10-Q 1 ftr-20140930x10q.htm 10-Q Q3 2014 Form 10-Q

 

 

 

 

 

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)

 

 

OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

 

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


 

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549

 

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

 QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2014

 

or

 

 TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

 

For the transition period from _________to__________

 

Commission file number:  001-11001

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

 

Delaware

 

06-0619596

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 

 

 

 

3 High Ridge Park

 

 

Stamford, Connecticut  

 

06905

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

 

 

 

 

(203) 614-5600

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

 

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 

Yes  X       No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

 

Yes  X       No ___

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company.  See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

 

Large accelerated filer            Accelerated filer            Non-accelerated filer          Smaller reporting company 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 

Yes           No X   

 

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of October 24, 2014 was 1,002,081,000.

 

 

 


 

 

 

 

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Index

 

 

 

 

 

Page No.

Part I.  Financial Information (Unaudited)

 

 

 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 

 

 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013

2

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the three and nine months ended

 

September 30, 2014 and 2013

3

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2013, the three months

 

ended December 31, 2013 and the nine months ended September 30, 2014

4

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013

5

 

 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

6

 

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

22

 

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

42

 

 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

43

 

 

Part II.  Other Information

 

 

 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

44

 

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

44

 

 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

44

 

 

Item 4.  Mine Safety Disclosure

44

 

 

Item 6.  Exhibits

45

 

 

Signature

46

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

 


 

 

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

Item 1.Financial Statements

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

808,518 

 

$

880,039 

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $65,868 and $71,362, respectively

 

 

462,299 

 

 

479,210 

Restricted cash

 

 

1,519,000 

 

 

11,411 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

70,745 

 

 

68,573 

Income taxes and other current assets

 

 

66,787 

 

 

179,606 

Total current assets

 

 

2,927,349 

 

 

1,618,839 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

7,152,461 

 

 

7,255,762 

Goodwill

 

 

6,337,719 

 

 

6,337,719 

Other intangibles, net

 

 

997,297 

 

 

1,214,932 

Other assets

 

 

224,862 

 

 

208,232 

Total assets

 

$

17,639,688 

 

$

16,635,484 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

 

$

262,534 

 

$

257,916 

Accounts payable

 

 

282,796 

 

 

327,256 

Advanced billings

 

 

132,848 

 

 

137,319 

Accrued taxes

 

 

154,570 

 

 

66,276 

Accrued interest

 

 

199,023 

 

 

188,639 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

120,154 

 

 

111,713 

Other current liabilities

 

 

186,444 

 

 

212,468 

Total current liabilities

 

 

1,338,369 

 

 

1,301,587 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

2,306,326 

 

 

2,417,108 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

676,564 

 

 

725,333 

Other liabilities

 

 

240,307 

 

 

262,308 

Long-term debt

 

 

9,185,603 

 

 

7,873,667 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.25 par value (1,750,000,000 authorized shares,

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,002,081,000 and 999,462,000 outstanding, respectively, and

 

 

 

 

 

 

1,027,986,000 issued, at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013)

 

 

256,997 

 

 

256,997 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

3,991,589 

 

 

4,321,056 

Retained earnings

 

 

195,055 

 

 

76,108 

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

(252,141)

 

 

(260,530)

Treasury stock

 

 

(298,981)

 

 

(338,150)

Total equity

 

 

3,892,519 

 

 

4,055,481 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

17,639,688 

 

$

16,635,484 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

 


 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013

($ in thousands, except for per-share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

1,140,874 

 

$

1,185,278 

 

$

3,442,185 

 

$

3,581,207 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses

 

 

107,866 

 

 

103,955 

 

 

321,182 

 

 

320,467 

Other operating expenses

 

 

533,469 

 

 

549,141 

 

 

1,585,780 

 

 

1,624,655 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

260,897 

 

 

285,701 

 

 

815,767 

 

 

887,225 

Pension settlement costs

 

 

 -

 

 

40,309 

 

 

 -

 

 

40,309 

Acquisition and integration costs

 

 

41,611 

 

 

 -

 

 

72,058 

 

 

 -

Total operating expenses

 

 

943,843 

 

 

979,106 

 

 

2,794,787 

 

 

2,872,656 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

14,601 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

197,031 

 

 

206,172 

 

 

647,398 

 

 

723,152 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income, net

 

 

25,106 

 

 

1,524 

 

 

26,484 

 

 

9,134 

Losses on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

159,780 

Interest expense

 

 

170,371 

 

 

163,835 

 

 

508,939 

 

 

501,802 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Income before income taxes

 

 

51,766 

 

 

43,861 

 

 

164,943 

 

 

70,704 

Income tax expense

 

 

9,773 

 

 

8,461 

 

 

45,996 

 

 

22,981 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

41,993 

 

 

35,400 

 

 

118,947 

 

 

47,723 

Less: Income attributable to the noncontrolling

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

interest in a partnership

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,643 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of Frontier

 

$

41,993 

 

$

35,400 

 

$

118,947 

 

$

45,080 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net income per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to common shareholders of Frontier

 

$

0.04 

 

$

0.04 

 

$

0.12 

 

$

0.04 

 

 

 

 

 

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

41,993 

 

$

35,400 

 

$

118,947 

 

$

47,723 

Pension settlement costs, net of tax (see Notes 14 and 15)

 

 

 -

 

 

24,992 

 

 

 -

 

 

24,992 

Other comprehensive income, net of tax (see Note 14)

 

 

2,460 

 

 

6,313 

 

 

8,389 

 

 

19,805 

Comprehensive income

 

 

44,453 

 

 

66,705 

 

 

127,336 

 

 

92,520 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Less:  Income attributable to the

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

noncontrolling interest in a partnership

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,643 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

the common shareholders of Frontier

 

$

44,453 

 

$

66,705 

 

$

127,336 

 

$

89,877 

 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

3

 


 

 

 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2013, THE THREE MONTHS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2013 

AND THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014

($ and shares in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity of Frontier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

Other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Comprehensive

 

Treasury Stock

 

Noncontrolling

 

Total

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Loss

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Interest

 

Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance January 1, 2013

 

1,027,986 

 

$

256,997 

 

$

4,639,563 

 

$

63,205 

 

$

(483,576)

 

(29,576)

 

$

(368,593)

 

$

11,675 

 

$

4,119,271 

Stock plans

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(22,268)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

1,107 

 

 

30,679 

 

 

 -

 

 

8,411 

Dividends on common stock

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(299,822)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(299,822)

Net income

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

45,080 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,643 

 

 

47,723 

Pension settlement costs, net of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

24,992 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

24,992 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

19,805 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

19,805 

Distributions

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(6,400)

 

 

(6,400)

Sale of Mohave partnership interest

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(7,918)

 

 

(7,918)

Balance September 30, 2013

 

1,027,986 

 

 

256,997 

 

 

4,317,473 

 

 

108,285 

 

 

(438,779)

 

(28,469)

 

 

(337,914)

 

 

 -

 

 

3,906,062 

Stock plans

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

3,597 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

(55)

 

 

(236)

 

 

 -

 

 

3,361 

Dividends on common stock

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(14)

 

 

(99,932)

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(99,946)

Net income

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

67,755 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

67,755 

Pension settlement costs, net of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,389 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,389 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

175,860 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

175,860 

Balance December 31, 2013

 

1,027,986 

 

 

256,997 

 

 

4,321,056 

 

 

76,108 

 

 

(260,530)

 

(28,524)

 

 

(338,150)

 

 

 -

 

 

4,055,481 

Stock plans

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(28,822)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

2,619 

 

 

39,169 

 

 

 -

 

 

10,347 

Dividends on common stock

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(300,645)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(300,645)

Net income

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

118,947 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

118,947 

Other comprehensive income, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

8,389 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

8,389 

Balance September 30, 2014

 

1,027,986 

 

$

256,997 

 

$

3,991,589 

 

$

195,055 

 

$

(252,141)

 

(25,905)

 

$

(298,981)

 

$

 -

 

$

3,892,519 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

4

 


 

 

PART I.  FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2014 AND 2013

($ in thousands)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

$

118,947 

 

$

47,723 

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

815,767 

 

 

887,225 

Losses on early extinguishment of debt

 

 

 -

 

 

159,780 

Pension settlement costs

 

 

 -

 

 

40,309 

Pension/OPEB costs

 

 

(20,875)

 

 

22,558 

Stock based compensation expense

 

 

18,350 

 

 

12,561 

Gains on sale of assets

 

 

(25,000)

 

 

(14,601)

Other non-cash adjustments

 

 

29,508 

 

 

7,353 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(124,757)

 

 

(43,310)

Change in accounts receivable

 

 

16,911 

 

 

57,474 

Change in accounts payable and other liabilities

 

 

53,392 

 

 

(91,322)

Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other current assets

 

 

59,823 

 

 

(10,409)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

942,066 

 

 

1,075,341 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures - Business operations

 

 

(413,041)

 

 

(484,082)

Capital expenditures - Integration activities

 

 

(82,251)

 

 

 -

Network expansion funded by Connect America Fund

 

 

(40,934)

 

 

(21,042)

Grant funds received for network expansion from Connect America Fund

 

 

3,748 

 

 

5,998 

Proceeds on sale of assets

 

 

25,000 

 

 

17,755 

Cash transferred (to)/from escrow

 

 

(1,507,589)

 

 

21,788 

Other assets purchased and distributions received, net

 

 

27,043 

 

 

3,536 

Net cash used by investing activities

 

 

(1,988,024)

 

 

(456,047)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt borrowings

 

 

1,560,801 

 

 

750,000 

Financing costs paid

 

 

(39,271)

 

 

(19,360)

Long-term debt payments

 

 

(244,780)

 

 

(1,548,548)

Premium paid to retire debt

 

 

 -

 

 

(159,429)

Dividends paid

 

 

(300,645)

 

 

(299,822)

Other financing activities

 

 

(1,668)

 

 

(7,670)

Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities

 

 

974,437 

 

 

(1,284,829)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(71,521)

 

 

(665,535)

Cash and cash equivalents at January 1,

 

 

880,039 

 

 

1,326,532 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at September 30,

 

$

808,518 

 

$

660,997 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

464,334 

 

$

493,427 

Income taxes, net

 

$

36,086 

 

$

82,675 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-cash investing and financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financing obligation for contributions of real property to pension plan

 

$

 -

 

$

18,216 

Reduction of pension obligation

 

$

 -

 

$

(18,216)

 

The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements

 

 

5

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

(1)   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:

(a)   Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates:

Frontier Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary, in the opinion of Frontier’s management, to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Revenues, net income and cash flows for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. For our interim financial statements as of and for the period ended September 30, 2014, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

 

Frontier had a 33% controlling general partner interest in a partnership entity, the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave). Mohave’s results of operations were included in our consolidated financial statements through its date of disposal on April 1, 2013. The minority interest of the limited partners was reflected in the consolidated statements of operations as “Income attributable to the noncontrolling interest in a partnership.” On April 1, 2013, the Company sold its partnership interest in Mohave and received proceeds of $17.8 million. The Company recognized a gain on sale of approximately $14.6 million before taxes in the second quarter of 2013.

 

The preparation of our interim financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates.  Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for revenue recognition, including the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, intangible assets, depreciation and amortization, income taxes, contingencies, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been excluded and/or condensed pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.   

 

(b)   Revenue Recognition:

Revenue is recognized when services are provided or when products are delivered to customers. Revenue that is billed in advance includes: monthly recurring network access services (including data services), special access services and monthly recurring voice, video and related charges. The unearned portion of these fees is initially deferred as a component of “Advanced billings” on our consolidated balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided. Revenue that is billed in arrears includes: non-recurring network access services (including data services), switched access services, non-recurring voice and video services. The earned but unbilled portion of these fees is recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and accrued in accounts receivable in the period that the services are provided. Excise taxes are recognized as a liability when billed.  Installation fees and their related direct and incremental costs are initially deferred and recognized as revenue and expense over the average term of a customer relationship. We recognize as current period expense the portion of installation costs that exceeds installation fee revenue.

 

As required by law, the Company collects various taxes from its customers and subsequently remits these taxes to governmental authorities. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the consolidated balance sheet and presented on a net basis in our consolidated statements of operations. We also collect Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharges from customers (primarily federal USF) that we have recorded on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of operations and included within “Revenue” and “Other operating expenses”  of $29.6 million and $28.6 million, and $90.3 million and $86.6 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

6

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

(c)   Goodwill and Other Intangibles:

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired. We undertake studies to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired and allocate purchase prices to assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangibles. We annually (during the fourth quarter) or more frequently, if appropriate, examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in U.S. GAAP. Our four operating segments consist of the following regions: Central, East, National and West. Our regional operating segments are aggregated into one reportable segment.  

 

The Company amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives and reviews such intangible assets at least annually (during the fourth quarter) to assess whether any potential impairment exists and whether factors exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period. 

