PRICE COMMUNICATIONS CORP - 10-K Annual Report

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant To Section 13 Or 15(d)
Of The Securities Exchange Act Of 1934

Annual Report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 [Fee Required]

For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2003 or

Commission file number 1-8309.

Price Communications Corporation

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

New York		13-2991700
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)		(IRS Employer Identification Number)

45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York		10020
(Address of principal executive offices)		(Zip code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code (212) 757-5600

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

Title of each class		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share		New York Stock Exchange Boston Stock Exchange Chicago Stock Exchange Pacific Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports); and (2) has been subject to the filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ý No o

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K (229.405 of this chapter) is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to the Form 10-K. ý

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act.) ý Yes o No

AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING STOCK
HELD BY NONAFFILIATES OF THE COMPANY

Aggregate market value of the Common Stock held by non-affiliates of the Company, based on the last sale price on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) on March 9, 2004 ($15.47 as reported in the Wall Street Journal): approximately $593.0 million.

The number of shares outstanding of the Company’s common stock as of March 9, 2004 was 53,889,541.

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Part III of this Form 10-K incorporates certain information contained in the registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed by the registrant in connection with the registrant’s 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.

PART I

Item 1. Business

General

Unless otherwise indicated, all references herein to “Price” and “PCC” refer to Price Communications Corporation and all references herein to the “Company” refer to PCC and its subsidiaries. PCC was organized in New York in 1979 and began active operations in 1981. Its principal executive offices are located at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10020, and its telephone number is (212) 757-5600. See “Certain Terms” for definitions of certain terms used herein.

Prior to August 15, 2002, Price Communications Corporation was engaged, through its wholly-owned subsidiary Price Communications Wireless, Inc. (“PCW”), in the construction, development, management and operation of cellular telephone systems in the southeastern United States. The Company provided cellular telephone service to subscribers in Georgia, Alabama, South Carolina and Florida in a total of 16 licensed service areas composed of eight Metropolitan Statistical Areas (“MSA”) and eight Rural Service Areas (“RSA”), with an aggregate estimated population of 3.4 million.

Contribution of the Company’s Wireless Business to the “Verizon Partnership”

On December 18, 2001, the Company agreed to contribute (“the asset contribution”) substantially all of the assets of PCW and approximately $149 million in cash to Verizon Wireless of the East (“the Verizon Partnership”), a limited partnership controlled by Cellco Partnership (doing business as “Verizon Wireless”), in exchange for a preferred limited partnership interest (the “Preferred Exchangeable Interest”) in the Verizon Partnership. The transaction was consummated on August 15, 2002. As a result of the asset contribution, the Company currently has no operating assets. PCC’s shares remain listed on the New York Stock Exchange, the Pacific Stock Exchange, the Boston Stock Exchange and the Chicago Stock Exchange. The Verizon Partnership assumed certain liabilities of PCW relating to the contributed business After giving effect to certain adjustments, as defined in the transaction agreement, PCW’s initial capital account approximated $1.112 billion. Pursuant to the Verizon Partnership agreement, PCW is entitled to an allocation of any profits from the Verizon Partnership for a period of up to four years after August 15, 2002 equal to its preferred return, which currently approximates 2.9% per annum. Any losses incurred by the Partnership will be allocated to Cellco Partnership and its affiliates up to an amount equal to their capital account in the Verizon Partnership before being allocated to PCW. The Company will receive 50% of its preferred return in cash with the balance being added to its capital account.

Under a letter agreement dated August 9, 2002, Verizon Communications provided the Verizon Partnership with $350 million of debt financing which was used in connection with the covenant defeasance and redemption of PCW’s Senior Subordinated Notes and Senior Secured Notes. PCW guaranteed such indebtedness. However, PCW is not obligated to make payment under such guaranty until Verizon Communications has exhausted all remedies against the Verizon Partnership. The Company believes that the probability of the guaranty being enforced is remote. Price has guaranteed PCW’s obligation under the guaranty, and upon closing of the transaction deposited $70 million ($85.3 million as of December 31, 2003) in cash and other property into a collateral account to secure the guaranty. Price controls the investment of the assets in the collateral account, has the right to withdraw certain sums such as dividends, interest, and earnings on investments from the account, and has the right, in addition, to withdraw up to $5 million in the aggregate from the account to cover its ordinary operating expenses. Price and Verizon Communications further agreed that Price would retain its cash existing at the closing of the asset contribution for the purpose of making such investments as Price deems appropriate.

The Preferred Exchangeable Interest is exchangeable for common stock of either Verizon Wireless Inc. (if a qualifying initial public offering of Verizon Wireless occurs by August 15, 2006) or Verizon Communications Inc. (if, in general, such an offering does not occur). At the time PCC negotiated the transaction with Verizon, PCC’s board of directors and management thought it possible that a qualifying initial public offering of Verizon Wireless would occur and that, consequently, PCC could probably receive Verizon Wireless common stock. On January 29, 2003, however, Verizon Wireless announced the withdrawal of its registration statement for an initial public offering of its common stock, given Verizon Wireless’ ongoing strong cash flow and lack of significant funding requirements. Moreover, since PCC entered into its transaction with Verizon, PCC has received no other indications as to if or when a Verizon Wireless public offering might occur. As a result, PCC does not believe that such an offering will take place in the foreseeable future. PCC consequently expects that the Preferred Exchangeable Interest will be exchanged for common stock of Verizon Communications in approximately August 2006. If this happens, the number of shares of Verizon Communications common stock issued to PCC would equal the amount of PCW’s capital account in the Verizon Partnership divided by the 20-day average closing price of the Verizon Communications common stock, but such price may not be less than $40 nor more than $74. If PCC receives Verizon Communications shares in August 2006, the Verizon Communications shares would, under the terms of PCC’s lockup agreements with Verizon, become eligible for distribution to PCC’s shareholders

in approximately August 2007. Since PCC expects to receive Verizon Communications stock in approximately August 2006, the discussion under “Business-General-Contribution of the Company’s Wireless Business to Verizon Partnership” does not address other possibilities. Reference is made to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Overview” and Note 2 to the Company’s Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of the exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for shares of Verizon Wireless Inc. or Verizon Communications Inc. common stock.

