-----BEGIN PRIVACY-ENHANCED MESSAGE----- Proc-Type: 2001,MIC-CLEAR Originator-Name: webmaster@www.sec.gov Originator-Key-Asymmetric: MFgwCgYEVQgBAQICAf8DSgAwRwJAW2sNKK9AVtBzYZmr6aGjlWyK3XmZv3dTINen TWSM7vrzLADbmYQaionwg5sDW3P6oaM5D3tdezXMm7z1T+B+twIDAQAB MIC-Info: RSA-MD5,RSA, LDt/29jaq98KEYGxJq4k2X017D6VpYQEv8lvLQtCk5zDfmFZfzgoU2riPfQtQd7w RkjcN9kCbv77dRBtX2FzEg== 0001047469-06-002779.txt : 20060303 0001047469-06-002779.hdr.sgml : 20060303 20060302195155 ACCESSION NUMBER: 0001047469-06-002779 CONFORMED SUBMISSION TYPE: 8-K/A PUBLIC DOCUMENT COUNT: 5 CONFORMED PERIOD OF REPORT: 20051223 ITEM INFORMATION: Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets ITEM INFORMATION: Financial Statements and Exhibits FILED AS OF DATE: 20060303 DATE AS OF CHANGE: 20060302 FILER: COMPANY DATA: COMPANY CONFORMED NAME: LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS INC CENTRAL INDEX KEY: 0000794323 STANDARD INDUSTRIAL CLASSIFICATION: TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIO TELEPHONE) [4813] IRS NUMBER: 470210602 STATE OF INCORPORATION: DE FISCAL YEAR END: 1231 FILING VALUES: FORM TYPE: 8-K/A SEC ACT: 1934 Act SEC FILE NUMBER: 000-15658 FILM NUMBER: 06661562 BUSINESS ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1025 ELDORADO BOULEVARD STREET 2: BLDG 2000 CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80021 BUSINESS PHONE: 7208881000 MAIL ADDRESS: STREET 1: 1025 ELDORADO BOULEVARD STREET 2: BLDG 2000 CITY: BROOMFIELD STATE: CO ZIP: 80021 FORMER COMPANY: FORMER CONFORMED NAME: KIEWIT PETER SONS INC DATE OF NAME CHANGE: 19920703 8-K/A 1 a2167978z8-ka.htm 8-K/A
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549



FORM 8-K/A-1



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

Date of report (Date of earliest event reported) December 23, 2005

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)


Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction
of Incorporation)
  0-15658
(Commission
File Number)
  47-0210602
(IRS Employer
Identification No.)
1025 Eldorado Blvd.
Broomfield, Colorado
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
  80021
(Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code (720) 888-1000

N/A
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)


Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

/
/    Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

/
/    Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

/
/    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

/
/    Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))




        This Form 8-K/A is filed as an amendment (Amendment No. 1) to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed by Level 3 Communications, Inc. under Items 2.01 and 9.01 on December 29, 2005. Amendment No. 1 is being filed to include the financial information required under Item 9.01.

Section 2—Financial Information

Item 2.01 Completion of Acquisition or Disposition of Assets

        On December 23 2005, pursuant to the Purchase Agreement, dated as of October 30, 2005, by and among Level 3 Communications, Inc. ("Level 3"), Level 3 Communications, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Level 3 ("Level 3 Communications"), Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia") and Baldwin Enterprises, Inc., an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia ("Baldwin"), as amended (the "Purchase Agreement"), Level 3 and Level 3 Communications completed the acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding membership units of WilTel Communications Group, LLC ("WilTel"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Baldwin, excluding certain specified assets and liabilities of WilTel.

        The consideration paid by Level 3 consisted of approximately $390 million in cash (which included a $16 million adjustment for estimated excess working capital), plus $100 million in cash to reflect Leucadia's having complied with its obligation to leave that amount of cash in WilTel, and 115 million newly issued shares of Level 3 common stock, par value $0.01 per share (the "Shares"). The cash purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments based on actual working capital as of the closing date.

        As previously disclosed in Level 3's Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on November 1, 2005, prior to the closing, WilTel transferred certain excluded assets to Baldwin and Baldwin assumed certain excluded liabilities. The excluded assets included all cash and cash equivalents in excess of $100 million at the closing date, all marketable securities held by WilTel or its subsidiaries, WilTel's headquarters building located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and certain other miscellaneous assets. In addition, WilTel assigned to Baldwin all of its right to receive $236 million in cash payments from SBC Communications Inc. The excluded liabilities include all of WilTel's long-term debt obligations, WilTel's obligations under its defined benefit pension plan, certain other employee related liabilities and other claims. Prior to the closing, WilTel was released from all obligations under its credit agreement and the outstanding mortgage note secured by its headquarters building.

        Also on the closing date, Level 3, Leucadia and Baldwin executed a registration rights agreement (the "Registration Rights Agreement") pursuant to which Level 3 filed a Registration Statement on Form S-3 with the SEC on December 27, 2005, covering the Shares. The Shares are subject to a transfer restriction that limits the number of shares Baldwin or Leucadia can sell (with certain exceptions) on any given day. This transfer restriction expires on May 22, 2006. Further, pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, Leucadia, Baldwin and its affiliates cannot (i) until June 22, 2006, increase their beneficial ownership of Level 3 common stock and (ii) thereafter until December 23, 2008, increase their beneficial ownership above 15% of Level 3's total outstanding shares of common stock without the prior written consent of the board of directors of Level 3. The restriction set forth in (ii) above terminates if Leucadia and its affiliates own less than 5% of Level 3's outstanding common stock.

        The foregoing summary and descriptions of the Purchase Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement do not purport to be complete and are qualified in their entirety by reference to (i) the full text of the Purchase Agreement which is filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Level 3's Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference, and (ii) the full text of the Registration Rights Agreement filed as Exhibit 10.2 to Level 3's Form 8-K filed on December 29, 2005, and incorporated herein by reference.

2



Section 3—Securities and Trading Markets

Item 3.02 Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities.

        On December 23, 2005, Level 3 issued 115 million shares of common stock, $0.01 par value, to Baldwin. The common stock was issued without registration pursuant to an exemption from registration provided by Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as the issuance of common stock pursuant to the Purchase Agreement will not involve a public offering.

        The information set forth in Item 2.01 above is incorporated by reference into this Item 3.02.

Section 9—Financial Statements and Exhibits

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits

    (a)
    Financial Statements of Business Acquired

        The audited consolidated financial statements of WilTel as of December 31, 2004 and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 are filed as Exhibit 99.3 to this Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by this reference. The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of WilTel as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 are filed as Exhibit 99.4 to this Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

    (b)
    Pro Forma Financial Information

        The unaudited pro-forma financial information with respect to the transaction described in Item 2.01 is filed as Exhibit 99.5 to this Amendment No. 1 and incorporated herein by this reference.

3



SIGNATURE

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

    LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.

Dated: March 2, 2006

 

/s/  
ERIC J. MORTENSEN      
Eric J. Mortensen
Senior Vice President, Controller and Principal
    Accounting Officer

4



EXHIBIT INDEX

        This index is amended to add the following exhibits.

23.1   Consent of Independent Accountants

99.1

 

Level 3 Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries audited consolidated financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2004, 2003 and 2002 (incorporated by reference to the Level 3 Communications, Inc. Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004.)

99.2

 

Level 3 Communications, Inc. and subsidiaries unaudited interim consolidated financial statements for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 (incorporated by reference to the Level 3 Communications, Inc. Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2005.)

99.3

 

WilTel Communications Group, Inc. and subsidiaries audited consolidated financial statements as of and for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.

99.4

 

WilTel Communications Group, LLC and subsidiaries unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

99.5

 

Unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements.

5




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SIGNATURE
EXHIBIT INDEX
EX-23.1 2 a2167978zex-23_1.htm EXHIBIT 23.1
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Exhibit 23.1


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS

        We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statements on Form S-3 (Nos. 333-53914, 333-91899, 333-68887, 333-71713, 333-115062, 333-123703, 333-125030, 333-125262, and 333-130710) and the registration statements on Form S-8 (Nos. 333-79533, 333-42465, 333-68447, 333-58691, 333-52697, 333-115472, and 333-115751) of Level 3 Communications, Inc. of our report dated March 11, 2005 relating to the financial statements of WilTel Communications Group, Inc., which appears in the Current Report on Form 8-K/A of Level 3 Communications, Inc. dated December 23, 2005.

/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Tulsa, Oklahoma
March 2, 2006




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CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
EX-99.3 3 a2167978zex-99_3.htm EXHIBIT 99.3
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Exhibit 99.3


WilTel Communications Group, Inc.

Consolidated Financial Statements

For the Year Ended December 31, 2004




Report of Independent Auditors

To the Stockholder of WilTel Communications Group, Inc:

        In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheet and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and shareholder's equity present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of WilTel Communications Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for the year then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audit. We conducted our audit of these statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

    /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

March 11, 2005

1



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

December 31, 2004

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

ASSETS        
Current assets:        
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 209,710  
  Investments     21,577  
  Trade and other receivables, net     255,760  
  Prepaids and other current assets     16,935  
  Assets held for sale     7,655  
   
 
Total current assets     511,637  
Non-current investments     8,456  
Other assets     80,013  
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net     1,050,726  
   
 
    Total   $ 1,650,832  
   
 
LIABILITIES        
Current liabilities:        
  Trade payables and expense accruals   $ 268,363  
  Deferred revenue     52,632  
  Other current liabilities     68,145  
  Long-term debt due within one year     3,922  
   
 
    Total current liabilities     393,062  
Long-term deferred revenue     161,206  
Other non-current liabilities     142,971  
Long-term debt     423,094  
   
 
    Total liabilities     1,120,333  
   
 
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 14 and 15)        

SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

 

 

 

 
  Common shares, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 10,000 shares outstanding      
  Additional paid-in capital     626,707  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (14,454 )
  Accumulated deficit     (81,754 )
   
 
    Total shareholder's equity     530,499  
   
 
      Total   $ 1,650,832  
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

2



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year ended December 31, 2004

(In thousands)

Revenues   $ 1,582,961  
Operating Expenses:        
Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)     1,287,808  
  Selling, general and administrative     144,513  
  Depreciation and amortization     208,123  
  Other operating income, net     (21,388 )
   
 
Total operating expenses     1,619,056  
   
 
  Loss from operations     (36,095 )
  Interest expense     (35,340 )
  Investment and interest income     12,229  
  Other income, net     956  
   
 
Loss before income taxes     (58,250 )
Income tax benefit      
   
 
    Net loss   $ (58,250 )
   
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

3



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

For the year ended December 31, 2004

(In thousands)

Net cash flows from operating activities:        
Net loss   $ (58,250 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operations:        
  Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     204,649  
  Other amortization and non-cash interest     4,526  
  Net securities gains     (6,372 )
  Provision for doubtful accounts     (2,032 )
  Reversal of excess litigation accrual     (18,549 )
  Net change in:        
    Trade and other receivables     10,495  
    Prepaids and other assets     15,850  
    Trade payables and expense accruals     21,184  
    Other liabilities     2,132  
    Deferred revenue     9,945  
  Other     (312 )
   
 
  Net cash provided by operating activities     183,266  
   
 
Net cash flows from investing activities:        
Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     (73,177 )
Proceeds from disposals of property and equipment and other assets     6,730  
Purchases of investments (other than short-term)     (16,537 )
Proceeds from maturities of investments     94,699  
Proceeds from sales of investments     10,978  
Release of restriction on restricted cash     13,282  
Distribution from investment     1,732  
Acquisition, net of cash acquired     1,427  
   
 
  Net cash provided by investing activities     39,134  
   
 
Net cash flows from financing activities:        
Change in cash overdrafts     5,157  
Repayments of long-term debt     (82,776 )
Debt issuance costs     (7,279 )
   
 
  Net cash used in financing activities     (84,898 )
   
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     137,502  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     72,208  
   
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 209,710  
   
 
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:        
Cash paid during the period:        
  Interest   $ 32,149  
  Income tax payments   $ 89  
  Income tax refunds   $ (13 )

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

4



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY

For the year ended December 31, 2004

(Dollars in thousands)

 
  Common Stock
   
   
  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Loss

   
 
 
  Additional
Paid-In
Capital

  Accumulated
Deficit

   
 
 
  Shares
  Par
  Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2003   10,000   $   $ 626,707   $ (23,504 ) $ (5,672 ) $ 597,531  

Comprehensive loss:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Net change in minimum pension liability                   (8,574 )   (8,574 )
  Net change in unrealized loss on investments                   (208 )   (208 )
  Net loss               (58,250 )       (58,250 )
                               
 
    Comprehensive loss                                 (67,032 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2004   10,000   $   $ 626,707   $ (81,754 ) $ (14,454 ) $ 530,499  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.

