LINCOLN TELECOMMUNICATIONS CO
424B4, 1994-03-18
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
Previous: PRUDENTIAL GROWTH OPPORTUNITY FUND, PRES14A, 1994-03-18
Next: XEROX CREDIT CORP, 10-K, 1994-03-18



<PAGE>
PROSPECTUS
- ----------------

   
                                1,850,000 SHARES
    

  LINCOLN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY

                                  COMMON STOCK
                               ------------------

    All of the shares of Common Stock of Lincoln Telecommunications Company (the
"Company")  offered  hereby  are being  sold  by Sahara  Enterprises,  Inc. (the
"Selling Stockholder"). See "Selling Stockholder." The Company will not  receive
any  of the proceeds from the sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby.
Concurrently with the  sale of the  shares of Common  Stock offered hereby,  the
Company   will  purchase  250,000  shares  of  Common  Stock  from  the  Selling
Stockholder for future use  in funding its stock  obligations under one or  more
Company employee benefit plans. See "Sale of Shares to Company."

   
    The  Common Stock is traded  on the Nasdaq National  Market under the symbol
"LTEC." On March 17, 1994, the last  reported sale price of the Common Stock  on
the  Nasdaq National  Market was  $16.00 per share.  See "Price  Range of Common
Stock and Dividends."
    

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

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.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PROCEEDS TO
                                                  PRICE TO             UNDERWRITING              SELLING
                                                   PUBLIC              DISCOUNT (1)          STOCKHOLDER (2)
<S>                                         <C>                    <C>                    <C>
Per Share.................................         $16.00                  $.84                  $15.16
Total (3).................................       $29,600,000            $1,554,000             $28,046,000
<FN>
(1) The Company and the Selling Stockholder have agreed to indemnify the several
    Underwriters  against certain liabilities under  the Securities Act of 1933,
    as amended. See "Underwriting."
(2) Before deducting  offering  expenses  payable  by  the  Selling  Stockholder
    estimated  at $245,000. In addition, the  Company will pay offering expenses
    estimated at $30,000.
(3) The Selling  Stockholder has  granted the  Underwriters a  30-day option  to
    purchase  up to  277,500 additional shares  of Common Stock  solely to cover
    over-allotments, if any.  If such  option is  exercised in  full, the  total
    Price  to Public, Underwriting Discount  and Proceeds to Selling Stockholder
    will  be  $34,040,000,  $1,787,100,   and  $32,252,900,  respectively.   See
    "Underwriting."
</TABLE>

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

   
    The  shares of Common Stock are offered by the several Underwriters, subject
to prior sale, when, as  and if issued to and  accepted by them, and subject  to
approval  of certain legal  matters by counsel for  the Underwriters and certain
other conditions.  The Underwriters  reserve the  right to  withdraw, cancel  or
modify  such offer and to reject orders in whole or in part. It is expected that
delivery of the shares of Common Stock will be made in New York, New York on  or
about March 24, 1994.
    

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

MERRILL LYNCH & CO.  DAIN BOSWORTH
                       INCORPORATED
                               ------------------

   
                 The date of this Prospectus is March 17, 1994.
    
<PAGE>
    IN  CONNECTION WITH THIS OFFERING, THE UNDERWRITERS MAY OVER-ALLOT OR EFFECT
TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE COMMON STOCK AT
A LEVEL  ABOVE THAT  WHICH MIGHT  OTHERWISE  PREVAIL IN  THE OPEN  MARKET.  SUCH
TRANSACTIONS  MAY BE EFFECTED IN THE  OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. 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, as  amended  (the  "Exchange Act"),  and  in accordance
therewith files  reports,  proxy  statements  and  other  information  with  the
Securities  and  Exchange  Commission (the  "Commission").  Such  reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by the Company under the Exchange Act can
be inspected and  copied at the  public reference facilities  maintained by  the
Commission  at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's Regional Offices at Seven  World Trade Center, 13th Floor,  New
York,  New York 10048, and Northwestern  Atrium Center, 500 West Madison Street,
Chicago, Illinois 60661. Copies of such  material also may be obtained from  the
Public   Reference  Section  of  the  Commission,  Washington,  D.C.  20549,  at
prescribed rates.

    The Company has filed with the  Commission a Registration Statement on  Form
S-3  (together  with  all  amendments and  exhibits  thereto,  the "Registration
Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"),
with respect  to the  Common  Stock offered  hereby.  This Prospectus  does  not
contain  all of the information set forth in the Registration Statement, certain
parts of which are omitted in accordance  with the rules and regulations of  the
Commission.   For  further  information,   reference  is  hereby   made  to  the
Registration Statement which may  be inspected and copied  in the manner and  at
the  sources  described above.  Any statements  contained herein  concerning the
provisions of any document  are not necessarily complete  and in each  instance,
reference  is made  to the  copy of  such document  filed as  an exhibit  to the
Registration Statement  or  otherwise  filed  with  the  Commission.  Each  such
statement is qualified in its entirety by such reference.

                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE

    The  following documents heretofore filed by the Company with the Commission
pursuant to the Exchange Act are incorporated herein by reference:

        1.  The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
    31, 1992.

        2.  The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters  ended
    March 31, 1993, June 30, 1993 and September 30, 1993.

        3.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated January 21, 1994.

        4.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 1, 1994.

        5.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 14, 1994, as
    amended  by the Company's Current  Report on Form 8-K/A  dated March 4, 1994
    and the Company's  Current Report  on Form 8-K/A  dated March  10, 1994,  as
    amended.

   
        6.  The Company's Current Report on Form 8-K dated March 16, 1994.
    

   
        7.   The Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A under the Exchange
    Act with  respect  to  the  Common  Stock  Purchase  Rights,  including  any
    amendment  or reports filed  for the purpose of  updating the description of
    the Rights contained herein.
    

    All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14  or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the  termination of the  offering of the  shares of Common  Stock offered hereby
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. Any statement contained
in a document  incorporated or  deemed to  be incorporated  herein by  reference
shall  be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to
the extent that a statement contained in this Prospectus or in any  subsequently
filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference herein
modifies  or supersedes such statement. Any  statement so modified or superseded
shall not be deemed, except as so  modified or superseded, to constitute a  part
of this Prospectus.

    The  Company  will  provide without  charge  to each  person,  including any
beneficial owner,  to whom  a copy  of this  Prospectus is  delivered, upon  the
written  or oral request of such person, a  copy of any and all of the documents
that have been or may be  incorporated herein by reference (other than  exhibits
thereto,  unless such exhibits  are specifically incorporated  by reference into
the information that this Prospectus incorporates). Requests should be  directed
to  Lincoln Telecommunications Company, 1440  M Street, Lincoln, Nebraska 68508,
Attention:  Michael  J.  Tavlin,  Vice  President-Treasurer  (telephone:   (402)
474-2211).