 

(2)   Recent Accounting Literature:

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This standard requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This new standard is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Early adoption is not permitted. Companies are permitted to either apply the requirements retrospectively to all prior periods presented, or apply the requirements in the year of adoption, through a cumulative adjustment. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting the new standard on January 1, 2017, but has not yet selected a transition method or determined the impact of adoption on its consolidated financial statements.

 

Discontinued Operations 

In April 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity”  which raises the threshold for a disposal to qualify as discontinued operations and requires new disclosures for individually material disposal transactions that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation. Under the new standard, companies report discontinued operations when they have a disposal that represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major impact on operations or financial results. This new standard will be applied prospectively and will be effective for the Company on January 1, 2015. This new standard is not expected to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.   

 

Internal Control – Integrated Framework

In May 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) issued its updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework (the 2013 Framework) and related illustrative documents. COSO will continue to make available its original Framework during the transition period extending to December 15, 2014. The Company currently utilizes COSO’s original Framework, which was published in 1992 and is recognized as the leading guidance for designing, implementing and conducting internal controls over external financial reporting and assessing its effectiveness. The 2013 Framework is expected to help organizations design and implement internal control in light of many changes in business and operating environments since the issuance of the original Framework, broaden the application of internal control in addressing operations and reporting objectives, and clarify the requirements for determining what constitutes effective internal control. We plan to adopt the 2013 Framework during 2014 and do not expect that it will have a significant impact on the Company.

7

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(3)   Transactions:

The AT&T Transaction 

On October 24, 2014,  pursuant to the stock purchase agreement dated December 16, 2013, as amended, the Company acquired the wireline properties of AT&T Inc. (AT&T) in Connecticut (the AT&T Transaction) for a purchase price of $2.0 billion in cash, excluding adjustments for working capital. Following the AT&T Transaction, Frontier now owns and operates the wireline business and fiber optic network servicing residential, commercial and wholesale customers in Connecticut. The Company also acquired the U-verse® video and DISH satellite TV customers in Connecticut. See Note 8 for further discussion related to financing the AT&T Transaction.

 

With respect to the AT&T Transaction, the final allocation of the purchase price will be based on the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of October 24, 2014. The initial accounting for this transaction is not yet complete, including the purchase price allocation. We expect to disclose this information, along with pro forma financial information, in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.   

 

The Company reorganized into five regional operating segments in October 2014. Our operating segments will consist of the following regions: Central, East, Mid-Atlantic, National and West. In conjunction with the reorganization of our operating segments, we will reassign goodwill to certain of our reporting units in the fourth quarter using a relative fair value allocation approach.

 

The 2010 Transaction

On July 1, 2010, the Company acquired the defined assets and liabilities of the local exchange business and related landline activities of Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon) in 14 states (the Acquired Territories), including Internet access, long distance services and broadband video provided to designated customers in the Acquired Territories (the 2010 Acquired Business). Frontier was considered the acquirer of the 2010 Acquired Business for accounting purposes. All integration activities for the 2010 Transaction were completed as of the end of 2012.

 

(4)   Accounts Receivable:

The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   ($ in thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail and Wholesale

 

482,857 

 

$

498,717 

Other

 

 

45,310 

 

 

51,855 

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(65,868)

 

 

(71,362)

Accounts receivable, net

 

$

462,299 

 

$

479,210 

 

We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our estimate of our ability to collect accounts receivable. Bad debt expense, which is recorded as a reduction to revenue, was $16.5 million and $20.6 million, and $41.2 million and $52.9 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

(5)   Property, Plant and Equipment:

Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

15,311,984 

 

$

14,850,697 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(8,159,523)

 

 

(7,594,935)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

$

7,152,461 

 

$

7,255,762 

 

8

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method. Depreciation expense was $195.0 million and $208.7 million, and $598.1 million and $636.2 million, for the three  and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. As a result of our annual independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, we adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 2013, with an insignificant impact to depreciation expense. 

 

(6)   Goodwill and Other Intangibles:

The components of goodwill by the reporting units in effect as of both September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

    

 

 

 

Central

 

$

1,815,498 

East

 

 

2,003,574 

National

 

 

1,218,113 

West

 

 

1,300,534 

Total Goodwill

 

$

6,337,719 

 

The components of other intangibles are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

 

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer base

 

2,427,648 

 

(1,554,487)

 

873,161 

 

2,427,648 

 

(1,336,852)

 

1,090,796 

Trade name and license

 

 

124,136 

 

 

 -

 

 

124,136 

 

 

124,136 

 

 

 -

 

 

124,136 

Total other intangibles

 

$

2,551,784 

 

$

(1,554,487)

 

$

997,297 

 

$

2,551,784 

 

$

(1,336,852)

 

$

1,214,932 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense was $65.9 million and $77.0 million, and $217.6 million and $251.0 million, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Amortization expense represents the amortization of intangible assets (primarily customer base) that were acquired in the 2010 Transaction based on a useful life of nine years for the residential customer base and 12 years for the business customer base, amortized on an accelerated method.

 

(7)   Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013.  For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, long-term debt due within one year, accounts payable and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of those instruments.

 

The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

 

Carrying

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amount

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Amount

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt

 

$

9,185,603 

 

$

9,603,496 

 

$

7,873,667 

 

$

8,191,744 

 

 

 

9

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(8)   Long-Term Debt:

The activity in our long-term debt from December 31, 2013 to September 30, 2014 is summarized as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

Nine months ended

  

  

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

September 30, 2014

  

  

  

 

Interest

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Rate at

  

 

December 31,

  

Payments

  

New

  

September 30,

 

September 30,

($ in thousands)

 

2013

 

and Retirements

 

Borrowings

 

2014

 

2014 *

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

Senior Unsecured Debt

 

$

8,107,066 

 

$

(243,125)

 

 $

1,550,000 

  

 $

9,413,941 

 

7.77%

Other Secured Debt

 

 

13,550 

  

 

(1,344)

  

 

10,801 

  

 

23,007 

 

3.71%

Rural Utilities Service Loan Contracts

 

 

8,930 

 

 

(311)

 

 

 -

  

 

8,619 

 

6.15%

Total Long-Term Debt

 

$

8,129,546 

 

 $

(244,780)

 

 $

1,560,801 

  

$

9,445,567 

 

7.76%

  

 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

  Less: Debt (Discount)/Premium

 

 

2,037 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

2,570 

  

 

  Less: Current Portion

 

 

(257,916)

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

 

(262,534)

  

 

 

 

$

7,873,667 

  

  

  

  

  

  

  

$

9,185,603 

  

 

 

* Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at September 30, 2014 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.

10

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Additional information regarding our Senior Unsecured Debt is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

September 30, 2014

 

December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

 

Interest

 

Principal

 

Interest

 

 

Outstanding

 

Rate

 

Outstanding

 

Rate

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior Notes and Debentures Due:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5/1/2014

 

 

 -

 

-

 

 

200,000 

 

8.250%

3/15/2015

 

 

105,026 

 

6.625%

 

 

105,026 

 

6.625%

4/15/2015

 

 

96,872 

 

7.875%

 

 

96,872 

 

7.875%

10/14/2016 *

 

 

416,875 

 

3.035% (Variable)

 

 

460,000 

 

3.045% (Variable)

4/15/2017

 

 

606,874 

 

8.250%

 

 

606,874 

 

8.250%

10/1/2018

 

 

582,739 

 

8.125%

 

 

582,739 

 

8.125%

3/15/2019

 

 

434,000 

 

7.125%

 

 

434,000 

 

7.125%

4/15/2020

 

 

1,021,505 

 

8.500%

 

 

1,021,505 

 

8.500%

7/1/2021

 

 

500,000 

 

9.250%

 

 

500,000 

 

9.250%

9/15/2021

 

 

775,000 

 

6.250%

 

 

 -

 

-

4/15/2022

 

 

500,000 

 

8.750%

 

 

500,000 

 

8.750%

1/15/2023

 

 

850,000 

 

7.125%

 

 

850,000 

 

7.125%

4/15/2024

 

 

750,000 

 

7.625%

 

 

750,000 

 

7.625%

1/15/2025

 

 

775,000 

 

6.875%

 

 

 -

 

-

11/1/2025

 

 

138,000 

 

7.000%

 

 

138,000 

 

7.000%

8/15/2026

 

 

1,739 

 

6.800%

 

 

1,739 

 

6.800%

1/15/2027

 

 

345,858 

 

7.875%

 

 

345,858 

 

7.875%

8/15/2031

 

 

945,325 

 

9.000%

 

 

945,325 

 

9.000%

10/1/2034

 

 

628 

 

7.680%

 

 

628 

 

7.680%

7/1/2035

 

 

125,000 

 

7.450%

 

 

125,000 

 

7.450%

10/1/2046

 

 

193,500 

 

7.050%

 

 

193,500 

 

7.050%

 

 

 

9,163,941 

 

 

 

 

7,857,066 

 

 

Subsidiary Senior Notes and Debentures Due:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  2/15/2028

 

 

200,000 

 

6.730%

 

 

200,000 

 

6.730%

  10/15/2029

 

 

50,000 

 

8.400%

 

 

50,000 

 

8.400%

Total

 

$

9,413,941 

 

7.59% **

 

$

8,107,066 

 

7.78% **

 

*      Represents borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below.

**    Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.

 

On September 17, 2014, the Company completed a registered debt offering of $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior unsecured notes due 2021, and $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2025. We received net proceeds, after deducting underwriting fees, of $1,519.0 million from the offering which were included in restricted cash as of September 30, 2014.  The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the notes, together with borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below, and cash on hand, to finance the AT&T Transaction, which closed on October 24, 2014. See Note 3 for further discussion of the AT&T Transaction.

 

During the first nine months of 2014, we also entered into secured financings totaling $10.8 million with four year terms and no stated interest rate for certain equipment purchases.

 

11

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

On December 16, 2013, we signed a commitment letter for a bridge loan facility (the Bridge Facility) and recognized interest expense related to this commitment of $7.5 million and $22.5 million during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014. On January 29, 2014, we entered into a bridge loan agreement (the Bridge Loan Agreement) with the Lenders party thereto and JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent.

 

On July 16, 2014, the Bridge Facility was reduced by $350.0 million following execution of the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below. On September 17, 2014, the Bridge Loan Agreement was terminated upon consummation of the registered debt offering referred to above.

 

On June 2, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto, for a $350.0 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement). The facility was drawn upon closing of the AT&T Transaction with proceeds used to partially finance the acquisition. The maturity date is the fifth anniversary of the draw date. Repayment of the outstanding principal balance will be made in quarterly installments in the amount of $8.8 million, commencing one full fiscal quarter after the draw date, with the remaining outstanding principal balance to be repaid on the maturity date. Borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement will bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of the Company. Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.875% to 2.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 3.875% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustments based on the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement.

 

On June 2, 2014, the Company entered into a new revolving credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties named therein (the New Revolving Credit Agreement), for a $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the New Revolving Credit Facility) with a scheduled termination date of May 31, 2018 and terminated its existing revolving credit facility (the Prior Revolving Credit Facility) under the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2013, among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties named therein (the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2014,  the New Revolving Credit Facility was fully available and no borrowings had been made thereunder.  Associated commitment fees under the New Revolving Credit Facility will vary from time to time depending on the Company’s debt rating (as defined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement) and were 0.450% per annum as of September 30, 2014. During the term of the New Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow funds, and may obtain letters of credit, subject to customary borrowing conditions. Loans under the New Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on the alternate base rate or the adjusted LIBO Rate (each as determined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement), at the Company’s election, plus a margin based on the Company’s debt rating (ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% for alternate base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.50% for adjusted LIBO Rate borrowings). The current pricing on this facility would have been 1.00% or 2.00%, respectively, as of September 30, 2014. Letters of credit issued under the New Revolving Credit Facility will also be subject to fees that vary depending on the Company’s debt rating. The New Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes but may not be used to fund dividend payments. The terms of the New Revolving Credit Facility are substantially similar to the terms of the Prior Revolving Credit Facility.

 

The Company has a credit agreement with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto, for a $575.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility with a final maturity of October 14, 2016 (the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement). The entire facility was drawn upon execution of the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement in October 2011.  Repayment of the outstanding principal balance is made in quarterly installments in the amount of $14.4 million, which commenced on March 31, 2012, with the remaining outstanding principal balance to be repaid on the final maturity date. Borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of the Company. Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.875% to 2.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 3.875% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustments based on the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement. The current pricing on this facility is LIBOR plus 2.875%.    

 

As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our debt and credit facility financial covenants.

