<PAGE> 1
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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended: JUNE 30, 1999
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number 1-7077
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
DELAWARE 75-0573444
(STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
1255 Corporate Drive, SVC04C08, Irving, Texas 75038
(ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES) (ZIP CODE)
</TABLE>
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 972-507-5000
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year,
if changed since last report)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES [X] NO [ ]
The Company had 6,500,000 shares of $100 par value common stock outstanding at
July 31, 1999. The Company's common stock is 100% owned by GTE Corporation.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
------------------ -----------------
1999 1998 1999 1998
------ ------- ------ ------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES AND SALES
Local services $168.9 $ 179.5 $341.3 $353.7
Network access services 187.2 183.8 361.5 349.8
Other services and sales 87.7 90.9 166.4 174.7
------ ------- ------ ------
Total revenues and sales 443.8 454.2 869.2 878.2
------ ------- ------ ------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of services and sales 144.4 168.2 300.7 329.8
Selling, general and administrative 83.0 77.0 174.2 144.6
Depreciation and amortization 75.1 91.0 151.3 183.5
------ ------- ------ ------
Total operating costs and expenses 302.5 336.2 626.2 657.9
------ ------- ------ ------
OPERATING INCOME 141.3 118.0 243.0 220.3
OTHER EXPENSE
Interest - net 18.1 17.6 36.7 34.1
------ ------- ------ ------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 123.2 100.4 206.3 186.2
Income taxes 43.5 34.2 72.8 63.9
------ ------- ------ ------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 79.7 66.2 133.5 122.3
Extraordinary charge -- -- -- (0.5)
------ ------- ------ ------
NET INCOME $ 79.7 $ 66.2 $133.5 $121.8
====== ======= ====== ======
</TABLE>
Per share data is omitted since the Company's common stock is 100% owned by GTE
Corporation.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
1
<PAGE> 3
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
-------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 6.8 $ 10.4
Receivables, less allowances of $28.7 million
and $28.6 million 276.5 286.2
Accounts receivable from affiliates 33.2 57.7
Inventories and supplies 24.5 16.4
Net assets held for sale (see Note 4) 605.5 --
Prepaid expenses and other 9.7 23.2
-------- --------
Total current assets 956.2 393.9
-------- --------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 4,229.3 5,793.8
Accumulated depreciation (2,540.0) (3,555.7)
-------- --------
Total property, plant and equipment, net (a) 1,689.3 2,238.1
-------- --------
Prepaid pension costs 208.7 175.8
Other assets 14.1 21.5
-------- --------
Total assets $2,868.3 $2,829.3
======== ========
</TABLE>
(a) Includes $568.9 million at December 31, 1998, that is now held for sale, see
Note 4.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
-------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 250.3 $ 250.3
Notes payable to affiliates 151.0 163.0
Accounts payable 83.7 69.0
Affiliate payables and accruals 58.8 81.7
Other 248.4 243.1
-------- --------
Total current liabilities 792.2 807.1
-------- --------
Long-term debt 692.5 692.6
Employee benefit plans 227.8 216.8
Deferred income taxes and other 203.1 186.4
-------- --------
Total liabilities 1,915.6 1,902.9
-------- --------
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock 7.6 7.6
Common stock (6,500,000 shares issued) 650.0 650.0
Additional paid-in capital 48.8 48.8
Retained earnings 246.3 220.0
-------- --------
Total shareholders' equity 952.7 926.4
-------- --------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $2,868.3 $2,829.3
======== ========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE> 5
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
------------------
1999 1998
------ ------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Income before extraordinary charge $133.5 $122.3
Adjustments to reconcile income before extraordinary
charge to net cash from operations:
Depreciation and amortization 151.3 183.5
Provision for uncollectible accounts 15.5 19.1
Changes in current assets and current liabilities (3.2) (32.1)
Deferred income taxes and other - net 15.9 (32.5)
------ ------
Net cash from operations 313.0 260.3
------ ------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (204.5) (248.3)
Other - net 0.5 --
------ ------
Net cash used in investing (204.0) (248.3)
------ ------
FINANCING
Long-term debt issued -- 148.9
Long-term debt and preferred stock retired,
including premiums paid on early retirement (0.3) (42.3)
Dividends paid (100.3) (80.3)
Net change in affiliate notes (12.0) (30.3)
Other - net -- (2.6)
------ ------
Net cash used in financing (112.6) (6.6)
------ ------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (3.6) 5.4
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 10.4 24.3
------ ------
End of period $ 6.8 $ 29.7
====== ======
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE> 6
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
GTE Southwest Incorporated (the Company) is incorporated under the laws of the
State of Delaware and is a subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE).
