UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, DC 20549

 

SCHEDULE 14A

(Rule 14a-101)

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant x

Check the appropriate box:

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

 

 

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10350 Science Center Drive

San Diego, CA 92121

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PROXY STATEMENT

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NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

To Be Held June 11, 2009

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To our stockholders:

You are cordially invited to attend the annual meeting of stockholders of NextWave Wireless Inc. (“NextWave”) to be held on June 11, 2009 at 10 a.m. local time at the Doubletree Del Mar, 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130. You will need an admission ticket or proof of ownership of NextWave stock to enter the meeting. The meeting will be held for the following purposes:

2.   To ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of NextWave and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 26, 2009; and

3.   To consider any other matters that may properly come before the meeting or any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 22, 2009 as the record date for the determination of the holders of our common stock, par value $0.001 per share, entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the annual meeting. At the close of business on April 22, 2009, there were 103,091,858 shares of our common stock outstanding and entitled to vote. Stockholders of record may vote their shares via a toll-free telephone number, over the Internet or by signing, dating and mailing the proxy card in the envelope provided. Instructions regarding all three methods of voting are contained on the proxy card. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, fiduciary or custodian, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from your record holder. The availability of Internet and telephone proxies will depend on their voting procedures.

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting of Stockholders to Be Held on June 11, 2009. In accordance with new rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a notice of annual meeting, proxy card and annual report, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, proxy card and 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.proxyvote.com, using the 12-digit control number indicated on your proxy card.

This proxy statement and the accompanying form of proxy are first being sent to holders of our common stock on or about May 11, 2009.

 

 

FRANK A. CASSOU

Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary

May 8, 2009

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THE MEETING

Date, Time and Place

We are providing this proxy statement to you in connection with the solicitation on behalf of our Board of Directors of proxies to be voted at our 2009 annual meeting of stockholders or any postponement or adjournment of that meeting. The annual meeting will be held on June 11, 2009, at 10:00 a.m. local time at The Doubletree Del Mar hotel located at 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, California 92130.

Matters to be Considered

At the meeting, stockholders will be asked to consider and vote (1) to elect three Class III directors and (2) to ratify the selection of our independent registered public accounting firm. The Board of Directors does not know of any matters to be brought before the meeting other than as set forth in the notice of meeting. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in the enclosed form of proxy or their substitutes will vote in accordance with their best judgment on such matters.

Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials

In accordance with rules and regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), we have elected to provide access to our proxy materials both by sending you this full set of proxy materials, including a notice of annual meeting, proxy card and annual report, and by notifying you of the availability of our proxy materials on the Internet. The notice of annual meeting, proxy statement, proxy card and 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders are available at http://www.proxyvote.com, using the 12-digit control number indicated on your proxy card.

Stockholders may sign up to receive future proxy statements, notices of internet availability of proxy materials and other stockholder communications electronically instead of by mail. In order to receive the communications electronically, you must have an e-mail account, access to the Internet through an Internet service provider and a web browser that supports secure connections. For additional information regarding electronic delivery enrollment visit www.investorvote.com (for holders of record) or www.proxyvote.com (for holders through intermediaries) or contact our transfer agent or your broker.

Record Date; Stock Outstanding and Entitled to Vote

Holders of our common stock as of the record date, i.e., the close of business on April 22, 2009, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. As of the record date, there were 103,091,858 shares of common stock outstanding and entitled to vote.

Required Votes

In order for the annual meeting to be held, the holders of a majority of our outstanding shares of common stock as of the record date must be present in person or by proxy duly authorized. Assuming that such a quorum is present, our stockholders may take action at the annual meeting with the votes described below.

Election of Directors. Under Delaware law and our certificate of incorporation, the affirmative vote of a plurality of the votes cast by the holders of our shares of common stock is required to elect each director. Consequently, only shares that are voted in favor of a particular nominee will be counted toward such nominee’s achievement of a plurality.

Ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm. The affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the shares of our common stock entitled to vote at the annual meeting is required to ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm.

Other Matters. If any other matters are properly presented at the meeting for action, including a question of adjourning or postponing the meeting from time to time, the persons named in the proxies and acting thereunder will have discretion to vote on such matters in accordance with their best judgment.

 

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Effect of Abstentions and Broker Non-Votes

If you are the beneficial owner of shares held for you by a broker, your broker must vote those shares in accordance with your instructions. If you do not give voting instructions to your broker, your broker may vote your shares for you on any discretionary items of business to be voted upon at the annual meeting, such as the election of directors and the ratification of the appointment of Ernst & Young LLP. If you do not provide voting instructions on a non-discretionary item, the shares will be treated as “broker non-votes.”  

 

For purposes of the annual meeting, abstentions and broker non-votes will be included in the number of shares present for purposes of constituting a quorum, assuming such broker has submitted a proxy or attends the annual meeting. With respect to the ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, abstentions and broker non-votes will have the effect of a vote against such proposal.

 

Voting and Revocation of Proxies

 

Stockholders of record are requested to vote by proxy in one of three ways:

Voting instructions (including instructions for both telephonic and Internet proxies) are provided on the proxy card. The Internet and telephone proxy procedures are designed to authenticate stockholder identities, to allow stockholders to give voting instructions and to confirm that stockholders’ instructions have been recorded properly. A control number, located on the proxy card, will identify stockholders and allow them to submit their proxies and confirm that their voting instructions have been properly recorded. Costs associated with electronic access, such as usage charges from Internet access providers and telephone companies, must be borne by the stockholder. If you submit your proxy by Internet or telephone, it will not be necessary to return your proxy card.

If a stockholder does not return a signed proxy card or submit a proxy by the Internet or by telephone, and does not attend the meeting and vote in person, his or her shares will not be voted. Shares of our common stock represented by properly executed proxies that are received by us and are not revoked will be voted at the meeting in accordance with the instructions contained therein. If instructions are not given, such proxies will be voted FOR election of each nominee for director named herein and FOR ratification of the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, we reserve the right to exercise discretionary authority to vote proxies, in the manner determined by the Company in its sole discretion, on any matters brought before the 2009 annual meeting for which we did not receive adequate notice under the proxy rules promulgated by the SEC.

If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker, fiduciary or custodian, follow the voting instructions on the form you receive from your record holder. The availability of Internet and telephone proxies will depend on their voting procedures.

Any proxy signed and returned by a stockholder or submitted by telephone or via the Internet may be revoked at any time before it is exercised by giving written notice of revocation to the Secretary of the Company, at our address set forth herein, by executing and delivering a later-dated proxy (either in writing, by telephone or via the Internet) or by voting in person at the meeting. Attendance at the meeting will not, in and of itself, constitute revocation of a proxy.

Proxy Solicitation

 

We will bear the costs of solicitation of proxies for the annual meeting, including preparation, assembly, printing and mailing of this proxy statement, the annual report, the proxy card and any additional information furnished to stockholders. Copies of our proxy statement and related materials will be furnished to banks, brokerage houses, fiduciaries and custodians holding shares of common stock beneficially owned by others to forward to such beneficial owners. We will bear the cost of maintaining a website compliant with regulations promulgated by the SEC to provide internet availability of this proxy statement, our annual report and proxy card. The Company may

 

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reimburse persons representing beneficial owners of common stock for their costs of forwarding solicitation material to such beneficial owners. In addition, the Company has retained Broadridge Financial Solutions to act as proxy solicitor in conjunction with the meeting. The Company has agreed to pay that firm a base fee of approximately $9,000 plus customary call-based fees and reasonable out of pocket expenses for proxy distribution and tabulation services. Solicitation of proxies by mail may be supplemented by telephone, telegram or personal solicitation by directors, officers, or other regular employees of the Company. No additional compensation will be paid to directors, officers or other regular employees for such services.

 

Householding

 

The SEC’s rules permit us to deliver a single proxy statement and annual report to one address shared by two or more of our stockholders. This delivery method is referred to as “householding” and can result in significant cost savings. To take advantage of this opportunity, we have delivered only one proxy statement and annual report to multiple stockholders who share an address, unless we received contrary instructions from the impacted stockholders prior to the mailing date. We agree to deliver promptly, upon written or oral request, a separate copy of the proxy statement and annual report to any stockholder at the shared address to which a single copy of those documents was delivered. If you prefer to receive separate copies of the proxy statement and annual report, contact Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc. at +1.800.542.1061 or in writing at Broadridge, Householding Department, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, New York 11717.

If you are currently a stockholder sharing an address with another stockholder and wish to receive only one copy of future stockholder communications for your household, please contact Broadridge at the above phone number or address.

 

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

We have been advised that representatives of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm for the year ended December 27, 2008, will attend the meeting, will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

NextWave has a classified board of directors, divided into three classes, and the term of the Class III directors will expire on the date of the meeting. The nominees to be elected as Class III directors with a three-year term expiring at the 2012 Annual Meeting of Stockholders are described below. Messrs. Salmasi, Manchester and Symington are currently serving as Class III directors. The Board of Directors has nominated each of the candidates for election. The Board of Directors expects that each of the nominees will be available for election as a director. However, if by reason of an unexpected occurrence, one or more of the nominees is not available for election, the persons named in the form of proxy have advised that they will vote for such substitute nominees as the Board of Directors may propose.

