CITIZENS UTILITIES CO
424B5, 1996-06-10
ELECTRIC & OTHER SERVICES COMBINED
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PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
(To Prospectus Dated March 28, 1994)
                                $100,000,000


                             [CITIZENS LOGO]
                          6.80% Debentures Due 2026

                 Interest payable February 15 and  August 15


The Offered  Debentures may not be redeemed prior to maturity by the Company and
do not provide for any sinking fund.  The Offered  Debentures  are redeemable at
the option of the holder on August 15, 2003 at 100% of the principal amount plus
accrued  interest.  The Offered  Debentures will be represented by a global
debenture  registered in the name of a nominee of The Depositary Trust Company,
New York, New York, as   Depositary    (the "Depositary").
Beneficial interests  in the Offered Debentures will be shown on, and transfers
thereof will be effected only through, records maintained by the Depositary and 
its participants.  Except as described in the accompanying Prospectus, Offered
Debentures in certificate form will not be issued in exchange for the global 
debenture.


   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 SUPPLEMENT OR THE
                   PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE
                      CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

          PRICE 99.818% AND ACCRUED INTEREST, IF ANY
                                               Underwriting
                          Price to            Discounts and         Proceeds to
                          Public(1)          Commissions(2)        Company(1)(3)



Per Debenture              99.818%                .625%               99.193%

Total                   $99,818,000            $625,000            $99,193,000

(1)      Plus accrued interest, if any, from June 11, 1996 to date of delivery.
(2)      The Company has agreed to indemnify  the  Underwriter  against  certain
         liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.
(3)      Before deducting expenses payable by the Company estimated to be
         $60,000.



         The  Offered  Debentures  offered  by this  Prospectus  Supplement  are
offered by the Underwriter  subject to prior sale,  withdrawal,  cancellation or
modification of the offer without  notice,  to delivery to and acceptance by the
Underwriter and to certain further  conditions.  It is expected that delivery of
the  Offered  Debentures  will be made on or about June 11,  1996,  through  the
book-entry facilities of the Depositary, against payment therefor in immediately
available funds.

MORGAN STANLEY & CO. (Incorporated)
LEHMAN BROTHERS
CHASE SECURITIES INC.

June 6, 1996





<PAGE>



        IN CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING,  THE  UNDERWRITERS  MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT  TRANSACTIONS  WHICH  STABILIZE  OR  MAINTAIN  THE  MARKET  PRICE  OF THE
DEBENTURES OFFERED HEREBY AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE PREVAIL IN
THE OPEN MARKET.  SUCH  STABILIZING,  IF COMMENCED,  MAY BE  DISCONTINUED AT ANY
TIME.

                           AVAILABLE INFORMATION


         The  Company  is  subject  to  the  informational  requirements  of the
Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 ("1934 Act") and in accordance  therewith files
reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC"). Such reports, proxy statements and other information can
be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the SEC
at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,  Washington,  D.C. 20549, and at its regional offices
at Northwestern  Atrium Center,  Suite 1400, 500 West Madison  Street,  Chicago,
Illinois  60661 and Suite 1300, 7 World Trade Center,  New York, New York 10048.
Copies of such material can also be obtained from the Public  Reference  Section
of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street,  N.W.,  Washington,  D. C. 20549,  at prescribed
rates.  Certain  securities  of the  Company  are  listed on the New York  Stock
Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005, and reports, proxy material
and other  information  concerning the Company may be inspected at the office of
that Exchange.

     INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCEN OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY 
                                 REFERENCE

         The following  documents  filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
the 1934 Act are incorporated into this Prospectus Supplement and the Prospectus
by reference:

         The Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the year ended  December
31, 1995.

         The Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March
31, 1996.

         The  Company's  Current  Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 29, and May
28, 1996.

         The Company  hereby  undertakes  to provide,  without  charge,  to each
person to whom a copy of this Prospectus  Supplement is delivered,  upon written
or oral request of such person,  a copy of any or all of the documents  referred
to above which have been or may be  incorporated by reference in this Prospectus
Supplement,  other than exhibits to such documents not specifically incorporated
by reference  herein.  Requests for such copies  should be directed to Office of
the  Treasurer,  Citizens  Utilities  Company,  High Ridge  Park,  Bldg.  No. 3,
Stamford, Connecticut 06905 (telephone 203-329-8800).



<PAGE>





                      Consolidated Summary Financial Information
          (In millions, except percentages, ratios and per-share amounts)



                               Twelve Months
                                  Ended
                               March 31, 1996         Year Ended December 31,
                           ---------------------      ----------------------   
                             Pro Forma (1)  Actual     1995    1994     1993
                              ----------     ------     ----    ----     ----   
INCOME STATEMENT DATA
- ---------------------
Revenues                       $1,198        $1,131   $1,069    $906     $613

Net Income                       $176          $164     $160    $144     $126

Earnings Per Share of Common 
Stock Series A and Series B (2)  $.79          $.74     $.72    $.71     $.63

Ratio of Earnings to Fixed
Charges(3)                        4.0           3.5      3.4     3.7      5.3



                                                        As at December 31,
                                                        ------------------   
                      As at March 31, 1996        1995        1994        1993
                       --------------------        ----        ----        ---- 
CAPITALIZATION DATA
- -------------------

Long-Term Debt                 $1,194             $1,187        $994       $548

Equity (4)                     $1,785             $1,560      $1,157       $974
                                             

Long-Term Debt to Long-Term
   Debt and Equity        
                                   40%                43%         46%        36%


                                                                             
 (1) Combined  Citizens' financial  results  with the  financial  results of the
 ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties  assuming the  acquisitions  and related
 permanent  financings were effective on April 1, 1995.  These amounts should be
 read in conjunction  with the Pro Forma  Statements of Income beginning on page
 S-8 of this Prospectus  Supplement.  The Pro Forma Income Statement Data is not
 necessarily indicative of what the actual financial results would have been for
 the period had the  transactions  occurred on the date  indicated  and does not
 purport to indicate the financial results of future periods. The acquisition of
 the GTE Telephone  Properties  described in the  accompanying  Prospectus  were
 completed  by December  31, 1994 and are in  Citizens'  financial  results from
 their dates of acquisition.

(2) Common  Stock  Series A and Series B per-share  amounts  have been  adjusted
    retroactively  for subsequent stock dividends and stock splits through 
    March 31,1996. No adjustment  has been made for Citizens' 1.6% 1996 second 
    quarter stock dividend, as this adjustment is immaterial.

(3) "Earnings" consist of income before income taxes plus fixed charges."A Fixed
    Charges" consist of interest  charges and an amount  representing the
    interest
    factor included in rentals.

(4) Includes   shareholders=  equity  and  Company  Obligated  Mandatorily
    Redeemable  Convertible  Preferred Securities.


<PAGE>


                          CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY

         Citizens   Utilities   Company  (the  "Company"  or  "Citizens")  is  a
diversified  operating  company  which  provides,  either  directly  or  through
subsidiaries,  telecommunications,  natural gas transmission  and  distribution,
electric  distribution,  water or  wastewater  services to customers in areas of
twenty states.  Divisions of Citizens provide electric  distribution and natural
gas transmission and distribution  public utility  services,  purchasing most of
the electric  power needed and all gas supplies.  Telecommunications,  water and
wastewater  services  are  provided  either by  divisions  of Citizens or by its
subsidiaries.  Citizens  holds a significant  investment  interest in Centennial
Cellular Corp., a cellular telephone company, and owns Electric Lightwave, Inc.,
an alternative  telecommunications  service  provider  operating in five western
states,  and  Citizens  Long  Distance.  Beginning  with 1945,  the  Company has
increased  its  revenues,  net income and  earnings  per share (as  adjusted for
subsequent stock dividends and stock splits) every year without interruption.

         The Company,  with  administrative  offices at High Ridge Park,  Bldg.
No. 3, Stamford, Connecticut 06905 (telephone 203-329-8800), was incorporated in
Delaware  in  1935  to  acquire  the  assets  and  business  of  a   predecessor
corporation.  Since then, the Company has grown as a result of investment in its
own  operations  and the  acquisition of numerous  additional  operations.

     As a result of its  diversification,  the Company is not dependent upon any
single geographic area or any one type of service for its revenues.  The Company
is not  aware  of any  other  utility  company  as  fully  diversified  in  both
geographic  areas  served  and  variety  of  services  provided.  The  Company's
operations are conducted principally in small and medium-sized  communities.  No
material part of the Company's business is dependent upon a single customer or a
small group of  customers.  The loss of any single  customer or a small group of
customers  would not have a  materially  adverse  effect upon the  Company.  The
Company's consumer connections have increased from 26,150 in 1945, to 225,389 in
1965, to 610,585 in 1985, and to approximately 1,600,000 as of March 31, 1996.

         The Company  continually  considers and is carrying out expansion 
through acquisitions and joint ventures in the rapidly evolving telecommuni-
cations  and cable  television  industries and in traditional  public utility
and related businesses.

         On  November  29,  1994,  Citizens  and ALLTEL  Corporation  ("ALLTEL")
announced the signing of definitive agreements pursuant to which Citizens agreed
to acquire from ALLTEL at a net purchase  price of $282  million,  approximately
110,000 local telephone access lines and 7,000 cable  television  subscribers in
eight states ("ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties").  In 1995, approximately
93,000 local telephone  access lines and  approximately  7,000 cable  television
subscribers were transferred to the Company. On March 31, 1996, the remainder of
the local telephone access lines were transferred to the Company.

