<PAGE>
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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, 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 Inc.)
(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 BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION (D/B/A VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS), 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 [ ]
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<PAGE>
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,
---------------------- -----------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES AND SALES
Local services $ 258.8 $ 182.1 $ 499.2 $ 366.8
Network access services 155.0 189.7 301.4 367.0
Other services and sales 52.6 72.0 91.0 135.4
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total revenues and sales 466.4 443.8 891.6 869.2
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Operations and support 243.1 227.4 449.6 474.9
Depreciation and amortization 77.9 72.3 152.4 147.1
Gain on sale of assets (281.7) -- (281.7) --
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
Total operating costs and expenses 39.3 299.7 320.3 622.0
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
OPERATING INCOME 427.1 144.1 571.3 247.2
OTHER EXPENSE
Interest - net 19.0 18.1 38.5 36.7
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 408.1 126.0 532.8 210.5
Income taxes 149.4 44.6 193.7 74.4
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 258.7 81.4 339.1 136.1
Extraordinary charge -- -- 4.6 --
---------- ---------- ---------- -----------
NET INCOME $ 258.7 $ 81.4 $ 334.5 $ 136.1
========== ========== ========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
1
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
2000 1999
-------------- -------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 7.8 $ 10.5
Receivables, less allowances of $27.2 million
and $26.1 million 270.1 328.1
Receivables from affiliates 36.1 65.4
Inventories and supplies 20.4 20.0
Net assets held for sale 562.5 659.1
Prepaid expenses and other 6.9 25.9
-------------- -------------
Total current assets 903.8 1,109.0
-------------- -------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 4,349.5 4,238.0
Accumulated depreciation (2,658.0) (2,576.1)
-------------- -------------
Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,691.5 1,661.9
-------------- -------------
Prepaid pension costs 340.7 262.0
Other assets 1.6 1.5
-------------- -------------
Total assets $ 2,937.6 $ 3,034.4
============== =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 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 150.3 462.9
Accounts payable 84.9 89.5
Affiliate payables and accruals 76.6 25.1
Taxes payable 202.7 82.0
Accrued dividends 24.0 77.1
Other 148.1 117.9
-------------- -------------
Total current liabilities 688.2 902.8
-------------- -------------
Long-term debt 648.2 648.0
Employee benefit plans 238.1 235.0
Deferred income taxes and other 288.1 272.0
-------------- -------------
Total liabilities 1,862.6 2,057.8
-------------- -------------
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock -- 7.6
Common stock (6,500,000 shares issued) 650.0 650.0
Additional paid-in capital 425.0 53.9
Retained earnings -- 265.1
-------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity 1,075.0 976.6
-------------- -------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,937.6 $ 3,034.4
============== =============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Condensed Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------------
2000 1999
----------- -----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Net cash from operations $ 442.2 $ 313.0
----------- -----------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (208.0) (204.5)
Proceeds from sale of assets 420.2 --
Other - net (1.6) 0.5
----------- -----------
Net cash provided by (used in) investing 210.6 (204.0)
----------- -----------
FINANCING
Long-term debt and preferred stock retired,
including premiums paid on early retirement (62.0) (0.3)
Dividends paid (281.0) (100.3)
Net change in affiliate notes (312.5) (12.0)
----------- -----------
Net cash used in financing (655.5) (112.6)
----------- -----------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (2.7) (3.6)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 10.5 10.4
----------- -----------
End of period $ 7.8 $ 6.8
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Statement of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional
Preferred Common Paid-In Retained
Stock Stock Capital Earnings Total
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholders' equity, December 31, 1999 $ 7.6 $ 650.0 $ 53.9 $ 265.1 $ 976.6
Net income 334.5 334.5
Redemption of preferred stock (7.6) (0.6) (8.2)
Tax benefit from exercise of stock options 0.2 0.2
Dividends declared (228.1) (228.1)
Capital contributions from Parent 370.9 370.9
Dividend paid to Parent (370.9) (370.9)
------------ ------------- ------------ ------------- ------------
Shareholders' equity, June 30, 2000 $ -- $ 650.0 $ 425.0 $ -- $ 1,075.0
============ ============= ============ ============= ============
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
5
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
GTE Southwest Incorporated (d/b/a Verizon Southwest Inc.) (the Company), is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE), which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Bell Atlantic Corporation (d/b/a 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 July 27, 1998. Under the terms of the
agreement, GTE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic. With the
closing of the merger, the combined company began doing business as Verizon
Communications. The merger has been accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for June 30, 2000 includes merger-related pre-tax costs
totaling approximately $48.8 million consisting of direct incremental costs and
employee severance costs. These costs include the Company's allocated share of
merger-related costs from Verizon Services Group (Verizon Servcies), 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 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 pre-existing Verizon Communications separation pay plans. 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 balance sheets as a component of "Employee benefit
plans".