 

12

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Principal payments for our currently outstanding debt for the next five years are as follows as of September 30, 2014:  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Principal

($ in thousands)

 

Payments

    

 

 

 

2014 (remaining three months)

 

$

15,161 

2015

 

$

262,541 

2016

 

$

348,167 

2017

 

$

610,075 

2018

 

$

583,948 

2019

 

$

434,565 

 

 

 

 

(9)   Income Taxes: 

The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at federal statutory rates to the effective rates: 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate

 

35.0 

%

 

35.0 

%

 

35.0 

%

 

35.0 

%

State income tax provisions, net of federal income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

tax benefit

 

1.1 

 

 

(1.5)

 

 

1.1 

 

 

(4.1)

 

Tax reserve adjustment

 

5.5 

 

 

(1.3)

 

 

0.6 

 

 

(6.6)

 

Domestic production activities deduction

 

(16.9)

 

 

 -

 

 

(5.3)

 

 

 -

 

Changes in certain deferred tax balances

 

 -

 

 

(11.5)

 

 

(1.7)

 

 

1.5 

 

IRS audit adjustments

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

7.3 

 

Federal research and development credit

 

(7.8)

 

 

 -

 

 

(2.4)

 

 

 -

 

All other, net

 

2.0 

 

 

(1.4)

 

 

0.6 

 

 

(0.6)

 

Effective tax rate

 

18.9 

%

 

19.3 

%

 

27.9 

%

 

32.5 

%

 

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the impact of a $4.0 million benefit from federal research and development credits, an $8.8 million benefit from the domestic production activities deduction and a  $2.9 million benefit arising from state tax law changes, partially offset by a net increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions of $0.9 million.

 

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 include the impact of a charge of $5.2 million resulting from the settlement of the 2010 IRS audit and a $6.0 million charge resulting from the adjustment of deferred tax balances, partially offset by a $5.0 million benefit from the net reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions and a $5.0 million benefit arising from state law changes that was recognized in the third quarter of 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2014, there were no uncertain tax positions for which the statutes of limitations are expected to expire during the next twelve months and which would affect our effective tax rate.

 

13

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

(10) Net Income Per Common Share:

The reconciliation of the net income per common share calculation is as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

($ and shares in thousands, except per share amounts)

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

Net income used for basic and diluted earnings 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier

$

41,993 

 

$

35,400 

 

$

118,947 

 

$

45,080 

Less:  Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards

 

(749)

 

 

(632)

 

 

(2,262)

 

 

(1,908)

Total basic and diluted net income attributable to common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shareholders of Frontier

$

41,244 

 

$

34,768 

 

$

116,685 

 

$

43,172 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

awards outstanding - basic

 

1,002,092 

 

 

999,826 

 

 

1,001,656 

 

 

999,017 

Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards

 

(7,445)

 

 

(6,711)

 

 

(7,263)

 

 

(6,537)

Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic

 

994,647 

 

 

993,115 

 

 

994,393 

 

 

992,480 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic net income per share attributable to common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shareholders of Frontier

$

0.04 

 

$

0.04 

 

$

0.12 

 

$

0.04 

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted earnings per common share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic

 

994,647 

 

 

993,115 

 

 

994,393 

 

 

992,480 

Effect of dilutive shares

 

3,208 

 

 

990 

 

 

3,351 

 

 

922 

Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

 

997,855 

 

 

994,105 

 

 

997,744 

 

 

993,402 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net income per share attributable to common

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

shareholders of Frontier

$

0.04 

 

$

0.04 

 

$

0.12 

 

$

0.04 

 

Stock Options

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, options to purchase 83,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $12.50 to $14.15) and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,  options to purchase 93,000 shares (at exercise prices ranging from $12.50 to $14.15), issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share (EPS) for those periods because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive. In calculating diluted EPS, we apply the treasury stock method and include future unearned compensation as part of the assumed proceeds.

 

Stock Units

At September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had 1,050,568 and 1,141,963 stock units, respectively, issued under our Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Fee Equity Plan (Deferred Fee Plan) and the Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (Directors’ Equity Plan). These securities have not been included in the diluted income per share of common stock calculation for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect.

 

(11) Stock Plans:

At September 30, 2014, we had six stock-based compensation plans under which grants were made and awards remained outstanding. No further awards may be granted under four of the plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the 1996 EIP), the Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2000 EIP), the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2009 EIP) and the Deferred Fee Plan. At September 30, 2014, there were 22,540,761 shares authorized for grant and 14,681,456 shares available for grant under the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2013 EIP and together with the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP and the

14

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

2009 EIP, the EIPs) and the Directors’ Equity Plan. Our general policy is to issue shares from treasury upon the grant of restricted shares and the exercise of options.

 

Performance Shares

On February 15, 2012, the Company’s Compensation Committee, in consultation with the other non-management directors of the Company’s Board of Directors and the Committee’s independent executive compensation consultant, adopted the Frontier Long-Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP). LTIP awards are granted in the form of performance shares. The LTIP is currently offered under the Company’s 2009 EIP and 2013 EIP, and participants consist of senior vice presidents and above. The LTIP awards have performance, market and time-vesting conditions. 

Beginning in 2012, during the first 90 days of a three-year performance period (a Measurement Period), a target number of performance shares are awarded to each LTIP participant with respect to the Measurement Period. The performance metrics under the LTIP are (1) annual targets for operating cash flow based on a goal set during the first 90 days of each year in the three-year Measurement Period and (2) an overall performance “modifier” set during the first 90 days of the Measurement Period, based on the Company’s total return to stockholders (i.e., Total Shareholder Return or TSR) relative to the Integrated Telecommunications Services Group (GICS Code 50101020) for the three-year Measurement Period. Operating cash flow performance is determined at the end of each year and the annual results will be averaged at the end of the three-year Measurement Period to determine the preliminary number of shares earned under the LTIP award. The TSR performance measure is then applied to decrease or increase payouts based on the Company’s three year relative TSR performance. LTIP awards, to the extent earned, will be paid out in the form of common stock shortly following the end of the three-year Measurement Period. 

In 2012, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 979,000 performance shares under the LTIP and set the operating cash flow performance goal for the first year in the 2012-2014 Measurement Period and the TSR modifier for the three-year Measurement Period. In 2013, the Compensation Committee granted approximately 1,124,000 performance shares under the LTIP and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 2013, which applies to the first year of the 2013-2015 Measurement Period and the second year of the 2012-2014 Measurement Period. On February 17, 2014, the Compensation Committee granted 1,028,000 performance shares under the LTIP and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 2014, which applies to the first year in the 2014-2016 Measurement Period, the second year of the 2013-2015 Measurement Period and the third year of the 2012-2014 Measurement Period. The number of shares of common stock earned at the end of each three-year Measurement Period may be more or less than the number of target performance shares granted as a result of operating cash flow and TSR performance. An executive must maintain a satisfactory performance rating during the Measurement Period and must be employed by the Company at the end of the three-year Measurement Period in order for the award to vest. The Compensation Committee will determine the number of shares earned for each three year Measurement Period in February of the year following the end of the Measurement Period.

 

The following summary presents information regarding LTIP target performance shares as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine months then ended with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Number of

 

 

 Shares

Balance at January 1, 2014

 

1,749,000 

LTIP target performance shares granted

 

1,028,000 

LTIP target performance shares forfeited

 

(80,000)

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

2,697,000 

 

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, the Company recognized an expense of $3.0 million and $0.8 million, respectively, for the LTIP.

15

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

Restricted Stock

The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of September 30, 2014 and changes during the nine months then ended with regard to restricted stock under the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIP:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Average

 

 

 

 

 

Number of 

 

Grant Date

 

Aggregate

 

 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value

Balance at January 1, 2014

 

6,234,000 

 

$

4.80

 

$

28,988,000 

Restricted stock granted

 

3,836,000 

 

$

4.74

 

$

24,974,000 

Restricted stock vested

 

(2,365,000)

 

$

5.22

 

$

15,399,000 

Restricted stock forfeited

 

(282,000)

 

$

4.51

 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

7,423,000 

 

$

4.65

 

$

48,321,000 

 

For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated based on the average of the high and low market price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant. Total remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards at September 30,  2014 was $24.9 million and the weighted average period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately 1.5 years.

 

Shares granted during the first nine months of 2013 totaled 3,355,000. The total fair value of shares granted and vested at September 30, 2013 was approximately $14.0 million and $12.9 million, respectively. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at September 30, 2013 was $26.3 million.  The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2013 was $4.10.

 

We have granted restricted stock awards to employees in the form of our common stock. None of the restricted stock awards may be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, by the employees until the restrictions lapse, subject to limited exceptions. The restrictions are time-based. Compensation expense, recognized in “Other operating expenses”, of $11.8 million and $10.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.

 

Stock Options

There has been no activity with regard to stock options during the first nine months of 2014.  There was no intrinsic value for the stock options outstanding and exercisable at September 30,  2014 and 2013.

 

(12) Segment Information:

We operate in one reportable segment. Frontier provides both regulated and unregulated voice, data and video services to residential, business and wholesale customers and is typically the incumbent voice services provider in its service areas.   

 

As permitted by U.S. GAAP, we have utilized the aggregation criteria to combine our operating segments because all of our properties share similar economic characteristics, in that they provide the same products and services to similar customers using comparable technologies in all of the states in which we operate. The regulatory structure is generally similar. Differences in the regulatory regime of a particular state do not significantly impact the economic characteristics or operating results of a particular property

16

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

(13)  Investment and Other Income, Net:

The components of investment and other income, net are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

 

$

118 

 

$

382 

 

$

1,350 

 

$

2,268 

Investment gain

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

1,407 

Gain on sale of Fairmount Cellular LLC

 

 

25,000 

 

 

 -

 

 

25,000 

 

 

 -

Gain on expiration/settlement of customer advances

 

 

 -

 

 

1,393 

 

 

253 

 

 

3,345 

Split dollar life insurance proceeds

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

2,263 

All other, net

 

 

(12)

 

 

(251)

 

 

(119)

 

 

(149)

Total investment and other income, net

 

$

25,106 

 

$

1,524 

 

$

26,484 

 

$

9,134 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

During the third quarter of 2014, we recognized a gain of $25.0 million associated with the sale of our interest in Fairmount Cellular LLC.

 

(14)  Comprehensive Income:

Comprehensive income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ investment and pension/postretirement benefit (OPEB) liabilities that, under U.S. GAAP, are excluded from net income.

 

The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax at September 30, 2014 and 2013, and changes for the nine months then ended, are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Pension Costs

 

OPEB Costs

 

Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs

 

All other

 

Total

Balance at January 1, 2014

 

$

(411,432)

 

$

(5,230)

 

$

156,280 

 

$

(148)

 

$

(260,530)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

148 

 

 

148 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

14,069 

 

 

(777)

 

 

(5,051)

 

 

 -

 

 

8,241 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

14,069 

 

 

(777)

 

 

(5,051)

 

 

148 

 

 

8,389 

Balance at September 30, 2014

 

$

(397,363)

 

$

(6,007)

 

$

151,229 

 

$

 -

 

$

(252,141)

 

17

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Pension Costs

 

OPEB Costs

 

Deferred taxes on pension and OPEB costs

 

All other

 

Total

Balance at January 1, 2013

 

$

(697,874)

 

$

(74,264)

 

$

288,712 

 

$

(150)

 

$

(483,576)

Other comprehensive income before reclassifications

 

 

133 

 

 

(267)

 

 

(227)

 

 

 

 

(359)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

30,948 

 

 

1,575 

 

 

(12,359)

 

 

 -

 

 

20,164 

Recognition of net actuarial loss for pension settlement costs

 

 

40,309 

 

 

 -

 

 

(15,317)

 

 

 -

 

 

24,992 

Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

71,390 

 

 

1,308 

 

 

(27,903)

 

 

 

 

44,797 

Balance at September 30, 2013

 

$

(626,484)

 

$

(72,956)

 

$

260,809 

 

$

(148)

 

$

(438,779)

 

The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 are as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

Amount Reclassified from

 

 

 

 

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Details about Accumulated Other Comprehensive

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

Affected Line Item in the Statement Where

Loss Components

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

 

Net Income is Presented

Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-service costs

 

$

(11)

 

$

(2)

 

$

(33)

 

$

(6)

 

 

Actuarial gains

 

 

(4,398)

 

 

(10,798)

 

 

(14,036)

 

 

(30,942)

 

 

Pension settlement costs

 

 

 -

 

 

(40,309)

 

 

 -

 

 

(40,309)

 

 

 

 

 

(4,409)

 

 

(51,109)

 

 

(14,069)

 

 

(71,257)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

Tax impact

 

 

1,675 

 

 

19,421 

 

 

5,346 

 

 

27,078 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

 

$

(2,734)

 

$

(31,688)

 

$

(8,723)

 

$

(44,179)

 

Net income (loss)

Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-service costs

 

$

890 

 

$

1,526 

 

$

2,670 

 

$

4,576 

 

 

Actuarial gains

 

 

(449)

 

 

(1,695)

 

 

(1,893)

 

 

(6,151)

 

 

 

 

 

441 

 

 

(169)

 

 

777 

 

 

(1,575)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

Tax impact

 

 

(168)

 

 

64 

 

 

(295)

 

 

598 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit

 

 

$

273 

 

$

(105)

 

$

482 

 

$

(977)

 

Net income (loss)

(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.

(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs (see Note 15 - Retirement Plans for additional details).

