the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility. The commitment fee for the 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility and the 2021 Credit Facility ranges from 0.080% to 0.200% per annum, based upon our debt ratings, and is currently 0.110%.The 2021 Multicurrency Credit Facility, the 2021 Credit Facility and the 2021 Term Loan and the associated loan agreements (the “Bank Loan Agreements”) do not require amortization of principal and may be paid prior to maturity in whole or in part at our option without penalty or premium. We have the option of choosing either a defined base rate, SOFR or EURIBOR as the applicable base rate for borrowings under these bank facilities.Each Bank Loan Agreement contains certain reporting, information, financial and operating covenants and other restrictions (including limitations on additional debt, guaranties, sales of assets and liens) with which we must comply. Failure to comply with the financial and operating covenants of the loan agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may constitute a default, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding under the applicable agreement, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.Other Subsidiary Debt— As of December 31, 2023, our other subsidiary debt included drawn letters of credit in Nigeria (the “Nigeria Letters of Credit”).
Amounts outstanding and key terms of other subsidiary debt consisted of the following as of December 31, (in millions, except percentages):
Carrying Value (Denominated Currency) Carrying Value (USD) Interest Rate Maturity Date
2024 2023 2024 2023
Nigeria Letters of Credit (1) $ — $ 3.4 $ — $ 3.4 Various Various_______________(1) Denominated in USD. During the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, we drew on letters of credit in Nigeria. The drawn amounts bear interest at a rate equal to the SOFR at the time of drawing plus a spread. Amounts are due 270 days from the date of drawing.
Each of the agreements governing the other subsidiary debt contains contractual covenants and other restrictions. Failure to comply with certain of the financial and operating covenants could constitute a default under the applicable debt agreement,
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which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable.
India Term Loan —On February 17, 2023, we borrowed 10.0 billion INR (approximately $120.7 million at the date of borrowing) under an unsecured term loan in India with a maturity date that is one year from the date of the first draw thereunder (the “India Term Loan”). In January 2024, we amended the India Term Loan to extend the maturity date to December 31, 2024. On September 12, 2024, in connection with the completion of the ATC TIPL Transaction, we repaid the India Term Loan.Stock Repurchase Programs —In March 2011, our Board approved a stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1.5 billion of our common stock (the “2011 Buyback”). In December 2017, our Board approved an additional stock repurchase program, pursuant to which we are authorized to repurchase up to $2.0 billion of our common stock (the “2017 Buyback,” and, together with the 2011 Buyback, the “Buyback Programs”).During the year ended December 31, 2024, there were no repurchases under either of the Buyback Programs.Under each program, we are authorized to purchase shares from time to time through open market purchases or in privately negotiated transactions not to exceed market prices and subject to market conditions and other factors. With respect to open market purchases, we may use plans adopted in accordance with Rule 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act in accordance with securities laws and other legal requirements, which allows us to repurchase shares during periods when we may otherwise be prevented from doing so under insider trading laws or because of self-imposed trading blackout periods. These programs may be discontinued at any time.
We have repurchased a total of 14.5 million shares of our common stock under the 2011 Buyback for an aggregate of $1.5 billion, including commissions and fees. We expect to continue managing the pacing of the remaining approximately $2.0 billion under the Buyback Programs in response to general market conditions and other relevant factors. We expect to fund any further repurchases of our common stock through a combination of cash on hand, cash generated by operations and borrowings under our credit facilities. Repurchases under the Buyback Programs are subject to, among other things, us having available cash to fund the repurchases.Sales of Equity Securities —We receive proceeds from sales of our equity securities pursuant to our employee stock purchase plan (the “ESPP”) and upon exercise of stock options granted under our equity incentive plan, as amended (the “2007 Plan”). During the year ended December 31, 2024, we received an aggregate of $46.4 million in proceeds upon exercises of stock options and sales pursuant to the ESPP.Future Financing Transactions — We regularly consider various options to obtain financing and access the capital markets, subject to market conditions, to meet our funding needs. Such capital raising alternatives, in addition to those noted above, may include amendments and extensions of our bank facilities, entry into new bank facilities, transactions with private equity funds or partnerships, additional senior note and equity offerings and securitization transactions. No assurance can be given as to whether any such financing transactions will be completed or as to the timing or terms thereof.Distributions— As a REIT, we must annually distribute to our stockholders an amount equal to at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined before the deduction for distributed earnings and excluding any net capital gain). Generally, we have distributed, and expect to continue to distribute, all or substantially all of our REIT taxable income after taking into consideration our utilization of NOLs. We have distributed an aggregate of approximately $20.5 billion to our common stockholders, including the dividend paid in February 2025, primarily classified as ordinary income that may be treated as qualified REIT dividends under Section 199A of the Code for taxable years beginning before 2026.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we paid $6.56 per share, or $3.1 billion, to our common stockholders of record. In addition, we declared a distribution of $1.62 per share, or $757.1 million, paid on February 3, 2025 to our common stockholders of record at the close of business on December 27, 2024.