The unaudited condensed financial statements included herein have been prepared
by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and
Exchange Commission. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally
included in financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and
regulations. However, in the opinion of management of the Company, the condensed
financial statements include all adjustments, which consist only of normal
recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial information for
such periods. These condensed financial statements should be read in conjunction
with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's
1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Reclassifications of prior year data have been made, where appropriate, to
conform to the 1999 presentation.
NOTE 2. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1,
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use." As a result of adopting SOP 98-1, in the second quarter and first
half of 1999, the Company capitalized $10.1 million and $14.7 million,
respectively, of software expenditures, which would have previously been
expensed.
NOTE 3. SPECIAL CHARGE
In 1999, GTE continued the review of its operations and cost structure to ensure
they were consistent with its growth objectives. In connection with this ongoing
review, GTE initiated employee separation programs that resulted in a one-time
charge for GTE during the first quarter of 1999. The charge pertaining to the
Company totaled $18.4 million and is reflected as "Selling, general and
administrative" costs and expenses in the condensed income statements. The
components of the charge include separation programs and related benefits such
as outplacement and benefit continuation costs. These programs were completed
during the first quarter of 1999.
NOTE 4. NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company committed to a plan that resulted
in a decision to sell approximately 606,000 switched access lines located in
Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. During June 1999, the Company entered
into an agreement to sell approximately 89,000 switched access lines located in
Arkansas to CenturyTel, Inc. The Company plans to enter into agreements to sell
the remaining lines located in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas during the
remainder of 1999. All sales will be subject to regulatory approval and are
expected to close in the first half of 2000. The associated net assets of all
lines to be sold approximate $605.5 million. These assets consist of property,
plant and equipment, and are classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the
condensed balance sheets as of June 30, 1999. The Company intends to continue to
operate all of these assets until sold. Based on the decision to sell, however,
the Company stopped recording depreciation expense for these assets, resulting
in depreciation expense reductions of $26.5 million and $53.0 million for the
second quarter and first half of 1999, respectively. No charges were recorded
for the access lines to be sold because their estimated fair values were in
excess of their carrying values. The 606,000 access lines represent
approximately 28% of the average switched access lines that the Company had in
service during 1998, and contributed approximately 22% to 1998 revenues.
5
<PAGE> 7
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
NOTE 5. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company is
currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133, as amended, which is
effective January 1, 2001.
NOTE 6. PROPOSED MERGER WITH BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION
Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation have announced a proposed merger of equals
under a definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998. Under the terms
of the agreement, GTE shareholders will receive 1.22 shares of Bell Atlantic
common stock for each share of GTE common stock that they own.
The merger is expected to qualify as a pooling of interests, which means that
for accounting and financial reporting purposes the companies will be treated as
if they had always been combined. The completion of the merger is subject to a
number of conditions, including certain regulatory approvals and receipt of
opinions that the merger will be tax-free. At annual meetings held in May 1999,
the shareholders of each company approved the merger.
Both companies are working diligently to complete the merger at the earliest
practicable date. However, Bell Atlantic and GTE must obtain the approval of a
variety of state and federal regulatory agencies and, accordingly, the merger
may close in the first half of 2000.
6
<PAGE> 8
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income increased by $13.5 million or 20% and $11.7 million or 10% for the
three and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively. These increases are
primarily due to lower operating costs and expenses. In the first quarter of
1998, the Company recorded an after-tax extraordinary charge of $0.5 million
(net of tax benefits of $0.3 million) reflecting premiums paid on the retirement
of high-coupon debt and preferred stock prior to stated maturity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES AND SALES
(Dollars in Millions) Three Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------- Increase Percent
1999 1998 (Decrease) Change
------ ------ ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $168.9 $179.5 $(10.6) (6)%
Network access services 187.2 183.8 3.4 2%
Other services and sales 87.7 90.9 (3.2) (4)%
------ ------ ------
Total revenues and sales $443.8 $454.2 $(10.4) (2)%
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------- Increase Percent
1999 1998 (Decrease) Change
------ ------ ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $341.3 $353.7 $(12.4) (4)%
Network access services 361.5 349.8 11.7 3%
Other services and sales 166.4 174.7 (8.3) (5)%
------ ------ ------
Total revenues and sales $869.2 $878.2 $ (9.0) (1)%
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
Local Services Revenues
The decreases in local services revenues for the three and six months ended June
30, 1999, are primarily the result of a $9.5 million and $19.0 million reduction
in revenues, respectively, due to the completion during 1998 of the amortization
of a reserve previously established for potential refunds related to the 1989
Texas rate case. In addition, an extended area service rate reduction in Texas
decreased revenues by $3.9 million and $4.5 million, respectively. A lower level
of non-recurring charges paid by customers and a declining use of public
telephones further reduced revenues by $2.3 million and $2.1 million for the
second quarter and year-to-date, respectively. These decreases are partially
offset by access line growth of 7% for the three and six months ended June 30,
1999, generating additional revenues of $4.1 million and $8.9 million,
respectively, from basic local services, CentraNet(R) services, Integrated
Services Digital Network and Digital Channel Services. Demand for enhanced
custom calling features, such as SmartCall(R) services, contributed $1.7 million
and $4.1 million to the increases in local services revenues for the three and
six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively.
