Goodwill and Other IntangiblesWe consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash of $50 million and $14 million is included within “Income taxes and other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. This amount represents funds held as collateral by a bank against letters of credit issued predominately to insurance carriers.
| e) | | Goodwill and Other Intangibles: |
Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired in a business combination. We have undertaken studies to determine the fair values of assets and liabilities acquired as well as to allocate the purchase price to assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, goodwill and other identifiable intangibles. We examine the carrying value of our goodwill and trade name annually as of December 31, or more frequently as circumstances warrant, to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in GAAP.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
We determined that we have one operating segment based on a number of factors that our management uses to evaluate and run our business operations, including similarities of customers, products and technology. No triggering events were identified
As a result of our quarterly qualitative assessment, we tested goodwill for impairment as of March 31,September 30, 2018. Refer to Note 6 for a discussion of our goodwill impairment testing and results as of September 30, 2018.
Frontier amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on the accelerated method of sum of the years digits. We review such intangible assets at least annually as of December 31 to assess whether any potential impairment exists and whether factors exist that would necessitate a change in useful life and a different amortization period.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(2) Recent Accounting Literature:
Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements
Revenue Recognition
In May 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers.” This standard, along with its related amendments, requires companies to recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which they expect to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. Frontier adopted the standard during the first quarter of 2018, using the modified retrospective method – i.e., by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying Accounting Standards Codification Topic (ASC) 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of shareholders’ equity at January 1, 2018. The comparative information for historical periods has not been adjusted and continues to be reported under ASC 605. See Note 3 for additional details and disclosures.
Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost
Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted FASB ASU No. 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” This standard was established to improve the presentation of net periodic pension cost and net periodic postretirement benefit cost by requiring that an employer disaggregate the service cost component of periodic benefit cost from the other components of net benefit cost. The amendments in the update also provide explicit guidance on how to present the service cost component and other components of net benefit cost in the income statement and allow only the service cost components of net benefit cost to be eligible for capitalization. For adoption, Frontier retrospectively applied changes to our presentation of pension settlement costs and certain other benefit costs.
The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASU No. 2017-07.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, 2017 | |
| | | | Impact of adoption | | | |
($ in millions) | | As Reported | | of ASU 2017-07 | | As Restated | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Network related expenses | | $ | 494 | | $ | (1) | | $ | 493 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | $ | 544 | | $ | (2) | | $ | 542 | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | 43 | | $ | (43) | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income/expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income, net | | $ | 3 | | $ | (3) | | $ | - | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | - | | $ | 43 | | $ | 43 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASU No. 2017-07.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, 2017 | |
| | | | Impact of Adoption | | | |
($ in millions) | | As Reported | | of ASU 2017-07 | | As Restated | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Network related expenses | | $ | 497 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 498 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | $ | 486 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 487 | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | 15 | | $ | (15) | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income/expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income, net | | $ | 2 | | $ | 2 | | $ | 4 | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | - | | $ | 15 | | $ | 15 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 | |
| | | | Impact of Adoption | | | |
($ in millions) | | As Reported | | of ASU 2017-07 | | As Restated | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Network related expenses | | $ | 1,468 | | $ | - | | $ | 1,468 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | $ | 1,561 | | $ | (1) | | $ | 1,560 | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | 77 | | $ | (77) | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Non-operating income/expenses: | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income, net | | $ | 5 | | $ | (1) | | $ | 4 | |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | - | | $ | 77 | | $ | 77 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted
Leases
In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic(ASC 842).” This standard, along with its amendments, establishes the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. Upon implementation, lessees will need to recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. It will be critical to identify leases embedded in a contract to avoid misstating the lessee’s balance sheet. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. Existing sale-leaseback guidance, including guidance for real estate, is replaced with a new model applicable to both lessees and lessors. The new guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, including interim periods within those fiscal yearsyears.
Frontier plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 using the modified retrospective application. Early application is permitted.approach which will result in the recognition of operating leases on the consolidated balance sheet without revising comparative period information or disclosures. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that we are currently evaluating and may elect to apply when we adopt this standard. Frontier is in the initial stages ofcurrently evaluating the potential impact this new standard may haveof adoption on the consolidatedour financial statements.statements and related disclosures, including expected increases to assets and liabilities on our balance sheet, and expected minimal impact on our statement of operations.
Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
In February 2018, FASB issued ASU 2018-02, which allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates to be included in “Income from continuing operations,” even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive income” (rather than in “Income
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
from continuing operations”). The amendments in this ASU are effective for all entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. Adoption of this ASU is to be applied either in the period of adoption or retrospectively to each period in which the effect of the change in the tax laws or rates were recognized. We are still evaluating certain aspects of this ASU as well as the related impacts it may have on our financial statements.
Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting
In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which aligns the measurement and classification guidance for share-based payments to nonemployees with that for employees, with certain exceptions. It expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payments granted to nonemployees and supersedes the guidance in ASC 505-50. Currently, nonemployee share-based payment awards are measured at the fair value of the consideration received or the fair value of the equity instruments issued, whichever can be more reliably measured. The ASU retains the existing cost attribution guidance, which requires entities to recognize compensation cost for nonemployee awards in the same period and in the same manner (i.e., capitalize or expense) they would if they paid cash for the goods or services, but it moves the guidance to ASC 718. ASU 2018-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this guidance.
(3)ASC 606 Adoption and Revenue Recognition:
Frontier applied ASC 606 using the modified retrospective method – i.e., by recognizing the cumulative effect of initially applying ASC 606 as an adjustment to the opening balance of equity at January 1, 2018. The historical periods have not been adjusted and continue to be reported under ASC 605 “Revenue Recognition.”
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The following table includes information for the transition adjustment recorded as of January 1, 2018 to record the cumulative impact of adoption of ASC 606 for prior periods.
| | | | | | | | | |
| | |
| | | | | (Unaudited) |
| | As Reported | | ASC 606 | | Adjusted |
($ in millions) | | December 31, 2017 | | Transition Adjustment | | January 1, 2018 |
Assets | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 819 | | $ | (32) | | $ | 787 |
Contract acquisition costs | | $ | - | | $ | 87 | | $ | 87 |
Other current assets | | $ | 64 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 68 |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 14,377 | | $ | 15 | | $ | 14,392 |
Other assets | | $ | 97 | | $ | 127 | | $ | 224 |
| | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | $ | 330 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 335 |
Other liabilities | | $ | 317 | | $ | (9) | | $ | 308 |
Deferred income taxes | | $ | 1,139 | | $ | 51 | | $ | 1,190 |
Accumulated deficit | | $ | (2,263) | | $ | 154 | | $ | (2,109) |
| | | | | | | | | |
The details of the significant changes are set out below.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Bundled Service and Allocation of Discounts
When customers purchase more than one service, the amount allocable to each service under ASC 606 is being determined based upon the relative stand-alone selling price of each service received. While this change results in different allocations to each of the services, it does not change total customer revenue.
Customer Incentives
When customers purchase more than one service, the amountrevenue allocable to each service under ASC 606 is determined based upon the relative stand-alone selling price of each service received. While this change results in different allocations to each of the services, it does not change total customer revenue. Under ASC 606, services,We frequently offer service discounts and otheras an incentive to customers. Service discounts reduce the total transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are satisfied over the term of the customer contract. We may also offer incentives offered to customerswhich are considered cash equivalents (e.g. Visa gift cards) that similarly result in a reduction of the total transaction price as well as lower revenue over the term of the contract. A contract asset is often created during the beginning of the contract term when the term of the incentive is shorter than the contract term. These contract assets are realized over the term of the contract as our performance obligations are satisfied and customer consideration is received.
Customer Incentives
In the process of acquiring and/or retaining customers, we may issue a variety of incentives aside from service discounts or cash equivalent incentives. Those incentives that have stand-alone value (e.g. gift cards not considered cash equivalents or free goods/services) are considered a separate performance obligations andobligation under ASC606. As a result, while these incentives are free to the customer, a portion of the consideration received from the customer over the contract will be allocatedterm is ascribed to them. Other customerthem based upon their relative stand-alone selling price. The revenue, isreflected in “Other revenue” and costs, reflected in “Network access expense”, for these incentives are recognized when the incentivesthey are granteddelivered to the customer and ourthe performance obligation is satisfied. The costs forSimilar to discounts, these types of incentives will continue to be recognized as marketing expense and included in Selling, general and administrative expenses. Under ASC 606, cash equivalent customer incentives reduce the total contract value, which reduces revenue over the contract term, orgenerally result in the casecreation of a month-to-month contract over the expected contract term. When customer incentives issued exceed the reduction of revenue recorded over the contract term, a contract asset is generated.during the beginning of the contract term. As part of the above transition adjustment, $40 million and $37 million of Short-term and Long-term contract assets were recorded, respectively. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we have included $39$38 million of Short-term contract assets in Other current assets and $37 million of Long-term contract assets in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
Upfront Fees
Under ASC 606,All non-refundable upfront non-refundable fees for carrier contracts that provide the customerour customers with a material right to renew and therefore must be deferred and amortized into revenue over the typical contract term. Previously, these were recognized as revenue when billed. Whenexpected period for which related services are provided. With upfront fees paid by customers exceedsassessed at the revenue recognized for the satisfactionbeginning of the performance obligations,a contract, a contract liability is generated.often created, which is reduced over the term of the contract as the performance obligations are satisfied. As part of the transition adjustment above, $13 million and $9 million of Short-term and Long-term contract liabilities were recorded, respectively, for carrier upfront fees. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we have included $13 million of Short-term contract liabilities in Other current liabilities and $9 million of Long-term contract liabilities in Other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet related to carrier upfront fees.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Contract Acquisition Costs
Under ASC 606, certain costs to acquire customers must be deferred and amortized over the related contract period or expected customer life (average of 3.8 years). For Frontier, this includes certain commissions paid to acquire new customers. Beginning January 1, 2018, commissions attributable to new customer contracts are being deferred and amortized into expense. Historically these acquisition costs were expensed as incurred. Frontier expects that the incremental commissions paid as a result of acquiring customers are recoverable and therefore, as part of the transition adjustment above, short-term acquisition costs of $87 million and long-term contract acquisition costs of $117 million were capitalized.deferred. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, Frontier capitalized and deferred $33$106 million of costs and amortized deferred costs of $25$80 million to Selling, general and administrative expense. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we have recorded short-term contract acquisition costs of $91$102 million and included $121$128 million of long-term contract acquisition costs in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Reserves and Disputes
For carrier disputes, Frontier previously recorded a reserve as a reduction of commercial revenue on a case by case basis once the carrier claim was validated by Frontier. Under ASC 606, credits issued for disputes are variable consideration and an estimate for the credits to be issued is now being recorded at the time of customer billing and the related contract liability is reflected in our Allowance for doubtful accounts (see Note 4). Other than the transition adjustment, there was no impact to our operating results for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 related to this change.
Switched Access
Under ASC 606, switched access revenue, which has been historically reflected in Other regulatory revenue, is considered revenue from a customer; therefore, will be reflected in commercial customer revenue on a prospective basis.
Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC)
It is customary for us to charge customers for certain construction activities requested by them. Historically, these amounts were reflected as offsets to the costs of construction and were recorded net in property, plant and equipment accounts. Under ASC 606, certain CIAC amounts will now be recognized as other customer revenue. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, we recognized $5$26 million in Revenue for performance obligations that were satisfied during the period.
USF Fees
Universal Service Fund Fees assessed to our customers were previously reflected in regulatory revenue. Under ASC 606, these amounts are being included in contract value and allocated to the services which have been delivered based on relative stand-alone selling price of each service.
The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on Frontier’s consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2018.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | September 30, 2018 | | |
| | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | |
($ in millions) | | As Reported | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 744 | | $ | 38 | | $ | 782 | | |
Contract acquisition costs | | $ | 102 | | $ | (102) | | $ | - | | |
Prepaid expenses | | $ | 95 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 100 | | |
Other current assets | | $ | 103 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 107 | | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 14,268 | | $ | (47) | | $ | 14,221 | | |
Other assets | | $ | 233 | | $ | (132) | | $ | 101 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | $ | 324 | | $ | (4) | | $ | 320 | | |
Other liabilities | | $ | 296 | | $ | 3 | | $ | 299 | | |
Deferred income taxes | | $ | 1,204 | | $ | (52) | | $ | 1,152 | | |
Accumulated deficit | | $ | (2,533) | | $ | (181) | | $ | (2,714) | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The following tables summarize the impacts of adopting ASC 606 on Frontier’s consolidated balance sheet and statement of operations as of and for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2018 | |
| | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | |
($ in millions) | | As Reported | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | adoption of ASC 606 | |
Assets | | | | | | | | | | |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 778 | | $ | 32 | | $ | 810 | |
Prepaid expenses | | $ | 78 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 82 | |
Contract acquisition costs | | $ | 91 | | $ | (91) | | $ | - | |
Other current assets | | $ | 54 | | $ | (2) | | $ | 52 | |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 14,321 | | $ | (24) | | $ | 14,297 | |
Other assets | | $ | 228 | | $ | (130) | | $ | 98 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Liabilities and Equity | | | | | | | | | | |
Other current liabilities | | $ | 334 | | $ | (9) | | $ | 325 | |
Other liabilities | | $ | 280 | | $ | 10 | | $ | 290 | |
Deferred income taxes | | $ | 1,217 | | $ | (53) | | $ | 1,164 | |
Accumulated deficit | | $ | (2,089) | | $ | (159) | | $ | (2,248) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, 2018 | | | For the three months ended September 30, 2018 | |
| | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | |
| | As Reported | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | | As Reported | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | Adoption of ASC 606 | |
($ in millions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | $ | 2,199 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,193 | | | $ | 2,126 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,120 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network access expenses | | | 372 | | | (3) | | | 369 | | | | 353 | | | 1 | | | 354 | |
Network related expenses | | | 483 | | | - | | | 483 | | | | 476 | | | - | | | 476 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | 469 | | | 4 | | | 473 | | | | 445 | | | 2 | | | 447 | |
Other operating expenses | | | 509 | | | - | | | 509 | | | | 885 | | | - | | | 885 | |
Total operating expenses | | | 1,833 | | | 1 | | | 1,834 | | | | 2,159 | | | 3 | | | 2,162 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income | | $ | 366 | | $ | (7) | | $ | 359 | | |
Operating loss | | | $ | (33) | | $ | (9) | | $ | (42) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 | |
| | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | |
| | | As Reported | | Adoption of ASC 606 | | Adoption of ASC 606 | |
($ in millions) | | | | | | | | | | | |
Revenue | | | $ | 6,487 | | $ | (14) | | $ | 6,473 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network access expenses | | | | 1,094 | | | (5) | | | 1,089 | |
Network related expenses | | | | 1,437 | | | - | | | 1,437 | |
Selling, general and administrative expenses | | | | 1,374 | | | 15 | | | 1,389 | |
Other operating expenses | | | | 1,882 | | | - | | | 1,882 | |
Total operating expenses | | | | 5,787 | | | 10 | | | 5,797 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Operating income (loss) | | | $ | 700 | | $ | (24) | | $ | 676 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
The impact of adoption of ASC 606 on net income, basic and diluted net loss per share, consolidated statement of comprehensive income, and the consolidated statement of cash flows were not material for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018.
