<PAGE> 1
PROSPECTUS
This filing is made pursuant
to rule 424(b)(1) under
the Securities Act of
1933 in connection with
Registration No. 333-4061
5,600,000 Shares
LOGO IXC Communications, Inc.
COMMON STOCK
------------------------
ALL OF THE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY ARE BEING SOLD BY THE COMPANY.
OF THE 5,600,000 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK BEING OFFERED, 4,480,000 SHARES ARE
BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S.
UNDERWRITERS AND 1,120,000 SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY
OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE INTERNATIONAL
UNDERWRITERS. PRIOR TO THIS OFFERING, THERE HAS BEEN NO
PUBLIC MARKET FOR THE COMPANY'S COMMON STOCK. SEE
"UNDERWRITERS" FOR INFORMATION RELATING TO THE
METHOD OF DETERMINING THE INITIAL PUBLIC
OFFERING PRICE.
CONCURRENTLY WITH THE CLOSING OF THIS OFFERING, THE COMPANY WILL SELL TO THE
TRUSTEES OF THE GENERAL ELECTRIC PENSION TRUST, AN AFFILIATE OF THE COMPANY,
$12.5 MILLION OF COMMON STOCK. FOR A DESCRIPTION OF THE TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF
SUCH SALE, SEE "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS."
------------------------
THE COMMON STOCK HAS BEEN APPROVED FOR LISTING ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET
UNDER THE SYMBOL "IIXC."
------------------------
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 9 FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.
------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
------------------------
PRICE $16.00 A SHARE
------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
UNDERWRITING
PRICE TO DISCOUNTS AND PROCEEDS TO
PUBLIC COMMISSIONS(1) COMPANY(2)
------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Per Share....................................... $16.00 $1.12 $14.88
Total(3)........................................ $89,600,000 $6,272,000 $83,328,000
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) The Company has agreed to indemnify the Underwriters against certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended. See "Underwriters."
(2) Before deducting expenses payable by the Company, estimated at
$1,500,000.
(3) The Company has granted to the U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable
within 30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an aggregate of
840,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the price to public less
underwriting discounts and commissions, for the purpose of covering
over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise such option
in full, the total price to public, underwriting discounts and
commissions and proceeds to Company will be $103,040,000, $7,212,800 and
$95,827,200, respectively. See "Underwriters."
------------------------
The Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if accepted by
the Underwriters and subject to approval of certain legal matters by Shearman &
Sterling, counsel for the Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the
Shares will be made on or about July 9, 1996, at the office of Morgan Stanley &
Co. Incorporated, New York, N.Y., against payment therefor in immediately
available funds.
------------------------
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.
Incorporated
CS FIRST BOSTON
DILLON, READ & CO. INC.
July 2, 1996
<PAGE> 2
NO PERSON IS AUTHORIZED IN CONNECTION WITH ANY OFFERING MADE HEREBY TO GIVE
ANY INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATION NOT CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS,
AND IF GIVEN OR MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATION MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON
AS HAVING BEEN AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR BY ANY UNDERWRITER. THIS PROSPECTUS
DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR A SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY
SECURITY OTHER THAN THE COMMON STOCK OFFERED HEREBY TO ANY PERSON IN ANY
JURISDICTION IN WHICH IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE ANY SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION TO
SUCH PERSON. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREBY
SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCE IMPLY THAT THE INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS
CORRECT AS OF ANY DATE SUBSEQUENT TO THE DATE HEREOF.
------------------------
UNTIL JULY 27, 1996 (25 DAYS AFTER THE DATE OF THIS PROSPECTUS), ALL
DEALERS EFFECTING TRANSACTIONS IN THE SECURITIES, WHETHER OR NOT PARTICIPATING
IN THIS DISTRIBUTION, MAY BE REQUIRED TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS. THIS DELIVERY
REQUIREMENT IS IN ADDITION TO THE OBLIGATION OF DEALERS TO DELIVER A PROSPECTUS
WHEN ACTING AS UNDERWRITERS AND WITH RESPECT TO THEIR UNSOLD ALLOTMENTS OR
SUBSCRIPTIONS.
------------------------
For investors outside the United States: No action has been or will be
taken in any jurisdiction by the Company or by any Underwriter that would permit
a public offering of the Common Stock or possession or distribution of this
Prospectus in any jurisdiction where action for that purpose is required, other
than in the United States. Persons into whose possession this Prospectus comes
are required by the Company and the Underwriters to inform themselves about and
to observe any restrictions as to the offering of the Common Stock and the
distribution of this Prospectus.
In this Prospectus references to "dollars" and "$" are to United States
Dollars, and the terms "United States" and "U.S." mean the United States of
America, its states, its territories, its possessions and all areas subject to
its jurisdiction.
------------------------
IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH
TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NASDAQ NATIONAL MARKET, IN THE
OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET, OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME. DURING THIS OFFERING, CERTAIN PERSONS AFFILIATED WITH
PERSONS PARTICIPATING IN THE DISTRIBUTION MAY ENGAGE IN TRANSACTIONS FOR THEIR
OWN ACCOUNTS OR FOR THE ACCOUNTS OF OTHERS IN THE COMMON STOCK PURSUANT TO
EXEMPTIONS FROM RULES 10B-6, 10B-7 AND 10B-8 UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT
OF 1934.
2
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[MAP]
<PAGE> 4
TABLE OF CONTENTS
<TABLE>
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PAGE
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<S> <C>
Prospectus Summary..................................................................... 4
Risk Factors........................................................................... 9
Use of Proceeds........................................................................ 17
Dividend Policy........................................................................ 17
Capitalization......................................................................... 18
Dilution............................................................................... 19
Selected Historical and Pro Forma Financial Data....................................... 20
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations........................................................................... 22
Industry Overview...................................................................... 30
Business............................................................................... 33
Management............................................................................. 47
Certain Transactions................................................................... 51
Principal Stockholders................................................................. 53
Description of Capital Stock........................................................... 55
Shares Eligible for Future Sale........................................................ 57
Description of Certain Indebtedness.................................................... 58
Underwriters........................................................................... 59
Legal Matters.......................................................................... 62
Experts................................................................................ 62
Additional Information................................................................. 62
Glossary............................................................................... A-1
Index to Financial Statements.......................................................... F-1
</TABLE>
------------------------
The Company intends to furnish its shareholders with annual reports
containing consolidated financial statements examined by an independent public
accounting firm and quarterly reports for the first three quarters of each
fiscal year containing unaudited financial information.
3
<PAGE> 5
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
Certain of the information contained in this Prospectus, including
information regarding the Company's Fiber Expansion (as defined below) and
switched long distance services and related strategy and financing, are
forward-looking statements. For a discussion of important factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from the matters described in the
forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors." Prospective investors should
carefully consider such factors and the other matters set forth under "Risk
Factors."
The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information, including "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," and the Consolidated
Financial Statements (including the Notes thereto), appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. As used herein, unless the context otherwise requires, the term
"Company" refers to IXC Communications, Inc. ("IXC Communications") and its
subsidiaries, including predecessor corporations. Industry data was obtained
from a report issued in March 1996 from the FCC and from reports dated April
1995 and January 1996 from International Data Corporation (an industry research
organization), which the Company has not independently verified. Unless
otherwise indicated, all information in this Prospectus assumes that the U.S.
Underwriters' over-allotment option will not be exercised and has been adjusted
to reflect stock splits through the date of this Prospectus.
Certain terms used herein are defined in the Glossary at page A-1.
THE COMPANY
The Company provides two principal services to long distance companies: (i)
long-haul transmission of voice and data over dedicated circuits; and (ii)
switched long distance services. The Company is one of only five carriers to own
a digital telecommunications network extending from coast-to-coast (the other
carriers are AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom). Its facilities include digital
switches located in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta. The
Company is currently engaged in a major expansion of its network, as described
below.
The Company had revenues of approximately $91 million in 1995,
substantially all of which were generated by its long-haul business. The Company
has long-haul circuit contracts with over 200 long distance carriers, including
AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom, Cable & Wireless, Frontier and LCI. As of April 30,
1996, the Company had "take or pay" commitments from its long-haul customers of
approximately $160.0 million (consisting of approximately $90.0 million relating
to circuits currently in service and approximately $70.0 million relating to
circuits not yet ordered that the Company expects will be carried over leased
routes or routes being constructed). Long-haul transmission service is also
provided to customers after contract expiration on a month-to-month basis. The
Company's long-haul contracts provide for fixed monthly payments, generally in
advance. The Company has provided services to nine of its ten largest customers
for at least six years and, although sales volumes from particular customers
vary from year to year, has historically enjoyed a high customer retention rate
(annual customer retention has averaged over 90% from 1992-1995).
The Company recently expanded into the business of selling switched long
distance services to long distance resellers in order to complement its
long-haul business and to capitalize on its ability to provide switched services
over its own network. Switched long distance services are telecommunications
services that are processed through the Company's digital switches and carried
over long-haul circuits and other transmission facilities owned or leased by the
Company. During 1995, the Company set up the infrastructure for its switched
long distance business by installing its switches, connecting them to its
network and to the LECs, acquiring software, hiring personnel and entering into
contracts with customers. The Company's switched network became fully
operational in February 1996. The Company sells switched long distance services
on a per-call basis, charging by minutes of use ("MOUs"), with payment due
monthly after services are rendered. The Company believes that it is
well-positioned to attract long distance resellers as customers for its switched
long distance services because: (i) it is not currently a significant competitor
for sales to end users;
4
<PAGE> 6
and (ii) it provides more focused service to its reseller customers, since
servicing such customers is its primary business, unlike its major competitors
whose main business is selling retail long distance service to end users.
The Company has entered into switched long distance services contracts with
over 30 long distance resellers including Excel and GE Capital Communication.
Excel, a rapidly growing long distance reseller, first utilized the Company's
switched long distance services in February 1996. Excel has contracted to
increase its volume on the Company's network to a minimum of 70 million minutes
of traffic per month no later than October 1996. The Company's switched long
distance business has grown rapidly since its switched network became fully
operational in February 1996, with Excel accounting for most of the growth. The
Company's switched long distance revenues amounted to approximately $3.6 million
in the quarter ended March 31, 1996, (with $0.7 million in January 1996, $1.3
million in February 1996 and $1.6 million in March 1996), $3.1 million in April
1996 and $6.4 million in May 1996. Excel accounted for 17%, 67% and 76% of such
revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1996, the month of April 1996 and the
month of May 1996, respectively. See "Business -- Switched Long Distance
Services."
The Company's primary business objectives over the near term are: (i) to
rapidly increase revenue from its switched long distance services business; (ii)
to substantially complete the backbone of the first phase of its planned network
expansion in the first quarter of 1997; and (iii) to utilize its expanded
network to increase its revenues and profitability.
INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
The domestic long distance market generated revenues of approximately $75.9
billion in 1995. In 1995, the first-tier long distance providers (AT&T, MCI and
Sprint) accounted for approximately 85.6% of such revenue, the second-tier
companies (WorldCom, Frontier, Cable & Wireless, LCI and others) accounted for
approximately 8.9%, and the third-tier companies (approximately 400 companies)
accounted for the remaining 5.5% of the long distance market. According to data
included in an FCC report issued in March 1996, while total long distance
revenues grew at a compound annual rate of over 8% during the period from 1989
through 1995, the revenues of all carriers other than the first-tier carriers
grew in the aggregate at an annual compound rate of over 22% during the same
period. Such analysis also stated that the second-tier and third-tier carriers
increased their market share sixfold over a ten-year period, increasing from
less than 3% in 1984 to more than 17% in 1994. In addition, industry sources
estimate that combined revenues of second-tier and third-tier carriers grew by
17.9% in 1995. The Company provides long-haul services to companies in all three
tiers and switched long distance services to companies in the third tier.
FIBER EXPANSION
The Company owns a coast-to-coast network containing over 1,700 fiber optic
route miles and over 5,000 digital microwave route miles. Because of geographic
limitations and capacity constraints, the Company currently supplements its own
facilities with a significant amount of fiber optic capacity obtained from other
carriers to service customers that require capacity not available on the
Company's own network.
The Company is currently undertaking a major expansion of its network by
adding a substantial number of additional fiber route miles (the "Fiber
Expansion") to increase the Company's geographic scope and network capacity. The
Company believes the Fiber Expansion will improve profitability and cash flow
through increasing revenues and decreasing certain costs. The Fiber Expansion is
planned to include two phases. The first phase ("Phase I") will include
approximately 4,000 high-capacity fiber optic route miles from Philadelphia via
Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix to Los Angeles and a later phase ("Phase II") will
include approximately 3,100 high-capacity fiber optic route miles from New York
via Atlanta to Houston, with spurs to Florida, Louisiana and Texas. The Company
expects to substantially complete the backbone of Phase I in the first quarter
of 1997, meeting the cost of its construction with cash on hand and the proceeds
of this offering (the "Offering"). The Company seeks to realize significant cost
savings and offsets to the estimated cost of the Fiber Expansion through a
cooperative arrangement with WorldCom and cost-saving arrangements
5
<PAGE> 7
with other carriers and large users of fiber capacity. The Company has had
experience with arrangements of this type with several major carriers, including
MCI, Sprint, Cable & Wireless and WorldCom.
Phase I of the Fiber Expansion will connect four of the Company's five
switches with high-capacity long-haul circuits on its own network, utilizing
advanced fiber optic technology capable of efficiently transmitting
capacity-intensive services, such as Internet and multimedia applications, frame
relay and ATM. Phase I is expected to deliver significant strategic and
financial benefits to the Company through: (i) producing substantial savings by
allowing the Company to move a portion of its excess long-haul traffic from
leased circuits on the networks of other carriers to its own expanded network;
(ii) providing high-capacity new routes and substantially increasing the
capacity of certain existing routes, allowing the Company to increase revenues
by leasing additional circuits to its customers; (iii) allowing the Company to
improve profitability in its switched long distance services business by
reducing its underlying costs of long-haul transmission; and (iv) creating
sufficient capacity to support increased demand which may result from Internet
and multimedia applications, frame relay and ATM.
THE OFFERING
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Common Stock offered
United States offering............................................ 4,480,000 shares
International offering............................................ 1,120,000 shares
Total.......................................................... 5,600,000 shares
Common Stock outstanding immediately after this offering............ 30,775,308 shares(1)
Use of proceeds..................................................... For the Fiber Expansion.
See "Use of Proceeds."
Nasdaq National Market symbol....................................... IIXC
</TABLE>
In addition, Trustees of General Electric Pension Trust ("GEPT"), an
affiliate of the Company which presently owns approximately 30.6% of the Common
Stock, has agreed to acquire $12.5 million of restricted Common Stock from the
Company (the "GEPT Private Placement") simultaneously with the closing of this
Offering. See "Certain Transactions." GEPT will purchase 840,053 shares of
Common Stock at a purchase price of $14.88 (the public offering price less
underwriters' discounts and commissions). Upon the closing of the Offering and
the GEPT Private Placement, GEPT will own approximately 26.9% of the Common
Stock.
- ---------------
(1) Reflects the issuance of 840,053 shares of Common Stock in the GEPT Private
Placement and excludes: (i) 1,212,450 shares of Common Stock reserved for
issuance under the 1994 Stock Plan (as defined herein), of which options to
purchase 1,075,080 shares were outstanding as of March 31, 1996 at a
weighted average exercise price of $3.01 per share; and (ii) 2,121,787
shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1996 Stock Plan (as
defined herein), of which no options to purchase shares were outstanding as
of March 31, 1996.
6
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SUMMARY CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain summary consolidated financial data
of the Company. The historical financial data as of and for the years ended
December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 has been derived from the audited Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Company. The historical financial data for the three
months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 is derived from unaudited financial
statements. The unaudited financial statements include all adjustments,
consisting of normal recurring accruals, which management considers necessary
for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of operations
for this period. Results of operations for the interim periods are not
necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. The pro
forma data has been derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed Consolidated
Statement of Operations, which is included elsewhere herein. The pro forma
financial information is presented for informational purposes only and is not
necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred, nor
are they necessarily indicative of future operations.
The summary consolidated financial data set forth below is qualified in its
entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and the
Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto and other financial
information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
HISTORICAL
-------------------
HISTORICAL
---------------------------------- PRO FORMA(1) THREE MONTHS
------------ ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, YEAR ENDED MARCH 31,
---------------------------------- DECEMBER 31, -------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- -------- ------------ -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net operating revenues............. $ 71,123 $ 80,663 $ 91,001 $ 91,001 $ 21,766 $ 26,250
Operating income (loss)............ (10,596) 14,085 1,429 312 3,716 (5,777)
Interest expense................... 4,943 6,105 14,597 14,597 1,873 9,870
Income (loss) before extraordinary
items............................ (31,812)(2) 5,017 (3,218) (7,605) 1,267 (11,699)
Net income (loss) per common
share............................ $ (1.04) $ .22 $ (.27) $ .03 $ (.49)
Net income (loss) per common share,
as adjusted(3)................... $ (.22) $ (.39)
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash(4)............................ $ 6,230 $ 6,048 $205,181 $ 6,293 $193,076
Total assets....................... 94,281 105,409 336,475 104,742 346,467
Total debt(5)...................... 59,954 69,124 298,794 66,686 311,331
Stockholders' equity (deficit)..... 6,871 14,189 6,858 16,856 (4,841)
OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS DATA:
EBITDA(6).......................... $ 10,175 $ 26,400 $ 27,124 $ 21,674 $ 7,725 $ 2,818
Capital expenditures............... 27,008 7,087 23,670 23,670 2,571 13,564
Ratio of EBITDA to interest
expense(7)....................... 2.06x 4.32x 1.86x 1.48x 4.12x --
Minutes of use (in millions)....... -- -- 12.8 12.8 -- 33.9
</TABLE>
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(1) The pro forma statement of operations data and the other financial and
operations data for the year ended December 31, 1995 reflect the acquisition
by the Company of the minority interest in Switched Services Communications,
L.L.C. as if the acquisition (which actually occurred as of January 1, 1996)
had occurred as of January 1, 1995. See Note 17 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(2) After giving effect to a $37,960 non-cash charge in 1993 relating to a
write-down of microwave equipment. (As of March 31, 1996, the remaining net
depreciated book value of microwave equipment was less than 6% of total
assets.) See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(Footnotes continued on following page)
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<PAGE> 9
(3) Net income (loss) per common share as adjusted reflects the 840,053 shares
issued in the GEPT Private Placement and the 5,600,000 shares issued in this
Offering.
(4) Including $198,266 at December 31, 1995 and $187,584 at March 31, 1996 held
in an escrow account. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(5) Total debt consists of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and
deferred lease obligations, including the current portions thereof.
(6) Represents net income before depreciation, amortization, interest expense,
income taxes and extraordinary items ("EBITDA"). For the year ended December
31, 1993, EBITDA does not reflect a $37,960 write-down of microwave
equipment recorded by the Company. (As of March 31, 1996, the remaining net
depreciated book value of microwave equipment was less than 6% of total
assets.) See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. EBITDA for
1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 includes the negative EBITDA
of IXC Long Distance, Inc., the Company's switched long distance services
subsidiary. Such amounts principally relate to start-up and operating
expenses incurred before the Company began generating material revenues from
its switched long distance business. Had the Company excluded the negative
EBITDA of the switched long distance business, EBITDA would have been
$36,916 in 1995 and $8,675 and $11,143 for the three months ended March 31,
1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has included information concerning
EBITDA because it believes that EBITDA is used by certain investors as one
measure of an issuer's historical ability to service its debt. EBITDA is not
a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance
prepared in accordance with GAAP. For 1995 and the three months ended March
31, 1996, EBITDA included $2,552 and $2,557, respectively, of interest
income relating to amounts held in escrow. See the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
(7) For the three months ended March 31, 1996, EBITDA was insufficient to cover
interest expense by $7,052. The Company paid the interest accrued during
such period with funds from the escrow account referred to in footnote (4).
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RISK FACTORS
An investment in the Common Stock offered hereby is speculative in nature
and involves a high degree of risk. Accordingly, the following risk factors
should be considered carefully in evaluating the Company and its business before
purchasing shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
NEGATIVE CASH FLOW AND CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS
The Fiber Expansion will require significant capital expenditures before
producing significant reductions in expenses. The Company anticipates meeting
the costs of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion, which will require estimated cash
expenditures subsequent to April 30, 1996 of $213.0 million, with the proceeds
of this Offering and a portion of its cash held in an escrow account ($152.9
million at May 31, 1996). Such escrow account was funded with a portion of the
proceeds of the $285.0 million of 12 1/2% Senior Notes due 2005 issued by the
Company in October 1995 (the "Senior Notes"). The Company estimates that its
total capital expenditures for the last three quarters of 1996 will be $200.0
million (including capital expenditures relating to the Fiber Expansion). The
amount of actual capital expenditures may vary materially as a result of
cost-saving arrangements, unexpected costs and other factors. The successful
completion of Phase II of the Fiber Expansion, which is estimated to cost $275.0
million (before any cost-saving arrangements) is dependent upon the Company's
ability to enter into cost-saving arrangements with carriers or other large
users of fiber capacity, to raise the significant capital required and/or to
significantly increase its cash flow. The failure of the Company to accomplish
any of the foregoing may significantly delay or prevent the completion of the
Fiber Expansion. Failure to complete Phase I would have a material adverse
effect on the Company and the value of the Common Stock. Failure to complete
Phase II could have a material adverse effect on the value of the Common Stock.
The development of the Company's switched long distance business will also
require significant capital. In order to offer switched long distance services,
the Company has installed switches, connected them to its network and to the
LECs, acquired software and hired the personnel needed to establish a national
switched network. Operating expenses and capital expenditures will result in the
Company's switched long distance business incurring negative cash flow until the
Company's customers route sufficient traffic over the network to cover the costs
of its operation, which the Company does not expect to occur before the end of
1996. For a discussion of important factors that could cause the Company's
switched long distance business to fail to generate positive cash flows, see
"-- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched Long Distance Business." The
Company anticipates that its cash requirements relating to the switched long
distance services business will be approximately $22.6 million in 1996, which
includes funding negative cash flow from, and making capital expenditures (net
of financing) for, its switched long distance business. A delay in the
completion of the Fiber Expansion, or larger than anticipated capital
expenditures for the Fiber Expansion or negative cash flow from the switched
long distance business could impair the ability of the Company to meet its
obligations under the Senior Notes and other indebtedness or to access
additional sources of funding and adversely affect the value of the Common
Stock. For 1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company's EBITDA
minus interest expense and capital expenditures (adjusted for the change in
working capital deficit) was negative $4.8 million and negative $38.5 million,
respectively.
The Company is required to make annual interest payments of $35.6 million
with respect to the Senior Notes. Although the Company intends to utilize funds
in the escrow account ($152.9 million at May 31, 1996) to make such interest
payments in the short term, the Company is currently unable to satisfy such
obligations solely with its cash flow. Accordingly, the Company's ability to
meet its debt service requirements over the long term is dependent on a
significant increase in its cash flow and/or its ability to raise additional
capital.
The forward-looking statements set forth above with respect to the cost of
Phase I of the Fiber Expansion, the Company's ability to meet such costs, the
amount of the Company's cash requirements in 1996, and the Company's ability to
generate positive cash flows in its switched long distance business are based on
certain assumptions, including that there will be no significant cost overruns,
the Company's contractors and partners in cost-saving arrangements will perform
their obligations, rights-of-way can be
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<PAGE> 11
obtained on a timely, cost-effective basis, the backbone of Phase I is
substantially completed on schedule in the first quarter of 1997, the Company
generates significant levels of MOUs and that the Company can successfully
provide switched long distance services on a cost effective basis (including the
provision of billing information in an accurate and timely manner) for volumes
that it has not previously handled. See "-- Risks Relating to Completion of the
Fiber Expansion," "-- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched Long Distance
Business," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations" and "Business -- The Company's Network."
RECENT AND EXPECTED LOSSES
The Company reported a loss before extraordinary items of $3.2 million for
the year ended December 31, 1995 and an operating loss of $5.8 million and a net
loss of $11.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 1996. As of March 31,
1996 the Company had an accumulated deficit of $34.5 million. The Company
expects a net loss for the year ending December 31, 1996 primarily as a result
of interest expense associated with the Senior Notes and start-up and
operational expenses costs associated with the switched long distance business.
Thereafter, the Company's profitability depends to a great extent on demand for
the long-haul circuits constructed in the Fiber Expansion and the success of the
Company's switched long distance services. There can be no assurance that the
Company will return to profitability in the future. Failure to be profitable
could impair the Company's ability to meet its obligations under the Senior
Notes, expand its switched long distance business and raise additional equity or
debt financing which will be necessary to complete Phase II of the Fiber
Expansion or which may be required for other reasons. Such events could have a
material adverse effect on the Company and the value of the Common Stock. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."
RISKS RELATING TO COMPLETION OF THE FIBER EXPANSION
The Fiber Expansion is an essential element of the Company's future
success. The Company commenced construction of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion in
November 1995. The Company has substantial existing commitments to purchase
materials and labor for such construction, and will need to obtain additional
materials and labor to complete Phase I of the Fiber Expansion, which materials
and labor may cost more than anticipated. See "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and
Capital Resources." The successful completion of each phase of the Fiber
Expansion is dependent, among other things, on the Company's ability: (i) to
obtain rights-of-way; (ii) to manage effectively the construction of the new
fiber routes; and (iii) with respect to Phase II of the Fiber Expansion, to
enter into additional cost-saving arrangements, obtain additional financing
and/or significantly increase its cash flow. In addition, the successful
construction of the Fiber Expansion will depend to a significant extent on third
party contractors retained by the Company. Difficulties or delays with respect
to any of the foregoing may significantly delay or prevent the completion of the
Fiber Expansion, which would have a material adverse effect on the Company and
the value of the Common Stock.
The Company has entered into the WorldCom Fiber Build Agreement (as defined
below) with WorldCom, relating to the construction by each party of a fiber
route approximately 1,100 miles long and the placing of fiber for both parties
in such route. WorldCom's route is to extend from Akron through Indianapolis to
a suburb of St. Louis, with a spur from Indianapolis to a suburb of Chicago. The
Company's route is to extend from Dallas to Phoenix with a spur to Ft. Worth.
The WorldCom Fiber Build Agreement provides for substantial penalties ($400,000
per month) to either party that does not complete construction of its route by
October 1, 1996, but only after a grace period and only in the event that the
other party has completed construction of its route. No assurance can be given
that the Company will be able to complete its route in time to avoid such
penalties. Although the Company does not anticipate undue difficulty in
acquiring the necessary rights-of-way or in managing the construction for either
Phase I or Phase II of the Fiber Expansion, no assurance can be given that such
rights will be acquired or that the Fiber Expansion will be completed without
significant delays, within its budget or at all. In addition, no assurance can
be given that WorldCom will be able to complete its route under the WorldCom
Fiber Build Agreement without significant delays or at all. Increased costs or
significant delays in the completion of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion,
including the
10
<PAGE> 12
portion to be constructed by WorldCom, or of the remainder of the Fiber
Expansion could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of
the Common Stock. See "Business -- The Company's Network."
PRICING PRESSURES AND RISKS OF INDUSTRY OVER-CAPACITY
The long distance transmission industry has generally been characterized by
over-capacity and declining prices since shortly after the AT&T divestiture in
1984. The Company believes that, in the last several years, increasing demand
has ameliorated the over-capacity and that pricing pressure has been reduced.
However, the Company anticipates that prices for its services will continue to
decline over the next several years. The Company is aware that certain long
distance carriers are expanding their capacity and believes that other long
distance carriers, as well as potential new entrants to the industry, are
considering the construction of new fiber optic and other long distance
transmission networks. However, the Company believes that there are significant
barriers to entry for new entrants that may consider building a new fiber optic
network, such as substantial construction costs, and the difficulty and expense
of securing appropriate rights-of-way, establishing and maintaining a sufficient
customer base, recruiting and retaining appropriate personnel and maintaining a
reliable network. Since the cost of the actual fiber is a relatively small
portion of building new transmission lines, persons building such lines are
likely to install fiber that provides substantially more transmission capacity
than will be needed over the short or medium term. Further, recent technological
advances have shown the potential to greatly expand the capacity of existing and
new fiber optic cable. In addition, the Company's cost-saving arrangements with
other carriers, which may involve the sale or lease of capacity or fibers on the
Fiber Expansion, may result in competitors having capacity on the Company's
routes along the Fiber Expansion, which may in turn result in pricing pressures
with respect to traffic carried along these routes. If industry capacity
expansion results in capacity that exceeds overall demand in general or along
any of the Company's routes, severe additional pricing pressure could develop.
In addition, strategic alliances or similar transactions, such as the recently
announced long distance capacity purchasing alliance among certain RBOCs, could
result in additional pricing pressure on long distance carriers. Such pricing
pressure could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of
the Common Stock. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations -- Overview."
DEVELOPMENT RISKS AND DEPENDENCE ON SWITCHED LONG DISTANCE BUSINESS
The success of the Company in the switched long distance business is
dependent on the Company's ability to generate significant customer traffic, to
manage an efficient switched long distance network and related customer service
and the timely completion of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion. The Company has not
previously managed a switched long distance network and there can be no
assurance that its switched long distance services can be sold at a profit. The
failure of the Company to generate significant customer traffic, to complete
Phase I of the Fiber Expansion in a timely manner, or to effectively manage the
switched network and related customer service or to operate it at a profit would
have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of the Common Stock.
Because the Company recently entered into the switched long distance business,
with its five switches becoming fully operational in February 1996, the Company
expects substantial operating losses relating to its switched long distance
business unless and until larger volumes of traffic are carried on the Company's
switched long distance network. In addition, to the extent that LECs grant
volume discounts with respect to local access charges, the Company may have a
cost disadvantage versus the larger carriers. The Company's operating loss in
the first quarter of 1996 was primarily attributable to its switched services
operations. The Company anticipates that its switched long distance business
will incur negative cash flow until the Company's customers route sufficient
traffic over the network to cover the costs of its operation, which the Company
does not expect to occur before the end of 1996. The preceding forward-looking
statement is based on certain assumptions as to the growth of traffic on the
Company's network and the control of its operating expenses. Such assumptions
may prove to be inaccurate due to changes in the businesses of the Company's
reseller customers, an inability to attract new customers, the loss of existing
customers, problems in the operation of the switched network, the Company's lack
of experience with switched long distance services, increases in operating
expenses or other factors affecting the Company's revenue or expenses. If such
traffic does not increase, there can be no assurance that the switched long
11
<PAGE> 13
distance business will ever generate positive cash flows. In addition, the
credit risk for the Company's switched long distance business will be
substantially greater than the credit risk for the Company's long-haul business,
because switched long distance customers will be charged in arrears on the basis
of MOUs (which are frequently subject to dispute). See "Business -- Switched
Long Distance Services."
RISKS INHERENT IN RAPID GROWTH
Part of the Company's strategy is to achieve rapid growth through entering
the switched long distance business and through completing the Fiber Expansion.
Rapid growth would require: (i) the retention and training of new personnel;
(ii) the satisfactory performance by the Company's customer interface and
billing systems; (iii) the development and introduction of new products; and
(iv) the control of the Company's expenses related to the expansion into the
switched long distance business and the Fiber Expansion. The failure by the
Company to satisfy these requirements, or otherwise to manage its growth
effectively, would have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value
of the Common Stock. See "Business -- Long-Haul Services" and
"Business -- Switched Long Distance Services."
SUBSTANTIAL INDEBTEDNESS
The Company is highly leveraged. As of March 31, 1996, the Company had
approximately $311.3 million of long-term debt (including the current portion
thereof) and a stockholders' deficit of approximately $4.8 million. On a pro
forma basis, assuming this Offering and the GEPT Private Placement were
consummated as of March 31, 1996, there would have been at such date
approximately $89.5 million of stockholders' equity and a debt-to-equity ratio
of 3.5 to 1. The Company's significant debt burden could have several important
consequences to the Company, including, but not limited to: (i) the cash
received from operations may be insufficient to meet the principal and interest
on the Senior Notes, in addition to paying the other indebtedness of the Company
as it becomes due; (ii) a significant portion of the Company's cash flow from
operations must be used to service its debt instead of being used in the
Company's business; and (iii) the Company's flexibility to obtain additional
financing in the future, as needed for Phase II of the Fiber Expansion or any
other reason, may be impaired by the amount of debt outstanding and the
restrictions imposed by the covenants contained in the indenture for the Senior
Notes. See "Description of Certain Indebtedness." The ability of the Company to
meet its obligations will be subject to financial, business and other factors,
including factors beyond its control, such as prevailing economic conditions.
There can be no assurance that the Company's cash flow from operations will be
sufficient to meet its obligations under the Senior Notes or other indebtedness
as payments become due or that the Company will be able to refinance the Senior
Notes or other indebtedness at maturity.
RELIANCE ON MAJOR CUSTOMERS
The Company's ten largest customers in 1995 accounted for approximately 78%
of its revenues, with WorldCom and Frontier as its two largest customers. During
1993, 1994 and 1995, WorldCom accounted for approximately 23%, 25% and 20%
respectively, of the Company's revenues (with no revenues in 1993 or 1994 and
approximately 4% of the Company's revenues in 1995 relating to capacity-exchange
arrangements between WorldCom and the Company), and Frontier (including Allnet)
accounted for 24%, 23% and 21%, respectively, of the Company's revenues.