We have entered into a binding commitment letter with Navation, Inc., an entity controlled by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman, to provide up to $15 million in working capital financing.  The terms of the commitment letter provide that Mr. Salmasi will be nominated to serve an additional three-year term as Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval at the annual meeting.

 

Nominees for Election

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the above named nominees.

Other Members of the Board of Directors

Including the nominees, the Board of Directors currently consists of 6 directors, each of whom, other than the nominees, is described below. The term of the Class I directors shall expire at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to the valid election and qualification of their respective successors. The term of the Class II directors shall expire at the 2011 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, subject to the valid election and qualification of their respective successors.

 

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CORPORATE GOVERNANCE

Independence Standards for Directors

Our Board of Directors is required to affirmatively determine that a majority of our directors are independent under the listing standards of The Nasdaq Stock Market LLC (“Nasdaq”), the principal securities exchange on which our common stock is traded.

During its annual review of director and nominee independence, our Board of Directors considers all information it deems relevant, including without limitation, any transactions and relationships between each director or any member of his immediate family and the Company and its subsidiaries and affiliates. The purpose of this review is to determine whether any relationships or transactions with NextWave impair such director or nominee’s ability to exercise independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. The Board of Directors has not adopted any categorical standards for assessing independence, preferring instead to consider all relevant

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facts and circumstances in making an independence determination, including without limitation, applicable independence standards promulgated by Nasdaq. The Board of Directors considered the transactions and relationships described below, in addition to the transactions described under “TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS,” in making its determination that all directors and nominees other than Mr. Salmasi and Dr. Brailean are independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.

Mr. Manchester is the shareholder and the general partner of Manchester Financial Group L.P. (“Manchester Financial”). Manchester Financial participated in our March 2007 preferred stock private placement and Mr. Manchester participated in the pro rata exchange of these shares for our Third Lien Subordinated Secured Convertible Notes due 2011 (“Third Lien Notes”), described in greater detail under “TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS”. Mr. Manchester together with his affiliates currently holds 330,943 shares of common stock and an investment in our Third Lien Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $67 million. These transactions were considered by our Board of Directors in making its determination that Mr. Manchester is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.

 

Mr. Symington is a Portfolio Manager at Avenue Capital Group. Avenue Capital Group and its affiliates (collectively, “Avenue”) hold an investment in our 7% Senior Secured Notes due 2010 (the “Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $175 million, warrants issued in connection with the Notes to purchase 1,935,990 shares of our common stock for $0.01 per share; an investment in our Senior-Subordinated Secured Second Lien Notes due 2010 (“Second Lien Notes”) in the aggregate principal amount of $79 million, warrants issued in connection with the Second Lien Notes to purchase 37.5 million shares of our common stock for $0.01 per share; and an investment in our Third Lien Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $135 million. The participation of Avenue in the Notes, Second Lien Notes and Third Lien Notes transactions were considered by our Board of Directors in making its determination that Mr. Symington is independent under the listing standards of Nasdaq.

 

Board Committees

Our Board of Directors has three standing committees: an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. Our Board of Directors has adopted charters for each of its standing committees. Copies of our committee charters are available without charge upon request directed to NextWave Wireless Inc. Investor Relations, 10350 Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121, and from our website at www.nextwave.com.

Audit Committee

Our Audit Committee assists the Board of Directors in fulfilling its responsibility relating to (a) the integrity of our financial statements, (b) our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) application of our codes of conduct and ethics as established by the Board of Directors, (d) our independent registered public accounting firm’s qualifications, engagement, compensation and performance, their conduct of the annual audit of our financial statements, and their engagement to provide any other services, (e) performance of our system of internal controls, (f) preparation of the Audit Committee report, as required pursuant to SEC rules and (g) maintenance and oversight of procedures for addressing complaints about accounting matters. In discharging its duties, the Audit Committee has the sole authority to select (subject to stockholder ratification, which ratification is not binding on the Audit Committee), compensate, evaluate and replace the independent accountants, review and approve the scope of the annual audit, review and pre-approve the engagement of our independent accountants to perform audit and non-audit services, meet independently with our independent accountants and senior management, review the integrity of our financial reporting process and review our financial statements and disclosures and certain SEC filings.

The Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the Audit Committee, Mr. Douglas F. Manchester, Mr. Robert T. Symington and Judge William H. Webster are independent, and that Mr. Symington is qualified as an “audit committee financial expert”, applying the listing standards of Nasdaq and in accordance with applicable rules of the SEC as of the date of this Proxy Statement. Mr. Symington serves as chairman of the Audit Committee. Mr. Symington qualifies as an “audit committee financial expert” because of his relevant experience in the area of finance and financial matters, including management positions at various investment companies such as M.D. Sass and Avenue and advanced academic study in finance and accounting. In making Audit Committee independence assessments, the Board determined that Avenue Capital Group is not currently an affiliate of the Company based on the fact that Avenue has not exercised its rights under a Designated Director Agreement to nominate a member of the Board of Directors and does not currently hold voting securities because it has not exercised warrants or converted Third Lien Notes held by Avenue. The Board will continue to monitor the affiliate

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status of Avenue Capital Group in considering Mr. Symington’s continued eligibility to serve on the Audit Committee.

The Audit Committee met ten times in 2008. The Audit Committee regularly holds meetings at which it meets with our independent registered public accounting firm and without management present.

Compensation Committee

Our Compensation Committee (a) administers our executive compensation program, (b) determines and approves targeted total compensation, as well as each individual compensation component for our executive officers, (c) determines and recommends to the Board of Directors equity-based plans and (d) reviews and approves any employee retirement plans, other benefit plans or any amendments thereto.

The members of our Compensation Committee are Mr. Rosen, Judge Webster and Mr. Symington, who serves as the chairman of the Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the Compensation Committee are independent pursuant to the listing standards of Nasdaq.

Our Board of Directors has delegated to the Compensation Committee sole decision-making authority with respect to all compensation decisions for our executive officers, including determinations of annual incentive award payments and grants of equity awards. The Compensation Committee approves these payments and awards after considering our corporate performance and the individual performance of our executives (and considers the recommendations of our Chief Executive Officer in this regard). The Compensation Committee is also responsible for evaluating the performance of our Chief Executive Officer, in light of our corporate performance and his individual performance.

The Compensation Committee’s decisions are made with input from our Chief Executive Officer (except with respect to his own compensation) and, where appropriate, other senior executives. The Compensation Committee also considers information provided by and the input of our Human Resources department, which evaluates publicly available compensation information along with other sources of data. The Committee also considers our overall executive compensation policies and goals in making its decisions. A discussion and analysis of the Company's compensation policies and decisions regarding the Company’s named executive officers as identified in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement is contained in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis on page 13 of this Proxy Statement.

To assist in performing its duties, the Compensation Committee has the authority to engage external compensation consultants and other advisors. In 2008, the Compensation Committee did not retain any consultants or advisors to assist it in formulating or making executive compensation decisions.

The Compensation Committee reviews and discusses with management the Compensation Discussion and Analysis included in this Proxy Statement and determines whether to recommend to the Board of Directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement and the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K. This recommendation is set forth in the Compensation Committee Report on page 28 of this Proxy Statement.

The Compensation Committee met five times in 2008.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee (a) identifies and recommends to the Board of Directors individuals qualified to serve as directors of our company and on committees of the Board of Directors, (b) reviews corporate governance, (c) reviews and recommends changes to the size of the Board of Directors, (d) reviews the manner in which conflicts of interest are addressed and (e) recommends to the Board of Directors any changes in director compensation.

The members of our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are Mr. Manchester, Mr. Rosen and Judge Webster, who serves as its chairman. As indicated, the Board of Directors has determined that all three members of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are independent pursuant to the listing standards of Nasdaq.

The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee met 1 time in 2008.

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Designated Director Agreement

In connection with our October 2008 issuance of Second Lien Notes, we entered into an agreement with Avenue Capital Group providing that Avenue Capital Group shall have the right to nominate a director to the Board of Directors as soon as the Board has a vacancy or at any election of directors by the Company’s shareholders when there is not currently an Avenue Capital Group designated director serving on the Board. The agreement provides that Mr. Symington is not considered an Avenue Capital Group designated director for this purpose. Avenue Capital Group has elected not to nominate a director for election at the annual meeting but has the right to make an appointment to fill the vacancy created by the December 2008 resignation of Dr. Jones.

Stockholder Nominations

A stockholder entitled to vote in the election of directors may nominate one or more persons for election as director at a meeting if written notice of that stockholder’s intent to make the nomination has been given to us, with respect to an election to be held at an annual meeting of stockholders (A) not later than the close of business on the 90^th day nor earlier than the close of business on the 120^th day prior to the first anniversary of the date that our Proxy Statement is released to stockholders in connection with the previous year's annual meeting of stockholders, or (B) (i) if no annual meeting was held in the previous year or (ii) the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 calendar days before or more than 60 days after such anniversary date, notice by the stockholders to be timely must be so delivered not earlier than the close of business on the 120^th day prior to such annual meeting and not later than the close of business on the later of the 90^th day prior to such annual meeting or the 10^th day following the day on which the date of the annual meeting is publicly announced by the Company. With respect to an election to be held at a special meeting of stockholders, written notice of that stockholder’s intent to make the nomination shall have been given to us not less than ten (10) and not more than sixty (60) days before the date of the special meeting.

