Exhibit 99.1
LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL
Frontier Communications Corporation
Offer to Exchange
Up to $500,000,000 7.875% Senior Notes due 2015 | Up to $1,100,000,000 8.250% Senior Notes due 2017 | Up to $1,100,000,000 8.500% Senior Notes due 2020 | Up to $500,000,000 8.750% Senior Notes due 2022 | |||
originally issued by New Communications Holdings Inc., | ||||||
for | ||||||
a Like Principal Amount of $500,000,000 7.875% Senior Notes due 2015 | a Like Principal Amount of $1,100,000,000 8.250% Senior Notes due 2017 | a Like Principal Amount of $1,100,000,000 8.500% Senior Notes due 2020 | a Like Principal Amount of $500,000,000 8.750% Senior Notes due 2022 |
that have been registered under the Securities Act of 1933
Pursuant to the Prospectus, dated , 2010
THE EXCHANGE OFFER WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON , 2010, UNLESS EXTENDED (SUCH DATE AND TIME, AS IT MAY BE EXTENDED, THE “EXPIRATION DATE”). TENDERS MAY BE WITHDRAWN PRIOR TO 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON THE EXPIRATION DATE.
For Delivery by Hand, Overnight Delivery, Registered or Certified Mail:
The Bank of New York Mellon Trust Company, N.A.
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
101 Barclay Street—7E
New York, New York 10286
By Facsimile: (212) 298-1915 Corporate Trust Operations Reorganization Unit | To Confirm by Telephone: (212)-815-3738 Corporate Trust Operations Reorganization Unit |
For Information, Call:
(212)-815-3738
Corporate Trust Operations
Reorganization Unit
Delivery of this instrument to an address other than as set forth above, or transmission of instructions via facsimile other than as set forth above, will not constitute a valid delivery.
The undersigned acknowledges that he or she has received the prospectus, dated , 2010 (the “Prospectus”), of Frontier Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “Company” or “Frontier”), and this letter of transmittal (the “Letter of Transmittal”), which together constitute the Company’s offer (the “Exchange Offer”) to exchange an aggregate principal amount of up to $500,000,000 of registered 7.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “2015 Exchange Notes”), up to $1,100,000,000 of registered 8.250% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “2017 Exchange Notes”), up to $1,100,000,000 of registered 8.500% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “2020 Exchange Notes”) and up to $500,000,000 of registered 8.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “2022 Exchange Notes” and, together with the 2015 Exchange Notes, the 2017 Exchange Notes and the 2020 Exchange Notes, the “Exchange Notes”) for its outstanding unregistered 7.875% Senior Notes due 2015 (the “Original 2015 Notes”), 8.250% Senior Notes due 2017 (the “Original 2017 Notes”), 8.500% Senior Notes due 2020 (the “Original 2020 Notes”) and 8.750% Senior Notes due 2022 (the “Original 2022 Notes” and, together with the Original 2015 Notes, the Original 2017 Notes and the Original 2020 Notes, the “Original Notes”). Capitalized terms used but not defined herein shall have the same meaning given to them in the Prospectus.
For each Original Note accepted for exchange, the holder of such Original Note will receive an Exchange Note having a principal amount equal to that of the surrendered Original Note. The 2015 Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate of 7.875% per annum. The 2017 Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate of 8.250% per annum. The 2020 Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate of 8.500% per annum. The 2022 Exchange Notes will bear interest at the rate of 8.750% per annum. In each case, interest is payable from the most recent date to which interest on the Original Notes has been paid or, if no interest has been paid on the Original Notes, from April 12, 2010. Interest payments on the Exchange Notes will be paid semi-annually in arrears on October 15 and April 15 of each year, beginning on October 15, 2010. The terms of the Exchange Notes are substantially identical to the terms of the Original Notes, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), and the transfer restrictions and registration rights provisions (including the related additional interest provisions), as well as the special mandatory redemption, escrow of proceeds and certain covenant provisions that were applicable to the Original Notes only prior to the effective time of the Merger, do not apply to the Exchange Notes.