We accrue distributions on unvested restricted stock units, which are payable upon vesting. The amount accrued for distributions payable related to unvested restricted stock units was $22.5 million and $21.5 million as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we paid $12.0 million of distributions upon the vesting of restricted stock units.The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board and will depend on various factors, a number of which may be beyond our control, including our financial condition and operating cash flows, the amount required to maintain our qualification for taxation as a REIT and reduce any income and excise taxes that we otherwise would be required to pay, limitations on distributions in our existing and future debt and preferred equity instruments, our ability to utilize NOLs to offset our distribution requirements, limitations on our ability to fund distributions using cash generated through our TRSs and other factors that our Board may deem relevant.51
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For more details on the cash distributions paid to our common stockholders during the year ended December 31, 2024, see note 14 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.
Material Cash Requirements — The following table summarizes material cash requirements from known contractual and other obligations as of December 31, 2024 (in millions):
2025 2026 2027 2028 2029 Thereafter Total
Debt obligations (1) $ 3,693.0 $ 3,319.3 $ 5,466.7 $ 6,027.4 $ 3,677.0 $ 14,572.9 $ 36,756.3
Operating lease obligations (2) 986.9 924.9 886.1 843.4 801.7 7,088.1 11,531.1______________
(1) Includes aggregate principal maturities of long-term debt, including finance lease obligations (see note 8 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).
(2) Includes payments under non-cancellable initial terms, as well as payments for certain renewal periods at our option, which we expect to renew because failure to do so could result in a loss of the applicable communications sites and related revenues from tenant leases (see note 4 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report).Distributions— We expect that our 2025 total distributions declared to our common stockholders will be $3.2 billion. The amount, timing and frequency of future distributions will be at the sole discretion of our Board.
Asset Retirement Obligations— We are required to remove our assets and remediate the leased sites upon which certain of our assets are located. As of December 31, 2024, the estimated undiscounted future cash outlay for asset retirement obligations was $4.5 billion.Factors Affecting Sources of Liquidity
Our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities, borrow funds under our credit facilities and maintain compliance with the contractual agreements governing our indebtedness. We believe that the debt agreements discussed below represent our material debt agreements that contain covenants, our compliance with which would be material to an investor’s understanding of our financial results and the impact of those results on our liquidity.Internally Generated Funds —Because the majority of our customer leases are multiyear contracts, a significant majority of the revenues generated by our property operations as of the end of 2024 is recurring revenue that we should continue to receive in future periods. Accordingly, a key factor affecting our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities is to maintain this recurring revenue and to convert it into operating profit by minimizing operating costs and fully achieving our operating efficiencies. In addition, our ability to increase cash flow from operating activities depends upon the demand for our communications infrastructure and our related services and our ability to increase the utilization of our existing communications infrastructure.
Restrictions Under Loan Agreements Relating to Our Credit Facilities —Each Bank Loan Agreement contains certain financial and operating covenants and other restrictions applicable to us and our subsidiaries that are not designated as unrestricted subsidiaries on a consolidated basis. These restrictions include limitations on additional debt, distributions and dividends, guaranties, sales of assets and liens. The Bank Loan Agreements also contain covenants that establish financial tests with which we and our restricted subsidiaries must comply related to total leverage and senior secured leverage, as set forth in the table below. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with each of these covenants.