The notice shall include the name and address of the stockholder and his or her nominees, a representation that the stockholder is entitled to vote at the meeting and intends to nominate the person, a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee, other information as would be required to be included in a Proxy Statement soliciting proxies for the election of the stockholder’s nominees, and the consent of each nominee to serve as a director of the Company if so elected. We may require any proposed nominee to furnish other information as we may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company. See “PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS” on page 33 of this Proxy Statement for the deadline for nominating persons for election as directors for the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders.

As described above, the Company’s By-Laws contain provisions which address the process by which a stockholder may nominate an individual to stand for election to the Board at the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders. The Board has also adopted a formal policy concerning stockholder recommendations of Board candidates to the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee. This policy is set forth in the Company’s Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee charter, which is available on the Company’s website at www.nextwave.com. Under this policy, the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee considers director candidates recommended by stockholders who satisfy the notice, information and consent requirements set forth in the Company’s By-Laws.

We may require any proposed nominee to furnish other information as we may reasonably require to determine the eligibility of the proposed nominee to serve as a director of the Company. See “PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS” on page 33 of this Proxy Statement for the deadline for nominating persons for election as directors for the 2010 annual meeting of stockholders.

Attendance at Board and Committee Meetings

It is our policy that directors are expected to dedicate sufficient time to the performance of their duties as a director, including by attending meetings of the stockholders, Board of Directors and committees of which they are a member.

In 2008, the Board of Directors held twenty two meetings (including regularly scheduled and special meetings). All directors attended at least 90% of the total number of meetings of the Board of Directors and committees of the Board of Directors on which such director served. All directors except Mr. Manchester attended our 2008 annual meeting of stockholders.

 

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Stockholder Communications with the Board of Directors

Our Board provides a process for stockholders to send communications to the Board of Directors.

Stockholders and other parties interested in communicating directly with the Board of Directors as a group, may do so by writing to the Board of Directors, c/o Secretary, 10350 Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121. The Secretary will review all correspondence and regularly forward to the Board of Directors a summary of all such correspondence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, deals with the functions of the Board of Directors or committees thereof or that the Secretary otherwise determines requires attention. Concerns relating to accounting, internal controls or auditing matters will immediately be brought to the attention of the Chairman of the Audit Committee. We have adopted a Whistleblower Policy, which establishes procedures for submitting these types of concerns, either personally or anonymously through a toll free telephone “hotline” operated by an independent party. A copy of our Whistleblower Policy is available on our website at www.nextwave.com.

Executive Officers

The following persons currently serve as our executive officers in the capacities indicated below. Our executive officers are responsible for the management of our operations, subject to the oversight of the Board of Directors.

 

 

 

 

Biographical information for our executive officers is presented below. See “PROPOSAL NO. 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS – Other Members of the Board of Directors” for the biographical information for Mr. Salmasi and Dr. Brailean.

 

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

 

We have adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (the "Code”), that applies to all of our directors, officers and employees, including our principal executive officer, principal financial officer and principal accounting officer. Copies of our Code are available without charge upon requests directed to Investor Relations, 10350

 

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Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121, and from our website at www.nextwave.com. Any amendments to, or waivers under, our Code which are required to be disclosed by the rules promulgated by the SEC will be disclosed on the Company’s website at www.nextwave.com.

 

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our executive officers and directors, and persons who beneficially own more than 10% of a registered class of our equity securities, to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Based solely upon a review of the copies of such forms furnished to us and written representations from our executive officers, directors and greater than 10% beneficial stockholders, we believe that during the year ended December 27, 2008, all persons subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed the required reports on a timely basis.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

All members of the Compensation Committee are independent directors, and none of them are present or past employees or officers of ours or any of our subsidiaries. No member of the Compensation Committee has had any relationship with us requiring disclosure under Item 404 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. None of our executive officers currently serves, or in the past fiscal year has served, on the Board of Directors or Compensation Committee (or other committee serving an equivalent function) of an entity whose executive officers served on our Board or Compensation Committee.

The information contained in this Proxy Statement with respect to the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, the description of the Audit Committee and the independence of the non-management members of the Board of Directors shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference in a filing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP OF OUR COMMON STOCK

Set forth below is certain information as of April 22, 2009,with respect to the beneficial ownership determined in accordance with Rule 13d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, of our common stock by (a) each person who, to our knowledge, is the beneficial owner of more than 5% of our outstanding common stock and our outstanding preferred stock, (b) each director and nominee for director, (c) each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement and (d) all of our executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise stated, the business address of each person listed is c/o NextWave Wireless Inc., 10350 Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121.

* Less than 1%

The shares beneficially owned and ownership percentages reflected in the table above are based on the inclusion in the calculations for each individual or entity of (i) options held by such individual or entity that are exercisable within a period of 60 days from the record date, (ii) convertible Third Lien Notes held by such individual or entity that are convertible within a period of 60 days from the record dateand (iii) warrants held by such individual or entity that are exercisable within a period of 60 days from the record date, as applicable.

 

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conversion of Third Lien Notes. Mr. Pucillo is the managing member of Solus GP LLC, the general partner of Solus Alternative Asset Management LP and exercises voting and investment power over the securities beneficially owned by Solus Alternative Asset Management LP.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

This section provides information regarding the compensation program in place for the persons serving as our executive officers at the end of fiscal 2008 (these executive officers are referred to in this Compensation Discussion and Analysis and in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement as the “Named Executive Officers”). These persons include Mr. Salmasi, our Chairman, who served as our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) until May 4, 2009, Mr. Alex, who served as our Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”) until May 4, 2009, Dr. William Jones, who served as Chief Executive Officer of NextWave Network Products until December 24, 2008 and Mr. Cassou, Dr. Brailean and Mr. Salony, the three most highly-compensated individuals other than our CEO and CFO who were serving as executive officers at fiscal year-end.

 

Introduction

 

NextWave Wireless Inc. is a holding company for mobile multimedia businesses and a significant wireless spectrum portfolio. As a result of our global restructuring initiative, our continuing operations are focused on two key segments: Multimedia, consisting of the operations of our wholly owned subsidiary PacketVideo, and Strategic Initiatives, focused on the management of our wireless spectrum interests.

 

In the second half of 2008, we commenced the implementation of our global restructuring initiative in an effort to reduce our working capital requirements, narrow our business focus and reorganize our operating units. Key results of this initiative include a 41% reduction in our global workforce, the divestiture of our IPWireless network infrastructure business, the discontinuation of operations at our GO Networks, Cygnus, Global Services and NextWave Networks Products Support infrastructure businesses, and the closing of several facilities throughout the world. Additionally, in the first quarter of 2009, we wound down our semiconductor operations and terminated approximately 190 employees. We anticipate that further implementation of our global restructuring initiative will result in additional headcount reductions and operating unit divestitures or discontinuations, including the divestiture of our WiMax Telecom business and the sale of certain assets of our semiconductor business. 

 

Our compensation decisions during 2008 and 2009 have been driven by our need to cut costs and restructure our business in order to continue as a going concern. As we complete our restructuring activities, we will consider compensation programs which are responsive to our goals of further developing our Multimedia business and maximizing the value of our significant portfolio of wireless spectrum assets. In order to successfully complete our restructuring activities and maximize the value of our remaining businesses, our executives must be capable of fulfilling our complex restructuring and cost-minimizing strategies, identifying new opportunities for our Multimedia business and determining and executing on the best alternatives for maximizing the value of our spectrum assets.

 

Our Multimedia business operates in a highly complex and competitive business environment, which is being constantly reshaped by sweeping technological advances, rapidly changing market requirements, and the emergence of new competitors. To thrive in this environment, we must continuously develop and refine new products and technologies, devise new business models, and demonstrate an ability to quickly identify and capitalize on new business opportunities. To achieve these objectives, our Multimedia business will continue to need a highly talented and seasoned team of technical and business professionals. talented engineers and other employees with the skills and experience to develop and commercialize mobile broadband products and technologies. Many of the direct competitors of our Multimedia business are well-established, international leaders in the wireless communications industry that have significantly greater financial, technical development, and marketing resources than we do. As a result, the compensation packages that we must use to attract and retain skilled employees will be influenced by the compensation practices of these other organizations.

 

As we emerge from a period of transition due to our global restructuring efforts, our challenge will be to develop a compensation program that is relevant to our continuing businesses and will enable us to retain, motivate, and appropriately reward our executives and other key employees to successfully execute our business strategy and maximize stockholder value.

