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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: SEPTEMBER 30, 1998
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 0-2908
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
WASHINGTON 91-0466810
(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
600 Hidden Ridge, HQE04B12 - Irving, Texas 75038
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if
changed since last report)
The registrant, a wholly owned subsidiary of GTE Corporation, 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 [ ]
The Company had 17,920,000 shares of no par value common stock outstanding at
October 31, 1998. The Company's common stock is 100% owned by GTE Corporation.
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<PAGE> 2
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
-------------------- --------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
------- ------- ------- -------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES AND SALES
Local services $ 116.1 $ 112.3 $ 346.0 $ 327.7
Network access services 119.6 111.9 355.5 315.0
Toll services 13.0 21.2 42.1 77.2
Other services and sales 52.4 51.0 121.8 109.7
------- ------- ------- -------
Total revenues and sales 301.1 296.4 865.4 829.6
------- ------- ------- -------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of services and sales 90.9 89.1 274.7 265.3
Selling, general and administrative 45.1 39.2 131.2 114.8
Depreciation and amortization 51.5 53.7 156.6 160.3
------- ------- ------- -------
Total operating costs and expenses 187.5 182.0 562.5 540.4
------- ------- ------- -------
OPERATING INCOME 113.6 114.4 302.9 289.2
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE
Interest - net 15.7 12.7 42.5 39.8
Other - net (0.2) -- (0.2) (4.9)
------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 98.1 101.7 260.6 254.3
Income taxes 36.2 36.5 95.8 91.0
------- ------- ------- -------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 61.9 65.2 164.8 163.3
Extraordinary charge -- -- (3.1) --
------- ------- ------- -------
NET INCOME $ 61.9 $ 65.2 $ 161.7 $ 163.3
======= ======= ======= =======
</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 NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
-------------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 0.4 $ 1.5
Receivables, less allowances
of $14.4 and $14.5 199.9 260.6
Accounts receivable from affiliates 5.3 5.8
Inventories and supplies 18.0 19.6
Other 8.0 7.8
---------- ----------
Total current assets 231.6 295.3
---------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 3,600.4 3,419.1
Accumulated depreciation (2,235.4) (2,127.1)
---------- ----------
Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,365.0 1,292.0
---------- ----------
Prepaid pension costs 109.0 92.7
Other assets 15.5 14.1
---------- ----------
Total assets $ 1,721.1 $ 1,694.1
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
---------------- ----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Notes payable to affiliate, including
current maturities of long-term debt $ 114.9 $ 111.4
Accounts payable 45.0 55.6
Affiliate payables 48.8 45.2
Taxes payable 42.6 53.7
Accrued interest 15.3 9.3
Accrued payroll costs 22.6 19.7
Dividends payable 35.5 44.7
Deferred income taxes 14.8 4.8
Other 53.6 64.1
---------------- ----------------
Total current liabilities 393.1 408.5
---------------- ----------------
Long-term debt 670.3 683.1
Deferred income taxes 98.4 50.3
Deferred employee benefit obligations 51.8 58.8
Other liabilities 8.0 7.4
---------------- ----------------
Total liabilities 1,221.6 1,208.1
---------------- ----------------
Shareholder's equity
Common stock (17,920,000 shares issued) 448.0 448.0
Additional paid-in capital 57.7 57.7
Retained deficit (6.2) (19.7)
---------------- ----------------
Total shareholder's equity 499.5 486.0
---------------- ----------------
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity $ 1,721.1 $ 1,694.1
================ ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------
1998 1997
---------- ----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Income before extraordinary charge $ 164.8 $ 163.3
Adjustments to reconcile income before extraordinary charge to net cash from
operations:
Depreciation and amortization 156.6 160.3
Deferred income taxes 58.1 (0.5)
Gain on disposition of assets -- (5.1)
Provision for uncollectible accounts 13.5 12.6
Changes in current assets and current liabilities 26.7 5.7
Other - net 76.7 (31.6)
---------- ----------
Net cash from operations 496.4 304.7
---------- ----------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (225.5) (184.2)
Other - net, including proceeds from disposition of assets 0.2 11.4
---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing (225.3) (172.8)
---------- ----------
FINANCING
Long-term debt issued 173.9 --
Long-term debt and preferred stock retired,
including premiums paid on early retirement (145.5) (21.1)
Dividends (157.4) (120.5)
Decrease in short term obligations, excluding current
maturities -- (60.0)
Change in affiliate notes (141.5) 69.5
Other - net (1.7) --
---------- ----------
Net cash used in financing (272.2) (132.1)
---------- ----------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1.1) (0.2)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 1.5 2.1
---------- ----------
End of period $ 0.4 $ 1.9
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE> 6
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
GTE Northwest Incorporated (the Company) is incorporated under the laws of the
State of Washington and is a subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE).