7
<PAGE> 9
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
Network Access Services Revenues
Second quarter and year-to-date increases in network access services revenues
were driven by 6% and 5% increases in minutes of use, which generated revenues
of $4.4 million and $7.9 million, respectively. Special access revenues grew by
$6.7 million and $15.6 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 1999,
respectively, as a result of greater demand for increased bandwidth services by
high capacity users. Partially offsetting the three and six month increases are
decreases of $2.7 million and $5.5 million, resulting from the impact of
mandated interstate and intrastate access price changes. Additional decreases of
$3.2 million and $5.2 million are related to the 1989 Texas rate case, as
discussed in "Local Services Revenues" above.
Other Services and Sales Revenues
Other services and sales revenues decreased for the three and six month periods
ended June 30, 1999, primarily due to a $7.2 million and $15.5 million decline
in toll revenues, primarily related to intraLATA (local access transport area)
toll competition, and the impact of optional discount calling plans, which
effectively lowered intrastate toll rates. Additionally, rental activity
decreased $1.1 million and $2.5 million. The decreases are partially offset by
higher revenues of $3.6 million and $1.8 million related to the timing of
directory advertising, and by increases of $2.6 million and $7.0 million from
billing and collection services for the three and six months ended June 30,
1999, respectively.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions) Three Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------- Increase Percent
1999 1998 (Decrease) Change
------ ------ ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $144.4 $168.2 $(23.8) (14)%
Selling, general and administrative 83.0 77.0 6.0 8%
Depreciation and amortization 75.1 91.0 (15.9) (17)%
------ ------ ------
Total operating costs and expenses $302.5 $336.2 $(33.7) (10)%
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------- Increase Percent
1999 1998 (Decrease) Change
------ ------ ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $300.7 $329.8 $(29.1) (9)%
Selling, general and administrative 174.2 144.6 29.6 20%
Depreciation and amortization 151.3 183.5 (32.2) (18)%
------ ------ ------
Total operating costs and expenses $626.2 $657.9 $(31.7) (5)%
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
The decreases in total operating costs for the three and six months ended June
30, 1999 are primarily due to reduced software right-to-use (RTU) fees of $15.5
million and $23.9 million, respectively, associated with the Company's network
switching equipment. This includes a reduction in RTU costs of $10.1 million and
$14.7 million due to the capitalization of software costs in 1999, as a result
of the adoption of Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs
of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use," in addition to a
reduction in overall 1999 RTU fees of $5.4 million and $9.2 million. Also,
pension settlement gains recorded in the second quarter of 1999 contributed an
additional $26.1 million to the year-to-date decrease in total operating costs.
Partially offsetting these expense reductions for the first six months of 1999,
is a one-time special charge of $18.4 million associated with employee
separation programs completed in the first quarter of 1999. Expenses were also
8
<PAGE> 10
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
increased by favorable adjustments of certain employee benefits and other
liabilities that reduced expenses in the second quarter of 1998 by $13.8
million. Additionally, costs associated with the expansion of daily operating
hours of the customer care centers and operator services contributed increased
costs of $9.5 million and $15.8 million for the three and six months ended June
30, 1999, respectively. Decreases in depreciation and amortization for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1999 primarily result from reductions of $26.5
million and $53.0 million related to the discontinuation of depreciation on
non-strategic access lines held for sale (as discussed more fully in "OTHER
DEVELOPMENTS - Planned Asset Sales"), partially offset by increases of $5.1
million and $10.9 million related to depreciation associated with additional
investment in plant.
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest-net increased 3% or $0.5 million and 8% or $2.6 million for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively, compared to the same periods
in 1998. The increases are primarily due to increases in interest expense
resulting from higher average short-term debt levels.
Income taxes increased 27% or $9.3 million and 14% or $8.9 million for the three
and six months ended June 30, 1999, respectively, compared to the same periods
in 1998. The increases are primarily due to increases in pretax income and other
tax adjustments.
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded an after-tax
extraordinary charge of $0.5 million (net of tax benefits of $0.3 million),
reflecting premiums paid on the retirement of high-coupon debt and preferred
stock prior to stated maturity.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Management believes that the Company has adequate internal and external
resources available to meet ongoing operating requirements for construction of
new plant, modernization of facilities and payment of dividends. The Company
generally funds its construction program from operations, although external
financing is available. Short-term financing can be obtained through borrowings
from the Company's parent, GTE, or GTE Funding Incorporated, an affiliate of the
Company. The Company participates with other affiliates in a $1.5 billion,
364-day syndicated revolving line of credit and has access to an additional $1.0
billion in short-term liquidity through GTE and GTE Funding Incorporated's
committed bi-lateral revolving lines of credit. The Company also has an existing
shelf registration statement for an additional $600.0 million of debentures.
The Company's primary source of funds during the first six months of 1999 was
cash from operations of $313.0 million compared to $260.3 million for the same
period in 1998. The increase in cash from operations primarily reflects a
decrease in working capital requirements and an increase in results from
operations.
The Company's capital expenditures during the first six months of 1999 were
$204.5 million compared to $248.3 million for the same period in 1998. The
majority of new investment is being made to meet the demands of growth,
modernize facilities and develop and install new software, all of which are
required to support new products and enhanced services. The overall anticipated
capital expenditures for 1999 are expected to decrease slightly from the 1998
level.
Net cash used in financing activities was $112.6 million during the first six
months of 1999 compared to $6.6 million for the same period in 1998. This
included dividend payments of $100.3 million during the first six months of 1999
compared to $80.3 million for the same period in 1998. Short-term financing,
represented by the net change in affiliate notes, decreased $12.0 million for
the first six months of 1999, compared to a decrease of $30.3 million
9
<PAGE> 11
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
for the same period in 1998. During the first six months of 1999, the Company
retired $0.3 million of long-term debt compared to a total of $42.3 million paid
for the retirement of long-term debt and preferred stock in 1998. The 1998
retirements include a pretax charge of $0.8 ($0.5 million after-tax) in premiums
paid on the retirement of long-term debt and preferred stock prior to stated
maturity. In January 1998, the Company issued $150.0 million of 6.23% debentures
to repay short-term borrowings incurred to finance the Company's construction
program and for general corporate purposes. The Company recognized an interest
rate hedge loss of approximately $2.6 million on the settlement of forward
contracts related to the January 1998 debt issuance. The loss is being amortized
over the life of the associated debt.
INTERSTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
During the second quarter of 1999, regulatory and legislative activity at both
the state and federal levels continued to be a direct result of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecommunications Act). Along with promoting
competition in all segments of the telecommunications industry, the
Telecommunications Act was intended to preserve and advance universal service.
GTE continued in the second quarter of 1999, to meet the wholesale requirements
of new competitors. To date, GTE has signed interconnection agreements with
other carriers, providing them the capability to purchase individual unbundled
network elements (UNEs), resell retail services and interconnect
facilities-based networks. Several of these interconnection agreements were the
result of the arbitration process established by the Telecommunications Act, and
incorporated prices or terms and conditions based upon the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules that were subsequently overturned by the
Eighth Circuit Court (Eighth Circuit) in July 1997. GTE challenged a number of
such agreements in federal district courts during 1997.
GTE's position in these challenges was supported by the Eighth Circuit's July
1997 decision stating that the FCC had overstepped its authority in several
areas concerning implementation of the interconnection provisions of the
Telecommunications Act. In January 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court (Supreme Court)
reversed in part and affirmed in part the Eighth Circuit's decisions. The
Supreme Court reversed the Eighth Circuit's determination that the FCC had no
jurisdiction over pricing. As a result, the pricing rules established by the FCC
are now subject to review on the merits by the Eighth Circuit. On the other
hand, the Supreme Court vacated the FCC rule setting forth the UNEs that
incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are required to provide to competitive
local exchange carriers (CLECs). This latter ruling has led to a proceeding
before the FCC concerning what elements will have to be offered under what
conditions. Pending the final rulemaking by the FCC on the provisions of UNEs,
GTE is continuing to provide individual UNEs on a non-combined basis set forth
in existing interconnection agreements even though it is not legally obligated
to do so.
In June 1999, the Eighth Circuit established a schedule for addressing the
issues it did not decide in 1998. The major issues are (1) the FCC's cost
methodology used to set prices, (2) it's methodology for setting wholesale
discounts, and (3) the "proxy rates" it set for interconnection, UNEs and
wholesale discounts. Supplemental opening briefs from petitioners and supporting
intervenors were filed July 16, 1999 and the opening brief of the FCC and its
supporting intervenors is due August 16, 1999. Reply briefs are due August 31,
1999. Oral argument is scheduled for September 1999.
Universal Service
GTE is active before both state and federal regulators advocating rapid
development and implementation of measures that will meet the requirements of
Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act that covers the Federal
10
<PAGE> 12
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
Universal Service Program. Specifically, GTE urges regulators to identify and
remove all hidden subsidies and to provide an explicit replacement mechanism.
In October 1998, the FCC issued an order selecting a cost model for universal
service and planned to select cost inputs in the second quarter of 1999. Due to
unforeseen delays, the FCC has now moved the implementation date of the new
universal service mechanism for nonrural carriers to January 2000. As a result,
many state regulators are awaiting FCC action so they can design their universal
service programs to be complementary with the FCC program. On July 30, 1999, the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit) affirmed in
part, reversed in part, and remanded in part the FCC's universal service regime.
Specifically, the Fifth Circuit upheld the agency's decisions regarding: 1)
several aspects of the high-cost support program, including implementation
timing, separate treatment of rural carriers, the definition of service areas
and use of the forward-looking costs to determine support; 2) no mandatory
unbundling of supported services; 3) inclusion of commercial mobile radio
service providers as universal service fund contributors; and 4) aspects of the
schools and libraries program, including support for Internet access and
internal connections and payments to non-telecommunications carriers. The Fifth
Circuit reversed: 1) the assessment of contributions for schools and libraries
fund based, in part, on intrastate revenues; 2) the rule prohibiting local
telephone service providers from disconnecting low-income subscribers for
non-payment of long distance charges; 3) the decision to assess high-cost fund
contributions on primarily international carriers despite marginal interstate
revenues; 4) the requirement that ILECs recover their contributions from access
charges; and 5) the blanket prohibition on additional state eligibility
requirements for carriers receiving high cost support. GTE is considering its
options.
Price Cap
In May 1999, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (Court)
released a decision regarding the FCC's choice of a 6.5% price cap productivity
factor in a 1997 order. The Court found the FCC's choice of a 6.0% base and a
0.5% Consumer Productivity Dividend to be inadequately supported. The Court
remanded the matter back to the FCC for further action and established an April
2000 date by which the FCC must complete its deliberations. The Court also
stayed application of its order, allowing the status quo use of the 6.5%
productivity factor pending conclusion of the FCC's further review.
Interstate Access Revision
Effective July 1999, access charges were further reduced using a 6.5%
productivity factor in compliance with FCC requirements to reflect the impacts
of access charge reform and in making GTE's 1999 Annual Filing. The total annual
financial impact of the reduction was $10.9 million. Similar filings during 1997
and 1998 had already resulted in price reductions.
In July 1999, GTE, along with a coalition of local exchange and long distance
companies, submitted a proposal for interstate access charge and universal
service reform to the FCC. It is likely that the FCC will put the coalition's
proposal out for public comment in August 1999. The proposal would accelerate
the shift in access revenue recovery from per-minute to flat-rated charges, set
a schedule for elimination of the price cap productivity factor, and provide
more explicit support for universal service.
On August 4, 1999, the FCC announced adoption of an Order that grants price cap
local exchange carriers the ability to introduce new services without regulatory
delay. The Order also offers the promise of progressively greater flexibility in
setting the prices for interstate special access services as competition
develops, gradually replacing regulation with competition as the primary means
of setting prices. Although the text of the Order is not yet available, based
upon the FCC press release, the FCC has taken a reasonable step towards
lessening regulation of interstate special access. It appears the FCC has
established a framework that will allow ILECs the ability to use some of the
same pricing mechanisms offered by CLECs for special access services. The press
release indicates the FCC has begun a new rulemaking proceeding that is likely
to lead to additional pricing flexibility for interstate switched access
services.
Advanced Telecommunications Services
Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act required the FCC to "encourage the
deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications
capability to all Americans." Further, the FCC was required to conduct a
proceeding aimed at determining the availability of advanced telecommunications,
and to take action to remove barriers to infrastructure investment and to
promote competition.
In an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released in August 1998,
the FCC ruled that advanced services offered by an ILEC are subject to the
unbundling and resale requirements of the Telecommunications Act.
11
<PAGE> 13
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
In the NPRM, the FCC sought comment on extensive, new separate affiliate rules
under which an ILEC's affiliate could offer advanced services free from the
unbundling and resale obligations of the Telecommunications Act. In addition,
the NPRM sought comment on a number of issues regarding collocation, local
loops, unbundling and resale obligations for network facilities needed for
advanced services.
In March 1999, the FCC released an Order stemming from the August 1998 NPRM. In
the Order the FCC adopted a number of new collocation rules designed to make
competitive entry easier and less costly. These rules specify how ILECs will
manage such items as alternate collocation arrangements, security, space
preparation cost allocation, provisioning intervals, and space exhaustion. GTE
has appealed the Order to federal court. The FCC also released a Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on spectrum compatibility issues
and line sharing. Line sharing is a concept wherein two or more service
providers are allowed to use the same local loop (e.g., voice and xDSL). GTE
will vigorously oppose line sharing.
The FCC has yet to release an order addressing separate affiliates, local loops,
unbundling and resale.
Number Portability
In December 1998, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order establishing
cost recovery rules for local number portability (LNP) that permitted the
recovery of carrier-specific costs directly related to the provision of
long-term LNP via a federally tariffed end-user monthly charge. GTE subsequently
filed an LNP tariff with the FCC, and in March 1999 instituted an end-user
number portability fee. This charge is levied on all business and residence
customers because all customers benefit from the competitive environment created
by LNP capability. In June 1999, GTE's tariffed LNP charge was reviewed and
accepted by the FCC at $0.36 per access line.
Internet Service Traffic
ILECs are required to provide open access to all Internet service providers
(ISPs), while cable television operators are not. Several major cable television
operators providing Internet access through cable modem facilities are only
offering their affiliated ISPs to consumers. Cable television operators that do
allow customers to select non-affiliated ISPs often require the customer to also
pay for their affiliated ISP's service (i.e., to pay twice for the same
service).
GTE has been active in encouraging municipalities engaged in reviewing cable
television mergers or franchise renewals to require cable modem open access as a
condition for approval. The city of Portland, Oregon was first to adopt such a
requirement and a subsequent federal court challenge by AT&T was denied. AT&T
has appealed that decision and arguments will take place in October 1999. The
FCC announced that it will file a brief to express its concern over the effect
that the actions of local franchising authorities could have on the FCC's
hands-off approach to the broadband market, and specifically address the
importance of a national policy.
In July 1999, Broward County, Florida also adopted an ordinance requiring cable
television franchisees to provide ISPs "nondiscriminatory equal access" to their
cable modem platforms. AT&T subsequently announced that it would appeal that
decision as well. Also, in July 1999, Comcast Cablevision and Advanced Cable
Communications filed a lawsuit claiming Broward County violated the
Communications Act by inserting unlawful requirements into the franchise
agreement.
12
<PAGE> 14
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
INTRASTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Texas
In December 1996, the Texas Public Utility Commission (TPUC) issued decisions in
the Company's arbitration with AT&T, MCI, and Sprint to determine
interconnection, resale and unbundling terms and conditions. The discount rate
for the Company's resold services was set at 22.99%. Interim rates based on the
Company's costs will be used for interconnection and UNEs until permanent
discounts are established upon further investigation into cost methodology. The
Company filed cost studies in June 1997 and revised cost studies in February and
August 1998. GTE has reached an agreement with various carriers in the permanent
UNE case under which the interim UNE rates will continue until the parties'
contracts expire. During 1997, the Company filed lawsuits in the U.S. District
Court challenging portions of the TPUC's determinations. These lawsuits have
been consolidated into a single lawsuit and a decision is anticipated in the
second half of 1999.
In September 1997, the Company appealed an order of the TPUC pertaining to the
manner in which the Company markets long distance service with GTE Long
Distance, a division of an affiliate company, GTE Communications Corporation.
The Company had proposed that GTE Long Distance would provide a discount on both
the interLATA long distance service that GTE Long Distance offered as well as a
discount on the intraLATA toll provided by the Company. GTE Long Distance would
absorb the entire discount while the Company would continue to receive its
tariffed rate for the intraLATA toll service. Although the administrative law
judge in the case ruled the offering appropriate, the TPUC reversed the ruling.
The Company appealed the TPUC's ruling in district court. A hearing was held in
December 1998 and the order was reversed, due to inadequate justification, and
remanded to the TPUC. In April 1999, the TPUC vacated its initial order on this
case with no further action taken.