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also include adjustments that were required to conform the
Company's accounting policies and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income was increased
by $4.2 million for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
Note 3. Dividends
On July 30, 2000, the Company declared and paid a dividend in the amount of
$24.0 million to Verizon Communications.
Prior to the closing of the GTE merger with Bell Atlantic, dividends that
equaled the retained earnings balance reflected on the Company's financial
statements were declared and paid to GTE. Upon the payment of these dividends, a
capital contribution in the same amount was made by GTE to the Company.
6
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
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 130,000 switched access lines for cash proceeds of $420.2 million
and recorded a pre-tax gain of $281.7 million ($180.8 million after-tax). During
September 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately
399,000 switched access lines located in New Mexico and Texas to Valor
Telecommunications. During June 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to
sell approximately 87,000 switched access lines located in Arkansas to Century
Tel, Inc. These agreements consummate the Company's previously announced 1998
plan to sell selected access lines located in Arkansas, New Mexico, Oklahoma and
Texas. As of June 30, 2000, there were approximately 517,000 switched access
lines held for sale. All remaining sales are contingent upon final agreements
and regulatory approval and are expected to close in 2000. The associated net
assets, which approximate $562.5 million and $659.1 million at June 30, 2000 and
December 31, 1999, respectively, consist of property, plant and equipment, and
have been classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the balance sheets. 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. Accordingly, depreciation expense was lowered by $26.8
million and $53.4 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2000 and
$26.5 million and $53.0 million for the three and six months ended June 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. In
July 2000, the Company sold approximately 93,000 access lines in Arkansas to
Century Tel, Inc. for cash proceeds of $333.1 million.
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 pretax in premiums associated with
this retirement, resulting in a one-time, after-tax extraordinary charge of $4.6
million (net of tax benefits 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 pretax on the early redemption.
NOTE 7. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standards - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (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 Company's balance sheet. Changes in the fair values of
derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or comprehensive
income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the instruments.
The FASB amended this pronouncement in June 1999 to defer the effective date of
SFAS No. 133 for one year. The Company must adopt SFAS No. 133 no later than
January 1, 2001.
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. SFAS No. 138 also amends SFAS No.
133 for decisions made by the FASB relating to the Derivatives Implementation
7
<PAGE>
GTE SOUTHWEST INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
Group process.
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and No. 138.
The impact of adoption will be determined 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.
FASB Interpretation - Stock Compensation
In March 2000, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, "Accounting for Certain
Transactions involving Stock Compensation." Interpretation No. 44 was issued in
order to clarify certain issues arising from Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," which was previously
issued in October 1972. Interpretation No. 44 is effective July 1, 2000, but
certain conclusions cover specific events that occur either after December 15,
1998 or January 12, 2000.
The main issues addressed by Interpretation No. 44 are: (a) the definition of an
employee for purposes of applying APB Opinion No. 25, (b) the criteria for
determining whether a plan qualifies as a noncompensatory plan, (c) the
accounting consequence of various modifications to the terms of a previously
fixed stock option or award, and (d) the accounting for an exchange of stock
compensation awards in a business combination.
Interpretation No. 44 will not have a material impact on the Company's results
of operations or financial position.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which must be adopted by the
fourth quarter of 2000. SAB No. 101 provides additional guidance on revenue
recognition, as well as criteria for when revenue is generally realized and
earned, and also requires the deferral of incremental direct selling costs. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of SAB No. 101 on its results of
operations and financial position.
NOTE 8. 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 previous method
of revenue recognition, approximately 60% of the advertising revenue for
directories published in the Company's operating areas was recognized as revenue
by the Company. The remaining 40% was recognized as revenue by Verizon
Directories Corp. Under the new method, 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 and sales revenues and
operating income decreased $13.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, for
the six months ended June 30, 2000 compared to the same period in of 1999.