5



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC.

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    Nature of Operations and Basis of Presentation:

Nature of Operations

        WilTel Communications Group, Inc. ("WilTel" and, together with its direct and indirect subsidiaries, the "Company") owns or leases and operates a nationwide inter-city fiber-optic network providing Internet, data, voice and video services to companies that use high-capacity and high-speed telecommunications in their businesses. The Company has also built a fiber-optic network within certain cities in the U.S. and has the ability to connect to networks outside the U.S. The Company operates in two segments, Network and Vyvx.

Basis of Presentation

        The financial statements presented are as of and for the year ended December 31, 2004, which represents the financial position, results of operations and cash flows subsequent to the acquisition of the Company by Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia"). Upon consummation of the exchange offer and merger agreement, WilTel ceased to be a public company and is consolidated by Leucadia effective November 6, 2003. See Note 4 for further discussion of the Leucadia acquisition.

2.    Liquidity and Capital Resources:

        As of December 31, 2004, the Company had $209.7 million of cash and cash equivalents and an additional $30.0 million in short-term and long-term investments. Substantially all of the Company's assets have been pledged to secure its outstanding long-term debt, principally to secure its obligations under its credit agreement ($359.4 million outstanding as of December 31, 2004) and its outstanding mortgage debt ($60.3 million outstanding at December 31, 2004).

        The Company's amended credit agreement consists of a $240.0 million first lien term loan facility, a $120.0 million second lien term loan facility and a $25.0 million revolving credit facility (which it can no longer draw upon, as discussed below and in Note 11). The first lien term loan facility requires quarterly principal payments of approximately $0.6 million commencing December 31, 2004 through June 30, 2009, and quarterly principal payments of $57.0 million thereafter until final maturity on June 30, 2010. The second lien term loan facility matures on December 31, 2010. However, if the Company does not refinance its obligations under its outstanding mortgage debt prior to October 1, 2009, then the first lien term loan facility will mature on October 1, 2009, and if such mortgage debt is not refinanced by January 1, 2010, then the second lien term loan facility will mature on January 1, 2010. Loans under the credit agreement bear interest at a variable rate based upon either the prime rate or LIBOR, at the Company's option, plus a specified margin for each loan. The Company's obligations under its amended credit agreement are secured by substantially all of its assets other than those assets securing its headquarters building, for which the amended credit agreement lenders have a second priority lien, and its aircraft capital leases.

        The Company's mortgage debt (which is recourse to the Company, but not to Leucadia), has an interest rate of 7% and requires annual principal payments escalating from approximately $0.7 million in 2005 to approximately $1.0 million in 2009; a final payment of approximately $56.0 million is due at final maturity in April 2010.

        As discussed in Note 3, in January 2005, SBC Communications, Inc. ("SBC") announced its intention to migrate its IP-based and long distance services to the AT&T network. Pursuant to the terms of the Company's amended credit agreement, that announcement is considered an event which

6



could reasonably be expected to have a "material adverse effect" as defined in the facility, and as a result the Company can no longer access its $25.0 million revolving credit facility. The Company does not anticipate needing the $25.0 million revolving credit facility to meet its present requirements. The announcement does not have any impact on the $360.0 million of term loans under the amended credit agreement. However, the credit agreement provides for an event of default if there is any amendment, supplement, modification or termination of any contract or agreement that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company (as defined in the credit agreement). As discussed in Note 3, the Company is currently engaged in negotiations with SBC with respect to a transition pricing agreement and other matters which, if successfully concluded, may or may not be deemed an event of default under the credit agreement. The Company intends to enter into discussions with its lenders before entering into any new definitive agreement with SBC.

        The amended credit agreement contains covenants that require the Company to meet certain operating targets, which it currently meets, and restrictions that limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, spend funds on capital expenditures and make certain investments. The agreement also prohibits the Company from paying dividends to Leucadia. The Company currently expects it will be able to meet the operating targets required by its credit agreement through 2006; however, compliance with the operating targets thereafter is uncertain because of SBC's announced intention to migrate its traffic to AT&T's network.

        The Company's future liquidity will be dependent on a number of other factors influencing the projections of operating cash flows, including those related to revenue growth, operating expenses and capital expenditures. Should actual results differ significantly from these assumptions, the Company's liquidity position could be adversely affected.

3.    SBC Announcement:

        On January 31, 2005, SBC announced that it would buy AT&T Corp., and announced its intention to migrate the services provided by the Company to the AT&T network. SBC indicated that it expects to close its acquisition of AT&T in the first half of 2006.

        Once SBC completes the migration of its business from the Company's network to the AT&T network and terminates the existing preferred provider agreements between the Company and SBC (scheduled to extend until 2019), SBC will be required to pay the Company up to $200 million for all costs the Company incurs in connection with such termination, including increased costs of the network facilities remaining with the Company due to the loss of SBC traffic (defined as "Transition Costs" in the provider agreements). The Company anticipates that a migration of services from its network to AT&T would not begin until after the appropriate regulatory agencies approve SBC's acquisition of AT&T. The Company expects it will take anywhere from two to three years from now for SBC to migrate all of its traffic off of the Company's network, and anticipates that it will continue to provide some level of service to SBC into 2007.

        Pursuant to the preferred provider agreements, the price for products and services, determined separately for each product or service, generally will be equal to the lesser of the cost of the product or service plus a specified rate of return, the prices charged to other customers, the current market rate or, in some circumstances, a specific rate. If either party can secure lower prices for comparable services that the other party will not match, then that party is free to utilize the lowest cost provider. The Company and SBC have agreed to use a fixed price for voice transport services (the substantial

7



majority of the Company's SBC generated revenue) through April 1, 2005. The Company is currently engaged in negotiations with SBC with respect to a transition pricing agreement and other matters that will enable the Company to continue to provide services to SBC after April 1, 2005. If the parties fail to reach agreement on pricing, any disputes as to pricing methodology are to be resolved through binding arbitration.

        Since SBC is the Company's largest customer, accounting for 70% of Network's 2004 operating revenues, the Company concluded that the SBC announcement is an event which requires the Company to assess the carrying value of the Company's long-lived assets for impairment, principally property and equipment. Since the event which gave rise to the impairment review occurred on January 31, 2005, and is not reflective of a condition that existed as of December 31, 2004, the assessment of impairment will be performed as part of the preparation of the Company's financial statements for the first quarter of 2005. The carrying value of the Company's property and equipment is approximately $1,050.7 million at December 31, 2004.

        As more fully described in Note 11, SBC's announcement is considered an event which could reasonably be expected to have a "material adverse effect" as defined in the Company's amended credit facility, and while the Company can no longer access its $25.0 million revolving credit facility it has no immediate impact on the $360.0 million of term loans under the agreement. However, the credit agreement provides for an event of default if there is any amendment, supplement, modification or termination of any contract or agreement that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company (as defined in the credit agreement). The Company is currently engaged in negotiations with SBC with respect to a transition pricing agreement and other matters which, if successfully concluded, may or may not be deemed an event of default under the credit agreement. The Company intends to enter into discussions with its lenders before entering into any new definitive agreement with SBC.

4.    Significant Accounting Policies:

        (a)   Critical Accounting Estimates:    The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") requires the Company to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts in the financial statements and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities. On an on-going basis, the Company evaluates all of these estimates and assumptions. The following areas have been identified as critical accounting estimates because they have the potential to have a material impact on the Company's financial statements, and because they are based on assumptions which are used in the accounting records to reflect, at a specific point in time, events whose ultimate outcome will not be known until a later date. Actual results could differ from these estimates.

        Acquisition of the Company by Leucadia:    In connection with accounting for the acquisition of the Company by Leucadia, significant judgments and estimates were made to determine the fair values of certain liabilities, including liabilities for net unfavorable long-term commitments and deferred revenue, many of which required the Company to make assumptions about the future. To determine the fair value of deferred revenue, the Company had to assess transactions having limited activity in the current telecommunications market environment. The Company considered market indicators related to pricing, pricing for comparable transactions, as well as the legal obligation of the Company to provide future services. The Company also assumed it would continue to perform its contractual obligations

8



through the term of its contracts. Revenue is recognized on these contracts as services are performed, typically on a straight-line basis over the remaining length of the contract. In the future, if the Company settles these obligations or they are otherwise terminated prior to completion of the performance obligation, the Company would likely recognize a gain equal to the carrying amount of the obligation. At December 31, 2004, the amount reflected in the consolidated balance sheet for deferred revenue was $213.8 million.

        The Company evaluated the fair value of long-term commitments that were either above or below the current market rates for similar transactions, and the fair value of telecommunications capacity commitments that are not required based on WilTel's current operating plans. These commitments primarily consist of real estate leases and international capacity contracts. In order to determine the fair values of these agreements, the Company made significant assumptions concerning future market prices, future capacity utilization, the ability to enter into subleasing arrangements and that the commitments will not be terminated prior to their expiration dates. The accrued liability is amortized on a straight-line basis over the life of the commitments. Results of operations in the future would be impacted by any subsequent adjustment to this liability, which could result from negotiating a termination or reduction of its contractual obligation with contract counter- parties or sublease activity that is different from the Company's original assumptions. At December 31, 2004, the balance relating to those unfavorable long-term commitments was $44.9 million.

        Revenue Recognition:    Capacity, transmission, video services and other telecommunications services revenues are recognized monthly as the services are provided or revenues are earned. If at the time services are rendered collection is not reasonably assured either due to credit risk, the potential for billing disputes or other reasons, revenue is not recognized until such contingencies are resolved.

        WilTel estimates the amount of services which should not be recognized as revenue at the time the service is rendered based on its collection experience for each type of service. Certain of WilTel's customers represent such a high credit risk due to their difficult financial position that revenue is not recognized until cash is received. In addition, WilTel knows from past experience that a certain percentage of its billings will be disputed and uses that experience to estimate the amount of expected disputes and defers recognition of revenue at the time the service is provided. Revenues that have not been recognized at the time service is provided are subsequently recognized as revenue when the amounts are collected.

        Accruals for Access Costs—The Company's access costs primarily include variable charges paid to vendors to originate and/or terminate switched voice traffic, which are based on actual usage at negotiated or regulated contract rates, and fixed charges for leased lines for dedicated facilities. At the end of each reporting period, the Company's estimated accrual for incurred but not yet billed costs is based on internal usage reports. The accrual is subsequently reconciled to actual invoices as they are received, which is a process that can take several months to complete. This process includes an invoice validation procedure that normally identifies errors and inaccuracies in rate and/or volume components of the invoices resulting in numerous invoice disputes. It is the Company's policy to adjust the accrual for the probable amount it believes will ultimately be paid on disputed invoices, a determination which requires significant estimation and judgment. Due to the number of different negotiated and regulated rates, constantly changing traffic patterns, uncertainty in the ultimate resolution of disputes, the period of time required to complete the reconciliation and delays in invoicing by access vendors, changes in these estimates should be expected.

9



        Contingencies—The Company accrues for contingent losses when the contingent loss is probable and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated. As of December 31, 2004, the Company's consolidated balance sheet includes litigation reserves of $21.5 million. Estimating the ultimate outcome of litigation matters is inherently uncertain, in particular because the ultimate outcome will rest on events and decisions of others that may not be within the power of the Company to control. The Company does not believe that any of these matters will have a material adverse effect on its consolidated financial position, results of operations or liquidity. However, if the amounts ultimately paid at the resolution of a litigation matter are significantly different than the Company's recorded reserve amount, the difference could be material to the Company's consolidated results of operations and settlement amounts are likely to be material to its liquidity.

        Provision for Doubtful Accounts:    A provision for doubtful accounts is recorded when the collectibility of a specific customer's receivable balance becomes at risk due to a deterioration in the customer's financial condition or evidence that recovery of the past due receivable balance is unlikely. In addition, the Company maintains a general reserve based on past collection history. An accounts receivable balance is written-off against the allowance for doubtful accounts when reasonable collection efforts have been exhausted and the balance is deemed worthless. Subsequent collections of amounts previously written-off are generally credited to bad debt expense.