Compliance Tests For The 12 Months Ended December 31, 2024 ($ in billions)Ratio (1) Additional Debt Capacity Under Covenants (2) Capacity for Adjusted EBITDA Decrease Under Covenants (3)Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio Total Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 6.00:1.00 ~5.4 ~0.9
Consolidated Senior Secured Leverage Ratio Senior Secured Debt to Adjusted EBITDA ≤ 3.00:1.00 ~18.4 (4) ~6.1 (4)_______________
(1) Each component of the ratio as defined in the applicable loan agreement.
(2) Assumes no change to Adjusted EBITDA.
(3) Assumes no change to our debt levels.
(4) Effectively, however, additional Senior Secured Debt under this ratio would be limited to the capacity under the Consolidated Total Leverage Ratio.
The Bank Loan Agreements also contain reporting and information covenants that require us to provide financial and operating information to the lenders within certain time periods. If we are unable to provide the required information on a timely basis, we would be in breach of these covenants.52
Table of ContentsFailure to comply with the financial maintenance tests and certain other covenants of the Bank Loan Agreements could not only prevent us from being able to borrow additional funds under the revolving credit facilities, but may also constitute a default under these credit facilities, which could result in, among other things, the amounts outstanding, including all accrued interest and unpaid fees, becoming immediately due and payable. If this were to occur, we may not have sufficient cash on hand to repay such indebtedness. The key factors affecting our ability to comply with the debt covenants described above are our financial performance relative to the financial maintenance tests defined in the Bank Loan Agreements and our ability to fund our debt service obligations. Based upon our current expectations, we believe our operating results during the next 12 months will be sufficient to comply with these covenants.Restrictions Under Agreements Relating to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations— The indenture and related supplemental indenture governing the American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2, Class A (the “Series 2015-2 Notes”) issued by GTP Acquisition Partners I, LLC (“GTP Acquisition Partners”) in a private securitization transaction in May 2015 (the “2015 Securitization”) and the loan agreement related to the securitization transactions completed in March 2018 (the “2018 Securitization”) and March 2023 (the “2023 Securitization” and, together with the 2018 Securitization, the “Trust Securitizations”) (collectively, the “Securitization Loan Agreements”) include certain financial ratios and operating covenants and other restrictions customary for transactions subject to rated securitizations. Among other things, GTP Acquisition Partners and American Tower Asset Sub, LLC and American Tower Asset Sub II, LLC (together, the “AMT Asset Subs”) are prohibited from incurring other indebtedness for borrowed money or further encumbering their assets, subject to customary carve-outs for ordinary course trade payables and permitted encumbrances (as defined in the applicable agreements).
Under the Securitization Loan Agreements, amounts due will be paid from the cash flows generated by the assets securing the Series 2015-2 Notes or the assets securing the nonrecourse loan that secures the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2018-1A Securities”), the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2018-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2018-1A Securities, the “2018 Securities”), the Secured Tower Revenue Securities 2023-1, Subclass A (the “Series 2023-1A Securities”), the Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass R (the “Series 2023-1R Securities” and, together with the Series 2023-1A Securities, the “2023 Securities”) issued in the Trust Securitizations (the “Loan”), as applicable, which must be deposited into certain reserve accounts, and thereafter distributed, solely pursuant to the terms of the applicable agreement. On a monthly basis, after paying all required amounts under the applicable agreement, subject to the conditions described in the table below, the excess cash flows generated from the operation of these assets are released to GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs, as applicable, which can then be distributed to us for use. As of December 31, 2024, $60.8 million held in such reserve accounts was classified as restricted cash.Certain information with respect to the 2015 Securitization and the Trust Securitizations is set forth below. The debt service coverage ratio (“DSCR”) is generally calculated as the ratio of the net cash flow (as defined in the applicable agreement) to the amount of interest, servicing fees and trustee fees required to be paid over the succeeding 12 months on the principal amount of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, that will be outstanding on the payment date following such date of determination.53Table of ContentsIssuer or Borrower Notes/Securities Issued Conditions Limiting Distributions of Excess Cash Excess Cash Distributed During Year Ended December 31, 2024 DSCR as of December 31, 2024 Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Cash Trap DSCR (1) Capacity for Decrease in Net Cash Flow Before Triggering Minimum DSCR (1)Cash Trap DSCR Amortization Period
(in millions) (in millions) (in millions)2015 Securitization GTP Acquisition Partners American Tower Secured Revenue Notes, Series 2015-2 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (2) (3)(4) $354.0 18.10x $309.1 $311.9
Trust Securitizations AMT Asset Subs Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass A, Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2023-1, Subclass R, Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass A and Secured Tower Revenue Securities, Series 2018-1, Subclass R 1.30x, Tested Quarterly (2) (3)(5) $540.1 7.14x $526.4 $540.0_______________(1) Based on the net cash flow of the applicable issuer or borrower as of December 31, 2024 and the expenses payable over the next 12 months on the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable.