Under PCC’s proxy statement for its 2003 annual meeting of shareholders, PCC conducted a non-binding, advisory vote of its shareholders permitting shareholders to express their views as to whether the Company should follow a liquidation strategy with a view toward the liquidation of the Company in the years ahead, or as an alternative to a liquidation strategy, the Company’s management should seek to acquire another business that meets the economic and fiduciary requirements of the board of directors. A majority of the votes cast in this non-binding, advisory vote favored seeking to acquire another business. The Company’s proxy statement for this meeting noted that there could be no assurance that the Company would identify or succeed in acquiring a business that met its economic and fiduciary requirements, and stated that since this was only a non-binding, advisory vote for the purpose of providing guidance to the board of directors and management, the outcome of the advisory vote would be only one factor considered by the board of directors and management in determining their views regarding the proper future course to be followed by the Company. The proxy statement further noted that regardless of the outcome of the vote, the board of directors and management would have the right, consistent with their fiduciary duties and exercise of their business judgment, to recommend to the shareholders that the Company be liquidated (subject to the requisite vote of at least 66 2/3% of the Company’s outstanding shares at a future meeting of shareholders), to seek other potential business opportunities, or to follow another course of action with respect to the Company’s future.

The Company and Mr. Price (in his capacity as chief executive officer of the Company and in his personal capacity) have reviewed a number of potential acquisitions and opportunities. These include the purchase of a mutual fund management company, banks, cellular properties, independent telephone companies, broadcasting and or/ publishing companies and a proposal for the conversion of the Company into a closed-end investment company. To date, the Company has not identified a business that it believes, in light of the price being asked for such business and other considerations deemed by the board of directors and management to be relevant, would be in the best interests of the Company to acquire, and there can be no assurance that the Company will identify or succeed in acquiring a business that meets its economic and fiduciary requirements.

Under New York State law, the affirmative vote of the holders of at least 66 2/3% of PCC’s outstanding shares will be required at a future shareholders’ meeting to approve a liquidation of the Company. In recent votes of PCC’s shareholders between 6% and 19% of PCC’s shareholders have failed to vote (if such failure to vote occurs at such a future meeting of PCC’s shareholders it will be more difficult to reach the 66 2/3% affirmative vote required to approve liquidation.) The board of directors consequently believes that it may be difficult at any future shareholders meeting to obtain the necessary votes to approve liquidation.

The initial investment in the Verizon Partnership, represented by the Preferred Exchangeable Interest, was recorded on the Company’s balance sheet in an amount equal to the credit balance in the Company’s capital account on the Verizon Partnership’s financial statements. Thereafter, the Company has increased its investment by the amount of income it is entitled to based on the availability of profits and the agreed upon preferred rate of return and reduced its investment balance by any cash distributed by the Verizon Partnership to the Company.

Business of The Verizon Partnership

The business of the Verizon Partnership consists of the ownership and operation of all of the assets contributed by PCW and Cellco Partnership, and its subsidiaries to the Verizon Partnership. PCW has contributed substantially all of its assets and approximately $149 million in cash, and Cellco Partnership and its subsidiaries have contributed an aggregate 85% partnership interest in Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (including the general partner interest and its associated management rights), certain FCC licenses, a $500 million promissory demand note receivable and approximately $250 million in cash.

The operations of the Verizon Partnership are closely integrated with Cellco Partnership’s other wireless telecommunications assets. Cellco Partnership provides or arranges for the provision of certain services to the Verizon Partnership in connection with its business. These services may include: (i) administrative, accounting, billing, credit, collection, insurance, legal, purchasing, clerical and such other general services as may be necessary to administer the Verizon Partnership: (ii) design, engineering, optimization, implementation, surveillance, maintenance, repair and such other technical services as may be necessary to operate the Verizon Partnership’s wireless network: and (iii) assistance in the preparation of filings with regulatory authorities and in the negotiation of transactions with respect to the FCC licenses owned by the Verizon Partnership.

The Company’s Contributed Assets

As of August 15, 2002, the date of the contribution, PCW provided cellular telecommunications service in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina in a total of 16 licensed service areas, composed of eight MSAs and eight RSAs, with an aggregate population of approximately 3.4 million. The Company sold its cellular telecommunications service as well as a full line of cellular products and accessories principally through its network of retail stores. The Verizon Partnership has converted these markets to the “Verizon Wireless” brand name.

