CINCINNATI BELL INC /OH/
S-3/A, 1996-10-24
TELEPHONE COMMUNICATIONS (NO RADIOTELEPHONE)
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<PAGE>   1
 
   
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON OCTOBER 24, 1996
    
 
   
                                            REGISTRATION STATEMENT NO. 333-13699
    
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
   
                                Amendment No. 1
                                       to
    
                                    Form S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                   UNDER THE
                             SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                      ------------------------------------
 
                              CINCINNATI BELL INC.
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
                    OHIO                                         31-1056105
      (State or other jurisdiction of               (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
        incorporation or organization)
</TABLE>
 
         201 EAST FOURTH STREET, CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (513) 397-9900
    (Address, including zip code and telephone number, including area code,
                  of registrant's principal executive office)
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
 WILLIAM H. ZIMMER III, SECRETARY AND TREASURER, CINCINNATI BELL INC., 201 EAST
                                 FOURTH STREET,
                      CINCINNATI, OHIO 45202 (513)397-9900
 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code,
                             of agent for service)
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
                  Please send copies of all communications to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                             <C>
       WILLIAM D. BASKETT, III, ESQ.                      ALLAN G. SPERLING, ESQ.
               Frost & Jacobs                        Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton
           201 East Fifth Street                             One Liberty Plaza
           Cincinnati, Ohio 45202                      New York, New York 10006-1470
               (513) 651-6800                                  (212) 225-2000
</TABLE>
 
                      ------------------------------------
 
     Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: From time
to time after the effective date of the Registration Statement as determined by
market conditions.
                      ------------------------------------
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box.  / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box.  / /
 
     If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering
pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box
and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier
effective registration statement for the same offering.  / /
 
     If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c)
under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering.  / /
 
     If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box.  / /
   
                      ------------------------------------
    
 
     The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration
Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
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<PAGE>   2
 
                                EXPLANATORY NOTE
 
   
     This Registration Statement contains two forms of prospectus: (1) a
prospectus relating to the delivery by Salomon Inc ("Salomon"), pursuant to the
  % Exchangeable Notes Due February 1, 2001 (the "DECS") of Salomon, of Common
Shares of the Registrant that Salomon may receive from Waslic Company II
("Waslic"), a wholly owned subsidiary of The Western and Southern Life Insurance
Company, pursuant to the terms of certain exchangeable notes of Waslic; and (2)
a prospectus relating to the offer by Bankers Trust Company as Trustee under the
Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust of Common Shares of the Registrant (the
"Pension Trust Prospectus"). The alternate pages for the Pension Trust
Prospectus are marked "Pension Trust Prospectus."
    
<PAGE>   3
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                             SUBJECT TO COMPLETION
   
                                OCTOBER 22, 1996
    
 
                                                                            LOGO
 
PROSPECTUS
 
3,000,000 SHARES
CINCINNATI BELL INC.
COMMON SHARES
($1.00 PAR VALUE)
 
   
Pursuant to the terms of the   % Exchangeable Notes Due February 1, 2001 (the
"Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock(SM)" or "DECS(SM)") of Salomon Inc, a
Delaware corporation ("Salomon"), Salomon may deliver to the holders of the DECS
common shares, par value $1.00 per share (the "Common Shares"), of Cincinnati
Bell Inc. ("Cincinnati Bell"). This Prospectus relates to the delivery by
Salomon pursuant to the DECS of up to 3,000,000 Common Shares, plus up to an
additional 450,000 Common Shares with respect to DECS solely to cover
over-allotments, that Salomon may receive from Waslic Company II ("Waslic"), a
Delaware corporation and a wholly owned subsidiary of The Western and Southern
Life Insurance Company ("Western & Southern"), under the terms of certain
exchangeable notes of Waslic (the "Waslic DECS") issued to Salomon. This
Prospectus accompanies a Prospectus Supplement and Prospectus of Salomon
(together, the "DECS Prospectus") relating to the sale of 3,000,000 DECS, plus
up to an additional 450,000 DECS solely to cover over-allotments (the "DECS
Offering"). Cincinnati Bell will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale
of the DECS or delivery thereunder of the Common Shares to which this Prospectus
relates. Cincinnati Bell takes no responsibility for any information included in
or omitted from the DECS Prospectus. The DECS Prospectus does not constitute a
part of this Prospectus nor is it incorporated by reference herein.
    
