<PAGE> 1
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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 2-36292
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
(EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
VIRGINIA 56-0656680
(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)
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 21,000,000 shares of $25 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 SOUTH INCORPORATED
Condensed 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 $ 159.0 $ 141.5 $ 468.2 $ 418.9
Network access services 160.9 158.9 483.0 451.6
Toll services 14.1 29.2 48.9 96.0
Other services and sales 58.7 43.7 167.9 139.1
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total revenues and sales 392.7 373.3 1,168.0 1,105.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
Cost of services and sales 143.5 112.9 406.2 352.6
Selling, general and administrative 55.4 43.3 159.9 146.0
Depreciation and amortization 71.4 77.2 215.4 219.6
-------- -------- -------- --------
Total operating costs and expenses 270.3 233.4 781.5 718.2
-------- -------- -------- --------
OPERATING INCOME 122.4 139.9 386.5 387.4
OTHER EXPENSES
Interest - net 20.1 16.0 48.9 40.8
Other - net -- -- -- 0.3
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES 102.3 123.9 337.6 346.3
Income taxes 39.7 47.3 131.0 131.9
-------- -------- -------- --------
INCOME BEFORE EXTRAORDINARY CHARGE 62.6 76.6 206.6 214.4
Extraordinary charge -- -- (0.2) --
-------- -------- -------- --------
NET INCOME $ 62.6 $ 76.6 $ 206.4 $ 214.4
======== ======== ======== ========
</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 SOUTH INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
------------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
ASSETS
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents $ 7.8 $ 13.1
Receivables, less allowances
of $19.1 and $18.6 269.2 248.5
Accounts receivable from affiliates 2.4 13.0
Inventories and supplies 32.0 24.4
Other 21.4 11.2
---------- ----------
Total current assets 332.8 310.2
---------- ----------
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 4,487.1 4,285.7
Accumulated depreciation (2,821.9) (2,664.0)
---------- ----------
Total property, plant and equipment, net 1,665.2 1,621.7
---------- ----------
Prepaid pension costs 168.9 149.0
Other assets 16.1 13.7
---------- ----------
Total assets $ 2,183.0 $ 2,094.6
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
2
<PAGE> 4
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Condensed Balance Sheets (Unaudited) - Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
September 30, December 31,
1998 1997
------------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities
Current maturities of long-term debt $ 4.1 $ 4.2
Notes payable to affiliate 38.3 151.3
Accounts payable 58.4 46.4
Affiliate payables and accruals 35.3 71.8
Advanced billings and customer deposits 38.0 34.4
Taxes payable 38.7 31.2
Accrued interest 9.0 14.5
Accrued payroll costs 37.9 27.8
Dividends payable 76.8 85.1
Deferred income taxes 42.0 43.4
Other 17.0 27.2
---------- ----------
Total current liabilities 395.5 537.3
---------- ----------
Long-term debt 800.6 609.9
Deferred income taxes 97.4 52.4
Deferred employee benefit obligations 171.0 172.7
Other liabilities 55.5 51.8
---------- ----------
Total liabilities 1,520.0 1,424.1
---------- ----------
Preferred stock, subject to mandatory
redemption -- 2.7
---------- ----------
Shareholders' equity
Preferred stock 0.4 0.4
Common stock (21,000,000 shares issued) 525.0 525.0
Additional paid-in capital 58.3 58.3
Retained earnings 79.3 84.1
---------- ----------
Total shareholders' equity 663.0 667.8
---------- ----------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 2,183.0 $ 2,094.6
========== ==========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
3
<PAGE> 5
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Condensed 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 $ 206.6 $ 214.4
Adjustments to reconcile income before extraordinary
charge to net cash from operations:
Depreciation and amortization 215.4 219.6
Deferred income taxes 43.6 (10.2)
Provision for uncollectible accounts 19.0 15.2
Changes in current assets and current liabilities (67.9) (76.9)
Other - net (27.0) (8.6)
----------- -----------
Net cash from operations 389.7 353.5
----------- -----------
INVESTING
Capital expenditures (248.9) (208.6)
----------- -----------
Cash used in investing (248.9) (208.6)
----------- -----------
FINANCING
Long-term debt issued 221.1 --
Long-term debt and preferred stock retired,
including premiums paid on early retirement (34.9) (35.6)
Dividends (219.4) (191.6)
Net change in affiliate notes (112.9) 68.7
----------- -----------
Net cash used in financing (146.1) (158.5)
----------- -----------
Decrease in cash and cash equivalents (5.3) (13.6)
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period 13.1 16.5
----------- -----------
End of period $ 7.8 $ 2.9
=========== ===========
</TABLE>
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these statements.
