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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
[X] Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the quarterly period ended: JUNE 30, 1999
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number 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
(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
July 31, 1999. The Company's common stock is 100% owned by GTE Corporation.
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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
June 30, June 30,
1999 1998 1999 1998
-------- -------- -------- --------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
REVENUES AND SALES
Local services $ 119.3 $ 115.1 $ 234.8 $ 230.0
Network access services 134.4 112.5 249.7 235.9
Other services and sales 54.1 47.9 103.9 98.4
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues and sales 307.8 275.5 588.4 564.3
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of services and sales 99.3 86.0 182.6 183.8
Selling, general and administrative 40.6 45.3 83.3 86.1
Depreciation and amortization 56.7 53.7 111.0 105.1
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating costs and expenses 196.6 185.0 376.9 375.0
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING INCOME 111.2 90.5 211.5 189.3
OTHER EXPENSE
Interest - net 13.9 12.8 27.8 26.8
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 97.3 77.7 183.7 162.5
Income taxes 35.9 26.1 67.8 59.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 61.4 51.6 115.9 102.9
Extraordinary charge -- -- -- (3.1)
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME $ 61.4 $ 51.6 $ 115.9 $ 99.8
======== ======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Per share data is omitted since the Company's common stock is 100% owned by GTE
Corporation.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
1
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
---------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 0.1 $ 0.4
Receivables, less allowances of
$15.9 million and $15.5 million 192.9 214.8
Accounts receivable from affiliates 3.4 4.3
Note receivable from affiliate -- 105.5
Inventories and supplies 20.5 15.1
Net assets held for sale (see Note 5) 15.4 --
Prepaid insurance 1.1 11.4
Other 4.3 8.6
---------- ----------
Total current assets 237.7 360.1
---------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 3,640.4 3,598.0
Accumulated depreciation (2,254.0) (2,216.4)
---------- ----------
Total property, plant and equipment, net (a) 1,386.4 1,381.6
---------- ----------
Prepaid pension costs 131.0 114.4
Other assets 10.8 16.4
---------- ----------
Total assets $ 1,765.9 $ 1,872.5
========== ==========
</TABLE>
(a) Includes $14.8 million at December 31, 1998, that is now held for sale, see
Note 5.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
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<PAGE> 4
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 30, December 31,
1999 1998
---------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 0.9 $ 125.9
Notes payable to affiliates 12.6 --
Accounts payable 57.4 67.6
Affiliate payables 27.1 58.3
Accrued payroll costs 21.1 28.2
Dividends payable 64.0 20.0
Other 97.4 101.7
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 280.5 401.7
---------- ----------
Long-term debt 765.7 765.4
Deferred income taxes 121.9 111.0
Deferred employee benefit plans and other 44.5 48.9
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 1,212.6 1,327.0
---------- ----------
Shareholder's equity
Common stock (17,920,000 shares issued) 448.0 448.0
Additional paid-in capital 57.7 57.7
Retained earnings 47.6 39.8
---------- ----------
Total shareholder's equity 553.3 545.5
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity $ 1,765.9 $ 1,872.5
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE> 5
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Six Months Ended
June 30,
--------------------------
1999 1998
---------- ----------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATIONS
Income before extraordinary charge $ 115.9 $ 102.9
Adjustments to reconcile income before extraordinary
charge to net cash from operations:
Depreciation and amortization 111.0 105.1
Provision for uncollectible accounts 7.1 9.4
Changes in current assets and current liabilities (32.0) 47.4
Deferred income taxes and other - net (4.2) 2.0
---------- ----------
Net cash from operations 197.8 266.8
---------- ----------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (128.7) (156.2)
Other - net 1.5 (0.6)
---------- ----------
Net cash used in investing (127.2) (156.8)
---------- ----------
FINANCING
Long-term debt issued -- 173.9
Long-term debt retired, including premiums paid
on early retirement (125.0) (144.6)
Dividends (64.0) (101.2)
Net change in affiliate notes 118.1 (39.1)
---------- ----------
Net cash used in financing (70.9) (111.0)
---------- ----------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (0.3) (1.0)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 0.4 1.5
---------- ----------
End of period $ 0.1 $ 0.5
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE> 6
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed 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 1998 Annual Report on
Form 10-K.