        Impairment of Long-Lived Assets—In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS No. 144"), the Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management's judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. The determination of whether a long-lived asset (or asset group) is recoverable is based on management's estimate of undiscounted future cash flows attributable to the asset as compared to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the asset (or asset group) is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, the carrying amount of the asset is considered to be not recoverable. The amount of the impairment recognized would be determined by estimating the fair value for the asset (or asset group) and recording a provision for the excess of the carrying value over the fair value.

        As discussed in Note 3, on January 31, 2005, SBC announced that it would buy AT&T Corp., and announced its intention to migrate the services provided by the Company to the AT&T network. Since SBC is the Company's largest customer, accounting for 70% of Network's 2004 operating revenues, the Company concluded that the SBC announcement is an event which requires the Company to assess the carrying value of its long-lived assets for impairment, principally property and equipment. Since the event which gave rise to the impairment review occurred on January 31, 2005, and is not reflective of a condition that existed as of December 31, 2004, the assessment of impairment will be performed as part of the preparation of the Company's financial statements for the first quarter of 2005. The carrying value of the Company's property and equipment is approximately $1,050.7 million at December 31, 2004.

        The Company's impairment analysis is expected to have numerous assumptions and estimates about the future. The process of estimating future cash flows is subjective and inherently inaccurate because precise information about the future is not available, and in this case is made more difficult because of the volatility that the telecommunications industry has experienced over the past few years. The economics of the Company's future relationship with SBC, including its term, is also uncertain, which will be one of the most significant assumptions in the analysis. The Company will also have to

10



make assumptions concerning its ability to retain existing customers, attract new customers, reduce expenses and participate in potential consolidation opportunities as well as other matters. The Company is not currently able to determine whether the carrying amount of its long-lived assets will be impaired.

        (b)   Consolidation Policy:    The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and all majority-owned entities. All intercompany transactions and balances are eliminated in consolidation.

        (c)   Cash Equivalents:    The Company considers short-term investments, which have initial maturities of less than three months at the time of acquisition, to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include short-term investments of $209.6 million at December 31, 2004.

        (d)   Investments:    At acquisition, marketable debt and equity securities are designated as either i) held to maturity, which are carried at amortized cost, ii) trading, which are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected in results of operations, or iii) available for sale, which are carried at estimated fair value with unrealized gains and losses reflected as a separate component of shareholder's equity, net of taxes. As of December 31, 2004, all of the Company's investments are classified as available for sale. Estimated fair values are principally based on quoted market prices.

        Investments with an impairment in value considered to be other than temporary are written down to estimated fair value. There have been no other than temporary write-downs in 2004. The cost of securities sold is based on specific identification.

        (e)   Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements:    Property, equipment and leasehold improvements are stated at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization. Depreciation and amortization are provided principally on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets or, if less, the term of the underlying lease. Upon retirement or sale, the cost of assets disposed of and the related accumulated depreciation are removed from the accounts and any resulting gain or loss is credited or charged to income. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred, while expenditures that extend the useful life of the assets are capitalized.

        (f)    Intangible Assets: Intangible assets are stated at cost, net of accumulated amortization. As of December 31, 2004, all of the Company's intangible assets are not deemed to have an indefinite life; therefore, amortization is provided on the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets.

        (g)   Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations:    In accordance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations" ("SFAS No. 143"), the Company follows the policy of providing an accrual for obligations related to certain technical site leases, as well as fiber and conduit right-of-way agreements based on the estimated total cost of restoration of such properties to meet contractual requirements. These estimated costs are calculated based on the expected future cash flows to remediate such properties discounted at a risk-free rate and applying a probability factor for conditional restoration obligations. Changes in expected future cash flows are discounted at interest rates that were in effect at the time of the original estimate for downward revision to such cash flows, and at interest rates in effect at the time of the change for upward revisions in the expected future cash flows.

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        (h)   Revenue Recognition:    Capacity, transmission, video services and other telecommunications services revenues are recognized monthly as the services are provided or revenues are earned. If at the time services are rendered, collection is not reasonably assured either due to credit risk, the potential for billing disputes or other reasons, revenue is not recognized until such contingencies are resolved. Amounts billed in advance of the service month are recorded as deferred revenue. Revenues that have been deferred for long-term telecommunications service contracts are amortized using the straight-line method over the life of the related contract. The Company classifies as current the amount of deferred revenue that will be recognized into revenue over the next twelve months.

        Grants of indefeasible rights of use ("IRUs") of constructed but unlit fiber, or dark fiber, in exchange for cash, are accounted for as operating leases, and the cash received is recognized as revenue over the term of the IRU. The Company is obligated under dark fiber IRUs and other capacity agreements to maintain its network in efficient working order and in accordance with industry standards. Customers are obligated for the term of the agreement to pay monthly fees for operating and maintenance costs. The Company recognizes these monthly fees as revenue as services are provided.

        (i)    Cost of Sales:    Cost of sales includes leased capacity, right of way costs, access charges, other third party circuit costs, satellite transponder lease costs, and package delivery costs and blank tape media costs related to advertising distribution services. Cost of sales also includes salaries expense related to providing telecommunications services. The Company does not defer installation costs.

        (j)    Income Taxes:    The Company provides for income taxes using the asset and liability method. The future benefit of certain tax loss carryforwards and future deductions is recorded as an asset. A valuation allowance is provided if deferred tax assets are not considered to be more likely than not to be realized.

        (k)   Advertising:    Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses for the year ended December 31, 2004 were $3.3 million.

        (l)    Recently Issued Accounting Standards:    In December 2004, the FASB issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 153, "Exchanges of Nonmonetary Assets—An Amendment of APB Opinion No. 29" ("SFAS No. 153"), which is effective for fiscal periods beginning after June 15, 2005. SFAS No. 153 eliminates the exception from fair value measurement for nonmonetary exchanges of similar productive assets in paragraph 21(b) of APB Opinion No. 29, "Accounting for Nonmonetary Transactions," and replaces it with an exception for exchanges that do not have commercial substance. SFAS No. 153 specifies that a nonmonetary exchange has commercial substance if the future cash flows of the entity are expected to change significantly as a result of the exchange. The adoption of SFAS No. 153 will not have any material effect on the consolidated financial statements; however, SFAS No. 153 could impact the accounting for future transactions, if any, within its scope.

5.    Post-Acquisition Adjustments:

        Of the $47.0 million of intangible assets initially recorded by the Company, which Leucadia National Corporation acquired as part of its acquisition of the Company, $10.1 million was related to Vyvx's tradename (with a useful life of fifteen years) and $36.9 million was related to customer relationships (with a useful life of thirteen years), primarily Vyvx customers. The net carrying amount of these intangible assets increased $8.2 million during 2004, due to the completion of the analyses

12



used to allocate the purchase price to the individual assets acquired, which also resulted in a reduction in the amount initially allocated to property and equipment.

6.    Investments:

        A summary of investments classified as current assets at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

 
  Amortized
Cost

  Carrying Value
and Estimated
Fair Value

Investments available for sale   $ 21,335   $ 21,249
Accrued interest income     328     328
   
 
  Total current investments   $ 21,663   $ 21,577
   
 

        The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of available for sale investments classified as current assets at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 
  Amortized
Cost

  Gross
Unrealized
Gains

  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

  Estimated
Fair
Value

Bonds and notes:                        
  United States Government and agencies   $ 21,335   $   $ 86   $ 21,249
   
 
 
 
    Total   $ 21,335   $   $ 86   $ 21,249
   
 
 
 

        A summary of non-current investments at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

 
  Amortized
Cost

  Carrying Value
and Estimated
Fair Value

Investments available for sale   $ 8,520   $ 8,456
   
 
  Total current investments   $ 8,520   $ 8,456
   
 

        The amortized cost, gross unrealized gains and losses and estimated fair value of non-current investments classified as available for sale at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 
  Amortized
Cost

  Gross
Unrealized
Gains

  Gross
Unrealized
Losses

  Estimated
Fair
Value

Bonds and notes:                        
  United States Government and agencies   $ 8,520   $ 4   $ 68   $ 8,456
   
 
 
 
    Total fixed maturities   $ 8,520   $ 4   $ 68   $ 8,456
   
 
 
 

13


        The amortized cost and estimated fair value of non-current investments classified as available for sale at December 31, 2004 have contractual maturities after one year through five years. Expected maturities are likely to differ from contractual maturities because borrowers may have the right to call or prepay obligations with or without call or prepayment penalties.

        Reclassification adjustments included in comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

Unrealized holding losses arising during the period   $ (215 )
Less: reclassification adjustment for losses included in net loss     7  
   
 
Net change in unrealized loss on investments   $ (208 )
   
 

7.    Trade and Other Receivables, Net:

        A summary of trade and other receivables, net at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

Current trade and other receivables, net:        
  Trade receivables   $ 246,107  
  Other     12,787  
   
 
      258,894  
    Allowance for doubtful accounts     (3,134 )
   
 
    $ 255,760  
   
 

8.    Other Assets:

        A summary of other assets at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

Intangibles:      
  Tradename, net of accumulated amortization of $758   $ 9,307
  Customer relationships, net of accumulated amortization of $3,152     33,791
Deposits     24,673
Debt issuance costs, net of accumulated amortization of $535     10,594
Other     1,648
   
    $ 80,013
   

        Amortization expense for intangible assets was $3.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The estimated aggregate future amortization expense for the tradename and customer relationship intangible assets for each of the next five years is $3.5 million.

        In 2004 the Company received a refund of amounts previously on deposit to collateralize letters of credit and performance bonds totaling $12.9 million.

        The Company capitalized a total of $11.1 million of debt issuance costs related to the refinancing of its credit agreement in September 2004. Cash paid for these costs was $7.3 million, while another

14



$3.8 million was accrued but not yet paid as of December 31, 2004. Debt issuance costs are being amortized over the term of the credit agreement.

9.    Property, Equipment and Leasehold Improvements, Net:

        A summary of property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

 
  Depreciable
Lives
(In years)

   
 
Fiber and conduit system   20   $ 487,071  
Network equipment   3 - 7     313,599  
Right-of-way   20     91,591  
Video satellite and microwave equipment   5 - 20     18,162  
Buildings and leasehold improvements   10 - 30     242,523  
Computer equipment and software   2 - 3     52,810  
General office furniture and fixtures   5 - 8     22,394  
Construction in progress   Not applicable     34,810  
Other   3 - 10     17,595  
       
 
          1,280,555  
  Accumulated depreciation and amortization         (229,829 )
       
 
        $ 1,050,726  
       
 

        Depreciation expense, excluding accretion expense related to asset retirement obligations, was $200.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. The change in accounts payable related to the acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold improvements from December 31, 2003 to December 31, 2004 was a decrease of $2.9 million. Additionally, property, equipment and leasehold improvements increased $3.3 million as a result of an acquisition completed in 2004.

        Aircraft acquired under a capital lease totaling $5.8 million are included in Other in the table above. Accumulated amortization for all assets acquired under capital leases was $0.7 million at December 31, 2004.

        During 2004, the Company reclassified $7.7 million of excess real estate not used in operations to Assets Held for Sale.

15



10.    Trade Payables, Expense Accruals and Other Liabilities:

        A summary of trade payables, expense accruals and other liabilities at December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

Trade payables and expense accruals:      
  Trade payables   $ 147,509
  Cash overdrafts     22,884
  Accrued compensation and other employee benefits     26,173
  Pension liability     21,682
  Taxes other than income     29,540
  Other     20,575
   
    $ 268,363
   

        Other in the table above includes $1.2 million due to Leucadia primarily for director and officer liability insurance. Payments to Leucadia for the year ended December 31, 2004 totaled $1.3 million.

Other current liabilities:      
  Litigation reserves   $ 21,493
  Unfavorable contractual commitments     9,356
  Asset retirement obligations(b)     1,061
  Customer Deposit(a)     25,000
  Other     11,235
   
    $ 68,145
   
Other non-current liabilities:      
  Unfavorable contractual commitments   $ 35,524
  Asset retirement obligations(b)     41,367
  Pension liability     51,338
  Other     14,742
   
    $ 142,971
   

(a)
In conjunction with a pricing agreement for certain voice services, in January 2004 the Company's largest customer, SBC, paid the Company $25.0 million for pre-funding of certain capital expenditures (all the funds were spent during 2004). The agreement required that the Company return the funds to SBC if, prior to January 31, 2005, the Company and SBC entered into an agreement for voice transport pricing through December 31, 2006.