WorldCom has grown substantially in recent years, largely through acquisitions,
including the acquisition of certain customers of the Company. In 1995, WorldCom
acquired WilTel, a facilities-based carrier that has been both a long-term
customer of, and supplier to, the Company. The Company believes that as a result
of WorldCom's ownership of the WilTel long-haul transmission network, WorldCom
is likely to transfer long-haul circuits now leased from the Company, other than
the long-haul circuits under capacity exchange arrangements with the Company, to
its own network when its leases expire. During the first quarter of 1996, the
Company had revenues from WorldCom of approximately $4.2 million. Of such
revenues, approximately 38% related to capacity-exchange agreements, 3% related
to leases expiring in 1996, 15% related to leases expiring in 1997, 21% related
to leases expiring after 1997, and 23% related to month-to-month leases. Prior
to its acquisition in 1995 by Frontier (which is also a customer of the
Company), Allnet was a large customer of the Company, accounting for
approximately 18% and 17% of
12
<PAGE> 14
the Company's revenues in 1993 and 1994, respectively. Although: (i) Frontier
had "take or pay" commitments to the Company for the period 1996 through 2000 of
over $30.0 million as of March 31, 1996; (ii) Frontier does not currently own
significant long-haul network capacity; and (iii) the Company believes that the
acquisition of Allnet by Frontier will not affect the combined carrier's
requirements for long-haul circuits, the Company cannot predict whether the
acquisition of Allnet by Frontier will affect the relationship of the combined
carrier with the Company or whether Frontier will renew its contracts with the
Company after its commitments expire. Although there can be no assurance, the
Company believes that if revenues from WorldCom or from Frontier do not continue
or are reduced, they can be replaced over time with revenues generated from
other customers. However, in such event, the Company's revenues may in the
short-term be adversely affected and if such revenues are not replaced, then the
loss of WorldCom, Frontier or other significant customers could have a material
adverse effect on the Company and the value of the Common Stock. In addition,
construction by the Company's customers of their own facilities or further
consolidations in the telecommunications industry involving the Company's
customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of
the Common Stock. See "Business -- Long-Haul Services."
The Company's strategy for establishing and growing its switched long
distance business is based in large part on its relationship with Excel. The
failure by the Company to fulfill its obligations to provide a reliable switched
network for use by Excel or the failure by Excel: (i) to fulfill its obligations
to utilize the Company's switched long distance services (even though such
failure could give rise in certain circumstances to claims by the Company); or
(ii) to utilize the volume of MOUs that the Company expects it to utilize, could
result in a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of the Common
Stock. In addition to its commitments to its other suppliers, Excel recently
announced that it has entered into a four-year, $900 million contract to
purchase switched long distance services from WorldCom. Although the Company
believes that Excel's commitment to WorldCom will not impair Excel's
relationship with the Company, WorldCom will be a significant competitor to the
Company for Excel's business. In the event the Company is not able to
effectively compete with WorldCom or other Excel suppliers, it may not continue
to obtain revenues from Excel after Excel's commitment to the Company has been
satisfied. The loss of Excel as a customer after Excel's commitment has been
satisfied or a significant reduction by Excel of its commitment to the Company
(as is permitted in certain circumstances by the terms of its contract with the
Company) could have a material adverse effect on the Company and the value of
the Common Stock. See "Business -- Switched Long Distance Services."
COMPETITION
The telecommunications industry is highly competitive. Many of the
Company's competitors (such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom and others) and
potential competitors have substantially greater financial, personnel,
technical, marketing and other resources than those of the Company and a far
more extensive transmission network than the Company. Such competitors may build
additional fiber capacity in the geographic areas to be served by the Fiber
Expansion. The Company is aware that at least one other company is considering
building a new nationwide long distance fiber optic network. In addition, many
telecommunications companies are acquiring switches and users of switches will
have an increasing number of alternative providers of switched long distance
services. The Company competes primarily on the basis of pricing, availability,
transmission quality, customer service (including the capability of making rapid
additions to add end users and access to end-user traffic records) and variety
of services. The ability of the Company to compete effectively will depend on
its ability to maintain high-quality services at prices generally equal to or
below those charged by its competitors.
In the United States, price competition in the long distance business has
generally been intensive. The FCC has, on several occasions since 1984, approved
or required price decreases by AT&T through the imposition of "price cap"
regulations. However, the FCC recently classified AT&T as a "non-dominant
interexchange carrier," with the effect that AT&T is no longer subject to price
regulation of its long distance services. Since the Company believes that its
customers generally price their service offerings at or below the prices charged
by AT&T for its telecommunications services, reductions by AT&T in its rates may
necessitate similar price decreases by the Company. In addition, the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Telecommu-
13
<PAGE> 15
nications Act") will allow the RBOCs and others such as electric utilities and
cable television companies to enter the long distance market, and has reduced
restraints on GTE. Further, a continuing trend toward consolidation, mergers,
acquisitions and strategic alliances in the telecommunications industry could
also give rise to significant new competitors to the Company or to the Company's
customers. See "-- Recent Legislation and Regulatory Uncertainty," "Industry
Overview," "Business -- Long-Haul Services," "Business -- Switched Long Distance
Services" and "Business -- Regulation."
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
The Company's businesses are managed by a small number of key executive
officers, the loss of whom could have a material adverse effect on the Company.
The Company believes that its growth and future success will depend in large
part on its continued ability to attract and retain highly skilled and qualified
personnel. The loss of senior management or the failure to recruit additional
qualified personnel in the future could significantly impede attainment of the
Company's financial, expansion, marketing and other objectives. With the
exception of contracts with two of its Executive Vice Presidents, the Company
does not have employment contracts and does not presently intend to enter into
contracts, with other members of senior management. See "Management" and
"Certain Transactions."
RECENT LEGISLATION AND REGULATORY UNCERTAINTY
Certain of the Company's operations are subject to regulation by the FCC
under the Communications Act of 1934, as amended (the "Communications Act"). In
addition, certain of the Company's businesses are subject to regulation by state
public utility or public service commissions. Changes in the regulation of, or
the enactment or changes in interpretation of legislation affecting, the
Company's operations could have a material adverse affect on the Company and the
value of the Common Stock. Recently, the federal government enacted the
Telecommunications Act, which, among other things, allows the RBOCs and others
to enter the long distance business. Entry of the RBOCs or other entities such
as electric utilities and cable television companies into the long distance
business may have a negative impact on the Company or its customers. The Company
anticipates that certain of such entrants will be strong competitors because,
among other reasons, they may enjoy one or more of the following advantages:
they may (i) be well capitalized; (ii) already have substantial end-user
customer bases; or (iii) enjoy cost advantages relating to local loops and
access charges. The introduction of additional strong competitors into the
switched long distance business would mean that the Company and its customers
would face substantially increased competition. This could have a material
adverse effect on the Company and the value of the Common Stock. In addition,
the Telecommunications Act provides that state proceedings may in certain
instances determine access charges the Company and its customers are required to
pay to the LECs. No assurance can be given that such procedings will not result
in increases in such rates. Such increases could have a material adverse effect
on the Company or its customers and on the value of the Common Stock. See
"Industry Overview" and "Business -- Regulation."
RISKS RELATED TO RAPID TECHNOLOGICAL CHANGES
The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology. For example, there have been recent technological advances that
show the potential to greatly expand the capacity of existing and new fiber
optic cable, which could greatly increase supply. There can be no assurance that
the Company will maintain competitive services or that the Company will obtain
appropriate new technologies on a timely basis or on satisfactory terms. Such an
increase in supply or failure by the Company to maintain competitive services or
obtain new technologies could have a material adverse effect on the Company and
the value of the Common Stock. See "Industry Overview -- Technology."
CONCENTRATION OF STOCK OWNERSHIP
Upon completion of this Offering and the GEPT Private Placement, GEPT will
beneficially own approximately 26.9% of the outstanding Common Stock, Grumman
Hill Investments, L.P. ("GHI") and Richard D. Irwin together will beneficially
own approximately 28.4% of the outstanding Common Stock, and
14
<PAGE> 16
four of the members of senior management and their affiliates will beneficially
own approximately 22.8% of the outstanding Common Stock. Such stockholders also
control a majority of IXC Communications' 10% Junior Series 3 Preferred Stock
(the "Series 3 Preferred Stock"). See "Certain Transactions." As a result,
certain of these stockholders, if they act together, generally would be able to
elect all directors elected by the holders of the Common Stock (and the director
elected by the holders of the Series 3 Preferred Stock) and exercise control
over the business, policies and affairs of IXC Communications, and would have
the power to approve or disapprove most actions requiring stockholder approval,
including amendments to IXC Communications' charter and by-laws, certain mergers
or similar transactions and sales of all or substantially all of IXC
Communications' assets. This concentration of stock ownership could have the
effect of delaying or preventing a change of control of IXC Communications or
the removal of existing management and may discourage attempts to do so. See
"Principal Stockholders."
NO PRIOR PUBLIC MARKET; POSSIBLE VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock. Although the Common Stock has been approved for inclusion in the Nasdaq
National Market, there can be no assurance that an active public market for the
Common Stock will develop or be sustained after this Offering or that purchasers
of the Common Stock will be able to resell their Common Stock at prices equal to
or greater than the initial public offering price. The initial public offering
price was determined by negotiation between IXC Communications and the
representatives of the Underwriters and may not be indicative of future market
prices. See "Underwriters" for the method of determining the initial public
offering price. The trading price of the Common Stock after this Offering could
be subject to wide fluctuations in response to numerous factors, including, but
not limited to, quarterly variations in operating results, competition,
announcements of technological innovations or new products by IXC Communications
or its competitors, product enhancements by IXC Communications or its
competitors, regulatory changes, any difference in actual results and results
expected by investors and analysts, changes in financial estimates by securities
analysts and other events or factors. In addition, the stock market has
experienced volatility that has affected the market prices of equity securities
of many companies and that often has been unrelated to the operating performance
of such companies. These broad market fluctuations may adversely affect the
market price of the Common Stock. See "Underwriters."
IMMEDIATE AND SUBSTANTIAL DILUTION
The estimated initial public offering price is substantially higher than
the net tangible book value per share of Common Stock. As a result, investors
participating in this Offering will incur immediate, substantial dilution of
$13.73 per share (after giving effect to the GEPT Private Placement). The
existing stockholders of IXC Communications, including certain officers and
directors, will realize an immediate increase in the net tangible book value of
their shares of Common Stock upon completion of this Offering. See "Dilution,"
"Certain Transactions" and "Principal Stockholders."
ANTI-TAKEOVER PROVISIONS
IXC Communications' Restated Certificate of Incorporation permits the Board
of Directors to establish the rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions
of, and to issue, up to an additional 2,987,450 shares of Preferred Stock
without any further vote or action by IXC Communications' stockholders. Although
IXC Communications has no present plans to issue any additional shares of
Preferred Stock, the issuance of additional Preferred Stock could adversely
affect the holders of Common Stock. See "Description of Capital Stock." In
addition, under certain circumstances, the Senior Notes can require the Company
to repurchase the Senior Notes upon the occurrence of a Change of Control (as
defined in the indenture for the Senior Notes). See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness." The issuance of additional preferred stock or the existence of
such provisions of such indenture could have the effect of delaying or
preventing a change in control of IXC Communications and may discourage attempts
to do so.
15
<PAGE> 17
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Following this Offering and the GEPT Private Placement, all 24,335,255
shares of the Common Stock outstanding prior to this Offering (plus the shares
to be issued in the GEPT Private Placement) will be "restricted securities" and
may in the future be sold in compliance with Rule 144 adopted under the
Securities Act. Rule 144 generally provides that beneficial owners of Common
Stock who have held such Common Stock for two years may sell within a
three-month period a number of shares not exceeding the greater of 1% of the
total outstanding shares or the average weekly trading volume of the shares
during the four calendar weeks preceding such sale. All, or substantially all,
of the outstanding restricted Common Stock, other than the shares of Common
Stock issued in the GEPT Private Placement, will have met the two-year holding
period requirement under Rule 144, and could begin to be sold 90 days after this
Offering, subject to the conditions of Rule 144. Future sales of Common Stock
could negatively impact the market price of the Common Stock. However, pursuant
to the terms of certain lock-up agreements, the Common Stock owned by executive
officers, directors, GEPT (including the shares to be purchased in the GEPT
Private Placement) and GHI may not be sold until 180 days from the date of this
Prospectus, without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co.
Incorporated. Also, certain holders of Common Stock have or will have
registration rights with respect to the shares of Common Stock held by them,
which registration rights become exercisable on March 1, 1997. In connection
with the GEPT Private Placement, GEPT and certain other stockholders will be
granted registration rights with respect to all of the Common Stock owned by it.
See "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights." In addition, the
Company intends, as soon as practicable after consummation of this Offering, to
register approximately 1,212,450 shares and 2,121,787 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance to its employees, directors, consultants and advisors
under the Company's 1994 Stock Plan and 1996 Stock Plan, respectively. As of
March 31, 1996, options to purchase 1,075,080 shares of Common Stock were
outstanding under the 1994 Stock Plan and no options were outstanding under the
1996 Stock Plan. See "Management -- 1996 Stock Plan," "Management -- 1994 Stock
Plan," "Description of Capital Stock -- Registration Rights" and "Shares
Eligible for Future Sale."
16
<PAGE> 18
USE OF PROCEEDS
THIS OFFERING AND GEPT PRIVATE PLACEMENT
The net proceeds to IXC Communications from the sale of the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby at the initial public offering price of $16.00 per
share are estimated to be $81.8 million ($94.3 million if the U.S. Underwriters'
over-allotment option is exercised in full), after deducting underwriting
discounts and commissions and offering expenses. IXC Communications expects to
use substantially all of the net proceeds of this Offering (together with a
portion of the funds remaining from the sale of the Senior Notes) to fund the
Fiber Expansion and the balance for general corporate purposes. The net proceeds
to the Company from the GEPT Private Placement are estimated to be $12.5 million
($14.4 million if GEPT acquires additional stock as a result of the exercise in
full of the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option). The Company intends to
use such net proceeds for general corporate purposes, including, if the Company
so elects, to pursue a joint venture in Marca-Tel, S.A. de C.V. ("Marca-Tel") to
provide certain telecommunication services in Mexico. See "Business -- Mexican
Joint Venture." Pending such uses, the Company intends to deposit all such net
proceeds in interest-bearing bank accounts, or invest such proceeds in United
States government securities or other highly liquid investments.
1995 SENIOR NOTE OFFERING
In October 1995, IXC Communications received net proceeds from the sale of
the Senior Notes of approximately $267.7 million. Of such net proceeds, $200.0
million were placed into an escrow account to be used for the Fiber Expansion,
debt service on the Senior Notes and other capital expenditures. As of May 31,
1996, approximately $152.9 million remained in such escrow account. Of the
remaining proceeds of $67.7 million from the sale of the Senior Notes: (i)
approximately $54.8 million was used to repay or acquire existing indebtness;
(ii) approximately $3.7 million was used to redeem preferred stock; and (iii)
approximately $9.2 million was or will be used for general corporate purposes.
See "Description of Certain Indebtedness."
DIVIDEND POLICY
IXC Communications has never paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock
and does not expect to pay cash dividends on its Common Stock in the foreseeable
future. The terms of the indenture under which the Senior Notes were issued
restrict the payment of cash dividends. As of March 31, 1996 there were 12,550
shares of the Company's Series 3 Preferred Stock outstanding (liquidation
preference of $1,000 per share). Dividends on the Series 3 Preferred Stock
cumulate at an annual rate of 10% (based on the liquidation preference) plus
interest. As of March 31, 1996, $5.2 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on
the Series 3 Preferred Stock were outstanding. IXC Communications anticipates
paying the dividends on the Series 3 Preferred Stock (and related interest) when
cash is available after funding its cash needs for operations and capital
expenditures and provided that the amount of such payment is permitted under the
terms of the indenture for the Senior Notes and applicable provisions of state
law. In addition to paying such dividends, IXC Communications currently intends
to retain future earnings, if any, to finance its operations and fund the growth
of its business. Any payment of future dividends on its Common Stock will be at
the discretion of the Board of Directors of IXC Communications and will depend
upon, among other things, IXC Communications' earnings, financial condition,
capital requirements, level of indebtedness, contractual and legal restrictions
with respect to the payment of dividends and other factors that IXC
Communications' Board of Directors deems relevant.
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<PAGE> 19
CAPITALIZATION
The following table sets forth the cash and the capitalization of IXC
Communications as of March 31, 1996, restated to reflect stock splits completed
prior to this Offering, and as adjusted to reflect the sale by IXC
Communications of 5,600,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby and the sale
by IXC Communications of 840,053 shares of Common Stock in the GEPT Private
Placement. No exercise of the over-allotment option by the U.S. Underwriters has
been reflected herein. See "Use of Proceeds." This table should be read in
conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, the Notes thereto and
other financial information included elsewhere in this Prospectus.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, 1996
---------------------
AS
ACTUAL ADJUSTED
-------- --------
(DOLLARS IN
THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C>
Cash(1)................................................................ $193,076 $287,379
======== ========
Current portion of long-term debt...................................... $ 10,426 $ 10,426
Long-term debt, excluding current portion:
12 1/2% Senior Notes due 2005........................................ 277,336 277,336
Other senior long-term debt and lease obligations.................... 17,405 17,405
Senior subordinated debt............................................. 2,688 2,688
Subordinated debt.................................................... 3,476 3,476
-------- --------
Total long-term debt, less current portion........................ 300,905 300,905
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; 3,000,000 shares authorized:
10% Junior Series 3 Cumulative Preferred Stock, $.01 par value;
12,550 shares issued and outstanding (aggregate liquidation
preference, including accrued and unpaid dividends, of
$17,754)......................................................... 13 13
Common stock, $.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized (actual);
24,335,255 shares issued and outstanding (actual); and 30,775,308
shares issued and outstanding (as adjusted)(2).................... 243 308
Additional paid-in capital........................................... 29,430 123,668
Accumulated deficit.................................................. (34,527) (34,527)
-------- --------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit).............................. (4,841) 89,462
-------- --------
Total capitalization................................................... $306,490 $400,793
======== ========
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) Includes $187,584 held in an escrow account. See Note 3 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements.
(2) Does not include 1,075,080 shares of Common Stock issuable upon the exercise
of employee stock options outstanding as of March 31, 1996 under the
Company's 1994 Stock Plan (of which, options covering 130,337 shares were
exercisable as of March 31, 1996).
18
<PAGE> 20
DILUTION
The net tangible book value deficit of IXC Communications at March 31, 1996
was approximately $24,462,000, or $1.01 per share of Common Stock. Net tangible
book value deficit per share represents the amount of IXC Communications' total
tangible assets less total liabilities, divided by the total number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock. After giving effect to the sale by IXC
Communications of 5,600,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby (after
deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and estimated offering
expenses and assuming no exercise of the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment
option) and the GEPT Private Placement and the receipt of the net proceeds
therefrom, the pro forma net tangible book value of IXC Communications at March
31, 1996 would have been approximately $69,841,000, or $2.27 per share. This
represents an immediate increase in net tangible book value of $3.28 per share
to existing stockholders and an immediate dilution in net tangible book value of
$13.73 per share to new investors purchasing shares of Common Stock in this
Offering. The following table illustrates this per share dilution:
<TABLE>
<S> <C> <C>
Initial public offering price per share.............................. $16.00
Net tangible book value deficit per share at March 31, 1996........ $(1.01)
Increase in net tangible book value attributable to new investors
and the GEPT Private Placement.................................. 3.28
------
Pro forma net tangible book value per share after this Offering and
the GEPT Private Placement......................................... 2.27
------
Dilution of net tangible book value per share to new investors....... $13.73
======
</TABLE>
The following table summarizes, on a pro forma basis as of March 31, 1996
the number of shares of Common Stock purchased from, the total consideration
paid to, and the average price per share paid to, IXC Communications by the
existing stockholders and by the new investors purchasing the Common Stock
offered hereby (before deduction of underwriting discounts and commissions and
estimated offering expenses and assuming no exercise of the U.S. Underwriters'
over-allotment option) and in the GEPT Private Placement:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
SHARES PURCHASED TOTAL CONSIDERATION
--------------------- -----------------------
AVERAGE PRICE
NUMBER PERCENT AMOUNT PERCENT PER SHARE
---------- ------- ------------ ------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Existing stockholders................. 24,335,255 79.1% $ 5,832 --(1) --(2)
New investors......................... 5,600,000 18.2 89,600,000 87.8% $ 16.00
GEPT (GEPT Private Placement only).... 840,053 2.7 12,500,000 12.2 14.88
---------- ---- ---------- ----
Total............................... 30,775,308 100% $102,105,832 100%
========== ==== ========== ====
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(1) Less than .1%.
(2) Less than $.01 per share.
The above tables assume no exercise of any outstanding stock options. There
were 1,212,450 shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock
Plan, of which options to purchase an aggregate of 1,075,080 shares were
outstanding at March 31, 1996, with a weighted average exercise price of
approximately $3.01 per share. There were 2,121,787 shares of Common Stock
reserved for issuance under the 1996 Stock Plan, of which no options to purchase
shares were outstanding as of March 31, 1996. See "Management -- 1996 Stock
Plan," "Management -- 1994 Stock Plan" and Note 6 to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
At March 31, 1996, there were 12,550 shares of 10% Series 3 Preferred Stock
outstanding which may be redeemed by the Company in whole or in part at any
time, subject to certain debt covenants and applicable provisions of state laws,
at a price of $1,000 per share plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends,
including accrued interest. The accumulated dividends in arrears on such
preferred stock (including accrued interest) as of March 31, 1996 were
approximately $5.2 million. Payment of these dividends would result in
additional dilution to the new investors of approximately $.17 per share.
19
<PAGE> 21
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA
The following table sets forth certain selected historical and pro forma
financial data of the Company and its predecessor. The historical financial data
for the Company has been derived from the audited Consolidated Financial
Statements of the Company as of and for the periods ended December 31, 1992,
1993, 1994 and 1995. The historical financial data for the year ended December
31, 1991, and the period January 1, 1992 through August 14, 1992 relates to the
"Company's Predecessor", IXC Carrier, Inc., formerly known as Communications
Transmission Group, Inc., and has been derived from unaudited financial
statements. The historical financial data for the Company for the three-month
periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 has also been derived from unaudited
financial statements. The unaudited financial statements include all
adjustments, consisting of normal recurring accruals, which management considers
necessary for a fair presentation of the financial position and the results of
operations for such periods. Results of operations for the interim periods are
not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year. The
pro forma data has been derived from the Unaudited Pro Forma Condensed
Consolidated Statement of Operations, which is included elsewhere herein. The
pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes only and
is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have occurred,
nor are they necessarily indicative of future operations. The data should be
read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements, related Notes,
and other financial information included herein.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE COMPANY'S PREDECESSOR THE COMPANY
------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
HISTORICAL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR JANUARY 1 AUGUST 15
ENDED THROUGH THROUGH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
DECEMBER 31, AUGUST 14, DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------
1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995
------------ ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net operating revenues..................... $ 67,611 $ 42,081 $ 23,893 $ 71,123 $ 80,663 $ 91,001
Operating expenses:
Cost of services......................... 43,578 26,116 13,588 37,823 33,896 39,852
Operations and administration............ 20,721 11,226 6,759 22,835 20,561 32,282
Depreciation and amortization............ 20,135 10,517 8,033 21,061 12,121 17,438
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Operating income (loss).................. (16,823) (5,778) (4,487) (10,596) 14,085 1,429
Interest income............................ 200 45 -- 215 211 468
Interest income on amounts in escrow....... -- -- -- -- -- 2,552
Interest expense........................... (31,461) (18,749) (1,398) (4,943) (6,105) (14,597)
Contract settlement costs.................. -- -- (2,000) (59) -- --
Write-down of property and equipment....... -- -- -- (37,960) -- --
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries.............. -- -- -- -- (94) 19
Benefit (provision) for income taxes....... 4 (77) 2,847 21,977 (3,157) 1,693
Minority interest.......................... -- -- 710 (446) 77 5,218
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items... $(48,080) $(24,559) $ (4,328) $(31,812)(2) $ 5,017 $ (3,218)
Extraordinary gain (loss)(3)............... -- -- -- 8,495 2,298 (1,747)
-------- -------- ------- -------- ------- --------
Net income (loss).......................... $(48,080) $(24,559) $ (4,328) $(23,317) $ 7,315 $ (4,965)
======== ======== ======= ======== ======= ========
Income (loss) per common share, historical
and pro forma:
Before extraordinary items............... $ (1.39) $ .13 $ (.20)
Extraordinary gain (loss)................ .35 .09 (.07)
-------- ------- --------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (1.04) $ .22 $ (.27)
======== ======= ========
Weighted average shares outstanding,
historical............................... 24,009 24,993 25,108
======== ======= ========
Income (loss) per common share,
as adjusted(4):
Before extraordinary items............... $ (.16)
Extraordinary gain (loss)................ (.06)
--------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (.22)
========
Weighted average shares outstanding,
as adjusted(4)........................... 31,548
========
<CAPTION>
PRO
HISTORICAL
------------------
FORMA(1)
------------ THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31,
DECEMBER 31, ------------------
1995 1995 1996
------------ ------- --------
<S> <C<C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net operating revenues..................... $ 91,001 $21,766 $ 26,250
Operating expenses:
Cost of services......................... 39,852 8,175 15,600
Operations and administration............ 32,282 6,256 10,417
Depreciation and amortization............ 18,555 3,619 6,010
-------- ------- --------
Operating income (loss).................. 312 3,716 (5,777)
Interest income............................ 468 111 126
Interest income on amounts in escrow....... 2,552 -- 2,557
Interest expense........................... (14,597) (1,873) (9,870)
Contract settlement costs.................. -- -- --
Write-down of property and equipment....... -- -- --
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries.............. 19 (4) (5)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes....... 3,873 (966) 1,363
Minority interest.......................... (232) 283 (93)
-------- ------- --------
Income (loss) before extraordinary items... $ (7,605) $ 1,267 $(11,699)
========
Extraordinary gain (loss)(3)............... -- --
------- --------
Net income (loss).......................... $ 1,267 $(11,699)
======= ========
Income (loss) per common share, historical
and pro forma:
Before extraordinary items............... $ (.38) $ .03 $ (.49)
========
Extraordinary gain (loss)................ -- --
------- --------
Net income (loss)........................ $ .03 $ (.49)
======= ========
Weighted average shares outstanding,
historical............................... 25,203 25,011
======= ========
Income (loss) per common share,
as adjusted(4):
Before extraordinary items............... $ (.30) $ (.39)
========
Extraordinary gain (loss)................ --
--------
Net income (loss)........................ $ (.39)
========
Weighted average shares outstanding,
as adjusted(4)........................... 31,451
========
</TABLE>
20
<PAGE> 22
SELECTED HISTORICAL AND PRO FORMA FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THE COMPANY'S PREDECESSOR THE COMPANY
------------------------- ------------------------------------------------
HISTORICAL
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
YEAR JANUARY 1 AUGUST 15
ENDED THROUGH THROUGH YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
DECEMBER 31, AUGUST 14, DECEMBER 31, ---------------------------------
1991 1992 1992 1993 1994 1995
------------ ---------- ------------ -------- -------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash(5).................................... $ 2,666 $ 2,039 $ 2,746 $ 6,230 $ 6,048 $205,181
Total assets............................... 203,664 195,288 117,741 94,281 105,409 336,475
Total debt(6).............................. 304,592 329,242 32,891 59,954 69,124 298,794
Stockholders' equity (deficit)............. (137,990) (164,432) 30,028 6,871 14,189 6,858
OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS DATA:
EBITDA(7).................................. 3,512 4,784 2,256 10,175 26,400 27,124
Capital expenditures....................... 952 18 1,435 27,008 7,087 23,670
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense(8)..... -- -- 1.61x 2.06x 4.32x 1.86x
Minutes of use (in millions)............... -- -- -- -- -- 12.8
<CAPTION>
PRO HISTORICAL
------------------
FORMA(1)
------------ THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR
ENDED MARCH 31,
DECEMBER 31, ------------------
1995 1995 1996
------------ ------- --------
<S> <C<C> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Cash(5).................................... $ 6,293 $193,076
Total assets............................... 104,742 346,467
Total debt(6).............................. 66,686 311,331
Stockholders' equity (deficit)............. 16,856 (4,841)
OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS DATA:
EBITDA(7).................................. 21,674 7,725 2,818
Capital expenditures....................... 23,670 2,571 13,564
Ratio of EBITDA to interest expense(8)..... 1.48x 4.12x --
Minutes of use (in millions)............... 12.8 -- 33.9
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) The pro forma statement of operations data and the other financial and
operations data for the year ended December 31, 1995 reflect the acquisition
by the Company of the minority interest in SSC as if the acquisition (which
actually occurred as of January 1, 1996) had occurred as of January 1, 1995.
See Note 17 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(2) After giving effect to a $37,960 non-cash charge in 1993 relating to a
write-down of microwave equipment. (As of March 31, 1996, the remaining net
depreciated book value of microwave equipment was less than 6% of total
assets.) See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(3) The extraordinary items for all periods result from early extinguishment of
debt (involving a related party in 1994) or lease obligations, net of
applicable income taxes.
(4) Net income (loss) per common share as adjusted and weighted average shares
outstanding as adjusted reflect the 840,053 shares issued in the GEPT
Private Placement and the 5,600,000 shares issued in this Offering.
(5) Including $198,266 at December 31, 1995 and $187,584 at March 31, 1996 held
in an escrow account. See Note 3 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
(6) Total debt consists of long-term debt, capital lease obligations and
deferred lease obligations, including the current portions thereof.
(7) EBITDA represents net income before depreciation, amortization, interest
expense, income taxes and extraordinary items. For the year ended December
31, 1993, EBITDA does not reflect the $37,960 write-down of microwave
equipment recorded by the Company. (As of March 31, 1996, the remaining net
depreciated book value of microwave equipment was less than 6% of total
assets.) See Note 8 to the Consolidated Financial Statements. EBITDA for
1995 and the three months ended March 31, 1996 includes the negative EBITDA
of IXC Long Distance, Inc., the Company's switched long distance services
subsidiary. Such amounts principally relate to start-up and operating
expenses incurred before the Company began generating material revenues from
its switched long distance business. Had the Company excluded the negative
EBITDA of the switched long distance business, EBITDA would have been
$36,916 in 1995 and $8,675 and $11,143 for the three months ended March 31,
1995 and 1996, respectively. The Company has included information concerning
EBITDA because it believes that EBITDA is used by certain investors as one
measure of an issuer's historical ability to service its debt. EBITDA is not
a measurement determined in accordance with GAAP and should not be
considered in isolation or as a substitute for measures of performance
prepared in accordance with GAAP. For 1995 and the three months ended March
31, 1996, EBITDA included $2,552 and $2,557, respectively, of interest
income relating to amounts held in escrow. See the Consolidated Financial
Statements.
(8) For the year ended December 31, 1991, the period January 1 through August
14, 1992 and the three months ended March 31, 1996, EBITDA was insufficient
to cover interest expense by $27,949, $13,965 and $7,052, respectively. For
the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company paid the interest accrued
with funds from the escrow account referred to in footnote (5).
21
<PAGE> 23
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
OVERVIEW
The Company provides two principal services to long distance companies: (i)
long-haul transmission of voice and data over dedicated circuits and (ii)
switched long distance services. The Company is one of only five carriers to own
a digital telecommunications network extending from coast-to-coast. Its
facilities include digital switches located in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago,
Philadelphia and Atlanta.
Long-Haul Business. Substantially all of the Company's revenues in 1995
and prior years were generated by its long-haul business, which has historically
provided positive cash flow (even in years when the Company had net losses, as
in 1993 and 1995). The Company provides long-haul service to customers either on
a "take or pay" long-term basis or, after contract expiration, on a
month-to-month basis. The Company's long-haul transmission agreements are
generally long-term leases which provide for monthly payment in advance on a
fixed-rate basis, calculated according to the capacity and length of the circuit
used. As of April 30, 1996, the Company had "take or pay" commitments from its
long-haul customers of approximately $160.0 million (consisting of approximately
$90.0 million relating to circuits currently in service and approximately $70.0
million relating to circuits not yet ordered that the Company expects will be
carried over leased routes or routes being constructed). During 1995, the
Company leased transmission capacity to 212 customers, with the ten largest
customers during that year accounting for approximately 78% of revenues. The
Company's two largest customers, WorldCom and Frontier, accounted for
approximately 20% and 21%, respectively, of the Company's revenues in 1995. See
"Risk Factors -- Reliance on Major Customers."
Substantially all of the costs of communication services of the long-haul
business are fixed. The largest component of such costs for the long-haul
business is the expense of leasing off-net capacity from other carriers to meet
customer needs which the Company cannot meet with its own network due to
capacity or geographic constraints. In the normal course of business, the
Company enters into capacity-exchange agreements with other carriers. Pursuant
to such agreements, the Company exchanges excess capacity on its network where
required by the other carrier for capacity on the other carrier's network where
the Company requires it. As such agreements generally do not provide for cash
payments to be made, they allow the Company to substantially reduce the cash
payments it must make for off-net capacity from other carriers. Such exchanges
are accounted for at the fair value of the capacity exchanged, as non-cash
revenue and expense in equal amounts, which reduces the Company's overall gross
margin as a percentage of revenues. In 1995, the Company recorded revenue and
expense of $13.8 million relating to such exchanges. In addition, certain
right-of-way arrangements in connection with the Fiber Expansion constitute
operating leases and will contribute to the cost of communications services in
the future. The amount of such operating leases for prior periods has been
immaterial.
Switched Long Distance Business. The Company has recently expanded into
the business of selling switched long distance services to long distance
resellers. The Company sells switched long distance services on a per-call
basis, charging by MOUs, with payments due monthly in arrears after services are
rendered. The Company's rates for calls generally vary with the duration of the
call, the day and time of day the call was made and whether the traffic is
intrastate, interstate or international. The Company has contracts with over 30
long distance resellers. See "Business -- Switched Long Distance Services."
The three main components of the costs of the switched long distance
business are LEC access charges, long-haul network leasing costs and operations
and administration expenses. The LEC access charges, which are variable,
represent a significant majority of the total cost for the switched long
distance business. After the Fiber Expansion is placed in service, the Company
expects to realize cost savings for the switched long distance business because
it will be able to reduce the amount of long-haul network capacity that
otherwise would be required to be leased from other parties. However, even after
the Fiber Expansion is complete, the Company anticipates that it will need to
lease a significant amount of capacity from other carriers as traffic increases
and that, as a result, its total transmission lease costs will continue to
increase. Because the switched
22
<PAGE> 24
long distance business generally has lower margins than the long-haul business,
increases in switched long distance volumes should cause a decrease in the
Company's overall margins.