Reclassifications of prior year data have been made, where appropriate, to
conform to the 1999 presentation.
NOTE 2. CAPITALIZED SOFTWARE
Effective January 1, 1999, the Company adopted Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1,
"Accounting for the Costs of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for
Internal Use." As a result of adopting SOP 98-1, in the second quarter and first
half of 1999 the Company capitalized $3.9 million and $6.0 million,
respectively, of software expenditures, which would have previously been
expensed.
NOTE 3. SPECIAL CHARGE
In 1999, GTE continued the review of its operations and cost structure to ensure
they were consistent with its growth objectives. In connection with this ongoing
review, GTE initiated employee separation programs that resulted in a one-time
charge for GTE during the first quarter of 1999. The charge pertaining to the
Company totaled $5.9 million and is reflected as "Selling, general and
administrative" costs and expenses in the condensed consolidated income
statements. The components of the charge include separation programs and related
benefits such as outplacement and benefit continuation costs. These programs
were completed during the first quarter of 1999.
NOTE 4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The Company is
currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133, as amended, which is
effective January 1, 2001.
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
NOTE 5. NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
During May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately
14,000 switched access lines located in California to Citizens Utilities
Company. This sale consummates the Company's previously announced 1998 plan to
sell selected access lines located in California. The sale is subject to
regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first half of 2000. The
associated net assets, which approximate $15.4 million, consist of property,
plant and equipment, and are classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the
condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 1999. The Company intends
to continue to operate all of these assets until sold. Based on the decision to
sell, however, the Company stopped recording depreciation expense for these
assets, resulting in a year-to-date depreciation expense reduction of $1.2
million for 1999. 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 lines sold represented approximately 1% of the average switched access
lines that the Company had in service during 1998, and contributed approximately
1.5% to 1998 consolidated revenues.
NOTE 6. PROPOSED MERGER WITH BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION
Bell Atlantic and GTE have announced a proposed merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998. Under the terms of the
agreement, GTE shareholders will receive 1.22 shares of Bell Atlantic common
stock for each share of GTE common stock that they own.
The merger is expected to qualify as a pooling of interests, which means that
for accounting and financial reporting purposes the companies will be treated as
if they had always been combined. The completion of the merger is subject to a
number of conditions, including certain regulatory approvals and receipt of
opinions that the merger will be tax-free. At annual meetings held in May 1999,
the shareholders of each company approved the merger.
Both companies are working diligently to complete the merger at the earliest
practicable date. However, Bell Atlantic and GTE must obtain approval of a
variety of state and federal agencies and accordingly, the merger may close in
the first half of 2000.
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<PAGE> 8
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Net income increased $16.1 million or 16% for the six months ended June 30,
1999, compared to the same period in 1998, primarily due to higher revenues,
partially offset by a slight increase in operating costs and expenses. Included
in 1998 net income is an after-tax extraordinary charge of $3.1 million (net of
tax benefits of $1.8 million) related to the retirement of high-coupon debt
prior to stated maturity.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES AND SALES
(Dollars in Millions) Six Months Ended
June 30,
--------------------- Percent
1999 1998 Increase Change
-------- -------- -------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 234.8 $ 230.0 $ 4.8 2%
Network access services 249.7 235.9 13.8 6%
Other services and sales 103.9 98.4 5.5 6%
-------- -------- --------
Total revenues and sales $ 588.4 $ 564.3 $ 24.1 4%
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Local Services Revenues
Switched access lines grew 6% generating $7.8 million of additional revenues
from basic local services for the first half of 1999, compared to the same
period in 1998. Demand for operator and directory assistance services also
generated an additional $2.2 million in revenues. In addition, the September
1998 Idaho rate rebalancing agreement resulted in increased local revenues of
$1.9 million. Partially offsetting these increases is a $6.9 million decrease
related to lower charges for extended area service, which resulted from a
settlement between the Company and the Oregon Public Utilities Commission (OPUC)
in September 1998.