If (i) after 270 days following the Release Date (as defined in the registration rights agreements entered into with respect to the Original 2015 Notes, the Original 2017 Notes, the Original 2020 Notes and the Original 2022 Notes (collectively, the “Registration Rights Agreements”), dated April 12, 2010, among the Company and J.P. Morgan Securities Inc., as representative to the several initial purchasers of the Original Notes) the Exchange Offer has not been completed nor, if required in lieu thereof, the Shelf Registration Statement (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements) has not become effective; (ii) in the event that Frontier receives a Shelf Request (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements), and the Shelf Registration Statement required to be filed thereby has not become effective by the later of the date that is (x) five months after the Release Date and (y) 90 days after delivery of such Shelf Request; or (iii) after the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared effective, it thereafter ceases to be effective or the prospectus contained therein ceases to be usable, in each case whether or not permitted by the Registration Rights Agreements, at any time during the Shelf Effectiveness Period (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements) and such failure to remain effective or usable exists for more than 30 days (whether or not consecutive) in any 12-month period in connection with resales of Original Notes in accordance with and during the periods specified in Sections 2 and 3 of the Registration Rights Agreements (each such event referred to in clauses (i) through (iii), a “Registration Default”), then additional interest will accrue on the Original Notes from the first day following the Registration Default to but excluding the date on which all Registration Defaults have been cured (subject to the terms and conditions of the Registration Rights Agreements). Specifically, the interest rate on the Original Notes will be increased by (i) 0.25% per annum for the first 90-day period beginning the day following the Registration Default and (ii) an additional 0.25% per annum with respect to each subsequent 90-day period, up to a maximum increase of 1.00% per annum.
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The Company has agreed to make available the Prospectus contained in the Exchange Offer registration statement for a period of up to 180 days after the last Exchange Date (as defined in the Registration Rights Agreements), in order to expedite or facilitate the disposition of any Exchange Notes by broker-dealers who have elected to exchange Original Notes acquired as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities for Exchange Notes for their own accounts. The Company has also agreed that such broker-dealers shall be authorized to deliver such Prospectus (or, to the extent permitted by law, make available) during such period in connection with the resales of the Exchange Notes.
If you are a beneficial owner that holds Original Notes through Euroclear or Clearstream and wish to tender your Original Notes, you must instruct Euroclear or Clearstream, as the case may be, to block the account in respect of the tendered Original Notes in accordance with the procedures established by Euroclear or Clearstream. You are encouraged to contact Euroclear or Clearstream directly to ascertain their procedures for tendering Original Notes.
Any holder that is a bank, broker, or other custodial entity holding Original Notes on behalf of more than one beneficial owner may submit to the Exchange Agent a list of the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes owned by each such beneficial owner, and the Exchange Agent, in determining the aggregate principal amount of Exchange Notes to be issued to such holder, will treat each such beneficial owner as a separate holder.
Frontier reserves the right, in its sole discretion, to amend, at any time, the terms and conditions of the Exchange Offer. Frontier will give you notice of any amendments if required by applicable law. The term “Expiration Date” shall mean the latest time and date to which the Exchange Offer is extended.
The undersigned has completed the appropriate boxes below and signed this Letter of Transmittal to indicate the action the undersigned desires to take with respect to the Exchange Offer.
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List below the Original Notes to which this Letter relates. If the space provided below is inadequate, the numbers and principal amount at maturity of Original Notes should be listed on a separate signed schedule affixed hereto.
DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES | ||||||
1 | 2 | 3 | ||||
Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) (Please fill in, if blank) | Certificate Number(s)* | Aggregate Principal Amount of Original Notes Represented by Certificate | Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered** | |||
Total | ||||||
* Need not be completed if Original Notes are being tendered by book-entry transfer. ** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, a holder will be deemed to have tendered ALL of the Original Notes represented by the Original Notes indicated in column 2. See Instruction 2. Original Notes tendered must be in an amount equal to $2,000 in principal amount and integral multiples of $1,000 in excess thereof. See Instruction 1. |
CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH.
