(RTTNews) - Thursday, SBA Communications Corp. (SBAC: News ), a wireless communications tower operator, reported a wider loss in the third quarter, primarily reflecting a loss from the early extinguishment of debt and an increase in interest expense. The company also provided revenue guidance for the fourth quarter and fiscal year 2010, while revising its top-line outlook for the full-year 2009.

SBA's third quarter net loss widened to $50.1 million or $0.43 per share from $27.6 million or $0.26 per share in the year-ago period.

On an average, 11 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report a loss of $0.26 per share for the quarter. Analyst estimates typically exclude one-time items.

Total revenue for the quarter was $139.3 million, up 17.4% from $118.7 million in the comparable quarter last year. Analysts estimated revenue of $139.36 million for the quarter.

Site leasing segment's revenue increased to 19.9% to $120.6 million over the year earlier period and site development revenue was $18.7 million, up 3.2% from $18.2 million in the year-ago period.

Total operating expenses were $124.33 million, compared with $107.22 million and operating income for the quarter were $14.95 million, compared to $11.42 million in the year-ago period.

Interest expense for the quarter increased to $36.42 million from $26.74 million in the same quarter last year. Loss from extinguishment of debt was $12.5 million, compared to $414 thousand last year.
For the nine months, net loss was $97.36 million or $0.83 per share, up from $73.11 million or $0.68 per share in the prior-year. Revenue increased to $410.53 million from $340.52 million a year ago.

Looking forward to the fourth quarter, the company expects revenues in the range of $139.5 million to $143.5 million. Analysts currently expect revenues of $144.05 million for the quarter.

For the full-year 2009, the company now expects revenues in the range of $550.1 million to $554.1 million. Previously, the company estimated revenues in the range of $543.0 million to $561.0 million. Analysts expect revenues of $554.46 million for the full-year 2009.

Full-year 2010 revenues are forecasted to range from $587.0 million to $622.0 million. Street analysts expect revenues of $604.24 million.

The company said that its board has authorized a stock repurchase program effective from November 3, to purchase, from time to time, upto $250 million of the company's outstanding common stock.

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