 

Compensation Philosophy and Policies

 

During 2008, we compensated our executives through a mix of base salary, annual incentive awards, and long-term incentive compensation (in the form of equity awards) that is designed to be competitive with comparable companies in the Semiconductor, Software, Telecommunications, and Infrastructure industries operating within our geographic regions with whom we compete for executive talent. In allocating compensation among these

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components, we believe that the compensation of our executives, the individuals who have the greatest ability to influence our performance, should be predominately performance-based.

 

The market for experienced executives is highly competitive in the various industries in which we operate, and includes several well-established, international organizations, as well as our direct business competitors. Consequently, we have historically monitored the compensation practices of these companies, as well as those within our industries generally, to ensure that our executive compensation program reflects current market trends. In fiscal 2008, as in past years, our Human Resources department prepared compensation market data for our management and the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors to use, based on information that it compiled from publicly-available proxy statements and survey data for comparable industry positions. Our Human Resources department screens the survey data to confirm that the information is appropriate given our size, type, and mix of businesses, and the industries in which we compete for executive talent.

 

It is important to note that the compensation market data prepared by our Human Resources department provides only a reference point for our management in formulating compensation proposals and the Compensation Committee in making executive pay decisions. In particular, the Compensation Committee uses this information solely to validate the range of competitive pay for our executives. It is not used to determine an executive’s total compensation or any individual compensation component. The Compensation Committee’s decisions about an executive’s compensation relative to the market considers the scope, complexity, and responsibility of the executive’s position in relation to positions in the sources of data. The Compensation Committee exercises its judgment in interpreting the compensation market data. As a result, an executive’s actual compensation relative to the compensation market data is a result of the Compensation Committee's assessment of our financial results, current business condition, and the individual performance factors described below. In the future, as we continue to grow, we expect to conduct periodic benchmarking reviews to ensure that our executive compensation, both in terms of targeted total compensation, as well as the mix and amounts of individual compensation components, is competitive within the industries in which we compete for executive talent.

 

For 2008, we set the total cash compensation for our executives (that is, the sum of base salary plus target annual incentive award opportunities) at levels that we believe are comparable to and competitive with the companies with whom we compete for executive talent. Consequently, the targeted total cash compensation for Mr. Salmasi, our CEO, was set at $1,184,123, consisting of his then-base salary of $777,000 and a target annual incentive award opportunity equal to 100% of his base salary. The Compensation Committee believed that, at this level, Mr. Salmasi’s targeted total cash compensation was in line with the prevailing market practices and the importance of his individual contributions to the Company. In the case of the other Named Executive Officers, their targeted total cash compensation ranged from approximately $450,000 to approximately $800,000.The Compensation Committee believed that the targeted total cash compensation of Messrs. Alex, Cassou, Salony and Drs. Brailean and Jones was consistent with that of comparable positions at other companies as reflected in the compensation market data and their individual contributions and roles during the 2008 fiscal year.For fiscal 2008, Mr. Cassou had a target annual incentive award opportunity equal to 75% of his base salary while Mr. Alex and Drs. Brailean and Jones had target annual incentive award opportunities equal to 50% of their base salaries. The targeted total cash compensation of Drs. Brailean and Jones was increased in fiscal 2008 to reflect their new positions and responsibilities as Chief Executive Officer – NextWave Mobile Products and Chief Executive Officer – NextWave Network Products, respectively. We believe that these total cash compensation opportunities were consistent with our overall compensation philosophy prior to the commencement of our global restructuring activities in 2008.

 

We have followed a flexible approach to compensation that involves establishing salary grades and target annual incentive award opportunities for all of our employees, including our executives, and evaluating performance after fiscal year-end to determine actual incentive award payments. For the past three years, fiscal 2005 through 2007, our annual incentive awards have been determined after the end of our fiscal year based on the size of a fixed bonus pool which is then allocated among our employees, including our executives, based on their salary gradeand an assessment of corporate and individual performance in accordance with our CEO’s recommendations (except with respect to his own award). In connection with our global restructuring activities, we determined that we would not pay any annual incentive awards for fiscal 2008 performance.

 

Equity awards have historically formed an important component of our compensation program. We have granted equity awards to all new hires, including new executives, based on their salary grade to provide them with an appropriate long-term incentive compensation opportunity. Our founding executives received such baseline awards upon our emergence from the Chapter 11 reorganization in April 2005 as a new wireless technology company. Drs. Brailean and Jones received baseline awards following our acquisitions of PacketVideo in July 2005 and IPWireless in May 2007, respectively. In addition, a significant portion of the annual incentive awards paid in respect of performance for the short fiscal 2005 period, fiscal 2006 and fiscal 2008 were paid in equity, reflecting

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our desire to tie compensation more closely to our long-term performance and to conserve our cash resources for the growth of our business.

 

Oversight of Executive Compensation Program

 

The Compensation Committee administers our executive compensation program. The Compensation Committee determines and approves targeted total cash compensation, as well as each individual compensation component, based on its review and evaluation of the proposals and recommendations presented by our CEO (except with respect to his own compensation). Our CEO is typically present at Committee meetings where executive compensation and corporate and individual performance are discussed and evaluated (except where his own compensation and performance are discussed). Only Compensation Committee members are allowed to vote on decisions regarding executive compensation.

 

In determining targeted total compensation, the Compensation Committee reviews each component and the mix of compensation that comprises each executive’s total compensation package. This process includes comparing the compensation market data prepared by our Human Resources department to our executives as a group, or individually in the case of our CEO. To support our compensation objectives, the Compensation Committee may make adjustments to our executives’ compensation components to bring them closer to that of the companies with whom we compete for executive talent. For example, we do not offer our employees retirement benefits and therefore almost none of our executives’ total compensation is attributed to retirement pay. We believe that this is an appropriate departure from the practices of many of the larger companies with whom we compete for executive talent because we provide a larger allocation of equity compensation, which provides significant long-term income potential. In addition to adjusting the allocation among compensation components for our executives, or the CEO, as the case may be, individual pay may differ for any executive based on individual performance, tenure, and a subjective assessment of future potential. Adjustments also may be made to base salary or incentive compensation based on internal equity among our executives.

 

For a more complete description of the responsibilities of the Compensation Committee, see “CORPORATE GOVERNANCE – Board Committees – Compensation Committee” on page 7 of this Proxy Statement, and the Compensation Committee’s charter, which is posted on our website at www.nextwave.com.

 

Compensation Components

 

In fiscal 2008, the primary components of our executive compensation program were:

 

 

Base Salary

 

We use base salary to fairly and competitively compensate our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, for the jobs we ask them to perform. We view base salary as the most stable component of our executive compensation program, as this amount is not at risk.

 

We believe that the base salaries of our executives should be targeted at or above the median of base salaries for executives in similar positions with similar responsibilities at comparable companies, consistent with our compensation philosophy. Because of our emphasis on performance-based compensation for executives, base salary adjustments are generally made only when we believe there is a significant deviation from the market or an increase in responsibility. The Compensation Committee reviews the base salary levels of our executives each year to determine whether an adjustment is warranted or necessary.

 

Fiscal 2008 Decisions. The Compensation Committee reviewed the base salaries of our executives for fiscal 2008, including the Named Executive Officers, in March 2008. At that time, base salaries were adjusted to reflect the increases that the Compensation Committee deemed necessary to maintain our executives’ salaries at a competitive level. In making these adjustments, the Compensation Committee took into account the scope of the executive’s responsibilities, his experience, and his prior performance, and balanced these factors against the compensation market data. In adjusting each executive’s base salary, the Compensation Committee also considered internal equity among our executives.

 

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Specifically, Mr. Salmasi’s annual base salary was increased to $819,000, Mr. Alex’s annual base salary was increased to $378,560, Mr. Cassou’s annual base salary was increased to $500,760, Dr. Brailean’s annual base salary was increased to $390,000, Mr. Salony’s annual base salary was increased to $313,313 and Dr. Jones’s annual base salary was increased to $390,000. While the increases for Messrs. Salmasi, Alex, and Cassou were primarily intended to keep their base salaries at or near the market median, the increases for Drs. Brailean and Jones were largely in recognition of the increased responsibilities and duties of their new positions as Chief Executive Officer – NextWave Mobile Products and Chief Executive Officer – NextWave Network Products, respectively.

 

Fiscal 2009 Decisions. Subsequently, in connection with our global restructuring initiative, the Compensation Committee revisited the base salaries of our executives, including the Named Executive Officers. At that time, both Mr. Salmasi and Salony’s salaries were reduced by 50% to $409,500 and $192,808 respectively.

 

The base salaries paid to the Named Executive Officers during fiscal 2008 are reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement.

 

Annual Incentives

 

The Compensation Committee has the authority to make discretionary annual incentive awards to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, after the end of the fiscal year, once the financial results for the year are available. While we do not have a formal bonus plan for making these awards, typically we follow the same general process for making the awards each year. Using the target annual incentive award opportunities and the Company’s financial and operational performance for the completed fiscal year, our CEO establishes a proposed total bonus pool amount and tentative award allocations among our employees, including our executives (except with respect to his own award). The proposed total bonus pool amount and the tentative award allocations are subject to the approval of the Compensation Committee. These awards are intended to reward our employees and executives for achieving strategic and operational objectives during the year. Our CEO also evaluates the performance of each of our executives in order to formulate award recommendations for the Compensation Committee.