During 1995, the Company set up the infrastructure for its switched long
distance business by installing its switches, connecting them to its network and
to the LECs, leasing related long-haul circuits, acquiring software and hiring
personnel and entering into contracts with customers. The Company's switched
network became fully operational in February 1996 and the Company did not have
material revenues from the switched long distance business during 1995. The
development and further expansion of the Company's switched long distance
business requires significant expenditures, a substantial portion of which will
be incurred before the realization of cash flow from such activities. The
Company anticipates that its switched long distance business will incur negative
cash flow until the Company's customers route sufficient traffic over the
network to cover the costs of its operation, which the Company does not expect
to occur before the end of 1996. For a discussion of important factors that
could cause the Company's switched long distance business to fail to generate
positive cash flows as described, see "Risk Factors -- Development Risks and
Dependence on Switched Long Distance Business." The Company will fund such
negative cash flow from cash flow from its long-haul business and cash on hand.
If such traffic does not increase, there can be no assurance that the switched
long distance business will ever generate positive cash flows. See "Risk
Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital Requirements," "Risk
Factors -- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched Long Distance Business"
and "Risk Factors -- Recent and Expected Losses."
Capital Expenditures. The Company has spent significant amounts of capital
to develop its coast-to-coast network to service its long-haul and switched long
distance businesses. It is currently undertaking the Fiber Expansion of its
network in two phases. The Company estimates that it will spend approximately
$200.0 million for capital expenditures in the remaining three quarters of 1996
and significant amounts thereafter. However, the amount of actual capital
expenditures may vary materially as a result of cost-saving arrangements,
unexpected costs and other factors. See "-- Liquidity and Capital Resources."
Pricing; Net Losses. The Company expects that, as competition increases,
prices for both long-haul and switched services will decline. The Company
incurred an operating loss during the first quarter of 1996 and expects to incur
an operating loss for the full year due to the switched long distance business.
After the Fiber Expansion is placed in service, the Company expects to realize
cost savings by reducing the amount of off-net capacity it leases from other
carriers. However, reductions in lease expense as a result of the Fiber
Expansion will be offset to some extent by increased depreciation expense as the
investment in the Fiber Expansion is depreciated.
Acquisition and Financing Transactions. In 1994, the Company and Excel, a
large long distance reseller, formed Switched Services Communications, L.L.C.
("SSC"), a joint venture, to lease, install and operate the five switches
incorporated into the Company's network and to provide switched long distance
services to the Company and Excel. In January 1996, the Company purchased
Excel's interest in SSC for a short-term non-interest bearing note for
approximately $6.2 million, to be paid in installments through August 1996.
Excel continues to have a contractual commitment to use the Company's network.
See "Business -- Switched Long Distance Services -- Excel."
In August 1994, IXC Communications acquired an 85% interest in MSM
Associates, Limited Partnership ("MSM"), which owns fiber capacity in Michigan
and Indiana, from GE Capital Corporation. Frontier, the owner of the remaining
15% minority interest of MSM, is a customer of the Company. See Note 1 to
Consolidated Financial Statements.
In October 1995, the Company issued $285.0 million of Senior Notes
primarily to finance a portion of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion. See
"Description of Certain Indebtedness."
Marca-Tel, a joint venture in which the Company indirectly holds a minority
interest, has been successful in obtaining a license from the Mexican government
to provide certain telecommunication services in Mexico, but is not currently
providing such services. See "Business -- Mexican Joint Venture."
23
<PAGE> 25
QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following table presents certain unaudited quarterly financial
information for each of the Company's last five fiscal quarters. In the opinion
of the Company's management, this quarterly information has been prepared on the
same basis as the audited financial statements appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus and includes all adjustments (which consist only of normal recurring
adjustments) necessary to present fairly the unaudited quarterly results set
forth herein. The Company's quarterly results have in the past been subject to
fluctuations, and thus, the operating results for any quarter are not
necessarily indicative of results for any future period. The Company may
experience substantial fluctuations in quarterly results in the future as a
result of customer turnover, variations in the success of its customers'
businesses and price competition. These fluctuations may be particularly large
as a percentage of revenue over the near term, because the Company has recently
entered the switched long distance business. In addition, delays in completion
of the Fiber Expansion could cause quarterly results to vary.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
QUARTER ENDED
----------------------------------------------------------
1995 1996
----------------------------------------------- --------
MARCH 31 JUNE 30 SEPTEMBER 30 DECEMBER 31 MARCH 31
-------- ------- ------------ ----------- --------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS DATA:
Net operating revenues:
Long-haul circuits.................... $21,766 $22,721 $ 22,772 $22,304 $ 22,628
Switched long distance................ -- -- -- 1,438 3,622
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Net operating revenues.............. 21,766 22,721 22,772 23,742 26,250
Operating expenses:
Cost of services...................... 8,175 8,210 10,423 13,044 15,600
Operations and administration......... 6,256 6,987 8,604 10,435 10,417
Depreciation and amortization......... 3,619 3,995 4,645 5,179 6,010
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Total operating expenses............ 18,050 19,192 23,672 28,658 32,027
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Operating income......................... $ 3,716 $ 3,529 $ (900) $(4,916) $ (5,777)
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Income before extraordinary gain
(loss)................................ $ 1,267 $ 1,502 $ (307) $(5,680) $(11,699)
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Net income (loss)........................ $ 1,267 $ 496 $ (307) $(6,421) $(11,699)
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
Income loss per common share
Before extraordinary gain (loss)...... $ .03 $ .04 $ (.03) $ (.24) $ (.49)
Extraordinary gain (loss)............. -- (.04) -- (.03) --
------- ------- ------- ------- --------
Net income (loss)..................... $ .03 $ -- $ (.03) $ (.27) $ (.49)
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
OTHER FINANCIAL AND OPERATIONS DATA:
EBITDA (1)............................... $ 7,725 $ 8,223 $ 5,884 $ 5,292 $ 2,818
======= ======= ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) EBITDA represents net income before depreciation, amortization, interest
expense, income taxes and extraordinary items. The Company has included
information concerning EBITDA because it believes that EBITDA is used by
certain investors as one measure of an issuer's historical ability to
service its debt. EBITDA is not a measurement determined in accordance with
GAAP and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for
measures of performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. For the quarters
ended December 31, 1995 and March 31, 1996, EBITDA included $2,552 and
$2,557, respectively, of interest income relating to amounts held in escrow.
See the Consolidated Financial Statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net operating revenues for April 1996 were $10.9 million, an increase of
49.3% from $7.3 million in April 1995. The increase in revenues is primarily a
result of Excel beginning to use the Company's network on February 15, 1996 and
the provision of switched long distance services to other customers. By October
1996, Excel is required to utilize at least 70 million minutes of traffic per
month over the Company's network. See "Business -- Switched Long Distance
Services -- Excel."
24
<PAGE> 26
THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996 COMPARED WITH THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31,
1995
Net operating revenues for the three months ended March 31, 1996 increased
20.6% to $26.3 million from $21.8 million in the three months ended March 31,
1995. The increase is primarily a result of the implementation of the switched
long distance business (particularly for Excel), leading to switched long
distance services revenues of $3.6 million, together with a volume increase from
the long-haul business of $.9 million or 4%.
Cost of communication services consists principally of access charges paid
to LECs and transmission lease payments to, and exchanges with, other carriers.
For the three months ended March 31, 1996 cost of communication services
increased 90.2% to $15.6 million from $8.2 million in the three months ended
March 31, 1995. The increase is primarily a result of the addition of long-haul
leases of $4.5 million relating to the switched long distance business, an
aggregate of $2.9 million of per minute overflow charges paid to other carriers
and access charges paid to LECs in connection with the switched long distance
business. The Company did not incur these expenses for the switched long
distance business in the first quarter of 1995. The Company has historically had
a relatively low cost of communications services as a percentage of revenues
because substantially all its revenues were derived from the sale of long-haul
transmission, which were generally made at a relatively low cost over its own
network. The Company expects that, in the event it achieves increases in
long-haul revenues, its cost of communications services as a percentage of such
revenues will increase (at least until Phase I of the Fiber Expansion is
complete) because additional leases (or exchanges) of capacity from other
carriers at a relatively high cost will be required. The cost of communications
services as a percentage of revenues in the switched long distance business is
substantially greater than that in the long-haul business due to the relatively
high cost of LEC access charges and leases for long-haul circuits supporting the
switched network. Accordingly, increases in switched long distance revenues will
further increase the Company's cost of communications services as a percentage
of revenues.
Operations and administration expenses for the three months ended March 31,
1996 increased 65.1% to $10.4 million from $6.3 million in the three months
ended March 31, 1995. This increase is primarily the result of operating
expenses associated with the Company's switched network. The Company anticipates
that as it implements the Fiber Expansion and expands its switched service
business, operations and administration expenses will continue to increase.
Depreciation and amortization for the three months ended March 31, 1996
increased 66.7% to $6.0 million from $3.6 million in the three months ended
March 31, 1995. The increase is primarily the result of depreciation related to
capital expenditures associated with the Company's expansion and improvement of
its switched network. Depreciation and amortization will increase in subsequent
periods, as the Company's investment in the Fiber Expansion is depreciated.
Interest income for the three months ended March 31, 1996 increased to $2.7
million from $.1 million in the three months ended March 31, 1995. The increase
is primarily related to interest earned on the investment of the proceeds from
the sale of the Senior Notes.
Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 1996 increased to
$9.9 million from $1.9 million in the three months ended March 31, 1995. The
increase is primarily the result of interest expense attributable to the Senior
Notes, which were issued during the fourth quarter of 1995.
Income taxes for the three months ended March 31, 1996 resulted in a $1.4
million tax benefit as opposed to a provision for income taxes of $1.0 million
in the three months ended March 31, 1995. The difference between the tax benefit
recorded for the first quarter of 1996 and the expected benefit at the federal
statutory rate is primarily due to losses incurred by a subsidiary that provides
switched long distance services. The related tax benefits have not been
recognized as a result of uncertainty regarding future profitability.
The Company experienced a net loss of $11.7 million for the three months
ended March 31, 1996 as opposed to net income of $1.3 million in the first three
months ended March 31, 1995 as a result of the factors discussed above.
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1995 COMPARED WITH 1994
The year ended December 31, 1995 was a period of increased revenues, but a
net loss for the Company, primarily due to start-up and operational expenses
related to the Company's switched long distance business. Reduced operating
income and a significant increase in interest expense because of the issuance of
the Senior Notes during the fourth quarter of 1995 resulted in a net loss for
the year.
Net operating revenues for 1995 increased 12.8% to $91.0 million from $80.7
million in 1994. The increase is primarily the result of: (i) an increase in
non-cash revenues attributable to network capacity exchanged with other carriers
from $8.0 million in 1994 to $13.8 million in 1995; (ii) additional revenue in
the amount of $5.4 million associated with MSM (IXC Communications' 85% interest
in MSM was acquired in August 1994); and (iii) increased long-haul traffic in
the amount of $1.6 million due to the Company's expansion of its fiber optic
network in South Texas. These increases were partially offset by $2.5 million in
proceeds from an escrow account used to supplement lease payments in 1994, which
did not occur in 1995 (see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements).
Cost of communication services for 1995 increased 17.7% to $39.9 million
(or 43.8% of net operating revenues) from $33.9 million (or 42.0% of net
operating revenues) in 1994. The increase is primarily a result of an increase
in transmission lease expense (to $38.7 million in 1995 from $29.3 million in
1994) associated with: (i) an increase of $3.6 million in leases for
transmission services primarily to support the switched long distance business;
and (ii) an increase in non-cash expense attributable to network capacity
exchanged with other carriers from $8.0 million in 1994 to $13.8 million in
1995. These increases were partially offset by a non-recurring decrease in lease
expenses under certain operating equipment leases as a result of a May 1994
lease restructuring (such leases generated no expense in 1995 as opposed to $3.4
million in 1994).
Operations and administration expenses for 1995 increased 56.8% to $32.3
million from $20.6 million in 1994. The increase is primarily the result of $9.4
million of start-up and operating expenses associated with the Company's
implementation of its switched network and the inclusion in the Company's
results of operations of an increase in the Company's operating expenses of $1.1
million associated with the MSM network.
Depreciation and amortization for 1995 increased 43.8% to $17.4 million
from $12.1 million in 1994. The increase is primarily the result of depreciation
associated with the MSM network, together with increased depreciation associated
with the Company's development of its switched network.
Interest income for 1995 increased to $3.0 million from $.2 million in
1994. The increase is primarily related to interest earned on investment of the
proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes issued in the fourth quarter of 1995.
Interest expense for 1995 increased to $14.6 million from $6.1 million in
1994. The increase is primarily the result of interest expense attributable to
the Senior Notes issued in the fourth quarter of 1995.
Income taxes for 1995 resulted in a $1.7 million tax benefit as opposed to
a provision for income taxes of $3.2 million in 1994. In 1995 and 1994, the
Company's effective tax rate did not significantly differ from the federal
statutory rate.
Minority interest during 1995 was $5.2 million resulting primarily from
Excel's share of operations and administration expenses and the cost of
communications services associated with its minority share of SSC, a joint
venture formed in 1995. In January 1996 the Company purchased Excel's interest
in SSC, thereby eliminating the minority interest in SSC for 1996 and future
years.
In 1994, the Company exercised a debt prepayment option in connection with
financing of debt that resulted in a net extraordinary gain of $2.3 million.
The Company experienced a net loss of $5.0 million in 1995 as opposed to
net income of $7.3 million in 1994 as a result of the factors discussed above.
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1994 COMPARED WITH 1993
Net operating revenues for 1994 increased 13.5% to $80.7 million from $71.1
million in 1993. The increase is primarily attributable to: (i) an increase in
non-cash revenues generated from network capacity exchanged with other carriers
from $3.7 million in 1993 to $8.0 million in 1994; (ii) the acquisition of an
85% interest in MSM in August 1994 resulting in an additional $2.7 million of
net operating revenues; and (iii) the extension of the Company's fiber optic
network in South Texas.
Cost of communications services in 1994 decreased 10.3% to $33.9 million
(or 42.0% of net operating revenue) from $37.8 million (or 53.2% of net
operating revenue) in 1993. The decrease is primarily the result of significant
reductions in certain operating equipment lease expenses due to the acquisition
of such equipment by the Company in May 1994 resulting in the elimination of all
future expense charges associated with such operating leases (such lease expense
for 1994 was $3.4 million as opposed to $11.2 million in 1993) partially offset
by an increase of $4.2 million in network capacity exchanged with other carriers
in 1994 as compared to 1993. During 1993, the Company capitalized $2.0 million
for long term contracts with a common carrier for capacity on such carrier's
nationwide fiber optic communications system, which purchase price and related
costs were deferred and are being recognized over the five year term of the
contract. See Note 11 to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Operations and administration expenses for 1994 decreased 9.6% to $20.6
million from $22.8 million in 1993. The decrease is primarily the result of
certain nonrecurring deferred compensation obligations of the Company incurred
in 1993.
Depreciation and amortization in 1994 decreased 42.7% to $12.1 million from
$21.1 million in 1993. The decrease primarily is the result of a write-down of
$38.0 million of the carrying value of certain dated microwave equipment to its
estimated fair value in 1993. The write-down resulted from the Company's
assessment of estimated future net cash flows expected to be produced by the
equipment in relation to its net historical cost of the system. See Note 8 to
the Consolidated Financial Statements.
Interest expense in 1994 increased 24.5% to $6.1 million from $4.9 million
in 1993. The increase is the result of increased average debt balances in 1994,
primarily associated with the acquisition of MSM and the construction of the
South Texas fiber extension.
Income taxes for 1994 resulted in a provision for income taxes of $3.2
million as opposed to a tax benefit of $22.0 million in 1993. The increase is
primarily attributable to a tax benefit related to the equipment write-down in
1993.
Extraordinary gains in 1994 decreased to $2.3 million from $8.5 million in
1993 in connection with the refinancing of certain operating lease arrangements
(see Note 5 to the Consolidated Financial Statements). In connection with such
transaction, financing was obtained which provided for a prepayment option. The
prepayment option was exercised by the Company in 1994 resulting in additional
gains.
Net income increased $30.6 million in 1994 to $7.3 million from a net loss
of $23.3 million in 1993 as a result of the factors discussed above.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Except for the historical information contained below, the matters
discussed in this section are forward-looking statements that involve a number
of risks and uncertainties. The Company's actual liquidity needs, capital
resources and results may differ materially from the discussion set forth below
in such forward-looking statements. For a discussion of the factors that could
materially affect such matters, see "Risk Factors," particularly "Risk
Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital Requirements."
The Company's operations have historically provided positive cash flow
(even in years of net losses, as in 1993 and 1995), which to date has provided
adequate liquidity to meet the Company's operational needs. However, for 1995
and the three months ended March 31, 1996, the Company's EBITDA minus interest
expense and capital expenditures (adjusted for the change in working capital
deficit) was negative $4.8 million and negative $38.5 million, respectively. The
Company had $152.9 million of the net proceeds received from
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the sale of the Senior Notes in an escrow account at May 31, 1996 to be used at
the Company's discretion for the Fiber Expansion, debt service of the Senior
Notes and other capital expenditures.
Cash provided by operating activities in 1995 decreased 32.6% to $9.1
million from $13.5 million in 1994, primarily as a result of start-up and
operational expenses associated with the Company's development of its switched
services business in advance of related revenue. In order to offer switched
services, the Company set up the infrastructure for its switched long distance
business by installing switches, connecting them to its network and to the LECs,
leasing related long-haul circuits, acquiring software, hiring personnel and
entering into contracts with customers, which caused the Company's switched long
distance business to incur negative cash flow in 1995. The Company anticipates
that its switched long distance business will incur negative cash flow until the
Company's customers route sufficient traffic over the network to cover the costs
of its operation, which the Company does not expect to occur before the end of
1996. For a discussion of important factors that could cause the Company's
switched long distance business to fail to generate positive cash flows as
described, see "Risk Factors -- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched
Long Distance Business" and "Risk Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital
Requirements."
Cash used in investing activities increased to $219.4 million in 1995 from
$18.8 million in 1994 due to the Company investing the proceeds of the sale of
the Senior Notes in liquid securities and increased capital expenditures
associated with the Company's implementation of its switch network. The
Company's total capital expenditures were $23.7 million for 1995 and $13.6
million the first quarter of 1996. The Company anticipates making additional
capital expenditures for the remaining three quarters of 1996 of approximately
$200.0 million (including capital expenditures relating to the Fiber Expansion).
The Company expects to make such capital expenditures with the proceeds of this
Offering, together with a portion of the cash held in an escrow account ($152.9
million at May 31, 1996), cash generated by the long-haul business and vendor
financing which the Company may seek. The Company will also make additional
capital expenditures for various improvements and upgrades, such as adding
capacity to its switches and adding new switches, as demand warrants.
Cash generated from financing activities increased to $211.2 million in
1995 from $5.1 million in 1994 as a result of the proceeds of the sale of the
Senior Notes and capital contributions of $6.0 million from Excel to support its
minority interest in the SSC joint venture. In January 1996, the Company
purchased Excel's interest in the joint venture for a short-term, non-interest
bearing promissory note in an original principal amount of approximately $6.2
million, an amount equal to Excel's total capital contribution. Such amount is
being paid in installments through August 1996. As of March 31, 1996, $5.7
million was outstanding under such note. The Company currently anticipates that
such installment payments will be made from the Company's current cash balances
and from operating cash flow from the long-haul business.
The Company anticipates that Phase I of the Fiber Expansion will require
estimated cash expenditures subsequent to April 30, 1996 of $213.0 million. The
Company anticipates meeting the construction costs for the Phase I of the Fiber
Expansion (net of certain cost-saving arrangements) by utilizing all the funds
remaining from the Senior Notes being held in an escrow account (after reserving
certain funds to cover a portion of the interest payments in 1996 and 1997) and
the proceeds from this Offering. For a discussion of important factors that may
cause actual capital expenditures and the Company's ability to fund Phase I to
differ materially from the foregoing forward looking statements, see "Risk
Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital Requirements." The Company has entered
into one such cost-saving arrangement with WorldCom in which each company is
constructing a fiber route and placing fibers for both companies in the route.
See "Business -- The Company's Network." The Company will seek to meet the costs
of construction of Phase II, which it estimates to be $275.0 million (before any
cost-savings arrangements), through additional cost-saving arrangements, its
operating cash flow and additional debt or equity financing. In the event
sufficient cost-saving arrangements are not entered into, the Company
anticipates that it will be necessary either: (i) to meet the remaining costs of
Phase II of the Fiber Expansion through a combination of additional sales of
equity securities, incurrence of debt (subject to the restrictions set forth in
the indenture for the Senior Notes) and utilization of operating cash flow; or
(ii) to slow or delay the construction of the Fiber Expansion until sufficient
funds are available. See "Risk Factors -- Risks Relating to Completion of the
Fiber Expansion."
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The Company is required to make interest payments in the amount of $35.6
million on the Senior Notes each year. See "Description of Certain
Indebtedness." EBITDA is currently insufficient to cover the Company's debt
service requirements under the Senior Notes. The Company currently anticipates,
but no assurance can be given, that a portion of such payments during 1996 and
1997 will be made from funds held in the escrow account and the balance of such
payments will be made from operating cash flow. For a discussion of important
factors, including the Company's assumption that increases in its operating cash
flow will occur as a result of the successful completion and utilization of
Phase I of the Fiber Expansion and growth in the switched long distance
business, that may cause actual results to differ materially from the foregoing
forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital
Requirements" and "Risk Factors -- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched
Long Distance Business." In addition, at March 31, 1996, there were
approximately $5.2 million of accrued and unpaid dividends on the Series 3
Preferred Stock. Such dividends cumulate at an annual rate of 10% (based on the
liquidation preference) plus interest.
The Company is also required to make minimum annual lease payments for
facilities, equipment and transmission capacity used in its operations. In 1996,
the Company is required to make payments of approximately $4.4 million on
capital leases and $10.6 million on operating leases. The Company expects to
incur additional operating lease costs in connection with obtaining rights of
way for the Fiber Expansion. See Note 5 to Consolidated Financial Statements.
In connection with the Fiber Expansion, the Company has committed to pay
contractors to construct and install a portion of the fiber optic cable. As of
May 15, 1996 these commitments amounted to approximately: (i) $20.7 million for
construction and installation in Texas and (ii) $13.6 million for construction
and installation in Arizona. Also, under an agreement entered into in January
1996, the Company has a commitment to purchase $32.0 million of fiber optic
cable during a three-year term, with $25.0 million remaining as of May 15, 1996.
In June 1995, the Company entered into a three-year agreement with a common
carrier to purchase communication services, under which the Company is required
to purchase a monthly minimum of $350,000 in services. In September 1994, the
Company entered into an agreement with a common carrier to purchase dedicated
digital telecommunication services. Under the terms of the agreement, the
Company is required to purchase services with remaining monthly minimum
commitments of $.5 million through March 1998. The minimum commitments under
this agreement will be cancelled when the Company has paid a total of $22.5
million for services under the agreement. See Note 14 to Consolidated Financial
Statements.
The Company is proceeding with the initial development and implementation
of a business plan for the Marca-Tel Mexican license. If implemented, the
development of the Marca-Tel business will require significant amounts of cash.
Although the Company cannot accurately predict its share of the amount of cash
that would be needed to pursue this opportunity, it estimates that at least
$30.0 million (and possibly significantly more) would be required by Marca-Tel
during 1996 - 1997. The $12.5 million proceeds of the GEPT Private Placement
will be available, if the Company so elects, to pursue the opportunity in
Mexico. The Company anticipates that the costs of pursuing such opportunity, if
they can be met at all, will be met through some combination of the following:
(i) offerings of debt or equity securities of the Mexican joint venture; (ii)
other incurrences of debt by the Mexican joint venture; (iii) joint venture
arrangements with third parties; (iv) vendor financing of equipment purchases;
and (v) further equity offerings or, subject to the restrictions imposed by the
indenture for the Senior Notes, debt incurrences by the Company or from working
capital. See "Business -- Mexican Joint Venture."
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INDUSTRY OVERVIEW
DEVELOPMENT AND REGULATION
The development of the long distance telecommunications industry was
strongly influenced by a 1982 court decree requiring the divestiture by AT&T of
its seven RBOCs and dividing the country into approximately 200 LATAs. The seven
RBOCs were allowed to provide local telephone service, local access service to
long distance carriers and intra-LATA long distance service (service within a
LATA), but were prohibited from providing inter-LATA service (service between
LATAs). The right to provide inter-LATA service was given to AT&T and the other
interexchange carriers, including the LECs that are not RBOCs. The FCC requires
all interexchange carriers to allow the resale of their inter-LATA services to
long distance carriers, and the 1982 court decree substantially eliminated
different access arrangements as distinguishing features among long distance
carriers. These and other legislative and judicial factors have helped smaller
long distance carriers emerge as alternatives to AT&T, MCI and Sprint for long
distance services.
Recently, the federal government enacted the Telecommunications Act, which,
among other things, allows the RBOCs and others such as electric utilities and
cable television companies to enter the long distance business. The Company
expects that the Telecommunications Act will substantially alter the way in
which the telecommunications industry is regulated. Such changes are, however,
difficult to predict accurately, because the FCC has not yet developed the
numerous regulations necessary to implement the Telecommunications Act. Entry of
the RBOCs or other entities such as electric utilities and cable television
companies into the long distance business may result in reduced market shares
for existing long distance companies and additional pricing pressure on long
distance providers such as the Company. See "Risk Factors -- Competition," "Risk
Factors -- Recent Legislation and Regulatory Uncertainty" and
"Business -- Regulation."
MARKET AND COMPETITION
General. Companies in the domestic long distance market had estimated
revenues of $75.9 billion in 1995. AT&T is the largest long distance carrier,
with an estimated 56.5% of total market revenues in 1995, while MCI and Sprint
had an estimated 19.7% and 9.4%, respectively, of total market revenues in that
year. These three carriers constitute what generally is referred to as the
"first tier" in the long distance market. Medium-sized long distance companies,
some with national capabilities, such as WorldCom, Frontier, Cable & Wireless
and LCI, constitute the "second tier" of the industry and, cumulatively, are
believed to have accounted for approximately 8.9% of total market revenues in
1995. The remainder of the market share is held by smaller companies, which are
known as "third-tier" carriers. The Company provides long-haul services to
companies in all three tiers and switched long distance services to companies in
the third tier.
According to data included in Long Distance Market Shares, Fourth Quarter
1995, an FCC report issued in March 1996, while long distance revenues grew at a
compound annual rate of over 8% during the period from 1989 through 1995, the
revenues of all carriers other than the first tier grew in the aggregate at a
compound annual rate of over 22% during the same period. Such analysis also
stated that the smaller second-tier and third-tier carriers increased their
market share sixfold over a ten-year period, increasing from less than 3% in
1984 to more than 17% in 1994. In addition, industry sources estimate that
combined revenues of second-tier and third-tier carriers grew by 17.9% in 1995.
Competition among the Company's customers and other retail long distance
providers for end-user customers is based upon advertising, pricing, customer
service, network quality and value-added services. The Company believes that
AT&T, MCI and Sprint engage in only limited direct sales to small and
medium-sized commercial users, generally focusing on residential and large
commercial accounts, thus creating opportunities for smaller long distance
providers. Industry observers estimate that over 400 smaller companies have
emerged to compete in the long distance business. See "Risk
Factors -- Competition."
Long-Haul Services. Long distance companies may be categorized as
facilities-based carriers and non-facilities-based carriers. Sellers of
long-haul services are generally facilities-based carriers that own long-haul
transmission facilities, such as fiber optic cable or digital microwave
equipment. The first-tier and some second-tier long distance companies are
facilities-based carriers offering long-haul service nationwide.
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Facilities-based carriers in the third tier of the market generally offer
long-haul services only in a limited geographic area. Customers using long-haul
services include: (i) facilities-based carriers that require long-haul capacity
where they have geographic gaps in their facilities, need additional capacity or
require geographically different alternative routing; and (ii)
non-facilities-based carriers requiring long-haul capacity to carry their
customers' long distance traffic. The Company's competitors in the long-haul
business include AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom and certain regional carriers.
Important competitive factors in the long-haul business are price, customer
service, network location and quality, reliability and availability. See
"Business -- Long-Haul Services."
Switched Long Distance Services. Long distance companies may be
characterized as switched or switchless carriers. Sellers of switched long
distance services are generally switched carriers, such as the Company, that own
one or more switches that direct telecommunications traffic. Facilities-based
carriers are generally switched carriers. However, many non-facilities based
carriers (i.e., many long distance resellers) have switches. The Company's
customers are switchless carriers that depend on switched carriers to provide
switched long distance services to their end users. The Company's competitors in
the switched long distance business include AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom and
Frontier and many non-facilities-based switched carriers. Important competitive
factors in the switched long distance business are customer service
(particularly with respect to speed in delivery of computer billing records and
set-up of new end users with the LECs), ability of the network to complete calls
with a minimum of network-caused busy signals, scope of services offered, price,
reliability and transmission quality.
CALL ROUTING
An inter-LATA long distance telephone call begins with the caller's LEC
transmitting the call by means of its local switched network to a point of
connection with an interexchange carrier. The interexchange carrier, through its
switches and long-haul network, transmits the call to the called party's LEC,
which then completes the call over its local facilities. For each long distance
call, the originating LEC charges an access fee. The interexchange carrier also
charges a fee for its transmission of the call, a portion of which consists of a
fee charged by the LEC used to deliver the call. Under the Telecommunications
Act, state proceedings may in certain instances determine LEC access charge
rates. It is uncertain at this time what effect such proceedings may have on
such rates.
The following diagram illustrates the routing of an inter-LATA telephone
call (the diagram assumes the carrier switches are not within the local dialing
areas of either the caller or called party).
[CALL ROUTING DIAGRAM]
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TECHNOLOGY
Telecommunications long-haul traffic generally is transmitted through
digital microwave or fiber optic equipment.
Fiber Optic Systems. Fiber optic systems use laser-generated light to
transmit voice and data in digital format through fine strands of glass. Fiber
optic systems are characterized by large circuit capacity, good sound quality,
resistance to external signal interference and direct interface to digital
switching equipment. A pair of modern fiber optic strands, using current
technology, is capable of carrying 192 DS-3s or over 129,000 simultaneous
telephone calls. Because fiber optic signals disperse over distance, they must
be regenerated at sites located along the fiber optic cable (on older fiber
optic systems the interval is 20 to 25 miles; on newer systems that utilize
modern fiber optic cable and splicing methods, such as will be used in the Fiber
Expansion, it is approximately 50 to 75 miles).
Microwave Systems. Although limited in capacity in comparison with fiber
optic systems (generally, no more than 28 DS-3s can be transmitted by microwave
between two antennae), digital microwave systems offer an effective and reliable
means of transmitting voice and data signals over intermediate and longer
distances. Microwaves are very high frequency radio waves that can be reflected,
focused and beamed in a line-of-sight transmission path. Because of their
electro-physical properties, microwaves can be used to transmit signals through
the air, with relatively little power. To create a communications circuit,
microwave signals are transmitted through a focusing antenna, received by an
antenna at the next station in the network, then amplified and retransmitted.
Because microwaves attenuate as they travel through the air, this transmission
process must be repeated at repeater stations, which consist of radio equipment,
antennae and back-up power sources, located on average every 25 miles along the
transmission network. As of March 31, 1996, the remaining net depreciated book
value of the Company's microwave equipment was less than 6% of total assets.
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BUSINESS
COMPANY OVERVIEW
The Company provides two principal services to long distance companies: (i)
long-haul transmission of voice and data over dedicated circuits; and (ii)
switched long distance services. The Company is one of only five carriers to own
a digital telecommunications network extending from coast-to-coast (the other
carriers are AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom). Its facilities include digital
switches located in Los Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta. The
Company is currently engaged in a major expansion of its network, as described
below.
The Company had revenues of approximately $91 million in 1995,
substantially all of which were generated by its long-haul business. The Company
has long-haul circuit contracts with over 200 long distance carriers, including
AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom, Cable & Wireless, Frontier and LCI. As of April 30,
1996, the Company had "take or pay" commitments from its long-haul customers of
approximately $160.0 million (consisting of approximately $90.0 million relating
to circuits currently in service and approximately $70.0 million relating to
circuits not yet ordered that the Company expects will be carried over leased
routes or routes being constructed). Long-haul transmission service is also
provided to customers after contract expiration on a month-to-month basis. The
Company's long-haul contracts provide for fixed monthly payments, generally in
advance. The Company has provided services to nine of its ten largest customers
for at least six years and, although sales volumes from particular customers
vary from year to year, has historically enjoyed a high customer retention rate
(annual customer retention has averaged over 90% from 1992-1995).
The Company recently expanded into the business of selling switched long
distance services to long distance resellers in order to complement its
long-haul business and to capitalize on its ability to provide switched services
over its own network. Switched long distance services are telecommunications
services such as residential long distance services that are processed through
the Company's digital switches and carried over long-haul circuits and other
transmission facilities owned or leased by the Company. During 1995, the Company
set up the infrastructure for its switched long distance business by installing
its switches, connecting them to its network and to the LECs, acquiring
software, hiring personnel and entering into contracts with customers. The
Company's switched network became fully operational in February 1996. The
Company sells switched long distance services on a per-call basis, charging by
minutes of use ("MOUs"), with payment due monthly after services are rendered.
The Company believes that it is well-positioned to attract long distance
resellers as customers for its switched long distance services because: (i) it
is not currently a significant competitor for sales to end users; and (ii) it
provides more focused service to its reseller customers, since servicing such
customers is its primary business, unlike its major competitors whose main
business is selling retail long distance service to end-users.
The Company has entered into switched long distance services contracts with
over 30 long distance resellers including Excel and GE Capital Communication.
Excel, a rapidly growing long distance reseller, first utilized the Company's
switched long distance services in February 1996. Excel has contracted to
increase its volume on the Company's network to a minimum of 70 million minutes
of traffic per month no later than October 1996. The Company's switched long
distance business has grown rapidly since its switched network became fully
operational in February 1996, with Excel accounting for most of the growth. The
Company's switched long distance revenues amounted to approximately $3.6 million
in the quarter ended March 31, 1996, (with $0.7 million in January 1996, $1.3
million in February 1996 and $1.6 million in March 1996), $3.1 million in April
1996 and $6.4 million in May 1996. Excel accounted for 17%, 67% and 76% of such
revenues for the quarter ended March 31, 1996, the month of April 1996 and the
month of May 1996, respectively. See "-- Switched Long Distance Services."
The Company owns a coast-to-coast network containing over 1,700 fiber optic
route miles and over 5,000 digital microwave route miles. In addition, the
Company currently supplements its own facilities with a significant amount of
fiber optic capacity obtained from other carriers to service customers that
require capacity not available on the Company's own network.
