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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999
Commission file number 0-30218
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TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Delaware 84-1500624
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
10475 Park Meadows Drive
Littleton, CO 80124
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(303) 566-1000
(Registrant's telephone Number, Including Area Code)
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
None
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to
such filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES [X] NO [_]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filer pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to
the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. [_]
As of February 29, 2000, the aggregate market value of the registrant's
voting stock held by non-affiliates of the registrant was approximately
$1,814,000,000, based on the closing price of the Company's Class A Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market on February 29, 2000 of $77.00 per share.
The number of shares outstanding of Time Warner Telecom Inc.'s common stock
as of February 29, 2000 was:
Time Warner Telecom Inc. Class A common stock--23,880,816 shares
Time Warner Telecom Inc. Class B common stock--81,214,285 shares
Documents Incorporated by Reference:
The information called for by Part III is incorporated by reference to
specified portions of the definitive Proxy Statement for the Registrant's 2000
Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which is expected to be filed not later than
120 days after the Registrant's fiscal year ended December 31, 2000.
* On May 10, 1999, pursuant to a merger between Time Warner Telecom LLC and
Time Warner Telecom Inc., Time Warner Telecom Inc. assumed the business and
became the successor to the former Time Warner Telecom LLC. Prior to May 10,
1999, Time Warner Telecom LLC filed reports under the Securities Act of 1934
under Registration Number 333-53553.
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CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains certain "forward-looking statements," within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including
statements regarding, among other items, the expected financial position,
business and financing plans. These forward-looking statements are based on
management's current expectations and are naturally subject to risks,
uncertainties and changes in circumstances, certain of which are beyond the
Company's control. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed
or implied by such forward-looking statements.
The words "believe," "expect," "plans," "intends," "anticipate" and similar
expressions identify forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes
that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are
reasonable, it can give no assurance that such expectations will prove to have
been correct. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ
materially from such expectations described in this report include: the
significant capital requirements required for the development and expansion of
the Company's business, risks related to obtaining additional financing, the
Company's substantial leverage, the risks associated with the expansion of the
Company's business and the possible inability of the Company to manage its
growth, the dependence of the Company on its relationship and agreements with
the Former Parent Companies, as defined below, risks related to the Company's
expansion into new products and new technologies, the Company's dependence
upon interconnection with and use of incumbent local exchange company
networks, the competitive nature of the telecommunications business, the
Company's dependence on its information billing systems, the Company's
dependence on its significant customers, regulatory developments and the
Company's dependence on governmental and other authorizations. Readers are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which speak only as of their dates. The Company undertakes no obligations to
publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result
of new information, future events or otherwise.
TELEPHONY DEFINITIONS
In order to assist the reader in understanding certain terms relating to
the telephony business that are used and explained in this report, a glossary
is included following Part III.
PART I
Item 1. Business
Overview
The Company is a leading fiber facilities-based integrated communications
provider offering local business "last mile" broadband connections for data,
high-speed Internet access, local voice and long distance services. The
Company serves customers in 21 metropolitan markets in the United States. The
Company's customers are principally telecommunications-intensive business end-
users, long distance carriers ("IXCs"), Internet service providers ("ISPs")
wireless communications companies and governmental entities. The Company
offered switched services in 20 of its 21 service areas as of December 31,
1999, and management expects that a growing portion of the Company's revenue
will be derived from providing switched services. In addition, the Company
benefits from its strategic relationship with Time Warner Cable ("TW Cable")
both through access to local right-of-way and construction cost-sharing. As a
result, the Company's networks have been constructed primarily through
licensing the use of fiber capacity from TW Cable. As of December 31, 1999,
the Company's fiber optic networks spanned 8,872 route miles and contained
332,263 fiber miles and the Company offered service to 5,566 buildings.
The term "Company" is used throughout this document to refer to the
business that is currently operated by Time Warner Telecom Inc. and was
previously owned and operated as described below. TW Cable began the Company's
business in 1993 by providing telephony services through cable systems owned
by Time Warner Entertainment Company, L.P. ("TWE"), Time Warner Entertainment-
Advance/Newhouse Partnership ("TWE-A/N") and Time Warner Inc. ("Time Warner"),
collectively referred to as the "Former Parent Companies." TW Cable refers to
the cable systems owned by TWE, TWE-A/N and Time Warner.
TWE and TWE-A/N are owned as follows:
(1) TWE is a partnership of subsidiaries of Time Warner and MediaOne
Group, Inc. ("MediaOne"); and
(2) TWE-A/N is a partnership of TWE, a Time Warner subsidiary and
Advance/Newhouse Partnership ("Advance").
The Company's original business was to provide certain telephony services
together with cable television. In January 1997, the Company put in place a
new management team that implemented a business strategy focused exclusively
on serving business customers, rapidly providing switched services in the
Company's service areas and expanding the range of business telephony services
offered by the Company.
On July 14, 1998, Time Warner Telecom LLC ("TWT LLC") succeeded to the
ownership of the Company's business. At that time, Time Warner (through
subsidiaries), MediaOne and Advance (collectively referred to as the "Class B
Stockholders") formed TWT LLC to acquire the assets and liabilities of the
Company's business from the Former Parent Companies and to conduct the
offering on July 21, 1998 of $400 million principal amount 9 3/4% Senior Notes
due July 2008 (the "Senior Notes"). In the transaction, referred to as the
"Reorganization," the Class B Stockholders (either directly or through
subsidiaries) became the owners of all the limited liability company interests
in TWT LLC.
On May 6, 1999, MediaOne and AT&T Corp. ("AT&T") entered into a merger
agreement providing for MediaOne to be acquired by AT&T. The MediaOne
stockholders have approved the merger, but the merger is subject to various
regulatory approvals. There is no assurance that the approvals will be
obtained or that the merger will be consummated. If the merger is completed,
the Class B common stock beneficially owned by MediaOne (through a subsidiary)
will be beneficially owned by AT&T. However, the transaction will not affect
the MediaOne subsidiary's rights as a Class B Stockholder.
On May 10, 1999, in preparation for the Company's initial public offering,
TWT LLC was reconstituted as a Delaware corporation (the "Reconstitution")
under the name Time Warner Telecom Inc. by merging into a
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newly formed Delaware corporation. As part of the merger, the outstanding
Class A limited liability company interests were converted into Class A common
stock and the Class B Stockholders exchanged their interests in TWT LLC for
Class B common stock of the newly formed corporation. Prior to the
Reconstitution, the only outstanding Class A interests were those held by the
former shareholders of Internet Connect, Inc. ("Inc.Net") which the Company
acquired in April 1999.
On May 14, 1999, in conjunction with the Reconstitution, the Company
completed an initial public offering of 20,700,000 shares at a price of $14
per share ("the IPO"). See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Conditions and Results of Operations."
On January 10, 2000, Time Warner announced an agreement to merge with
America Online Inc. ("AOL") in a stock-for-stock transaction that would create
a new company called AOL Time Warner Inc. As a result of the mergers, both AOL
and Time Warner will become wholly owned subsidiaries of AOL Time Warner.
Under the terms of the merger agreement, Time Warner and AOL stock will be
converted to AOL Time Warner stock at fixed exchange ratios. Upon consummation
of the merger, current Time Warner shareholders will receive approximately 45%
of the stock of AOL Time Warner, and current AOL shareholders will receive
approximately 55%. If the merger is completed, the Class B common stock
beneficially owned by Time Warner will be beneficially owned by AOL Time
Warner and its subsidiaries. However, the transaction will not affect the
rights of Time Warner subsidiaries as Class B Stockholders. The merger is
subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory clearance and
stockholder approvals. There is no assurance that the approvals will be
obtained or that the merger will be consummated.
Business Strategy
The Company's primary objective is to be a leading provider to medium- and
large-sized businesses of superior telecommunications services through
advanced networks in its existing and future service areas. The key elements
of the Company's business strategy include the following:
Leverage Existing Fiber Optic Networks. The Company has designed and built
local and regional fiber networks to serve geographic locations where
management believes there are large numbers of potential customers. As of
December 31, 1999, the Company operated networks that spanned over 8,872 route
miles and contained over 332,263 fiber miles. During 1999, the Company
deployed a fully managed, fiber-based nationwide infrastructure to ensure that
its long-haul Internet products provide the capacity and high quality level of
service increasingly demanded by its customers. The Company's highly
concentrated networks have yet to be fully exploited and provide the capacity
to serve a substantially larger base of customers with a larger array of
products. Management believes that the Company's extensive fiber network
capacity allows it to:
. increase orders substantially from new and existing customers while
realizing higher gross margins than non-fiber facilities based carriers;
. emphasize its fiber facilities-based services rather than resale of
network capacity of other providers; and
. provide better customer service because the Company can exert greater
control over its services than its competitors that depend on off-net
facilities.
The Company plans to extend its network in its present markets in order to
reach additional commercial buildings directly with its fiber facilities. In
addition, the Company plans to integrate new technologies such as Dense Wave
Division Multiplexing ("DWDM") to provide additional bandwidth and higher
speed without the need to add additional fiber capacity.
Enter New Geographic Areas. The Company's strategy is to target
metropolitan areas possessing demographic, economic and telecommunications
demand profiles that it believes provide it with the potential to generate an
attractive economic return. Currently, the Company operates networks in a
total of 21 metropolitan areas and is in the process of constructing networks
in Los Angeles/Orange County, California, Dayton, Ohio, and
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Fayetteville, North Carolina, during 2000, bringing the total to 24. Also, the
Company has recently announced a more accelerated geographic expansion plan
that presently calls for commencing construction in an additional 8 to 12
Metropolitan Statistical Areas ("MSAs") during 2000 and 2001. These markets
will be a combination of small, medium and large markets, including some
served by TW Cable where the Company may obtain fiber capacity through its
relationship with TW Cable, and others outside of TW Cable's service area.
Expand Switched Services. The Company provided a broad range of switched
services in 20 of its 21 service areas as of December 31, 1999. For 1999,
revenue from switched services grew by 207% as compared to 1998. Because of
the market demand for switched services, the Company has rapidly installed
switches in its markets and management expects the Company to derive a growing
portion of its revenue from switched services. The Company utilizes high-
capacity digital 5ESS switches manufactured by Lucent Technologies Inc.
("Lucent"). However, as new technologies arise that enable the switching of
voice calls over an Internet Protocol ("IP") and Local Area Network ("LAN")
infrastructure, the Company will evaluate how to best integrate this
"softswitch" technology into its infrastructure. The Company is currently
evaluating suppliers of this capability/technology and plans to begin
deployment in late 2000 to serve a variety of applications including Primary
Rate Interface ("PRI") services and Voice Over IP.
Expand Data Services. Data services are becoming increasingly more
important to the Company's target customer base. In particular, the Company
believes that the demand for high-speed, high quality LAN and Wide Area
Network ("WAN") connectivity will continue to grow over the near term. This
demand will grow in support of specific applications such as virtual private
networks, website hosting, e-commerce, intranet and Internet access. The
Company will continue to deliver high-speed traditional transport services
(e.g., DS1, DS3, OC-N) through its fiber optic networks, but will also focus
on the delivery of next generation data networking and converged network
services, which means voice and data applications delivered over a common
network infrastructure. The Company anticipates that the converged network
will be capable of providing applications such as virtual private networking,
hosted web and e-mail services and new applications such as unified messaging.
The Company believes that key to the evolution of the converged network is
delivery of management services along with the network service so that the
medium and small business customers in the multi-tenant buildings the Company
serves can rely on the Company to manage the network 24 hours a day, 365 days
a year.
Target Business Customers. The Company operates networks in metropolitan
areas that have high concentrations of medium- and large-sized businesses.
Such businesses tend to be telecommunications-intensive and are more likely to
seek the greater reliability provided by an advanced network such as the
Company's. Historically, the Company has focused its sales and marketing
efforts on such businesses, as they are potentially high volume users of the
Company's services. To drive revenue growth in these markets, the Company is
expanding its direct sales force to focus on such business customers while it
develops managed services offerings to meet the voice, data and Internet needs
of those customers. In addition, in order to achieve further economies of
scale and network utilization, the Company is targeting smaller business
customers in buildings the Company already serves where the Company can offer
a package of network services that may not otherwise be available to those
customers.
Interconnect Service Areas. The Company groups the 21 service areas in
which the Company currently operates into geographic clusters across the
United States. The Company is in the process of interconnecting the Company's
existing service areas within regional clusters with owned or licensed fiber
optic facilities. This is expected to increase the Company's revenue potential
and increase margins by addressing customers' regional long distance voice,
data and video requirements. The Company began interconnecting its service
areas in 1998.
Utilize Strategic Relationships with TW Cable. The Company has benefited
from and continues to leverage its relationships with TW Cable, one of the
largest multiple system cable operators in the U.S., by licensing and sharing
the cost of fiber optic facilities. This licensing arrangement allows the
Company to benefit from TW Cable's access to rights-of-way, easements, poles,
ducts and conduits. See "Operating Agreements with TW Cable." By leveraging
its existing relationship with TW Cable, the Company believes that it can
benefit from
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existing regulatory approvals and licenses, derive economies of scale in
network costs and extend its existing networks in a rapid, efficient and cost-
effective manner. Furthermore, management believes that the strong awareness
and positive recognition of the "Time Warner" brand name significantly
contributes to its marketing programs and sales efforts by distinguishing it
from its competitors.
Continue Disciplined Expenditure Program. The Company increases operational
efficiencies by pursuing a disciplined approach to capital expenditures. This
capital expenditure program requires that prior to making any expenditure on a
project, the project must be evaluated to determine whether it meets stringent
financial criteria such as minimum recurring revenue, cash flow margins and
rate of return.
The telecommunications industry has experienced, and is expected to
continue to experience, rapid and significant changes in technology. While the
Company believes that, for the foreseeable future, these changes will neither
materially affect the continued use of fiber optic cable or digital switches
and transmission equipment nor materially hinder the Company's ability to
acquire necessary technologies, the effect of technological changes on the
Company's business and operations cannot be predicted. The Company believes
that its future success will depend, in part, on its ability to anticipate or
adapt to such changes and to offer, on a timely basis, services that meet
customer demands on a competitive basis. There can be no assurance that the
Company will obtain access to new technologies on a timely basis or on
satisfactory terms. Any failure by the Company to obtain new technologies
could have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition and results of operations. In addition, the Company's growth plans
depend in part upon the Company's ability to obtain fiber capacity at rates
that will allow it to generate a reasonable rate of return. There is no
assurance that the Company will be successful in obtaining such fiber
capacity.
Market Opportunity
The Company believes that the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "1996
Act") and certain state regulatory initiatives provide increased opportunities
in the telecommunications marketplace by opening all local markets to
competition and requiring incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILECs") to
provide increased direct interconnection. According to the U.S. Department of
Commerce, in 1998 the total revenue for the U.S. telecommunications industry,
excluding wireless, amounted to approximately $240 billion, of which
approximately $136 billion was local service and approximately $104 billion
was long distance. To capitalize on these significant opportunities, the
Company deploys high-capacity digital switches in its markets and is
aggressively marketing switched services to its customers.
A number of important trends are reshaping the U.S. communications
industry, creating substantial opportunities for competitive local exchange
carriers ("CLECs") beyond capturing market share from ILECs in local exchange
services. These trends include:
. increasing customer demand for high-speed, broadband services, such as
Internet access, transport and Internet protocol-based applications;
. the emergence of e-commerce as a new paradigm for business transactions;
and
. continued consolidation among service providers to broaden their service
offerings and technical capabilities.
By leveraging customer relationships and bundling service offerings, CLECs
have begun to exploit a variety of opportunities, including high-speed
Internet access and transport, Digital Subscriber Line, LAN and WAN
connectivity, managed network services, virtual private networks, remote
access, and e-commerce services. The Company believes that new entrants have
an excellent opportunity to establish themselves as leading providers of such
value-added services.
High-speed connectivity has become important to business due to the
dramatic increase in Internet usage and the proliferation of personal computer
and IP-based applications. According to the Gartner Group, an
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independent telecommunications and technology research company, the number of
Internet users worldwide reached approximately 68 million in 1997 and is
forecasted to grow to approximately 316 million by 2002. The popularity of the
Internet with consumers has also driven the rapid growth in exploiting the
Internet as a commercial medium, as businesses establish websites, corporate
intranets and extranets and implement e-commerce applications to expand their
customer reach and improve their communications efficiency. The Gartner Group
estimates that Internet access revenue will increase from $4.7 billion in 1997
to over $21.5 billion in 2002. The Company believes that Internet
infrastructure is becoming increasingly important to businesses of all sizes,
making the availability of broadband capacity, network quality, a value-added
services portfolio and technical capability an important competitive
distinction among service providers.
Services
The Company currently provides its customers with a wide range of
telecommunications services, including dedicated transmission, local switched,
long distance, data and video transmission services and high-speed dedicated
Internet access services. The Company's dedicated services, which include
private line and special access services, use high-capacity digital circuits
to carry voice, data and video transmissions from point-to-point in multiple
configurations. Switched voice services offered by the Company use high-
capacity digital switches to route voice transmissions anywhere on the public
switched telephone network. In offering its dedicated transmission and
switched services, the Company also provides private network management and
systems integration services for businesses that require combinations of
various dedicated and switched telecommunications services. Data services
provided by the Company allow customers to create their own internal computer
networks and access external computer networks and the Internet. The Company
can provide its customers, including companies in the media industry, with
advanced video transport services such as point-to-point, broadcast-quality
video to major television networks as well as to advertising agencies and
other customers. Internet services provided by the Company include dedicated
Internet access, website hosting, transport and e-commerce services for
business customers and local ISPs.
Dedicated Transport Services
The Company currently provides a complete range of dedicated transport
services with transmission speeds from 64 Kbps (kilobits per second) to 2.488
Gbps (gigabits per second) to its IXC and end-user customers. All products and
services can be used for voice, data, image and video transmission.
The Company offers the following dedicated transport links:
. POP-to-POP Special Access. Telecommunications lines linking the Points of
Presence ("POPs") of one IXC or the POPs of different IXCs in a market,
allowing the POPs to exchange transmissions for transport to their final
destinations.
. End-User/IXC Special Access. Telecommunications lines between an end-
user, such as a large business, and the local POP of its selected IXC.
. Private Line. Telecommunications lines connecting various locations of a
customer's operations, suitable for transmitting voice and data traffic
internally.
. Transport Arrangement Service. Provides dedicated transport between local
exchange carrier ("LEC") central offices and customer designated POPs of
an IXC for transport of LEC-provided switched access or LEC-provided
special access. This point-to-point service is available at DS1 or DS3
interfaces at both ends. DS1 and DS3 interfaces are standard North
American telecommunications industry digital signal formats that are
distinguishable by the number of binary digits transmitted per second, or
bit rate. DS1 has a bit rate of 1.544 megabits per second and DS3 has a
bit rate of 44.736 megabits per second.
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The Company provides the following services that use high-capacity digital
circuits to carry voice, data and video transmissions from point to point in
flexible configurations involving different standardized transmission speeds
and circuit capacities:
. broadcast video TV-1, which is the dedicated transport of broadcast
quality video signals;
. STS-1, which is the full duplex, synchronous optical transmission of
digital data on synchronous optical network ("SONET") standards, and
eliminates the need to maintain and pay for multiple dedicated lines; and
. private network transport service, which is a private, dedicated premium
quality service over fully redundant, diverse routed, SONET rings with
bandwidth that is dedicated and always available.
The transmission speeds and circuit capacities used for these services
include DSO, DS1, DS3 and SONET OC-N. DSO is a standard North American
telecommunications industry digital signal format that has a bit rate of 64
kilobits per second.
Switched Services
The Company's switched services provide business customers with local
calling capabilities and connections to their IXCs. The Company owns, houses,
manages and maintains the switch used to provide the services. The Company's
switched services include the following:
. Business Access Line Service. This service provides voice and data
customers quality analog voice grade telephone lines for use at any time.
Business Access Line Service provides customers with flexibility in
network configurations because lines can be added, deleted and moved as
needed.
. Access Trunks. Access Trunks provide communication lines between two
switching systems. These trunks are utilized by private branch exchange
("PBX") customers, which are customers that own and operate a switch on
their own premises. PBX customers use these trunks to provide access to
the local, regional and long distance telephone networks. PBX customers
may use either the Company's telephone numbers or their ILEC-assigned
telephone numbers. Customer access to the Company's local exchange
services is accomplished by a DS1 digital connection or DS0 analog trunks
between the customer's PBX port and the Company's switching centers.
. Local Toll Service. This service provides customers with a competitive
alternative to ILEC service for intraLATA toll calls. It is a customized,
high-quality local calling plan available to Business Access Line and
Access Trunk customers. The Company works with customers to devise cost-
saving programs based on actual usage and calling patterns.
. Local Telephone Service. Local telephone service is basic local exchange
service which can be tailored to a customer's particular calling
requirements. Local telephone service includes operator and directory
assistance services, as well as an optional intraLATA toll plan.
. Long Distance Service. Long distance service provides the capabilities
for a customer to place a voice call from one local calling area to
another, including international calling.
. Switched Access Service. The connection between a long distance carrier's
POP and an end-user's premises that is provided through the switching
facilities of a LEC are referred to as switched access services. These
services provide IXCs with a switched connection to their customers for
the origination and termination of long distance telephone calls.
. Other Services. Other services offered by the Company include telephone
numbers, listings, customized calling features, voice messaging, hunting,
blocking services and two-way, simultaneous voice and data transmission
in digital formats over the same transmission line, which is an
international standard referred to as integrated services digital network
("ISDN").
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Data Transmission Services
The Company offers its customers a broad array of data transmission
services that enable customers to create their own internal computer networks
and access external computer networks and the Internet. In 1996, the Company
introduced its native speed LAN inter-networking data service that is used to
connect workstations and personal computer users on one or more LANs. Native
speed services avoid the bottleneck problems that are frequently encountered
with customary DS1 connections by providing the customer with a circuit that
matches the transmission speeds of its LAN. The Company's LAN service provides
dedicated circuits, guaranteed transmission capacity and guaranteed bandwidth
for virtually all LAN applications. Users can share files and databases as if
they are all working on the same computer, or within the same LAN.
As companies and communications become more sophisticated, there is an
increased need for customer access to superior traffic management of sensitive
data, video and voice transmission within a single metropolitan area, or
between various company operations. The Company's switched data services offer
sophisticated switching technology and provide high standards in reliability
and flexibility while enabling users to reduce the costs associated with
interconnecting architecturally diverse information systems. The Company's
data service offerings support evolving high-speed applications, such as
multimedia, desktop video conferencing and medical imaging. The Company offers
native speed connections to end-users as well as interexchange data carriers.
The Company's services allow users to interconnect both high-speed and low-
speed LAN environments and to benefit from flexible billing, as well as
detailed usage reports.
In 2000, the Company plans to extend its current base of native LAN
services operating at 10 Mbps to include gigabit ethernet that operates at
1000 Mbps (1 gigabit per second). This extended bandwidth capacity will allow
customers to connect at very high speeds to the Internet, to the application
service provider of choice or to other customer locations.
Video Transmission Services
The Company provides broadcast quality digital and analog video link
services to its video services customers, including media industry customers,
such as television networks, and advertising agencies. The Company's video
services include offering broadcast quality, digital channel transmissions
that can be provided on a point-to-point or point-to-multipoint basis.