 

Fiscal 2008 Decisions. The target annual incentive award opportunities for our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, determined in fiscal 2008 for fiscal 2007 performance were established as a percentage of their base salaries. Mr. Salmasi’s target annual incentive award opportunity was 100% of his base salary; Mr. Cassou had a target annual incentive award opportunity equal to 75% of his base salary while Mr. Alex, Mr. Salony and Drs. Brailean and Jones had target annual incentive award opportunities equal to 50% of their base salaries. Following discussion and review of recommendations provided by Mr. Salmasi, in March 2008 the Compensation Committee determined that each executive had performed during fiscal 2007 in a manner that warranted the payment of an annual incentive award. In reaching this decision, the Compensation Committee considered the milestones that the Company had achieved in fiscal 2007, including product development achievements and its acquisitions and financing activities, as well as its integration of IPWireless into the Company. In recognition of the stage of development of the Company’s business, bonuses were paid at less than the full target incentive award levels. The Compensation Committee conducted an independent evaluation of Mr. Salmasi’s performance for fiscal 2007.

 

The form of payment for our annual incentive awards is subject to the discretion of the Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee elected to pay out the annual incentive awards for fiscal 2007 performance in the form of fully-vested shares of the Company’s common stock and cash. The stock portion of the award was 60%, while the cash portion of the award represented the remaining 40%.

 

The annual incentive awards made to the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2008 for fiscal 2007 performance are reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement. Additional information about these awards is reported in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 22 of this Proxy Statement.           

 

Fiscal 2009 Decisions. The target annual incentive award opportunities for our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, determined in fiscal 2009 for fiscal 2008 performance were established as a percentage of their base salaries exactly as in prior years. Due to our global restructuring initiatives and our overall need to reduce operating costs, the decision was made not to pay the annual incentive awards for fiscal 2008 performance.

 

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Equity Compensation

We use equity compensation to promote an ownership culture that encourages long-term decision-making and building shareholder value. Through our equity compensation plan, we provide designated employees, including our executives, with equity incentives that help align their interests with those of our shareholders. Our practice has been to grant equity awards to new hires in an amount appropriate to their job level and responsibilities. Additional equity awards have been granted in connection with promotions (to make the total long term equity incentive held by such individual commensurate with other individuals in their new pay grade) and in lieu of annual cash incentive awards.

We believe that the opportunity to acquire equity creates and maintains an environment that motivates our employees to stay with the organization and provides a key incentive to them to promote our long-term success and build shareholder value. By providing employees a direct stake in our economic success, equity compensation assures a closer identification of their interests with those of the Company and our shareholders, stimulate their efforts on our behalf, and strengthen their desire to remain with us.

Although the accounting treatment for stock options changed for the Company in 2006 as a result of the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123 (revised 2004), Share-based Payment “SFAS 123(R)”, making them an expense item for financial reporting purposes, given our current financial position, as well as the compensation practices used in our industry, we continue to use stock options as the primary means of providing equity to our employees.

Fiscal 2008 Decisions. In fiscal 2008, we did not make equity awards to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers (other than in connection with the payment of the annual incentive awards for fiscal 2007 performance). In the future, we may consider making one-time or annual ongoing equity awards to our executives to remain competitive, support our ownership culture and increase retention.

The equity awards made to the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2008 relating to the payment of annual incentive awards for fiscal 2007 performance are reported in the Summary Compensation Table on page 20 of this Proxy Statement. Additional information about these awards, including the number of shares subject to each award and the award’s grant date fair value, is reported in the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 22 of this Proxy Statement.

Acquisition-Related Payments

Dr. Jones. In connection with the Company’s acquisition of IPWireless in May 2007, the shareholders of IPWireless, including Dr. Jones, agreed that a portion of the acquisition consideration would be payable only if earned upon the achievement of certain revenue milestones relating to IPWireless's public safety business and TDtv business during the fiscal 2007 to fiscal 2009 timeframe as specified in the merger agreement for the transaction (the “Earn-out Payments”). Some of this consideration was potentially payable during fiscal 2007, with other amounts potentially payable in fiscal 2008, 2009, and 2010. As provided in the merger agreement, if earned, a specified amount of this additional consideration would be payable in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at its election, and a lesser specified amount of this additional consideration would be payable in cash or shares of the Company’s common stock at the election of the representative of the IPWireless shareholders. In addition, some of this additional consideration would be placed in escrow for 12 months from the closing date of the acquisition in order to compensate us for any indemnifiable losses the Company may incur as a result of any breach of the representations and warranties or covenants of IPWireless contained in the merger agreement.

As previously disclosed by the Company, some of the specified revenue milestones were achieved during fiscal 2007 and, accordingly, Dr. Jones received a payment in fiscal 2008 determined in accordance with the formulas contained in the merger agreement. Additionally in July 2008, our $13.3 million escrow claim was settled resulting in the return to us of cash of $4.9 million and approximately 1.5 million shares of our common stock. The remaining purchase consideration held in escrow was distributed to the former shareholders of IPWireless in accordance with the terms of the acquisition. Dr. Jones received $170,600 in NextWave shares as settlement of this escrow.

 

Equity Award Grant Practices

Our practice has been to determine the level of equity compensation that we want to provide to an employee and then to grant an option for the number of shares of the Company’s common stock with an exercise price equal to the closing sale price of the common stock on the grant date (or on the last preceding trading date if

 

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the shares are not traded on the option grant date). We generally make stock option grants at each meeting of the Compensation Committee to newly-hired employees, as well as to existing employees who have recently been promoted to new positions.

Generally, it is our policy to make grants of stock options for new hires on the dates of scheduled Compensation Committee meetings after the date of hire. The proximity of any awards to earnings announcements or other market events is coincidental to the schedule established for Compensation Committee meetings. We try to make stock option grants at times when they will not be influenced by scheduled releases of information. We do not grant options that are “in-the-money” or that have exercise prices that are below market value on the date of grant.

Going forward, we intend to assess the desirability of granting other forms of equity compensation, such as restricted stock awards and restricted stock units, to our employees, including the Named Executive Officers. Among other things, we intend to consider the motivation effects of these alternative forms of equity compensation, as well as their dilutive effect on our outstanding capitalization.

Other Benefits

 

Historically, we have not provided retirement benefits to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers. However, we offer all of our U.S. employees, including the Named Executive Officers, the opportunity to participate in our tax-qualified defined contribution plan, a Section 401(k) savings plan. This plan serves as the primary vehicle for our employees to accumulate retirement benefits. Currently, we do not match any employee contributions (including contributions of the Named Executive Officers) made to the Section 401(k) plan. We believe that the total amount of retirement benefits made available to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, under this plan, when added to our equity awards, is consistent with the level of total compensation that we seek to provide to our executives.

 

We provide medical, disability and life insurance benefits to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, on the same terms and conditions as are generally available to all of our salaried employees.

 

Except as noted in the following sentence, we do not provide perquisites or other personal benefits to our executives, including the Named Executive Officers. Mr. Alex received an annual vehicle allowance. This benefit was provided to offset his extraordinary commuting costs given the distance of his residence from our former location in Connecticut, where Mr. Alex maintained his office during 2008. Mr. Salony received an annual housing and vehicle allowance. This benefit was provided to offset the extraordinary commuting costs given the distance of his residence from our location in Las Vegas, Nevada, where Mr. Salony maintained his office in 2008.

 

Employment, Severance and Change-in-Control Agreements

 

Our executives, including the Named Executive Officers (other than Dr. Jones, the former Chief Executive Officer of NextWave Network Products), are not parties to employment, severance or change in control agreements. Following the May 2007 acquisition of IPWireless, we assumed the obligations under pre-existing employment agreements between IPWireless and Dr. Jones in order to retain his services as an executive of the Company. These employment arrangements provide for Dr. Jones to receive certain compensation and benefits in the event of termination of his employment under certain circumstances. The employment agreements remain an obligation of IPWireless, which is no longer a consolidated subsidiary of the Company following the acquisition of 75% of the equity interests in IPWireless by a newly formed entity controlled by Dr. Jones and other members of IPWireless senior management in December 2008.

Specifically, the employment agreement with Dr. Jones provides for specified severance payments and benefits in the event of the termination of his employment by the Company without cause, including (a) a lump cash payment in an amount equal to his annual base salary, subject to applicable tax withholding requirements, (b) the extension of his post-termination stock option exercise period for one year following the date of his termination of employment and (c) a continued right to receive payment, if applicable, under the IPWireless EIP.

For more information about this arrangement, see the discussion of Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control and the accompanying narrative on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.

Both the NextWave Wireless Inc. 2005 Stock Incentive Plan (the “2005 Stock Incentive Plan”) and the NextWave Wireless 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan (the “2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan”) provide for immediate and full vesting of all outstanding stock options upon a change in control of the Company (as defined in the plans). This provision applies to all of the outstanding stock options held by our executives, including

 

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the Named Executive Officers. We believe that this arrangement is important as a recruitment and retention device, as most of the companies with which we compete for executive talent have similar agreements in place for their senior employees.     