 

 

18

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

(15)  Retirement Plans

The following tables provide the components of net periodic benefit cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   

Pension Benefits

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net periodic pension benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

9,170 

 

$

12,141 

 

$

29,050 

 

$

37,809 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

18,997 

 

 

18,827 

 

 

58,645 

 

 

56,587 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(23,195)

 

 

(23,585)

 

 

(70,219)

 

 

(72,765)

Amortization of prior service cost /(credit)

 

 

11 

 

 

 

 

33 

 

 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

 

4,398 

 

 

10,798 

 

 

14,036 

 

 

30,942 

Net periodic pension benefit cost

 

 

9,381 

 

 

18,183 

 

 

31,545 

 

 

52,579 

Pension settlement costs

 

 

 -

 

 

40,309 

 

 

 -

 

 

40,309 

Total periodic pension benefit cost

 

$

9,381 

 

$

58,492 

 

$

31,545 

 

$

92,888 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Postretirement Benefits

 

 

   Other Than Pensions (OPEB)

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

 

 

September 30,

 

September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

2014

 

2013

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

2,408 

 

$

3,088 

 

$

7,514 

 

$

9,446 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

5,470 

 

 

4,181 

 

 

15,046 

 

 

13,061 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(23)

 

 

(25)

 

 

(37)

 

 

(111)

Amortization of prior service cost/(credit)

 

 

(890)

 

 

(1,526)

 

 

(2,670)

 

 

(4,576)

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

 

449 

 

 

1,695 

 

 

1,893 

 

 

6,151 

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

$

7,414 

 

$

7,413 

 

$

21,746 

 

$

23,971 

 

During the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we capitalized $11.3 million and $15.0 million, respectively, of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures, as the costs relate to our engineering and plant construction activities. Based on current assumptions and plan asset values, we estimate that our 2014 pension and OPEB expenses will be approximately $65 million to $75 million,  excluding amounts related to the recently acquired Connecticut operations and amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures, as compared to $97.1 million in 2013, excluding the impact of pension settlement costs and amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures. We made total cash contributions to our pension plan during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 of $70.5 million.  An additional cash contribution of $12.7  million was made on October 15, 2014, for a total contribution of $83.2 million in 2014. Our 2014 total contributions include the impact of the extension of funding relief included in the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014. The Company estimates that there are no further contributions required in 2014.

 

The Company’s pension plan assets have increased from $1,216.5 million at December 31, 2013 to $1,288.1 million at September 30, 2014, an increase of $71.6 million, or 6%.  This increase is a result of positive investment returns of $91.7 million and cash contributions of $70.5 million, offset by benefit payments of $90.6 million during the first nine months of 2014.  

 

19

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

(16)  Commitments and Contingencies:  

From time to time we make short-term purchasing commitments to vendors with respect to capital expenditures, however we generally do not enter into firm, written contracts for such activities. 

 

The Company incurred $72.1 million of operating expenses, consisting of $2.9 million and $69.2 million of acquisition and integration costs, respectively, and $82.3 million in capital expenditures related to the AT&T Transaction during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We will continue to incur expenditures associated with the AT&T Transaction through 2015.

 

In connection with the 2010 Transaction, the FCC and certain state regulatory commissions, in connection with granting their approvals of the 2010 Transaction, specified certain capital expenditure and operating requirements for the Acquired Territories for specified periods of time post-closing.  These requirements focus primarily on certain capital investment commitments to expand broadband availability to at least 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories with minimum download speeds of 3 megabits per second (Mbps) by the end of 2013. We are required to provide download speeds of 4 Mbps to at least 75%,  80% and 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we met our FCC requirement to provide 3 Mbps coverage to 85% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013. As of December 31, 2012, we also met our FCC requirement to provide 4 Mbps coverage to 75% and 80% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013 and 2014, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we expanded broadband availability in excess of 4 Mbps to 84.2% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories.

 

To satisfy all or part of certain capital investment commitments to three state regulatory commissions in connection with the 2010 Transaction, we placed a total of $115.0 million in cash into escrow accounts and obtained a letter of credit for $190 million in 2010. In September 2013, the letter of credit expired. Another $72.4 million of cash in an escrow account was acquired in connection with the 2010 Transaction to be used for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia. As of September 30, 2014,  all requirements of the three state regulatory commissions had been satisfied, all funds had been released from these escrow accounts and the Company had no restricted cash related to these escrow accounts.

 

In our normal course of business, we have obligations under certain non-cancelable arrangements for services. During 2012, we entered into a “take or pay” arrangement for the purchase of future long distance and carrier services. Our remaining commitments under the arrangement are $145.5 million and $140.8 million for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we expect to utilize the services included within the arrangement and no liability for the “take or pay” provision has been recorded.

 

We are party to various legal proceedings (including individual, class and putative class actions) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contracts, billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort, claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers. 

 

We accrue an expense for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred.  None of our existing accruals, after considering insurance coverage, for pending matters is material.  We monitor our pending litigation for the purpose of adjusting our accruals and revising our disclosures accordingly, when required. Litigation is, however, subject to uncertainty, and the outcome of any particular matter is not predictable. We will vigorously defend our interests for pending litigation, and as of this date, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows. 

 

We sold all of our utility businesses as of April 1, 2004. However, we have retained a potential payment obligation associated with our previous electric utility activities in the State of Vermont. The Vermont Joint Owners (VJO), a consortium of 14 Vermont utilities, including us, entered into a purchase power agreement with Hydro-Quebec in 1987. The agreement contains “step-up” provisions that state if any VJO member defaults on its purchase obligation under the contract to purchase power from Hydro-Quebec, then the other VJO participants will assume responsibility for the

20

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(Unaudited)

 

 

defaulting party’s share on a pro-rata basis. Our pro-rata share of the purchase power obligation is 10%.  If any member of the VJO defaults on its obligations under the Hydro-Quebec agreement, then the remaining members of the VJO, including us, may be required to pay for a substantially larger share of the VJO’s total purchase power obligation for the remainder of the agreement (which runs through 2015). U.S. GAAP rules require that we disclose “the maximum potential amount of future payments (undiscounted) the guarantor could be required to make under the guarantee.” U.S. GAAP rules also state that we must make such disclosure “…even if the likelihood of the guarantor’s having to make any payments under the guarantee is remote…” As noted above, our obligation only arises as a result of default by another VJO member, such as upon bankruptcy. Therefore, to satisfy the “maximum potential amount” disclosure requirement we must assume that all members of the VJO simultaneously default, an unlikely scenario given that all VJO members are regulated utility providers with regulated cost recovery. Despite the remote chance that such an event could occur, or that the State of Vermont could or would allow such an event, assuming that all the members of the VJO defaulted on January 1, 2014 and remained in default for the duration of the contract (another 2 years), we estimate that our undiscounted purchase obligation for 2014 through 2015 would be approximately $287.4 million. In such a scenario, the Company would then own the power and could seek to recover its costs.  We would do this by seeking to recover our costs from the defaulting members and/or reselling the power to other utility providers or the northeast power grid. There is an active market for the sale of power.  We could potentially lose money if we were unable to sell the power at cost. We caution that we cannot predict with any degree of certainty any potential outcome.

 

(17)  Subsequent Events:  

On October 24, 2014, the Company completed its acquisition of the wireline properties from AT&T in Connecticut. See Note 3 for further discussion.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

21

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This quarterly report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the statements.  Statements that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Words such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements (including oral representations) are only predictions or statements of current plans, which we review continuously.  Forward-looking statements may differ from actual future results due to, but not limited to, and our future results may be materially affected by, the following potential risks or uncertainties.  You should understand that it is not possible to predict or identify all potential risks or uncertainties.  We note the following as a partial list:

 

·

The ability to successfully integrate the Connecticut operations into our existing operations and the diversion of management’s attention from ongoing business and regular business responsibilities to effect such integration;  

 

·

The effects of increased expenses or unanticipated liabilities incurred due to activities related to the AT&T Transaction;

 

·

The risk that the cost savings from the AT&T Transaction may not be fully realized;

 

·

The sufficiency of the assets to be acquired from AT&T to enable the combined company to operate all aspects of the acquired business;

 

·

Disruption from the AT&T Transaction making it more difficult to maintain relationships with customers or suppliers of the Connecticut operations;

 

·

Our ability to meet our debt and debt service obligations, which have increased as a result of the AT&T Transaction;

 

·

The effects of greater than anticipated competition from cable, wireless and other wireline carriers that could require us to implement new pricing, marketing strategies or new product or service offerings and the risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis;

 

·

Reductions in the number of our voice customers that we cannot offset with increases in broadband subscribers and sales of other products and services;

 

·

Our ability to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers;

 

·

The effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry as a result of federal and state legislation and regulation, or changes in the enforcement or interpretation of such legislation and regulation;

 

·

The effects of any unfavorable outcome with respect to any current or future legal, governmental or regulatory proceedings, audits or disputes;

 

·

The effects of changes in the availability of federal and state universal service funding or other subsidies to us and our competitors;

 

·

Our ability to successfully adjust to changes in the communications industry and to implement strategies for growth;

 

·

Continued reductions in switched access revenues as a result of regulation, competition or technology substitutions;

 

·

Our ability to effectively manage service quality in our territories and meet mandated service quality metrics;

 

·

Our ability to successfully introduce new product offerings, including our ability to offer bundled service packages on terms that are both profitable to us and attractive to customers;

 

22

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

·

The effects of changes in accounting policies or practices adopted voluntarily or as required by generally accepted accounting principles or regulations;

 

·

Our ability to effectively manage our operations, operating expenses and capital expenditures, and to repay, reduce or refinance our debt;

 

·

The effects of changes in both general and local economic conditions on the markets that we serve, which can affect demand for our products and services, customer purchasing decisions, collectability of revenues and required levels of capital expenditures related to new construction of residences and businesses;

 

·

The effects of technological changes and competition on our capital expenditures, products and service offerings, including the lack of assurance that our network improvements in speed and capacity will be sufficient to meet or exceed the capabilities and quality of competing networks;

 

·

The effects of increased medical expenses (including as a result of the impact of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) and pension and postemployment expenses, such as retiree medical and severance costs, and related funding requirements;

 

·

The effects of changes in income tax rates, tax laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments;

 

·

Our ability to successfully renegotiate union contracts;

 

·

Changes in pension plan assumptions and/or the value of our pension plan assets, which could require us to make increased contributions to the pension plan in 2015 and beyond;

 

·

The effects of economic downturns which could result in difficulty in collection of revenues and loss of customers;

 

·

Adverse changes in the credit markets or in the ratings given to our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations, which could limit or restrict the availability, or increase the cost, of financing to us;

 

·

Our cash flow from operations, amount of capital expenditures, debt service requirements, cash paid for income taxes and liquidity may affect our payment of dividends on our common shares;

 

·

The effects of state regulatory cash management practices that could limit our ability to transfer cash among our subsidiaries or dividend funds up to the parent company; and

 

·

The effects of severe weather events such as hurricanes, tornadoes, ice storms or other natural or man-made disasters, which may increase our operating expenses or adversely impact customer revenue.

 

Any of the foregoing events, or other events, could cause financial information to vary from management’s forward-looking statements included in this report. You should consider these important factors in evaluating any statement in this report on Form 10-Q or otherwise made by us or on our behalf. The following information is unaudited and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this report.  We have no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements and do not undertake to do so.

 

Investors should also be aware that while we do, at various times, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.

 

Overview

See Note 3 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report for a discussion of The Transactions.

 

23

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The Company is the largest communications company providing services predominantly to rural areas and small and medium-sized towns and cities in the United States. As of September 30, 2014, the Company operated in 27 states.  Following consummation of the AT&T Transaction on October 24, 2014, the Company now operates in 28 states.  The Company is the nation’s fourth largest Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC), with 3.0 million customers, 2.0 million broadband connections and 14,500 employees as of September 30, 2014.  

 

Cost Savings

Based on current estimates and assumptions, we expect to achieve cost savings as a result of the AT&T Transaction, principally (1) by leveraging the scalability of our existing corporate administrative functions and information technology and network systems to cover certain former AT&T functions and systems and (2) by internalizing certain functions formerly provided by third-party service providers. We estimate that our annualized cost savings will reach approximately $200 million by the end of 2017 as we implement our targeted list of initiatives.  As of the closing date of the AT&T Transaction, we have realized approximately $150 million of annualized cost savings.

 

The foregoing future cost savings are based on our estimates and assumptions that, although we consider them reasonable, are inherently uncertain.  Significant business, economic, competitive and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies, all of which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control, may affect these expected cost savings.  See “Forward Looking Statements” above.