<PAGE>



                           APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS

         The net proceeds from the sale of the Offered  Debentures  will be used
to repay  outstanding  commercial paper issued to fund capital  expenditures for
the  construction,  extension and  improvement  of the Company's  facilities and
services.

                       RATINGS OF COMPANY SECURITIES

         Standard & Poor's Ratings Group, a division of McGraw-Hill ("Standard &
Poor's"),  and Fitch Investors  Services,  Inc. ("Fitch") have rated the Offered
Debentures "AA+" and Moody's Investors Service,  Inc.  ("Moody's") has rated the
Offered Debentures "Aa3".

         Standard  & Poor's has also rated the  Company's  outstanding  publicly
held  Debentures and  Industrial  Development  Revenue Bonds "AA+";  its Company
Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable  Convertible  Preferred  Securities "AA"; its
commercial  paper "A-1+";  and has ranked the Company's Common Stock "A+". Fitch
has also rated the Company's outstanding publicly held Debentures and Industrial
Development  Revenue Bonds "AA+"; its Company Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable
Convertible Preferred Securities "AA"; and its commercial paper "F-1+".  Moody's
has  assigned  ratings  of  "Aa3" to the  Company's  outstanding  publicly  held
Debentures;  aa3 to its Company  Obligated  Mandatorily  Redeemable  Convertible
Preferred  Securities;  and "P-1" to the Company's commercial paper. Moody's and
Fitch do not rank or rate Common Stock. Each of the commercial paper ratings and
the Common Stock ranking is the highest rating of such rating agency.

         An explanation of the  significance of ratings may be obtained from the
rating agencies.  Generally, rating agencies base their ratings on such material
and information,  and such of their own investigation,  studies and assumptions,
as they deem appropriate.  A credit rating of a security is not a recommendation
to buy,  sell or hold  securities.  There is no  assurance  that any rating will
apply  for any  given  period of time or that a rating  may not be  adjusted  or
withdrawn.

                      CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCING

         The Company carries out a continuous  construction  program to maintain
reliable and safe service and to meet future customer service requirements.  The
Company estimates that expenditures for construction,  extension and improvement
of service  will  require  approximately  $340  million in 1996.  The  Company's
construction  program is under continuous review and may be revised depending on
business and economic  conditions,  regulatory  action,  governmental  mandates,
customer demand and other factors.  Capital  requirements  will be financed from
internally  generated funds, other offered  securities,  the issuance of taxable
and tax-exempt long-term debt,  short-term  borrowings,  customer advances,  and
contributions in aid of construction.

         The Company  maintains  $600 million of committed  bank lines of credit
for general corporate purposes under which there were no amounts  outstanding as
of June 6, 1996.

<PAGE>


                               DESCRIPTION OF OFFERED DEBENTURES

         The  following  description  of the  particular  terms  of the  Offered
Debentures  supplements  the  description of the general terms and provisions of
the  Offered  Debentures  set  forth in the  accompanying  Prospectus  under the
caption  "Description  of Debt Securities -- Debentures and other Unsecured Debt
Securities".

General

         The Offered  Debentures  will be issued under the  Company's  Indenture
with  Chemical  Bank,  as Trustee,  dated August 15, 1991 as  supplemented  by a
Seventh Supplemental  Indenture,  dated as of June 1, 1996, creating the Offered
Debentures  (the  "Indenture").  The  Offered  Debentures  will be issued in the
aggregate  principal amount of $100,000,000 and will bear the designation "6.80%
Debentures Due 2026".  The Offered  Debentures  will bear interest at the annual
rate of 6.80%  payable on  February  15 and  August 15 of each year,  commencing
August  15,  1996,  to the  person  in whose  name the  Offered  Debentures  are
registered at the close of business on the preceding  February 1 or August 1, as
the case may be. The Offered Debentures will mature on August 15, 2026.

         The Offered  Debentures  will not be secured and will rank equally with
any other  indebtedness which is issued under the Indenture and not specifically
subordinated to the Offered  Debentures.  The Offered  Debentures will also rank
equally with the  unsecured  obligations  of the Company  except as noted in the
accompanying Prospectus.

         The  Offered  Debentures  will be held by the owners as  book-entry
securities (see "Description of Debt Securities - Debentures and Other Unsecured
Debt Securities" in the accompanying Prospectus).

Redemption at Option of Holder

         The Offered  Debentures  will not be redeemable by the Company prior to
maturity and do not provide for any sinking  fund.  The Offered  Debentures  are
redeemable,  in  whole or in  part,  at the  option  of the  registered  holders
thereof,  on August 15, 2003 (the "Redemption  Date"), at a price equal to their
principal  amount plus all accrued  interest thereon to the Redemption Date (the
"Redemption  Amount"). If the Redemption Date is not a Business Day, the Company
will pay the  Redemption  Amount  for the  Offered  Debentures  for which it has
received a notice of election on the next succeeding Business Day.

         In order to exercise such an election,  (i) each beneficial  owner must
follow  the  procedures  described  below  if the  Offered  Debentures  are then
represented by a global debenture,  and (ii) each registered holder must deliver
to Chemical  Bank,  at its corporate  trust office in the City of New York,  the
Offered  Debenture(s),  or such portion(s)  thereof,  as to which an election is
being made, together with a duly signed and completed notice of election to have
such Offered Debenture(s),  or such portion(s) thereof, redeemed by the Company.
Such Offered  Debenture(s) and such notice of exercise by the registered  holder
of the

<PAGE>


redemption  option must be delivered  to Chemical  Bank no earlier that June 15,
2003 and no later than July 15,  2003.  Owners of  beneficial  interests  in the
Offered  Debentures who wish to effectuate the redemption and repayment of their
Offered  Debenture,  or a  portion  thereof,  must  give  instructions  to their
respective Depositary participant or participants a reasonable period of time in
advance of July 15, 2003.

         Once made,  the  exercise  of the  redemption  option by a holder of an
Offered Debenture will be irrevocable. Such option may be exercised with respect
to less that the entire principal amount of an Offered  Debenture,  but any such
redemption  in part will be in  increments  of the minimum  denomination  of the
Offered Debentures.

         If an  Offered  Debenture  is then  represented  by a global  debenture
("Global  Debenture"),  the Depositary's  nominee will be the registered  holder
thereof entitled to exercise a right to redemption.  In order to ensure that the
Depositary's  nominee will exercise in a timely manner a right to repayment with
respect to a particular Offered  Debenture,  the beneficial owner of an interest
in such Offered  Debenture  must instruct the broker or other direct or indirect
participant  through  which it holds an interest in such  Offered  Debenture  to
notify the Depositary of its desire to exercise a right to repayment.  Different
firms  have  different  cut-off  times for  accepting  instructions  from  their
customers and, accordingly, each such beneficial owner should consult the broker
or other direct or indirect  participant through which it holds an interest in a
Global  Debenture  in order  to  ascertain  the  cut-off  time by which  such an
instruction  must be given in order for  timely  notice to be  delivered  to the
Depositary.

         All questions, as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of
receipt)  and  acceptance  of any  Offered  Debenture  for  redemption  will  be
determined by the Company, whose determination will be final and binding.

Concerning the Trustee

         Chemical Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture  under which the Offered
Debentures and currently  outstanding  Debentures are issued,  has  periodically
engaged in  transactions  with,  or performed  services  for, the Company in the
ordinary  course  of  business.  Chemical  Bank is also  the  trustee  under  an
indenture   dated  January  15,  1996,  as   supplemented,   pursuant  to  which
$211,756,050  of  principal  amount  of  debentures  issued  to a  wholly  owned
subsidiary of the Company are outstanding. Chemical Bank is also the agent and a
participant   lender  under  the  Company's   committed  bank  lines  of  credit
arrangements, under which no amounts were outstanding as of the date hereof.








<PAGE>


                  PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF INCOME

        Citizens Utilities Company and ALLTEL Telecommunications Properties
               Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income
                (In thousands, except for per-share amounts)

    The  following  Pro Forma  Condensed  Combined  Statement  of Income for the
twelve months ended March 31, 1996 combines the historical  statements of income
of Citizens and the ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties  giving effect to the
acquisitions as if the  acquisitions  and the related  permanent  financings had
been effective on April 1, 1995. The Pro Forma Condensed  Combined  Statement of
Income should be read in conjunction  with the historical  financial  statements
and  related  notes  thereto  of  Citizens.  The Pro  Forma  Condensed  Combined
Statement of Income is not necessarily  indicative of what the actual results of
operations would have been for the period had the  transactions  occurred at the
date indicated and do not purport to indicate the results of future operations.



                                 Twelve Months Ended March 31, 1996
                                 ----------------------------------------------
                                                                 Pro Forma
                                                            -------------------
                                Citizens   ALLTEL(*)(1)  Adjustments  Combined
                                --------   ------------  -----------  --------
 
Revenues                      $1,131,136  $      66,542              $1,197,678
Expenses:
  Operating Expenses             698,302         27,540                 725,842
  Depreciation and Amortization  166,571         13,836  $      400(2)  180,807
                              ----------  -------------  -----------  --------- 
Total Operating Expenses         864,873         41,376         400     906,649

Income from Operations           266,263         25,166        (400)    291,029
                     
Other Income, net                 58,147            925      (3,900)(3)  55,172

Interest Expense                  87,081          3,285      (8,400)(4)  81,966

Income before Income Taxes       237,329         22,806       4,100     264,235 
Income Taxes                      71,588          8,408       3,200 (5)  83,196
                                --------       --------      ---------  --------

Income before Dividends on 
Company Obligated Mandatorily
Redeemable Convertible 
Preferred Securities             165,741         14,398         900     181,039

Dividends on Company Obligated
Mandatorily Redeemable  
Convertible Preferred Securities   1,253              -       4,047(6)    5,300
                                --------         -------      --------  ------- 
Net Income                    $  164,488       $   14,398   $ (3,147) $ 175,739
                              ==========       ==========   ========== ========

Earnings Per Share of Common 
  Stock Series A and
    Series B(**)              $      .74                                $   .79


Weighted Average Common
  Shares(**)                     223,577                                223,577



*     Represents  the  financial  results  from  April 1,  1995 to the  dates of
      acquisition  for  the  ALLTEL  Telecommunications  properties,  net of the
      financial  results  for a  property  transferred  to ALLTEL as part of the
      transactions.   Financial   results  for  the  ALLTEL   Telecommunications
      Properties  from their dates of  acquisition  through March 31, 1996,  are
      included in Citizens=  financial results for the twelve months ended March
      31, 1996.

**    No adjustment  has been made for Citizens=  1.6% 1996 second quarter stock
      dividend,  as this  adjustment is immaterial.

      See Notes to Pro Forma Statements of Income on page S-10.







                   STATEMENTS OF INCOME (continued)

   Citizens Utilities Company and ALLTEL Telecommunications Properties
           Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income
             (In thousands, except for per-share amounts)

         The following Pro Forma Condensed  Combined Statement of Income for the
year ended  December 31, 1995  combines the  historical  statements of income of
Citizens  and the  ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties  giving  effect to the
acquisitions as if the  acquisitions  and the related  permanent  financings had
been effective on January 1, 1995. The Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of
Income should be read in conjunction  with the historical  financial  statements
and  related  notes  thereto  of  Citizens.  The Pro  Forma  Condensed  Combined
Statement of Income is not necessarily  indicative of what the actual results of
operations would have been for the period had the  transactions  occurred at the
date indicated and do not purport to indicate the results of future operations.

                                                Year Ended December 31, 1995
                             -----------------------------------------------
                                                               Pro Forma
                                                       ------------------------ 
                             Citizens    ALLTEL(*)(1)  Adjustments    Combined
                             --------    ------------  -----------    --------
Revenues                   $1,069,032   $      90,039               $1,159,071

Expenses:

  Operating Expenses          655,924          38,654                  694,578
  Depreciation and
    Amortization              158,935          18,680    $    500 (2)  178,115
                            ---------     -----------    -----------  ---------
   Total Operating Expenses   814,859          57,334         500      872,693  
Income from Operations        254,173          32,705        (500)     286,378
                                                                

Other Income, net              59,955           1,087      (5,200) (3)  55,842
Interest Expense               87,775           4,467     (12,300) (4)  79,942  
Income before Income Taxes    226,353          29,325       6,600      262,278  
Income Taxes                   66,817          10,851       4,600 (5)   82,268
                           ----------     ------------    ------------ --------

Income before Dividends on
 Company Obligated Mandatory 
  Redeemable Convertible 
   Preferred Securities       159,536          18,474       2,000      180,010  
Dividends on Company Obligated
 Mandatorily Redeemable
   Convertible Preferred
     Securities                     -               -       5,300 (6)    5,300
                              --------        --------     ----------  --------
Net Income                  $  159,536     $   18,474   $  (3,300)   $ 174,710
                            ==========     ===========  ============  =========

Earnings Per Share of Common 
 Stock Series A and 
   Series B(**)             $      .72                               $    .78(7)

Weighted Average Common 
   Shares(**)                  222,373                                224,867(7)



<PAGE>



  *    Represents  the  financial  results from January 1, 1995 to the dates of
        acquisition for all the ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties  acquired
        from January 1, 1995 through December 31, 1995 and the financial results
        for the entire  twelve  month  period for the ALLTEL  Telecommunications
        property  acquired after December 31, 1995, net of the financial results
        for a  property  transferred  to  ALLTEL  as  part  of the  transaction.
        Financial results for the ALLTEL Telecommunications  Properties acquired
        during 1995 are included in Citizens'  financial  results for the twelve
        months ended December 31, 1995.

  **    No  adjustments  has been made for Citizens'  1.6% 1996 second quarter 
        stock  dividend,  as this  adjustment is immaterial.

  See Notes to  Pro Forma  Statements of Income on page  S-10.


<PAGE>


                  PRO FORMA STATEMENTS OF INCOME (continued)
              Citizens     Utilities    Company    and    ALLTEL
                       Telecommunications Properties
          Notes to Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statement of Income



    (1)     On November 29, 1994,  Citizens  and ALLTEL  Corporation  ("ALLTEL")
            announced  the signing of  definitive  agreements  pursuant to which
            Citizens  agreed to acquire from ALLTEL at a net  purchase  price of
            $282 million, approximately 110,000 local telephone access lines and
            7,000  cable   television   subscribers  in  eight  states  ("ALLTEL
            Telecommunications  Properties"). From June 30, 1995 to December 31,
            1995,   approximately   93,000  local  telephone  access  lines  and
            approximately 7,000 cable television subscribers were transferred to
            the Company. On March 31, 1996, the remainder of the local telephone
            access lines were transferred to the Company.

    (2)     Represents an adjustment to reflect the amortization associated with
            the $17  million  of excess  purchase  price  over net book value of
            assets  acquired  or  to  be  acquired.  Pursuant  to  Statement  of
            Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects
            of Certain Types of Regulation",  the  amortization of the remaining
            $55  million  of excess of  purchase  price  over net book  value of
            assets  acquired will be deferred.  The Company intends to seek from
            the public utilities  commissions  maximum recovery of the excess of
            purchase price over net book value in future rate proceedings.

    (3)     Represents  an  adjustment  to reflect  the  elimination  from Other
            Income of tax-exempt  investment income associated with the cash and
            investments  used to partially fund the  acquisitions  of the ALLTEL
            Telecommunications   Properties  and  other  properties   previously
            acquired.

    (4)     Represents  an  adjustment  to reflect  the  inclusion  in  Interest
            Expense of the interest expense on debt securities issued or assumed
            to    partially    finance   the    acquisition    of   the   ALLTEL
            Telecommunications   Properties  and  other  properties   previously
            acquired,  net of the elimination of interest  expense on borrowings
            used to temporarily  finance the acquisitions and the elimination of
            interest expense on debt not assumed by the Company.

    (5)     Represents  an  adjustment  to Income  Taxes based on Income  before
            Income Taxes using the applicable incremental income tax rate.

    (6)     Represents an adjustment to reflect the annual  Dividends on Company
            Obligated Mandatorily  Redeemable  Convertible Preferred Securities,
            net of income taxes, issued in January 1996 to partially finance the
            acquisition  of the ALLTEL  Telecommunications  Properties and other
            properties previously acquired.

    (7)     The Pro Forma Earnings Per Share  calculation and Pro Forma Weighted
            Average  Common Shares are based on the weighted  average  number of
            common  shares  outstanding  for the period  including the number of
            additional shares issued to partially finance the acquisition of the
            ALLTEL Telecommunications Properties and other properties previously
            acquired,  assuming such additional  shares were outstanding for the
            entire twelve month period. Fully diluted earnings per share are not
            presented because the difference is immaterial.




<PAGE>


                                  UNDERWRITERS

         Under the terms and subject to conditions set forth in the Underwriting
Agreement  dated the date hereof,  the Company has agreed to sell to each of the
Underwriters named below, severally,  and each of the Underwriters has severally
agreed to purchase  the  principal  amount of the Offered  Debentures  set forth
opposite its name below:
                                                                  Principal
                                                                  Amount of
                           Underwriters                           Debentures
                           ------------                           ----------
Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated............................. $  45,000,000
Lehman Brothers Inc...........................................    45,000,000
Chase Securities Inc..........................................    10,000,000
                                                                ------------
                Total.........................................  $100,000,000
                                                                ============
         The  Underwriting  Agreement  provides  that  the  obligations  of  the
Underwriters  to pay for and  accept  delivery  of the  Offered  Debentures  are
subject to the approval of certain legal matters by counsel and to certain other
conditions.  The nature of the  Underwriters'  obligations is such that they are
committed to take and pay for all the Offered Debentures if any are taken.

         The  Underwriters  propose  to  offer  part of the  Offered  Debentures
directly to the public at the public  offering price set forth on the cover page
hereof and in part to selected  dealers at a price which represents a concession
not in excess of .40% of the principal  amount of the Offered  Debentures  under
the public  offering price.  The  Underwriters  may allow,  and such dealers may
reallow,  a  concession  not in  excess of .25% of the  principal  amount of the
Offered  Debentures to certain other dealers.  After the initial offering of the
Offered Debentures, the public offering price and concessions may be changed.

         The  Company  does not  intend  to apply  for  listing  of the  Offered
Debentures  on a  national  securities  exchange,  but has been  advised  by the
Underwriters  that  they  presently  intend  to  make a  market  in the  Offered
Debentures,  as permitted by applicable laws and  regulations.  The Underwriters
are not obligated,  however,  to make a market in the Offered Debentures and any
such  market-making  may be  discontinued  at any time at the sole discretion of
each of the  Underwriters.  Accordingly,  no  assurance  can be  given as to the
liquidity of the trading market for the Offered Debentures.

         The Company has agreed to indemnify the  Underwriters  against  certain
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933.

                                 LEGAL OPINIONS

         The  validity  of the  Securities  will be  passed  upon  by  Winthrop,
Stimson,  Putnam & Roberts,  One Battery Park Plaza, New York, New York, counsel
for the Company, and by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a partnership which includes
professional  corporations),  425 Lexington Avenue,  New York, New York, counsel
for the Underwriters.  Legal matters relating to required authorization, if any,
of the Securities by the public utilities commissions in the various states will
be passed  upon by local  counsel  to the  Company  in the  states  of  Arizona,
Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana and Vermont. Winthrop, Stimson, Putnam & Roberts and
Simpson  Thacher & Bartlett  may rely upon such  counsel  as to certain  matters
governed by the laws of such states.


                                     EXPERTS

         The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31,
1995,  1994 and 1993,  and for each of the years  then  ended,  incorporated  by
reference in this Prospectus Supplement from the Company's Annual Report on Form
10-K, have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of KPMG
Peat Marwick LLP,  independent  certified  public  accountants,  incorporated by
reference  herein,  and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting
and auditing.










PROSPECTUS


                           CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY

                                   SECURITIES

                     --------------------------------------
    
          Citizens Utilities Company (the "Company" or "Citizens") may offer,
from time to time, debt securities consisting of unsecured debentures, in one
or more series (the "Debt Securities"); preferred stock, in one or more 
series (the "Preferred Stock"); and its Common Stock, Series A and/or Series 
B (the "Common Stock" and together with the Debt Securities and Preferred 
Stock, the "Securities") in amounts, at prices and on terms to be determined 
at the time of sale. The aggregate offering price of the Securities will not 
exceed $1,000,000,000.     

          For each offering of Securities for which this Prospectus is being
delivered there will be an accompanying Prospectus Supplement (the "Prospectus
Supplement") that will set forth, with respect to Debt Securities, the
designation, principal amount, interest rate, interest payment dates, maturity
(not less than nine months nor more than fifty years), public offering price,
any redemption or sinking fund provisions, and any other specific terms; with
respect to Preferred Stock, the specific number of shares, liquidation value,
dividend rate (or method of calculation thereof), public offering price, any
redemption and sinking fund terms and other specific terms; and, with respect to
Common Stock, the specific number of shares, the designation, the public
offering price and other specific terms of the offering.  The outstanding shares
of Common Stock are, and the new Common Stock will be, listed on the New York
Stock Exchange.

                     --------------------------------------

         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.
                     --------------------------------------

          The Company may offer the Securities through underwriters, through
dealers, directly to one or more institutional purchasers or through agents.
See "Plan of Distribution."  The Prospectus Supplement will set forth the names
of the underwriters, dealers or agents, if any, any applicable commissions or
discounts and the gross and net proceeds to the Company from the sale of
Securities.

                     --------------------------------------
    
                 The date of this Prospectus is March 28, 1994
<PAGE>
 
          No dealer, salesperson or other person has been authorized to give any
information or to make any representations other than those contained or
incorporated by reference in this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement in
connection with an offer made by this Prospectus or any Prospectus Supplement
and, if given or made, such information or representations must not be relied
upon as having been authorized by the Company or by any other person,
underwriter, dealer or agent.  Neither the delivery of this Prospectus or any
Prospectus Supplement nor any sale made hereunder shall under any circumstances
create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of the
Company since the date hereof or thereof or that the information contained
herein is current as of any time subsequent to the date hereof.  This Prospectus
and any Prospectus Supplement do not constitute an offer or solicitation by
anyone in any State in which such offer or solicitation is not authorized or in
which the person making such offer or solicitation is not qualified to do so or
to anyone to whom it is unlawful to make such offer or solicitation.

                          ----------------------------

                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION

          The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and in accordance therewith
files reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (the "SEC").  Such reports, proxy statements and other
information can be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. and at
its regional offices at Northwestern Atrium Center, Suite 1400, 500 West Madison
Street, Chicago, Illinois  60661, and Suite 1300, 7 World Trade Center, New
York, New York  10048.  Copies of such material can also be obtained from the
Public Reference Section of the SEC at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C.
20549, at prescribed rates.  Certain securities of the Company are listed on the
New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005 and reports,
proxy material and other information concerning the Company may be inspected at
the office of that Exchange.

                          ----------------------------

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

          The following documents filed by the Company with the SEC pursuant to
the 1933 Act are incorporated into this Prospectus by reference:
                                
          The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1993 as amended on March 23 and March 25, 1994 by Forms 10-K/A and the
schedules to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1992 included in Form 8 filed on April 27, 1993.     
                      
          The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 15, and
December 20, 1993 and the Current Report on Form 8-K/A amending the Form 8K
filed on December 23, 1993 amending the Form 8-K filed December 15, 1993.     

          All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections
13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the 1934 Act prior to the termination of the
offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such
documents.

     The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, upon written or oral request of
such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to above which have
been or may be incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, other than exhibits
to such documents not specifically incorporated by reference herein.  Requests
for such copies should be directed to Office of the Secretary, Citizens
Utilities Company, High Ridge Park, Bldg. No. 3, Stamford, Connecticut  06905
(telephone (203) 329-8800).

                                       2
<PAGE>
 
               INFORMATION CONCERNING CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY

                                  THE COMPANY
        
     Citizens is a diversified operating public utility providing
telecommunications, natural gas, electric, water and wastewater services to
customers in sixteen states: Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho,
Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Utah,
Vermont, Washington and West Virginia. Citizens also holds a significant
investment interest in Centennial Cellular Corp., a cellular telephone company
serving markets with a population of approximately 4.2 million. Beginning with
1945, the Company has increased its revenues, net income and earnings per share
(adjusted for intervening stock dividends and stock splits) every year 
without interruption.      

     The Company, with administrative offices at High Ridge Park, Stamford,
Connecticut 06905, was incorporated in Delaware in 1935 to acquire the assets
and business of a predecessor corporation.  Since then, the Company has grown as
a result of investment in owned utility operations and numerous acquisitions of
additional utility operations.  It continues to consider and carry out business
expansion through significant acquisitions and joint ventures in traditional
public utility and related fields and the rapidly evolving telecommunications
and cable television industries.
    
     As a result of its diversification, the Company is not dependent upon any
single geographic area for its revenues, nor is the Company dependent upon any
one type of utility service.  Because of this diversity, no single regulatory
body regulates a utility service of the Company accounting for more than 18% of
its 1993 revenues.  The Company is not aware of any other utility company as
fully diversified in both geographic areas served and variety of services
provided.  The Company's operations are conducted principally in smaller
communities and non-urban areas.  No material part of the Company's business is
dependent upon a single customer or a small group of customers.  The loss of any
single customer or a small group of customers would not have a materially
adverse effect upon the Company.  The Company's consumer connections have
increased from 26,150 in 1945 to 225,389 in 1965, to 610,585 in 1985, and to
more than 1,000,000 as of December 31, 1993.     

         
    
     On May 19, 1993, Citizens and GTE Corporation ("GTE") announced the
signing of ten definitive agreements pursuant to which Citizens agreed to
acquire from GTE, for $1.1 billion in cash, approximately 500,000 local
telephone exchange access lines in nine states: Arizona, California, Idaho,
Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia ("GTE Telephone
Properties"). The purchases require the approval of the Federal Communications
Commission and the regulatory commissions of the states in which the properties
are located. On December 31, 1993, 189,000 local telephone access lines in
Idaho, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia were transferred to the Company. The
remaining GTE Telephone Properties are expected to be transferred in 1994.      

                                  THE BUSINESS

          Operating divisions of Citizens provide electric and gas public
utility services, purchasing most of electric power needed and all gas supplies.
Telecommunications, water and wastewater public utility services are provided
either by divisions of Citizens or by its subsidiaries.
         

                                       3
<PAGE>
 

                             FINANCIAL INFORMATION
    
          The following financial information including Pro Forma financial
information reflecting the acquisition of GTE Telephone Properties is qualified
in its entirety by, and should be read in conjunction with, the information
appearing elsewhere herein and the documents and financial statements
incorporated by reference herein.      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              Revenues
                                    Year Ended December 31, 1993
                                    -----------------------------
                                           (In thousands)

  Business Sector                     Pro Forma            Actual
  ---------------                   -----------            ------
  <S>                               <C>                  <C>
  Telecommunications                   $574,394          $177,497
  Natural Gas                           211,892           211,892
  Electric                              164,515           164,515
  Water and Wastewater                   65,488            65,488
                                     ----------          --------
  Total                              $1,016,289          $619,392
                                     ==========          ========

</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>
 
                   CONSOLIDATED SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                  (In thousands, except for per-share amounts)


<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                             Year Ended        
                          December 31, 1993             Year Ended December 31,
                         --------------------  -----------------------------------
                            Pro       Actual      1992     1991      1990     1989   
                         Forma/(1)/
                         --------------------  -----------------------------------
<S>                       <C>          <C>       <C>      <C>       <C>       <C>    
INCOME STATEMENT                                                                                    
       
- ----------------                                                                                            
Revenues                   $1,016,289  $619,392  $580,464  $545,025  $528,251  $483,582
Income from                                                                                                 
  Continuing Operations    $  151,724  $125,630  $115,013  $112,354  $105,624  $ 97,768

Earnings Per Share of 
 Common Stock from 
 Continuing Operations 
 /(2)/ Series A and B      $      .77  $    .71  $    .66  $    .65  $    .60  $    .53
                                                                                                            
Ratio of Earnings to 
 Fixed Charges /(3)/              4.4       5.3       4.8        5.3      5.3       5.2
</TABLE>

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                     As at December 31, 1993            As at December 31,
                     -----------------------  ----------------------------------------------
                       Pro         Actual     1992       1991         1990       1989 
                     Forma/(4)/  
                     -----------------------  ----------------------------------------------
<S>                 <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>       
BALANCE SHEET                                                                                           
- -------------                                                                                            
Total Assets         $2,983,118  $2,627,118  $1,887,981  $1,721,452  $1,491,199  $1,365,534 
Long-Term Debt       $  915,673  $  547,673  $  522,699  $  484,021  $  412,348  $  379,729 
Shareholders' Equity $1,342,486  $  974,486  $  837,271  $  719,676  $  606,229  $  541,318 
                                                                                                         
Long-Term Debt to 
 Total Capital Ratio      40.5%       36.0%       38.4%       40.2%       40.5%       41.2%
                                                                                                         
Shareholders' Equity 
 Per Share Series A 
 and Series B        $     6.77  $     5.52  $     4.76  $     4.15  $     3.43  $     2.94 
- -------------------
</TABLE>

    
(1)  Combined Citizens' financial results with the financial results pertaining
     to the GTE Telephone Properties assuming the acquisitions were effective on
     January 1, 1993.  These amounts should be read in conjunction with the Pro
     Forma Financial Statements presented on pages 16 and 17 this Prospectus. 
     
    
(2)  Series A and Series B per-share amounts have been adjusted retroactively
     for intervening stock dividends and stock splits.  No adjustment has been
     made for Citizens' 1.1% 1994 first quarter stock dividend, as this
     adjustment is immaterial.      
    
(3) "Earnings" consist of income from continuing operations plus fixed charges
     and income taxes. "Fixed Charges" consist of interest charges and an amount
     representing the interest factor included in rentals.     

    
(4)  Citizens' balance sheet data giving effect to the acquisitions of the GTE
     Telephone Properties assuming the acquisitions were effective as at
     December 31, 1993. These amounts should be read in conjunction with the Pro
     Forma Financial Statements presented on pages 16 and 17 of this Prospectus.
          

                                       5
<PAGE>
 
                            APPLICATION OF PROCEEDS
    
          Approximately $750 million of proceeds from the sale of the Securities
is expected to be used to partially fund the acquisition of the GTE Telephone
Properties.  The remainder of proceeds is expected to be used to reimburse the
Company's treasury for expenditures for the construction, extension, completion
and improvement of utility facilities, to acquire additional public utility and
related property and property in the rapidly evolving telecommunications and
cable television industries, to improve service and to provide funds for the
repayment of outstanding debt on such date or dates as the Company may determine
from time to time.     

                       CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS AND FINANCING
    
          The total purchase price for the GTE Telephone Properties is $1.1
billion in cash.  The Company intends to permanently finance the acquisition of
the GTE Telephone Properties approximately one-third from the issuance of equity
securities, one-third from the issuance of debt securities and one-third from
Company investments.  In addition, the Company is engaged in a continuous
acquisition program and expects, from time to time, to acquire additional public
utility and related property and property in the rapidly evolving
telecommunications and cable television industries.     
    
          The Company carries out a continuous construction program to maintain
reliable and safe service and to meet future customer service requirements.  In
1994, the Company anticipates that construction, extension and improvement of
service relating to existing properties and the GTE Telephone Properties will
require approximately $280,000,000.  The Company's construction program is under
continuous review and may be revised depending on business and economic
conditions, regulatory action, governmental mandates, customer demand and other
factors.  These capital requirements will be met from internally generated
funds, the sale of Securities covered by this Prospectus, the issuance of tax-
exempt debt securities and short-term borrowings.     
                  
          The Company maintains $1,200,000,000 committed bank lines of credit
for general corporate purposes.  As of March 24, 1994 no amounts were
outstanding under the existing lines of credit.          

                         DESCRIPTION OF DEBT SECURITIES

                                    GENERAL

          Debt Securities may consist of any one or more of the following types
of securities:  unsecured debentures, debentures convertible into equity, medium
term notes, and other

                                       6
<PAGE>
 

unsecured notes, with a maturity of not less than nine months nor more than
fifty years from the date of issuance.     

          For each offering of Debt Securities there will be an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement that will set forth the aggregate principal amount or
amounts, public offering price or prices, maturity or maturities, rate or rates
and times of payment of interest, any sinking fund provisions, any redemption
terms and any other special terms of such Debt Securities.  If the Debt
Securities are to be convertible to shares of equity securities, the
accompanying Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of conversion.  The
following statements, which are qualified in their entirety by reference to the
Indenture described below, are brief summaries of the provisions of the
Indenture.


                 DEBENTURES AND OTHER UNSECURED DEBT SECURITIES

          Debentures and other unsecured Debt Securities will be issued under
the Company's Indenture dated as of August 15, 1991, supplemented to cover two
earlier issuances of debentures and as may be further supplemented by one or
more supplemental indentures creating the respective series of Debentures and
other unsecured Debt Securities.  Chemical Bank, New York, is the trustee (the
"Trustee") under the Indenture. Copies of the Indenture and any supplemental
indentures (collectively hereinafter called the "Indenture") are or will be
filed as exhibits to the Registration Statement. The Indenture provides
generally for the issuance of Debt Securities in series.  Securities issued
under this Indenture are herein called the "Indenture Securities".

    
          Debt Securities will not be secured.  Debt Securities will rank
equally, unless otherwise specified in the Prospectus Supplements, with any
other indebtedness which may be issued under the Indenture and other unsecured
obligations of the Company except as noted.  As of December 31, 1993, there was
outstanding approximately $505,422,000 principal amount of unsecured
indebtedness of the Company, including obligations under loan agreements
relating to industrial development revenue bonds issued on behalf of the Company
to finance the construction of specified property, all of which ranks equally in
right of payment with the Indenture Securities, except for approximately
$11,692,000 principal amount of such unsecured indebtedness which is subordinate
to all other unsecured indebtedness.  In the future, the Company may incur
additional unsecured indebtedness, including obligations under industrial
development revenue bond loan agreements, and secured indebtedness under
mortgages or other security arrangements. At December 31, 1993 there was 
$380,000,000 of short-term debt outstanding, issued in the form of commercial 
paper notes, to temporarily and partially fund the GTE Telephone 
Properties acquired on December 31, 1993. This short-term debt is expected to
be repaid from maturing temporary investments and proceeds from the planned
issuance of Securities in 1994.      

   
          Utility properties of a subsidiary of the Company in the state of
Arizona are subject to the lien of a mortgage securing $43,486,000 principal
amount of indebtedness from federal agencies as of December 31, 1993.       

                                       7

<PAGE>
 
          Unless otherwise stated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, it
is intended that Debt Securities will be held by the owners as book-entry
securities.  See below under "Description of Debt Securities -- Book-Entry Debt
Securities."
 
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL SECURITIES

          Additional Debt Securities may be issued under the Indenture. The
Indenture does not contain any limitation on the issuance by the Company of
other securities, either secured or unsecured.

MERGER, CONSOLIDATION, TRANSFER OF ASSETS

          In the event of a merger, consolidation or transfer of assets of the
Company with or to another corporation or entity, in which the Company is not
the surviving corporation, the surviving entity shall assume the obligations of
the Company for Indenture Securities under the Indenture by execution of a
supplemental indenture, and such merger, consolidation or transfer of assets is
conditioned upon the surviving entity having a consolidated net worth
immediately subsequent to such event at least equal to that of the Company
immediately prior to such event.

MODIFICATION OF INDENTURE; DEFEASANCE

          The Indenture provides that, with the consent of the holders of not
less than 66 2/3% in principal amount of all series of Indenture Securities
affected thereby which are at the time outstanding, the Company and the Trustee
may enter into supplemental indentures for the purpose of amending or modifying,
in any manner, provisions of the Indenture; provided, however, that no such
supplemental indenture, without the consent of the holder of each outstanding
Indenture Security affected thereby, shall, among other things, (i) change the
maturity of the principal of, or any installment of interest on, any Indenture
Security, or reduce the principal amount thereof or the interest thereon or any
premium payable upon the redemption thereof, or (ii) reduce the amount of the
principal of an original issue discount security that would be payable upon
acceleration, or (iii) impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of
any such payment on or after the maturity or redemption date, or (iv) reduce the
aforesaid percentage of the Indenture Securities, the consent of the holders of
which is required for the execution of any such supplemental indenture or the
waiver of compliance with certain covenants (Indenture Section 902).

          The Indenture provides for the defeasance of the Indenture with regard
to one or more series of Indenture Securities, or the defeasance of specified
covenants of the Indenture applicable to one or more series, upon the deposit in
trust of cash or U.S. government securities in an amount sufficient to pay
principal, premium, if any, and interest on such series of Indenture Securities
and upon satisfaction by the Company of other conditions (Indenture Sections
1302, 1303 and 1304).

                                       8

<PAGE>
 
          A condition to defeasance with respect to the entire amount of any
series of Indenture Securities is an opinion of counsel to the effect that the
holders of such series will not realize income for federal income tax purposes
as a result of such defeasance.

EVENTS OF DEFAULT

          The Indenture defines an Event of Default with respect to any series
of Indenture Securities as being:  a default for 60 days in the payment of any
interest upon any Indenture Security of such series; a default in the payment of
any principal of or premium on any Indenture Security of such series when due; a
default in the deposit of any sinking fund payment with respect to such series;
a default in the performance of any other covenant in the Indenture applicable
to such series which goes unremedied for 90 days after notice of default given
by the Trustee or the holders of not less than a majority of principal amount of
such series; and includes certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization. The Company may add, delete or modify any Event of Default or
other similar event with respect to one or more series of Indenture Securities
at the time of establishing such series (Indenture Section 501).  The Company is
required to file with the Trustee all reports required by the Trust Indenture
Act of 1939, which includes an annual officer's certificate as to compliance
with all conditions and covenants under the Indenture (Indenture Sections 704
and 1006).

          The Indenture provides that, if an Event of Default with respect to a
series of Indenture Securities occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
holders of not less than a majority of principal amount of the outstanding
Indenture Securities of such series may declare the principal of the Indenture
Securities of such series to be due and payable immediately. The holders of a
majority of principal amount of the outstanding Indenture Securities of such
series may rescind any such declaration if such Event of Default has been cured
or waived and all amounts then due on the Indenture Securities of such series
have been paid (Indenture Section 502).

          The Indenture further provides that, if an Event of Default occurs and
is continuing, the Trustee may in its discretion proceed to protect and enforce
the rights of the Trustee and the rights of the holders of Indenture Securities
by such appropriate judicial proceedings as the Trustee shall deem most
effectual to protect and enforce any such rights (Indenture Section 503).

          The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall give to the holders of
the Indenture Securities of any series notice of any default relating to such
series under the Indenture within 90 days of its occurrence, except that in the
                                                             ------            
case of a default by the Company in the performance of any covenant in the
Indenture other than those with respect to the payment of principal, premium or
interest or deposit of sinking fund payment, no such notice shall be given until
at least 30 days after the occurrence thereof, provided that the Trustee may
                                               --------                     
withhold notice to holders of Indenture Securities of any series of any default
(except in payment of the principal of, or premium, if any, or interest on, any
Indenture Security or in 

                                       9
<PAGE>
 
the making of any sinking fund or similar payment) if it considers it in the
interest of the holders of Indenture Securities to do so (Indenture Section 602;
and Trust Indenture Act of 1939, Section 315(b)).

          The Indenture provides that the holders of a majority of principal
amount of the outstanding Indenture Securities of a series have the right,
subject to certain conditions, to direct the time, method and place of
conducting any proceeding for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising
any trust or power conferred on the Trustee and the right to waive past
defaults, other than defaults in, or relating to, the payment of principal,
premium or interest (Indenture Sections 512 and 513). The Trustee will not be
required to comply with any request or direction of the holders of Indenture
Securities pursuant to the Indenture unless offered indemnity against costs,
expenses and liabilities which might be incurred by the Trustee as a result of
such compliance (Indenture Section 603(d)).

          Holders of Indenture Securities of a series have no right to enforce
any remedy under the Indenture unless the Trustee has failed to institute
proceedings in respect of an Event of Default relating to such series within 90
days after notice thereof and has received a written request by the holders of
not less than a majority of principal amount of the outstanding Indenture
Securities of such series with an offer of reasonable indemnity against costs,
expenses and liabilities that may be incurred in complying with such request
(Indenture Section 507).

CONCERNING THE INDENTURE TRUSTEE

        Chemical Bank, the Trustee, is one of the lending banks on the Company's
bank line of credit arrangements.

BOOK-ENTRY DEBT SECURITIES

          Unless otherwise stated in the accompanying Prospectus Supplement, it
is intended that the Debt Securities will be held by the owners as book-entry
securities and will be issued in the form of one or more fully registered global
securities. The global securities will be deposited with, or on behalf of, and
will be registered in the name of, the Depository Trust Company, New York, NY,
(the "Depositary") or its nominee (Indenture Section 311). Except as set forth
below, the global securities may be transferred only to a nominee of the
Depositary or to a name designated by an authorized representative of the
Depositary or its nominee.

          The Depositary has advised as follows: it is a limited-purpose trust
company organized under the banking laws of the State of New York and a "banking
organization" within the meaning of that law, a member of the Federal Reserve
System, a "clearing corporation" within the meaning of the New York Uniform
Commercial Code, and a "clearing agency" registered pursuant to the provisions
of Section 17A of the 1934 Act.  The Depositary holds securities deposited by
its participating organizations ("participants") and

                                       10
<PAGE>
 
facilitates settlement of securities transactions in such securities between
participants through electronic book-entry changes in accounts of its
participants. Participants include securities brokers and dealers, banks and
trust companies, clearing corporations and certain other organizations. Access
to the Depositary's system is also available to others such as banks, brokers,
dealers and trust companies that clear through or maintain a custodial re-
lationship with a participant, either directly or indirectly ("indirect
participants"). Persons who are not participants may beneficially own securities
held by the Depositary only through participants or indirect participants.

          The Depositary has advised that pursuant to its procedures: (i) upon
issuance of the Indenture Securities by the Company, the Depositary will credit
the accounts of participants and indirect participants designated by any
underwriters, dealers or agents with the principal amount of the Debt Securities
purchased and (ii) ownership of beneficial interests in the global debt
securities will be shown on, and the transfer of that ownership will be effected
only through, records maintained by the Depositary, the participants and the
indirect participants. The laws of some states require that certain persons take
physical delivery in definitive form of securities which they own.
Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the global
debentures is limited to such extent.

          So long as the Depositary or a nominee of the Depositary is the
registered owner of the global debt securities, such Depositary or nominee for
all purposes will be considered the sole owner or holder of the Debt Securities
under the applicable indenture. Except as provided below, owners of beneficial
interests in the global debt securities will not be entitled to have Debt
Securities registered in their names, will not receive or be entitled to receive
physical delivery of Debt Securities, and will not be considered the owners or
holders thereof under the applicable indenture.

          Neither the Company nor the Trustee will have any responsibility or
obligation for any aspect of the records relating to or payments made on account
of beneficial ownership interests in the global debt securities or for
maintaining any records relating to such beneficial ownership interests.

          Principal and interest payments on Debt Securities registered in the
name of the Depositary (or its successor or nominee) will be made by the paying
agent for the related series under the applicable indenture to the Depositary
(or its successor or nominee) as the registered owner of the global debt
securities.  Under the terms of the Indenture and, unless otherwise stated in
the Prospectus Supplement, under the terms of any other applicable indenture the
Company and the Trustee will treat the persons in whose names the Debt
Securities are registered as the owners of such Debt Securities for the purpose
of payment of principal and interest on such Debt Securities, giving any notice
permitted or required to be given to holders of Debt Securities, registering the
transfer of the global debt securities, and for all other purposes whatsoever.
Therefore, neither the Company, the Trustee nor any paying agent has any direct
responsibility or liability for the payment of principal or interest on the Debt
Securities, or the giving of any such notice, to owners of

                                       11
<PAGE>
 
beneficial interests in the global debt securities, as the case may be, or, in
the event of any sinking fund payment or redemption, the selection of the owners
of beneficial interests to receive payment.  The Depositary has advised that its
present practice is, upon receipt of any payment of principal or interest, to
credit immediately the accounts of the participants and indirect participants
with such payment in amounts proportionate to their respective holdings in
principal amount of beneficial interests in the global debt securities as shown
on the records of the Depositary. Payments by participants and indirect
participants to owners of beneficial interests in the global debt securities
will be governed by standing instructions and customary practices, as is now the
case with securities held for the accounts of customers in bearer form or
registered in "street name", and will be the responsibility of the participants
or indirect participants.

          Global debt securities are exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities
in registered form only if (i) the Depositary notifies the Company that it will
not continue its services as Depositary for the global debt securities, (ii) the
Depositary ceases to be a clearing agency registered under the 1934 Act, (iii)
the Company in its sole discretion determines that all such global debt
securities shall be exchangeable for definitive debt Securities in registered
form, or (iv) an Event of Default (as hereinabove described) with respect to the
debt Securities represented by such global debt securities has occurred and is
continuing. Any global debt securities that are exchangeable pursuant to the
preceding sentence shall be exchangeable for definitive Debt Securities in
registered form in denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples thereof. Such
definitive Debt Securities shall be registered in the names of the owners of the
beneficial interests in such global debt securities as provided by the
Depositary's participants (as identified by the Depositary holding such global
debt securities).

          In the event that Debt Securities which are held as book-entry debt
securities cease to be book-entry debt securities, such Debt Securities will be
delivered as registered debt securities without coupons in denominations of
$1,000 or any authorized multiple of $1,000. No service charge will be made for
any exchange or registration of transfer of any Debt Securities, except that the
Company may require payment sufficient to cover any tax or governmental charge
in connection therewith (Indenture Sections 302 and 305).


                         DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED STOCK

          The Company is authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of
Preferred Stock, par value $.01 per share.  Under the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, the Board of Directors is empowered to
fix, by resolution, or resolutions, the designations, powers, preferences and
relative, participating, optional, conversion and other rights and the
qualifications, limitations and restrictions of such Preferred Stock, including
dividend rates and payment dates, liquidation preferences, conversion prices,
voting rights, redemption and sinking fund terms, and other specific terms.
Preferred Stock may be issued in one or more classes and in one or more series.
In the event that the Directors shall

                                       12
<PAGE>
 
create a class or series of Preferred Stock, the terms shall be as set forth in
the resolution of the Directors creating such stock.  None of the Company's
authorized Preferred Stock has been issued.


          The statements with respect to the Company's Preferred Stock contained
in this Prospectus and in any Prospectus Supplement, are summaries of the
Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation and the aforesaid resolutions.
Such statements are in all respects subject to and qualified in their entirety
by reference by the Restated Certificate and the resolutions fixing the terms of
the Preferred Stock.

DIVIDEND RIGHTS

          The holders of Preferred Stock in respect of which an accompanying
Prospectus Supplement is being delivered will be entitled to receive dividends
when and as declared by the Board of Directors of Citizens, as specified in such
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.  The date that the initial dividend on such
Preferred Stock is expected to be payable will be as set forth in such
accompanying Prospectus Supplement.  There are no limitations in any existing
indentures or any other agreements on the payments of dividends on Preferred
Stock.

VOTING RIGHTS

          Any rights of the holders of the shares of any series or class of
Preferred Stock will be as set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

                      REDEMPTION AND LIQUIDATION RIGHTS

          Redemption provisions and Liquidation Rights and preferences for the
Preferred Stock in respect of which an accompanying Prospectus Supplement is
being delivered will be set forth in such accompanying Prospectus Supplement.

                        TRANSFER AGENT AND REGISTRAR

          The Transfer Agent and Registrar for the Preferred Stock will be as
set forth in an accompanying Prospectus Supplement.


               DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK SERIES A AND SERIES B
    
          Citizens' common equity capital consists of two series:  Common Stock
Series A and Common Stock Series B.  The Company has authorized 200,000,000
shares of Common Stock Series A and 300,000,000 shares of Common Stock Series B.
The Company as of March 10, 1994 had outstanding 129,321,066 shares of Common
Stock Series A and      

                                       13
<PAGE>
 
             
53,507,044 shares of Common Stock Series B. The holders of Common Stock Series A
and Common Stock Series B are entitled to one vote for each share on all matters
voted on by stockholders. Pursuant to Citizens' Restated Certificate of
Incorporation, the holders of Common Stock Series A and the holders of Common
Stock Series B vote together as a single class on all matters to be voted on by
stockholders, unless otherwise expressly required by applicable law. Common
Stock Series A is convertible, on a share-for-share and a tax free basis,
into Common Stock Series B at all times. Common Stock Series B is not
convertible into Common Stock Series A. The Board of Directors of Citizens may,
in its sole discretion and at any time, require all of the holders of Common
Stock Series A to exchange all of their shares of Common Stock Series A for
shares of Common Stock Series B on a share-for-share basis. The holders of
Common Stock Series A and Series B participate ratably in liquidation.      

                          COMMON STOCK DIVIDENDS
    
          The holders of Common Stock are entitled to receive dividends when and
as declared by the Board of Directors of Citizens out of funds legally available
therefor. Dividends have been paid to holders of Common Stock every year without
interruption beginning in 1939, with increases in cash dividends or cash value
equivalents every year without interruption beginning in 1946. Beginning in
1956, when the two-series common stock capitalization of Citizens was initiated,
through 1989, only stock dividends were paid on Common Stock Series A and only
cash dividends were paid on Common Stock Series B. Commencing in 1990, Citizens
declared and paid stock dividends on shares of both Common Stock Series A and
Common Stock Series B. Under present Federal tax law, stock dividends on Common
Stock Series A and Common Stock Series B, if paid and received pro-rata and
otherwise in the same manner as they have been since 1990, will continue to be
free of current federal income taxation on receipt.     
    
          To the extent that stock dividends are declared on Common Stock Series
B, the same stock dividend must be declared on Common Stock Series A. To the
extent that cash dividends are paid out of funds that are legally available on
Common Stock Series B, stock dividends with an equivalent fair value must be
paid during the same calendar year on Common Stock Series A, unless cash
dividends are declared on Common Stock Series A at the same time and in an equal
amount as on Common Stock Series B.      

          As noted herein, the Company's Board of Directors may determine the
power, preferences and rights of holders of Preferred Stock which may be issued
in the future, which may impact the powers and rights of holders of outstanding
Common Stock, without any further action by the stockholders of the Company.
The holders of Common Stock have no preemptive rights.

                            STOCK DIVIDEND SALE PLAN

          The Company has a Stock Dividend Sale Plan (the "Plan") offered by a
separate prospectus that permits holders of shares of Common Stock Series B to
have their stock

                                       14
<PAGE>
 
dividends sold quarterly by the Plan Broker with the cash proceeds of the sale
distributed to them.  The Company absorbs all expenses of the Plan, except for
specified brokerage charges incurred in connection with selling the Series B
dividend shares.  The Company reserves the right to discontinue the Plan at any
time.

                                 TRANSFER AGENT
    
        The Transfer Agent for the Company's Common Stock is the Illinois Stock
Transfer Company.      




                                       15
<PAGE>
 
                            COMMON STOCK PRICE RANGE

          Prior to February 24, 1992, the Company's common stock was traded on
the over-the-counter market as a National Market Issue under NASDAQ symbols
CITUA for Series A and CITUB for Series B shares.  On February 24, 1992,
Citizens commenced trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols CZNA
and CZNB for Common Stock Series A and Common Stock Series B, respectively.
    
          The table below indicates the high and low prices per share for the
periods shown.  From January 2, 1991, through February 21, 1992, the last day
the stock was traded on the over-the-counter market, the prices were taken from
the NASDAQ/NMS Monthly Statistical Report.  The high and low prices per share
from February 24, 1992, through December 31, 1993, were taken from the daily
quotations published in The Wall Street Journal during the periods indicated.
Prices have been adjusted retroactively for intervening stock dividends, the
July 24, 1992 3-for-2 stock split and the August 31, 1993 2-for-1 stock split,
rounded to the nearest 1/8th.  No adjustment has been made for the 1.1% 1994
first quarter stock dividend, as this adjustment is immaterial.      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
             1st Quarter     2nd Quarter   3rd Quarter    4th Quarter
            --------------  -------------  ------------  -------------
             High    Low    High    Low    High   Low     High    Low
            ------  ------  -----  ------  ----  ------  ------  -----
<S>         <C>     <C>     <C>    <C>     <C>   <C>     <C>     <C>
 
1993:
Series A    $17 5/8 13 3/8  18 3/8 15 7/8  18 1/8 13 1/4 19 7/8  16 1/8 
Series B    $17 5/8 13 1/2  18 3/8 15 3/4  18 1/8 13 1/4 19 3/4  16 1/8 
 
1992:
Series A    $12 3/8 10 1/2  12 1/8 11      13 5/8 10 3/4 14 1/2  12
Series B    $12 1/8 10 3/8  12 1/8 10 5/8  13 5/8 10 5/8 14 1/2  12
 
1991:
Series A    $8 1/2   6 1/2  8 1/4   7 3/8   9 5/8  7 3/8 11 1/4   9
Series B    $8 1/2   6 1/2  8 1/8   7 3/8   9 5/8  7 1/8 11 1/4   8 3/4
 
</TABLE>

            
The reported high and low prices for 1994 through March 24, 1994 were $18 and
$15 1/4 per share of Common Stock Series A and $18 1/8 and $15 1/4 per share of
Common Stock Series B, respectively. The reported last sale prices on the New
York Stock Exchange on March 24, 1994 were $15 1/4 per share of Common Stock
Series A and $15 1/4 per share of Common Stock Series B.      

                                      16
<PAGE>
 
                         PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                            
                           CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY
                       PRO FORMA CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
                             At December 31, 1993 
                                 (In thousands)     
        
  The following Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet represents the historical
condensed balance sheet of Citizens giving effect to the acquisitions of the GTE
Telephone Properties under the purchase accounting method as if the acquisitions
had become effective on December 31, 1993. The Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet
should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and
related notes thereto of Citizens which are incorporated by reference herein.
The Pro Forma Condensed Balance Sheet is not necessarily indicative of what the
actual financial position would have been had the transactions occurred at the
dates indicated and do not purport to indicate future financial position.      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
 
                                                            
                                                         Pro Forma 
                                               -----------------------------
                                   Citizens    Adjustments (1)     Adjusted     
                                  ---------    -----------       -----------
<S>                             <C>           <C>              <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
  Cash                           $   21,738    $  636,000 (2)   $   21,738
                                                 (636,000)(3)
  Temporary Investments              89,752       (89,752)(2)            0
  Accounts Receivable               114,313                        114,313
  Other                              14,934                         14,934
                                 ----------                     ----------
  Total Current Assets              240,737                        150,985
                                 ----------                     ----------
Net Property, Plant and 
 Equipment                        1,691,967       636,000 (3)    2,327,967
                                 ----------                     ----------
Investments                         411,022      (190,248)(2)      220,774
Regulatory Assets                   146,207                        146,207
Deferred Debits and Other 
 Assets                             137,185                        137,185
                                 ----------    ----------       ----------
                                 $2,627,118    $  356,000       $2,983,118
                                 ==========    ==========       ==========
 
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' 
  EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
  Long-Term Debt Due Within 
   One Year                      $    1,620                     $    1,620
  Other                             246,605                        246,605
  Short-Term Debt                   380,000     $(380,000)(2)            0
                                 ----------                     ----------
   Total Current Liabilities        628,225                        248,225
Customer Advances for 
 Construction and Contributions 
 in Aid of Construction             184,253                        184,253
Deferred Income Taxes               213,471                        213,471
Regulatory Liabilities               28,376                         28,376
Deferred Credits and Other 
 Liabilities                         50,634                         50,634
Long-Term Debt                      547,673       368,000 (2)      915,673
                                 ----------                     ----------
                                  1,652,632                      1,640,632
                                 ----------                     ----------
Shareholders' Equity
 Common Stock Issued, $.25 
  Par Value
  Series A                           32,447                         32,447
  Series B                           13,119                         13,119
 Additional Paid-In Capital         698,688       368,000 (2)    1,066,688
 Retained Earnings                  230,232                        230,232
                                 ----------                     ----------
                                    974,486                      1,342,486
                                 ----------     -----------     ----------
                                 $2,627,118   $   356,000       $2,983,118
                                 ==========     ===========     ==========
</TABLE>
    
(1) The Company and GTE have signed ten definitive agreements in which the
    Company will purchase from GTE, for $1.1 billion in cash, certain GTE
    Telephone Properties serving approximately 500,000 access lines in nine
    states.  On December 31, 1993, 189,000 local telephone access lines in
    Idaho, Tennessee, Utah and West Virginia were transferred to the Company.  
    The $468 million purchase price for the properties that were transferred on
    December 31, 1993 was permanently funded with $88 million of Investments and
    temporarily funded with $380 million of Short-Term Debt. The remaining GTE
    Telephone Properties are expected to be transferred in 1994.     
    
(2) When added to the $88 million of permanent funding described in Note (1)
    above, these adjustments reflect the permanent funding of the $1.1 billion
    purchase price with equal components of Investments (including Temporary 
    Investments), Long-Term Debt and Equity.     
    
(3) Reflects the acquisition of the remaining GTE Telephone Properties expected 
    to be transferred in 1994.     
                                       17
<PAGE>
 
                   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)
                
            CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY AND GTE TELEPHONE PROPERTIES
              PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF INCOME 
                  (In thousands, except for per-share amounts)      
                  
          The following Pro Forma Condensed Combined Statements of Income for
the year ended December 31, 1993 combine the historical statements of income of
Citizens and the GTE Telephone Properties giving effect to the acquisitions as
if the acquisitions had been effective on January 1, 1993. The Pro Forma
Condensed Combined Statements of Income should be read in conjunction with
historical financial statements and related notes thereto of Citizens and those
of the GTE Telephone Properties that have been audited which are incorporated by
reference herein. The Pro Forma Condensed Statements of Income are not
necessarily indicative of what the actual results of operations would have been
for the period had the transactions occurred at the date indicated and do not
purport to indicate the results of future operations .      

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          Year Ended December 31, 1993
                                ------------------------------------------------
                                                               Pro Forma 
                                                       -------------------------
                           CITIZENS    GTE(1)   Adjustments   Combined
                           --------  ---------  -----------  -----------
<S>                        <C>       <C>        <C>          <C>
Operating Revenues         $619,392  $396,897                $1,016,289

Operating Expenses:
 Operating Expenses         403,534   226,054   ($11,000)(2)    618,588
 Depreciation and 
  Amortization               54,698    77,108      8,000 (3)    139,806
                           --------  --------    --------    ----------
  Total Operating Expenses  458,232   303,162     (3,000)       758,394

  Net Operating Income      161,160    93,735      3,000        257,895

Other Income (Deductions)    54,199      (166)   (18,400)(4)     35,633
Interest Expense             37,431    26,517        200 (5)     64,148
                           --------  --------    --------    ----------

 Income Before Income 
  Taxes                     177,928    67,052    (15,600)       229,380

Income Taxes                 52,298    24,758        600 (6)     77,656
                           --------  --------    --------    ----------
  Net Income               $125,630   $42,294   ($16,200)      $151,724
                           ========  ========    ========    ==========

Earnings Per Share 
 of Common Stock:
 Series A and Series B*    $    .71                            $    .77 (7)
Weighted Average 
 Common Shares*             176,564                                198,211 (7)
</TABLE>

* No adjustment has been made for Citizens' 1.1% 1994 first quarter stock
dividend, as this adjustment is  immaterial.
- --------------------

See Notes to Pro Forma Financial Statements on page 18.

                                      18
<PAGE>
 
                   PRO FORMA FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (continued)

            CITIZENS UTILITIES COMPANY AND GTE TELEPHONE PROPERTIES
           NOTES TO PRO FORMA CONDENSED COMBINED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME

    
(1) The Company and GTE have signed ten definitive agreements in which the
 Company will purchase from GTE for $1.1 billion in cash, certain GTE Telephone
 Properties serving approximately 500,000 access lines in nine states. On
 December 31, 1993, 189,000 local telephone access lines in Idaho, Tennessee,
 Utah and West Virginia were transferred to the Company. The remaining GTE
 Telephone Properties are expected to be transferred in 1994.     
    
(2) Elimination of certain corporate overhead expenses allocated by GTE to the
 GTE Telephone Properties which will not have a continuing impact on the
 combined entity.
    
(3) Represents amortization of the $175 million of excess of purchase price
 over net book value of assets acquired for the states in which the public
 utilities commissions have required amortization.  In accordance with Statement
 of Financial Accounting Standards No. 71, "Accounting for the Effects of
 Certain Types of Regulation", the remaining $158 million of excess of
 purchase price over net book value of assets acquired in states where the
 public utilities commissions have not required amortization will be deferred.
 The Company intends to seek from the public utilities commissions maximum
 recovery of the excess of purchase price over net book value in future rate
 proceedings.      

(4) Elimination of tax exempt investment income earned on $368 million of the
 Company's investments which will be used to partially finance the acquisition
 of the GTE Telephone Properties.

(5) Represents interest expense on $368 million of additional long-term debt to
 be issued to partially finance the acquisition of the GTE Telephone Properties,
 net of the elimination of interest expense on long-term debt associated with
 the GTE Telephone Properties which will not be assumed by the Company.  The
 Company anticipates that cash flow from operations generated by the acquired
 properties will be more than sufficient to fund the capital expenditure
 requirements of the acquired properties.

(6) Adjustment to income tax expense based on taxable income and the applicable
 effective tax rate.
    
(7) The pro forma earnings per share is based on the weighted average number of
 common shares outstanding plus the number of additional shares assumed to have
 been issued to finance $368 million of the acquisition purchase price assuming
 such shares were outstanding for the entire respective periods.     

                                      19
<PAGE>
 
                                    EXPERTS
            
    The consolidated financial statements of the Company as of December 31, 1993
1992, and 1991, and for each of the years then ended, incorporated by reference
in this Prospectus from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K as amended,
have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the report of KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP, independent certified public accountants, incorporated by reference
herein, and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and
auditing.     

    The financial statements of the West Virginia and Tennessee Operations of
GTE South Incorporated, and of the Arizona and Idaho Operations of Contel of the
West, Inc., incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been examined by
KPMG Peat Marwick LLP to the extent and for the periods indicated in their
reports, and have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the
reports of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP, also incorporated by reference herein, and
upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

    The financial statements of Contel of New York, Inc. and Contel of West
Virginia, Inc., incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been examined
by Arthur Andersen LLP to the extent and for the periods indicated in their
reports, and have been so incorporated by reference in reliance upon the
reports of Arther Andersen LLP, also incorporated by reference herein,
and upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.
    

                        LEGAL OPINIONS

  The validity of the Securities will be passed upon by Boulanger, Hicks, Stein
& Churchill, P.C., 135 East 57th Street, New York, New York, counsel for the 
Company, and by Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (a parternship which includes 
professional corporations), 425 Lexington Avenue, New York, New York, counsel
for the Underwriters. Legal matters relating to required authorization, if any,
of the Securities by the public utilities commissions in the various states will
be passed upon by local counsel to the Company in the states of Arizona, 
Colorado, Hawaii, Louisiana, Tennessee, Vermont and West Virginia. Boulanger,

Hicks, Stein & Churchill and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett may rely upon such
counsel as to certain matters governed by the laws of such states.

                            PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

  The Company may sell the Securities (i) through underwriters; (ii) through
dealers; (iii) directly to one or more institutional purchasers; or (iv)
through agents. Securities may be sold outside the United States. An
accompanying Prospectus Supplement will set forth the terms of the offering 
of Securities including the name or names of any underwriters, dealers,
purchasers or agents, the purchase price of such Securities and the proceeds
to the Company from such sale, any underwriting discounts and other items
constituting underwriters' compensation, any initial public offering price,
any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to dealers
and any securities exchanges on which wuch Securities may be listed. Any initial
public offering price and any discounts or concessions allowed or reallowed or
paid to dealers may be changed from time to time. Only firms named in the 
Prospectus Supplement are deemed to be underwriters dealers or agents in 
connection with the Securities offered thereby.

  If underwriters are used in the sale, Securities will be acquired by the 
underwriters for their own account and may be resold from time to time in one
or more transactions, including negotiated trnasactions, at a fixed public
offering price or at varying prices determined at the time of sale. Unless 
otherwise set forth in the Prospectus Supplement, the obligations of the
underwriters to purchase the Securities will be subject to certain conditions
precedent, and the underwriters will be obligated to purchase all such 
Securities if any are purchased.

  Securities may be sold directly by the Company or through any firm designated
by the Company from time to time, acting as principal or as agent. The
Prospectus Supplement will set forth the name of any dealer or agent involved in
the offer or sale of the Securities in respect of which the Prospectus 
Supplement is delivered and the price payable to the Company by such
dealer or any commissions payable by the Company to such agent. Unless 
otherwise indicated in the Prospectus Supplement, any such agent will be acting
on a best efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

  Underwriters, dealers and agents may be entitled under agreements entered into
with the Company to indemnification by the Company against certain civil 
liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act of 1933, or to
contribution with respect to payments for such liabilities which
underwriters, dealers or agents may be required to make Underwriters, dealers
and agents may engage in transactions with or perform services for the Company
in the ordinary course of business.

  The anticipated date of delivery of Securities will be as set forth in the 
Prospectus Supplement relating to such offering.



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