                                       2
<PAGE>
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY

    THE  FOLLOWING SUMMARY  IS QUALIFIED  IN ITS  ENTIRETY BY  THE MORE DETAILED
INFORMATION AND  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS  APPEARING ELSEWHERE,  OR INCORPORATED  BY
REFERENCE,  IN  THIS PROSPECTUS.  ALL INFORMATION  CONTAINED IN  THIS PROSPECTUS
ASSUMES, UNLESS  OTHERWISE  INDICATED,  THAT  THE  UNDERWRITERS'  OVER-ALLOTMENT
OPTION IS NOT EXERCISED. THE NUMBER OF SHARES AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS SET FORTH IN
THIS  PROSPECTUS ARE ADJUSTED TO REFLECT  THE COMPANY'S 100% STOCK DIVIDEND PAID
ON JANUARY 6, 1994. UNLESS THE CONTEXT OTHERWISE REQUIRES, THE TERM "COMPANY" AS
USED IN THIS PROSPECTUS REFERS TO LINCOLN TELECOMMUNICATIONS COMPANY AND ALL  OF
ITS SUBSIDIARIES.

                                  THE COMPANY

    The  Company  is  a diversified  telecommunications  company  which provides
telecommunications services to telephone and cellular customers in  southeastern
and  eastern Nebraska. Since the mid-1980's, the Company's business strategy has
been to add value to  its core telephone operations  by positioning itself as  a
"one-stop"  telecommunications  service provider  and  to diversify  into faster
growing  segments  of  the  telecommunications  businesses,  such  as   wireless
communications.  The  Company  provides basic  exchange  service;  long distance
service; enhanced  network  services,  including  Caller  ID,  Voice  Mail,  and
Centrex;  and a  full range  of data  communications services.  The Company also
provides cellular  service, directory  service  and communications  systems  and
equipment to complement the Company's core telephone services.

    The  Company's primary geographic market  consists of 22 contiguous counties
in southeastern Nebraska  where the Company  is the local  exchange carrier  and
provides  cellular  and other  communications  services. According  to  the U.S.
Bureau of the Census,  the population of this  region exceeds 450,000.  Lincoln,
the capital of Nebraska and the location of the central campus of the University
of  Nebraska, is the principal urban area  within this market. The population in
the Lincoln  Metropolitan  Statistical  Area  ("MSA")  (which  includes  all  of
Lancaster   County  in  Nebraska)  grew  by  10.8%  between  1980  and  1990  to
approximately 214,000. The Company's secondary geographic market consists of the
Omaha MSA (Douglas  and Sarpy Counties  in Nebraska and  Pottawatamie County  in
Iowa,  which  includes  Council  Bluffs)  where  the  Company  provides business
communications equipment and  is the  manager and  27.6% owner  of the  wireline
cellular licensee.

    In  1986, Nebraska  enacted legislation which  substantially deregulated the
pricing of telecommunications services. Telecommunications companies in Nebraska
are permitted to make certain  rate adjustments for services without  regulatory
approval,  including the ability to increase basic local exchange rates by up to
10% during any consecutive 12-month period. An increase in local exchange  rates
not  exceeding 10% may be subject to  regulatory review if a requisite number of
subscribers protest the increase. See "Business -- Regulatory Environment."

    The Company is a Nebraska  corporation with its principal executive  offices
at 1440 M Street, Lincoln, Nebraska, telephone number (402) 474-2211.

                                  THE OFFERING

<TABLE>
<S>                                                    <C>
Common Stock offered by the Selling Stockholder......  1,850,000 shares
Common Stock Outstanding.............................  32,595,350 shares (1)
Nasdaq National Market Symbol........................  LTEC
Use of Proceeds......................................  The  Company will not receive any of
                                                       the net  proceeds from  the sale  of
                                                       the  shares of  Common Stock offered
                                                       hereby.
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   As of December  31, 1993.  Does not  include options  to purchase  110,650
      shares  of Common Stock under the  Company's 1989 Stock and Incentive Plan
      which were outstanding and unexercised as of such date.
</TABLE>

                                       3
<PAGE>
                         SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                              ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 1989         1990         1991         1992          1993
                                              -----------  -----------  -----------  -----------  ------------
                                                          (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                           <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA:
  Total operating revenues..................  $   161,954  $   164,665  $   168,093  $   175,368   $  184,350
  Operating income..........................       41,384       41,064       49,561       51,428       56,825
  Earnings before cumulative effect of
   change in accounting
   principle................................       25,046       24,696       27,820       29,609       33,191
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting
   principle................................           --           --           --           --      (23,166)(1)
  Net earnings..............................       25,046       24,696       27,820       29,609       10,025
  Per share of Common Stock:
    Earnings before cumulative effect of
     change in accounting principle.........          .74          .73          .83          .90         1.01
    Net earnings............................          .74          .73          .83          .90          .30
    Dividends declared......................          .37          .37          .40          .43          .49
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                   DECEMBER 31,
                                                                                                       1993
                                                                                                   ------------
<S>                                                                                                <C>
BALANCE SHEET DATA:
Total assets.....................................................................................   $  395,279
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   ------------
Capitalization:
  Long-term debt.................................................................................       44,000
  5% redeemable preferred stock..................................................................        4,499
  Common stock investment........................................................................      184,032
                                                                                                   ------------
    Total capitalization.........................................................................   $  232,531(2)
                                                                                                   ------------
                                                                                                   ------------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1)   Effective January 1, 1993, the Company  adopted FASB No. 106 and  recorded
      the  costs (net  of income taxes)  of post-retirement  benefits other than
      pensions.
(2)   Does not reflect the adjustment for  the sale of 250,000 shares of  Common
      Stock  by the Selling Stockholder to the Company for future use in funding
      its stock obligations under  one or more  Company employee benefit  plans.
      See "Capitalization."
</TABLE>

                                       4
<PAGE>
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DIVIDENDS

    The following table sets forth the reported high and low sales prices of the
Common  Stock on the  Nasdaq National Market  for the periods  indicated and the
cash dividends declared per share during  such periods. The prices and  dividend
amounts  have been adjusted to reflect the Company's 100% stock dividend paid on
January 6, 1994.

   
    On March 16, 1994, the Company declared a dividend of $.13 per share payable
on April 10, 1994 to stockholders of record on March 29, 1994. Purchasers of the
shares of Common Stock offered hereby will be entitled to receive this dividend.
    

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            SALES PRICES
                                                                        --------------------     CASH
                                                                          HIGH        LOW      DIVIDENDS
                                                                        ---------  ---------  -----------
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
1992
  First Quarter.......................................................  $   14.25  $   11.63   $    .10
  Second Quarter......................................................      13.13      10.63        .11
  Third Quarter.......................................................      12.13      10.63        .11
  Fourth Quarter......................................................      13.50      11.25        .11
1993
  First Quarter.......................................................      13.50      12.00        .12
  Second Quarter......................................................      14.50      12.50        .12
  Third Quarter.......................................................      18.75      13.63        .12
  Fourth Quarter......................................................      20.50      17.50        .13
1994
  First Quarter.......................................................      20.00      15.75        .13
</TABLE>

    See the cover page of this Prospectus for a recent sale price of the  Common
Stock on the Nasdaq National Market.

    The declaration of future cash dividends by the Company's Board of Directors
is  dependent upon business  conditions, the earnings  and financial position of
the Company and such other matters as the Board of Directors deems relevant. The
payment of dividends by the Company  is dependent upon the Company's receipt  of
dividends from its subsidiaries, principally The Lincoln Telephone and Telegraph
Company ("LT&T"). The agreements relating to the long-term debt of LT&T restrict
the  payment  of  dividends.  Under  the  most  restrictive  provision  of these
agreements, approximately $22 million of retained earnings of LT&T was available
for the payment of dividends  as of December 31,  1993. LT&T has outstanding  5%
redeemable  preferred stock  which has  a preferential  right to  payment of its
annual aggregate dividend of $224,955.