The unaudited condensed consolidated 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 consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, which
consist only of normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the
financial information for such periods. These condensed consolidated financial
statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial
statements and the notes thereto included in the Company's 1997 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Reclassifications of prior year data have been made, where appropriate, to
conform to the 1998 presentation.
NOTE 2. EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded an after-tax
extraordinary charge of $3.1 million, reflecting premiums paid on the redemption
of high-coupon debt prior to stated maturity.
NOTE 3. DEBT
In May 1998, the Company issued $175 million of 6.30% Series C Debentures, due
2010. The net proceeds were applied toward the repayment of short-term
borrowings in connection with the redemption of long-term debt in the first
quarter of 1998 prior to stated maturity. Net proceeds were also used to finance
the Company's construction program and for general corporate purposes. The
Company recognized an interest rate hedge loss of approximately $1.7 million on
the settlement of forward contracts related to that debt issuance. The loss is
being amortized over the life of the associated refinanced debt.
In compliance with Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 6,
"Classification of Short-Term Obligations Expected to Be Refinanced," long-term
debt as of September 30, 1998 includes $100 million of short-term borrowings in
the form of affiliate notes payables. These affiliate notes payable represent
notes payable to GTE Funding Incorporated, an affiliate company that provides
short-term financing and investment vehicles and cash management services for
the Company.
5
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
In October 1998, the Company issued $200 million of 5.55% Series D Debentures,
due 2008. Net proceeds were used to repay short-term borrowings and for general
corporate purposes.
NOTE 4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Employee Benefit Disclosures
In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS
No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement
Benefits." This new standard does not change the measurement or recognition of
costs for pension or other postretirement plans. It standardizes disclosures and
eliminates those that are no longer useful. The Company will provide the new
disclosures in the 1998 Annual Report on Form 10-K. The adoption of SFAS No. 132
will have no impact on the consolidated results of operations or financial
condition.
Computer Software
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA)
issued Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 defines internal-use
software and requires that the cost of such software be capitalized and
amortized over its useful life. Presently, the Company's practice is to
capitalize initial operating system and certain application software and expense
the cost of other software, including right-to-use fees. The Company is
currently assessing the impact of capitalizing and amortizing the cost of all
types of internal-use software as required by SOP 98-1, effective January 1,
1999.
Costs of Start-Up Activities
In April 1998, the AICPA also issued SOP 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-Up Activities" to provide guidance to all non-governmental entities on
financial reporting of costs of start-up activities. SOP 98-5 must be adopted no
later than January 1, 1999, and requires that costs of start-up activities be
expensed as incurred instead of being capitalized and amortized. It applies to
start-up activities and costs of organization of both development stage and
established operating entities. Based on the Company's current policy for costs
of start-up activities, SOP 98-5 will not have an impact on the consolidated
results of operations or financial condition.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments
and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
reporting standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative
instruments embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company
is assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133 and intends to implement as of
January 1, 2000.
NOTE 5. PROPERTY REPOSITIONING
In April 1998, GTE announced its intention to reposition non-strategic access
lines, including some access lines in the states served by the Company. These
lines generally exhibit slower growth characteristics and do not earn their cost
of capital. Many of these lines are in markets where the Company is facing
competitors who have regulatory advantages in the areas of access pricing and
Universal Service Fund Subsidies. Specifically, access lines in the state of
California have been identified for purchase or trade. The identified assets
constituted approximately 1% of both the Company's total switched access lines
and net plant at December 31, 1997. These access lines generated approximately
2% of the Company's 1997 revenues. The Company's goal is to reach the first
definitive agreement in the first quarter of 1999 and definitive agreements for
all properties by mid-year 1999. Transition of the properties to the buyers will
occur during the remainder of 1999 and into 2000.