¨ | CHECK HERE IF TENDERED ORIGINAL NOTES ARE BEING DELIVERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER MADE TO THE ACCOUNT MAINTAINED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH THE BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER FACILITY AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING: |
Name of Tendering Institution
Account Number Transaction Code Number
CHECK HERE IF YOU ARE A BROKER-DEALER AND WISH TO RECEIVE 10 ADDITIONAL COPIES OF THE PROSPECTUS AND 10 COPIES OF ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS THERETO.
Name:
Address:
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PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Exchange Offer, the undersigned hereby tenders to the Company the aggregate principal amount of the Original Notes indicated above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of the Original Notes tendered hereby, the undersigned hereby sells, assigns and transfers to, or upon the order of, the Company all right, title and interest in and to such Original Notes as are being tendered hereby.
The undersigned hereby represents and warrants that the undersigned has full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the Original Notes tendered hereby and that the Company will acquire good and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances and not subject to any adverse claim when the same are accepted by the Company. The undersigned hereby further represents that it is not an “affiliate,” as defined in Rule 405 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), of the Company, that any Exchange Notes to be received by it will be acquired in the ordinary course of business and that at the time of commencement of the Exchange Offer it had no arrangement with any person to participate in a distribution of the Exchange Notes.
In addition, if the undersigned is a broker-dealer, the undersigned represents that it is not engaged in, and does not intend to engage in, a distribution of the Exchange Notes. If the undersigned is a broker-dealer that will receive Exchange Notes for its own account in exchange for Original Notes, it represents that the Original Notes to be exchanged for Exchange Notes were acquired by it as a result of market-making activities or other trading activities and acknowledges that it will deliver a prospectus in connection with any resale of such Exchange Notes; however, by so acknowledging and by delivering a prospectus, the undersigned will not be deemed to admit that it is an “underwriter” within the meaning of the Securities Act.
The undersigned also acknowledges that this Exchange Offer is being made by the Company based upon the Company’s understanding of an interpretation by the staff of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Commission”) as set forth in no-action letters issued to third parties, that the Exchange Notes issued in exchange for the Original Notes pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be offered for resale, resold and otherwise transferred by holders thereof, without compliance with the registration and prospectus delivery provisions of the Securities Act, provided that: (1) such holders are not affiliates of the Company within the meaning of Rule 405 under the Securities Act; (2) such Exchange Notes are acquired in the ordinary course of such holders’ business; and (3) such holders are not engaged in, and do not intend to engage in, a distribution of such Exchange Notes and have no arrangement or understanding with any person to participate in the distribution of such Exchange Notes. However, the staff of the Commission has not considered this Exchange Offer in the context of a no-action letter, and there can be no assurance that the staff of the Commission would make a similar determination with respect to the Exchange Offer as in other circumstances. If a holder of Original Notes is an affiliate of the Company, acquires the Exchange Notes other than in the ordinary course of such holder’s business or is engaged in or intends to engage in a distribution of the Exchange Notes or has any arrangement or understanding with respect to the distribution of the Exchange Notes to be acquired pursuant to the Exchange Offer, such holder could not rely on the applicable interpretations of the staff of the Commission and must comply with the registration and prospectus delivery requirements of the Securities Act in connection with any secondary resale transaction.
The undersigned will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Company to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the Original Notes tendered hereby. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal and every obligation of the undersigned hereunder shall be binding upon the successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives of the undersigned and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, the death or incapacity of the undersigned. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in “The Exchange Offer—Withdrawal of Tenders” section of the Prospectus.
Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled “Special Issuance Instructions” below, please deliver the Exchange Notes in the name of the undersigned or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Original Notes, please credit the account indicated above maintained at DTC. Similarly, unless otherwise indicated under the box entitled “Special Delivery Instructions” below, please send the Exchange Notes to the undersigned at the address shown above in the box entitled “Description of Original Notes.”
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THE UNDERSIGNED, BY COMPLETING THE BOX ENTITLED “DESCRIPTION OF ORIGINAL NOTES” ABOVE AND SIGNING THIS LETTER, WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE TENDERED THE ORIGINAL NOTES AS SET FORTH IN SUCH BOX ABOVE.
SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Original Notes not exchanged and/or Exchange Notes are to be issued in the name of and sent to someone other than the person(s) whose signature(s) appear(s) on this Letter above, or if Original Notes delivered by book-entry transfer which are not accepted for exchange are to be returned by credit to an account maintained at the Book-Entry Transfer Facility other than the account indicated above.
Issue Exchange Notes and/or Original Notes to:
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Name(s): | ||||||||
(Please Type or Print)
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(Please Type or Print) | ||||||||
Address: | ||||||||
(Including Zip Code) (Complete accompanying Substitute Form W-9) | ||||||||
Credit unexchanged Original Notes delivered by book-entry transfer to the Book-Entry Transfer Facility account set forth below.
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(Book-Entry Transfer Facility Account Number, if applicable)
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SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS
To be completed ONLY if certificates for Original Notes not exchanged and/or Exchange Notes are to be sent to someone other than the person(s) whose signature(s) appear(s) on this Letter above or to such person(s) at an address other than shown in the box entitled, “Description of Original Notes” on this Letter above.
Mail Exchange Notes and/or Original Notes to:
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Name(s): | ||||||||
(Please Type or Print)
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(Please Type or Print) | ||||||||
Address: | ||||||||
(Including Zip Code)
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IMPORTANT: THIS LETTER OR A FACSIMILE HEREOF (TOGETHER WITH THE CERTIFICATES FOR ORIGINAL NOTES) OR A BOOK-ENTRY CONFIRMATION AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS OR THE NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE.
PLEASE READ THIS ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING ANY BOX ABOVE.
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PLEASE SIGN HERE
(TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS)
(Complete accompanying Substitute Form W-9 on reverse side)
X: , 2010
X: , 2010
(Signature(s) of Registered Owner(s)) (Date)
Area Code and Telephone Number:
If a holder is tendering any Original Notes, this Letter must be signed by the registered holder(s) as the name(s) appear(s) on the certificate(s) for the Original Notes or by any person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 3.
Name(s):
Title:
(Please Type or Print)
Capacity:
Address:
(Including Zip Code)
SIGNATURE GUARANTEE
(if Required by Instruction 3)
Signature Guaranteed by
an Eligible Institution:
(Authorized Signature)
(Title)
(Name and Firm)
Date: , 2010
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INSTRUCTIONS FORMING PART OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS
OF THE EXCHANGE OFFER
1. Delivery of Letter of Transmittal.
This Letter of Transmittal or, in lieu thereof, a message from DTC stating that the holder has expressly acknowledged receipt of, and agrees to be bound by and held accountable by, this Letter of Transmittal (a “Book-Entry Acknowledgement”) is to be completed by or received with respect to holders of Original Notes either if certificates are to be forwarded herewith or if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for delivery by book-entry transfer set forth in “The Exchange Offer—Procedures for Tendering” section of the Prospectus. Certificates for all physically tendered Original Notes (or Book-Entry Confirmation), as well as a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or facsimile thereof) and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal (or, in lieu thereof, a Book-Entry Acknowledgement), must be received by the Exchange Agent at the address set forth herein on or prior to the Expiration Date. Original Notes tendered hereby must be in denominations of $2,000 and any integral multiple of $1,000 in excess thereof.
The method of delivery of this Letter of Transmittal, the Original Notes and all other required documents is at the election and risk of the tendering holders. Instead of delivery by mail, it is recommended that holders use an overnight or hand delivery service. In all cases, sufficient time should be allowed to assure delivery to the Exchange Agent before the Expiration Date. No letter of transmittal or Original Notes should be sent to the Company. Holders may request their respective brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or nominees to effect the tenders for such holders.
See “The Exchange Offer” section of the Prospectus.
2. Partial Tenders (not applicable to holders of Original Notes who tender by book-entry transfer); Withdrawals.
If less than all of the Original Notes evidenced by a submitted certificate are to be tendered, the tendering holder(s) should fill in the aggregate principal amount of Original Notes to be tendered in the box above entitled “Description of Original Notes—Principal Amount of Original Notes Tendered.” A newly reissued certificate for the Original Notes submitted but not tendered will be sent to such holder as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. All of the Original Notes delivered to the Exchange Agent will be deemed to have been tendered unless otherwise clearly indicated.