                                USE OF PROCEEDS

    The Company will not receive any of the net proceeds from the sale of shares
of Common Stock offered hereby.

                                       5
<PAGE>
                                 CAPITALIZATION

    The following table sets forth the short-term debt and capitalization of the
Company as of December 31,  1993 and as adjusted to  give effect to the sale  of
250,000  shares of Common Stock  by the Selling Stockholder  to the Company. See
"Sale of Shares to Company."

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           DECEMBER 31, 1993
                                                                                      HISTORICAL    AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                            (IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                   <C>          <C>
Short-term debt.....................................................................  $    41,500  $    45,420
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
Long-term debt (1)..................................................................  $    44,000  $    44,000
Stockholders' equity:
  5% redeemable preferred stock (2).................................................        4,499        4,499
  Common stock investment...........................................................      184,032      180,112(3)
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
    Total stockholders' equity......................................................      188,531      184,611
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
      Total capitalization..........................................................  $   232,531  $   228,611
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
                                                                                      -----------  --------------
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) See Note 6  to Company's consolidated  financial statements incorporated  by
    reference   herein  for  additional  information  concerning  the  Company's
    long-term debt.
(2) LT&T is the  issuer of the  5% redeemable preferred  stock, which  preferred
    stock  is publicly-held.  Such preferred stock  is redeemable  solely at the
    option of LT&T.
(3) Assumes the sale of Common Stock  by the Selling Stockholder to the  Company
    at a price of $15.68 per share. See "Sale of Shares to Company."
</TABLE>

                            RECENT OPERATING RESULTS

    Before  taking into account a one-time accounting charge relating to retiree
health care benefits,  the Company posted  record earnings of  $33.2 million  or
$1.01  per share in 1993.  This compared to $29.6 million  or $0.90 per share in
1992. After taking into  account the one-time  accounting charge, the  Company's
1993 year-end earnings were $10 million or $0.30 per share.

    The  Company's  total  operating  revenues for  1993  were  $184,350,000, an
increase of $8,982,000 or 5.1% over  1992. Telephone operating revenues, led  by
growth  in cellular network revenues, increased by $7,154,000 or 4.6% over 1992.
Revenues and sales from diversified  operations increased by $1,303,000 or  4.9%
over 1992.

    Total   operating  expenses  were  $127,525,000  in  1993,  an  increase  of
$3,585,000 or 2.9%, which resulted in a growth in operating income of $5,397,000
or 10.5%. Income taxes increased $3,517,000 or 21.9% over 1992.

   
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
    

   
    On March 16, 1994, the Company issued a press release announcing that due to
changes in technology, customer growth and usage demand for cellular services in
their respective markets,  the Company's Lincoln  and Omaha cellular  operations
have  entered into an agreement with AT&T to purchase digital cellular telephone
systems to  replace the  existing analog  systems serving  these markets.  These
digital  systems  are expected  to increase  capacity  and performance  in these
markets. The new  Omaha and Lincoln  systems are expected  to be operational  in
April, 1994 and mid-1995, respectively.
    

   
    The  implementation of these system upgrades will cause the early retirement
of existing analog equipment prior to  the expiration of its anticipated  useful
life.  As a result, the  Company will, in the first  quarter of 1994, write down
the value of these assets. This write down is expected to result in a  one-time,
non-cash reduction of first quarter 1994 earnings of approximately $3.2 million,
or $0.10 per share.
    

                                       6
<PAGE>
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

    The  following table presents selected financial data for the Company, which
has been  derived  from,  and  is  qualified  by  reference  to,  the  Company's
consolidated  financial statements  and should  be read  in connection  with the
consolidated  financial  statements,   related  notes   and  other   information
incorporated by reference herein.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                          ----------------------------------------------------------
                                                             1989        1990        1991        1992        1993
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                                   (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
<S>                                                       <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
EARNINGS STATEMENT DATA:
  Revenues and Sales:
    Telephone operations................................  $  142,872  $  146,162  $  149,312  $  156,760  $  163,914
    Diversified operations..............................      25,806      25,799      26,902      26,751      28,054
    Intercompany revenues...............................      (6,724)     (7,296)     (8,121)     (8,143)     (7,618)
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total revenues and sales..........................     161,954     164,665     168,093     175,368     184,350
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Operating Expenses:
    Depreciation........................................      27,656      28,692      28,628      29,626      28,596
    Cost of goods and services..........................      18,342      18,149      18,806      18,103      17,709
    Intercompany expenses...............................      (6,724)     (7,296)     (8,121)     (8,143)     (7,618)
    Other...............................................      81,296      84,056      79,219      84,354      88,838
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total operating expenses..........................     120,570     123,601     118,532     123,940     127,525
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Operating income......................................      41,384      41,064      49,561      51,428      56,825
  Net non-operating expense(1)..........................       3,943       4,497       4,904       5,718       4,016
  Income taxes..........................................      12,395      11,871      16,837      16,101      19,618
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Earnings before cumulative effect of change in
   accounting principle.................................      25,046      24,696      27,820      29,609      33,191
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle...      --          --          --          --         (23,166)(2)
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Net earnings..........................................      25,046      24,696      27,820      29,609      10,025
  Preferred dividends...................................         543         506         469         338         225
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Earnings available for Common Stock...................  $   24,503  $   24,190  $   27,351  $   29,271  $    9,800
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Per Share of Common Stock:
    Net earnings before cumulative effect of change in
     accounting principle...............................  $      .74  $      .73  $      .83  $      .90  $     1.01
    Net earnings........................................  $      .74  $      .73  $      .83  $      .90  $      .30
    Dividends declared..................................  $      .37  $      .37  $      .40  $      .43  $      .49
  Weighted average shares outstanding...................      32,980      32,976      32,879      32,672      32,548
BALANCE SHEET DATA (AT PERIOD END):
  Assets:
    Net property and equipment..........................  $  244,763  $  250,275  $  253,368  $  249,565  $  246,104
    Current assets......................................      51,886      90,476      63,452      68,659      81,751
    Other assets........................................       8,259       7,344      44,156      50,892      67,424
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total assets......................................  $  304,908  $  348,095  $  360,976  $  369,116  $  395,279
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
  Capitalization and Liabilities:
   Capitalization:
    Long-term debt......................................  $   55,075  $   85,794  $   80,325  $   73,550  $   44,000
    Preferred stock.....................................       8,179       7,699       7,219       4,499       4,499
    Common stock investment.............................     153,420     164,815     177,911     189,435     184,032
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total capitalization..............................     216,674     258,308     265,455     267,484     232,531
    Current liabilities.................................      38,850      41,568      50,353      53,760      74,385
    Deferred credits....................................      49,384      48,219      45,168      47,872      88,363
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
      Total capitalization and liabilities..............  $  304,908  $  348,095  $  360,976  $  369,116  $  395,279
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
                                                          ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------  ----------
<FN>
- --------------------------
(1) Includes  $59,000  of  loss  (net  of  income  taxes)  in  1989  relating to
    discontinued operations.
(2) Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted FASB No. 106 and recorded the
    costs (net of  income taxes) of  accumulated post-retirement benefits  other
    than pensions.
</TABLE>

                                       7
<PAGE>
                                    BUSINESS

    The  Company  is  a diversified  telecommunications  company  which provides
telecommunications services to telephone and cellular customers in  southeastern
and  eastern Nebraska. Since the mid-1980's, the Company's business strategy has
been to add value to  its core telephone operations  by positioning itself as  a
"one-stop"  telecommunications  service provider  and  to diversify  into faster
growing  segments  of  the  telecommunications  businesses,  such  as   wireless
communications.  The  Company  provides basic  exchange  service;  long distance
service; enhanced  network  services,  including  Caller  ID,  Voice  Mail,  and
Centrex;  and a  full range  of data  communications services.  The Company also
provides cellular  service, directory  service  and communications  systems  and
equipment to complement the Company's core telephone services.