7
<PAGE> 9
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
---------- ---------- ---------- ----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net income $ 161.7 $ 163.3 $ (1.6) (1%)
</TABLE>
Year-to-date net income includes an extraordinary after-tax charge of $3.1
million related to the early retirement of debt. Excluding this charge, net
income increased 1% or $1.5 million for the first nine months ended September
30, 1998, compared to the same period in 1997. The increase is primarily due to
higher local, network access and other services revenues, partially offset by
lower toll service revenues and higher operating expenses.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES AND SALES
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-------------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
--------- --------- --------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 346.0 $ 327.7 $ 18.3 6%
Network access services 355.5 315.0 40.5 13%
Toll services 42.1 77.2 (35.1) (45%)
Other services and sales 121.8 109.7 12.1 11%
--------- --------- --------
Total revenues and sales $ 865.4 $ 829.6 $ 35.8 4%
========= ========= ========
</TABLE>
Local Services Revenues
The year-to-date increase in local services revenues is primarily due to an 8%
growth in switched access lines over the end of the third quarter of 1997,
generating $8.2 million of additional revenues from basic local services, $4.6
million from CentraNet(R) and $7.2 million from Integrated Services Digital
Network and Digital Channel Services. Demand for enhanced custom calling
features, such as SmartCall(R) services, also contributed to the nine month
increase. Partially offsetting these increases were declines in directory
assistance and operator services and private line services.
Network Access Services Revenues
Year-to-date network access services revenues increased primarily due to a 12%
increase in minutes of use, which generated $20.8 million of additional
revenues. Special access revenues grew $19.5 million due to greater demand for
increased bandwidth by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other high-capacity
users. Partially offsetting these increases is a decrease of $5.9 million
resulting from the impact of interstate access rate reductions from
8
<PAGE> 10
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
the 1997 and 1998 FCC price caps. Also, in 1997 the FCC ordered significant
changes that altered the structure of access charges collected by the Company.
These changes, effective January 1, 1998, resulted in a $2.5 million decrease in
network access revenues during the first nine months of 1998, compared to the
same period in 1997.
Toll Services Revenues
The year-to-date decrease in toll services revenues is primarily due to lower
toll volumes resulting from the expansion of local calling areas and intraLATA
(local access transport area) toll competition, including 10-10-XXX and 1+
presubscription. Additionally, the impacts of optional discount calling plans
and tariff reductions contributed to the decline for the nine month period ended
September 30, 1998.
Other Services and Sales Revenues
The year-to-date increase in other services and sales revenues is primarily
attributable to a $7.2 million increase in equipment sales, a $3.5 million
increase relating to the FCC's order increasing payphone compensation from
interexchange carriers (see "FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS - Payphone Orders")
and a $2.2 million increase in voice messaging services.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------ Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
--------- --------- ---------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $ 274.7 $ 265.3 $ 9.4 4%
Selling, general and administrative 131.2 114.8 16.4 14%
Depreciation and amortization 156.6 160.3 (3.7) (2%)
--------- --------- ----------
Total operating costs and expenses $ 562.5 $ 540.4 $ 22.1 4%
========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>
The year-to-date increase in total operating costs and expenses is primarily due
to an increase of $8.7 million in labor and benefits cost substantially caused
by the expansion of daily operating hours of the customer care centers. The
impact of pension settlement gains recorded in 1997 due to lump sum payments
from the Company's benefit plans contributed $3.1 million to the overall
increase. The nine month increase was also due to higher operating taxes of $3.1
million. Depreciation expense decreased due to both a depreciation rate
adjustment in the third quarter of 1998 and a fourth quarter 1997 reduction in
depreciation rates to reflect higher net salvage values, related to certain
telephone plant and equipment.
9
<PAGE> 11
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest-net for the nine months ended September 30, 1998 increased 7% or $2.7
million compared to the same period in 1997. The increase is primarily due to
higher average short-term debt balances.
In the first quarter of 1997, the Company recorded a $5.1 million pre-tax gain
on the sale of three telephone exchanges in the state of Washington
(representing 1,800 access lines).
Income taxes increased 5% or $4.8 million for the nine months ended September
30, 1998, compared to the same period in 1997, primarily due to a corresponding
increase in pre-tax income and other tax adjustments.
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded an after-tax
extraordinary charge of $3.1 million, reflecting premiums paid on the redemption
of high-coupon debt prior to stated maturity.
FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Interstate Access Revision
The Company filed interstate access revisions during 1997 that became effective
June 3, 1997 and July 1, 1997. Overall, these filings resulted in a net annual
price reduction of $6.0 million. In 1997, the FCC issued an order to file
revised access rates effective January 1, 1998, which resulted in additional
interstate access revenue reductions of approximately $2.1 million annually. In
1997, the FCC also ordered significant changes that altered the structure of
access charges collected by the Company, effective January 1, 1998. Generally,
the FCC reduced and restructured the per minute charges paid by long-distance
carriers and implemented new per-line charges. The FCC also created an access
charge structure that resulted in different access charges for residential
primary and secondary lines and single line and multi-line business access
lines. In aggregate, the annual reductions in usage sensitive access charges of
$11.1 million paid by long-distance carriers were offset by $9.5 million of new
per line charges and the charges paid by end-user customers. Effective July 1,
1998, access charges were increased by $4.3 million annually in compliance with
FCC requirements to reflect the impacts of access charge reform.
The FCC Access Reform Order released in May 1997 revamped the rate structure
through which local and long-distance companies charge customers for using the
local phone network to make long distance calls. GTE and numerous other parties
challenged the FCC's decisions in this order before the Eighth Circuit Court of
Appeals based on the belief that the FCC did not eliminate the universal service
subsidies hidden within interstate access charges as
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
directed by the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TA96), and that the FCC created
additional subsidy charges paid only by business and multi-line residential
customers. In August 1998, the Eighth Circuit announced its decision on the
multiple appeals of the FCC Access Reform Order. The opinion denies all of the
petitions for review of the access charge order. The Company is considering its
options.
In October, 1998, the FCC began a proceeding to "refresh the record" used in the
1997 access charge reform proceedings. The FCC will determine whether to retain
or modify its "market based" access charge reform approach, or to adopt a
"prescriptive" approach.
Universal Service
In May 1997, the FCC released a decision relating to implementation of the
TA96's provision on universal service. GTE and numerous other parties have
challenged the FCC's decision before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth
Circuit on the grounds that the FCC did not follow the requirements of the TA96
to develop a sufficient, explicit and competitively neutral universal service
program. Oral argument is scheduled for December 1998. A final decision on the
appeal is expected to be issued by mid-1999.
In its Order on Reconsideration dated July 13, 1998, the FCC referred some key
issues back to the Federal-State Joint Board (the Board) on universal service.
The Board's recommendations are due in the fourth quarter of 1998. In its
October 22, 1998 Order, the FCC selected a "synthesis" model platform for
universal service and plans to select cost inputs by the first quarter of 1999
and a revenue benchmark by mid-1999. The implementation date of the new
universal service mechanism for non-rural carriers was moved to July 1999. The
Company is assessing the Order and its options.
The Eighth Circuit Court ruling on FCC access reform (see previous discussion of
"Interstate Access Revision") also impacts universal service. Specifically, the
FCC is not required to eliminate all implicit subsidies before the explicit
universal service mechanism is implemented in July 1999.
Payphone Orders
On June 4, 1996, the FCC issued its first Report and Order implementing the
payphone compensation provisions of the TA96. As part of the overall goal of
promoting competition among payphone service providers (PSPs), this order
mandated compensation to all PSPs for all calls originating from payphones,
including credit card and toll-free calls for which PSPs were not previously
compensated.
11
<PAGE> 13
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
Subsequently, on October 9, 1997, the FCC issued a second Report and Order to
address some of the issues vacated by the U.S. Court of Appeals in Washington,
D.C. concerning the FCC's first Order and Report mentioned above. In this second
order, the FCC established a new per-call rate of 28.4 cents for compensation
that all PSPs were eligible to receive beginning October 9, 1997.
On April 3, 1998, the FCC issued an order, which granted the IXCs a waiver of
the per-call compensation requirement so that they may pay per-phone instead of
per-call compensation for the payphones for which the FCC had granted technology
waivers. GTE will receive per-phone compensation under this waiver until the
technology is installed on those payphones that are not currently capable of
measuring per-call detail.