We categorize our products, services and other revenues into the following categories:
Data and internetInternet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”);
Voice services include traditional local and long distance wireline services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as a number of unified messaging services offered to our residential and business customers. Voice services also include the long distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our business customers and other carriers;
Video services include revenues generated from services provided directly to residential customers through the FiOS® and Vantage video brands, and through DISH® satellite TV services;
Other customer revenue includes switched access revenue, sales of customer premise equipment to our business customers, rents collected for collocation services, and revenue from other services and fees. Switched access revenue includes revenues derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes-of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies; and
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue includes revenues generated from cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund Phase II.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue includes revenues generated from cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund Phase II.
The following table providestables provide a summary of revenues, by category. Because of limited comparability for historical periods, we have reflected the current period under both an ASC 606 basis as well as the historical ASC 605 basis.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | For the three months ended September 30, |
| | 2018 | | | | | | 2018 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Impact | | Amounts Excluding | | | | | | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | |
| | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | | | | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | |
($ in millions) | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Data and Internet services | | $ | 985 | | $ | (43) | | $ | 942 | | $ | 993 | | | $ | 961 | | $ | (23) | | $ | 938 | | $ | 956 |
Voice services | | | 702 | | | (32) | | | 670 | | | 751 | | | | 669 | | | (35) | | | 634 | | | 702 |
Video services | | | 280 | | | 29 | | | 309 | | | 347 | | | | 260 | | | 27 | | | 287 | | | 318 |
Other | | | 135 | | | (50) | | | 85 | | | 68 | | | | 141 | | | (53) | | | 88 | | | 84 |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 2,102 | | | (96) | | | 2,006 | | | 2,159 | | | | 2,031 | | | (84) | | | 1,947 | | | 2,060 |
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue | | | 97 | | | 90 | | | 187 | | | 197 | | | | 95 | | | 78 | | | 173 | | | 191 |
Total revenue | | $ | 2,199 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,193 | | $ | 2,356 | | | $ | 2,126 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,120 | | $ | 2,251 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the three months ended September 30, |
| | | 2018 | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | |
| | | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | |
($ in millions) | | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer | | | $ | 1,069 | | $ | (22) | | $ | 1,047 | | $ | 1,102 |
Commercial | | | | 962 | | | (62) | | | 900 | | | 958 |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | | 2,031 | | | (84) | | | 1,947 | | | 2,060 |
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue | | | | 95 | | | 78 | | | 173 | | | 191 |
Total revenue | | | $ | 2,126 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,120 | | $ | 2,251 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | For the nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | 2018 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | | | | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | | |
| | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | | | | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | | |
($ in millions) | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer | | $ | 1,128 | | $ | (39) | | $ | 1,089 | | $ | 1,164 | | |
Commercial | | | 974 | | | (57) | | | 917 | | | 995 | | |
Data and Internet services | | | $ | 2,919 | | $ | (91) | | $ | 2,828 | | $ | 2,923 | |
Voice services | | | | 2,053 | | | (101) | | | 1,952 | | | 2,177 | |
Video services | | | | 810 | | | 83 | | | 893 | | | 994 | |
Other | | | | 416 | | | (157) | | | 259 | | | 231 | |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 2,102 | | | (96) | | | 2,006 | | | 2,159 | | | | 6,198 | | | (266) | | | 5,932 | | | 6,325 | |
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue | | | 97 | | | 90 | | | 187 | | | 197 | | | | 289 | | | 252 | | | 541 | | | 586 | |
Total revenue | | $ | 2,199 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,193 | | $ | 2,356 | | | $ | 6,487 | | $ | (14) | | $ | 6,473 | | $ | 6,911 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | |
| | 2018 | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Impact of | | Amounts Excluding | | | | |
| | | | Adoption of | | Adoption of | | | | |
($ in millions) | | As reported | | ASC 606 | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer | | $ | 3,292 | | $ | (88) | | $ | 3,204 | | $ | 3,390 | |
Commercial | | | 2,906 | | | (178) | | | 2,728 | | | 2,935 | |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 6,198 | | | (266) | | | 5,932 | | | 6,325 | |
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue | | | 289 | | | 252 | | | 541 | | | 586 | |
Total revenue | | $ | 6,487 | | $ | (14) | | $ | 6,473 | | $ | 6,911 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Frontier satisfies its obligations to customers by transferring goods and services in exchange for consideration received from the customer. The timing of Frontier’s satisfaction of the performance obligation often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. Frontier recognizes a contract asset or liability when the Company transfers goods or services to a customer and bills an amount which differs from the revenue allocated to the related performance obligations.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The opening and closing balances of Frontier’s contract asset, contract liability, receivables, and advanced billings balances for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | January 1, 2018 | | March 31, 2018 | | Increase/Decrease | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Contract Assets: | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term contract assets | | $ | 40 | | $ | 39 | | $ | (1) | |
Long-term contract assets | | $ | 37 | | $ | 37 | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Contract Liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
Short-term contract liabilities | | $ | 41 | | $ | 47 | | $ | 6 | |
Long-term contract liabilities | | $ | 19 | | $ | 19 | | $ | - | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Receivables | | $ | 787 | | $ | 778 | | $ | (9) | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
Advanced billings | | $ | 270 | | $ | 271 | | $ | 1 | |
| | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
| | Contract | | | Contract | |
($ in millions) | | Assets | | | Liabilities | |
| | | | | | | | |
Balance January 1, 2018 | | $ | 77 | (1) | | $ | (60) | (3) |
Revenue recognized included | | | | | | | | |
in opening contract balance | | | (38) | | | | 90 | |
Cash received, excluding amounts | | | | | | | | |
recognized as revenue | | | - | | | | (109) | |
Credits granted, excluding amounts | | | | | | | | |
recognized as revenue | | | 36 | | | | - | |
Other | | | - | | | | 6 | |
Balance September 30, 2018 | | $ | 75 | (2) | | $ | (73) | (4) |
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
The activity(1) Includes $40 million in contractother current assets included our recognition of reductions to revenue related to discounts and $37 million in other customer incentives of $11assets.
(2) Includes $38 million in other current assets and contract assets generated by issuance of new discounts$37 million in other assets.
(3) Includes $41 million in other current liabilities and customer incentives to customers of $10 million.$19 million in other liabilities.
The increase(4) Includes $45 million in contractother current liabilities was driven primarily by the deferral of revenue for $29and $28 million exceeding the $24 million of revenue recognized for the satisfaction of the performance obligations related to the deferred revenue.in other liabilities.
Short-term contract assets, Long-term contract assets, Short-term contract liabilities, and Long-term contract liabilities are included in other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities, and other liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period.
| | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | Revenue from contracts with customers | | | Revenue from contracts with customers | |
2018 (remaining nine months) | | $ | 3,276 | | |
2018 (remaining three months) | | | $ | 1,359 | |
2019 | | | 2,202 | | | | 2,713 | |
2020 | | | 669 | | | | 1,001 | |
2021 | | | 316 | | | | 386 | |
2022 | | | 196 | | | | 220 | |
Thereafter | | | 256 | | | | 262 | |
Total | | $ | 6,915 | | | $ | 5,941 | |
| | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(4) Accounts Receivable:
The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Retail and wholesale | | $ | 787 | | $ | 801 | | $ | 767 | | $ | 801 |
Other | | | 90 | | | 87 | | | 83 | | | 87 |
Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts | | | (99) | | | (69) | | | (106) | | | (69) |
Accounts receivable, net | | $ | 778 | | $ | 819 | | $ | 744 | | $ | 819 |
We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our estimate of our ability to collect accounts receivable. A transition adjustment of $32 million was recorded for the impact of ASC 606 to the Allowance for doubtful accounts as of January 1, 2018 to reflect the cumulative impact of this change on prior periods.
Bad debt expense, which is recorded as a reduction to revenue, is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | For the three months ended September 30, | | For the nine months ended September 30, |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Bad debt expense | | $ | 19 | | $ | 32 | | $ | 21 | | $ | 26 | | $ | 62 | | $ | 83 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(5) Property, Plant and Equipment:
Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Property, plant and equipment | | $ | 26,786 | | $ | 26,496 | | $ | 27,391 | | $ | 26,496 |
Less: Accumulated depreciation | | | (12,465) | | | (12,119) | | | (13,123) | | | (12,119) |
Property, plant and equipment, net | | $ | 14,321 | | $ | 14,377 | | $ | 14,268 | | $ | 14,377 |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
In 2018, we sold certain properties subject to leaseback, generating $10$11 million in net proceeds. For these properties, we have deferred $9 million in related gains that will be amortized over the related lease terms of two years.
In November 2018, we entered into an agreement to sell 95 wireless towers for approximately $80 million.
For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, amortization of deferred gains for properties sold in 2017 and 2018 totaled $8$27 million, which are included in “Selling, general and administrative expenses” on our consolidated statement of operations. We have a remaining deferred gain balance of $44$25 million, which is included in “Other current liabilities.”
Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method. Depreciation expense was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | For the three months ended September 30, | | For the nine months ended September 30, |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 345 | | $ | 376 | | $ | 337 | | $ | 376 | | $ | 1,025 | | $ | 1,131 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
We adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 2017, as a result of an annual independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, with an insignificant impact to depreciation expense.
(6) Goodwill and Other Intangibles:
We are required to perform impairment tests related to our goodwill annually, which we perform as of December 31, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. AccumulatedDuring our quarterly qualitative assessment, we determined it was more likely than not that the fair value of our operating segment was less than the carrying amount, and as a result of that assessment, we tested goodwill for impairment as of September 30, 2018.
We use a market multiples approach to determine fair value. Marketplace company comparisons and analyst reports within the telecommunications industry have historically supported a range of fair values of multiples between 5.0x and 7.9x annualized EBITDA (defined as operating income, net of acquisition and integration costs, noncash pension and OPEB costs, pension settlement costs, goodwill impairment and restructuring costs and other charges, as well as depreciation and amortization). We estimated the enterprise fair value using a multiple of 5.5x EBITDA.
Our quantitative assessment indicated that the carrying value of the enterprise exceeded its fair value and, therefore, an impairment existed. We recorded goodwill impairment of $400 million, which was based on the amount that the enterprise carrying value exceeded the fair value.
The market multiples approach that we use incorporates significant estimates and assumptions related to the forecasted results for the remainder of the year including revenues, expenses, and the achievement of other cost synergies. Our assessment includes many qualitative factors that require significant judgment. Alternative interpretations of these factors could have resulted in different conclusions regarding the need for, or size of, an impairment. Continued declines in our profitability or cash flows or in the trading value of our common stock may result in further impairment.
We also considered whether the carrying values of finite-lived intangible assets and property plant and equipment may not be recoverable or whether the carrying value of certain indefinite-lived intangible assets were impaired, noting no additional impairment was present as of September 30, 2018.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Total accumulated goodwill impairments were $3,188 million and $2,788 million as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. During the first quarter of 2018, Frontier has not identified any trigger events that would indicate impairment of goodwill, or any other intangible assets.2017, respectively.
The components of other intangibles are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 |
| | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Net Carrying | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Net Carrying | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Net Carrying | | Gross Carrying | | Accumulated | | Net Carrying |
($ in millions) | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount | | Amount | | Amortization | | Amount |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Other Intangibles: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer base | | $ | 5,188 | | $ | (3,450) | | $ | 1,738 | | $ | 5,188 | | $ | (3,294) | | $ | 1,894 | | $ | 5,188 | | $ | (3,721) | | $ | 1,467 | | $ | 5,188 | | $ | (3,294) | | $ | 1,894 |
Trade name | | | 122 | | | - | | | 122 | | | 122 | | | - | | | 122 | | | 122 | | | - | | | 122 | | | 122 | | | - | | | 122 |
Royalty agreement | | | 72 | | | (29) | | | 43 | | | 72 | | | (25) | | | 47 | | | 72 | | | (35) | | | 37 | | | 72 | | | (25) | | | 47 |
Total other intangibles | | $ | 5,382 | | $ | (3,479) | | $ | 1,903 | | $ | 5,382 | | $ | (3,319) | | $ | 2,063 | | $ | 5,382 | | $ | (3,756) | | $ | 1,626 | | $ | 5,382 | | $ | (3,319) | | $ | 2,063 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense was as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | For the three months ended September 30, | | For the nine months ended September 30, |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 160 | | $ | 203 | | $ | 134 | | $ | 163 | | $ | 437 | | $ | 539 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense primarily represents the amortization of our customer base acquired as a result of our acquisitions in 2010, 2014, and 2016 with each based on a useful life of 8 to 12 years on an accelerated method.
(7) Fair Value of Financial Instruments:
The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, restricted cash, long-term debt due within one year, accounts payable and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of those instruments.