    The  Company's primary geographic market  consists of 22 contiguous counties
in southeastern Nebraska  where the Company  is the local  exchange carrier  and
provides  cellular  and other  communications  services. According  to  the U.S.
Bureau of the Census,  the population of this  region exceeds 450,000.  Lincoln,
the capital of Nebraska and the location of the central campus of the University
of  Nebraska, is the principal urban area  within this market. The population in
the Lincoln MSA  (which includes all  of Lancaster County  in Nebraska) grew  by
10.8%  between 1980 and  1990 to approximately  214,000. The Company's secondary
geographic market  consists of  the Omaha  MSA (Douglas  and Sarpy  Counties  in
Nebraska  and Pottawatamie County in Iowa,  which includes Council Bluffs) where
the Company provides business  communications equipment and  is the manager  and
27.6% owner of the wireline cellular licensee.

    In  1986, Nebraska  enacted legislation which  substantially deregulated the
pricing of telecommunications services. Telecommunications companies in Nebraska
are permitted to make certain  rate adjustments for services without  regulatory
approval,  including the ability to increase basic local exchange rates by up to
10% during any consecutive 12-month period. An increase in local exchange  rates
not  exceeding 10% may be subject to  regulatory review if a requisite number of
subscribers protest the increase. See "Business -- Regulatory Environment."

WIRELINE OPERATIONS

    The  Company's   local   exchange   operations  provide   voice   and   data
communications  services for residential and  business customers in southeastern
Nebraska and  access  services, fiber  facilities,  and billing  and  collection
services to other communications companies, including long distance and cellular
companies.  Measured by access line data as of December 31, 1992 provided by the
United States  Telephone Association,  the Company  was the  19th largest  local
telephone company in the United States.

    The following table sets forth certain information about the Company's local
exchange operations:

                           ACCESS LINES IN SERVICE(1)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       EMPLOYEES
                                                                          PER
                                                        PERCENT         10,000
 DECEMBER 31,    RESIDENTIAL   BUSINESS      TOTAL     INCREASE    ACCESS LINES (2)
- ---------------  -----------  -----------  ---------  -----------  -----------------
<S>              <C>          <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
        1989        163,571       52,538     216,109          2.7%            69
        1990        165,832       55,874     221,706          2.6%            66
        1991        168,164       57,913     226,077          2.0%            65
        1992        170,954       61,194     232,148          2.7%            62
        1993        173,477       64,665     238,142          2.6%            60
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) Does not include cellular subscribers.
(2) Employees used in the computation are all employees of LT&T.
</TABLE>

                                       8
<PAGE>
    Rates  for basic local exchange service for residential customers range from
a low of $10.00 a month for smaller  communities to a high of $12.50 a month  in
Lincoln.  Business rates range from a low of $33.00 for a single line in a small
community to $55.00 for a PBX line in Lincoln. In 1991, the Company, pursuant to
an order of the  Nebraska Public Service Commission  ("NPSC"), concluded a  rate
restructuring  program in which basic rates were increased to the current levels
to offset  rate reductions  for intraLATA  long distance  calling. The  combined
result of this rate restructuring program was intended to be revenue neutral and
was  monitored by  the NPSC  for 12 months  following the  order. Following such
monitoring period, the NPSC  issued an order on  February 16, 1993, intended  to
accomplish  revenue neutrality on an ongoing basis,  as well as to refund excess
revenues LT&T earned during and following the monitoring period. Consistent with
this  order,  LT&T's   customers  received  one-time   credits  which   totalled
approximately   $253,000,  rates  for   touch  call  service   were  reduced  by
approximately $464,000 annually and the Company's intraLATA long distance  rates
were  reduced by $1,125,000  annually. These adjustments  allowed the Company to
more competitively position its rates for intraLATA long distance calling.

    One of the Company's key strategies has been to deploy new technology in its
local exchange  network to  increase  operating efficiencies  and to  provide  a
platform for the delivery of new services to its customers. The Company has made
approximately  $300 million in  capital expenditures during  the last ten years.
Some of the most significant capital expenditure programs include:

        ALL DIGITAL  SWITCHING.    All  of  the  Company's  switches  have  been
converted  to digital technology  and interoffice transmission  is 100% digital.
Immediate benefits from this all-digital network include faster call completion,
better transmission quality for both voice and data, reduced administration  and
maintenance costs, and the ability to offer a wide variety of enhanced services,
such as custom calling and digital data services.

        FIBER OPTICS.  The Company has installed over 1,250 miles of fiber optic
cable,  which provides for improved  transmission quality, occupies less conduit
space, requires less maintenance and provides higher bandwidth for services like
video, data  and voice.  The Company  has installed  fiber optic  cable in  ring
configurations  in  its  22-county  local  exchange  market.  This configuration
provides route  diversity  and reduces  the  susceptibility of  the  network  to
outages.  One  of the  Company's  fiber rings  covers  88 square  blocks  in the
downtown Lincoln  business area  and provides  large businesses  and  government
customers  with access  to a  wide range  of new  data and  video communications
services. The Company  believes this fiber  network will make  the Company  less
vulnerable to entry by competitive access providers.

        SIGNALING  SYSTEM  7  ("SS7").    The  Company  has  installed  SS7,  an
out-of-band signaling system, to over 60% of  its access lines. SS7 is a  common
network "language" used by digital switches to separate telephone calls into two
parts,  the  voice  message and  the  signaling message.  Because  the signaling
messages are  sent  over a  separate  path or  "band,"  use of  SS7  results  in
shortened  call set up times, more efficient  use of the network and the ability
to offer  new advanced  services, including  Caller ID,  Continuous Redial,  and
Enhanced 800 services.

    The  Company's focus has been to  achieve greater market penetration for the
new products that  its advanced technology  makes possible. As  of December  31,
1993,  residential penetration of  traditional custom calling  features, such as
call waiting and call forwarding, was  over 22%, and residential penetration  of
advanced  custom calling features,  such as Caller ID  and Continuous Redial, in
the areas where  such features  are available  was over  10%. These  penetration
rates  compare with national average penetration  rates of approximately 34% for
custom calling  features  and  approximately  4%  for  advanced  custom  calling
features.

    The  Company has  launched a  variety of new  services to  meet business and
government customers' needs  for voice  and data  communications. The  Company's
Centrex  service, once only a service for large customers, has been repositioned
with new  features  and  benefits  to  make it  more  attractive  to  small  and
medium-sized  business users. The number of  Centrex lines has grown from 15,876
to 23,039 from January 1, 1990 to  December 31, 1993. In 1992, the Company  also
began offering frame relay

                                       9
<PAGE>
service,  an advanced  standardized switching  technology that  enables users to
transmit data through a public network at high speeds. Frame relay supports many
business applications,  including  local area  network  interconnection,  remote
terminal to host computer connection, image transfer and file transfer.