Price Cap
For the provision of interstate services, the Company operates under the terms
of the FCC's price cap incentive plan. This plan limits the rates a carrier may
charge rather than regulating on a traditional rate-of-return basis. The price
caps for a variety of service categories change annually using a price cap index
that is a function of inflation less a predetermined productivity offset. The
FCC's May 1997 Price Cap Order revised the price cap plan for incumbent price
cap LECs by adopting a productivity offset of 6.5%. This matter is before the
FCC as discussed above.
In June 1997, GTE and several other parties challenged the FCC's Price Cap Order
before the Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. The issue
presented for review is whether, in computing its new 6.5% productivity offset,
the FCC arbitrarily manipulated the evidence to achieve a predetermined outcome.
Oral arguments are set for the first quarter of 1999 with a decision expected
later in the year. Associated with the FCC's current activity to "refresh the
record" for access reform discussed above, the FCC will decide whether the 6.5%
productivity offset should be changed.
STATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Oregon
On September 28, 1998, the Oregon Public Utility Commission (OPUC) ordered a
$25 million (11%) annual revenue reduction and a one-time $2.4 million refund
for GTE customers. The reduction settles an OPUC complaint that the Company's
revenues for extended area service (EAS) and custom calling features exceeded
the Company's costs and that toll rates were excessive compared with similar
services offered by other carriers. Most of the revenue reduction will be
accomplished through lower EAS charges. Customers also received one-time credits
of $3.84 per line for residential customers and $8.78 per line for business
customers on
12
<PAGE> 14
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
October 1998 bills. The credits reflected a refund of amounts the Company
collected from 1995 and 1997 Oregon corporate tax refunds.
Washington
The Company has received approval from the Washington Utility and Transportation
Commission (WUTC) on interconnection agreements with nineteen competitive LECs
and wireless carriers. The approval of one other carrier is pending. The interim
discount rates for the Company's resold services will be replaced by the
permanent rates that result from the WUTC's Phase II proceeding in its generic
cost docket. The WUTC issued a decision on the generic cost docket in April
1998, but a cost model was not chosen. Instead, price floors for unbundled
network elements were established. The Company filed cost studies in May 1998.
A decision on the pricing aspect of the Phase II proceeding is expected in the
first quarter of 1999.
The WUTC adopted an access charge reform rule in June 1998, requiring that
access rates charged by a LEC for terminating access shall not exceed the lowest
rate charged by the LEC for the comparable local interconnection service (in
each exchange), such as end office switching or tandem switching. The rule
allows for a revenue-neutral implementation that will maintain universal service
support by allowing carriers to create a residual rate element to offset the
revenue forgone in lowering terminating access rates. The new rule will be
effective later in 1998. On November 9, 1998 the Company, Washington Independent
Telephone Association and US West jointly filed for an appeal of the access
charge reform rule, which will likely be ruled upon later in 1998.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
Proposed GTE/Bell Atlantic Merger
On July 27, 1998, GTE and Bell Atlantic Corporation (Bell Atlantic) entered into
a merger agreement providing for the combination of the two companies in a
merger of equals transaction. Under terms of the definitive agreement, which was
unanimously approved by the board 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 be accounted for as a pooling of interests,
is subject to shareholder and regulatory approval, and is expected to be
completed during the second half of 1999. For additional information regarding
the merger, refer to the Form 8-K filed by GTE dated July 27, 1998.
Property Repositioning
In April 1998, GTE announced a series of actions designed to further sharpen its
strategic focus and improve its competitive position by repositioning
non-strategic properties and reducing costs. GTE expects to generate after-tax
proceeds of $2 billion to $3 billion by selling non-strategic or
under-performing operations and plans to reduce annual costs by more than $500
13
<PAGE> 15
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
million through improved efficiencies and productivity while it continues to
invest in new high-growth opportunities. The impact of this announcement is
undergoing review. Specifically, all access lines in the state of California
have been identified for purchase or trade. The identified assets constituted
approximately 1% of both the Company's total switched access lines and net plant
at December 31, 1997. These access lines generated approximately 2% of the
Company's 1997 revenues. The Company's goal is to reach the first definitive
agreement in the first quarter of 1999 and definitive agreements for all
properties by mid-year 1999. Transition of the properties to the buyers will
occur during the remainder of 1999 and into 2000.
YEAR 2000 CONVERSION
General
The Year 2000 issue concerns the potential inability of information systems to
properly recognize and process date-sensitive information beyond January 1,
2000, and has industry-wide implications. GTE has had an active Year 2000
program in place since 1995. This program is necessary because the Year 2000
issue could impact the telecommunications networks, systems and business
processes at GTE. Although GTE maintains a significant portion of its own
systems and infrastructure, the Company also depends on certain, material
external supplier products that GTE must verify as Year 2000 compliant in their
condition of use. GTE's program methodology is very similar to the General
Accounting Office (GAO) methodology and in 1997 GTE's Year 2000 methodology and
processes were certified by the Information Technology Industry Association of
America. GTE presently expects that its core operations and essential functions
will be ready for the millennium transition.
State of Readiness
GTE's Year 2000 program is focused on both information technology (IT) and
non-IT systems, including: 1) telecommunications network elements that
constitute the portion of the public switched telephone network (PSTN) for which
GTE is responsible; 2) systems that directly support GTE's telecommunications
network operations and interactions with customers; 3) legacy software that
supports basic business operations, customer premise equipment and
interconnection with other telecommunications carriers; and 4) systems that
support GTE's physical infrastructure, financial operations and facilities.
Corporate-wide, essential remediation was approximately 63% complete as of
September 30, 1998. In addition to the essential remediation budget, GTE has set
aside funds equivalent to 12% of GTE's overall Year 2000 budget. These funds are
planned for program closeout and verification in the last six months of 1999 and
to address contingencies and millennium program operations
14
<PAGE> 16
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
and control through March 2000. GTE's portion of the PSTN in the United States
has been upgraded substantially for Year 2000; 69% of GTE's digital access lines
are already operational using Year 2000 compliant central office switches.
Additionally, over 75% of GTE's legacy software has been remediated. Over the
next nine months GTE's focus will be the deployment of these systems throughout
operations and the testing of those systems under actual operating conditions.
Using the nomenclature of the GAO GTE's Year 2000 program can be characterized
as follows: Management, including transition into the Year 2000, is 43%
complete, with a projected end date of March 2000; Awareness is approximately
60% complete and is expected to continue until June 1999; System Assessment is
approximately 62% complete and is expected to be completed by December 1998;
System Renovation, including supplier products, is approximately 76% complete,
with intended completion by December 1998 for essential functions; Validation,
including enterprise testing in operational environments, is 44% complete, with
an expected completion in June 1999; and Implementation, including regional
deployment, is 63% complete, with an expected completion in June 1999.
In summary, compliant product rollout (deployment) and enterprise testing of
GTE's telecommunications-related businesses, including national and
international interoperability and verification, are presently expected to be
complete by the end of June 1999. Due to its relatively recent acquisition of
BBN Corporation, GTE's data initiative is presently targeting completion of its
key infrastructure systems by the end of September 1999.
Successful conclusion of GTE's Year 2000 program depends upon timely delivery of
Year 2000-compliant products and services from external suppliers. Approximately
1,450 of third-party products used by GTE have been determined to be "vital"
products, critical to GTE's business and operations. As of September 30, 1998,
Year 2000-compliant versions, or suitable alternatives, for 53% of these vital
supplier products have been provided. GTE presently expects that by December 31,
1998, Year 2000-compliant versions, or suitable alternatives, of third-party
supplier products for GTE's critical or major legacy and support systems will
have been delivered.
Use of Independent Verification and Validation
GTE's Year 2000 program management office has established a corporate-wide
quality oversight and control function that reviews and evaluates quality
reports on the Year 2000 issue. Each GTE business unit has access to an
independent quality team that evaluates the conversion and testing of legacy
applications and third-party supplier products. Separately, GTE's corporate
internal and external auditors conduct periodic reviews of each business unit's
Year 2000 activities and report significant findings, if any, to business unit
and corporate management.
15
<PAGE> 17
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
Cost to Address Year 2000 Issues
The current estimate for the cost of GTE's Year 2000 program is approximately
$370 million. Through September 30, 1998, expenditures totaled $177 million.
Year 2000 remediation costs are expensed in the year incurred. These
expenditures constitute approximately 6% of the 1998 IT budget and are projected
to be approximately 4% of the 1999 IT budget. The current estimate for the cost
of remediation for the Company is approximately $14.5 million. Through September
30, 1998 expenditures totaled $6.3 million. GTE has not elected to replace, or
to accelerate the schedule of a planned replacement of, systems due to the Year
2000 issue.