The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | | Carrying Amount | | | Fair Value | | | Carrying Amount | | | Fair Value | | | Carrying Amount | | | Fair Value | | | Carrying Amount | | | Fair Value |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Long-term debt | | $ | 16,470 | | $ | 13,522 | | $ | 16,970 | | $ | 13,994 | | $ | 16,402 | | $ | 13,801 | | $ | 16,970 | | $ | 13,994 |
(
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(8) Long-Term Debt:
The activity in our long-term debt from January 1, 2018 through March 31,September 30, 2018 is summarized as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | Three months ended March 31, 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 | | | | |
($ in millions) | | January 1, 2018 | | Payments and
Retirements | | New Borrowings | | March 31, 2018 | | Interest Rate at
March 31, 2018* | | January 1, 2018 | | Payments and
Retirements | | New Borrowings | | September 30, 2018 | | Interest Rate at
September 30, 2018* |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Secured debt issued by Frontier | | $ | 3,511 | | $ | (41) | | $ | 1,600 | | $ | 5,070 | | 6.64% | | $ | 3,511 | | $ | (349) | | $ | 1,840 | | $ | 5,002 | | 6.91% |
Unsecured debt issued by Frontier | | | 13,495 | | | (1,651) | | | - | | | 11,844 | | 9.51% | | | 13,495 | | | (1,711) | | | - | | | 11,784 | | 9.49% |
Secured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | 107 | | | - | | | - | | | 107 | | 8.35% | | | 107 | | | - | | | - | | | 107 | | 8.35% |
Unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | 750 | | | - | | | - | | | 750 | | 6.90% | | | 750 | | | - | | | - | | | 750 | | 6.90% |
Total debt | | $ | 17,863 | | $ | (1,692) | | $ | 1,600 | | $ | 17,771 | | 8.57% | | $ | 17,863 | | $ | (2,060) | | $ | 1,840 | | $ | 17,643 | | 8.64% |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Less: Debt Issuance Costs | | | (183) | | | | | | | | | (188) | | | | | (183) | | | | | | | | | (185) | | |
Less: Debt Premium/(Discount) | | | (54) | | | | | | | | | (53) | | | | | (54) | | | | | | | | | (51) | | |
Less: Current Portion | | | (656) | | | | | | | | | (1,060) | | | | | (656) | | | | | | | | | (1,005) | | |
| | $ | 16,970 | | | | | | | | $ | 16,470 | | | | $ | 16,970 | | | | | | | | $ | 16,402 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
* Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at March 31,September 30, 2018 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Additional information regarding our long-term debt as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Principal | | Interest | | Principal | | Interest | | Principal | | Interest | | Principal | | Interest |
($ in millions) | | Outstanding | | Rate | | Outstanding | | Rate | | Outstanding | | Rate | | Outstanding | | Rate |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Secured debt issued by Frontier | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Term loan due 10/24/2019 (1) | | $ | 236 | | 6.255% (Variable) | | $ | 245 | | 5.445% (Variable) | | $ | - | | 6.625% (Variable) | | $ | 245 | | 5.445% (Variable) |
Term loan due 3/31/2021 (2) | | | 1,463 | | 4.630% (Variable) | | | 1,483 | | 4.320% (Variable) | | | 1,421 | | 5.000% (Variable) | | | 1,483 | | 4.320% (Variable) |
Term loan due 10/12/2021(3) | | | 268 | | 6.255% (Variable) | | | 276 | | 5.445% (Variable) | | | 246 | | 6.625% (Variable) | | | 276 | | 5.445% (Variable) |
Term loan due 6/15/2024 (4) | | | 1,489 | | 5.630% (Variable) | | | 1,492 | | 5.320% (Variable) | | | 1,721 | | 6.000% (Variable) | | | 1,492 | | 5.320% (Variable) |
Second lien notes due 4/1/2026 | | | 1,600 | | 8.500% | | | - | | | | | 1,600 | | 8.500% | | | - | | |
IDRB due 5/1/2030 | | | 13 | | 6.200% | | | 13 | | 6.200% | | | 13 | | 6.200% | | | 13 | | 6.200% |
Equipment financings | | | 1 | | 0.000% | | | 2 | | 0.000% | | | 1 | | 0.000% | | | 2 | | 0.000% |
Total secured debt issued by Frontier | | | 5,070 | | | | | 3,511 | | | | | 5,002 | | | | | 3,511 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unsecured debt issued by Frontier | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Senior notes due 10/1/2018 | | | 491 | | 8.125% | | | 491 | | 8.125% | | | 431 | | 8.125% | | | 491 | | 8.125% |
Senior notes due 3/15/2019 | | | 404 | | 7.125% | | | 404 | | 7.125% | | | 404 | | 7.125% | | | 404 | | 7.125% |
Senior notes due 4/15/2020 | | | 172 | | 8.500% | | | 619 | | 8.500% | | | 172 | | 8.500% | | | 619 | | 8.500% |
Senior notes due 9/15/2020 | | | 55 | | 8.875% | | | 303 | | 8.875% | | | 55 | | 8.875% | | | 303 | | 8.875% |
Senior notes due 7/1/2021 | | | 89 | | 9.250% | | | 490 | | 9.250% | | | 89 | | 9.250% | | | 490 | | 9.250% |
Senior notes due 9/15/2021 | | | 220 | | 6.250% | | | 775 | | 6.250% | | | 220 | | 6.250% | | | 775 | | 6.250% |
Senior notes due 4/15/2022 | | | 500 | | 8.750% | | | 500 | | 8.750% | | | 500 | | 8.750% | | | 500 | | 8.750% |
Senior notes due 9/15/2022 | | | 2,188 | | 10.500% | | | 2,188 | | 10.500% | | | 2,188 | | 10.500% | | | 2,188 | | 10.500% |
Senior notes due 1/15/2023 | | | 850 | | 7.125% | | | 850 | | 7.125% | | | 850 | | 7.125% | | | 850 | | 7.125% |
Senior notes due 4/15/2024 | | | 750 | | 7.625% | | | 750 | | 7.625% | | | 750 | | 7.625% | | | 750 | | 7.625% |
Senior notes due 1/15/2025 | | | 775 | | 6.875% | | | 775 | | 6.875% | | | 775 | | 6.875% | | | 775 | | 6.875% |
Senior notes due 9/15/2025 | | | 3,600 | | 11.000% | | | 3,600 | | 11.000% | | | 3,600 | | 11.000% | | | 3,600 | | 11.000% |
Debentures due 11/1/2025 | | | 138 | | 7.000% | | | 138 | | 7.000% | | | 138 | | 7.000% | | | 138 | | 7.000% |
Debentures due 8/15/2026 | | | 2 | | 6.800% | | | 2 | | 6.800% | | | 2 | | 6.800% | | | 2 | | 6.800% |
Senior notes due 1/15/2027 | | | 346 | | 7.875% | | | 346 | | 7.875% | | | 346 | | 7.875% | | | 346 | | 7.875% |
Senior notes due 8/15/2031 | | | 945 | | 9.000% | | | 945 | | 9.000% | | | 945 | | 9.000% | | | 945 | | 9.000% |
Debentures due 10/1/2034 | | | 1 | | 7.680% | | | 1 | | 7.680% | | | 1 | | 7.680% | | | 1 | | 7.680% |
Debentures due 7/1/2035 | | | 125 | | 7.450% | | | 125 | | 7.450% | | | 125 | | 7.450% | | | 125 | | 7.450% |
Debentures due 10/1/2046 | | | 193 | | 7.050% | | | 193 | | 7.050% | | | 193 | | 7.050% | | | 193 | | 7.050% |
Total unsecured debt issued by Frontier | | | 11,844 | | | | | 13,495 | | | | | 11,784 | | | | | 13,495 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Secured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debentures due 11/15/2031 | | | 100 | | 8.500% | | | 100 | | 8.500% | | | 100 | | 8.500% | | | 100 | | 8.500% |
RUS loan contracts due 1/3/2028 | | | 7 | | 6.152% | | | 7 | | 6.152% | | | 7 | | 6.152% | | | 7 | | 6.152% |
Total secured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | 107 | | | | | 107 | | | | | 107 | | | | | 107 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Debentures due 5/15/2027 | | | 200 | | 6.750% | | | 200 | | 6.750% | | | 200 | | 6.750% | | | 200 | | 6.750% |
Debentures due 2/1/2028 | | | 300 | | 6.860% | | | 300 | | 6.860% | | | 300 | | 6.860% | | | 300 | | 6.860% |
Debentures due 2/15/2028 | | | 200 | | 6.730% | | | 200 | | 6.730% | | | 200 | | 6.730% | | | 200 | | 6.730% |
Debentures due 10/15/2029 | | | 50 | | 8.400% | | | 50 | | 8.400% | | | 50 | | 8.400% | | | 50 | | 8.400% |
Total unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries | | | 750 | | | | | 750 | | | | | 750 | | | | | 750 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total debt | | $ | 17,771 | | 8.3%(5) | | $ | 17,863 | | 8.1%(5) | | $ | 17,643 | | 8.7%(5) | | $ | 17,863 | | 8.1%(5) |
(1) Represents borrowings under the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below.
(2) Represents borrowings under the JPM Credit Agreement Term Loan A, as defined below.
(3) Represents borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below.
(4) Represents borrowings under the JPM Credit Agreement Term Loan B, as defined below.
(5) Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Term Loans and Credit Facilities:
JP Morgan Credit Facilities
On February 27, 2017, Frontier entered into a first amended and restated credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which Frontier combined its revolving credit agreement, dated as of June 2, 2014, and its term loan credit agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015. Under the JPM Credit Agreement (as amended to date, the JPM Credit Agreement), Frontier has a $1,625 million senior secured term loan A facility (the Term Loan A) maturing on March 31, 2021, an $850 million secured revolving credit facility maturing on February 27, 2022 (the Revolver), and a $1,740 million senior secured term loan B facility (the Term Loan B) maturing on June 15, 2024. The maturities of the Term Loan A, the Revolver, and the Term Loan B, in each case if still outstanding, will be accelerated in the following circumstances: (i) if, 91 days before the maturity date of any series of Senior Notes maturing in 2020, 2023 and 2024, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding on such series; or (ii) if, 91 days before the maturity date of the first series of Senior Notes maturing in 2021 or 2022, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding, in the aggregate, on the two series of Senior Notes maturing in such year.
The determination of interest rates for each of the facilities under the JPM Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan A and Revolver (ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.75% to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Term Loan A as of September 30, 2018 was LIBOR plus 2.75%. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B (2.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guarantees by certain Frontier subsidiaries. As of September 30, 2018, Frontier had no borrowings outstanding under the revolver (with letters of credit issued under the revolver totaling $70 million).
On January 25, 2018 Frontier amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, expand the security package to include the interests of certain subsidiaries previously not pledged and replace the leverage ratio maintenance test with a first lien leverage ratio maintenance test. On July 3, 2018, Frontier further amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interest of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier.
On October 1, 2018 the Company drew down on the Revolver, and as of November 7, 2018, $300 million was outstanding on the Revolver.
CoBank Credit Facilities
Frontier has a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (as amended to date, the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders. Frontier had a separate $350 million senior term loan facility drawn in 2014 (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank which was repaid in full on July 3, 2018, as described below under “New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.” We refer to the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement collectively as the CoBank Credit Agreements.
The 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement matures on October 12, 2021. Borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement bear interest based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins under the facility will range from 0.875% to 3.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 4.875% for LIBOR borrowings, subject to adjustment based on our Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement. The interest rate on the facility as of September 30, 2018 was LIBOR plus 4.375%.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
On January 25, 2018 Frontier amended the CoBank Credit Agreements to, among other things, expand the security package to include the interests of certain subsidiaries previously not pledged and replace the leverage ratio maintenance test with a first lien leverage ratio maintenance test. On July 3, 2018, Frontier further amended the CoBank Credit Agreements to, among other things, replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier.
As of September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all of our indenture and credit facility covenants.
New NotesDebt Issuances and Debt Reductions:
On March 19, 2018, Frontier completed a private offering of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 8.500% Second Lien Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Second Lien Notes”). The Second Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its senior secured credit facilities. The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors and subordinated in right of payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness but equal in right of payment with all other unsubordinated obligations of the guarantors. The Second Lien Notes indenture provides that (a) the aggregate amount of all guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantees are limited and shall not, at any time, exceed the lesser of (x) the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes then outstanding and (y) the Maximum Guarantee Amount (as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture), and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Second Lien Notes indenture shall, on any date or from time to time, allow the aggregate amount of all such guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantors to cause or result in the Company or any subsidiary violating any indenture governing the Company’s existing senior notes.
The Second Lien Notes are secured on a second-priority basis by all the assets that secure Frontier’s obligations under its senior secured credit facilities on a first-priority basis. The collateral securing the Second Lien Notes and the Company’s senior secured credit facilities is limited to the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of the Company and substantially all personal property of Newco West Holdings LLC.Frontier Video Services, Inc. The Second Lien Notes bear interest at a rate of 8.500% per annum and mature on April 1, 2026. Interest on the Second Lien Notes is payable to holders of record semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2018. On July 3, 2018, the collateral package for the Second Lien Notes was amended to replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier, consistent with amendments made to Frontier’s credit agreements.
Debt Reductions
During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, Frontier used cash on hand for the scheduled retirement of $41$115 million contractual payments of principal indebtedness.indebtedness and open market purchases of $61 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2018. Additionally, Frontier used cash proceeds from the $1,600 million Second Lien Notes offering and cash on hand to retire an aggregate principal amount of $1,651 million senior unsecured notes prior to maturity, consisting of $447 million of 8.500% senior notes due 2020, $249 million 8.875% senior notes due 2020, $555 million of 6.250% senior notes due 2021, and $400 million of 9.250% senior notes due 2021. During the first threenine months of 2018, Frontier recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $33$31 million driven primarily by discounts received on the retirement of certain notes, slightly offset by premiums paid to retire certain notes and unamortized original issuance costs.
Term Loans and Credit FacilitiesOn October 1, 2018, Frontier retired $431 million principal amount outstanding of 8.125% senior notes due 2018 at maturity.
On February 27, 2017, FrontierJuly 3, 2018, the Company entered into a first amended and restated credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuantIncrease Joinder No. 2 to which Frontier combined its revolving credit agreement, dated as of June 2, 2014, and its term loan credit agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015. Under the JPM Credit Agreement, as further amended on June 15, 2017 by Increase Joinder No.1 (as so amended,pursuant to which the JPM Credit Agreement), Frontier has a $1,625Company borrowed an incremental $240 million senior secured term loan A facility (the Term Loan A) maturing on March 31, 2021, an $850 million undrawn secured revolving credit facility maturing on February 27, 2022 (the Revolver), and $1,500 million senior secured term loan B facility (the Term Loan B) maturing on June 15, 2024. The maturities of the Term Loan A, the Revolver, andunder the Term Loan B in each case if still outstanding, will be accelerated in the following circumstances: (i) if, 91 days before the maturity date of any series of Senior Notes maturing in 2020, 2023 and 2024, more than $500 million2024. The Company used the incremental borrowings to repay in principal amount remains outstanding on such series; or (ii) if, 91 days beforefull the maturity date2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, repay a portion of the first series of Senior Notes maturing in 2021 or 2022, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding, in the aggregate, on the two series of Senior Notes maturing in such year. The determination of interest rates for each of the facilities under the JPM2016 CoBank Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan A and Revolver (ranging from 0.75%pay certain fees and expenses related to 1.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.75% to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Term Loan A as of March 31, 2018 was LIBOR plus 2.75%. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B (2.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guaranties by certain Frontier subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2018, the company had no borrowings outstanding under the revolver (with letters of credit issued under the revolver totaling $62 million). this incremental borrowing.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Frontier has two senior secured credit agreements with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto: the first, for a $350 million senior term loan facility drawn in 2014 (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement), matures on October 24, 2019, and the second, for a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement), matures on October 12, 2021. We refer to the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement collectively as the CoBank Credit Agreements. Borrowings under each of the CoBank Credit Agreements bear interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the applicable CoBank Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier.
On March 29, 2017, Frontier amended the 2014 and 2016 CoBank Credit Agreements. The amendments provide that interest rate margins under each of these facilities will range from 0.875% to 3.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 4.875% for LIBOR borrowings, subject to adjustment based ontable below represents our Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in each credit agreement. The interest rate on each of the facilitiesfuture principal payments as of March 31, 2018 was LIBOR plus 4.375%. In addition, the amendments provide for increases in the maximum Leverage Ratio and expansion of the security package identical to those contained in the JPM Credit Agreement.
On January 25, 2018 Frontier further amended its credit agreements with JP Morgan Chase and CoBank. The amendments, among other things, expanded the security package to include the interests of certain subsidiaries previously not pledged and replaced the net leverage ratio maintenance test with a first lien net leverage ratio maintenance test.
As of March 31, 2018, we were in compliance with all of our indenture and credit facility covenants.
Our scheduled principal payments are as follows as of March 31, 2018:September 30, 2018.
| | | | | |
| | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | |
| | Principal | | Principal payments as of | |
($ in millions) | | Payments | | September 30, 2018 | |
| | | | | | | |
2018 (remaining nine months) | | $ | 614 | |
2018 (remaining three months) | | | $ | 463 | |
2019 | | $ | 804 | | $ | 595 | |
2020 | | $ | 436 | | $ | 437 | |
2021 | | $ | 1,603 | | $ | 1,604 | |
2022 | | $ | 2,703 | | $ | 2,706 | |
2023 | | $ | 866 | | $ | 868 | |
Thereafter | | $ | 10,745 | | $ | 10,970 | |
(9) Restructuring Costs and Other ChargesCharges:
Transformation Program
During the second quarter of 2018, Frontier announced a multi-year strategic plan with the objective of improving revenues, profitability, and cash flows by enhancing our operations and customer service and support processes (the “Transformation Program”). During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $12 million in costs directly associated with these activities.
We have retained a consulting firm to assist in executing on various aspects of this plan. The consulting firm will be eligible to receive quarterly fees in the event that we achieve targeted improvements in the Company’s profitability, and bonus payments in the event that we achieve targeted improvements in the Company’s profitability or stock price. In certain circumstances, the consulting firm may become eligible to receive the bonus payments and specified fees upon a change of control or termination of the consulting arrangement. Amounts accrued in connection with the consulting agreement are recognized as operating expense under “Restructuring costs and other charges.”