Internet Services
During 1999, the Company deployed a fiber-based Internet protocol backbone
connecting the Company's hub cities, including 21 asynchronous transfer mode
data switches through which it provides dedicated Internet connectivity at
speeds of up to DS3. This deployment was accomplished in part through the
acquisition of Inc.Net, a regional Internet service provider that became a
wholly owned subsidiary of the Company in April 1999. Through this subsidiary,
known as the Company's Internet & Data Division, the Company will manage its
data network and new Internet products. Although data and Internet revenue
represented only 4% of total 1999 revenue, the Company expects an increasing
portion of its future total revenue to be contributed by these services. The
Company is upgrading its Internet backbone to include OC-3c and greater
capacity.
Long Distance Services
The Company began to offer basic long distance services in 1998 including
toll free, calling card and international calling. The Company offers these
services primarily to enhance its ability to offer a complete package of
services to customers, rather than as core services. The target customers are
medium- and small-size business customers. Generally, large businesses tend to
obtain their long distance needs directly from the major IXCs. The Company
believes medium- and small-size businesses are more likely to obtain their
long distance services from CLECs rather than the major IXCs. As a result,
management believes that such medium- and small-sized end-users represent a
potential customer base for developing a market for the Company's long
8
distance services. This is a market segment that has not been a principal
focus of the Company's business in the past and thus one to which the Company
has limited experience marketing. The Company purchases long distance capacity
under a non-exclusive resale agreement with an IXC, which includes all support
and billing services. The Company is considering additional suppliers.
Although long distance contributed less than 1% of the Company's total revenue
in 1999, management believes that the offering of long distance services adds
strategic sales and marketing value as a bundled product. The long distance
business is extremely competitive and prices have declined substantially in
recent years and are expected to continue to decline. In addition, the long
distance industry has historically had a high average churn rate, as customers
frequently change long distance providers in response to the offering of lower
rates or promotional incentives by competitors. The Company is attempting to
minimize churn through the use of minimum term agreements.
Limitation on Residential and Content Services
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation prohibits the Company
from (i) engaging in the business of providing, offering, packaging,
marketing, promoting or branding (alone or jointly with or as an agent for
other parties) any residential services, or (ii) producing or otherwise
providing entertainment, information or other content services, without the
consent of all the Class B Stockholders. This prohibition expires in May 2004,
or earlier if the Class B Stockholders no longer hold 50% of the total voting
power for the Board of Directors, but a similar restriction in the fiber
license agreement with TW Cable continues until 2028. See "Operating
Agreements with TW Cable". Although management does not believe that these
restrictions will materially affect the Company's business and operations in
the immediate future, the Company cannot predict the effect of such
restrictions in the rapidly changing telecommunications industry.
Telecommunications Networks and Facilities
Overview. The Company uses the latest technologies and network
architectures to develop a highly reliable infrastructure for delivering high-
speed, quality digital transmissions of voice, data and video
telecommunications. The Company's basic transmission platform consists
primarily of optical fiber equipped with high-capacity SONET equipment
deployed in fully redundant, self-healing rings. These SONET rings give the
Company the capability of routing customer traffic in both directions around
the ring, thereby eliminating loss of service in the event of a cable cut. The
Company's networks are designed for remote automated provisioning, which
allows the Company to meet customers' real time service needs. The Company
extends SONET rings or point-to-point links from rings to each customer's
premises over its own fiber optic cable and Type II facilities obtained from
ILECs. The Company also installs diverse building entry points where a
customer's security needs require such redundancy. The Company then places
necessary customer-dedicated or shared electronic equipment at a location near
or in the customer's premises to terminate the link.
The Company serves its customers from one or more central offices or hubs
strategically positioned throughout its networks. The central offices house
the transmission and switching equipment needed to interconnect customers with
each other, the IXCs and other local exchange networks. Redundant electronics,
with automatic switching to the backup equipment in the event of failure,
protects against signal deterioration or outages. The Company continuously
monitors system components from its network operations center ("NOC") and
proactively focuses on avoiding problems rather than merely reacting to
trouble.
The Company adds switched, dedicated and data services to its basic fiber
optic transmission platform by installing sophisticated digital electronics at
its central offices and nodes and at customer locations. The Company's
advanced 5ESS digital telephone switches from Lucent are connected to multiple
ILEC and long distance carrier switches to provide the Company's customers
access to telephones in the local market as well as the public switched
telephone network. Similarly, in certain markets, the Company provides
asynchronous transfer mode ("ATM") switched and LAN multiplexers at its
customers' premises and in its central offices to provide high-speed LAN
interconnection services.
9
The Company's strategy for adding customers is designed to maximize the
speed and impact of its marketing efforts while maintaining attractive rates
of return on capital invested to connect customers directly to its networks.
To initially serve a new customer, the Company may use various transitional
links, such as reselling a portion of an ILEC's network. Once the new
customer's communications volume and product needs are identified, the Company
may build its own fiber optic connection between the customer's premises and
the Company's network to accommodate: (i) the customer's needs; and (ii) the
Company's efforts to maximize return on network investment.
Telecommunications Networks. The following chart sets forth information
regarding each of the Company's telecommunications networks as of December 31,
1999:
Dec. 31, 1999
-------------------------------------
Network Switched Services Commercial
Commercially Commercially Fiber Route Buildings MSA Business
Metropolitan Service Area Available Available(1) Miles(2) On-Net Lines (000)(3)
- ------------------------- ------------ ----------------- ----------- ---------- --------------
Albany, New York (4)..... Jul. 95 Sep. 99 127 23 403.1
Austin, Texas (4)........ Sep. 94 Apr. 97 502 107 547.0
Binghamton, New York
(4)..................... Jan. 95 TBD 88 30 109.4
Charlotte, N. Carolina
(4)..................... Sep. 94 Dec. 97 697 230 638.4
Cincinnati, Ohio (4)..... Jul. 95 Nov. 97 330 114 567.4
Columbus, Ohio (4)....... Mar. 91(5) Jul. 97 447 116 485.9
Dallas, Texas............ Sep. 99 Sep. 99 303 13 1,521.1
Dayton, Ohio (4)......... Nov. 00(6) Nov. 00(6) -- -- 277.4
Fayetteville, N. Carolina
(4)..................... Apr. 00(6) Apr. 00(6) 36 -- 59.6
Greensboro, N. Carolina
(4)..................... Jan. 96 Sep. 99 189 42 404.5
Honolulu, Hawaii (4)..... Jun. 94 Jan. 98 300 221 226.1
Houston, Texas (4)....... Jan. 96 Sep. 97 736 112 1,722.7
Indianapolis, Indiana
(4)..................... Sep. 87(5) Dec. 97 378 173 461.3
Jersey City, New Jersey.. Jul. 99 Jul. 99 5 3 205.2
Manhattan, New York (4).. Feb. 96 Feb. 96 158 62 3,627.1
Memphis, Tennessee (4)... May 95 May 97 531 120 285.5
Milwaukee, Wisconsin
(4)..................... Feb. 96 Sep. 97 444 101 520.5
Orange County,
California.............. Jun. 00(6) Aug. 00(6) 80 -- 1,387.9
Orlando, Florida (4)..... Jul. 95 Jul. 97 1,063 180 975.2
Raleigh, N. Carolina
(4)..................... Oct. 94 Sep. 97 570 159 366.2
Rochester, New York (4).. Dec. 94 Feb. 95 363 115 474.0
San Antonio, Texas (4)... May 93(5) Nov. 97 713 181 578.1
San Diego, California
(4)..................... Jun. 95 Jul. 97 324 92 1,186.0
Tampa, Florida (4)....... Dec. 97 Jan. 98 488 37 1,134.9
----- ----- --------
Total.................. 8,872 2,231 18,164.5
===== ===== ========
(1) Date of "Switched Services Commercially Available" is the first date on
which switched services were provided to a customer of the Company.
(2) Licensed and owned fiber optic route miles.
(3) MSA business lines data are modeled from Statistics of Communications
Common Carrier 1998 Business Data.
(4) MSAs in which the Company obtains or expects to obtain fiber capacity
through licensing agreements with TW Cable. See "Operating Agreements with
TW Cable--Capacity License Agreements."
(5) The networks in Columbus, Ohio, San Antonio, Texas and Indianapolis,
Indiana were built by certain predecessor companies prior to the
commencement of the Company's business.
(6) Estimated.
10
Information Systems Infrastructure. The Company uses state of the art
technology in its information systems infrastructure. The Company also uses a
centrally deployed series of client server platforms and relational database
servers to provide cost effective nationwide computing support. These services
and products enable employees to support customers directly, manage the
telephony infrastructure and report and manage trouble resolution. The
computing infrastructure strategy enables the Company to mix and match
platforms to create the best compliment of computing engines to meet the
Company's specific business needs. This includes telephony ordering,
provisioning, inventory, engineering, installation, billing, decision support
and customer care business functions. The strategy of buying "off the shelf"
products and integrating them into the Company's existing information systems
infrastructure versus utilizing several stand-alone applications supports a
more responsive and flexible environment that better suits the needs of a
nimble market competitor. The Company's information systems provide real time
support of network operations and deliver data at the network, regional and
corporate level, and can sort by customer and vendor. The systems selected or
built utilize open system standards and architectures, thus allowing maximum
interoperability with third parties' systems. The Company's Information
Systems Development teams have developed competencies in application
integration using the latest in Enterprise Application products and
strategies. The Company has implemented an enterprise resource system, which
provides improved real-time management information for the Company's
financial, procurement and human resource functions. The Company's Business
Systems Analysis teams have supported the identification and implementation of
new revenue assurance platforms and billing platform enhancements which
improve revenue stream accuracy.
Network Monitoring and Management. The Company provides a single point of
contact for all of its customers and consolidates all of its systems support,
expertise and technical training at its NOC in Greenwood Village, Colorado.
With approximately 600 technicians and customer service representatives
dedicated to providing superior customer service, the Company is able to
quickly correct, and often anticipate, any problems that may arise in its
networks. The Company provides 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-a-week surveillance and
monitoring of networks to achieve the Company's network reliability and
performance targets. Network analysts monitor real-time alarm, status and
performance information for network circuits, which allows them to react
swiftly to repair network trouble.
Network Development and Application Laboratory. The Company's Network
Development and Application Laboratory is a comprehensive telecommunications
technology, applications and services development laboratory, equipped with
advanced systems and equipment, including those used by the Company in the
operation of its local digital networks. The center is designed to provide a
self-contained testing and integration environment, fully compatible with the
Company's digital networks, for the purposes of:
. verifying the technical and operational integrity of new equipment prior
to installation in the networks;
. developing new services and applications;
. providing a realistic training environment for technicians, engineers and
others; and
. providing a network simulation environment to assist in fault isolation
and recovery.
Technologies currently under evaluation in the laboratory include DWDM
equipment from new vendors, optical bandwidth management, IP telephony,
including components used to service next generation softswitches, media
gateway technologies, Signaling System 7 ("SS7") gateway systems and related
data applications.
Billing Systems. The Company contracts with outside vendors for customer
billing. The Company has licensed a system for switched services billing that
it operates on its own equipment and has a service bureau arrangement with
another vendor for dedicated transport service and interconnection billing.
Sophisticated information and processing systems are vital to the Company's
growth and its ability to monitor costs, bill customers, provision customer
orders and achieve operating efficiencies. As the Company continues to grow,
the need for more sophisticated information systems will increase
significantly. The Company
11
has entered into agreements with certain vendors providing for the development
or operation of back office systems, including ordering, provisioning and
billing systems. The failure of the Company's vendors for development and/or
operation of back office systems and billing systems to perform their services
in a timely and effective manner at acceptable costs could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's business, financial condition and results of
operations.
Operating Agreements with TW Cable
Capacity License Agreements. The Company currently licenses much of its
fiber capacity from TW Cable. Each of the Company's local operations where TW
Cable has a network is party to a Capacity License Agreement with the local
cable television operation of TW Cable, providing the Company with a 30 year
exclusive right to use all of the capacity of specified fiber-optic cable
owned by the TW Cable operation. The Capacity License Agreements expire in
2028. The Capacity Licenses for networks that existed as of July 1998 have
been fully paid and do not require additional license fees. However, the
Company must pay certain maintenance fees and fees for splicing and similar
services. The Company may request that TW Cable construct and provide
additional fiber-optic cable capacity to meet the Company's future needs. TW
Cable is not obligated to provide such fiber capacity and the Company is not
obligated to take fiber capacity from TW Cable. As the Company expands its
operations to markets not served by TW Cable, it will be required to obtain
fiber capacity from other sources. If TW Cable provides additional capacity,
the Company must pay an allocable share of the cost of construction of the
fiber upon which capacity is to be provided, plus a permitting fee. The
Company is responsible for all taxes and franchise or similar fees arising out
of its use of the capacity, and a portion of other out-of-pocket expenses
incurred by TW Cable for the cable used to provide the capacity. The Company
is permitted to use the capacity for telecommunications services and any other
lawful purpose, but not for the provision of residential services and content
services. If the Company violates the limitations on business activities of
the Company contained in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation or the
Capacity License Agreements, TW Cable may terminate the Capacity License
Agreements. Accordingly, the Capacity License Agreement restrictions will
apply after the restrictions in the Restated Certificate of Incorporation have
terminated. Although management does not believe that the restrictions in the
Capacity License Agreements will materially affect the Company's business and
operations in the immediate future, the Company cannot predict the effect of
such restrictions in the rapidly changing telecommunications industry.
The Capacity License Agreements do not restrict the Company from licensing
fiber-optic capacity from parties other than TW Cable. Although TW Cable has
agreed to negotiate renewal or alternative provisions in good faith upon
expiration of the Capacity License Agreements, the Company cannot assure that
the parties will agree on the terms of any renewal or alternative provisions
or that the terms of any renewal or alternative provisions will be favorable
to the Company. If the Capacity License Agreements are not renewed in 2028,
the Company will have no further interest in the fiber capacity covered by
those Agreements and may need to build, lease or otherwise obtain transmission
capacity to replace the capacity previously licensed under the Agreements. The
terms of such arrangements could have a material adverse effect on the
Company's business, financial condition and results of operations. The Company
has the right to terminate a Capacity License Agreement in whole or in part at
any time upon 180 days' notice and payment of any outstanding fees regarding
the terminated capacity. TW Cable has the right to terminate a Capacity
License Agreement upon 180 days' notice in the event of, among other things,
certain governmental proceedings or third party challenges to TW Cable's
franchises or the Agreements. The Capacity License Agreements include
substantial limitations on liability for service interruptions.
Facility Lease Agreements. The Company leases or subleases physical space
located at TW Cable's facilities for various purposes under Facility Lease
Agreements. If certain events occur the Company will be required, at its own
expense, to segregate and partition its space in a reasonable, secure manner.
Those events are:
. at least a majority of any TW Cable system is not owned by one or more of
the Class B Stockholders;
12
. Time Warner owning less than 30% of the Company's common stock;
. Time Warner having the right to less than three nominees to the Board of
Directors of the Company;
. the Company's non-compliance with the restrictions in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation regarding residential services and content
services; or
. a Class B Stockholder transferring its Class B common stock together with
its rights to designate nominees to the Board of Directors under the
Stockholders Agreement among the Class B Stockholders.
The lease rates for properties TW Cable owns and leases to the Company are
based upon comparable rents in the local market, taking into account other
factors such as the term of the lease, type of space, square footage, location
and leasehold improvements funded. Generally, the leases have 15-year terms,
with two five-year options to renew. For properties TW Cable subleases to the
Company, the Company pays a pro rata portion of the rent and fees payable
under the primary lease. The duration of the Company's subleases are as long
as TW Cable's primary leases.
Network Design and Construction
In order to take advantage of its relationship with TW Cable, the Company
has constructed most of its existing networks in selected MSAs served by TW
Cable's fiber optic infrastructure. This has allowed the Company to develop,
in a cost-efficient way, an extensive network in each of its MSAs. As of
December 31, 1999, the Company's networks spanned 8,872 route miles, contained
332,263 fiber miles and offered service to 5,566 buildings with 5,331,000
voice grade equivalent circuits and 192,369 access lines in service.
The Company plans to begin constructing new networks in approximately 8-12
MSAs during 2000 and 2001, using its relationship with TW Cable or other fiber
providers, or by developing the networks in house, whichever is most effective
and economical. Before deciding to construct or acquire a network in a
particular MSA, the Company's corporate development staff reviews the
demographic, economic, competitive and telecommunications demand
characteristics of the MSA, including its location, the concentration of
potential business, government and institutional end-user customers, the
economic prospects for the area, available data regarding IXC and end-user
special access and switched access transport demand and actual and potential
competitive access provider ("CAP") and CLEC competitors. Market demand is
estimated on the basis of market research performed by Company personnel and
others, utilizing a variety of data including estimates of the number of
interstate access and intrastate private lines in the MSA based primarily on
Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") reports and commercial databases.
This process has enabled the Company to reduce its start-up costs and shorten
lead times.
If a particular MSA targeted for development is found to have sufficiently
attractive demographic, economic, competitive and telecommunications demand
characteristics, the Company's network planning and design personnel design a
network targeted to provide access to the major IXC POPs and the ILEC's
principal central office(s) in the MSA. Consistent with the Company's
disciplined capital expenditure program, distribution rings are designed to
cover strategic or highly concentrated business parks and downtown
metropolitan areas. Through a combination of its own network and the use of
Type II circuits purchased from the ILEC to reach low density areas where the
Company cannot economically build facilities, the Company can serve virtually
any customer within the MSA it serves.
Based on the data obtained through the foregoing process, in connection
with either the construction or an acquisition of a network, the Company
develops detailed financial estimates based on the anticipated demand for the
Company's current services. If the financial estimates meet or exceed the
Company's minimum rate of return thresholds using a discounted cash flow
analysis, the Company's corporate planning personnel prepare a detailed
business and financial plan for the proposed network.
Prior to commencing construction, the Company's local staff, working
together with TW Cable, where applicable, obtains any needed city franchises,
permits or other municipal requirements to initiate construction
13
and operate the network. In some cities, a construction permit is all that is
required. In other cities, a right-of-way agreement or franchise may also be
required. Such agreements and franchises are generally for a term of limited
duration. In addition, the 1996 Act requires that local governmental
authorities treat all telecommunications carriers in a competitively neutral,
non-discriminatory manner. The Company's current right-of-way agreements and
franchises expire in years ranging from 2003 to 2015. City franchises often
require payment of franchise fees that in some cases can be directly passed
through on customers' invoices. The Company's local staff also finalizes
arrangements for other needed rights-of-way. Rights-of-way are typically
licensed from TW Cable under multi-year agreements with renewal options and
are generally non-exclusive. See "Operating Agreements with TW Cable." The
Company leases underground conduit and pole space and other rights-of-way from
entities such as LECs and other utilities, railroads, long distance providers,
state highway authorities, local governments and transit authorities. The 1996
Act requires most utilities, including most LECs and electric companies, to
afford CAPs and CLECs access to their poles, conduits and rights-of-way at
reasonable rates on non-discriminatory terms and conditions.
The Company's networks are constructed to cost-effectively access areas of
significant commercial end-user telecommunications traffic, as well as the
POPs of most IXCs and cellular companies and the principal LEC central offices
in a MSA. The Company establishes general requirements for network design, and
internally engineers the contemplated network and the required deployment.
Construction and installation services are provided by independent
contractors, including TW Cable, selected through a competitive bidding
process. Company personnel provide project management services, including
contract negotiation and supervision of the construction, testing and
certification of all facilities. The construction period for a new network
varies depending upon the number of route miles to be installed, the initial
number of buildings targeted for connection to the network, the general
deployment of the network and other field conditions. Networks that the
Company has installed to date generally have become operational within nine to
twelve months after the beginning of construction.
Equipment Supply
The Company acquires Lucent 5ESS digital switches pursuant to an exclusive
vendor agreement (the "Lucent Agreement"), which provides for discounted
pricing. The Lucent Agreement expires in June 2002 and is renewable for up to
four additional years upon the parties' mutual agreement. The Lucent Agreement
provides that if the Company purchases digital switches from a vendor other
than Lucent during the term of such agreement, Lucent, among other things, may
discontinue the agreed upon discounted pricing on all future orders,
renegotiate higher prices for digital switches and may not be liable for
failures to meet certain delivery and installation schedules on future orders.
Customers and Sales and Marketing
The Company's customers are principally telecommunications-intensive
medium- and large-sized businesses, IXCs, ISPs, wireless communications
companies, other local providers and various governmental entities.
Historically, the Company's customers were primarily IXCs. While the Company's
IXC business has grown by approximately 98% in 1999 over 1998, it has declined
as a proportion of total revenue from approximately 26% of the Company's total
1998 revenue, to approximately 24% of the Company's total 1999 revenue. Of
this long distance carrier revenue, approximately 72% is directed by the end-
user customer rather than the long distance carrier since an end user may
switch long distance carriers while retaining the Company as its local
exchange carrier.
The Company's largest customer for the year ended December 31, 1999, AT&T
and its affiliates, represented 13.5% of the Company's total revenue. However,
a substantial portion of that revenue results from traffic that is directed to
the Company by customers that have selected that long distance carrier. No
other customer, including customers who direct their business through long
distance carriers, accounted for 10% or more of revenue. For the year ended
December 31, 1999, the Company's top 10 customers accounted for 39% of the
Company's total revenue.
14
The Company's primary contract with AT&T is summarized below. The Company
does not believe that the termination of the contract would have a material
adverse effect on its business.
The agreement between the Company and AT&T specifies the terms under which
AT&T will purchase certain switched and dedicated services in selected MSAs of
the Company. The agreement (but not the individual services purchased under
such agreement) has a 13-year term ending in September 2008, but may be
terminated, in whole or in part, under specified circumstances prior to that
time. Interexchange company affiliates of AT&T and AT&T Wireless Services,
Inc. are also eligible to purchase services under the agreement. In December
1999, the Company triggered the dispute resolution process under the agreement
with AT&T over the appropriate billing rates for switched access services. The
Company does not expect the outcome of this dispute to have a material effect
on revenue or operating results.
Some of the Company's customer arrangements are subject to termination on
short notice and do not require the customer to maintain at current levels,
and there can be no assurance that such customers will continue to purchase
the same service quantity levels. The Company believes that certain IXCs are
pursuing alternatives to their current practices with regard to obtaining
local telecommunications services, including acquisition or construction of
their own facilities. For example, AT&T, a customer of the Company, in 1998
acquired Teleport Communications Group ("TCG"), a CLEC that operates in
several of the Company's service areas. This acquisition resulted in AT&T
terminating certain of the Company's services in TCG service areas, although
the Company's total sales to that customer have not declined. In addition,
IXCs may be able to provide local service by reselling the facilities or
services of an ILEC, which may be more cost-effective for an IXC than using
the services of the Company or another CAP or CLEC.
The Company provides incentives to its sales force to negotiate service
contracts that have a minimum term of 1 year, and provides enhanced
commissions to its sales force for executing agreements with terms of 3 years
or greater. Currently, more than half of service agreements have a duration of
greater than 3 years.
The Company's marketing emphasizes its:
. reliable, facilities-based networks;
. flexibly priced, bundled products and services;
. responsive customer service orientation; and
. integrated operations, customer support and network monitoring and
management systems.