Currently supporting GTE's Year 2000 program worldwide are an estimated 1,000 to
1,200 full-time equivalent workers (both corporate employees and contractors).
Approximately 12% of these full-time equivalent workers are engaged in all
aspects of program management; 30% are engaged in legacy system conversion; 25%
are involved in external supplier management; 30% are involved in testing at all
levels; and 3% are addressing contingency planning and interoperability
operations both nationally and internationally. Approximately 78% of GTE's
program effort involves U.S. domestic operations of all types. Twenty-two
percent (22%) of the effort is dedicated to GTE's international operations.
Risks of Year 2000 Issues
GTE has begun to examine the risks associated with its "most reasonably likely
worst case Year 2000 scenarios." To date, GTE has no indication that any
specific function or system is so deficient in technical progress as to threaten
GTE's present schedule. GTE's program and plans currently indicate a compliant
network infrastructure to be deployed by the end of June 1999. A general,
unspecific, schedule shift that would erode progress beyond January 1, 2000,
cannot reasonably be calculated. If, however, there were a schedule delay
lasting no more than six months, such schedule erosion would likely affect only
nonessential systems due to the prioritization of work schedules.
Other scenarios might include a possible but presently unforeseen failure of key
supplier or customer business processes or systems. This situation could
conceivably persist for some months after the millennium transition and could
lead to possible revenue losses. GTE's present assessment of its key suppliers
and customers does not indicate that this scenario is likely.
To date, GTE has not encountered any conditions requiring tactical contingency
planning to its existing Year 2000 program; however, contingency planning for
business and network operations and customer contact during 1999 and 2000 is
ongoing.
GTE is bolstering its normal business continuity planning to address potential
Year 2000 interruptions. In addition, GTE's disaster preparedness recovery teams
are including procedures and activities for a "multi-regional"
16
<PAGE> 18
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operation - Continued
Year 2000 contingency, if it occurs. GTE is also developing its plans with
respect to possible occurrences immediately before, during, and after the
millennium transition. Under consideration are: "follow-the-sun" time-zone
impact analysis; coordination with other (non-PSTN) telecommunications
providers; a Year 2000 "war room" operation to provide high priority recovery
support, plans for key personnel availability, command structures and
contingency traffic routing; and plans for round-the-clock, on-call repair
teams.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Information contained in this Management's Discussion and Analysis with respect
to expected financial results and future events and trends is forward-looking,
based on the Company's estimates and assumptions and is subject to risks and
uncertainties. For those 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 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 pending and potential future
federal, state and local regulatory initiatives and 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; (5) the success and expense of our remediation efforts and
those of our suppliers, customers and all interconnecting carriers in achieving
Year 2000 compliance; and (6) the success of new GTE products, services and
businesses such as bundled services through marketing and sales initiatives.
17
<PAGE> 19
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
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 Consolidated Ratio of
Earnings to Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) The Company filed no reports on Form 8-K during the third quarter
of 1998.
18
<PAGE> 20
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 Northwest Incorporated
--------------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 12, 1998 /s/ Stephen L. Shore
----------------------- --------------------------------------
Stephen L. Shore
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
19
<PAGE> 21
EXHIBIT INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------- ---------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C>
12 Statement re: Calculation of the Consolidated Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
</TABLE>
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Statement of the Consolidated Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1998
------------------
<S> <C>
Net earnings available for fixed charges:
Income before extraordinary charge $ 164.8
Add - Income taxes 95.8
- Fixed charges 44.5
---------
Adjusted earnings $ 305.1
=========
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 41.3
Portion of rent expense representing interest 3.2
---------
Adjusted fixed charges $ 44.5
=========
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 6.86
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> SEP-30-1998
<CASH> 400
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 219,600
<ALLOWANCES> 14,400
<INVENTORY> 18,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 231,600
<PP&E> 3,600,400
<DEPRECIATION> 2,235,400
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,721,100
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 393,100
<BONDS> 670,300
0
0
<COMMON> 448,000
<OTHER-SE> 51,500
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,721,100
<SALES> 865,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 865,400
<CGS> 274,700
<TOTAL-COSTS> 562,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 41,300
<INCOME-PRETAX> 260,600
<INCOME-TAX> 95,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 164,800
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 3,100
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 161,700
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