 
The Registration Statement of which this Prospectus forms a part also includes a
Prospectus relating to the offering (the "Pension Trust Offering") of up to
2,000,000 Common Shares by Bankers Trust Company as Trustee under the Cincinnati
Bell Pension Plans Trust (the "Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust"), plus up to
an additional 300,000 Common Shares solely to cover over-allotments.
 
   
Cincinnati Bell, Waslic and Western & Southern have agreed, subject to certain
exceptions, not to sell, without the prior written consent of Salomon Brothers
Inc ("Salomon Brothers") and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan
Stanley"), any Common Shares or any securities convertible into or exercisable
or exchangeable for Common Shares for a period of 90 days after the date of this
Prospectus. See "Plan of Distribution."
    
 
   
The Common Shares are listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, Inc.
(the "NYSE") and the Cincinnati Stock Exchange (the "CSE") under the symbol
"CSN." On October 22, 1996, the last reported sale price of the Common Shares on
the NYSE Composite Tape was $49.00 per share. See "Price Range of Common Shares
and Dividends."
    
 
"Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock" and "DECS" are service marks of Salomon
Brothers.
 
SEE "RISK FACTORS" BEGINNING ON PAGE 8 FOR A DISCUSSION OF CERTAIN FACTORS THAT
SHOULD BE CAREFULLY CONSIDERED BY PROSPECTIVE PURCHASERS.
 
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE COMMISSION OR
ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
The date of this Prospectus is        , 1996.
<PAGE>   4
 
     IN CONNECTION WITH THE DECS OFFERING AND THE PENSION TRUST OFFERING, THE
RESPECTIVE UNDERWRITERS OF THE DECS AND THE COMMON SHARES MAY OVER-ALLOT OR
EFFECT TRANSACTIONS WHICH STABILIZE OR MAINTAIN THE MARKET PRICE OF THE DECS OR
THE COMMON SHARES OF CINCINNATI BELL AT A LEVEL ABOVE THAT WHICH MIGHT OTHERWISE
PREVAIL IN THE OPEN MARKET. SUCH TRANSACTIONS MAY BE EFFECTED ON THE NYSE, IN
THE OVER-THE-COUNTER MARKET OR OTHERWISE. SUCH STABILIZING, IF COMMENCED, MAY BE
DISCONTINUED AT ANY TIME.
 
                           FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
 
     Certain information incorporated by reference into this Prospectus under
the captions "Risk Factors," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations," "Business" and elsewhere include
"forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995, and is subject to the safe harbor created by that
Act. There are several important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements
contained in such discussions. Additional information on the risk factors which
could affect Cincinnati Bell's financial results is included in this Prospectus
and in other documents incorporated by reference herein.
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     Cincinnati Bell is subject to the informational reporting requirements of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements and other information with
the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). Such reports, proxy
statements and other information filed by Cincinnati Bell may be inspected and
copied at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at
the Commission's regional offices at Room 3190, Citicorp Center, 500 West
Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and Seven World Trade
Center, 13th Floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material may be
obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room
1024, Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549 at
prescribed rates. In addition, material filed by Cincinnati Bell can be
inspected and copied at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street, New York, New
York 10005. The Commission maintains a Web site at http://www.sec.gov containing
reports, proxy and information statements and other information regarding
registrants that file electronically with the Commission, including Cincinnati
Bell.
 
     Cincinnati Bell has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on
Form S-3 (the "Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act"), with respect to the Common Shares offered
hereby. This Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth in the
Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules filed as a part thereof,
as permitted by the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to Cincinnati Bell and the Common Shares, reference is
hereby made to such Registration Statement, including the exhibits and schedules
filed as a part thereof. Statements contained in this Prospectus as to the
contents of any contract or other document referred to herein are not
necessarily complete and where such contract or other document is an exhibit to
the Registration Statement, each such statement is qualified in all respects by
the provisions of such exhibit, to which reference is hereby made for a full
statement of the provisions thereof. The Registration Statement, including the
exhibits and schedules filed as a part thereof, may be inspected without charge
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission as set forth in
the preceding paragraph. Copies of these documents may be obtained at prescribed
rates from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents have been filed by Cincinnati Bell with the
Commission (File No. 1-8519) and are incorporated herein by reference:
 
     1.    Cincinnati Bell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
        December 31, 1995.
 
     2.    Cincinnati Bell's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters
        ended March 31, 1996 and June 30, 1996.
 