The Company's centrally managed customer support operations are designed to
facilitate the processing of orders for changes and upgrades in customer
services. To reduce the inherent risk in bringing new and untested
telecommunications products and services to a dynamically changing market, the
Company introduces its products and services once market demand develops and
offers them in diversified, competitively-priced bundles, thereby increasing
usage among its existing customers and attracting new customers. The services
offered by the Company are typically priced at a discount to the prices of the
ILECs.
With a direct sales force in each of its service areas along with regional
and national sales support, the Company targets medium- and large-sized
telecommunications-intensive businesses in the areas served by its networks.
Compensation for the Company's sales representatives is based primarily on
commissions that are tied to sales generated. The Company's customers include
financial services firms, health care, media, telecommunications services and
high tech companies and various governmental institutions. In addition, the
Company markets its services through sales agents, landlords, advertisements,
trade journals, media relations, direct mail and participation in trade
conferences.
The Company also targets IXCs, ISPs, large, strategic business accounts and
wireless telephone companies through its national sales organization. The
Company has master services agreements (which generally set forth technical
standards, ordering processes, pricing methodologies and service grade
requirements, but do not
15
guarantee any specified level of business for the Company) with a significant
number of the IXCs, including AT&T, MCI-WorldCom, Sprint Corporation
("Sprint"), and Qwest Communications. By providing IXCs with a local
connection to their customers, the Company enables them to avoid complete
dependence on the ILECs for access to customers and to obtain a high quality
and reliable local connection. The Company provides a variety of transport
services and arrangements that allow IXCs to connect their own switches in
both local areas (intra-city) and in wide areas (inter-city). Additionally,
IXCs may purchase the Company's transport services that allow them to connect
their switch to an ILEC switch and to end-user locations directly. The
Company's advanced networks allow it to offer high volume business customers
and IXCs uniformity of services, pricing, quality standards and customer
service.
Customer Service
With approximately 600 expert technicians and customer service
representatives at December 31, 1999, the Company provides its customers with
continuous support and superior service. To serve its customers, account
representatives are assigned to the Company's customers to act as effective
liaisons with the Company. Technicians and other support personnel are
available in each of the Company's service areas to react to any network
failures or problems. In addition, the NOC provides 24 hour-a-day, 7 days-a-
week surveillance and monitoring of networks to maintain the Company's network
reliability and performance. See "Telecommunications Networks and Facilities--
Network Monitoring and Management."
Competition
The Company believes that the principal competitive factors affecting its
business are, and will continue to be:
. pricing;
. the availability of proven support systems for the Company's back office
systems, including provisioning and billing;
. competition for skilled, experienced personnel; and
. regulatory decisions and policies that promote competition.
The Company believes that it competes favorably with other companies in the
industry or is impacted favorably with respect to each of these factors. The
technologies and systems which provide back office support for the CLEC
industry are nascent and may not keep pace with the growth of order volume,
integration with other systems, and production of required information for
systems managers. The best personnel in all areas of the Company's operations
are in demand by the numerous participants in the highly specialized CLEC
industry. While the Company's employee base is generally stable, it is
anticipated that others in the industry will continue to demand high quality
personnel and will thus drive pressure to maintain extremely competitive
compensation and benefits packages in addition to an attractive work
environment. Regulatory environments at both the state and Federal level
differ widely and have considerable influence on the Company's market and
economic opportunities and resulting investment decisions. The Company
believes it must continue monitoring regulatory developments and remain active
in its participation in regulatory issues.
Services substantially similar to those offered by the Company are also
offered by the ILECs, which include Ameritech Corporation ("Ameritech"), Bell
Atlantic Corporation ("Bell Atlantic"), BellSouth Corporation, SBC
Communications, Inc. ("SBC") and GTE Corporation. The Company believes that
many ILECs may have competitive advantages over the Company. ILECs generally
benefit from their long-standing relationships with customers and greater
technical and financial resources. The ILECs have the potential to subsidize
services of the type offered by the Company from service revenue in unrelated
businesses. While regulatory initiatives that allow CLECs such as the Company
to interconnect with ILEC facilities and provide increased business
opportunities for the Company, such interconnection opportunities have been
accompanied by increased pricing
16
flexibility for and relaxation of regulatory oversight of the ILECs. In
addition, in most of the metropolitan areas in which the Company currently
operates, at least one, and sometimes several, other CAPs or CLECs offer
substantially similar services at substantially similar prices to those of the
Company. The Company also faces competition from new entrants in the local
services business who may also be better established and have greater
financial resources. Other CLECs, CAPs, cable television companies, electric
utilities, long distance carriers, microwave carriers, wireless telephone
system operators and private networks built by large end-users currently do,
and may in the future, offer services similar to those offered by the Company.
The Company believes that the 1996 Act will provide increased business
opportunities by opening all local markets to competition. The 1996 Act:
. requires all local exchange providers to offer their services for resale;
. requires ILECs to provide increased direct interconnection;
. requires ILECs to offer network elements on an unbundled basis; and
. requires ILECs to offer the services they provide to end-users to other
carriers at wholesale rates.
However, under the 1996 Act, the FCC and some state regulatory authorities
may provide ILECs with increased flexibility to reprice their services as
competition develops and as ILECs allow competitors to interconnect to their
networks. In addition, some new entrants in the local market may price certain
services to particular customers or for particular routes below the prices
charged by the Company for services to those customers or for those routes,
just as the Company may itself underprice those new entrants for other
services, customers or routes. If the ILECs and other competitors lower their
rates and can sustain significantly lower prices over time, this may adversely
affect revenue of the Company if it is required by market pressure to price at
or below the ILECs' prices. If regulatory decisions permit the ILECs to charge
CAPs and CLECs substantial fees for interconnection to the ILECs' networks or
afford ILECs other regulatory relief, such decisions could also have a
material adverse effect on the Company. However, the Company believes that the
negative effects of the 1996 Act may be more than offset by:
. the increased revenue available as a result of being able to address the
entire local exchange market;
. reciprocal compensation with the ILEC;
. obtaining access to off-network customers through more reasonably priced
expanded interconnection with ILEC networks; and
. a shift by IXCs to purchase access services from CAPs and CLECs instead
of ILECs.
There can be no assurance, however, that these anticipated results will
offset completely the effects of increased competition as a result of the 1996
Act.
The current trend of business combinations and alliances in the
telecommunications industry, including mergers between subsidiaries of Bell
Operating Companies ("BOCs"), between BOCs and other ILECs or CLECs, and
between major IXCs and CLECs, may create significant new competitors for the
Company and may result in competitors favoring the use of their subsidiaries
and division for services provided by the Company. For example, Bell Atlantic
has acquired the LECs owned by NYNEX, and SBC, corporate parent of
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company, has acquired Southern New England
Telephone and Pacific Telesis. In addition, SBC and Ameritech have agreed to
merge, as have Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation, Qwest Communications and U S
WEST and MCI-WorldCom and Sprint. In July 1998, AT&T acquired TCG, a
competitor of the Company, and in March 1999, AT&T acquired Tele-
Communications, Inc., a major cable operator.
In addition, the 1996 Act allows the Regional Bell Operating Companies
("RBOCs") and others such as electric utilities to enter the long distance
market. Certain of the RBOCs have begun providing out-of-region long
17
distance services across Local Access and Transport Areas ("interLATA"). When
an RBOC obtains authority to provide in-region interLATA services, it will be
able to offer customers both local and long distance telephone services. Given
the market power the RBOCs currently possess in the local exchange market, the
ability to provide both local and long distance services is expected to make
the RBOCs very strong competitors. Certain RBOCs are actively working to
satisfy prerequisites for entry into the in-region long distance business. To
date, only Bell Atlantic has been granted authority to provide in-region
inter-LATA services only in the state of New York.
The World Trade Organization ("WTO") agreement on basic telecommunications
services which became effective in 1998 could increase the Company's
competition for telecommunications services both domestically and
internationally. Under this agreement, the United States and other members of
the WTO committed themselves to opening their telecommunications markets to
competition and foreign ownership and to adopting regulatory measures to
protect competitors against anticompetitive behavior by dominant telephone
companies. As part of the U.S. government's implementation of the WTO
agreement, the FCC has established new rules making it easier for foreign
carriers to enter the U.S. telecommunications market. See "Business--
Government Regulation."
Additional competition will arise from ISPs as they begin to deliver
advanced communications services (e.g., IP telephony) over their networks.
Some of these ISPs benefit from the very large scale of their backbones
because of their or their affiliates' other businesses (e.g., Sprint owns its
own backbone and benefits through its long haul assets).
To the extent the Company interconnects with and uses ILEC networks to
service its customers, the Company will be dependent upon the technology and
capabilities of the ILECs to meet certain telecommunications needs of the
Company's customers and to maintain its service standards. The Company will
become increasingly dependent on interconnection with ILECs as switched
services become a greater percentage of the Company's business. The 1996 Act
imposes interconnection obligations on ILECs; however, such interconnection
requires the negotiation of interconnection and collocation agreements with
the ILECs, which can take considerable time, effort and expense and are
subject to Federal and state regulation. There can be no assurance that the
Company will be able to obtain the interconnection it requires at rates, and
on terms and conditions, that permit the Company to offer switched services at
rates that are both competitive and profitable. In the event that the Company
experiences difficulties in obtaining high quality, reliable and reasonably
priced service from the ILECs, the attractiveness of the Company's services to
its customers could be impaired.
Historically, the Company has been able to build new networks and expand
existing networks in a timely and economical manner through strategic
arrangements such as leasing fiber optic cable from TW Cable, which already
possesses rights-of-way. The Company intends to use its experience and
presence in the telecommunications industry to fully exploit its available
capacity, further develop and expand its existing telecommunications
infrastructure and offer a diversified range of products and services in
competitively priced bundles.
Government Regulation
Historically, interstate and foreign communication services were subject to
the regulatory jurisdiction of the FCC, and intrastate and local
telecommunications services were subject to regulation by state public service
commissions. With the enactment of the 1996 Act, competition in all
telecommunications market segments, including interstate and intrastate, local
and long distance, became matters of national policy. The Company believes
that the national policy fostered by the 1996 Act has contributed to
significant market opportunities for the Company. As Federal and state
regulatory commissions have largely implemented the provisions of the 1996
Act, the Company believes that future regulation will focus largely on
enforcement of carrier-to-carrier requirements under the law and consumer
protection measures.
Telecommunications Act of 1996. The 1996 Act is intended to increase
competition in local telecommunications services by requiring ILECs to
interconnect their networks with CLECs. The 1996 Act
18
imposes a number of access and interconnection requirements on all LECs,
including CLECs, with additional requirements imposed on ILECs. CLECs and
ILECs are required to attempt to negotiate interconnection agreements for at
least 135 days. During these negotiations, the parties may submit disputes to
state regulators for mediation and, after the negotiation period has expired,
the parties may submit outstanding disputes to state regulators for
arbitration. The Company has executed interconnection agreements with the
ILECs in each of the markets in which it offers switched services and has
negotiated, or is negotiating, secondary interconnection arrangements with
carriers whose territories are adjacent to the Company's for intrastate
intraLATA toll traffic and extended area services. Many of these agreements
expired in 1999 or are expiring in 2000, and the Company is in the process of
negotiating new contracts. Typically, the expired agreements allow the Company
to continue to exchange traffic with the other carrier pending execution of a
new agreement. ILECs are seeking renegotiation of certain terms and
conditions, including reciprocal compensation for ISP-bound traffic. The
Company cannot predict the outcome of the negotiations, especially in light of
pending legal and regulatory actions pertaining to reciprocal compensation, as
described below.
Under the 1996 Act, the FCC was required to establish rules and regulations
to implement the local competition provisions of the 1996 Act within six
months of enactment. In August 1996, the FCC issued two reports and orders
promulgating rules to govern interconnection, resale, unbundled network
elements ("UNEs"), and the pricing of those facilities and services, as well
as rules to govern, among other things, the dialing parity requirements of the
1996 Act. Certain ILECs and states challenged the authority of the FCC to
issue these rules.
On January 25, 1999, the Supreme Court issued a decision upholding most of
the FCC's rules with respect to interconnection, resale and the dialing parity
rule and confirming the FCC's jurisdiction to issue national pricing rules for
interconnection, UNEs and resale. However, the Supreme Court did not address
the lawfulness of the pricing rules established by the FCC. The Supreme Court
also reinstated the FCC's rule that requires the ILECs to offer network
elements in combined form where those elements are already combined in the
ILEC's networks. This potentially enables non-facilities-based carriers to
obtain all of the network elements necessary to serve end-users without making
capital investments. The Company believes that the availability of combined
platforms of network elements at prices based on the FCC's cost methodology
(Total Element Long Run Incremental Costs or "TELRIC") could create economic
incentives for new competitors to enter local markets through acquisition of
ILEC network element platforms rather than by investing in their own network
facilities as the Company does.
The Court also vacated a rule requiring ILECs to make available to
requesting carriers any of the network elements within the FCC's definition of
that term. The Court remanded to the FCC for further consideration the
criteria for determining what constitutes a UNE. In response to the Court's
remand, the FCC conducted a further rulemaking proceeding. In its November
1999 Order, the FCC reaffirmed the necessity for continued ILEC provision of
most of the original UNEs, but allowed ILECs to withdraw the local switching
element in the highest density areas of the top 50 MSAs. The withdrawal of the
local switching element also effectively withdraws the UNE platform in those
same high-density areas. The Commission also declined to allow the combination
of loop and transport UNEs purely for the provision of interexchange special
access services. This issue is pending final resolution in a separate
proceeding.
The 1996 Act provides a detailed list of items that are subject to
interconnection negotiations, as well as a detailed set of duties for all
affected carriers. All local exchange carriers, including the Company, have a
duty to:
. not unreasonably limit the resale of their services;
. provide number portability if technically feasible;
. provide dialing parity to competing telecommunications providers;
. provide access to poles, ducts and conduits; and
. establish reciprocal compensation arrangements for the transport and
termination of telecommunications.
19
The Company has fully complied with these requirements. The Company does
not restrict the resale of its services, engages in reciprocal compensation
arrangements, provides dialing parity, and provides full number portability,
satisfying four of the five requirements. The Company generally licenses
poles, ducts and conduits, and therefore owns few such rights-of-way subject
to the requirement to make them available to other carriers.
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1996 Act and the FCC's rules under the
1996 Act, the Company is required to compensate other LECs for termination of
local exchange traffic originated by the Company. Conversely, the Company is
entitled to receipt of compensation from other LECs when it terminates local
exchange traffic originated by other LECs. This requirement is commonly
referred to as reciprocal compensation. The Company, like other CLECs,
receives reciprocal compensation from ILECs for local calls it terminates at
the premises of ISPs. ILECs have attempted to persuade state commissions and
the FCC that such traffic is interstate traffic rather than local traffic and
that such traffic should not be subject to reciprocal compensation. To date,
nearly every state commission which has considered the issue has concluded
that local traffic terminated at ISP locations is local traffic and is subject
to reciprocal compensation under state-approved interconnection agreements.
However, on February 26, 1999, the FCC released a declaratory ruling in which
it concluded that local traffic that terminates at an ISP location is largely
interstate traffic and that the reciprocal compensation provisions of the 1996
Act do not apply to ISP-bound traffic. The FCC held, however, that states
could nonetheless order the ILECs to pay reciprocal compensation for ISP-bound
traffic pursuant to interconnection agreements or state law. The FCC then
initiated a proceeding to establish rules governing the exchange of ISP-bound
traffic (e.g., whether it should be left to the states or whether a federal
rate should be established to govern this traffic). Pending completion of that
rulemaking, determinations of whether reciprocal compensation should be paid
on traffic terminated at ISP locations will be made by state commissions and
under the terms of approved interconnection agreements. ILECs have continued
attempts to persuade the FCC and state commissions that local traffic
delivered to ISPs should not be subject to reciprocal compensation. The
Company cannot predict the outcome of those proceedings. In some cases the
Company's right to receive reciprocal compensation for traffic terminated to
its ISP customers is contractually dependent on the outcome of the FCC
rulemaking and pending state proceedings addressing reciprocal compensation
for ISP traffic generally. In some cases, decisions by state commissions that
reciprocal compensation is payable to the Company for ISP traffic are under
appeal in federal courts. Exclusion of such traffic from reciprocal
compensation requirements will reduce the revenue received by the Company for
terminating traffic originated by ILECs.
Federal Regulation. The 1996 Act obligates the FCC to establish mechanisms
for ensuring that consumers, including low income consumers and those located
in rural, insular and high cost areas, have access to telecommunications and
information services at rates reasonably comparable to those charged for
similar services in urban areas. The 1996 Act also requires the FCC to
establish funding mechanisms to make available access to telecommunications
services, including advanced services, to schools, libraries and rural health
care centers. These requirements are generally referred to as the "universal
service requirements" of the 1996 Act. In May 1997, the FCC adopted rules to
implement the universal service requirements. Under those rules, all
telecommunications carriers, including the Company, must contribute to support
universal service. If the Company offers to provide local exchange service to
all customers within certain geographic areas, it may be deemed to be an
"Eligible Carrier" and therefore entitled to subsidy funds under the program
established by the FCC. The FCC estimates that its action in November 1999,
that revised certain formulas and the cost study models for universal service
funding, will result in approximately $250 million in additional universal
service funding for 2000.
In December 1998, the FCC established rules to govern the manner in which
telecommunications carriers effectuate and verify selection by consumers of
preferred providers of local exchange and interexchange services. The Company
is subject to those rules and is required to comply with the specific
verification requirements established by the FCC. Violation of those rules
could subject the Company to sanctions imposed by the FCC.
In its August 1999 Order on Access Reform, the FCC established a framework
for the eventual deregulation of ILEC interstate access charges. Degrees of
increased pricing flexibility and ultimate price deregulation are
20
triggered by the extent of competitive development within MSAs. This will
exert greater downward pressure on the Company's interstate access prices as
the various conditions are met over the next few years.
In addition, a group of ILECs and long distance carriers (the Coalition for
Affordable Local and Long Distance Services or "CALLS") has recently submitted
to the FCC a proposal for reforming the federal access charge and universal
service regimes. The proposal includes a substantial reduction in ILEC per-
minute access charges and an increase in the flat monthly charge paid by local
residential service subscribers. In addition, the proposal includes a
significant increase in the size of the federal universal service fund. If
implemented in its entirety, the CALLS proposal could result in lower access
charge revenue for the Company as well as an increase in its contribution to
the federal universal service fund.
In a related access reform proceeding pending before the FCC, the FCC is
considering imposing regulation on CLEC access charges to restrict prices to
levels below an established "benchmark" price. Some parties have proposed
benchmarks that are no higher than individual ILEC prices, while others have
argued that the tariffed rates of the National Exchange Carrier Association
("NECA") are more representative of CLEC cost characteristics. A regulated
price cap at ILEC rate levels would reduce the per-minute rates the Company
receives for access service.
Sprint is withholding payments from CLECs, including the Company, arguing
that CLEC access rates should be no higher than individual ILEC rates. The
Company does not believe that Sprint has a sustainable legal basis for its
position and has filed a complaint against Sprint with the FCC.
The Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, enacted in 1994,
requires telecommunications carriers, including the Company, to make their
equipment and facilities capable of assisting authorized law enforcement
agencies to conduct electronic surveillance. The FCC has extended the date for
compliance with some of these requirements until June 30, 2000 and other
requirements by June 2001. The Company has ordered the switch upgrades
necessary to meet the surveillance requirements and anticipates that
approximately half of its switches will meet the requirements by the June 30,
2000 FCC compliance date. The Company intends to file a request for a waiver
with the FCC to extend the due date for the remaining switches. The Company
does not anticipate any difficulty in obtaining the extension of time for
compliance. There is no assurance, however, that the extension will be
granted. The FCC may impose substantial monetary penalties for non-compliance.
State Regulation. The Company has acquired all state government authority
needed to conduct its business as currently contemplated. Most state public
service commissions require carriers that wish to provide local and other
jurisdictionally intrastate common carrier services to be authorized to
provide such services. The Company's operating subsidiaries and affiliates are
authorized as common carriers in 12 states. These certifications cover the
provision of switched services including local basic exchange service, point-
to-point private line, competitive access services and long distance services.
Local Government Authorizations. The Company may be required to obtain from
municipal authorities street opening and construction permits and other
rights-of-way to install and expand its networks in certain cities. In some
cities, the Company's affiliates or subcontractors may already possess the
requisite authorizations to construct or expand the Company's networks. Any
increase in the difficulty or cost of obtaining these authorizations and
permits could adversely affect the Company, particularly where it must compete
with companies that already have the necessary permits.
In some of the metropolitan areas where the Company provides network
services, the Company pays license or franchise fees based on a percent of
gross revenue. There can be no assurance that municipalities that do not
currently impose fees will not seek to impose fees in the future, nor is there
any assurance that, following the expiration of existing franchises, fees will
remain at their current levels. Under the 1996 Act, municipalities are
required to impose such fees on a competitively neutral and nondiscriminatory
basis. However, municipalities that currently favor the ILECs may or may not
conform their practices in a timely manner or without legal
21
challenges by the Company or another CAP or CLEC. Moreover, there can be no
assurance that ILECs with whom the Company competes will not be excluded from
such local franchise fee requirements by previously-enacted legislation
allowing them to utilize rights-of-way throughout their states without being
required to pay franchise fees to local governments.
If any of the Company's existing franchise or license agreements for a
particular metropolitan area were terminated prior to its expiration date and
the Company were forced to remove its fiber optic cables from the streets or
abandon its network in place, even with compensation, such termination could
have a material adverse effect on the Company's operation in that metropolitan
area and could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company is party to various regulatory and administrative proceedings,
however, subject to the discussion above, the Company does not believe that
any such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on its business.
Company Name
The Company's use of the "Time Warner" name is subject to a license
agreement with Time Warner. The Company may change its name to "TW Telecom
Inc." and the Company will no longer have the right to use the "Time Warner"
name upon expiration of the initial term in July 2002 or any renewal term of
such agreement. The Company is also required to discontinue use of the "Time
Warner" name upon:
. Time Warner's owning less than 30% of the Company's common stock;
. Time Warner having the right to nominate less than 3 nominees to the
Board of Directors of the Company;
. the Company's non-compliance with the restrictions in the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation regarding Residential Services and Content
Services; or
. the transfer by a Class B Stockholder of its Class B common stock
together with its rights to designate nominees to the Board of Directors
under the Stockholders Agreement (however, this would not apply to a
conversion of Class B common stock to Class A common stock).
Such name change, and the inability to use the "Time Warner" name could
have an adverse effect on the Company's ability to conduct its business and on
its financial condition and results of operations.
Employees
As of December 31, 1999, the Company employed approximately 1,259
employees. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are
good. By succession, the New York City operating entity is a party to a
collective bargaining agreement. In connection with the construction and
maintenance of its networks and the conduct of its other business operations,
the Company uses third party contractors, some of whose employees may be
represented by unions or collective bargaining agreements. The Company
believes that its success will depend in part on its ability to attract and
retain highly qualified employees and maintain good working relations with its
current employees.