WIRELESS SERVICES

    The  Company's wireless services  include cellular operations  and wide area
paging services. The Company's  cellular businesses consist  of the Lincoln  and
Omaha MSAs and a Rural Service Area ("RSA") in Iowa contiguous to the Omaha MSA.
In  addition,  the  Company  holds  a  minority  interest  in  Nebraska Cellular
Telephone  Corporation  which  provides  cellular   service  in  the  ten   RSAs
established  by the Federal  Communications Commission ("FCC")  in Nebraska. The
following table  sets forth  certain information  about the  Company's  cellular
operations.

                              CELLULAR OPERATIONS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    DECEMBER 31, 1993
                                                        POPS                    --------------------------
                      ACQUISITION       PERCENT        WITHIN          NET                         NET
   SYSTEM (1)          DATE (2)        OWNERSHIP       AREA (5)       POPS      SUBSCRIBERS    SUBSCRIBERS
- -----------------  -----------------  -----------      -------       -------    -----------    -----------
<S>                <C>                <C>              <C>           <C>        <C>            <C>
Lincoln MSA        April 23, 1987           100.0      220,126       220,126        12,845         12,845
Omaha MSA          December 31, 1991         27.6(3)   614,731(6)    169,666        21,635          5,971
Nebraska RSAs      November 25, 1989         13.1      825,169       108,097            (7 )           (7 )
Iowa RSA 1         June 30, 1989             11.0(4)   61,965          6,816            (7 )           (7 )
<FN>
- ------------------------
(1) Systems are as follows:
        Lincoln MSA -- Lancaster County, Nebraska
        Omaha  MSA --  Douglas and Sarpy  Counties in  Nebraska and Pottawatamie
        County in Iowa
        Nebraska RSAs -- 89  of the 90  Nebraska counties not  in the Omaha  and
        Lincoln MSAs
        Iowa RSA 1 -- Southwestern six counties of Iowa
(2) The  date the  Company's operating  license was granted  in the  case of the
    Lincoln MSA,  and  the date  of  the  Company's initial  acquisition  of  an
    interest in the licensee in the case of the other systems.
(3) In  addition, the Company has  as an option to  purchase an additional 27.6%
    interest in the licensee of the Omaha MSA at fair market value.
(4) Includes the  Company's  allocable portion  of  the 14.1%  interest  in  the
    licensee held by the Omaha MSA system.
(5) Based  upon  Donnelley Marketing  Information  Services population  data for
    1992. Pops shown for Lincoln and Omaha MSAs are virtually all covered by the
    networks of these systems. According to estimates available to the  Company,
    approximately  60% of the pops shown for Nebraska RSAs and approximately 90%
    of the  pops shown  for Iowa  RSA 1  are covered  by the  networks of  these
    systems.
(6) Does  not include  the Omaha  MSA licensee's  14.1% interest  in Iowa  RSA 1
    (which system has been  separately included in the  table) or the Omaha  MSA
    licensee's  8.3% interest in Iowa RSA  8 (representing 54,125 pops and 4,492
    net pops).
(7) The data  regarding the  subscribers and  net subscribers  is not  disclosed
    herein  because it is not considered  material to the Company's consolidated
    operations.
</TABLE>

    Since assuming management of the Omaha MSA operations, over $6.9 million has
been invested by the licensee to improve cellular coverage in the Omaha MSA  and
to  open new retail and service centers. Synergies between the Lincoln and Omaha
markets have allowed for expanded advertising and promotional programs at  lower
costs.  In both  markets, the  Company has  increased system  minutes of  use by
selling features, such as voice mail, call waiting, and call forwarding.

OTHER SERVICES AND PRODUCTS

    The Company is  a "reseller"  of long  distance services,  primarily in  its
exchange  service area, and provides this  service by aggregating its customers'
traffic to  take advantage  of volume  discounts offered  by national  networks.
During   1992,  the  Company   had  105.8  million   minutes  of  long  distance

                                       10
<PAGE>
traffic, an increase of 2 million minutes  from 1991. For 1993, the Company  had
110.0  million minutes of long  distance usage, up 4.0%  over 1992. According to
publicly available information, at  December 31, 1993,  the Company's rates  for
long distance service were generally less than AT&T, MCI and Sprint. The Company
has  a variety of calling programs  for both residential and business customers.
Rates of all carriers change frequently  and the foregoing rate comparisons  may
change in the future.

    The  Company also  sells and services  a wide  range of PBX,  key system and
other communications equipment to large and small businesses, including products
manufactured by ROLM  and Northern  Telecom. These systems  typically include  a
variety of special features such as automatic call distribution, voice mail, and
LAN functionality.

    The  Company publishes  six regional  telephone directories  and has  been a
leader  in  the  development   of  new  revenue-producing  directory   features.
Advertisers can enhance their Yellow Page ads with "talking ads," four-color ads
and coupons.

    The  Company  also provides  billing  and collection  services  and operator
services, both  with respect  to its  own customers  and, under  contract,  with
respect to the customers of AT&T and certain other carriers.

REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT

    In  1986, Nebraska  enacted legislation which  substantially deregulated the
pricing of telecommunications  services. The Company  has flexibility to  change
prices  for  its non-local  exchange  communications services  without  prior or
subsequent regulatory review.  While certain local  exchange rate increases  are
subject  to regulatory review  as described below,  the procedures applicable to
such increases have significantly reduced the delays in obtaining rate  approval
which had been customary with traditional rate applications. The Company has the
ability to price and offer new services to its customers with minimal regulatory
oversight.

    Since  1986, telecommunications companies in Nebraska have been permitted to
increase local  exchange rates  up to  10% in  any consecutive  12-month  period
without  review by the NPSC. However, the  Company must provide at least 60 days
notice to affected customers  and conduct public  informational meetings. If  at
least  3%  of all  affected  subscribers sign  a  formal complaint  opposing the
increase within 120 days  from such notice,  the NPSC must  hold and complete  a
hearing  with regard to  the complaint within  90 days to  determine whether the
proposed rates are fair, just and reasonable. Within 60 days after the close  of
such hearing, the NPSC must enter an order adjusting the rates at issue.

    Rates  for all  other services  are not subject  to regulation  by the NPSC.
Rates for  other services  may be  revised by  a telecommunications  company  by
filing  a rate list with  the NPSC which is effective  after ten days' notice to
the NPSC. Quality of service regulation over interexchange and local exchange is
retained by  the NPSC.  Nebraska  has completely  deregulated the  provision  of
mobile radio services and radio paging services.

    Regardless  of whether a  particular rate increase  is subject to regulatory
review, the  Company's ability  to raise  rates will  be determined  by  various
factors, including economic and competitive circumstances in effect at the time.

    From  time to time, including  in January 1994, proposals  have been made by
the   Nebraska   legislature   and   the   NPSC   to   re-regulate   rates   for
telecommunications  services,  including local  and interexchange  long distance
rates, offered in Nebraska. In addition,  a bill was introduced in the  Nebraska
legislature  in  January  1994,  which  if passed  in  its  current  form, would
eliminate the  Company's  exclusive  ability to  provide  basic  local  exchange
service  in  its  certificated service  area  (the southeastern  22  counties of
Nebraska)  and  potentially  subject  the  Company  to  competition  from  other
providers  of basic local  exchange service, interexchange  service and extended
area service. Consideration of these two proposals was indefinitely postponed by
the Transportation Committee of the Nebraska legislature, the committee to which
they were assigned, and will not advance to the full

                                       11
<PAGE>
Nebraska legislature during  the current  term without a  supermajority vote  of
legislators.  The Company  cannot provide  any assurance  that similar proposals
will not be introduced in the future or that the current regulatory  environment
in  Nebraska will  continue without  change or make  any predictions  as to what
impact any change may have on the Company's operations.