Seven MSAs, Montgomery and Dothan, Alabama and Macon, Columbus, Albany, Augusta and Savannah, Georgia, make up the core of the Georgia/Alabama cluster. Additional cellular service areas in this region include the Georgia-9 RSA, Alabama-8 RSA, Georgia-7 RSA, Georgia-8 RSA, Georgia-10 RSA, Georgia-12 RSA, Georgia-13 RSA and the Georgia-6 RSA. The Augusta, Georgia MSA includes Aiken County in South Carolina. In the aggregate, these markets cover a contiguous service area of approximately 38,000 square miles that includes Montgomery, the state capital of Alabama, prominent resort destinations in Jekyll Island, St. Simons Island and Sea Island, Georgia, and over 710 miles of interstate highway, including most of 1-95 from Savannah, Georgia to Jacksonville, Florida. Substantial roaming revenue is earned from cellular telephone subscribers from other systems traveling in these markets from nearby population centers such as Atlanta and Birmingham, as well as from vacation and business traffic in the southeastern United States. Due in part to the favorable labor environment, moderate weather and relatively low cost of land, there has been an influx of new manufacturing plants in this market.

The Verizon Partnership also owns the non-wireline cellular license for the Panama City, Florida market. Substantial roaming revenue is earned in this market from subscribers from other systems who visit Panama City, a popular spring and summer vacation destination.

Cellco Contributed Assets

Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership

The Orange County-Poughkeepsie Limited Partnership (“OCP”) operates as a wholesale provider of wireless services in the Orange County, NY MSA and the Poughkeepsie, NY MSA. As a wholesale provider, OCP owns and operates a cellular telecommunications network and sells lines of service to reseller companies who in turn sell to individual subscribers. The OCP cellular system became operational in 1987.

OCP is owned 85% by NYNEX Mobile Limited Partnership 2 (which is beneficially owned 100% by Cellco Partnership) and 7.5% by each of Taconic Telephone Corporation and Warwick Valley Telephone Company. Cellco Partnership presently acts as the general partner, which makes all decisions and is empowered to do or cause to be done all acts necessary for the operation of OCP and also as a limited partner.

OCP operates using two wireline cellular licenses on the 800 MHZ frequency band. The licenses cover the two MSA markets stated above. Orange County has a population of over 341,000, a population density of approximately 414 persons per square mile and a median household annual income over $40,000. Poughkeepsie has a population of over 280,000, a population density of approximately 348 persons per square mile and a median household annual income over $40,000.

OCP operates on the CDMA digital standard. As a wholesale provider, OCP does not have its own retail subscribers but instead sells lines of service to reseller companies. The main reseller is Cellco Partnership, which contracts for lines and is responsible for most of OCP’s service revenue. Because OCP operates on a wholesale basis only, it does not operate any retail stores directly or contract with any agents for the retail distribution of cellular service or wireless communication devices.

All services and network operations are performed on behalf of OCP by employees of Cellco Partnership managed through the Cellco Partnership regional and area operations groups. OCP does not have any employees.

The partners make capital contributions, share in the operating results and receive distributions from OCP in accordance with their respective ownership percentages.

FCC Licenses

Cellco Partnership contributed to Verizon Wireless of the East the FCC licenses which provide broadband PCS wireless communications services within the Macon, Georgia BTA, and all of Cellco Partnership’s rights, title and interest in the FCC license which provides broadband wireless communications service within a portion of the Atlanta, Georgia BTA. These licenses authorize operation on the 10MHz E block spectrum constituting the 1885-1890 MHz and 1965-1970 MHz frequency bands.

Integration with the “Verizon Wireless” Business

Cellco Partnership (doing business as “Verizon Wireless”) is the leading wireless communications provider in the United States in terms of the number of subscribers, revenues and operating cash flow and offers wireless voice and data services across the most extensive wireless network in the United States.

Their four strategic objectives are to: (1) expand its revenue base by increasing penetration in existing service areas and encouraging greater usage among its existing customers, (2) provide high-quality customer service to create and maintain customer loyalty, (3) enhance performance by aggressively pursuing opportunities to increase operating efficiencies and (4) expand its regional wireless communications presence by selectively acquiring additional interests in cellular telephone systems (including minority interests).

The operations of the Verizon Partnership are closely integrated with the operations of Cellco Partnership.

The Verizon Partnership’s services are marketed under the “Verizon Wireless” brand name.Cellco Partnership’s studies have found that its brand awareness is over 90% among wireless users and prospective customers.

The Verizon Partnership’s marketing, sales and distribution are coordinated by and integrated with Cellco Partnership’s national marketing campaign. Cellco Partnership’s marketing efforts are focused on a coordinated program of television, print, radio, outdoor signage, internet and point of sale media promotions. Cellco Partnership coordinates marketing efforts throughout its service area, which includes the Verizon Partnership’s service area, to ensure that its marketing message is uniformly presented across all of its markets. In particular, the Verizon Partnership has adopted the Cellco Partnership pricing plans, including its national America’s Choice plans, which appeal to nationwide travelers, its Corporate America’s Choice national plans, for large corporate customers, and prepaid plans that appeal to new users and various other business and consumer segments. The Verizon Partnership’s sales strategy is consistent with that of Cellco Partnership’s sales strategy-to use a mix of direct, indirect and resale distribution channels in order to increase customer growth while reducing customer acquisition costs.

The Verizon Partnership’s customer care is integrated with and coordinated by Cellco Partnership. Customer care, retention and satisfaction are essential elements of the Verizon Partnership’s and Cellco Partnership’s strategies. Through Cellco Partnership’s customer care network, the Verizon Partnership will offer customer care twenty-four hours a day/ seven days a week.