If not yet accepted, a tender pursuant to the Exchange Offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the Expiration Date. To be effective with respect to the tender of Original Notes, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must: (i) be received by the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date; (ii) specify the name of the person who deposited the Original Notes to be withdrawn; (iii) identify the Original Notes to be withdrawn (including the certificate number(s), if any, and principal amount of such Original Notes); (iv) be signed by the depositor in the same manner as the original signature on this Letter of Transmittal by which such Original Notes were tendered (including any required signature guarantees) or be accompanied by documents of transfer sufficient to have the trustee register the transfer of such Original Notes into the name of the person withdrawing the tender; and (v) specify the name in which any such Original Notes are to be registered, if different from that of the depositor. The Exchange Agent will return the properly withdrawn Original Notes promptly following receipt of notice of withdrawal. If Original Notes have been tendered pursuant to the procedure for book-entry transfer, any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Original Notes or otherwise comply with DTC’s procedures. All questions as to the validity of notices of withdrawal, including time of receipt, will be determined by the Company, and such determination will be final and binding on all parties.
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3. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal, Bond Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures.
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the Original Notes tendered hereby, the signature must correspond exactly with the name as written on the face of the certificates without alteration, enlargement or any change whatsoever.
If any tendered Original Notes are owned of record by two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal.
If any tendered Original Notes are registered in different names on several certificates, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates.
When this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) (which term, for the purposes described herein, shall include DTC as the owner of the Original Notes) of the Original Notes specified herein and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate bond powers are required. If, however, the Exchange Notes are to be issued to a person other than the registered holder(s), then endorsements of any certificates transmitted hereby or separate bond powers are required. Signatures on such certificates must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution (as defined below).
If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of any Original Notes specified therein, such certificate(s) must be endorsed by such registered holder(s) or accompanied by separate written instruments of transfer or endorsed in blank by such registered holder(s) in form satisfactory to the Company and duly executed by the registered holder, in either case signed exactly as such registered holder’s or holders’ name(s) appear(s) on the Original Notes.
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates of Original Notes or separate written instruments of transfer or exchange are signed or endorsed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of corporations or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing and, unless waived by the Company, evidence satisfactory to the Company of their authority to so act must be submitted with this Letter of Transmittal.
Signature on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the Original Notes tendered pursuant thereto are tendered (i) by a registered holder who has not completed the box entitled “Special Payment Instructions” or “Special Delivery Instructions” on the Letter of Transmittal or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. In the event that signatures on a Letter of Transmittal or a notice of withdrawal, as the case may be, are required to be guaranteed, such guarantee must be by a member firm of a registered national securities exchange or of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc., a commercial bank or trust company having an office or correspondent in the United States or an “eligible guarantor institution” within the meaning of Rule 17Ad-15 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (an “Eligible Institution”).
4. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions.
Tendering holders of Original Notes should indicate in the applicable box the name and address to which substitute certificates representing Original Notes for any Original Notes not exchanged are to be issued or sent or, in the case of a book-entry delivery of Original Notes, the appropriate DTC participant name and number, if different from the name or address or the DTC participant name and number, as the case may be, of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named also must be indicated. Holders tendering Original Notes by book-entry transfer may request that Original Notes not exchanged be credited to such account maintained at DTC as such note holder may designate hereon. If no such instructions are given, such Original Notes not exchanged will be returned to the name and address or the account maintained at DTC, as the case may be, of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal.
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5. Tax Identification Number and Backup Withholding.
An exchange of Original Notes for Exchange Notes will not be treated as a taxable exchange or other taxable event for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. In particular, no backup withholding or information reporting is required in connection with such an exchange. However, U.S. Federal income tax law generally requires that payments of principal and interest on a note to a holder be subject to backup withholding unless such holder provides the payor with such holder’s correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) on the Substitute Form W-9 below or otherwise establishes a basis for exemption. If such holder is an individual, the TIN is his or her social security number. If the payor is not provided with the current TIN or an adequate basis for an exemption, such tendering holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”). In addition, such holder may be subject to backup withholding in an amount that is currently 28% of all reportable payments of principal and interest.
Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign individuals) are not subject to these backup withholding and reporting requirements. Such holders should nevertheless complete the attached Substitute Form W-9 below, and check the box marked “For Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding” in Part 2, to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. If the tendering holder of Original Notes is a nonresident alien or foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, such holder must give the Company a completed Form W-8BEN Certificate of Foreign Status of Beneficial Owner for United States Tax Withholding, or other appropriate Form W-8. These forms may be obtained from the Exchange Agent or from the IRS’s website,www.irs.gov. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 (the “W-9 Guidelines”) for additional instructions.
To prevent backup withholding on reportable payments of principal and interest, each tendering holder of Original Notes must provide its correct TIN by completing the Substitute Form W-9 set forth below, certifying that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that such holder is subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends or (iii) the IRS has notified the holder that such holder is no longer subject to backup withholding. If the Original Notes are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, such holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for information on which TIN to report. If the Exchange Agent is provided with an incorrect TIN, or if a holder makes false statements resulting in no backup withholding, such holder may be subject to penalties imposed by the IRS.
If a tendering holder of Original Notes does not have a TIN, such holder should consult the W-9 Guidelines for instructions on applying for a TIN, check the box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 and write “Applied For” in Part 1 in lieu of its TIN. Checking this box in Part 2 and writing “Applied For” in Part 1 means that such holder has already applied for a TIN or that such holder intends to apply for one in the near future. In this case, backup withholding at a rate currently of 28% will nevertheless apply to all reportable payments made by such holder. If such a holder furnishes its TIN to the Company within 60 calendar days, however, any amounts so withheld shall be refunded to such holder.
If backup withholding applies, the payor will withhold the appropriate percentage (currently 28%) from payments to the payee. Backup withholding is not an additional Federal income tax. Rather, the Federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If withholding results in overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS.
6. Transfer Taxes.
Holders who tender their Original Notes for exchange will not be obligated to pay any transfer taxes in connection therewith. If, however, Exchange Notes are to be delivered to, or are to be issued in the name of, any person other than the registered holder of the Original Notes tendered hereby, or if tendered Original Notes are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, or if a transfer tax is
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imposed for any reason other than the exchange of Original Notes in connection with the Exchange Offer, the amount of any such transfer taxes (whether imposed on the registered holder or any other persons) will be payable by the tendering holder. If satisfactory evidence of payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is not submitted herewith, the amount of such transfer taxes will be billed directly to such tendering holder.
Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the Original Notes specified in this Letter of Transmittal.
7. Waiver of Conditions.
The Company reserves the right to waive satisfaction of any or all conditions enumerated in the Prospectus at any time and from time to time prior to the Expiration Date.
8. No Conditional Tenders.
No alternative, conditional, irregular or contingent tenders will be accepted. All tendering holders of Original Notes, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal or, in lieu thereof, a Book-Entry Acknowledgement, shall waive any right to receive notice of the acceptance of their Original Notes for exchange.
None of the Company, the Exchange Agent or any other person is obligated to give notice of any defect or irregularity with respect to any tender of Original Notes nor shall any of them incur any liability for failure to give any such notice.
9. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed Original Notes.
Any holder whose Original Notes have been mutilated, lost, stolen or destroyed should contact the Exchange Agent at the address indicated above for further instructions.
10. Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies.
Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for additional copies of the Prospectus and this Letter of Transmittal, may be directed to the Exchange Agent, at the address and telephone number indicated above.
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TO BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING HOLDERS (See Instruction 5)
PAYER’S NAME: Frontier Communications Corporation
SUBSTITUTE
FormW-9 Department of the Treasury Internal Revenue Service
Payer’s Request | Name (as shown on your income tax return)
Business Name, if different from above
Check appropriate box:
¨ Individual/Sole proprietor¨ Corporation¨ Partnership
¨ Limited liability company. Enter the tax classification (D=disregard
¨ Other
Address
City, state, and ZIP code
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Part 1 — Taxpayer Identification Number — Please provide your TIN in the box at right and certify by signing and dating below. If awaiting TIN, write “Applied For” in the box at right, certify by signing and dating below, and complete the following “Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number” box.
