FORM S-3/A
Table of Contents

As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 26, 2004

Registration Statement No. 333-114706


SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 


 

AMENDMENT NO. 1

FORM S-3

REGISTRATION STATEMENT

UNDER

THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933

 


 

American Tower Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 


 

Delaware   65-0723837
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(617) 375-7500

(Address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of registrant’s principal executive offices)

 


 

James D. Taiclet, Jr.

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer

American Tower Corporation

116 Huntington Avenue

Boston, Massachusetts 02116

(617) 375-7500

(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service)

 


 

Copies to:

William H. Hess, Esq.   Matthew J. Gardella, Esq.
Executive Vice President and General Counsel   Palmer & Dodge LLP
American Tower Corporation   111 Huntington Avenue
116 Huntington Avenue   Boston, Massachusetts 02199-7613
Boston, Massachusetts 02116   Tel: (617) 239-0100
Tel: (617) 375-7500   Fax: (617) 227-4420
Fax: (617) 375-7575    

 


 

Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public:    From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.

 

If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box.  ¨

 

If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than in connection with dividend or interest reinvestment plans, check the following box.  x

 

If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering.  ¨

 

If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434, please check the following box.  ¨

 



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PROSPECTUS

 

3,578,212 Shares of Class A Common Stock

 

LOGO

 


 

 

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus may from time to time offer up to an aggregate of 3,578,212 shares of our Class A common stock. We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the shares by the selling stockholders.

 

The selling stockholders identified in this prospectus, or their pledgees, donees, transferees or other successors-in-interest, may offer the shares from time to time through public or private transactions at prevailing market prices, at prices related to prevailing market prices or at privately negotiated prices.

 

Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.” On July 21, 2004, the closing sale price of our Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange was $14.99 per share. You should obtain current market prices for our Class A common stock.

 

Investing in our Class A common stock involves risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 3.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

 

 

 

The date of this prospectus is                             , 2004.

 


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

     Page

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

   1

American Tower

   2

Risk Factors

   3

Use of Proceeds

   9

Selling Stockholders

   9

Description of Capital Stock

   11

Plan of Distribution

   14

Validity of the Offered Securities

   16

Experts

   16

Where You Can Find More Information

   16

Incorporation of Documents By Reference

   17

 

You should rely only on the information contained in, or incorporated by reference into, this prospectus. We have not authorized any other person to provide you with different or additional information. If anyone provides you with different or additional information, you should not rely on it. The information contained or incorporated by reference into this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus or the date of the document incorporated by reference. Our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects may have changed since then. Neither the delivery of this prospectus nor any sale under this prospectus shall, under any circumstances, create any implication that there has been no change in our affairs since the date of this prospectus, that the information contained in this prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to its date, or that any information incorporated by reference in this prospectus is correct as of any time subsequent to its date. The selling stockholders are not making an offer to sell the shares of our Class A common stock in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted.

 

References in this prospectus to the terms “we,” “our” or “us” or other similar terms mean American Tower Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, unless we state otherwise or the context indicates otherwise.

 

CAUTIONARY NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

We have made statements about future events and expectations, or forward-looking statements, in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We have based those forward-looking statements on our current expectations and projections about future results. When we use words such as “project,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” or “intend,” or similar expressions, we do so to identify forward-looking statements. Examples of forward-looking statements include statements we make regarding future prospects of growth in the wireless communications and broadcast infrastructure markets, the level of future expenditures by companies in those markets, and other trends in those markets, our ability to maintain or increase our market share, our future capital expenditure levels, and our plans to fund our future liquidity needs. These statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions, which in turn are based on currently available information. These assumptions could prove inaccurate.

 

You should keep in mind that any forward-looking statement made by us in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus speaks only as of the date on which we make it. New risks and uncertainties arise from time to time, and it is impossible for us to predict these events or how they may affect us. In any event, these and other factors may cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements, including those factors set forth in this prospectus under “Risk Factors.” We have no duty to, and we do not intend to, update or revise forward-looking statements made by us

 

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in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus, except as required by law. In light of these risks and uncertainties, you should keep in mind that the future events or circumstances described in any forward-looking statements made by us in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus or elsewhere might not occur.

 

AMERICAN TOWER

 

We are a leading wireless and broadcast communications infrastructure company with a portfolio of approximately 15,000 towers. Our primary business is leasing antenna space on multi-tenant communications towers to wireless service providers and radio and television broadcast companies. We operate the largest independent portfolio of wireless communications and broadcast towers in North America, based on number of towers and revenue. Our tower portfolio provides us with a recurring base of leasing revenues from our existing customers and growth potential due to the capacity to add more tenants and equipment to these towers. Our broad network of towers enables us to address the needs of wireless service providers on a national basis. We also offer select tower related services, such as antennae and line installation and site acquisition and zoning services, which are strategic to our core leasing business.

 

Our principal executive offices are located at 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, and our telephone number is (617) 375-7500. Our website address is www.americantower.com. We have not incorporated by reference into this prospectus the information on our website, and you should not consider it to be a part of this prospectus.

 

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RISK FACTORS

 

You should consider the following risk factors, in addition to the other information presented in this prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus in evaluating us, our business and an investment in our Class A common stock. Additional risks not presently known to us or that we currently deem immaterial may also impair our business operations. Any of these risks could seriously harm our business and financial results and cause the value of our securities to decline, which in turn could cause you to lose all or part of your investment.

 

Decrease in demand for tower space would materially and adversely affect our operating results and we cannot control that demand.