The systems contributed by the Company have been converted from time division multiple access, or TDMA, to code division multiple access or CDMA. The network contributed by PCW used a wireless transmission standard known as TDMA. Cellco Partnership’s digital network uses a wireless digital transmission standard known as CDMA. These two digital technologies are not compatible. Accordingly, the Verizon Partnership converted the Company’s contributed TDMA network and handsets used by the Company’s subscribers to CDMA. Pursuant to the terms of the limited partnership agreement (1) all losses realized upon the sale, disposition or write-off of any assets in connection with the conversion and (2) all costs of purchasing handsets provided to then existing customers in connection with the conversion will be specifically allocated to the capital accounts of the subsidiaries of Cellco Partnership which are partners of the Verizon Partnership and such costs will not effect the computation of the preferred participation of PCW. The foregoing two categories do not include all of the costs to be incurred as a result of the conversion.

The Verizon Partnership’s information systems are integrated with and provided by Cellco Partnership. The Verizon Partnership’s information systems include billing, point of sale, provisioning, customer care, data warehouse, and fraud detection and prevention.

Competition

There is substantial competition in the wireless telecommunications industry. The Verizon Partnership expects competition to intensify as a result of the consolidation of the industry, the entrance of new competitors, the development of new technologies, products and services, the auction of additional spectrum and regulatory changes. Other wireless providers, including other cellular and PCS operators and resellers, serve each of the markets in which the Verizon Partnership operates. ALLTEL is the principal competitor in most of the markets contributed by PCW, with Public Service Cellular and or Cingular Wireless competing in six of the contributed markets. OCP, however, is a wholesale provider of wireless services and thus does not compete directly for individual subscribers. OCP does compete, however, with the other wireless licensees in its service areas for resellers. In addition, the impact of such competition on OCP’s resellers affects their use of OCP’s wireless services. OCP’s principal competitor in the wholesale wireless business is American Cellular, a joint venture between Dobson Communications and AT&T Wireless.

Brand recognition. The Verizon Partnership’s retail wireless services in the Company’s former markets are marketed under the “Verizon Wireless” brand, which has developed strong brand recognition. In these markets, there are other brands that are well established.

Network coverage. In recent years, competition in the wireless industry has led to lower prices and to the popularity of pricing plans that do not charge for roaming. As a result, the ability to offer national coverage through one’s own network is important. The ability to provide service over a single network also offers other advantages, including the ability to ensure uniform performance and the availability of features throughout the country, as many features are not fully available through roaming partners. Through the integration of the Verizon Partnership’s network with Cellco Partnership’s network, the Verizon Partnership believes that it will realize the benefits of Cellco Partnership’s network. None of the competitors of the Verizon Partnership have as extensive a network in the former Company’s markets as Cellco Partnership does, and most have build-out needs, although some have affiliate relationships with other wireless providers.

Digital service. Digital service offers benefits to the customer and also permits a network to have greater capacity. Neither the Verizon Partnership’s nor Cellco Partnership’s network is fully digital yet, while some competitors in the Company’s former markets have fully digital networks. In addition, those competitors with fully digital networks generally achieve higher revenue per subscriber.

Technology. CDMA, global system for mobile communications (“GSM”), and TDMA each have their respective strengths and weaknesses. The Verizon Partnership believes that CDMA digital technology provides approximately eight times greater capacity than that of analog technology. CDMA has proven in the marketplace that it can provide significant operating and cost efficiencies. CDMA is also currently used by several other wireless providers in the United States, providing additional potential CDMA roaming partners, and ensuring continued support and development of CDMA handsets and network equipment by manufacturers. While the Verizon Partnership believes that CDMA has competitive advantages, proponents of GSM and TDMA believe that those systems provide different advantages. AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless, two of the leading wireless providers in the United States, use TDMA while GSM is used throughout Europe, although Voice Stream Wireless Corporation is the only major wireless provider in the United States that exclusively uses GSM. AT&T Wireless and Cingular Wireless have announced an intention to add a GSM-overlay to its network, which will increase the use in the United States.

Capital Resources. In order to expand and build-out networks and introduce next generation services, wireless providers require significant capital resources. While the Verizon Partnership’s indirect majority owner, Cellco Partnership, is well capitalized and has more operating cash flow than any other wireless provider, Cellco Partnership has no obligation to fund the Verizon Partnership’s capital needs.

The Verizon Partnership’s ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors will depend in part on its marketing efforts and on its ability to anticipate and respond to various competitive factors affecting the industry, including new services and technologies, changes in consumer preferences, demographic trends, economic conditions and pricing strategies by competitors.

Environmental Matters

The Verizon Partnership is subject to various federal, state and local environmental protection and health safety laws and regulations, including those related to the location and construction of transmitter towers, and will incur costs to comply with those laws. Although the Verizon Partnership currently anticipates that such compliance will not materially adversely affect it, there is no assurance that material costs in the future will not be incurred due to the discovery of new facts or conditions, the occurrence of new releases of hazardous materials or a change in environmental laws.

Intellectual Property

Verizon Communications owns the trademarks issued for “Verizon” and “Verizon Wireless” and some service offerings, such as “SingleRate,” that the Verizon Partnership intends to use. Verizon Communications has licensed these and other marks to Cellco Partnership on a non-exclusive basis until 2 1/2 years after it ceases to own any interest in Cellco Partnership or Cellco Partnership begins to use a different brand name. Neither Verizon Communications nor Cellco Partnership has any obligation to permit the Verizon Partnership to use these trademarks and could require the Verizon Partnership to discontinue their use at any time.