Restructuring Costs
As of March 31,September 30, 2018, restructuring related liabilities of $9$11 million pertaining to employee separation charges were included in “Other current liabilities” in our consolidated balance sheet.
Restructuring costs and other charges, primarily consisting of severance and other employee-related costs of $4$8 million and $12$46 million in connection with workforce reductions, are included in “Restructuring costs and other charges” in our consolidated statement of operations for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017.2017, respectfully.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
The following is a summary of the changes in the liabilities established for restructuring and other programs at March 31,September 30, 2018:
| | | | |
| | | | |
($ in millions) | | | | |
| | | |
Balance, January 1, 2018 | | $ | 25 | |
Severance expense | | | 8 | |
Transformation costs | | | 412 | |
Cash payments during the period | | | (20)(34) | |
Balance, March 31,September 30, 2018 | | $ | 911 | |
| | | | |
(10) Investment and Other IncomeIncome:
The following is a summary of the components of Investment and Other Income for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended | | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended |
| | March 31, | | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Interest and dividend income | | $ | 2 | | $ | 3 | | $ | 2 | | $ | 2 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 5 |
Pension and OPEB costs | | | 5 | | | (3) | |
Pension and OPEB benefit/(costs) | | | | 2 | | | 2 | | | 12 | | | (1) |
All other, net | | | 1 | | | - | | | (1) | | | - | | | (1) | | | - |
Total investment and other income, net | | $ | 8 | | $ | - | | $ | 3 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 16 | | $ | 4 |
(11) Income Taxes:
The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate to income taxes computed at the effective rate:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended | | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended |
| March 31, | | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate | 21.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 21.0 | % | | 35.0 | % |
State income tax provisions, net of federal income | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
tax benefit | 7.2 | | | 0.2 | | | 0.8 | | | 2.8 | | | 0.4 | | | 1.7 | |
Remeasurement of certain deferred tax balances | (11.9) | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 0.9 | | | - | |
Tax reserve adjustment | 1.2 | | | (0.6) | | | 0.5 | | | (1.0) | | | 0.5 | | | (0.2) | |
Changes in certain deferred tax balances | 14.2 | | | - | | | (10.4) | | | 7.1 | | | (8.6) | | | 0.2 | |
Goodwill impairment | | | (10.4) | | | - | | | (10.3) | | | (10.2) | |
Shared-based payments | 10.6 | | | (1.8) | | | - | | | 0.1 | | | (0.8) | | | (0.2) | |
Federal research and development tax credit | (2.0) | | | 0.9 | | | (1.0) | | | 1.5 | | | (1.0) | | | 0.3 | |
All other, net | 0.8 | | | 0.5 | | | 0.4 | | | 0.1 | | | 0.4 | | | (0.1) | |
Effective tax rate | 41.1 | % | | 34.2 | % | | 0.9 | % | | 45.6 | % | | 2.5 | % | | 26.5 | % |
Under ASC 605, income tax expensebenefit would have been $2$3 million lowermore for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, as a result of changes in pre-tax income as discussed in Note 3.
Amounts pertaining to income tax related accounts of $0 million and $2 million are included in “Income taxes and other current assets” in the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Amounts pertaining to income tax related accounts of $2 million and $0 million are included in “Income taxes and other current assets” in the consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively.
Frontier considered positive and negative evidence in regard to evaluating certain state net operating loss carryforwards during the third quarter of 2018, including the development of recent years of pre-tax book losses. On the basis of this evaluation, a valuation allowance of $55 million ($44 million net of federal benefit) has been recorded on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards and reflected in “Changes in certain deferred tax balances”. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.
(12) Net Loss Per Share:
All share and per share amounts in the tables below have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to the reverse stock split. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional details.
The reconciliation of the net loss per share calculation is as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended |
| March 31, | September 30, | | September 30, |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts) | 2018 | | 2017 | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss used for basic and diluted loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders | $ | (33) | | $ | (129) | $ | (426) | | $ | (92) | | $ | (531) | | $ | (936) |
Less: Dividends paid on unvested restricted stock awards | | - | | | (1) | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (2) |
Total basic net loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
attributable to Frontier common shareholders | $ | (33) | | $ | (130) | $ | (426) | | $ | (92) | | $ | (531) | | $ | (938) |
Effect of loss related to dilutive stock units | | - | | | - | | - | | | - | | | - | | | (2) |
Total diluted net loss | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
attributable to Frontier common shareholders | $ | (33) | | $ | (130) | $ | (426) | | $ | (92) | | $ | (531) | | $ | (940) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted loss per share: | | | | | | |
Basic loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
awards outstanding - basic and diluted | | 78,861 | | | 78,244 | |
awards outstanding - basic | | | 105,740 | | | 78,488 | | | 88,997 | | | 78,399 |
Less: Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards | | (1,445) | | | (653) | | (2,075) | | | (691) | | | (1,859) | | | (685) |
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted | | 77,416 | | | 77,591 | |
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | $ | 103,665 | | $ | 77,797 | | $ | 87,138 | | $ | 77,714 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Basic and diluted net loss per share | | | | | | |
Basic net loss per share | | | | | | | | | | | | |
attributable to Frontier common shareholders | $ | (0.44) | | $ | (1.67) | $ | (4.11) | | $ | (1.19) | | $ | (6.09) | | $ | (12.06) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted loss per share: | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic | | | 103,665 | | | 77,797 | | | 87,138 | | | 77,714 |
Effect of dilutive stock units | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 161 |
Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted | | $ | 103,665 | | $ | 77,797 | | $ | 87,138 | | $ | 77,875 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Diluted net loss per share | | | | | | | | | | | | |
attributable to Frontier common shareholders | | $ | (4.11) | | $ | (1.19) | | $ | (6.09) | | $ | (12.07) |
In calculating diluted net loss per common share for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, the effect of all common stock equivalents is excluded from the computation as the effect would be antidilutive.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Stock Options
For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, previously granted options to purchase 1,334 and 2,6672,664 shares, issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS) for those periods because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive.
Stock Units
At March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, we had 244,337299,827 and 139,666161,020 stock units, respectively, issued under the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Fee Equity Plan (Deferred Fee Plan), the Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (Directors’ Equity Plan), the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan. These securities have not been included in the diluted EPS calculation for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. Compensation costs associated with the issuance of stock units were $0$1 and $(2)$(4) million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively.
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock
The impact of the common share equivalents associated with approximately 19,250,000 shares of Series A Preferred stock were not included in the diluted EPS calculation as of March 31, 2018 andSeptember 30, 2017, as their impact was antidilutive.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)On June 29, 2018, all outstanding shares of Frontier’s 11.125% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”) converted at a rate of 1.3333 common shares per share of preferred stock into an aggregate of approximately 25,529,000 shares (net of fractional shares) of the Company’s common stock, pursuant to the terms of the Certificate of Designation governing the Series A Preferred Stock. Frontier issued cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock in the conversion. These payments were recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital. The final dividend was paid on July 2, 2018.
(13)(14) Stock Plans:
All share and per share amounts in the tables below have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to the reverse stock split. See Note 1 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies for additional details.
At March 31,September 30, 2018, we hadhave seven stock-based compensation plans under which grants were made and awards remained outstanding. No further awards may be granted under six of the plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the 1996 EIP), the Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2000 EIP), the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2009 EIP), the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2013 EIP), the Deferred Fee Plan and the Directors’ Equity Plan. At March 31,September 30, 2018, there were approximately 5,667,000 shares authorized for grant and approximately 2,270,0002,636,000 shares available for grant under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2017 EIP and together with the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP, the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIPS, the EIPs).
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Performance Shares
On February 14, 2018, the Compensation Committee of our Boardof Directors granted approximately 284,000 net performance shares under the Frontier Long Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) and set the operating cash flow performance goal for 2017,2018, which applies to the first year inof the 2017-20192018-2020 measurement period, the second year of the 2016-20182017-2019 measurement period and the third year of the 2015-20172016-2018 measurement period.
The following summary presents information regarding LTIP target performance shares as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and changes during the threenine months then ended with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2013 EIP and the 2017 EIP:
| | |
| | |
| | Number of |
| | Shares |
| | (in thousands) |
Balance at January 1, 2018 | | 306 |
LTIP target performance shares granted, net | | 284 |
LTIP target performance shares earned | | (18) |
LTIP target performance shares forfeited | | (8)(73) |
Balance at March 31,September 30, 2018 | | 564499 |
For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each performance share is measured at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of Frontier common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, we recognized net compensation expense, reflected in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $1$3 million and $(1) million,$0, respectively, for the LTIP.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
Restricted Stock
The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and changes during the threenine months then ended with regard to restricted stock granted under the 2013 EIP and the 2017 EIP:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | Weighted | | | | | | | Weighted | | | |
| | | | Average | | | | | | Average | | |
| | Number of | | Grant Date | | Aggregate | | Number of | | Grant Date | | Aggregate |
| | Shares | | Fair Value | | Fair Value | | Shares | | Fair Value | | Fair Value |
| | (in thousands) | | (per share) | | (in millions) | | (in thousands) | | (per share) | | (in millions) |
Balance at January 1, 2018 | | 633 | | $ | 58.63 | | $ | 4 | | 633 | | $ | 58.63 | | $ | 4 |
Restricted stock granted | | 1,897 | | $ | 8.23 | | $ | 14 | | 2,023 | | $ | 8.26 | | $ | 13 |
Restricted stock vested | | (219) | | $ | 66.41 | | $ | (2) | | (221) | | $ | 66.81 | | $ | (1) |
Restricted stock forfeited | | (39) | | $ | 57.87 | | | | | (560) | | $ | 16.32 | | | |
Balance at March 31, 2018 | | 2,272 | | $ | 15.80 | | $ | 17 | |
Balance at September 30, 2018 | | | 1,875 | | $ | 16.08 | | $ | 12 |
For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated based on the average of the high and low market price of a share of our common stock on the date of grant, for shares granted prior to May 10, 2017. Beginning on May 10, 2017, the fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated based on the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of the grant. Total remaining unrecognized compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards that is deferred at March 31,September 30, 2018 was $43$28 million, and the weighted average vesting period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately 2 years.
Shares of restricted stock granted during the first threenine months of 2017 totaled 431,000.454,000. The total fair value of shares of restricted stock granted and vested at March 31,September 30, 2017 was approximately $14 million.$5 million and $3 million, respectively. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at March 31,September 30, 2017 was $24$8 million. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017 was $49.95$47.77 per share.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
We have granted restricted stock awards to employees in the form of our common stock. None of the restricted stock awards may be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, by the employees until the restrictions lapse, subject to limited exceptions. The restrictions are time-based. Compensation expense, recognized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $3$10 million and $4$14 million for each of the threenine month periods ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(14)(15) Comprehensive Income (Loss):
Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ investmentequity and pension/postretirement benefit (OPEB) liabilities that, under GAAP, are excluded from net loss.
The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax at March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, and changes for the threenine months then ended, are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | Pension Costs | | OPEB Costs | | Total | | | Pension Costs | | OPEB Costs | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at January 1, 2018 (a) | | $ | (345) | | $ | (21) | | $ | (366) | | | $ | (345) | | $ | (21) | | $ | (366) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassifications | | | (4) | | | - | | | (4) | | | | 1 | | | 1 | | | 2 | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net loss | | | 4 | | | (1) | | | 3 | | | | 38 | | | (4) | | | 34 | |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | | | - | | | (1) | | | (1) | | | | 39 | | | (3) | | | 36 | |
Balance at March 31, 2018 (a) | | $ | (345) | | $ | (22) | | $ | (367) | | |
Balance at September 30, 2018 (a) | | | $ | (306) | | $ | (24) | | $ | (330) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | Pension Costs | | OPEB Costs | | Total | | | Pension Costs | | OPEB Costs | | Total | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Balance at January 1, 2017 (a) | | $ | (403) | | $ | 16 | | $ | (387) | | | $ | (403) | | $ | 16 | | $ | (387) | |
Other comprehensive income (loss)
before reclassifications | | | 30 | | | - | | | 30 | | | | (21) | | | - | | | (21) | |
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss to net loss | | | 32 | | | (1) | | | 31 | | | | 63 | | | (4) | | | 59 | |
Net current-period other comprehensive income (loss) | | | 62 | | | (1) | | | 61 | | | | 42 | | | (4) | | | 38 | |
Balance at March 31, 2017 (a) | | $ | (341) | | $ | 15 | | $ | (326) | | |
Balance at September 30, 2017 (a) | | | $ | (361) | | $ | 12 | | $ | (349) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (a) | | Pension and OPEB amounts are net of deferred tax balances of $223 million and $231 million as of January 1, 2018 and 2017, respectively and $218$206 million and $195$209 million as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
As a result of pension settlement accounting, the Frontier Communications Pension Plan (the Pension Plan) was remeasured as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and as of September 30, 2017. For the threenine months ended March 31, 2017,September 30, 2018, Frontier recorded a net lossgain on remeasurement of $48$7 million to Other comprehensive income (loss). Additionally, during this period Frontier recorded pension settlement charges totaling $43$34 million ($26 million net of tax) to Otherother comprehensive income (loss). Refer to Note 15 for details about the settlement accounting.income.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, Frontier recorded a net loss on remeasurement of $32 million to Other comprehensive income (loss), respectively. Pension settlement charges of $15 million and $77 million were recorded to other comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Refer to Note 16 for details about the settlement accounting.
The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 are as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a) | | | | | Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a) | | |
($ in millions) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Affected Line Item in |
| | | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended | | the Statement Where |
Details about Accumulated Other | | For the three months ended March 31, | | Affected Line Item in the Statement Where | | September 30, | | September 30, | | Net Income (Loss) |
Comprehensive Loss Components | | 2018 | | 2017 | | Net Income (Loss) is Presented | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | is Presented |
Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Actuarial gains (losses) | | $ | (7) | | $ | (8) | | | | $ | (4) | | $ | (6) | | $ | (17) | | $ | (23) | | |
Pension settlement costs | | | - | | | (43) | | | | | (9) | | | (15) | | | (34) | | | (77) | | |
| | | (7) | | | (51) | | Income (loss) before income taxes | | | (13) | | | (21) | | | (51) | | | (100) | | Income (loss) before income taxes |
Tax impact | | | 3 | | | 19 | | Income tax (expense) benefit | | | 2 | | | 8 | | | 13 | | | 37 | | Income tax (expense) benefit |
| | $ | (4) | | $ | (32) | | Net income (loss) | | $ | (11) | | $ | (13) | | $ | (38) | | $ | (63) | | Net income (loss) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Prior-service costs | | $ | 2 | | $ | 2 | | | | $ | 1 | | $ | 2 | | $ | 6 | | $ | 7 | | |
Actuarial gains (losses) | | | (1) | | | - | | | | | - | | | 1 | | | (1) | | | - | | |
| | | 1 | | | 2 | | Income (loss) before income taxes | | | 1 | | | 3 | | | 5 | | | 7 | | Income (loss) before income taxes |
Tax impact | | | - | | | (1) | | Income tax (expense) benefit | | | - | | | (2) | | | (1) | | | (3) | | Income tax (expense) benefit |
| | $ | 1 | | $ | 1 | | Net income (loss) | | $ | 1 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 4 | | Net income (loss) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.
(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs (see Note 1516 - Retirement Plans for additional details).