 

Many of the factors affecting the demand for wireless communications tower space, and to a lesser extent our network development services business, could materially affect our operating results. Those factors include:

 

  consumer demand for wireless services;

 

  the financial condition of wireless service providers;

 

  the ability and willingness of wireless service providers to maintain or increase their capital expenditures;

 

  the growth rate of wireless communications or of a particular wireless segment;

 

  governmental licensing of broadcast rights;

 

  mergers or consolidations among wireless service providers;

 

  increased use of network sharing arrangements or roaming and resale arrangements by wireless service providers;

 

  delays or changes in the deployment of 3G or other technologies;

 

  zoning, environmental, health and other government regulations; and

 

  technological changes.

 

The demand for broadcast antenna space is dependent, to a significantly lesser extent, on the needs of television and radio broadcasters. Among other things, technological advances, including the development of satellite-delivered radio, may reduce the need for tower-based broadcast transmission. We could also be affected adversely should the development of digital television be further delayed or impaired, or if demand for it were less than anticipated because of delays, disappointing technical performance or cost to the consumer.

 

Substantial leverage and debt service obligations may adversely affect us.

 

We have a substantial amount of indebtedness. As of March 31, 2004, we had approximately $3.3 billion of consolidated debt. Our substantial level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay when due the principal of, interest on, or other amounts due with respect to our indebtedness. Approximately 20% of our outstanding indebtedness bears interest at floating rates. As a result, our interest payment obligations on such indebtedness will increase if interest rates increase.

 

Our substantial leverage could have significant negative consequences on our financial condition and results of operations, including:

 

  impairing our ability to meet one or more of the financial ratios contained in our debt agreements or to generate cash sufficient to pay interest or principal, including periodic principal amortization payments, which events could result in an acceleration of some or all of our outstanding debt as a result of cross-default provisions;

 

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  increasing our vulnerability to general adverse economic and industry conditions;

 

  limiting our ability to obtain additional debt or equity financing;

 

  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;

 

  requiring us to sell debt or equity securities or to sell some of our core assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, to meet payment obligations;

 

  limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we compete; and

 

  placing us at a possible competitive disadvantage with less leveraged competitors and competitors that may have better access to capital resources.

 

Restrictive covenants in our credit facilities and indentures could adversely affect our business by limiting flexibility.

 

Our credit facilities and the indentures governing the terms of our other debt securities contain restrictive covenants and, in the case of the credit facilities, requirements that we comply with certain leverage and other financial tests. These limit our ability to take various actions, including incurring additional debt, guaranteeing indebtedness, issuing preferred stock, engaging in various types of transactions, including mergers and sales of assets, and paying dividends and making distributions or other restricted payments, including investments. These covenants could have an adverse effect on our business by limiting our ability to take advantage of financing, new tower development, merger and acquisition or other opportunities.

 

Our participation or inability to participate in tower industry consolidation could involve certain risks.

 

We believe there are benefits to consolidation among tower companies, and have in the past and may in the future explore merger or acquisition transactions with one or more other companies in our industry. Any merger or acquisition transaction would involve several risks to our business, including demands on managerial personnel that could divert their attention from other aspects of our core leasing business, increased operating risks due to the integration of major national networks into our operational system, and potential antitrust constraints, either in local markets or on a regional basis, that could require selective divestitures at unfavorable prices. Any completed transaction may have an adverse effect on our operating results, particularly in the fiscal quarters immediately following its completion while we integrate the operations of the other business. In addition, once integrated, combined operations may not necessarily achieve the levels of revenues, profitability or productivity anticipated. There also may be limitations on our ability to consummate a merger or acquisition transaction. For example, any transaction would have to comply with the terms of our credit facilities and note indentures, or may require the consent of lenders under those instruments that might not be obtainable on acceptable terms. In addition, regulatory constraints might impede or prevent business combinations. Our inability to consummate a merger or acquisition for these or other reasons could result in our failure to participate in the expected benefits of industry consolidation and may have an adverse effect on our ability to compete effectively.

 

If our wireless service provider customers consolidate or merge with each other to a significant degree, our growth, revenue and ability to generate positive cash flows could be adversely affected.

 

Significant consolidation among our wireless service provider customers, such as the recently announced transaction between Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless, may result in reduced capital expenditures in the aggregate because the existing networks of many wireless carriers overlap, as do their expansion plans. Similar consequences might occur if wireless service providers engage in extensive sharing or roaming or resale

 

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arrangements as an alternative to leasing our antennae space. In January 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) eliminated its spectrum cap, which prohibited wireless carriers from owning more than 45 MHz of spectrum in any given geographical area. The FCC has also eliminated the cross-interest rule for metropolitan areas, which limited an entity’s ability to own interests in multiple cellular licenses in an overlapping geographical service area. Also, in May 2003, the FCC adopted new rules authorizing wireless radio services holding exclusive licenses to freely lease unused spectrum. Some wireless carriers may be encouraged to consolidate with each other as a result of these regulatory changes as a means to strengthen their financial condition. Consolidation among wireless carriers would also increase our risk that the loss of one or more of our major customers could materially decrease revenues and cash flows.

 

Due to the long-term expectations of revenue from tenant leases, the tower industry is sensitive to the creditworthiness of its tenants.

 

Due to the long-term nature of our tenant leases, we, like others in the tower industry, are dependent on the continued financial strength of our tenants. Many wireless service providers operate with substantial leverage. During the past two years, several of our customers have filed for bankruptcy, although to date these bankruptcies have not had a material adverse effect on our business or revenues. If one or more of our major customers experience financial difficulties, it could result in uncollectible accounts receivable and our loss of significant customers and anticipated lease revenues.

 

Our foreign operations are subject to expropriation risk, governmental regulation, funds inaccessibility and foreign exchange exposure.