Network Access Services Revenues
Minutes of use increased 8% generating additional revenues of $10.5 million in
the first half of 1999, compared to the same period in 1998. Special access
revenues grew by $17.6 million as a result of greater demand for increased
bandwidth services by high capacity users. Partially offsetting these increases
are decreases of $9.6 million reflecting the impact of mandated interstate and
intrastate access price changes, and $2.4 million resulting from settlements
with intraLATA (local access transport area) local exchange carriers (LECs) in
accordance with intrastate sharing agreements.
Other Services and Sales Revenues
The increase in other services and sales revenues compared to the first six
months of 1998, is primarily attributable to increases in nonregulated service
revenues and equipment sales of $6.7 million, rental activity of $3.8 million,
directory advertising of $2.8 million and billing and collection services of
$2.5 million. These increases are partially offset by decreases in toll services
revenues of $9.9 million primarily related to intraLATA toll competition.
7
<PAGE> 9
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions) Six Months Ended
June 30,
--------------------- Increase Percent
1999 1998 (Decrease) Change
-------- -------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $ 182.6 $ 183.8 $ (1.2) (1)%
Selling, general and administrative 83.3 86.1 (2.8) (3)%
Depreciation and amortization 111.0 105.1 5.9 6%
-------- -------- --------
Total operating costs and expenses $ 376.9 $ 375.0 $ 1.9 --%
======== ======== ========
</TABLE>
Total operating costs and expenses increased slightly as a result of higher
depreciation and amortization expense, partially offset by lower cost of
services and sales and selling, general and administrative expenses.
Contributing to the decrease in cost of services and sales and selling, general
and administrative costs were pension settlement gains of $9.5 million recorded
in the second quarter of 1999. Further, software right-to-use costs decreased
$6.0 million due to the capitalization of software costs in 1999 as a result of
the adoption of Statement of Position (SOP) 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of
Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use". Partially offsetting
these decreases was a one-time special charge of $5.9 million associated with
employee separation programs completed in the first quarter of 1999.
Additionally, material costs increased $5.3 million for customer and access line
growth and increased telecommunications equipment sales volume. The increase in
depreciation and amortization results from additional investment in network
facilities resulting from increased demand for switched access lines, partially
offset by discontinuation of depreciation of $1.2 million on approximately
14,000 switched access lines held for sale (see "OTHER DEVELOPMENTS - Planned
Asset Sales").
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest - net increased 4% or $1.0 million for the six months ended June 30,
1999, compared to the same period in 1998, primarily due to higher average
long-term debt balances.
Income taxes increased 14% or $8.2 million for the six months ended June 30,
1999, compared to the same period in 1998, primarily due to an increase in
pretax income.
INTERSTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
During the second quarter of 1999, regulatory and legislative activity at both
the state and federal levels continued to be a direct result of the
Telecommunications Act of 1996 (Telecommunications Act). Along with promoting
competition in all segments of the telecommunications industry, the
Telecommunications Act was intended to preserve and advance universal service.
GTE continued in the second quarter of 1999, to meet the wholesale requirements
of new competitors. To date, GTE has signed interconnection agreements with
other carriers, providing them the capability to purchase individual unbundled
network elements (UNEs), resell retail services and interconnect
facilities-based networks. Several of these interconnection agreements were the
result of the arbitration process established by the Telecommunications Act, and
incorporated prices or terms and conditions based upon the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC) rules that were subsequently overturned by the
Eighth Circuit Court (Eighth Circuit) in July 1997. GTE challenged a number of
such agreements in federal district courts during 1997.
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
GTE's position in these challenges was supported by the Eighth Circuit's July
1997 decision stating that the FCC had overstepped its authority in several
areas concerning implementation of the interconnection provisions of the
Telecommunications Act. In January 1999, the U.S. Supreme Court (Supreme Court)
reversed in part and affirmed in part the Eighth Circuit's decisions. The
Supreme Court reversed the Eighth Circuit's determination that the FCC had no
jurisdiction over pricing. As a result, the pricing rules established by the FCC
are now subject to review on the merits by the Eighth Circuit. On the other
hand, the Supreme Court vacated the FCC rule setting forth the UNEs that
incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) are required to provide to competitive
LECs (CLECs). This latter ruling has led to a proceeding before the FCC
concerning what elements will have to be offered under what conditions. Pending
the final rulemaking by the FCC on the provisions of UNEs, GTE is continuing to
provide individual UNEs on a non-combined basis set forth in existing
interconnection agreements even though it is not legally obligated to do so.