Regulations and Broadband Wireless Service Systems

The licensing, construction, operation, acquisition and transfer of wireless systems in the United States are regulated by the FCC pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 and other legislation and the associated rules, regulations and policies promulgated by the FCC. Wireless systems are subject to Federal Aviation Administration and FCC regulations governing the location, lighting and construction of transmitter towers and antennas and are subject to regulation under federal environmental laws and the FCC environmental regulations, including limits on radio frequency radiation from mobile handsets and antennas. State or local zoning and land use regulations also apply to tower siting and construction activities.

A cellular system operates on one of two 25 MHz frequency blocks, known as the “A” and “B” blocks, in the 850 MHz band that the FCC allocates for cellular radio service. Cellular systems principally are used for two-way mobile voice applications, although they may be used for data applications and fixed wireless services as well. Cellular licenses are issued for either Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs) or Rural Service Areas (RSAs), two in each area. The FCC may prohibit or impose conditions on sales or transfers of licenses. Initial operating licenses are generally granted for terms of up to 10 years, renewable upon application to the FCC. Licenses may be revoked and license renewal applications denied for cause after appropriate notice and hearing. The Company also uses common carrier point-to-point microwave facilities to connect its wireless cell sites and to link them to the main switching office. Where it uses point-to-point microwave facilities, the FCC licensed these facilities separately, and they are subject to regulation as to technical parameters and service. Microwave licenses must also be renewed every 10 years. The Verizon Partnership holds geographic service area licenses granted by the FCC which provide personal communications service (“PCS”). While most of the Verizon Partnership’s competitors hold cellular or PCS licenses, one of its principal competitors, Nextel Communications, provides wireless service on frequencies allocated to the “Specialized Mobile Radio” service. The Verizon Partnership does not hold specialized mobile radio licenses.

A broadband PCS system operates on one of six frequency blocks in the 1800-1900MHz bands that the FCC allocated for personal communications services. PCS systems generally are used for two-way voice applications although they may carry data communications and fixed wireless services as well. For the purpose of awarding PCS licenses, the FCC has divided the country into 51 large regions called major trading areas, which are comprised of 493 smaller regions called basic trading areas. The FCC awarded two PCS licenses for each major trading area, known as the “A” and “B” blocks, and four licenses for each basic trading area known as “C”, “D”, “E” and “F” blocks. The two major trading area licenses authorize the use of 30 MHz of PCS spectrum. One of the basic trading area licenses is for 30 MHz of spectrum, and the other three are for 10 MHz each. The Verizon Partnership holds “E” block 10 MHz PCS licenses for the Macon, GA BTA and for a portion of the Atlanta, GA BTA.

Spectrum Acquisitions

As is the case with many other wireless providers, the Verizon Partnership anticipates that it may need additional spectrum to meet future demand. The Verizon Partnership can attempt to meet its needs for new spectrum, in two ways, by acquiring spectrum held by others and by acquiring new spectrum licenses from the FCC. The Communications Act requires the FCC to award new licenses for most commercial wireless services to applicants through a competitive bidding process. If the Verizon Partnership needs additional spectrum, it may be able to acquire that spectrum through Cellco Partnership, if Cellco Partnership participates in an auction for any new licenses that may become available or by purchasing existing facilities and then contributing or selling such licenses or facilities to the Verizon Partnership for incorporation into its system. There can be no assurances that the Verizon Partnership will be able to acquire spectrum to meet its projected needs on a timely basis or at all, given the competition for licenses among commercial mobile radio service providers and others seeking to become mobile radio service providers.

Recent Federal Regulatory Developments

The FCC does not specify the rates that the Verizon Partnership may charge for its services nor does it require it to file tariffs for its U.S. wireless operations. However, the Communications Act states that an entity that provides commercial mobile radio services is a common carrier, and is thus subject to the requirements of the Act that it not charge unjust or unreasonable rates, nor engage in unreasonable discrimination. The FCC may invoke these provisions to regulate the rates, terms and conditions under which the Verizon Partnership provides service. In addition, the Act defines a commercial mobile radio service provider as a telecommunications carrier, which makes it subject to a number of other regulatory requirements in its dealings with other carriers and subscribers. These requirements impose restrictions on the Verizon Partnership’s business and increase its costs. Among the requirements that affect it are the following:

The FCC has imposed rules for making emergency 911 services available by cellular, PCS and other broadband commercial mobile radio service providers, including enhanced 911 services that provide the caller’s communications number,

location and other information. These rules require the Verizon Partnership to make significant investments in its network and to reach agreements both with vendors of 911 equipment and state and local public safety dispatch agencies with no assurance that it can obtain reimbursement for the substantial costs it will incur.

The Telecom Act also provides that all communications carriers providing interstate communications services, including cellular carriers, must contribute to the federal universal service support mechanisms established by the FCC. The FCC also provided that any cellular carrier is potentially eligible to receive universal service support. The universal service support fund will support telephone service in high-cost and low-income areas and support access to telecommunications facilities by schools, libraries and rural health care facilities. Many states are also moving forward to develop state universal service fund programs. A number of these state funds require contributions, varying greatly from state to state, from cellular carriers such as the Verizon Partnership. The FCC has been considering whether to change the method for calculating each carrier’s contribution from being revenue-based to connection-based. The FCC has also initiated a proceeding to determine whether it should spread its universal service support fund contribution requirements to additional classes of telecommunications carriers. There can be no guarantee that the Verizon Partnership will be able to continue to pass the costs of the fund requirements on to its subscribers in the future.