 

Our expansion in Mexico and Brazil, and any other possible foreign operations in the future, could result in adverse financial consequences and operational problems not experienced in the United States. We have loaned $119.8 million (undiscounted) to a Mexican company, own or have the economic rights to over 1,850 towers in Mexico, including approximately 200 broadcast towers (after giving effect to pending transactions) and, subject to certain rejection rights, are contractually committed to construct up to approximately 400 additional towers in that country over the next three years. We also own or have acquired the rights to approximately 425 communications towers in Brazil and are, subject to certain rejection rights, contractually committed to construct up to 350 additional towers in that country over the next three years. The actual number of sites constructed will vary depending on the build out plans of the applicable carrier. We may, if economic and capital market conditions permit, also engage in comparable transactions in other countries in the future. Among the risks of foreign operations are governmental expropriation and regulation, the credit quality of our customers, inability to repatriate earnings or other funds, currency fluctuations, difficulty in recruiting trained personnel, and language and cultural differences, all of which could adversely affect our operations.

 

A substantial portion of our revenues is derived from a small number of customers.

 

A substantial portion of our total operating revenues is derived from a small number of customers. Approximately 64.2% of our revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and approximately 61.5% of our revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003 were derived from eight customers. Our largest domestic customer is Verizon Wireless, which represented approximately 12.0% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and approximately 12.3% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. If the recently announced transaction between Cingular Wireless and AT&T Wireless had occurred as of January 1, 2003, however, the combined revenues would have represented approximately 16.3% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and approximately 15.0% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. Our largest international customer is Iusacell Celular, which is an affiliate of TV Azteca. Iusacell Celular accounted for approximately 4.4% and 4.7% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively. TV Azteca also owns a minority interest in Unefon, which is our second largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 2.9% and 2.8% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively.

 

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In addition, we received $3.5 million and $14.2 million in interest income, net, from TV Azteca for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and the year ended December 31, 2003, respectively. If any of these customers were unwilling or unable to perform their obligations under our agreements with them, our revenues, results of operations, and financial condition could be adversely affected.

 

In the ordinary course of our business, we also sometimes experience disputes with our customers, generally regarding the interpretation of terms in our agreements. Although historically we have resolved these disputes in a manner that did not have a material adverse effect on our company or our customer relationships, these disputes could lead to a termination of our agreements with customers or a material modification of the terms of those agreements, either of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and 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 revenues or increased costs, resulting in a corresponding adverse effect on our operating results.

 

Status of Iusacell Celular’s financial restructuring exposes us to certain risks and uncertainties.

 

Iusacell Celular is our largest customer in Mexico and accounted for approximately 4.4% of our total revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and approximately 4.7% of our total revenues for the year ended December 31, 2003. In addition, in December 2003 we agreed to acquire up to 143 tower sites from Iusacell for up to an aggregate of $31.4 million, and had acquired 80 tower sites for approximately $18.2 million as of March 31, 2004. Iusacell currently is in default under certain of its debt obligations and is involved in litigation with certain of its creditors. If Iusacell files for bankruptcy, or if the creditor litigation has an adverse impact on Iusacell’s overall liquidity, it could interfere with Iusacell’s ability to meet its operating obligations, including rental payments under our leases with them.

 

New technologies could make our tower antenna leasing services less desirable to potential tenants and result in decreasing revenues.

 

The development and implementation of new technologies designated to enhance the efficiency of wireless networks could reduce the use and need for tower-based wireless services transmission and reception and have the effect of decreasing demand for antenna space. Examples of such technologies include technologies that enhance spectral capacity, such as lower-rate vocoders, which can increase the capacity at existing sites and reduce the number of additional sites a given carrier needs to serve any given subscriber base. In addition, the emergence of new technologies could reduce the need for tower-based broadcast services transmission and reception. For example, the growth in delivery of video services by direct broadcast satellites could adversely affect demand for our antenna space. The development and implementation of any of these and similar technologies to any significant degree could have an adverse effect on our operations.

 

We could have liability under environmental laws.

 

Our operations, like those of other companies engaged in similar businesses, are subject to the requirements of various federal, state and local and foreign environmental and occupational safety and health laws and regulations, including those relating to the management, use, storage, disposal, emission and remediation of, and exposure to, hazardous and non-hazardous substances, materials, and wastes. As owner, lessee or operator of approximately 15,000 real estate sites, we may be liable for substantial costs of remediating soil and groundwater contaminated by hazardous materials, without regard to whether we, as the owner, lessee or operator, knew of or were responsible for the contamination. In addition, we cannot assure you that we are at all times in complete compliance with all environmental requirements. We may be subject to potentially significant fines or penalties if we fail to comply with any of these requirements. The current cost of complying with these laws is not material

 

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to our financial condition or results of operations. However, the requirements of these laws and regulations are complex, change frequently, and could become more stringent in the future. It is possible that these requirements will change or that liabilities will arise in the future in a manner that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.

 

Our business is subject to government regulations and changes in current or future laws or regulations could restrict our ability to operate our business as we currently do.

 

We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign regulation of our business, including regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), the FCC, the Environmental Protection Agency, the Department of Transportation and the Occupational Safety and Health Administration. Both the FCC and the FAA regulate towers used for wireless communications and radio and television antennae and the FCC separately regulates transmitting devices operating on towers. Similar regulations exist in Mexico, Brazil and other foreign countries regarding wireless communications and the operation of communications towers. Local zoning authorities and community organizations are often opposed to construction in their communities and these regulations can delay, prevent or increase the cost of new tower construction, collocations or site upgrade projects, thereby limiting our ability to respond to customer demand. Existing regulatory policies may adversely affect the timing or cost of new tower construction and locations and additional regulations may be adopted that increase delays or result in additional costs to us or that prevent or restrict new tower construction in certain locations. These factors could adversely affect our operations.