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
(15)(16) Retirement Plans:
The following tables provide the components of total benefit cost:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Pension Benefits | | | Pension Benefits | |
| | For the three months ended | | | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended | |
| | March 31, | | | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Components of total pension benefit cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 24 | | $ | 25 | | | $ | 22 | | $ | 26 | | $ | 70 | | $ | 76 | |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | | | 30 | | | 34 | | | | 31 | | | 27 | | | 91 | | | 94 | |
Expected return on plan assets | | | (50) | | | (48) | | | | (45) | | | (43) | | | (143) | | | (139) | |
Amortization of unrecognized loss | | | 7 | | | 8 | | | | 4 | | | 6 | | | 17 | | | 23 | |
Net periodic pension benefit cost | | $ | 11 | | $ | 19 | | | $ | 12 | | $ | 16 | | $ | 35 | | $ | 54 | |
Pension settlement costs | | | - | | | 43 | | | | 9 | | | 15 | | | 34 | | | 77 | |
Total pension benefit cost | | $ | 11 | | $ | 62 | | | $ | 21 | | $ | 31 | | $ | 69 | | $ | 131 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Postretirement Benefits | | | Postretirement Benefits | |
| | For the three months ended | | | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended | |
| | March 31, | | | September 30, | | September 30, | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Service cost | | $ | 5 | | $ | 5 | | | $ | 5 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 16 | | $ | 16 | |
Interest cost on projected benefit obligation | | | 9 | | | 10 | | | | 9 | | | 11 | | | 28 | | | 30 | |
Amortization of prior service cost/(credit) | | | (2) | | | (2) | | | | (1) | | | (2) | | | (6) | | | (7) | |
Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss | | | 1 | | | - | | | | - | | | (1) | | | 1 | | | - | |
Net periodic postretirement benefit cost | | $ | 13 | | $ | 13 | | | $ | 13 | | $ | 13 | | $ | 39 | | $ | 39 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
During the first threenine months of 2018 and 2017, we capitalized $7$20 million and $7$20 million, respectively, of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures, as the costs relate to our engineering and plant construction activities.
The Pension Plan contains provisions that provide certain employees with the option of receiving a lump sum payment upon retirement. Frontier’s accounting policy is to record these payments as a settlement only if, in the aggregate, they exceed the sum of the annual service and interest costs for the Pension Plan’s net periodic pension benefit cost. During the threenine months ended MarchSeptember 30, 2018, lump sum pension settlement payments to terminated or retired individuals amounted to $227 million, which exceed the settlement threshold of $216 million in 2018, and as a result, Frontier recognized non-cash settlement charges of $34 million during the first nine months of 2018. These non-cash charges accelerated the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the Pension Plan. These non-cash charges decreased our recorded net income (loss), with an offset to Accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. As a result of the recognition of the settlement charges in the first nine months of 2018, the net pension plan liability was remeasured as of September 30, 2018 to be $564 million, as compared to the $689 million measured and recorded at December 31, 2017.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, lump sum pension settlement payments to terminated or retired individuals amounted to $255$449 million, which exceeded the settlement threshold of $234$224 million, and as a result, Frontier recognized a non-cash settlement chargecharges of $43$77 million during the first quarternine months of 2017. The non-cash charge accelerated the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the Pension Plan. These non-cash charges increased our recorded net loss and accumulated deficit, with an offset to accumulated other comprehensive loss in shareholders’ equity. As a result of the recognition of the settlement charges in the first threenine months of 2017, the net pension plan liability was remeasured as of March 31,September 30, 2017
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
to be $655$717 million, as compared to the $699$711 million measured and recorded at December 31, 2016.June 30, 2017. Frontier did not record any adjustment to the pension plan liability, beyond the settlement charge, as a result of this remeasurement.
Our Pension Plan assets decreased from $2,674 million at December 31, 2017 to $2,558$2,567 million at March 31,September 30, 2018, a decrease of $116$107 million, or 4%. This decrease was a result of benefit payments of $102$274 million and negative investment returns of $45 million, net of investment management and administrative fees, partially offset by contributions of $135 million and positive investment returns of $31 million.
28During the third quarter of 2018, Frontier contributed real estate property with an aggregate fair value of $37 million for the purpose of funding a portion of its contribution obligations to the Plan. We have entered into a long-term lease arrangement with the Plan. The property is managed on behalf of the Plan by an independent fiduciary, and the terms of the lease were negotiated with the fiduciary on an arm’s-length basis.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)Required pension plan contributions for the full year 2018 are approximately $150 million, of which $135 million was contributed to the Plan during the first nine months of 2018, consisting of cash payments of $98 million and the contribution of real property with a fair value of $37 million. An additional cash contribution of $15 million was made on October 15, 2018. Frontier believes that there are no further contributions required in 2018.
(16)(17) Commitments and Contingencies:
Although from time to time we make short-term purchasing commitments to vendors with respect to capital expenditures, we generally do not enter into firm, written contracts for such activities.
In June 2015, Frontier accepted the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) offer of support to price cap carriers under the Connect America Fund (CAF)FCC’s CAF Phase II program,offer in 29 states, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high cost unserved or underserved areas. This program provides $332 million in annual support through 2020 in return for the company’s commitment to make broadband available to approximately 774,000 locations within Frontier’s footprint. The CAF Phase II program is intended to provide long-term support for carriers for establishing and providing broadband service with at least 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service to approximately 774,000 households across certain of the 29 states where we operate. To the extent we do not enable the required number of households with 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service by the end of thespeeds in high-cost unserved or underserved areas. CAF Phase II termsupport is a successor to the approximately $198 million in 2020, we would be requiredannual USF frozen high-cost support that Frontier used to return a portion ofreceive prior to CAF II. In addition to the funds previously received.annual support levels, these amounts also include frozen support phasedown amounts in states where the annual CAF II funding is less than the prior annual frozen high-cost support funding. Frontier’s frozen high-cost phasedown support is expected to be $6 million in 2018.
In August 2018, the FCC concluded its Connect America Fund Phase II auction to award $200 million in funding over ten years in areas where its original offer of support in 2015 was not accepted by carriers. The results of the Phase II auction have no impact on Frontier’s current $332 million in CAF Phase II support. Frontier did participate in this auction and the amount won is immaterial to results.
In September 2018, Frontier filed applications to be eligible to bid in two upcoming FCC spectrum auctions: Auction 101 (28 GHz) and Auction 102 (24 GHz). Auction 101, scheduled to start on November 14, 2018, will offer two 425 MHz licenses in 1,536 counties, and Auction 102, scheduled to start after the conclusion of Auction 101, will offer seven 100 MHz licenses in 416 Partial Economic Areas. Frontier cannot say to what extent it will participate, if at all, and cannot predict to what level it would be successful in either auction.
On April 20, 2017, the FCC issued an Order that significantly altered how Commercial Data Services are regulated. Specifically, the Order adopted a test to determine, on a county-by-county basis, whether price cap ILECs, like Frontier’s DS1 and DS3 services, will continue to be regulated. The test resulted in deregulation in a substantial number of our markets and is allowing Frontier to offer its DS1 and DS3 services in a manner that better responds to the competitive marketplace and allows for commercial negotiation. The areas that remain regulated may be subject to price fluctuations depending upon the price cap formula that year. Multiple parties have appealed the Order which is pending in the 8th Circuit.Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals issued a ruling August 28, 2018, which upheld the vast majority of the FCC’s decision easing regulation of business data services of internet service providers and vacated and remanded one piece of the Order back to the FCC. On October 10, 2018,
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
the FCC filed a Motion to Stay the Court’s Decision. Frontier cannot predict the extent to which these regulatory changes willcould affect revenues at this time.
On April 30, 2018, an amended consolidated class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf of certain purported stockholders against Frontier, certain of its current and former directors and officers and the underwriters of certain Frontier securities offerings. The complaint is brought on behalf of all persons who (1) acquired Frontier common stock between February 6, 2015 and February 28, 2018, inclusive, and/or (2) acquired Frontier common stock or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock either in or traceable to Frontier’s offerings of common and preferred stock conducted on or about June 2, 2015 and June 8, 2015. The complaint asserts, among other things, violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with certain disclosures relating to the CTF Acquisition. The complaint seeks, among other things, damages and equitable and injunctive relief. We dispute the allegations in the complaint described above and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. In addition, shareholders have filed derivative complaints on behalf of the Company in Connecticut, California, and Delaware courts. The derivative complaints are based, generally, on the same facts asserted in the consolidated class action complaint and allege against current and former officers and directors of the Company (i) breach of fiduciary duty claims for disseminating false and misleading information to shareholders, failure to manage internal controls, and failure to oversee and manage the company; (ii) unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets claims; and (iii) violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act for the false and misleading statements. We also dispute the allegations in the derivative complaints described above and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. Given that this matter isall of these matters are in the early stages of litigation, we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result from this matter.result.
In addition, we are party to various other legal proceedings (including individual, class and putative class actions as well as governmental investigations) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contracts, billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort, claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers. Such matters are subject to uncertainty and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
We accrue an expense for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred. None of our existing accruals for pending matters, after considering insurance coverage, is material. We monitor our pending litigation for the purpose of adjusting our accruals and revising our disclosures accordingly, when required. Litigation is, however, subject to uncertainty, and the outcome of any particular matter is not predictable. We will vigorously defend our interests in pending litigation, and as of this date, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)
In October 2013, the California Attorney General’s Office notified certain Verizon companies, including one of the subsidiaries that we acquired in the CTF Acquisition, of potential violations of California state hazardous waste statutes primarily arising from the disposal of electronic components, batteries and aerosol cans at certain California facilities. We are cooperating with this investigation. We have accrued an amount for potential penalties that we deem to be probable and reasonably estimated, and we do not expect that any potential penalties, if ultimately incurred, will be material in comparison to the established accrual.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains "forward-looking statements" related to future events. Forward-looking statements address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "may," “will,” "would," or "target." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include:
| · | | competition from cable, wireless and wireline carriers, satellite, and OTT companies, and the risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis; |
| · | | our ability to successfully adjust to changes in the communications industry, including the effects of technological changes and competition on our capital expenditures, products and service offerings; |
| · | | our ability to implement organizational structure changes successfully;
|
| ·
| | risks related to the operation of our properties and our ability to retain or attract new customers;
|
| ·
| | our ability to realize anticipated cost savings and meet commitments made in connection with the Verizon acquisition;
|
| ·
| | reductionsdeclines in revenue from our voice customersservices, switched and non-switched access and video and data services that we cannot stabilize or offset with increases in revenue from broadband and video subscribers and sales of other products and services;
|
| · | | our ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives, including opportunities to enhance revenue and realize productivity improvements; |
| · | | risks related to disruptions in our networks, infrastructure and information technology that may result in customer loss and/or incurrence of additional expenses; |
| · | | our ability to retain or attract new customers and to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers; |
| · | | our ability to realize anticipated benefits from recent acquisitions; |
| · | | our ability to successfully introduce new product offerings; |
| · | | our ability to dispose of certain assets or asset groups on terms that are attractive to us, or at all; |
| · | | the effects of governmental legislation and regulation on our business, such as action on net neutrality, including costs, disruptions, possible limitations on operating flexibility and changes to the competitive landscape resulting from such legislation or regulation; |
| · | | the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks; |
| · | | government infrastructure projects (such as highway construction) that impact our capital expenditures; |
| · | | continued reductions in switched access revenues as a result of regulation, competition or technology substitutions; |
| · | | the effects of changes in the availability of federal and state universal service funding or other subsidies to us and our competitors; |
| · | | our ability to meet our remaining CAF II funding obligations on a timely basis and that we could be subject tothe risk of penalties or obligations to return certain CAF II funds; |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
| · | | our ability to effectively manage service quality in our territoriesthe states in which we operate and meet mandated service quality metrics; |
| ·
| | our ability to successfully introduce new product offerings;
|
| ·
| | the effects of changes in accounting policies or practices, including potential future impairment charges with respect to our intangible assets;
|
| ·
| | our ability to effectively manage our operations, operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and cash paid for income taxes and liquidity;
|
| ·
| | the effects of changes in both general and local economic conditions in the markets that we serve;
|
| ·
| | the effects of increased medical expenses and pension and postemployment expenses;
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| · | | the effects of changes in income tax rates, tax laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments, including the risk that such changes may benefit our competitors more than us;us, as well as potential future decreases in the value of our deferred tax assets; |
| · | | the effects of increased medical expenses and pension and postemployment expenses; |
| · | | our ability to successfully renegotiate union contracts; |
| · | | changes in pension plan assumptions, interest rates, discount rates, regulatory rules and/or the value of our pension plan assets, which could require us to make increased contributions to our pension plans; |
| · | | our ability to effectively manage our operations, operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and cash paid for income taxes and liquidity; |
| · | | adverse changes in the credit markets;markets, which could impact the availability and cost of financing; |
| · | | adverse changes in the ratings given to our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations; |
| ·
| | the availability and cost of financing in the credit markets;
|
| · | | covenants in our indentures and credit agreements that may limit our operational and financial flexibility as well as our ability to access the capital markets in the future; |
| · | | the effects of state regulatory cash management practicesrequirements that could limit our ability to transfer cash among our subsidiaries or dividend funds up to the parent company; |
| · | | the effects of changes in both general and local economic conditions in the markets that we serve; |
| · | | our ability to hire or retain key personnel; |
| · | | the effects of severe weather events or other natural or man-made disasters, which has,have, and may in the future, increase our operating and capital expenses or adversely impact customer revenue; |
| · | | the impact of potential information technology or data security breaches or other disruptions; and |
| · | | the risks and other factors contained in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC. |
Any of the foregoing events, or other events, could cause our results to vary from management’s forward-looking statements included in this report. You should consider these important factors in evaluating any statement in this report or otherwise made by us or on our behalf. We have no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements and do not undertake to do so.
Investors should also be aware that while we do, at various times, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst, irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 2.Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Overview
Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) is a provider of communications services in the United States, with approximately 4.34.6 million customers, 3.93.8 million broadband subscribers and 22,10021,400 employees, operating in 29 states. We offer a broad portfolio of communications services for consumer and commercial customers. These services which include dataData and internetInternet services, video services, voice services, access services, and advanced hardware and network solutions, are offered on either a standalone basis or in a bundled package, depending on each customer’s needs.