(b)
The Company's asset retirement obligations relate primarily to two categories of assets:

            Fiber and Conduit—The Company has right-of-way agreements that generally require the removal of fiber and conduit upon the termination of those agreements.

            Technical Sites—The Company leases land for technical sites and leases space at technical sites along its network. Termination of these lease agreements normally requires removal of equipment and other assets and restoration of the lease property to its original condition.

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            At January 1, 2004, the asset retirement obligation was $29.0 million. The Company recognized accretion expense of $4.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2004, incurred additional obligations in the current period of $8.4 million ($8.0 million of which related to an acquisition) and revisions in estimated cash flows of $0.5 million that increased the liability to $42.4 million at December 31, 2004.

11.    Indebtedness:

        The principal amounts and maturity of debt outstanding at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

Credit Agreement   $ 359,368  
One Technology Center ("OTC") Notes     60,268  
Capital leases due 2005 through 2013 with a weighted average interest rate of 11.9%     7,380  
   
 
      427,016  
Less current maturities     (3,922 )
   
 
Long-term debt   $ 423,094  
   
 

        In September 2004, the Company refinanced its existing $375.0 million credit agreement debt by entering into an amended credit agreement consisting of a $240.0 million first lien term loan facility, a $120.0 million second lien term loan facility and a $25.0 million revolving credit facility (which it can no longer draw upon, as discussed below). The Company also used $90.0 million of its cash and investments to repay in full one of the two mortgage notes that was secured by its headquarters building ($54.6 million including accrued interest), reduce the amount outstanding under its credit agreement ($15.0 million), reduce the amount outstanding under the other note that is collateralized by its headquarters building ($13.3 million) and pay expenses. The amended credit agreement has not been guaranteed by Leucadia and is not collateralized by any of Leucadia's assets other than the assets of the Company.

        The first lien term loan facility requires quarterly principal payments of approximately $0.6 million commencing December 31, 2004 through June 30, 2009, and quarterly principal payments of $57.0 million thereafter until final maturity on June 30, 2010. The second lien term loan facility matures on December 31, 2010. However, if the Company does not refinance its obligations under the remaining promissory note that is secured by its headquarters building ($60.3 million outstanding at December 31, 2004) prior to October 1, 2009, then the first lien term loan facility will mature on October 1, 2009, and if such promissory note is not refinanced by January 1, 2010, then the second lien term loan facility will mature on January 1, 2010. Loans under the credit agreement bear interest at a variable rate based upon either the prime rate or LIBOR, at the Company's option, plus a specified margin for each loan. At December 31, 2004, the amended credit agreement had a weighted average interest rate of 6.7%. The Company's obligations under its amended credit agreement are secured by substantially all of its assets other than those assets securing its headquarters building, for which the amended credit agreement lenders have a second priority lien, and its aircraft capital lease.

        As discussed in Note 3, in January 2005, SBC announced its intention to migrate its IP-based and long distance services to the AT&T network. Pursuant to the terms of the Company's amended credit

17



agreement, that announcement is considered an event which could reasonably be expected to have a "material adverse effect" as defined in the facility, and as a result the Company can no longer access its $25.0 million revolving credit facility. The Company does not anticipate needing the $25.0 million revolving credit facility to meet its present requirements. The announcement does not have any impact on the $360.0 million of term loans under the Company's amended credit agreement. However, the credit agreement provides for an event of default if there is any amendment, supplement, modification or termination of any contract or agreement that has had or could reasonably be expected to result in a material adverse effect on the Company (as defined in the credit agreement). As discussed in Note 3, the Company is currently engaged in negotiations with SBC with respect to a transition pricing agreement and other matters which, if successfully concluded, may or may not be deemed an event of default under the credit agreement. The Company intends to enter into discussions with its lenders before entering into any new definitive agreement with SBC.

        The Company's amended credit agreement also permitted the Company to obtain letters of credit of which $21.0 million was outstanding at December 31, 2004. However, as a result of the SBC announcement the Company will no longer be able to obtain new letters of credit.

        The Company's amended credit agreement contains covenants that require the Company to meet certain operating targets, which it currently meets, and restrictions that limit the Company's ability to incur additional indebtedness, spend funds on capital expenditures and make certain investments. The agreement also prohibits the Company from paying dividends to Leucadia. The Company currently expects it will be able to meet the operating targets required by its credit agreement through 2006; however, compliance with the operating targets thereafter is uncertain because of SBC's announced intention to migrate its traffic to AT&T's network.

        The remaining OTC Note is recourse to the Company, bears interest at 7% and is secured by a first priority mortgage lien and security interest in the Company's headquarters building (except for network related assets in the building) and other ancillary assets. The OTC Note requires annual principal payments escalating from approximately $0.7 million in 2005 to approximately $1.0 million in 2009; a final payment of approximately $56.0 million is due at maturity in April 2010.

        Capital leases primarily consist of sale-leaseback transactions related to the Company's corporate aircraft entered into in May 2003. The aircraft were sold for approximately $21.0 million in cash and leased back for a period of ten years. Under the terms of the leases, approximately $5.3 million from the cash proceeds is held as cash collateral by the owner-lessor for the leases, which is reflected in the balance sheet in other non-current assets. The Company recorded capital lease obligations representing the present value of the future minimum lease payments during the lease terms.

        Substantially all of the Company's assets (with an aggregate book value of $1.7 billion at December 31, 2004) are pledged as collateral under its debt agreements.

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        The aggregate annual mandatory redemptions of debt are as follows (in thousands):

 
  Credit
Agreement
and Notes

  Capital
Leases

  Total
 
2005   $ 3,255   $ 1,448   $ 4,703  
2006     3,309     1,380     4,689  
2007     3,364     1,380     4,744  
2008     3,425     1,380     4,805  
2009     116,227     1,380     117,607  
Thereafter     290,056     4,714     294,770  
   
 
 
 
Total annual redemptions   $ 419,636   $ 11,682   $ 431,318  
   
 
 
 
Less amounts attributable to interest         (4,302 )   (4,302 )
   
 
 
 
Total annual redemptions, less interest   $ 419,636   $ 7,380   $ 427,016  
   
 
 
 

12.    Income Taxes:

        The principal components of deferred taxes at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

Deferred tax assets:        
  Deferred revenues   $ 75,320  
  Property, plant and equipment, including impairments     584,992  
  Investments, including impairments     24,273  
  Other asset impairments     77,414  
  Reserves     18,418  
  Other     38,897  
  Net operating loss carryforward     1,454,083  
   
 
Total deferred tax assets     2,273,397  
Valuation allowance     (2,273,397 )
   
 
Net deferred tax assets   $  
   
 

        As of December 31, 2004, WilTel had $4.0 billion of federal NOLs, none of which expire prior to 2019, $45.1 million of capital loss carryforwards, which expire in 2005 through 2007, and $27.6 million of foreign NOLs and various state NOLs, that expire in various years. Uncertainties that may affect the utilization of the Company's tax attributes include future operating results, tax law changes, rulings by taxing authorities regarding whether certain transactions are taxable or deductible and expiration of carryforward periods.

        Under certain circumstances, the ability to use the NOLs and future deductions could be substantially reduced if certain changes in ownership were to occur. In order to reduce this possibility, Leucadia's certificate of incorporation includes a charter restriction, which prohibits transfers of Leucadia's common stock under certain circumstances.

        The benefit from income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2004 was immaterial.

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        The table below reconciles the expected statutory federal income tax to the actual income tax benefit for the year ended December 31, 2004 (in thousands):

Expected federal income tax   $ 20,388  
Other     25,735  
Change in valuation allowance     (46,123 )
   
 
Actual income tax benefit   $  
   
 

        Other includes return to accrual adjustments relating primarily to revisions for depreciation expense and timing for deducting a settlement payment.

13.    Pension Plans and Postretirement Benefits:

        The Company maintains defined benefit pension plans and a postretirement plan covering certain employees who met certain age and service requirements. Employees hired subsequent to April 2001 are not eligible to participate in the Company's defined benefit pension plan. Employees hired subsequent to December 31, 1991 are not eligible to participate in the Company's postretirement benefits plan. A summary of activity with respect to the Company's defined benefit pension plan for the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

Projected Benefit Obligation:        
  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of period   $ 129,912  
  Interest cost     7,829  
  Service cost     3,980  
  Actuarial loss     9,112  
  Benefits paid     (2,945 )
   
 
    Projected benefit obligation at December 31   $ 147,888  
   
 
Change in Plan Assets:        
  Fair value of plan assets at beginning of period   $ 67,761  
  Actual return on plan assets     6,002  
  Employer contributions     3,783  
  Benefits paid     (2,945 )
   
 
    Fair value of plan assets at December 31   $ 74,601  
   
 
Funded Status   $ (73,287 )
  Unrecognized net actuarial loss     14,572  
   
 
    Net amount recognized   $ (58,715 )
   
 

        The accumulated benefit obligation for the Company's defined benefit plan was $147.6 million at December 31, 2004. As of December 31, 2004, $14.3 million of the net amount recognized in the consolidated balance sheet was reflected as a charge to accumulated other comprehensive income and $73.0 million was reflected as accrued pension cost.

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        Employer contributions expected to be paid to the plan in 2005 are $21.7 million.

        The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as appropriate, are expected to be paid (in thousands):

 
  Pension Benefits
2005   $ 2,151
2006   $ 2,555
2007   $ 2,730
2008   $ 2,385
2009   $ 2,881
2010-2014   $ 19,601

        The Company's pension expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 related to the defined benefit pension plan charged to operations included the following components (in thousands):

Interest cost   $ 7,829  
Service cost     3,980  
Expected return on plan assets     (5,391 )
Recognized net actuarial loss     46  
   
 
  Net pension expense   $ 6,464  
   
 

        The Company's plans' assets consist of equity securities (71%), debt securities (19%) and cash equivalents (10%) at December 31, 2004.

        The investment objectives of the Company's plan emphasize long-term capital appreciation as a primary source of return and current income as a supplementary source.

        The Company's target allocation is as follows:

 
  Interim Target
  Long-term Target
 
Equity securities:          
  Large cap stocks   36 % 40 %
  Small cap stocks   18 % 10 %
  International stocks   21 % 20 %
   
 
 
    Total equity securities   75 % 70 %
  Fixed income/bonds   25 % 30 %
   
 
 
    Total   100 % 100 %

        The interim target was established in order to balance speed and caution in transitioning to the long-term allocations, lowering the risk of selling low and buying high and shifting the portfolio to the long-term targets under the right market conditions.

21



        Investment performance objectives are based upon a benchmark index or mix of indices over a market cycle. The investment strategy designates certain investment restrictions for domestic equities, international equities and fixed income securities. These restrictions include the following:

    For domestic equities, there will generally be no more than 5% of any manager's portfolio at market in any one company and no more than 150% of any one sector of the appropriate index for any manager's portfolio. Restrictions are also designated on outstanding market value of any one company at 5% for large to medium equities and 8% for small to medium equities.

    For international equities, there will be no more than 8% in any one company in a manager's portfolio, no fewer than three countries in a manager's portfolio, no more than 10% of the portfolio in countries not represented in the EAFE index, no more than 150% of any one sector of the appropriate index and no currency hedging is permitted.

    Fixed income securities will all be rated BBB- or better at the time of purchase, there will be no more than 8% at market in any one security (U.S. government and agency positions excluded), no more than a 30-year maturity in any one security investment in standard and collateralized mortgage obligations (CMO's) are limited to securities that are currently paying interest, receiving principal and do not contain leverage. CMO's are limited to 10% of the market value of the portfolio.

        To develop the assumption for the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, the Company considered historical returns and future expectations, including a more conservative expectation of future returns and asset allocation targets as the Company's closed participant population grows closer to retirement age. Based on this information, a 7% expected long-term rate of return on plan assets was selected for 2004.