 

Increasing competition in the tower industry may create pricing pressures that may adversely affect us.

 

Our industry is highly competitive, and our customers have numerous alternatives for leasing antenna space. Some of our competitors are larger and have greater financial resources than we do, while other competitors are in weak financial condition or may have lower return on investment criteria than we do. Competitive pricing pressures for tenants on towers from these competitors could adversely affect our lease rates and service income.

 

In addition, if we lose customers due to pricing, we may not be able to find new customers, leading to an accompanying adverse effect on our profitability. Increasing competition could also make the acquisition of high quality tower assets more costly.

 

Our competition includes:

 

  national tower companies;

 

  wireless carriers that own towers and lease antenna space to other carriers;

 

  site development companies that purchase antenna space on existing towers for wireless carriers and manage new tower construction; and

 

  alternative site structures (e.g., building rooftops, billboards and utility poles).

 

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 media 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 could slow the market acceptance of wireless communications services and increase opposition to the development and expansion of tower sites. The potential connection between radio frequency emissions and certain negative health effects has been the subject of substantial study by the scientific community in recent years. To date, the results of these studies have been inconclusive.

 

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If a connection between radio frequency emissions and possible negative health effects, including cancer, were established, or if the public perception that such a connection exists were to increase, our operations, costs and revenues would be materially and adversely affected. We do not maintain any significant insurance with respect to these matters.

 

The bankruptcy proceeding of our Verestar subsidiary exposes us to risks and uncertainties.

 

Our wholly owned subsidiary, Verestar, Inc., filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the federal bankruptcy laws on December 22, 2003. Verestar was reported as a discontinued operation through the date of the bankruptcy filing in 2003 for financial statement purposes and, as of the date of the bankruptcy filing, was deconsolidated for financial statement purposes.

 

If Verestar fails to honor certain of its contractual obligations because of its bankruptcy filing or otherwise, claims may be made against us for breaches by Verestar of those contracts as to which we are primarily or secondarily liable as a guarantor, which we do not expect will exceed $10.0 million. In addition, Verestar’s bankruptcy estate may bring certain claims against us or seek to hold us liable for certain transfers made by Verestar to us and/or for Verestar’s obligations to creditors under various equitable theories recognized under bankruptcy law. The Official Committee of Unsecured Creditors appointed in the Verestar bankruptcy proceeding (the “Committee”) has requested, and we have agreed to produce, certain documents in connection with the subpoena for Rule 2004 Examination (as defined under federal bankruptcy laws) issued by the Committee. The Bankruptcy Court also has entered an order approving a stipulation between Verestar and the Committee that permits the Committee to file claims against us and/or our affiliates on behalf of Verestar. As of the date of this prospectus, the Committee has not filed any claims against us or our affiliates. The outcome of complex litigation (including claims which may be asserted against us by Verestar’s bankruptcy estate) cannot be predicted with certainty and is dependent upon many factors beyond our control; however, any such claims, if successful, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition. Finally, we will incur additional costs in connection with our involvement in the reorganization or liquidation of Verestar’s business.

 

The market for the Class A common stock may be volatile.

 

The market price of the Class A common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations. These fluctuations could be caused by:

 

  quarterly variations in our results of operations;

 

  changes in earnings estimates by analysts;

 

  conditions in our markets or our industry; or

 

  general market or economic conditions.

 

In addition, in recent years the stock market has experienced price and volume fluctuations. These fluctuations have had a substantial effect on the market prices of securities of many companies, often unrelated to the operating performance of the specific companies. These market fluctuations could adversely affect the price of our Class A common stock.

 

There will be dilution of the value of our Class A common stock when outstanding warrants become exercisable.

 

In January 2003, we issued warrants to purchase approximately 11.4 million shares of our Class A common stock in connection with the 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes offering. The shares underlying the warrants represented approximately 5.2% of our outstanding common stock as of March 30, 2004 (assuming all the warrants are exercised). These warrants will become exercisable on or after January 29, 2006 at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The issuance of these shares will have a dilutive effect on the value of our Class A common stock when these warrants are exercised.

 

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USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We will not receive any proceeds from the sale of shares of our Class A common stock by the selling stockholders.

 

SELLING STOCKHOLDERS

 

This prospectus relates to resales by the selling stockholders of shares of our Class A common stock that we issued or expect to issue to satisfy our obligations to repurchase equity interests held by them in our subsidiary, ATC Mexico Holding Corp., which we refer to as ATC Mexico. On April 2, 2004, pursuant to the exercise of put rights held by J. Michael Gearon, Jr., we issued 2,203,968 shares of our Class A common stock and paid approximately $3.7 million in cash in exchange for Mr. Gearon’s equity interest in ATC Mexico. As a result of the exercise of Mr. Gearon’s put right, at any time after July 14, 2004, the other persons listed below may exercise their put rights with respect to the ATC Mexico equity interests held by them. Upon such persons exercising their rights in full, we expect to issue the shares of Class A common stock indicated next to the person’s name under the column “Number of Shares of Class A Common Stock Being Offered.”