The FCC has adopted rules regulating the use of telephone numbers by wireless carriers and other providers as part of an effort to achieve more efficient number utilization. In addition, it adopted rules on communications number portability that will enable customers to keep their communications number when switching to another carrier. Wireless carriers must participate in state number “pooling” programs and must offer number portability to their customers since November 2003. These mandates will impose costs on the business, although Verizon Wireless has petitioned the FCC to repeal the number portability mandate. The FCC has also adopted rules requiring wireless providers to provide functions to facilitate electronic surveillance by law enforcement officials pursuant to the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act of 1995 and the administration is considering whether to seek to impose “priority access” and/or “emergency alert” notification requirements on carriers that would require the Verizon Partnership, in emergency situations, to make channels available for exclusive use by government and public safety agencies. These and other regulatory mandates will impose costs on the Verizon Partnership to purchase, install and maintain the software and other equipment needed.

Under reciprocal compensation, a cellular licensee is entitled to collect the same charges for terminating wireline-to-wireless traffic on their system that the Local Exchange Carriers (“LEC”) charge for terminating wireless-to-wireline calls. Carriers typically negotiate interconnection agreements, but in the event of a dispute, state public utility commissions, courts and the FCC all have a role in enforcing the interconnection provisions of the Telecom Act. Interconnection agreements are subject to modification, expiration or termination in accordance with their terms. The FCC has begun a proceeding that is reassessing its interconnection compensation rules.

The FCC has adopted rules to govern customer billing by all telecommunications carriers. It adopted additional detailed billing rules for landline telecommunications service providers and is considering whether to extend these rules to commercial mobile radio service providers, which could add to the expense of the Verizon Partnership’s billing process as systems are modified to conform to any new requirements.

The Communications Act generally preempts state and local regulation of the entry of, or the rates charged by, any provider of cellular service. State and local governments are permitted to manage public rights of way and can require fair and reasonable compensation from telecommunications providers, on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory basis, for the use of such rights of way by telecommunications carriers, so long as the compensation required is publicly disclosed by the government. States may also impose competitively neutral requirements that are necessary for universal service, conserving telephone numbering resources, protecting the public safety and welfare, ensuring continued service quality and safeguarding the rights of consumers. While a state may not impose requirements that effectively function as barriers to entry or create a competitive disadvantage and the scope of state authority to maintain existing or to adopt new such requirements is unclear, activity by the states has been increasing. This may result in restrictions on the Verizon Partnership’s business and increase its costs.

Other FCC rules determine the obligation of telecommunications carriers to make their services accessible to individuals with disabilities. While the rules exempt telecommunications carriers from meeting disability access requirements that are not readily achievable, it is not clear how the FCC will construe this exemption. For example, the FCC is considering whether to require that digital handsets be modified to permit their use by hearing-impaired customers. Accordingly, the rules may require the Verizon Partnership to make material changes to its network, product line or services at its own expense.

The FCC also permits limited operation on unlicensed spectrum that can be used for Internet access, data transmissions and voice applications. These services, known as Wi-Fi or 802.11, may provide limited competition to the Verizon Partnership and may also be used by the Verizon Partnership to utilize its existing licensed spectrum more efficiently. The FCC recently

ordered the allocation of an additional 255 MHz of spectrum for use by unlicensed devices in the 5 GHz band. As a result of the ruling, unlicensed devices will have nearly 650 MHz of spectrum to use in the 5 GHz, 2.4 GHz, and 915 MHz bands. The FCC indicated that it allocated the additional spectrum to ensure that unlicensed devices do not experience interference in the increasingly congested 2.4 GHz band. Concerns over interference with U.S. military radar systems had delayed the spectrum allocation, but a recent compromise reached by the Department of Defense and the wireless industry should allow effective unlicensed operation in the 5 GHz band.

In January 2003, the FCC provided for the use of ancillary terrestrial components (“ATCs”) by mobile satellite service (“MSS”) providers, while at the same time reallocating 30 MHz of MSS spectrum to emerging wireless services. The ATC ruling could permit competition to the Verizon Partnership by MSS operators that include a terrestrial component to their MSS service. However, the FCC imposed a number of conditions that MSS providers must meet prior to employing ATCs.

In conjunction with its ATC ruling, the FCC reallocated 30 MHz of MSS spectrum for fixed and mobile terrestrial services, including third-generation (“3G”) wireless offerings. Specifically, the Commission reallocated spectrum in the 1990-2000 MHz, 2020-2025 MHz and 2165-2180 MHz bands. The reallocation of this spectrum may enable wireless operators such as the Verizon Partnership to expand their service footprints with high-speed data technology to support advanced mobile services. There can be no guarantee that the Verizon Partnership will be able to acquire such 3G spectrum, which will be awarded by auction.

In 2002 and 2003, the FCC adopted orders authorizing the marketing and unlicensed operation of ultra-wideband (“UWB”) devices. UWB applications include ground penetrating radar, wall-imaging devices and vehicular systems that provide crash detection and collision warning functionality. While these applications would not compete directly with current wireless service offerings, wireless carriers have raised concerns over potential interference with other wireless services. The FCC plans to continue testing UWB devices, likely delaying implementation of UWB services until 2004.

Certain Considerations

Any liquidation of the Company is subject to various uncertainties.