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Social Security Number OR
Employer Identification Number | |||
PART 2—For Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding — Check the box if you are NOT subject to backup withholding.¨
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PART 3 — Certification — Under penalties of perjury, I certify that:
(1) The number shown on this form is my correct taxpayer identification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me),
(2) I am not subject to backup withholding because: (a) I am exempt from backup withholding, or (b) I have not been notified by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of a failure to report all interest or dividends, or (c) the IRS has notified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and
(3) I am a U.S. person (including a U.S. resident alien).
Certification Instructions. — You must cross out item 2 above if you have been notified by the IRS that you are currently subject to backup withholding because you have failed to report all interest and dividends on your tax return.
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The Internal Revenue Service does not require your consent to any provision of this document other than the certifications required to avoid backup withholding. | ||||
SIGNATURE | DATE |
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CERTIFICATE OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER
I certify under penalties of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either
Signature Date , 2010 |
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Guidelines For Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payer—Social Security Numbers (“SSNs”) have nine digits separated by two hyphens:i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer Identification Numbers (“EINs”) have nine digits separated by only one hyphen:i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payer. All “section” references are to the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. “IRS” is the Internal Revenue Service.
For this type of account: | Give the NAME and SOCIAL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER of | |
1. Individual | The individual | |
2. Two or more individuals (joint account) | The actual owner of the account or, if combined funds, the first individual on the account (1) | |
3. Custodian account of a minor (Uniform Gift to Minors Act) | The minor (2) | |
4. a. The usual revocable | The grantor-trustee (1) | |
b. The so-called trust | The actual owner (1) | |
5. Sole proprietorship or single-owner LLC | The owner (3) |
For this type of account: |
Give the NAME and NUMBER of | |
6. A valid trust, estate or | Legal entity (4) | |
7. Corporation or LLC electing corporate status on Form 8832 | The corporation | |
8. Association, club, religious, charitable, educational or other tax-exempt organization | The organization | |
9. Partnership or multi-member LLC | The partnership or LLC | |
10. A broker or registered nominee | The broker or nominee |
(1) | List first and circle the name of the person whose SSN you furnish. If only one person on a joint account has an SSN, that person’s number must be furnished. |
(2) | Circle the minor’s name and furnish the minor’s SSN. |
(3) | You must show your individual name and you may also enter your business or “doing business as” name. You may use either your SSN or EIN (if you have one). If you are a sole proprietor, the Internal Revenue Service encourages you to use your SSN. |
(4) | List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust. (Do not furnish the Taxpayer Identification Number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title). |
NOTE: | If no name is circled when more than one name is listed, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. |
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GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION
NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9
Page 2
Purpose of Form
A person who is required to file an information return with the IRS must get your correct Taxpayer Identification Number (“TIN”) to report, for example, income paid to you. Use Substitute Form W-9 to give your correct TIN to the Exchange Agent and, when applicable, (1) to certify the TIN you are giving is correct (or you are waiting for a number to be issued), (2) to certify you are not subject to backup withholding, or (3) to claim exemption from backup withholding if you are an exempt payee. The TIN provided must match the name given on the Substitute Form W-9.
How to Get a TIN
If you do not have a TIN, apply for one immediately. To apply for an SSN, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Card, at the local office of the Social Security Administration or get this form online at www.ssa.gov/online/ss-5.pdf. You may also obtain this form by calling 1-800-772-1213. You can apply for an EIN online by accessing the IRS website at www.irs.gov/businesses and clicking on Employer ID Numbers under Businesses Topics. Use Form W-7, Application for IRS Individual Taxpayer Identification Number, to apply for an individual TIN, or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number, to apply for an EIN. You can get Forms W-7 and SS-4 from the IRS by calling 1-800-TAXFORM (1-800-829-3676) or from the IRS website at www.irs.gov.