 

The following table sets forth, to our knowledge, certain information, as of June 30, 2004, about the selling stockholders who may offer and sell shares of our Class A common stock pursuant to this prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution.” For purposes of the following table, beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes the right to acquire voting or investment control of our Class A common stock within 60 days of June 30, 2004. Unless otherwise indicated below, to our knowledge, all persons named in the table have sole voting and investment power with respect to their shares of Class A common stock, except to the extent authority is shared by spouses under applicable law. The inclusion of shares of Class A common stock in the table does not constitute an admission of beneficial ownership by the persons named therein.

 

    

Shares of

Class A Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

Prior to Offering


   

Number of
Shares

of Class A

Common
Stock

Being
Offered


  

Shares of

Class A Common Stock

Beneficially Owned

After Offering (1)


Names of Selling Stockholders


   Number

   Percentage (2)

       Number

   Percentage (2)

Daniel A. Brooks

   165,575    *     155,575    10,000    *

Kevin Corrigan

   208,997    *     207,433    1,564    *

Deemer Dana

   69,000    *     51,858    17,142    *

Guy Eargle

   63,109    *     51,858    11,251    *

J. Michael Gearon, Jr.

   3,206,902    1.4 %   2,203,968    1,002,934    *

Lawrence Gleason, Jr.

   155,694    *     155,575    119    *

William H. Hess

   678,700    *     622,300    56,400    *

Murillo Penchel

   51,858    *     51,858    0    *

Jeffrey A. Smith

   98,921    *     77,787    21,134    *
    
  

 
  
  

Total

   4,698,756    2.1 %   3,578,212    1,120,544    *

* Less than one percent.
(1) We do not know if, when or in what amounts a selling stockholder may offer shares for sale. However, for purposes of this table, we have assumed that, after completion of the offering, none of the shares covered by this prospectus will be held by the selling stockholders.
(2) Based on 224,142,415 shares of Class A common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2004.

 

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Each of the selling stockholders is employed by us or one of our subsidiaries in connection with our businesses in Mexico and/or South America. Messrs. Gearon and Hess are executive officers of American Tower Corporation. Mr. Gearon is the Vice Chairman of American Tower Corporation and the President of American Tower International. Mr. Hess is the Executive Vice President and General Counsel of American Tower Corporation.

 

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DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

 

The description below summarizes the more important terms of American Tower Corporation’s capital stock. Because this section is a summary, it does not describe every aspect of our capital stock. This summary is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the provisions of our restated certificate of incorporation, as amended, which we refer to as our charter.

 

General

 

The authorized capital stock of American Tower Corporation consists of 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per share, 500,000,000 shares of Class A common stock, $.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $.01 par value per share, and 10,000,000 shares of Class C common stock, $.01 par value per share. In February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock and Class C common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Future issuances of Class B common stock are prohibited by our charter. See “—Common Stock.”

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our board of directors will determine the designations, preferences, limitations and relative rights of the 20,000,000 authorized and unissued shares of preferred stock. These include:

 

  the distinctive designation of each series and the number of shares that will constitute the series,

 

  the voting rights, if any, of shares of the series,

 

  whether shares of the series will be entitled to receive dividends and, if so, the dividend rate on the shares of the series, any restriction, limitation or condition upon the payment of the dividends, whether dividends will be cumulative, and the dates on which dividends are payable,

 

  the prices at which, and the terms and conditions on which, the shares of the series may be redeemed, if the shares are redeemable,

 

  the purchase or sinking fund provisions, if any, for the purchase or redemption of shares of the series,

 

  any preferential amount payable upon shares of the series upon our liquidation or the distribution of our assets,

 

  the price or rates of conversion at which, and the terms and conditions on which the shares of the series may be converted into other securities, if the shares are convertible, and

 

  whether the series can be exchanged, at our option, into debt securities, and the terms and conditions of any permitted exchange.

 

The issuance of preferred stock, or the issuance of rights to purchase preferred stock, could discourage an unsolicited acquisition proposal. In addition, the rights of holders of common stock will be subject to, and may be adversely affected by, the rights of holders of any preferred stock that we may issue in the future.

 

Common Stock

 

Conversion of Class B Common Stock and Class C Common Stock. In February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class B common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis pursuant to the occurrence of the “Dodge Conversion Event” as defined in our charter. Our charter prohibits the future issuance of Class B common stock. Also in February 2004, all outstanding shares of our Class C common stock were converted into shares of Class A common stock on a one-for-one basis. Our charter permits future issuances of shares of Class C common stock.

 

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Dividends. Holders of record of shares of common stock on the record date fixed by our board of directors are entitled to receive dividends as declared by our board of directors out of funds legally available for the purpose. No dividends may be declared or paid in cash or property on any share of any class of common stock, however, unless simultaneously the same dividend is declared or paid on each share of the other classes of common stock. Dividends in the form of shares of stock of any company, including our company or any of our subsidiaries, are excepted from that requirement. Therefore, in the case of stock dividends, the shares paid as the dividend may differ as to voting rights to the extent that voting rights now differ among the different classes of common stock. In the case of any dividend payable in shares of common stock, holders of each class of common stock are entitled to receive the same percentage dividend, payable in shares of that class, as the holders of each other class. Dividends and other distributions on common stock are also subject to the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock or debt that may be outstanding from time to time.

 

Voting Rights. Holders of shares of Class A common stock have the exclusive voting rights and will vote as a single class on all matters submitted to a vote of the stockholders. The foregoing is subject to the requirements of Delaware corporate law, special provisions in our charter governing election of directors, certain Class A common stock class voting rights and the rights of holders of any series of preferred stock that may be outstanding from time to time. Each share of Class A common stock is entitled to one vote. The holders of the Class A common stock have the right to elect all of our directors. The Class C common stock is nonvoting except as otherwise required by Delaware corporate law.