In June 1999, the Eighth Circuit established a schedule for addressing the
issues it did not decide in 1998. The major issues are (1) the FCC's cost
methodology used to set prices, (2) it's methodology for setting wholesale
discounts, and (3) the "proxy rates" it set for interconnection, UNEs and
wholesale discounts. Supplemental opening briefs from petitioners and supporting
intervenors were filed July 16, 1999 and the opening brief of the FCC and its
supporting intervenors is due August 16, 1999. Reply briefs are due August 31,
1999. Oral argument is scheduled for September 1999.
Universal Service
GTE is active before both state and federal regulators advocating rapid
development and implementation of measures that will meet the requirements of
Section 254 of the Telecommunications Act that covers the Federal Universal
Service Program. Specifically, GTE urges regulators to identify and remove all
hidden subsidies and to provide an explicit replacement mechanism.
In October 1998, the FCC issued an order selecting a cost model for universal
service and planned to select cost inputs in the second quarter of 1999. Due to
unforeseen delays, the FCC has now moved the implementation date of the new
universal service mechanism for nonrural carriers to January 2000. As a result,
many state regulators are awaiting FCC action so they can design their universal
service programs to be complementary with the FCC program. On July 30, 1999, the
United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit (Fifth Circuit) affirmed in
part, reversed in part, and remanded in part the FCC's universal service regime.
Specifically, the Fifth Circuit upheld the agency's decisions regarding: 1)
several aspects of the high-cost support program, including implementation
timing, separate treatment of rural carriers, the definition of service areas
and use of the forward-looking costs to determine support; 2) no mandatory
unbundling of supported services; 3) inclusion of commercial mobile radio
service providers as Universal Service Fund contributors; and 4) aspects of the
schools and libraries program, including support for Internet access and
internal connections and payments to non-telecommunications carriers. The Fifth
Circuit reversed: 1) the assessment of contributions for schools and libraries
fund based, in part, on intrastate revenues; 2) the rule prohibiting local
telephone service providers from disconnecting low-income subscribers for
non-payment of long distance charges; 3) the decision to assess high-cost fund
contributions on primarily international carriers despite marginal interstate
revenues; 4) the requirement that ILECs recover their contributions from access
charges; and 5) the blanket prohibition on additional state eligibility
requirements for carriers receiving high cost support. GTE is considering its
options.
Price Cap
In May 1999, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia (Court)
released a decision regarding the FCC's choice of a 6.5% price cap productivity
factor in a 1997 order. The Court found the FCC's choice of a 6.0% base and a
0.5% Consumer Productivity Dividend to be inadequately supported. The Court
remanded the matter back to the FCC for further action and established an April
2000 date by which the FCC must complete its deliberations. The Court also
stayed application of its order, allowing the status quo use of the 6.5%
productivity factor pending conclusion of the FCC's further review.
Interstate Access Revision
Effective July 1999, access charges were further reduced using a 6.5%
productivity factor in compliance with FCC requirements to reflect the impacts
of access charge reform and in making GTE's 1999 Annual Filing. The total annual
financial impact of the reduction was $11.3 million. Similar filings during 1997
and 1998 had already resulted in price reductions.
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
In July 1999, GTE, along with a coalition of local exchange and long distance
companies, submitted a proposal for interstate access charge and universal
service reform to the FCC. It is likely that the FCC will put the coalition's
proposal out for public comment in August 1999. The proposal would accelerate
the shift in access revenue recovery from per-minute to flat-rated charges, set
a schedule for elimination of the price cap productivity factor, and provide
more explicit support for universal service.
On August 4, 1999, the FCC announced adoption of an Order that grants price cap
LECs the ability to introduce new services without regulatory delay. The Order
also offers the promise of progressively greater flexibility in setting the
prices for interstate special access services as competition develops, gradually
replacing regulation with competition as the primary means of setting prices.
Although the text of the Order is not yet available, based upon the FCC press
release, the FCC has taken a reasonable step towards lessening regulation of
interstate special access. It appears the FCC has established a framework that
will allow ILECs the ability to use some of the same pricing mechanisms offered
by CLECs for special access services. The press release indicates the FCC has
begun a new rulemaking proceeding that is likely to lead to additional pricing
flexibility for interstate switched access services.
Advanced Telecommunications Services
Section 706 of the Telecommunications Act required the FCC to "encourage the
deployment on a reasonable and timely basis of advanced telecommunications
capability to all Americans." Further, the FCC was required to conduct a
proceeding aimed at determining the availability of advanced telecommunications,
and to take action to remove barriers to infrastructure investment and to
promote competition.
In an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) released in August 1998,
the FCC ruled that advanced services offered by an ILEC are subject to the
unbundling and resale requirements of the Telecommunications Act. In the NPRM,
the FCC sought comment on extensive, new separate affiliate rules under which an
ILEC's affiliate could offer advanced services free from the unbundling and
resale obligations of the Telecommunications Act. In addition, the NPRM sought
comment on a number of issues regarding collocation, local loops, unbundling and
resale obligations for network facilities needed for advanced services.
In March 1999, the FCC released an Order stemming from the August 1998 NPRM. In
the Order the FCC adopted a number of new collocation rules designed to make
competitive entry easier and less costly. These rules specify how ILECs will
manage such items as alternate collocation arrangements, security, space
preparation cost allocation, provisioning intervals, and space exhaustion. GTE
has appealed this order to federal Court. The FCC also released a Further Notice
of Proposed Rulemaking (FNPRM) seeking comment on spectrum compatibility issues
and line sharing. Line sharing is a concept wherein two or more service
providers are allowed to use the same local loop (e.g., voice and xDSL). GTE
will vigorously oppose line sharing.
The FCC has yet to release an order addressing separate affiliates, local loops,
unbundling and resale.
Number Portability
In December 1998, the FCC released a Memorandum Opinion and Order establishing
cost recovery rules for local number portability (LNP) that permitted the
recovery of carrier-specific costs directly related to the provision of
long-term LNP via a federally tariffed end-user monthly charge. GTE subsequently
filed an LNP tariff with the FCC, and in March 1999 instituted an end-user
number portability fee. This charge is levied on all business and residence
customers because all customers benefit from the competitive environment created
by LNP capability. In June 1999, GTE's tariffed LNP charge was reviewed and
accepted by the FCC at $0.36 per access line.
10
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
Internet Service Traffic
ILECs are required to provide open access to all Internet service providers
(ISPs), while cable television operators are not. Several major cable television
operators providing Internet access through cable modem facilities are only
offering their affiliated ISPs to consumers. Cable television operators that do
allow customers to select non-affiliated ISPs often require the customer to also
pay for their affiliated ISP's service (i.e., to pay twice for the same
service).
GTE has been active in encouraging municipalities engaged in reviewing cable
television mergers or franchise renewals to require cable modem open access as a
condition for approval. The city of Portland, Oregon was first to adopt such a
requirement and a subsequent federal court challenge by AT&T was denied. AT&T
has appealed that decision and arguments will take place in October 1999. The
FCC announced that it will file a brief to express its concern over the effect
that the actions of local franchising authorities could have on the FCC's
hands-off approach to the broadband market, and specifically address the
importance of a national policy.
In July 1999, Broward County, Florida also adopted an ordinance requiring cable
television franchisees to provide ISPs "nondiscriminatory equal access" to their
cable modem platforms. AT&T subsequently announced that it would appeal that
decision as well. Also, in July 1999, Comcast Cablevision and Advanced Cable
Communications filed a lawsuit claiming Broward County violated the
Communications Act by inserting unlawful requirements into the franchise
agreement.
INTRASTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
Oregon
A recent Oregon federal district court decision issued in March 1999 ruled in
favor of the Company's argument that the UNE tariff is unlawful and preempted by
the Telecommunications Act. The UNE tariff resulted from the OPUC's decision
that the Company was required to offer the same prices as US West until the
Company's cost studies were approved as the basis for establishing new prices.
The Company is presently preparing notification to the OPUC to withdraw the
Company's tariff in order to comply with the court's decision.
Washington
The interim discount rates for the Company's resold services will be replaced by
the permanent rates that result from the Washington Utilities and Transportation
Commissions (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 UNEs 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 second half of 1999.
In April 1999, the WUTC opened a complaint against the Company relating to its
terminating access tariff. The complaint alleges that the Company is
inappropriately collecting implicit subsidies in this rate. The Company will
vigorously defend the matter.
11
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GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
Proposed Merger with Bell Atlantic Corporation
On July 27, 1998, GTE and Bell Atlantic entered into a merger agreement
providing for the combination of the two companies. Under the terms of the
agreement, which was unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both
companies, GTE shareholders will receive 1.22 shares of Bell Atlantic stock for
each GTE share they own.
The merger is expected to qualify as a pooling of interests, which means that
for accounting and financial reporting purposes the companies will be treated as
if they had always been combined. The completion of the merger is subject to a
number of conditions, including certain regulatory approvals and receipt of
opinions that the merger will be tax-free. At annual meetings held in May 1999,
the shareholders of each company approved the merger.
Both companies are working diligently to complete the merger at the earliest
practicable date. However, Bell Atlantic and GTE must obtain approval of a
variety of state and federal agencies and accordingly, the merger may close in
the first half of 2000.
Planned Asset Sales
During May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately
14,000 switched access lines located in California to Citizens Utilities
Company. This sale consummates the Company's previously announced 1998 plan to
sell selected access lines located in California. The sale is subject to
regulatory approval and is expected to close in the first half of 2000. The
associated net assets, which approximate $15.4 million, consist of property,
plant and equipment, and are classified as "Net assets held for sale" in the
condensed consolidated balance sheets as of June 30, 1999. The Company intends
to continue to operate all of these assets until sold. Based on the decision to
sell, however, the Company stopped recording depreciation expense for these
assets, resulting in a year-to-date depreciation expense reduction of $1.2
million for 1999. 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 lines sold represented approximately 1% of the average switched access
lines that the Company had in service during 1998, and contributed approximately
1.5% to 1998 consolidated revenues.
YEAR 2000 CONVERSION
State of Readiness
As of June 30, 1999, GTE has completed Year 2000 remediation, conducted system
testing and returned to production the essential systems that support its
domestic telecommunications businesses. GTE's portion of the public switched
telephone network (PSTN) in the United States has been upgraded for Year 2000,
and all of GTE's access lines are now operating using Year 2000 compliant
central office switches and network elements.
GTE expects its Internet businesses to be Year 2000 compliant in the third
quarter of 1999. Also in the third quarter, GTE's domestic wireless company, all
international affiliate companies, and all remaining domestic companies will
have completed the Year 2000 compliance of their systems.
GTE's remaining effort consists of quality assurance and validation of our Year
2000 efforts across our businesses; assuring forward compliance of our systems
and services; planning for reasonably foreseeable contingencies associated with
the millennium rollover; and staffing our corporate Year 2000 communications
watch center through March 1, 2000.
12
<PAGE> 14
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
Independent verification and validation is the final step in GTE's Year 2000
process. This quality assurance process is expected to be substantially complete
in the third quarter of 1999. However, GTE will continue its periodic reviews
conducted by internal audit into 2000. Program status will also continue to be
reported each quarter to the Company's external auditors.
Cost to Address Year 2000 Issues
With the incorporation of the TELUS Year 2000 program, the estimated total
multi-year cost of GTE's Year 2000 Program is not expected to exceed $400
million. Through June 30, 1999, expenditures totaled $320 million. The current
estimate for the cost of remediation for the Company is approximately $14.5
million. Through June 30, 1999, expenditures totaled $9.2 million. Year 2000
remediation costs are expensed in the year incurred. Approximately 67% of GTE's
program effort involves U.S. domestic operations. GTE has not elected to replace
or accelerate the planned replacement of any systems due to the Year 2000 issue.
As a result of completions in June 1999, GTE has begun to reduce the staff
assigned to the Year 2000 program. From a program peak of over 1,200 full-time
equivalent workers, we are currently staffed with an estimated 700 to 800
full-time equivalent workers (both company employees and contractors) worldwide.
Risks of Year 2000 Issues
With the completion of conversion and system testing, GTE believes that the risk
of multiple, simultaneous Year 2000 disruptions affecting GTE's ability to
provide basic services has been substantially eliminated. While isolated system
issues may exist, the "most reasonably likely worse case scenario" would be any
disruptions resulting from interoperability issues with other international
carriers that have not completed their Year 2000 efforts.
Contingency Planning
GTE continues to enhance its normal business continuity planning to address
potential Year 2000 interruptions. GTE's disaster preparedness recovery teams
have included procedures and activities for a "multi-regional" Year 2000
contingency, if it occurs. GTE has established a corporate Year 2000
communications watch center to be operational in Dallas, Texas from September 8,
1999 through March 1, 2000. The initial versions of these plans were completed
during the second quarter of 1999. These plans will be kept current through the
millennium rollover, and are expected to be tested (as appropriate) by the end
of September 1999. GTE's Year 2000 contingency plans include business continuity
planning; disaster recovery/emergency preparedness; millennium rollover
planning; post millennium degradation tracking; a network and information
technology freeze period; employee availability and logistics backup planning;
"follow-the-sun" time-zone impact analysis; and coordination with other
(non-PSTN) telecommunications providers.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENT
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities," which establishes accounting and reporting
standards for derivative instruments, including certain derivative instruments
embedded in other contracts, and for hedging activities. The statement requires
entities that use derivative instruments to measure these instruments at fair
value and record them as assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. It also
requires entities to
13
<PAGE> 15
GTE NORTHWEST INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H (2).)
reflect the gains or losses associated with changes in the fair value of these
derivatives, either in earnings or as a separate component of comprehensive
income, depending on the nature of the underlying contract or transaction. The
Company is currently assessing the impact of adopting SFAS No. 133, as amended,
which is effective January 1, 2001.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENT CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
In this Management's Discussion and Analysis, the Company has made
forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the Company's
estimates and assumptions and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties.
Forward-looking statements include the information concerning possible or
assumed future results of operations of the Company, as well as those statements
preceded or followed by the words "anticipates," "believes," "estimates,"
"expects," "hopes," "targets" or similar expressions. For each of these
statements, the Company claims the protection of the safe harbor for
forward-looking statements contained in the Private Securities Litigation Reform
Act of 1995.
The future results of the Company could be affected by subsequent events and
could differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements.
If future events and actual performance differ from the Company's assumptions,
the actual results could vary significantly from the performance projected in
the forward-looking statements.
The following important factors could affect the future results of the Company
and could cause those results to differ materially from those expressed in the
forward-looking statements: (1) materially adverse changes in economic
conditions in the markets served by the Company; (2) material changes in
available technology; (3) the final resolution of federal, state and local
regulatory initiatives and proceedings, including arbitration proceedings, and
judicial review of those initiatives and proceedings, pertaining to, among other
matters, the terms of interconnection, access charges, universal service, UNEs
and resale rates; (4) the extent, timing, success and overall effects of
competition from others in the local telephone and intraLATA toll service
markets; and (5) the success and expense of our remediation efforts and those of
our suppliers, customers and all interconnecting carriers in achieving Year 2000
compliance.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
There has been no material change in the Company's market risks since December
31, 1998.
14
<PAGE> 16
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 second quarter of
1999.
15
<PAGE> 17
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: August 12, 1999 /s/ Stephen L. Shore
--------------- ----------------------------------
Stephen L. Shore
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
16
<PAGE> 18
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) Six Months Ended
June 30, 1999
----------------
<S> <C>
Net earnings available for fixed charges:
Income from continuing operations $ 115.9
Add - Income taxes 67.8
- Fixed charges 30.7
-------
Adjusted earnings $ 214.4
=======
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 29.2
Portion of rent expense representing interest 1.5
-------
Adjusted fixed charges $ 30.7
=======
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 6.98
</TABLE>
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<ARTICLE> 5
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1999
<PERIOD-END> JUN-30-1999
<CASH> 100
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 212,200
<ALLOWANCES> 15,900
<INVENTORY> 20,500
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 237,700
<PP&E> 3,640,400
<DEPRECIATION> 2,254,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 1,765,900
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 280,500
<BONDS> 765,700
0
0
<COMMON> 448,000
<OTHER-SE> 105,300
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 1,765,900
<SALES> 588,400
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 588,400
<CGS> 182,600
<TOTAL-COSTS> 376,900
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 29,200
<INCOME-PRETAX> 183,700
<INCOME-TAX> 67,800
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 115,900
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 115,900
<EPS-BASIC> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