 

Regulatory Developments 

In October 2009, the FCC issued a proposed rulemaking looking at rules to “Preserve a Free and Open Internet,” (i.e., net neutrality), including a reconsideration of the legal classification of broadband and proposed restrictions on broadband network management practices. On December 21, 2010, the FCC adopted an order imposing some regulations on Internet service providers. These regulations affect fixed and mobile broadband providers differently. These regulations became effective November 20, 2011, and we are in compliance with these regulations. On January 14, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit vacated the portions of the FCC’s rules that prohibited blocking and required non-discriminatory treatment. On May 15, 2014, the FCC adopted a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking which sought comment on how it can preserve the spirit of the vacated rules. The Notice also sought comment on what other regulatory actions the FCC could take to implement “Open Internet” policies,  in particular reclassifying broadband as a Title II Telecommunications service. The future state of these regulations and their effect on us is unknown.

 

On November 18, 2011, the FCC adopted an Order to reform the Federal Universal Service High-Cost Fund (USF) and Intercarrier Compensation (the 2011 Order). The 2011 Order changed how federal subsidies are calculated and disbursed, with these changes being phased-in beginning in July 2012. These changes transition the USF, which supports voice services in high-cost areas, to the Connect America Fund (CAF), which supports broadband deployment in high-cost areas. CAF Phase I, implemented in 2012 to provide interim support while the FCC developed CAF Phase II, provided for ongoing USF support for price cap carriers capped at the 2011 amount. In addition, the FCC in the first round of CAF Phase I made available for price cap ILECs an additional $300 million in incremental high-cost broadband support to be used for broadband deployment to unserved areas. In 2012 and early 2013,  we received $71.9 million in CAF Phase I funds and initially recorded such funds as increases to Cash and Other liabilities in the balance sheet. The $71.9 million in the first round of CAF Phase I support is expected to enable an incremental 92,877 households for broadband service and was accounted for as Contributions in Aid of Construction. We are required to spend the first round of the CAF Phase I funds to enable these 92,877 households no later than July 24, 2015.  We spent $19.3 million of the first round of CAF Phase I funds on network expansion during the first nine months of 2014 and $56.9 million of these CAF Phase I funds to date through September 30, 2014,  enabling 77,600 unserved households.

 

On May 21, 2013, the FCC released a Report and Order authorizing a second round of CAF Phase I (the 2013 Order).  As part of this May 2013 Report and Order, the FCC expanded the areas eligible for funding to include those that lack service of 3 Mbps download and 768 kbps upload. In 2013, Frontier applied for funds from the second round of CAF Phase I and in December 2013 the FCC awarded $57.6 million to us to serve 94,899 locations in our high-cost, unserved and underserved areas across multiple states. The FCC also announced on January 10, 2014, that Frontier was eligible for an additional $3.7 million in funding to serve 6,815 locations. We received these funds in February 2014. We are required to spend the second round of the CAF Phase I funds to enable these 101,714 households no later than March 14, 2017. The second round of CAF Phase I includes certain accompanying spending requirements from the Company, and our capital expenditure plans take this into account. We spent $21.6 million of the second round of CAF Phase I funds on network expansion during the first nine months of 2014,  enabling 61,600 unserved and underserved households.

24

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

In the aggregate, we  spent $40.9 million of the CAF Phase I funds received on network expansion and upgrades during the first nine months of 2014 and $78.5 million of all CAF Phase I funds received through September 30, 2014,  enabling 139,200 households in total.

 

The FCC continues to finalize its CAF Phase II program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high-cost areas that were unserved by a competitor.  The 2011 Order established that price cap carriers would have the right of first refusal to accept support across the high-cost footprint of their state in exchange for committing to provide broadband and voice services to those areas for five years.  On June 10, 2014, the FCC released an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on potential changes to the CAF Phase II structure. The Notice seeks comment on whether the FCC should raise the broadband speed obligation for CAF Phase II from 4 Mbps download to 10 Mbps download.  Recognizing that such a change in speed may also be more costly, the FCC seeks comment on whether it should lengthen the term of CAF Phase II support available to price cap carriers and also whether it should relax price cap carriers’ obligation to deploy to 100% of the supported locations in exchange for a commensurate reduction in funding.  These changes to the CAF Phase II program have not been finalized

 

The 2011 Order also reformed Intercarrier Compensation, which is the payment framework that governs how carriers compensate each other for the exchange of interstate traffic, and it began a multi-year transition in July 2012, with the second step implemented in July 2013 and the third step in July 2014.  The transition will move terminating traffic to a near zero rate by 2017. Frontier expects to be able to recover a significant portion of those revenues through end user rates and other replacement support mechanisms. The 2011 Order has been challenged by certain parties in court and certain parties have also petitioned the FCC to reconsider various aspects of the 2011 Order. On May 23, 2014, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 10th Circuit issued a decision denying all challenges to the 2011 Order. Certain parties have continued to appeal that decision. Accordingly, we cannot predict the long-term impact at this time but believe that the 2011 Order will provide a stable regulatory framework to facilitate our ongoing focus on the deployment of broadband into our rural markets.

 

Effective December 29, 2011, the 2011 Order required providers to pay interstate access rates for the termination of VoIP toll traffic. On April 25, 2012, the FCC, in an Order on Reconsideration, specified that changes to originating access rates for VoIP traffic would not be implemented until July 2014. The 2011 Order has been challenged by certain parties in court and certain parties have also petitioned the FCC to reconsider various aspects of the 2011 Order. The net impact of the 2011 Order during the period from July 2012 through September 2014 was insignificant. The net effect of this change to originating access after July 1, 2014 is dependent upon the percentage of VoIP traffic.

 

Certain states also have their own open proceedings to address reform to intrastate access charges and other intercarrier compensation and state universal service funds.  Although the FCC has pre-empted state jurisdiction on most access charges, many states could consider moving forward with their proceedings. We cannot predict when or how these matters will be decided or the effect on our subsidy or switched access revenues.

25

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The following should be read in conjunction with Item 7.  “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.

 

(a)  Liquidity and Capital Resources  

 

As of September 30, 2014, we had cash and cash equivalents aggregating $808.5 million,  excluding total restricted cash of $1,521.0 million, primarily representing funds escrowed for the financing of the AT&T Transaction.  As a result of our registered debt offering, as described below, we placed net proceeds of $1,519.0 million in escrow on September 17, 2014. Our primary source of funds continued to be cash generated from operations.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2014, we used cash flow from operations, cash on hand and debt proceeds to fund principally all of our cash investing and financing activities, primarily capital expenditures, dividends and debt repayments.

 

As discussed below, on September 17, 2014, the Company completed a registered debt offering of $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250% senior unsecured notes due 2021, and $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2025. The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the notes, together with borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below, and cash on hand to finance the AT&T Transaction, that closed on October 24, 2014. 

 

We have a revolving credit facility with a line of credit of $750.0 million that we believe provides sufficient flexibility to meet our liquidity needs.  As of September 30, 2014,  this credit facility was fully available and we had not made any borrowings under it

 

At September 30, 2014, we had a working capital surplus of $1,589.0 million, which included restricted cash of $1,519.0 million placed in escrow, as discussed above.  Excluding such restricted cash, our working capital surplus was $70.0 million at September 30, 2014.  We believe our operating cash flows, existing cash balances, and existing revolving credit facility will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures, make required debt payments, pay taxes, pay dividends to our stockholders, and support our short-term and long-term operating strategies for the next twelve months. However, a number of factors, including but not limited to, losses of customers, pricing pressure from increased competition, lower subsidy and switched access revenues, and the impact of the current economic environment may negatively impact our cash generated from operations. In addition, based on information available to us, we believe that the financial institutions syndicated under our revolving credit facility would be able to fulfill their commitments to us, but this could change in the future.  As of September 30, 2014, we had $15.2 million of debt maturing during the last three months of 2014; $262.5 million and $348.2 million of debt will mature in 2015 and 2016, respectively.

 

Cash Flows provided by Operating Activities

 

Cash flows provided by operating activities declined $133.3 million, or 12%, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared with the prior year period. The decrease was primarily the result of lower revenue and net income before depreciation and amortization.

 

We paid  $36.1 million in net cash taxes during the first nine months of 2014 as compared to $82.7 million during the first nine months of 2013. Our 2013 cash taxes paid reflected the continued impact of bonus depreciation in accordance with the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.

 

In connection with the AT&T Transaction, the Company recognized $72.1 million of acquisition and integration costs incurred during the first nine months of 2014 and $22.5 million of interest expense related to the Bridge Facility commitment, that was terminated upon consummation of the registered debt offering on September 17, 2014. The Company will continue to incur operating expenses associated with the AT&T Transaction through 2015

 

Cash Flows used by Investing Activities

 

Capital Expenditures

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our capital expenditures were $495.3 million and $484.1 million (including $82.3 million of integration-related capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 for the AT&T Transaction), respectively.  In addition to the capital expenditures mentioned above, network expansion funded by previously received CAF funds amounted to $40.9 million and $21.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014

26

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

and 2013, respectively. The Company will continue to incur capital expenditures associated with the AT&T Transaction through 2015

 

Cash Flows used by and provided from Financing Activities

 

Debt Financings 

On September 17, 2014, the Company completed a registered debt offering of $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.250%  senior unsecured notes due 2021, and $775.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875% senior unsecured notes due 2025. We received net proceeds, after deducting underwriting fees, of $1,519.0 million from the offering.  The Company used the net proceeds from the offering of the notes, together with borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below, and cash on hand to finance the AT&T Transaction, that closed on October 24, 2014.

 

During the first nine months of 2014, we also entered into secured financings totaling $10.8 million with four year terms and no stated interest rate for certain equipment purchases.

 

Debt Reduction

During the first nine months of 2014 and 2013, we retired an aggregate principal amount of $244.8 million and $1,548.5 million, respectively, of debt consisting of $243.1 million and $1,548.2 million, respectively, of senior unsecured debt and $0.3 million of rural utilities service loan contracts in each period. Additionally, we retired $1.4 million of other secured debt during the first nine months of 2014.

 

We may from time to time repurchase our debt in the open market, through tender offers, exchanges of debt securities, by exercising rights to call or in privately negotiated transactions. We may also refinance existing debt or exchange existing debt for newly issued debt obligations.

 

Bridge Facility

On December 16, 2013, we signed a commitment letter for a bridge loan facility (the Bridge Facility) and recognized interest expense related to this commitment of $22.5 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. On January 29, 2014, we entered into a bridge loan agreement with the Lenders party thereto and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent. 

 

On July 16, 2014, the Bridge Facility was reduced by $350.0 million following execution of the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below. On September 17, 2014, the Bridge Loan Agreement was terminated upon consummation of the registered debt offering referred to above.

 

Bank Financing

On June 2, 2014, the Company entered into a credit agreement with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto, for a $350.0 million senior unsecured delayed draw term loan facility (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement). The facility was drawn upon closing of the AT&T Transaction with proceeds used to partially finance the acquisition. The maturity date is the fifth anniversary of the draw date. Repayment of the outstanding principal balance will be made in quarterly installments in the amount of $8.8 million, commencing one full fiscal quarter after the draw date, with the remaining outstanding principal balance to be repaid on the  maturity date. Borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement will bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of the Company. Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.875% to 2.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 3.875% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustments based on the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement.

 

The Company has a credit agreement with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto, for a $575.0 million senior unsecured term loan facility with a final maturity of October 14, 2016 (the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement).  The entire facility was drawn upon execution of the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement in October 2011.  Repayment of the outstanding principal balance is made in quarterly installments in the amount of $14.4 million, which commenced on March 31, 2012, with the remaining outstanding principal balance to be repaid on the final maturity date.  Borrowings under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement) or LIBOR, at the election of the Company.  Interest rate margins under the facility (ranging from 0.875% to 2.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 3.875% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject

27

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

to adjustments based on the Total Leverage Ratio of the Company, as such term is defined in the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement.  The current pricing on this facility is LIBOR plus 2.875%. 

 

Revolving Credit Facility

On June 2, 2014, the Company entered into a new revolving credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties named therein (the New Revolving Credit Agreement), for a $750.0 million revolving credit facility (the New Revolving Credit Facility) with a scheduled termination date of May 31, 2018 and terminated its existing revolving credit facility (the Prior Revolving Credit Facility) under the Credit Agreement, dated as of May 3, 2013, among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, the lenders party thereto and the other parties named therein (the Prior Revolving Credit Agreement). As of September 30, 2014, the New Revolving Credit Facility was fully available and no borrowings had been made thereunder.  Associated commitment fees under the New Revolving Credit Facility will vary from time to time depending on the Company’s debt rating (as defined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement) and were 0.450% per annum as of September 30, 2014. During the term of the New Revolving Credit Facility, the Company may borrow, repay and reborrow funds, and may obtain letters of credit, subject to customary borrowing conditions. Loans under the New Revolving Credit Facility will bear interest based on the alternate base rate or the adjusted LIBO Rate (each as determined in the New Revolving Credit Agreement), at the Company’s election, plus a margin based on the Company’s debt rating (ranging from 0.50% to 1.50% for alternate base rate borrowings and 1.50% to 2.50% for adjusted LIBO Rate borrowings). The current pricing on this facility would have been 1.00% or 2.00%, respectively, as of September 30, 2014. Letters of credit issued under the New Revolving Credit Facility will also be subject to fees that vary depending on the Company’s debt rating. The New Revolving Credit Facility is available for general corporate purposes but may not be used to fund dividend payments. The terms of the New Revolving Credit Facility are substantially similar to the terms of the Prior Revolving Credit Facility.