 

Delaware corporate law requires the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of any class or series of common stock to approve, among other things, an adverse change in the powers, preferences or special rights of the shares of that class or series. Our charter requires the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than 66 2/3% of the Class A common stock to amend most of the provisions of the charter, including those relating to the provisions of the classes of common stock, an increase or decrease in the number of authorized shares of Class A common stock or Class C common stock, indemnification of directors, exoneration of directors for certain acts and the super-majority provision.

 

The provisions of our charter:

 

  prohibit the acquisition by Steven B. Dodge, our former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and his controlled entities of more than 49.99% of the aggregate voting power of all shares of capital stock entitled to vote generally for the election of directors, less the voting power represented at the date of determination by the shares of common stock acquired by Thomas H. Stoner, a former director, and purchasers affiliated with him in the January 1998 private offering and owned by them or certain affiliates, and

 

  require the holders of a majority of Class A common stock to approve adverse amendments to the powers, preferences or special rights of the Class A common stock.

 

Conversion Provisions. Shares of Class C common stock are convertible, at any time at the option of the holder, on a one-for-one basis into shares of Class A common stock.

 

Liquidation Rights. Upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up the holders of each class of common stock are entitled to share ratably in all assets available for distribution after payment in full of creditors and payment in full to holders of preferred stock then outstanding of any amount required to be paid to them. However, if shares of stock or securities of any company, including any of our subsidiaries, are distributed in connection with our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the shares or securities that we distribute to holders of the various classes of our common stock may differ as to voting rights to the extent that voting rights now differ among the different classes of common stock.

 

Other Provisions. The holders of common stock have no preemptive, subscription or redemption rights and are not entitled to the benefit of any sinking fund. The shares of common stock presently outstanding are validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.

 

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In any merger, consolidation or business combination, the holders of each class of common stock must receive the identical consideration to that received by holders of each other class of common stock, except if shares of common stock or common stock of any other company are distributed, in which case the shares may differ as to voting rights to the same extent that voting rights then differ among the different classes of common stock.

 

No class of common stock may be subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed unless, concurrently, the other classes of common stock are subdivided, consolidated, reclassified or otherwise changed in the same proportion and in the same manner.

 

Our charter restricts transfers of shares of our capital stock to the extent necessary to comply with the FCC’s foreign ownership limitations.

 

Dividend Restrictions

 

Our borrower subsidiaries are prohibited under the terms of their credit facilities from paying cash dividends or making other distributions on, or making redemptions, purchases or other acquisitions of, their capital stock or other equity interests, including preferred stock, except that, beginning on April 15, 2004, if no default exists or would be created thereby under the credit facilities, our borrower subsidiaries may pay cash dividends or make other distributions to the extent that restricted payments, as defined in the credit facilities, do not exceed 50% of excess cash flow, as defined in the credit facilities, for the preceding calendar year. The indentures governing the 12.25% senior subordinated discount notes due 2008 and the 7.25% senior subordinated notes due 2011, each issued by ATI, our principal operating subsidiary, impose similar limitations on the ability of ATI and certain of our subsidiaries that have guaranteed these notes to pay dividends and make other distributions. The indentures governing our 9 3/8% senior notes due 2009 and our 7.50% senior notes due 2012 also impose significant limitations on the payment of dividends by us to our stockholders.

 

Delaware Business Combination Provisions

 

We are subject to the provisions of Section 203 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware. Section 203 prohibits a publicly held Delaware corporation from engaging in a “business combination” with an “interested stockholder” for a period of three years after the person became an interested stockholder, unless the business combination or the transaction in which the stockholder became an interested stockholder is approved in a prescribed manner. A “business combination” includes mergers, asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholder. Subject to certain exceptions, an “interested stockholder” is a person who, together with affiliates and associates, owns, or within the prior three years did own, 15% or more of the corporation’s voting stock.

 

Listing of Class A Common Stock

 

Our Class A common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.”

 

Transfer Agent and Registrar

 

The transfer agent and registrar for the Class A common stock is The Bank of New York, P.O. Box 11258, Church Street Station, New York, NY 10286, telephone number (800) 524-4458.

 

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PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Selling stockholders may offer and sell from time to time the shares of our Class A common stock covered by this prospectus. We refer to the shares of Class A common stock as the securities. The term selling stockholders includes donees, pledgees, transferees or other successors-in-interest selling securities received after the date of this prospectus from a selling securityholder as a gift, pledge, partnership distribution or other non-sale related transfer. The selling stockholders will act independently of us in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.

 

We have been advised by the selling stockholders that they may sell all or a portion of the securities beneficially owned by them and offered hereby from time to time:

 

  directly; or

 

  through underwriters, broker-dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form of discounts, commissions or concessions from the selling stockholders or from the purchasers of the securities for whom they may act as agent.

 

The securities may be sold from time to time in one or more transactions at:

 

  fixed prices, which may be changed;

 

  prevailing market prices at the time of sale;

 

  varying prices determined at the time of sale; or

 

  negotiated prices.

 

These prices will be determined by the holders of the securities or by agreement between these holders and underwriters or dealers who may receive fees or commissions in connection with the sale. The aggregate proceeds to the selling stockholders from the sale of the securities offered by them hereby will be the purchase price of the securities less discounts and commissions, if any.

 

The sales described in the preceding paragraph may be effected in transactions:

 

  on any national securities exchange or quotation service on which the securities may be listed or quoted at the time of sale, including the New York Stock Exchange in the case of the shares of our Class A common stock;

 

  in the over-the-counter market;

 

  in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services or in the over-the-counter market; or

 

  through the writing of options.

 

These transactions may include block transactions or crosses. Crosses are transactions in which the same broker acts as an agent on both sides of the trade.