If you do not have a TIN, write “Applied For” in Part 1, complete the “Certificate of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number,” and sign and date this Substitute Form W-9 and give it to the Exchange Agent.
Note: Writing “Applied For” on the form means that you have already applied for a TIN OR that you intend to apply for one soon. As soon as you receive your TIN, complete another substitute Form W-9, include your TIN, sign and date the form, and give it to the Exchange Agent.
CAUTION: A domestic entity that is disregarded for U.S. Federal income tax purposes that has a foreign owner must use the appropriate Form W-8.
Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding
Generally, individuals (including sole proprietors) are NOT exempt from backup withholding. Corporations are exempt from backup withholding for certain payments, such as interest and dividends.
Note: If you are exempt from backup withholding, you should still complete Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. If you are exempt, enter your correct TIN in Part 1, check the box marked “For Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding” in Part 2, and sign and date the form. If you are a nonresident alien or a foreign entity not subject to backup withholding, give the Exchange Agent the appropriate completed Form W-8, Certificate of Foreign Status.
The following is a list of payees that may be exempt from backup withholding and for which no information reporting is required. For interest and dividends, all listed payees are exempt except for those listed in item (9). For broker transactions, payees listed in (1) through (13) and any person registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 who regularly acts as a broker are exempt. Payments subject to reporting under sections 6041 and 6041A are generally exempt from backup withholding only if made to payees described in items (1) through (7). However, the following payments made to a corporation (including gross proceeds paid to an attorney under section 6045(f), even if the attorney is a corporation) and reportable on Form 1099-MISC are not exempt from backup withholding: (i) medical and health care payments, (ii) attorneys’ fees, and (iii) payments
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for services paid by a federal executive agency. Only payees described in items (1) through (5) are exempt from backup withholding for barter exchange transactions and patronage dividends.
(1) | An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual retirement plan (“IRA”), or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7), if the account satisfies the requirements of section 401(f)(2). |
(2) | The United States or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. |
(3) | A state, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any of their subdivisions or instrumentalities. |
(4) | A foreign government or any of its political subdivisions, agencies or instrumentalities. |
(5) | An international organization or any of its agencies or instrumentalities. |
(6) | A corporation. |
(7) | A foreign central bank of issue. |
(8) | A dealer in securities or commodities required to register in the United States, the District of Columbia, or a possession of the United States. |
(9) | A futures commission merchant registered with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. |
(10) | A real estate investment trust. |
(11) | An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940. |
(12) | A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a). |
(13) | A financial institution. |
(14) | A middleman known in the investment community as a nominee or custodian. |
(15) | An exempt charitable remainder trust, or a non-exempt trust described in section 4947. |
Certain payments that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see sections 6041, 6041A, 6042, 6044, 6045, 6049, 6050A and 6050N, and the regulations promulgated thereunder.
Privacy Act Notice.Section 6109 of the Internal Revenue Code requires you to give your correct TIN to persons who must file information returns with the IRS to report interest, dividends, and certain other income paid to you, mortgage interest you paid, the acquisition or abandonment of secured property, cancellation of debt, or contributions you made to an IRA or Archer MSA or HSA. The IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes and to help verify the accuracy of your tax return. The IRS may also provide this information to the Department of Justice for civil and criminal litigation and to cities, states, the District of Columbia and U.S. possessions to carry out their tax laws. The IRS may also disclose this information to other countries under a tax treaty, or to federal and state agencies to enforce federal non-tax criminal laws, or to federal law enforcement and intelligence agencies to combat terrorism.
You must provide your TIN whether or not you are required to file a tax return. Payers must generally withhold (currently at the rate of 28%) from taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not give a TIN to a payer. Certain penalties may also apply including those listed below.
Penalties
Failure to Furnish TIN.If you fail to furnish your correct TIN to a requester, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect.
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Civil Penalty for False Information With Respect to Withholding.If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500.
Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information.Willfully falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment.
Misuse of TINs. If the requester discloses or uses TINs in violation of federal law, the requester may be subject to civil and criminal penalties.
FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, CONTACT YOUR TAX ADVISOR OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE.
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