Rule 10b5-1 Trading Plans

Our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, may implement a trading plan under Exchange Act Rule 10b5-1 subject to pre-clearing the plan with the Company’s Vice President—Investor Relations. Such plans may be implemented as long as they are entered into (i) when the executive is not in possession of material nonpublic information about the Company and (ii) during one of the Company’s an open trading periods.

Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation

Section 162(m) of the U.S. Federal tax code prevents the Company from taking a tax deduction for certain non-performance-based compensation in excess of $1 million in any fiscal year paid to the chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated named executive officers (excluding the chief financial officer). While we generally seek to ensure the deductibility of the incentive compensation paid to our executives, the Compensation Committee retains the flexibility necessary to provide cash and equity compensation in line with competitive practice, our compensation philosophy and the best interests of stockholders even if these amounts are not fully tax deductible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2008 Summary Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth information with respect to the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for services in all capacities to us and our subsidiaries.

 

 

The amount reported in this column for Dr. Brailean for fiscal 2007 also reflects the payment of a $600,000 retention bonus that was offered to Dr. Brailean in July 2005 in consideration of his continued employment with PacketVideo following the acquisition of PacketVideo by the Company.

 

 

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and do not correspond to the actual economic value that will be received by the Named Executive Officers from the awards.

 

 

 

The amounts reported in this column for fiscal 2007 specifically for Dr. Jones comprise the following. $20,377 which represents the reimbursement of BPS 10,000 per year for the cost of procuring his own health, disability and life insurance premiums, $1,463,286 in connection with the IPWireless EIP (which was paid in cash in the amount of $217,040 and in 198,463 shares of the Company’s common stock), and $20,011 for his Fiscal 2007 Earn-Out Payment. Of the amount paid in connection with the IPWireless EIP, $362,765 is being held in escrow for 12 months from the closing date of the acquisition in order to compensate us for any indemnifiable losses the Company may incur as a result of any breach of the representations and warranties or covenants of IPWireless contained in the merger agreement. In July of 2008, after the settlement of $13.3 million claim, the remaining balance of the escrow was released to the former shareholders of IPWireless in accordance with the terms of the acquisition, $170,600 of escrow was released and paid to Dr. Jones.

 

 

 

 

 

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2008 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008, information concerning the equity awards granted to each of the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2008 under any plan. There were no non-equity incentive plan compensation awards granted to any of the Named Executive Officers in fiscal 2008.

 

 

The assumptions made in calculating the grant date fair value amounts for the plan-based awards granted in fiscal 2008 are incorporated herein by reference to the discussion of those assumptions in footnote 13 to the Company’s financial statements as contained in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on April 2, 2009.

Narrative to Summary Compensation Table and Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table

Some of the elements of compensation, including equity awards, reported in the Summary Compensation Table and the Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table above for Dr. Jones are a result of the employment agreements between Dr. Jones and IPWireless, which was acquired by the Company in May 2007. The employment agreements remain an obligation of IPWireless, which is no longer a consolidated subsidiary of the Company following the acquisition of 75% of the equity interests in IPWireless by a newly formed entity controlled by Dr. Jones and other members of IPWireless senior management in December 2008. The following narrative summarizes the material terms of these employment agreements. None of the other Named Executive Officers have employment agreements with the Company.

The material terms of Dr. Jones’s employment agreement are as follows:

Compensation and Benefits. During the term of the agreements, Dr. Jones is eligible to receive the following compensation and benefits:

Base Salary. An annual base salary of £158,610, which is payable in monthly installments. Dr. Jones’s base salary was £158,610 as of December 29, 2007.

Annual Incentive. An annual performance-based incentive award of up to 50% of his base salary, based on IPWireless’s achievement of certain enumerated performance objectives, and Dr. Jones’s achievement of certain individual performance objectives.

 

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Additional Benefits. An additional payment equal to 10% of his base salary reimburse him for the cost of procuring his own insurance benefits. Such benefits are paid directly by IPWireless to Dr. Jones.

Stock Options. Stock options to purchase shares of IPWireless’ common stock may be granted at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Employee Incentive Plan Entitlement. IPWireless had an existing Employee Incentive Plan, pursuant to which participants were eligible to receive an incentive bonus upon the consummation of a change in control of IPWireless. In connection with the acquisition of IPWireless by NextWave, a portion of the total merger consideration payable was allocated to participants in the IPWireless EIP, including Dr. Jones. Subject to the achievement by IPWireless of certain revenue benchmarks, Dr. Jones may be entitled to receive up to a maximum of $3,998,559 through 2010 as a result of his participation in the IPWireless EIP.

IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan Entitlement. In connection with the acquisition of IPWireless, NextWave established the IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan as an inducement for employees of IPWireless to join NextWave and continue with the business following the acquisition of IPWireless. Dr. Jones and the other participants in the IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan waived their rights to any further payments under the plan in connection with the December 2008 transaction in which NextWave disposed of 75% of the equity interests of IPWireless.

Termination. Under specified circumstances, he or IPWireless may terminate his employment prior to the end of the term of the agreement. These circumstances, and any payments and benefits triggered by the termination, are described under Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control on page 26 of this Proxy Statement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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2008 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table

 

The following table sets forth information as to the number and value of equity awards held by each of the Named Executive Officers as of the end of fiscal 2008, measured in terms of the last reported sale price for shares of the Company’s common stock on December 27, 2008 ($0.08 per share) as reported by Nasdaq.

 

 

2008 OPTION EXERCISES AND STOCK VESTED TABLE

 

None of our Named Executive Officers exercised options to purchase our common stock or held restricted stock awards subject to vesting during fiscal 2008.

 

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2008 PENSION BENEFITS TABLE

The Company did not sponsor any defined benefit pension plans for its employees, including the Named Executive Officers, during fiscal 2008.

 

2008 NONQUALIFIED DEFERRED COMPENSATION TABLE

 

The Company did not maintain any nonqualified defined contribution plan for its employees, including the Named Executive Officers, during fiscal 2008.

 

POTENTIAL PAYMENTS UPON TERMINATION

OR CHANGE IN CONTROL

 

The Company does not maintain any contracts, agreements, plans, or arrangements that provide for payments to the Named Executive Officers at, following, or in connection with any termination of employment, including, without limitation, resignation, severance, retirement, or a constructive termination of a Named Executive Officer, or a change in control of the Company or a change in the Named Executive Officers responsibilities, except for the accelerated vesting of equity awards under the circumstances described below.

 

Upon the voluntary termination of employment of any of our executives, including the Named Executive Officers, any unvested portion of any outstanding stock options held by an executive is cancelled and the employee has 90 days from the date of termination of employment in which to exercise the vested portion of any such options. After the expiration of the 90-day period, the vested portion of any such options that remains unexercised is cancelled. The Company may, in the discretion of our Board of Directors of the Company and the Compensation Committee of the Board, accelerate the vesting of any unvested portion of any outstanding stock option upon an executive’s termination of employment.

 

Both the Company’s 2005 Stock Incentive Plan and 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan provide that, in the event of a change in control of the Company (as defined in the respective plan), any unvested portion of any outstanding stock option shall immediately vest in full. This provision applies to all of the outstanding stock options held by our employees, including the Named Executive Officers. We believe that this arrangement is an important recruitment and retention device, as most of the companies with which we compete for talent have similar arrangements in place for their senior employees.

 

The following table sets forth the potential estimated payments and benefits to which each Named Executive Officer would be entitled upon a change in control of the Company, as a result of this vesting acceleration provision.

 

 

 

 

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of December 27, 2008 (that is, the value based upon the last reported sale price for the shares of the Company’s common stock on December 26, 2008 less the option exercise price).

The amounts reported in the table above do not include payments and benefits to the extent they may be provided on a non-discriminatory basis to all of the Company’s salaried employees generally upon termination of employment. These payments and benefits may include accrued salary and vacation pay and welfare benefits provided to all former employees, including medical and dental insurance and life insurance coverage.

2008 Director Compensation Table

 

The following table sets forth, for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008, the total compensation of the non-employee members of the Company’s Board of Directors. (1)

 

 

 

 

 

 

The aggregate number of stock options outstanding as of December 28, 2008 for each of the non-employee directors was as follows:

 

 

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For a description of our equity award grant practices for the non-employee directors, see “Equity Award Grant Practices” in the Compensation Discussion and Analysis on page 17 of this Proxy Statement.

Perquisites and other personal benefits provided to each of the non-employee directors in fiscal 2008 were, in the aggregate, less than $10,000 per director.