NOTE 9. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
The Company is subject to a number of proceedings arising out of the conduct of
its business, including those relating to regulatory actions, commercial
transactions and environmental, safety and health matters. Management believes
that the ultimate resolution of these matters will not have a material adverse
effect on the results of operations or the financial position of the Company.
Federal and state regulatory conditions to the merger include certain
commitments to, among other things, promote competition and the widespread
deployment of advanced services, while helping ensure that customers continue to
recieve 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. Over the remainder of 2000, based on preliminary estimates, the
cost of satisfying these commitments is likely to impact the net income of
Verizon Communications on a consolidated basis by approximately $275 to $325
million. The estimated impact on each operating telephone subsidiary is still
being assessed.
8
<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 $198.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2000
compared to the same period in 1999. The increase is primarily due to a gain of
$281.7 million recognized on the sale of assets, as well as an increase in local
service revenues. In the first quarter of 2000, the Company recorded an
after-tax extraordinary charge of $4.6 million (net of tax benefits of $2.5
million) related to the retirement of debt prior to stated maturity.
The Company's 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:
(Dollars in Millions)
Six Months Ended
June 30,
----------------------------
2000 1999
---------- ---------
Revenues and Sales
Regulatory contingency $ 2.2 $ --
---------- ---------
Operations and Support Expenses
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger costs 48.8 --
Conforming accounting adjustments (4.2) (4.2)
---------- ---------
44.6 (4.2)
---------- ---------
Interest Expense 0.3 --
---------- ---------
Total $ 47.1 $ (4.2)
========== =========
What follows is a further explanation of the nature of these special items.
On June 30, 2000, Bell Atlantic and GTE completed a merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998. Under the terms of the
agreement, GTE became a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic. With the
closing of the merger, the combined company began doing business as Verizon
Communications. The merger has been accounted for as a pooling of interests.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for June 30, 2000 includes merger-related pre-tax costs
totaling approximately $48.8 million consisting of direct incremental costs and
employee severance costs.
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 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 preexisting Verizon Communications separation pay plans. The
separations are expected to occur as a result of consolidations and process
enhancements. Accrued postemployment benefit liabilities for those
9
<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)
employees are included in the Company's balance sheets as a component of
"Employee benefit plans".
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also include adjustments that were required to conform the
Company's accounting policies and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income was increased
by $4.2 million for each of the six month periods ended June 30, 2000 and 1999.
Regulatory Contingency
In the second quarter of 2000, the Company recognized a charge for a regulatory
matter totaling $ 2.5 million. The Company recorded a reduction to operating
revenue in the amount of $2.2 million and a charge to interest expense of $0.3
million. This matter relates to a specific issue currently under investigation
by federal regulatory commissions. The Company believes that it is probable that
the ultimate resolution of this matter will result in refunds to customers,
including interest.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES AND SALES
(Dollars in Millions) Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------------- Increase Percent
2000 1999 (Decrease) Change
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 499.2 $ 366.8 $ 132.4 36%
Network access services 301.4 367.0 (65.6) (18)%
Other services and sales 91.0 135.4 (44.4) (33)%
------------ ------------ ------------
Total revenues and sales $ 891.6 $ 869.2 $ 22.4 3%
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
Local Services Revenues
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. Access lines increased 4% generating additional
revenues of $21.8 million from basic local services, CentraNet(R) services,
Integrated Services Digital Network and Digital Channel Services for the six
months ended June 30, 2000. Demand for enhanced custom calling features, such as
SmartCall(R) services, increased year-to-date local services revenue by $4.9
million. In addition, an increase in revenues of $96.8 million resulted from a
surcharge to offset access and toll price reductions driven by the
implementation of the Texas universal service fund (USF), effective September
1999.
Network Access Services Revenues
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. Mandated interstate and intrastate access price
changes and rate element adjustments, primarily driven by the implementation of
the Texas USF order reducing intrastate access rates effective September 1999,
reduced revenues by $98.9 million for the six months ending June 30, 2000 as
compared to the same period in 1999. The offset is collected via a surcharge in
local services, as discussed above. In addition, revenues were reduced by a
second quarter 2000 special charge for a contingency associated with a
regulatory matter (see "Results of Operations").
10
<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)
Partially offsetting the decreases was an 8% increase in minutes of use that
generated additional revenues of $17.5 million. Special access revenues grew by
$20.3 million as a result of greater demand for increased bandwidth services by
high-capacity users.
Other Services and Sales Revenues
Other services and sales revenues include such services as inventory management
and purchasing services, customer premises equipment sales, public telephone and
billing and collection provided to affiliates and third parties. In addition,
other services and sales 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 (intraLATA). The decrease in other services and sales
revenues for the six-month period ended June 30, 2000, compared to the same
period in 1999 was primarily due to the impact of a change in the recognition of
directory publishing revenues resulting in a decrease of $13.2 million (for
further information see "OTHER DEVELOPMENTS - Directory Publishing Revenues").
Further impacting the decrease are reduced toll revenues of an additional $11.3
million resulting from intraLATA (Local Access Transport Area) toll competition,
lower billing and collection revenues of $6.8 million, and lower wireless
revenues of $5.8 million.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions) Six Months Ended
June 30,
-------------------------- Increase Percent
2000 1999 (Decrease) Change
------------ ------------ ------------ -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operations and support $ 449.6 $ 474.9 $ (25.3) (5)%
Depreciation and amortization 152.4 147.1 5.3 4%
Gain on sale of assets (281.7) -- (281.7) --
------------ ------------ ------------
Total operating costs and expenses $ 320.3 $ 622.0 $ (301.7) (49)%
============ ============ ============
</TABLE>
Operations and support expenses represent employee costs and other operating
expenses. Operating costs and expenses decreased $301.7 million, or 49% for the
six month period ended June 30, 2000, compared to the same period of 1999,
primarily due to gains realized from the sale of assets. In June 2000, the sale
of approximately 130,000 access lines in the state of Oklahoma resulted in a
gain of $281.7 million. Further contributing to the decrease was the recognition
of a pre-tax gain of $33.7 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 of $18.4 million in the first quarter of 1999, associated with an
employee reduction program, also contributed to the decrease in costs. Lower
costs for contracted services in the Customer Care Centers contributed an
additional $14.0 million to the decrease in operating costs and expenses.
Partially offsetting the decrease was a second quarter 2000 special charge of
$48.8 million for severance and direct incremental merger-related costs (see
"Results Of Operations").
The increase in depreciation and amortization expense in the first six months of
2000 compared to the same period in 1999 is due to the continuing investment in
network necessary to support access line growth from higher demand by Internet
Service Providers (ISPs) and customer line growth. Partially offsetting 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").
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest-net increased 5% or $1.8 million for the six months ended June 30,
2000, compared to the same periods in 1999. The increases are primarily due to
increases in interest expense resulting from higher average short-term debt
levels.
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)
Income tax expense increased $119.3 million for the six months ended June 30,
2000, as compared to the same period in 1999, primarily due to a corresponding
increase in pretax income.
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 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 Verizon's 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. Carriers have until September 14, 2000 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, should Verizon Communications opt into the full five year CALLS
plan, they will not be subject to further annual interstate switched access
price reductions for the remaining life of the plan.
12
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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)
INTRASTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
New Mexico
In December 1999, the New Mexico Public Regulation Commission (NMPRC) issued two
orders in Phase III of the Universal Service Fund (USF)/Unbundled Network
Element (UNE) proceeding that established an initial USF size and adopted USF
implementation rules. The initial fund size is $11 million and the NMPRC is
considering how to distribute the fund among the local exchange carriers (LECs).
Offsetting rate reductions in services that contain implicit subsidies will be
made upon final disposition of the proceeding. Also, in March 2000, a new law
required the NMPRC to identify implicit subsidies included in the Company's
rates by December 31, 2000.
Texas
In December 1996, the Public Utility Commission of Texas (PUCT) 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. The Company 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 PUCT's determinations. These lawsuits
have been consolidated into a single lawsuit and a decision is anticipated in
the second half of 2000.
Since early 1997, the PUCT has been working with the industry to construct and
implement a state universal service plan. As of March 1, 2000, the Company is
now receiving $197.7 million annually in fund disbursements and has implemented
offsetting reductions to wholesale switched access rates and intraLATA toll
rates. In June 2000, the
13
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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)
Company filed an application for true up of
approximately $3.6 million in USF amounts related to calculation errors by the
Commission. A procedural schedule has not been established for this proceeding.
In September 1999, the Company agreed to sell a portion of its access lines to
Valor Communications, L.L.C. The sale is expected to have a material effect upon
the annual disbursements which the Company presently receives through the state
universal service plan given the rural nature of the repositioned properties.
In April 2000, the PUCT promulgated new service-quality regulations requiring,
among other things, an increase in the data-carriage capacity of the public
switched telephone network from 2.4 kilobits per second to 14.4 kilobits per
second. The Company expects to be able to comply with the new service-quality
regulations or to seek waivers for individual exchanges in accordance with those
regulations.
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 130,000 switched access lines for cash proceeds of $420.2 million
and recorded a pretax gain of $281.7 million ($180.8 million after-tax). During
September 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately
399,000 switched access lines located in New Mexico and Texas to Valor
Telecommunications. During June 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to
sell approximately 87,000 switched access lines located in Arkansas to
CenturyTel, Inc. These agreements consummate the Company's previously announced
1998 plan to sell selected access lines located in Arkansas, New Mexico,
Oklahoma and Texas. As of June 30, 2000, there were approximately 517,000
switched access lines held for sale. All remaining sales are contingent upon
final agreements and regulatory approval and are expected to close in 2000. The
associated net assets, which approximate $562.5 million and $659.1 million at
June 30, 2000 and December 31, 1999, respectively, consist of property, plant
and equipment, and have been classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the
balance sheets. 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. Accordingly, depreciation
expense was lowered by $26.8 million and $53.4 million for the three and six
months ended June 30, 2000 and $26.5 million and $53.0 million for the three and
six months ended June 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. In July 2000, the Company sold
approximately 93,000 access lines in Arkansas to Century Tel, Inc. for cash
proceeds of $333.1 million.
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 previous method
of revenue recognition, approximately 60% of the advertising revenue for
directories published in the Company's operating areas was recognized as revenue
by the Company. The remaining 40% was recognized as revenue by Verizon
Directories Corp. Under the new method, 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 and sales revenues and
operating income decreased $13.2 million and $10.9 million, respectively, for
the six months ended June 30, 2000 compared to the same period in of 1999.
14
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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)
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standards - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (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 Company's balance sheet. Changes in the fair values of
derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or comprehensive
income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the instruments.
The FASB amended this pronouncement in June 1999 to defer the effective date of
SFAS No. 133 for one year. The Company must adopt SFAS No. 133 no later than
January 1, 2001.
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. SFAS No. 138 also amends SFAS No.
133 for decisions made by the FASB relating to the Derivatives Implementation
Group process.
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and No. 138.
The impact of adoption will be determined 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.
FASB Interpretation - Stock Compensation
In March 2000, the FASB issued Interpretation No. 44, "Accounting for Certain
Transactions involving Stock Compensation." Interpretation No. 44 was issued in
order to clarify certain issues arising from Accounting Principles Board (APB)
Opinion No. 25 "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," which was previously
issued in October 1972. Interpretation No. 44 is effective July 1, 2000, but
certain conclusions cover specific events that occur either after December 15,
1998 or January 12, 2000.
The main issues addressed by Interpretation No. 44 are: (a) the definition of an
employee for purposes of applying APB Opinion No. 25, (b) the criteria for
determining whether a plan qualifies as a noncompensatory plan, (c) the
accounting consequence of various modifications to the terms of a previously
fixed stock option or award, and (d) the accounting for an exchange of stock
compensation awards in a business combination.
Interpretation No. 44 will not have a material impact on the Company's results
of operations or financial position.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which must be adopted by the
fourth quarter of 2000. SAB No. 101 provides additional guidance on revenue
recognition, as well as criteria for when revenue is generally realized and
earned, and also requires the deferral of incremental direct selling costs. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of SAB No. 101 on its results of
operations and financial position.
15
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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:
(a) Exhibits:
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) The Company filed a report on Form 8-K dated June 30, 2000 under
Item 1, "Changes in Control of Registrant."
16
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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 14, 2000 /s/ Edwin F. Hall
------------------------------ -------------------------------------
Edwin F. Hall
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IS AS OF AUGUST 10, 2000.
17
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
------------------- -----------------------------------------------------
27 Financial Data Schedule