 

Covenants

The terms and conditions contained in our indentures, the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement,  the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the New Revolving Credit Agreement include the timely payment of principal and interest when due, the maintenance of our corporate existence, keeping proper books and records in accordance with U.S. GAAP, restrictions on the incurrence of liens on our assets, and restrictions on asset sales and transfers, mergers and other changes in corporate control. We are not subject to restrictions on the payment of dividends either by contract, rule or regulation, other than that imposed by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. However, we would be restricted under the 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement,  the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the New Revolving Credit Agreement from declaring dividends if an event of default occurred and was continuing at the time or would result from the dividend declaration.

 

The 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the New Revolving Credit Agreement each contain a maximum leverage ratio covenant. Under those covenants, we are required to maintain a ratio of (i) total indebtedness minus cash and cash equivalents (including restricted cash) in excess of $50.0 million to (ii) consolidated adjusted EBITDA (as defined in the agreements) over the last four quarters not to exceed 4.50 to 1. 

 

The 2011 CoBank Credit Agreement, the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, the New Revolving Credit Agreement  and certain indentures for our senior unsecured debt obligations limit our ability to create liens or merge or consolidate with other companies and our subsidiaries’ ability to borrow funds, subject to important exceptions and qualifications.

 

As of September 30, 2014, we were in compliance with all of our debt and credit facility covenants.

 

Dividends

We currently intend to pay regular quarterly dividends. Our ability to fund a regular quarterly dividend will be impacted by our ability to generate cash from operations. The declarations and payment of future dividends is at the discretion of our Board of Directors, and will depend upon many factors, including our financial condition, results of operations, growth prospects, funding requirements, applicable law, restrictions in agreements governing our indebtedness and other factors our Board of Directors deem relevant.

 

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect upon our financial statements.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Future Commitments

In our normal course of business we have obligations under certain non-cancelable arrangements for services.  During 2012, we entered into a “take or pay” arrangement for the purchase of future long distance and carrier services. Our remaining commitments under the arrangement are $145.5 million and $140.8 million for the years ending December 31, 2014 and 2015, respectively. As of September 30, 2014, we expect to utilize the services included within the arrangement and no liability for the “take or pay” provision has been recorded.

 

To satisfy all or part of certain capital investment commitments to three state regulatory commissions in connection with the 2010 Transaction, we placed a total of $115.0 million in cash into several escrow accounts and obtained a letter of credit for $190.0 million in 2010. In September 2013, the letter of credit  expired. Another $72.4 million of cash in an escrow account was acquired in connection with the 2010 Transaction to be used for service quality initiatives in the state of West Virginia. As of September 30,  2014, all requirements of the three state regulatory commissions had been satisfied, all funds had been released from these escrow accounts and the Company had no restricted cash related to these escrow accounts. 

 

The FCC and certain state regulatory commissions, in connection with granting their approvals of the 2010 Transaction, specified certain capital expenditure and operating requirements for the Acquired Territories for specified periods of time post-closing. These requirements focus primarily on certain capital investment commitments to expand broadband availability to at least 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories with minimum download speeds of 3 Mbps by the end of 2013. We are required to provide download speeds of 4 Mbps to at least 75%, 80% and 85% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. As of December 31, 2013, we met our FCC requirement to provide 3 Mbps coverage to 85% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013. As of December 31, 2012, we also met our FCC requirement to provide 4 Mbps coverage to 75% and 80% of the households in the Acquired Territories by the end of 2013 and 2014, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014, we expanded broadband availability in excess of 4 Mbps to 84.2% of the households throughout the Acquired Territories.

 

As of September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013, we had expanded our broadband availability to the households throughout the Company’s territories as follows:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(In excess of)

 

As of
September 30, 2014

 

As of
December 31, 2013

 

 

 

 

 

1 Mbps

 

91%

 

90%

3 Mbps

 

89%

 

86%

4 Mbps

 

87%

 

83%

6 Mbps

 

84%

 

76%

12 Mbps

 

75%

 

61%

20 Mbps

 

55%

 

48%

 

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

We review all significant estimates affecting our consolidated financial statements on a recurring basis and record the effect of any necessary adjustment prior to their publication.  Uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions are inherent in the preparation of financial statements; accordingly, it is possible that actual results could differ from those estimates and changes to estimates could occur in the near term. The preparation of our interim financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for revenue recognition, including the allowance for doubtful accounts, impairment of long-lived assets, impairment of intangible assets, depreciation and amortization, pension and other postretirement benefits, income taxes and contingencies among others.

 

Management has discussed the development and selection of these critical accounting estimates with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors and our Audit Committee has reviewed our disclosures relating to such estimates.

 

There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.   

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

New Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of our consolidated financial statements for additional information related to recent accounting literature.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

(b)  Results of Operations

REVENUE

 

Revenue is generated primarily through the provision of voice services, data services, video services, network access, carrier services and other Internet services. Such revenues are generated through either a monthly recurring fee or a fee based on usage, and revenue recognition is not dependent upon significant judgments by management, with the exception of a determination of a provision for uncollectible amounts.

 

Revenue for the three months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $44.4 million, or 4%, to $1,140.9 million as compared with the three months ended September 30, 2013. Revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $139.0 million, or 4%, to $3,442.2 million as compared with the nine months ended September 30, 2013. The declines during both the third quarter and the first nine months of 2014 are primarily the result of decreases in voice services revenues and lower switched and nonswitched access revenue, partially offset by an increase in data services revenue, each as described in more detail below. Additionally, wireless revenue decreased by $7.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 due to the sale of our Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave) interest on April 1, 2013.

 

Switched access and subsidy revenue of $391.3 million represented 11% of our revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2014. Switched access revenue was $153.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014, or 4% of our revenues, down from $180.0 million, or 5% of our revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013. Subsidy revenue was $237.4  million, or 7% of our revenues, for the nine months ended September 30,  2014, as compared to $236.2 million, or 7%, of our revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.  We expect declining revenue trends in switched access revenue to continue during the remainder of 2014

 

During the quarter ended September 30, 2014, we lost 25,200 customers, net, as compared to a loss of 34,000 customers, net during the quarter ended June 30, 2014 and a loss of 24,200 customers, net, during the quarter ended September 30, 2013. During the first nine months of 2014, we lost 73,200 customers, net, as compared to a loss of 76,400 customers, net, during the first nine months of 2013.

 

Total residential revenue for the three and nine months ended  September 30, 2014 declined $7.6 million, or 2%,  and $34.3 million, or 2%, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily as a result of decreases in voice services revenue and the sale of our interest in the Mohave partnership, partially offset by increases in data services revenue and increases in subscriber line charges due to additional access recovery charges. These access recovery charges are a result of regulatory changes related to Intercarrier Compensation reform and are expected to continue to increase, as allowed by the FCC to partially offset regulatory mandated declines in switched access rates. We had approximately 2,740,300 and 2,822,100 total residential customers as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We lost approximately 21,800 and 20,700 residential customers, net, during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and lost approximately 63,200 and 64,900 residential customers, net, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, principally driven by declines in voice customers. Our residential customer monthly churn was 1.86% and 1.81% for the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Average monthly residential revenue per customer (residential ARPC) increased $0.84, or 1%, to $60.34 and $0.54, or 1%, to $59.68,  during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The overall increase in residential ARPC is due to a higher percentage of the Company’s residential customers that take broadband services, Frontier Secure products, broadband customer migration to higher speeds and certain pricing actions. The Company expects continuing increases in data services revenue, primarily driven by increased broadband subscribers, and continuing declines in voice services revenue. 

 

Total business revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 declined $25.8 million, or 5%, and $79.9 million, or 5%,  respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,  principally as a result of decreases in our voice services revenue and wireless backhaul revenue.  We had approximately 260,800 and 274,700 total business customers as of September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. We lost approximately 3,400 and 3,500 business customers, net, during the quarters ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively, and lost approximately 10,000 and 11,500 business customers, net, during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Average monthly business revenue per customer (business ARPC) increased $1.96 to $658.56 and $1.92 to $652.75 during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013.  The overall increase in business ARPC during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 as compared to 2013 is primarily due to declining customer counts for our small business customers that carry a lower ARPC. The Company expects the declines in voice services revenues and wireless

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

backhaul revenues from business customers to continue in 2014 as compared to 2013, mitigated, in part, by increases in data services revenues.

 

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, the Company added approximately 21,900 and 86,700 net broadband subscribers, respectively.  During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, the Company added approximately 26,800 and 84,500 net broadband subscribers, respectively.  As of September 30, 2014, approximately 70% of our residential broadband customers subscribed to a bundle of services. As of September 30, 2014, we were able to offer broadband to approximately 6.5 million households, or 91% of the 7.2 million households in our markets. The increase in broadband subscribers contributed to our improved data services revenue performance. We continue to invest in network speed and capacity to support our goal of increasing broadband penetration and market share.  We expect to continue to increase broadband subscribers during the remainder of 2014.

 

Management believes that customer counts and average monthly revenue per customer are important factors in evaluating our trends. Among the key services we provide to residential customers are voice service, data service and video service.   We continue to explore the potential to provide additional services to our customer base, with the objective of meeting all of our customers’ communications needs.  For business customers we provide voice and data services, as well as a broad range of value-added services.

 

In the section “Other Financial and Operating Data” below is a table that presents customer counts, average monthly revenue per customer and customer churn.  It also categorizes revenue into customer revenue (residential and business) and regulatory revenue (switched access and subsidy revenue).  The decline in the number of customers was partially offset by increased penetration of additional higher revenue generating products sold to both residential and business customers, which has increased our average monthly revenue per customer. 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATING DATA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of
September 30, 2014

 

As of December 31, 2013

 

% Increase (Decrease)

 

As of
September 30, 2013

 

% Increase (Decrease)

Customers

 

3,001,101 

 

3,074,280 

 

(2)

%

 

 

3,096,794 

 

(3)

%

 

Broadband subscribers

 

1,953,376 

 

1,866,670 

 

%

 

 

1,838,915 

 

%

 

Video subscribers

 

395,899 

 

385,353 

 

%

 

 

377,915 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended
September 30,

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

For the nine months ended
September 30,

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

Revenue (in 000's):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential

 

$

498,009 

 

$

505,624 

 

$

(7,615)

 

(2)

%

 

 

 

$

1,491,013 

 

$

1,525,330 

 

$

(34,317)

 

(2)

%

 

Business

 

 

518,618 

 

 

544,439 

 

 

(25,821)

 

(5)

%

 

 

 

 

1,559,853 

 

 

1,639,721 

 

 

(79,868)

 

(5)

%

 

Customer revenue

 

 

1,016,627 

 

 

1,050,063 

 

 

(33,436)

 

(3)

%

 

 

 

 

3,050,866 

 

 

3,165,051 

 

 

(114,185)

 

(4)

%

 

Switched access and subsidy

 

 

124,247 

 

 

135,215 

 

 

(10,968)

 

(8)

%

 

 

 

 

391,319 

 

 

416,156 

 

 

(24,837)

 

(6)

%

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,140,874 

 

$

1,185,278 

 

$

(44,404)

 

(4)

%

 

 

 

$

3,442,185 

 

$

3,581,207 

 

$

(139,022)

 

(4)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Switched access minutes of use

 

 

3,637 

 

 

4,091 

 

 

 

 

(11)

%

 

 

 

 

11,340 

 

 

12,490 

 

 

 

 

(9)

%

 

(in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As of or for the three months ended September 30,

 

 

% Increase

 

 

 

 

As of or for the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

% Increase

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Residential Customer Metrics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers

 

 

2,740,278 

 

 

2,822,141 

 

 

(3)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

2,740,278 

 

 

2,822,141 

 

 

(3)

%

 

 

 

Revenue (in 000's)

 

$

498,009 

 

$

505,624 

 

 

(2)

%

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,491,013 

 

$

1,525,330 

 

 

(2)

%

 

 

 

Average monthly residential

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

revenue per customer (1)

 

$

60.34 

 

$

59.50 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

$

59.68 

 

$

59.14 

 

 

%

 

 

 

Customer monthly churn

 

 

1.86% 

 

 

1.81% 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.76% 

 

 

1.70% 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Business Customer Metrics:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers

 

 

260,823 

 

 

274,653 

 

 

(5)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

260,823 

 

 

274,653 

 

 

(5)

%

 

 

 

Revenue (in 000's)

 

$

518,618 

 

$

544,439 

 

 

(5)

%

 

 

 

 

 

$

1,559,853 

 

$

1,639,721 

 

 

(5)

%

 

 

 

Average monthly business

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

revenue per customer

 

$

658.56 

 

$

656.60 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

$

652.75 

 

$

650.83 

 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)    Calculation excludes the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership (Mohave), which was sold to Verizon Wireless on April 1, 2013.

