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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
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(Mark one)
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 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 1-3488
BELL ATLANTIC - NEW JERSEY, INC.
A New Jersey Corporation I.R.S. Employer Identification No. 22-1151770
540 Broad Street, Newark, New Jersey 07101
Telephone Number (973) 649-9900
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: See attached
Schedule A.
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None.
THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF BELL ATLANTIC CORPORATION, MEETS
THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND
IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL
INSTRUCTION I(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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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
SCHEDULE A
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Name of each exchange
Title of each class on which registered
- ----------------------------------------------- ----------------------
Forty Year 7 1/4% Debentures, due April 1, 2011 New York Stock
Exchange
Forty Year 7 3/8% Debentures, due June 1, 2012 "
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Item No. Page
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PART I
1. Business
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)............... 1
2. Properties........................................................ 6
3. Legal Proceedings................................................. 6
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)................... 6
PART II
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
Matters........................................................... 7
6. Selected Financial Data
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)................... 7
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)............... 8
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk........ 19
8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data....................... 19
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure.............................................. 19
PART III
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant................ 19
11. Executive Compensation............................................ 19
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management.... 19
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.................... 19
PART IV
14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K.. 19
UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED, ALL INFORMATION IS AS OF MARCH 29, 1999.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
PART I
Item 1. Business
GENERAL
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc. is incorporated under the laws of the
State of New Jersey. Our principal offices are located at 540 Broad Street,
Newark, New Jersey 07101 (telephone number 973-649-9900). We are a wholly owned
subsidiary of Bell Atlantic Corporation (Bell Atlantic).
We presently serve a territory consisting of three Local Access and
Transport Areas (LATAs). These LATAs are generally centered on a city or based
on some other identifiable common geography and, with certain limited
exceptions, each LATA marks the boundary within which we have been permitted by
the "Modification of Final Judgment" (MFJ) to provide telephone service.
We currently provide two basic types of telecommunications services. First,
we transport telecommunications traffic between subscribers located within the
same LATA (intraLATA service), including both local and long distance services.
Local service includes the provision of local exchange (dial-tone), local
private line and public telephone services (including dial-tone service for pay
telephones owned by us and by other pay telephone providers). Among other local
services provided are Centrex (central office-based switched telephone service
enabling the subscriber to make both intercom and outside calls) and a variety
of special and custom calling services. Long distance service includes message
toll service (calling service beyond the local calling area) within LATA
boundaries, and intraLATA Wide Area Toll Service (WATS) and 800 services (volume
discount offerings for customers with highly concentrated demand). We also earn
long distance revenues from the provision of telecommunications service between
LATAs (interLATA service) in the corridors between the cities (and certain
surrounding counties) of (i) New York, New York and Newark, New Jersey and (ii)
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Camden, New Jersey. Second, we provide exchange
access service, which links a subscriber's telephone or other equipment to the
transmission facilities of interexchange carriers which, in turn, provide
interLATA telecommunications service to their customers. We also provide
exchange access service to interexchange carriers which provide intrastate
intraLATA long distance telecommunications service, as well as local exchange
access to competitive local exchange carriers for calls within a LATA.
PROPOSED BELL ATLANTIC-GTE MERGER
Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation (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. Bell
Atlantic shareholders will continue to own their existing shares after the
merger. We will continue to be a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic.
The completion of the merger is subject to a number of conditions,
including certain regulatory approvals, receipt of opinions that the merger will
be tax-free, and the approval of the shareholders of both Bell Atlantic and GTE.
OPERATIONS
We are one of nine operating telephone subsidiaries owned by Bell Atlantic.
Bell Atlantic has organized certain telecommunications group functions into
business units operating across the telephone subsidiaries. The business units
focus on specific market segments. Each of the operating telephone subsidiaries,
including us, remains responsible within its respective service area for the
provision of telephone services, financial performance and regulatory matters.
We have one reportable segment, which comprises four strategic business units.
The Consumer unit markets communications services to residential customers,
as well as operator services.
The General Business unit markets communications and information services
to small and medium-sized businesses as well as pay telephone services.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
The Enterprise Business unit markets communications and information
technology and services to large businesses and to departments, agencies and
offices of the executive, judicial and legislative branches of the federal and
state governments. These services include voice switching/processing services
(e.g., dedicated private lines, custom Centrex, call management and voice
messaging), end-user networking (e.g., credit and debit card transactions, and
personal computer-based conferencing, including data and video), internetworking
(establishing links between the geographically disparate networks of two or more
companies or within the same company), network optimization (disaster avoidance,
911 service, intelligent vehicle highway systems), video services (distance
learning, telemedicine, videoconferencing) and interactive multimedia
applications services.
The Network Services unit markets (i) switched and special access to the
telephone subsidiaries' local exchange networks, and (ii) billing and collection
services, including recording, rating, bill processing and bill rendering.
Telecommunications Act of 1996
The Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the 1996 Act) became effective on
February 8, 1996, and replaced the MFJ, a consent decree that arose out of an
antitrust action brought by the United States Department of Justice against
AT&T. In general, the 1996 Act includes provisions that open local exchange
markets to competition and permit Bell Operating Companies, including ours, to
engage in manufacturing and to provide long distance service under certain
conditions.
The 1996 Act permits us to offer in-region long distance services (that is,
services originating in the states where we operate as a local exchange
carrier), once we have demonstrated to the Federal Communications Commission
(FCC) that we have satisfied certain requirements. The requirements include a
14-point "competitive checklist" of steps which we must take to help competitors
offer local services through resale, through purchase of unbundled network
elements, or through their own networks. We must also demonstrate to the FCC
that our entry into the in-region long distance market would be in the public
interest.
A U.S. Court of Appeals rejected a constitutional challenge to these
provisions, and the Supreme Court recently declined to review that decision.
During the period that the case was pending, we continued to work through the
regulatory process at both the state and federal levels in order to be in a
position to demonstrate compliance with the challenged provisions.
The U. S. Supreme Court recently reversed a U.S. Court of Appeals decision
that had invalidated certain aspects of the FCC rules implementing provisions of
the 1996 Act. In particular, the Supreme Court reinstated the FCC's authority to
adopt rules governing the methodology to be used by state commissions in setting
prices for local interconnection and resale arrangements, and reinstated rules
that allow competitors to choose individual terms out of negotiated
interconnection agreements and that prohibit incumbent local telephone companies
from separating network elements that already are combined in the incumbent's
own network.
The U. S. Supreme Court also decided that the FCC had applied the wrong
standard in determining what elements of their networks incumbent local
telephone companies are obligated to make available to competitors on an
unbundled basis. Among other things, the FCC failed to account for the fact that
some elements are available from other sources. As a result of the decision, the
FCC must conduct a new proceeding to apply the correct standard. Pending that
proceeding, we have informally agreed to continue offering the FCC's previously
specified list of unbundled elements. In addition, a challenge to the
substantive merits of the FCC's pricing rules remains pending in the U.S. Court
of Appeals.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
FCC Regulation and Interstate Rates
We are subject to the jurisdiction of the FCC with respect to interstate
services and certain related matters. In 1998, the FCC continued to implement
reforms to the interstate access charge system and to implement the "universal
service" and other requirements of the 1996 Act.
Access Charges
Interstate access charges are the rates long distance carriers pay for use
and availability of our facilities for the origination and termination of
interstate service. The FCC required a phased restructuring of access charges,
which began in January 1998, so that our non-usage-sensitive costs will be
recovered from long distance carriers and end-users through flat rate charges,
and usage-sensitive costs will be recovered from long distance carriers through
usage-based rates. In addition, the FCC has required that different levels of
usage-based charges for originating and for terminating interstate traffic be
established.
Price Caps
Under the FCC price cap rules that apply to interstate access rates, each
year our price cap index is adjusted downward by a fixed percentage intended to
reflect increases in productivity (the productivity factor) and adjusted upward
by an allowance for inflation (the GDP-PI). The current productivity factor is
6.5 percent. These changes will be reflected in tariff changes that will be
filed to take effect on July 1, 1999.
In October 1998, the FCC initiated a proceeding with respect to its price
cap rules to determine whether a change in the current productivity factor is
warranted, whether to continue its "market based" approach of allowing market
forces (supplemented by its price cap rules) to determine access charge levels,
and whether to afford additional pricing flexibility for access services. In
addition, Bell Atlantic has petitioned the FCC to remove our special access
services from price cap regulation on the grounds that customers of these
services have competitive alternatives available, and a challenge to the FCC
order establishing the 6.5 percent productivity factor is pending in the U.S.
Court of Appeals. We are unable to predict the results of these further
proceedings.
Universal Service
The FCC has adopted rules implementing the "universal service" provision of
the 1996 Act. As of January 1, 1999, the rules require us to contribute
approximately 2% of our interstate retail revenues for high-cost and low-income
subsidies. We are also required to contribute a portion of our total retail
revenues for schools, libraries and not-for-profit health care. We will recover
these contributions through interstate charges to long distance carriers and
end-users.
A new federal high-cost universal service support mechanism for non-rural
carriers and an increase in the funding level for schools and libraries are
expected to become effective in 1999. The FCC currently is considering, in
conjunction with a recommendation from a joint board of federal and state
regulators, a number of issues that could affect the size of the universal
service fund for high cost areas and the amount of universal service costs that
are assessed against us for recovery.
Reciprocal Compensation
Certain competitive local exchange carriers with which we have
interconnection agreements have requested payment for "reciprocal compensation"
to terminate calls on their networks, including a large volume of one-way
traffic from our customers to internet service providers that are their
customers. On February 26, 1999, the FCC confirmed that such traffic is
interstate and interexchange in nature and not subject to the reciprocal
compensation requirements of the 1996 Act. In addition, virtually all of this
traffic is not subject to the reciprocal compensation provisions of the various
interconnection agreements because, whether or not it is interstate, it is not
local traffic. This issue is before the New Jersey Board of Public Utilities
(BPU) in two pending matters.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
State Regulation of Rates and Services
The BPU regulates our intrastate rates and services and certain other
matters.
We are regulated under a Plan for Alternative Form of Regulation, which
expires on December 31, 1999. A petition has been filed to extend the plan for
another year. The plan divides our services into Competitive Services and
Rate-Regulated Services.
. The prices for Competitive Services may be changed without regulatory
involvement.
. Rate-Regulated Services are grouped in two categories:
. "Protected Services": Basic residence and business service,
Touch-Tone, access services and the ordering, installation and
restoration of these services.
. "Other Services": Custom Calling, Custom Local Area Signaling
Services (CLASS services which utilize Signaling System 7),
operator services and 911 enhanced service.
. There is a cap on basic residence service rates through 1999.
. There is no cap on earnings for Rate-Regulated Services, but we
must share all earnings above a return on equity of 13.7% equally
with customers.
Competition
Legislative changes, including provisions of the 1996 Act discussed above
under "Telecommunications Act of 1996," regulatory changes and new technology
are continuing to expand the types of available communications services and
equipment and the number of competitors offering such services. We anticipate
that these industry changes, together with the rapid growth, enormous size and
global scope of these markets, will attract new entrants and encourage existing
competitors to broaden their offerings. Current and potential competitors in
telecommunication services include long distance companies, other local
telephone companies, cable companies, wireless service providers, foreign
telecommunications providers, electric utilities and other companies that offer
network services. Many of these companies have a strong market presence, brand
recognition and existing customer relationships, all of which contribute to
intensifying competition and may affect our future revenue growth.
Local Exchange Services
State regulatory commissions have historically regulated the ability to
offer local exchange services. The BPU has approved applications from
competitors to provide and resell local exchange services.
One of the purposes of the 1996 Act was to ensure, and accelerate, the
emergence of competition in local exchange markets. Toward this end, the 1996
Act requires most existing local exchange carriers (incumbent local exchange
carriers, or ILECs), including us, to permit potential competitors (competitive
local exchange carriers, or CLECs) to:
. purchase service from the ILEC for resale to CLEC customers
. purchase unbundled network elements from the ILEC, and/or
. interconnect the CLEC network with the ILEC's network.
The 1996 Act provides for arbitration by the state public utility
commission if an ILEC and a CLEC are unable to reach agreement on the terms of
the arrangement sought by the CLEC.
Our negotiations with various CLECs, and arbitrations before the BPU have
continued. As of January 31, 1999, we had entered into 102 agreements with
CLECs, of which 63 had been approved by our state commission.
We expect that these agreements, and the 1996 Act, will continue to lead to
substantially increased competition in our local exchange market in 1999 and
subsequent years. We believe that this competition will be both on a facilities
basis and in the form of resale by CLECs of our service. Under the various
agreements and arbitrations discussed above, we are generally required to sell
our services to CLECs at discounts ranging from approximately 17% to 20% from
the prices we charge our retail customers.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
IntraLATA Toll Services
IntraLATA toll calls originate and terminate within the same LATA, but
generally cover a greater distance than a local call. State regulatory
commissions rather than federal authorities generally regulate these services.
The BPU permits other carriers to offer intraLATA toll services within the
state.
Until the implementation of "presubscription," we completed intraLATA toll
calls unless the customer dialed a code to access a competing carrier.
Presubscription changes this dialing method and enables customers to make these
toll calls using another carrier without having to dial an access code. By
December 1997, we had fully implemented presubscription.
Alternative Access
A substantial portion of our revenues from business and government
customers is derived from a relatively small number of large, multiple-line
subscribers.
We face competition from alternative communications systems, constructed by
large end-users, interexchange carriers and alternative access vendors, which
are capable of originating and/or terminating calls without the use of our
plant. The FCC's orders requiring us to offer virtual collocated interconnection
for special and switched access services have enhanced the ability of such
alternative access providers to compete with us.
Other potential sources of competition include cable television systems,
shared tenant services and other non-carrier systems which are capable of
bypassing our local plant, either partially or completely, through substitution
of special access for switched access or through concentration of
telecommunications traffic on fewer of our lines.
Wireless Services
Wireless services also constitute potential sources of competition to our
wireline telecommunications services, especially as wireless carriers continue
to lower their prices to end users. Wireless portable telephone services employ
analog and digital technology that allows customers to make and receive
telephone calls from any location using small handsets, and can also be used for
data transmission.
Public Telephone Services
We face increasing competition in the provision of pay telephone services
from other providers. In addition, the growth of wireless communications
decreases usage of public telephones.
Operator Services
Alternative operator services providers have entered into competition with
our operator services product line.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 1998, we had approximately 12,600 employees.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Item 2. Properties
GENERAL
Our principal properties do not lend themselves to simple description by
character and location. Our investment in plant, property and equipment
consisted of the following at December 31:
1998 1997
------ ------
Central office equipment....................... 41% 41%
Outside communications plant................... 39 40
Land and buildings............................. 8 8
Furniture, vehicles and other work equipment... 10 9
Other.......................................... 2 2
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100% 100%
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"Central office equipment" consists of switching equipment, transmission
equipment and related facilities. "Outside communications plant " consists
primarily of aerial cable, underground cable, conduit and wiring, and telephone
poles. "Land and buildings" consists of land and land improvements, and
principally central office buildings. "Furniture, vehicles and other equipment"
consists of public telephone instruments and telephone equipment, furniture,
office equipment, motor vehicles and other work equipment. "Other" property
consists primarily of plant under construction, capital leases and leasehold
improvements.
Our customers are served by electronic switching systems that provide a
wide variety of services. Our network is in a transition from an analog to a
digital network, which provides the capabilities to furnish advanced data
transmission and information management services. At December 31, 1998,
approximately 93% of the access lines were served by digital capability.
CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
We have been making and expect to continue to make significant capital
expenditures to meet the demand for communications services and to further
improve such services. Capital expenditures were approximately $934 million in
1998, $787 million in 1997 and $772 million in 1996. Capital expenditures
exclude additions under capital leases. Our total investment in plant, property
and equipment was approximately $10.4 billion at December 31, 1998, $9.7 billion
at December 31, 1997 and $9.4 billion at December 31, 1996, including the effect
of retirements, but before deducting accumulated depreciation.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
There were no proceedings reportable under Item 3.
Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters
Not applicable.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
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Bell Atlantic- New Jersey, Inc.
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
(Abbreviated pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
This discussion should be read in conjunction with the Financial Statements
and Notes to the Financial Statements listed in the index set forth on page F-1.
The communications services we provide are subject to regulation by the
Board of Public Utilities (BPU) with respect to intrastate rates and services
and certain other matters. For a further discussion of the company and our
regulatory plan, see Item 1 - "Description of Business."
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
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We reported net income of $540.6 million in 1998, compared to net income of
$630.7 million in 1997.
Our results for 1998 and 1997 were affected by the following special items.
The special charges in both years include our allocated share of charges from
Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. (NSI). Results for 1998 also included the
effect of transferring certain assets and liabilities of our directory
publishing activities to a subsidiary, as described below.
The following table shows how special items are reflected in our statements
of income for each year:
Years ended December 31 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions)
Operating Revenues
Regulatory contingencies ........................ $ --- $28.0
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Employee Costs
Merger direct incremental costs ................. $ --- $ 1.0
Merger severance costs .......................... --- 7.0
Depreciation and Amortization
Write-down of assets ............................ --- 39.0
Other Operating Expenses
Merger transition costs ......................... 5.0 ---
Video-related charges ........................... 2.0 3.0
Real estate consolidation ....................... --- 3.0
Other special items ............................. --- 1.0
Allocated merger direct incremental,
severance and transition costs ............... 14.0 14.0
----- -----
$21.0 $68.0
----- -----
What follows is a further explanation of the nature and timing of these
special items.
Merger-Related Costs
In connection with the Bell Atlantic-NYNEX merger, which was completed in
August 1997, we recorded pre-tax costs totaling $19 million in 1998 and $22
million in 1997.
In 1998, merger-related charges of $19 million were for transition and
integration costs. In 1997, merger-related charges consisted of $4 million for
direct incremental costs and $18 million for employee severance costs. We also
incurred a small portion of transition and integration costs.
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Transition and integration costs consist of our proportionate share of
costs associated with integrating the operations of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX,
such as systems modifications costs and advertising and branding costs.
Transition and integration costs are expensed as incurred. Direct incremental
costs consist of expenses associated with compensation arrangements related to
completing the merger transaction. Employee severance costs, as recorded under
SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment Benefits," represent our
proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation by the end of 1999 of
management employees who are entitled to benefits under pre-existing Bell
Atlantic separation pay plans. During 1997 and 1998, 28 and 128 management
employees were separated with severance benefits.
Other Charges and Special Items
Year 1998
In 1998, we recorded $2 million related to the write-down of video-related
equipment.
Year 1997
During 1997, we recorded other charges and special items totaling
approximately $74 million in connection with consolidating operations and
combining organizations and for special items arising during the year. These
charges were comprised of the following significant items.
Video-related Charges
In the third quarter of 1997, we recognized total pre-tax charges of
approximately $3 million related to purchase commitments associated with certain
video operations.
Write-down of Assets and Real Estate Consolidation
In the third quarter of 1997, we recorded pre-tax charges of approximately
$42 million for the write-down of obsolete fixed assets and for the cost of
consolidating redundant real estate properties. As part of the merger
integration planning, a review was conducted of the carrying values of
long-lived assets. This review included estimating remaining useful lives and
cash flows and identifying assets to be abandoned. As a result of these reviews,
we recorded a charge of approximately $39 million for the write-off of assets.
These assets primarily included computers and other equipment used to transport
data for internal purposes. None of these assets are being held for disposal.
In connection with the merger integration efforts, Bell Atlantic
consolidated real estate to achieve a reduction in the total square footage of
building space that it utilizes. We recorded a charge of approximately $3
million in the third quarter of 1997 related to this initiative.
Regulatory Contingencies and Other Special Items
In 1997, we also recorded reductions to operating revenues and charges to
operating expenses totaling approximately $29 million (pre-tax), which consisted
of the following:
. Revenue reductions consisted of approximately $28 million for federal
regulatory matters. These matters relate to specific issues that are
currently under investigation by federal regulatory commissions. We
believe that it is probable that the ultimate resolution of these
pending matters will result in refunds to our customers.
. Charges to operating expenses totaled approximately $1 million for
other post-merger initiatives.
Transfer of Directory Publishing Activities
On March 1, 1998, we transferred, at net book value without gain or loss,
certain assets and liabilities associated with our directory publishing
activities to a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary. The stock of the newly
formed, wholly owned subsidiary was immediately distributed to Bell Atlantic.
The transfer of such assets and liabilities was completed as part of our and
Bell Atlantic's response to the requirements of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, which prohibits us from engaging in electronic publishing or joint sales
and marketing of electronic products.
We transferred net assets which totaled approximately $2 million, and
consisted of deferred directory production costs (included in prepaid expenses),
fixed assets and related deferred tax liabilities.
Revenues related to the directory publishing activities we transferred were
approximately $47 million, $352 million and $339 million for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996. Direct expenses related to the directory
publishing activities we transferred were approximately $18 million, $141
million and $128 million for the years ended
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996. We do not separately identify indirect
expenses attributable to the directory publishing activities, including expenses
related to billing and data management and processing services, legal, external
affairs, depreciation, interest expense and any corresponding tax expense.
Effective March 1, 1998, we no longer earn revenues from the directory
publishing activities transferred, and no longer incur the related expenses. We
continue to earn certain other revenues, primarily fees for nonpublication of
telephone numbers and multiple white page listings. Additionally, contracts
between us and another affiliate of Bell Atlantic for billing and collection
services related to the directory activities, use of directory listings, and
rental charges have created new revenue sources for us. As a result of this
transfer, our past operating results may not be indicative of future operating
results.
These and other items affecting the comparison of our results of operations
for the years ended December 31, 1998 and 1997 are discussed in the following
sections.
Segmental Results of Operations
We have one reportable segment, which provides domestic wireline
telecommunications services. You may find additional information about segment
reporting in Note 16 to the financial statements.
OPERATING REVENUE STATISTICS
- ----------------------------
1998 1997 % Change
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
At Year-End
- -----------
Access Lines in Service (in thousands)*
Residence ................................. 4,053 3,880 4.5%
Business .................................. 2,339 2,137 9.5
Public .................................... 95 95 ---
----- -----
6,487 6,112 6.1
===== =====
For the Year
- ------------
Access Minutes of Use (in millions) ......... 32,168 28,875 11.4
====== ======
* 1997 reflects a restatement of access lines in service to include Primary Rate
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) channels to conform with the 1998
presentation.
OPERATING REVENUES
- ------------------
(Dollars in Millions)
For the Years Ended December 31 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local services ................................ $1,566.6 $1,447.0
Network access services........................ 1,182.7 1,056.1
Long distance services ........................ 511.8 611.9
Ancillary services ............................ 268.6 259.9
Directory and information services ............ 73.9 379.0
-------- --------
Total ......................................... $3,603.6 $3,753.9
======== ========
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
LOCAL SERVICES REVENUES
Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $119.6 8.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Local services revenues are earned by us from the provision of local
exchange, local private line, public telephone (pay phone) and value-added
services. Value-added services are a family of services which expand the
utilization of the network. These services include products such as Caller ID,
Call Waiting and Return Call.
Growth in local services revenues in 1998 was primarily due to higher usage
of our network facilities. This growth was generated, in part, by an increase in
access lines in service of 6.1% in 1998, and higher business message volumes.
Access line growth primarily reflects higher demand for Centrex services and an
increase in additional residential lines. Higher revenues from private line and
switched data services also contributed to the revenue growth in 1998.
Our local services revenues were also boosted by increased customer demand
and usage of our value-added services and the implementation of new charges to
carriers resulting from pay phone deregulation in April 1997.
NETWORK ACCESS SERVICES REVENUES
Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $126.6 12.0%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Network access services revenues are earned from end-user subscribers and
long distance and other competing carriers who use our 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 our
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 our customers and resellers who
purchase retail dial-tone services.
Our network access services revenue growth in 1998 was mainly attributable
to higher customer demand, as reflected by growth in access minutes of use of
11.4% in 1998. Volume growth also reflects continuing expansion of the business
market, particularly for high-capacity services. In 1998, we saw an increasing
demand for special access services as a result of greater utilization of our
network by Internet service providers and other high-capacity users. Higher
network usage by alternative providers of intraLATA toll services and higher
end-user revenues attributable to an increase in access lines in service also
contributed to revenue growth in 1998. Network access services revenues were
also higher due to the effect of recording amounts received from other local
exchange carriers for terminating calls on our network as network access
services revenues, beginning in 1998. In 1997, these amounts were recorded in
another revenue category, Ancillary Services Revenues. These increases in
network access revenues were partially offset by net price reductions mandated
by a federal price cap plan.
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulates the rates that we
charge long distance carriers and end-user subscribers for interstate access
services. We are required to file new access rates with the FCC each year, under
the rules of the Price Cap Plan. We implemented price decreases for interstate
access services of approximately $71 million on an annual basis for the period
July 1997 through June 1998.
In July 1998, we implemented price decreases of approximately $14 million
on an annual basis. The rates include amounts necessary to recover our
contribution to the FCC's universal service fund. The FCC has created a
multi-billion dollar interstate fund to link schools and libraries to the
Internet and to subsidize low-income consumers and rural health care providers.
Under the FCC's rules, all providers of interstate telecommunications services
must contribute to the fund. Our contributions to the universal service fund are
included in Other Operating Expenses. In January 1999, our access services rates
were increased by approximately $8 million on an annual basis. The rates
included in the July 1998 and January 1999 filings will be in effect through
June 1999.
11
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
LONG DISTANCE SERVICES REVENUES
(Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $(100.1) (16.4)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Long distance services revenues are earned primarily from calls made
outside a customer's local calling area, but within our service area (intraLATA
toll). Other long distance services that we provide include 800 services, Wide
Area Telephone Service (WATS), and corridor services (between LATAs in southern
New Jersey and Philadelphia and between LATAs in northern New Jersey and New
York City).
The decline in long distance services revenues in 1998 was caused by two
factors. First, we implemented presubscription for intraLATA toll in May 1997.
Presubscription permits customers to use an alternative provider of their choice
for intraLATA toll calls without dialing a special access code when placing a
call. The relative effect of presubscription on long distance revenues was lower
in the second half of 1998, as a result of presubscription being available for
more than one year. The adverse impact on long distance services revenues as a
result of presubscription was partially mitigated by increased network access
services revenues for usage of our network by these alternative providers.
Second, we implemented customer win-back and retention initiatives that included
toll calling discount packages and product bundling offers. These revenue
reductions were partially offset by higher calling volumes generated by an
increase in access lines in service.
ANCILLARY SERVICES REVENUES
Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $8.7 3.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our ancillary services include such services as billing and collections for
long distance carriers and affiliates, facilities rentals to affiliates and
nonaffiliates, usage of separately priced (unbundled) components of our network,
voice messaging, customer premises equipment (CPE) and wiring and maintenance
services, and sales of materials and supplies to affiliates.
Revenues from ancillary services grew in 1998 due to a combination of
increased demand by long distance carriers and affiliates for billing and
collection services, increased demand for voice messaging services and higher
revenues received from local exchange carriers for usage of unbundled components
of our network.
These revenue increases were partially offset by lower material sales to
affiliates, lower facilities rental revenues from affiliates and a reduction in
nonperformance fees from a vendor. Our ancillary services revenues were also
reduced by the effect of classifying amounts received from other local exchange
carriers for terminating calls on our network as Network Access Services
Revenues, beginning in 1998. In 1997, these amounts were recorded as an item of
ancillary services revenues.
DIRECTORY AND INFORMATION SERVICES REVENUES
(Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $(305.1) (80.5)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
As described earlier, we transferred certain assets and liabilities
associated with our directory publishing activities to a newly formed, wholly
owned subsidiary, effective March 1, 1998. As a result, we no longer earn
revenues associated with the directory publishing activities transferred.
Beginning March 1, 1998, our directory and information services revenues are
earned primarily from fees for nonpublication of telephone numbers and multiple
white page listings, and from a contract with an affiliate for usage of our
directory listings.
The decrease in directory and information services revenues in 1998 was
principally due to the effect of the transfer of directory publishing
activities.
12
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
OPERATING EXPENSES
- ------------------
(Dollars in Millions)
For the Years Ended December 31 1998 1997
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee costs, including benefits and taxes ....... $ 653.5 $ 690.2
Depreciation and amortization ...................... 724.6 752.7
Other operating expenses ........................... 1,223.6 1,373.1
-------- --------
Total .............................................. $2,601.7 $2,816.0
======== ========
EMPLOYEE COSTS
(Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $(36.7) (5.3)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Employee costs consist of salaries, wages and other employee compensation,
employee benefits and payroll taxes paid directly by us. Similar costs incurred
by employees of NSI, who provide centralized services on a contract basis, are
allocated to us and are included in Other Operating Expenses.
Employee costs decreased in 1998 primarily as a result of lower pension and
benefit costs. A number of factors contributed to the reduction in pension and
benefit costs, including favorable pension plan investment returns and lower
than expected retiree medical claims. Other items contributing to the decrease,
but to a lesser extent, were a decline in repair and maintenance activity, lower
overtime pay and the effect of severance and direct incremental merger-related
costs recorded in the third quarter of 1997, as described earlier.
These reductions were partially offset by annual salary and wage increases
for management and associate employees and higher work force levels. In 1998, we
executed a new contract with the union representing associate employees. The new
contract provides for wage and pension increases and other benefit improvements
as described below.
The wages, pension and other benefits for our associate employees are
negotiated with unions. During 1998, we entered into a new 2-year contract with
the Communications Workers of America (CWA). This contract, which expires in
August 2000, provides for wage increases of up to 3.8 percent effective August
9, 1998, and up to 4 percent effective August 8, 1999. Over the course of this
two-year contract period, pensions will increase by 11 percent. The contract
also includes cash payments, working condition improvements, and continuation of
certain employment security provisions.
We also entered into a two-year extension of the contract with the
International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (IBEW). This contract, which
expires in August 2002, provides for wage increases of 4.8 percent in April
1999, 3 percent in May 2000, and 3 percent in May 2001. Pensions will increase
by a total of 11 percent for the years 1999-2001, and there will be improvements
in a variety of other benefits and working conditions.
DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION
(Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $(28.1) (3.7)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Depreciation and amortization expense decreased in 1998 as a result of the
recording of a write-down of obsolete fixed assets in the third quarter of 1997,
as described earlier, and the effect of lower rates of depreciation and
amortization. These decreases were partially offset by additional expense
resulting from growth in depreciable telephone plant.
13
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
OTHER OPERATING EXPENSES
(Decrease)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $(149.5) (10.9)%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other operating expenses consist of contract services including centralized
services expenses allocated from NSI, rent, network software costs, operating
taxes other than income, the provision for uncollectible accounts receivable,
and other costs.
As a result of the transfer of directory publishing activities, we no
longer incur certain direct and allocated expenses related to the activities
that we transferred.
The decrease in other operating expenses was largely attributable to the
transfer of directory publishing activities, as described earlier, and lower
gross receipts tax. The reduction in gross receipts tax was due to the enactment
of a New Jersey tax law that repealed the gross receipts tax applicable to
telephone companies and extended the net-income-based corporate business tax to
include telephone companies formerly subject to the gross receipts tax. This
state tax law change, which became effective on January 1, 1998, resulted in the
reduction of gross receipts tax of approximately $74 million in 1998. This
reduction was offset by the recognition of state income taxes of approximately
$76 million attributable to the enactment of the law. The effect of merger-
related costs and other special items recorded in the third quarter of 1997, as
described earlier, also contributed to the decrease in other operating expenses.
These decreases in other operating expenses were partially offset by our
contribution to the federal universal service fund, as described earlier, higher
network software purchases and higher centralized services expenses allocated
from NSI. The rise in centralized services expenses incurred at NSI was
primarily caused by higher contract services costs, additional Year 2000
readiness costs, and transition and integration costs in connection with the
merger of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX. Partially offsetting this rise were lower
pension and benefit costs incurred by NSI.
OTHER INCOME, NET
Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $4.9 148.5%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The change in other income, net, was attributable to a gain on the sale
of our paging licenses and interest income in connection with the settlement of
tax-related matters in 1998.
INTEREST EXPENSE
Increase
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 - 1997 $1.4 1.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Interest expense includes costs associated with borrowings and capital
leases, net of interest capitalized as a cost of acquiring or constructing plant
assets.
Interest expense increased principally due to the effect of higher levels
of average short-term debt. This increase was partially offset by higher
capitalized interest costs resulting from higher levels of average telephone
plant under construction.
See Note 7 to the financial statements for additional information about our
debt.
14
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
EFFECTIVE INCOME TAX RATES
For the Years Ended December 31
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 40.3%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
1997 24.7%
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The effective income tax rate is the provision for income taxes as a
percentage of income before provision for income taxes and cumulative effect of
change in accounting principle. Our effective income tax rate was higher in 1998
principally as a result of adjustments to deferred income tax balances recorded
in 1997 and the imposition of state income taxes in 1998, both as a result of
the change in the state tax law in New Jersey, as described earlier.
A reconciliation of the statutory federal income tax rate to our effective
income tax rate for each period is provided in Note 12 to the financial
statements.
FINANCIAL CONDITION
- -------------------
We use the net cash generated from operations and from external financing
to fund capital expenditures for network expansion and modernization, and pay
dividends. While current liabilities exceeded current assets at both December
31, 1998 and 1997, our sources of funds, primarily from operations and, to the
extent necessary, from readily available financing arrangements with an
affiliate, are sufficient to meet ongoing operating requirements. Management
expects that presently foreseeable capital requirements will continue to be
financed primarily through internally generated funds. Additional long-term debt
may be needed to fund additional development activities or to maintain our
capital structure to ensure financial flexibility.
As of December 31, 1998, we had $89.8 million available under our line of
credit with an affiliate, Bell Atlantic Network Funding Corporation, and $460.2
million in borrowings outstanding. On February 1, 1999, this line of credit was
increased by $250.0 million to a total of $800.0 million. In addition, we had
$50.0 million remaining under a shelf registration statement filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission for the issuance of unsecured debt
securities. Our debt securities continue to be accorded high ratings by primary
rating agencies. Subsequent to the announcement of the Bell Atlantic - GTE
merger, rating agencies have maintained current credit ratings, but have placed
our ratings under review for potential downgrade. In a subsequent and unrelated
event, Moody's Investor Services changed its methodology for rating diversified
U.S. Telecommunications Companies. As a result, our debt rating was downgraded
to reflect this new rating methodology.
The Company's debt ratio was 48.5% at December 31, 1998, compared to 50.7%
at December 31, 1997.
On February 1, 1999, we declared and paid a dividend in the amount of
$148.8 million to Bell Atlantic.
15
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
OTHER MATTERS
- -------------
Year "2000" Update
Bell Atlantic has a comprehensive program to evaluate and address the
impact of the Year 2000 date transition on its subsidiaries' operations,
including our operations. This program includes steps to:
. inventory and assess for Year 2000 compliance our equipment, software
and systems;
. determine whether to remediate, replace or retire noncompliant items,
and establish a plan to accomplish these steps;
. remediate, replace or retire the items;
. test the items, where required; and
. provide management with reporting and issues management to support a
seamless transition to the Year 2000.
State of Readiness
For Bell Atlantic's operating telephone subsidiaries, centralized services
entities and general corporate operations, the program focuses on the
following project groups: Network Elements, Applications and Support
Systems, and Information Technology Infrastructure. At this time, Bell
Atlantic has virtually completed the inventory, assessment and detailed
planning phases for these projects. Remediation/replacement/retirement and
testing activities are well underway. Bell Atlantic plans to fix, replace
or retire those items that were not Year 2000 compliant and that require
action to avoid service impact. Bell Atlantic's goal for these operations
is to have its network and other mission critical systems Year 2000
compliant (including testing) by June 30, 1999. Bell Atlantic is on
schedule to achieve this goal for substantially all of its network and
other mission critical systems. What follows is a more detailed breakdown
of Bell Atlantic's efforts to date.
. Network Elements
Approximately 350 different types of network elements (such as central
office switches) appear in over one hundred thousand instances. When
combined in various ways and using network application systems, these
elements are the building blocks of customer services and networked
information transmission of all kinds. Bell Atlantic originally assessed
approximately 70% of these element types, representing over 90% of all
deployed network elements, as Year 2000 compliant. Late in 1998, through
additional testing and verification, it determined that certain network
elements, originally represented as having no Year 2000-related service
impact, in fact were likely to cause service issues unless remediated. As a
result, Bell Atlantic had an increase in the overall number of network
elements requiring repair. Notwithstanding the additional work effort, as
of February 1999, Bell Atlantic had repaired or replaced approximately 50%
of the deployed network elements requiring remediation, and certification
testing/evaluation is well underway. Bell Atlantic also has made
substantial progress on the remaining network elements. Although Bell
Atlantic is generally on track to achieve its June 30, 1999 goal for
network elements, it is possible that the timeframe for compliance of a
small number of network elements may extend into July or August, without
any impact on customer service or its operations.
. Application and Support Systems
Bell Atlantic has approximately 1,200 applications and systems that
support: (i) the administration and maintenance of its network and customer
service functions (network information systems); (ii) customer care and
billing functions; and (iii) human resources, finance and general corporate
functions. Bell Atlantic originally assessed approximately 48% of these
application systems as either compliant or to be retired. As of February
1999, Bell Atlantic successfully completed certification testing/evaluation
of approximately 70% of all application systems. Bell Atlantic also has
made substantial progress on the remaining application systems. Although
Bell Atlantic is generally on track to achieve its June 30, 1999 goal for
applications and support systems, it is possible that the timeframe for
compliance of a small number of applications and support systems may extend
into July or August, without any impact on customer service or its
operations.
. Information Technology Infrastructure
Approximately 40 mainframe, 1,000 mid-range, and 90,000 personal computers,
and related network components and software products that comprise Bell
Atlantic's information technology (IT) infrastructure. Of the approximately
1,350 unique types of elements in the inventory for the IT infrastructure,
Bell Atlantic originally assessed
16
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
approximately 73% as compliant or to be retired. As of February 1999, Bell
Atlantic has successfully completed certification testing/evaluation of
approximately 90% of all element types. Bell Atlantic has made substantial
progress on the remaining items and is on track to achieve its June 30,
1999 goal.
Bell Atlantic's Year 2000 program also includes a project to review and
remediate affected systems (including those with embedded technology) within its
buildings and other facilities, a project to assure Year 2000 compliance across
all of its internal business processes, and other specific projects directed
towards insuring it meets its Year 2000 objectives.
Third Party Issues
. Vendors
In general, Bell Atlantic's product vendors have made available either
Year 2000-compliant versions of their offerings or new compliant
products as replacements of discontinued offerings. In some cases, the
compliance "status" of the product in question is based on
vendor-provided information, which remains subject to Bell Atlantic
testing and verification activities. In several instances, vendors
have not met original delivery schedules, resulting in delayed testing
and deployment. At this time, Bell Atlantic does not anticipate that
such delays will have a material impact on its ability to achieve Year
2000 compliance within its desired timeframes.
Bell Atlantic is continuing Year 2000-related discussions with
utilities and similar services providers. In general, information
requests to such services providers have yielded less meaningful
information than inquiries to its product vendors, and Bell Atlantic
does not yet have sufficient information to determine whether key
utilities and similar service providers will successfully complete the
Year 2000 transition. However, Bell Atlantic is now beginning to
engage in more productive discussions with large utilities servicing
its facilities and it is hopeful that these discussions will provide
additional assurance of Year 2000 compliance for those entities. At
the present time, Bell Atlantic remains unable to determine the Year
2000 readiness of most key utilities and similar service providers or
the likelihood that those providers will successfully complete the
Year 2000 transition. Bell Atlantic intends to monitor critical
service provider activities, as appropriate, through the completion of
their respective remediation projects.
. Customers
Bell Atlantic's customers remain keenly interested in the progress of
its Year 2000 efforts, and it anticipates increased demand for
information, including detailed testing data and company-specific
responses. Bell Atlantic is providing limited warranties of Year 2000
compliance for certain new telecommunications services and other
offerings, but it does not expect any resulting warranty costs to be
material.
. Interconnecting Carriers
Bell Atlantic's network operations interconnect with domestic and
international networks of other carriers. If one of these
interconnecting carriers should fail or suffer adverse impact from a
Year 2000 problem, Bell Atlantic's customers could experience
impairment of service.
Costs
From the inception of Bell Atlantic's Year 2000 project through December
31, 1998, and based on the cost tracking methods it has historically applied to
this project, Bell Atlantic has incurred total pre-tax expenses of approximately
$122 million ($97 million of which was incurred in 1998), and it has made
capital expenditures of approximately $80 million (all of which was made in
1998).
17
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
For 1999, Bell Atlantic expects to incur total pre-tax expenses for its
Year 2000 project of approximately $100 million to $200 million and total
capital expenditures of $125 million to $175 million.
Bell Atlantic has investments in various joint ventures and other
interests. At this time, Bell Atlantic does not anticipate that the impact of
any Year 2000 remediation costs that they incur will be material to its results
of operations.
Risks
The failure to correct a material Year 2000 problem could cause an
interruption or failure of certain of Bell Atlantic's normal business functions
or operations, which could have a material adverse effect on its results of
operations, liquidity or financial condition; however, it considers such a
likelihood remote. Due to the uncertainty inherent in other Year 2000 issues
that are ultimately beyond Bell Atlantic's control, including, for example, the
final Year 2000 readiness of its suppliers, customers, interconnecting carriers,
and joint venture and investment interests, it is unable to determine at this
time the likelihood of a material impact on its results of operations, liquidity
or financial condition, due to such Year 2000 issues. However, Bell Atlantic is
taking appropriate prudent measures to mitigate that risk. Bell Atlantic
anticipates that, in the event of any material interruptions or failures of its
service resulting from actual or perceived Year 2000 problems within or beyond
our control, it could be subject to third party claims.
Contingency Plans
As a public telecommunications carrier, Bell Atlantic has had considerable
experience successfully dealing with natural disasters and other events
requiring contingency planning and execution. As part of Bell Atlantic's efforts
to develop appropriate Year 2000 contingency plans, it is reviewing its existing
Emergency Preparedness and Disaster Recovery plans for any necessary
modifications.
Bell Atlantic has developed, where appropriate, contingency plans for
addressing delays in remediation activities. For example, delay in the
installation of a new Year 2000 compliant system could require remediation of
the existing system. It is also developing a corporate Year 2000 contingency
plan to ensure that core business functions and key support processes are in
place for uninterrupted processing and service, in the event of external (e.g.
power, public transportation, water), internal or supply chain failures (i.e.
critical dependencies on another entity for information, data or services). Bell
Atlantic anticipates that an initial draft of its corporate contingency plan
will be ready by the end of the first quarter of 1999.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Costs of Computer Software
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) issued Statement of Position (SOP) No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs
of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides,
among other things, guidance for determining whether computer software is for
internal use and when the cost related to such software should be expensed as
incurred or capitalized and amortized. SOP 98-1 is required to be applied
prospectively and will be adopted effective January 1, 1999. Bell Atlantic
estimates that the implementation of SOP 98-1 will result in a net after-tax
benefit of $200 million to $250 million in 1999 results of operations due to the
prospective capitalization of costs which were previously expensed as incurred.
We anticipate that costs for maintenance and training, as well as the cost of
software that does not add functionality to the existing system will continue to
be expensed as incurred.
Costs of Start-Up Activities
In April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-up Activities." SOP No. 98-5, which will be adopted effective January 1,
1999, requires that costs of start-up activities including pre-operating, pre-
opening and other organizational costs be expensed as incurred. In addition, at
the time of adoption the unamortized balance of any previously deferred start-up
costs must be expensed. The adoption of SOP 98-5 will have no material effect on
our results of operations or financial condition in 1999 because we have not
historically capitalized start-up activities.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board 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 our balance sheet. Changes in the fair values of the
derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or comprehensive
income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the instruments. We
must adopt SFAS No. 133 no later than January 1, 2000. The adoption of SFAS No.
133 will have no material effect on our results of operations or financial
condition because we currently do not enter into the use of derivative
instruments and hedging activities.
18
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are exposed to interest rate risk in the normal course of our business.
The majority of our debt is fixed rate debt and we do not use derivatives such
as interest rate swap agreements. Our short-term borrowings from an affiliate
expose our earnings to changes in short-term interest rates since the interest
rate charged on such borrowings is typically fixed for less than one month.
The following table summarizes the fair values of our long-term debt as of
December 31, 1998 and 1997. The table also provides a sensitivity analysis of
the estimated fair values of these financial instruments assuming
100-basis-point upward and downward parallel shifts in the yield curve. The
sensitivity analysis did not include the fair values of our short-term
borrowings from an affiliate since they are not significantly affected by
changes in market interest rates.
(Dollars in Millions)
December 31,
-------------------------
1998 1997
-------------------------
Fair value of long-term debt $1,376.3 $1,346.3
Fair value assuming a +100-basis-point shift 1,285.3 1,231.1
Fair value assuming a -100-basis-point shift 1,471.1 1,412.2
The primary reason for the increase in 1998 was the overall decrease in
market interest rates during 1998.
Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
The information required by this Item is set forth on Pages F-1
through F-23.
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
Financial Disclosure
Not applicable.
PART III
Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of Registrant
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
Item 11. Executive Compensation
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions
(Omitted pursuant to General Instruction I(2).)
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) Financial Statements
See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement
Schedule appearing on Page F-1.
(2) Financial Statement Schedules
See Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement
Schedule appearing on Page F-1.
19
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
PART IV
Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K
(Continued)
(3) Exhibits
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), are incorporated
herein by reference as exhibits hereto.
3a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant,
dated September 28, 1989 and filed November 28, 1989.
(Exhibit 3a to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1989, File No. 1-3488.)
3a(i) Certificate of Amendment to the registrant's
Certificate of Incorporation, dated January 7, 1994
and filed January 13, 1994. (Exhibit 3a(i) to the
registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year
ended December 31, 1993, File No. 1-3488.)
3b By-Laws of the registrant, as amended December 15, 1995.
(Exhibit 3b to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1995, File No. 1-3488.)
3b(i) Consent of Sole Stockholder of Bell Atlantic - New
Jersey, Inc., dated December 15, 1995. (Exhibit 3b(i)
to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 1995, File No. 1-3488.)
4 No instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-
term debt of the registrant is filed herewith pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this
regulation, the registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy
of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.
10a Agreement among Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. and the
Bell Atlantic Corporation telephone subsidiaries, dated
November 7, 1983. (Exhibit 10b to Bell Atlantic Corporation
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
1993, File No. 1-8606.)
23 Consent of Independent Accountants.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
There were no Current Reports on Form 8-K filed during the
quarter ended December 31, 1998.
20
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
By /s/ Edwin F. Hall
------------------------------
Edwin F. Hall
Chief Financial Officer
March 29, 1999
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
Signature Title Date
- --------- ----- ----
/s/ William M. Freeman President and March 29, 1999
- --------------------------- Chief Executive Officer
William M. Freeman and Director
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ Edwin F. Hall Chief Financial Officer March 29, 1999
- --------------------------- (Principal Financial Officer)
Edwin F. Hall
/s/ Barry S. Abrams Director March 29, 1999
- ---------------------------
Barry S. Abrams
/s/ Joseph M. Milanowycz Director March 29, 1999
- ---------------------------
Joseph M. Milanowycz
21
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Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Index to Financial Statements and Financial Statement Schedule
Page
----
Report of Independent Accountants ............................... F-2
Statements of Income
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ......... F-3
Balance Sheets - December 31, 1998 and 1997 ..................... F-4
Statements of Shareowner's Investment
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ......... F-6
Statements of Cash Flows
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ......... F-7
Notes to Financial Statements ................................... F-8
Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts
For the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996 ......... F-23
Financial statement schedules other than that listed above have been omitted
because such schedules are not required or applicable.
F-1
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
To the Board of Directors and Shareowner of Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
In our opinion, the financial statements listed in the accompanying index
present fairly in all material respects, the financial position of Bell Atlantic
- - New Jersey, Inc. at December 31, 1998 and 1997, and the results of its
operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended
December 31, 1998, in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.
In addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the
accompanying index presents fairly, in all material respects, the information
set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related financial
statements. These financial statements and the financial statement schedule are
the responsibility of the Company's management; our responsibility is to express
an opinion on these financial statements and financial statement schedule based
on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in accordance with
generally accepted auditing standards which require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are
free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements,
assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by
management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We
believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for the opinion expressed
above.
As discussed in Note 1 to the financial statements, in 1996, the Company changed
its method of accounting for directory publishing revenues and expenses.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
February 9, 1999
F-2
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
STATEMENTS OF INCOME
For the Years Ended December 31
(Dollars in Millions)
1998 1997 1996
------ ------ ------
OPERATING REVENUES (including $133.4, $120.7
and $93.0 from affiliates) ................. $3,603.6 $3,753.9 $3,584.5
-------- -------- --------
OPERATING EXPENSES
Employee costs, including benefits and
taxes .................................... 653.5 690.2 753.0
Depreciation and amortization ............. 724.6 752.7 667.5
Other (including $766.6, $795.2 and
$747.8 to affiliates) .................... 1,223.6 1,373.1 1,322.8
-------- -------- --------
2,601.7 2,816.0 2,743.3
-------- -------- --------
OPERATING INCOME ............................ 1,001.9 937.9 841.2
OTHER INCOME, NET ........................... 8.2 3.3 .7
INTEREST EXPENSE (including $23.8, $16.8
and $13.6 to affiliate) ................... 105.2 103.8 95.6
-------- -------- --------
Income Before Provision for Income Taxes and
Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting
Principle ................................. 904.9 837.4 746.3
PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES .................. 364.3 206.7 255.2
-------- -------- --------
Income Before Cumulative Effect of Change
in Accounting Principle ................... 540.6 630.7 491.1
CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF CHANGE IN
ACCOUNTING PRINCIPLE
Directory publishing, net of tax .......... --- --- 45.1
-------- -------- --------
NET INCOME .................................. $ 540.6 $ 630.7 $ 536.2
======== ======== ========
See Notes to Financial Statements.
F-3
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Millions)
ASSETS
------
December 31
---------------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
CURRENT ASSETS
Short-term investments ....................... $ 57.5 $ 61.0
Accounts receivable:
Trade and other, net of allowances
for uncollectibles of $84.1 and $88.4 .... 717.7 812.7
Affiliates ................................. 17.7 12.6
Material and supplies ........................ 21.1 42.7
Prepaid expenses ............................. 114.7 155.6
Deferred income taxes ........................ 2.8 .6
Other ........................................ 7.2 4.9
-------- --------
938.7 1,090.1
-------- --------
PLANT, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT ................ 10,434.0 9,741.1
Less accumulated depreciation ................ 6,083.9 5,597.0
-------- --------
4,350.1 4,144.1
-------- --------
OTHER ASSETS ................................. 141.2 224.5
-------- --------
TOTAL ASSETS ................................. $5,430.0 $5,458.7
======== ========
See Notes to Financial Statements.
F-4
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
BALANCE SHEETS
(Dollars in Millions)
LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNER'S INVESTMENT
---------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
------------------------------
1998 1997
--------- ---------
<S> <C> <C>
CURRENT LIABILITIES
Debt maturing within one year:
Note payable to affiliate .............................. $ 460.2 $ 427.4
Other .................................................. 155.9 5.4
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Affiliates ............................................. 313.3 368.0
Other .................................................. 447.3 565.9
Other liabilities ........................................... 116.7 117.2
-------- --------
1,493.4 1,483.9
-------- --------
LONG-TERM DEBT .............................................. 1,133.0 1,287.2
-------- --------
EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS ................................ 697.0 791.1
-------- --------
DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES
Deferred income taxes ....................................... 99.7 48.2
Unamortized investment tax credits .......................... 24.8 28.3
Other ....................................................... 123.3 147.0
-------- --------
247.8 223.5
-------- --------
COMMITMENTS (Note 6)
SHAREOWNER'S INVESTMENT
Common stock-one share, without par value, owned by parent .. 1,381.2 1,381.2
Reinvested earnings ......................................... 477.9 291.8
Accumulated other comprehensive loss ........................ (.3) ---
-------- --------
1,858.8 1,673.0
-------- --------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREOWNER'S INVESTMENT ............... $5,430.0 $5,458.7
======== ========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
F-5
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREOWNER'S INVESTMENT
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
--------- --------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
COMMON STOCK
Balance at beginning of year ............... $ 1,381.2 $ 1,381.2 $ 1,381.2
--------- --------- ---------
Balance at end of year ..................... 1,381.2 1,381.2 1,381.2
========= ========= =========
REINVESTED EARNINGS
Balance at beginning of year ............... 291.8 220.5 172.6
Net income ................................. 540.6 630.7 536.2
Dividends paid to Bell Atlantic ............ (353.6) (559.0) (487.6)
Other ...................................... (.9) (.4) (.7)
--------- --------- ---------
Balance at end of year ..................... 477.9 291.8 220.5
========= ========= =========
ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
Balance at beginning of year ............... --- --- ---
Minimum pension liability adjustment ....... (.3) --- ---
--------- --------- ---------
Balance at end of year ..................... (.3) --- ---
========= ========= =========
TOTAL SHAREOWNER'S INVESTMENT ................... $1,858.8 $1,673.0 $1,601.7
========= ========= =========
COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Net income ................................. $ 540.6 $ 630.7 $ 536.2
Minimum pension liability adjustment ....... (.3) --- ---
--------- --------- ---------
$ 540.3 $ 630.7 $ 536.2
========= ========= =========
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
F-6
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
For The Years Ended December 31
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997 1996
------------ ----------- ------------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income .......................................................... $ 540.6 $ 630.7 $ 536.2
Adjustments to reconcile net income to
net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization ............................. 724.6 752.7 667.5
Cumulative effect of change in accounting
principle, net of tax ................................ --- --- (45.1)
Deferred income taxes, net ................................ 64.0 (97.0) 32.9
Investment tax credits .................................... (3.5) (4.9) (6.4)
Other items, net .......................................... .7 (.4) (.8)
Changes in certain assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable .................................. 89.9 (68.5) 12.8
Material and supplies ................................ 21.6 (12.9) (1.6)
Other assets ......................................... 3.6 (5.7) (6.2)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities.............. (78.2) 20.0 103.2
Employee benefit obligations ......................... (93.8) (32.8) 7.9
Other liabilities .................................... (23.7) (21.1) (13.1)
------------ ----------- ------------
Net cash provided by operating activities ........................... 1,245.8 1,160.1 1,287.3
------------ ----------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Purchases of short-term investments ................................. (87.2) (90.8) (104.8)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments ........................ 90.7 106.6 28.0
Additions to plant, property and equipment .......................... (934.0) (786.9) (771.6)
Other, net .......................................................... 3.2 19.2 13.8
------------ ----------- ------------
Net cash used in investing activities ............................... (927.3) (751.9) (834.6)
------------ ----------- ------------
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Principal repayments of capital lease obligations ................... (5.4) (4.7) (4.5)
Net change in note payable to affiliate ............................. 32.8 165.7 34.5
Dividends paid ...................................................... (353.6) (559.0) (487.6)
Net change in outstanding checks drawn
on controlled disbursement accounts ............................ 7.7 (10.2) 4.9
------------ ----------- ------------
Net cash used in financing activities ............................... (318.5) (408.2) (452.7)
------------ ----------- ------------
NET CHANGE IN CASH .................................................. --- --- ---
CASH, BEGINNING OF YEAR ............................................. --- --- ---
------------ ----------- ------------
CASH, END OF YEAR ................................................... $ --- $ --- $ ---
============ =========== ============
</TABLE>
See Notes to Financial Statements.
F-7
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Description of Business
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Bell
Atlantic Corporation (Bell Atlantic). We presently serve a territory consisting
of three Local Access and Transport Areas (LATAs) in the state of New Jersey. We
have one reportable segment which provides domestic wireline telecommunications
services. We currently provide two basic types of telecommunications services.
First, we transport telecommunications traffic between subscribers located
within the same LATA (intraLATA service), including both local and long distance
services. Local service includes voice and data transport, enhanced and custom
calling features, directory assistance, private lines and public telephones.
Long distance service includes message toll service within LATA boundaries and
intraLATA Wide Area Toll Service/800 services. We also earn long distance
revenues from the provision of telecommunications service between LATAs
(interLATA service) in the corridors between southern New Jersey and
Philadelphia and northern New Jersey and New York City. Second, we provide
exchange access service, which links a subscriber's telephone or other equipment
to the transmission facilities of interexchange carriers which, in turn, provide
interLATA telecommunications service to their customers. We also provide
exchange access service to interexchange carriers which provide intrastate
intraLATA long distance telecommunications service, as well as local exchange
access to competitive local exchange carriers for calls within a LATA. Other
services we provide include customer premises wiring and maintenance and billing
and collection services. Effective March 1, 1998, we transferred certain assets
and liabilities associated with our directory publishing activities to a newly
formed, wholly owned subsidiary (see Note 4).
The telecommunications industry is undergoing substantial changes as a
result of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, other public policy changes and
technological advances. These changes are likely to bring increased competitive
pressures, but will also open new markets to Bell Atlantic, such as long
distance services within its geographic region, upon completion of certain
requirements of the Telecommunications Act of 1996.
Basis of Presentation
On August 14, 1997, Bell Atlantic and NYNEX Corporation (NYNEX) completed a
merger, which was accounted for as a pooling of interests. The financial
statements include certain reclassifications in presentation and certain
retroactive adjustments to conform accounting methodologies as a result of the
merger (see Note 2).
We prepare our financial statements under generally accepted accounting
principles which require management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect the reported amounts or certain disclosures. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenues when services are rendered based on usage of our
local exchange network and facilities.
Maintenance and Repairs
We charge the cost of maintenance and repairs, including the cost of
replacing minor items not constituting substantial betterments, to Operating
Expenses.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
We consider all highly liquid investments with a maturity of 90 days or
less when purchased to be cash equivalents, except cash equivalents held as
short-term investments. Cash equivalents are stated at cost, which approximates
market value.
Short-term Investments
Our short-term investments consist of cash equivalents held in trust to pay
for certain employee benefits. Short-term investments are stated at cost, which
approximates market value.
F-8
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Material and Supplies
We include in inventory new and reusable materials which are stated
principally at average original cost, except that specific costs are used in the
case of large individual items.
Plant and Depreciation
We state plant, property, and equipment at cost. Depreciation expense is
principally based on the composite group remaining life method and straight-line
composite rates. This method provides for the recognition of the cost of the
remaining net investment in telephone plant, less anticipated net salvage value,
over the remaining asset lives. This method requires the periodic revision of
depreciation rates. We used the following asset lives:
Average Lives (in years)
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Buildings ............................................ 30
Central office equipment ............................. 2 - 10
Outside communications plant ......................... 16 - 50
Furniture, vehicles and other equipment .............. 5 - 15
When we replace or retire depreciable telephone plant, we deduct the
carrying amount of such plant from the respective accounts and charge
accumulated depreciation. Gains or losses on disposition are amortized with the
remaining net investment in telephone plant.
Computer Software Costs
We capitalize initial right-to-use fees for central office switching
equipment, including initial operating system and initial application software
costs. For noncentral office equipment, only the initial operating system
software is capitalized. Subsequent additions, modifications, or upgrades of
initial software programs, whether operating or application packages, are
expensed as incurred.
Capitalization of Interest Costs
We capitalize interest associated with the acquisition or construction of
plant assets. Capitalized interest is reported as a cost of plant and a
reduction in interest cost.
Income Taxes
Bell Atlantic and its domestic subsidiaries, including us, file a
consolidated federal income tax return.
The consolidated amount of current and deferred tax expense is allocated by
applying the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS)
No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes" to each subsidiary as if it were a
separate taxpayer.
We use the deferral method of accounting for investment tax credits earned
prior to repeal of investment tax credits by the Tax Reform Act of 1986. We also
defer certain transitional credits earned after the repeal. We amortize these
credits over the estimated service lives of the related assets as a reduction to
the Provision for Income Taxes.
Advertising Costs
We expense advertising costs as they are incurred.
Stock-Based Compensation
We participate in stock-based compensation plans sponsored by Bell
Atlantic. Bell Atlantic accounts for stock-based employee compensation plans
under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock
Issued to Employees," and related interpretations and follows the
disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based
Compensation."
F-9
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Change in Accounting Principle - Directory Publishing
Effective January 1, 1996, we changed our method of accounting for
directory publishing revenues and expenses from the amortized method to the
point-of-publication method. Under the point-of-publication method, revenues and
expenses are recognized when the directories are published rather than over the
lives of the directories, as under the amortized method. We believe the
point-of-publication method is preferable because it is the method generally
followed by publishing companies. This accounting change resulted in a one-time,
noncash increase in net income of $45.1 million (net of income tax of $24.3
million), which is reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting
principle at January 1, 1996. On an annual basis, the financial impact of
applying this method in 1996 was not significant.
Adoption of New Accounting Standards
In 1998, we adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting Comprehensive Income" (see
Note 9), SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related
Information" (see Note 16) and SFAS No. 132, "Employers' Disclosures about
Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits" (see Note 11). Prior year amounts
have been provided or restated, as required. These standards require new
disclosures only and do not impact our results of operations or financial
position.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Costs of Computer Software
In March 1998, the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
(AICPA) issued Statement of Position (SOP) No. 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs
of Computer Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." SOP 98-1 provides,
among other things, guidance for determining whether computer software is for
internal use and when the cost related to such software should be expensed as
incurred or capitalized and amortized. SOP 98-1 is required to be applied
prospectively and will be adopted effective January 1, 1999. Bell Atlantic
estimates that the implementation of SOP 98-1 will result in a net after-tax
benefit of $200 million to $250 million in 1999 results of operations due to the
prospective capitalization of costs which were previously expensed as incurred.
We anticipate that costs for maintenance and training, as well as the cost of
software that does not add functionality to the existing system will continue to
be expensed as incurred.
Costs of Start-Up Activities
In April 1998, the AICPA issued SOP No. 98-5, "Reporting on the Costs of
Start-up Activities." SOP No. 98-5, which will be adopted effective January 1,
1999, requires that costs of start-up activities including pre-operating, pre-
opening and other organizational costs be expensed as incurred. In addition, at
the time of adoption the unamortized balance of any previously deferred start-up
costs must be expensed. The adoption of SOP 98-5 will have no material effect on
our results of operations or financial condition in 1999 because we have not
historically capitalized start-up activities.
Derivatives and Hedging Activities
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board 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 our balance sheet. Changes in the fair values of the
derivative instruments will be recognized in either earnings or comprehensive
income, depending on the designated use and effectiveness of the instruments. We
must adopt SFAS No. 133 no later than January 1, 2000. The adoption of SFAS No.
133 will have no material effect on our results of operations or financial
condition because we currently do not enter into the use of derivative
instruments and hedging activities.
F-10
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
2. BELL ATLANTIC - NYNEX MERGER
On August 14, 1997, Bell Atlantic and NYNEX completed a merger of equals
under a definitive merger agreement entered into on April 21, 1996 and amended
on July 2, 1996. Under the terms of the amended agreement, NYNEX became a wholly
owned subsidiary of Bell Atlantic. The merger qualified as a tax-free
reorganization and has been accounted for as a pooling of interests. Under this
method of accounting, the companies are treated as if they had always been
combined for accounting and financial reporting purposes.
As a result of conforming the accounting methodologies of Bell Atlantic and
NYNEX, we recorded an after-tax charge of $5.9 million to reinvested earnings as
if the merger had occurred as of the beginning of the earliest period presented.
Merger-Related Costs
In the third quarter of 1997, we recorded merger-related pre-tax costs of
approximately $4 million for direct incremental costs and $18 million for
employee severance costs. These costs include approximately $14 million
representing our allocated share of merger-related costs from Bell Atlantic
Network Services, Inc. (NSI), an affiliate which provides centralized services
on a contract basis. Costs allocated from NSI are included in Other Operating
Expenses.
Direct incremental costs consist of expenses associated with compensation
arrangements related to completing the merger transaction. Employee severance
costs, as recorded under SFAS No. 112, "Employers' Accounting for Postemployment
Benefits," represent our proportionate share of benefit costs for the separation
by the end of 1999 of management employees who are entitled to benefits under
pre-existing Bell Atlantic separation pay plans. During 1997 and 1998, 28 and
128 management employees were separated with severance benefits. Accrued
postemployment benefit liabilities are included in our balance sheets as a
component of Employee Benefit Obligations.
Other Initiatives
During 1997, we recorded other charges and special items totaling
approximately $74 million in connection with consolidating operations and
combining organizations and for special items arising during the year. These
charges were comprised of the following significant items.
Video-related Charges
In the third quarter of 1997, we recognized total pre-tax charges of
approximately $3 million related to purchase commitments associated with certain
video operations.
Write-down of Assets and Real Estate Consolidation
In the third quarter of 1997, we recorded pre-tax charges of approximately
$42 million for the write-down of obsolete fixed assets and for the cost of
consolidating redundant real estate properties. As part of the merger
integration planning, a review was conducted of the carrying values of
long-lived assets. This review included estimating remaining useful lives and
cash flows and identifying assets to be abandoned. As a result of these reviews,
we recorded a charge of approximately $39 million for the write-off of assets.
These assets primarily included computers and other equipment used to transport
data for internal purposes. None of these assets are being held for disposal.
In connection with the merger integration efforts, Bell Atlantic
consolidated real estate to achieve a reduction in the total square footage of
building space that it utilizes. We recorded a charge of approximately $3
million in the third quarter of 1997 related to this initiative.
Regulatory Contingencies and Other Special Items
In 1997, we also recorded reductions to operating revenues and charges to
operating expenses totaling approximately $29 million (pre-tax), which consisted
of the following:
. Revenue reductions consisted of approximately $28 million for federal
regulatory matters. These matters relate to specific issues that are
currently under investigation by federal regulatory commissions. We
believe that it is probable that the ultimate resolution of these
pending matters will result in refunds to our customers.
. Charges to operating expenses totaled approximately $1 million for
other post-merger initiatives.
F-11
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
The following table provides a reconciliation of the liabilities associated
with merger-related costs and other charges and special items at December 31,
1998 and 1997.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Charged to 1997 1998
Beginning Expense or End of End of
(Dollars in Millions) of Year Revenue Deductions Adjustments Year Deductions Adjustments Year
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Merger-Related
Direct incremental costs ....... $ --- $ .4 $ (.4)a $ --- $ --- $ --- $ --- $ ---
Severance obligation ........... 26.4 7.1 (2.0)a (.3) 31.2 (3.7)a 4.7 32.2
Other Initiatives
Video-related costs ............ --- 3.0 --- --- 3.0 (3.0)a --- ---
Write-down of fixed assets and
real estate consolidation .. --- 42.0 (39.1)b --- 2.9 --- --- 2.9
Regulatory contingencies
and other special items .... --- 29.1 (5.7)c --- 23.4 (6.9)d --- 16.5
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
$26.4 $81.6 $(47.2) $ (.3) $60.5 $(13.6) $4.7 $ 51.6
===========================================================================================
</TABLE>
. Adjustments refer to deductions to the liability that reduced expense, or
additions to the liability that increased expense resulting from changes in
circumstances or experience in implementing the planned activities.
. Deductions refer to the utilization of the liability through payments,
asset write-offs, or refunds to customers.
a - primarily comprised of cash payments
b - primarily comprised of asset write-offs
c - comprised of asset write-offs of $3.1 million and refunds to
customers of $2.6 million
d - primarily comprised of refunds to customers
3. Proposed Bell Atlantic - GTE Merger
Bell Atlantic and GTE Corporation (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. Bell
Atlantic shareholders will continue to own their existing shares after the
merger.
It is expected that the merger will qualify as a pooling of interests. The
completion of the merger is subject to a number of conditions, including certain
regulatory approvals, receipt of opinions that the merger will be tax-free, and
the approval of the shareholders of both Bell Atlantic and GTE.
4. TRANSFER OF DIRECTORY PUBLISHING ACTIVITIES
On March 1, 1998, we transferred, at net book value without gain or loss,
certain assets and liabilities associated with our directory publishing
activities to a newly formed, wholly owned subsidiary. The stock of the newly
formed, wholly owned subsidiary was immediately distributed to Bell Atlantic.
The transfer of such assets and liabilities was completed as part of our and
Bell Atlantic's response to the requirements of the Telecommunications Act of
1996, which prohibits us from engaging in electronic publishing or joint sales
and marketing of electronic products.
Net assets that we transferred totaled approximately $2 million, and
consisted of deferred directory production costs (included in prepaid expenses),
fixed assets and related deferred tax liabilities.
Revenues related to the directory publishing activities we transferred were
approximately $47 million, $352 million and $339 million for the years ended
December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996. Direct expenses related to the directory
publishing activities we transferred were approximately $18 million, $141
million, and $128 million for the years ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996.
We do not separately identify indirect expenses attributable to the directory
publishing activities, including expenses related to billing and data management
and processing services, legal, external affairs, depreciation, interest expense
and any corresponding tax expense.
F-12
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Effective March 1, 1998, we no longer earn revenues from directory
publishing activities we transferred, and no longer incur the related expenses.
We continue to earn certain other revenues, primarily fees for nonpublication of
telephone numbers and multiple white page listings. Additionally, contracts
between us and another affiliate of Bell Atlantic for billing and collection
services related to the directory activities, use of directory listings, and
rental charges have created new revenues sources for us.
5. PLANT, PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT
The following table displays the details of plant, property and equipment,
which is stated at cost:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
-----------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Land ............................................. $ 47.6 $ 47.5
Buildings ........................................ 759.2 719.3
Central office equipment ......................... 4,296.1 3,992.0
Outside communications plant ..................... 4,060.6 3,863.5
Furniture, vehicles and other work equipment ..... 993.0 881.0
Other ............................................ 118.6 105.8
Construction-in-progress ......................... 158.9 132.0
-------- --------
10,434.0 9,741.1
Accumulated depreciation ......................... (6,083.9) (5,597.0)
-------- --------
Total ............................................ $4,350.1 $4,144.1
======== ========
</TABLE>
F-13
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
6. LEASES
We lease certain facilities and equipment for use in our operations under
both capital and operating leases. We incurred initial capital lease obligations
of $1.4 million in 1998, $.06 million in 1997 and $.02 million in 1996.
Capital lease amounts included in plant, property and equipment are as
follows:
December 31
--------------------------
1998 1997
----- -----
(Dollars in Millions)
Capital leases .......................... $65.5 $65.1
Accumulated amortization ................ (49.6) (47.0)
----- -----
Total ................................... $15.9 $18.1
===== =====
Total rent expense amounted to $47.7 million in 1998, $45.3 million in 1997
and $38.2 million in 1996. Of these amounts, $26.0 million in 1998, $21.1
million in 1997 and $13.6 million in 1996, were lease payments to affiliated
companies.
This table displays the aggregate minimum rental commitments under
noncancelable leases for the periods shown at December 31:
Years Capital Leases Operating Leases
----- -------------- ----------------
(Dollars in Millions)
1999 ................................. $ 9.2 $ 5.8
2000 ................................. 9.0 4.9
2001 ................................. 9.0 3.9
2002 ................................. 9.0 3.3
2003 ................................. 1.1 2.6
Thereafter ........................... 3.1 6.9
----- -----
Total minimum rental commitments ..... 40.4 $27.4
=====
Less interest and executory costs .... 11.0
-----
Present value of minimum
lease payments .................. 29.4
Less current installments ............ 5.9
-----
Long-term obligation at
December 31, 1998 ............... $23.5
=====
F-14
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
7. DEBT
Debt Maturing Within One Year
Debt maturing within one year consists of the following at December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
1998 1997
------ ------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Note payable to affiliate (BANFC) .................. $460.2 $427.4
Long-term debt maturing within one year ............ 155.9 5.4
------ ------
Total debt maturing within one year................. $616.1 $432.8
====== ======
Weighted average interest rate for note payable
outstanding at year-end ....................... 5.0% 5.8%
====== ======
</TABLE>
We have a contractual agreement with an affiliated company, Bell Atlantic
Network Funding Corporation (BANFC), for the provision of short-term financing
and cash management services. BANFC issues commercial paper and obtains bank
loans to fund the working capital requirements of Bell Atlantic's network
services subsidiaries, including us, and invests funds in temporary investments
on their behalf. At December 31, 1998, we had $89.8 million of an unused line of
credit with BANFC. On February 1, 1999, this line of credit was increased by
$250.0 million to a total of $800.0 million.
Long-Term Debt
Long-term debt consists principally of debentures that we have issued.
Interest rates and maturities of the amounts outstanding are as follows at
December 31:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Description Interest Rate Maturity 1998 1997
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Forty year debenture .................................. 4 7/8% 2000 $ 20.0 $ 20.0
Ten year debenture .................................... 7 1/4 2002 100.0 100.0
Ten year debenture .................................... 5 7/8 2004 250.0 250.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 4 5/8 2005 40.0 40.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 5 7/8 2006 55.0 55.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 6 5/8 2008 50.0 50.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 7 1/4 2011 125.0 125.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 7 3/8 2012 75.0 75.0
Thirty year debenture ................................. 8 2022 200.0 200.0
Thirty year debenture ................................. 7 1/4 2023 100.0 100.0
Thirty-one year debenture ............................. 6.80 2024 100.0 100.0
Forty year debenture .................................. 7.85 2029 150.0 150.0
-------- --------
1,265.0 1,265.0
Unamortized discount and premium, net ............................................. (5.5) (5.8)
Capital lease obligations - average rate 10.8% and 11.0% .......................... 29.4 33.4
-------- --------
Total long-term debt, including current maturities ................................ 1,288.9 1,292.6
Less maturing within one year ..................................................... 155.9 5.4
-------- --------
Total long-term debt .............................................................. $1,133.0 $1,287.2
======== ========
</TABLE>
Our long-term debt outstanding at December 31, 1998 includes $365.0 million
that is callable. The call prices range from 101.81% to 100.0% of face value,
depending upon the remaining term to maturity of the issue. In addition, $150.0
million of our long-term debt, bearing interest at 7.85%, will become redeemable
only on November 15, 1999 at the option of the holders. The redemption price
will be 100.0% of face value plus accrued interest.
F-15
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
8. FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
Concentrations of Credit Risk
Financial instruments that subject us to concentrations of credit risk
consist primarily of short-term investments and trade receivables.
Concentrations of credit risk with respect to trade receivables other than those
from AT&T are limited due to the large number of customers. We generated
revenues from services provided to AT&T (primarily network access and billing
and collection) of $403.2 million in 1998, $395.9 million in 1997 and $393.6
million in 1996.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The table below provides additional information about our material
financial instruments at December 31, 1998:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Financial Instrument Valuation Method
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Note payable to affiliate (BANFC) Carrying amounts
and short-term investments
Debt (excluding capital leases) Market quotes for similar terms
and maturities or future cash flows
discounted at current rates
1998 1997
--------------------- ---------------------
Carrying Fair Carrying Fair
Amount Value Amount Value
--------------------- ---------------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Debt .................................. $ 1,719.7 $ 1,836.5 $ 1,686.6 $ 1,773.7
</TABLE>
9. COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
Effective January 1, 1998, we adopted SFAS No. 130, "Reporting
Comprehensive Income." The new rules establish standards for the reporting of
comprehensive income and its components in financial statements. Comprehensive
income consists of net income and other gains and losses affecting shareowner's
investment that, under generally accepted accounting principles, are excluded
from net income. The adoption of SFAS No. 130 did not affect our statement of
income, but did affect the presentation of our balance sheet. We also have
included a statement of shareowner's investment as part of our basic financial
statements.
The change in other comprehensive loss, net of an income tax benefit, is as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31
1998 1997 1996
------------ ------------ ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Other comprehensive loss:
Minimum pension liability adjustment (net of
income tax benefit of $.2)............................ $ (.3) $ --- $ ---
----------- ------------ ------------
$ (.3) $ --- $ ---
=========== ============ ============
<CAPTION>
Accumulated other comprehensive loss is comprised of the following:
December 31
1998 1997
----------- ------------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Accumulated other comprehensive loss:
Minimum pension liability adjustment ................... $ (.3) $ ---
----------- ------------
$ (.3) $ ---
=========== ============
</TABLE>
F-16
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
10. STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
We participate in stock-based compensation plans sponsored by Bell
Atlantic. Bell Atlantic applies APB Opinion No. 25 and related interpretations
in accounting for the plans and has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of
SFAS No. 123. If Bell Atlantic had elected to recognize compensation expense
based on the fair value at the grant dates for 1996 and subsequent awards
consistent with the provisions of SFAS No. 123, our net income would have been
changed to the pro forma amounts indicated below:
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
(Dollars in Millions)
Net income - As reported .................. $540.6 $630.7 $536.2
- Pro forma .................... 535.6 626.6 532.4
These results may not be representative of the effects on pro forma net
income for future years.
The pro forma net income amounts were determined using the Black-Scholes
option-pricing model based on the following weighted-average assumptions:
1998 1997 1996
-------- -------- --------
Dividend yield ................. 4.59% 4.86% 4.90%
Expected volatility ............ 18.63% 14.87% 14.70%
Risk-free interest rate ........ 5.55% 6.35% 5.40%
Expected lives (in years) ...... 5 5 4.5
The weighted average value of options granted was $6.47 per option during
1998, $4.30 per option during 1997 and $3.62 per option during 1996.
11. EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
We participate in the Bell Atlantic benefit plans. Bell Atlantic maintains
noncontributory defined benefit pension plans for substantially all management
and associate employees, as well as postretirement healthcare and life insurance
plans for our retirees and their dependents. Bell Atlantic also sponsors savings
plans to provide opportunities for eligible employees to save for retirement on
a tax-deferred basis and to encourage employees to acquire and maintain an
equity interest in Bell Atlantic.
In 1997, following the completion of the merger with NYNEX, the assets of
the Bell Atlantic and NYNEX pension and savings plans were commingled in a
master trust, and effective January 1, 1998, Bell Atlantic established common
pension and savings plan benefit provisions for all management employees.
The Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 132, "Employers'
Disclosures about Pensions and Other Postretirement Benefits," (SFAS No. 132) in
February 1998. This new standard does not change the measurement or recognition
of costs for pensions or other postretirement plans. It standardizes disclosures
and eliminates those that are no longer useful. The structure of Bell Atlantic's
benefit plans does not provide for the separate determination of certain
disclosures required by SFAS No. 132 for our company. The required information
is provided on a consolidated basis in Bell Atlantic's Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year ended December 31, 1998. What follows are our benefit costs
and obligations for 1998, 1997 and 1996. The disclosures in 1997 and 1996
reflect the historic benefit plans and actuarial assumptions in effect during
those years, as shown in the tables below.
F-17
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits
Substantive commitments for future plan amendments are reflected in the
pension costs and benefit obligations. Pension and other postretirement benefits
for our associate employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements.
Modifications in associate benefits have been bargained from time to time, and
Bell Atlantic may also periodically amend the benefits in the management plans.
The following table provides our benefit costs for 1998, 1997 and 1996.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years ended December 31,
(Dollars in Millions)
Pension Healthcare and Life
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Net periodic (income) benefit cost $(69.4) $(33.3) $9.0 $13.4 $26.9 $48.4
===================================================================================================================
Amounts recognized on the balance sheets consist of:
At December 31,
(Dollars in Millions)
Pension Healthcare and Life
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1998 1997
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Employee benefit obligations $(74.9) $(144.5) $(543.6) $(566.3)
Other assets .3 1.2 --- ---
Accumulated other comprehensive loss .5 --- --- ---
===================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
The changes in benefit obligations from year to year were caused by a
number of factors, including changes in actuarial assumptions (see Assumptions)
and plan amendments.
Assumptions
The actuarial assumptions used are based on financial market interest
rates, past experience, and management's best estimate of future benefit changes
and economic conditions. Changes in these assumptions may impact future benefit
costs and obligations. The weighted-average assumptions used in determining
expense and benefit obligations are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Pension Healthcare and Life
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996 1998 1997 1996
- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Discount rate at end of year 7.00% 7.25% 7.75% 7.00% 7.25% 7.75%
Long-term rate of return on plan assets for the year 8.90 8.90 8.25 8.90 8.90 8.25
Rate of future increases in compensation at end of 4.00 4.00 4.75 4.00 4.00 4.75
year
Medical cost trend rate at end of year 6.00 6.50 7.00
Ultimate (year 2001 for 1998 and 1997,
year 2008 for 1996) 5.00 5.00 5.00
Dental cost trend rate at end of year 3.50 3.50 4.00
Ultimate (year 2002) 3.00 3.00 ---
==================================================================================================================================
</TABLE>
Savings Plans and Employee Stock Ownership Plans
Substantially all of our employees are eligible to participate in savings
plans maintained by Bell Atlantic. Under these plans, a certain percentage of
eligible employee contributions are matched with shares of Bell Atlantic common
stock. We match employee contributions through two leveraged employee stock
ownership plans (ESOPs) maintained by Bell Atlantic. Bell Atlantic recognizes
leveraged ESOP cost based on the modified shares allocated method for these
leveraged ESOPs that held securities before December 15, 1989. We recognize our
proportionate share of total ESOP cost based on our matching obligation
attributable to our participating employees. We recorded total ESOP cost of $9.4
million in 1998, $13.5 million in 1997 and $14.5 million in 1996.
F-18
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
12. INCOME TAXES
The components of income tax expense are presented in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31
---------------------------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
---------- ---------- ---------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Current:
Federal ................................. $240.4 $308.6 $228.7
State and local ......................... 63.4 --- ---
------ ------ ------
303.8 308.6 228.7
------ ------ ------
Deferred:
Federal ................................. 51.6 25.3 32.9
State and local ......................... 12.4 (122.3) ---
------ ------ ------
64.0 (97.0) 32.9
------ ------ ------
367.8 211.6 261.6
Investment tax credits ....................... (3.5) (4.9) (6.4)
------ ------ ------
Total income tax expense ..................... $364.3 $206.7 $255.2
====== ====== ======
</TABLE>
In 1997, the State of New Jersey enacted a law that repealed the gross
receipts tax applicable to telephone companies and extended the net-income-based
corporate business tax to include telephone companies. The law was effective
January 1, 1998. As required under Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
No. 109, "Accounting for Income Taxes," the effect of this tax law change on
deferred tax assets/liabilities was included in income from continuing
operations for the period that included the enactment date. This one-time
adjustment of deferred income taxes generated an estimated $75.4 million state
income tax benefit (net of federal income tax expense), which was reflected in
the income tax provision for the period ended December 31, 1997.
The following table shows the principal reasons for the difference between
the effective income tax rate and the statutory federal income tax rate:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31
-----------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
--------- ------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Statutory federal income tax rate .................. 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
Investment tax credits ............................. (.3) (.4) (.6)
State income taxes, net of federal tax benefit ..... 5.4 (9.5) --
Other, net ......................................... .2 (.4) (.2)
---- ---- ----
Effective income tax rate .......................... 40.3% 24.7% 34.2%
==== ==== ====
</TABLE>
Deferred taxes arise because of differences in the book and tax bases of
certain assets and liabilities. Significant components of deferred tax
liabilities (assets) are shown in the following table:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
-----------------------
1998 1997
------ -------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
Deferred tax liabilities:
Depreciation .............................. $401.8 $389.6
State income taxes ........................ 66.3 --
Gross receipts tax ........................ -- 26.2
Other ..................................... 26.6 5.8
------ ------
494.7 421.6
------ ------
Deferred tax assets:
Employee benefits ......................... (400.3) (435.6)
Investment tax credits .................... (10.1) (11.4)
Advance payments .......................... (17.4) (18.0)
Other ..................................... (66.8) (19.2)
------ ------
(494.6) (484.2)
------ ------
Net deferred tax liability (asset) ........... $ .1 $ (62.6)
====== ======
</TABLE>
F-19
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
Deferred tax assets include approximately $339 million at December 31, 1998
and $347 million at December 31, 1997 related to postretirement benefit costs
recognized under SFAS No. 106. This deferred tax asset will gradually be
realized over the estimated lives of current retirees and employees.
13. ADDITIONAL FINANCIAL INFORMATION
The tables below provide additional financial information related to our
financial statements:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31
----------------------
1998 1997
-------- --------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C>
BALANCE SHEETS:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities:
Accounts payable - affiliates ................. $ 311.4 $ 366.0
Accounts payable - other ...................... 315.9 413.8
Accrued vacation pay .......................... 59.5 57.5
Accrued expenses .............................. 56.0 66.4
Accrued taxes ................................. .3 12.4
Interest payable - other ...................... 15.6 15.8
Interest payable - affiliate .................. 1.9 2.0
-------- --------
$ 760.6 $ 933.9
======== ========
Other current liabilities:
Advance billings and customer deposits ........ $ 107.9 $ 107.9
Deferred income taxes ......................... 8.8 9.3
-------- --------
$ 116.7 $ 117.2
======== ========
Years Ended December 31
-----------------------------
1998 1997 1996
------- ------- -------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS:
Cash paid during the year for:
Income taxes, net of amounts refunded ..... $310.2 $301.7 $259.1
Interest, net of amounts capitalized ...... 104.1 100.2 95.1
STATEMENTS OF INCOME:
Interest expense incurred,
net of amounts capitalized ................ 105.2 103.8 95.6
Capitalized interest ........................... 12.0 7.6 10.6
Advertising expense ............................ 27.4 37.8 35.1
</TABLE>
Interest paid during the year includes $23.8 million in 1998, $15.8 million
in 1997 and $13.7 million in 1996 related to short-term financing services
provided by Bell Atlantic Network Funding Corporation (see Note 7).
Advertising expense includes $26.5 million, $37.7 million and $26.7 million
in 1998, 1997 and 1996 allocated to us by Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc.
(NSI).
At December 31, 1998 and 1997, $26.8 million and $19.1 million of bank
overdrafts were classified as accounts payable.
F-20
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
14. TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
Our financial statements include transactions with Bell Atlantic Network
Services Inc., Bell Atlantic Network Funding Corporation (BANFC), Bell Atlantic,
and various other affiliates.
We have contractual arrangements with NSI for the provision of various
centralized services. These services are divided into two broad categories. The
first category is comprised of network related services which generally benefit
only Bell Atlantic's operating telephone subsidiaries, including us. These
services include administration, marketing, product advertising, sales,
information systems, network technology planning, labor relations, and staff
support for various network operations. The second category is comprised of
overhead and support services which generally benefit all subsidiaries of Bell
Atlantic. Such services include corporate governance and staff support in
finance, external affairs, legal and corporate secretary, media relations,
employee communications, corporate advertising, human resources, and treasury.
We receive technical and support services from Bell Communications Research,
Inc. (Bellcore), a company previously owned jointly by the regional holding
companies. In 1997, Bell Atlantic and the other Bellcore owners sold their
jointly owned investment in Bellcore. We continue to contract with Bellcore for
technical and support services. The costs of these services are billed to us
through NSI and are included with network related services in 1998 in the table
below.
We recognize interest expense and income in connection with contractual
arrangements with BANFC to provide short-term financing, investing and cash
management services to us (see Note 7).
Operating revenues include amounts from affiliates in connection with an
interstate revenue sharing arrangement with Bell Atlantic's operating telephone
subsidiaries. Other operating revenues and expenses include miscellaneous items
of income and expense resulting from transactions with other affiliates,
primarily rental of facilities and equipment. We also paid cash dividends to our
parent, Bell Atlantic.
Transactions with affiliates are summarized as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Years Ended December 31
----------------------------------
1998 1997 1996
--------- ------- -------
(Dollars in Millions)
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Operating revenues:
Interstate revenue sharing from affiliates .... $ 23.3 $ 23.3 $ 23.3
Other revenue from affiliates ................. 110.1 97.4 69.7
------ ------- -------
133.4 120.7 93.0
------ ------ -------
Operating expenses:
NSI - network ................................. 342.5 393.0 385.5
NSI - other ................................... 321.6 221.9 214.3
Bellcore....................................... --- 33.3 29.9
Other ......................................... 102.5 147.0 118.1
------ ------ ------
766.6 795.2 747.8
------ ------ ------
Interest expense to BANFC .......................... 23.8 16.8 13.6
Dividends paid to Bell Atlantic .................... 353.6 559.0 487.6
</TABLE>
Outstanding balances with affiliates are reported on the balance sheets at
December 31, 1998 and 1997 as Accounts Receivable - Affiliates, Note Payable to
Affiliate, and Accounts Payable and Accrued Liabilities - Affiliates.
On February 1, 1999, we declared and paid a dividend in the amount of
$148.8 million to Bell Atlantic.
F-21
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
15. LITIGATION AND OTHER CONTINGENCIES
Various legal actions and regulatory proceedings are pending to which we
are a party. We have established reserves for specific liabilities in connection
with regulatory and legal matters which we currently deem to be probable and
estimable. We do not expect that the ultimate resolution of pending regulatory
and legal matters in future periods will have a material effect on our financial
condition, but it could have a material effect on our results of operations.
16. SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have adopted SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
and Related Information." SFAS No. 131 establishes standards for the way
companies must determine and report information about operating segments in
their annual and interim reports.
We have one reportable segment, which provides domestic wireline
telecommunications services. Specifically, we provide local telephone services
including voice and data transport, enhanced and custom calling features,
network access, directory assistance, private lines and public telephones. In
addition, we provide customer premises equipment distribution and billing and
collection services. We have four strategic business units (consumer,
enterprise, general and network services) supporting our operations that have
been aggregated into one reportable segment.
17. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (unaudited)
Operating Operating Net
Quarter Ended Revenues Income Income
- ------------- --------- --------- ---------
(Dollars in Millions)
1998:
March 31 ................. $ 906.4 $ 268.7 $ 144.2
June 30 .................. 881.9 226.4 119.1
September 30 ............. 906.0 271.5 145.6
December 31 .............. 909.3 235.3 131.7
---------- --------- --------
Total .................... $3,603.6 $ 1,001.9 $ 540.6
======== ========== ========
1997:
March 31 ................. $ 924.0 $ 260.4 $ 153.5
June 30 .................. 942.6 260.5 157.8
September 30* ............ 930.9 176.3 179.6
December 31 .............. 956.4 240.7 139.8
---------- --------- --------
Total .................... $3,753.9 $ 937.9 $ 630.7
======== ======== ========
*Results of operations for the third quarter of 1997 include costs incurred
in connection with consolidating operations and combining the organizations
of Bell Atlantic and NYNEX and for other special items arising during the
quarter, as well as charges associated with the completion of the merger
(see Note 2).
F-22
<PAGE>
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
For the Years Ended December 31, 1998, 1997 and 1996
(Dollars in Millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Additions
----------------------
Charged
Balance at Charged to Other Balance
Beginning to Accounts Deductions at End
Description of Period Expenses Note(a) Note(b) of Period
- ----------- --------- -------- -------- ------- ---------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Allowance for Uncollectible
Accounts Receivable:
Year 1998 ............ $88.4 $41.2 $65.8 $111.3 $84.1
Year 1997 ............ $79.6 $49.3 $49.0 $ 89.5 $88.4
Year 1996 ............ $58.1 $71.9 $56.2 $106.6 $79.6
</TABLE>
- -------------------------------
(a) (1) Allowance for Uncollectible Accounts Receivable includes amounts
previously written off which were credited directly to this account when
recovered, and (2) accruals charged to accounts payable for anticipated
uncollectible charges on purchases of accounts receivable from others which
we billed.
(b) Amounts written off as uncollectible.
F-23
<PAGE>
EXHIBITS
FILED WITH ANNUAL REPORT FORM 10-K
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998
Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-3488
<PAGE>
Form 10-K for 1998
File No. 1-3488
Page 1 of 1
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the Securities and
Exchange Commission (SEC), are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits
hereto.
3a Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the registrant, dated
September 28, 1989 and filed November 28, 1989. (Exhibit 3a to the
registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December
31, 1989, File No. 1-3488.)
3a(i) Certificate of Amendment to the registrant's Certificate of
Incorporation, dated January 7, 1994 and filed January 13, 1994.
(Exhibit 3a(i) to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1993, File No. 1-3488.)
3b By-Laws of the registrant, as amended December 15, 1995. (Exhibit 3b
to the registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, File No. 1-3488.)
3b(i) Consent of Sole Stockholder of Bell Atlantic - New Jersey, Inc.,
dated December 15, 1995. (Exhibit 3b(i) to the registrant's
Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1995,
File No. 1-3488.)
4 No instrument which defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of
the registrant is filed herewith pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item
601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this regulation, the registrant hereby
agrees to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon
request.
10a Agreement among Bell Atlantic Network Services, Inc. and the Bell
Atlantic Corporations telephone subsidiaries, dated November 7, 1983.
(Exhibit 10b to Bell Atlantic Corporation Annual Report on Form 10-K
for the year ended December 31, 1993, File No. 1-8606.)
23 Consent of Independent Accountants.
27 Financial Data Schedule.
<PAGE>
EXHIBIT 23
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
We consent to the incorporation by reference in the registration statement of
Bell Atlantic-New Jersey, Inc. on Form S-3 (File No. 33-49851) of our report
dated February 9,1999, on our audits of the financial statements and financial
statement schedule of the Company as of December 31, 1998 and December 31, 1997,
and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1998, which
report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
New York, New York
March 29,1999
<TABLE> <S> <C>
<PAGE>
<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENT OF INCOME FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND THE BALANCE SHEET
AT DECEMBER 31, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
<S> <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE> YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END> DEC-31-1998
<PERIOD-START> JAN-01-1998
<PERIOD-END> DEC-31-1998
<CASH> 58
<SECURITIES> 0
<RECEIVABLES> 802
<ALLOWANCES> 84
<INVENTORY> 21
<CURRENT-ASSETS> 939
<PP&E> 10,434
<DEPRECIATION> 6,084
<TOTAL-ASSETS> 5,430
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES> 1,493
<BONDS> 1,133
0
0
<COMMON> 1,381
<OTHER-SE> 478
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY> 5,430
<SALES> 0
<TOTAL-REVENUES> 3,604
<CGS> 0
<TOTAL-COSTS> 2,602
<OTHER-EXPENSES> 0
<LOSS-PROVISION> 0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE> 105
<INCOME-PRETAX> 905
<INCOME-TAX> 364
<INCOME-CONTINUING> 541
<DISCONTINUED> 0
<EXTRAORDINARY> 0
<CHANGES> 0
<NET-INCOME> 541
<EPS-PRIMARY> 0
<EPS-DILUTED> 0
</TABLE>