4
<PAGE> 6
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
NOTE 1. BASIS OF PRESENTATION
GTE South Incorporated (the Company) is incorporated under the laws of the
State of Virginia and is a subsidiary of GTE Corporation (GTE).
The unaudited condensed 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 financial statements include all adjustments, which consist only of
normal recurring accruals, necessary to present fairly the financial
information for such periods. These condensed financial statements should be
read in conjunction with the 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 $0.2 million, reflecting premiums paid on the
redemption of high-coupon debt prior to stated maturity.
NOTE 3. DEBT
In June 1998, the Company issued $225 million of 6.125% Series E Debentures,
due 2007. The net proceeds were applied toward the repayment of short-term
borrowings, financing the Company's construction program and for general
corporate purposes.
NOTE 4. RECENT ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
Employee Benefit Disclosures
In February 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (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 results of operations or financial condition.
5
<PAGE> 7
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Notes to Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited) - Continued
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
not 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 results of
operations or financial condition.
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the FASB issued SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 establishes accounting and
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
Illinois have been identified for purchase or trade. The identified assets
constituted less than one percent of both the Company's total switched access
lines and net plant at December 31, 1997. These access lines generated less than
one percent 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.
6
<PAGE> 8
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Millions)
September 30,
-------------------------------- Increase Percent
Net income 1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
- ---------- --------------- --------------- --------------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Three months ended $ 62.6 $ 76.6 $ (14.0) (18)%
Nine months ended 206.4 214.4 (8.0) (4)%
</TABLE>
Year-to-date net income includes an extraordinary after-tax charge of $0.2
million related to the early retirement of debt. Excluding this charge,
year-to-date net income declined by 4% or $7.8 million during the period. The
three and nine month declines are primarily due to lower toll revenues and
higher operating expenses, partially offset by increased local service and
other revenues.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
REVENUES AND SALES
(Dollars in Millions) Three Months Ended
September 30,
-------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
---------- ---------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 159.0 $ 141.5 $ 17.5 12%
Network access services 160.9 158.9 2.0 1%
Toll services 14.1 29.2 (15.1) (52)%
Other services and sales 58.7 43.7 15.0 34%
-------- -------- --------
Total revenues and sales $ 392.7 $ 373.3 $ 19.4 5%
======== ======== ========
(Dollars in Millions) Nine Months Ended
September 30,
----------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
---------- ---------- ---------- -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Local services $ 468.2 $ 418.9 $ 49.3 12%
Network access services 483.0 451.6 31.4 7%
Toll services 48.9 96.0 (47.1) (49)%
Other services and sales 167.9 139.1 28.8 21%
--------- -------- --------
Total revenues and sales $ 1,168.0 $1,105.6 $ 62.4 6%
========= ======== ========
</TABLE>
Local Services Revenues
Access lines were 6% higher for the three and nine months ended September 30,
1998 generating increased revenues of $6.9 million for the three months and
$20.4 million for the nine months from basic local services, CentraNet(R),
Integrated Services Digital Network and Digital Channel Services. Demand for
enhanced custom calling features, such as SmartCall(R) services, also
contributed to the increase in local service revenues in the amount of $3.1
million and $12.1 million for both the three and nine months ended September
30, 1998, respectively.
7
<PAGE> 9
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
Network Access Services Revenues
Demand for access services by interexchange carriers resulted in a 10% and 11%
growth in minutes of use for the three and nine months ended September 30,
1998, respectively, generating $8.6 million and $26.8 million in revenues for
the respective periods. Special access revenues grew by $8.6 million in the
third quarter and $23.9 million year-to-date due to greater demand for
increased bandwidth by Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other
high-capacity users. These increases are partially offset by a decrease of $5.8
million and $20.5 million for the three and nine month periods, respectively,
resulting from intrastate access price reductions in Alabama, Kentucky, North
Carolina, South Carolina and Virginia. In addition, the impact of interstate
access rate changes from the 1998 Federal Communications Commission (FCC) price
cap reduced third quarter revenues by $3.2 million. (For additional information
see "FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS - Interstate Access Revision.")
Toll Services Revenues
The decreases in toll service revenues were primarily due to lower toll volumes
resulting from intraLATA (local access transport area) toll competition,
including 10-10-XXX and 1+ presubscription, and the impact of optional discount
calling plans, which effectively lowered intrastate toll rates.
Other Services and Sales Revenues
Other services and sales revenues increased for the three and nine months ended
September 30, 1998 primarily due to increases of $3.0 million and $4.0 million
in directory advertising revenues, $2.5 million and $8.3 million in billing and
collection service revenues, $2.4 million and $2.7 million in equipment sales,
and $2.3 million and $5.7 million in revenues resulting from the FCC's order
increasing payphone compensation from interexchange carriers. (For additional
information see "FEDERAL REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS - Payphone Orders.")
OPERATING COSTS AND EXPENSES
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Three Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
--------- --------- ---------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $ 143.5 $ 112.9 $ 30.6 27%
Selling, general and administrative 55.4 43.3 12.1 28%
Depreciation and amortization 71.4 77.2 (5.8) (8)%
--------- --------- ----------
Total operating costs and expenses $ 270.3 $ 233.4 $ 36.9 16%
========= ========= ==========
</TABLE>
8
<PAGE> 10
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30,
------------------------- Increase Percent
1998 1997 (Decrease) Change
--------- --------- ------------ ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Cost of services and sales $ 406.2 $ 352.6 $ 53.6 15%
Selling, general and administrative 159.9 146.0 13.9 10%
Depreciation and amortization 215.4 219.6 (4.2) (2)%
--------- --------- --------
Total operating costs and expenses $ 781.5 $ 718.2 $ 63.3 9%
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
The increases in total operating costs and expenses are primarily attributable
to higher labor costs of $14.3 million and $22.3 million for the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 1998 associated with customer service on
increased line growth and customer demand for products and services. The
increases also include $8.3 million and $16.3 million for the three and nine
month periods ended September 30, 1998 for the expansion of daily operating
hours of the customer care centers. Additional increases are related to a rise
in maintenance and repair costs associated with storm damage within the
Company's service territories. Depreciation and amortization decreased for the
three and nine months ended September 30, 1998 primarily due to an adjustment
of depreciation rates in the fourth quarter of 1997.
OTHER INCOME STATEMENT ITEMS
Interest-net increased 26% or $4.1 million in the third quarter of 1998 and 20%
or $8.1 million year-to-date, compared to the same periods in 1997. The
increase is primarily due to an increase in interest expense due to higher
average long-term debt levels.
Income taxes decreased 16% or $7.6 million in the third quarter of 1998 and 1%
or $0.9 million year-to-date, compared to the same periods in 1997. These
decreases are primarily due to corresponding decreases in pretax income and
other tax adjustments.
During the first quarter of 1998, the Company recorded an after-tax
extraordinary charge of $0.2 million reflecting premiums paid on the redemption
of high-coupon debt prior to stated maturity.
CAPITAL RESOURCES AND LIQUIDITY
Management believes that the Company has adequate internal and external
resources available to meet ongoing operating requirements for construction of
new plant, modernization of facilities and payment of dividends.
9
<PAGE> 11
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
The Company generally funds its construction program from operations, although
external financing is available. Short-term financing can be obtained through
borrowings from the Company's parent, GTE, or GTE Funding Incorporated, an
affiliate of the Company. The Company participates with other affiliates in a
$1.5 billion, 364-day syndicated revolving line of credit and has access to an
additional $1.0 billion in short-term liquidity through GTE and GTE Funding
Incorporated's bi-lateral revolving lines of credit.
The Company's primary source of funds during the first nine months of 1998 was
cash from operations of $389.7 million compared to $353.5 million for the same
period in 1997. The year-to-year increase in cash from operations is due in part
to a decrease in the Company's working capital requirements.
The Company's capital expenditures during the first nine months of 1998 were
$248.9 million compared to $208.6 million for the same period in 1997. The
majority of new investment is being made to meet the demands of growth,
modernize facilities and develop and install new software, all of which are
required to support new products and enhanced services. The Company anticipates
overall capital expenditures for 1998 to increase slightly from the 1997 level,
reflecting the continued expansion of existing networks.
Cash used in financing activities was $146.1 million during the first nine
months of 1998 compared to $158.5 million for the same period in 1997. This
included dividend payments of $219.4 million during the first nine months of
1998 compared to $191.6 million for the same period in 1997. Short-term
financing, representing the net change in affiliate notes, decreased $112.9
million for the first nine months of 1998, compared to an increase of $68.7
million for the same period in 1997. During the first nine months of 1998, the
Company paid a total of $34.9 million for the retirement of long-term debt and
preferred stock compared to $35.6 million in 1997. Retirements for 1998 included
$0.4 million pretax in premiums on the retirement of long-term debt and
preferred stock redeemed prior to stated maturity compared to $0.3 million
pretax in premiums for 1997. The Company issued $225.0 million of 6.125% Series
E debentures in June 1998. The proceeds were used to repay short-term
borrowings, to finance a portion of the Company's construction program, and for
general corporate purposes.
10
<PAGE> 12
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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 increase of $12.1 million. On December 1, 1997, the FCC issued an order
to file revised access rates effective January 1, 1998, which resulted in
interstate access revenue reductions of approximately $2.8 million annually. In
May 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 reductions in usage sensitive access
charges of $11.7 million paid by long-distance carriers exceed the new per-line
charges and the charges paid by end-user customers of $10.2 million annually.
Effective July 1, 1998, access charges were further reduced by $14.6 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 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
11
<PAGE> 13
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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.
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.
12
<PAGE> 14
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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
Alabama
In February 1997, the Alabama Public Service Commission (APSC) issued a decision
in the Company's arbitration with AT&T Corp. (AT&T) to determine
interconnection, resale and unbundling terms and conditions. The interim
wholesale discount rate for retail services was set at 23%. In May 1997, the
APSC issued its final decision, in which no material changes were made to its
original order. In June 1997, the Company and AT&T filed a composite agreement
pursuant to the APSC's directive. Both parties filed letters with the APSC
objecting to certain language contained in the composite agreement. In December
1997, the APSC changed the discount rate to 21.1%. In January 1998, the Company
filed a petition asking the APSC to modify the discount rate using updated data.
The Company requested the APSC to modify the discount rate to 13.3% if 1995 data
is used or to 11.4% if 1996 data is used. In July 1998, the APSC issued an order
granting the Company's motion for rehearing. Following an August 1998 hearing,
the Company filed a proposed order. The Company is currently awaiting an APSC
order.
In February 1998, the APSC held a hearing to set the Company's permanent
unbundled network element (UNE) rates. The Company's position was virtually
uncontested. The APSC is expected to issue a final decision by the first quarter
of 1999.
In February 1998, the APSC held hearings to determine the appropriate cost
model and revenue benchmark for purposes of developing an intrastate
13
<PAGE> 15
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
universal service fund (USF) mechanism. The APSC issued an order in July 1998
deferring the decision to the FCC for the interstate portion of USF. A second
order will be forthcoming which will detail how the intrastate portion will be
addressed.
Illinois
In October 1996, the Illinois Commerce Commission initiated its investigation
into the Company's cost studies to establish rates for interconnection, UNEs
and transport and termination of traffic. The proceeding addressed wholesale
rates separately from UNEs, with each issue having a separate procedural
schedule. Cost studies for UNEs were filed in the first quarter of 1998 and
were refiled during June 1998. Initial and Reply Briefs relating to wholesale
rates were filed in August 1998, and the Hearing Examiner's Proposed Order is
expected by year-end 1998. During a status hearing held in October 1998, the
Hearing Examiner approved the interim UNE rates agreed upon by the Company and
AT&T, which are the rates filed by the Company in the AT&T arbitration
proceeding. These rates will be utilized pending the issuance of final UNE
rates, and will become effective upon the filing and approval of the parties'
interconnection agreement. The next status hearing is currently scheduled in
April 1999.
Kentucky
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (KPSC) established a competitively
neutral, portable intrastate USF, funded by all telecommunications providers in
Kentucky, to cover the ILEC's non-traffic sensitive (NTS) costs and the cost of
a new statewide Lifeline service offering. As a result, the Company would reduce
access and toll rates and recover its NTS costs from the USF. The details of
implementation of the USF were determined during a formal proceeding which began
in November 1997. The KPSC announced that its decision to transfer the local
exchange carriers (LEC's) NTS costs to the USF will be reconsidered during the
formal proceeding. In May 1998, the KPSC issued a final order selecting the cost
model for calculating the USF high cost support. The order would assign $36
million of intrastate support to the Company and would require offsetting rate
reductions of a like amount. The Company filed a Petition for Rehearing with
the KPSC in June 1998. In July 1998, the KPSC granted the Company's motion to
rehear all issues except the cost model to be used. A final order and revised
level of universal service support is expected during the fourth quarter of
1998.
14
<PAGE> 16
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
North Carolina
The North Carolina Utilities Commission (NCUC) held hearings during February
1998 to determine the appropriate cost studies to be submitted to the FCC for
use in the determination of USF funding levels and to resolve other USF issues.
In April 1998, the NCUC issued an order adopting its preferred cost model. The
model was subsequently filed with the FCC as the NCUC's preferred model used to
calculate USF funding levels. Because the Company disagrees with the cost inputs
recommended in the NCUC's Order, the Company filed for reconsideration in May
1998. This request was denied.
The NCUC established a separate docket to consider all other universal service
issues not related to the cost studies. The purpose of this docket is to address
the size of the fund, the administration of the fund and other specific issues
associated with the implementation of a state universal service support system.
Hearings were held in June 1998. Parties filed their proposed orders in August
1998. In October 1998, the NCUC issued an order which will continue its
investigation of the appropriate size of the state USF into 1999.
The docket to establish permanent UNE prices for the LECs is currently pending
a NCUC order. Hearings took place in March 1998. A decision is expected during
the fourth quarter of 1998.
South Carolina
The South Carolina Public Service Commission (SCPSC) held hearings in August
1997 to determine guidelines for an intrastate USF. An order adopting the
guidelines was issued in September 1997. Hearings to finalize other issues,
including the size of the USF and the cost model to be used and recommended to
the FCC, were held in March 1998. In its order in May 1998, the SCPSC adopted
its cost model for calculating universal service support and filed this model
with the FCC. The Company has not filed any opposition to the SCPSC's Order. The
SCPSC's order deferred issues regarding the implementation of the USF to a later
date. These are expected to be addressed by year-end 1998.
Virginia
The interconnection arbitration dockets for AT&T Communications of Virginia,
Inc. (AT&T), Cox Fibernet Commercial Services, Inc. (Cox), MCI
Telecommunications Corporation et al (MCI), and Sprint Communications Company
L.P. (Sprint) were decided collectively for pricing issues in December 1996.
Non-pricing issues were decided in December 1996 for AT&T and Cox and in
January 1997 for MCI and Sprint. These decisions reaffirmed the
15
<PAGE> 17
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
interconnection rates issued in the previous arbitration proceedings. The
Company has filed a lawsuit in the U.S. District Court challenging portions of
the VSCC's arbitration determinations. In May 1998, the Court ruled against the
Company in this case. The Company filed an appeal with the U.S. Court of
Appeals in June 1998.
In August 1997, the VSCC issued an order in the Company's revenue rate
rebalancing case which contained an annual rate reduction of $27.4 million
effective as of October 7, 1997. Local rates were increased by $2 while touch
tone was reduced by an equivalent amount. Toll and access rates were also
reduced. The Company appealed to the Virginia Supreme Court, but the matter was
dismissed as premature because the VSCC had not ruled on all the issues in the
case. The Company is waiting on a final order so it can appeal to the Virginia
Supreme Court.
Virginia regulates the Company under an alternative regulatory plan which
provides a cap on earnings. All earnings in excess of the cap are subject to
refund through the Annual Informational Filing (AIF) process. The Company has
AIFs that are open for the years from 1992 through 1998. The VSCC staff has not
yet issued final reports for the above years.
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
million through improved efficiencies and productivity while it continues to
invest in new high-growth opportunities. The impact of this announcement is
under ongoing review. Specifically, access lines in the State of Illinois have
been identified for purchase or trade. The identified assets constituted less
than one percent for both the Company's total switched access lines and net
plant at December 31, 1997. These access lines generated less than one percent
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.
16
<PAGE> 18
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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, GTE also depends on certain, material external
supplier products that it 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
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.
17
<PAGE> 19
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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.
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 $18.5 million. Through September
30, 1998 expenditures totaled $8.1 million.
18
<PAGE> 20
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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" 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
19
<PAGE> 21
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
And Results of Operations - Continued
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.
20
<PAGE> 22
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
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 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.
21
<PAGE> 23
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 South Incorporated
--------------------------------
(Registrant)
Date: November 12, 1998 /s/ Stephen L. Shore
------------------------------ --------------------------------
Stephen L. Shore
Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
22
<PAGE> 24
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number Description
- ------------------- ----------------------------------------------------
12 Statement re: Calculation of the Ratio of Earnings
to Fixed Charges
27 Financial Data Schedule
<PAGE> 1
EXHIBIT 12
GTE SOUTH INCORPORATED
Statement of the Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
(Unaudited)
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 1998
------------------
<S> <C>
Net earnings available for fixed charges:
Income before extraordinary charge $ 206.6
Add - Income taxes 131.0
- Fixed charges 55.8
------------------
Adjusted earnings $ 393.4
------------------
Fixed charges:
Interest expense $ 50.6
Portion of rent expense
representing interest 5.2
------------------
Adjusted fixed charges $ 55.8
------------------
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES 7.05
</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> 7,800
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 290,700
<ALLOWANCES> 19,100
<INVENTORY> 32,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 332,800
<PP&E> 4,487,100
<DEPRECIATION> 2,821,900
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 2,183,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 395,500
<BONDS> 800,600
0
400
<COMMON> 525,000
<OTHER-SE> 137,600
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 2,183,000
<SALES> 1,168,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 1,168,000
<CGS> 406,200
<TOTAL-COSTS> 781,500
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 50,600
<INCOME-PRETAX> 337,600
<INCOME-TAX> 131,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 206,600
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 200
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 206,400
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