 

TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS

We have entered into a binding commitment letter dated as of March 27, 2009, with Navation, Inc., an entity controlled by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman, to provide up to $15 million in working capital financing. Our ability to access such funding remains subject to conditions including the completion of definitive documentation to the satisfaction of all parties. The terms of the commitment letter provide that we will be entitled to borrow up to $15 million in one or more borrowings after June 1, 2009, subject to conditions including the completion of definitive documentation.  Amounts outstanding under the facility will bear interest at a rate of 14% per annum, payable in kind, and will be secured by a first lien on certain working capital collateral and second lien on the assets securing our Second Lien Notes, on a pari passu basis.  As a condition to such commitment we agreed to pay a commitment fee of $750,000 to Navation, Inc. and, upon the initial borrowing under such facility, we will issue to the lenders thereunder warrants to purchase 7.5 million shares of our common stock at an exercise price of $0.01 per share. The terms of the commitment letter also provide that Mr. Salmasi will be nominated to serve an additional three-year term as Chairman of the Board of Directors, subject to stockholder approval at our annual meeting of stockholders, and that Navation, Inc. will have a right of first refusal to purchase the assets of our semiconductor business.

 

On December 24, 2008, we sold a controlling interest in our IPWireless subsidiary to IPW Holdings, Inc. (“IPW Holdings”) and an affiliate of IPW Holdings, for an upfront cash payment of approximately $1.1 million, plus future cash payments of up to $0.5 million for reimbursement of transaction-related expenses. IPW Holdings was formed by the senior management team of IPWireless, including Dr. William Jones, Ph.D. Dr. Jones resigned from

 

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his positions as a member of our board of directors and the chief executive officer of our NextWave Networks Products division concurrent with the closing of the sale.

On October 9, 2008, we issued the Second Lien Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $105.3 million. The Second Lien Notes were issued at a 5% original issue discount, resulting in gross proceeds of $100.0 million. Of the Second Lien Notes issued in October 2008, Second Lien Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $78.9 million were purchased by Avenue AIV US, L.P., an affiliate of Avenue Capital Management II, L.P. (“Avenue Capital”). Robert Symington, a portfolio manager with Avenue Capital, is a member of our Board of Directors. The issuance of the Second Lien Notes and related transactions were approved by an independent committee of our Board of Directors. Additionally, we issued warrants to purchase an aggregate of 30.0 million shares of our common stock for an exercise price of $0.01 per share and paid $5.6 million in fees to Avenue AIV US, L.P. in connection with the Second Lien Notes issuance. In April 2009, we issued an additional warrant to purchase 7.5 million shares of our common stock for an exercise price of $0.01 per share to Avenue AIV US, L.P. as required pursuant to the terms of our Second Lien Notes.

On October 9, 2008, we also issued the Third Lien Notes in the aggregate principal amount of $478.3 million in exchange for all of the outstanding shares of our Series A Preferred Stock. Of our Series A Preferred Stock issued and sold in March 2007, 14%, 14% and 28% of the shares were sold respectively, to Navation, Inc., an entity owned by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman, Manchester Financial Group, L.P., an entity indirectly owned and controlled by Douglas F. Manchester, a member of our board of directors, and affiliates of Avenue Capital. These parties also participated on a pro rata basis in the exchange of our Series A Preferred Stock for the Third Lien Notes, which was approved by an independent committee of our Board of Directors.

 

Procedures for Approval of Related Party Transactions

 

Pursuant to our Audit Committee Charter, the Audit Committee reviews, discusses with management and our independent registered public accounting firm and approves any transactions or courses of dealing with related parties (including significant stockholders, directors, corporate officers or other members of senior management or their family members) that are significant in size or involve terms or other aspects that differ from those that would likely be negotiated with independent parties, including any safeguards or additional procedures to be applied in such circumstances.

 

On October 9, 2008, we completed a private placement of our Second Lien Notes and the exchange of our Series A Preferred Stock for the Third Lien Notes, as described herein. The purchasers of the Second Lien Notes included affiliates of Avenue Capital of which a member of our Board of Directors, Robert Symington, is a portfolio manager. The holders of our Series A Preferred Stock included, in addition to other investment funds and institutional investors, Navation, Inc., an entity owned by Allen Salmasi, our Chairman, Douglas F. Manchester, a member of our Board of Directors, and affiliates of Avenue, of which a member of our Board of Directors, Robert Symington, is a portfolio manager. Because two members of our Audit Committee were associated with entities involved in the private placement, our Board of Directors formed an independent committee consisting of Messrs. Rosen and Webster to review and approve the transaction and obtained a fairness opinion with respect to the transaction. None of the related parties received any compensation in connection with the financing or exchange and all investors were subject to the same terms and conditions.

 

The terms of our sale of a controlling interest in IP Wireless to IPW Holdings were approved by the Governance Committee, following the completion of a sale process in which the Company retained financial advisors. The Governance Committee had been granted the authority to oversee and approve the disposition of certain of our businesses in connection with our October 2008 Second Lien Notes financing and the initiation of our global restructuring initiative. The Governance Committee received advice in connection with the structure of the transaction and a fairness opinion relating to the consideration received by the Company in the transaction. Our working capital facility commitment letter with Navation, Inc. was approved by the Governance Committee, which received a fairness opinion relating to the terms of the financing. No member of the Governance Committee had a financial interest in either the IP Wireless transaction or the Navation working capital facility commitment.

 

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) contained in the Company’s 2008 Proxy Statement and discussed that CD&A with management. Based on the Compensation Committee’s review of, and discussions with management, the Compensation Committee recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the CD&A be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and this Proxy Statement for filing with the SEC.

 

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Respectfully submitted by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

Robert T. Symington, Chairman

Jack Rosen

William H. Webster

 

The information contained in the foregoing report shall not be deemed to be “filed” or to be “soliciting material” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference in a filing.

REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE

The following is the report of our Audit Committee with respect to our audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008.

Review with Management

 

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements with management.

Review and Discussions with Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’s audited financial statements with management, which has primary responsibility for the financial statements. Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, is responsible for expressing an opinion on the conformity of the Company’s audited financial statements with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

The Audit Committee also received the written disclosures and the letter from Ernst &Young LLP which is required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the independent accountant’s communications with the Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Ernst & Young LLP their independence. The Audit Committee also concluded that Ernst & Young LLP’s provision of audit and non-audit services to the Company and its subsidiaries, as described in this Proxy Statement, is compatible with Ernst & Young LLP’s independence.

Conclusion

 

Based upon the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that its audited consolidated financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 27, 2008 for filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Respectfully submitted by the Audit Committee of the Board of Directors.

 

Robert T. Symington, Chairman

Douglas F. Manchester

William H. Webster

 

The information contained in the foregoing report shall not be deemed to be “filed” or to be “soliciting material” with the Securities and Exchange Commission, nor shall such information be incorporated by reference into any future filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates it by reference in a filing.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES

The following table sets forth the aggregate fees (in thousands) for services related to fiscal years 2008 and 2007 provided by Ernst & Young LLP, our principal accountants.

 

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The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has adopted a formal policy concerning the approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by our principal accountant, Ernst & Young LLP. The policy requires that all services Ernst & Young LLP may provide to us, including audit services and permitted audit-related and non-audit services, be pre-approved by the Audit Committee. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit and non-audit services provided by Ernst & Young LLP during fiscal 2008 and fiscal 2007.

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plan

The Company granted options exercisable to purchase 3,513,687 shares of common stock through 89 stock option awards under all of its compensation plans during the fiscal year ended December 27, 2008. On March 28, 2008 the Company granted options for 1,035,005 shares that vest 100% upon the specific achievement of defined milestones assigned to each grantee, or after 10 years.

Information about our equity compensation plans at December 27, 2008 is as follows:

Equity Compensation Plan Information

 

(1) In June 2006, NextWave Wireless LLC unit holders approved 20 million Units (approximately 3,333,333 shares of our common stock) issuable upon the exercise of options to be granted pursuant to the NextWave Wireless LLC 2005 Units Plan (the “2005 Units Plan”). The remaining Units issuable pursuant to the 2005 Units Plan were approved by the Bankruptcy Court in April 2005 in connection with the plan of reorganization of NextWave Telecom, Inc. and its subsidiaries, including NextWave Wireless LLC. On November 13, 2006, NextWave Wireless LLC merged with and into NextWave Wireless Inc, and the 2005 Units Plan was assumed by NextWave Wireless Inc., becoming the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan. In May of 2007, NextWave Wireless Inc. shareholders approved an amendment to the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan to increase the number of shares of common stock available for issuance from 12,500,000 to 27,500,000. Thus, 15,333,333 shares of our common stock issued or available for issuance pursuant to grants under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan have been approved by stockholders.

(2) The remaining 9,166,666 shares of common stock issuable pursuant to the grant of options under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan were approved in April 2005 by the Bankruptcy Court in connection with the plan of

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reorganization as described above. The 2005 Stock Incentive Plan provides for the issuance of nonqualified stock options, or restricted, performance-based, bonus, phantom or other stock-based awards to directors, employees and consultants of NextWave. Thus, 9,166,666 shares of our common stock issued or available for issuance pursuant to grants under the 2005 Stock Incentive Plan have not been approved by shareholders.

In September 2005, we issued a warrant to purchase up to 500,000 shares of our common stock to Station 4, LLC, a private advisory company, as partial consideration for services to be provided to the Company under a three-year advisory services agreement. The warrants have an exercise price of $6.00 per share, and were issued pursuant to an exemption from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act as a transaction by an issuer not involving a public offering. Stockholders did not approve the issuance of the warrants.