 

The shares of our Class A common stock will be listed, and may be traded, on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “AMT.”

 

In addition, the selling stockholders may sell any securities that qualify for sale pursuant to Rule 144 or Rule 144A under the Securities Act rather than pursuant to this prospectus.

 

To the extent required, we may amend or supplement this prospectus to describe a specific plan of distribution. In connection with the sale of the securities, the selling stockholders may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions. In connection with those transactions, broker-dealers or other financial institutions may engage in short sales of the securities in the course of hedging the positions they assume with selling stockholders. Subject to applicable company policy, the selling stockholders

 

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may also sell the securities short and redeliver the securities to close out their short positions. The selling stockholders may also enter into option or other transactions with broker-dealers or other financial institutions that require the delivery to the broker-dealer or other financial institution of securities offered by this prospectus, which securities the broker-dealer or other financial institution may resell pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect the transaction. The selling stockholders may also pledge securities to a broker-dealer or other financial institution, and, upon a default, the broker-dealer or other financial institution, may effect sales of the pledged securities pursuant to this prospectus, as supplemented or amended to reflect the transaction.

 

In effecting sales, broker-dealers or agents engaged by the selling stockholders may arrange for other broker-dealers to participate. Broker-dealers or agents may receive commissions, discounts or concessions from the selling stockholders in amounts to be negotiated immediately prior to the sale.

 

In offering the securities covered by this prospectus, the selling stockholders and any broker-dealers who execute sales for the selling stockholders may be treated as “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act in connection with sales. Any profits realized by the selling stockholders and the compensation of any broker-dealer may be treated as underwriting discounts and commissions. To our knowledge, there are currently no plans, arrangements or understandings between any selling stockholders and any underwriter, broker-dealer or agent regarding the sale of the securities by the selling stockholders.

 

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, the securities must be sold in those states only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states the securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

The selling stockholders and any other person participating in a distribution will be subject to the Exchange Act. The Exchange Act rules include, without limitation, Regulation M, which may limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the securities by the selling stockholders and other participating persons. In addition, Regulation M may restrict the ability of any person engaged in the distribution of the securities to engage in market-making activities with respect to the particular security being distributed for a period of up to five business days prior to the commencement of the distribution. This may affect the marketability of the securities and the ability of any person or entity to engage in market-making activities with respect to the securities.

 

We will make copies of this prospectus available to the selling stockholders for the purpose of satisfying the prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act, which may include delivery through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange pursuant to Rule 153 under the Securities Act. The selling stockholders may indemnify any broker-dealer that participates in transactions involving the sale of the securities against certain liabilities, including liabilities arising under the Securities Act.

 

At the time a particular offer of securities is made, if required, a prospectus supplement will be distributed that will set forth the number of securities being offered and the terms of the offering, including the name of any underwriter, dealer or agent, the purchase price paid by any underwriter, any discount, commission and other item constituting compensation, any discount, commission or concession allowed or reallowed or paid to any dealer, and the proposed selling price to the public.

 

We and the selling stockholders have each agreed to indemnify the other against certain liabilities, including certain liabilities arising under the Securities Act, or, in the alternative, that each party will be entitled to contribution in connection with those liabilities. We will bear all fees and expenses incurred in connection with the registration of the securities, except that selling stockholders will pay all broker’s commissions and, in connection with any underwritten offering, underwriting discounts and commissions.

 

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VALIDITY OF THE OFFERED SECURITIES

 

Palmer & Dodge LLP, Boston, Massachusetts, will pass upon the validity of the Class A common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus. A partner of Palmer & Dodge LLP holds options to purchase 7,200 shares of our Class A common stock at $18.75 per share.

 

EXPERTS

 

The consolidated financial statements of American Tower Corporation incorporated in this prospectus by reference from American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, have been audited by Deloitte & Touche LLP, an Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, as stated in their report, which report expresses an unqualified opinion and includes an explanatory paragraph relating to the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 133, “Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities,” as amended, and Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 142, “Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets,” which is incorporated herein by reference, and has been so incorporated in reliance upon the report of such firm given upon their authority as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION

 

American Tower Corporation files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. These SEC filings are available to the public over the Internet at the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. Please note that the SEC’s website is included in this prospectus as an inactive textual reference only. The information contained on the SEC’s website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus and should not be considered to be part of this prospectus. You may also read and copy any document we file with the SEC at its public reference facility at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20459. You can also obtain copies of the documents at prescribed rates by writing to the Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the operation of the public reference facility.

 

This prospectus constitutes part of a registration statement on Form S-3 that we filed with the Commission under the Securities Act of 1933. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission, this prospectus omits some of the information, exhibits and undertakings included in the registration statement. You may read and copy the information omitted from this prospectus but contained in the registration statement, as well as the periodic reports and other information we file with the Commission, at the Public Reference Room maintained by the Commission in Washington, D.C., as well as through the Commission’s Internet site.

 

Statements contained in this prospectus or in any document incorporated by reference herein as to the contents of any contract or other document referred to herein are not necessarily complete, and in each instance reference is made to the copy of the contract or other document filed as an exhibit to, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement, each statement being qualified in all respects by such reference.