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The Company is currently undertaking a major expansion of its network by
adding a substantial number of additional fiber route miles to increase the
Company's network capacity, allowing it: (i) to increase revenues by offering
its customers significantly more capacity on certain existing routes and
high-capacity on new routes; and (ii) to reduce costs by moving traffic from
capacity leased from other carriers to its own network. In this way, the Company
seeks to improve profitability and cash flow through increasing revenues and
decreasing certain costs. In addition, the Company seeks to create sufficient
capacity through the Fiber Expansion to support increased long-haul demand which
may result in the future from frame relay, ATM, multimedia, Internet and other
capacity-intensive applications. The Company seeks to construct the Fiber
Expansion over routes where one or more of the following factors are present:
(i) customer demand or historical demographic factors indicate a demand for
high-capacity fiber network on the route; (ii) the route is attractive as a
complement to the routes of other carriers, which may enable the Company to
lease its new capacity on the route to other carriers or exchange a portion of
its new capacity on the route for capacity from another carrier; or (iii) the
capacity will replace capacity otherwise leased by the Company from other
carriers.
The principal executive offices of IXC Communications are located at 5000
Plaza on the Lake, Suite 200, Austin, Texas, 78746 and its telephone number is
(512) 328-1112.
BUSINESS STRATEGY
The Company's primary business objectives over the near term are: (i) to
rapidly increase revenue from its switched long distance services business; (ii)
to substantially complete the backbone of Phase I of the Fiber Expansion in the
first quarter of 1997; and (iii) to utilize the expanded network to increase its
revenues and profitability.
The key elements of the Company's strategy to achieve these objectives are:
Reducing Costs. The Company seeks to achieve substantial cost savings
through the Fiber Expansion by reducing the amount of capacity it would
otherwise obtain from other carriers. The Company incurred costs (including
through capacity exchanges) of $38.7 million for off-net fiber optic capacity
from other carriers in 1995. In the event the Company achieves revenue growth in
the long-haul business and the switched long distance business, its usage of
long-haul capacity (including capacity leased from other carriers) will
increase. The Company believes the Fiber Expansion will enable it to reduce
expenditures for capacity now leased off-net (and to reduce the additional
expenses for leasing capacity that would otherwise be required to support
revenue growth) and thereby increase its operating cash flow, because the new
fiber routes: (i) should carry much of the traffic that would otherwise be
transmitted over off-net circuits and (ii) may enable the Company to enter into
additional exchanges of fiber capacity with other carriers. See "-- The
Company's Network" and "Risk Factors -- Risks Relating to Completion of the
Fiber Expansion."
Increasing Long-Haul Circuit Revenues. The Company's ability to expand its
long-haul business has previously been limited because the existing network
owned by the Company is geographically limited and because the digital microwave
portion of its network has been utilized at or near its maximum practical
capacity. The Company seeks through the Fiber Expansion to install high-capacity
new routes and substantially increase the capacity of certain existing routes,
allowing the Company to lease additional circuits to its customers.
Establishing a Platform for Capacity-Intensive Data Applications. The
Company is using advanced (though commercially tested) fiber optic technology in
the Fiber Expansion. The expanded network will have SONET technology and the
broadband capabilities to provide a platform to support advanced, capacity-
intensive products such as frame relay, ATM, multimedia and Internet related
applications. See "-- The Company's Network" and "Risk Factors -- Risks Relating
to Completion of the Fiber Expansion."
Providing Backup Routing for Major Carriers. An area of substantial growth
in certain markets for the Company in recent years has been the provision of
circuits to facilities-based carriers such as AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom
(the other four companies that own coast-to-coast digital networks), to be used
as alternative routes by such carriers in the event of a service outage. Such
companies prefer alternative routes
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separated geographically from their routes to increase the possibility that the
alternative route will be functional in the event of a natural disaster. The
Company has planned the Fiber Expansion to be separated geographically as far as
practicable from the existing fiber routes of such carriers. The Company
believes that the Fiber Expansion, with the resulting significant increase in
fiber optic geographic coverage and capacity, will greatly increase the
attractiveness of the Company's network as alternative routing to certain major
carriers as a backup to their own networks.
Capitalizing on Excel Relationship. The Company views Excel as the "anchor
tenant" of its switched network, potentially providing the Company with
significant traffic volumes on which to base its entry into the switched long
distance services business. The Company seeks to increase its share of the
traffic of Excel, which currently obtains the bulk of the switched long distance
services it requires from other carriers, through customer service, network
quality and geographic availability. See "-- Switched Long Distance Services --
Customers and Marketing." Excel recently announced that it entered into a
four-year, $900 million contract to purchase switched long distance services
from WorldCom. Although the Company believes that Excel's commitment to WorldCom
will not impair Excel's relationship with the Company, WorldCom will be a
significant competitor for Excel's business. See "Risk Factors -- Reliance on
Major Customers."
Establishing Other Long-Term Relationships. The Company seeks to establish
a dependable revenue stream through long-term relationships with its customers.
The Company has long-haul contracts (generally on a long-term basis) with over
200 long distance carriers, including AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom, Cable &
Wireless, Frontier and LCI. The Company has provided services to nine of its ten
largest customers for at least six years and, although sales volumes from
particular customers vary from year to year, has historically enjoyed a high
customer retention rate (annual customer retention has averaged over 90% from
1992-1995). Although the Company's five switches first became operational in the
fourth quarter of 1995, the Company has already entered into contracts with over
30 long distance resellers, including GE Capital Communication.
Providing an Automated Software Interface. The Company seeks to increase
its attractiveness to existing and potential customers of switched long distance
services by providing a sophisticated automated interface to the Company's
computer system through its proprietary IXC Online software. Utilizing IXC
Online, customers are able to access up-to-date information regarding their
end-user customers and the calls made by such end-users. IXC Online is designed
to allow each of the Company's carrier customers to: (i) download call detail
records for its end-users for billing purposes; (ii) arrange with the
appropriate LEC to register the carrier as the designated long distance carrier
for its new end-users; and (iii) file trouble reports for resolution.
Acting as an Alternative Switched Long Distance Services Provider. The
Company believes that it is well positioned to attract long distance resellers
as customers for its switched long distance services because: (i) it is not
currently a significant competitor for sales to end users; and (ii) it provides
more focused service to its reseller customers, since servicing such customers
is its primary business, unlike its major competitors (AT&T, MCI, Sprint, World
Com and Frontier) whose main business is selling retail long distance service to
end-users. See "-- Switched Long Distance Services" and "Risk
Factors -- Development Risks and Dependence on Switched Long Distance Business."
THE COMPANY'S NETWORK
SERVICES
The Company provides two basic services: (i) long-haul services; and (ii)
switched long distance services.
Long-Haul Services. A long-haul circuit is an unswitched
telecommunications transmission circuit used by customers, such as
non-facilities-based carriers that have switches but do not own transmission
facilities, to transport their already-switched traffic between LATAs. Calls
being transmitted over a long-haul circuit for a customer are generally routed
by the customer through a switch to a receiving terminal in the Company's
network. The Company transmits the signals over a long-haul circuit to the
terminal where the signals are to exit the Company's network. The signals are
then routed by the customer through another switch and to the
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call recipient through a LEC. The Company typically bills the customers a fixed
monthly rate depending on the capacity and length of the circuit, regardless of
the amount the circuit is actually used. See "-- Long-Haul Services."
Switched Long Distance Services. Switched long distance services are
telecommunications services such as residential and commercial long distance
service that involve processing calls through the switches of a carrier. Among
the Company's switched long distance services product offerings are two basic
services: (i) call origination and termination services and (ii) call
termination services. For non-facilities-based carriers such as switchless
carriers, the Company provides call origination and termination. This generally
includes: (i) arranging with the caller's LEC to connect the call to the
Company's switching center (this is referred to as "origination") and (ii)
transmitting the call to another Company switching center or a hub connecting
the call to the recipient's LEC and arranging with the LEC to connect the call
to the recipient (this is referred to as "termination"). Other customers (for
example, non-facilities based carriers with regional switches in certain areas
but not in others) require termination but not origination services. In this
case, the customer delivers a call to the Company's switching center and the
Company terminates the call. The Company typically bills the customer at a
variable rate depending on the duration, day and time of day of the call and
whether the call is intrastate, interstate or international. See "-- Switched
Long Distance Services."
FACILITIES
The Company is one of only five carriers to own a coast-to-coast digital
network. The Company's owned network presently includes five digital switches
and over 6,800 route miles with a capacity of over 171,000 DS-3 miles (including
over 1,700 fiber optic route miles with capacity of over 114,000 DS-3 miles and
over 5,000 digital microwave route miles with a capacity of over 57,000 DS-3
miles). The Fiber Expansion, when completed, should increase the capacity
available to the Company to lease to its customers to over 300,000 DS-3 miles,
with significant additional capacity available when needed by the Company. See
the map depicting the network on the inside front cover of this Prospectus.
The Company's own facilities are supplemented with over 87,000 DS-3 miles
of fiber optic capacity obtained from other carriers. Of such capacity, over
48,000 DS-3 miles are leased by the Company. Approximately 39,000 DS-3 miles of
such capacity are obtained by the Company through long-term capacity-exchange
agreements with MCI and WorldCom whereby the Company trades capacity or fibers
on its fiber network for capacity on the other carriers' networks. The Company
has been able to negotiate these significant exchange agreements because of the
placement of the Company's existing networks in locations where other
facilities-based carriers require additional capacity and the comparatively
large expense to such other carriers of constructing new fiber optic facilities.
Such exchange agreements increase the scope of the Company's network through the
addition of the exchanged capacity while reducing the Company's cash
expenditures for off-net facilities.
The Company's network includes five digital switches located in Los
Angeles, Dallas, Chicago, Philadelphia and Atlanta, each directly connected over
either on-net or off-net long-haul circuits: (i) to at least two other switching
centers; (ii) to certain of the Company's over 30 Hubs (local connection
points); and (iii) to certain LEC Central Office switches. The Hubs are
connected (generally by off-net circuits) to LEC Central Office switches, which
in turn are connected to end-user telephone lines. The switches utilize common
channel signaling (SS7), which reduces connect time delays and directs calls
using least cost routing. The Company's switched operations are supplemented by
agreements with Allnet and WorldCom. Under such agreements, Allnet and WorldCom
supply switched capacity to the Company, automatically handling calls routed
through LEC Central Offices not connected to the Company's Hubs or switches and
calls which exceed the capacity of the Company's switched network.
The capacity of the Company's switches may be expanded with processor
upgrades, additional memory and ports. The Company plans to add more ports and
other equipment for its existing switches and to add additional switches as
required to accommodate customer demand. While the Company cannot yet ascertain
the capital cost of such ports, additional equipment and switches, the Company
anticipates that it will be able,
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subject to certain restrictions under the indenture relating to the Senior
Notes, to obtain such equipment under capital leases.
NETWORK RELIABILITY
The Company's network offers a reliable means of transmitting large volumes
of voice and data signals. To assist in providing reliable and high-quality
transmission service, all important functions of the network are monitored
during regular business hours from regional operations centers in Columbus,
Kansas City, Fort Worth and Tucson. Thereafter, monitoring is conducted from the
Company's national operations center in its Austin headquarters. The national
center also provides overall system monitoring on a 24-hour basis. This system
alerts the Company to situations which could affect customer transmission and
generally allows the Company to take remedial actions before customer service is
affected. In addition, the Company employs approximately 100 operations
personnel who are based along the network to perform preventative maintenance as
well as repair functions on its long-haul network. Company operations personnel
conduct annual system performance testing and make periodic unannounced visits
to terminal sites to evaluate technician performance. In addition, the Company
maintains a staff of 55 technicians to provide maintenance and other technical
support services for switched long distance services.
FIBER EXPANSION
The Company currently supplements its own facilities with over 87,000 DS-3
miles of fiber optic capacity leased from other carriers and incurred costs
(including through capacity exchanges) of $38.7 million in 1995 for such
capacity. This capacity is required because the digital microwave portion of the
Company's network is utilized at or near its maximum capacity and because the
Company's customers require capacity not available on the Company's own network.
The Company is currently undertaking the Fiber Expansion to add a substantial
number of additional route miles to increase its network capacity and geographic
scope. The Fiber Expansion will allow the Company to: (i) increase revenues by
offering to its customers significantly more capacity on certain existing routes
and high-capacity new routes; (ii) reduce costs by moving long-haul traffic from
circuits leased from other carriers to its own network; and (iii) support
increased long-haul circuit demand which may result in the future from frame
relay, ATM, multimedia, Internet and other capacity-intensive applications. The
Company estimates that the Fiber Expansion will produce additional cost savings
by supporting growth in its long-haul business and switched long distance
business which would otherwise require significant off-net capacity usage. The
Fiber Expansion will enable the Company to avoid increased expenditures for
leasing off-net capacity because the new fiber routes: (i) should carry much of
the traffic that would otherwise be transmitted over off-net circuits and (ii)
may enable the Company to enter into additional exchanges of fiber capacity with
other carriers. In this way, the Company seeks to improve cash flow through
increasing revenues and decreasing certain costs.
Construction. The Company has planned the Fiber Expansion to cover, to the
greatest extent practicable, routes where one or more of the following factors
are present: (i) customer demand indicates a need for high-capacity fiber
network on the route; (ii) the route is attractive as a complement to the routes
of other carriers, which may enable the Company to lease its new capacity on the
route to other carriers or exchange a portion of its new capacity on the route
for capacity from other carriers; or (iii) the capacity will replace capacity
leased by the Company from other carriers. The Company plans to complete the
Fiber Expansion in two phases along the following routes, which the Company
believes to be generally geographically diverse from the existing long-haul
fiber networks of AT&T, MCI, Sprint and WorldCom (the routes are subject to
change depending on the availability of certain cost-saving arrangements and the
Company's ability to reduce construction costs and enhance the benefits from the
routes to be constructed):
(i) Phase I will provide an approximately 4,000 mile fiber optic route to
supplement the Company's existing New York-Los Angeles route, which consists
primarily of digital microwave facilities. Phase I is planned to extend the
Company's existing New York-Philadelphia fiber optic route to Los Angeles over
new fiber optic cable through Chicago, Dallas and Phoenix.
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(ii) Phase II is planned to include an approximately 3,100 mile fiber
optic route from New York via Atlanta to Houston, with spurs to Florida,
Louisiana and Texas.
The proposed routes for the Fiber Expansion are set forth on a map on the
inside front cover page of this Prospectus.
The Company intends to install and maintain a minimum of 48 fibers along
the backbone of the Fiber Expansion route. Because of the relatively low
incremental cost of additional strands of fiber, the Company may install
additional fiber in some segments of the Fiber Expansion route. The Company
plans generally to light initially only four of the new fibers (which will add
an aggregate of approximately 300,000 DS-3 miles to the Company's network).
Certain of the remaining fibers will be reserved and used as a platform to
support emerging capacity-intensive data and multimedia applications. The
Company intends to light certain additional fibers as needed in the future and
may use the other additional fibers for sale or exchange arrangements. See
" -- Business Strategy" and "Risk Factors -- Risks Relating to Completion of the
Fiber Expansion."
The Company has already begun the Fiber Expansion, with the backbone of
Phase I scheduled to be substantially completed and in service in the first
quarter of 1997. A portion of Phase I is being constructed in connection with an
agreement entered into with WorldCom in December 1995 (the "WorldCom Fiber Build
Agreement"). Pursuant to this agreement, each company is constructing a fiber
route approximately 1,100 miles long and placing fibers for both companies in
the route. WorldCom's route is to extend from Akron through Indianapolis to a
suburb of St. Louis, with a spur from Indianapolis to a suburb of Chicago. The
Company's route is to extend from Dallas to Phoenix with a spur to Ft. Worth.
Each party will maintain the fiber in its route at no cost to the other party.
This arrangement will result in substantial savings for the Company as opposed
to constructing both routes by itself. The WorldCom Fiber Build Agreement
provides for substantial penalties ($400,000 per month) for either party which
does not complete construction of the applicable route by October 1, 1996, but
only after a grace period and only in the event the other party has already
completed its route. No assurance can be given that the Company will be able to
complete its route in time to avoid such penalties.
Phase I of the Fiber Expansion will connect four of the Company's five
switches with high-capacity long-haul circuits on its own network, utilizing
advanced fiber optic technology capable of efficiently transmitting
capacity-intensive services, such as Internet and multimedia applications, frame
relay and ATM. Phase I is expected to deliver significant strategic and
financial benefits to the Company as a result of: (i) producing substantial
savings by allowing the Company to move a portion of its excess long-haul
traffic from leased circuits on the networks of other carriers to its own
expanded network; (ii) providing high-capacity new routes and substantially
increasing the capacity of certain existing routes, allowing the Company to
increase revenues by leasing additional circuits to its customers; (iii)
allowing the Company to improve profitability in its switched long distance
services business by reducing underlying costs of long-haul transmission; and
(iv) creating sufficient capacity to support increased demand which may result
from Internet and multimedia applications, frame relay and ATM.
Cost. The principal components of the cost of the Fiber Expansion will
include: (i) fiber optic cable; (ii) engineering and construction; (iii)
electronics; and (iv) rights-of-way. The rights-of-way will be provided pursuant
to long-term leases or other arrangements (some of which may provide for
substantial continuing payments) entered into with railroads, highway
commissions, pipeline owners, utilities or others. The Company anticipates that
such rights-of-way will be available along the planned routes of the Fiber
Expansion. The Company will seek to realize significant cost savings and offsets
to the cost of the Fiber Expansion through the WorldCom Fiber Build Agreement
and through one or more of the following cost-saving arrangements: (i) including
additional fibers in the Fiber Expansion for lease or sale to other carriers;
(ii) exchanging excess fibers or capacity on the Company's expanded network for
excess fibers or capacity on other carriers' networks; and (iii) obtaining the
right to install Company-owned fibers in new fiber optic routes being
constructed by other carriers along the proposed Fiber Expansion routes in
exchange for the Company (a) sharing construction costs with the other carrier,
(b) allowing the other carrier to use excess Company fiber elsewhere in the
Company's network, or (c) allowing the other carrier to add its own fibers to
segments
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of the Fiber Expansion. There can be no assurance that the Company will enter
into additional cost-saving arrangements. See "Risk Factors -- Negative Cash
Flow and Capital Requirements." The Company has had experience with arrangements
of this type with several major carriers, including MCI, Sprint, Cable &
Wireless and WorldCom.
The Company anticipates that Phase I of the Fiber Expansion will cost
approximately $225.0 million (taking into account the effect of cost-saving
arrangements it has already entered into, including the WorldCom Fiber Build
Agreement). As of April 30, 1996, the Company had spent approximately $12.0
million of such amount for Phase I. The Company expects to substantially
complete the backbone of Phase I in the first quarter of 1997, meeting the cost
of its construction with cash on hand (including, as of May 31, 1996,
approximately $152.9 million from the escrow account described herein) and the
proceeds of this Offering.
Following Phase I, the Company plans to complete Phase II, consisting of
approximately 3,100 route miles. The Company anticipates that Phase II, if
constructed without any cost-saving arrangements, would cost approximately
$275.0 million. The Company will seek to meet the costs of Phase II through: (i)
additional cost-saving arrangements; (ii) cash flow from its existing
operations; (iii) increased cash flow resulting from reduced off-net capacity
costs as segments of the Fiber Expansion are completed; and (iv) if the Company
is able to successfully develop the switched-products business, increased cash
flow from the switched-products business. In the event no other cost-saving
arrangements are entered into, and the sources of cash referred to above are not
available as soon as desired, the Company anticipates that, to proceed with
Phase II, it will be necessary either: (i) to meet the remaining costs of the
Fiber Expansion through a combination of debt or equity funding (subject to the
restrictions set forth in the indenture for the Senior Notes); or (ii) to slow
or delay the construction of the Fiber Expansion until sufficient funds are
available. No assurance can be given that cash will in fact be available from
any of the sources listed above. See "-- The Company's Network," "-- Business
Strategy," "Risk Factors -- Negative Cash Flow and Capital Requirements," "Risk
Factors -- Risks Relating to Completion of the Fiber Expansion," "Risk
Factors -- Substantial Indebtedness," and "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Liquidity and Capital
Resources."
Construction Management. The Company's management and staff have
substantial experience in the construction of long-haul telecommunications
systems. The Company's existing nationwide digital network, its 346-mile Texas
fiber optic network constructed in 1993 and the recent 58-mile extension of its
Michigan fiber optic network to Indiana were engineered and constructed by the
Company. The Texas network and the Michigan-Indiana extension incorporated
modern fiber optic cable and SONET optronics. In addition, the Company
successfully closed contracts on its Texas network with AT&T, MCI and Sprint
after such companies carefully reviewed the Company's engineering and operations
capabilities. The Company believes that its experienced engineering and
operations management and staff have the requisite skills and experience to
successfully complete the Fiber Expansion.
LONG-HAUL SERVICES
OVERVIEW
Substantially all of the Company's 1995 revenues were generated by its
long-haul business. The Company has long-haul circuit contracts with over 200
long distance carriers.
STRATEGY
The Company is seeking to increase revenues in its long-haul business
through meeting these primary objectives: (i) expanding its network to provide
additional capacity on its existing routes and high-capacity new routes to
provide access to major population centers (including routes which may be
attractive to major carriers) as backup routes; (ii) providing high-quality,
reliable transmission services on a fixed-cost basis at rates generally below
those currently offered by AT&T and competitive with those offered by other
carriers; and (iii) use the expanded network as a platform to support increased
long-haul circuit demand which may result in the future from frame relay, ATM,
multimedia, Internet and other capacity-intensive applications.
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The Company is seeking to decrease expenses in its long-haul business
through the Fiber Expansion, which the Company anticipates will allow it to move
traffic from circuits leased from other carriers to its own network.
CUSTOMERS AND MARKETING
The Company has long-haul circuit contracts with over 200 long distance
carriers, including AT&T, MCI, Sprint, WorldCom, Cable & Wireless, Frontier and
LCI. As of April 30, 1996, the Company had "take or pay" commitments from its
long-haul customers aggregating over $160.0 million (consisting of approximately
$90.0 million relating to circuits currently in service and approximately $70.0
million relating to circuits not yet ordered that the Company expects will be
carried over leased routes or routes being constructed). The Company also
provides long-haul transmission to customers after contract expiration on a
month-to-month basis. The Company's long-haul contracts provide for fixed
monthly payments, generally in advance. The Company has provided services to
nine of its ten largest customers for at least six years and, although sales
volumes from particular customers vary from year to year, has historically
enjoyed a high customer retention rate (annual customer retention has averaged
over 90% from 1992-1995).
The Company markets its long-haul circuit capacity generally to: (i)
facilities-based carriers that require long-haul capacity where they have
geographic gaps in their facilities, need additional capacity or require
geographically different, alternative routing; and (ii) non-facilities-based
carriers requiring long-haul capacity to carry their customers' long distance
traffic. The Company focuses most of its direct sales efforts on providing
customer support services to existing customers and on adding new customers. The
Company's long-haul circuit sales force presently consists of ten account
managers based at the Company's headquarters in Austin and at direct sales
offices in or near Washington, D.C., New Haven, San Francisco, Kansas City,
Chicago, St. Louis, Houston and Sunrise Beach, Missouri.
During 1993, 1994, 1995 and the first quarter of 1996, WorldCom and
Frontier, the Company's two largest customers, accounted for 23% and 24%, 25%
and 23%, 20% and 21%, and 16% and 19% respectively, of the Company's revenues.
During fiscal 1995, the Company leased transmission capacity to 212 customers.
The ten largest customers during that year accounted for approximately 78% of
revenues. See "Risk Factors -- Reliance on Major Customers."
PRICES AND CONTRACTS
The Company's strategy is to offer prices generally lower than those of
AT&T and competitive with the prices of other carriers, to permit the Company's
customers, through a stable, long-term fixed pricing structure, to maintain
control over transmission costs. The Company's long-haul transmission agreements
with its customers generally provide for original terms of one to three years
and for monthly payment in advance on a fixed-rate basis, calculated according
to the capacity and length of the circuit. The agreements generally provide that
the customer may terminate the affected service without penalty "for cause" in
the event of substantial and prolonged outages arising from causes within the
Company's control, and for certain other defined causes. Generally, the lease
agreements further provide that the customer may terminate the agreement "for
convenience" at its discretion at any time upon notice to the Company. However,
termination for convenience generally requires either full payment of all
charges through the end of the lease term or the payment of substantial
termination fees intended to allow the Company to recover certain costs and, in
some cases, lost profits. Damages attributable to a customer's termination of
the agreement are generally reduced, however, by an offset for any income the
Company earns from re-leasing the terminated capacity during the remaining
portion of the lease term.
COMPETITION
In providing bulk long-haul circuit capacity, the Company competes with
AT&T, which is the largest supplier of long distance voice and data transmission
services in the United States, MCI, WorldCom and Sprint, all of which have
substantially greater financial resources than the Company and a far more
extensive transmission network than the Company's network. As a result of the
Telecommunications Act, the Company
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and its customers will also face competition from the RBOCs, GTE and others such
as electric utilities and cable television companies. The Company also competes
on a regional basis with major regional carriers. Important competitive factors
in the long-haul business are price, customer service, network location and
quality, reliability and availability. See "Risk Factors -- Competition."
SWITCHED LONG DISTANCE SERVICES
OVERVIEW
The Company has recently expanded into the business of selling switched
long distance services to long distance resellers in order to complement its
long-haul business and to capitalize on its ability to provide switched services
over its own network. During 1995, the Company set up the infrastructure for its
switched long distance business by installing its switches, connecting them to
its network and to the LECs, acquiring software, hiring personnel and entering
into contracts with customers. Although the Company's five switches first became
operational in the fourth quarter of 1995, the Company has already entered into
contracts with over 30 long distance resellers, including Excel and GE Capital
Communication. Pursuant to these contracts, the Company sells switched long
distance services on a per-call basis, charging by MOUs, with payment due
monthly after services are rendered. The Company believes that it is well
positioned to attract long distance resellers as customers for its switched long
distance services because: (i) it is not currently a significant competitor for
sales to end users; and (ii) it provides more focused service to its reseller
customers, since servicing such customers is its primary business, unlike its
major competitors whose main business is selling retail long distance services
to end-users.
STRATEGY
The Company seeks to rapidly increase revenues from its switched long
distance business through: (i) long-term arrangements with significant customers
and customers the Company considers likely to grow quickly; (ii) providing a
sophisticated automated software interface with its customers; and (iii)
offering pricing which is generally lower than that charged by AT&T and
competitive with that of other long distance service providers. The Company
seeks to increase the profitability of its switched long distance services
business by decreasing its average cost per MOU through efficiencies achieved
with higher volumes and through reducing network costs through the Fiber
Expansion. See "-- Business Strategy."
CUSTOMERS AND MARKETING
The Company focuses its sales efforts on directly contacting large reseller
customers with monthly volumes of at least $1 million and smaller, growing
resellers with volumes between $50,000 and $250,000 per month that the Company
expects to be reasonably likely to grow to the $1 million per month level. The
Company's switched-products sales force includes ten sales executives based at
the Company's headquarters in Austin and at direct sales offices in Atlanta,
Dallas, Denver and Los Angeles. Although sales of switched long distance
services to end-user customers do not currently account for a significant
portion of the Company's switched long distance business, the Company may, from
time to time, consider acquiring long distance resellers or end-user customer
bases. Even if this does occur, however, the Company does not expect to change
its focus from its reseller customers.
Excel. In 1994, the Company and Excel, a large long distance reseller,
formed the SSC joint venture to lease, install and operate the five switches
incorporated into the Company's network and to provide switched long distance
services to the Company and Excel. As of January 1, 1996, the Company became the
sole owner of SSC by purchasing Excel's minority interest and certain
contractual arrangements were modified so that, among other things: (i) the
Company is permitted to sell switched long distance services to Excel at a
positive margin (the joint venture had been required to sell to Excel at a price
approximately equal to its cost); and (ii) Excel is permitted to reduce its
minimum commitment to the Company by inviting the Company to bid along with
other carriers to provide long-haul circuits to Excel (as described below). The
parties modified their relationship because: (i) Excel desired to sell its
interest in the joint venture because the continuing growth of its business led
it to consider acquiring its own switches to supplement the services it will
receive
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from other carriers; and (ii) the Company desired to sell switched long distance
services to Excel at a positive margin and have the opportunity to bid on the
long-haul transmission for any new switches that Excel may acquire. On February
15, 1996, Excel started to transfer traffic to the Company's network. By October
1996, Excel is required to use at least 70 million minutes of traffic per month.
Excel's commitment continues through the earlier of the date on which Excel has
routed 4.2 billion minutes over the Company's network, or five years from the
date Excel first routes 70 million minutes per month over the Company's network.
The minimum commitment is subject to reduction or termination: (i) if Excel
installs its own switches and invites the Company to bid along with other
carriers (to win such bids, the Company would have to be the lowest bidder) to
provide Excel with the long-haul circuits utilized by such switches (even if
this did occur, Excel would still have to meet the minimum commitment of 70
million minutes per month until the expiration of the 24-month period after the
date Excel first routes 70 million minutes per month over the Company's
network); or (ii) for breach of contract by the Company or for other reasons
which the Company believes should be under its control.
Customer Contracts. The Company's rates for switched long distance
services generally vary with the duration of the call, the day and the time of
day the call was made and whether the traffic is intrastate, interstate or
international. The rates charged are not affected by which facilities are
selected by the Company's switching centers for transmission of the call or by
the distance of the call. Different rates are applied to combined origination
and termination services than are applied to termination services. The
agreements between the Company and its customers for switched long distance
services generally provide for payment in arrears based on MOUs. The agreements
generally also provide that the customer may terminate the affected service
without penalty in the event of substantial and prolonged outages arising from
causes within the Company's control, and for certain other defined causes.
Generally, the agreements provide that the customer, in order to avoid being
obligated to pay higher rates (or, in some cases, penalties), must utilize at
least a minimum dollar amount (measured by dollars or minutes of use) of
switched long distance services per month for the term of the agreement.
Customer Care. The Company believes that customer support will prove to be
an important factor in attracting and retaining customers for its switched long
distance services. Customer service for switched long distance services includes
processing new accounts, responding to inquiries and disputes relating to
billing, credit adjustments and cancellations and conducting technical repair
and other support services. IXC Online is designed to allow each of the
Company's carrier customers to: (i) download current call detail records for its
end-users for billing purposes; (ii) arrange with the appropriate LEC to
register the carrier as the designated long distance carrier for its new end
users; and (iii) file trouble reports for resolution. The Company employed 15
people in its switched long distance services customer service group as of March
31, 1996.
DECREASED COSTS THROUGH INCREASED VOLUMES
Large MOU volumes should enable the Company to spread its fixed costs over
more MOUs and to more efficiently configure its network, reducing the cost per
MOU. The Company seeks to efficiently configure the circuits available so that
calls are completed on a cost-effective basis. The Company periodically analyzes
calling patterns using mathematical formulas to determine the circuit capacity
required to cost-effectively service the expected call volume. For example, if
there is sufficient calling traffic available, the Company may upgrade
transmission circuitry in an area from DS-1 to DS-3. A similar analysis will be
made when deciding whether to install a new switch in a region.
SERVICES
The Company markets a variety of switched long distance services, including
operator services, directory assistance, international service and the
following:
1 Plus Switched Service. Provides end users with direct-dial service over
the Company's digital network.
1 Plus Dedicated Service. Provides direct-dial service over the Company's
digital network for end users that have arranged to connect to the Company's
nearest hub through a local loop. This service is less expensive than 1 Plus
Switched Service because the access charges of the end-user's LEC are reduced.
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<PAGE> 44
800/888 Switched Service. Provides customers with 800/888 service over the
Company's digital network.
800/888 Dedicated Service. Provides 800/888 service over the Company's
digital network for end users that have arranged to connect to the Company's
nearest hub through a local loop. This service is less expensive than 800/888
Switched Service because the access charges of the end-user's LEC are reduced.
Calling Card Service. Provides telephone card service.
Debit Card Service. Provides prepaid telephone card service.
Switched Termination Service. Provides carrier customers having use of a
switch in one area with termination services in other areas.
COMPETITION
The Company competes with numerous facilities-based interexchange carriers,
some of which are substantially larger, have substantially greater financial,
technical and marketing resources and utilize larger transmission systems than
the Company. AT&T is the largest supplier of switched long distance services in
the United States inter-LATA market. The Company also competes in selling
switched long distance services with: (i) other facilities-based carriers, such
as MCI, Sprint, WorldCom and certain regional carriers, and (ii) certain
non-facilities-based carriers. As a result of the Telecommunications Act, the
Company will also now face competition from the RBOCs, GTE and others such as
electric utilities and cable television companies. The Company believes that the
principal competitive factors affecting it are customer service (particularly
with respect to speed in delivery of computer billing records and set-up of new
end users with the LECS), ability of the network to complete calls with a
minimum of network-caused busy signals, scope of services offered, price,
reliability and transmission quality. The Company seeks to compete effectively
with other interexchange carriers and resellers on the basis of these factors.
The ability of the Company to compete effectively will depend upon its ability
to maintain high-quality services at prices generally equal to or below those
charged by its competitors. In the United States, price competition in the long
distance business has been intensive over the last five years. The FCC has, on
several occasions since 1984, approved or required price decreases by AT&T
through the imposition of "price cap" regulations. However, the FCC recently
classified AT&T as a "non-dominant interexchange carrier," with the effect that
AT&T is no longer subject to price regulation of its long distance services.
Since the Company believes that its customers generally price their service
offerings at or below the prices charged by AT&T for its telecommunications
services, reductions by AT&T in its rates may necessitate similar price
decreases by the Company. See "Risk Factors -- Competition."
REGULATION
Certain subsidiaries of the Company operate as communications common
carriers in providing service to their customers that are other common carriers.
These subsidiaries are subject to applicable FCC regulations under the
Communications Act, some of which may be affected by the Telecommunications Act.
