1 EXHIBIT 12.1 STATEMENT RE: COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES (DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT NOTES AND STATISTICAL DATA) THE COMPANY ----------------------------------------------------------------- HISTORICAL ---------------- THE COMPANY'S PREDECESSOR -- HISTORICAL --------------------------------------- HISTORICAL THREE PERIOD FROM PERIOD FROM --------------------------------- PRO FORMA(1) MONTHS JANUARY 1 AUGUST 14 ------------ ENDED YEAR ENDED THROUGH THROUGH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, DECEMBER 31, AUGUST 14, DECEMBER 31, --------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, ---------------- 1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995 1995 1995 1996 ------------ ----------- ------------ -------- ------- ------------ ------------ ------ -------- Earnings: Consolidated pretax income (loss) from continuing operations........ $(48,084) $ (24,482) $ (7,175) $(53,789) $ 8,174 $ (4,911) $(11,478) $2,233 $(13,062) Minority interest in net income (loss) of subsidiaries with fixed charges........... -- -- -- -- (77) (5,218) 232 (283) 93 Equity in net loss (income) of less- than-50% owned affiliate with no guaranteed debt... -- -- -- -- 86 (35) (35) 4 9 Interest, expensed and capitalized, including amortization of debt discount and premium and issuance expense........... 31,511 18,751 1,398 5,322 6,139 14,958 14,958 1,976 9,986 Interest portion of rental expense.... 20,338 9,985 5,444 10,690 5,495 2,135 2,135 653 1,207 Less interest capitalized during this period....... (50) (2) -- (379) (34) (361) (361) (103) (116) -------- -------- ------- -------- ------ ------ -------- ------ -------- Earnings............ $ 3,715 $ 4,252 $ (333) $(38,156) $19,783 $ 6,568 $ 5,451 $4,480 $ (1,883) ======== ======== ======= ======== ====== ====== ======== ====== ======== Fixed Charges: Interest, expensed and capitalized, including amortization of debt discount and premium and issuance expense........... $ 31,511 $ 18,751 $ 1,398 $ 5,322 $ 6,139 $ 14,958 $ 14,958 $1,976 $ 9,986 Interest portion of rental expense.... 20,338 9,985 5,444 10,690 5,495 2,135 2,135 653 1,207 Preferred stock dividend requirements of majority-owned subsidiaries (non-intercompany)... -- -- -- 209 249 210 210 68 -- -------- -------- ------- -------- ------ ------ -------- ------ -------- Fixed Charges....... $ 51,849 $ 28,736 $ 6,842 $ 16,221 $11,883 $ 17,303 $ 17,303 $2,697 $ 11,193 ======== ======== ======= ======== ====== ====== ======== ====== ======== Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges (Deficiency)(2)..... $(48,134) $ (24,484) $ (7,175) $(54,377) 1.66x $(10,735) $(11,852) $ 1.66x $(13,076) ======== ======== ======= ======== ====== ====== ======== ====== ======== - --------------- (1) The pro forma amounts reflect the historical operations of the Company as adjusted to reflect the impact of the purchase of Switched Services as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1995 for operations data. (2) Where earnings were inadequate to cover fixed charges, the deficiency is shown.