 

Note:  As stated in our report for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2014, prior period revenue and certain operating statistics have been revised from the previously disclosed amounts to reflect the insignificant reclassification of certain revenues from residential to business and the related impact on average monthly revenue per customer amounts.

 

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

REVENUE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice services

 

$

471,786 

 

$

510,080 

 

$

(38,294)

 

(8)

%

 

Data and Internet services

 

 

468,796 

 

 

471,211 

 

 

(2,415)

 

(1)

%

 

Other

 

 

76,045 

 

 

68,772 

 

 

7,273 

 

11 

%

 

Customer revenue

 

 

1,016,627 

 

 

1,050,063 

 

 

(33,436)

 

(3)

%

 

Switched access and subsidy

 

 

124,247 

 

 

135,215 

 

 

(10,968)

 

(8)

%

 

Total revenue

 

$

1,140,874 

 

$

1,185,278 

 

$

(44,404)

 

(4)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice services

 

$

1,425,675 

 

$

1,549,824 

 

$

(124,149)

 

(8)

%

 

Data and Internet services

 

 

1,393,022 

 

 

1,393,475 

 

 

(453)

 

(0)

%

 

Other

 

 

232,169 

 

 

221,752 

 

 

10,417 

 

%

 

Customer revenue

 

 

3,050,866 

 

 

3,165,051 

 

 

(114,185)

 

(4)

%

 

Switched access and subsidy

 

 

391,319 

 

 

416,156 

 

 

(24,837)

 

(6)

%

 

Total revenue

 

$

3,442,185 

 

$

3,581,207 

 

$

(139,022)

 

(4)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Voice Services

Voice services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $38.3 million, or 8%, to $471.8 million, and $124.1 million, or 8%, to $1,425.7 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to the continued loss of voice customers and, to a lesser extent, decreases in long distance services revenue and individual features packages, partially offset by increased  local voice charges to residential and business end users.   Local and enhanced services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $34.4 million, or 8%, to $384.6 million,  and $109.1 million, or 9%, to $1,164.5 million, respectively, primarily due to the continued loss of voice customers and, to a lesser extent, decreases in individual features packages, partially offset by increased local voice charges to residential and business end users. Long distance services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $3.9 million, or 4%, to $87.2 million, and $15.1 million, or 5%, to $261.2 million, respectively, primarily due to lower minutes of use driven by fewer customers,  partially offset by increased cost recovery surcharge rates.

 

Data and Internet Services 

Data and Internet services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $2.4 million, or 1%, to $468.8 million,  and $0.5 million to $1,393.0 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to the decline in wireless backhaul revenue, mostly offset by an increase in residential and business data services revenue.  Data services revenue increased  $23.5 million, or 10%, to $260.6 million, and $62.2 million, or 9%, to $752.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared with the same periods of 2013, primarily due to increases in the number of broadband subscribers and sales of Frontier Secure products. As of September 30, 2014, the number of the Company’s broadband subscribers increased by approximately 114,500, or 6%, since September 30, 2013.  Data and Internet services also includes nonswitched access revenue from data transmission services to other carriers and high-volume business customers with dedicated high-capacity Internet and Ethernet circuits.  Nonswitched access revenue decreased  $26.0 million, or 11%, to $208.2 million,  and $62.7 million, or 9%, to $641.0 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared with the same periods of 2013, primarily due to lower monthly recurring charges attributable to a reduction in wireless backhaul revenue and other carrier service revenues. We expect wireless data usage to continue to increase, which may drive the need for additional wireless backhaul capacity. Despite the need for additional capacity, we expect to experience declines in wireless backhaul revenue

34

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

throughout the remainder of 2014, as compared to the same periods of the prior year, as our carrier partners migrate to Ethernet solutions at a lower price point.

 

Other  

Other revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased  $7.3 million, or 11%, to $76.0 million, and $10.4 million, or 5%, to $232.2 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,  primarily due to lower bad debt expenses that are charged against revenue and increased cost recovery surcharge rates, partially offset by lower directory services revenue. For the nine month period, we also experienced lower wireless revenue associated with the sale of our interest in the Mohave partnership on April 1, 2013.

 

Switched Access and Subsidy

Switched access and subsidy revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased $11.0 million, or 8%, to $124.2 million, and $24.8 million, or 6%, to $391.3 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Switched access revenue decreased  $8.1 million, or 15%, to $47.8 million, and $26.1 million, or 15%, to $153.9 million, respectively, for the first three and nine months of 2014, as compared with the same periods of 2013, primarily due to the impact of a decline in minutes of use related to access line losses and the displacement of minutes of use by wireless, email and other communications services combined with a reduction due to the impact of the lower rates enacted by the FCC’s intercarrier compensation reform in July 2013.  Switched access and subsidy revenue includes subsidy payments we receive from federal and state agencies, including surcharges billed to customers that are remitted to universal service administrators.  Subsidy revenue decreased $2.8 million, or 4%, to $76.5 million and increased $1.3 million, or 1%, to $237.4 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014, as compared with the same periods of 2013.  The decrease in the third quarter of 2014 as compared to the second quarter of 2014 and the third quarter of 2013 was due to the anticipated decline in subsidy recovery in excess of allowable subscriber access recovery charges.

 

Federal and state subsidies and surcharges (which are billed to customers and remitted to universal service administrators) for the Company were $123.0 million, $24.2 million and $90.3 million, respectively, and $237.4 million in total, or 7% of our revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014.  The federal and state subsidy revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 represents 4% of our consolidated revenues. Total federal and state subsidies and surcharges were $236.2 million, or 7% of our revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013.

 

On November 18, 2011, the FCC adopted the 2011 Order to reform the USF and Intercarrier Compensation. The 2011 Order changed how federal subsidies are calculated and disbursed, with these changes being phased-in beginning in July 2012. These changes transition the USF, which supports voice services in high-cost areas, to the CAF, which supports broadband deployment in high-cost areas. CAF Phase I, implemented in 2012 to provide interim support while the FCC developed CAF Phase II, provided for ongoing USF support for price cap carriers capped at the 2011 amount. In addition, the FCC in the first round of CAF Phase I made available for price cap ILECs an additional $300 million in incremental high-cost broadband support to be used for broadband deployment to unserved areas. In 2012 and early 2013, we received $71.9 million in the first round of CAF Phase I funds. The $71.9 million in the first round of CAF Phase I support is expected to enable an incremental 92,877 households for broadband service and was accounted for as Contributions in Aid of Construction.  We are required to spend the first round of the CAF Phase I funds to enable these 92,877 households no later than July 24, 2015.  We initially recorded such funds as increases to Cash and Other liabilities in the balance sheet. We spent $19.3 million of the first round of CAF Phase I funds on network expansion during the first nine months of 2014 and $56.9 million of these CAF Phase I funds to date through September 30, 2014,  enabling 77,600 unserved households.

 

On May 21, 2013, the FCC released the 2013 Order authorizing a second round of CAF Phase I.  As part of this May 2013 Report and Order, the FCC expanded the areas eligible for funding to include those that lack service of 3 Mbps download and 768 kbps upload.  In 2013, Frontier applied for funds from the second round of CAF Phase I and in December 2013 the FCC awarded $57.6 million to us to serve 94,899 locations in our high-cost, unserved and underserved areas across multiple states.  The FCC also announced on January 10, 2014, that Frontier was eligible for an additional $3.7 million in funding to serve 6,815 locations.  We received these funds in February 2014. We are required to spend the second round of the CAF Phase I funds to enable these 101,714 households no later than March 14, 2017. The second round of CAF Phase I includes certain accompanying spending requirements from the Company, and our capital expenditure plans take this into account. We spent $21.6 million of the second round of CAF Phase I funds on network expansion during the first nine months of 2014,  enabling 61,600 unserved and underserved households.

 

35

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

In the aggregate, we spent $40.9 million of the CAF Phase I funds received on network expansion and upgrades during the first nine months of 2014 and $78.5 million of all CAF Phase I funds received through September 30, 2014,  enabling 139,200 households in total.

 

The FCC continues to finalize its CAF Phase II program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high-cost areas that were unserved by a competitor.  The 2011 Order established that price cap carriers would have the right of first refusal to accept support across the high-cost footprint of their state in exchange for committing to provide broadband and voice services to those areas for five years.  On June 10, 2014, the FCC released an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeking comment on potential changes to the CAF Phase II structure.  The Notice seeks comment on whether the FCC should raise the broadband speed obligation for CAF Phase II from 4 Mbps download to 10 Mbps download.  Recognizing that such a change in speed may also be more costly, the FCC seeks comments on whether it should lengthen the term of CAF Phase II support available to price cap carriers and also whether it should relax price cap carriers’ obligation to deploy to 100% of the supported locations in exchange for a commensurate reduction in funding.  These changes to the CAF Phase II program have not been finalized

 

The 2011 Order also makes changes to Intercarrier Compensation. Intercarrier Compensation, which is the payment framework that governs how carriers compensate each other for the exchange of interstate traffic, began a multi-year transition in July 2012, with the second step implemented in July 2013 and the third step in July 2014.  The transition will move terminating traffic to a near zero rate by 2017. We expect to be able to recover a significant portion of those revenues through end user rates and other replacement support mechanisms. We do not expect these changes to have a significant impact on our revenues in 2014.

 

Effective December 29, 2011, the 2011 Order required providers to pay interstate access rates for the termination of VoIP toll traffic. On April 25, 2012, the FCC, in an Order on Reconsideration, specified that changes to originating access rates for VoIP traffic would not be implemented until July 2014. The 2011 Order has been challenged by certain parties in court and certain parties have also petitioned the FCC to reconsider various aspects of the 2011 Order.  The net impact of the 2011 Order during the period from July 2012 through September 2014 was insignificant. The net effect of this change to originating access after July 1, 2014 is dependent upon the percentage of VoIP traffic.

 

Certain states also have their own open proceedings to address reform to intrastate access charges and other intercarrier compensation and state universal service funds. Although the FCC has pre-empted state jurisdiction on most access charges, many states could consider moving forward with their proceedings. We cannot predict when or how these matters will be decided or the effect on our subsidy or switched access revenues.

 

 

OPERATING EXPENSES

 

NETWORK ACCESS EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses

 

$

107,866 

 

$

103,955 

 

$

3,911 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses

 

$

321,182 

 

$

320,467 

 

$

715 

 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased $3.9 million, or 4%, to $107.9 million, and $0.7 million to $321.2 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to higher joint pole rates and an increase in network access expenses related to higher broadband

36

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

subscriber counts, partially offset by decreased promotional costs and lower reciprocal compensation costs that are recorded in network access expenses.

 

OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wage and benefit expenses

 

$

267,626 

 

$

293,018 

(1)

 

$

(25,392)

 

(9)

%

 

All other operating expenses

 

 

265,843 

 

 

256,123 

 

 

 

9,720 

 

%

 

 

 

$

533,469 

 

$

549,141 

 

 

$

(15,672)

 

(3)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wage and benefit expenses

 

$

802,233 

 

$

871,909 

(1)

 

$

(69,676)

 

(8)

%

 

All other operating expenses

 

 

783,547 

 

 

752,746 

 

 

 

30,801 

 

%

 

 

 

$

1,585,780 

 

$

1,624,655 

 

 

$

(38,875)

 

(2)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1) Excludes $40.3 million related to the impact of pension settlement costs, as discussed below.

 

Wage and benefit expenses

Wage and benefit expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $25.4 million, or 9%, to $267.6 million, and $69.7 million, or 8%, to $802.2 million, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to lower costs for compensation resulting from lower average employee headcount combined with lower costs for certain other benefits, including pension and OPEB expense, as discussed below. Wage and benefit expenses included $1.6 million and $9.4 million of severance costs for the nine month periods in 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Pension and OPEB costs for the Company are included in our wage and benefit expenses. Pension and OPEB costs, excluding the impact of pension settlement costs, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $13.3 million and $20.6 million, respectively. Pension and OPEB costs include pension and OPEB expense of $16.8 million and $25.6 million, less amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures of $3.5 million and $5.0 million, respectively. 

 

Pension and OPEB costs, excluding the impact of pension settlement costs, for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 were approximately $42.0 million and $61.6 million, respectively. Pension and OPEB costs include pension and OPEB expense of $53.3 million and $76.6 million, less amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures of $11.3 million and $15.0 million, respectively. 

 

Based on current assumptions and plan asset values, we estimate that our 2014 pension and OPEB expenses will be approximately $65 million to $75 million, excluding amounts related to the recently acquired Connecticut operations and amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures, as compared to  $97.1 million in 2013, excluding the impact of pension settlement costs and amounts capitalized into the cost of capital expenditures

 

All other operating expenses

All other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30,  2014 increased  $9.7 million, or 4%, to $265.8 million, and $30.8 million, or 4%, to $783.5 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,  primarily due to an increase in certain litigation reserves in the first quarter of 2014,  increased fleet and facilities costs and gross receipts state tax expenses, partially offset by lower outside services and network provisioning costs.