On July 10, 2017, we effected a one for fifteen reverse stock splitJune 29, 2018, pursuant to the provisions of Frontier’s Certificate of Designation governing our common stock. The reverse stock split reduced the number of common shares issued (which includes11.125% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock”), all outstanding shares and treasury shares) from approximately 1,193,000,000 shares to 80,000,000 shares, and reduced shares outstanding from 1,178,000,000 shares to 79,000,000 shares. In addition, and at the same time, the total number of shares of common stock that Frontier is authorized to issue changed from 1,750,000,000 shares to 175,000,000 shares. There was no change in the par value of the common stock, and no fractional shares were issued. All share and per share amounts in the financial discussion below have been retroactively adjusted for all periods presented to give effect to the reverse stock split. As a result of our reverse stock split the conversion rates of our Series A Preferred Stock converted at a rate of 1.3333 common shares per share of preferred stock into an aggregate of 26 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Frontier issued cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock. These payments were proportionately adjusted.recorded as a reduction to Additional paid-in capital. In addition, on July 2, 2018, the Company paid the final dividend of $54 million to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock. The Series A Preferred stock was issued in June 2015 when we completed a registered offering of 19.25 million preferred shares at an offering price of $100 per share.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Effective January 1, 2018, we adopted Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” as modified (ASC 606) using the modified retrospective method. Under this approach, prior period results were not restated to reflect the impact of ASC 606, resulting in limited comparability between 2017 and 2018 operating results. The table below reflects the results for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 under the historical method of accounting as well as under ASC 606. The significant adjustments have been broken out and a brief explanation for each provided. See Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional details.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the three months ended March 31, 2018 | |
| | Amounts | | | | | | | | Switched | | | | | | | |
| | excluding | | Discounts | | | | | access | | | | | As reported | |
| | adoption of | | and | | Upfront | | and USF | | | | | under | |
| ($ in millions) | ASC606 | | incentives | | fees | | Fees | | Other | | ASC606 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Data and Internet services | $ | 942 | | $ | 23 | | $ | 16 | | $ | 4 | | $ | - | | $ | 985 | |
| Voice services | | 670 | | | (14) | | | (3) | | | 51 | | | (2) | | | 702 | |
| Video services | | 309 | | | (20) | | | (10) | | | 1 | | | - | | | 280 | |
| Other | | 85 | | | 10 | | | (1) | | | 34 | | | 7 | | | 135 | |
| Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| with customers | | 2,006 | | | (1) | | | 2 | | | 90 | | | 5 | | | 2,102 | |
| Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| regulatory revenue | | 187 | | | - | | | (1) | | | (90) | | | 1 | | | 97 | |
| Total revenue | $ | 2,193 | | $ | (1) | | $ | 1 | | $ | - | | $ | 6 | | $ | 2,199 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Network access expenses | $ | 369 | | $ | 4 | | $ | - | | $ | - | | $ | (1) | | $ | 372 | |
| Network related expenses | | 483 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 483 | |
| Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| administrative expenses | | 473 | | | - | | | 3 | | | - | | | (7) | | | 469 | |
| Depreciation and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| amortization | | 505 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 505 | |
| Restructuring costs and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| other charges | | 4 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 4 | |
| Total operating expenses | $ | 1,834 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 3 | | $ | - | | $ | (8) | | $ | 1,833 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income | | 359 | | | (5) | | | (2) | | | - | | | 14 | | | 366 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Customer Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer | $ | 1,089 | | $ | 9 | | $ | - | | $ | 29 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 1,128 | |
| Commercial | | 917 | | | (10) | | | 2 | | | 61 | | | 4 | | | 974 | |
| Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| with customers | $ | 2,006 | | $ | (1) | | $ | 2 | | $ | 90 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 2,102 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Average monthly consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| revenue per customer | $ | 83.26 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 86.21 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 | |
| | Amounts | | | | | | | | Switched | | | | | | | |
| | excluding | | Discounts | | | | | Access | | | | | As Reported | |
| | Adoption of | | and | | Upfront | | and USF | | | | | under | |
| ($ in millions) | ASC 606 | | Incentives | | Fees | | Fees | | Other | | ASC 606 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Data and Internet services | $ | 2,828 | | $ | 62 | | $ | 38 | | $ | 4 | | $ | (13) | | $ | 2,919 | |
| Voice services | | 1,952 | | | (38) | | | (5) | | | 152 | | | (8) | | | 2,053 | |
| Video services | | 893 | | | (57) | | | (27) | | | 1 | | | - | | | 810 | |
| Other | | 259 | | | 16 | | | - | | | 96 | | | 45 | | | 416 | |
| Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| with customers | | 5,932 | | | (17) | | | 6 | | | 253 | | | 24 | | | 6,198 | |
| Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| regulatory revenue | | 541 | | | - | | | (1) | | | (253) | | | 2 | | | 289 | |
| Total revenue | $ | 6,473 | | $ | (17) | | $ | 5 | | $ | - | | $ | 26 | | $ | 6,487 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating Expenses: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Network access expenses | | 1,089 | | | 5 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,094 | |
| Network related expenses | | 1,437 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,437 | |
| Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| administrative expenses | | 1,389 | | | - | | | 11 | | | - | | | (26) | | | 1,374 | |
| Depreciation and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| amortization | | 1,462 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 1,462 | |
| Goodwill impairment | | 400 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 400 | |
| Restructuring costs and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| other charges | | 20 | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | - | | | 20 | |
| Total operating expenses | $ | 5,797 | | $ | 5 | | $ | 11 | | $ | - | | $ | (26) | | $ | 5,787 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating income (loss) | | 676 | | | (22) | | | (6) | | | - | | | 52 | | | 700 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Customer Revenue: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Consumer | | 3,204 | | | 9 | | | - | | | 78 | | | 1 | | | 3,292 | |
| Commercial | | 2,728 | | | (26) | | | 6 | | | 175 | | | 23 | | | 2,906 | |
| Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| with customers | $ | 5,932 | | $ | (17) | | $ | 6 | | $ | 253 | | $ | 24 | | $ | 6,198 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Average monthly consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| revenue per customer | $ | 83.27 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ | 85.54 | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Discounts and Incentives
When customers purchase more than one service, the amount allocable to each service under ASC 606 is determined based upon the relative stand-alone selling price of each service received. While this change results in different allocations to each of the services, it does not change total customer revenue. Customer incentives (i.e., goods and or services offered for free) are considered separate performance obligations under ASC 606 and a portion of consideration received from the customer over the contract will be allocated to them. Other customer revenue is recognized when the incentives are granted to the customer and our performance obligation is satisfied. The costs for these incentives will continue to be recognized as marketing expense and included in Selling, general and administrativeNetwork access expenses.
Upfront Fees
Under ASC 606, upfront non-refundable customer fees that provide the customer with a material right to renew must be deferred and amortized into revenue over the typical contract term. For our carrier customers, these were previously recognized as revenue when billed.
Switched Access and USF Fees
Under ASC 606, switched access revenue, which has been historically reflected in Other regulatory revenue, is considered revenue from a customer; therefore, will be reflected in commercial customer revenue on a prospective basis. Universal Service Fund FeeFees assessed to our customers were previously reflected in regulatory revenue. Under ASC606,ASC 606, these amounts are being included in contract value and allocated to the services which have been delivered based on relative stand-alone selling price of each service.
The sections below include tables that present customer counts, average monthly consumer revenue per customer (ARPC) and consumer customer churn, which we define as the average of the number of consumer customer deactivations during the month divided by the number of consumer customers at the beginning of the month.
Management believes that consumer customer counts and average monthly revenue per customer are important factors in evaluating our consumer customer trends. Among the key services we provide to consumer customers are voice service, data service and video service. We continue to explore the potential to provide additional services to our customer base, with the objective of meeting all our customers’ communications needs.
The following should be read in conjunction with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
CUSTOMER RELATED METRICS
Because of the limited comparability between ASC 606 results and historical results, the comparative analysis that follows is based upon the historical comparative results assuming ASC 606 was not implemented, unless otherwise noted.
CUSTOMER RELATED METRICS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | As of or for the three months ended | | As of or for the three months ended |
| | March 31, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | | % Increase (Decrease) | | March 31, 2017 | | | % Increase (Decrease) | | September 30, 2018 | | December 31, 2017 | | % Increase (Decrease) | | September 30, 2017 | | | % Increase (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customers (in thousands) | | | 4,765 | | | 4,850 | | | (2) | % | | | | 5,220 | | | (9) | % | | | | 4,574 | | | 4,850 | | (6) | % | | | 4,949 | | | (8) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer customer metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customers (in thousands) | | | 4,324 | | | 4,397 | | | (2) | % | | | | 4,736 | | | (9) | % | | | | 4,152 | | | 4,397 | | (6) | % | | | 4,486 | | | (7) | % | |
Net customer additions/(losses) | | | (74) | | | (89) | | | (17) | % | | | | (155) | | | (52) | % | | | | (86) | | | (89) | | (3) | % | | | (99) | | | (13) | % | |
Average monthly consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
revenue per customer | | $ | 83.26 | (2) | $ | 81.61 | | | 2 | % | | | $ | 80.62 | | | 3 | % | | | $ | 83.20 | (1) | $ | 81.61 | | 2 | % | | $ | 80.91 | | | 3 | % | |
Customer monthly churn | | | 1.94% | | | 1.98% | | | (2) | % | | | | 2.37% | | | (18) | % | | | | 2.03% | | | 1.98% | | 3 | % | | | 2.08% | | | (2) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Commercial customer metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Customers (in thousands) | | | 441 | | | 453 | | | (3) | % | | | | 484 | | | (9) | % | | | | 422 | | | 453 | | (7) | % | | | 463 | | | (9) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadband subscriber metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Broadband subscribers | | | 3,895 | | | 3,938 | | | (1) | % | | | | 4,164 | | | (6) | % | | | | 3,802 | | | 3,938 | | (3) | % | | | 4,000 | | | (5) | % | |
Net subscriber additions/(losses) | | | (43) | | | (63) | | | (32) | % | | | | (107) | | | (60) | % | | | | (61) | | | (63) | | (3) | % | | | (63) | | | (3) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Video (excl. DISH) subscriber metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Video subscribers (in thousands) | | | 934 | | | 961 | | | (3) | % | | | | 1,065 | | | (12) | % | | | | 873 | | | 961 | | (9) | % | | | 981 | | | (11) | % | |
Net subscriber additions/(losses) | | | (28) | | | (20) | | | 40 | % | | | | (80) | | | (65) | % | | | | (29) | | | (20) | | 45 | % | | | (26) | | | 12 | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISH subscriber metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
(in thousands) | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
DISH subscribers (in thousands) | | | 227 | | | 235 | | | (3) | % | | | | 266 | | | (15) | % | | | | 211 | | | 235 | | (10) | % | | | 244 | | | (14) | % | |
Net subscriber additions/(losses) | | | (8) | | | (9) | | | (11) | % | | | | (8) | | | - | % | | | | (8) | | | (9) | | (11) | % | | | (10) | | | (20) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Employees | | | 22,081 | | | 22,736 | | | (3) | % | | | | 26,878 | (1) | | (18) | % | | | | 21,375 | | | 22,736 | | (6) | % | | | 23,181 | | | (8) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | As of or for the nine months ended | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | September 30, 2018 | | September 30, 2017 | | % Increase (Decrease) | | | | | | | | |
Consumer customer metrics | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Average monthly consumer | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
revenue per customer | | | $ | 83.27 | (1) | $ | 80.73 | | 3 | % | | | | | | | | |
Customer monthly churn | | | | 2.03% | | | 2.23% | | (9) | % | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | | At March 31, 2017, we had approximately 1,900 employees in our Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business, which was sold in May 2017.
|
| (2)
| | The Consumer ARPC included in the table above represents our Consumer ARPC under ASC 605. ARPC after implementing the changes for ASC 606 is $86.21.$84.92 and $85.54 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. |
Customer Trends and Revenue Performance
We provide service and product options in our consumer and commercial offerings in each of our markets. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, 65%63% of our consumer broadband customers were subscribed to at least one other service offering.
We had approximately 4.3 million and 4.7 million total consumer customers as of March 31, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our consumer customer churn was 1.94% for the three months ended March 31, 2018 compared to 2.37% for the first quarter of 2017 and 1.98% for the fourth quarter of 2017, respectively. The consolidated average monthly consumer revenue per customer (consumer ARPC) increased by $2.64, or 3%, to $83.26 during the first quarter of 2018 compared to the prior year period. The overall increase in consumer ARPC is a result of residential and broadband initiatives that were implemented during the fourth quarter of 2017.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
We had approximately 441,0004.2 million and 484,0004.5 million total consumer customers as of September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. Our consumer customer churn was 2.03%, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to 2.08% and 2.23%, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 1.95% for the three months ended June 30, 2018. The consolidated average monthly consumer revenue per customer (consumer ARPC) increased by $2.29, or 3%, to $83.20 and increased by $2.54, or 3%, to $83.27 for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively as compared to the prior year period. The overall increase in consumer ARPC is primarily a result of residential and broadband initiatives that were implemented during the fourth quarter of 2017.
We had approximately 422,000 and 463,000 total commercial customers as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. We lost approximately 12,0008,000 and 31,000 commercial customers, respectively, during the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 compared to a loss of 18,00010,000 and 39,000 customers, respectively, for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017, and a loss of 10,00011,000 customers for the three months ended December 31, 2017.second quarter of 2018. Frontier expects the declines in voice services revenue and wireless backhaul revenues from commercial customers to continue for the remainder of 2018. Our Ethernet product revenues from our SME (small business, medium business and larger enterprise customers) and carrier customers have grown by 12%8% during the firstthird quarter of 2018, compared to the prior year period, and grown by 1%3% compared to the fourthsecond quarter of 2017.2018.
We had approximately 3,895,0003,802,000 and 4,164,0004,000,000 broadband subscribers as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, respectively. During the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, we lost approximately 43,00061,000 and 136,000 net broadband subscribers, respectively, compared to a loss of 63,000 and 271,000 subscribers, respectively for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and a loss of 107,00032,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2017 and March 31, 2017, respectively.second quarter of 2018.