Under the Company’s lock up agreement with Verizon, a liquidation of the Company is not permitted until 360 days after the exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for Verizon stock. The Company currently expects that the Preferred Exchangeable Interest will be exchanged for common stock of Verizon Communications in approximately August 2006. If this happens, a liquidation cannot, in general, occur prior to approximately August 2007. Under New York State law, the affirmative vote of at least 66 2/3% of Price’s outstanding shares will be required at a future shareholders meeting to approve a liquidation of the Company. In recent votes of Price’s shareholders between 6% and 19% of Price’s shareholders have failed to vote (with any such failure to vote at such future meeting of shareholders making it more difficult to reach the 66 2/3% affirmative vote required to approve liquidation)., The board of directors consequently believes that it may be difficult at any future shareholders’ meeting to obtain the necessary votes to approve liquidation.

Future activities of Robert Price.

Although Robert Price has informed the Company that he currently plans to remain with the Company if it determines to seek to acquire another business, Mr. Price has stated that it is possible that he will leave the Company and begin another company, including for the purpose of pursuing one of the acquisitions or other business opportunities studied by the Company and Mr. Price

The Company does not currently expect that the Preferred Exchangeable Interest will be exchanged for Verizon Wireless common stock, but rather expects that it will be exchanged for Verizon Communications common stock in approximately August 2006.

The Company’s ability to exchange the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for Verizon Wireless common stock would depend upon the occurrence and timing of an initial public offering of such stock meeting certain size requirements, over which it has no control. On January 29, 2003, Verizon Wireless announced the withdrawal of its registration statement for an initial public offering of its common stock, given Verizon Wireless’ ongoing strong cash flow and lack of significant funding requirements. Moreover, since the Company entered into its transaction with Verizon it has received no other indications as to if or when a Verizon Wireless initial public offering might occur. None of Cellco Partnership, Verizon Wireless Inc., Verizon Communications or any other party to the Verizon transaction has any obligation to cause such public offering to occur. If a qualifying initial public offering of Verizon Wireless common stock does not occur prior to August 15, 2006, the Preferred Exchangeable Interest will be manditorily exchanged for Verizon Communications common stock. As a consequence, the

Company expects that the Preferred Exchangeable Interest will be exchanged for Verizon Communications common stock in approximately August 2006.

The Preferred Exchangeable Interest is non-transferable and the Verizon common stock issuable upon an exchange is subject to lock-up agreements.

Except for certain intercompany transfers or a pledge of all of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest in connection with a financing transaction consented to by Cellco Partnership, the Preferred Exchangeable Interest is non-transferable by the Company. In addition, the shares of Verizon common stock issuable upon an exchange are subject to lock-up agreements which restrict the ability of the Company to dispose of such shares for a period of time.

The Company, PCW and the Company’s shareholders may be subject to substantial income tax liability as a result of the asset contribution and the exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest.

Although Proskauer Rose LLP has opined, subject to certain assumptions and conditions, that neither the asset contribution nor the exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for Verizon common stock should be a taxable transaction to PCC or PCW, there is a risk that the asset contribution or the exchange will be a taxable transaction, which may result, in either case, in PCC or PCW incurring in excess of $500 million of federal, state and local income tax liability. In addition, in the event the Company is not liquidated within one year following an exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for shares of Verizon stock, and the Company decides to sell such shares, dispose of them in another taxable disposition or distribute them to its shareholders, the Company would incur substantial tax liability (possibly in excess of $500 million of federal, state and local tax liability), except to the extent that gain recognized by the Company with respect to Verizon shares is offset by tax losses incurred by the Company in connection with an acquired business, including tax losses attributable to depreciation or interest on acquisition indebtedness. In the event the Company were not liquidated within such one year period, if the Company’s board of directors determined to make a subsequent distribution of the Verizon stock to the Company’s shareholders that was not in liquidation of the Company, the value of the stock distributed would be treated as a dividend to the extent of the Company’s current or accumulated earnings and profits (which would include the gain recognized by the Company on the distribution of the stock), and taxed to the shareholder as ordinary income. Any amount in excess of earnings and profits would be treated as return of basis, to the extent thereof, and thereafter as capital gain. Alternatively, if the shareholders approved a subsequent distribution to shareholders in liquidation (which would require a 66 2/3% affirmative vote of the shareholders at a future meeting of shareholders), each shareholder would recognize gain or loss to the extent of the difference between the value of the Verizon stock (and any other company assets) received by the shareholder and the aggregate tax basis of shares in the Company held by the shareholder.

The Company has limited sources of cash, and its funds may be insufficient to meet its obligations.

Until the exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for Verizon common stock, the Preferred Exchangeable Interest and the investments in the collateral account are expected to be substantially all of the Company’s assets. For a period of up to four years after August 15, 2002, PCW will receive taxable allocations of any profits from the Verizon Partnership equal to its preferred return (which allocations to the extent not distributed in cash, will increase PCW’s capital account in the Verizon Partnership). PCW will receive cash distributions equal to 50% of its preferred return. During the period, the Company expects to have as sources of cash, the cash distributions from the Verizon Partnership prior to the exchange for Verizon stock, income from interest or dividends on investments in the collateral account, up to an aggregate of $5 million which the Company is authorized to withdraw from the collateral accounts to cover its ordinary operating expenses, other cash balances and funds that the Company may be able to borrow. The Company currently anticipates that its cash and income are sufficient to meet any cash obligations in the future. There is a remote risk, however, if significant unexpected cash needs arise (such as a demand for payment under the Company’s guaranty to Verizon Communications), that its funds will be insufficient to meet its obligations and if the Company needs to borrow money, to meet such obligations, it may be forced to do so on unfavorable terms.