See "Risk Factors -- Recent Legislation and Regulatory Uncertainty." In
addition, those subsidiaries which operate the common carrier point-to-point
microwave network are subject to applicable FCC regulations for use of the radio
frequencies. The FCC issues licenses to use certain radio frequency spectrum at
transmitter site locations. Each license gives the Company the right to operate
the microwave radio station for the term of the license. Currently, the Company
holds licenses to operate the microwave sites in the Company's network. The
licenses all expire in 2001. These licenses are renewable upon application
containing a statement that they are used in compliance with the applicable FCC
rules. The Company expects that the FCC will renew its licenses in due course.
The Company, as a point-to-point common carrier microwave license holder, is
subject to regulation by the Federal Aviation Administration with respect to the
construction of transmission towers and to certain local zoning regulation
affecting construction of towers and other facilities.
Recent court decisions (which were issued before the Telecommunications
Act) require the FCC to require carriers to file tariffs. However, the FCC
currently does not actively exercise its authority to regulate such carriers'
rates and services. Moreover, the Telecommunications Act gives the FCC authority
to forebear
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from applying provisions of the Communications Act, including the requirement
that carriers file tariffs. The FCC has released a Notice of Proposed
Rulemaking, proposing a mandatory detariffing policy to eliminate the tariff
requirements for non-dominant interstate, interexchange carriers. However, the
FCC will retain jurisdiction to act upon complaints against any common carrier
for failure to comply with its statutory obligations as a common carrier.
The FCC regulates many of the rates, charges and services provided by the
local exchange carriers. This regulation may affect the Company because it
leases local access transmission facilities from local telephone companies. The
FCC's price cap regulation of the RBOCs and other LECs provides them with
considerable flexibility in pricing their services. In addition, the FCC
recently freed AT&T from price cap regulation. This FCC action may affect the
Company, because it competes with AT&T. The FCC's current and future actions
could result in decreases in the rates charged to end-user customers by AT&T and
other competitors for their services. Thus, one effect of the FCC's action may
be to intensify further price competition among long distance companies.
Regulation can also affect the costs of business for the Company, its
customers and its competitors. In order to provide services, carriers such as
the Company must purchase local access services from local exchange carriers to
originate or terminate calls. Presently, the pricing of such transport service
is under an interim rate structure which is a transitional step toward
pro-competitive, cost-based transport rates. The FCC has recently initiated two
rulemaking proceedings with respect to a final cost-based transport rate
structure. The pleadings cycles in both proceedings have closed, but no order
has yet been issued by the FCC. Moreover, the Telecommunications Act may affect
how access charges are to be set and structured, so future changes with respect
to access charges are likely.
The ability of the Company to provide long distance services within any
State is generally subject to regulation by a regulatory board in that State. As
of May 1996, the Company has obtained the requisite licenses and approvals in
over 45 States. It is in the process of obtaining licenses and approvals in the
remaining States (other than Alaska and Hawaii) and expects to obtain all such
licenses and approvals by the third quarter of 1996. Although the Company has
not yet obtained licenses or approvals in such remaining States, the Company is
able to offer its switched long distance services in such States to its carrier
customers through its contracts with other carriers.
The Telecommunications Act, among other things, allows the RBOCs and others
to enter the long distance business. Entry of the RBOCs or other entities such
as electric utilities and cable television companies into the long distance
business may have a negative impact on the Company or its customers. In
addition, the Telecommunications Act provides that State proceedings may in
certain instances determine access charge rates the Company and its customers
are required to pay to the LECs. It is uncertain at this time what effect such
proceedings may have on such rates. No assurance can be given that such rates
will not be increased. Such increases could have a material adverse effect on
the Company and its customers. See "Risk Factors -- Recent Legislation and
Regulatory Uncertainty" and "Industry Overview."
EMPLOYEES
As of March 31, 1996, the Company employed 338 people, of whom 149 provided
operational and technical services, 29 provided engineering services and the
balance were engaged in administration and marketing. The Company's employees
are not represented by any labor union. The Company considers its employee
relations to be good and has not experienced any work stoppages.
PROPERTIES AND LEASES
The principal properties owned by the Company consist of: (i) the Michigan,
Texas and New York to Washington, D.C. fiber optic systems, consisting of the
fiber optic cable and associated electronics and other equipment; (ii) the
portion of the Fiber Expansion under construction; and (iii) the coast-to-coast
microwave system, consisting of microwave transmitters, receivers, towers and
antennae, auxiliary power equipment, transportation equipment, equipment
shelters and miscellaneous components. Generally, the Company's fiber
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<PAGE> 46
optic system and microwave relay system components are standard commercial
products available from a number of suppliers.
The principal offices of the Company are located in approximately 44,000
square feet of space in Austin. The Company leases approximately 38,000 square
feet of such space under an agreement which expires in December 1999, at a
current annual base rental of approximately $707,000, and has an option to renew
the lease for a five-year term at the then-prevailing market rate (but not less
than the then-current rental rate) at the time of renewal, and leases
approximately 6,000 square feet of such space under an agreement which expires
in November 2000 at a current annual base rental of approximately $121,000. The
Company has additional offices in two other locations in Austin, consisting of
approximately 16,000 square feet and 102,000 square feet. The Company leases the
space in the first location under an agreement which expires in the year 2000,
at a current annual base rental of approximately $163,000, and subleases the
space in the second location under an agreement which expires in 1997, at a
current annual base rental of approximately $289,000.
The Company leases sites for its switches in or near Los Angeles, Dallas,
Chicago, Atlanta, and Philadelphia under lease agreements that expire between
2000 and 2005. The total current rental commitments for the switch site leases
are approximately $27,000 per month. The Company's five switches are leased
under capital leases from DSC Finance Corporation over a term of five years.
LITIGATION
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, all of which have
arisen in the ordinary course of business and some of which are covered by
insurance. In the opinion of the Company's management, none of the claims
relating to such proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the
financial condition or results of operations of the Company.
MEXICAN JOINT VENTURE
The Company formed a subsidiary in August 1993 to provide international
long distance service. The subsidiary and a third party, Westel International,
Inc., formed Progress International in July 1994. Progress International,
together with Fomento Radio Beep, S.A. de C.V., a large Mexican paging company,
has obtained a license from the Mexican Federal government to provide
telecommunication services in Mexico. Such application was made by Marca-Tel, a
Mexican corporation formed by such parties. The Company owns an indirect 24.5%
interest in Marca-Tel. Marca-Tel is not currently generating revenues.
The Company is proceeding with the initial development and implementation
of a business plan for the opportunity presented by the Mexican license, and is
comparing (i) the potential benefits of the joint venture, including possible
profits in Marca-Tel and a possible increase in traffic on the Company's network
from cross-border traffic from Marca-Tel, with (ii) the costs associated with
proceeding with the joint venture and the Company's ability to meet its share of
such costs. The Company anticipates that pursuing such opportunity could require
significant amounts of cash. Although the Company cannot accurately predict its
share of the amount of cash that would be needed to pursue this opportunity, it
estimates that at least $30.0 million (and possibly significantly more) would be
required by Marca-Tel during 1996 - 1997. The $12.5 million proceeds of the GEPT
Private Placement will be available, if the Company so elects, to pursue the
opportunity in Mexico. Because of other anticipated needs for the Company's
available liquidity, limitations imposed by the indenture for the Senior Notes
and for other reasons, the Company anticipates that, without further capital it
will not be able to provide significant additional cash as its share of the cash
needed by the joint venture. The Company anticipates that the costs of pursuing
such opportunity, if they can be met at all, will be met through some
combination of the following: (i) offerings of debt or equity securities of
Progress International or Marca-Tel; (ii) other incurrences of debt by Progress
International or Marca-Tel; (iii) joint venture arrangements with third parties;
(iv) vendor financing of equipment purchases; and (v) subject to the
restrictions imposed by the indenture for the Senior Notes, further equity
offerings or debt incurrences of the Company or from working capital. No
assurance can be given that the Company will be successful in meeting such costs
through the foregoing methods or, consequently, that the Company will have
sufficient liquidity to pursue the opportunity presented by the Mexican license.
In the event that the joint venture does not appear to
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<PAGE> 47
be economically viable, the Company will have the opportunity to withdraw from
Progress International and Marca-Tel without incurring any material penalty.
HISTORY
IXC Communications, a holding company formed in July 1992, acquired a
one-half interest in Electra Communications Corporation ("Electra"), the owner
of a fiber optic network in Texas, for $9.0 million. IXC Communications became
the sole owner of Electra in 1993 when stock held by the other stockholder was
redeemed for $13.7 million. IXC Communications acquired I-Link, Inc., the owner
of another fiber optic network in Texas, in 1994 in a stock-for-stock merger. At
the same time, it also acquired IXC Carrier, Inc. ("IXC Carrier"), in a
stock-for-stock merger. IXC Carrier has certain subsidiaries that have been
active in the communications business for over 25 years, initially serving as
analog microwave carriers for television signals for cable operators in Ohio and
Texas. Commencing in 1979, IXC Carrier, then a subsidiary of The Times Mirror
Company ("Times Mirror"), entered into long-term circuit lease agreements with
various carriers such as MCI in Texas and Sprint in the Ohio Valley and began
the development of a coast-to-coast network through the acquisition,
construction and leasing of microwave and fiber optic facilities. IXC Carrier
was acquired in a leveraged buy-out in 1986 by Communications Transmission, Inc.
("CTI"), a holding company that also acquired substantial interests in several
other telecommunications companies, including Allnet (a large long distance
reseller and long-term customer of the Company), MSM, and Electra Communications
Corporation ("Electra"). CTI encountered financial difficulties as a result of
its need to convert its facilities from analog to digital and its high degree of
leverage and disposed of all or substantially all its assets for the benefit of
its creditors in 1992. The Company, through IXC Carrier, carries on certain of
the telecommunications businesses of CTI. See Note 1 to the Consolidated
Financial Statements. Certain directors and officers of the Company were
directors or officers of CTI.
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MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The directors and executive officers of IXC Communications and their ages
as of June 12, 1996 are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION
- ------------------------ --- -------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Ralph J. Swett.......... 61 Chairman, President, Chief Executive Officer and
Director
Richard D. Irwin........ 61 Director
Wolfe H. Bragin......... 51 Director
Carl W. McKinzie........ 56 Director
Phillip L. Williams..... 73 Director
Joe C. Culp............. 62 Director
Kenneth F. Hinther...... 52 Executive Vice President
John R. Fleming......... 42 Executive Vice President
John J. Willingham...... 39 Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer and
Secretary
David J. Thomas......... 45 Executive Vice President
James F. Guthrie........ 52 Executive Vice President
</TABLE>
Each director holds office until his successor has been elected and
qualified. Officers serve at the pleasure of the Board of Directors. The Company
intends to nominate an additional director prior to the next annual meeting of
stockholders.
Mr. Swett has served as Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of
IXC Communications since its formation in July 1992. Prior to that, Mr. Swett
served as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of CTI from 1986 to
1992. From 1969 to 1986, Mr. Swett served in increasingly senior positions (Vice
President, President and Chairman) of Times Mirror Cable Television ("TMCT"), a
subsidiary of Times Mirror and a previous owner of IXC Carrier, and as a Vice
President of Times Mirror from 1981 to 1986. Mr. Swett has served as Chairman of
IXC Carrier since 1979, its Chief Executive Officer since 1986 and its President
since 1991. Mr. Swett has managed communications businesses for the past 26
years.
Mr. Irwin has served as a director of IXC Communications since its
formation in July 1992. He has served as the President of Grumman Hill Company,
L.L.C. or its predecessor ("Grumman Hill"), a merchant banking firm and the
general partner of GHI, since 1985. Prior to the formation of Grumman Hill, Mr.
Irwin was a Managing Director of Dillon, Read & Co. Inc., from 1983 to 1985.
Prior to that, he served as Chief Executive Officer of Fotomat Corporation for
12 years. Mr. Irwin is also a member of the Board of Directors of PharmChem
Laboratories, Inc. and was the Chairman of ALC from August 1988 through August
1995.
Mr. Bragin has served as a director of IXC Communications since May 1993.
Mr. Bragin has served since 1985 as Vice President of GEIC, a subsidiary of GE
that acts as an investment advisor to GEPT. Prior to joining GEIC in 1984, Mr.
Bragin served in numerous equipment leasing, investment and portfolio management
positions for General Electric Credit Corporation, now known as General Electric
Capital Corporation. Mr. Bragin is a member of the Board of Directors of Home
Express, Inc.
Mr. McKinzie has served as a director of IXC Communications since May 1993.
Mr. McKinzie has been a principal of Riordan & McKinzie, a Professional Law
Corporation ("Riordan & McKinzie"), since 1980.
Mr. Williams was elected a director of IXC Communications in June 1996. Mr.
Williams has been a private investor and business advisor since May 1993. Prior
to that, Mr. Williams served as Vice Chairman of the Board of Times Mirror from
1987 to May 1993. Mr. Williams is a member of the Board of Directors of Tejon
Ranch Company.
Mr. Culp was elected a director of IXC Communications in June 1996. Mr.
Culp has been President of Culp Communications Associates, a management and
marketing consulting firm, since 1990. From 1989 to 1990 Mr. Culp served as
Executive Vice President of CTI. Prior to that, Mr. Culp served as President and
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<PAGE> 49
Chief Executive Officer of Lightnet, Inc. from 1988 to 1989 and as President of
Rockwell International's Telecommunications Group from 1982 until 1988. Mr. Culp
has over 40 years experience in the communications industry.
Mr. Hinther has served as Executive Vice President of IXC Communications
since March 1996 and as Senior Vice President of IXC Communications from July
1992 through March 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Hinther served as Senior Vice
President -- Engineering and Operations of CTI from 1989 to July 1992 and as
Vice President -- Network Operations of CTI from 1986 to 1989. Mr. Hinther
served IXC Carrier as a Manager of Engineering from 1979 to 1982, and as
Director of Business Development from 1982 to 1986, and as a Vice President
since 1986. Mr. Hinther was Product Manager, Satellite Communications at
Rockwell International prior to joining IXC Carrier. He has over 24 years of
experience in the telecommunications industry.
Mr. Fleming has served as Executive Vice President of IXC Communications
since March 1996 and as Senior Vice President of IXC Communications from October
1994 through March 1996. He served as Vice President of Sales and Marketing of
IXC Communications from its formation in July 1992 until October 1994. Prior to
that, Mr. Fleming served as Director of Business Development and Director of
Carrier Sales of CTI from 1986 to March 1990 and as Vice President -- Marketing
and Sales of CTI from March 1990 to July 1992. Mr. Fleming was a Branch Manager
for Satellite Business Systems from 1983 to 1986. Mr. Fleming has been employed
with IXC Carrier since 1986 and a Vice President of IXC Carrier since 1990. Mr.
Fleming has over 16 years experience in the telecommunications industry.
Mr. Willingham has served as Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, and
Secretary of IXC Communications since July 1992 and as Senior Vice President
since October 1994. Mr. Willingham served as Vice President and Controller from
September 1989 to June 1990 and as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
from June 1990 to July 1992 of CTI. Prior to joining CTI, Mr. Willingham was
employed by Ernst & Young LLP for eight years as a certified public accountant.
Mr. Willingham has been a Vice President of IXC Carrier since 1989 and Chief
Financial Officer of IXC Carrier since 1990. Mr. Willingham has over 10 years
experience in the telecommunications industry.
Mr. Thomas has served as Executive Vice President of IXC Communications
since March 1996 and as Senior Vice President of IXC Communications from August
1995 through March 1996. He was employed with ALC from 1983 to 1995, serving as
Vice President from 1991 to 1995 and as Treasurer from 1989 to 1995. Mr. Thomas
has over 13 years experience in the telecommunications industry.
Mr. Guthrie has served as Executive Vice President of IXC Communications
since March 1996 and as Senior Vice President, Strategic Planning of IXC
Communications from December 1995 through March 1996. Prior to that, Mr. Guthrie
served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Times Mirror from 1993
to 1995 and as the Chief Financial Officer of TMCT from 1982 to 1993.
DIRECTOR COMPENSATION
Non-employee directors receive annual compensation of $10,000 in cash and,
upon the effectiveness of this Offering, certain non-employee directors will
receive a $20,000 annual contribution by the Company under the Phantom Stock
Plan (described below) for service to the Company as members of the Board of
Directors. All directors receive reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket
expenses incurred in connection with meetings of the Board. Mr. Culp was granted
an option in connection with consulting services provided for the Company which
is fully exercisable to purchase 60,622 shares of Common Stock at a purchase
price of $3.01 per share. Mr. Swett receives no compensation for services
rendered as a director. The Company adopted a Phantom Stock Plan in May 1996 for
its outside directors, pursuant to which $20,000 per director per year of their
director's fees will be automatically deferred and treated as if it were
invested in Common Stock. No stock will be actually purchased under the plan,
and the participants will receive cash benefits equal to the value of the shares
that they are deemed to have purchased under the plan, with such value to be
determined on the date of distribution. The distribution of the benefits
generally will occur three years after the deferral. The Phantom Stock Plan will
be administered by Messrs. Swett, Irwin and McKinzie, none of whom are
participants in the plan.
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Audit Committee. The Board of Directors established the Audit Committee in
June 1996 to: (i) make recommendations concerning the engagement of independent
public accountants; (ii) review with the independent public accountants the
plans for, and scope of, the audit procedures to be utilized and results of the
audit; (iii) approve the professional services provided by the independent
public accountants; (iv) review the independence of the independent public
accountants; and (v) review the adequacy and effectiveness of the Company's
internal accounting controls. Mr. Williams, Mr. Culp and Mr. McKinzie are the
members of the Audit Committee.
Compensation Committee. The Board of Directors established the Compensation
Committee in June of 1996 consisting of Mr. Irwin, Mr. Bragin and Mr. McKinzie,
none of whom are employees of the Company. The Compensation Committee will
determine the compensation for the Company's executive officers and administer
the 1996 Stock Plan and the 1994 Stock Plan.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
For the last three years IXC Communications did not have a compensation
committee or any other committee of the Board of Directors performing equivalent
functions. All decisions regarding executive compensation were made by the Board
of Directors of IXC Communications, none of whom, other than Mr. Swett, was an
executive officer of IXC Communications. Decisions with respect to Mr. Swett's
compensation were approved by all members of the Board other than Mr. Swett.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth all compensation awarded to, earned by or
paid to the Chief Executive Officer and certain other executive officers (the
"Named Executive Officers") for their services to the Company for the year ended
December 31, 1995.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
------------------------------
OTHER ANNUAL ALL OTHER
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION SALARY $ COMPENSATION $(1) COMPENSATION $(2)
- ------------------------------------------------ -------- ----------------- -----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Ralph J. Swett.................................. 285,000 10,000 883,813(3)
Chairman, President and Chief Executive
Officer
Kenneth F. Hinther.............................. 212,083(4) 7,500 444,739(5)
Executive Vice President
John R. Fleming................................. 212,083(4) 7,500 444,739(5)
Executive Vice President
John J. Willingham.............................. 183,417(6) 7,500 442,871(5)
Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
</TABLE>
- ------------
(1) These amounts represent automobile allowances paid to the Named Executive
Officers in 1995.
(2) Includes payments of $862,027 (with respect to Mr. Swett) and $431,014 (with
respect to each of Mr. Hinther, Mr. Fleming and Mr. Willingham) made in
connection with a prior incentive arrangement. The incentive payments were
earned in 1993 but did not become payable until 1995.
(3) Includes an employer contribution of $13,500 under the 401(k) Plan (as
defined herein) and payments of $8,286 for term life insurance premiums.
(4) Represents $153,750 in salary and an additional amount of $58,333 in
compensation earned and deferred in prior years but paid in 1995.
(5) Includes employer contributions of $13,725 for Mr. Hinther and Mr. Fleming
and $11,858 for Mr. Willingham under the 401(k) Plan.
(6) Represents $131,750 in salary and an additional amount of $51,667 in
compensation earned and deferred in prior years but paid in 1995.
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<PAGE> 51
1996 STOCK PLAN
In May 1996, IXC Communications adopted the IXC Communications, Inc. 1996
Stock Plan (the "1996 Stock Plan"), a stock incentive plan covering 2,121,787
shares of Common Stock of IXC Communications that may be awarded in order to
attract, retain and reward employees, directors and other persons providing
services to the Company. The Compensation Committee administers the 1996 Stock
Plan. Any employee, director or other person providing services to the Company
is eligible to receive awards under the 1996 Stock Plan, at the discretion of
the Board of Directors. Awards available under the 1996 Stock Plan include
Common Stock options with exercise prices at least equal to the fair market
value of the Common Stock on the date of grant. No stock options have been
granted under the 1996 Stock Plan.
1994 STOCK PLAN
In November 1994, IXC Communications adopted a stock incentive plan (the
"1994 Stock Plan") covering 1,212,450 shares of Common Stock of IXC
Communications to attract, retain and reward employees, directors and other
persons providing services to the Company. The Compensation Committee
administers the 1994 Stock Plan. Any employee, director or other person
providing services to the Company is eligible to receive awards under the 1994
Stock Plan, at the Board's discretion. Awards available under the 1994 Stock
Plan include Common Stock purchase options and restricted Common Stock. None of
the Named Executive Officers hold options to acquire stock of IXC Communications
or was granted options to acquire such stock in 1995. Mr. Culp is the only
director who holds options to acquire stock.
401(K) PLAN
The IXC Carrier, Inc. 401(k) and Pension Plan and Trust (the "401(k) Plan")
is a tax-qualified retirement plan. In general, all employees of IXC Carrier
(substantially all the employees of the Company) who have attained age 18 and
completed one year of service are eligible to participate in the 401(k) Plan.
Participants may make pre-tax contributions to the 401(k) Plan, in an amount
currently not to exceed $9,500 per year. IXC Carrier may elect to make matching
contributions each year, which are allocated among participants depending on the
amount that they contribute to the 401(k) Plan. IXC Carrier may also elect to
make profit-sharing contributions to the 401(k) Plan, which are allocated among
participants as a percentage of compensation.
INDEMNIFICATION AND EXCULPATION ARRANGEMENTS
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation of IXC Communications limits the
liability of directors to IXC Communications or its stockholders to the fullest
extent permitted by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "DGCL").
Accordingly, pursuant to the provisions of the DGCL presently in effect,
directors of IXC Communications will not be personally liable for monetary
damages for breach of a director's fiduciary duty as a director, except for
liability: (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company
or its stockholders; (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law; (iii) for unlawful
payments of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions as provided
in Section 174 of the DGCL; or (iv) for any transaction from which the director
derived an improper personal benefit. In addition, the bylaws of IXC
Communications require IXC Communications to indemnify its directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by the laws of the State of Delaware.
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<PAGE> 52
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
Prior to the sale of the Senior Notes: (i) GHI, a partnership whose general
partner is Grumman Hill, a limited liability company of which Mr. Irwin is a
member, and GEPT each held 598 shares of IXC Communications' 10% Senior Series 1
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series 1 Preferred Stock"); (ii) Messrs.
Swett, Williams, Hinther and Fleming owned 78, 60, 13 and 13 shares of Series 1
Preferred Stock, respectively; and (iii) Mr. McKinzie, a director of IXC
Communications and a principal of Riordan & McKinzie, the law firm that will
pass upon the validity of the issuance of the Common Stock in this Offering,
owned 100 shares of Series 1 Preferred Stock. The Series 1 Preferred Stock was
redeemed with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Senior Notes at a
price equal to the amount paid for such stock plus accrued but unpaid dividends
at 10% per annum. The approximate amounts received by such persons with respect
to such redemption were: (i) GHI, $813,544; (ii) GEPT, $813,544; (iii) Mr.
Swett, $106,114; (iv) Mr. Williams, $76,229; (v) Mr. Hinther, $17,686; (vi) Mr.
Fleming, $17,686; and (vii) Mr. McKinzie, $120,554.
Prior to the sale of the Senior Notes, GHI and GEPT held shares of
preferred stock of a subsidiary of IXC Communications. Such preferred stock was
redeemed with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Senior Notes at a
price equal to the amount paid for such stock plus accrued but unpaid dividends
at 10% per annum. The approximate amounts received by such persons with respect
to such redemption were: (i) GHI, $905,934; and (ii) GEPT, $897,115.
Certain debentures of IXC Communications and one of its subsidiaries also
were redeemed at the original purchase price plus accrued but unpaid interest
with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Senior Notes. The approximate
amounts received by the following persons with respect to such redemption were:
(i) GEPT, $6,760,602; (ii) GHI, $6,788,635; (iii) Mr. Swett, $301,400; (iv) Mr.
Hinther, $50,233; and (v) Mr. Fleming, $50,233.
In 1994, IXC Communications and ALC (which has since been acquired by
Frontier) formed a corporation to acquire all of the equity interests in MSM for
an aggregate purchase price of $1,500,000 from a wholly owned subsidiary of
General Electric Credit Corporation, an affiliate of GEIC. In addition, in 1995,
IXC Communications entered into a ten-year agreement with GE Capital
Communication, an affiliate of GEIC, to supply it with switched products to be
resold by GE Capital Communication. Mr. Bragin, a director of IXC
Communications, is Vice President of GEIC, which is the investment advisor to
GEPT. "See Business -- Switched Long Distance Services."
Prior to the sale of the Senior Notes, a subsidiary of IXC Communications
was indebted to GEPT under the terms of a note agreement (the "GEPT Note
Agreement"). Certain stockholders of IXC Communications, including Messrs.
Swett, Hinther, Fleming, Williams, Willingham and Irwin and GHI, had pledged
their stock and debentures of IXC Communications (and, in the case of GHI, its
stock and debentures of a subsidiary of IXC Communications) as security for such
indebtedness. Such indebtedness, in the approximate principal amount of
$5,571,348, was repaid with a portion of the proceeds of the sale of the Senior
Notes and such pledges were released.
Mr. Swett, Mr. Hinther, Mr. Fleming, GEPT and GHI purchased Senior Notes in
the amounts of $250,000, $50,000, $50,000, $20,000,000 and $5,000,000,
respectively, on October 5, 1995.
For the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, the law firm of
Riordan & McKinzie, of which Mr. McKinzie, a director and stockholder of IXC
Communications, is a principal, provided certain legal services to IXC
Communications in the amount of approximately $1.1 million, $1.4 million, and
$2.6 million, respectively.
Grumman Hill, a corporation whose president is Mr. Irwin, receives an
annual fee of $100,000 from the Company for performing certain advisory services
with respect to the management, operation and business development activities of
IXC Communications.
Culp Communications Associates, of which Mr. Culp is President, received
approximately $19,100 and $100,600 in connection with Mr. Culp's consulting
services provided to the Company in 1994 and 1995, respectively. Mr. Culp is
continuing to provide such consulting services to the Company in 1996.
Mr. Williams received fees for serving as an advisor to the Company's Board
of Directors of $12,500 in each of 1993, 1994 and 1995.
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<PAGE> 53
Mr. Thomas entered into an employment agreement with IXC Communications in
August 1995 for a term of three years pursuant to which Mr. Thomas is entitled
to an annual base salary of $160,000, subject to adjustment in accordance with
IXC Communications' policies and procedures, and an annual bonus of up to
$75,000 if approved by the Board of Directors. Mr. Thomas was granted stock
options on August 28, 1995 for 243,353 shares of Common Stock at a price of
$3.01 per share vesting over a three-year period which, subject to certain
conditions, vest immediately upon a change of control of IXC Communications as
set forth in his employment agreement and stock option agreement. Additionally,
Mr. Thomas receives an annual automobile allowance of $8,000 and is entitled to
receive reimbursement of certain relocation costs.
Mr. Guthrie entered into an employment agreement with IXC Communications in
December 1995 for a term of three years pursuant to which Mr. Guthrie is
entitled to an annual base salary of $200,000, subject to adjustment in
accordance with IXC Communications' policies and procedures, and an annual bonus
of up to $75,000 if approved by the Board of Directors. Mr. Guthrie was granted
stock options on January 19, 1996 for 242,490 shares of Common Stock at a price
of $3.01 per share vesting over a three-year period which, subject to certain
conditions, vest immediately upon a change of control of IXC Communications as
set forth in his employment agreement and stock option agreement. Additionally,
Mr. Guthrie receives an annual automobile allowance of $8,000 and is entitled to
receive reimbursement of certain relocation costs.
In order to reduce the dilution of GEPT's current stock ownership caused by
this Offering, GEPT has agreed to acquire 840,053 shares of Common Stock from
the Company at a per share price of $14.88 (the price paid by the Underwriters
in this Offering, that is, the public offering price per share less
Underwriters' discounts and commissions) for an aggregate purchase price of
$12.5 million in the GEPT Private Placement simultaneously with the closing of
this Offering. Although GEPT will receive Common Stock which has not been
registered under the Securities Act, it will also receive registration rights
with respect to such stock and all other Company Common Stock it owns, which
rights are not exercisable until March 1, 1997. See "Description of Capital
Stock -- Registration Rights." In the event the amount of Common Stock purchased
by the Underwriters in this Offering increases through exercise of the U.S.
Underwriters' over-allotment option, GEPT will, subject to certain market
conditions, also increase proportionately the amount of Common Stock it
purchases from the Company. The Company will be able to use the $12.5 million
proceeds, if it so elects, to pursue the Marca-Tel opportunity in Mexico. See
"Business -- Mexican Joint Venture." The closing of this Offering and the GEPT
Private Placement are each conditioned on the concurrent closing of the other.
In connection with the Offering and the GEPT Private Placement, GEPT, GHI
and Messrs. Irwin, Swett, Hinther, Fleming, Willingham, McKinzie and Williams
have entered into an agreement with IXC Communications pursuant to which they
were granted registration rights effective March 1, 1997 with respect to shares
of IXC Communications Common Stock held by them. See "Description of Capital
Stock -- Registration Rights."
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<PAGE> 54
PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS
The following table sets forth certain information as of June 12, 1996
regarding the beneficial ownership of: (i) each class of IXC Communications'
voting securities by each person who is known by IXC Communications to be the
beneficial owner of more than 5% of any class of IXC Communications' voting
securities, and (ii) each class of equity securities of IXC Communications by
(a) each director of IXC Communications, (b) each of IXC Communications' Named
Executive Officers (as defined under the heading "Management -- Executive
Compensation"), and (c) all directors and executive officers of IXC
Communications as a group. The table also gives effect to this Offering and the
GEPT Private Placement and assumes that no other person or entity listed in the
table purchases shares of Common Stock in this Offering.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OWNERSHIP OF SERIES 3 AMOUNT OF SHARES
AMOUNT OF SHARES PREFERRED NOT AFFECTED BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1)
BENEFICIALLY OWNED(1) BY THIS OFFERING AFTER THE OFFERING AND THE
PRIOR TO THE OFFERING ----------------------- GEPT PRIVATE PLACEMENT(2)
------------------------ PERCENT OF --------------------------
PERCENT OF OUTSTANDING PERCENTAGE OF
OUTSTANDING SERIES 3 SERIES 3 OUTSTANDING
NAME AND ADDRESS OF COMMON COMMON PREFERRED PREFERRED COMMON COMMON
BENEFICIAL OWNER STOCK STOCK STOCK(3) STOCK STOCK STOCK
- ------------------------------- ---------- ----------- --------- ----------- ---------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Ralph J. Swett(4)(5)........... 3,037,061 12.5% 25.00 * 3,037,061 9.9%
Kenneth F. Hinther(4)(6)....... 1,353,738 5.6 -- -- 1,353,738 4.4
John R. Fleming(4)............. 1,353,739 5.6 -- -- 1,353,739 4.4
John J. Willingham(4)(7)....... 1,272,568 5.2 -- -- 1,272,568 4.1
Richard D. Irwin(8)............ 8,745,760 35.9 995.58 7.9% 8,745,760 28.4
Carl W. McKinzie(9)............ 231,917 * -- -- 231,917 *
300 S. Grand Avenue,
29th Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90071
Phillip L. Williams(10)........ 139,150 * -- -- 139,150 *
633 West Fifth Street,
Suite 4000
Los Angeles, CA 90071-2007
Joe C. Culp(11)................ 60,622 * -- -- 60,622 *
#5 Hedge Lane
Austin, TX 78746
Grumman Hill Investments,
L.P.(12)..................... 6,636,990 27.3 -- -- 6,636,990 21.6
191 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Grumman Hill Associates,
Inc. ........................ -- -- 915.42 7.3 -- --
191 Elm Street
New Canaan, CT 06840
Trustees of General Electric
Pension Trust................ 7,449,205 30.6 6,725.00 53.6 8,289,258 26.9
3003 Summer Street
Stamford, CT 06905
All directors and executive
officers of IXC
Communications as a group (11
persons)..................... 16,194,555 66.4 1,020.58 8.1 16,194,555 52.6
</TABLE>
- ------------
* Less than 1%
(1) Beneficial ownership is determined in accordance with the rules of the
Commission and generally includes voting or investment power with respect
to securities. Shares of common stock relating to options currently
exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of June 12, 1996, are deemed
outstanding for computing the percentage of the person holding such
securities but are not deemed outstanding for computing the percentage of
any other person. Except as indicated by footnote, and subject to community
property laws where applicable, the persons named in the table above have
sole voting and investment power with respect to all shares shown as
beneficially owned by them.
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<PAGE> 55
(2) Assumes no exercise of the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option and
gives effect to the purchase by GEPT of 840,053 shares of Common Stock.
(3) The shares of Series 3 Preferred Stock vote together with the shares of
Common Stock as a class, except where otherwise required by law, and have
the right to elect one member of the Board of Directors. See "Description
of Capital Stock -- Preferred Stock."
(4) The address of such persons is c/o IXC Communications, Inc. 5000 Plaza on
the Lake, Suite 200, Austin, Texas 78746.
(5) Includes 484,980 shares held by Ralph J. Swett, Trustee of the EMS 1994
Trust and 484,980 shares held by Ralph J. Swett, Trustee of the RJS 1994
Trust.
(6) Includes 181,867 shares held by Kenneth F. Hinther, Trustee of LISA's 1994
Trust, 181,867 shares held by Lisa Hinther, Trustee of KEN's 1994 Trust and
121,245 shares held by Craig A. Hinther, Trustee for the Kenneth A. Hinther
1996 Trust.
(7) Includes 121,245 shares held by John McC. Witherspoon, Trustee of trust for
the benefit of Jonica Lynn Willingham and 121,245 shares held by John McC.
Witherspoon, Trustee of trust for the benefit of Russell Dennis Willingham.