(2) If the DSCR were equal to or below 1.30x (the “Cash Trap DSCR”) for any quarter, all cash flow in excess of amounts required to make debt service payments, fund required reserves, pay management fees and budgeted operating expenses and make other payments required under the applicable transaction documents, referred to as excess cash flow, will be deposited into a reserve account (the “Cash Trap Reserve Account”) instead of being released to the applicable issuer or borrower. Once triggered, a Cash Trap DSCR condition continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Cash Trap DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.(3) An amortization period commences if the DSCR is equal to or below 1.15x (the “Minimum DSCR”) at the end of any calendar quarter and continues to exist until the DSCR exceeds the Minimum DSCR for two consecutive calendar quarters.
(4) No amortization period is triggered if the outstanding principal amount of a series has not been repaid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date. However, in that event, additional interest will accrue on the unpaid principal balance of the applicable series, and that series will begin to amortize on a monthly basis from excess cash flow.
(5) An amortization period exists if the outstanding principal amount has not been paid in full on the applicable anticipated repayment date and continues to exist until the principal has been repaid in full.A failure to meet the noted DSCR tests could prevent GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs from distributing excess cash flow to us, which could affect our ability to fund our capital expenditures, including tower construction and acquisitions and to meet REIT distribution requirements. During an “amortization period,” all excess cash flow and any amounts then in the applicable Cash Trap Reserve Account would be applied to pay the principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, as applicable, on each monthly payment date, and so would not be available for distribution to us. Further, additional interest will begin to accrue with respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes or subclass of the Loan from and after the anticipated repayment date at a per annum rate determined in accordance with the applicable agreement. With respect to the Series 2015-2 Notes, upon the occurrence of, and during, an event of default, the applicable trustee may, in its discretion or at the direction of holders of more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding principal of the Series 2015-2 Notes, declare the Series 2015-2 Notes immediately due and payable, in which case any excess cash flow would need to be used to pay holders of those notes. Furthermore, if GTP Acquisition Partners or the AMT Asset Subs were to default on the Series 2015-2 Notes or the Loan, the applicable trustee may seek to foreclose upon or otherwise convert the ownership of all or any portion of the 3,338 communications sites that secure the Series 2015-2 Notes or the 5,029 broadcast and wireless communications towers and related assets that secure the Loan, respectively, in which case we could lose those sites and their associated revenue.
As discussed above, we use our available liquidity and seek new sources of liquidity to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our distribution requirements and repay or repurchase our debt. If we determine that it is desirable or necessary to raise additional capital, we may be unable to do so, or such additional financing may be prohibitively expensive or restricted by the terms of our outstanding indebtedness. Further, as discussed under Item 1A of this Annual Report
54Table of Contentsunder the caption “Risk Factors,” market volatility and disruption caused by inflation, high interest rates and supply chain disruptions may impact our ability to raise additional capital through debt financing activities or our ability to repay or refinance maturing liabilities, or impact the terms of any new obligations. If we are unable to raise capital when our needs arise, we may not be able to fund capital expenditures, future growth and expansion initiatives, satisfy our REIT distribution requirements and debt service obligations, or refinance our existing indebtedness.