    The FCC regulates  interstate telephone  services provided  by the  Company.
This  regulation  primarily  consists  of the  regulation  of  interstate access
charges that  are  billed to  interexchange  carriers for  the  origination  and
termination  of interstate long distance services by end-user customers over the
Company's local exchange network. The Company elected to be subject to price cap
regulation by  the FCC  effective July  2, 1993,  pursuant to  which limits  are
imposed  on the Company's interstate  service rates. Prior to  July 2, 1993, the
Company operated under rate-of-return regulation, which offered less pricing and
earnings flexibility than under price cap regulation. From time to time, the FCC
modifies existing regulations and  adopts new regulations concerning  interstate
telephone  services,  and there  can  be no  assurance  as to  what  impact such
regulations may have.

   
    Bills pending in Congress, with  the support of the Clinton  administration,
may  substantially  change  the  federal and  state  regulatory  environment for
telecommunications  service  providers,  including  the  Company,  which   could
possibly increase competition for local exchange and long distance services.
    

    The  licensing, ownership,  construction, operation and  sale of controlling
interests in cellular telephone  systems are subject to  regulation by the  FCC.
The FCC licenses for the Company's Lincoln MSA and Omaha MSA cellular operations
expire  between  October  1994 and  October  1996,  while FCC  licenses  for the
Company's Iowa RSA and Nebraska RSA cellular operations expire between July 1999
and August 2000. All renewal applications for these licenses must be received by
the FCC  not later  than  30 and  not more  than  60 days  in advance  of  their
respective expiration dates and must be approved by the FCC. It is possible that
there  may be competition for  these FCC licenses upon  expiration, and any such
competitors may  apply for  such licenses  within  the same  time frame  as  the
Company.  However,  incumbent  cellular  providers  generally  retain  their FCC
licenses upon a demonstration of substantial compliance with FCC regulations and
substantial service  to the  public.  The FCC  will only  consider  competitors'
applications  if it  determines the Company  has not made  such a demonstration.
Although the Company has no reason to believe that the FCC renewal  applications
will not be granted by the FCC, no assurance can be given.

    For  a five-year  period ending after  the date  of the grant  of a cellular
license by the FCC (the "fill-in period"), the licensee has the exclusive  right
to  apply to serve areas  within the RSA or  the MSA. At the  end of the fill-in
period, any person may apply to serve the unserved areas in the MSA or RSA.  The
fill-in period for both the Lincoln and Omaha MSAs has expired and no person has
filed  to serve any unserved  areas in those locations.  The fill-in periods for
the Nebraska RSAs and the Iowa RSA expire between November 1994 and May 1995.

                                   MANAGEMENT

    The following  table  sets forth  certain  information about  the  executive
officers of the Company:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
             NAME                AGE                             POSITION
- -------------------------------  ---  --------------------------------------------------------------
<S>                              <C>  <C>
Frank H. Hilsabeck               49   President and Chief Executive Officer
Thomas C. Woods, III             48   Chairman of the Board
James W. Strand                  47   President-Diversified Operations
Jack H. Geist                    61   Vice President-Diversified Operations
Robert L. Tyler                  58   Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Michael J. Tavlin                47   Vice President-Treasurer and Secretary
</TABLE>

                                       12
<PAGE>
    Frank H. Hilsabeck has been Chief Executive Officer since May 1993. Prior to
that,  he was President and Chief Operating  Officer from March 1992 to May 1993
and before that was President-Telephone Operations  from 1990 to March 1992  and
Vice President-Telephone Operations from 1986-1990.

    Thomas C. Woods, III has been Chairman of the Board since May 1993. Prior to
that,  he was Vice Chairman of  the Board-Corporate Relations and Communications
from 1990 to  May 1993 and  before that was  Vice President-Corporate  Relations
from 1985-1990.

    James  W. Strand  has been  President-Diversified Operations  since 1990 and
before that was Vice President-Diversified Operations from 1987-1990.

    Jack H. Geist  has been  Vice President-Diversified  Operations since  1991.
Prior to that, he was President of the Anixter-Lincoln Partnership Joint Venture
from  1989-1991 and was  President of a now-dissolved  subsidiary of the Company
from 1986-1989.

    Robert L. Tyler has been Senior  Vice President and Chief Financial  Officer
since  1991. Prior to that, he  was Vice President-Controller from 1989-1991 and
before that was Accounting Director of LT&T from 1979-1989.

    Michael J. Tavlin has been Vice President-Treasurer since 1986 and Secretary
since 1987.

                              SELLING STOCKHOLDER

   
    All of the  shares of  Common Stock  offered hereby  are being  sold by  the
Selling  Stockholder. At  the date of  this Prospectus,  the Selling Stockholder
beneficially owned 5,412,976 shares  of Common Stock representing  approximately
16.6% of the outstanding Common Stock as of December 31, 1993. Immediately after
the  sale of the shares of Common Stock offered hereby and the sale of shares to
the Company  (but  without  giving  effect  to  exercise  of  the  Underwriters'
over-allotment  option), the Selling Stockholder will beneficially own 3,312,976
shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 10% of the outstanding shares
of Common Stock.  Exclusive of shares  of Common Stock  received by the  Selling
Stockholder  pursuant to  Company stock dividends  or stock  splits, the Selling
Stockholder (or its wholly-owned subsidiary)  has beneficially owned the  shares
to  be  sold  hereunder  and  the  250,000 shares  to  be  sold  to  the Company
concurrently herewith  since  the  Company's  formation  as  a  holding  company
effective February 23, 1981.
    

    Charles  N. Wheatley, the President, Chief  Executive Officer and a director
of the Selling Stockholder, and George Kelm, the Chairman and a director of  the
Selling  Stockholder, are  directors of the  Company. Thomas C.  Woods, III, the
Chairman of the Board of the Company, is a director of the Selling  Stockholder.
The  Selling Stockholder  is a holding  company with a  portfolio of investments
which is controlled by descendants of the Company's founder, including Thomas C.
Woods, III.

                           SALE OF SHARES TO COMPANY

   
    Concurrently with  the  sale  of  the shares  offered  hereby,  the  Selling
Stockholder  will sell 250,000 shares of Common  Stock to the Company at a price
of $15.68 per share  (the public offering  price less a discount  of 2% of  such
price). Such Common Stock will be held as treasury stock and will be reissued in
the  future to fund  the Company's stock  obligations under one  or more Company
employee benefit plans.  The Company  anticipates financing  the acquisition  of
such  shares  through  incurrence of  short-term  indebtedness  of approximately
$3,920,000.
    

                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK

    The authorized capital stock of  the Company consists of 100,000,000  shares
of  Common Stock, $.25 par value, and 20,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock, $.50
par value. As of December 31, 1993, there were 32,595,350 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. There are no shares  of Preferred Stock outstanding, although  LT&T
has publicly-held 5% redeemable preferred stock outstanding.