In July 2005, NextWave acquired PacketVideo Corporation, which became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company following the closing of the acquisition. In August 2005, the Board of Directors of PacketVideo Corporation adopted the PacketVideo Corporation 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (the “PacketVideo Plan”), pursuant to which employees of PacketVideo Corporation were authorized to receive up to 1,375,000 shares of our common stock upon the exercise of stock options and similar rights (after giving effect to the conversion described below). The PacketVideo Plan was subsequently amended on two occasions to increase the aggregate number of authorized shares to a total of 1,833,333 shares of our common stock. Pursuant to the terms of the PacketVideo Plan, on January 3, 2007, when we listed our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Market, each outstanding option, exercised or not, under the PacketVideo Plan was automatically converted from an option or other award to purchase PacketVideo common stock into an option or other award to purchase shares of NextWave common stock. The PacketVideo Plan was not approved by our stockholders.

Under the NASDAQ Marketplace Rules, listed issuers are permitted to grant compensatory equity to new employees for the purpose of inducing such persons to enter into an employment relationship with the issuer without stockholder approval. Each of the GO Networks Employee Stock Bonus Plan, the IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan and the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan described below were adopted by NextWave without stockholder approval pursuant to the inducement exemption.

 

In connection with the acquisition by NextWave of GO Networks, Inc. in February 2007, NextWave adopted the GO Networks Employee Stock Bonus Plan, whereby a select group of employees of GO Networks, Inc. may receive up to an aggregate of $5.0 million in shares of NextWave common stock upon the achievement of certain operational milestones in the 18-month period subsequent to the closing of the acquisition. The product shipment milestones were not achieved in 2008 and, accordingly, no bonuses have been earned under the plan.

 

In connection with the acquisition by NextWave of IPWireless in May 2007, NextWave adopted the IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan, whereby a select group of employees of IPWireless may receive up to an aggregate of $7.0 million in shares of NextWave common stock upon the achievement of certain operational milestones measured for fiscal 2007, 2008 and 2009. For the fiscal 2007 performance period, 543,486 shares were earned under the IPWireless Stock Bonus Plan. On March 24, 2008 a net of 320,698 shares were paid out to participants. 222,788 shares were withheld due to withholding tax payment obligations. In connection with our December 2008 sale of a controlling interest in IPWireless, the employees of IPWireless waived any continuing rights under the plan and, accordingly, no further bonuses are due and payable.

 

 

In February 2007, NextWave adopted the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan to offer shares of NextWave common stock for equity awards to new hires of the Company and its subsidiaries, including new employees who have joined the Company in connection with acquisitions. The 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan is administered by the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors of NextWave, and provides for the grant of up to 2,500,000 shares of NextWave common stock to new hires of the Company as compensatory equity aimed at inducing such persons to enter into an employment relationship with the Company. This plan was then amended to provide up to 5,000,000 shares of NextWave common stock to new hires of the Company.

 

As of December 27, 2008, options to acquire a total of 1,792,424 shares of common stock have been granted under the 2007 New Employee Stock Incentive Plan, leaving 3,207,576 options available for future grant under the plan.

 

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PROPOSAL NO. 2

 

RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP, as the independent registered public accounting firm to audit our accounts and those of our subsidiaries for the fiscal year ending December 26, 2009. The Audit Committee approved the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for 2009. Ernst & Young LLP is currently our independent registered public accounting firm.

The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR this proposal.

ANNUAL REPORT AND COMPANY INFORMATION

A copy of our 2008 Annual Report to Shareholders is being furnished to stockholders concurrently herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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PROPOSALS BY STOCKHOLDERS

In order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in the Company’s Proxy Statement and related form of proxy for a stockholder’s meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”).

 

Proposals that stockholders wish to include in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy for presentation at our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders must be received by us at 10350 Science Center Drive, Suite 210, San Diego, California 92121, Attention, Secretary, no later than January 11, 2010. Any stockholder proposal submitted for inclusion must be eligible for inclusion in our Proxy Statement in accordance with the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC.

 

With respect to proposals submitted by a stockholder other than for inclusion in our Proxy Statement and related form of proxy for our 2010 annual meeting of stockholders, timely notice of any stockholder proposal must be received by us in accordance with our By-Laws and our rules and regulations no later than February 10, 2010, unless the date of the annual meeting is more than 30 days before or 60 days after the anniversary of the 2009 annual meeting. Any proxies solicited by the Board of Directors for the 2010 annual meeting may confer discretionary authority to vote on any proposals notice of which is not timely received. In order to include information with respect to a stockholder proposal in our Proxy Statement and form of proxy for a stockholder's meeting, stockholders must provide notice as required by the regulations promulgated under the Exchange Act.

 

The notice shall set forth as to each matter the stockholder proposes to bring before the annual meeting: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the annual meeting and the reasons for conducting such business at the annual meeting, (ii) the name and address, as they appear on the Company’s books, of the stockholder proposing such business, (iii) the class and number of shares of the Corporation which are beneficially owned by the stockholder, (iv) any material interest of the stockholder in such business and (v) any other information that is required to be provided by the stockholder pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act, in his capacity as a proponent to a stockholder proposal.

 

Stockholder’s notice relating to nomination for directors shall set forth as to each person, if any, whom the stockholder proposes to nominate for election or re-election as a director: (A) the name, age, business address and residence address of such person, (B) the principal occupation or employment of such person, (C) the class and number of shares of the Company which are beneficially owned by such person, (D) a description of all arrangements or understandings between the stockholder and each nominee and any other person(s) (naming such person(s)) pursuant to which the nominations are to be made by the stockholder and (E) any other information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors, or is otherwise required, in each case pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act (including without limitation such person's written consent to being named in our Proxy Statement, if any, as a nominee and to serving as a director if elected); and as to such stockholder giving notice, the information required to be provided as set forth in the preceding paragraph and our By-laws. No person shall be eligible for election as a director of the Company, unless nominated in accordance with the procedures set forth herein and in our By-laws, as amended.

 

It is important that your proxy be returned promptly. The proxy may be revoked at any time by you before it is exercised. If you attend the meeting in person, you may withdraw any proxy and vote your own shares.

By Order of the Board of Directors

                              

FRANK A. CASSOU

 

 

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NEXTWAVE WIRELESS INC C/O PROXY SERVICES P.O. BOX 9142 FARMINGDALE, NY 11735	VOTE BY INTERNET - www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form.
	ELECTRONIC DELIVERY OF FUTURE PROXY MATERIALS If you would like to reduce the costs incurred by our company in mailing proxy materials, you can consent to receiving all future proxy statements, proxy cards and annual reports electronically via e-mail or the Internet. To sign up for electronic delivery, please follow the instructions above to vote using the Internet and, when prompted, indicate that you agree to receive or access proxy materials electronically in future years.
	VOTE BY PHONE - 1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions.
	VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717.

 

 

 

 

TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS:

M14777	KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS
		DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY

THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED.

 

NEXTWAVE WIRELESS INC.

For All

Withhold

For All Except

To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee(s), mark “For All Except” and write the number(s) of the nominee(s) on the line below.

All

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" ITEMS 1 AND 2.

Vote on Directors

o

o

o

1.

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

Nominees:

01)   Allen Salmasi

02)   Douglas F. Manchester

03)   Robert T. Symington

Vote on Proposal

For

Against

Abstain

2.

Ratify the selection of Ernst & Young LLP as independent registered public accounting firm to audit the consolidated financial statements of NextWave and its subsidiaries for the year ended December 26, 2009

o

o

o

The shares represented by this proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned Stockholder(s). If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR items 1 and 2. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, or if cumulative voting is required, the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion.

Yes

No

Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting.

o

o

Please sign your name exactly as it appears hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian, please add your title as such. When signing as joint tenants, all parties in the joint tenancy must sign. If a signer is a corporation, please sign in full corporate name by duly authorized officer.

	Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX]	Date		Signature (Joint Owners)	Date

 

 

 

Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice and Proxy Statement and Annual Report are available at www.proxyvote.com.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

M14777

 

NextWave Wireless Inc.   THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS June 11, 2009   The undersigned does hereby constitute and appoint FRANCIS J. HARDING and FRANK A. CASSOU with the power of substitution, proxies for and in the name, place and stead of the undersigned, to vote all shares votable by the undersigned at the stockholder annual meeting of NextWave Wireless Inc. to be held at the Doubletree Del Mar located at 11915 El Camino Real, San Diego, CA 92130 on June 11, 2009 at 10:00 a.m., Pacific Daylight Time and at any adjournment thereof.   THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED HEREIN. IF NO DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE RECOMMENDATION OF NEXTWAVE'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR ALL THE NOMINEES IN ITEM 1 AND FOR THE PROPOSAL IN ITEM 2 AND, AS SAID PROXY HOLDER SHALL DEEM ADVISABLE, ON SUCH OTHER BUSINESS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE MEETING.   PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE   CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE