<PAGE>
================================================================================
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: September 30, 2000
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
(d/b/a Verizon Southwest)
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
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)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 972-507-5000
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since
last report)
THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF GTE CORPORATION, A WHOLLY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARY OF VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC., MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN
GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS
FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(2).
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 [ ]
================================================================================
1
<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
---------------------------- ----------------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES $ 400.4 $ 464.3 $ 1,292.0 $ 1,333.5
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operations and support 211.0 227.2 660.6 702.1
Depreciation and amortization 80.5 71.7 232.9 218.8
Gain on sales of assets (879.5) -- (1,161.2) --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Total operating expenses (benefit) (588.0) 298.9 (267.7) 920.9
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME 988.4 165.4 1,559.7 412.6
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSES
Interest income (3.5) -- (3.7) --
Interest expense 12.6 18.7 51.3 55.4
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES AND
EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 979.3 146.7 1,512.1 357.2
Income taxes 347.9 51.9 541.6 126.2
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 631.4 94.8 970.5 231.0
Extraordinary charge, net -- -- (4.6) --
----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
NET INCOME $ 631.4 $ 94.8 $ 965.9 $ 231.0
=========== =========== =========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------- -------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 10.9 $ 10.5
Accounts receivable, less allowances of
$27.3 and $26.1 241.8 328.1
Accounts receivable from affiliates 34.1 65.4
Notes receivable from affiliates 580.1 --
Inventories and supplies 27.4 20.0
Net assets held for sale -- 659.1
Prepayments and other 8.8 25.9
------------- -------------
Total current assets 903.1 1,109.0
------------- -------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 4,356.7 4,238.0
Accumulated depreciation (2,717.1) (2,576.1)
------------- -------------
Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,639.6 1,661.9
------------- -------------
Prepaid pension costs 354.0 262.0
Other assets -- 1.5
------------- -------------
Total assets $ 2,896.7 $ 3,034.4
============= =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------ --------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 1.6 $ 48.3
Notes payable to affiliates 5.8 462.9
Accounts payable 86.9 89.5
Affiliate payables 497.1 43.7
Taxes payable 79.8 63.4
Advance billings and customer deposits 45.3 48.1
Dividends payable 12.0 77.1
Other 101.1 69.8
------------ --------------
Total current liabilities 829.6 902.8
------------ --------------
Long-term debt 647.7 648.0
Employee benefit plans 249.6 235.0
Deferred income taxes and other 272.0 255.7
------------ --------------
Total liabilities 1,998.9 2,041.5
------------ --------------
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock -- 7.6
Common stock (6,500,000 shares issued and outstanding) 650.0 650.0
Additional paid-in capital 425.1 53.9
Retained earnings (deficit) (177.3) 281.4
------------ --------------
Total shareholders' equity 897.8 992.9
------------ --------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,896.7 $ 3,034.4
============ ==============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
--------------------------
2000 1999
----------- -----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING
Net cash provided by operations $ 543.5 $ 472.1
------------ -----------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (330.2) (305.6)
Proceeds from sales of assets 2,005.5 --
Other - net (1.5) 0.5
------------ -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing 1,673.8 (305.1)
------------ -----------
FINANCING
Long-term debt retired including premium paid
on early retirement (54.3) (0.3)
Preferred stock retired, including premium paid
on early redemption (8.2) --
Dividends paid (1,117.2) (159.4)
Net change in affiliate notes (1,037.2) (14.9)
------------ -----------
Net cash used in financing (2,216.9) (174.6)
------------ -----------
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 0.4 (7.6)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 10.5 10.4
------------ -----------
End of period $ 10.9 $ 2.8
============ ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
5
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional Retained
Preferred Common Paid-In Earnings
Stock Stock Capital (Deficit) Total
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholders' equity, December 31, 1999 $ 7.6 $ 650.0 $ 53.9 $ 281.4 $ 992.9
Net income 965.9 965.9
Redemption of preferred stock (7.6) (0.6) (8.2)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 0.3 0.3
Dividends declared (1,052.0) (1,052.0)
Capital contribution in connection with merger 370.9 370.9
Dividend declared in connection with merger (370.9) (370.9)
Other (1.1) (1.1)
------------ ------------ ------------ ------------ ------------
Shareholders' equity, September 30, 2000 $ -- $ 650.0 $ 425.1 $ (177.3) $ 897.8
============ ============ ============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
6
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
GTE Southwest Incorporated (d/b/a Verizon Southwest) (the Company), is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE), which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon Communications). The
accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared based
upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced
disclosure for interim periods. These condensed financial statements include
certain reclassifications in presentation as a result of the merger of Bell
Atlantic Corporation (Bell Atlantic) and GTE (see Note 2). These financial
statements reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of
results of operations and financial position for the interim periods shown
including normal recurring accruals and other items (see Note 2). The results
for the interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full
year. For a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and
certain other information, please refer to the financial statements included in
the Company's 1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NOTE 2. BELL ATLANTIC - GTE MERGER
On June 30, 2000, Bell Atlantic and GTE completed a merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998 (the Merger). Under the
terms of the agreement, GTE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic.
In September 2000, Bell Atlantic changed its name to Verizon Communications
Inc. The Merger qualified as a tax-free reorganization and has been accounted
for as a pooling of interests. Under this method of accounting, Bell Atlantic
and GTE are treated as if they had always been combined for accounting and
financial reporting purposes.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for nine months ended September 30, 2000 included
merger-related pre-tax costs totaling approximately $48.8 million, consisting of
$18.8 million for direct incremental costs, and $30.0 million for employee
severance costs. These costs include the Company's allocated share of
merger-related costs from Verizon Services Group (Verizon Services), an
affiliate that provides centralized services on a contract basis. Costs
allocated from Verizon Services are included in Operations and support expenses.
Direct incremental costs consist of the Company's proportionate share of
expenses associated with completing the merger transaction such as professional
and regulatory fees, compensation arrangements and shareowner-related costs.
Employee severance costs, as recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,"
represent the Company's proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation
of management employees who are entitled to benefits under Verizon
Communications pre-existing separation pay plans, as well as an accrual of
ongoing SFAS No. 112 obligations for GTE employees. The separations are expected
to occur as a result of consolidations and process enhancements. Accrued
postemployment benefit liabilities for those employees are included in the
Company's condensed balance sheets as components of "Other current liabilities"
and "Employee benefit plans."
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also included adjustments that were required to conform
the Company's accounting methods and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income was increased
by $4.2 million and $6.2 million for the nine month periods ended September 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
7
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
Other Related Actions
During the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded $2.2 million pre-
tax for other actions in relation to the Merger or other strategic decisions.
NOTE 3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income and comprehensive income were the same for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and 1999.
NOTE 4. NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
During October 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell switched
access lines in Oklahoma to Valor Telecommunications (formerly dba
Communications, LLC). On June 30, 2000, the Company completed this sale of
approximately 131,000 switched access lines for cash proceeds of $420.3 million
and recorded a pre-tax gain of $264.5 million ($170.5 million after-tax). During
the third quarter of 2000, this gain was adjusted from the previously reported
amount of $281.7 million ($180.8 million after-tax) as a result of certain post-
closing adjustments considered to be in the normal course of business. During
June 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell switched access lines
located in Arkansas to Century Tel, Inc. On July 31, 2000, the Company completed
this sale of approximately 93,000 access lines in Arkansas to Century Tel, Inc.
for cash proceeds of $332.9 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $208.9
million ($130.4 million after-tax). During September 1999, the Company entered
into an agreement to sell switched access lines located in New Mexico and Texas
to Valor Telecommunications. On August 31, 2000, the Company completed this sale
of approximately 425,000 access lines in Texas and New Mexico to Valor
Telecommunications for cash proceeds of $1,249.6 million and recorded a pre-tax
gain of $687.8 million ($443.4 million after-tax). The associated net assets,
which approximated $659.1 million at December 31, 1999, consisted of property,
plant and equipment, and had been classified as "Net assets held for sale" in
the condensed balance sheets. Given the decision to sell, no depreciation
expense was recorded for these assets during 1999 and 2000 in accordance with
SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-
Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." Depreciation expense was lowered by $14 million
and $67 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000 and $25
million and $78 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 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 access
line agreements in total represent approximately 26% of the switched access
lines that the Company had in service at the end of 1999, and contributed
approximately 24% to 1999 revenues and approximately 36% to operating income.
NOTE 5. EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE
In January 2000, the Company retired $46.7 million of long-term debt prior to
stated maturity and incurred $7.1 million in premiums associated with this
retirement, resulting in a one-time, after-tax extraordinary charge of $4.6
million (net of a tax benefit of $2.5 million).
NOTE 6. PREFERRED STOCK
In March 2000, the Company redeemed all 332,000 outstanding shares of preferred
stock and paid premiums of $0.6 million on the early redemption.
8
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
NOTE 7. DIRECTORY PUBLISHING REVENUES
Consistent with industry practice, effective January 1, 2000, the Company
changed its method of recognizing directory publishing revenues. Verizon
Directories Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE, publishes telephone
directories for which it receives advertising revenue. Under the Company's
previous method of revenue recognition, approximately 60% of the advertising
revenue for directories published by Verizon Directories Corp. in the Company's
operating areas was recognized as revenue. The remaining 40% was recognized as
revenue by Verizon Directories Corp. Under the new method of revenue
recognition, Verizon Directories Corp. now recognizes 100% of the directory
publishing revenues. The Company, in turn, bills Verizon Directories Corp. for
customer listing information and billing and collection services. As a result,
the Company's other services revenues and operating income for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 decreased $32.6 million and $28.1 million,
respectively, compared to the same period in 1999.
NOTE 8. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standard - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
statement requires that all derivatives be measured at fair value and recognized
as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in the fair values
of derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or other
comprehensive income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the
instruments.
In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133. The
amendments in SFAS No. 138 address certain implementation issues and relate to
such matters as the normal purchases and normal sales exception, the definition
of interest rate risk, hedging recognized foreign-currency-denominated assets
and liabilities, and intercompany derivatives.
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No.
138, which it will adopt on January 1, 2001. The impact of adoption will be
affected by several factors, including the specific hedging instruments in place
and their relationships to hedged items, as well as market conditions at the
date of adoption.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which provides additional
guidance on revenue recognition and, in certain circumstances, requires the
deferral of incremental costs. The Company will adopt SAB No. 101 in the fourth
quarter of 2000, retroactive to January 1, 2000. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of adopting SAB No. 101.
NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Various legal actions and regulatory proceedings are pending to which the
Company is a party. The Company has established reserves for specific
liabilities in connection with regulatory and legal matters that management
currently deems to be probable and estimable. The Company does not expect that
the ultimate resolution of pending regulatory and legal matters in future
periods will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but it
could have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.
Federal and state regulatory conditions to the Merger include certain
commitments to, among other things, promote
9
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
competition and the widespread deployment of advanced services, while helping
ensure that customers continue to receive high-quality, low cost telephone
services. In some cases, there are significant penalties associated with not
meeting these commitments. The cost of satisfying these commitments could have a
significant impact on net income in future periods. As previously disclosed, the
cost of satisfying these commitments is likely to impact net income of Verizon
Communications in 2000 on a consolidated basis by approximately $275 to $325
million, based on preliminary estimates. The estimated impact on each operating
telephone subsidiary, including the Company, is currently being assessed.
10
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income increased by $734.9 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2000, compared to the same period in 1999.
The Company's operating results for 2000 and 1999 were affected by special
items. The special items in both periods include the Company's allocated share
of charges from Verizon Services Group (Verizon Services), an affiliate that
provides centralized services on a contract basis.
The following table shows how special items are reflected in the condensed
statements of income for each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in Millions)
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2000 1999
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues
Regulatory contingency $ 1.1 $ --
Other charges and special items 1.1 --
------------------------------
2.2 --
------------------------------
Operating Expenses
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger costs 48.8 --
Bell Atlantic-GTE conforming accounting adjustments (4.2) (6.2)
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger other related actions 2.2 --
Gain on sales of assets (1,161.2) --
------------------------------
(1,114.4) (6.2)
------------------------------
Interest Expense
Regulatory contingency 0.3 --
------------------------------
Net increase in income before income taxes and extraordinary charge $ (1,111.9) $ (6.2)
==============================
Extraordinary charge, net $ (4.6) $ --
==============================
</TABLE>
What follows is a further explanation of the nature of these special items.
Bell Atlantic - GTE Merger
On June 30, 2000, Bell Atlantic and GTE completed a merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998 (the Merger). Under the
terms of the agreement, GTE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic.
In September 2000, Bell Atlantic changed its name to Verizon Communications
Inc. (Verizon Communications). The Merger qualified as a tax-free reorganization
and has been accounted for as a pooling of interests. Under this method of
accounting, Bell Atlantic and GTE are treated as if they had always been
combined for accounting and financial reporting purposes.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 included
merger-related pre-tax costs totaling approximately $48.8 million, consisting of
$18.8 million for direct incremental costs, and $30.0 million for employee
severance costs. These costs include the Company's allocated share of
merger-related costs from Verizon Services. Costs allocated from Verizon
Services are included in Operations and support expenses.
11
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
Direct incremental costs consist of the Company's proportionate share of
expenses associated with completing the merger transaction such as professional
and regulatory fees, compensation arrangements and shareowner-related costs.
Employee severance costs, as recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,"
represent the Company's proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation
of management employees who are entitled to benefits under Verizon
Communications pre-existing separation pay plans, as well as an accrual of
ongoing SFAS No.112 obligations for GTE employees. The separations are expected
to occur as a result of consolidations and process enhancements. Accrued
postemployment benefit liabilities for those employees are included in the
Company's condensed balance sheets as components of "Other current liabilities"
and "Employee benefit plans."
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also included adjustments that were required to conform
the Company's accounting methods and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income was increased
by $4.2 million and $6.2 million for the nine month periods ended September 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
Other Related Actions
During the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded $2.2 million pre-
tax for other actions in relation to the Merger or other strategic decisions.
Other Charges and Special Items
Regulatory Contingency
In the second quarter of 2000, the Company recognized a pre-tax charge for a
regulatory matter totaling $1.4 million. The Company recorded a reduction to
operating revenue in the amount of $1.1 million and a charge to interest expense
of $0.3 million. This matter relates to a specific issue currently under
investigation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Company
believes that it is probable that the ultimate resolution of this matter will
result in refunds to customers, including interest.
Gain on Sales of Assets
During the third quarter of 2000, the Company completed the sales of access
lines in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. These sales completed the
Company's previously announced 1998 plan to sell selected access lines located
in these states and resulted in a $1,161.2 million pre-tax gain ($744.3 million
after-tax).
Extraordinary Charge
In January 2000, the Company retired $46.7 million of long-term debt prior to
stated maturity and incurred $7.1 million in premiums associated with this
retirement, resulting in a one-time, after-tax extraordinary charge of $4.6
million (net of a tax benefit of $2.5 million).
Other Items
In the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded other charges and
special items totaling approximately $1.1 million pre-tax.
12
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING REVENUES
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------------ Increase Percent
2000 1999 (Decrease) Change
------------- ------------- ----------- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 723.5 $ 572.4 $ 151.1 26%
Network access services 433.2 545.7 (112.5) (21)%
Other services 135.3 215.4 (80.1) (37)%
------------- ------------- -----------
Total operating revenues $ 1,292.0 $ 1,333.5 $ (41.5) (3)%
============= ============= ============
</TABLE>
Local Services
Local services revenues are earned from the provision of local exchange, local
private line, wire maintenance, voice messaging and value-added services.
Value-added services are a family of services that expand the utilization of the
network, including products such as Caller ID, Call Waiting and Return Call.
Cellular service providers also pay access charges for cellular calls
transported by the Company. In the third quarter of 2000, certain properties
were sold that contributed local services revenues during the previous periods.
Access lines (excluding property sales) increased 3%, generating additional
revenues from basic local services, CentraNet(R) services, Integrated Services
Digital Network and Digital Channel Services for the nine months ended September
30, 2000 compared to the same period in 1999. Demand for enhanced custom calling
features, such as SmartCall(R) services, also increased year-to-date local
services revenues. In addition, an increase in local services revenues resulted
from a surcharge to offset access and toll price reductions and other regulatory
decisions including the implementation of the Texas universal service fund (USF)
order, effective September 1999.
Network Access Services
Network access services revenues are earned from end-user subscribers and long
distance and other competing carriers who use the Company's local exchange
facilities to provide usage services to their customers. Switched access
revenues are derived from fixed and usage-based charges paid by carriers for
access to the local network. Special access revenues originate from carriers and
end-users that buy dedicated local exchange capacity to support their private
networks. End-user access revenues are earned from customers and from resellers
who purchase dial-tone services. The increase in network access revenues was
primarily due to mandated interstate and intrastate access price changes and
other regulatory actions, primarily driven by the implementation of the Texas
USF order. Also, the nine month period of 2000 included revenue reductions
related to the implementation of the Coalition for Affordable Local and Long
Distance Service (CALLS) plan, effective July 1, 2000. In the third quarter of
2000, the Company's access lines in the states of Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma
and a portion of Texas were sold resulting in a decrease in revenues from 1999.
Partially offsetting these decreases was higher customer demand as reflected by
an increase of 9% in minutes of use from September 30, 1999. Special access
revenues grew as a result of greater demand for increased bandwidth services by
high-capacity users.
Other Services
Other services revenues include such services as customer premises equipment
sales, public telephone and billing and collection services provided to
affiliates and third parties. In addition, other services revenues include
revenues from toll services which are earned primarily from calls made outside a
customer's local calling area but within the same LATA (Local Access Transport
Area) - (intraLATA). The decrease in other services revenues for the nine month
period ended September 30, 2000, compared to the same period in 1999 was due, in
part, to the impact of a change in the recognition of directory publishing
revenues which resulted in a decrease in revenues of $32.6 million (for further
information see "OTHER DEVELOPMENTS - Directory Publishing Revenues"). Further
contributing to the decrease were reduced toll revenues resulting from
intraLATA toll competition, and the effect of a special charge recorded in 2000
(see "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS").
13
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------------ Increase Percent
2000 1999 (Decrease) Change
-------------- ------------- -------------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operations and support $ 660.6 $ 702.1 $ (41.5) (6)%
Depreciation and amortization 232.9 218.8 14.1 6%
Gain on sales of assets (1,161.2) -- (1,161.2) --
-------------- ------------- --------------
Total operating expenses (benefit) $ (267.7) $ 920.9 $ (1,188.6) --
============== ============= ==============
</TABLE>
Operations and Support
Operations and support expenses, consist of employee costs and other operating
expenses. Employee costs consist of salaries, wages and other compensation,
employee benefits and payroll taxes. Other operating expenses consist of
contract services including centralized services expenses allocated from Verizon
Services, rent, network software costs, operating taxes other than income, the
provision for uncollectible accounts receivable, and other costs. Operations and
support expenses decreased $41.5 million for the nine months ended September 30,
2000, compared to the same period in 1999, primarily due to the recognition of a
pre-tax gain of $29.8 million associated with lump-sum settlements of pension
obligations for former employees electing deferred vested pension cash-outs and
for current employees who met certain eligibility requirements. A charge in the
first quarter of 1999, associated with an employee reduction program, also
contributed to the decrease in costs. Lower costs for the Customer Care Center
operations resulted in an additional decrease in operations and support
expenses. Partially offsetting these decreases was a second quarter 2000 special
charge for severance and direct incremental merger-related costs of $48.8
million, as well as the impact of other merger related actions (see "RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS").
Depreciation and Amortization
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in the first nine months
of 2000 compared to the same period in 1999 is due to the continuing investment
in the Company's network. Partially affecting the increase in depreciation and
amortization expense were reductions resulting from adjustments made to conform
the accounting policies of Bell Atlantic and GTE as a result of the Merger (see
"RESULTS OF OPERATIONS").
Gain on Sales of Assets
During the third quarter of 2000, the Company completed the sales of access
lines in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. These sales completed the
Company's previously announced 1998 plan to divest selected access lines located
in these states and resulted in a $1,161.2 million pre-tax gain ($744.3 million
after-tax) (see -OTHER DEVELOPMENTS - Net Assets Held for Sale).
INTEREST INCOME
Interest income increased $3.7 million during the nine months ended September
30, 2000, primarily due to higher average balances of notes receivable from
affiliates as a result of the sales of assets.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Interest expense decreased $4.1 million or 7% for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 due primarily to lower average short-term debt balances.
INTERSTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
FCC Regulation and Interstate Rates
On May 31, 2000, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the
industry proposal to restructure access charges (known as the "CALLS plan").
Under the terms of the plan, direct end-user access charges are increased while
access charges to long distance carriers are reduced. While the plan continues
the 6.5% (less inflation) annual reductions for most interstate access charges,
it provides for a price freeze when switched access transport prices reach
$0.0055 per-minute. In addition, in conjunction with provisions that will allow
carriers to
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
deaverage their subscriber line charges by geographic zones, the plan
establishes a new $650 million universal service fund to support interstate
access rates. Of that amount, Verizon Communications expects approximately $320
million to be used to support interstate access services in its service
territory. The price restructuring portions of the plan are mandatory for all
large local exchange carriers, including Verizon Communications' telephone
operating companies. The price level portions of the plan are mandatory only in
the initial year of the plan. By September 14, 2000 carriers were to decide
whether to participate in the remaining four years of the plan, or whether to
submit cost studies as the basis of future price caps.
Consistent with the new access plan, Verizon Communications filed tariff
adjustments to take effect on July 1, 2000 (with modifications effective August
11, 2000). As a result of these tariff adjustments, former GTE carriers in ten
states, and former Bell Atlantic carriers in seven states reached the $0.0055
benchmark, and by opting into the full five year CALLS plan, Verizon
Communications would not be subject to further annual interstate switched access
price reductions for the remaining life of the plan.
As of September 14, 2000, Verizon Communications formally opted to participate
in the full five-year term of the FCC-adopted industry plan to restructure
access rates known as the CALLS plan. As a result of this decision, price caps
on Verizon Communications' interstate access charges will be set according to
the terms of the CALLS plan.
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Net Assets Held for Sale
During October 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell switched
access lines in Oklahoma to Valor Telecommunications (formerly dba
Communications, LLC). On June 30, 2000, the Company completed this sale of
approximately 131,000 switched access lines for cash proceeds of $420.3 million
and recorded a pre-tax gain of $264.5 million ($170.5 million after-tax). During
the third quarter, this gain was adjusted from the previously reported amount of
$281.7 million ($180.8 million after-tax) as a result of certain post-closing
adjustments considered to be in the normal course of business. During June 1999,
the Company entered into an agreement to sell switched access lines located in
Arkansas to Century Tel, Inc. On July 31, 2000, the Company completed this sale
of approximately 93,000 access lines in Arkansas to Century Tel, Inc. for cash
proceeds of $332.9 million and recorded a pre-tax gain of $208.9 million ($130.4
million after-tax). During September 1999, the Company entered into an agreement
to sell switched access lines located in New Mexico and Texas to Valor
Telecommunications. On August 31, 2000, the Company completed this sale of
approximately 425,000 access lines in Texas and New Mexico to Valor
Telecommunications for cash proceeds of $1,249.6 million and recorded a pre-tax
gain of $687.8 million ($443.4 million after-tax). The associated net assets,
which approximated $659.1 million at December 31, 1999, consisted of property,
plant and equipment, and had been classified as "Net assets held for sale" in
the condensed balance sheets. Given the decision to sell, no depreciation
expense was recorded for these assets during 1999 and 2000 in accordance with
SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." Depreciation expense was lowered by $14
million and $67 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2000
and $25 million and $78 million for the three and nine months ended September
30, 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
access line agreements in total represent approximately 26% of the switched
access lines that the Company had in service at the end of 1999, and contributed
approximately 24% to 1999 revenues and approximately 36% to operating income.
Directory Publishing Revenues
Consistent with industry practice, effective January 1, 2000, the Company
changed its method of recognizing
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
directory publishing revenues. Verizon Directories Corp., a wholly-owned
subsidiary of GTE, publishes telephone directories for which it receives
advertising revenue. Under the Company's previous method of revenue recognition,
approximately 60% of the advertising revenue for directories published by
Verizon Directories Corp. in the Company's operating areas was recognized as
revenue. The remaining 40% was recognized as revenue by Verizon Directories
Corp. Under the new method of revenue recognition, Verizon Directories Corp. now
recognizes 100% of the directory publishing revenues. The Company, in turn,
bills Verizon Directories Corp. for customer listing information and billing and
collection services. As a result, the Company's other services revenues and
operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 decreased $32.6
million and $28.1 million, respectively, compared to the same period in 1999.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standard - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
statement requires that all derivatives be measured at fair value and recognized
as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in the fair values
of derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or other
comprehensive income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the
instruments.
In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133. The
amendments in SFAS No. 138 address certain implementation issues and relate to
such matters as the normal purchases and normal sales exception, the definition
of interest rate risk, hedging recognized foreign-currency-denominated assets
and liabilities, and intercompany derivatives.
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No.
138, which it will adopt on January 1, 2001. The impact of adoption will be
affected by several factors, including the specific hedging instruments in place
and their relationships to hedged items, as well as market conditions at the
date of adoption.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which provides additional
guidance on revenue recognition and, in certain circumstances, requires the
deferral of incremental costs. The Company will adopt SAB No. 101 in the fourth
quarter of 2000, retroactive to January 1, 2000. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of adopting SAB No. 101.
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There were no proceedings reportable under this Item.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K:
(a) Exhibit:
Exhibit Number
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Current Report on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended
September 30, 2000:
A Current Report on Form 8-K dated September 7, 2000, was filed in
connection with a change in the Company's independent accountants.
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
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: November 14, 2000 /s/ Edwin F. Hall
----------------------------- ------------------------------
Edwin F. Hall
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IS AS OF NOVEMBER 8, 2000.
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GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
------- -----------
27 Financial Data Schedule