We offer video services under the FiOS® brand in portions of California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Oregon and Washington, and the VantageTM brand in portions of Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Ohio. We also offer satellite TV video service to our customers under an agency relationship with DISH® in all our markets. For the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, we lost approximately 36,00037,000 and 112,000 net video subscribers, respectively, across all markets. At March 31,September 30, 2018, we had 934,000873,000 linear video subscribers that are served with FiOS® or Vantage video service. In addition to our linear video subscribers, we have approximately 227,000211,000 DISH® satellite video customers.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
REVENUE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | | | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase | | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | | ASC606 | | | of 606 | | | ASC 606 | | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Data and Internet services | | $ | 985 | | $ | (43) | | $ | 942 | | $ | 993 | (1) | | $ | (51) | | | (5) | % | | $ | 961 | | $ | (23) | | $ | 938 | | $ | 956 | | $ | (18) | | | (2) | % |
Voice services | | | 702 | | | (32) | | | 670 | | | 751 | | | | (81) | | | (11) | % | | | 669 | | | (35) | | | 634 | | | 702 | | | (68) | | | (10) | % |
Video services | | | 280 | | | 29 | | | 309 | | | 347 | | | | (38) | | | (11) | % | | | 260 | | | 27 | | | 287 | | | 318 | | | (31) | | | (10) | % |
Other | | | 135 | | | (50) | | | 85 | | | 68 | | | | 17 | | | 25 | % | | | 141 | | | (53) | | | 88 | | | 84 | | | 4 | | | 5 | % |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 2,102 | | | (96) | | | 2,006 | | | 2,159 | (1) | | | (153) | | | (7) | % | | | 2,031 | | | (84) | | | 1,947 | | | 2,060 | | | (113) | | | (5) | % |
Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
regulatory revenue | | | 97 | | | 90 | | | 187 | | | 197 | | | | (10) | | | (5) | % | | | 95 | | | 78 | | | 173 | | | 191 | | | (18) | | | (9) | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 2,199 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,193 | | $ | 2,356 | (1) | | $ | (163) | | | (7) | % | | $ | 2,126 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,120 | | $ | 2,251 | | $ | (131) | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase |
| | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) | |
($ in millions) | | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer | | $ | 1,128 | | $ | (39) | | $ | 1,089 | | $ | 1,164 | | | $ | (75) | | | (6) | % | | $ | 1,069 | | $ | (22) | | $ | 1,047 | | $ | 1,102 | | $ | (55) | | | (5) | % |
Commercial | | | 974 | | | (57) | | | 917 | | | 995 | (1) | | | (78) | | | (8) | % | | | 962 | | | (62) | | | 900 | | | 958 | | | (58) | | | (6) | % |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 2,102 | | | (96) | | | 2,006 | | | 2,159 | (1) | | | (153) | | | (7) | % | | | 2,031 | | | (84) | | | 1,947 | | | 2,060 | | | (113) | | | (5) | % |
Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
regulatory revenue | | | 97 | | | 90 | | | 187 | | | 197 | | | | (10) | | | (5) | % | | | 95 | | | 78 | | | 173 | | | 191 | | | (18) | | | (9) | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 2,199 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,193 | | $ | 2,356 | (1) | | $ | (163) | | | (7) | % | | $ | 2,126 | | $ | (6) | | $ | 2,120 | | $ | 2,251 | | $ | (131) | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Data and Internet services | | $ | 2,919 | | $ | (91) | | $ | 2,828 | | $ | 2,923 | (1) | | $ | (95) | | | (3) | % |
Voice services | | | 2,053 | | | (101) | | | 1,952 | | | 2,177 | | | | (225) | | | (10) | % |
Video services | | | 810 | | | 83 | | | 893 | | | 994 | | | | (101) | | | (10) | % |
Other | | | 416 | | | (157) | | | 259 | | | 231 | | | | 28 | | | 12 | % |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 6,198 | | | (266) | | | 5,932 | | | 6,325 | (1) | | | (393) | | | (6) | % |
Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
regulatory revenue | | | 289 | | | 252 | | | 541 | | | 586 | | | | (45) | | | (8) | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 6,487 | | $ | (14) | | $ | 6,473 | | $ | 6,911 | (1) | | $ | (438) | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | $ Increase | | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Consumer | | $ | 3,292 | | $ | (88) | | $ | 3,204 | | $ | 3,390 | | | $ | (186) | | | (5) | % |
Commercial | | | 2,906 | | | (178) | | | 2,728 | | | 2,935 | (1) | | | (207) | | | (7) | % |
Revenue from contracts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
with customers | | | 6,198 | | | (266) | | | 5,932 | | | 6,325 | (1) | | | (393) | | | (6) | % |
Subsidy and other | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
regulatory revenue | | | 289 | | | 252 | | | 541 | | | 586 | | | | (45) | | | (8) | % |
Total revenue | | $ | 6,487 | | $ | (14) | | $ | 6,473 | | $ | 6,911 | (1) | | $ | (438) | | | (6) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | | Includes revenue from Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business, which was sold in May of 2017, of $25$40 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. |
Revenue
We generate revenues primarily through either a monthly recurring fee or a fee based on usage, and revenue recognition is not dependent upon significant judgments by management, with the exception of a determination of the provision for uncollectible amounts.
The decrease of $163 milliondecreases in consolidated total revenue for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 was primarily due to decreased voiceVoice and dataData and Internet services and video revenues driven by a decline in customers.
The decrease in consolidated customer revenue of $153$113 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of decreases of $75$55 million and $78$58 million of consumer customer revenue and commercial customer revenue, respectively. The decrease inof $393 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 consisted of decreases of $186 million and $207 million of consumer customer revenue wasand commercial customer revenue, respectively. The decreases for both periods were primarily due to decreases in voice, dataVoice, Data and internet,Internet, and videoVideo services revenue. We have experienced declines in the number of traditional voice customers and switched access minutes of use as a result of competition and the availability of substitutes, a trend we expect to continue. The decrease in consolidated commercial customer revenue was primarily driven by decreases in our voice services revenue and nonswitched revenue, including wireless backhaul revenue and a decrease in revenue from our Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
revenue, including wireless backhaul revenue and a decrease in revenue from our Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business which was sold in May 2017.
The decrease in Subsidy and other regulatory revenue of $10$18 million and $45 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, was primarily driven by a decrease in switched access minutes of use.use and declines in subsidy revenue.
We categorize our products, services, and other revenues into the following five categories:
Data and Internet Services
Data and internetInternet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”).
TheFor the three months ended September 30, 2018, the decrease in Consolidated Data and internetInternet services revenue consisted of a decrease of $21 million for consolidated nonswitched access services, slightly offset by an increase of $3 million for consolidated data services. The decrease in nonswitched access services was primarily driven by a migration of our carrier customers to lower price ethernet, offset by lower churn.
For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, the decrease in Consolidated Data and Internet services revenue consisted of decreases of $32$41 million and $19$54 million for consolidated data services and consolidated nonswitched access services, respectively. The decrease in consolidated data revenuewas primarily driven by lost revenues due to the sale of the Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business in May 2017. The decrease in nonswitched access services was primarily driven by a decrease in revenue from the Frontier Secure Strategic Partnerships business. The decrease in consolidated nonswitched access revenues was primarily driven by a decrease in billing related to wireless backhaul as well as a decrease to churn along withmigration of our carrier customers moving to the lower priced Ethernet.price ethernet, offset by lower churn.
Voice Services
Voice services include traditional local and long distance wireline services, data-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as voice messaging services offered to our consumer and commercial customers. Voice services also include the long distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our commercial customers and other carriers.
The decreasedecreases in voice services revenue, wasfor both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, were primarily driven by the continued loss of voice customers and decreases in long-distance revenue among those customers that do not have a bundled long-distance plan.
Video Services
Video services include revenues generated from services provided directly to consumer customers through the FiOS® video and Vantage video brands, and through DISH® satellite TV services.
The decreasedecreases in video services revenue wasfor both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, were primarily driven by a decrease in the total number of video subscribers.
Other
Other customer revenue includes switched access revenue and sales of customer premise equipmentCustomer Premise Equipment (CPE) to our business customers and directory services. Switched access revenue includes revenues derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes-of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies.
As noted above, as part of our adoption of ASC 606, switched access was reclassified from switched access and subsidy revenue to other customer revenue on our consolidated statement of operations. Prior period results have not been adjusted to reflect this change.
The increaseincreases in other revenue, wasfor both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, were primarily driven by a decrease in uncollectible revenue and an increase in sales of customer premise equipment,service installations, slightly offset by a decrease in directory services.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Subsidy and other regulatory
Subsidy and other regulatory revenue includes revenues generated from cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund Phase II.
As noted above, as part of our adoption of ASC 606, switched access was reclassified from switched access and subsidy revenue to other customer revenue on our consolidated statement of operations. Prior period results have not been adjusted to reflect this change.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
The decreasedecreases in Subsidy and other regulatory revenue, wasfor both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, were driven by decreased switched access revenue due to reduced rates mandated by the Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Report and Order with a related decline in operating expenses.
OPERATING EXPENSES
NETWORK ACCESS EXPENSES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | 2018 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | |
| | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | |
| | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | ASC606 | | | of 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network access expenses | $ | 372 | | $ | (3) | | $ | 369 | | $ | 411 | | $ | (42) | | (10) | % | | $ | 353 | | $ | 1 | | $ | 354 | | $ | 390 | | $ | (36) | | (9) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | | 2018 | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network access expenses | | $ | 1,094 | | $ | (5) | | $ | 1,089 | | $ | 1,209 | | $ | (120) | | (10) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network access expenses include access charges and other third-party costs directly attributable to connecting customer locations to our network, and video content costs. Such access charges and other third-party costs exclude network related expenses, depreciation and amortization, and employee related expenses.
The decreasedecreases in network access expenses wasfor both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018, were primarily driven by lower video content costs as a result of a decline in video customers, combined with lower Customer Premise Equipment (CPE)CPE costs and lower network costs.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
NETWORK RELATED EXPENSES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | | | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | ASC606 | | | of 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network related expenses | | $ | 483 | | $ | - | | $ | 483 | | $ | 493 | (1) | $ | (10) | | (2) | % | | | $ | 476 | | $ | - | | $ | 476 | | $ | 498 | (1) | $ | (22) | | (4) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | As reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Network related expenses | | | $ | 1,437 | | $ | - | | $ | 1,437 | | $ | 1,468 | (1) | $ | (31) | | (2) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $(1) million of Network related expenses as non-operating expense for the three months ended September 30, 2017. |
Network related expenses include expenses associated with the delivery of services to customers and the operation and maintenance of our network, such as facility rent, utilities, maintenance and other costs, as well as salaries, wages and related benefits associated with personnel who are responsible for the delivery of services, and the operation and maintenance of our network.
The decreases in network related expenses for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 were primarily driven by decreased compensation costs related to lower employee headcount and certain benefits, including incentive compensation, pension and OPEB expense (as discussed below), combined with an increase in capitalized expense.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | $ | 445 | | $ | 2 | | $ | 447 | | $ | 487 | (1) | | $ | (40) | | (8) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | ASC 606 | | | of ASC 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | $ | 1,374 | | $ | 15 | | $ | 1,389 | | $ | 1,560 | (1) | | $ | (171) | | (11) | % | |
| (1) | | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $1 million of Selling, general and administrative expenses as non-operating expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. |
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A expenses) include the salaries, wages and related benefits and the related costs of corporate and sales personnel, travel, insurance, non-network related rent, advertising, and other administrative expenses.
The decreases in SG&A expenses for both the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2018 primarily related to decreased employee headcount, lower compensation costs, certain benefits decreasing, including pension and OPEB expense (as discussed below), reduced facilities costs, and lower information technology and other outside services costs.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Pension and OPEB costs
Frontier allocates pension/OPEB expense to network related expenses and SG&A expenses. Total consolidated pension and OPEB costs, excluding pension settlement costs, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended | | For the nine months ended | | |
| | September 30, | | September 30, | | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2017 | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Total pension/OPEB | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
expense | | $ | 27 | | $ | 31 | (1) | $ | 86 | | $ | 92 | (1) | |
Less: costs capitalized into | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
capital expenditures | | | (6) | | | (6) | | | (20) | | | (20) | | |
Net pension/OPEB costs | | $ | 21 | | $ | 25 | (1) | $ | 66 | | $ | 72 | (1) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $1 million of Network relatednet operating expenses as non-operating expense for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. |
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
Network related expenses include expenses associated with
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 337 | | $ | 376 | | $ | (39) | | (10) | % | |
Amortization expense | | | 134 | | | 163 | | | (29) | | (18) | % | |
Depreciation and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 471 | | $ | 539 | | $ | (68) | | (13) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 1,025 | | $ | 1,131 | | $ | (106) | | (9) | % | |
Amortization expense | | | 437 | | | 539 | | | (102) | | (19) | % | |
Depreciation and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 1,462 | | $ | 1,670 | | $ | (208) | | (12) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The decreases in depreciation expense for both the deliverythree and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were primarily driven by lower net asset bases of services to customers and the operation and maintenance of our network, such as facility rent, utilities, maintenance and other costs, as well as salaries, wages and related benefits associated with personnel who are responsible for the delivery of services, and the operation and maintenance of our network.certain plant assets.
The decreasedecreases in network related expenses wasamortization expense for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were primarily driven by decreased compensation coststhe accelerated method of amortization related to lower employee headcountcustomer bases acquired in 2010, 2014, and certain benefits, including incentive compensation, pension2016.
GOODWILL IMPAIRMENT
Our quantitative assessment indicated that the carrying value of the enterprise exceeded its fair value and, OPEB expense (as discussed below), offset bytherefore, an increase in outside services due to a West Virginia work stoppage and a decrease in capitalized expense.
impairment existed. We recorded goodwill impairment of $400 million, which was based on the amount that the enterprise carrying value exceeded the fair value. (See Note 6).
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
SELLING, GENERALACQUISITION AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSESINTEGRATION COSTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | |
| | 2018 | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | As | | | | | | Amounts | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | reported | | | Impact of | | | Excluding | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | under | | | Adoption | | | Adoption of | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | | ASC606 | | | of 606 | | | ASC 606 | | 2017 | | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Selling, general and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
administrative expenses | | $ | 469 | | $ | 4 | | $ | 473 | | $ | 542 | (1) | | $ | (69) | | (13) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition and integration costs | | $ | - | | $ | 1 | | $ | (1) | | (100) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition and integration costs | | $ | - | | $ | 15 | | $ | (15) | | (100) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition costs include financial advisory, accounting, regulatory, legal and other related costs. Integration costs include expenses that are incremental and directly related to the acquisition, which were incurred to integrate the network and information technology platforms. Integration costs also include costs to achieve synergies and operational efficiencies directly associated with the acquisition.
We invested $19 million in capital expenditures related to the 2016 acquisition of properties in California, Texas, and Florida with Verizon (CTF Acquisition) during the nine months ended September 30, 2017.
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring costs and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
other charges | | $ | 14 | | $ | 14 | | $ | - | | - | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring costs and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
other charges | | $ | 20 | | $ | 55 | | $ | (35) | | (64) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring costs and other charges consist of expenses related to changes in the composition of our business, including workforce reductions, the sale of business lines or divisions, and corresponding changes to our retirement plans. During the nine months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $8 million in costs directly associated with these activities.
In addition, costs related to the Transformation Program, a multi-year strategic plan with the objective of transforming the Company and reinvigorating growth, are included in Restructuring and other charges. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, we incurred $12 million in costs directly associated with the Transformation Program.
Restructuring costs and other charges decreased for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 compared to the same periods in 2017, primarily due to a reduction in the number of severed employees during both periods.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income , net | | $ | 3 | | $ | 4 | (1) | $ | (1) | | (25) | % |
Pension settlement | | $ | 9 | | $ | 15 | (1) | $ | (6) | | (40) | % |
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt | | $ | (2) | | $ | 1 | | $ | (3) | | (300) | % |
Interest expense | | $ | 389 | | $ | 381 | | $ | 8 | | 2 | % |
Income tax benefit | | $ | (4) | | $ | (31) | | $ | 27 | | (87) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the nine months ended September 30, | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income , net | | $ | 16 | | $ | 4 | (1) | $ | 12 | | 300 | % |
Pension settlement | | $ | 34 | | $ | 77 | (1) | $ | (43) | | (56) | % |
Gain (Loss) on extinguishment of debt | | $ | 31 | | $ | (89) | | $ | 120 | | (135) | % |
Interest expense | | $ | 1,148 | | $ | 1,157 | | $ | (9) | | (1) | % |
Income tax benefit | | $ | (11) | | $ | (280) | | $ | 269 | | (96) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1) | | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $2 million of Selling, general and administrative expenses as non-operating expense for the three months ended March 31, 2017. |
Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A expenses) include the salaries, wages and related benefits and the related costs of corporate and sales personnel, travel, insurance, non-network related rent, advertising, bad debt expense, and other administrative expenses.
The decrease in SG&A expenses primarily related to decreased employee headcount, lower incentive compensation costs, certain benefits decreasing, including pension and OPEB expense (as discussed below), reduced marketing costs, and lower information technology and other outside services costs.
Pension and OPEB costs
Frontier allocates pension/OPEB expense to network related expenses and SG&A expenses. Total consolidated pension and OPEB costs, excluding pension settlement costs, for the three months ended March 31, 2018 and 2017 were as follows:
| | | | | | | |
| For the three months ended March 31, | | |
($ in millions) | 2018 | | 2017 | | |
| | | | | | | |
Total pension/OPEB | | | | | | | |
expense | $ | 29 | | $ | 30 | (1) | |
Less: costs capitalized into | | | | | | | |
capital expenditures | | (7) | | | (7) | | |
Net pension/OPEB costs | $ | 22 | | $ | 23 | (1) | |
| | | | | | | |
| (1)
| | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $3$1 million of net operating expenses as non-operating expense for the threenine months ended March 31, 2017.
|
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | | |
Depreciation expense | | $ | 345 | | $ | 376 | | $ | (31) | | | (8) | % | |
Amortization expense | | | 160 | | | 203 | | | (43) | | | (21) | % | |
Depreciation and | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Amortization expense | | $ | 505 | | $ | 579 | | $ | (74) | | | (13) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
The decrease in depreciation expense was primarily driven by the changes in the remaining lives of certain plant assets and lower net asset bases.