                                       13
<PAGE>
COMMON STOCK

    After  all cumulative dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for
payment on any shares of Preferred Stock that are outstanding, the Common  Stock
is  entitled to such dividends as may be declared from time to time by the Board
of Directors in accordance with applicable law. For certain restrictions on  the
ability  of the Company to  declare dividends, see "Price  Range of Common Stock
and Dividends."

    Except as provided under Nebraska law and except as may be determined by the
Board of Directors of the Company with respect to any series of Preferred Stock,
only the holders of Common Stock shall  be entitled to vote for the election  of
directors  of the Company and  on all other matters.  Subject to the limitations
imposed by Nebraska law as  described below, upon any  such vote the holders  of
Common  Stock shall be entitled to one vote  for each share of Common Stock held
by them. Under Nebraska law, holders of Common Stock are entitled to  cumulative
voting  rights  in  the  election  of  directors.  Cumulative  voting  allows  a
stockholder to vote the number of shares  owned by such stockholder for as  many
persons as there are directors to be elected, or to cumulate such votes and give
one  person as many votes as the number of directors to be elected multiplied by
the number of such  stockholder's shares, or to  distribute such votes among  as
many directors to be elected as such stockholder sees fit.

    All   shares  of  Common  Stock  are  entitled  to  participate  equally  in
distributions in liquidation, subject to the prior rights of any Preferred Stock
which may be outstanding. Except as the Board of Directors may in its discretion
otherwise determine,  holders  of Common  Stock  have no  preemptive  rights  to
subscribe for or purchase shares of the Company. There are no conversion rights,
or  sinking fund  or redemption provisions  applicable to the  Common Stock. The
shares of Common Stock offered hereby are fully paid and nonassessable.

    Mellon Securities Trust Company, New York,  New York, is the transfer  agent
and registrar for the Common Stock.

PREFERRED STOCK

    The  Board of Directors  is authorized to  issue from time  to time, without
stockholder authorization, in one or more designated series, shares of Preferred
Stock with such preferences, voting  rights, conversion rights, limitations  and
relative  rights as are provided in  the particular series which could adversely
affect the  voting rights  of holders  of Common  Stock. No  dividends or  other
distributions  are payable on the Common Stock unless dividends are paid in full
on the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock.  In the event of a liquidation  or
dissolution of the Company, the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock would have
priority  over  the  Common  Stock  to receive  the  amounts  specified  in each
particular series out of the remaining assets of the Company.

CERTAIN STATUTORY AND OTHER PROVISIONS

    STATUTORY PROVISIONS.  The Nebraska  Statutes provide that the voting  power
of  shares of a Nebraska  corporation such as the Company  held by any person or
persons acting as  a group  of 20%  or more is  eliminated with  respect to  all
matters  other than  the election of  directors, unless otherwise  approved by a
vote of the disinterested stockholders at  a special or annual meeting  pursuant
to  certain provisions of the Nebraska Statutes. To the extent so approved, such
shares shall have the same  voting rights as other shares  of the same class  or
series.  This restriction  does not apply  to shares acquired  directly from the
Company or in certain specified transactions.

    The Nebraska  Statutes  provide that  a  Nebraska corporation  such  as  the
Company  may not engage in a business combination with a beneficial owner of 10%
or more of  the voting  shares of  the corporation (or  an affiliate  of such  a
beneficial  owner)  unless,  before  such shares  were  acquired,  the  board of
directors  of  the  corporation  approved   the  business  combination  or   the
stockholder's  acquisition  of  those  shares  which  causes  such stockholder's
beneficial ownership to equal or exceed 10% of the voting shares.

                                       14
<PAGE>
    ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.  The  Articles of Incorporation provide that  the
Board  of Directors of the Company is divided into three classes, with staggered
terms of three years each. Each year the term of one class expires. The  members
constituting  the entire Board of  Directors may be removed  from office only by
the affirmative vote of at least 70% of all outstanding shares of Common  Stock.
The   Articles  of  Incorporation  provide  that   the  approval  of  a  merger,
consolidation, exchange  of all  outstanding  shares, or  sale, lease  or  other
disposition  of all  or substantially all  of the Company's  assets requires the
affirmative vote of at least 70% of all outstanding shares of Common Stock.

    The Articles of Incorporation provide that the amendment or repeal of any of
the provisions described  in the  preceding paragraph  requires the  affirmative
vote of at least 70% of all outstanding shares of Common Stock.

    The  statutory provisions  and the provisions  of the  Company's Articles of
Incorporation described above  and the  Common Stock  Purchase Rights  described
below  could have the  effect of delaying,  deterring or preventing  a change in
control of the Company or a merger, reorganization, tender offer or sale of  all
or substantially all of the Company's assets.

COMMON STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS

    Under  the Rights  Agreement, dated  as of  June 21,  1989, as  amended (the
"Rights Agreement"),  each  outstanding share  of  Common Stock  (including  the
shares  being sold  by the  Selling Stockholder  in this  offering) has attached
thereto one Common Stock Purchase Right (a "Right") and each share  subsequently
issued  by the Company prior to the expiration of the Rights Agreement will also
have attached thereto  one Right. Under  certain circumstances described  below,
the  Rights will  entitle the  holder thereof  to purchase  additional shares of
Common Stock. In  this Prospectus,  unless the context  otherwise requires,  all
references to the Common Stock include the accompanying Rights.

    Currently,  the Rights are not exercisable  and trade with the Common Stock.
In the event the Rights become exercisable, each Right (unless held by a  person
or  group, other than the Selling Stockholder, which beneficially owns more than
10% of  the outstanding  Common  Stock) will  initially  entitle the  holder  to
purchase  for $21.875  an amount of  the Common  Stock having a  market value of
$43.75. The Rights will only become exercisable if a person or group, other than
the Selling Stockholder, has acquired, or announced an intention to acquire, 10%
or more  of  the  outstanding shares  of  Common  Stock. In  the  event  of  the
acquisition  of  the  Company  by  another  corporation  subsequent  to  a party
acquiring 10%  or more  of the  Common Stock,  each holder  of a  Right will  be
entitled  to receive the  acquiring corporation's common  shares having a market
value of two times the exercise price per Right. The Rights may be redeemed at a
price of $.0025 per Right prior to  the existence of a 10% acquiring party,  and
thereafter may be exchanged for one share of Common Stock per Right prior to the
existence of a 50% acquiring party. The Rights will expire on June 30, 1999. The
Rights do not have voting or dividend rights and, until they become exercisable,
have no dilutive effect on the earnings of the Company.