In addition, our liquidity depends on our ability to generate cash flow from operating activities. As set forth under Item 1A of this Annual Report under the caption “Risk Factors,” we derive a substantial portion of our current and projected future revenue from a small number of customers and, consequently, a failure by a significant customer to perform its contractual obligations to us could adversely affect our cash flow and liquidity.Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations are based upon our consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with GAAP. The preparation of these financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. We evaluate our policies and estimates on an ongoing basis. Management bases its estimates on historical experience and various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.We have reviewed our policies and estimates to determine our critical accounting policies for the year ended December 31, 2024. We have identified the following policies as critical to an understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. This is not a comprehensive list of our accounting policies. See note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report for a summary of our significant accounting policies. In many cases, the accounting treatment of a particular transaction is specifically dictated by GAAP, with no need for management’s judgment in its application. There are also areas in which management’s judgment in selecting any available alternative would not produce a materially different result.
• Assets Held for Sale —We consider long-lived assets to be “held for sale” upon satisfaction of the following criteria: (a) management commits to a plan to sell an asset (or group of assets), (b) the asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets, (c) an active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated, (d) the sale of the asset is probable and transfer of the asset is expected to be completed within one year, (e) the asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value and (f) actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn. Typically, these criteria are all met when the relevant assets are under contract, significant non-refundable deposits have been made by the potential buyer, the assets are immediately available for transfer and there are no contingencies related to the sale that may prevent the transaction from closing.
Assets classified as held for sale are reported at the lesser of the carrying value, or estimated fair value, less estimated costs to sell and are not depreciated. We reassess the fair value less costs to sell of assets held for sale in each reporting period in which they are classified as held for sale. Gains (losses) on held for sale assets are recorded in Other operating income in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
• Discontinued Operations —We classify the results of operations related to a disposal of assets and liabilities (“the disposal group”) in discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of operations if all of the following criteria are met: (a) the operations and cash flows of the disposal group can be clearly distinguished from the rest of the Company, (b) the disposal group meets the criteria to be classified as held for sale (as described above) or has been sold or disposed of by other means and (c) the disposal represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on our operations and financial results.
The results of operations classified as discontinued operations are reported in Loss from discontinued operations, net of taxes in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations for all periods presented. Historical financial information included in the notes to the consolidated financial statements is adjusted to reflect the classification of results of operations as discontinued operations.
• Accounting for Long-Lived Assets—Change in Useful Lives: We finalized our review of the estimated useful lives of our tower assets during the first quarter of 2024. We now have over 20 years of operating history, and determined that we should modify our current estimates for asset lives based on our historical operating experience. We previously depreciated our towers on a straight-line basis over the shorter of the term of the underlying ground lease (including renewal options) taking into account residual value or the estimated useful life of the tower, which we had historically
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estimated to be 20 years. We determined that the estimated useful life of our tower assets is 30 years, before taking into account residual value. Depreciation expense is recorded using the straight-line method over the assets’ estimated useful lives.
Additionally, certain of our intangible assets are amortized on a similar basis to our tower assets, as the estimated useful lives of such intangible assets correlate to the useful life of the towers. The acquired network location intangibles represent the value of the incremental revenue growth that could potentially be obtained from leasing the excess capacity on acquired tower communications infrastructure. The acquired tenant-related intangibles typically represent the value of tenant contracts and relationships in place at the time of an acquisition or similar transaction, including assumptions regarding estimated renewals. Amortization expense for intangible assets is computed using the straight-line method over the estimated useful life of each of the intangible assets. The useful lives of our intangible assets are estimated based on the period over which the intangible asset is expected to benefit us.
We accounted for the changes in the useful lives as a change in accounting estimate under ASC 250 Accounting Changes and Error Corrections , which were recorded prospectively beginning on January 1, 2024. On January 1, 2024, we began depreciating our towers and related intangible assets on a straight-line basis over the remaining estimated useful life of the tower, taking into account the extended useful life and residual value. The extension of the asset lives (i) resulted in an approximately $515 million increase in the right of use asset, as additional renewal options may be included, with an offsetting adjustment made to increase the related operating lease liability and (ii) resulted in an estimated $730 million ($649 million after tax, or an increase of $1.39 per diluted share) decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the year ended December 31, 2024.• Impairment of Assets—Assets Subject to Depreciation and Amortization : We review long-lived assets for impairment at least annually or whenever events, changes in circumstances or other indicators or evidence indicate that the carrying amount of our assets may not be recoverable.
We review our tower portfolio, network location intangible and right-of-use assets for indicators of impairment at the lowest level of identifiable cash flows, typically at an individual tower basis. Possible indicators include a tower not having current tenant leases or having expenses in excess of revenues. A cash flow modeling approach is utilized to assess recoverability and incorporates, among other items, the tower location, the tower location demographics, the timing of additions of new tenants, lease rates and estimated length of tenancy and ongoing cash requirements.
We review our tenant-related intangible assets on a tenant by tenant basis for indicators of impairment, such as high levels of turnover or attrition, non-renewal of a significant number of contracts or the cancellation or termination of a relationship. We assess recoverability by determining whether the carrying amount of the tenant-related intangible assets will be recovered primarily through projected undiscounted future cash flows.
If the sum of the estimated undiscounted future cash flows of our long-lived assets is less than the carrying amount of the assets, an impairment loss may be recognized. Key assumptions included in the undiscounted cash flows are future revenue projections, estimates of ongoing tenancies and operating margins. An impairment loss would be based on the fair value of the asset, which is based on an estimate of discounted future cash flows to be provided from the asset. We record any related impairment charge in the period in which we identify such impairment.• Impairment of Assets—Goodwill: We review goodwill for impairment at least annually (as of December 31) or whenever events or circumstances indicate the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Goodwill is recorded in the applicable segment and assessed for impairment at the reporting unit level. We employ a discounted cash flow analysis when testing goodwill for impairment. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal revenue growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. We compare the fair value of the reporting unit, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows, to the carrying amount of the applicable reporting unit. If the carrying amount exceeds the fair value, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount of the excess. The loss recognized is limited to the total amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the results of our annual goodwill impairment test indicated that the carrying amount of our Spain reporting unit exceeded its estimated fair value, as calculated under an income approach using future discounted cash flows. As a result, we recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $80.0 million. The key assumptions utilized in the discounted cash flow analysis include current operating performance, terminal revenue growth rate, management’s expectations of future operating results and cash requirements, the current weighted average cost of capital and an expected tax rate. The reduction in the fair value of the Spain reporting unit was due to an increase in the weighted average cost of capital. The goodwill impairment charge in Spain was recorded in Goodwill impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
56Table of ContentsDuring the year ended December 31, 2024, no potential goodwill impairment was identified as the fair value of each of our reporting units was in excess of its carrying amount.
• Revenue Recognition: Our revenue is derived from leasing the right to use our communications sites, the land on which the sites are located, the land underlying our customers’ sites and the space in our data center facilities (the “lease component”) and from the reimbursement of costs incurred in operating the communications sites and data center facilities and supporting the customers’ equipment as well as other services and contractual rights (the “non-lease component”). Most of our revenue is derived from leasing arrangements and is accounted for as lease revenue unless the timing and pattern of revenue recognition of the non-lease component differs from the lease component. If the timing and pattern of the non-lease component revenue recognition differs from that of the lease component, we separately determine the stand-alone selling prices and pattern of revenue recognition for each performance obligation.