(8) Includes 1,628,216 shares held by The Irwin Family Limited Partnership
dated January 4, 1995 and 341,341 shares held by The Irwin Family Limited
Partnership #2. Also includes 21.16 shares of Series 3 Preferred Stock held
by Richard D. Irwin Revocable Living Trust dated January 4, 1995, 915.42
shares of Series 3 Preferred Stock held by Grumman Hill and 6,636,990
shares of Common Stock held by GHI. Mr. Irwin is President of Grumman Hill,
and Mr. Irwin may be deemed a beneficial owner of the shares owned by such
entity.
(9) Such shares are held by Trust for the Riordan & McKinzie Profit Sharing and
Savings Plan for the benefit of Carl W. McKinzie.
(10) Such shares are held by Phillip L. Williams, as Trustee of the Phillip and
Jane Williams Living Trust, UDT August 20, 1985.
(11) Represents shares issuable with respect to the exercise of options. See
"Management -- Director Compensation."
(12) The sole general partner of Grumman Hill Investments, L.P. is Grumman Hill
Company, L.L.C., a Delaware limited liability company, of which Mr. Irwin,
a director of the Company, is the general manager and a beneficial owner of
a membership interest. Mr. Irwin may be deemed to have voting and
investment power with respect to the shares held of record by Grumman Hill
Investments, L.P.
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<PAGE> 56
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The Company's authorized capital stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, and 3,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock,
par value $.01 per share (the "Preferred Stock"). The following summary of
certain provisions of the Common Stock and the Preferred Stock of IXC
Communications does not purport to be complete and is subject to, and qualified
in its entirety by, the Restated Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws of IXC
Communications, as amended, which have been filed as Exhibits to the
Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part, and the provisions of
applicable law.
COMMON STOCK
As of May 31, 1996, there were 24,335,255 outstanding shares of Common
Stock held by 77 holders of record. Each holder of Common Stock or Series 3
Preferred Stock (described below) is entitled to one vote per share on all
matters to be voted on by the stockholders, voting together as a single class.
Subject to the rights of the holders of the Preferred Stock, each holder of
Common Stock is entitled to receive ratably such dividends as may be declared
from time to time by the Board of Directors out of funds legally available
therefor. See "Dividend Policy." In the event of the liquidation, dissolution or
winding up of IXC Communications, the holders of the Common Stock are entitled
to share ratably in all assets, if any, remaining, after payment of liabilities,
subject to the prior liquidation rights of holders of the Preferred Stock
described below. The Common Stock has no preemptive or other similar rights, and
there are no redemption or sinking fund provisions applicable to the Common
Stock. All of the outstanding shares of Common Stock are, and the shares of
Common Stock offered hereby will be, when issued and delivered, validly issued,
fully paid and non-assessable.
PREFERRED STOCK
IXC Communications has designated 2,000 shares of Preferred Stock as Series
1 Preferred Stock and 12,550 shares of Preferred Stock as Series 3 Preferred
Stock. All of the 12,550 shares of Series 3 Preferred Stock are issued and
outstanding, all of the previously outstanding shares of Series 1 Preferred
Stock have been redeemed and no other shares of Preferred Stock are outstanding.
The shares of Series 3 Preferred Stock were purchased upon the formation of IXC
Communications at a purchase price of $1.00 per share. The holders of Preferred
Stock, subject to the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation, are
entitled to receive a liquidation preference of $1,000 per share, plus an amount
equal to all accrued and unpaid dividends and IXC Communications may voluntarily
redeem the Preferred Stock for $1,000 per share, plus an amount equal to all
accrued and unpaid dividends. In addition, the holders of Preferred Stock are
entitled to receive annual dividends, subject to the limitations of the Restated
Certificate of Incorporation and in the indenture relating to the Senior Notes,
in an amount equal to $100 per share, plus an amount determined by applying a
10% annual rate compounded annually, to any accrued but unpaid dividend amount
from the last day of the period when such dividend accrues to the actual date of
payment. Cumulative dividends, including accrued but unpaid interest, with
respect to the Series 3 Preferred Stock, as of March 31, 1996 were approximately
$5.2 million and as of December 31, 1996 will be $6.5 million, assuming that no
dividends are paid. The holders of the Series 3 Preferred Stock have the right
to elect one member of the Board of Directors.
The Board of Directors of IXC Communications has the authority to issue the
Preferred Stock in one or more series and to fix the price, rights, preferences,
privileges and restrictions thereof, including dividend rights, dividend rates,
conversion rights, terms of redemption, redemption prices, liquidation
preferences, voting rights and the number of shares consisting of any series or
the designation of such series without further vote or action by the
stockholders. The issuance of Preferred Stock (or the ability of the Board of
Directors to issue Preferred Stock) may have the effect of delaying, deferring
or preventing a change in control of IXC Communications without further action
by the stockholders and may adversely affect the voting and other rights of the
holders of Common Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock with voting or
conversion rights may adversely affect the voting power of the holders of Common
Stock. IXC Communications has no present intention to issue additional shares of
Preferred Stock.
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
In June 1996, IXC Communications granted certain registration rights to
GEPT, GHI and Messrs. Irwin, Swett, Hinther, Fleming, Willingham, McKinzie and
Williams, in consideration of the GEPT
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<PAGE> 57
Private Placement and the lock-up arrangements each of the parties entered into
in connection with this Offering. Such registration rights cover all the shares
of Common Stock of IXC Communications held by such persons and are effective
from March 1, 1997 through April 30, 2000. Subject to certain exceptions,
whenever IXC Communications registers any of its Common Stock under the
Securities Act during the period the agreement is effective, whether or not for
sale for its own account, the holders of such registration rights are entitled
to written notice of the registration and are entitled to include (at IXC
Communications' expense) such Common Stock in such registration. GEPT also has
the right, subject to certain limitations, to require IXC Communications to use
its best efforts to file registration statements under the Securities Act
covering Common Stock held by GEPT. All fees, costs and expenses of such
registrations (other than underwriting discounts and commissions) will be borne
by IXC Communications.
In August 1992, Telecom Services Group, Inc., a predecessor-in-interest to
IXC Communications ("TSGI"), granted certain registration rights under the
Securities Act to 20 former stockholders of TSGI with respect to certain shares
of Common Stock of the Company held by them (the "Registrable Securities").
Subject to certain limitations, if IXC Communications registers any of its
securities under the Securities Act, whether or not for sale for its own
account, the holders of such registration rights are entitled to written notice
of the registration and are entitled to include (at IXC Communications' expense)
such Registrable Securities in such registration. Such registration rights have
been amended in connection with this Offering to delay their effectiveness until
March 1, 1997. The holders of at least 25% of the Registrable Securities also
have the right to require IXC Communications, at any time after 180 days
following the effective date of IXC Communications' last registration, to file a
registration statement under the Securities Act with respect to such Registrable
Securities and IXC Communications is required to use its best efforts to effect
such registration, subject to certain conditions and limitations; provided,
however, that no registration rights are exercisable prior to March 1, 1997. All
fees, costs and expenses of such registrations (other than underwriting
discounts, commissions and transfer taxes) will be borne by IXC Communications.
ANTI-TAKEOVER EFFECTS OF CERTAIN PROVISIONS OF THE CHARTER, THE BYLAWS AND THE
INDENTURE
The Bylaws of IXC Communications provide that stockholders may call a
special meeting of stockholders only upon a request of stockholders owning at
least 50% of IXC Communications' outstanding capital stock entitled to vote. In
addition, in the event of a Change of Control (as such term is defined in the
indenture for the Senior Notes), holders of the Senior Notes will have the right
to require IXC Communications to purchase their Senior Notes, in whole or in
part, at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount thereof, plus
accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Payments and Liquidated Damages (as such
terms are defined in the indenture for the Senior Notes), if any, to the date of
purchase. These provisions, as well as the authorized and unissued preferred
stock described above, could discourage potential acquisition proposals and
could delay or prevent a change in control or management of IXC Communications.
SECTION 203 OF THE DELAWARE GENERAL CORPORATION LAW
IXC Communications is subject to Section 203 of the DGCL which, subject to
certain exceptions, prohibits a Delaware corporation from engaging in certain
"business combinations" with any "interested stockholder" for a period of three
years following the date that such stockholder became an interested stockholder,
unless the transaction is approved in a prescribed manner. The business
combinations to which Section 203 applies include a merger, asset sale or other
transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested stockholders. In
general, Section 203 defines an "interested stockholder" as a person who,
together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own)
15% or more of the outstanding voting stock of the corporation.
TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR
The transfer agent and registrar for the Common Stock is U.S. Stock
Transfer Corporation.
LISTING
The Common Stock has been approved for listing on the Nasdaq National
Market under the symbol "IIXC."
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<PAGE> 58
SHARES ELIGIBLE FOR FUTURE SALE
Upon completion of this Offering and the GEPT Private Placement (assuming
no exercise of the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option), IXC Communications
will have a total of 30,775,308 shares of Common Stock outstanding. Of these
shares, the 5,600,000 shares of Common Stock offered hereby (6,440,000 shares if
the U.S. Underwriters' over-allotment option is exercised in full) will be
freely tradeable without restriction or registration under the Securities Act if
held by persons other than "affiliates" of the Company, as defined under the
Securities Act. The remaining 25,175,308 shares of Common Stock outstanding
(including the 840,053 shares to be issued in the GEPT Private Placement) will
be "restricted securities" as that term is defined by Rule 144 promulgated under
the Securities Act.
In general, under Rule 144 as currently in effect, a person (or persons
whose shares are aggregated) which has beneficially owned restricted securities
for at least two years, including persons who may be deemed "affiliates" of the
Company, would be entitled to sell within any three-month period a number of
shares that does not exceed the greater of one percent of the number of shares
of Common Stock then outstanding (approximately 308,000 shares upon completion
of this Offering) or the average weekly trading volume of the Common Stock
during the four calendar weeks preceding the filing of a Form 144 with respect
to such sale. An affiliate of IXC Communications may sell securities that are
not restricted without regard to the period of beneficial ownership but subject
to the volume restrictions described above. Sales under Rule 144 are also
subject to certain manner-of-sale provisions and notice requirements, and to the
availability of current public information about IXC Communications. In
addition, a person who is not deemed to have been an affiliate of the Company at
any time during the 90 days preceding a sale, and who has beneficially owned the
shares proposed to be sold for at least three years, would be entitled to sell
such shares under Rule 144(k) without regard to the requirements described
above.
Under Rule 144 (and subject to the conditions thereof), substantially all
of the 24,335,255 restricted shares, excluding the 840,053 shares of Common
Stock to be issued in the GEPT Private Placement, will become eligible for sale
90 days after this Offering. However, 23,643,716 of such shares, plus the
840,053 shares issued in the GEPT Private Placement, are subject to lock-up
restrictions. Pursuant to these lock-up restrictions, certain of IXC
Communications' current stockholders, including its executive officers and
directors, have agreed that, subject to certain exceptions, they will not,
directly or indirectly, sell, offer or sell any shares of Common Stock without
the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, on behalf of the
Underwriters, for a period of 180 days from the date of this Prospectus. See
"Underwriters." Certain of the Company's existing stockholders have registration
rights with respect to their Common Stock. See "Description of Capital
Stock -- Registration Rights."
In addition, the Commission has published a notice of proposed rule making
which, if adopted as proposed, would shorten the applicable holding periods
under Rule 144(d) and Rule 144(k) to one and two years, respectively (from the
current periods of two and three years). IXC Communications cannot predict
whether such amendments will be adopted or the effect thereof on the trading
market for its Common Stock.
The preceding description does not include shares of Common Stock acquired
upon exercise of options under the 1994 Stock Plan or the 1996 Stock Plan. Rule
701 under the Securities Act provides that shares of Common Stock acquired on
the exercise of outstanding options may be resold by persons other than
affiliates, beginning 90 days after the date of this Prospectus, subject only to
the manner-of-sale provisions of Rule 144, and by affiliates beginning 90 days
after the date of this Prospectus, subject to all provisions of Rule 144 except
its two-year minimum holding period. As of the date of this Prospectus, IXC
Communications had reserved an aggregate of 1,212,450 and 2,121,787 shares of
Common Stock for issuance pursuant to the 1994 Stock Plan and the 1996 Stock
Plan, respectively. Options to purchase 1,047,800 shares were outstanding under
the 1994 Stock Plan and no options were outstanding under the 1996 Stock Plan.
As soon as practicable following this Offering, IXC Communications intends to
file a registration statement under the Securities Act to register shares of
Common Stock reserved for issuance under the 1994 Stock Plan and the 1996 Stock
Plan, thus permitting the resale of such shares by non-affiliates upon issuance
in the public market without restriction under the Securities Act. Such
registration statement will automatically become effective immediately upon
filing.
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<PAGE> 59
Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock and no prediction can be made of the effect, if any, that the sale or
availability for sale of shares of additional Common Stock will have on the
market price of the Common Stock. Nevertheless, sales of substantial amounts of
such shares in the public market, or the perception that such sales could occur,
could materially and adversely affect the market price of the Common Stock and
could impair IXC Communications' future ability to raise capital through an
offering of its equity securities.
DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN INDEBTEDNESS
On October 5, 1995, IXC Communications issued and sold its Senior Notes in
the aggregate principal amount of $285.0 million to a group of institutional and
accredited investors. Of the approximately $268.8 million net proceeds of such
sale, IXC Communications placed $200.0 million into an escrow account to be used
for the Fiber Expansion, debt service of the Senior Notes and other capital
expenditures. The escrow agreement is an exhibit to the Registration Statement
of which this Prospectus is a part. As of May 31, 1996, approximately $152.9
million remained in such escrow account. On April 1, 1996, IXC Communications
filed a Registration Statement on Form S-4 with the Commission relating to the
exchange by IXC Communications in connection with the Senior Notes as required
by a registration rights agreement among IXC Communications and the initial
purchasers named therein. The indenture for the Senior Notes contains certain
covenants that, among other things, limit the ability of IXC Communications and
certain of its subsidiaries (the "Restricted Subsidiaries") to incur additional
indebtedness and issue preferred stock, pay dividends or make other
distributions, repurchase Equity Interests (as defined in the indenture for the
Senior Notes) or subordinated indebtedness, create certain liens, enter into
certain transactions with affiliates, sell assets of IXC Communications or its
Restricted Subsidiaries, issue or sell Equity Interests of IXC Communications'
Restricted Subsidiaries or enter into certain mergers and consolidations. In
addition, under certain limited circumstances, IXC Communications will be
required to offer to purchase Senior Notes at a price equal to 100% of the
principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Payments
and Liquidated Damages, if any, to the date of purchase, with the excess
proceeds of certain Asset Sales (as defined in the indenture for the Senior
Notes). In the event of a Change of Control, holders of the Senior Notes will
have the right to require IXC Communications to purchase their Senior Notes, in
whole or in part, at a price equal to 101% of the aggregate principal amount
thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest, Additional Payments and Liquidated
Damages, if any, to the date of purchase. The indenture relating to the Senior
Notes is an exhibit to the Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a
part.
In addition, the Company may seek to obtain a revolving credit facility
under which it will be able to borrow up to a certain percentage of the amount
of qualifying accounts receivable of its subsidiaries. The indenture for the
Senior Notes limits the Company from borrowing under such facility in excess of
85% of the amount of such qualifying accounts receivable. The Company
anticipates that its obligations under such revolving credit facility, if it is
obtained, will be secured by intercompany notes from the subsidiaries owning the
accounts receivable, which notes will in turn be secured by such accounts
receivable. As of December 31, 1995, the Company's accounts receivable (net of
allowance for doubtful accounts) were approximately $5.5 million.
58
<PAGE> 60
UNDERWRITERS
Under the terms and subject to the conditions of the Underwriting Agreement
dated the date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement") the U.S. Underwriters named
below for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated, CS First Boston Corporation
and Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. are acting as U.S. Representatives, and the
International Underwriters for whom Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited,
CS First Boston Limited and Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. are acting as International
Representatives, have severally agreed to purchase, and IXC Communications has
agreed to sell to them severally, the respective number of shares of Common
Stock set forth opposite the names of each Underwriter below.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER
UNDERWRITER OF SHARES
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------
<S> <C>
U.S. Underwriters:
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated....................................... 1,060,000
CS First Boston Corporation............................................. 1,060,000
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc.................................................. 1,060,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated...................................... 50,000
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated......................................... 100,000
Donaldson, Lufkin & Jenrette Securities Corporation..................... 100,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc................................................ 100,000
EVEREN Securities, Inc.................................................. 50,000
Furman Selz LLC......................................................... 50,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co..................................................... 100,000
Interstate/Johnson Lane Corporation..................................... 50,000
Lehman Brothers Inc..................................................... 100,000
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated...................... 100,000
Montgomery Securities................................................... 100,000
Principal Financial Securities, Inc..................................... 50,000
Rauscher Pierce Refsnes, Inc............................................ 50,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc......................................... 50,000
The Robinson-Humphrey Company, Inc...................................... 50,000
Sands Brothers & Co., Ltd............................................... 50,000
Smith Barney Inc........................................................ 100,000
Wheat, First Securities, Inc............................................ 50,000
---------
Subtotal........................................................ 4,480,000
---------
International Underwriters:
Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited.............................. 373,334
CS First Boston Limited................................................. 373,333
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. ................................................ 373,333
---------
Subtotal........................................................ 1,120,000
---------
Total...................................................... 5,600,000
========
</TABLE>
The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters, and the U.S.
Representatives and the International Representatives are collectively referred
to as the "Underwriters" and the "Representatives," respectively. The
Underwriting Agreement provides that the obligations of the Underwriters to pay
for and accept delivery of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby are subject
to the approval of certain legal matters by their counsel and to certain other
conditions. The Underwriters are obligated to take and pay for all of the shares
of Common Stock offered hereby (other than those covered by the U.S.
Underwriters' over-allotment option described below) if any such shares are
taken.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions: (a)
it is not purchasing any U.S. Shares (as defined
59
<PAGE> 61
herein) for the account of anyone other than a United States or Canadian Person
(as defined herein) and (b) it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or
sell, directly or indirectly, any U.S. Shares or distribute any prospectus
relating to the U.S. Shares outside of the United States or Canada or to anyone
other than a United States or Canadian Person. Pursuant to the Agreement between
U.S. and International Underwriters, each International Underwriter has
represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions: (i) it is not purchasing
any International Shares (as defined herein) for the account of any United
States or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not offered or sold, and will not
offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any International Shares or distribute
any prospectus relating to the International Shares in the United States or in
any province or territory of Canada or to any United States or Canadian Person.
The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization transactions or to
certain other transactions specified in the Agreement between U.S. and
International Underwriters. As used herein, "United States or Canadian Person"
means any national or resident of the United States or of any province or
territory of Canada, or any corporation, pension, profit-sharing or other trust
or other entity organized under the laws of the United States or Canada or of
any political subdivision thereof (other than a branch located outside the
United States and Canada of any United States or Canadian Person) and includes
any United States or Canadian branch of a person who is otherwise not a United
States or Canadian Person. All shares of Common Stock to be purchased by the
U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters are referred to herein as
the "U.S. Shares" and the "International Shares," respectively.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters,
sales may be made between the U.S. Underwriters and International Underwriters
of any number of shares of Common Stock to be purchased pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement as may be mutually agreed. The per share price of any
shares sold shall be the Price to Public set forth on the cover page hereof, in
United States dollars, less an amount not greater than the per share amount of
the concession to dealers set forth below.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented that it has not offered or sold, and has agreed
not to offer or sell, any shares of Common Stock, directly or indirectly, in any
province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof
and has represented that any offer of Common Stock in Canada will be made only
pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the
province or territory of Canada in which such offer is made. Each U.S.
Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases from it any
shares of Common Stock a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such
Common Stock, such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold,
and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such Common Stock in
any province or territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident
of any province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws
thereof and that any offer of Common stock in Canada will be made only pursuant
to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or
territory of Canada in which such offer is made, and that such dealer will
deliver to any other dealer to whom it sells any of such Common Stock a notice
to the foregoing effect.
Pursuant to the Agreement between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
International Underwriter has represented and agreed that (i) it has not offered
or sold and during the period of six months after the date hereof will not offer
to sell any shares of Common Stock to persons in the United Kingdom except to
persons whose ordinary activities involve them in acquiring, holding, managing
or disposing of investments (as principal or agent) for the purposes of their
business or otherwise in circumstances which have not resulted and will not
result in an offer to the public in the United Kingdom within the meaning of the
Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 (the "U.K. Regulations"); (ii) it
has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions of the Financial
Services Act 1986 and the U.K. Regulations (to the extent applicable) with
respect to anything done by it in relation to the shares of Common Stock offered
hereby in, from or otherwise involving the United Kingdom; and (iii) it has only
issued or passed on and will only issue or pass on to any person in the Untied
Kingdom any document received by it in connection with the issue of the shares
of Common Stock, other than any document which consists of, or is a part of,
listing particulars, supplementary listing particulars or any other document
required or permitted to be published by listing rules under Article IV of the
Financial Services Act 1986, if that person is of a kind described in Article
11(3) of the Financial
60
<PAGE> 62
Services Act 1986 (Investment Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1995, or is a
person to whom the document may otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.
The Underwriters initially propose to offer the shares of Common Stock
directly to the public at the Price to Public set forth on the cover page of
this Prospectus and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a
concession of not in excess of $0.68 per share under the Price to Public. The
Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess
of $0.10 per share to other Underwriters or to certain dealers. After the
initial offering of the shares of Common Stock, the offering price and other
selling terms may from time to time be varied by the Representatives.
Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, IXC Communications has granted to
the U.S. Underwriters, an option exercisable for 30 days after the date of this
Prospectus, to purchase up to 840,000 additional shares of Common Stock at the
Price to Public set forth on the cover page hereof, less underwriting discounts
and commissions. To the extent such option is exercised, each U.S. Underwriter
will become obligated, subject to certain conditions, to purchase approximately
the same percentage of such additional shares of Common Stock as the number set
forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the
total number of shares of U.S. Shares offered by the U.S. Underwriters hereby.
IXC Communications and each of the executive officers and directors of IXC
Communications, GHI, certain trusts and partnerships and GEPT have agreed that
without the prior written consent of Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated on behalf
of the Underwriters, it will not (A) register for sale, issue, offer, pledge,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any shares of Common
Stock or any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for
Common Stock (other than shares of Common Stock acquired in the open market
after the date of this Prospectus) or (B) enter into any swap or other agreement
that transfers, in whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of
ownership of the Common Stock, whether any such transaction described in clause
(A) or (B) above is to be settled by delivery of Common Stock or such other
securities, in cash or otherwise for a period of 180 days after the date of this
Prospectus, other than (A) the shares of Common Stock to be sold hereunder, (B)
any shares of Common Stock issued by the Company upon the exercise of an option
issued pursuant to the Company's 1994 Stock Plan or 1996 Stock Plan and (C) the
issuance of additional options to purchase shares of Common Stock pursuant to
the Company's 1994 Stock Plan or 1996 Stock Plan. See "Shares Eligible for
Future Sale."
IXC Communications has agreed to indemnify the several Underwriters against
certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
The Underwriters have informed IXC Communications that they do not intend
sales to discretionary accounts to exceed 5% of the total number of shares of
Common Stock offered by them.
Dillon, Read & Co. Inc. and CS First Boston Corporation acted as the
initial purchasers of the Senior Notes and received customary compensation in
connection therewith.
At the Company's request, the Underwriters have reserved for sale up to
five percent of the Common Stock offered hereby, at the Price to Public, to
certain persons designated by the Company. Such shares generally will be
eligible for immediate resale. The number of shares of Common Stock for sale to
the general public will be reduced to the extent such persons purchase such
reserved shares. Any reserved shares not so purchased will be offered by the
Underwriters to the general public on the same basis as the other shares offered
hereby.
PRICING OF THE OFFERING
Prior to this Offering, there has been no public market for the Common
Stock of IXC Communications. The initial public offering price was determined by
negotiations between IXC Communications and the Representatives. Among the
factors considered in determining the initial public offering price were the
future prospects of the Company and its industry in general, sales, earnings and
certain other financial and operating
61
<PAGE> 63
information of the Company in recent periods, and certain ratios and market
prices of securities and certain financial and operating information of
companies engaged in activities similar to those of the Company.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the issuance of the Common Stock offered hereby will be
passed upon for IXC Communications by Riordan & McKinzie. Certain legal matters
in connection with the Common Stock offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Underwriters by Shearman & Sterling. Carl W. McKinzie, a director and
stockholder of IXC Communications, is a stockholder of Riordan & McKinzie. IXC
Communications has granted an option covering shares of Common Stock to another
stockholder of Riordan & McKinzie.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements of IXC Communications at December 31,
1994 and 1995, and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31,
1995, appearing in this Prospectus and Registration Statement have been audited
by Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, as set forth in their report thereon
appearing elsewhere herein and are included in reliance upon such report given
upon the authority of such firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
IXC Communications has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement
on Form S-1 under the Securities Act for the registration of the Common Stock
offered hereby. As permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission,
this Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits thereto. For further information with
respect to IXC Communications and the Common Stock offered hereby, reference is
made to the Registration Statement and to the exhibits thereto. Statements
contained in this Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other
document are not necessarily complete. With respect to each such contract or
other document that is an exhibit to the Registration Statement, reference is
made to the exhibit for a more complete description of the matter involved, and
each such statement shall be deemed qualified in its entirety by such reference.
IXC Communications has also filed with the Commission a Registration
Statement on Form S-4 under the Securities Act relating to an exchange of
12 1/2% Series A Senior Notes due 2005 for 12 1/2% Series B Senior Notes due
2005 pursuant to the indenture for the Senior Notes.
Such Registration Statements, the exhibits and schedules forming a part
thereof and the reports and other information filed by IXC Communications with
the Commission in accordance with the Exchange Act may be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 and will also be
available for inspection and copying at the regional offices of the Commission
located at 7 World Trade Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048 and at
Citicorp Center, 500 West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661.
Copies of such material may also be obtained upon written request from the
Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 at prescribed rates.
Following the offerings covered by such Registration Statements, IXC
Communications will comply with the information and reporting requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, in accordance therewith
will file periodic reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Commission.
62
<PAGE> 64
GLOSSARY
Access charges -- The fees paid by long distance carriers to LECs for
originating and terminating long distance calls on their local networks.
ALC -- ALC Communications Corporation.
Allnet -- Allnet Communication Services, Inc.
ATM (asynchronous transfer mode) -- An information transfer standard that
is one of a general class of technologies that relay traffic by way of an
address contained within the first five bytes of a standard 53-byte-long packet
or cell. The ATM format can be used by many different information systems,
including local area networks, to deliver traffic at varying rates, permitting a
mix of voice, video and data (multimedia).
AT&T -- AT&T Corp.
Backbone -- The through-portions of a transmission network, as opposed to
spurs which branch off the through-portions.
Bandwidth -- The range of frequencies that can be transmitted through a
medium, such as glass fibers, without distortion. The greater the bandwidth, the
greater the information-carrying capacity of such medium.
Capacity-intensive -- Refers to products which use comparatively large
amounts of bandwidth.
Broadband -- Broadband communications systems can transmit large quantities
of voice, data and video. Examples of broadband communication systems include
DS-3 fiber optic systems, which can transmit 672 simultaneous voice
conversations, or a broadcast television station signal, that transmits high
resolution audio and video signals into the home. Broadband connectivity is also
an essential element for interactive multimedia applications.
Cable & Wireless -- Cable & Wireless, P.L.C.
CAP (Competitive Access Provider) -- A company that provides its customers
with an alternative to the LEC for local transport of private line, special
access and interstate transport of switched access telecommunications service.
Carriers -- Companies that provide telecommunications transmission
services.
Central Offices -- The switching centers or central switching facilities of
the LECs.
Dedicated -- Refers to telecommunications lines dedicated or reserved for
use by particular customers along predetermined routes.
Digital -- A method of storing, processing and transmitting information
through the use of distinct electronic or optical pulses that represent the
binary digits 0 and 1. Digital transmission and switching technologies (both
fiber and microwave) employ a sequence of these pulses to represent information
as opposed to the continuously variable analog signal. The precise digital
numbers minimize distortion (such as graininess or snow in the case of video
transmission, or static or other background distortion in the case of audio
transmission).
DS-1, DS-3 -- Standard telecommunications industry digital signal formats,
which are distinguishable by bit rate (the number of binary digits (0 and 1)
transmitted per second). DS-0 service has a bit rate of 64 kilobits per second
and can transmit only one voice conversation at a time. DS-1 service has a bit
rate of 1.544 megabits per second and can transmit 24 simultaneous voice
conversations. DS-3 service has a bit rate of 45 megabits per second and can
transmit 672 simultaneous voice conversations.
DS-3 miles -- A measure of the total capacity and length of a transmission
path, calculated as the capacity of the transmission path in DS-3s multiplied by
the length of the path in miles.
800/888 Service -- A telecommunications service for businesses that allows
calls to be made to a specific location at no charge to the calling party. Use
of the "800" or "888" service code denotes calls that are to be
A-1
<PAGE> 65
billed to the receiving party. A computer database in the provider's network
translates the 800 or 888 number into a conventional telephone number.
Enhanced data services -- Products and services designed for the transport
and delivery of integrated information to include voice, data and video and any
combination thereof.
Excel -- EXCEL Communications, Inc.
Facilities-based carrier -- Carriers who own transmission facilities.
FCC -- Federal Communications Commission.
Frame Relay -- A high-speed, data-packet switching service used to transmit
data between computers. Frame Relay supports data units of variable lengths at
access speeds ranging from 56 kilobits per second to 1.5 megabits per second.
This service is well-suited for connecting local area networks, but is not
appropriate for voice and video applications due to the variable delays which
can occur. Frame Relay was designed to operate at high speeds on modern fiber
optic networks.
Frontier -- Frontier Corporation.
GAAP -- Generally Accepted Accounting Principles
GE Capital Communication -- GE Capital Communication Services Corporation.
GTE -- GTE Corporation.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) -- A complex networking concept
designed to provide a variety of voice, data and digital interface standards.
Incorporated into ISDN are many new enhanced services, such as high-speed data
file transfer, desktop video conferencing, telepublishing, telecommuting,
telepresence learning-remote collaboration, data network linking and home
information services.
Hubs -- Collection centers located centrally in an area where
telecommunications traffic can be aggregated for transport and distribution.
Interexchange Carrier -- A company providing inter-LATA or long distance
services between LATAs on an intrastate or interstate basis.
Inter-LATA -- InterLATA calls are calls that pass from one LATA to another.
Typically, these calls are referred to as long distance calls.
Intra-LATA -- IntraLATA calls are those local calls that originate and
terminate within the same LATA.
Kilobit -- One thousand bits of information. The information-carrying
capacity (i.e., bandwidth) of a circuit may be measured in "kilobits per
second."
LATAs (local access and transport areas) -- The approximately 200
geographic areas that define the areas between which the RBOCs were prohibited
from providing long distance services prior to the Telecommunications Act.
LCI -- LCI International, Inc.
LEC (local exchange carrier) -- A company providing local telephone
services.
Local loop -- A circuit within a LATA.
Long-Haul Circuit -- A private, dedicated telecommunications circuit
between locations in different LATAs.
MCI -- MCI Communications Corporation.
Megabit -- One million bits of information. The information-carrying
capacity (i.e., bandwidth) of a circuit may be measured in "megabits per
second."
A-2
<PAGE> 66
MOU -- Minutes of use of long distance service.
Off-net -- Refers to circuits on transmission facilities not owned by the
Company.
On-net -- Refers to circuits on transmission facilities owned by the
Company.
Optronic -- a combination of optical and electronic equipment.
RBOCs (regional Bell operating companies) -- The seven local telephone
companies (formerly part of AT&T) established by court decree in 1982.
Rockwell International -- Rockwell International Corp.
Route Miles -- The measure of the length of a transmission path in miles.
SONET (synchronous optical network technology) -- An electronics and
network architecture for variable-bandwidth products which enables transmission
of voice, video and data (multimedia) at very high speeds.
Sprint -- Sprint Corp.
Switch -- A device that opens or closes circuits or selects the paths or
circuits to be used for transmission of information. Switching is a process of
interconnecting circuits to form a transmission path between users.
Switched long distance services -- Telecommunications services such as
residential long distance services that are processed through digital switches
and delivered over long-haul circuits and other transmission facilities.
WilTel -- WilTel Network Services, Inc.
WorldCom -- WorldCom, Inc.
A-3
<PAGE> 67
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PAGE
-----
<S> <C>
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS FOR THE YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 1995................................................................... F-2
CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Report of Independent Auditors........................................................ F-3
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 and as of March 31, 1996
(unaudited)......................................................................... F-4
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)............. F-5
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Stockholders' Equity for the years ended
December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1996
(unaudited)......................................................................... F-6
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and
1995 and for the three months ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 (unaudited)............. F-7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements............................................ F-9
</TABLE>
F-1
<PAGE> 68
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONDENSED
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1995
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
Effective January 1, 1996, IXC Communications, Inc. acquired the minority
interest of Switched Services Communications, L.L.C. ("SSC") previously owned by
Excel Telecommunications, Inc. The acquisition has been accounted for using the
purchase method of accounting for business combinations.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations of
IXC Communications, Inc. ("IXC" or the "Company") for the year ended December
31, 1995 reflects the acquisition by the Company of the minority interest of SSC
as if the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 1995.
The unaudited pro forma condensed consolidated statement of operations
should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements of IXC,
related notes to financial statements and "Management's Discussion and Analysis
of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" appearing elsewhere in this
Prospectus. The pro forma information is not necessarily indicative of the
results that would have resulted had the acquisition of the minority interest of
SSC actually occurred on the dates assumed herein, nor is the pro forma
information indicative of the future results of IXC and its consolidated
subsidiaries.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
IXC IXC
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
---------- ADJUSTMENTS ---------
-----------
(NOTE 1)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues.................................. $ 91,001 -- $ 91,001
Operating expenses...................................... 89,572 $ 1,117(a) 90,689
-------- ------- --------
1,429 (1,117) 312
Interest income......................................... 3,020 -- 3,020
Interest expense........................................ (14,597) -- (14,597)
Equity in net income of unconsolidated subsidiaries..... 19 -- 19
Minority interest....................................... 5,218 (5,450)(b) (232)
-------- ------- --------
Loss before income taxes and extraordinary item......... (4,911) (6,567) (11,478)
Income tax benefit...................................... 1,693 2,180(c) 3,873
-------- ------- --------
Loss before extraordinary item.......................... $ (3,218) $(4,387) $ (7,605)
======== ======= ========
Loss per common share before extraordinary item......... $ (.20) $ (.38)
======== ========
Weighted average common shares.......................... 25,108 25,108
======== ========
</TABLE>
NOTE 1 -- PRO FORMA ADJUSTMENTS
The following pro forma adjustments reflect the impact of purchase
accounting related to the acquisition of the minority interest of SSC, as if it
had been acquired on January 1, 1995 (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Amortization of goodwill............................................... $ 1,117(a)
Elimination of minority interest in net loss of SSC.................... $ 5,450(b)
Tax benefit of additional net losses of SSC (at 40%)................... $ 2,180(c)
</TABLE>
F-2
<PAGE> 69
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The Board of Directors
IXC Communications, Inc.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of IXC
Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries as of December 31, 1994 and 1995, and
the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholders' equity
(deficit) and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1995. These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards. 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 IXC
Communications, Inc. and its subsidiaries at December 31, 1994 and 1995, and the
consolidated results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 1995, in conformity with generally
accepted accounting principles.
[SIG]
Austin, Texas
March 1, 1996, except for Note 18,
as to which the date is June 12, 1996
F-3
<PAGE> 70
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------- MARCH 31,
1994 1995 1996
-------- -------- -----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents.................................................... $ 6,048 $ 6,915 $ 5,492
Accounts receivable:
Trade, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $762 in 1994, $1,769 in
1995 and $1,490 in 1996................................................... 3,421 5,537 6,213
Note receivable -- related party........................................... -- 238 227
Other...................................................................... 295 544 531
-------- -------- --------
3,716 6,319 6,971
Income tax receivable........................................................ -- 1,296 381
Net current deferred tax asset (Note 10)..................................... 118 450 450
Prepaid expenses............................................................. 1,038 1,069 1,689
-------- -------- --------
Total current assets....................................................... 10,920 16,049 14,983
Property and equipment:
Land......................................................................... 2,284 2,344 2,344
Buildings and improvements................................................... 896 5,167 5,424
Transmission system.......................................................... 108,564 138,659 150,996
Construction in progress..................................................... 5,943 5,658 14,094
-------- -------- --------
117,687 151,828 172,858
Less: accumulated depreciation............................................... (28,822) (45,429) (50,696)
-------- -------- --------
88,865 106,399 122,162
Prepaid contract costs (Note 11)............................................... 1,399 989 887
Escrow under Senior Notes (Note 3)............................................. -- 198,266 187,584
Deferred charges and other assets.............................................. 4,225 14,772 20,851
-------- -------- --------
Total assets.......................................................... $105,409 $336,475 $ 346,467
======== ======== ========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable -- trade.................................................... $ 1,596 $ 6,792 $ 8,232
Accrued taxes................................................................ 3,864 2,924 3,138
Unearned income.............................................................. 988 1,693 1,859
Accrued interest............................................................. 76 8,748 18,010
Current portion of long-term debt -- related parties (Note 4)................ 6,850 1,371 1,394
Current portion of long-term debt and lease obligations (Notes 4 and 5)...... 11,688 3,163 9,032
Other current liabilities.................................................... 1,757 941 788
-------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities.................................................. 26,819 25,632 42,453
Long-term debt -- related parties, less current portion (Note 4)............... 24,653 6,446 6,164
Long-term debt and lease obligations, less current portion (Notes 4 and 5)..... 25,933 287,814 294,741
Net noncurrent deferred tax liability (Note 10)................................ 9,818 8,303 6,949
Other noncurrent liabilities................................................... 2,429 469 621
Commitments and contingencies (Notes 5, 6, 9 and 14)
Minority interest.............................................................. 168 953 380
Preferred stock of consolidated subsidiary held by minority interests (Note
6)........................................................................... 1,400 -- --
Stockholders' equity (deficit) (Note 6):
Preferred stock; 3,000 shares authorized:
10% Senior Series 1 cumulative preferred stock, $.01 par value; 1 share
issued and outstanding in 1994, none in 1995 and 1996..................... 1,460 -- --
10% Junior Series 3 cumulative preferred stock, $.01 par value; 13 shares
issued and outstanding in 1994, 1995 and 1996 (aggregate liquidation
preference of $17,326 at December 31, 1995 and $17,754 at March 31,
1996)..................................................................... 13 13 13
Common Stock, $.01 par value; 100,000 shares authorized; 24,335 shares issued
and outstanding in 1994, 1995 and 1996..................................... 243 243 243
Additional paid-in capital................................................... 29,430 29,430 29,430
Accumulated deficit.......................................................... (16,957) (22,828) (34,527)
-------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity (deficit)......................................... 14,189 6,858 (4,841)
-------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (deficit).................. $105,409 $336,475 $ 346,467
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-4
<PAGE> 71
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
--------------------------------------- -------------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
--------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues (Note 11)....... $ 71,123 $ 80,663 $ 91,001 $ 21,766 $ 26,250
Operating expenses:
Cost of services..................... 37,823 33,896 39,852 8,175 15,600
Operations and administration........ 22,835 20,561 32,282 6,256 10,417
Depreciation and amortization........ 21,061 12,121 17,438 3,619 6,010
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(10,596) 14,085 1,429 3,716 (5,777)
Interest income........................ 215 211 468 111 126
Interest income on escrow under Senior
Notes................................ -- -- 2,552 -- 2,557
Interest expense -- related parties.... (1,026) (2,649) (2,468) (792) (149)
Interest expense -- other.............. (3,917) (3,456) (12,129) (1,081) (9,721)
Contract settlement costs.............. (59) -- -- -- --
Write-down of property and equipment
(Note 8)............................. (37,960) -- -- -- --
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries.......... -- (94) 19 (4) (5)
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income (loss) before (provision)
benefit for income taxes and minority
interest and extraordinary items..... (53,343) 8,097 (10,129) 1,950 (12,969)
Benefit (provision) for income taxes
(Note 10)............................ 21,977 (3,157) 1,693 (966) 1,363
Minority interest...................... (446) 77 5,218 283 (93)
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income (loss) before extraordinary
items................................ (31,812) 5,017 (3,218) 1,267 (11,699)
Extraordinary items:
Extraordinary gain (loss) on early
extinguishment of debt (involving
a related party in 1994), less
applicable (provision) benefit for
income taxes of ($1,472) in 1994
and $1,164 in 1995 (Note 4)....... -- 2,298 (1,747) -- --
Extraordinary gain on forgiveness of
deferred lease obligations, less
applicable income taxes of $5,848
(Note 5).......................... 8,495 -- -- -- --
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss)...................... (23,317) 7,315 (4,965) 1,267 (11,699)
Dividends applicable to preferred
stock................................ 1,567 1,752 1,843 479 433
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss) applicable to common
stockholders......................... $ (24,884) $ 5,563 $ (6,808) $ 788 $ (12,132)
========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Income (loss) per common share:
Before extraordinary items........... $ (1.39) $ .13 $ (.20) $ .03 $ (.49)
Extraordinary gain (loss)............ .35 .09 (.07) -- --
---------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income (loss).................... $ (1.04) $ .22 $ (.27) $ .03 $ (.49)
========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
Weighted average common shares......... 24,009 24,993 25,108 25,203 25,011
========== =========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-5
<PAGE> 72
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (DEFICIT)
(IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
10% SENIOR SERIES 1 10% JUNIOR 3
COMMON STOCK PREFERRED STOCK PREFERRED STOCK
------------------ ------------------- ------------------ ADDITIONAL
NUMBER OF NUMBER OF NUMBER OF PAID-IN ACCUMULATED
SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT SHARES AMOUNT CAPITAL DEFICIT TOTAL
--------- ------ --------- ------- --------- ------ ---------- ----------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Balance at December 31,
1992...................... 21,974 $219 1 $ 1,300 13 $ 13 $ 29,451 $ (955) $ 30,028
Issuance of preferred
stock................... -- -- 160 -- -- -- -- 160
Issuance of common
stock................... 2,300 23 -- -- -- -- (23) -- --
Net loss.................. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (23,317) (23,317)
-------
---
---- ---- --- ------- ---- --- ---- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31,
1993...................... 24,274 242 1 1,460 13 13 29,428 (24,272) 6,871
Issuance of common
stock................... 61 1 -- -- -- -- 2 -- 3
Net income................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 7,315 7,315
-------
---
---- ---- --- ------- ---- --- ---- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31,
1994...................... 24,335 243 1 1,460 13 13 29,430 (16,957) 14,189
Redemption of preferred
stock................... -- -- (1) (1,460) -- -- -- -- (1,460)
Net income................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (4,965) (4,965)
Dividends
paid -- preferred
stock -- 10% Senior
Series 1................ -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (505) (505)
Dividends
paid -- preferred stock
of consolidated
subsidiary.............. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (401) (401)
-------
---
---- ---- --- ------- ---- --- ---- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at December 31,
1995...................... 24,335 243 -- -- 13 13 29,430 (22,828) 6,858
Net loss (unaudited)...... -- -- -- -- -- -- -- (11,699) (11,699)
-------
---
---- ---- --- ------- ---- --- ---- ------- --------- ---------
Balance at March 31, 1996
(unaudited)............... 24,335 $243 -- $ -- 13 $ 13 $ 29,430 $ (34,527) $ (4,841)
========== ==== ======= ======= ======= ==== ======= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-6
<PAGE> 73
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
----------------------------------- --------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- --------- ------- --------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income (loss)............................. $(23,317) $ 7,315 $ (4,965) $ 1,267 $(11,699)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation................................ 20,651 11,131 16,608 3,444 5,267
Amortization................................ 410 990 830 175 743
Amortization of debt issue costs and Senior
Note discount............................ 130 472 858 215 361
Interest income on escrow under Senior
Notes.................................... -- -- (2,552) -- (2,557)
Provision for doubtful accounts............. 447 1,565 1,505 150 176
Equity in net (income) loss of
unconsolidated subsidiaries.............. -- 94 (19) 4 5
Minority interest in net income (loss) of
subsidiaries............................. 446 (77) (5,218) (283) 93
Extraordinary (gain) loss on early
extinguishment of debt................... -- (3,770) 2,911 -- --
Gain on sale of property and equipment...... (330) (90) -- -- --
Write-down of property and equipment........ 37,960 -- -- -- --
Extraordinary gain on forgiveness of
deferred lease obligations............... (14,343) -- -- -- --
Deferred operating lease costs.............. 8,910 -- -- -- --
Changes in assets and liabilities, net of
effects of acquisitions:
Decrease (increase) in accounts
receivable............................. (206) (1,000) (4,108) (17) (828)
Decrease (increase) in other current
assets................................. 1,349 141 (1,466) 38 391
Increase (decrease) in accounts
payable................................ 2,777 (4,619) 5,196 (152) 1,440
Increase (decrease) in accrued taxes,
unearned income, accrued interest and
other current liabilities.............. (712) 139 7,503 (3) 9,368
Increase (decrease) in deferred income
taxes.................................. (17,227) 2,847 (1,847) 65 (1,354)
Decrease in other assets................. (2,045) (854) (4,092) (338) (1,186)
Increase (decrease) in noncurrent other
liabilities............................ 587 (752) (2,089) 689 226
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Total adjustments................... 38,804 6,217 14,020 3,987 12,145
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by operating activities..... 15,487 13,532 9,055 5,254 446
</TABLE>
F-7
<PAGE> 74
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS -- (CONTINUED)
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
THREE MONTHS ENDED
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, MARCH 31,
----------------------------------- --------------------
1993 1994 1995 1995 1996
-------- -------- --------- ------- --------
(UNAUDITED)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOW FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
Release of funds from escrow under Senior
Notes....................................... -- -- 4,300 -- 13,225
Purchase of restricted short-term
investments................................. -- -- (200,000) -- --
Purchase of property and equipment............ (27,008) (7,087) (23,670) (2,571) (13,564)
Sale of property and equipment................ 49 235 -- -- --
Payments for businesses acquired, net of cash
received.................................... (14,025) (11,976) -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net cash used in investing activities......... (40,984) (18,828) (219,370) (2,571) (339)
CASH FLOW FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
Net proceeds from issuance of Senior Notes,
net of discount............................. $ -- $ -- $ 277,148 $ -- $ --
Capital contribution in subsidiary by minority
shareholders................................ -- -- 6,002 490 --
Proceeds from long-term debt.................. 50,671 12,999 18,695 692 --
Payments on long-term debt and lease
obligations................................. (19,990) (7,837) (76,490) (3,620) (1,359)
Payments from (to) escrow..................... (1,500) 1,500 -- -- --
Payment of debt issue costs................... (1,760) (1,551) (10,407) -- (171)
Redemption of preferred stock................. -- -- (1,460) -- --
Redemption of preferred stock of consolidated
subsidiary held by minority interests....... -- -- (1,400) -- --
Dividend payments............................. -- -- (906) -- --
Issuance of common stock...................... -- 3 -- -- --
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock......... 160 -- -- -- --
Proceeds from sale of preferred stock of
subsidiary.................................. 1,400 -- -- -- --
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing
activities.................................. 28,981 5,114 211,182 (2,438) (1,530)
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents................................. 3,484 (182) 867 245 (1,423)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period...................................... 2,746 6,230 6,048 6,048 6,915
-------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period.... $ 6,230 $ 6,048 $ 6,915 $ 6,293 $ 5,492
======== ======== ======== ======= ========
SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
INFORMATION:
Cash paid (received) for:
Income taxes............................. $ (746) $ 891 $ 1,240 $ 293 $ (908)
======== ======== ======== ======= ========
Interest................................. $ 1,683 $ 4,496 $ 4,955 $ 890 $ 304
======== ======== ======== ======= ========
</TABLE>
See accompanying notes.
F-8
<PAGE> 75
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
DECEMBER 31, 1995
1. ORGANIZATION AND ACQUISITIONS
IXC Communications, Inc. ("IXC" or the "Company") is an Austin, Texas based
supplier of telecommunications services. IXC provides two basic products to
other long distance carriers: (i) long-haul voice and data circuits and (ii)
switched long distance services. Consistent with industry practice, the Company
considers itself to be operating in one business segment.
IXC, a Delaware corporation, was incorporated in 1992 and began operations
by acquiring 50% of the outstanding common stock of Electra Communications
Holding Corporation ("ECHC") which owned Electra Communication Corporation
("ECC"). ECC owned and operated a regional fiber optic transmission system in
Texas. ECHC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of IXC in 1993, when ECHC redeemed
all its outstanding stock not held by IXC.
Also during 1992 and 1993, the stockholders of IXC formed Telecom Services
Group, Inc. ("TSGI") and I-Link Communications Inc. ("ILCI").
TSGI acquired Communications Transmission Group, Inc. ("CTGI") from
Communications Transmission, Inc. ("CTI") in 1992. CTI was controlled by a
majority of the same shareholders as that of TSGI; therefore, the acquisition of
CTGI was a transaction among entities under common control and was accounted for
in a manner similar to the pooling of interests method.
ILCI acquired I-Link Holdings, Inc. ("ILHI") in 1993. The transaction was
accounted for in a manner similar to the pooling of interests method of
accounting as both entities were under common ownership by the same shareholder
group.
Effective February 22, 1994, TSGI and ILCI became wholly-owned subsidiaries
of IXC through a stock-for-stock merger, whereby IXC issued common and
redeemable preferred stock in exchange for all of the outstanding common and
preferred stock of TSGI and ILCI. IXC, TSGI and ILCI were controlled by the same
shareholder group, therefore the assets and liabilities acquired from the
controlling shareholders were recorded at their historical cost. The minority
interest acquired was recorded at fair value. The accompanying consolidated
financial statements of IXC have been restated to include the accounts and
operations of TSGI and ILCI since their acquisitions from third parties and the
elimination of all intercompany accounts and transactions.
On August 5, 1994, IXC, through its newly formed majority-owned (85%)
subsidiary, Mutual Signal Holding Corporation ("MSHC"), acquired MSM Associates,
Limited Partnership ("MSM"). MSHC purchased all of the issued and outstanding
common stock of Mutual Signal Corporation ("MSC"), the sole general partner of
MSM, for $1,050,000 and all of the outstanding limited partnership units of MSM
from the sole limited partner for $450,000. The acquisition was accounted for as
a purchase. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities of MSM at the date of
acquisition were adjusted to reflect the purchase price, using an allocation
based upon the fair values of the acquired assets. The operating results of MSM
have been included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of
acquisition. The owner of the remaining 15% minority interest of MSHC, Frontier
Corporation ("Frontier"), is a customer of IXC. Frontier, which is considered a
related party because of its miniority interest in MSHC, generated revenue to
IXC of $16.9 million in 1993, $18.7 million in 1994 and $19.1 million in 1995.
F-9
<PAGE> 76
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Unaudited pro forma results for 1993 and 1994 assuming the acquisitions of
MSC and MSM occurred as of January 1, 1993 are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1993 1994
-------- -------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating revenues...................................... $ 77,727 $82,290
Income (loss) before extraordinary items................ $(30,142) $ 5,574
Net income (loss)....................................... $(21,647) $ 7,872
Income (loss) per common share before extraordinary
items................................................. $ (1.32) $ 0.15
</TABLE>
The pro forma financial information is presented for informational purposes
only and is not necessarily indicative of the operating results that would have
occurred had the acquisition been consummated as of the above dates, nor are
they necessarily indicative of future operations.
On September 15, 1994, IXC formed IXC Long Distance, Inc. Together with
Excel Telecommunications, Inc. ("Excel"), IXC Long Distance, Inc. then formed
Switched Services Communications, L.L.C. ("SSC") on September 19, 1994 for the
purpose of owning and operating a nationwide long distance switch network. As of
December 31, 1995 IXC Long Distance, Inc. owned a majority interest of SSC which
is consolidated as a majority-owned subsidiary.
Effective January 1, 1996, IXC Long Distance, Inc. entered into an
agreement with Excel to acquire its minority interest in SSC for $6.2 million.
In connection with the purchase agreement, Excel executed a second amended and
restated Service Agreement with SSC, requiring Excel to purchase certain minimum
communications services from SSC. (See Note 17)
2. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Principles of Consolidation
The consolidated financial statements of IXC include the accounts of IXC
and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries. All minority owned
subsidiaries are accounted for by the equity method. Significant intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated in the consolidated financial
statements.
Revenues
Long-haul voice and data circuit revenues are primarily generated from
providing capacity on the Company's fiber optic and microwave transmission
network at rates established under long-term contractual arrangements. Revenues
are recognized as services are provided.
Switched long-distance service revenues are primarily generated by
providing voice and data communications. Customers are billed on monthly cycle
dates. Revenues are recognized as services are provided.
The Company accounts for exchange agreements with other carriers by
recognizing the fair value of the revenue earned and expense incurred under the
respective agreements (see Note 11).
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand, money market funds and all
investments with an initial maturity of three months or less. Short-term
investments held in the Company's escrow related to the Senior Notes (see Note
3) are not included as a cash equivalent.
Property and Equipment
Property and equipment is recorded at cost, adjusted for the writedown
discussed in Note 8. Depreciation is provided using the straight-line method
over the estimated useful lives of the various assets, generally 3 to
F-10
<PAGE> 77
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
20 years. Maintenance and repairs are charged to operations as incurred.
Amortization of assets recorded under capital leases is included in depreciation
expense. Property and equipment recorded under capital leases are included with
the Company's owned assets.
In March 1995, the FASB issued Statement No. 121, Accounting for Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of, which requires
impairment losses to be recorded on long-lived assets used in operations when
indicators of impairment are present and the undiscounted cash flows estimated
to be generated by those assets are less than the assets' carrying amount.
Statement 121 also addresses the accounting for long-lived assets that are
expected to be disposed of. (See Note 17)
Capitalization of Interest
Interest costs are capitalized as part of the cost of constructing the
Company's fiber optic network. Interest costs capitalized during construction
periods are computed by determining the average accumulated expenditures for
each interim capitalization period and applying the interest rate related to the
specific borrowings associated with each construction project. Interest
capitalized during the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was
approximately $379,000, $34,000 and $361,000, respectively.
Income Taxes
The Company accounts for income taxes using the liability method as
required by Statement No. 109, Accounting for Income Taxes, issued by the
Financial Accounting Standards Board.
Deferred income taxes are provided for temporary differences between the
basis of assets and liabilities for financial reporting and income tax
reporting. Investment tax credits are accounted for by the flow-through method.
Deferred Charges and Other Assets
Costs incurred in connection with obtaining long-term financing have been
deferred and are being amortized to interest expense over the terms of the
related debt agreements. The costs relating to long-term financing for the years
ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 were $2.8 million and $10.4 million,
respectively. Accumulated amortization for these costs for the years ended
December 31, 1994 and 1995 was $534,000 and $467,000, respectively (see Note 4
regarding extraordinary items).
Costs incurred in connection with the acquisition of certain lease
agreements (see Note 5) have been deferred and are being amortized over the
terms of the related agreements.
Costs incurred to obtain certain regulatory licenses are amortized on a
straight-line basis over 10 to 40 years.
Certain costs incurred in connection with installation of the nationwide
long distance network have been deferred and amortized on a straight-line basis
over 4 years. The network costs for the year ended December 31, 1995 were
$1,836,000, with accumulated amortization of $95,000.
The acquisition cost of customer accounts obtained through an outside sales
organization have been deferred and amortized over two years, the estimated
average of the term of the related customer contracts.
Stock-Based Compensation
The Company accounts for its stock compensation arrangements under the
provisions of APB 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and intends to
continue to do so.
F-11
<PAGE> 78
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Income (Loss) Per Common Share
Income (loss) per common share is based on net income (loss) less preferred
stock dividend requirements divided by the weighted average common shares
outstanding during the period, as adjusted for applicable stock options. Income
(loss) per share on a fully diluted basis is not presented as the fully diluted
effect is either antidilutive or not material.
Use of 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 and
disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the
reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Reclassifications
Certain amounts in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the
1995 presentation.
3. ESCROW UNDER SENIOR NOTES
Under the terms of the Company's Senior Notes, issued in October 1995, the
Company was required to place $200 million of Senior Note proceeds in an escrow
account, which proceeds and the earnings thereon are restricted in their use to
fiber expansion, capital expenditures, certain interest, principal and other
payments on the Senior Notes and other permitted uses (see Note 4). Such funds
have been invested in short-term, investment-grade, interest-bearing securities
at December 31, 1995 as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
Overnight investments............................. $ 96,975
U.S. Government securities........................ 101,291
--------
$198,266
========
</TABLE>
The escrow account is subject to a security interest under the Company's
Senior Notes. The investments in the escrow account at December 31, 1995, by
contractual maturity, were all due in three months or less and are classified as
held-to-maturity.
F-12
<PAGE> 79
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
4. LONG-TERM DEBT
Long-term debt and lease obligations of IXC and its consolidated
subsidiaries at December 31, 1994 and 1995 consisted of the following (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Senior Notes -- 12.5%, net of unamortized discount of $7,762 at
December 31, 1995............................................. $ -- $277,238
Senior term loans -- 8.23% to 9.9%.............................. 14,405 --
Senior secured notes -- 9.93%................................... 12,150 --
Variable rate senior secured note due to stockholder (10.63% at
December 31, 1994)............................................ 9,750 --
Senior subordinated note due to related party -- 7%............. 5,694 4,416
Promissory note due to related party -- 9%...................... 3,111 3,401
Subordinated debentures due to stockholders -- 10%.............. 12,948 --
Capital lease obligations (see Note 5).......................... 6,560 13,697
Deferred lease obligations (see Note 5)......................... 4,432 --
Other debt...................................................... 74 42
------- --------
Total long-term debt and lease obligations................. $69,124 $298,794
======= ========
</TABLE>
These amounts are included in the balance sheets of the Company as follows
(in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1994 1995
------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Long-term debt -- related parties:
Current portion............................... $ 6,850 $ 1,371
Long-term portion............................. 24,653 6,446
Long-term debt and lease obligations:
Current portion............................... 11,688 3,163
Long-term portion............................. 25,933 287,814
------- --------
$69,124 $298,794
======= ========
</TABLE>
Senior Notes
On October 5, 1995, the Company issued $285 million of 12 1/2% Senior Notes
(effective rate 13%) due October 1, 2005, with interest payable semi-annually.
The Company has agreed to file a registration statement and to exchange the
Senior Notes for registered Senior Notes, or to register the Senior Notes on a
shelf registration statement. Until such exchange offer is consummated, or such
shelf registration statement is declared effective, the Company is required to
make additional interest payments at the rate of .5% per annum of the principal
amount thereof.
The Senior Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or
in part, on or after October 1, 2000 at a premium declining to zero in 2004. At
any time prior to October 1, 1998, the Company may redeem Senior Notes with an
aggregate principal amount of up to $100 million at a redemption price of 112.5%
of the principal amount from the net proceeds of a sale of Capital Stock of the
Company, provided that at least $100 million in aggregate principal amount of
Senior Notes remains outstanding immediately after the occurrence of such
redemption and that the redemption occurs within 35 days of the date of the
closing of the offering of such equity securities. Also, the Senior Notes
contain provisions that, in the event of a Change in Control (which meets the
definition set forth in the Indenture) of the Company, provide their holders the
right to require the Company to repurchase all or any part of the Senior Notes
at a price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and
unpaid interest.
F-13
<PAGE> 80
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Of the net proceeds of approximately $277 million, $200 million has
initially been deposited into an escrow account primarily restricted for the
construction of a major fiber optic expansion program (see Note 3).
Approximately $53 million of the net proceeds was used to repay or repurchase
existing indebtedness (resulting in an extraordinary loss on early
extinguishment of debt of $1.7 million, net of applicable income tax benefit of
$1.2 million) and approximately $3.7 million was used to redeem certain
preferred stock.
The Senior Notes are senior unsecured obligations of the Company, except
for a security interest in the escrow account (see Note 3), and are guaranteed
on a senior unsecured basis by all wholly owned direct and indirect subsidiaries
(other than SSC) of IXC. The obligations of each guarantor are limited to the
minimum extent necessary to prevent the guarantee from violating or becoming
voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent
transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally.
The Senior Notes contain certain covenants that limit the ability of the
Company and its subsidiaries to incur additional indebtedness and issue
preferred stock, pay dividends or make other distributions, repurchase equity
interests or subordinated indebtedness, engage in sale and leaseback
transactions, create certain liens, enter into certain transactions with
affiliates, sell assets of the Company or its subsidiaries, issue or sell equity
interests of the Company's subsidiaries or enter into certain mergers and
consolidations.
Senior Term Loans
During 1993, to finance the construction of the Company's fiber optic
transmission system, the Company entered into a senior term loan agreement to
obtain $11 million in construction financing at 8.23% plus up to $750,000 of
capitalized interest during the construction period. During 1994, to finance an
extension of the Company's fiber optic transmission system, the Company entered
into a senior term loan agreement to obtain approximately $7.5 million in
construction financing at 9.9%, plus up to $750,000 of capitalized interest
during the construction period. These senior term loans were repaid or
repurchased from the proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes.
Senior Secured Notes
During 1993, to finance the redemption of the ECHC common stock not owned
by IXC (see Note 1), the Company issued $15 million of 9.63% senior secured
notes. During 1994, IXC and the senior secured note holder signed an agreement
which amended and restated the notes. In connection with this agreement, IXC was
released from certain restrictive covenants, the interest rate on the notes was
increased to 9.93%, $1,500,000 held in escrow was applied to the notes and the
escrow account was terminated. As the terms of the original notes were
substantively modified, the related unamortized original debt issuance costs of
$174,000 (net of $114,000 income tax benefit) are shown as an extraordinary loss
on early extinguishment of debt. The senior secured notes were repaid from the
proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes.
Variable Senior Secured Note Due to Stockholder
During 1993, to finance the acquisition of the rights, title and interest
in certain equipment lease agreements (see Note 5), the Company issued an 8.5%
senior secured note in the original principal amount of $17,000,000. During
1994, the note was purchased by a stockholder of IXC under a prepayment option.
The stockholder exchanged the note for a note that was amended (including a
reduction in its principal amount to $11,143,000) and restated in the form of a
variable rate senior secured note. This transaction resulted in an extraordinary
gain of approximately $2,472,000, net of applicable income taxes of $1,586,000.
The variable rate senior secured note due to stockholder was repaid from the
proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes.
F-14
<PAGE> 81
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Senior Subordinated Note Due to Minority Investor in Subsidiary
During 1994, the Company issued a $6.2 million 7% senior subordinated
promissory note to a minority investor in MSHC, one of IXC Communications'
subsidiaries. Under the terms of the senior subordinated promissory note,
principal and interest are due and payable in 53 consecutive monthly
installments of $136,000 commencing August 31, 1994 through December 31, 1998.
Promissory Note Due to Minority Investor in Subsidiary
During 1994, to facilitate the acquisition of MSM, the Company issued a $3
million 9% promissory note to a minority investor in MSHC. Under the terms of
the promissory note, principal and interest payments of $560,000 are due
quarterly beginning March 31, 1998 through December 31, 1999. Thus, accrued
interest is reflected in the balance of the note.
Subordinated Debentures Due to Stockholders
During 1992, to finance the acquisition of a 50% interest in ECHC, IXC
issued $3.7 million of 10% subordinated debentures to certain stockholders.
During 1993, IXC issued an additional $2 million of 10% subordinated debentures
to certain stockholders. The debentures were unsecured general obligations of
IXC.
In addition, in connection with the construction of the Company's fiber
optic transmission system, IXC issued $5.1 million of 10% subordinated
debentures to certain stockholders.
All of the subordinated debentures due to stockholders were repaid from the
proceeds of the issuance of the Senior Notes.
Annual maturities of long-term debt at December 31, 1995 are as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
1996.............................................. $ 1,412
1997.............................................. 1,470
1998.............................................. 2,854
1999.............................................. 2,123
2000.............................................. --
Thereafter........................................ 277,238
--------
$285,097
========
</TABLE>
5. CAPITAL AND OPERATING LEASES
On August 14, 1992, in connection with the acquisition of CTGI, all
existing equipment lease obligations were restructured to provide for the
deferrals of future lease obligations that were otherwise payable. A provision
was also made for an escrow account to provide additional collateral for certain
equipment lease obligations. This escrow account was initially funded in March
1993 with excess collateral held by a creditor of CTGI's prior parent.
As of October 12, 1993, certain equipment lessors sold to IXC their
respective rights, title and interest in certain equipment lease agreements with
the Company. In connection with this transaction, a substantial portion of the
escrow account was withdrawn to pay certain deferred lease obligations to
another lessor. This resulted in an extraordinary gain of approximately
$8,495,000, net of applicable income taxes of $5,848,000. Certain equipment
lease agreements were not purchased by IXC and remained in effect as operating
leases. The escrow account (discussed in the preceding paragraph) was used to
supplement lease payments due under certain of the remaining leases (the "Escrow
Secured Leases") during 1993 and 1994. The Company recorded
F-15
<PAGE> 82
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
income of approximately $731,000 and $1,444,000 to reflect nonrefundable
proceeds used from the escrow account during the years ended December 31, 1993
and 1994, respectively.
During 1994, the Escrow Secured Leases were amended and the future basic
rental obligations due under the remaining leases (which were classified as
operating leases) were satisfied with approximately $18 million in proceeds from
the escrow account. The amendments to the Escrow Secured Leases resulted in the
leases meeting the criteria for capitalization under FAS No. 13. The present
value of the residual lease obligations approximated the fair value of the
leased assets which were both recorded at $6,031,000. The company made principal
payments of $550,000 during 1995 and repaid $1,120,000 of the obligations using
proceeds from the issuance of the Senior Notes. The remainder of the lease
obligations become due in installments in the years 1996 and 1997.
In connection with the satisfaction of the remaining Escrow Secured Leases,
the escrow account was terminated in 1994 and the residual balance in the
account, approximately $888,000, was distributed to the Company and recognized
as income.
Future minimum annual lease payments for facilities, equipment and
transmission capacity used in its operations at December 31, 1995, net of
sublease revenue, are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
CAPITAL OPERATING
LEASES LEASES
------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
1996.................................................... $ 3,707 $ 9,915
1997.................................................... 5,697 7,725
1998.................................................... 2,862 4,733
1999.................................................... 2,467 2,591
2000.................................................... 1,588 795
Thereafter.............................................. -- 2,615
------- -------
16,321 $28,374
=======
Less amounts related to interest........................ (2,624)
-------
Present value of capital lease obligations.............. 13,697
Less current portion.................................... (2,735)
-------
Net long-term capital lease obligations................. $10,962
=======
</TABLE>
The gross amount of assets recorded under capital leases at December 31,
1994 and 1995 were $7,648,000 and $17,946,000, respectively. The related
accumulated amortization was $1,388,000 and $4,078,000 at December 31, 1994 and
1995, respectively.
Expenses relating to facilities, equipment and transmission capacity leases
were approximately $37,183,000, $28,710,000 and $29,130,000 for the years ended
December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995, respectively.
The Company had certain deferred lease obligations payable through 1998
that were not settled as part of the October 12, 1993 transaction discussed
above. On November 29, 1994, IXC entered into an agreement whereby these
obligations were restructured resulting in all the deferred obligations,
$4,432,000, being due during 1995. These obligations were repaid in 1995 from
the proceeds the Company received from the issuance of the Senior Notes.
In February 1995, the Company entered into a five-year equipment lease for
network switching equipment, for which the lease obligations had a present value
of $9,800,000. (See Note 17)
F-16
<PAGE> 83
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
6. COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK
IXC's 10% Senior Series 1 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock was
non-voting and was redeemed on October 6, 1995, from the proceeds of the Senior
Notes for $1,965,000, including cumulative dividends in arrears and related
interest of $505,000.
The 10% Junior Series 3 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series 3
Preferred Stock") is voting (as a single class with IXC's common stock), is
entitled to elect one director and may be redeemed by the Company in whole or in
part at any time, subject to certain debt covenants, at a price of $1,000 per
share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends and accrued interest. The
liquidation value of each Series 3 Preferred share is $1,000 plus any
accumulated and unpaid dividends including accrued interest. The Series 3
Preferred Stock is nonparticipatory and has no mandatory redemption
requirements. Dividends are payable at the determination of the Board of
Directors, subject to debt covenants. Interest accrues on unpaid dividends at a
rate of 10%. Cumulative preferred dividends in arrears, including interest, at
December 31, 1994 and 1995 were $3,201,000 and $4,776,000, respectively.
In November 1994, the Board of Directors adopted the IXC Communications,
Inc. Stock Plan ("IXC Stock Plan"), which provides for the issuance of
restricted stock or the granting of stock options for up to 1,212,450 shares of
common stock to key employees and others. Options granted may be either
"incentive stock options," within the meaning of Section 422(a) of the Internal
Revenue Code, or non-qualified options. The options are for 10 years and
generally vest at a rate of 25% per year commencing one year after the date of
grant and 25% on each anniversary thereafter, with the exception of two options
covering 84,871 shares which were 100% vested upon grant. The IXC Stock Plan was
adopted and approved by the majority of stockholders of IXC by written consent
on May 4, 1995.
The Company has not issued any restricted stock under the IXC Stock Plan.
All options granted under the IXC Stock Plan were granted at estimated market
value at the date of grant, based on annual appraisals obtained from an
independent party. In the event of a change of control of the Company, the
optionees, immediately following the consummation of such change of control,
fully vest, and the options may be exercised in full to purchase the total
number of shares covered by the option.
Option activity for the two years ended December 31, 1995 was as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NUMBER PRICE
OF SHARES PER SHARE
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Options granted in 1994 and outstanding at
December 31, 1994..................................... 206,113 $3.01
Options granted in 1995................................. 439,767 3.01
------- -----
Options outstanding at December 31, 1995................ 645,880 $3.01
======= =====
Options exercisable at December 31, 1995................ 121,243
=======
Available for grant at December 31, 1995................ 566,570
=======
</TABLE>
During 1993, an indirect subsidiary of IXC issued 1,400 shares of 10%
Senior Series 1 Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (the "ILHI Series 1
Preferred Stock") at $1,000 per share to stockholders of IXC. The ILHI Series 1
Preferred Stock was redeemed on October 6, 1995 from the proceeds of the Senior
Notes, for $1,801,000, including cumulative dividends in arrears and related
interest of $401,000.
F-17
<PAGE> 84
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
7. MAJOR CUSTOMERS
Long-haul services are provided to domestic common carriers under long-term
contractual arrangements. Sales to certain customers exceeded 10% of total
revenues for each of the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995. The
percentages of revenue represented by these customers are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1993 1994 1995
---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C>
WorldCom, Inc........................................... 23% 25% 20%
Frontier Communications................................. 24% 23% 21%
</TABLE>
Trade receivables are primarily due from a limited customer base including
these major customers. Although the Company has a concentration of credit risk,
the Company has not experienced significant collection losses from these
respective customers. Additionally, the Company bills in advance which further
minimizes any potential losses due to concentration of credit risk.
8. IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-TERM ASSETS
Due to rate reductions in the long-haul business, in 1993 the Company
assessed the estimated future net cash flows expected to be produced by the
digital microwave system property and equipment. As a result, on December 31,
1993, the Company projected it would be unable to recover the recorded values of
such equipment and therefore reduced the carrying value of the digital microwave
system property and equipment by $37,960,000.
9. EMPLOYEE BENEFIT PLANS
The Company has a defined contribution retirement and 401(k) savings plan
which covers all full-time employees with one year of service. The Company
contributes 6% of eligible compensation, as defined in the plan, and matches 50%
of the employee's contributions up to a maximum of 6% of the employee's
compensation. Employees vest in the Company's contribution over five years.
Benefit expense for the years ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was
approximately $394,000, $468,000 and $522,000, respectively.
10. INCOME TAXES
Deferred income taxes reflect the tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components of
the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------
1994 1995
------ ------
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax assets:
Tax credit carryforwards................................. $1,764 $2,411
Net operating loss carryforwards......................... -- 2,489
Accrued expenses......................................... 1,768 908
Other.................................................... 929 1,286
------ ------
4,461 7,094
Deferred tax liabilities:
Tax over book depreciation............................... 6,978 8,384
Other liability accruals................................. 5,062 5,090
Other.................................................... 2,121 1,473
------ ------
14,161 14,947
------ ------
Net deferred tax liability................................. $9,700 $7,853
====== ======
</TABLE>
F-18
<PAGE> 85
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 1995, the Company has net operating loss carryforwards of
approximately $7,775,000 for income tax purposes that will expire in 2010. The
Company has minimum tax and investment tax credit carryforwards at December 31,
1995 of approximately $1,721,000 and $690,000, respectively. The minimum tax
credits can be carried forward indefinitely and the investment tax credits
expire in 2001.
A valuation allowance was not provided for deferred tax assets at December
31, 1993, 1994 or 1995.
Significant components of the provision (benefit) for income taxes
(excluding the effect attributable to extraordinary items) are as follows (in
thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal..................................... $ 561 $1,188 $ (381)
State....................................... 432 404 --
-------- ------ -------
Total current................................. 993 1,592 (381)
Deferred:
Federal..................................... (19,121) 1,131 (1,144)
State....................................... (3,849) 434 (168)
-------- ------ -------
Total deferred................................ (22,970) 1,565 (1,312)
-------- ------ -------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.......... $(21,977) $3,157 $(1,693)
======== ====== =======
</TABLE>
The reconciliation of income tax expense (benefit) attributable to
continuing operations (excluding the effect attributable to extraordinary items)
computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rates to income tax expense (benefit)
is as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31,
-------------------------------
1993 1994 1995
-------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Tax provision (benefit) at federal statutory
rates....................................... $(18,288) $2,780 $(1,670)
State income tax provision (benefit) net of
federal effect.............................. (3,141) 432 (302)
Permanent and other differences............... (548) (55) 279
--------- ------ -------
Provision (benefit) for income taxes.......... $(21,977) $3,157 $(1,693)
========= ====== =======
</TABLE>
11. EXCHANGE AGREEMENTS
During 1993, IXC entered into long-term contracts with a common carrier
which provides IXC with capacity on the carrier's nationwide fiber optic
communications system. For this capacity, the Company paid $2,000,000 and
provided the common carrier with access to and use of certain regional fiber
optic communication systems. The $2,000,000 paid and related costs incurred in
connection with the contract have been deferred and are being recognized over
the five-year term of the contract. Accumulated amortization relating to the
contract costs as of December 31, 1994 and 1995 was $648,000 and $1,058,000,
respectively.
In the normal course of business, IXC enters into long-term facilities
exchange agreements with other carriers to exchange capacity on the carrier's
network for access to the Company's regional fiber optic communication systems.
These exchanges are accounted for at fair value (see Note 2). These exchange
agreements accounted for noncash revenue and expense (in equal amounts) of
$3,743,000, $7,980,000 and $13,839,000 for 1993, 1994 and 1995.
F-19
<PAGE> 86
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
12. RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
A law firm, of which a director and stockholder of the Company was a
principal, provided certain legal services to the Company and received fees from
the Company in the amount of approximately $1.1 million in 1993, $1.4 million in
1994 and $2.6 million in 1995.
13. FAIR VALUE OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
The following methods and assumptions were used by the Company in
estimating its fair value disclosures for financial instruments:
Cash and cash equivalents: The carrying amount reported in the balance
sheets for cash and cash equivalents approximates fair value.
Accounts receivable and accounts payable: The carrying amounts reported in
the balance sheets for accounts receivable and accounts payable approximate
fair value.
Restricted short-term investments: The carrying amount reported in the
balance sheets for restricted short-term investments held in escrow
approximates fair value.
Long-term debt: The fair value of the Senior Notes has not been determined
due to the impracticability of such a calculation based on the limited
market of the privately issued notes and the lack of an actively quoted
price.
14. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
On September 1, 1994, IXC entered into an agreement with a common carrier
to purchase dedicated digital telecommunication services, superseding all prior
agreements. Under the terms of the agreement, IXC is required to purchase
services with remaining monthly minimum commitments of $500,000 through March
1998. Upon IXC paying a total of $22,548,000 for service subsequent to the
September 1, 1994 agreement, the minimum commitments under this agreement will
be canceled. Actual expenses under this and previous agreements for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 were $11,996,000, $12,552,000 and
$11,353,000, respectively.
In June 1995, IXC entered into a three-year agreement with a common carrier
to purchase communication services, under which, by April 1996, the Company is
required to purchase a monthly minimum of $350,000 in services. Actual expenses
under this agreement for the year ended December 31, 1995 were $1,471,000.
The Company plans to substantially expand its network beginning in 1996 to
include a coast-to-coast fiber optic system. In order to achieve this objective,
in November 1995, IXC entered into an agreement with a contractor to perform
construction and installation of fiber optic cable from Fort Worth, Texas to
Abilene, Texas. The approximate length of this project is 160 miles. The total
commitment under this agreement is approximately $6,487,000. As of December 31,
1995, no capital expenditures had yet been made under this agreement.
In January 1996, IXC also entered into an agreement with a supplier to
purchase fiber optic cable equipment to be used in the network expansion. Under
this agreement, the Company has a commitment to purchase a minimum number of
fiber kilometers during an initial three-year term, for a total commitment of
$32,000,000. In the event that IXC orders an amount of fiber less than the
commitment amount during the term of this agreement, the supplier may elect to
charge the Company the aggregate difference between the amount which would have
been billed to the Company for fiber based upon the commitment amount and the
amount actually billed to the Company. This agreement will automatically be
renewed for a period of one year unless one party has given the other party
notice at least 60 days in advance of such renewal that it elects to terminate
this agreement. As of December 31, 1995 no fiber purchases had been made under
this agreement.
F-20
<PAGE> 87
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
In December 1995, IXC entered into a long-term indefeasible right to use
("IRU") agreement with a common carrier in which the Company will realize
significant cost savings to the cost of the planned fiber expansion. Under the
IRU, both parties will construct a fiber optic communications system and will
grant unrestricted rights to each other to use certain fiber on each others'
constructed communications systems. The scheduled completion date of all
construction, installation and fiber acceptance testing of each system is
October 1, 1996. The agreement provides for substantial penalties ($400,000 per
month) for either party which does not complete construction of the applicable
route by October 1, 1996, but only after a grace period and only in the event
the other party has already completed its route. The initial term of this
agreement is 20 years from July 1, 1997. The agreement may be renewed for two
terms of 10 years each. The agreement states that beginning at the end of the
first full calendar quarter after the final construction acceptance date, each
party shall pay the other a usage fee during the term in an annual amount of
$2.0 million payable in four equal installments at the end of each calendar
quarter.
The Company is involved in various legal proceedings, all of which have
arisen in the ordinary course of business and some of which are covered by
insurance. In the opinion of the Company's management, none of the claims
relating to such proceedings will have material adverse effect on the financial
condition or results of operations of the Company.
15. VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
Activity in the Company's allowance for doubtful accounts for the years
ended December 31, 1993, 1994 and 1995 was as follows (in thousands):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
BALANCE AT CHARGED TO BALANCE
BEGINNING COSTS AND AT END OF
FOR THE YEARS ENDED OF PERIOD EXPENSES DEDUCTIONS PERIOD
--------------------------------------- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
December 31, 1993...................... $1,024 $ 447 $1,042 $ 429
December 31, 1994...................... $ 429 $1,565 $1,232 $ 762
December 31, 1995...................... $ 762 $1,505 $ 498 $ 1,769
</TABLE>
F-21
<PAGE> 88
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES
IXC conducts a significant portion of its business through subsidiaries.
The Senior Notes are unconditionally guaranteed, jointly and severally, by all
of IXC's wholly-owned direct and indirect subsidiaries except for SSC (the
"Subsidiary Guarantors"). The obligations of each Guarantor are limited to the
minimum extent necessary to prevent the guarantee from violating or becoming
voidable under applicable law relating to fraudulent conveyance or fraudulent
transfer or similar laws affecting the rights of creditors generally. IXC's
subsidiaries that were not wholly-owned at the time the Senior Notes were
issued, do not guarantee the Senior Notes (the "Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries").
The claims of creditors of Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries have priority over the
rights of IXC to receive dividends or distributions from such subsidiaries.
Presented below is condensed consolidating financial information for IXC,
the Subsidiary Guarantors and the Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries as of and for the
fiscal years ended December 31, 1994 and 1995 and the quarter ended March 31,
1996 (unaudited). All of the non-guarantor subsidiaries were acquired or formed
in 1994. Accordingly, the Company's audited consolidated financial statements
prior to January 1, 1994 do not include any direct or indirect consolidated
subsidiaries which are not guarantors. As a result, the aggregate net assets,
earnings and equity of IXC and the Subsidiary Guarantors for the year ended 1993
would be equivalent to the aggregate net assets, earnings and equity of the
Company. Accordingly, condensed consolidating financial information for such
periods is not presented.
The equity method has been used by IXC and the Subsidiary Guarantors with
respect to investments in Non-Guarantor Subsidiaries. Separate financial
statements for Subsidiary Guarantors are not presented based on management's
determination that they do not provide additional information that is material
to investors.
The following table sets forth the Guarantor and Non-Guarantor
subsidiaries:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES NON-GUARANTOR SUBSIDIARIES
----------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------
<S> <C>
Tower Communications Systems Corp. Mutual Signal Holding Corporation
West Texas Microwave Company Mutual Signal Corporation
Western States Microwave Transmission Mutual Signal Corporation of Michigan
Company MSM Associates, Limited Partnership
Atlantic States Microwave Transmission Switched Services Communications,
Company L.L.C.
Central States Microwave Transmission Progress International L.L.C.
Company US Advantage Long Distance, Inc.
IXC Carrier, Inc. Marca-Tel S.A. de C.V.
IXC Long Distance, Inc.
Link Net International, Inc.
Rio Grande Transmission, Inc.
Telcom Engineering, Inc.
</TABLE>
F-22
<PAGE> 89
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents....... $ 146 $ 4,619 $ 934 $ 349(a) $ 6,048
Accounts receivable and other,
net........................... 10 3,674 529 (497)(e) 3,716
Other current assets............ 187 845 124 -- 1,156
-------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total current assets.............. 343 9,138 1,587 (148) 10,920
Property and equipment, net....... -- 74,508 14,547 (190)(d) 88,865
Prepaid contract costs............ -- 1,399 -- -- 1,399
Due from affiliate................ 4,091 3,809 -- (7,900)(e) --
Other assets...................... 20,718 3,873 2,248 (22,614)(b) 4,225
-------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total assets...................... $ 25,152 $ 92,727 $18,382 $(30,852) $105,409
======== ======== ======= ======== ========
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued
interest and other current
liabilities................... $ 134 $ 7,378 $ 815 $ (46)(a)(e) $ 8,281
Due to affiliate................ 3,800 283 114 (4,197)(e) --
Current portion of long-term
debt and lease obligations.... -- 17,035 1,503 -- 18,538
-------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total current liabilities......... 3,934 24,696 2,432 (4,243) 26,819
Long-term debt and lease
obligations, less current
portion......................... 7,029 32,651 14,017 (3,111)(e) 50,586
Net deferred tax liability........ -- 11,458 -- (1,640)(e) 9,818
Other noncurrent liabilities...... -- 2,429 1,332 (1,332)(e) 2,429
Minority interest................. -- -- -- 168(c) 168
Preferred stock of consolidated
subsidiary held by minority
interests....................... -- 1,400 -- -- 1,400
Stockholders' equity:
Common stock.................... 243 3 1 (4)(b) 243
Preferred stock................. 1,473 -- 1 (1)(b) 1,473
Additional paid-in capital...... 29,430 39,760 500 (40,260)(b) 29,430
Retained earnings (accumulated
deficit)...................... (16,957) (19,670) 99 19,571(b)(c)(d)(e) (16,957)
-------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total stockholders' equity........ 14,189 20,093 601 (20,694) 14,189
-------- -------- ------- -------- --------
Total liabilities and
stockholders'
equity...................... $ 25,152 $ 92,727 $18,382 $(30,852) $105,409
======== ======== ======= ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany settlements in transit.
(b) Eliminations of investments in consolidated subsidiaries
(c) Recording of minority interest in equity operations.
(d) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
(e) Eliminations of intercompany receivables and lease obligations.
F-23
<PAGE> 90
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
------ ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues............ $ -- $ 78,448 $ 3,410 $ (1,195)(a) $ 80,663
Operating expenses:
Cost of services................ -- 33,848 810 (762)(a)(b) 33,896
Operations and administration... 570 19,336 898 (243)(a) 20,561
Depreciation and amortization... 32 11,166 923 -- 12,121
------ ------- ------ ------- -------
(602) 14,098 779 (190) 14,085
Interest income................... 139 194 8 (130)(a) 211
Interest expense.................. (653) (5,141) (441) 130(a) (6,105)
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries..... 7,864 83 -- (8,041)(c) (94)
------ ------- ------ ------- -------
Income (loss) before provision
(benefit) for income taxes and
minority interest in net loss of
subsidiaries.................... 6,748 9,234 346 (8,231) 8,097
Benefit (provision) for income
taxes........................... 567 (3,477) (247) -- (3,157)
Minority interest................. -- -- -- 77(d) 77
------ ------- ------ ------- -------
Income before extraordinary
item............................ 7,315 5,757 99 (8,154) 5,017
Extraordinary gain, net........... -- 2,298 -- -- 2,298
------ ------- ------ ------- -------
Net income................... $7,315 $ 8,055 $ 99 $ (8,154) $ 7,315
====== ======= ====== ======= =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany administration services, communication services
and interest charges.
(b) Eliminations of capitalized intercompany labor.
(c) Eliminations of equity (income) loss from consolidated subsidiaries.
(d) Recording of minority interest in equity or earnings loss of non-guarantor
subsidiaries.
F-24
<PAGE> 91
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1994
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities......... $(1,262) $ 9,935 $ 1,199 $ 3,660(a)(b)(c) $ 13,532
Cash flows from investing
activities
Purchase of property and
equipment.................... -- (3,545) (3,732) 190(b) (7,087)
Sale of property and
equipment.................... -- 235 -- -- 235
Payments for businesses
acquired, net of cash
received..................... -- -- (11,976) -- (11,976)
------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities......... -- (3,310) (15,708) 190 (18,828)
Cash flows from financing
activities
Payments from (advances to)
affiliates, net.............. 1,411 (1,525) 114 -- --
Proceeds from long-term debt... -- 229 15,770 (3,000)(a) 12,999
Payments on long-term debt and
lease obligations............ -- (7,331) (506) -- (7,837)
Payments from escrow........... -- 1,500 -- -- 1,500
Payments of debt issue costs... (139) (976) (436) -- (1,551)
Capital contribution in
subsidiary by minority
shareholders................. -- -- 500 (500)(c) --
Issuance of common stock....... 3 -- 1 (1)(c) 3
------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities......... 1,275 (8,103) 15,443 (3,501) 5,114
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents......... 13 (1,478) 934 349 (182)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period.......... 133 6,097 -- -- 6,230
------- ------- -------- ------- -------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period................ $ 146 $ 4,619 $ 934 $ 349 $ 6,048
======= ======= ======== ======= =======
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany receivables, debt and lease obligations.
(b) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
(c) Eliminations of intercompany capital contribution.
F-25
<PAGE> 92
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents........... $ 1,418 $ 3,332 $ 1,742 $ 423(a) $ 6,915
Accounts receivable and
other, net............ -- 6,717 1,148 (2,328)(e) 6,319
Other current assets..... 6,565 4,481 358 (7,807)(e) 2,815
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total current assets....... 7,983 14,530 3,248 (9,712) 16,049
Property and equipment,
net...................... -- 76,804 29,910 (315)(d) 106,399
Prepaid contract costs..... -- 989 -- -- 989
Escrow under Senior
Notes.................... 198,266 -- -- -- 198,266
Due from affiliate......... 74,604 3,351 568 (78,523)(e) --
Other assets............... 12,997 15,959 4,191 (18,375)(b) 14,772
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total assets............... $293,850 $111,633 $ 37,917 $ (106,925) $336,475
======== ======== ========= ========== ========
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued
interest and other
current liabilities... $ 8,984 $ 13,922 $ 2,720 $ (4,528)(a)(e) $ 21,098
Due to affiliate......... 258 6,458 1,832 (8,548)(e) --
Current portion of
long-term debt and
lease obligations..... -- 1,511 3,023 -- 4,534
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total current
liabilities.............. 9,242 21,891 7,575 (13,076) 25,632
Long-term debt and lease
obligations, less current
portion.................. 277,238 3,207 17,215 (3,400)(e) 294,260
Net noncurrent deferred tax
liability................ 222 10,997 -- (2,916)(e) 8,303
Due to affiliate/parent.... -- 70,384 3,878 (74,262)(e) --
Other noncurrent
liabilities.............. -- 469 -- -- 469
Minority interest.......... -- 1 -- 952(c) 953
Preferred stock of
consolidated subsidiary
held by minority
interests................ -- -- -- -- --
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock.......... 13 -- -- -- 13
Common stock............. 243 3 1 (4)(b) 243
Additional paid-in
capital............... 29,430 30,051 20,750 (50,801)(b) 29,430
Retained earnings
(accumulated
deficit).............. (22,538) (25,370) (11,502) 36,582(b)(c)(d)(e) (22,828)
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total stockholders'
equity................... 7,148 4,684 9,249 (14,223) 6,858
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total liabilities
and stockholders'
equity.......... $293,850 $111,633 $ 37,917 $ (106,925) $336,475
======== ======== ========= ========== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany settlements in transit.
(b) Eliminations of investments in consolidated subsidiaries
(c) Recording of minority interest in equity operations.
(d) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
(e) Eliminations of intercompany receivables, and lease obligations.
F-26
<PAGE> 93
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1995
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues.......... $ 404 $ 89,339 $ 12,155 $(10,897)(a) $ 91,001
Operating expenses:
Cost of services.............. -- 38,950 10,075 (9,173)(a)(b) 39,852
Operations and
administration............. 1,116 26,155 6,322 (1,311)(a) 32,282
Depreciation and
amortization............... 57 12,728 4,653 -- 17,438
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
(769) 11,506 (8,895) (413) 1,429
Interest income................. 3,766 399 67 (3,764)(a) 468
Interest income on escrow under
Senior Notes.................. 2,552 -- -- -- 2,552
Interest expense................ (10,982) (5,838) (1,541) 3,764(a) (14,597)
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries... (1,185) (7,678) -- 8,882(c) 19
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before provision
(benefit) for income taxes and
minority interest in net loss
of subsidiaries............... (6,618) (1,611) (10,369) 8,469 (10,129)
Benefit (provision) for income
taxes......................... 2,246 546 (1,099) -- 1,693
Minority interest............... -- -- -- 5,218(d) 5,218
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items........... (4,372) (1,065) (11,468) 13,687 (3,218)
Extraordinary gain, net......... (304) (1,309) (134) -- (1,747)
-------- ------- -------- -------- --------
Net income...................... $ (4,676) $ (2,374) $ (11,602) $ 13,687 $ (4,965)
======== ======= ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany administration services, communication services
and interest charges.
(b) Eliminations of capitalized intercompany labor.
(c) Eliminations of equity (income) loss from consolidated subsidiaries.
(d) Recording of minority interest in equity or earnings loss of non-guarantor
subsidiaries.
F-27
<PAGE> 94
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
DECEMBER 31, 1995
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR IXC
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
--------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities........... $ (10,876) $ 24,272 $(8,333) $ 3,992(a)(b) $ 9,055
Cash flows from investing
activities
Release of funds from escrow
under Senior Notes............. 4,300 -- -- -- 4,300
Purchase of restricted short-term
investments.................... (200,000) -- -- -- (200,000)
Purchase of property and
equipment...................... -- (14,282) (9,565) 177(b) (23,670)
--------- -------- ------- -------- ----------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities........... (195,700) (14,282) (9,565) 177 (219,370)
Cash flow from financing
activities
Net proceeds from issuance of
Senior Notes, net of
discount....................... 277,148 -- -- -- 277,148
Capital contributions in
subsidiary by minority
shareholders................... -- (14,248) 20,250 -- 6,002
Payments from (advances to)
affiliates, net................ (50,827) 50,827 -- -- --
Proceeds from long-term debt..... -- 17,150 1,545 -- 18,695
Payments on long-term debt and
lease obligations.............. (5,700) (63,606) (3,089) (4,095)(a) (76,490)
Payments of debt issue costs..... (10,407) -- -- -- (10,407)
Redemption of preferred stock.... (1,460) (1,400) -- -- (2,860)
Payments of preferred stock
dividends...................... (906) -- -- -- (906)
--------- -------- ------- -------- ---------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities........... 207,848 (11,277) 18,706 (4,095) 211,182
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents........... 1,272 (1,287) 808 74 867
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period............ 146 4,619 934 349 6,048
--------- -------- ------- -------- ----------
Cash and cash equivalents at end
of period...................... $ 1,418 $ 3,332 $ 1,742 $ 423 $ 6,915
========= ======== ======= ======== ==========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany receivables, debt and lease obligations.
(b) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
F-28
<PAGE> 95
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, 1996
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Current assets:
Cash and cash
equivalents............. $ 2,505 $ 1,113 $ 1,031 $ 843(a) $ 5,492
Accounts receivable and
other, net.............. -- 9,118 2,623 (4,770)(e) 6,971
Other current assets....... 2,430 4,781 576 (5,267)(e) 2,520
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total current assets......... 4,935 15,012 4,230 (9,194) 14,983
Property and equipment,
net........................ 1 83,321 39,154 (314)(d) 122,162
Escrow under Senior Notes.... 187,584 -- -- -- 187,584
Due from affiliate........... 91,914 3,095 -- (95,009)(e) --
Other assets................. 7,167 24,601 10,276 (20,306)(b) 21,738
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total assets................. $291,601 $126,029 $ 53,660 $ (124,823) $346,467
======== ======== ========= ========== ========
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable, accrued
interest and other
current liabilities..... $ 18,216 $ 16,342 $ 4,765 $ (7,296)(a)(e) $ 32,027
Due to affiliate........... 436 228 1,696 (2,360)(e) --
Current portion of
long-term debt and lease
obligations............. -- 9,207 3,087 (1,868)(e) 10,426
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total current liabilities.... 18,652 25,777 9,548 (11,524) 42,453
Long-term debt and lease
obligations, less current
portion.................... 277,336 3,270 20,299 -- 300,905
Net noncurrent deferred tax
liability.................. -- 9,791 -- (2,842)(e) 6,949
Due to affiliate/parent...... -- 88,438 6,571 (95,009)(e) --
Other noncurrent
liabilities................ -- 621 707 (707)(e) 621
Minority interest............ -- -- -- 380(c) 380
Stockholders' equity:
Preferred stock............ 13 -- 2,584 (2,584)(b) 13
Common stock............... 243 3 1 (4)(b) 243
Additional paid-in
capital................. 29,430 30,052 32,249 (62,301)(b) 29,430
Retained earnings
(accumulated deficit)... (34,073) (31,923) (18,299) 49,768(b)(c)(d)(e) (34,527)
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total stockholders' equity
(deficit).................. (4,387) (1,868) 16,535 (15,121) (4,841)
-------- -------- --------- ---------- --------
Total liabilities
and stockholders'
equity........... $291,601 $126,029 $ 53,660 $ (124,823) $346,467
======== ======== ========= ========== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany settlements in transit.
(b) Eliminations of investments in consolidated subsidiaries
(c) Recording of minority interest in equity operations.
(d) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
(e) Eliminations of intercompany receivables, and lease obligations.
F-29
<PAGE> 96
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, 1996
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net operating revenues.......... $ -- $ 27,853 $ 5,246 $ (6,849)(a) $ 26,250
Operating expenses:
Cost of services.............. -- 14,635 7,452 (6,487)(a)(b) 15,600
Operations and
administration............. 834 7,984 1,797 (198)(a) 10,417
Depreciation and
amortization............... 14 3,793 2,203 -- 6,010
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
(848) 1,441 (6,206) (164) (5,777)
Interest income................. 2,327 197 30 (2,428)(a) 126
Interest income on escrow under
Senior Notes.................. 2,557 -- -- -- 2,557
Interest expense................ (9,623) (2,098) (577) 2,428(a) (9,870)
Equity in net income (loss) of
unconsolidated subsidiaries... (6,553) (6,895) -- 13,443(c) (5)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before provision
(benefit) for income taxes and
minority interest in net loss
of subsidiaries............... (12,140) (7,355) (6,753) 13,279 (12,969)
Benefit (provision) for income
taxes......................... 605 802 (44) -- 1,363
Minority interest............... -- -- -- (93)(d) (93)
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income (loss) before
extraordinary items........... $(11,535) $ (6,553) $ (6,797) $ 13,186 $(11,699)
======== ======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany administration services, communication services
and interest charges.
(b) Eliminations of capitalized intercompany labor.
(c) Eliminations of equity (income) loss from consolidated subsidiaries.
(d) Recording of minority interest in equity or earnings loss of non-guarantor
subsidiaries.
F-30
<PAGE> 97
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
16. FINANCIAL INFORMATION FOR SUBSIDIARY GUARANTORS AND NON-GUARANTOR
SUBSIDIARIES (CONTINUED)
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31, 1996
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
SUBSIDIARY NON-GUARANTOR IXC
IXC GUARANTORS SUBSIDIARIES ELIMINATIONS CONSOLIDATED
-------- ---------- ------------- ------------ ------------
(DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net cash provided by (used in)
operating activities......... $ 3,934 $ 4,338 $(4,752) $ (3,074)(a)(b) $ 446
Investing activities
Release of funds from escrow
under Senior Notes........... 13,225 -- -- -- 13,225
Purchase of restricted
short-term
investments.................. -- -- -- -- --
Purchase of property and
equipment.................... (1) (10,092) (3,731) 260(b) (13,564)
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
investing activities......... 13,224 (10,092) (3,731) 260 (339)
Financing activities
Payments from (advances to)
affiliates, net.............. (15,900) 7,400 8,500 -- --
Payments on long-term debt and
lease obligations............ -- (3,865) (728) 3,234(a) (1,359)
Payments of debt issue costs... (171) -- -- -- (171)
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Net cash provided by (used in)
financing activities......... (16,071) 3,535 7,772 3,234 (1,530)
Net increase (decrease) in cash
and cash equivalents......... 1,087 (2,219) (711) 420 (1,423)
Cash and cash equivalents at
beginning of period.......... 1,418 3,332 1,742 423 6,915
-------- -------- ------- ------- --------
Cash and cash equivalents at
end of period................ $ 2,505 $ 1,113 $ 1,031 $ 843 $ 5,492
======== ======== ======= ======= ========
</TABLE>
- ---------------
(a) Eliminations of intercompany receivables, debt and lease obligations.
(b) Eliminations of intercompany capitalized labor.
F-31
<PAGE> 98
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
17. UNAUDITED INTERIM CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies
The interim financial data as of March 31, 1996 and for the three month
periods ended March 31, 1995 and 1996 is unaudited. The information reflects all
adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, that, in the
opinion of management, are necessary to present fairly the financial position
and results of operations of the Company for the periods indicated. Results of
operations for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of the results
of operations for the full year.
As of January 1, 1996, the Company adopted FASB Statement No. 121,
Accounting for Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to be
Disposed Of. The adoption had no effect on the results of operations of the
Company.
Acquisition of Minority Interest in SSC
Effective January 1, 1996, IXC Long Distance, Inc. entered into an
agreement with Excel to acquire its minority interest in SSC for $6.25 million.
The purchase price was paid by the issuance of a non-interest bearing promissory
note due in monthly installments over six months. The acquisition was accounted
for as a purchase and the operating results of SSC have been included in the
consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. The purchase
price was allocated based on estimated fair values at the date of acquisition.
The excess of purchase price over assets acquired was $5,583,000 and is being
amortized on a straight-line basis over five years. Pro forma operating results
for the three month period ended March 31, 1995 as if SSC had been acquired as
of January 1, 1995, are as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts):
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
MARCH 31
------------------------
HISTORICAL PRO FORMA
---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating revenues......................... $ 21,766 $21,766
Net income................................. $ 1,267 $ 1,228
Earnings per share......................... $ .03 $ .03
</TABLE>
Income Taxes
The Company has determined that a valuation allowance should be applied
against the net operating loss it expects to incur in 1996. The difference
between the tax benefit recorded for the first quarter of 1996 and the expected
benefit at the federal statutory rate is primarily due to losses incurred by a
subsidiary that provides switched long distance services. The related tax
benefits have not been recognized as a result of uncertainty regarding future
profitability.
Capital and Operating Leases
In March 1996, the Company entered into five-year equipment leases for
network switching equipment for which the lease obligations have a present value
of $7,038,000.
Issuance of Stock Options
During the quarter ended March 31, 1996, the Company granted stock options
covering 429,200 shares of common stock at $3.01 per share under the IXC Stock
Plan.
F-32
<PAGE> 99
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
18. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
From January 1, 1996 through June 12, 1996, the Company effected stock
splits resulting in a 2.4249 for 1 split of the Company's common stock (with
fractional shares to be paid in cash). The Company also increased the number of
authorized shares of its common stock to 100,000,000 and the number of
authorized shares of its preferred stock to 3,000,000. The accompanying
financial statements have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the stock
splits and the increase in authorized shares.
On May 14, 1996, the Board of Directors adopted, and on June 6, 1996
stockholders approved, the IXC Communications, Inc. 1996 Stock Plan (the "1996
Stock Plan"), a stock incentive plan covering 2,121,787 shares of common stock.
Awards under the 1996 Stock Plan are given at the discretion of the Board of
Directors and include common stock options with exercise prices at least equal
to the fair market value at the date of grant.
Additionally on May 14, 1996 the Board of Directors adopted the IXC
Communications, Inc. Outside Directors' Phantom Stock Plan (the "Directors'
Plan"), pursuant to which $20,000 per director per year of outside director's
fees are deferred and treated as if it were invested in shares of the Company's
common stock. No shares of common stock will be actually purchased and the
participants will receive cash benefits equal to the value of the shares that
they are deemed to have purchased under the Directors' Plan, with such value to
be determined on the date of distribution. Distribution of benefits generally
will occur three years after the deferral. Compensation expense will be
determined based on increases in the market price of the number of shares deemed
to have been purchased and will be charged to expense over the related period.
On June 6, 1996 the stockholders approved the Directors' Plan.
F-33
<PAGE> 100
[IXC LOGO]
IXC COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