In June 1999, the governor of Texas signed into law significant revisions to the
Public Utility Regulatory Act (PURA), the state's regulatory framework. Included
in the law are provisions which: (1) extend indefinitely a carrier's election
into incentive regulation; (2) allow packaging of services between regulated,
nonregulated and affiliated entities; (3) provide increased pricing flexibility
for non-basic services; and (4) allow in-franchise and out-of-franchise
operations for carriers and their affiliates. Also included are customer
commitments including rate caps for basic and switched access services and the
provision of capital expenditures to provide advanced telecommunication services
statewide. The Company will be working through the coming year to assist the
TPUC in crafting the requisite rules to implement the new PURA amendments, as
well as, making the necessary filings to take advantage of the new pricing
flexibility.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Proposed Merger with Bell Atlantic Corporation
On July 27, 1998, GTE and Bell Atlantic entered into a merger agreement
providing for the combination of the two companies. Under the terms of the
agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both
companies, GTE shareholders will receive 1.22 shares of Bell Atlantic stock for
each GTE share they own.
The merger is expected to qualify as a pooling of interests, which means that
for accounting and financial reporting purposes the companies will be treated as
if they had always been combined. The completion of the merger is subject to a
number of conditions, including certain regulatory approvals and receipt of
opinions that the merger will be tax-free. At annual meetings held in May 1999,
the shareholders of each company approved the merger.
13
<PAGE> 15
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
Both companies are working diligently to complete the merger at the earliest
practicable date. However, Bell Atlantic and GTE must obtain the approval of a
variety of state and federal regulatory agencies and, accordingly, the merger
may close in the first half of 2000.
Planned Asset Sales
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company committed to a plan that resulted
in a decision to sell approximately 606,000 switched access lines located in
Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas. During June 1999, the Company entered
into an agreement to sell approximately 89,000 switched access lines located in
Arkansas to CenturyTel, Inc. The Company plans to enter into agreements to sell
the remaining lines located in New Mexico, Oklahoma and Texas during the
remainder of 1999. All sales will be subject to regulatory approval and are
expected to close in the first half of 2000. The associated net assets of all
lines to be sold approximate $605.5 million. These assets consist of property,
plant and equipment, and are classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the
condensed balance sheet as of June 30, 1999. The Company intends to continue to
operate all of these assets until sold. Based on the decision to sell, however,
the Company stopped recording depreciation expense for these assets, resulting
in depreciation expense reductions of $26.5 million and $53.0 million for the
second quarter and first half of 1999, respectively. No charges were recorded
for the access lines to be sold because their estimated fair values were in
excess of their carrying values. The 606,000 access lines represent
approximately 28% of the average switched access lines that the Company had in
service during 1998, and contributed approximately 22% to 1998 revenues.
YEAR 2000 CONVERSION
State of Readiness
As of June 30, 1999, GTE has completed Year 2000 remediation, conducted system
testing and returned to production the essential systems that support its
domestic telecommunications businesses. GTE's portion of the public switched
telephone network (PSTN) in the United States has been upgraded for Year 2000,
and all of GTE's access lines are now operating using Year 2000 compliant
central office switches and network elements.
GTE expects its Internet businesses to be Year 2000 compliant in the third
quarter of 1999. Also in the third quarter, GTE's domestic wireless company, all
international affiliate companies, and all remaining domestic companies will
have completed the Year 2000 compliance of their systems.
GTE's remaining effort consists of quality assurance and validation of our Year
2000 efforts across our businesses; assuring forward compliance of our systems
and services; planning for reasonably foreseeable contingencies associated with
the millennium rollover; and staffing our corporate Year 2000 communications
watch center through March 1, 2000.
Independent verification and validation is the final step in GTE's Year 2000
process. This quality assurance process is expected to be substantially complete
in the third quarter of 1999. However, GTE will continue its periodic reviews
conducted by internal audit into 2000. Program status will also continue to be
reported each quarter to the Company's external auditors.
Cost to Address Year 2000 Issues
With the incorporation of the TELUS Year 2000 program, the estimated total
multi-year cost of GTE's Year 2000 Program is not expected to exceed $400
million. Through June 30,
14
<PAGE> 16
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
1999, expenditures totaled $320 million. The current estimate for the cost of
remediation for the Company is approximately $23.2 million. Through June 30,
1999, expenditures totaled $16.0 million. Year 2000 remediation costs are
expensed in the year incurred. Approximately 67% of GTE's program effort
involves U.S. domestic operations. GTE has not elected to replace or accelerate
the planned replacement of any systems due to the Year 2000 issue. As a result
of completions in June 1999, GTE has begun to reduce the staff assigned to the
Year 2000 program. From a program peak of over 1,200 full-time equivalent
workers, we are currently staffed with an estimated 700 to 800 full-time
equivalent workers (both company employees and contractors) worldwide.
Risks of Year 2000 Issues
With the completion of conversion and system testing, GTE believes that the risk
of multiple, simultaneous Year 2000 disruptions affecting GTE's ability to
provide basic services has been substantially eliminated. While isolated system
issues may exist, the "most reasonably likely worse case scenario" would be any
disruptions resulting from interoperability issues with other international
carriers that have not completed their Year 2000 efforts.
Contingency Planning
GTE continues to enhance its normal business continuity planning to address
potential Year 2000 interruptions. GTE's disaster preparedness recovery teams
have included procedures and activities for a "multi-regional" Year 2000
contingency, if it occurs. GTE has established a corporate Year 2000
communications watch center to be operational in Dallas, Texas from September 8,
1999 through March 1, 2000. The initial versions of these plans were completed
during the second quarter of 1999. These plans will be kept current through the
millennium rollover, and are expected to be tested (as appropriate) by the end
of September 1999. GTE's Year 2000 contingency plans include business continuity
planning; disaster recovery/emergency preparedness; millennium rollover
planning; post millennium degradation tracking; a network and information
technology freeze period; employee availability and logistics backup planning;
"follow-the-sun" time-zone impact analysis; and coordination with other
(non-PSTN) telecommunications providers.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The statement requires
entities that use derivative instruments to measure these instruments at fair
value and record them as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. It also
requires entities to reflect the gains or losses associated with changes in the
fair value of these derivatives, either in earnings or as a separate component
of comprehensive income, depending on the nature of the underlying contract or
transaction. The Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No.
133, as amended, which is effective January 1, 2001.
15
<PAGE> 17
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In this Management's Discussion and Analysis, the Company has made
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's
estimates and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements include the information concerning possible or
assumed future results of operations of the Company, as well as those statements
preceded or followed by the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates,"
"expects," "hopes," "targets" or similar expressions. For each of these
statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995.
The future results of the Company could be affected by subsequent events and
could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
If future events and actual performance differ from the Company's assumptions,
the actual results could vary significantly from the performance projected in
the forward-looking statements.
The following important factors could affect the future results of the Company
and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements: (1) materially adverse changes in economic
conditions in the markets served by the Company; (2) material changes in
available technology; (3) the final resolution of federal, state and local
regulatory initiatives and proceedings, including arbitration proceedings, and
judicial review of those initiatives and proceedings, pertaining to, among other
matters, the terms of interconnection, access charges, universal service,
unbundled network elements and resale rates; (4) the extent, timing, success and
overall effects of competition from others in the local telephone and intraLATA
toll service markets; and (5) the success and expense of our remediation efforts
and those of our suppliers, customers and all interconnecting carriers in
achieving Year 2000 compliance.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There has been no material change in the Company's market risks since December
31, 1998.
16
<PAGE> 18
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibits required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.
12 Statement re: Calculation of the Ratio of Earnings to
Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) The Company filed no reports on Form 8-K during the second
quarter of 1999.
17
<PAGE> 19
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
GTE Southwest Incorporated
---------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: August 12, 1999 /s/ Stephen L. Shore
----------------- ---------------------------------
Stephen L. Shore
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
<PAGE> 20
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
12 Statement re: Calculation of the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Statement of the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in Millions) Six Months Ended
June 30, 1999
----------------
<S> <C>
Net earnings available for fixed charges:
Income from continuing operations $ 133.5
Add - Income taxes 72.8
- Fixed charges 40.8
-------
Adjusted earnings $ 247.1
=======
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 37.7
Portion of rent expense
representing interest 3.1
-------
Adjusted fixed charges $ 40.8
=======
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 6.06
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 6,800
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 338,400
<ALLOWANCES> 28,700
<INVENTORY> 24,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 956,200
<PP&E> 4,229,300
<DEPRECIATION> 2,540,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,868,300
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 792,200
<BONDS> 692,500
0
7,600
<COMMON> 650,000
<OTHER-SE> 295,100
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,868,300
<SALES> 869,200
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 869,200
<CGS> 300,700
<TOTAL-COSTS> 626,200
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 37,700
<INCOME-PRETAX> 206,300
<INCOME-TAX> 72,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 133,500
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 133,500
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