There are restrictions on the Company’s activities

The Preferred Exchangeable Interest is substantially all of the assets of Price and PCW. In order to avoid being required to register as an “investment company” under the Investment Company Act, which would (among other things) limit the ability of other registered investment companies to own shares of Price’s common stock, Price and PCW have obtained an order from the SEC exempting them from all provisions of the Investment Company Act. The order is, however, subject to the following conditions:

• neither Price nor PCW will be or will hold itself out as being engaged in the business of investing, reinvesting or trading in securities;

• PCW will not acquire any “investment securities,” as that term is defined under such Act, except for the partnership interest in the Verizon Partnership and certain cash equivalents;

• Price will not acquire any “investment securities,” unless consistent with the goals of preserving capital, maintaining liquidity or fulfilling the obligations of the collateral agreement; and

• the order will terminate on the earliest of (1) the date on which PCW ceases to own the partnership interest in the Verizon Partnership, (2) the date on which PCW makes an acquisition of assets by reason of which such partnership interest ceases to constitute at least 80% (or is further reduced below 80%) of the total assets of PCW, (3) the date on which Price Communications makes an acquisition of assets by reason of which its interest in PCW ceases to constitute at least 80% (or is further reduced below 80%) of Price’s total assets, and (4) the fourth anniversary of the closing of the asset contribution.

At the time of an exchange of the Preferred Exchangeable Interest for shares of Verizon common stock, such shares may account for a substantial portion of the asset value of Price. In order to avoid Investment Company Act registration at that time, Price may need to (1) liquidate or (2) be primarily engaged in a business other than that of investing, reinvesting, owning, holding or trading in securities. While registering as an investment company may be considered by the board of directors, as a means of building shareholder value, such registration could limit the Company’s ability to take advantage of potential business opportunities or require changes to the corporate and operational structure of the Company.

The Company has limited management rights with respect to the Verizon Partnership.

Subject to the veto rights granted to the Company under the limited partnership agreement of the Verizon Partnership relating to, among other things, acquisitions and dispositions of assets, engaging in other business activities, incurring indebtedness, capital contributions and distributions, related party transactions and equity issuances, a subsidiary of Cellco Partnership will have the right to manage the Verizon Partnership as its managing general partner. There are no assurances that such subsidiary will be successful in managing the Verizon Partnership or that such subsidiary’s interests in managing the Verizon Partnership will not conflict with the interests of the Company.

Possible delisting of the Company’s shares.

As a result of the asset contribution transaction with Verizon Wireless, the Company currently has no operating assets. Under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, if a listed company’s operating assets are substantially reduced or if the company ceases to be an operating company, the Exchange may in its discretion initiate delisting procedures. Such procedures typically afford a listed company an opportunity to advise the Exchange of action the company has taken, or plans to take, that would bring it within conformity with continued listing standards within an 18-month period. The Company believes that a determination to follow a liquidation strategy (with the result that the Company’s activities prior to liquidation would be limited to ownership of its interest in the Verizon Partnership), might increase the risk of delisting by the Exchange, in that such a strategy would preclude the acquisition of an operating business.

Certain Terms

Interests in cellular markets that are licenses by the FCC are commonly measured on the basis of the population of the market served with each person in the market area referred to as a “Pop”. The number of Pops or Net Pops owned is not necessarily indicative of the number of subscribers or potential subscribers. As used herein, unless otherwise indicated, the term “Pops” means the estimate of the 2000 population of an MSA or RSA, as derived from the 2000 U.S. Census. MSAs and RSAs are also referred to as “markets”. The term “wireline” license refers to the license for any market initially awarded to a company or group that was affiliated with a local landline telephone carrier in the market, and the term “non-wireline” license refers to the license for any market that was initially awarded to a company, individual or group not affiliated with any landline carrier. The term “System” means an FCC-licensed cellular telephone system.

Employees

At December 31, 2003, the Company had two full-time employees.

Available Information

The Company routinely files reports and other information with the SEC, including Forms 8-K, 10-K and 10-Q. The public may read and copy any materials the Company files with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth St.,

N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549. The public may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy, and information statements, and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

The Company does not make its filings available on the Internet (except through the SEC’s Internet site) because the Company does not have an Internet website. Paper copies of the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Exchange Act may be obtained free of charge upon request, by writing to the Company at 45 Rockefeller Plaza, Suite 3200, New York, New York 10020.

Item 2. Properties

The Company maintains one office, its headquarters in New York City and occupies approximately 5400 square feet. The monthly lease payments are approximately $27,000 per month beginning January 1, 2004 through December 31, 2007.

Item 3. Legal Proceedings

The Company is not currently involved in any pending legal proceedings likely to have a material adverse impact on the Company.

Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

Not Applicable

PART II

Item 5. Market for Company’s Common Stock and Related Stockholder Matters

(a) Market for Common Stock

PCC is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “PR”. The range of high and low last sale prices for PCC’s Common Stock on the NYSE for each of the quarters of 2003 and 2002 as reported by the NYSE was:

	2004				2003				2002
Quarter	High		Low		High		Low		High		Low
First (through March 9, 2004)	$	16.00	$	13.78	$	15.40	$	11.21	$	19.34	$	17.15
Second					13.46		11.66		17.90		15.75
Third