Item 2. Properties
The Company leases network hub sites and other facility locations and sales
and administrative offices, many of which from TW Cable, in each of the cities
in which it operates networks. During 1999, 1998 and 1997, rental expense for
the Company's facilities and offices totaled approximately $6.6 million, $4.8
million and $4.7 million, respectively. The Company owns no material real
estate. Management believes that its properties, taken as a whole, are in good
operating condition and are suitable and adequate for the Company's business
operations. The Company currently leases approximately 83,107 square feet of
space in Littleton, Colorado, where its corporate headquarters are located and
approximately 130,000 square feet of space in Greenwood Village, Colorado,
where the NOC and other administrative functions are located.
22
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
Southwestern Bell Telephone Company v. Public Utility Commission of Texas et
al.
The Company filed a complaint with the Texas Public Utility Commission
("PUC") in October 1997 as a result of Southwestern Bell Telephone's ("SWBT")
refusal to pay the Company reciprocal compensation under the Interconnection
Agreement between the parties for calls terminated to the Company's ISP
customers in Texas based on SWBT's contention that such traffic was not
"local". The PUC ruled that calls to ISPs are local and required SWBT to
compensate the Company for those calls under the Interconnection Agreement.
SWBT then sought to enjoin and stay the PUC's order in Federal District Court
for the Western District of Texas and sought a declaration that calls to ISPs
are not local. On April 16, 1998, the District Court denied all relief sought
by SWBT and SWBT appealed that decision. SWBT's appeal to the Fifth Circuit
Court of Appeals is still pending. Following the PUC's order, SWBT began to
make reciprocal compensation payments for ISP traffic under the
Interconnection Agreement. If SWBT prevails upon appeal, the Company may be
required to repay the amounts received from SWBT since April 1997 in respect
of ISP traffic with interest.
Southwestern Bell v. Time Warner Telecom
On December 17, 1999, SWBT filed a Demand for Commercial Arbitration under
the Interconnection Agreement between the Company and SWBT. SWBT alleged that
the Company breached the Agreement by refusing to amend the Agreement to
replace the reciprocal compensation rates stated in the contract with lower
rates established by the PUC in a consolidated arbitration with AT&T, MCI and
MFS Communications. The Company has filed a response contending that the PUC
is the only proper forum for resolution of disputes under the Interconnection
Agreement. If SWBT is successful in this proceeding, the Company may be
required to refund to SWBT the difference between the contract rate and the
lower rate advocated by SWBT for minutes of use terminated to the Company
since April 1998, net of offsetting credits to the Company for traffic
terminated to SWBT during the same period.
Indiana Bell Telephone Company, Inc. d/b/a Ameritech Indiana v. Time Warner
Communications of Indiana, L.P., et al.
The Company filed a complaint with the Indiana Utility Regulatory
Commission ("IURC") in January 1998 as a result of Ameritech Indiana's refusal
to pay the Company reciprocal compensation under the Interconnection Agreement
between the parties for calls terminated to the Company's ISP customers in
Indiana based on Ameritech Indiana's contention that such traffic was not
"local". The IURC ruled that calls to ISPs are local and required Ameritech
Indiana to compensate the Company for those calls under the Interconnection
Agreement. Ameritech Indiana then appealed the ruling to the Indiana Court of
Appeals and sought injunctive relief and to stay the IURC's order in the
Federal District Court for the Southern District of Indiana and sought a
declaration that calls to ISPs are not local. Ameritech Indiana's appeal to
the Indiana Court of Appeals has been stayed pending resolution by the Federal
District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, and the procedural
schedule for resolving the District Court action is on hold until the Seventh
Circuit Court of Appeals resolves a similar action involving different
companies. Following IURC's order, Ameritech Indiana began to make reciprocal
compensation payments for ISP traffic under the Interconnection Agreement. If
Ameritech Indiana prevails upon appeal, the Company may be required to repay
the amounts received from Ameritech Indiana in respect of ISP traffic without
interest.
Ohio Bell Telephone Company d/b/a/ Ameritech Ohio v. ICG Telecom Group, Inc.,
et al.
The Company filed a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio
("PUCO") on February 18, 1998 as a result of Ameritech Ohio's refusal to pay
the Company reciprocal compensation under the Interconnection Agreement
between the parties for calls terminated to the Company's ISP customers in
Ohio based on Ameritech Ohio's contention that such traffic was not "local."
The PUCO ruled that calls to ISPs are local and required Ameritech Ohio to
compensate the Company for those calls under the Interconnection
23
Agreement. Ameritech Ohio has appealed the ruling to the United States
District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Eastern Division, seeking a
declaration that calls to ISPs are not local and not subject to the payment of
reciprocal compensation under the parties' Interconnection Agreement. If
Ameritech Ohio prevails upon appeal, the Company may be required to repay the
amounts received from Ameritech Ohio in respect of ISP traffic without
interest.
Wisconsin Bell, Inc. d/b/a Ameritech Wisconsin v. TCG Milwaukee, Inc., et al.
The Company filed a complaint with the Public Service Commission of
Wisconsin (the "PSCW") on December 2, 1997, as a result of Ameritech
Wisconsin's refusal to pay the Company reciprocal compensation under the
Interconnection Agreement between the parties for calls terminated to the
Company's ISP customers in Wisconsin based on Ameritech Wisconsin's contention
that such traffic was not "local." The PSCW ruled that calls to ISPs are local
and required Ameritech Wisconsin to compensate the Company for calls under the
Interconnection Agreement. Ameritech Wisconsin appealed the PSCW ruling to the
United States District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin, seeking a
declaration that calls to ISPs are not local and not subject to the payment of
reciprocal compensation under the parties' Interconnection Agreement. The
District Court dismissed Ameritech Wisconsin's appeal on July 12, 1999, for
lack of subject matter jurisdiction based upon the Eleventh Amendment immunity
of the PSCW. Ameritech Wisconsin appealed the decision of the District Court
to the United States Court of Appeals for the Seventh Circuit on July 16,
1999. The Seventh Circuit appeal has been briefed and argued and is awaiting
decision. If Ameritech Wisconsin prevails on the Seventh Circuit appeal, the
case would be remanded to the District Court for a decision concerning
Ameritech Wisconsin's appeal of the PSCW ruling. If Ameritech Wisconsin
prevails on the remand before the District Court and prevails upon a further
appeal before the Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals, the Company may be
required to repay the amounts received from Ameritech Wisconsin in respect of
ISP traffic without interest.
The Company is a party to various other claims and legal and regulatory
proceedings arising in the ordinary course of business. The Company does not
believe that such claims or proceedings, individually or in the aggregate,
will have a material adverse effect on the Company's business, financial
condition or results of operations.
24
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the quarter
ended December 31, 1999.
Executive Officers of the Registrant
Name and Age Background
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Larissa L. Herda (41) President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
since June 1998;
Senior Vice President--Sales of the Company from March
1997 to June 1998;
Employed by MFS Telecom, Inc., a competitive local
exchange carrier, from 1989-1997, most recently as a
Regional Vice President and General Manager for the
Southeast Region.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
David J. Rayner (42) Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since June 1998;
Vice President, Finance of the Company from February 1997
to May 1998;
Controller of the Company from May 1994 to February 1997;
Financial and operational management positions at Time
Warner Cable from 1982 to 1994.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paul B. Jones (53) Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Regulatory
Policy of the Company since August 1998;
Senior Vice President, Legal and Regulatory Policy of the
Company from October 1993 to August 1998;
Senior Vice President, Corporate Development of TW Cable
Ventures from 1992-1993;
Senior Vice President and General Counsel of TW Cable
from 1987 to 1992;
Vice President, Strategy and Development of CBS
Publishing Group from 1985 to 1986;
Assistant General Counsel for the FCC from 1977 to 1979.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
John T. Blount (40) Senior Vice President--Sales of the Company since June
1998;
Regional Vice President for the Midwest and Southwest
Regions of the Company from January 1997 to June 1998;
Vice President and General Manager/Milwaukee of the
Company from January 1996 to January 1997;
General Manager/Milwaukee of the Company from February
1995 to January 1996;
Employed by U S WEST !nterprise from 1988 to February
1995.
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Michael Rouleau (41) Senior Vice President, Marketing of the Company since
November 1999;
Vice President, Marketing and Product Development of
Transport Service of U S WEST, Inc. from August 1997 to
November 1999;
Executive Director, Marketing and Product Development of
U S WEST Communications from June 1996 to August 1997.
25
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A. Graham Powers (53) Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer of the
Company since April 1998;
Senior Vice President, Engineering and Technology of the
Company from June 1996 to March 1998;
Senior Vice President, Operations Development and
Business Implementation of the Company from August 1993
to May 1996;
President of Telecommunications Strategy Inc., a
technology consulting service, from May 1992 to July
1993.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Raymond H. Whinery (45) Senior Vice President, Engineering, Technology and
Operations of the Company since April 1999;
Senior Vice President, Technical Operations of the
Company from January 1997 to April 1999;
Senior Director of Engineering and Planning of the
Company from May 1994 to January 1997;
Employed by U S WEST, Inc. from 1978 to May 1994.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Julie A. Rich (46) Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Business
Administration of the Company since April 1999;
Vice President, Human Resources and Business
Administration of the Company from March 1998 to April
1999;
Owner of an independent human resources consulting
practice from June 1996 to February 1998;
Founder of XEL Communications, Inc., a telecommunications
manufacturer, holding positions of Director and Vice
President of Human Resources from 1984 to 1996.
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
26
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Market Information
The Company's Class A common stock has traded on The Nasdaq National Market
under the symbol "TWTC" since May 12, 1999. The following table sets forth the
high and low sale prices for the Class A common stock for the period from May
12, 1999 to June 30, 1999 and the third and fourth quarters of 1999 as
reported by the Nasdaq National Market:
Period High Low
------ ------- -------
May 12--June 30, 1999...................................... $29.250 $19.938
Third Quarter 1999......................................... 32.875 19.875
Fourth Quarter 1999........................................ 51.625 20.875
Dividends
The Company has never paid or declared any dividends and does not
anticipate paying any dividends in the foreseeable future. The decision
whether to pay dividends will be made by the Company's Board of Directors in
light of conditions then existing, including the Company's results of
operations, financial condition and requirements, business conditions,
covenants under loan agreements and other contractual arrangements, and other
factors. In addition, the indenture for the Senior Notes contains covenants
that effectively prevent the Company from paying dividends on the common stock
for the foreseeable future.
Number of Stockholders
As of February 29, 2000, there were 133 holders of record of the Company's
Class A common stock and 8 holders of record of the Class B common stock. The
Company believes that there are in excess of 16,900 beneficial owners of the
Company's Class A common stock in addition to the record owners.
During the past three years, except as set forth in its quarterly reports
on Forms 10-Q, the Company has not sold any securities without registration
under the Securities Act.
Pursuant to a registration statement on Form S-1 effective May 11, 1999,
Registration No. 333-49439, the Company commenced an initial public offering
of 20,700,000 shares of its Class A common stock at an aggregate price of $14
per share. The managing underwriters were Morgan Stanley & Co., Incorporated,
Lehman Brothers Inc., and Bear, Stearns & Co., Inc. The IPO closed on May 14,
1999, and 20,700,000 shares were sold at an aggregate price of $289.8 million.
The net proceeds of the IPO were approximately $270.2 million after
underwriters' discounts of $18.8 million and expenses of approximately $0.8
million (including expenses paid to the underwriters). Of the net proceeds,
the Company used approximately $180.0 million to repay subordinated
indebtedness to the Former Parent Companies. The Company also utilized $15.7
million to repay assumed debt from acquisitions. The balance of the proceeds
was invested in short-term marketable securities and has subsequently been
utilized to fund capital expenditures.
27
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
Selected Consolidated and Combined Financial and Other Operating Data
The following table is derived in part from the audited consolidated and
combined financial statements of the Company. The financial statements of the
Company for all periods prior to the Reorganization that occurred on July 14,
1998 reflect the "carved out" historical financial position, results of
operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the commercial
telecommunications operations of predecessors of the Company, as if they had
been operating as a separate company. This information should be read in
conjunction with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations" and the audited consolidated and combined financial
statements and the notes thereto.
Years Ended December 31,
-------------------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997 1996 1995
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
(in thousands, except per share and operating
data amounts)
Statements of Operations
Data:
Revenue:
Dedicated transport
services.............. $ 152,468 84,024 44,529 20,362 6,505
Switched services(1)... 116,285 37,848 10,872 3,555 350
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Total revenue........ 268,753 121,872 55,401 23,917 6,855
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Costs and expenses(2):
Operating.............. 117,567 67,153 40,349 25,715 15,106
Selling, general and
administrative........ 113,389 77,401 54,640 60,366 34,222
Depreciation and
amortization.......... 68,785 50,717 38,466 22,353 7,216
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Total costs and
expenses............ 299,741 195,271 133,455 108,434 56,544
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Operating loss.......... (30,988) (73,399) (78,054) (84,517) (49,689)
Interest expense, net
and other(2)........... (28,473) (19,340) 7,398 (1,599) (1,416)
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Net loss before income
taxes.................. (59,461) (92,739) (70,656) (86,116) (51,105)
Income tax expense(3)... 29,804 -- -- -- --
---------- --------- --------- -------- --------
Net loss................ $ (89,265) (92,739) (70,656) (86,116) (51,105)
========== ========= ========= ======== ========
Basic and diluted loss
per common share....... $ ( 0.93) (1.14) (0.87) (1.06) (0.63)
========== ========= ========= ======== ========
Other Operating Data:
EBITDA(1)(4)............ $ 37,797 (22,682) (39,588) (62,164) (42,473)
EBITDA Margin(1)(5)..... 14% (19)% (72)% (260)% (620)%
Net cash provided by
(used in) operating
activities............. 54,235 (343) (29,419) (52,274) (35,605)
Capital expenditures.... 221,224 126,023 127,315 144,815 141,479
Operating Data(6):
Operating Networks...... 21 19 19 18 15
Route miles............. 8,872 6,968 5,913 5,010 3,207
Fiber miles............. 332,263 272,390 233,488 198,490 116,286
Voice grade equivalent
circuits............... 5,331,000 2,953,454 1,702,431 687,001 158,572
Digital telephone
switches............... 19 16 14 2 1
Employees............... 1,259 919 714 673 508
Access lines............ 192,369 78,036 16,078 2,793 493
Balance Sheet Data:
Cash and cash
equivalents............ $ 90,586 105,140 -- -- --
Marketable securities... 173,985 250,857 -- -- --
Property, plant and
equipment, net......... 677,106 494,158 415,158 323,161 199,005
Total assets............ 1,043,012 904,344 438,077 341,480 214,963
Long-term debt and
capital lease
obligations(6)......... 403,627 574,940 75,475 -- --
Total stockholders'
equity................. $ 422,916 207,651 300,390 294,937 179,589
- --------
(1) Includes the recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of
reciprocal compensation in the fourth quarter of 1999.
28
(2) Includes expenses resulting from transactions with affiliates of $20.0
million, $27.7 million, $17.1 million, $12.4 million and $6.5 million in
1999, 1998, 1997, 1996 and 1995, respectively. See note 6 to the Company's
financial statements appearing elsewhere in this report for an explanation
of these expenses.
(3) During 1999, the Company recorded a non-recurring $39.4 million charge to
earnings to record a net deferred tax liability associated with the
Reconstitution. This change occurred immediately prior to the Company's
IPO. Since the Reconstitution, the Company has recorded a deferred income
tax benefit aggregating $9.6 million, which is primarily due to a decrease
in the net deferred tax liability.
(4) "EBITDA" is defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and
amortization expense. It does not include charges for interest expense or
provision for income taxes. Accordingly, EBITDA is not intended to replace
operating income, net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of
financial performance and liquidity reported in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. Rather, EBITDA is a measure of operating
performance and liquidity that investors may consider in addition to such
measures. Management believes that EBITDA is a standard measure of
operating performance and liquidity that is commonly reported and widely
used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the
telecommunications industry because it eliminates many differences in
financial, capitalization and tax structures, as well as non-operating
one-time charges to earnings. EBITDA is used internally by the Company's
management to assess on-going operations and is a component of a covenant
of the Senior Notes that limits the Company's ability to incur certain
additional future indebtedness. However, EBITDA as used in this report may
not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies
due to differences in accounting policies.
(5) EBITDA Margin represents EBITDA as a percentage of revenue.
(6) Includes all managed properties including unconsolidated affiliates
(MetroComm AxS, L.P. in Columbus, Ohio and the Albany and Binghamton, New
York networks). Albany and Binghamton were wholly owned at December 31,
1997 and MetroComm AxS, L.P. was wholly owned at December 31, 1999.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations
The Securities and Exchange Commission encourages companies to disclose
forward-looking information so that investors can better understand a
company's future prospects and make informed investment decisions. This
document, together with management's public commentary related thereto,
contains such "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, particularly statements anticipating
future growth in revenue, EBITDA and cash flow. Words such as "anticipate,"
"estimate," "expects," "projects," "intends," "plans," "believes," "target"
and words and terms of similar substance used in connection with any
discussion of future operating or financial performance identify such forward-
looking statements. Those forward-looking statements are management's present
expectation of future events. As with any projection or forecast, they are
inherently susceptible to changes in circumstances, and the Company is under
no obligation to (and expressly disclaims any such obligation to) update or
alter its forward-looking statements despite such changes. The following
discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with the Company's
financial statements, including the notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this
report.
Overview
The Company is a leading fiber facilities-based integrated communications
provider offering local businesses "last-mile" broadband connections for data,
high-speed Internet access, local voice and long distance services. The
Company serves customers in 21 metropolitan markets in the United States. The
markets include: Austin, Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, Texas; Charlotte,
Greensboro and Raleigh, North Carolina; Albany, Binghamton, New York City and
Rochester, New York; Northern New Jersey; Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio;
Memphis, Tennessee; Orlando and Tampa, Florida; Indianapolis, Indiana;
Milwaukee, Wisconsin; San Diego, California and Honolulu, Hawaii. The Company
plans to enter Los Angeles/Orange County, California; Fayetteville, North
Carolina and Dayton, Ohio during 2000.
29
The Company began its business in 1993 by providing telephony services
through cable systems owned by TWE, TWE-A/N and Time Warner. The Company's
original business was to provide certain telephony services together with
cable television. In January 1997, the Company put in place a new management
team that implemented a business strategy focused exclusively on serving
business customers, rapidly providing switched services in the Company's
service areas and expanding the range of business telephony services offered
by the Company.
On July 14, 1998, TWT LLC succeeded to the ownership of the Company's
business. At that time, the Class B Stockholders formed TWT LLC to acquire the
assets and liabilities of the Company's business from the Former Parent
Companies and to conduct the offering of the Senior Notes. In the transaction,
referred to as the "Reorganization," the Class B Stockholders (either directly
or through subsidiaries) became the owners of all the limited liability
company interests in TWT LLC.
On May 10, 1999, in preparation for the Company's IPO, TWT LLC was
reconstituted as a Delaware corporation under the name Time Warner Telecom
Inc. by merging into a newly formed Delaware corporation. As part of the
merger, the outstanding Class A limited company interests were converted into
Class A common stock and the Class B Stockholders exchanged their interests in
TWT LLC for Class B common stock of the newly formed corporation, Time Warner
Telecom Inc. Prior to the Reconstitution, the only outstanding Class A
interests were those hold by the former shareholders of Inc.Net, which the
Company acquired in April 1999. The Company accounted for the Reorganization
and the Reconstitution at each of the Class B Stockholders' historical cost
basis and, except as noted below, the Reorganization and the Reconstitution
had no effect on the Company's total stockholders' equity, which has been
presented on a consistent basis.
The primary change to the Company's operating structure since the
Reconstitution is that the management of the Company became accountable to the
Board of Directors, instead of to the management committee of TWT LLC. In
addition, all future net operating loss carryforwards from the date of the
Reconstitution can be utilized against future earnings of the Company as a
result of the change in the Company's operating and legal structure from a
limited liability company to a corporation. Prior to the Reconstitution, all
net operating losses were allocated to and utilized primarily by the Class B
Stockholders. The Company has not been, and will not be compensated for such
net operating losses utilized by the Class B Stockholders. As a result of the
Reconstitution, which occurred during the second quarter of 1999, the Company
recorded a non-recurring charge to earnings for a net deferred tax liability
of approximately $39.4 million.
On May 14, 1999, in conjunction with the Reconstitution, the Company
completed an IPO of 20,700,000 shares of Class A common stock at a price of
$14 per share. The IPO generated approximately $270.2 million in proceeds for
the Company, net of underwriting discounts and expenses. A portion of the
proceeds of the IPO was used to repay $180 million of loans from the Former
Parent Companies that were generated from the financing requirements of the
Company from July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, which had remained
outstanding, accruing interest, through May 14, 1999. The proceeds of the IPO
remaining after repayment of such loans were used to repay assumed debt from
acquisitions and to fund capital expenditures.
As a result of the IPO, the Company has two classes of common stock
outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. In general,
holders of Class A common stock have one vote per share and holders of Class B
common stock have ten votes per share. Each share of Class B common stock is
convertible, at the option of the holder, into one share of Class A common
stock. Holders of Class A common stock and Class B common stock generally vote
together as a single class. However, some matters require the approval of 100%
of the holders of the Class B common stock voting separately as a class, and
some matters require the approval of a majority of the holders of the Class A
common stock, voting separately as a class. Upon completion of the IPO, the
Class B Stockholders owned all of the 81,250,000 shares of outstanding Class B
common stock. Subsequent to the IPO, 35,715 shares of Class B common stock
were converted into Class A common stock. As of December 31, 1999, the Class B
Stockholders had approximately 97.2% of the combined voting power of the
outstanding common stock.
30
In connection with the Reconstitution, the Company assumed the obligations
under the former Time Warner Telecom LLC 1998 Option Plan, amended such plan,
and renamed it the Time Warner Telecom 1998 Stock Option Plan (the "1998
Option Plan"). The 1998 Option Plan provides for the granting of stock options
to purchase shares of Class A common stock to directors and current or
prospective employees of, and consultants or other individuals providing
services to, the Company and its subsidiaries. As of December 31, 1999,
options for approximately 8.2 million shares were outstanding.
Acquisitions
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of Inc.Net, an ISP, for consideration consisting of
$3.8 million of Class A limited liability interests in TWT LLC, the Company's
predecessor, approximately $3.5 million in net cash and the assumption of $1.9
million in liabilities. At the time of the IPO, such Class A limited liability
interests were converted into 307,550 shares of Class A common stock of the
Company. The Class A common stock of the Company into which the limited
liability interests were converted will be held in escrow to be released to
the former Inc.Net's shareholders over a period of three years. Through the
acquisition of this subsidiary, the Company manages current and future data
networks and provides new Internet products.
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of MetroComm, Inc. ("MetroComm") through the issuance
of 2,190,308 shares of Class A common stock of the Company valued at $24.1
million, and the assumption of $20.1 million in liabilities. Through the
acquisition of MetroComm, the Company acquired the 50% interest of MetroComm
AxS, L.P., a CLEC in Columbus, Ohio, not already owned by the Company.