Our revenue from leasing arrangements, including fixed escalation clauses present in non-cancellable lease arrangements, is reported on a straight-line basis over the term of the respective leases when collectibility is probable. Escalation clauses tied to a consumer price index or other inflation-based indices, and other incentives present in lease agreements with our tenants, are excluded from the straight-line calculation. Total property straight-line revenues for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 were $277.6 million, $465.4 million and $508.5 million, respectively. Amounts billed upfront in connection with the execution of lease agreements are initially deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and recognized as revenue over the terms of the applicable lease arrangements. Amounts billed or received for services prior to being earned are deferred and reflected in Unearned revenue in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets until the criteria for recognition have been met. Periodically, we provide lease incentives to our tenants. If incentives are present in our leases, they are evaluated to determine proper treatment and, to the extent present, are recorded in Other current assets and Other non-current assets in the consolidated balance sheets and amortized on a straight line basis over the corresponding lease term as a non-cash reduction to revenue.
We derive the largest portion of our revenues, corresponding trade receivables and the related deferred rent asset from a small number of customers in the telecommunications industry, with 60% of our revenues derived from four customers. In addition, we have concentrations of credit risk in certain geographic areas. We mitigate the concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables and the related deferred rent assets by actively monitoring the creditworthiness of our customers. In recognizing customer revenue we assess the collectibility of both the amounts billed and the portion recognized on a straight-line basis. This assessment takes customer credit risk and business and industry conditions into consideration to ultimately determine the collectibility of the amounts billed. To the extent the amounts, based on management’s estimates, may not be collectible, recognition is deferred until such point as the uncertainty is resolved. Any amounts that were previously recognized as revenue and are subsequently determined to present a risk of collection are reserved as bad debt expense. Accounts receivable are reported net of allowances for doubtful accounts related to estimated losses resulting from a customer’s inability to make required payments and allowances for amounts invoiced whose collectibility is not reasonably assured.• Rent Expense and Lease Accounting: Many of the leases underlying our tower sites and data centers have fixed rent escalations, which provide for periodic increases in the amount of ground rent payable over time. In addition, certain of our tenant leases require us to exercise available renewal options pursuant to the underlying ground lease if the tenant exercises its renewal option. Our calculation of the lease liability includes the term of the underlying ground lease plus all periods, if any, for which failure to renew the lease imposes an economic penalty to us such that renewal appears to be reasonably assured.
We recognize a right-of-use lease asset and lease liability for operating and finance leases. The right-of-use asset is measured as the sum of the lease liability, prepaid or accrued lease payments, any initial direct costs incurred and any other applicable amounts.The calculation of the lease liability requires us to make certain assumptions for each lease, including lease term and discount rate implicit in each lease, which could significantly impact the gross lease obligation, the duration and the present value of the lease liability. When calculating the lease term, we consider the renewal, cancellation and termination rights available to us and the lessor. We determine the discount rate by calculating the incremental borrowing rate on a collateralized basis at the commencement of a lease or upon a change in the lease term.
• Income Taxes: Accounting for income taxes requires us to estimate the timing and impact of amounts recorded in our financial statements that may be recognized differently for tax purposes. To the extent that the timing of amounts recognized for financial reporting purposes differs from the timing of recognition for tax reporting purposes, deferred tax assets or liabilities are required to be recorded. We measure deferred tax assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences and carryforwards are
57Table of Contentsexpected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities as a result of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date. We do not expect to pay federal income taxes on our REIT taxable income.We periodically review our deferred tax assets, and we record a valuation allowance if, based on the available evidence, it is more likely than not that some or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. Management assesses the available positive and negative evidence to estimate if sufficient future taxable income will be generated to use the existing deferred tax assets. Valuation allowances would be reversed as a reduction to the provision for income taxes, if related deferred tax assets are deemed realizable based on changes in facts and circumstances relevant to the assets’ recoverability.
We recognize the benefit of uncertain tax positions when, in management’s judgment, it is more likely than not that positions we have taken in our tax returns will be sustained upon examination, which are measured at the largest amount that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon settlement. We adjust our tax liabilities when our judgment changes as a result of the evaluation of new information or information not previously available. Due to the complexity of some of these uncertainties, the ultimate resolution may result in a payment that is materially different from our current estimate of the tax liabilities. These differences will be reflected as increases or decreases to income tax expense in the period in which additional information is available or the position is ultimately settled under audit.
Accounting Standards Update
For a discussion of recent accounting standards updates, see note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Annual Report.