The decrease in amortization expense was primarily driven by the accelerated method of amortization related to customer bases acquired in 2010, 2014, and 2016.
ACQUISITION AND INTEGRATION COSTS
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition and integration costs | | $ | - | | $ | 2 | | $ | (2) | | (100) | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Acquisition costs include financial advisory, accounting, regulatory, legal and other related costs. Integration costs include expenses that are incremental and directly related to the acquisition, which were incurred to integrate the network and information technology platforms. Integration costs also include costs to achieve synergies and operational efficiencies directly associated with the acquisition.
We invested $1 million in capital expenditures related to the 2016 acquisition of properties in California, Texas, and Florida with Verizon (CTF Acquisition) during the three months ended March 31, 2017.
RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | $ Increase | | % Increase | |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring costs and | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
other charges | | $ | 4 | | $ | 12 | | $ | (8) | | (67) | % | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Restructuring costs and other charges consist of expenses related to changes in the composition of our business, including workforce reductions, the sale of business lines or divisions, and corresponding changes to our retirement plans.
Restructuring costs and other charges decreased in the first quarter of 2018 compared to the first quarter of 2017 primarily due to a reduction in the number of severed employees during the period.
OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | For the three months ended March 31, | | $ Increase | | % Increase |
($ in millions) | | 2018 | | 2017 | | (Decrease) | | (Decrease) |
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Investment and other income, net | | $ | 8 | | $ | - | (1) | $ | 8 | | 100 | % |
Pension settlement costs | | $ | - | | $ | 43 | (1) | $ | (43) | | (100) | % |
Gain on extinguishment of debt | | $ | 33 | | $ | - | | $ | 33 | | 100 | % |
Interest expense | | $ | 374 | | $ | 388 | | $ | (14) | | (4) | % |
Income tax (benefit) expense | | $ | 13 | | $ | (39) | | $ | 52 | | 133 | % |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| (1)
| | Effective January 1, 2018, Frontier adopted ASU 2017-07, “Improving the Presentation of Net Periodic Pension Cost and Net Periodic Postretirement Benefit Cost.” The standard requires certain benefit costs to be reclassified from operating expenses to non-operating expenses. This change in policy was applied using a retrospective approach and, accordingly, we have reclassified $3 million of net operating expenses as non-operating expense for the three months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. Additional pension settlement costs of $43$77 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017, were reclassified from operating expense to non-operating expense.
|
Investment and other income, net
Investment and other income, net for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 included interest income of $2 million and non-operating pension and OPEB income of $5 million.$12 million and expense of $1 million, respectively.
Pension settlement costs
Frontier recognized a non-cash settlement chargecharges of $43$34 million and $77 million during the first quarternine months of 2017.2018 and 2017, respectively. The non-cash charge accelerated the recognition of a portion of the previously unrecognized actuarial losses in the Pension Plan. No charge was recognized during the first quarter of 2018.
Gain (loss) on Extinguishment of Debt
During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, Frontier recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $33$31 million, driven by discounts received on the retirement of certain notes, slightly offset by premiums paid to retire certain notes and unamortized original issuance costs.costs, Frontier recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $89 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 driven primarily by premiums paid to retire certain senior notes prior to their maturity.
Interest expense
Interest expense for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 decreased $14increased $8 million, or 4%2%, and decreased $9 million, or 1%, respectively, as compared to the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017. Our composite average borrowing rate as of March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 8.57%8.64% and 8.62%8.36%, respectively.
Income tax expense (benefit)benefit
Income tax expense (benefit)benefit for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 decreased due to a lower pretax loss in 2018 as compared to 2017 as well as a decrease in the federal tax rate on income. The effective tax rates on our pretax loss for the three and nine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 reversed from a benefit in the first quarter of 2017 to expense in the first quarter of 2018 due to a net loss recognized in the first quarter of 2017 versus a net income recognized in the first quarter of 2018. The effective tax rate on our pretax income for the three months ended March 31, 2018 was 41.1% aswere 0.9% and 2.5%, respectively, compared with 34.2%45.6% and 26.5% for the pretax loss for the three and nine months ended March 31, 2017.September 30, 2017, respectively. The change
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
in the effective tax rate is primarily due to a lower pre-tax loss, the change in the federal tax rate on income due to tax reform in 2017, and the remeasurement of certain state valuation allowances.
As of September 30, 2018, the benefit from certain state NOL carryforwards may not be realized. On the basis of this evaluation, a valuation allowance of $55 million ($44 million net of federal benefit) has been recorded on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders
Net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders for the first quarternine months of 2018 was $33$531 million, or $(0.44)$(6.09) per share, as compared to a net loss of $129$936 million, or $(1.67)$(12.06) per share, in the first quarternine months of 2017.2017. For 2018, the decrease in net loss was primarily driven by decreased operating expenses and pension settlement costs, partially offset by decreased revenues.revenues and the $400 million (after-tax) goodwill impairment charge.
Diluted net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders
Diluted net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders for the first nine months of 2018 was $531 million, or $(6.09) per share, as compared to a diluted net loss of $940 million, or $(12.07) per share, the first nine months of 2017. For 2018, the decrease in net loss was primarily driven by decreased operating expenses and pension settlement costs, partially offset by decreased revenues and the $400 million (after-tax) goodwill impairment charge.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
(b) Liquidity and Capital Resources
Analysis of Cash Flows
As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents aggregating $201 million.$238 million and restricted cash of $50 million included within income taxes and other current assets on our consolidated balance sheet. Our primary source of funds during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 was cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and cash received from issuance of our Second Lien Notes. For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, we used cash flow from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings to principally fund all of our cash investing and financing activities, which were primarily capital expenditures, dividends and debt repayments.
At March 31,September 30, 2018, we had a working capital deficit of $1,457$1,335 million, including $1,060$1,005 million of long-term debt due within one year, as compared to a working capital deficit of $1,185 million at December 31, 2017. The increase in the working capital deficit is primarily due to an increase in long term debt due within one year of $404$349 million, partially offset by a reduction in accrued interestthe addition of $234 million.Contract Acquisition costs as part of the adoption of ASC 606.
Cash Flows provided by Operating Activities
Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased $49increased $24 million to $251$1,209 million for the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 as compared with the prior year period. The decreaseincrease was primarily the result of a decrease in depreciation expense from the prior year partially offset byand favorable changes in working capital.
We paid $5 million in net cash taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2018. We received $3$4 million in cash tax refunds during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2017.
Cash Flows used by Investing Activities
Capital Expenditures
For the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018 and 2017, our capital expenditures were $297$947 million and $316$865 million, respectively. Capital expenditures related to CAF Phase II are included in our reported amounts for capital expenditures.
Cash Flows used by Financing Activities
New NotesDebt Issuances and Debt Reductions:
On March 19, 2018, Frontier completed a private offering of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 8.500% Second Lien Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Second Lien Notes”). For additional informationThe Second Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its senior secured credit facilities. The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors and subordinated in right of payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness but equal in right of payment with all other unsubordinated obligations of the guarantors. The Second Lien Notes indenture provides that (a) the aggregate amount of all guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantees are limited and shall not, at any time, exceed the lesser of (x) the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes then outstanding and (y) the Maximum Guarantee Amount (as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture), and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Second Lien Notes indenture shall, on any date or from time to time, allow the aggregate amount of all such guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantors to cause or result in the Company or any subsidiary violating any indenture governing the Company’s existing senior notes.
The Second Lien Notes are secured on a second-priority basis by all the assets that secure Frontier’s obligations under its senior secured credit facilities on a first-priority basis. The collateral securing the Second Lien Notes and the Company’s senior secured credit facilities is limited to the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of the Company and substantially all personal property of Frontier Video Services, Inc. Interest on the Second Lien Notes see Note 8 tois payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2018. On July 3, 2018, the Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this report. For information on the use of proceeds from the offering ofcollateral package for the Second Lien Notes see “Debt Reduction” below.was amended to replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier, consistent with amendments made to Frontier’s credit agreements.
Debt Reduction
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
During the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018, Frontier used cash on hand for the scheduled retirement of $41$115 million contractual payments of principal indebtedness.indebtedness and open market purchases of $61 million of 8.125% senior notes due 2018. Additionally, Frontier used cash proceeds from the $1,600 million Second Lien Notes offering and cash on hand to retire an aggregate principal amount of $1,651 million senior unsecured notes prior to maturity, consisting of $447 million of 8.500% senior notes due 2020, $249 million 8.875% senior notes due 2020, $555 million of 6.250% senior notes due 2021, and $400 million of 9.250% senior notes due 2021. During the first threenine months of 2018, Frontier recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $33$31 million driven primarily by discounts received on the retirement of certain notes, slightly offset by premiums paid to retire certain notes and unamortized original issuance costs.
SubjectOn July 3, 2018, the Company entered into Increase Joinder No. 2 to limitations containedthe JPM Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the Company borrowed an incremental $240 million under the Term Loan B maturing in our indentures2024. The Company used the incremental borrowings to repay in full the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, repay a portion of the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement and credit facilities, we may from timepay certain fees and expenses related to time make repurchasesthis incremental borrowing.
On October 1, 2018, Frontier retired $431 million principal amount outstanding of our debt in the open market, through tender offers, by exercising rights to call or in privately negotiated transactions. We may also refinance existing debt or exchange existing debt for newly issued debt obligations.8.125% senior notes due 2018 at maturity.
Capital Resources
Our primary source of cash is cash flows from operations. We believe our operating cash flows, existing cash balances, existing revolving credit facility and access to the capital markets, as necessary, will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures, make required debt interest and principal payments, pay taxes pay dividends to our preferred shareholders, and support our short-term and long-term operating strategies for the next twelve months. A number of factors, including but not limited to, losses of customers,
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
pricing pressure from increased competition, lower subsidy and switched access revenues, and the impact of economic conditions may negatively affect our cash generated from operations. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we had $614have $463 million of debt maturing during the last ninethree months of 2018; $804$595 million and $436$437 million of debt will mature in 2019 and 2020, respectively.
Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facilities
In
JP Morgan Credit Facilities:
On February 27, 2017, Frontier entered into a first amended and restated credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which Frontier combined its revolving credit agreement, dated as of June 2, 2014, and its term loan credit agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015. Under the JPM Credit Agreement as further(as amended on June 15, 2017 by Increase Joinder No.1 (as so amended,to date, the JPM Credit Agreement), Frontier has a $1,625 million senior secured term loan A facility (the Term Loan A) maturing on March 31, 2021, an $850 million undrawn secured revolving credit facility maturing on February 27, 2022 (the Revolver), and $1,500a $1,740 million senior secured term loan B facility (the Term Loan B) maturing on June 15, 2024. The maturities of the Term Loan A, the Revolver, and the Term Loan B, in each case if still outstanding, will be accelerated in the following circumstances: (i) if, 91 days before the maturity date of any series of Senior Notes maturing in 2020, 2023 and 2024, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding on such series; or (ii) if, 91 days before the maturity date of the first series of Senior Notes maturing in 2021 or 2022, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding, in the aggregate, on the two series of Senior Notes maturing in such year.
The determination of interest rates for each of the facilities under the JPM Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan A and Revolver (ranging from 0.75% to 1.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.75% to 2.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Total Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Term Loan A as of September 30, 2018 was LIBOR plus 2.75%. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B (2.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guarantiesguarantees by certain Frontier subsidiaries. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, the companyFrontier had no borrowings outstanding under the revolver (with letters of credit issued under the revolver totaling $62$70 million).
On January 25, 2018 Frontier amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, expand the security package to include the interests of certain subsidiaries previously not pledged and replace the leverage ratio
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
maintenance test with a first lien leverage ratio maintenance test. On July 3, 2018, Frontier further amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interest of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier.
On October 1, 2018 the Company drew down on the Revolver, and as of November 7, 2018, $300 million was outstanding on the Revolver.
CoBank Credit Facilities:
Frontier has twoa $315 million senior secured credit agreementsterm loan facility drawn in October 2016 (as amended to date, the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders party thereto: the first, forlenders. Frontier had a separate $350 million senior term loan facility drawn in 2014 (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement), matures with CoBank which was repaid in full on October 24, 2019,July 3, 2018, as described above under “New Debt Issuances and the second, for a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement), matures on October 12, 2021.Debt Reductions.” We refer to the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement collectively as the CoBank Credit Agreements.
The 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement matures on October 12, 2021. Borrowings under each of the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreements bearAgreement bears interest based on the margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the applicable2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier.
In 2017, Frontier amended the 2014 and 2016 CoBank Credit Agreements. The amendments provide that interest Interest rate margins under each of these facilitiesthe facility will range from 0.875% to 3.875% for Base Rate borrowings and 1.875% to 4.875% for LIBOR borrowings, subject to adjustment based on our Total Leverage Ratio, as defined in each credit agreement.the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement. The interest rate on each of the facilitiesfacility as of March 31,September 30, 2018 was LIBOR plus 4.375%. In addition, the amendments provide for increases in the maximum Leverage Ratio and expansion of the security package identical to those contained in the February 2017 amendment and restatement of the August 2015 JPM credit agreement.
InOn January 25, 2018 Frontier further amended its credit agreements with JP Morgan Chase and CoBank. The amendments,the CoBank Credit Agreements to, among other things, expandedexpand the security package to include the interests of certain subsidiaries previously not pledged and replacedreplace the net leverage ratio maintenance test with a first lien net leverage ratio maintenance test. On July 3, 2018, Frontier further amended the CoBank Credit Agreements to, among other things, replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier.
Letters of Credit
Frontier has a Continuing Agreement for Standby Letters of Credit with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and Bank of Tokyo – Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD. (the LC Agreements). Frontier can also issue letters of credit under the revolver up to a maximum of $134 million. As of March 31,September 30, 2018, $74 million and $62$70 million of undrawn Standby Letters of Credit had been issued under the LC Agreements and revolver respectively. These Standby Letters of Credit are issued primarily in relations to supporting the Company's workers compensation insurance programs. Borrowings under the LC Agreements are secured by a security package identical to those contained in the JPM Credit Amendment.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Covenants
The terms and conditions contained in our indentures, the CoBank Credit Agreements, and the JPM Credit Agreement include the timely payment of principal and interest when due, the maintenance of our corporate existence, keeping proper books and records in accordance with GAAP, restrictions on the incurrence of liens on our assets securing indebtedness and our subsidiaries’ assets, restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness by our subsidiaries, restrictions on asset sales and transfers, mergers and other changes in corporate control and restrictions on dividends and distributions, each subject to important qualifications and exceptions.
As of March 31,September 30, 2018, we were in compliance with all of our indenture and credit facility covenants.
Preferred Dividends
Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock arewere entitled to receive cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 11.125% of the initial liquidation preference of $100 per share, or $11.125 per year per share. Series A Preferred Stock dividends of $53$107 million were paid during the threenine months ended March 31,September 30, 2018. We intend to pay regular quarterly dividends on our preferred stock until their automatic conversion date. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock will automatically convertconverted into 1.3333 shares of our common stock on June 29, 2018, unless converted earlier.2018.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