        A summary of activity with respect to the Company's postretirement plans for the year ended December 31, 2004 is as follows (in thousands):

Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at beginning of period   $ 1,784  
Interest cost     87  
Service cost     92  
Contributions by plan participants     17  
Actuarial gain     (239 )
Benefits paid     (137 )
   
 
  Accumulated postretirement benefit obligation at December 31     1,604  
Unrecognized net actuarial loss     (76 )
   
 
  Accrued postretirement benefit obligation   $ 1,528  
   
 

        The Company's postretirement benefit expense for the year ended December 31, 2004 was not material.

        The Company's cash cost for its postretirement plan during 2005 is not expected to be material.

        The health care cost trend rate assumed for 2005 is 8.8% to 10.8% and 2004 is 12%, declining to an ultimate rate of 5% by 2013. If the health care cost trend rates were increased or decreased by 1%, the Company's accumulated postretirement obligation as of December 31, 2004 would have increased

22



or decreased by $0.3 million and $0.2 million, respectively. The effect of these changes on the aggregate of service and interest cost for 2004 would be immaterial.

        The Company uses a December 31 measurement date for its plans. The assumptions used relating to the Company's defined benefit plan and postretirement plan for 2004 are as follows:

 
  Pension
Benefits

  Other
Benefits

 
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine benefit obligation at December 31:          
  Discount rate   5.75 % 5.75 %
  Rate of compensation increase   3.50 % N/A  
Weighted-average assumptions used to determine net cost for the period ended December 31:          
  Discount rate   6.00 % 6.00 %
  Expected long-term return on plan assets   7.00 % N/A  
  Rate of compensation increase   3.50 % N/A  

        The Company has a defined contribution plan covering all employees. Contributions and costs are a percent of each covered employee's salary. Amounts charged to expense related to such plans were $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2004.

14.    Commitments and contingencies:

        The Company enters into noncancellable operating leases for rights of way along its fiber network, network centers and off-network capacity. Rental expense (net of sublease rental income and unfavorable contract amortization) was $78.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2004. Future minimum annual rentals (exclusive of month-to-month leases, real estate taxes, maintenance and certain other charges) under these leases at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

2005   $ 52,889
2006     46,326
2007     43,947
2008     38,969
2009     32,003
Thereafter     235,784
   
Total minimum annual rentals   $ 449,918
   

        The Company is prohibited by debt agreements in the amount of dividends and other transfers of funds that are available to Leucadia. Principally as a result of such restrictions, the net assets of the Company, which are subject to limitations on transfer of funds to Leucadia, were approximately $530.5 million at December 31, 2004.

        In the second quarter of 2004 the Company's headquarters building sustained damage due to a severe storm. Insurance recovery is deemed probable for repairs to the building resulting from storm damage of approximately $6.8 million. The Company recorded an accrual of $5.0 million for additional

23



repairs for which insurance recovery is not assured, as underlying design flaws in the building necessitates them. The Company will seek to obtain reimbursement from the responsible parties.

15.    Litigation:

        The Company is subject to various types of litigation in connection with its business and operations.

Department of Labor Investigation

        In April 2003, the Company received written notice from the United States Department of Labor that it is exercising its authority under Section 504 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") to conduct periodic investigations of employee benefit plans to determine whether such plans conform with the provisions of ERISA and other applicable regulations. The stated scope of the review covers the Williams Communications Investment Plan (a defined contribution plan) for a time period extending from 1998 through the present date. In January 2004 and again in November of 2004, the Company received subpoenas from the United States Department of Labor requiring the production of related documents. The Company is cooperating fully with the Department of Labor. At this time, neither the length of the review nor likely outcome of the investigation can be determined. The Company believes that all of its actions with respect to employee benefit plans have been in full compliance with ERISA and other applicable regulations.

Right of Way Class Action Litigation

        A number of suits attempting to achieve class action status seek damages and other relief from the Company based on allegations that the Company installed portions of its fiber-optic cable without all necessary landowner consents. These allegations relate to the use of rights of way licensed by railroads, state departments of transportation and others controlling pre-existing right-of-way corridors. The putative members of the class in each suit are those owning the land underlying or adjoining the right-of-way corridors. Similar actions have been filed against all major carriers with fiber-optic networks. It is likely that additional actions will be filed. The Company believes it obtained sufficient rights to install its cable. It also believes that the class action suits are subject to challenge on procedural grounds.

        During 2002 and 2003, the Company and other major carriers sought to settle the class action claims referenced above relating to railroad rights of way through an agreed class action. These companies initially sought approval of a settlement in a case titled Zografos et al. vs. Qwest Communications Corp., et al., filed in the U.S. District Court for the District of Oregon on January 31, 2002. On July 12, 2002, the Oregon Court dismissed the action. Thereafter, on September 4, 2002, an existing case titled Smith, et al., vs. Sprint, et al., pending in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, was amended to join the Company and two other telecommunications companies as defendants. On July 25, 2003, the District Court in the Smith case issued an order preliminarily approving a proposed settlement agreement and issued an injunction, which stayed other putative class action railroad rights of way cases against the Company. Two of the intervening plaintiffs filed appeals, which were consolidated. On October 19, 2004, a three judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit reversed the District Court's orders. The case was remanded to the District Court

24



for further proceedings. Based on the Company's best estimate of a likely settlement, the Company has accrued $16.2 million as of December 31, 2004.

        Other right of way claims may be asserted against the Company. The Company cannot quantify the impact of all such claims at this time. Thus, WilTel cannot be certain that an unfavorable outcome of other potential right-of-way claims will not have a material adverse effect.

Platinum Equity Dispute

        In March 2001, the Company sold its Solutions segment to Platinum Equity LLC ("Platinum Equity") for a sales price that was subject to adjustment based upon a computation of the net working capital of the business as of March 31, 2001. A dispute arose between the companies with respect to the net working capital amount as defined in the agreement. Pursuant to the provisions of the sale agreement, the parties submitted the dispute to binding arbitration before an independent public accounting firm.

        In September 2002, Platinum Equity filed suit in the District Court of Oklahoma County, State of Oklahoma, against the Company alleging various breaches of representations and warranties related to the sale of the Solutions segment and requested a ruling that no payment was due under a promissory note issued by Platinum Equity at the time of purchase until all disputes were resolved. Many of the claims alleged by Platinum Equity in this suit were the same claims asserted by Platinum Equity in the net working capital dispute.

        In May 2003, the arbitrator rendered a determination of the adjustment amount under the net working capital dispute. Subsequently, the Company obtained summary judgment against Platinum Equity in the Oklahoma County litigation in the amount of approximately $38 million, which represented the amount that Platinum Equity owed under the promissory note, offset by the net working capital adjustment determined by the arbitrator. The Company adjusted the carrying amount of the note receivable to $38 million by offsetting amounts previously accrued for the net working capital dispute. In July 2003, the Company collected approximately $39 million, including interest, from Platinum Equity related to the summary judgment. The receipt of the $39 million did not resolve all of the issues between Platinum Equity and the Company, and the Oklahoma County litigation continued with respect to various other claims between the parties.

        In August 2004, Platinum Equity and the Company settled the Oklahoma County litigation and this matter has been concluded. A cash payment of $5.0 million was made and the excess litigation accrual of $18.5 million was recognized as other operating income.

Summary

        The Company is a party to various other claims, legal actions, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business for which a total of $21.5 million has been accrued as of December 31, 2004. In the opinion of management, upon the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of all claims, legal actions, and complaints, after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage, or other indemnification arrangements, is not expected to have a materially adverse effect upon the Company's future financial position or results of operations, although unfavorable outcomes in the items discussed above could significantly impact the Company's liquidity.

25


16.    Fair Value of Financial Instruments:

        The following table presents fair value information about certain financial instruments, whether or not recognized on the balance sheet. Fair values are determined as described below. These techniques are significantly affected by the assumptions used, including the discount rate and estimates of future cash flows. The fair value amounts presented do not purport to represent and should not be considered representative of the underlying "market" or franchise value of the Company. The methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values of each class of financial instruments described below are as follows:

        Investments:    The fair values of fixed maturity securities are substantially based on quoted market prices, as disclosed in Note 4.

        Cash and cash equivalents:    For each cash equivalents, the carrying amount approximates fair value.

        Long-term debt and other indebtedness:    The fair values of non-variable rate debt are estimated using quoted market prices and estimated rates which would be available to the Company for debt with similar terms. The fair value of variable rate debt is estimated to be the carrying amount.

        The carrying amounts and estimated fair values of the Company's financial instruments at December 31, 2004 are as follows (in thousands):

 
  Carrying
Amount

  Fair
Value

Financial Assets:            
  Investments:            
    Current   $ 21,577   $ 21,577
    Non-current     8,456     8,456
  Cash and cash equivalents     209,710     209,710
Financial Liabilities:            
  Debt:            
    Current   $ 3,922   $ 3,922
    Non-current     423,094     423,094

17.    Concentration of Credit Risk:

        As of December 31, 2004, accounts receivable due from SBC, the Company's largest customer, represented approximately 36% of its trade receivable. For the year ended December 31, 2004, revenues relating to SBC represented approximately 65% of the Company's total revenues. Purchases from SBC represented approximately 32% of the Company's cost of sales for the year ended December 31, 2004.

26



18.    Other Operating Income, Net:

        Other operating income (expense) for the year ended December 31, 2004 includes the following items (in thousands):

Litigation settlement   $ 18,549  
Dispute settlements     4,796  
Headquarters building storm damage     (5,000 )
Reversal of excess accruals     3,905  
Loss on sales of assets     (1,445 )
Other     583  
   
 
Total other operating income, net   $ 21,388  
   
 

19.    Investment and Interest Income:

        In addition to interest income, Investment and Interest Income includes $6.0 million related to sales of equity securities which had zero book values and a $1.3 million dividend from an investment which had a zero book value.

20.    Segment Information:

        The Company's reportable segments consist of its operating units, Network and Vyvx, which offer different products and services and are managed separately. Network owns or leases and operates a nationwide fiber-optic network over which it provides a variety of telecommunications services. The Company owns or has the right to use certain cable systems that connects its U.S. domestic network to foreign countries, and has the right to use wavelengths in Europe that it is currently not using.

        Vyvx transmits audio and video programming over the network and distributes advertising media in physical and electronic form.

        The Company evaluates performance based upon segment profit from operations, which represents income before income taxes, interest expense, investment and interest income, depreciation and amortization, other non-operating income and expense and certain other operating income (expense) items of a non-recurring nature.

        The following information reconciles segment profit from operations to the most comparable GAAP measure for the year ended December 31, 2004 (in millions):

 
  Network
  Vyvx
 
Segment profit from operations(1)   $ 117.8   $ 30.3  
Depreciation and amortization expense     (197.4 )   (10.7 )
Interest expense, net of investment and interest income(2)     (21.0 )   (2.1 )
Other operating income, net(2)(3)     21.3     2.6  
Other non-operating income, net(2)     0.9     0.1  
   
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes   $ (78.4 ) $ 20.2  
   
 
 

(1)
See note (b) to segment information below.

27


(2)
This item has been allocated to each segment based on a formula that considers each segment's revenues, property and equipment and headcount.

(3)
Excludes other operating income (expense) items of a recurring nature.

        Certain information concerning the Company's segments for the year ended December 31, 2004 is presented in the following table (in millions):

Revenues(a):        
  Network   $ 1,480.9  
  Vyvx     120.5  
  Intersegment elimination(b)     (18.4 )
   
 
    Total consolidated revenues   $ 1,583.0  
   
 
Income (loss) before income taxes:        
  Network(b)   $ (78.4 )
  Vyvx(b)     20.2  
   
 
    Total consolidated loss before income taxes   $ (58.2 )
   
 
Identifiable assets employed(c):        
  Network   $ 1,553.5  
  Vyvx     97.3  
   
 
    Total consolidated assets   $ 1,650.8  
   
 

(a)
Revenues for each segment include amounts for services rendered and products sold.

(b)
Eliminates intersegment revenues billed from Network to Vyvx. However, the intersegment revenues are included in the calculation to determine the loss before income taxes for each of Network and Vyvx.

(c)
This item has been allocated to each segment based on a formula that considers each segment's prior year revenues, property and equipment and headcount.

        Network and Vyvx had additions to long-lived assets of $69.3 million and $3.9 million, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2004.

28




QuickLinks

WilTel Communications Group, Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements For the Year Ended December 31, 2004
Report of Independent Auditors
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET December 31, 2004 (Dollars in thousands, except par value)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS For the year ended December 31, 2004 (In thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS For the year ended December 31, 2004 (In thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY For the year ended December 31, 2004 (Dollars in thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, INC. NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
EX-99.4 4 a2167978zex-99_4.htm EXHIBIT 99.4
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Exhibit 99.4


WilTel Communications Group, L.L.C.

Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

September 30, 2005




WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited)

September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004

(Dollars in thousands, except par value)

 
  September 30, 2005
  December 31, 2004
 
ASSETS              
Current assets:              
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 248,179   $ 209,710  
  Investments     39,359     21,577  
  Trade and other receivables, net     323,283     255,760  
  Prepaids and other current assets     20,510     16,935  
  Assets held for sale     3,278     7,655  
   
 
 
Total current assets     634,609     511,637  
Non-current investments     11,081     8,456  
Other assets     68,943     80,013  
Property, equipment and leasehold improvements, net     1,007,669     1,050,726  
   
 
 
    Total   $ 1,722,302   $ 1,650,832  
   
 
 
LIABILITIES              
Current liabilities:              
  Trade payables and expense accruals   $ 278,517   $ 268,363  
  Deferred revenue     56,577     52,632  
  Other current liabilities     43,341     68,145  
  Long-term debt due within one year     71,079     3,922  
   
 
 
    Total current liabilities     449,514     393,062  
Long-term deferred revenue     190,051     161,206  
Other non-current liabilities     126,068     142,971  
Long-term debt     353,042     423,094  
   
 
 
    Total liabilities     1,118,675     1,120,333  
   
 
 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)              

SHAREHOLDER'S/MEMBER'S EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common shares, $0.01 par value, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 10,000 shares outstanding at December 31, 2004, none at September 30, 2005          
  Additional paid-in capital         626,707  
  Membership interest     626,707      
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (14,476 )   (14,454 )
  Accumulated deficit     (8,604 )   (81,754 )
   
 
 
    Total shareholder's/member's equity     603,627     530,499  
   
 
 
      Total   $ 1,722,302   $ 1,650,832  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

1



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

(In thousands)

 
  2005
  2004
 
Revenues   $ 1,299,410   $ 1,178,160  
Operating Expenses:              
  Cost of sales (excluding depreciation and amortization)     1,039,712     964,948  
  Selling, general and administrative     110,428     104,799  
  Depreciation and amortization     122,526     161,849  
  Other operating income, net     (60,142 )   (23,495 )
   
 
 
    Total operating expenses     1,212,524     1,208,101  
   
 
 
  Income (loss) from operations     86,886     (29,941 )
  Interest expense     (25,421 )   (27,414 )
  Investment and interest income     10,762     10,159  
  Other income, net     923     702  
   
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes     73,150     (46,494 )
Income tax benefit (provision)          
   
 
 
    Net income (loss)   $ 73,150   $ (46,494 )
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

2



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited)

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004

(In thousands)

 
  2005
  2004
 
Net cash flows from operating activities:              
Net income (loss)   $ 73,150   $ (46,494 )
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operations:              
  Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     120,024     159,243  
  Other amortization and non-cash interest     4,095     3,029  
  Net securities gains     (2,277 )   (6,378 )
  Net (gains) losses on dispositions of assets     (12,216 )   945  
  Loss on impairment of intangible asset     3,034      
  Provision for doubtful accounts     (1,976 )   (2,000 )
  Reversal of excess litigation accrual         (18,549 )
  Net change in:              
    Trade and other receivables     (47,557 )   19,525  
    Prepaids and other assets     463     4,412  
    Trade payables and expense accruals     (5,264 )   12,525  
    Other liabilities     (5,727 )   3,270  
    Deferred revenue     (3,834 )   1,219  
  Other     (1,780 )   (557 )
   
 
 
  Net cash provided by operating activities     120,135     130,190  
   
 
 
Net cash flows from investing activities:              
Acquisition of property, equipment and leasehold improvements     (79,054 )   (50,379 )
Insurance recoveries related to storm damage to building     3,000      
Proceeds from sales of property and equipment and other assets     18,669     5,866  
Purchases of investments (other than short-term)     (43,234 )   (16,537 )
Proceeds from maturities of investments     21,195     92,699  
Proceeds from sales of investments     1,659     3,967  
Release of restriction on restricted cash         13,282  
Distribution from investment     1,627     976  
Acquisition, net of cash acquired         1,427  
   
 
 
  Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities     (76,138 )   51,301  
   
 
 
Net cash flows from financing activities:              
Change in cash overdrafts     (2,703 )   1,124  
Repayments of long-term debt     (2,825 )   (79,703 )
Debt acquisition costs         (7,200 )
   
 
 
  Net cash used in financing activities     (5,528 )   (85,779 )
   
 
 
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents     38,469     95,712  
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period     209,710     72,208  
   
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period   $ 248,179   $ 167,920  
   
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

3



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER'S/MEMBER'S EQUITY

For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005

(In thousands)

 
  Common
Stock

  Additional
Paid-in
Capital

  Membership
Interest

  Accumulated
Deficit

  Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
(Loss)

  Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2004   $   $ 626,707   $   $ (81,754 ) $ (14,454 ) $ 530,499  
Capital contribution to L.L.C.           (626,707 )   626,707                    

Comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments                         (22 )   (22 )
  Net income                     73,150         73,150  
                                 
 
    Comprehensive income                                   73,128  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, September 30, 2005   $   $   $ 626,707   $ (8,604 ) $ (14,476 ) $ 603,627  
   
 
 
 
 
 
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

4



WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

1.    Basis of Presentation:

        The accompanying financial statements are unaudited. However, in management's opinion, the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements reflect all the adjustments (consisting of normal recurring items or items discussed herein) necessary to present fairly the results of the interim periods. These notes should be read in conjunction with the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (including the Summary of Significant Accounting Policies) included in the Company's audited consolidated financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2004. Results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of annual results.

        On June 2, 2005, the structure of the Company changed from a corporation to an L.L.C. and was reorganized such that Baldwin Enterprises, Inc. ("Baldwin"), a wholly owned subsidiary of Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia"), owned all of the membership interests of the company. There was no financial statement impact as a result of this change as this reorganization occurred between entities under common control.

2.    Recent Accounting Pronouncements:

        In May 2005, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 154, "Accounting Changes and Error Corrections-a replacement of APB Opinion No. 20 and FASB Statement No. 3" ("SFAS 154"), which is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors made in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005. SFAS 154 applies to all voluntary changes in accounting principles, and changes the accounting and reporting requirements for a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods' financial statements of a voluntary change in accounting principle unless doing so is impracticable. APB 20 previously required that most voluntary changes in accounting principle be recognized by including in net income of the period in which the change occurred the cumulative effect of changing to the new accounting principle. SFAS 154 also requires that a change in depreciation, amortization, or depletion method for long-lived, nonfinancial assets be accounted for as a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle. SFAS 154 carries forward without change the guidance in APB 20 for reporting the correction of an error in previously issued financial statements, a change in accounting estimate and a change in reporting entity, as well as the provisions of SFAS 3 that govern reporting accounting changes in interim financial statements. The Company does not expect that SFAS 154 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

        In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations" ("FIN 47"), which is effective for fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. FIN 47 clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143, "Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations", refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. Under FIN 47, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. The fair value of a liability for the conditional asset retirement obligation should be recognized when incurred—generally upon acquisition, construction, or development and/or through the normal operation of the asset. The Company does not expect that FIN 47 will have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.

5



3.    Impairment of Long-Lived Assets:

        In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS 144"), the Company evaluates its long-lived assets for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate, in management's judgment, that the carrying value of such assets may not be recoverable. When testing for impairment, the Company groups its long-lived assets with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities (or asset group). The determination of whether an asset group is recoverable is based on management's estimate of undiscounted future cash flows directly attributable to the asset group as compared to its carrying value. If the carrying amount of the asset group is greater than the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment loss would be recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its estimated fair value.

        As more fully described in the 2004 audited financial statements, on January 31, 2005, SBC Communications Inc. ("SBC") announced it would buy AT&T Corp., and announced its intention to migrate the services provided by the Company to the AT&T network. Since SBC is the Company's largest customer, accounting for 70% of the Network segment's year to date 2005 telecommunications revenues, the Company concluded that SBC announcement is an event which requires the Company to assess the carrying value if its long-lived assets for impairment, principally property and equipment. Since the event which gave rise to the impairment review occurred on January 31, 2005, and is not reflective of a condition that existed as of December 31, 2004, the assessment of impairment was performed as part of the preparation of the Company's financial statements for the first quarter of 2005. Based on the assumptions described below, the Company concluded than an impairment charge was not required.

        The Company determined that its fiber optic communications network is the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities. The asset group is primarily composed of fiber optic cable, conduit, rights of way, optronics and certain buildings and related improvements. These assets are used together to generate joint cash flows. The Company has determined that the primary asset of the group is fiber optic cable, which has a remaining weighted average useful life of 16 years. The fiber optic cable is considered to be the primary asset of the group as it is the most significant component of the group, the principal asset from which the asset group derives its cash flow generating capacity, would cost the most to replace and without which most of the assets in the group would not have been acquired. The determination of the primary asset of the asset group is significant because estimated cash flows used to test for recoverability are based on the estimated remaining useful life of the primary asset. The carrying value of the asset group that was tested for impairment was approximately $920.0 million.

        The Company utilized its internal estimates of future cash flows from all of its customers over the remaining useful life of the primary asset. These assumptions reflected estimated future operating results and considered all relevant facts and circumstances. The economics and term of the Company's future relationship with SBC were the most significant assumptions in the analysis. The agreements entered into between the Company and SBC during the second quarter of 2005 (discussed below) have confirmed the validity of these assumptions. However, if the Company's actual cash flows in the future are materially less than the amounts used for its impairment analysis, or other events occur which have a material adverse affect on its business or ability to generate future cash flows, the Company would have to prepare a new impairment analysis and may conclude that this asset group is impaired.

6



4.    SBC Agreement:

        On June 15, 2005, the Company and SBC reached an agreement, pursuant to which the existing alliance agreements between the Company and SBC were terminated and a new Master Services Agreement and a Termination, Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement were entered into. In exchange for the termination of the existing alliance agreements and the exchange of mutual releases, the Company will receive aggregate cash payments from SBC of $236.0 million. Of this amount, $11.0 million is payable on January 3, 2006, and the balance is payable in twelve equal monthly installments beginning on the closing of SBC's agreement to acquire AT&T on November 18, 2005.

        Under the new Master Services Agreement, SBC agreed to purchase the Company's services at the fixed prices that had been in effect on June 15, 2005, with minimum purchase commitments for on-net services of $600.0 million for the period from January 1, 2005 through December 31, 2007, and $75.0 million for the period from January 1, 2008 through December 31, 2009. If SBC fails to spend the required $600.0 million or $75.0 million during the respective designated periods, SBC will pay the amount of any deficiency and receive a credit equal to such amount to be used for future services. If SBC spends more than $600.0 million during the initial three-year period, any excess will be credited toward the $75.0 million commitment in the second period. SBC's minimum purchase commitments exclude access and off-net costs. However, for financial reporting purposes these costs are included as revenues, with offsetting amounts reported in telecommunications cost of sales, on the Company's consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2005, approximately $192.0 million of minimum purchase commitments have been satisfied. Minimum purchase commitments are considered satisfied only when SBC has paid for the service provided, not when the service is recognized as revenue for financial reporting purposes.

        The Company also has the opportunity to earn up to an additional $50.0 million by meeting quality of service performance criteria in 2006 and 2007. These amounts will be recognized as operating revenue when they are earned. In addition, the Master Services Agreement provides that $18.0 million of the $25.0 million that SBC paid to the Company in 2004 to pre-fund capital expenditures will be applied as a credit against amounts that would otherwise be payable for services during the second half of 2005, with the remaining $7.0 million to be retained by the Company. The amount received during 2004 was not recognized as income and was reflected as a liability on the Company's consolidated balance sheet at December 31, 2004. During the third quarter of 2005, $10.8 million of the credit was applied to SBC provided services; as of September 30, 2005, $7.2 million of the credit remains outstanding.

        The Company is recognizing the $236.0 million of cash payments and the pre-funded capital expenditures that were not credited to SBC ($7.0 million) as other operating income. These amounts are being recognized as other operating income over time proportionally with the ratio of the minimum purchase commitments that have been satisfied subsequent to entering into the new master services agreement with SBC, to the remaining minimum purchase commitment at June 15, 2005. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, approximately $32.6 million of this amount was reflected in other operating income. None of the payments relating to the $236.0 million had become due at September 30, 2005. As of the date of this report, $86.0 million has been received by the Company or its parent related to this agreement.

7



5.    Indebtedness:

        As a result of an amendment to the Company's credit agreement in September 2005, $67.3 million of the term loan has been classified as due within one year.

        In November 2005, Leucadia National Corporation ("Leucadia") loaned the Company $220.0 million in the form of a note payable on demand (or if no demand is made, on or prior to November 9, 2006). The note accrues interest at 8% per annum with interest payable the last day of the month commencing December 31, 2005. Substantially all of the Company's assets are pledged as collateral under its note agreement. The proceeds of the advance from Leucadia, along with the Company's own cash, were used to repay the term loans under the credit facility, the OTC Note and the unpaid interest on the respective obligations in full. The total cash outlay for the repayment was $420.4 million. At the date of the payoff, previously capitalized debt issuance costs with a balance of $8.9 million were charged to other operating expense. The amount charged to other operating expense was netted with unpaid refinancing obligations that were reversed of $2.9 million, for a net expense of $6.0 million.

        The terms of the sale-leaseback transaction related to the Company's corporate aircraft were amended in October 2005. The lessor is now a related party, a subsidiary of Leucadia. The minimum lease payments were increased and the term was lengthened, which resulted in an increased capital lease obligation of $3.4 million. Under the terms of the transaction, the $5.3 million previously held as cash collateral by the former lessor for the lease was returned to the Company.

6.    Pension Plans and Post-Retirement Benefits:

        WilTel's pension expense charged to operations for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 related to the defined benefit pension plan included the following components (in thousands):

 
  2005
  2004
 
Interest cost   $ 7,057   $ 5,872  
Service cost     3,459     2,985  
Expected return on plan assets     (4,882 )   (4,044 )
Actuarial loss     2,350     35  
   
 
 
  Net pension expense   $ 7,984   $ 4,848  
   
 
 

        During the third quarter of 2005, the Company received the final 2005 actuarial valuation for its defined benefit pension plan, and recorded an increase in pension expense of $2.1 million.

        Employer contributions to the Company's defined benefit pension plan were $18.2 million during the first nine months of 2005.

        In the fourth quarter of 2005, the Company's defined pension plan was frozen due to an acquisition of a majority of the Company's assets.

        The Company provides certain healthcare and other benefits to certain retired employees under a plan which is currently unfunded. The Company pays the cost of postretirement benefits as they are incurred. Amounts charged to expense were not material in the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004.

8



7.    Litigation:

        The Company is subject to various types of litigation in connection with its business and operations.

Department of Labor Investigation

        In April 2003, the Company received written notice from the United States Department of Labor (the "Department") that it is exercising its authority under Section 504 of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA") to conduct periodic investigations of employee benefit plans to determine whether such plans conform with the provisions of ERISA and other applicable regulations. The stated scope of the review covers the Williams Communications Investment Plan (a defined contribution plan) for a time period extending from 1998 through the present date. In January 2004 and again in November of 2004, the Company received subpoenas from the Department requiring the production of related documents. The Company believes that all of its actions with respect to employee benefit plans have been in full compliance with ERISA and other applicable regulations. On November 29, 2005, the Department issued a letter stating that it had concluded its investigation and that no further action would be taken.

Right of Way Class Action Litigation

        A number of suits attempting to achieve class action status seek damages and other relief from the Company based on allegations that the Company installed portions of its fiber-optic cable without all necessary landowner consents. These allegations relate to the use of rights of way licensed by railroads, state departments of transportation and others controlling pre-existing right-of-way corridors. The putative members of the class in each suit are those owning the land underlying or adjoining the right-of-way corridors. Similar actions have been filed against all major carriers with fiber-optic networks. It is likely that additional actions will be filed. The Company believes it obtained sufficient rights to install its cable. It also believes that the class action suits are subject to challenge on procedural grounds. As of September 30, 2005, the Company has accrued $16.1 million for these claims. Other right of way claims may be asserted against the Company. The Company cannot quantify the impact of all such claims at this time. Thus, WilTel cannot be certain that an unfavorable outcome of other potential right-of-way claims will not have a material adverse effect.

One Technology Center Wind Damage

        In 2004, the Company's headquarter's building sustained damage due to a severe storm. Insurance recovery is deemed probable for repairs to the building resulting from the storm damage of approximately $7.8 million. The Company has an accrual of $5.0 million for additional repairs for which insurance recovery is not assured, as underlying design flaws in the building necessitate them. The Company will seek to obtain reimbursement from the responsible parties.

Summary

        The Company is a party to various other claims, legal actions, and complaints arising in the ordinary course of business for which a total of $20.2 million has been accrued as of September 30, 2005. In the opinion of management, upon the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate resolution of all claims, legal actions, and complaints, after consideration of amounts accrued, insurance coverage, or other indemnification arrangements, is not expected to have a materially adverse effect upon the

9



Company's future financial position or results of operations, although unfavorable outcomes in the items discussed above could significantly impact the Company's liquidity.

8.    Concentration of Credit Risk:

        As of September 30, 2005 and 2004, accounts receivable due from SBC, the Company's largest customer, represented approximately 30% and 38%, respectively, of its trade receivable. For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, revenues relating to SBC represented approximately 66% and 65%, respectively, of the Company's total revenues. Additionally, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 purchases from SBC represented approximately 29% and 31%, respectively, of the Company's cost of sales.

9.    Investment and Interest Income:

        In addition to interest income, Investment and Interest Income includes $2.2 million and $6.0 million related to sales of equity securities which had zero book values for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Investment and Interest Income for 2005 also includes a bankruptcy claim distribution of $1.6 million received for a security with no book value.

10.    Other Operating Income, Net:

        Other Operating Income, Net for the nine month periods ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 includes the following items (in thousands):

 
  2005
  2004
 
SBC termination income   $ 32,621      
SBC intangible impairment     (3,034 )    
Litigation settlement         18,549  
Dispute settlements     14,864     2,830  
Reversal of excess accruals     2,180     2,609  
Gain on sales of assets     13,291      
Other     220     (493 )
   
 
 
Total other operating income, net   $ 60,142   $ 23,495  
   
 
 

        For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005, gain on sales of assets includes $12.4 million for the sale of undersea cable assets, and dispute settlements include $7.9 million from the termination of a dark fiber contract and related maintenance services for which the Company will not have to perform any remaining services, as well as $5.5 million for the settlement of vendor access cost disputes.

11.    Segment Information:

        The Company's reportable segments consist of its operating units, Network and Vyvx, which offer different products and services and are managed separately. Network owns or leases and operates a nationwide fiber-optic network over which it provides a variety of telecommunications services. The Company owns or has the right to use certain cable systems that connects its U.S. domestic network to foreign countries, and has the right to use wavelengths in Europe that it is currently not using.

10



        Vyvx transmits audio and video programming over the network and distributes advertising media in physical and electronic form.

        The Company evaluates performance based upon segment profit from operations, which represents income before income taxes, interest expense, investment and interest income, depreciation and amortization, other non-operating income and expense and certain other operating income (expense) items of a non-recurring nature.

        The following information reconciles segment profit from operations to the most comparable GAAP measure for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 (in millions):

 
  2005
  2004
 
 
  Network
  Vyvx
  Network
  Vyvx
 
Segment profit from operations(1)   $ 148.6   $ 24.2   $ 86.0   $ 23.7  
Depreciation and amortization expense     (116.6 )   (5.9 )   (154.1 )   (7.7 )
Interest expense, net of investment and interest income(2)(4)     (17.3 )   2.6     (15.6 )   (1.7 )
Other operating income, net(2)(3)     36.6         19.6     2.6  
Other non-operating income, net(2)     0.8     0.1     0.7      
   
 
 
 
 
Income (loss) before income taxes   $ 52.1   $ 21.0   $ (63.4 ) $ 16.9  
   
 
 
 
 

(1)
Reflects intersegment charges from Network to Vyvx of $13.5 million and $13.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

(2)
If items in these categories cannot be directly attributed to a particular segment, they are allocated to each segment based on a formula that considers each segment's revenues, property and equipment and headcount.

(3)
Excludes other operating income (expense) items of a recurring nature including $12.4 million in sales of undersea cable assets and $7.9 million in dispute settlements for the period ended September 30, 2005.

(4)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2005, Network includes income of $2.2 million related to the sale of an equity security which had a zero book value, and Vyvx includes a bankruptcy claim distribution of $1.6 million received for a security with no book value. For the nine months ended September 30, 2004, Network includes $6.0 million related to the sale of an equity security which had a zero book value.

11


        Certain statement of operations information for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004, and balance sheet information as of September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 concerning the Company's segments is presented in the following table (in millions):

 
  2005
  2004
 
Revenues(a):              
  Network   $ 1,223.3   $ 1,102.1  
  Vyvx     89.6     90.0  
  Intersegment elimination(b)     (13.5 )   (13.9 )
   
 
 
    Total consolidated revenues   $ 1,299.4   $ 1,178.2  
   
 
 

Income (loss) before income taxes:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Network(b)   $ 52.1   $ (63.4 )
  Vyvx(b)     21.0     16.9  
   
 
 
    Total consolidated income (loss) before income taxes   $ 73.1   $ (46.5 )
   
 
 

Identifiable assets employed:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Network   $ 1,619.8   $ 1,553.5  
  Vyvx     102.5     97.3  
   
 
 
    Total consolidated assets   $ 1,722.3   $ 1,650.8  
   
 
 

(a)
Revenues for each segment include amounts for services rendered and products sold.

(b)
Eliminates intersegment revenues billed from Network to Vyvx. However, the intersegment revenues are included in the calculation to determine the loss before income taxes for each of Network and Vyvx.

        Network and Vyvx had additions to long-lived assets of $74.5 million and $4.6 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2005. Network and Vyvx had additions to long-lived assets of $47.4 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 2004.

12.    Subsequent Event:

        On December 23, 2005, Leucadia, through its subsidiary, Baldwin, sold all of the membership interests in the Company to Level 3 Communications Inc., excluding certain specified Company assets and liabilities.

        At closing the Company transferred certain retained assets to Baldwin, and Baldwin assumed certain retained liabilities. The retained assets include all cash and cash equivalents in excess of $100.0 million, all marketable securities, the Company's headquarters building located in Tulsa, Oklahoma and certain other miscellaneous assets. In addition, the Company will assign to Baldwin all of its right to receive the $236.0 million in cash payments from SBC disclosed in Note 4 above. The retained liabilities include all of the Company's long-term debt obligations, the Company's obligations under its defined benefit pension plan and supplemental retirement plan, certain other employee related liabilities and other claims.

12




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WilTel Communications Group, L.L.C. Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) September 30, 2005
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) September 30, 2005 and December 31, 2004 (Dollars in thousands, except par value)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 (In thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) For the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and 2004 (In thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C. CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDER'S/MEMBER'S EQUITY For the nine month period ended September 30, 2005 (In thousands)
WILTEL COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, L.L.C. NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
EX-99.5 5 a2167978zex-99_5.htm EXHIBIT 99.5
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Exhibit 99.5

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        The following unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet as of September 30, 2005 and the unaudited pro forma condensed combined statements of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 and the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 of Level 3 Communications, Inc. ("Level 3") and WilTel Communications Group, LLC ("WilTel") have been prepared after giving effect to Level 3's acquisition of WilTel ("Acquisition") and the assumptions and adjustments described in the accompanying notes herein. The Acquisition excludes certain specified WilTel assets and liabilities in accordance with terms of the purchase agreement. Level 3 acquired WilTel on December 23, 2005

        The unaudited pro forma financial statements account for the Acquisition under the purchase method of accounting. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined balance sheet is presented as if the Acquisition occurred on September 30, 2005. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations of Level 3 and WilTel for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is presented as if the Acquisition occurred on January 1, 2004. The unaudited pro forma condensed combined statement of operations of Level 3 and WilTel for the year ended December 31, 2004 is presented as if the Acquisition had taken place on January 1, 2004. The historical consolidated financial statements of Level 3 have been restated to reflect the results of operations and financial position of (i)Structure, LLC as discontinued operations for all periods presented due to its sale to Infocrossing, Inc. on November 30, 2005. Certain reclassifications have been made relative to WilTel's historical financial statements in order to present them on a basis consistent with Level 3.

        The preliminary allocation of the purchase price used in the unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements is based upon a preliminary valuation. Our estimates and assumptions are subject to change upon the finalization of the valuation. The primary areas of the purchase price allocation which are not yet finalized relate to identifiable long-lived tangible and intangible assets, the fair value of deferred revenue, the fair value of contractual obligations assumed and restructuring costs.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements are not intended to represent or be indicative of the consolidated results of operations or financial position of Level 3 that would have been reported had the Acquisition been completed as of the dates presented, and should not be taken as representative of the future consolidated results of operations or financial position of Level 3. The unaudited pro forma financial statements do not reflect any operating efficiencies and cost savings that we may achieve with respect to combining the companies.

        Under the terms of the purchase agreement for the Acquisition, the purchase price paid consisted of approximately $390 million in cash, plus $100 million in cash to reflect Leucadia's having complied with its obligation to leave that amount of cash in WilTel and 115 million shares of Level 3's common stock valued at $313 million, using a stock value of $2.72 per share. The value of the common stock was determined using the average closing stock price for the two days prior and two days after the date the transaction was announced. The Company also incurred costs of approximately $7 million related to the transaction. The cash purchase price is subject to post-closing adjustments based primarily on actual working capital as of the closing date. Level 3 entered into certain transactions with WilTel prior to the acquisition of WilTel by Level 3, whereby it received cash for communications services to be provided in the future which Level 3 accounted for as deferred revenue. As a result of the acquisition, Level 3 can no longer amortize this deferred revenue into earnings and accordingly, reduced the purchase price applied to the net assets acquired in the WilTel transaction by $2 million, the amount of the unamortized deferred revenue balance on December 23, 2005.

        The unaudited pro forma condensed combined financial statements should be read in conjunction with the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes of Level 3 incorporated by reference to this filing, and the historical consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes for WilTel included herein.



LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet at September 30, 2005

(dollars in millions)

  Historical
Level 3(a)

  Historical
WilTel(a)

  Remove
Excluded
Assets and
Liabilities(b)

  Pro Forma
Adjustments

  Pro Forma
Level 3

 
Assets                                
Current Assets:                                
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 490   $ 248   $ (148 ) $ (497 ) d1 $ 93  
  Marketable securities     403     39     (39 )         403  
  Restricted cash and securities     38                     38  
  Receivables, net     401     323     (37 )         687  
  Other     168     24     (1 )         191  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Current Assets     1,500     634     (225 )   (497 )   1,412  
Property, Plant and Equipment, net     5,071     1,008     (103 )   (272 ) c1   5,704  
Marketable Securities     408     11     (11 )         408  
Restricted Cash and Securities     71                     71  
Goodwill and Other Intangibles, net     401     38           113   c2   552  
Other Assets, net     129     31     (9 )         151  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Assets   $ 7,580   $ 1,722   $ (348 ) $ (656 ) $ 8,298  
   
 
 
 
 
 

Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
Current Liabilities:                                
  Accounts payable   $ 488   $ 177   $ (20 ) $   $ 645  
  Current portion of long-term debt         71     (71 )          
  Accrued payroll and employee benefits     62     56     (27 )         91  
  Accrued interest     130                     130  
  Deferred revenue     207     57           (20 ) c3   244  
  Other     111     68     (9 )   26   c4   196  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Current Liabilities     998     429     (127 )   6     1,306  

Long-Term Debt, less current portion

 

 

6,020

 

 

353

 

 

(353

)

 

 

 

 

6,020

 
                        (2 ) d3      
Deferred Revenue     733     190           (190 ) c3   731  

Other Liabilities

 

 

461

 

 

146

 

 

(38

)

 

(9

) c5

 

560

 

Stockholders' Deficit:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
  Common Stock     7               1   d2   8  
                        (783 ) d4      
  Additional paid-in capital     7,429     627     156     312   d2   7,741  
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss     (45 )   (14 )   14           (45 )
  Accumulated deficit     (8,023 )   (9 )         9   d4   (8,023 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Stockholders' Deficit     (632 )   604     170     (461 )   (319 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Deficit   $ 7,580   $ 1,722   $ (348 ) $ (656 ) $ 8,298  
   
 
 
 
 
 

        The acquisition of WilTel has been accounted for as a purchase combination. Assets acquired and liabilities assumed were recorded at their fair values as of December 23, 2005. The total preliminary



purchase price is $808 million, including transaction costs and deferred revenue of Level 3 attributable to WilTel and is comprised of the following:

(dollars in millions)

   
 

Equity Consideration (115 million shares at $2.72)

 

$

313

 
Cash Consideration     490  
Transaction Costs     7  
   
 
  Purchase Consideration     810  
Deferred Revenue of Level 3 attributable to WilTel     (2 )
   
 
  Total Preliminary Purchase Price   $ 808  
   
 

        Under business combination accounting, the total preliminary purchase price will be allocated to WilTel's net tangible and intangible assets based on their estimated fair value as of December 23, 2005. Based upon a preliminary valuation, the total preliminary purchase price was allocated as follows:

(dollars in millions)

  December 23, 2005
 
Assets:        
  Cash and cash equivalents   $ 128  
  Accounts receivable     257  
  Other current assets     18  
  Property, plant and equipment, net     660  
  Identifiable intangibles     152  
  Other assets     26  
   
 
Total Assets     1,241  

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 
  Accounts payable     204  
  Accrued payroll     29  
  Other current liabilities     69  
  Deferred revenue—WilTel     41  
  Deferred revenue—Level 3     (2 )
  Other liabilities     90  
   
 
Total Liabilities     431  
   
 
  Purchase Price   $ 810  
   
 

        The preliminary allocation of the purchase price was based upon a preliminary valuation, and the estimates and assumptions are subject to change upon the finalization of the valuation.

        Balance Sheet Adjustments:

    (a)
    These columns reflect the historical balance sheets of the respective companies. Certain reclassifications have been made relative to WilTel's historical financial statements in order to present them on a basis consistent with Level 3.

    (b)
    Removes the assets and liabilities not included in the purchase agreement, including:

    Cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities (current and noncurrent) in excess of $100 million as of September 30, 2005. The preliminary purchase allocation provided above includes $128 million of cash and cash equivalents offset by $28 million of an overdraft balance included in accounts payable.

    Accounts Receivable due under the Termination, Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement among Leucadia, WilTel and SBC.

    WilTel's corporate headquarters in Tulsa, OK and leased aircraft.

      Debt obligations, and related debt issuance costs, primarily attributable to the mortgage on WilTel's corporate headquarters and its credit facility.

      Obligations under the defined benefit pension plan and other employee benefit plans.

    (c1)
    Adjustment to reflect the value of WilTel property plant and equipment received in the acquisition which has estimated useful lives of 2 to 20 years.

    (c2)
    Adjustment to reflect value of intangible assets associated with customer relationships acquired in the transaction which will be amortized on a straight line basis over their estimated useful lives of 6 to 11 years. Certain trademarks have been assigned indefinite lives.

    (c3)
    Adjustment to reflect fair value of deferred revenue assumed in the transaction.

    (c4)
    Adjustment to reflect estimated severance and employee related costs.

    (c5)
    Adjustment to reflect decrease in fair value of asset retirement obligations assumed in the transaction due to a higher discount rate used by Level 3.

    (d1)
    Cash consideration paid for acquisition. Includes $7 million of transaction costs.

    (d2)
    Stock consideration paid for acquisition which is comprised of 115 million shares of Level 3 common stock valued at $2.72 per share.

    (d3)
    Remove Level 3 deferred revenue attributable to WilTel contracts which existed prior to the transaction.

    (d4)
    Adjustment to remove historical equity of WilTel.


LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

  Historical
Level 3(a)

  Historical
WilTel(a)

  Intercompany
Adjustments(b)

  Pro Forma
Adjustments

  Pro Forma
Level 3

 
Revenue   $ 3,637   $ 1,583   $ (6 )       $ 5,214  

Cost of revenue

 

 

2,208

 

 

1,129

 

 

(6

)

 

 

 

 

3,331

 
                        (208 ) c      
Depreciation and amortization     682     208           110   d   792  
                        (14 ) e      
Selling, general and administrative     947     282           4   f   1,219  
Restructuring and impairment charges     16                     16  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total costs and expenses     3,853     1,619     (6 )   (108 )   5,358  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)     (216 )   (36 )       108     (144 )
Other Income (Expense):                                
  Interest income     13     6           (5 ) g   14  
  Interest expense     (485 )   (35 )         34   h   (486 )
  Gains on early extinguishment of debt     197                     197  
  Other, net     39     7                 46  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total other income (expense)     (236 )   (22 )       29     (229 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from Continuing operations Before Income Tax     (452 )   (58 )         137     (373 )
Income Tax Expense     (6 )                   (6 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations   $ (458 ) $ (58 )     $ 137   $ (379 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in 000's)

 

 

683,846

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

798,846

 
   
             
 
 

EPS: Net Loss from Continuing Operations

 

$

(0.67

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.47

)
   
                   
 


LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations

For the nine months ended September 30, 2005

(dollars in millions, except per share data)

  Historical
Level 3(a)

  Historical
WilTel(a)

  Intercompany
Adjustments(b)

  Pro Forma
Adjustments

  Pro Forma
Level 3

 
Revenue   $ 2,669   $ 1,340   $ (4 )   (33 ) i $ 3,972  

Cost of revenue

 

 

1,617

 

 

921

 

 

(4

)

 

 

 

 

2,534

 
                        (123 ) c      
Depreciation and amortization     494     123           82   d   576  
                        (10 ) e      
Selling, general and administrative     656     209           3   f   858  
Restructuring and impairment charges     24                     24  
   
 
 
 
 
 
  Total costs and expenses     2,791     1,253     (4 )   (48 )   3,992  
   
 
 
 
 
 
Operating Income (Loss)     (122 )   87         15     (20 )
Other Income (Expense):                                
  Interest income     25     8           (7 ) g   26  
  Interest expense     (391 )   (25 )         24   h   (392 )
  Other, net     23     3                 26  
   
 
 
 
 
 
    Total other income (expense)     (343 )   (14 )       17     (340 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Loss from Continuing operations Before Income Tax     (465 )   73           32     (360 )
Income Tax Expense     (4 )                   (4 )
   
 
 
 
 
 
Net Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations   $ (469 ) $ 73       $ 32   $ (364 )
   
 
 
 
 
 

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (in 000's)

 

 

695,060

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

115,000

 

 

810,060

 
   
             
 
 

EPS: Net Loss from Continuing Operations

 

$

(0.67

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

$

(0.45

)
   
                   
 

Statement of Operations Adjustments:

    (a)
    These columns reflect the historical statements of operations of the respective companies. Certain reclassifications have been made relative to WilTel's historical financial statements in order to present them on a basis consistent with Level 3.

    (b)
    Eliminate the historical intercompany transactions between Level 3 and WilTel.

    (c)
    Remove historical depreciation and amortization expense attributable to WilTel.

    (d)
    Record depreciation and amortization expense for the tangible and intangible assets obtained in the Acquisition based on preliminary purchase price allocation.

    (e)
    Remove historical selling, general and administrative expenses attributable to the excluded assets and liabilities not included in the Acquisition.

    (f)
    Record rent expense attributable to the leased Tulsa corporate facility. Level 3 is leasing space in the Tulsa corporate facility from Leucadia subsequent to the closing of the transaction.

    (g)
    Remove interest income attributable to the cash, cash equivalents and marketable securities retained by Leucadia. The increase in interest income for the nine months ended September 30, 2005 is attributable to a higher interest rate being earned on the $100 million of cash and cash equivalents retained in the transaction during this period in 2005 when compared to the year ended December 31, 2004.

    (h)
    Remove interest expense on the historical debt of WilTel not assumed in the Acquisition.

    (i)
    Remove income attributable to the June 2005 Termination, Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement among Leucadia, WilTel and SBC. This income was retained by Leucadia in the transaction.

        The statement of operations adjustments described above have not been tax effected due to Level 3's net operating loss position for income tax purposes.




QuickLinks

LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Balance Sheet at September 30, 2005
LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations For the twelve months ended December 31, 2004
LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Operations For the nine months ended September 30, 2005
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