                                       15
<PAGE>
                                  UNDERWRITING

    The  Underwriters  (the "Underwriters")  named  below, acting  through their
representatives, Merrill Lynch,  Pierce, Fenner  & Smith  Incorporated and  Dain
Bosworth Incorporated (the "Representatives"), have severally agreed, subject to
the  terms  and conditions  of a  Purchase  Agreement with  the Company  and the
Selling Stockholder (the  "Purchase Agreement"),  to purchase  from the  Selling
Stockholder  the number of shares of Common Stock set forth below opposite their
respective names. The Underwriters are committed  to purchase all of the  shares
of  Common  Stock  if  any  are  purchased.  Under  certain  circumstances,  the
commitments of non-defaulting Underwriters may be increased as set forth in  the
Purchase Agreement.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           NUMBER OF
              UNDERWRITERS                                                                  SHARES
- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<S>                                                                                      <C>
Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith
           Incorporated................................................................       473,500
Dain Bosworth Incorporated.............................................................       473,500
Alex. Brown & Sons Incorporated........................................................        42,000
Dean Witter Reynolds Inc...............................................................        42,000
A.G. Edwards & Sons, Inc...............................................................        42,000
Gabelli & Company, Inc.................................................................        42,000
Goldman, Sachs & Co....................................................................        42,000
Kidder, Peabody & Co. Incorporated.....................................................        42,000
PaineWebber Incorporated...............................................................        42,000
Prudential Securities Incorporated.....................................................        42,000
Salomon Brothers Inc...................................................................        42,000
Smith Barney Shearson Inc..............................................................        42,000
S.G. Warburg & Co. Inc.................................................................        42,000
Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated.....................................................        21,000
J.C. Bradford & Co.....................................................................        21,000
Brad Peery Capital Inc.................................................................        21,000
Cowen & Company........................................................................        21,000
Dickinson & Co.........................................................................        21,000
Fahnestock & Co. Inc...................................................................        21,000
Ferris, Baker Watts, Incorporated......................................................        21,000
Furman Selz Incorporated...............................................................        21,000
Hanifen, Imhoff Inc....................................................................        21,000
Janney Montgomery Scott Inc............................................................        21,000
Edward D. Jones & Co...................................................................        21,000
Kemper Securities, Inc.................................................................        21,000
Kirkpatrick, Pettis, Smith, Polian Inc.................................................        21,000
Legg Mason Wood Walker, Incorporated...................................................        21,000
Moran & Associates, Inc. Securities Brokerage..........................................        21,000
Piper Jaffray Inc......................................................................        21,000
Ragen Mackenzie Incorporated...........................................................        21,000
Raymond James & Associates, Inc........................................................        21,000
Stephens Inc...........................................................................        21,000
Wessels, Arnold & Henderson............................................................        21,000
Wheat, First Securities, Inc...........................................................        21,000
                                                                                         -------------
           Total.......................................................................     1,850,000
                                                                                         -------------
                                                                                         -------------
</TABLE>

   
    The  Representatives have  advised the  Company and  the Selling Stockholder
that they propose initially to offer the shares of Common Stock to the public at
the public offering price set forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, and to
certain dealers  at  such  price  less  a  concession  not  in  excess  of  $.47
    

                                       16
<PAGE>
   
per  share. The Underwriters may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a discount
not in excess of  $.10 per share  on sales to certain  other dealers. After  the
initial  public offering, the public offering price, concession and discount may
be changed.
    

   
    The Selling Stockholder has granted the Underwriters an option,  exercisable
within  30 days  after the date  of this  Prospectus, to purchase  up to 277,500
additional shares  of Common  Stock to  cover over-allotments,  if any,  at  the
initial   public  offering  price,  less   the  underwriting  discount.  If  the
Underwriters exercise this  option, each of  the Underwriters will  have a  firm
commitment,  subject to certain  conditions, to purchase  approximately the same
percentage of such additional shares which  the number of shares set forth  next
to  such Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to the 1,850,000 shares
of Common Stock initially offered hereby.
    

    Without the Representatives' prior written consent, the Selling  Stockholder
has  agreed not to sell or otherwise dispose of any shares of Common Stock for a
period  of  180   days  after  the   date  of  this   Prospectus.  Without   the
Representatives'  prior written consent,  the Company has agreed  not to sell or
otherwise dispose of any shares of Common  Stock for a period of 180 days  after
the  date of this Prospectus, other than the shares of Common Stock to be issued
upon the exercise of  the Rights or pursuant  to the Company's current  employee
benefit plans.

    The  Company and the Selling Stockholder  have severally agreed to indemnify
the Underwriters against certain liabilities which may be incurred in connection
with  the  offering  of  the  Common  Stock,  including  liabilities  under  the
Securities  Act  or  to contribute  to  payments  that the  Underwriters  may be
required to make in respect thereof.

                                 LEGAL MATTERS

    The validity of the Common  Stock offered hereby will  be passed on for  the
Company  by Foley & Lardner, Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Certain legal matters will be
passed on for the Underwriters by Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom, Chicago,
Illinois. Foley & Lardner and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom will rely  on
Woods & Aitken, Lincoln, Nebraska, with respect to matters of Nebraska corporate
law.  J. Taylor Greer, a member of Woods & Aitken, is a director of the Company.
Gilbert G. Lundstrom, a member of Woods  & Aitken until January 1, 1994 when  he
left  Woods  & Aitken  to  become president  of  a financial  institution,  is a
director of the Selling  Stockholder. John H. Ziegenbein,  who is of counsel  to
Woods & Aitken, is the spouse of a director of the Company. Attorneys of Woods &
Aitken participating in matters relating to the offering beneficially own 33,452
shares  of  Common Stock  (excluding shares  beneficially  owned by  the Selling
Stockholder and that may be deemed to be owned by Mr. Lundstrom because he is  a
director of the Selling Stockholder).

                                    EXPERTS

    The   consolidated  financial  statements  and  schedules  included  in  the
Company's 1992  Form  10-K  and  in  its  Form  8-K  dated  February  14,  1994,
incorporated  by reference in this Prospectus and in the Registration Statement,
have been included herein in reliance on the reports dated February 5, 1993  and
February  4, 1994,  as amended by  the Form 8-K/A  dated March 4,  1994 and Form
8-K/A dated  March 10,  1994,  as amended,  of  KPMG Peat  Marwick,  independent
auditors,  appearing in the 1992  Form 10-K and the  Form 8-K dated February 14,
1994, respectively, given on the authority  of said firm as experts in  auditing
and accounting.

                                       17
<PAGE>
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------
- -------------------------------------------
                                     -------------------------------------------

    No  dealer, salesperson or other individual  has been authorized to give any
information or  make  any  representations  not  contained  or  incorporated  by
reference  in this  Prospectus in connection  with the offering  covered by this
Prospectus. If given or  made, such information or  representations must not  be
relied upon as having been authorized by the Company, the Selling Stockholder or
the  Underwriters.  This Prospectus  does not  constitute an  offer to  sell, or
solicitation of an offer to buy, the Common Stock in any jurisdiction where,  or
to  any  person to  whom, it  is unlawful  to make  such offer  or solicitation.
Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereunder shall, under
any circumstances, create any implication that there has not been any change  in
the  facts set forth in  this Prospectus or in the  affairs of the Company since
the date hereof.

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

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    PAGE
                                                    -----
<S>                                              <C>
Available Information..........................           2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
 Reference.....................................           2
Prospectus Summary.............................           3
Price Range of Common Stock and Dividends......           5
Use of Proceeds................................           5
Capitalization.................................           6
Recent Operating Results.......................           6
Recent Developments............................           6
Selected Consolidated Financial Data...........           7
Business.......................................           8
Management.....................................          12
Selling Stockholder............................          13
Sale of Shares to Company......................          13
Description of Capital Stock...................          13
Underwriting...................................          16
Legal Matters..................................          17
Experts........................................          17
</TABLE>

   
                                1,850,000 SHARES
    

                                    LINCOLN
                               TELECOMMUNICATIONS
                                    COMPANY

                                  COMMON STOCK

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

                                   PROSPECTUS

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

                              MERRILL LYNCH & CO.

                                 DAIN BOSWORTH
  INCORPORATED

   
                                 MARCH 17, 1994
    

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


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission