<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: September 30, 2000
or
[ ] Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from _______ to _______
Commission File Number 0-2908
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC.
(Former Name: GTE Northwest Incorporated)
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
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)
</TABLE>
Registrant's telephone number, including area code 972-507-5000
THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF GTE CORPORATION, A WHOLLY-OWNED
SUBSIDIARY OF VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INC., MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN
GENERAL INSTRUCTION H(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-Q AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS
FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION (H)(2).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days.
YES [X] NO [ ]
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<PAGE>
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
September 30, September 30,
------------------------------- ----------------------------------
2000 1999 2000 1999
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
OPERATING REVENUES $ 308.6 $ 316.1 $ 915.4 $ 904.5
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Operations and support 147.6 120.0 407.7 385.9
Depreciation and amortization 60.3 56.1 175.3 164.7
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
Total operating expenses 207.9 176.1 583.0 550.6
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
OPERATING INCOME 100.7 140.0 332.4 353.9
OTHER (INCOME) EXPENSE
Interest income (0.1) -- (0.1) (0.9)
Interest expense 14.0 13.8 41.1 42.5
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 86.8 126.2 291.4 312.3
Income taxes 29.8 46.6 107.6 115.3
--------------- -------------- --------------- ----------------
NET INCOME $ 57.0 $ 79.6 $ 183.8 $ 197.0
=============== ============== =============== ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
1
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
----------------- -----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 0.1 $ 1.4
Accounts receivable, less allowances of $12.8 and $17.9 204.6 275.4
Accounts receivable from affiliates 7.4 19.4
Inventories and supplies 28.6 16.9
Net assets held for sale 16.6 16.0
Prepayments and other 5.2 18.2
----------------- -----------------
Total current assets 262.5 347.3
----------------- -----------------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 3,812.2 3,639.0
Accumulated depreciation (2,375.3) (2,269.9)
----------------- -----------------
Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,436.9 1,369.1
----------------- -----------------
Prepaid pension costs 257.3 176.7
Other assets 8.0 7.7
----------------- -----------------
Total assets $ 1,964.7 $ 1,900.8
================= =================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Unaudited)
September 30, December 31,
2000 1999
------------------- -------------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 201.6 $ 1.6
Note payable to affiliates 62.1 53.6
Accounts payable 58.6 67.0
Affiliate payables 66.8 59.0
Taxes payable 25.4 33.7
Dividends payable 25.0 64.0
Other 105.3 78.5
------------------- -------------------
Total current liabilities 544.8 357.4
------------------- -------------------
Long-term debt 565.3 765.8
Deferred income taxes 185.3 150.1
Employee benefit plans and other 42.3 37.1
------------------- -------------------
Total liabilities 1,337.7 1,310.4
------------------- -------------------
Shareholder's equity
Common stock (17,920,000 shares issued and outstanding) 448.0 448.0
Additional paid-in capital 137.7 60.4
Retained earnings 41.3 82.0
------------------- -------------------
Total shareholder's equity 627.0 590.4
------------------- -------------------
Total liabilities and shareholder's equity $ 1,964.7 $ 1,900.8
=================== ===================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------------------------
2000 1999
------------------- -----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
OPERATING
Net cash provided by operations $ 419.0 $ 349.9
------------------- -----------------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (241.8) (182.6)
Other - net (0.1) 1.5
------------------- -----------------
Net cash used in investing (241.9) (181.1)
------------------- -----------------
FINANCING
Long-term debt retired (0.9) (125.9)
Dividends paid (186.0) (128.0)
Net change in affiliate notes 8.5 84.8
------------------- -----------------
Net cash used in financing (178.4) (169.1)
------------------- -----------------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1.3) (0.3)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 1.4 0.4
------------------- -----------------
End of period $ 0.1 $ 0.1
=================== =================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Consolidated Statement of Shareholder's Equity (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additional
Common Paid-In Retained
Stock Capital Earnings Total
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Shareholder's equity, December 31, 1999 $ 448.0 $ 60.4 $ 82.0 $ 590.4
Net income 183.8 183.8
Dividends declared (147.0) (147.0)
Capital contribution in connection with merger 77.0 77.0
Dividend declared in connection with merger (77.0) (77.0)
Other 0.3 (0.5) (0.2)
--------------- ---------------- --------------- ----------------
Shareholder's equity, September 30, 2000 $ 448.0 $ 137.7 $ 41.3 $ 627.0
=============== ================ =============== ================
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
5
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
Verizon Northwest Inc. (the Company), formerly GTE Northwest Incorporated, is a
wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE), which is a wholly-owned
subsidiary of Verizon Communications Inc. (Verizon Communications). The
accompanying unaudited condensed financial statements have been prepared based
upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced
disclosure for interim periods. These financial statements include certain
reclassifications in presentation as a result of the merger of Bell Atlantic
Corporation (Bell Atlantic) and GTE (see Note 2). These financial statements
reflect all adjustments that are necessary for a fair presentation of results of
operations and financial position for the interim periods shown, including
normal recurring accruals and other items (see Note 2). The results for the
interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results for the full year. For
a more complete discussion of significant accounting policies and certain other
information, please refer to the financial statements included in the Company's
1999 Annual Report on Form 10-K.
NOTE 2. BELL ATLANTIC - GTE MERGER
On June 30, 2000, Bell Atlantic and GTE completed a merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998 (the Merger). Under the
terms of the agreement, GTE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic.
In September 2000, Bell Atlantic changed its name to Verizon Communications Inc.
The Merger qualified as a tax-free reorganization and has been accounted for as
a pooling of interests. Under this method of accounting, Bell Atlantic and GTE
are treated as if they had always been combined for accounting and financial
reporting purposes.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 included
merger-related pre-tax costs totaling approximately $27.2 million, consisting of
$10.5 million for direct incremental costs and $16.7 million for employee
severance costs. These costs include the Company's allocated share of
merger-related costs from Verizon Services Group (Verizon Services), an
affiliate that provides centralized services on a contract basis. Costs
allocated from Verizon Services are included in Operations and support expenses.
Direct incremental costs consist of the Company's proportionate share of
expenses associated with completing the merger transaction such as professional
and regulatory fees, compensation arrangements and shareowner-related costs.
Employee severance costs, as recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,"
represent the Company's proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation
of management employees who are entitled to benefits under Verizon
Communications pre-existing separation pay plans, as well as an accrual of
ongoing SFAS No. 112 obligations for GTE employees. The separations are expected
to occur as a result of consolidations and process enhancements. Accrued
postemployment benefit liabilities for those employees are included in the
Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as components of "Other current
liabilities" and "Employee benefit plans and other."
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also included adjustments that were required to conform
the Company's accounting methods and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income increased
$2.4 million and $3.6 million for the nine month periods ended September 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
6
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
Other Related Actions
During the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded $0.8 million
pretax for other actions in relation to the Merger or other strategic decisions.
NOTE 3. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income and comprehensive income were the same for the nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and 1999.
NOTE 4. NET ASSETS HELD FOR SALE
During May 1999, the Company entered into an agreement to sell approximately
14,000 switched access lines located in California to Citizens Utilities
Company. This agreement consummates the Company's previously announced 1998 plan
to sell selected access lines located in California. The sale is contingent upon
final agreements and regulatory approval and is expected to close by the first
quarter of 2001. The associated net assets, which approximate $16.6 million and
$16.0 million at September 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 consolidated balance sheets. The Company intends to continue to
operate all of these assets until sold. Given the decision to sell, no
depreciation expense was recorded for these assets during 1999 or 2000 in
accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." Depreciation expense was
lowered by $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and $0.6 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1999, respectively. No charges were recorded for the
access lines to be sold because their estimated fair values were in excess of
their carrying values. The access line agreement represents approximately 1% of
the switched access lines that the Company had in service at the end of 1999,
and contributed approximately 1% to 1999 consolidated revenues and approximately
3% to 1999 consolidated operating income.
NOTE 5. DIRECTORY PUBLISHING REVENUES
Consistent with industry practice, effective January 1, 2000, the Company
changed its method of recognizing directory publishing revenues. Verizon
Directories Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE, publishes telephone
directories for which it receives advertising revenue. Under the Company's
previous method of revenue recognition, approximately 60% of the advertising
revenue for directories published by Verizon Directories Corp. in the Company's
operating areas was recognized as revenue. The remaining 40% was recognized as
revenue by Verizon Directories Corp. Under the new method of revenue
recognition, Verizon Directories Corp. now recognizes 100% of the directory
publishing revenues. The Company, in turn, bills Verizon Directories Corp. for
customer listing information and billing and collection services. As a result,
the Company's other services revenues and operating income for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 decreased $17.0 million and $14.7 million,
respectively, compared to the same period in 1999.
NOTE 6. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standard - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
statement requires that all derivatives be measured at fair value and recognized
as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in the fair values
of derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or other
comprehensive income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the
instruments.
In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133. The
amendments in SFAS No. 138 address certain implementation
7
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
issues and relate to such matters as the normal purchases and normal sales
exception, the definition of interest rate risk, hedging recognized foreign-
currency-denominated assets and liabilities, and intercompany derivatives.
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No.
138, which it will adopt on January 1, 2001. The impact of adoption will be
affected by several factors, including the specific hedging instruments in place
and their relationships to hedged items, as well as market conditions at the
date of adoption.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which provides additional
guidance on revenue recognition and, in certain circumstances, requires the
deferral of incremental costs. The Company will adopt SAB No. 101 in the fourth
quarter of 2000, retroactive to January 1, 2000. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of adopting SAB No. 101.
NOTE 7. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Various legal actions and regulatory proceedings are pending to which the
Company is a party. The Company has established reserves for specific
liabilities in connection with regulatory and legal matters that management
currently deems to be probable and estimable. The Company does not expect that
the ultimate resolution of pending regulatory and legal matters in future
periods will have a material effect on the Company's financial condition, but it
could have a material effect on the Company's results of operations.
Federal and state regulatory conditions to the Merger include certain
commitments to, among other things, promote competition and the widespread
deployment of advanced services, while helping ensure that consumers continue to
receive high-quality, low cost telephone services. In some cases, there are
significant penalties associated with not meeting these commitments. The cost of
satisfying these commitments could have a significant impact on net income in
future periods. As previously disclosed, the cost of satisfying these
commitments is likely to impact net income of Verizon Communications in 2000 on
a consolidated basis by approximately $275 to $325 million, based on preliminary
estimates. The estimated impact on each operating telephone subsidiary,
including the Company, is currently being assessed.
8
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
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 decreased $13.2 million or 7% for the nine months ended September 30,
2000, compared to the same period in 1999.
The Company's operating results for 2000 and 1999 were affected by special
items. The special items in both periods include the Company's allocated share
of charges from Verizon Services Group (Verizon Services), an affiliate that
provides centralized services to the Company on a contract basis.
The following table shows how special items are reflected in the Company's
condensed statements of income for each period:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended September 30,
2000 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Operating Revenues
Regulatory contingency $ 0.4 $ --
Other charges and special items 1.0 --
--------------------------------------------
1.4 --
Operating Expenses
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger costs 27.2 --
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger conforming accounting adjustments (2.4) (3.6)
Bell Atlantic-GTE merger other related actions 0.8 --
--------------------------------------------
25.6 (3.6)
Interest Expense
Regulatory contingency 0.1 --
--------------------------------------------
Total impact on pretax income $ 27.1 $ (3.6)
============================================
</TABLE>
What follows is a further explanation of the nature of these special items.
Bell Atlantic - GTE Merger
On June 30, 2000, Bell Atlantic and GTE completed a merger of equals under a
definitive merger agreement dated as of July 27, 1998 (the Merger). Under the
terms of the agreement, GTE became a wholly-owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic.
In September 2000, Bell Atlantic changed its name to Verizon Communications Inc.
(Verzion Communications). The Merger qualified as a tax-free reorganization and
has been accounted for as a pooling of interests. Under this method of
accounting, Bell Atlantic and GTE are treated as if they had always been
combined for accounting and financial reporting purposes.
Merger-Related and Severance Costs
Results of operations for the nine months ended September 30, 2000 included
merger-related pre-tax costs totaling approximately $27.2 million, consisting of
$10.5 million for direct incremental costs and $16.7 million for employee
severance costs. These costs include the Company's allocated share of
merger-related costs from Verizon Services to the Company. Costs allocated from
Verizon Services are included in Operations and support expenses.
9
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
Direct incremental costs consist of the Company's proportionate share of
expenses associated with completing the merger transaction such as professional
and regulatory fees, compensation arrangements and shareowner-related costs.
Employee severance costs, as recorded under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards (SFAS) No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits,"
represent the Company's proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation
of management employees who are entitled to benefits under Verizon
Communications pre-existing separation pay plans, as well as an accrual of
ongoing SFAS No. 112 obligations for GTE employees. The separations are expected
to occur as a result of consolidations and process enhancements. Accrued
postemployment benefit liabilities for those employees are included in the
Company's condensed consolidated balance sheets as components of "Other current
liabilities" and "Employee benefit plans and other."
Conforming Accounting Adjustments
Results of operations also included adjustments that were required to conform
the Company's accounting methods and presentation to that of Verizon
Communications. As a result of these adjustments, operating income increased
$2.4 million and $3.6 million for the nine month periods ended September 30,
2000 and 1999, respectively.
Other Related Actions
During the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded $0.8 million pretax
for other actions in relation to the Merger or other strategic decisions.
Other Charges and Special Items
Regulatory Contingency
In the second quarter of 2000, the Company recognized a pretax charge for a
regulatory matter totaling $0.5 million. The Company recorded a reduction in
operating revenue of $0.4 million and a charge to interest expense of $0.1
million. This matter relates to a specific issue currently under investigation
by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The Company believes that it is
probable that the ultimate resolution of this matter will result in refunds to
customers, including interest.
Other Items
In the second quarter of 2000, the Company also recorded other charges and
special items totaling approximately $1.0 million pretax.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING REVENUES
(Dollars in Millions)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
-------------------------------- Increase Percent
2000 1999 (Decrease) Change
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 410.6 $ 387.8 $ 22.8 6%
Network access services 394.8 388.8 6.0 2%
Other services 110.0 127.9 (17.9) (14)%
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Total operating revenues $ 915.4 $ 904.5 $ 10.9 1%
=============== =============== ===============
</TABLE>
10
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
Local Services
Local services revenues are earned from the provision of local exchange, local
private line, wire maintenance, voice messaging and value-added services.
Value-added services are a family of services that expand the utilization of the
network, including products such as Caller ID, Call Waiting and Return Call.
Cellular service providers also pay access charges for cellular calls
transported by the Company. The increase in local services revenues was
primarily due to 3% growth in switched access lines in service which generated
additional revenues from basic local services, CentraNet(R) services, Integrated
Services Digital Network and Digital Channel Services. Increased demand for
enhanced customer calling services such as SmartCall(R) and CLASS services, as
well as increased demand for wire maintenance and services, also contributed to
the year-to-date revenue increase.
Network Access Services
Network access services revenues are earned from end-user subscribers and long
distance and other competing carriers who use the Company's local exchange
facilities to provide usage services to their customers. Switched access
revenues are derived from fixed and usage-based charges paid by carriers for
access to the local network. Special access revenues originate from carriers and
end-users that buy dedicated local exchange capacity to support their private
networks. End-user access revenues are earned from customers and from resellers
who purchase dial-tone services. Increased demand for special access services,
reflecting a greater utilization of the network, was the primary reason for the
increase in network access services revenues for the nine months ended September
30, 2000 compared to the same period in 1999. A 5% growth in access minutes,
resulting from increased customer demand, also increased revenues. These
increases were partially offset by the impact of mandated interstate and
intrastate access price reductions and other regulatory decisions including the
implementation of the Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service
(CALLS) plan effective July 1, 2000. Revenue was further decreased by a special
charge for a contingency associated with a regulatory matter (see "RESULTS OF
OPERATIONS").
Other Services
Other services revenues include such services as 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 with in the same LATA (Local Access Transport
Area) - (intraLATA). The decrease in other services revenues for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000, compared to the same period in 1999, was primarily due
the impact of a change in the recognition of directory publishing revenues which
resulted in a decrease in revenues of $17.0 million (see "OTHER DEVELOPMENTS -
Directory Publishing Revenues"). Revenue was further decreased by a special
charge recorded in 2000 (see "RESULTS OF OPERATIONS").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
OPERATING EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions)
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------------- Percent
2000 1999 Increase Change
--------------- --------------- --------------- --------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Operations and support $ 407.7 $ 385.9 $ 21.8 6%
Depreciation and amortization 175.3 164.7 10.6 6%
--------------- --------------- ---------------
Total operating expenses $ 583.0 $ 550.6 $ 32.4 6%
=============== =============== ===============
</TABLE>
11
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
Operations and Support
Operations and support expenses consist of employee costs and other operating
expenses. Employee costs consist of salaries, wages and other employee
compensation, employee benefits and payroll taxes. Other operating expenses
consist of contract services including centralized services expenses allocated
from Verizon Services, rent, network software costs, operating taxes other than
income, the provision for uncollectible accounts receivable, and other costs.
Operations and support expenses increased for the nine months ended September
30, 2000, compared to the same period in 1999, primarily due to a second quarter
2000 special charge of $27.2 million for severance and direct incremental
merger-related costs, as well as the impact of other merger related actions (see
"RESULTS OF OPERATIONS"). Higher access charges, primarily resulting from
increased competitive local exchange carrier (CLEC) activity, and higher costs
associated with Customer Care Center operations, further contributed to the
increase. Partially offsetting these increases was the recognition of a pretax
gain of $30.6 million associated with lump-sum settlement of pension obligations
for employees who met certain eligibility requirements.
Depreciation and Amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased primarily due to the continued
investment in the Company's network. Partially affecting the increase in
depreciation and amortization expense were adjustments made to conform the
accounting policies of Bell Atlantic and GTE as a result of the Merger (see
"RESULTS OF OPERATIONS").
INTERSTATE REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
FCC Regulation and Interstate Rates
On May 31, 2000, the 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 its service territory. The price
restructuring portions of the plan are mandatory for all large local exchange
carriers, including Verizon Communications' telephone operating companies. The
price level portions of the plan are mandatory only in the initial year of the
plan. By September 14, 2000 carriers were to decide whether to participate in
the remaining four years of the plan, or whether to submit cost studies as the
basis of future price caps.
Consistent with the new access plan, Verizon Communications filed tariff
adjustments to take effect on July 1, 2000 (with modifications effective August
11, 2000). As a result of these tariff adjustments, former GTE carriers in ten
states, and former Bell Atlantic carriers in seven states reached the $0.0055
benchmark, and by opting into the full five year CALLS plan, Verizon
Communications would not be subject to further annual interstate switched access
price reductions for the remaining life of the plan.
As of September 14, 2000, Verizon Communications formally opted to participate
in the full five-year term of the FCC-adopted industry plan to restructure
access rates known as the CALLS plan. As a result of this decision, price caps
on Verizon Communications' interstate access charges will be set according to
the terms of the CALLS plan.
12
<PAGE>
VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
OTHER DEVELOPMENTS
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 agreement consummates the Company's previously announced 1998 plan
to sell selected access lines located in California. The sale is contingent upon
final agreements and regulatory approval and is expected to close by the first
quarter of 2001. The associated net assets, which approximate $16.6 million and
$16.0 million at September 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 consolidated balance sheets. The Company intends to continue to
operate all of these assets until sold. Given the decision to sell, no
depreciation expense was recorded for these assets during 1999 or 2000 in
accordance with SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of." Depreciation expense was
lowered by $0.7 million and $2.0 million for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 2000 and $0.6 million and $1.8 million for the three and nine
months ended September 30, 1999, respectively. No charges were recorded for the
access lines to be sold because their estimated fair values were in excess of
their carrying values. The access line agreement represents approximately 1% of
the switched access lines that the Company had in service at the end of 1999,
and contributed approximately 1% to 1999 consolidated revenues and approximately
3% to 1999 consolidated operating income.
Directory Publishing Revenues
Consistent with industry practice, effective January 1, 2000, the Company
changed its method of recognizing directory publishing revenues. Verizon
Directories Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of GTE, publishes telephone
directories for which it receives advertising revenue. Under the Company's
previous method of revenue recognition, approximately 60% of the advertising
revenue for directories published by Verizon Directories Corp. in the Company's
operating areas was recognized as revenue. The remaining 40% was recognized as
revenue by Verizon Directories Corp. Under the new method of revenue
recognition, Verizon Directories Corp. now recognizes 100% of the directory
publishing revenues. The Company, in turn, bills Verizon Directories Corp. for
customer listing information and billing and collection services. As a result,
the Company's other services revenues and operating income for the nine months
ended September 30, 2000 decreased $17.0 million and $14.7 million,
respectively, compared to the same period in 1999.
RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
FASB Accounting Standard - Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued SFAS No.
133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." This
statement requires that all derivatives be measured at fair value and recognized
as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet. Changes in the fair values
of derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or other
comprehensive income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the
instruments.
In June 2000, the FASB issued SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative
Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities," which amended SFAS No. 133. The
amendments in SFAS No. 138 address certain implementation issues and relate to
such matters as the normal purchases and normal sales exception, the definition
of interest rate risk, hedging recognized foreign-currency-denominated assets
and liabilities, and intercompany derivatives.
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations - Continued
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction H(2) of Form 10-Q)
The Company is currently evaluating the provisions of SFAS No. 133 and SFAS No.
138, which it will adopt on January 1, 2001. The impact of adoption will be
affected by several factors, including the specific hedging instruments in
place and their relationships to hedged items, as well as market conditions at
the date of adoption.
SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin - Revenue Recognition
In December 1999, the SEC issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101,
"Revenue Recognition in Financial Statements," which provides additional
guidance on revenue recognition and, in certain circumstances, requires the
deferral of incremental costs. The Company will adopt SAB No. 101 in the fourth
quarter of 2000, retroactive to January 1, 2000. The Company is currently
assessing the impact of adopting SAB No. 101.
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
There were no proceedings reportable under this Item.
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K.
(a) Exhibit:
27 Financial Data Schedule
(b) Current Report on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended September
30, 2000:
A Current Report on Form 8-K, dated September 7, 2000, was filed in
connection with a change in the Company's independent accountants.
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
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.
Verizon Northwest Inc.
----------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 14, 2000 /s/ Edwin F. Hall
-------------------- ----------------------------
Edwin F. Hall
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IS AS OF NOVEMBER 8, 2000.
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VERIZON NORTHWEST INC. AND SUBSIDIARY
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
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27 Financial Data Schedule