 

37

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

$

195,044 

 

$

208,719 

 

$

(13,675)

 

(7)

%

 

Amortization expense

 

 

65,853 

 

 

76,982 

 

 

(11,129)

 

(14)

%

 

 

 

$

260,897 

 

$

285,701 

 

$

(24,804)

 

(9)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

$

598,132 

 

$

636,201 

 

$

(38,069)

 

(6)

%

 

Amortization expense

 

 

217,635 

 

 

251,024 

 

 

(33,389)

 

(13)

%

 

 

 

$

815,767 

 

$

887,225 

 

$

(71,458)

 

(8)

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 decreased  $24.8 million, or 9%, to $260.9 million, and $71.5 million, or 8%, to $815.8 million, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013. Amortization expense decreased  $33.4 million in 2014 due to the accelerated method of amortization related to the customer base. Depreciation expense decreased  $38.1 million in 2014, primarily due to changes in the remaining useful lives of certain plant assets and a lower net asset base.   

 

We annually commission an independent study to update the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets.  The latest study was completed in the fourth quarter of 2013, and after review and analysis of the results, we adopted new lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 2013. This change had an insignificant impact on depreciation expense for the first nine months of 2014. Our “composite depreciation rate” for plant assets was 6.24% as a result of the study. We anticipate depreciation expense of approximately $790 million to $810 million in 2014, excluding amounts related to the recently acquired Connecticut operations.

 

Amortization expense includes the apportionment of the cost of the intangible assets (primarily customer base) that were acquired in the 2010 Transaction amortized on an accelerated method. We anticipate amortization expense of approximately $285 million in 2014, excluding amounts related to the recently acquired Connecticut operations.    

 

PENSION SETTLEMENT COSTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pension settlement costs

 

$

 -

 

 

$

40,309 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Our pension plan contains provisions that provide certain employees with the option of receiving lump sum payment upon retirement. The Company’s accounting policy is to record these payments as a settlement only if, in the aggregate, they exceed the sum of the annual service and interest costs for the plan’s net periodic pension benefit cost. During the nine months ended September 30, 2013, lump sum pension settlement payments to terminated or retired individuals exceeded the settlement threshold and as a result, the Company was required to recognize a non-cash settlement charge of $40.3 million during the third quarter of 2013. The non-cash charge was required to accelerate the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the pension plan.    

 

38

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION COSTS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition and integration costs

 

$

41,611 

 

 

$

 -

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquisition and integration costs

 

$

72,058 

 

 

$

 -

 

During the fourth quarter of 2013, the Company began to incur acquisition and integration costs in connection with the AT&T Transaction that closed on October 24, 2014.  Acquisition costs include legal, financial advisory, accounting, regulatory and other related costs. Integration costs include expenses incurred in connection with the AT&T Transaction to integrate the network and information technology platforms and to enable other integration initiatives. The Company incurred $72.1 million of operating expenses, consisting of $2.9 million and $69.2 million of acquisition and integration costs, respectively, related to the AT&T Transaction during the nine months ended September 30, 2014. We also incurred $82.3 million in capital expenditures related to integration activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2014.

 

GAIN ON SALE OF MOHAVE PARTNERSHIP INTEREST

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Gain on sale of Mohave partnership interest

 

$

 -

 

$

14,601 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

On April 1, 2013, the Company sold its 33% partnership interest in the Mohave Cellular Limited Partnership, in which Frontier was the General Partner. The Company recognized a gain on sale of approximately $14.6 million before taxes in the second quarter of 2013.

 

39

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME, NET / LOSSES ON EARLY EXTINGUISHMENT OF DEBT /

INTEREST EXPENSE / INCOME TAX EXPENSE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the three months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income, net

 

$

25,106 

 

$

1,524 

 

$

23,582 

 

NM

%

 

Interest expense

 

$

170,371 

 

$

163,835 

 

$

6,536 

 

%

 

Income tax expense

 

$

9,773 

 

$

8,461 

 

$

1,312 

 

16 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For the nine months ended September 30,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

 

 

2014

 

 

2013

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income, net

 

$

26,484 

 

$

9,134 

 

$

17,350 

 

190 

%

 

Losses on early extinguishment of debt

 

$

 -

 

$

159,780 

 

$

(159,780)

 

(100)

%

 

Interest expense

 

$

508,939 

 

$

501,802 

 

$

7,137 

 

%

 

Income tax expense

 

$

45,996 

 

$

22,981 

 

$

23,015 

 

100 

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income, net

Investment and other income, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased  $23.6 million and $17.4 million,  as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013,  respectively, primarily due to a $25.0 million gain recognized in 2014 associated with the sale of our interest in Fairmount Cellular LLC.  This increase was partially offset by a decrease in the settlement of customer advances of $3.1 million, proceeds of $2.3 million in the settlement of a split-dollar life insurance policy for a former senior executive during the second quarter of 2013 and investment gains associated with cash received in connection with our investment in Adelphia of $1.4 million during the first nine months of 2013.

 

Our average cash balances were $861.1 million and $853.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our average total restricted cash balances were $388.3 million and $31.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

 

Losses on Early Extinguishment of Debt

During the second quarter of 2013, we recognized a loss of $159.8 million on the early extinguishment of debt in connection with various debt tender offers, privately negotiated transactions and open market repurchases that resulted in the retirement of $1,002.4 million of the Company’s senior notes.

 

Interest expense

Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased  $6.5 million, or 4%, to $170.4 million, and $7.1 million, or 1%, to $508.9 million, respectively, as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to the commitment fees of $22.5 million on the Bridge Loan Facility during the first nine months of 2014 and additional interest on the $1.55 billion debt financing in September 2014 related to the AT&T Transaction,  partially offset by the lower average debt levels resulting from the debt refinancing activities and debt retirements of $813.0 million during 2013. Our average debt outstanding was $8,294.3 million and $8,149.1 million for the third quarter of 2014 and 2013, respectively, and $8,172.4 million and $8,335.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.  Our composite average borrowing rate as of September 30, 2014 and 2013 was 7.76% and 7.96%, respectively.

 

Income tax expense

Income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 increased  $1.3 million to $9.8 million, and $23.0 million to $46.0 million, respectively,  as compared with the three and nine months ended September 30, 2013, primarily due to higher pretax income in 2014, resulting from the $159.8 million in losses recognized in 2013 on the early extinguishment of debt and the $40.3 million in non-cash pension settlement costs recognized during the third quarter of 2013. The effective tax rate for the first nine months of 2014 and 2013 was 27.9% and 32.5%, respectively. 

40

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 include the impact of a $4.0 million benefit from federal research and development credits, an $8.8 million benefit from the domestic production activities deduction and a $2.9 million benefit arising from state tax law changes, partially offset by a net increase in reserves for uncertain tax positions of $0.9 million.

 

Income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2013 include the impact of a charge of $5.2 million resulting from the settlement of the 2010 IRS audit and a $6.0 million charge resulting from the adjustment of deferred tax balances, partially offset by a $5.0 million benefit from the net reversal of reserves for uncertain tax positions and a $5.0 million benefit arising from state law changes that was recognized in the third quarter of 2013.

 

As of September 30, 2014, there were no uncertain tax positions for which the statutes of limitations are expected to expire during the next twelve months and which would affect our effective tax rate.

 

We paid $36.1 million and $82.7 million in net cash taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Our 2013 cash taxes paid reflected the continued impact of bonus depreciation in accordance with the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012.      

 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier 

Net income attributable to common shareholders of Frontier for the third quarter of 2014 was $42.0 million,  or $0.04 per share, as compared to $35.4 million, or $0.04 per share, in the third quarter of 2013, and net income of $118.9 million, or $0.12 per share, as compared to $45.1 million, or $0.04 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2013

 

41

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations due to ongoing investing and funding activities, including those associated with our pension plan assets. Market risk refers to the potential change in fair value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other financial instruments for trading purposes. As a result, we do not undertake any specific actions to cover our exposure to market risks, and we are not party to any market risk management agreements other than in the normal course of business. Our primary market risk exposures from interest rate risk and equity price risk are as follows:

 

Interest Rate Exposure

 

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest-bearing portion of our pension investment portfolio and related obligations, and floating rate indebtedness. As of September 30,  2014, 96%  of our long-term debt had fixed interest rates.  We had no interest rate swap agreements related to our fixed rate debt in effect at September 30, 2014.    Upon consummation of the AT&T Transaction, and in conjunction with the drawdown of $350.0 million from the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined herein, 92% of our long-term debt had fixed interest rates.  The Company believes that its exposure to interest rate changes is minimal.

 

Our objectives in managing our interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives,  only $416.9 million of our outstanding borrowings at September 30, 2014 have floating interest rates. In addition, our undrawn  $750.0 million revolving credit facility has interest rates that float with the LIBO Rate, as defined. Consequently, we have limited material future earnings or cash flow exposures from changes in interest rates on our long-term debt. An adverse change in interest rates would increase the amount that we pay on our variable rate obligations and could result in fluctuations in the fair value of our fixed rate obligations. Based upon our overall interest rate exposure at September 30, 2014, a near-term change in interest rates would not materially affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

 

At September 30, 2014, the fair value of our long-term debt was estimated to be approximately $9.6 billion, based on our overall weighted average borrowing rate of 7.76% and our overall weighted average maturity of approximately nine years. As of September 30,  2014,  there has been no significant change in the weighted average maturity applicable to our obligations since December 31, 2013. 

 

Equity Price Exposure

 

Our exposure to market risks for changes in equity security prices as of September 30, 2014 is limited to our pension plan assets.  We have no other security investments of any significant amount.

 

The Company’s pension plan assets have increased from $1,216.5 million at December 31, 2013 to $1,288.1 million at September 30, 2014,  an increase of $71.6 million, or 6%. This increase is a result of positive investment returns of $91.7 million and cash contributions of $70.5 million, offset by benefit payments of $90.6 million.  An additional cash contribution of $12.7 million was made on October 15, 2014, for a total contribution of $83.2 million in 2014. Our 2014 total contributions include the impact of the extension of funding relief included in the Highway and Transportation Funding Act of 2014. The Company estimates that there are no further contributions required in 2014.

 

 

42

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 4.   Controls and Procedures

 

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended).  Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, September 30, 2014,  that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.  

 

(b)

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

We reviewed our internal control over financial reporting at September 30, 2014There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in an evaluation thereof that occurred during the third fiscal quarter of 2014 that materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

In May 2013, the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) issued its updated Internal Control – Integrated Framework (the 2013 Framework) and related illustrative documents. COSO will continue to make available its original Framework during the transition period extending to December 15, 2014. The Company currently utilizes COSO’s original Framework, which was published in 1992 and is recognized as the leading guidance for designing, implementing and conducting internal controls over external financial reporting and assessing their effectiveness. The 2013 Framework is expected to help organizations design and implement internal control in light of many changes in business and operating environments since the issuance of the original Framework, broaden the application of internal control in addressing operations and reporting objectives, and clarify the requirements for determining what constitutes effective internal control. We plan to adopt the 2013 Framework in 2014 and do not expect that it will have a significant impact on the Company.

 

 

43

 


 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 1.      Legal Proceedings

 

See Note 16 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this report.  There have been no material changes to our legal proceedings from the information provided in Item 3.  Legal Proceedings included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013.  

 

We are party to various legal proceedings (including individual, class and putative class actions) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contracts,  billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort,  claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers.  Litigation is subject to uncertainty and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable.  However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows.  

 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

 

Other than as set forth below, there have been no other material changes to the Risk Factors described in Part 1,  Item 1A.  Risk Factors in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013.    

 

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended September 30, 2014.

 

 

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

 

Total Number
of Shares Purchased

 

 

Average Price
Paid per Share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

July 1, 2014 to July 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

27,859 

 

 

$

5.83 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

August 1, 2014 to August 31, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

1,002 

 

 

$

6.55 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

September 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

361 

 

 

$

6.61 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals July 1, 2014 to September 30, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

29,222 

 

 

$

5.86 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes restricted shares withheld (under the terms of grants under employee stock compensation plans) to offset minimum tax withholding obligations that occur upon the vesting of restricted shares. The Company’s stock compensation plans provide that the value of shares withheld shall be the average of the high and low price of the Company’s common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.

 

Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosure

 

Not applicable.

 

44

 


 

 

PART II.  OTHER INFORMATION

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

 Item 6.     Exhibits

 

 

 

 

 

(a)

Exhibits:

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

32.1

Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

32.2

Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

 

101.INS    

XBRL Instance Document.

 

101.SCH   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

 

101.PRE   

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

101.CAL   

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.

 

101.LAB   

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.

 

101.DEF   

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

45

 


 

 

 

SIGNATURE

 

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

 

(Registrant)

 

 

 

 

 

By:  /s/ Donald Daniels

 

Donald Daniels

 

Senior Vice President and 

 

Controller

 

 

Date: November 5, 2014

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

46