31
Results of Operations
The following table sets forth certain consolidated and combined statements
of operations data of the Company, in thousands of dollars and expressed as a
percentage of total revenue, for each of the periods presented. This table
should be read together with the Company's financial statements, including the
notes thereto, appearing elsewhere in this report:
Years Ended December 31,
-----------------------------------------------
1999 1998 1997
-------------- ------------- --------------
(amounts in thousands, except per share
amounts)
Statements of Operations
Data:
Revenue:
Dedicated transport
services................... $ 152,468 57 % 84,024 69 % 44,529 80%
Switched services(1)........ 116,285 43 37,848 31 10,872 20
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Total revenue............... 268,753 100 121,872 100 55,401 100
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Costs and expenses(2):
Operating................... 117,567 44 67,153 55 40,349 73
Selling, general and
administrative............. 113,389 42 77,401 63 54,640 99
Depreciation and
amortization............... 68,785 25 50,717 42 38,466 69
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Total costs and expenses.... 299,741 111 195,271 160 133,455 241
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Operating loss............... (30,988) (11) (73,399) (60) (78,054) (141)
Interest expense(2).......... (45,264) (17) (29,198) (24) (1,538) (3)
Interest income.............. 16,589 6 9,731 8 -- --
Equity in income (losses) of
unconsolidated affiliate.... 202 -- 127 -- (2,082) (4)
Gain on dispostion of
investments(3).............. -- -- -- -- 11,018 20
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Net loss before income
taxes....................... (59,461) (22) (92,739) (76) (70,656) (128)
Income tax expense(4)........ 29,804 11 -- -- -- --
--------- --- -------- --- -------- ----
Net loss..................... $ (89,265) (33)% (92,739) (76)% (70,656) (128)%
========= === ======== === ======== ====
Basic and diluted loss per
common share................ $ (0.93) (1.14) (0.87)
Basic and diluted loss per
common share before income
taxes(4).................... $ (0.62) (1.14) (0.87)
Average common shares
outstanding................. 95,898 81,250 81,250
EBITDA(1)(5)................. $ 37,797 14 % (22,682) (19)% (39,588) (71)%
Net cash provided by (used
in) operating activities.... 54,235 (343) (29,419)
Net cash used in investing
activities.................. (146,917) (378,083) (120,621)
Net cash provided by
financing activities........ 78,128 483,566 150,040
- --------
(1) Includes the recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of
reciprocal compensation in the fourth quarter of 1999.
(2) Includes expenses resulting from transactions with affiliates of $20.0
million, $27.7 million and $17.1 million in 1999, 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
(3) In 1997, the Company completed a series of transactions related to its
interests in the Hyperion Partnerships, a group of unconsolidated
telecommunication partnerships serving the New York area, whereby it sold
its interests in the partnerships serving the Buffalo and Syracuse markets
in exchange for approximately $7.0 million of cash and all of the minority
interests in the partnerships serving the Albany and Binghamton markets
that were not already owned by the Company. In connection with these
transactions, the Company recognized a gain of approximately $11.0
million.
(4) A non-recurring charge to earnings of $39.4 million was recorded in 1999
to reflect the initial net deferred tax liability associated with the
change from a limited liability company to a corporation. Income tax
32
expense for 1999 reflects the $39.4 million charge, net of a $9.6 million
deferred income tax benefit, resulting in net income tax expense of
approximately $29.8 million.
(5) "EBITDA" is defined as operating income (loss) before depreciation and
amortization expense. It does not include charges for interest expense or
provision for income taxes. Accordingly, EBITDA is not intended to replace
operating income, net income (loss), cash flow and other measures of
financial performance and liquidity reported in accordance with generally
accepted accounting principles. Rather, EBITDA is a measure of operating
performance and liquidity that investors may consider in addition to such
measures. Management believes that EBITDA is a standard measure of
operating performance and liquidity that is commonly reported and widely
used by analysts, investors and other interested parties in the
telecommunications industry because it eliminates many differences in
financial, capitalization, and tax structures, as well as non-operating
one-time charges to earnings. EBITDA is used internally by the Company's
management to assess ongoing operations and is a component of a covenant
of the Senior Notes that limits the Company's ability to incur certain
additional future indebtedness. However, EBITDA as used in this report may
not be comparable to similarly titled measures reported by other companies
due to differences in accounting policies.
General
The Company's revenue has been derived primarily from business telephony
services, including dedicated transport, local switched, long distance, data
and high-speed Internet access services. The Company's customers are
principally telecommunications-intensive business end-users, IXCs, ISPs,
wireless communications companies and governmental entities. Since its
inception in 1993, the Company has experienced significant growth in revenue
and the geographic scope of its operations. An increasing portion of the
Company's growth in revenue has come from the provision of local switched
services as a result of the 19 digital voice switches deployed as of December
31, 1999. The Company believes that switched services provide the opportunity
for a greater return on invested capital than that expected from dedicated
transport services. The shift of the revenue growth to switched services may
cause the Company's revenue to become less predictable since a portion of such
services are billed to customers on a usage basis. Dedicated transport
customers are typically billed a flat monthly rate which produces a less
variable stream of revenue for the Company. Furthermore, it is expected that
the growth in the switched service offerings, as well as data and Internet
services, will expand the Company's customer base to customers that are
generally smaller than those who purchase dedicated transport services. Key to
the Company's strategy is leveraging its existing fiber optic networks by
adding additional services such as data and Internet and an integrated product
for smaller customers. The Company expects to experience a higher churn rate
for these customers than it has traditionally experienced with dedicated
transport services. The Company intends to minimize churn in services to
smaller customers by offering such service under minimum one-year contracts.
Reciprocal compensation revenue is an element of switched services revenue,
which represents compensation from LECs for local exchange traffic terminated
on the Company's facilities originated by other LECs. Reciprocal compensation
is based on contracts between the Company and LECs. The Company recognizes
reciprocal compensation revenue as it is earned, except in such cases where
the revenue is under dispute. Under several of its contracts, the LECs have
disputed the payment of reciprocal compensation for traffic terminating to ISP
customers contending that such traffic was not local. As a result, the Company
has filed complaints with various public utility commissions ("PUCs")
contending that the ISP traffic is local. Various of these state PUCs have
ruled in favor of the Company, but all of these favorable decisions have
subsequently been appealed by the LECs. While the Company believes that these
disputes will ultimately be resolved in its favor, the Company only recognizes
revenue on a portion of the cash received and defers recognition of a
significant portion of this revenue pending outcome of the dispute. As of
December 31, 1999, the Company has deferred recognition of $32.8 million in
reciprocal compensation revenue for payments received associated with these
disputes. 1999 switched services revenue includes the recognition of a non-
recurring $7.6 million settlement of reciprocal compensation. The Company pays
reciprocal compensation expense to the other LECs for local exchange traffic
it terminates on the LECs facilities. These costs are recognized as incurred.
33
The Company benefits from its strategic relationship with TW Cable both
through access to local right-of-way and construction cost-sharing. The
Company's networks have been constructed primarily through the use of fiber
capacity licensed from TW Cable. As of December 31, 1999, the Company operated
networks in 21 metropolitan areas that spanned 8,872 route miles, contained
332,263 fiber miles and offered service to 5,566 buildings.
The Company plans to continue expanding its revenue base by fully utilizing
available network capacity in its existing markets, by adding networks in new
markets and by continuing to develop and selectively tailor new services in
competitively-priced packages to meet the needs of its medium- and large-sized
business customers. The Company intends to expand its product offerings on a
continuous basis to achieve a diverse revenue base. As part of that process,
the Company is targeting the expansion of data and Internet products that can
be offered on the Company's existing network.
Operating expenses consist of costs directly related to the operation and
maintenance of the networks and the provision of the Company's services. This
includes the salaries and related expenses of operations and engineering
personnel, as well as costs incurred from the ILECs, other competitors and
long distance providers for facility leases and interconnection. These costs
have increased over time as the Company has increased its operations and
revenue. The Company expects such costs to continue to increase as the
Company's revenue growth continues, but generally at a slower rate than
revenue growth.
Selling, general and administrative expenses consist of salaries and
related costs for employees other than those involved in operations and
engineering. Such expenses include costs related to sales and marketing,
information technology, billing, regulatory and legal costs. These costs have
increased over time as the Company has increased its operations and revenue.
The Company expects these costs to continue to increase as the Company's
revenue growth continues, but generally at a slower rate than revenue growth.
In the normal course of business, the Company engages in various
transactions with TW Cable, generally on negotiated terms among the affected
units that, in management's view, result in reasonable allocations. In
connection with the Reorganization, the Company entered into several contracts
with the Former Parent Companies with respect to certain of such transactions.
The Company's selling, general and administrative expenses include charges
allocated from TW Cable for office rent and overhead charges for various
administrative functions they perform for the Company. These charges are
required to reflect all costs of doing business and are based on various
methods, which management believes result in reasonable allocations of such
costs that are necessary to present the Company's operations as if they are
operated on a stand alone basis. In addition, the Company licenses the right
to use the majority of its fiber optic cable capacity from TW Cable through
prepaid right-to-use agreements and reimburses TW Cable for facility
maintenance and pole rental costs. Such maintenance and pole rental costs are
included in the Company's operating expenses.
Year Ended December 31, 1999 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1998
Revenue. Revenue increased $146.9 million, or 121%, to $268.8 million for
1999, from $121.9 million for 1998. This increase in revenue is primarily
because of increased customers, increased revenue from existing customers, a
broader array of products offered and acquisitions. Revenue from the provision
of dedicated transport services increased $68.4 million or 81%, to $152.5
million for 1999, from $84.0 million for 1998. Switched service revenue
increased $78.4 million, or 207%, to $116.3 million for 1999, from $37.8
million for 1998. Exclusive of the effects of acquisitions and the effects of
the recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of reciprocal
compensation in the fourth quarter of 1999, dedicated transport service and
switched service revenue increased 73% and 182%, respectively. The increase in
revenue from dedicated transport services primarily reflects a 54% increase in
average dedicated transport customers and a broader array of products and
services offered in existing markets. The increase in switched service revenue
reflects a 136% increase in average switched service customers, and an
increase in revenue from switched access services, reciprocal compensation and
a broader array of products and services offered in existing markets.
Reciprocal compensation, the mutual
34
charges by local carriers for recovery of costs associated with the
termination of traffic on each other's networks, represented 7% and 8% of
total revenue for 1999 and 1998, respectively, excluding the effects of the
recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of reciprocal
compensation in the fourth quarter of 1999. At December 31, 1999, the Company
offered dedicated transport services in 21 metropolitan areas, 20 of which
also offered switched services. At December 31, 1998, the Company offered
dedicated transport services in 19 metropolitan areas, 16 of which also
offered switched services.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased $50.4 million, or 75%, to
$117.6 million for 1999, from $67.2 million for 1998. Exclusive of the effects
of acquisitions, such expenses increased 67%. The increase in operating
expenses was primarily attributable to the Company's expansion of its
business, principally switched services, the ongoing development of existing
markets resulting in higher LEC charges for circuit leases and
interconnection, and higher technical personnel costs. As a percentage of
revenue, operating expenses decreased to 44% for 1999 from 55% for 1998.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $36.0 million, or 46%, to $113.4 million for
1999, from $77.4 million for 1998. Exclusive of the effects of acquisitions,
such expenses increased 43%. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses was primarily attributable to an increase in employee
headcount and higher direct sales costs associated with the increase in
revenue, higher data processing costs and an increase in the provision for
doubtful accounts related to the increase in revenue. As a percentage of
revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased to 42% for
1999 from 63% for 1998.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization
expense increased $18.1 million, or 36%, to $68.8 million for 1999, from $50.7
million for 1998. Exclusive of the effects of acquisitions, such expense
increased 28%. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was
primarily attributable to increased capital expenditures and increased
goodwill generated from acquisitions.
EBITDA. EBITDA increased $60.5 million, to $37.8 million, for 1999 from a
loss of $22.7 million for 1998. Exclusive of the effects of acquisitions and
the effects of the recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of
reciprocal compensation in the fourth quarter of 1999, such amount increased
$51.6 million. This improvement was primarily the result of economies of scale
as more revenue was generated in existing markets, increased utilization of
networks and facilities, and a more skilled and productive workforce.
Interest Expense. During the period July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, all
of the Company's financing requirements were funded with loans from the Former
Parent Companies. Such loans remained outstanding, accruing interest, through
May 14, 1999. On July 21, 1998, the Company issued $400 million in Senior
Notes in a public offering. On May 14, 1999, the subordinated loans of
approximately $180 million, including accrued interest, were repaid in full to
the Former Parent Companies from the IPO proceeds. Interest expense relating
to these loans and Senior Notes totaled $45.3 million and $29.2 million for
1999 and 1998, respectively. The increase of $16.1 million is primarily due to
the higher weighted average debt balance during 1999.
Net Loss. Net loss decreased $3.5 million, or 4%, to $89.3 million for
1999, from a net loss of $92.7 million for 1998. The decrease in net loss is
primarily related to improved results from operations, partially offset by an
increase in net interest expense of $9.2 million and income tax expense of
$29.8 million.
Loss per Common Share. The basic and diluted loss per common share was
computed by dividing net loss applicable to common shares by the weighted
average outstanding common shares for the period. Potential common shares were
not included in the computation of weighted average shares outstanding because
their inclusion would be anti-dilutive. The increase in the weighted average
shares outstanding is due to the issuance of Class A common stock for the IPO,
for acquisitions and upon the exercise of stock options. For 1999, the basic
and diluted loss per common share decreased $0.21 per share, or 18%, to
($0.93) per share from ($1.14) per share for 1998.
35
Year Ended December 31, 1998 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 1997
Revenue. Revenue increased $66.5 million, or 120%, to $121.9 million for
1998, from $55.4 million for 1997. Revenue from the provision of dedicated
transport services increased $39.5 million, or 89%, to $84.0 million for 1998,
from $44.5 million for 1997. Switched service revenue increased $27.0 million,
or 248%, to $37.8 million for 1998, from $10.9 million for 1997. The increase
in revenue from dedicated transport services primarily reflects growth of
services and new products offered in existing markets. The increase in
switched services resulted from the offering of services in new markets and
the growth of services in existing markets including reciprocal compensation.
Reciprocal compensation represented 8% and 9% of total revenue for 1998 and
1997, respectively. At December 31, 1998, the Company offered dedicated
transport services in 19 metropolitan areas, 16 of which also offered switched
services, as compared to offering dedicated transport services in 19
metropolitan areas, 14 of which also offered switched services at December 31,
1997. The metropolitan areas do not include MetroComm AxS, L.P., a 50% owned
entity of the Company.
Operating Expenses. Operating expenses increased $26.8 million, or 66%, to
$67.2 million for 1998, from $40.3 million for 1997. The increase in operating
expenses was primarily attributable to the Company's expansion of its
business, principally switched services, the ongoing development of existing
markets resulting in higher LEC charges for circuit leases and
interconnection, higher technical personnel costs, and higher data processing
costs. As a percentage of revenue, operating expenses decreased to 55% in 1998
from 73% for 1997.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and
administrative expenses increased $22.8 million, or 42%, to $77.4 million for
1998, from $54.6 million for 1997. The increase in selling, general and
administrative expenses was primarily attributable to higher direct sales
costs associated with the increase in revenue, higher property taxes, an
increase in consulting expenses relating to local regulatory matters, the
implementation of new billing and system software, and an increase in the
provision for doubtful accounts related to the increase in revenue. As a
percentage of revenue, selling, general and administrative expenses decreased
to 63% for 1998 from 99% for 1997.
Depreciation and Amortization Expense. Depreciation and amortization
expense increased $12.3 million, or 32%, to $50.7 million for 1998, from $38.5
million for 1997. The increase in depreciation and amortization expense was
primarily attributable to higher capital expenditures related to the ongoing
construction and expansion of the Company's telecommunications networks in
both 1998 and 1997. As a percentage of revenue, depreciation and amortization
expenses decreased to 42% for 1998, from 69% for 1997.
EBITDA. The EBITDA loss for 1998 decreased $16.9 million, or 43%, to a loss
of $22.7 million for 1998, from a loss of $39.6 million for 1997. This
improvement was primarily the result of increased revenue due to the Company's
expansion of local telecommunications networks in new and existing markets and
growth of the Company's customer base, partially offset by higher operating
expenses in support of the larger customer base, and higher selling, general
and administrative expenses required to support the expansion.
Interest Expense. During the period July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, all
of the Company's financing requirements were funded with loans from the Former
Parent Companies. On July 21, 1998, the Company issued $400 million in Senior
Notes in a public offering. Interest expense relating to these loans and
Senior Notes totaled $29.2 million and $1.5 million for 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
Net Loss. Net loss increased $22.1 million, or 31%, to $92.7 million for
1998, from a net loss of $70.7 million for 1997. This increase resulted from
higher depreciation and amortization expenses relating to the Company's
expansion of telecommunications networks in new and existing markets, as well
as interest expense relating to the subordinated loans payable to the Former
Parent Companies and the Senior Notes.
36
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Sources and Uses of Funds
Operations. For 1999, the Company's cash provided by operations was $54.2
million, as compared to cash used in operations of $343,000 for 1998. This
increase in cash provided by operations of $54.6 million principally resulted
from an increase in EBITDA of $60.5 million. During the second quarter of
1999, the Company achieved positive EBITDA and expects to continue to generate
positive EBITDA for the foreseeable future. As the Company continues its
expansion plan to enter into new markets, the expenditures incurred, together
with initial operating expenses, will generally result in negative EBITDA and
operating losses from a network until an adequate customer base and revenue
stream for the network have been established. Accordingly, the Company expects
that the network constructed in each new market will generally produce
negative EBITDA for at least two and a half years after operations commence in
each market. Although overall, the Company expects to continue to have
positive EBITDA for the near future as it develops and expands its business,
there can be no assurance that the Company will sustain sufficient positive
EBITDA to meet its working capital requirements and to service its
indebtedness.
Investing. Cash used in investing activities decreased $231.2 million to
$146.9 million in 1999, as compared to $378.1 million in 1998. During 1999, a
portion of the proceeds from maturities of marketable securities were used to
partially fund capital expenditures and working capital requirements. During
1998, the net proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes were primarily
invested in marketable securities.
During 1999, capital expenditures were $221.2 million (net of capital
leases incurred of $3.7 million), an increase of $95.2 million from 1998. The
largest commitment of capital was related to the installation of transport and
switch related electronics to support the increase in sales activity and the
addition of 1,904 route miles of fiber since December 31, 1998. Based on
historic capital requirements for network construction in relation to sales
volumes and network expansion plans, the Company anticipates it will commit
approximately $350 million in 2000 to fund its capital expenditures. This
target spending includes requirements for current operating markets and the
Company's expansion plans.
The facilities-based telecommunications service business is a capital
intensive business. The Company's operations have required and will continue
to require substantial capital investment for: (i) the purchase and
installation of switches, electronics, fiber and other technologies in
existing networks and in additional networks to be constructed in new service
areas; (ii) the acquisition and expansion of networks currently owned and
operated by other companies; and (iii) the evolution of the network to support
new products, services and technologies. The Company's expected capital
expenditures for general corporate and working capital purposes include: (i)
expenditures with respect to the Company's management information system and
corporate service support infrastructure and (ii) operating and administrative
expenses with respect to new networks and debt service. The Company plans to
make substantial capital investments in connection with plans to construct and
develop new networks, as well as for technology upgrades. Expansion of the
Company's networks will include the geographic expansion of the Company's
existing operations, and the Company will consider the development of new
markets. In addition, the Company may acquire existing networks in the future.
The Company, from time to time, evaluates potential acquisitions of, and
joint ventures relating to, networks currently owned and operated by other
companies, including affiliates of the Class B Stockholders, and expects to
continue to do so. In the event the Company enters into a definitive agreement
with respect to any acquisition or joint venture, it may require additional
financing or it may elect to use a portion of the proceeds from the sale of
the Senior Notes not theretofore expended for other purposes, including but
not limited to, capital expenditures and working capital requirements.
While the Company intends to continue to leverage its relationship with TW
Cable in pursuing expansion opportunities, to the extent the Company seeks to
expand into service areas where TW Cable does not conduct cable operations,
the Company may incur significant additional costs in excess of those
historically incurred by
37
the Company when expanding into existing TW Cable service areas. In addition,
TW Cable is not obligated to construct or provide additional fiber optic
capacity in excess of what is already licensed to the Company under the
Capacity License Agreements. Accordingly, if the Company is unable to lease
such additional capacity at the same rates as are currently provided for under
the Capacity License Agreements, the Company may be required to obtain
additional capacity on more expensive terms. See "Operating Agreements with TW
Cable--Capacity License Agreements" in Item 1 above.
The development and expansion of the Company's existing and future networks
and services will require significant capital to fund these capital
expenditures. The Company expects that its future cash requirements will
principally be for funding future growth and capital expenditures. The Company
has appointed Chase Securities Inc. as lead arranger in the syndication of a
$400 million revolving senior secured credit facility for the Company. If the
syndication of the facility is successful, the Company anticipates closing the
financing in the second quarter of 2000. However, there is no assurance that
the financing will be available to the Company or on acceptable terms. The
Company expects that the $264.6 million in cash, cash equivalents and
marketable securities at December 31, 1999, borrowings under the $400 million
credit facility along with internally generated funds, will provide sufficient
funds for the Company to meet its expected capital and liquidity needs to
expand its business as currently planned and pay interest on the Senior Notes.
In the event that the Company's plans or assumptions change or prove to be
inaccurate, or the foregoing sources of funds prove to be insufficient to fund
the Company's growth and operations, or if the Company consummates
acquisitions or joint ventures, the Company may be required to seek additional
capital sooner than currently anticipated. The Company's revenue and costs are
dependent upon factors that are not within the Company's control, such as
regulatory changes, changes in technology and increased competition. Due to
the uncertainty of these and other factors, actual revenue and costs may vary
from expected amounts, possibly to a material degree, and such variations are
likely to affect the level of the Company's future capital expenditures and
expansion plans. Sources of financing may include public or private debt,
equity financing by the Company or its subsidiaries or other financing
arrangements.
Financing. Net cash provided by financing activities for 1999 decreased by
$405.4 million, as compared to 1998. Net cash provided by financing activities
for 1999, reflects the net proceeds from the IPO of $270.2 million, offset by
the repayment of loans from the Former Parent Companies of $180 million, as
well as acquired debt and capital lease obligations. Net cash provided by
financing activities for 1998, reflects proceeds from issuance of the Senior
Notes and loans from the Former Parent Companies.
During the period from July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, all of the
Company's financing requirements were funded with subordinated loans from the
Former Parent Companies. These loans remained outstanding, accruing interest,
through May 14, 1999. The loans from the Former Parent Companies were
subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes, except for a provision
allowing repayment prior to maturity with the net proceeds of any offering of
common stock or equivalent interest of the Company. The $400 million principal
amount in Senior Notes that the Company issued in July 1998 are unsecured,
unsubordinated obligations of the Company. Interest on the Senior Notes is
payable semiannually on January 15 and July 15, beginning on January 15, 1999.
Aggregate annual interest payments on the Senior Notes through 2008 are
expected to be approximately $39 million. The Senior Notes are required to be
repaid on July 15, 2008. On May 14, 1999, approximately $180 million of the
proceeds from the IPO were used to repay the subordinated loans payable to the
Former Parent Companies in full, including accrued interest. The proceeds of
the IPO remaining after repayment of the subordinated loans payable, combined
with the proceeds from the Senior Notes, have been used to continue funding
the Company's continued growth, which includes expansion of the Company's
networks, and for general corporate purposes. The Former Parent Companies are
not under any obligation to make any additional equity investments or loans to
the Company.
