<BTB> EXHIBIT 99A.6 EARNINGS NORMALIZATION SCHEDULE U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS GROUP (UNAUDITED) Quarter Ended Six Months Ended In millions, except June 30, % June 30, % per share amounts 1997 1996 Change 1997 1996 Change - - ------------------------------- ------- ------------- ------- ------- NORMALIZED INCOME: Reported net income $ 332 $ 324 2.5 $ 671 $ 652 2.9 Adjustments to normalize net income: Rural exchange sales (18) (30)(40.0) (29) (30) (3.3) Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle-net of tax - - - - (34) - Current year effect of accounting change - net of tax - (5) - - (10) - ---------------- ---------------- Normalized income $ 314 $ 289 8.7 $ 642 $ 578 11.1 ================ ================ NORMALIZED EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE: Reported net income $ 0.69 $ 0.68 1.5 $ 1.39 $ 1.37 1.5 Adjustments to normalize net income: Rural exchange sales (0.04) (0.06)(33.3) (0.06) (0.06) - Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle-net of tax - - - - (0.07) - Current year effect of accounting change - net of tax - (0.01) - - (0.02) - ---------------- ---------------- Normalized earnings per common share $ 0.65 $ 0.61 6.6 $ 1.33 $ 1.22 9.0 ================ ================