 

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INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

 

We “incorporate by reference” into this prospectus certain information filed with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is an important part of this prospectus. Certain information that is subsequently filed with the SEC will automatically update and supersede information in this prospectus and in our other filings with the SEC. We incorporate by reference the documents listed below and any future filings American Tower Corporation may make with the SEC under Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 after the date of filing of Amendment No. 1 to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part and before the sale of all the securities covered by this prospectus, provided, however, that we are not incorporating any information furnished under Item 9 (Item 7.01) or Item 12 (Item 2.02) of any Current Report on Form 8-K (unless otherwise indicated):

 

  American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003 filed with the SEC on March 12, 2004;

 

  American Tower Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2004 filed with the SEC on May 10, 2004;

 

  American Tower Corporation’s Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on January 20, 2004, January 27, 2004, February 18, 2004, February 23, 2004, April 27, 2004 and May 25, 2004; and

 

  the description of American Tower Corporation’s Class A common stock contained in its registration statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-14195) filed on June 4, 1998.

 

You may request a copy of these filings at no cost, by writing or calling us at the following address: 116 Huntington Avenue, Boston, Massachusetts 02116, Tel: (617) 375-7500, Attention: Vice President of Finance, Investor Relations. The information relating to us contained in this prospectus and any prospectus supplement does not purport to be complete and should be read together with the information contained in the documents incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement.

 

Any statements made in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in a document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement will be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in any other subsequently filed document that is also incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus or prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes the statement. Any statement so modified or superseded will not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus.

 

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PART II

 

INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS

 

ITEM 14. OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION

 

The following is an estimate of the fees and expenses, other than underwriting discounts and commissions, payable or reimbursable by us in connection with the issuance and distribution of the offered securities offered by this prospectus. All amounts shown are estimates except the Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee.

 

SEC registration fee

   $ 5,636

Printing and engraving expenses

     15,000

Legal fees and expenses

     20,000

Accounting fees and expenses

     20,000

Miscellaneous

     10,000
    

Total

   $ 70,636
    

 

ITEM 15. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS.

 

Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law allows a corporation to eliminate the personal liability of directors of a corporation to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages for a breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except where the director breached his duty of loyalty, failed to act in good faith, engaged in intentional misconduct or knowingly violated a law, authorized the payment of a dividend or approved a stock repurchase in violation of Delaware corporate law or obtained an improper personal benefit. The registrant has included such a provision in Article Sixth of its restated certificate of incorporation.

 

Section 145 of the General Corporation Law of Delaware provides that a corporation has the power to indemnify a director, officer, employee or agent of the corporation and certain other persons serving at the request of the corporation in related capacities against amounts paid and expenses incurred in connection with an action or proceeding to which he is or is threatened to be made a party by reason of such position, if such person shall have acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the corporation, and, in any criminal proceeding, if such person had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful; provided that, in the case of actions brought by or in the right of the corporation, no indemnification shall be made with respect to any matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged to be liable to the corporation unless and only to the extent that the adjudicating court determines that such indemnification is proper under the circumstances. Article XII of the registrant’s By-Laws provides that the registrant shall indemnify each person who is or was an officer or director of the registrant to the fullest extent permitted by Section 145 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.

 

The registrant has purchased directors’ and officers’ liability insurance which would indemnify its directors and officers against damages arising out of certain kinds of claims which might be made against them based on their negligent acts or omissions while acting in their capacity as such. Reference is made to the Underwriting Agreements (Exhibits 1.1 through 1.5), which may contain provisions for indemnification by the underwriters of the Company, directors, officers and controlling persons in certain circumstances.

 

ITEM 16. EXHIBITS

 

See Exhibit Index immediately following the signature page.

 

ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS

 

(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:

 

(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:

 

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  (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933;

 

  (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the registration statement. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the low or high end of the estimated maximum offering range may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the Commission pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the “Calculation of Registration Fee” table in the effective registration statement;

 

  (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any material change to such information in the registration statement;

 

provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed with or furnished to the Commission by the registrant pursuant to Section 13 of 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.

 

(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the offering.

 

(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant’s annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan’s annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the provisions referred to in Item 15 hereof, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.

 

(d) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:

 

(1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h) under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration statement as of the time it was declared effective.

 

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(2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.

 

(e) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under subsection (a) of Section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under Section 305 (b)(2) of the Act.

 

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SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston, Commonwealth of Massachusetts, on this 26th day of July, 2004.

 

AMERICAN TOWER CORPORATION
By:   *
   

    James D. Taiclet, Jr.

    Chairman, President and
      Chief Executive Officer

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

Signature


  

Title


 

Date


*


James D. Taiclet, Jr.

  

Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer)

  July 26, 2004

*


Bradley E. Singer

  

Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer (Principal Financial Officer)

  July 26, 2004

*


Timothy F. Allen

  

Senior Vice President, Finance and Controller (Principal Accounting Officer)

  July 26, 2004

*


Raymond P. Dolan

  

Director

  July 26, 2004

*


Carolyn F. Katz

  

Director

  July 26, 2004

*


Fred R. Lummis

  

Director

  July 26, 2004

*


Pamela D. A. Reeve

  

Director

  July 26, 2004

 

 
*By:  

/s/    WILLIAM H. HESS


   

Executive Vice President and General Counsel

Attorney-in-Fact

 

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EXHIBIT INDEX

 

EXHIBIT
NO.
   DESCRIPTION
  4.1    Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, of the Company as filed with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware on June 4, 1999 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(i) to American Tower Corporation’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (File No. 001-14195) filed on August 16, 1999).
  4.2    By-Laws, as amended November 13, 2003, of the Company (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to American Tower Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (File No. 001-14195) filed on March 12, 2004).
  5*    Opinion of Palmer & Dodge LLP.
23.1    Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm—Deloitte & Touche LLP.
23.2*    Consent of Palmer & Dodge LLP (included in Exhibit 5).
24*    Powers of Attorney (included on the signature page of the initial filing of this registration statement).

* Filed previously.