The Company intends to continue to evaluate potential acquisitions and
joint ventures. Currently, the Company has no new definitive agreement with
respect to any material acquisition or joint venture, although from time to
time it may discuss and assess opportunities with other companies, including
the Class B Stockholders.
38
Substantial Leverage/Covenants
The Company is highly leveraged. As of December 31, 1999, the Company had
approximately $400 million of consolidated total debt. The degree to which the
Company is leveraged could have a material adverse effect upon the Company,
including: (i) the Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the
future for capital expenditures, acquisitions, joint ventures, working capital
or general corporate or other purposes may be limited; (ii) a substantial
portion of the Company's cash flow from operations will be dedicated to the
payment of the principal of, and interest on, its debt; and (iii) the
Company's substantial leverage may make it more vulnerable to economic
downturns, limit its ability to withstand competitive pressures and reduce its
flexibility in responding to changing business and economic conditions. A
failure by the Company to comply with the covenants and other provisions of
financing documents to which the Company is a party, including the Indenture
governing the Senior Notes (the "Indenture"), or other debt instruments to
which the Company may become party in the future, could permit acceleration of
the debt under such instruments and, in some cases, acceleration of debt under
other instruments that contain cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions.
The Indenture contains certain restrictive covenants. Such restrictions
affect, and in many respects significantly limit or prohibit, among other
things, the ability of the Company to incur indebtedness, make prepayments of
certain indebtedness, pay dividends, make investments, engage in transactions
with shareholders and affiliates, issue capital stock of subsidiaries, create
liens, sell assets and engage in mergers and consolidations. The loan
documents for the $400 million credit facility the Company is currently
negotiating may contain further restrictions on these and other activities of
the Company.
Additional Risks and Other Uncertainties
The Company's ability to expand its business depends on a variety of
factors. These factors include the Company's ability to assess markets, design
fiber optic network backbone routes, acquire and install facilities, obtain
and utilize rights-of-way and building access, obtain any required
governmental authorizations and permits and implement interconnection with
LECs. There can be no assurance that the Company will be able to achieve this
expansion in a timely manner, at a reasonable cost, or on terms and conditions
acceptable to the Company.
The successful implementation of the Company's expansion strategy will be
subject to a variety of risks, including operating and technical problems,
regulatory uncertainties, competition and the availability of capital. There
can be no assurance that any existing networks will be successfully expanded
or any new networks will be developed. In addition, there can be no assurance
that any networks that are developed will be completed on schedule, at
commercially reasonable costs or within the Company's specifications. There
can also be no assurance that any new or expanded networks will become
profitable or generate positive cash flow at any time in the future. A
substantial portion of the Company's network build-out plans within existing
markets are dependent upon its continuing relationship with TW Cable. See
"Operating Agreements with TW Cable." The Company's inability to expand its
existing networks and operations or install new networks or manage effectively
such expansion and installation could have a material adverse effect upon the
Company's business operations, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the expansion of the Company's business may involve acquisitions
or joint ventures which, if made or entered into, could divert the resources
and management time of the Company and could require integration with the
Company's operations.
A portion of the Company's revenue is comprised of services that are rate
sensitive. Switched access which is the connection between a long distance
carrier's POP and an end-user's premises that is provided through the
switching facilities of a LEC is billed on a per minute of use basis.
Historically the FCC has regulated the access rates imposed by the ILECs,
while CLEC access rates have been less regulated. In 1999, the FCC established
a framework for the eventual deregulation of ILEC interstate access charges.
Degrees of increased pricing flexibility and ultimate price deregulation are
triggered by the extent of competition within each of our markets. This will
exert greater downward pressure on the Company's interstate access rates as
various conditions are met over the next few years. In addition, the FCC is
considering proposals to decrease ILEC per-minute access charges, while
imposing regulation on CLEC access charges to restrict rates to levels below
an established benchmark. Although the Company's business plans have reflected
downward pressure on access rates and their
39
impact, these regulatory developments may potentially result in lower rates
than anticipated. For 1999, switched access revenue represented 11% of total
revenue. Management believes that increased volume in services and markets
served will offset the impact of switched access rate reduction. However, the
degree and timing of the regulatory developments cannot be predicted. In
addition, there is no assurance that the Company will be able to compensate
for the reduction in switched access revenue from rate reform with other
revenue sources.
Reciprocal compensation is also a component of switched services that is
rate sensitive. Reciprocal compensation is the mutual charges by local
carriers for recovery of costs associated with the termination of traffic on
each other's networks. Rates are established by interconnection agreements
between the parties based on regulatory and judicial ruling in each of the
states. Several significant agreements have expired or will be expiring over
the next year. These contracts are being or will be renegotiated in 2000. In
most of the states, regulatory bodies have established lower traffic
termination rates than the rates provided under the Company's previous
agreements. While the Company expects that it will negotiate reasonable
interconnection agreements with the ILECs, pricing structures are not likely
to remain at their current levels. Currently reciprocal compensation
represents 7% of revenue excluding non-recurring settlements of $7.6 million
recognized in 1999. Although the renegotiated interconnection agreements are
likely to result in lower rates, management believes that the volume in
minutes driven by the growth in Internet and related markets will more than
offset the impact of the rate reduction. The outcome of regulatory and
judicial rulings on reciprocal compensation for ISP traffic may also
negatively impact the Company's revenue from reciprocal compensation. The
Company cannot predict the outcome of these rulings. Accordingly, there is no
assurance that the Company will be able to compensate for the reduction in
reciprocal compensation with increased volume of terminating local traffic.
The Company's future performance will depend, in part, upon its ability to
manage its growth effectively. The Company's rapid growth has placed, and in
the future may continue to place, a significant strain on its administrative,
operational and financial resources. The Company's ability to continue to
manage its growth successfully will require the Company to further enhance its
operations, management, financial and information systems and controls and to
expand, train and manage its employee base. In addition, as the Company
increases its service offerings and expands its targeted markets, there will
be additional demands on the Company's customer support, sales, marketing,
administrative resources and network infrastructure. There can be no assurance
that the Company's administrative, operating and financial resources, systems
and controls will be adequate to manage the Company's growth effectively. The
Company's inability to manage its expansion effectively, including the
emergence of unexpected expansion difficulties, could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's business, results of operations and financial
condition.
Currently, the Company offers primarily local telecommunications services.
However, the Company continues to examine opportunities to expand into other
related telecommunications services. If the Company were to expand into new
categories of telecommunications services, it could incur certain additional
demands and risks in connection with such expansion, including demands on its
ability to manage growth, technological compatibility risks, legal and
regulatory risks and possible adverse reaction by some of its current
customers.
The Company may, as part of its business strategy, acquire other businesses
that will complement its existing business. Management is unable to predict
whether or when any prospective acquisitions will occur or the likelihood of
any material transactions being completed on favorable terms and conditions.
The Company's ability to finance acquisitions may be constrained by, among
other things, its high degree of leverage. The Indenture significantly limits
the Company's ability to make acquisitions and to incur indebtedness in
connection with acquisitions. If the Company completes a bank financing, the
documents for that financing may include similar limitations. Such
transactions commonly involve certain risks, including, among others:
. the difficulty of assimilating the acquired operations and personnel;
. the potential disruption of the Company's ongoing business and diversion
of resources and management time;
. the possible inability of management to maintain uniform standards,
controls, procedures and policies;
40
. the risks of entering markets in which the Company has little or no prior
experience; and
. the potential impairment of relationships with employees or customers as
a result of changes in management or business.
There can be no assurance that any acquisition will be made, that the
Company will be able to obtain additional financing needed to finance any
acquisition and, if any acquisitions are made, that the acquired business will
be successfully integrated into the Company's operations so that the acquired
business will perform as expected. The Company has no definitive agreement
with respect to any acquisition, although from time to time it has discussions
with other companies, including affiliates of the Former Parent Companies, and
assesses opportunities on an ongoing basis.
The Company may also enter into joint venture transactions. These
transactions present many of the same risks involved in acquisitions and may
also involve the risk that other joint venture partners may have economic,
business or legal interests or objectives that are inconsistent with those of
the Company. Joint venture partners may also be unable to meet their economic
or other obligations, thereby forcing the Company to fulfill these
obligations.
Impact of Year 2000
In prior years, the Company discussed the nature and progress of its plans
to become Year 2000 ready. In late 1999, the Company completed its remediation
and testing of systems. As a result of those planning and implementation
efforts, the Company experienced no significant disruptions in mission
critical information technology and non-information technology systems and
believes those systems successfully responded to the Year 2000 date change,
including the leap year date. The Company expensed approximately $2.8 million
during 1999 in connection with remediating its systems. The Company is not
aware of any material problems resulting from Year 2000 issues, either with
its products, its internal systems or the products and services of third
parties. The Company will continue to monitor its mission critical computer
applications and those of its suppliers and vendors throughout the year 2000
to ensure that any latent Year 2000 matters that may arise are addressed
promptly.
Effects of Inflation
Historically, inflation has not had a material effect on the Company.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
The Company's interest income is sensitive to changes in the general level
of interest rates. In this regard, changes in interest rates can affect the
interest earned on the Company's cash equivalents and marketable securities.
To mitigate the impact of fluctuations in interest rates, the Company
generally enters into fixed rate investing arrangements.
41
The following table provides information at December 31, 1999, about the
Company's financial instruments that are sensitive to changes in interest
rates. For investment securities, the table presents related weighted-average
interest rates expected by the maturity dates. These investment securities
will mature within one year. At December 31, 1999, the fair value of the
Company's fixed rate 9 3/4% Senior Notes due 2008 was $415 million, as
compared to a carrying value of $400 million on such date, based on market
prices at December 31, 1999.
2000 Maturities
-----------------------------
(dollar amounts in thousands)
Assets
Marketable securities:
Shares of money market mutual funds........... $ 4,510
Average interest rate....................... 5.5%
Certificates of deposit with banks............ $ 54,797
Average interest rate....................... 5.3%
Corporate and municipal debt securities....... $196,455
Average interest rate....................... 5.9%
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
See "Index to Consolidated Financial Statements" at Page F-1.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
None.
42
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement to be filed with the Commission no later
than April 15, 2000 pursuant to Regulation 14A of the General Rules and
Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 11. Executive Compensation
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Commission no later than April 15, 2000
pursuant to Regulation 14A of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Commission no later than April 15, 2000
pursuant to Regulation 14A of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
The information required by this item is incorporated by reference from the
Company's definitive proxy statement for its 2000 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders to be filed with the Commission no later than April 15, 2000
pursuant to Regulation 14A of the General Rules and Regulations under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
43
GLOSSARY
Access Charges. The fees paid by long distance carriers for the local
connections between the long distance carriers' networks and the long distance
carriers' customers.
ATM (asynchronous transfer mode). A recently commercialized switching and
transmission technology that is one of a general class of packet technologies
that relay traffic by way of an address contained within the first five bits
of a standard fifty-three bit-long packet or cell. ATM-based packet transport
was specifically developed to allow switching and transmission of mixed voice,
data and video at varying rates. The ATM format can be used by many different
information systems, including LANs.
BOC (Bell Operating Company). A telephone operating subsidiary of an RBOC;
an incumbent local exchange carrier.
Broadcast Video TV-1. This Company service provides dedicated transport of
broadcast quality video signals.
CAP (Competitive Access Provider). A company that provides dedicated
telecommunications services (private line, local transport and special access)
as an alternative to the ILEC.
CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access). A form of wireless communications
technology.
Central Offices. A telecommunications center where switches and other
telecommunications facilities are housed. CAPs may connect with ILEC networks
either at this location or through a remote location.
Collocation. The ability of a telecommunications carrier to interconnect
its network to the ILEC's network by extending its facilities to the ILEC's
central office. Physical collocation occurs when the interconnecting carrier
places its network equipment within the ILEC's central offices. Virtual
collocation is an alternative to physical collocation under which the ILEC
permits a carrier to interconnect its network to the ILEC's network in a
manner which is technically, operationally and economically comparable to
physical collocation, even though the interconnecting carrier's network
connection equipment is not physically located within the central offices.
CLEC (Competitive Local Exchange Carrier). A company that provides local
exchange services, including Dedicated service, in competition with the ILEC.
Dedicated. Telecommunications lines dedicated to, or reserved for use by, a
particular customer along predetermined routes (in contrast to links which are
temporarily established).
Dedicated Transmission. The sending of electronic signals carrying
information over a Direct Transport facility.
Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing (DWDM). A technology that multiplies
the capacity of single fiber to 8, 16, 32, or 80 new transmission channels.
Higher capacity multiples are under testing.
Digital. A means of storing, processing and transmitting information by
using distinct electronic or optical pulses that represent the binary digits 0
and 1. Digital transmission and switching technologies use a sequence of these
pulses to represent information as opposed to the continuously variable analog
signal. The precise digital numbers preclude distortion (such as graininess or
snow in the case of video transmission, or static or other background
distortion in the case of audio transmission).
Direct Transport (aka Dedicated Transport). A non-switched point-to-point
telecommunications facility leased from a telecommunications provider by an
end user and used exclusively by that end user.
44
Diverse Routing. A telecommunications network configuration in which
signals are transmitted simultaneously along two different paths so that if
one path is cut or impaired, traffic can continue in the other direction
without interrupting service. The Company's networks generally provide diverse
routing.
DS0, DS1, DS3. Standard North American telecommunications industry digital
signal formats, which are distinguishable by bit rate (the number of binary
digits (0 and 1) transmitted per second). DS0 service has a bit rate of 64
kilobits per second. DS1 service has a bit rate of 1.544 megabits per second
and DS3 service has a bit rate of 44.736 megabits per second. A DS0 can
transmit a single uncompressed voice conversation.
FCC. Federal Communications Commission.
FDMA (Frequency Division Multiple Access). A form of wireless
communications technology.
Fiber Miles. The number of route miles of fiber optic cable installed
(excluding pending installations) along a telecommunications path multiplied
by the number of fibers in the cable. See the definition of "route mile"
below.
Fiber Optics. Fiber optic technology involves sending laser light pulses
across glass strands in order to transmit digital information. Fiber optic
cable is the medium of choice for the telecommunications and cable industries.
Fiber is immune to electrical interference and environmental factors that
effect copper wiring and satellite transmission.
Gbps (Gigabits per second). One billion bits of information. The
information-carrying capacity (i.e., bandwidth) of a circuit may be measured
in "billions of bits per second."
Hub. Collocation centers located centrally in an area where
telecommunications traffic can be aggregated for transport and distribution.
ILECs (Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers). The local phone companies,
either a BOC or an independent (such as GTE) which provides local exchange
services.
Internet. The name used to describe the global open network of computers
that permits a person with access to the Internet to exchange information with
any other computer connected to the network.
IntraLATA. A call that originates and terminates within the same LATA.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network). ISDN is an internationally
agreed standard which, through special equipment, allows two-way, simultaneous
voice and data transmission in digital formats over the same transmission
line. ISDN permits video conferencing over a single line, for example, and
also supports a multitude of value-added switched service applications such as
Incoming Calling Line Identification. ISDN's combined voice and data
networking capabilities reduce costs for end users and result in more
efficient use of available facilities. ISDN combines standards for highly
flexible customer to network signaling with both voice and data within a
common facility.
IXC (Interexchange Carrier). A long distance carrier.
Kbps (Kilobits per second). Kilobit means one thousand bits of information.
The information-carrying capacity (i.e., bandwidth) of a circuit may be
measured in "thousands of bits per second."
LANs (Local Area Networks). The interconnection of computers for the
purpose of sharing files, programs and peripheral devices such as printers and
high-speed modems. LANs may include dedicated computers or file servers that
provide a centralized source of shared files and programs. LANs are generally
confined to a single customer's premises and may be extended or interconnected
to other locations through the use of bridges and routers.
45
LATA (Local Access and Transport Area). The geographical areas within which
a local telephone company may offer telecommunications services, as defined in
the divestiture order known as the Modification of Final Judgment ("MFJ")
unless and until refined by the FCC pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of
1996.
Local Exchange. A geographic area defined by the appropriate state
regulatory authority in which telephone calls generally are transmitted
without toll charges to the calling or called party.
Local Exchange Service/Local Exchange Telephone Service. Basic local
telephone service, including the provision of telephone numbers, dial tone and
calling within the local exchange area.
Long Distance Carriers (Interexchange Carriers or IXC). Long distance
carriers providing services between LATAs, on an interstate or intrastate
basis. A long distance carrier may be facilities-based or offer service by
reselling the services of a facilities-based carrier.
Local Transport Services. Dedicated lines between the ILEC's central
offices and long distance carrier POPs used to carry switched traffic.
Mbps (Megabits per second). Megabit means one million bits of information.
The information carrying capacity (i.e., bandwidth) of a circuit may be
measured in "millions of bits per second."
Multiplexing. An electronic or optical process that combines a number of
lower speed transmission signals into one higher speed signal. There are
various techniques for multiplexing, including frequency division (splitting
the total available frequency bandwidth into smaller frequency slices), time
division (slicing a channel into timeslots and placing each signal into its
assigned timeslot), and statistical (wherein multiplexed signals share the
same channel and each transmits only when it has data to send).
OC-3c. Optical Carrier level-3, combined into a single data stream. Optical
carrier refers to a SONET optical signal.
OC-N. Optical carrier levels ranging from OC1 (51.84 Mbps) to OC192 (9.9
Gbps).
Node. A point of connection into a fiber optic network.
PBX (Private Branch Exchange). A customer owned and operated switch on
customer premises, typically used by large businesses with multiple telephone
lines.
PBX Trunk. A transmission facility which connects a PBX to the Company's or
ILEC's central office switching center.
POPs (Points of Presence). Locations where a IXC has installed transmission
equipment in a service area that serves as, or relays telephone calls to, a
network switching center of the same IXC.
Primary Rate Interface (PRI). A transport mechanism provided currently over
class 5 switches to terminate at managed modem pools. The primary application
is for dial-up Internet access.
Private Line. A private, dedicated telecommunications link between
different customer locations (excluding IXC POPs).
Private Network Transport Service. This service is a private, dedicated
high-capacity premium quality service over fully redundant, diverse routed,
SONET rings with band width that is dedicated and always available.
Public Switched Telephone Network. The switched network available to all
users generally on a shared basis (i.e., not dedicated to a particular user).
The local exchange telephone service networks operated by ILECs are the
largest and often the only public switched networks in a given locality.
46
RBOC (Regional Bell Operating Company). The holding company which owns a
BOC.
Reciprocal Compensation. An arrangement in which two local exchange
carriers agree to terminate traffic originating on each other's networks in
exchange for a negotiated level of compensation.
Redundant Electronics. A telecommunications facility that uses two separate
electronic devices to transmit a telecommunications signal so that if one
device malfunctions, the signal may continue without interruption.
Route Mile. The number of miles along which fiber optic cables are
installed.
SONET (Synchronous Optical Network). A set of standards for optical
communications transmission systems that define the optical rates and formats,
signal characteristics, performance, management and maintenance information to
be embedded within the signals and the multiplexing techniques to be employed
in optical communications transmission systems. SONET facilitates the
interoperability of dissimilar vendors equipment. SONET benefits business
customers by minimizing the equipment necessary for various telecommunications
applications and supports networking diagnostic and maintenance features.
Special Access Services. The lease of private, dedicated telecommunications
lines or circuits on an ILEC's or a CAP's network which run to or from the
IXC's POPs. Special access services do not require the use of switches.
Examples of special access services are telecommunications circuits running
between POPs of a single IXC, from one IXC's POP to another IXC's POP or from
an end user to its IXC's POP.
STS-1. This dedicated transmission service is carried over high-capacity
channels for full duplex, synchronous optical transmission of digital data on
SONET standards. This service eliminates the need to maintain and pay for
multiple dedicated lines.
Switch. A mechanical or electronic device that opens or closes circuits or
selects the paths or circuits to be used for the transmission of information.
Switching is a process of linking different circuits to create a temporary
transmission path between users. Within this document, switches generally
refer to voice grade telecommunications switches unless specifically stated
otherwise.
Switched Access Services. The connection between a IXC's POP and an end
user's premises through the switching facilities of a local exchange carrier.
Switched Services. Telecommunications services that support the connection
of one calling party with another calling party via use of a telephone switch
(i.e., an electronic device that opens or closes circuits, completes or breaks
an electrical path, or selects paths or circuits).
TDMA (Time Division Multiple Access). A form of wireless communications
technology.
Toll Services. Otherwise known as EAS or intra LATA toll services are those
calls that are beyond the free local calling area but originate and terminate
within the same LATA; such calls are usually priced on a measured basis.
Type II. A circuit offered to a customer by a telecommunications provider
including a portion of the circuit provided by another LEC, where the first
provider bills the customer for the entire circuit.
Voice Grade Equivalent (VGE) Circuit. One DS0. One voice grade equivalent
circuit is equal to 64 kilobits of bandwidth.
47
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) (1), (2) The Financial Statements and Schedule II--Valuation and
Qualifying Accounts listed on the index on Page F-1 following are included
herein by reference. All other schedules are omitted, either because they are
not applicable or because the required information is shown in the financial
statements or the notes thereto.
(3) Exhibits:
Exhibit
Number Description of Exhibit
------- ----------------------
2.1 --Reorganization Agreement among Time Warner Companies, Inc., MediaOne
Group, Inc., Advance/Newhouse Partnership, Time Warner Entertainment
Company, L.P., and Time Warner Entertainment-Advance/Newhouse
Partnership (filed as Exhibit 2.1 to Company's Quarterly Report on
Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)*
2.2 --Merger Agreement among the Company, Time Warner Telecom LLC and Time
Warner Telecom Inc. (filed as Exhibit 2.2 to the Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-49439))*
3.1 --Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company (filed as
Exhibit 3.1 to Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-49439))*
3.2 --Restated By-laws of the Company (filed as Exhibit 3.2 to Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-49439))*
4.1 --Stockholders Agreement, among the Company, Time Warner Companies,
Inc., American Television and Communications Corporation, Warner
Communications Inc., TW/TAE Inc., FibrCom Holdings, L.P., Paragon
Communications, MediaOne Group, Inc., Multimedia Communications,
Inc. and Advance/Newhouse Partnership (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
Company's Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-
49439))*
4.2 --Indenture, between Time Warner Telecom LLC, TWT Inc. and The Chase
Manhattan Bank, as Trustee (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to TWT LLC's
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)*
10.1 --Lease, between Quebec Court Joint Venture No. 2, Landlord, and
Intelligent Advanced Systems, Inc., Tenant, dated June 3, 1994
(filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Time Warner Telecom LLC's Registration
Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-53553))*
10.2 --Agreement for Assignment of Lease, dated September 12, 1997, between
Ingram Micro Inc. and Time Warner Communications Holdings Inc.
(filed as Exhibit 10.2 to TWT LLC's Registration Statement on Form
S-1 (Registration No. 333-53553))*
10.3 --First Amendment to Lease, dated October 15, 1997, by CarrAmerica
Realty, L.P. and Time Warner Communications Holdings Inc. (filed as
Exhibit 10.3 to TWT LLC's Registration Statement on Form S-1
(Registration No. 333-53553))*
10.4 --Time Warner Telecom LLC 1998 Option Plan as amended December 8, 1999
10.5 --Employment Agreement between the Company and Larissa L. Herda
10.6 --Employment Agreement between the Company and Paul B. Jones
10.7 --Employment Agreement between the Company and A. Graham Powers
10.8 --Employment Agreement between the Company and David Rayner
10.9 --Employment Agreement between the Company and John T. Blount
10.10 --Employment Agreement between the Company and Michael Rouleau
10.11 --Employment Agreement between the Company and Julie Rich
10.12 --Employment Agreement between the Company and Raymond Whinery
10.13 --Capacity License Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.3 to Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)*
10.14 --Trade Name License Agreement (filed as Exhibit 10.4 to Quarterly
Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 1998)*
48
10.15 --Agreement between AT&T Communications, Inc. and Time Warner
Communications, dated as of September 15, 1996, as amended on June 1,
1997 (filed as Exhibit 10.13 to the Company's Registration Statement
on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-49439))*
21 --Subsidiaries of the Company (filed as Exhibit 21 to Company's
Registration Statement on Form S-1 (Registration No. 333-49439))*
23 --Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Auditors
27 --Financial Data Schedule
- --------
* Incorporated by reference.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K.
None.
49
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report
to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, on
March 17, 2000.
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
/s/ David J. Rayner
By: _________________________________
David J. Rayner
Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf
of the Registrant in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
(i) Principal Executive Officer
/s/ Larissa L. Herda President and Chief March 17, 2000
______________________________________ Executive Officer and
Larissa L. Herda Representative
(ii) Principal Financial Officer
/s/ David J. Rayner Senior Vice President and March 17, 2000
______________________________________ Chief Financial Officer
David J. Rayner
(iii) Principal Accounting Officer
/s/ Jill Stuart Vice President, Accounting March 17, 2000
______________________________________ and Finance and Chief
Jill Stuart Accounting Officer
(iv) Directors
/s/ Glenn A. Britt Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Glenn A. Britt
/s/ Bruce Claflin Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Bruce Claflin
/s/ Richard J. Davies Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Richard J. Davies
/s/ Spencer B. Hays Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Spencer B. Hays
50
/s/ Larissa L. Herda Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Larissa L. Herda
/s/ Douglas Holmes Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Douglas Holmes
/s/ Lisa Hook Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Lisa Hook
/s/ Stephen A. McPhie Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Stephen A. McPhie
/s/ Robert J. Miron Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Robert J. Miron
/s/ Audley M. Webster, Jr. Director March 17, 2000
______________________________________
Audley M. Webster, Jr.
51
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
PAGE
----
Audited Financial Statements:
Report of Independent Auditors.......................................... F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets at December 31, 1999 and 1998............... F-3
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Operations for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997....................................... F-4
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997....................................... F-5
Consolidated and Combined Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity
for the years ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997................... F-6
Notes to Consolidated and Combined Financial Statements................. F-7
Schedule II Valuation of Qualifying Accounts.............................. F-21
F-1
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
To the Board of Directors of Time Warner Telecom Inc:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Time Warner
Telecom Inc. (the "Company") as of December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the related
consolidated and combined statements of operations, cash flows and
stockholders' equity for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 1999. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule listed on
the index at page F-1. These financial statements and schedule are the
responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements and schedule based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and
perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on
a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used
and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the
overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a
reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company
at December 31, 1999 and 1998, and the consolidated and combined results of
its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 1999, in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States. Also, in our opinion, the related financial
statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic financial
statements taken as a whole, presents fairly, in all material respects the
information set forth therein.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Denver, Colorado
February 4, 2000
F-2
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
December 31, 1999 and 1998
1999 1998
---------- ---------
(amounts in
thousands, except
share amounts)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents............................. $ 90,586 105,140
Marketable securities (note 3)........................ 173,985 231,107
Receivables, less allowances of $7,857 and $2,692..... 52,652 26,690
Prepaid expenses...................................... 2,938 2,176
---------- ---------
Total current assets................................ 320,161 365,113
---------- ---------
Investment in unconsolidated affiliate (note 2)......... -- 5,707
Property, plant and equipment........................... 868,770 612,119
Less accumulated depreciation......................... (191,664) (117,961)
---------- ---------
677,106 494,158
---------- ---------
Long-term marketable securities (note 3)................ -- 19,750
Intangible and other assets, net of accumulated
amortization (note 2).................................. 45,745 19,616
---------- ---------
Total assets........................................ $1,043,012 904,344
========== =========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable...................................... $ 64,678 38,946
Deferred revenue...................................... 37,913 10,524
Accrued taxes, franchise and other fees............... 23,280 15,214
Accrued interest...................................... 17,983 17,333
Accrued payroll and benefits.......................... 13,945 8,821
Payble to TW Cable (note 6)........................... 5,085 16,801
Other current liabilities............................. 26,459 14,114
---------- ---------
Total current liabilities........................... 189,343 121,753
---------- ---------
Long-term debt and capital lease obligations (notes 4
and 9)................................................. 403,627 400,000
Deferred income taxes (note 7).......................... 27,126 --
Subordinated loans payable to the Former Parent
Companies (including
$3,399 of accrued interest in 1998) (note 5)........... -- 174,940
Stockholders' equity (note 1):
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value, 20,000,000 shares
authorized, no shares issued and outstanding......... -- --
Class A common stock, $0.01 par value, 277,300,000
shares authorized, 23,543,422 shares issued and
outstanding in 1999.................................. 235 --
Class B common stock, $0.01 par value, 162,500,000
shares authorized, 81,214,285 and 81,250,000 shares
issued and outstanding in 1999
and 1998, respectively............................... 812 813
Additional paid-in capital............................ 559,950 255,654
Accumulated deficit................................... (138,081) (48,816)
---------- ---------
Total stockholders' equity.......................... 422,916 207,651
---------- ---------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity.......... $1,043,012 904,344
========== =========
See accompanying notes.
F-3
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1999 1998 1997
-------- ------- -------
(amounts in thousands,
except per share
amounts)
Revenue:
Dedicated transport services.................... $152,468 84,024 44,529
Switched services............................... 116,285 37,848 10,872
-------- ------- -------
Total revenue................................. 268,753 121,872 55,401
-------- ------- -------
Costs and expenses(a):
Operating....................................... 117,567 67,153 40,349
Selling, general and administrative............. 113,389 77,401 54,640
Depreciation and amortization................... 68,785 50,717 38,466
-------- ------- -------
Total costs and expenses...................... 299,741 195,271 133,455
-------- ------- -------
Operating loss.................................... (30,988) (73,399) (78,054)
Interest expense(a)............................... (45,264) (29,198) (1,538)
Interest income................................... 16,589 9,731 --
Equity in income (losses) of unconsolidated
affiliate (note 2)............................... 202 127 (2,082)
Gain on disposition of investments................ -- -- 11,018
-------- ------- -------
Net loss before income taxes...................... (59,461) (92,739) (70,656)
Income tax expense (note 7)....................... 29,804 -- --
-------- ------- -------
Net loss.......................................... $(89,265) (92,739) (70,656)
======== ======= =======
Basic and diluted loss per common share........... $ (0.93) (1.14) (0.87)
======== ======= =======
Average common shares outstanding................. 95,898 81,250 81,250
======== ======= =======
(a) Includes expenses resulting from transactions with affilitates (note 6):
Operating..................................... $ 2,513 2,041 1,731
======== ======= =======
Selling, general and administrative........... $ 1,579 5,063 6,810
======== ======= =======
Depreciation and amortization................. $ 10,792 9,010 7,064
======== ======= =======
Interest expense.............................. $ 5,078 11,582 1,544
======== ======= =======
See accompanying notes.
F-4
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1999 1998 1997
--------- --------- ---------
(amounts in thousands)
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss..................................... $ (89,265) (92,739) (70,656)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash
provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization................ 68,785 50,717 38,466
Equity in (income) losses of unconsolidated
affiliate................................... (202) (127) 2,082
Deferred income tax expense.................. 29,804 -- --
Gain on disposition of investments........... -- -- (11,018)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities,
net of the effect of acquisitions:
Receivables and prepaid expenses............ (22,384) (17,808) (4,019)
Accounts payable............................ 27,491 6,037 7,265
Accrued interest............................ 650 20,732 1,544
Payable to TW Cable......................... (11,716) 16,801 --
Accrued payroll and benefits................ 5,124 2,488 4,093
Other current liabilities................... 44,698 16,882 5,472
Other balance sheet changes................. 1,250 (3,326) (2,648)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in) operating
activities................................ 54,235 (343) (29,419)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from investing activities:
Capital expenditures......................... (221,224) (126,023) (127,315)
Cash paid for acquisitions, net of cash
acquired.................................... (2,565) (1,204) (334)
Purchases of marketable securities........... (290,811) (286,356) --
Proceeds from maturities of marketable
securities.................................. 367,683 35,500 --
Proceeds from sale of investments............ -- -- 7,028
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash used in investing activities...... (146,917) (378,083) (120,621)
--------- --------- ---------
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds of loans from Former Parent
Companies................................... -- 96,066 73,931
Repayment of loans to Former Parent
Companies................................... (180,018) -- --
Payment of capital lease obligations......... (174) -- --
Repayment of acquired debt................... (15,668) -- --
Net proceeds from issuance of debt........... -- 387,500 --
Net proceeds from issuance of common stock
upon exercise of stock options.............. 3,806 -- --
Net proceeds from initial public offering.... 270,182 -- --
Capital contributions from the Former Parent
Companies................................... -- -- 127,550
Distributions to the Former Parent
Companies................................... -- -- (51,441)
--------- --------- ---------
Net cash provided by financing activities.. 78,128 483,566 150,040
--------- --------- ---------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents............................... (14,554) 105,140 --
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period.................................... 105,140 -- --
--------- --------- ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of
period.................................... $ 90,586 105,140 --
========= ========= =========
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow
information:
Cash paid for interest..................... $ 47,011 -- --
========= ========= =========
Cash paid for income taxes................. $ 168 181 4
========= ========= =========
Supplemental schedule for noncash investing and financing activities:
Time Warner Telecom Inc. (the "Company") issued Class A common stock
aggregating $27.9 million to purchase the common stock of Internet Connect,
Inc. ("Inc.Net") and MetroComm, Inc. ("MetroComm").
In 1999, the Company incurred capital lease obligations of $3.7 million for the
purchase of fiber, equipment and furniture leases.
See accompanying notes.
F-5
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Common Stock
----------------------------
Class A Class B Additional Total
------------- -------------- paid-in Accumulated stockholders'
Shares Amount Shares Amount capital deficit equity
------ ------ ------ ------ ---------- ----------- -------------
(amounts in thousands)
Balance at January 1,
1997................... -- $-- 81,250 $813 478,885 (184,761) 294,937
Net capital
contributions from
the Former Parent
Companies............ -- -- -- -- 76,109 -- 76,109
Net loss.............. -- -- -- -- -- (70,656) (70,656)
------ ---- ------ ---- -------- -------- -------
Balance at December 31,
1997................... -- -- 81,250 813 554,994 (255,417) 300,390
Net loss prior to
Reorganization....... -- -- -- -- -- (43,923) (43,923)
------ ---- ------ ---- -------- -------- -------
-- -- 81,250 813 554,994 (299,340) 256,467
Effect of
Reorganization
(note 1)............. -- -- -- -- (299,340) 299,340 --
Net loss after
Reorganization....... -- -- -- -- -- (48,816) (48,816)
------ ---- ------ ---- -------- -------- -------
Balance at December 31,
1998................... -- -- 81,250 813 255,654 (48,816) 207,651
Initial public
offering, net of
offering expenses of
$19,618 (note 1)..... 20,700 207 -- -- 269,975 -- 270,182
Issuance of common
stock for
acquisitions (note
2)................... 2,498 25 -- -- 27,839 -- 27,864
Issuance of common
stock upon exercise
of stock options..... 309 2 -- -- 6,482 -- 6,484
Conversion of shares
by related party..... 36 1 (36) (1) -- -- --
Net loss.............. -- -- -- -- -- (89,265) (89,265)
------ ---- ------ ---- -------- -------- -------
Balance at December 31,
1999................... 23,543 $235 81,214 $812 559,950 (138,081) 422,916
====== ==== ====== ==== ======== ======== =======
See accompanying notes.
F-6
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
1. Organization and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Description of Business and Capital Structure
The Company, a Delaware corporation, is a leading fiber facilities-based
integrated communications provider in selected metropolitan markets across the
United States, offering local businesses "last-mile" broadband connections for
data, high-speed Internet access, local voice and long distance services.
TW Cable, as defined below, began the Company's business in 1993 by
providing telephony services through cable systems owned by Time Warner
Entertainment Company, L.P. ("TWE"), Time Warner Entertainment-
Advance/Newhouse Partnership ("TWE-A/N") and Time Warner Inc. ("Time Warner"),
collectively referred to as the "Former Parent Companies." "TW Cable" refers
to the cable systems owned by TWE, TWE-A/N and Time Warner.
TWE and TWE-A/N are owned as follows:
(1) TWE is a partnership of subsidiaries of Time Warner and MediaOne Group,
Inc. ("MediaOne"); and
(2) TWE-A/N is a partnership of TWE, Time Warner and Advance/Newhouse
Partnership ("Advance").
The Company's original business was to provide certain telephony services
together with cable television. In January 1997, the Company put in place a
new management team that implemented a business strategy focused exclusively
on serving business customers, rapidly providing switched services in all the
Company's service areas and expanding the range of business telephony services
offered by the Company.
On July 14, 1998, Time Warner Telecom LLC ("TWT LLC") succeeded to the
ownership of the Company's business. At that time, Time Warner, MediaOne and
Advance (collectively referred to as the "Class B Stockholders") formed TWT
LLC to acquire the assets and liabilities of the Company's business from the
Former Parent Companies and to conduct the offering on July 21, 1998 of $400
million principal amount 9 3/4% Senior Notes due July 2008 (the "Senior
Notes"). In such transaction, referred to as the "Reorganization," the Class B
Stockholders (either directly or through subsidiaries) became the owners of
all the limited liability company interests in TWT LLC. The Reorganization has
been reflected as of July 1, 1998 for accounting purposes.
On May 10, 1999, in preparation for the Company's initial public offering,
TWT LLC was reconstituted as a Delaware corporation (the "Reconstitution")
under the name Time Warner Telecom Inc. by merging into a newly formed
Delaware corporation. The Company accounted for the Reorganization and the
Reconstitution at each of the Class B Stockholders' historical cost basis and,
except as noted below, the Reorganization and Reconstitution had no effect on
the Company's total stockholders' equity, which has been presented on a
consistent basis. In connection with the Reconstitution, the Company's
capitalization was authorized to include two classes of common stock, Class A
common stock and Class B common stock. As part of the merger, the outstanding
Class A limited liability company interests were converted into Class A common
stock and the Class B Stockholders exchanged their Class B limited liability
company interests in TWT LLC for Class B common stock of the newly formed
corporation, Time Warner Telecom Inc. Prior to the Reconstitution, the only
outstanding Class A interests were those held by the former shareholders of
Inc.Net, which the Company acquired in April 1999 (see note 2). Following the
Reconstitution, the Class B Stockholders held all of the Company's Class B
common stock. Accordingly, the accompanying financial statements have been
adjusted to retroactively reflect the authorization and issuance of the shares
of Class A common stock and Class B common stock for all periods presented.
F-7
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
On May 14, 1999, in conjunction with the Reconstitution, the Company
completed an initial public offering of 20,700,000 shares, including an over-
allotment of 2,700,000 shares, of Class A common stock at a price of $14 per
share (the "IPO"). The IPO generated $270.2 million in proceeds for the
Company, net of underwriting discounts and expenses. The net proceeds were
used primarily to repay indebtedness to the Former Parent Companies (see note
5). Remaining proceeds have been and will continue to be used to fund the
Company's continued growth, which may include acquisitions and joint ventures,
and for general corporate purposes.
As a result of the IPO, the Company has two classes of common stock
outstanding, Class A common stock and Class B common stock. Holders of Class A
common stock have one vote per share and holders of Class B common stock have
ten votes per share. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible, at the
option of the holder, into one share of Class A common stock. Holders of Class
A common stock and Class B common stock generally vote together as a single
class. However, some matters require the approval of 100% of the holders of
the Class B common stock voting separately as a class, and some matters
require the approval of a majority of the holders of the Class A common stock,
voting separately as a class. Upon completion of the IPO, the Class B
Stockholders owned all of the 81,250,000 shares of outstanding Class B common
stock. Subsequent to the IPO, 35,715 shares of Class B common stock were
converted into Class A common stock. As of December 31, 1999, the Class B
Stockholders had approximately 97.2% of the combined voting power of the
outstanding common stock.
The Company also is authorized to issue shares of Preferred Stock. The
Company's Board of Directors has the authority to establish the voting powers,
the preferences and special rights for the Preferred Stock. No such voting
powers, preferences or special rights have been established and no shares of
Preferred Stock have been issued as of December 31, 1999.
On May 6, 1999, MediaOne and AT&T Corp. ("AT&T") entered into a merger
agreement providing for MediaOne to be acquired by AT&T. The MediaOne
stockholders have approved the merger, but the merger is subject to various
regulatory approvals. There is no assurance that the approvals will be
obtained or that the merger will be consummated. If the merger is completed,
the Class B common stock beneficially owned by MediaOne (through a subsidiary)
will be beneficially owned by AT&T. However, the transaction will not affect
the MediaOne subsidiary's rights as a Class B Stockholder.
On January 10, 2000, Time Warner announced an agreement to merge with
America Online, Inc. ("AOL") in a stock-for-stock transaction that would
create a new company called AOL Time Warner Inc. As a result of the mergers,
both AOL and Time Warner will become wholly owned subsidiaries of AOL Time
Warner. Under the terms of the merger agreement, Time Warner and AOL stock
will be converted to AOL Time Warner stock at fixed exchange ratios. Upon
consummation of the merger, current Time Warner shareholders will receive
approximately 45% of the stock of AOL Time Warner, and current AOL
shareholders will receive approximately 55%. If the merger is completed, the
Class B common stock beneficially owned by Time Warner will be beneficially
owned by AOL Time Warner and its subsidiaries. However, the transaction will
not affect the rights of Time Warner subsidiaries as Class B Stockholders. The
merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory
clearance and stockholder approvals. There is no assurance that the approvals
will be obtained or that the merger will be consummated.
Basis of Presentation
Until July 14, 1998, the historical financial statements of the Company
reflected the "carved out" historical financial position, results of
operations, cash flows and changes in stockholders' equity of the commercial
telecommunications operations of the Former Parent Companies, as if they had
been operating as a separate
F-8
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
company. Although these financial statements are presented as if the Company
had operated as a corporation, the Company operated as a partnership for tax
purposes and continued to operate in a partnership structure through May 10,
1999. The consolidated and combined statements of operations have been
adjusted to retroactively reflect an allocation of certain expenses pursuant
to the final terms of agreements related to the Reorganization, primarily
relating to office rent, overhead charges for various administrative functions
performed by the Former Parent Companies and certain facility maintenance and
pole rental costs. These allocations were required to reflect all costs of
doing business and have been based on various methods which management
believes result in reasonable allocation of such costs.
Basis of Consolidation and Accounting for Investments
The consolidated and combined financial statements include the accounts of
the Company and all entities in which the Company has a controlling voting
interest ("subsidiaries"). Significant intercompany accounts and transactions
have been eliminated. Significant accounts and transactions with the Former
Parent Companies are disclosed as related party transactions.
Investments in entities in which the Company has significant influence, but
less than a controlling voting interest, are accounted for using the equity
method. At December 31, 1998, the Company's investment in unconsolidated
affiliate consisted solely of a 50% investment in MetroComm AxS, L.P.
("MetroComm L.P."), a joint venture providing commercial telecommunications
services in the central Ohio area. Under the equity method, only the Company's
investment in and amounts due to and from the equity investee are included in
the consolidated balance sheets, and only the Company's share of the
investee's income (losses) are included in the consolidated and combined
statements of operations. During the second quarter of 1999, the remaining 50%
of MetroComm L.P. was acquired (see note 2) and, accordingly, is accounted for
on a consolidated basis as of May 31, 1999.
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Marketable Securities
Prior to July 14, 1998, the Company did not maintain any cash or marketable
securities since all funding of the Company's operating, investing and
financing activities was provided by capital contributions from the Former
Parent Companies or by subordinated loans payable to the Former Parent
Companies (see note 5). Such funding consisted of subordinated loans during
the period from July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, and remained outstanding
until May 14, 1999. The capital contributions of the Former Parent Companies,
which are non-interest bearing, have been included in additional paid-in
capital. Prior to repayment of the subordinated loans in May 1999, the
subordinated loans, including accrued interest, had been reflected as long-
term liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments with an original
maturity of three months or less, when purchased, to be cash equivalents.
The Company records its marketable securities in conformity with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 115, "Accounting
for Certain Investments in Debt and Equity Securities." This statement entails
categorizing all debt and equity securities as held-to-maturity securities,
trading securities, or available-for-sale securities, and then measuring the
securities at either fair value or amortized cost.
Management determines the appropriate classification of debt securities at
the time of purchase and reevaluates such designation as of each balance sheet
date. Debt securities are classified as held-to-maturity when the Company has
the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-
maturity securities are stated at amortized cost, adjusted for amortization of
premiums and accretion of discounts to maturity. Such amortization is included
in interest income. Interest on securities classified as held-to-maturity is
included in interest income.
F-9
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Receivables
The Company does not require collateral for telecommunication services
provided to customers. However, the Company performs ongoing credit
evaluations of its customers' financial conditions and has provided an
allowance for doubtful accounts based on the expected collectability of all
accounts receivable. The provision for doubtful accounts was $6.7 million,
$2.0 million and $1.2 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Property, Plant and Equipment
Property, plant and equipment are recorded at cost. Construction costs,
labor and applicable overhead related to the development, installation and
expansion of the Company's networks, and interest costs related to
construction are capitalized. During 1999, 1998 and 1997, interest capitalized
was not significant. Repairs and maintenance costs are charged to expense when
incurred.
The Company licenses the right to use the majority of its fiber optic cable
from TW Cable, in which they are co-located. The cost of these rights, which
are prepaid by the Company, is capitalized and reflects an allocable share of
TW Cable's costs, which, prior to the Reorganization, generally reflected the
incremental costs incurred by TW Cable to construct the fiber for the Company.
Subsequent to the Reorganization, the Company pays for its allocable share of
the cost of fiber and construction incurred by TW Cable in routes where they
are in joint construction. In routes where the Company is not in joint
construction with TW Cable, the Company pays for the full cost of
construction. Depreciation is provided on the straight-line method over
estimated useful lives as follows:
Buildings and improvements........................................ 5-20 years
Communications networks........................................... 5-15 years
Vehicles and other equipment...................................... 3-10 years
Fiber optic right to use.......................................... 15 years
Property, plant and equipment consist of:
December 31,
--------------------
1999 1998
--------- ---------
(amounts in
thousands)
Buildings and improvements............................. $ 15,741 14,453
Communications networks................................ 556,054 380,150
Vehicles and other equipment........................... 91,666 58,224
Fiber optic right to use............................... 205,309 159,292
--------- ---------
868,770 612,119
Less accumulated depreciation.......................... (191,664) (117,961)
--------- ---------
Total................................................ $ 677,106 494,158
========= =========
Intangible Assets
Intangible assets primarily consist of goodwill, deferred right of way
costs and covenants not to compete, which are amortized over periods of 10 to
20 years using the straight-line method. Amortization expense amounted to $2.7
million, $2.3 million and $2.0 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Accumulated amortization of intangible assets at December 31, 1999 and 1998,
amounted to $7.0 million and $2.2 million, respectively.
F-10
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets
The Company periodically reviews the carrying amounts of property, plant
and equipment and its identifiable intangible assets to determine whether
current events or circumstances warrant adjustments to such carrying amounts.
If an impairment adjustment is deemed necessary, such loss is measured by the
amount that the carrying value of such assets exceeds their fair value.
Considerable management judgment is necessary to estimate the fair value of
assets; accordingly, actual results could vary significantly from such
estimates. Assets to be disposed of are carried at the lower of their
financial statement carrying amount or fair value less costs to sell.
Revenue
The Company's revenue has been derived primarily from the provision of
"private line" or "direct access" telecommunications services; however, an
increasing portion is derived from the provision of switched services. The
Company's customers are principally telecommunications-intensive business end-
users, long distance carriers, Internet service providers, wireless
communications companies and governmental entities. Such customers are offered
a wide range of integrated telecommunications products and services, including
dedicated transmission, local switched, long distance, data and high-speed
Internet access services. In addition, the Company benefits from its strategic
relationship with the Class B Stockholders both through access rights and
construction cost-sharing. As a result, the Company's networks have been
constructed primarily through the use of fiber capacity licensed from the
Class B Stockholders.
Revenue for dedicated transport services is generally billed in advance on
a fixed rate basis and recognized over the period the services are provided.
Revenue for switched services, data and Internet services and long distance
are generally billed on a transactional basis determined by customer usage
with some fixed rate elements. The transactional elements of switched services
are billed in arrears and estimates are used to recognize revenue in the
period earned. The fixed rate elements are billed in advance and recognized
over the period provided.
Reciprocal compensation revenue is an element of switched services revenue,
which represents compensation from local exchange carriers ("LECs") for local
exchange traffic terminated on the Company's facilities originated by other
LECs. Reciprocal compensation is based on contracts between the Company and
LECs. The Company recognizes reciprocal compensation revenue as it is earned,
except in such cases where the revenue is under dispute. Under several of its
contracts, the LECs have disputed the payment of reciprocal compensation for
traffic terminating to Internet service provider ("ISP") customers contending
that such traffic was not local. As a result, the Company has filed complaints
with various public utility commissions ("PUCs") contending that the ISP
traffic is local. Various of these state PUCs have ruled in favor of the
Company, but all of these favorable decisions have subsequently been appealed
by the LECs. While the Company believes that these disputes will ultimately be
resolved in its favor, the Company only recognizes revenue on a portion of the
cash received and defers recognition of a significant portion of this revenue
pending outcome of the dispute. As of December 31, 1999, the Company deferred
recognition of $32.8 million in reciprocal compensation revenue for payments
received associated with these disputes. 1999 switched services revenue
includes the recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of
reciprocal compensation. The Company pays reciprocal compensation expense to
the other LECs for local exchange traffic it terminates on the LEC's
facilities. These costs are recognized as incurred and are reported as a
component of operating expenses in the Consolidated and Combined Statements of
Operations.
Significant Customers
The Company has substantial business relationships with a few large
customers, including the major long distance carriers. For the years ended
December 31, 1999 and 1998, the Company's top 10 customers accounted
F-11
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
for 39% and 38% of the Company's consolidated and combined revenue,
respectively. AT&T accounted for more than 10% of the Company's total revenue
in 1999 and AT&T and MCI WorldCom, Inc., accounted for more than 10% of the
Company's total revenue in 1998. However, a substantial portion of such
revenue results from traffic that is directed to the Company by the Company's
customers who have selected such carriers as their long distance providers.
Revenue includes sales to both AT&T and MCI WorldCom, Inc. (including sales
directed to the Company by the Company's customers) of approximately $58.8
million, $28.9 million and $14.7 million 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Segment Reporting
The Company operates in 21 service areas and the Company's management makes
decisions on resource allocation and assesses performance based on total
revenue, EBITDA and capital spending of these operating locations. Each of the
service areas offers the same products and services, have similar customers
and networks, are regulated by the same type of authorities, and are managed
directly by the Company's executives, allowing the 21 service areas to be
aggregated, resulting in one reportable line of business.
Loss Per Common Share
The Company computes loss per common share in accordance with the
provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standard No. 128, Earnings Per
Share ("SFAS 128"). SFAS 128 requires companies with complex capital
structures to present basic and diluted earnings per share ("EPS"). Basic EPS
is measured as the income or loss available to common stockholders divided by
the weighted average outstanding common shares for the period. Diluted EPS is
similar to basic EPS, but presents the dilutive effect on a per share basis of
potential common shares (e.g., convertible securities, stock options, etc.) as
if they had been converted at the beginning of the periods presented.
Potential common shares that have an anti-dilutive effect (e.g., those that
increase income per share or decrease loss per share) are excluded from
diluted EPS.
The basic and diluted loss per common share for all periods presented
herein was computed by dividing the net loss attributable to common shares by
the weighted average outstanding common shares for the period. Potential
common shares were not included in the computation of weighted average shares
outstanding because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and
assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the
date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and
expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified for comparability with
the 1999 presentation.
2. Acquisitions
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of Inc.Net, an Internet service provider, for
consideration consisting of $3.8 million of Class A limited liability
interests in TWT LLC, the Company's predecessor, approximately $3.5 million in
net cash and the assumption of $1.9 million in liabilities. At the time of the
IPO, such Class A limited liability interests were converted into 307,550
F-12
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
shares of Class A common stock of the Company. The Class A common stock of the
Company into which the limited liability interests were converted will be held
in escrow to be released to the former Inc.Net shareholders over a period of
three years. Through the acquisition of this subsidiary, the Company plans to
manage current and future data networks and provide new Internet products. The
transaction was accounted for under the purchase method of accounting and
generated $6.9 million in goodwill, which is being amortized on a straight-
line basis over a ten-year period. Amortization expense for 1999 was
approximately $462,000.
During the second quarter of 1999, the Company acquired all of the
outstanding common stock of MetroComm through the issuance of 2,190,308 shares
of Class A common stock of the Company valued at $24.1 million, and the
assumption of $20.1 million in liabilities. Through the acquisition of
MetroComm, the Company acquired the 50% interest of MetroComm AxS, L.P. not
already owned by the Company. After the acquisition, the Company's Columbus,
Ohio assets were transferred to MetroComm L.P. and all operations in Columbus,
Ohio are now reported under the new entity. The transaction was accounted for
under the purchase method of accounting and generated $18.8 million in
goodwill, which is being amortized on a straight-line basis over a ten-year
period. Amortization expense for 1999 was approximately $1.1 million.
The two acquisitions completed during 1999 are summarized as follows
(amounts in thousands):
1999
--------
Recorded value of assets acquired.................................. $ 32,003
Goodwill........................................................... 25,746
Elimination of investment in unconsolidated affiliate.............. (5,278)
Assumed liabilities................................................ (22,042)
Common stock issued in acquisitions................................ (27,864)
--------
Cash paid for acquisitions....................................... $ 2,565
========
Since both acquisitions are accounted for as purchases, the results of
operations of Inc.Net and MetroComm are consolidated with the Company's
results of operations from their respective acquisition dates. Had both
acquisitions occurred on January 1, 1998, revenue, net loss, and basic and
diluted loss per common share would not have been materially different for
1998 and 1999.
3. Marketable Securities
The Company's marketable securities portfolio includes shares of money
market mutual funds, corporate debt securities, certificates of deposit with
banks and foreign government debt securities. All of the Company's marketable
securities are categorized as "held-to-maturity" and carried at amortized
cost.
F-13
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Marketable securities at December 31, 1999 and 1998 were as follows:
1999 1998
----------- -----------
(amounts in thousands)
Cash equivalents:
Shares of money market mutual funds................. $ 4,510 3,338
Certificates of deposit with banks.................. -- 5,000
Corporate and municipal debt securities............. 77,267 93,394
----------- ----------
81,777 101,732
----------- ----------
Current marketable securities:
Certificates of deposit with banks.................. 54,797 57,014
Corporate and municipal debt securities............. 119,188 169,085
Foreign government debt securities.................. -- 5,008
----------- ----------
173,985 231,107
----------- ----------
Long-term marketable securities:
Corporate debt securities........................... -- 19,750
----------- ----------
Total marketable securities....................... $ 255,762 352,589
=========== ==========
The estimated fair value of the marketable securities is not materially
different from the amortized cost.
4. Long-Term Debt
The Senior Notes are unsecured, unsubordinated obligations of the Company.
Interest on the Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July
15, and began on January 15, 1999. Interest expense, including amortization of
debt discount, relating to the Senior Notes totaled approximately $40.3
million and $17.9 million for 1999 and 1998, respectively. At December 31,
1999, the fair market value for the $400 million of Senior Notes was $415
million, based on market prices.
The Senior Notes are governed by an Indenture that contains certain
restrictive covenants. Such restrictions affect, and in many respects
significantly limit or prohibit, among other things, the ability of the
Company to incur indebtedness, make prepayments of certain indebtedness, pay
dividends, make investments, engage in transactions with shareholders and
affiliates, issue capital stock of subsidiaries, create liens, sell assets and
engage in mergers and consolidations.
5. Subordinated Loans Payable to the Former Parent Companies
During the period from July 1, 1997 through July 14, 1998, all of the
Company's financing requirements were funded with subordinated loans from the
Former Parent Companies. Such loans remained outstanding, accruing interest,
through May 14, 1999. Such loans from the Former Parent Companies were
subordinated in right of payment to the Senior Notes, except for a provision
allowing repayment prior to maturity with the net proceeds of any offering of
common stock or equivalent interest of the Company. Such loans bore interest
(payable in kind) at The Chase Manhattan Bank's prime rate, which was 7.75%
from January 1, 1999 through the payoff of the loan in May 1999. Interest
expense relating to such loans totaled approximately $5.1 million, $11.6
million and $1.5 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively. On May 14,
1999, approximately $180 million of the proceeds from the IPO were used to
repay the subordinated loans payable to the Former Parent Companies in full,
including accrued interest.
F-14
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
6. Related Party Transactions
In the normal course of business, the Company engages in various
transactions with the Former Parent Companies, generally on negotiated terms
among the affected units that, in management's opinion, result in reasonable
allocations.
The Company licenses the right to use the majority of its fiber optic cable
from TW Cable. The Company paid TW Cable $16.8 million, $23.8 million and
$32.5 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, under this arrangement.
Such costs have been capitalized by the Company. The amortization expense of
these costs and fiber previously capitalized in the amount of $10.8 million,
$9.0 million and $7.1 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively, has been
classified as a component of depreciation and amortization expense in the
accompanying consolidated and combined statements of operations. In addition,
under this licensing arrangement, the Company reimburses TW Cable for facility
maintenance and pole rental costs, which aggregated $2.5 million, $2.0 million
and $1.7 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
The Company's operations, which in certain cases are co-located with TW
Cable's divisions, are allocated a charge for various overhead expenses for
services provided by such divisions. Prior to the Reorganization, such
allocations were based on direct labor, total expenses or headcount relative
to each operating unit. The Company is also allocated rent based on the square
footage of space occupied by the Company at TW Cable's facilities. After the
Reorganization, these costs are based on contracts with TW Cable. Such charges
aggregated approximately $1.6 million, $2.1 million and $4.4 million for 1999,
1998 and 1997, respectively.
During the period July 1, 1997 through May 14, 1999, the Former Parent
Companies provided all or a portion of the Company's financing requirements.
Interest expense relating to such loans aggregated approximately $5.1 million,
$11.6 million and $1.5 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively (see note
5).
During 1998 and 1997, the Company participated in the TW Cable Pension Plan
(the "TW Pension Plan"), a noncontributory defined benefit pension plan which
covered approximately 75% of all employees. The remaining 25% of employees
participated in a pension plan under the administration of MediaOne, their
previous employer (the "MediaOne Pension Plan"). The Company also participated
in the TW Cable Employees Savings Plan (the "Savings Plan"), a defined
contribution plan. Both the TW Pension Plan and Savings Plan were administered
by a committee appointed by the Board of Representatives of TWE and covered
substantially all employees.
Benefits under the TW Pension Plan are determined based on formulas which
reflect employees' years of service and compensation levels during their
employment period. Total pension cost aggregated $1.1 million for 1998 and
1997.
Benefit costs under the MediaOne Pension Plan for certain employees of the
Company aggregated $0.8 million and $0.6 million for 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
The Company's contributions to the Savings Plan represented up to 6.67% of
the employees' compensation during the plan year. Defined contribution plan
expense aggregated $1.0 million and $0.7 million for 1998 and 1997,
respectively.
As of January 1, 1999, the Company did not participate in the TW Pension
Plan, the MediaOne Pension Plan or the Savings Plan because the Company
adopted its own benefit plans (see note 10). The Company has no future
obligation to fund either the TW Pension Plan or the MediaOne Pension Plan.
F-15
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
7. Income Taxes
On May 10, 1999, in conjunction with the Reconstitution, a one-time charge
to earnings of $39.4 million was recorded to recognize the net deferred tax
liability associated with the change from a limited liability company to a
corporation, as all of the Company's tax operating losses prior to May 10,
1999 were absorbed by the Former Parent Companies. The income tax benefit for
1999, shown below, includes the effect of the Reconstitution and the tax
impact of operations from the date of the Reconstitution through December 31,
1999.
Income tax expense is summarized as follows (amounts in thousands):
Total income tax expense......................................... $29,804
Less--tax benefit related to exercise of non-qualified stock
options......................................................... (2,678)
-------
Total deferred income taxes.................................... 27,126
Less current................................................... --
-------
Net deferred................................................... $27,126
=======
Variations from the federal statutory rate for activity since the
Reconstitution date are as follows:
Expected federal income tax benefit at statutory rate............ (35.0)%
Effect of net operating losses incurred prior to the
Reconstitution.................................................. 18.5
Effect of the initial deferred tax liability recorded at the time
of the Reconstitution........................................... 66.4
Effect of permanent differences.................................. 1.1
State income tax benefit, net of federal income tax benefit...... (2.1)
Other............................................................ 1.2
-------
Income tax expense............................................... 50.1%
=======
Significant components of the Company's net deferred tax liability at
December 31, 1999 are as follows (amounts in thousands):
Deferred tax assets:
Accrued expenses............................................... $ 4,933
Allowance for doubtful accounts................................ 3,159
Net operating losses since the Reconstitution.................. 5,869
-------
Total deferred tax assets.................................... 13,961
-------
Deferred tax liability--depreciation and amortization............ 41,087
-------
Net deferred tax liability................................... $27,126
=======
At December 31, 1999, the Company has a net operating loss carryforward
since the Reconstitution for federal income tax purposes of approximately
$14.6 million. The net operating loss carryforward is scheduled to expire in
2019.
8. Option Plans--Common Stock and Stock Options
Time Warner Telecom 1998 Option Plan
The Company maintains a stock option plan reserving 9,027,000 shares of
Class A common stock to be issued to officers and key employees under terms
and conditions to be set by the Company's Board of Directors.
F-16
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
Generally, the options vest over periods of up to four years and expire ten
years from the date of issuance. Such options have generally been granted to
employees of the Company at an estimated fair value at the date of grant, and
accordingly, no compensation cost has been recognized by the Company relating
to such option plan.
During 1999, the Company granted options to purchase 100,000 shares outside
of the option plan. Deferred compensation expense of $2.1 million was recorded
and will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the four-year vesting
period. In 1999, stock compensation expense of approximately $88,000 was
recorded for such options and are reported as a component of selling, general
and administrative expenses in the accompanying consolidated and combined
statements of operations.
The Company has elected to follow Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25 ("APB 25"), "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related
interpretations in accounting for its employee stock options. Under APB 25,
because the exercise price of the Company's employee stock options is
generally equal to the market price of the underlying stock on the date of the
grant, no compensation expense is recognized. SFAS No. 123, "Accounting and
Disclosure of Stock-Based Compensation," establishes an alternative method of
expense recognition for stock-based compensation awards to employees based on
fair values. The Company elected not to adopt SFAS No. 123 for expense
recognition purposes.
Pro forma information regarding net income and earnings per share is
required by SFAS No. 123, and has been determined as if the Company had
accounted for its employee stock options under the fair value method of SFAS
No. 123. The fair value for these options was estimated at the date of grant
using a Black-Scholes option pricing model with the following weighted-average
assumptions for 1998 and 1999, respectively: risk-free interest rate of 6.5%
during each period; dividend yield of 0.0% during each period; volatility
factor of the expected market price of the Company's common stock of 0.74 for
1999; and a weighted-average expected life of the option of five years during
each period.
The Black-Scholes option valuation model was developed for use in
estimating the fair value of traded options which have no vesting restrictions
and are fully transferable. In addition, option valuation models require the
input of highly subjective assumptions including the expected stock price
characteristics significantly different from those of traded options, and
because changes in the subjective input assumptions can materially affect the
fair value estimate, in management's opinion, the existing models do not
necessarily provide a reliable single measure of the fair value of its
employee stock options.
The weighted-average fair value of options granted during 1998 and 1999 was
$3.33 and $19.98, respectively. For purposes of pro forma disclosures, the
estimated fair value of the options is amortized to expense over the options'
vesting period. The Company's pro forma net loss and pro forma net loss per
share applicable to Class A common stock as if the company had used the fair
value accounting provisions of SFAS No. 123 would be a loss of $103.1 million
and a loss per share of $1.07 for the year ended December 31, 1999. The
Company's shares were not publicly traded and no shares were exercisable as of
December 31, 1998.
F-17
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
A summary of the Company's stock option activity, and related information
for the year ended December 31, 1999 and 1998 are as follows:
1999 1998
--------------------------- ---------------------------
Weighted Average Weighted Average
Options Exercise Price Options Exercise Price
--------- ---------------- --------- ----------------
Options outstanding at
beginning of year...... 5,810,750 $12.00 -- $ --
Granted................. 2,950,750 29.90 6,115,250 12.00
Exercised............... (309,849) 12.00 -- --
Forfeited............... (277,594) 12.63 (304,500) 12.00
--------- ---------
Options outstanding at
end of year............ 8,174,057 18.44 5,810,750 12.00
========= =========
Exercisable at end of
year................... 1,784,036 $12.00 -- $12.00
========= =========
Exercise prices for options outstanding as of December 31, 1999, are as
follows:
Options Outstanding Options Exercisable
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------
Number Weighted Number
Range of Outstanding as of Average Weighted Exercisable as of Weight
Exercise December 31, Remaining Average December 31, Average
Prices 1999 Contractual Life Exercise Price 1999 Exercise Price
-------- ----------------- ---------------- -------------- ----------------- --------------
$12.00-12.00 5,465,557 8.64 $12.00 1,784,036 $12.00
14.00-34.00 662,250 9.51 21.38 0 0.00
34.50-34.50 2,000,000 9.88 34.50 0 0.00
35.75-48.13 46,250 9.96 43.02 0 0.00
--------- ---------
8,174,057 9.02 $18.44 1,784,036 $12.00
========= =========
9. Commitments and Contingencies
The Company leases office space and furniture, switching facilities and
fiber optic use rights. Certain of these leases contain renewal clauses.
F-18
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
At December 31, 1999, commitments under capital and non-cancelable
operating leases with terms in excess of one year were as follows:
Capital Operating
Leases Leases
----------- ------------
(amounts in thousands)
Year ended December 31:
2000............................................ $ 737 11,023
2001............................................ 736 9,152
2002............................................ 519 9,003
2003............................................ 433 8,804
2004............................................ 401 8,449
Thereafter...................................... 5,416 51,549
----------- ----------
Total minimum lease payments.................. 8,242 97,980
==========
Less amount representing interest................. (4,139)
-----------
Present value of obligations under capital
leases........................................... 4,103
Less current portion of obligations under capital
leases........................................... (476)
-----------
Obligations under capital leases, excluding
current portion.................................. $ 3,627
===========
The obligations under capital leases have been discounted at an imputed
interest rate of 9.75%. Rental expense under operating leases, aggregated $9.4
million, $7.0 million and $5.4 million for 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.
Pending legal proceedings are substantially limited to litigation
incidental to the business of the Company. In the opinion of management, the
ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse effect
on the Company's financial statements.
10. Employee Benefit Plans
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted the "TWTC 401(k) by Time
Warner Telecom" qualified retirement plan (the "401(k) Plan"). Employees who
meet certain eligibility requirements may contribute up to 15% of their
eligible compensation, subject to statutory limitations, to a trust for
investment in several diversified investment choices, as directed by the
employee. The Company made a matching contribution of 100% of each employee's
contribution up to a maximum of 5% of the employee's eligible compensation.
Contributions to the 401(k) Plan aggregated $3.3 million for 1999.
Effective January 1, 2000, the Company adopted the "Time Warner Telecom
2000 Qualified Stock Purchase Plan" (the "Stock Purchase Plan"). Employees who
meet certain eligibility requirements may elect to designate up to 15% of
their eligible compensation to be used to purchase shares of the Company's
Class A common stock, up to an annual limit of $25,000 in the Company's Class
A common stock, at a 15% discount to fair market value. Stock purchases occur
twice a year on January 1 and July 1, with the price per share equaling the
lower of 85% of the market price at the beginning or end of the offering
period. Subject to stockholder approval at the Company's annual meeting, the
Company is authorized to issue a total of 750,000 shares of the Company's
Class A common stock to participants in the Stock Purchase Plan.
F-19
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED AND COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued)
11. Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)
The following summarizes the Company's unaudited quarterly results of
operations for 1999 and 1998:
Three Months Ended
--------------------------------------------
March 31 June 30 September 30 December 31
-------- -------- ------------ -----------
(dollars in thousands, except per share
amounts)
Year Ended December 31, 1999
Total revenue(1)............ $ 47,589 58,381 71,315 91,468
Operating income (loss)..... (15,536) (11,340) (8,561) 4,449
Net loss.................... (24,642) (53,178) (9,115) (2,330)
Basic and diluted loss per
common share............... (0.30) (0.57) (0.09) (0.02)
Year Ended December 31, 1998
Total revenue............... 22,048 27,047 32,686 40,091
Operating loss.............. (19,719) (19,407) (17,532) (16,741)
Net loss.................... (21,788) (22,135) (24,490) (24,326)
Basic and diluted loss per
common share............... $ (0.27) (0.27) (0.30) (0.30)
- --------
(1) Total revenue for the quarter ended December 31, 1999 includes the
recognition of a non-recurring $7.6 million settlement of reciprocal
compensation.
The total net loss per share for the 1999 quarter does not equal net loss
per share for the respective year as the per share amounts for each quarter
and for the year are computed based on their respective discrete periods.
F-20
TIME WARNER TELECOM INC.
SCHEDULE II--VALUATION OF QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Years Ended December 31, 1999, 1998 and 1997
Additions/
Balance at Charges to Balance at
Beginning Costs and End of
Of Period Expenses Deductions Period
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(amounts in thousands)
For the Year ended December 31,
1999:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable...................... $2,692 6,735 (1,570) 7,857
====== ===== ====== =====
For the Year ended December 31,
1998:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable...................... 776 2,020 (104) 2,692
====== ===== ====== =====
For the Year ended December 31,
1997:
Allowance for doubtful accounts
receivable...................... $ 193 1,213 (630) 776
====== ===== ====== =====
F-21