     3.    The description of Rights set forth in Cincinnati Bell's Registration
        Statement on Form 8-A declared effective November 5, 1986, and any
        amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description.
 
     All documents filed by Cincinnati Bell pursuant to Section 13(a), 13(c), 14
or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this Prospectus and prior to the
termination of this offering shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing such documents.
Any statement contained in a document incorporated by reference herein shall be
deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the
extent that a statement contained herein, or in any other subsequently filed
document that is also incorporated or is deemed to be incorporated by reference
herein, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or
superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to
constitute a part of this Prospectus. Subject to the foregoing, all information
appearing in this Prospectus is qualified in its entirety by the information
appearing in the documents incorporated by reference herein.
 
     Cincinnati Bell will provide without charge, upon written or oral request,
to each person to whom a copy of this Prospectus is delivered, a copy of any or
all of the documents referred to above other than exhibits to such documents.
Requests for such copies should be directed to the Secretary of Cincinnati Bell
Inc., 201 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202, telephone number (513)
397-9900.
             ------------------------------------------------------
 
   
     "Debt Exchangeable for Common Stock" and "DECS" are service marks of
Salomon Brothers Inc.
    
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
detailed information and financial statements, including the notes thereto,
contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. Unless
otherwise indicated, the information contained in this Prospectus assumes no
exercise of the Underwriters' over-allotment option.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell is a major U.S. diversified telecommunications company with
principal businesses in three industry segments. The telephone operations
segment, Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company ("CBT"), provides telecommunications
services and products, which include local service, network access and toll
telephone services in the Greater Cincinnati area. The information systems
segment, Cincinnati Bell Information Systems Inc. ("CBIS"), provides data
processing and software development services primarily to the U.S.
telecommunications industry. The telephone marketing services segment, MATRIXX
Marketing Inc. ("MATRIXX"), provides telephone marketing, research, fulfillment,
database management, interactive voice response and Internet services primarily
to large corporations such as AT&T Corp. ("AT&T") and DIRECTV Inc. ("DIRECTV").
Cincinnati Bell also provides long distance and directory services, markets
communications equipment and has a minority interest in a partnership which
operates cellular telephone systems.
    
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell is a leader in each of its principal businesses. CBT is the
leading local telephone company in the Greater Cincinnati area; CBIS is the
leading provider of billing and customer care services to the wireless
telecommunications market in North America; and MATRIXX is the largest
independent provider of outsourced telephone marketing services based on annual
revenues.
    
 
     Cincinnati Bell's revenues and operating income excluding special items for
1995 were approximately $1.3 billion and $225 million, respectively,
representing increases of 9% and 32% over 1994. Cincinnati Bell's revenues and
operating income excluding special items for the first half of 1996 were $738
million and $136 million, respectively, representing increases of 11% and 23%
over the first half of 1995.
 
STRATEGY
 
   
     The three principal businesses and other interests of Cincinnati Bell are
the products of a focused strategy first initiated in 1983 to expand from a
local exchange telecommunications company into a broader, more diversified
company providing value-added customer care services in high growth and
converging communications markets. By leveraging the combined knowledge,
capabilities and experience of its principal subsidiaries, Cincinnati Bell seeks
to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the growing communications
market and the growing trend of outsourcing information and telephone marketing
services. Cincinnati Bell's ability to provide unique insight into the customer
care requirements of outsourcing clients of both CBIS and MATRIXX is enhanced by
the knowledge and expertise developed by serving CBT, a full service
telecommunications provider.
    
 
     In addition to the growth opportunities and synergies created by working
together, each business -- CBT, CBIS and MATRIXX -- has growth strategies in its
respective markets. CBT's strategy is to leverage off its well regarded brand
name, excellent service record and tradition of quality to be a full service
provider of bundled communications, information and entertainment services.
CBIS's strategy is to utilize the scale of its data processing operations and
its extensive industry knowledge and experience to be the leading provider of
customer care and billing services and network provisioning and management
systems to the communications industry. MATRIXX's strategy is to focus on
developing long-term strategic outsourcing relationships for telephone marketing
support of large clients in the telecommunications, technology, financial
services, consumer products and direct response industries.
 
     Cincinnati Bell's principal executive offices are located at 201 East
Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202. The telephone number is (513) 397-9900.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                 THE OFFERINGS
 
   
     The DECS are being offered by Salomon in the DECS Offering pursuant to the
DECS Prospectus. Pursuant to the terms of the DECS, Salomon may deliver Common
Shares to the holders of the DECS at maturity thereof. This Prospectus relates
to the delivery by Salomon pursuant to the DECS of up to 3,000,000 Common
Shares, plus up to an additional 450,000 Common Shares with respect to DECS
solely to cover over-allotments, that Salomon may receive from Waslic under the
terms of the Waslic DECS. For a description of certain relationships among
Waslic, Western & Southern and Cincinnati Bell, see "Certain Relationships."
    
 
     The Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust is also offering for sale in the
Pension Trust Offering 2,000,000 Common Shares, plus up to an additional 300,000
Common Shares solely to cover over-allotments.
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
             SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF CINCINNATI BELL INC.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                            JUNE 30,                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                     -----------------------   -----------------------------------------------------------
                                        1996        1995          1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                     ----------- -----------   ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                                              (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                  <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
  Revenues...........................  $  738.1    $  665.9      $1,336.1    $1,228.2    $1,096.2    $1,101.4    $1,064.7
  Costs and expenses (excluding
    special items)...................     602.0       555.5       1,110.7     1,057.1       982.0       990.8       920.0
                                       --------    --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------  
  Operating income (excluding special
    items)...........................     136.1       110.4         225.4       171.1       114.2       110.6       144.7
  Special items......................     (11.0)      134.5         178.7         5.7       132.9        19.4        26.8
                                       --------    --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------  
  Operating income (loss)............     147.1       (24.1)         46.7       165.4       (18.7)       91.2       117.9
  Other income (expense), net........       4.5         0.1         (13.5)        1.7         9.4        10.9         4.2
  Interest expense...................      18.0        26.0          52.8        49.5        45.8        46.2        52.8
                                       --------    --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------  
  Income (loss) before income taxes,
    extraordinary charges and
    cumulative effect of change in
    accounting principle.............     133.6       (50.0)        (19.6)      117.6       (55.1)       55.9        69.3
  Income taxes.......................      47.1       (17.4)          5.7        42.1         1.7        17.0        26.6
  Extraordinary charges and
    cumulative effect of change
    in accounting principle..........        --          --          (7.0)       (2.9)         --        (3.7)         --
                                       --------    --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    --------  
  Net income (loss)..................  $   86.5    $  (32.6)     $  (32.3)   $   72.6    $  (56.8)   $   35.2    $   42.7
                                       ========    ========      ========    ========    ========    ========    ========
  Earnings (loss) per common share...  $   1.26    $   (.49)     $   (.49)   $   1.11    $   (.93)   $    .50    $    .63
  Dividends declared per common
    share............................  $    .40    $    .40      $    .80    $    .80    $    .80    $    .80    $    .80
  Weighted average common shares
    outstanding (000)................    68,522      66,131        66,271      65,443      63,296      61,914      61,334
  Operating margin (excluding special
    items)...........................      18.4%       16.6%         16.9%       13.9%       10.4%       10.0%       13.6%
FINANCIAL POSITION
  Total assets.......................  $1,592.4    $1,713.2      $1,591.7    $1,723.4    $1,664.1    $1,632.5    $1,743.1
  Long-term debt.....................  $  384.5    $  491.3      $  386.8    $  528.3    $  522.9    $  350.1    $  445.2
  Total debt.........................  $  511.9    $  603.4      $  512.9    $  597.0    $  634.9    $  543.0    $  618.1
  Common shareowners' equity.........  $  550.6    $  499.8      $  478.1    $  552.4    $  515.6    $  568.9    $  581.6
</TABLE>
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
                                  RISK FACTORS
 
     The following factors should be considered in connection with an investment
in Cincinnati Bell Common Shares. Any one or more of such factors may cause
Cincinnati Bell's actual results for various financial reporting periods to
differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements made by
or on behalf of Cincinnati Bell.
 
REGULATORY AND COMPETITIVE TRENDS
 
     Recently enacted and future legislative and regulatory initiatives will
have an impact on CBT and other incumbent local exchange carriers ("LECs"),
including the Regional Bell Operating Companies ("RBOCs") and other independent
telephone companies. The extent of that impact will not be known until the
initiatives are fully implemented. The basic thrust of these initiatives is to
encourage and accelerate the development of competition in the
telecommunications industry by removing legal barriers to competition across
major segments of that industry. Under the initiatives, companies that today are
limited to one or more of those segments, including local exchange, long
distance, wireless, cable television and information services, could enter the
other segments to compete with the incumbent providers and other new entrants.
 
     Today's technology makes it possible to interconnect facilities of
competing telecommunications carriers and to provide the service offerings of
multiple competitors through the network facilities of one or more incumbents.
At the federal level, the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (the "Act") passed in
February 1996 requires incumbent LECs like CBT to interconnect with the networks
of other service providers, unbundle certain network elements and make them
available to competing providers at wholesale rates. Additionally, the Act
requires the removal of other perceived barriers to competitive entry by
alternative providers of local exchange services. Although the Act clearly
states these mandates, it does so in general terms and leaves the implementation
of these mandates to the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") and the state
regulatory agencies.
 
     On August 8, 1996, the FCC issued an order establishing regulations to
implement the "local competition" provisions of the Act. These regulations
essentially establish parameters under which a LEC must allow other
telecommunications carriers to interconnect with its network, including the
compensation that a LEC would receive for terminating calls originating from the
networks of the other carriers. The FCC's regulations also establish parameters
under which LECs must unbundle network elements and offer them to other
telecommunications carriers. The prices for interconnection and unbundled
elements either are to be negotiated between the parties (and approved by the
relevant state commission) or, if the parties fail to reach an agreement, the
rates are to be set by the relevant state commission based on guidelines
established by the Act and implemented by the FCC. Under the Act, these rates
must be based on the cost of providing the interconnection or unbundled
elements, be nondiscriminatory and include a reasonable profit. The FCC has
determined that the prices for these unbundled elements and interconnection are
to be based on a methodology governed by forward-looking, long-run incremental
costs. The Act also requires LECs to offer to other telecommunications carriers,
at wholesale rates, any retail telecommunications service offered by the LEC to
end-users. The FCC has determined that the wholesale rates are to be based on
the LEC's retail rates, less the costs avoided by the LEC in offering its
services for resale.
 
   
     CBT and several other LECs believe the FCC's regulations with respect to
interconnection, unbundling and resale unlawfully exceed the requirements of the
Act. Accordingly, they have sought review of the FCC's order in the United
States Court of Appeals. The primary objections raised by CBT and the other LECs
are that the pricing rules and standards for interconnection, unbundling and
resale, and the rules allowing interconnecting carriers to "pick and choose"
from various unbundled elements and services, along with their prices, being
provided by LECs pursuant to pre-approved contracts with other carriers, will
not provide the LECs with adequate compensation. On October 15, 1996, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit stayed the effectiveness of the
portions of the FCC order establishing the pricing standards and the "pick and
choose" rules. As a result of the stay, these rules are suspended, pending a
final decision on the merits of the petition for review of these rules. The
appeal is scheduled for argument the week of January 13, 1997. The FCC
regulations requiring LECs to negotiate with new entrants, unbundle and resell
still exist;
    
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
   
however, pending a decision on the appeal, pricing will be determined by private
negotiations as approved by state regulatory authorities or by state
arbitrations.
    
 
     If the FCC's order were implemented as written, and if CBT were unable to
obtain waivers to certain requirements or to replace its lost revenues,
Cincinnati Bell believes that the result would have a material adverse impact on
its revenues and earnings. The material impact would result from the elimination
of certain revenues designed to subsidize residential telephone service and
increased costs to develop or modify systems to allow number portability and
interconnection. CBT also believes that implementation of the FCC order would
significantly enhance the position of its competitors, which would have an
additional adverse impact on CBT's revenues and earnings from operations within
its territory.
 
     The outcome of three separate, but related, FCC proceedings could be
significant for CBT. In the first of these proceedings, the FCC will be
implementing a universal service funding mechanism which is currently being
developed by a joint board made up of state and federal regulators. In the
second of these proceedings, the FCC will be reforming the current access charge
regime, which could result in an additional reduction in revenues. In the third,
the FCC will be implementing regulations that may require certain LECs to share
their infrastructure, technology, information and facilities with certain
smaller telecommunications service providers.
 
     At the state level, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio ("PUCO")
recently adopted a set of local service guidelines that largely mirror the
requirements of the Act and the FCC regulations discussed above. In addition,
the PUCO has issued an order granting Time Warner Communications of Ohio, L.P. a
certificate of public convenience and necessity to provide local exchange
service in CBT's operating territory. Other entities have been granted
certificates to provide basic local exchange service in Ohio, although not in
CBT's operating territory. CBT has sought rehearing of the local service
guidelines in accordance with the PUCO's administrative procedures, and will
consider further review by the Ohio Supreme Court if the local service
guidelines are not appropriately modified on rehearing. If CBT is unsuccessful
in these efforts, Cincinnati Bell believes that CBT will face increased
competition which may have a material adverse effect on its operating results.
 
     The impact of the proposed regulatory changes may be mitigated through
modification of the final rules, waivers of the rules and price increases in
other regulated services (e.g., local rates).
 
CUSTOMER CONCENTRATION
 
     MATRIXX, CBIS and CBT rely on several significant customers for a large
percentage of their respective revenues. Their relationships with customers are
typically based on written contracts with a set term; however, such contracts
may contain provisions that allow a customer at any time to terminate the
relationship prior to the end of the contract term. In the case of MATRIXX,
three customers represented approximately 38% of its 1995 revenues. In the case
of CBIS, its four largest customers, other than CBT, collectively represented
approximately 70% of its 1995 revenues. During 1995, revenues from AT&T
accounted for 26% of Cincinnati Bell's consolidated revenues under various
independent contracts with one or more of its subsidiaries. Thus, the loss of
one or more significant customers could have a material adverse effect on
Cincinnati Bell's operating results.
 
     CBT and AT&T are discussing whether to revise portions of their agreement
concerning the joint provision of certain telecommunication services. Revenues
subject to discussion represent approximately $36 million or 6% of CBT's
revenues, but portions of the contract provide above average profit
contribution. The outcome of such discussions cannot be predicted, but
significant changes in the relationship could have a material adverse impact on
CBT's future earnings. These discussions with AT&T do not involve AT&T's
relationship with other Cincinnati Bell subsidiaries.
 
CUSTOMER AND INDUSTRY SUCCESS
 
     The revenues generated by MATRIXX and CBIS are dependent on the success of
their customers. If their customers are not successful, the amount of business
that such customers outsource will be diminished.
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
Several of MATRIXX's and CBIS's current customers participate in emerging
industries. The extent to which products marketed by such customers (e.g.,
personal communications services ("PCS")) will be successful is not yet known.
Thus, although CBIS and MATRIXX have signed contracts to provide services to
such customers, there can be no assurance that the level of revenues to be
received from such contracts will meet expectations.
 
     Each of the business segments in which Cincinnati Bell's subsidiaries
conduct their business has grown significantly in the last several years. To the
extent that growth in these industry segments declines, such decline could
adversely affect the growth of each subsidiary's business. In addition, the
possibility of continued growth in these segments could be affected by the
development of new products that provide alternatives to the product offerings
of Cincinnati Bell, and by a change in the trend of businesses generally to
outsource functions unrelated to their core capabilities.
 
RAPIDLY CHANGING TECHNOLOGY
 
     The telecommunications industry is subject to rapid and significant changes
in technology. Cincinnati Bell's businesses are highly dependent on its
computer, telecommunications and software systems. Cincinnati Bell's failure to
maintain the superiority of its technological capabilities or to respond
effectively to technological changes could have an adverse effect on its
businesses, results of operations or financial condition. Cincinnati Bell's
future success also will be highly dependent upon its ability to enhance
existing services and introduce new services or products to respond to changing
technological developments. There can be no assurance that Cincinnati Bell can
successfully develop and bring to market any new services or products in a
timely manner, that such services or products will be commercially successful or
that competitors' technologies or services will not render Cincinnati Bell's
products or services noncompetitive or obsolete.
 
POTENTIAL VOLATILITY OF STOCK PRICE
 
     The trading price of Cincinnati Bell's Common Shares is subject to
fluctuations in response to Cincinnati Bell's operating profits, announcements
of new contract awards or new products by Cincinnati Bell and its subsidiaries
or their competitors, general conditions in the market, changes in earnings
estimates by analysts, failure to meet the revenues or earnings estimates of
analysts or other events or factors. The public stock markets have experienced
price and trading volume volatility in recent months. This volatility has
significantly affected the market prices of securities of many companies for
reasons frequently unrelated to the operating performance of the specific
companies. The market price for the Common Shares has been highly volatile.
Future announcements concerning Cincinnati Bell, its subsidiaries or their
competition, including the results of technological innovations, new products,
government regulations, litigation or public concern with respect to Cincinnati
Bell or its subsidiaries and other factors including those described above, may
have a significant impact on the market price of the Common Shares.
 
   
     It is not possible to predict accurately how or whether any market that
develops for the DECS will influence the market for the Common Shares. For
example, the price of the Common Shares could become more volatile and could be
depressed by investors' anticipation of the potential distribution into the
market, upon the maturity of the DECS, of the 3,000,000 Common Shares which may
be delivered by Waslic upon the maturity of the DECS (currently constituting
approximately 4.5% of the outstanding Common Shares). See "Certain
Relationships." The price of the Common Shares could also be affected by
possible sales of Common Shares by investors who view the DECS as a more
attractive means of equity participation in Cincinnati Bell and by hedging or
arbitrage trading activity that may develop involving the DECS and the Common
Shares.
    
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
   
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
    
 
   
     On October 16, 1996, Cincinnati Bell announced that its third-quarter
revenues increased 23%, and its third-quarter net income excluding special items
increased 50% compared with the third quarter of 1995. Consolidated revenues for
the third quarter of 1996 were $403.2 million, up from $327.0 million in the
third quarter of 1995. Revenues for the first nine months of 1996 were $1,141.3
million, an increase of 15% from $992.9 million for the first nine months of
1995.
    
 
   
     Excluding special items, net income increased 50% in the third quarter of
1996 to $43.1 million, or $.62 per share, from $28.8 million, or $.43 per share
in the third quarter of 1995.
    
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell's third-quarter revenue increase of $76.2 million or 23%
was the largest percentage increase in quarterly revenues since the first
quarter of 1991. The principal sources of that growth were CBIS and MATRIXX.
Revenues for CBIS and MATRIXX combined grew 42% for the third quarter of 1996
compared to the third quarter of 1995.
    
 
   
     Special items for the third quarter of 1996 included pension settlement
gains of $3.5 million after tax which were the result of employees' decisions to
receive pension benefits in lump-sum distributions. Cincinnati Bell expects
those gains to continue into early 1997. CBT reversed $1.6 million after tax in
interest expense. That amount was almost offset by a $1.3 million after-tax
charge to operating expenses for acquired in-process research and development
costs at CBIS. Including those items, Cincinnati Bell's net income for the third
quarter of 1996 was $46.9 million, or $.68 per share.
    
 
   
     Operating income excluding special items was $71.4 million in the third
quarter of 1996, an increase of 25% from $57.1 million in the third quarter of
1995. All of Cincinnati Bell's businesses contributed to the increase.
    
 
   
     Excluding special items, Cincinnati Bell's operating income for the first
nine months of 1996 increased 24% to $207.6 million and net income increased 50%
to $122.6 million, or $1.79 per share. Results for the first nine months of 1995
include $132.0 million of special charges, pre-tax, for Cincinnati Bell's
restructuring and a $2.5 million charge for acquired in-process research and
development costs at CBIS.
    
 
   
CINCINNATI BELL TELEPHONE
    
 
   
     CBT's revenues increased 4% to $162.8 million and its operating income
excluding special items increased 2% to $30.9 million in the third quarter of
1996. Operating results were affected somewhat by weather-related repair costs
early in the quarter, and start-up costs for new product initiatives. CBT had
936,000 access lines in service at September 30, 1996, a 4% increase from the
third quarter of 1995. Business lines increased 7% from the third quarter of
1995.
    
 
   
     Sales of CBT's high-speed data services principally for business customers
continued to grow. CBT also recorded strong third-quarter sales of its Custom
Call PLUS(SM) and voice messaging services for residence and small business
customers.
    
 
   
     On October 22, 1996, Cincinnati Bell announced that David S. Gergacz,
President and Chief Executive Officer of CBT and an Executive Vice President of
Cincinnati Bell, resigned from these positions. Until a successor is named, CBT
management will report to James F. Orr, Chief Operating Officer of Cincinnati
Bell.
    
 
   
CINCINNATI BELL INFORMATION SYSTEMS
    
 
   
     CBIS's revenues increased 37% in the third quarter of 1996 from $91.1
million to $125.1 million. Operating income excluding special items increased
from $11.0 million in the third quarter of 1995 to $20.2 million in the third
quarter of 1996.
    
 
   
     CBIS's results reflect the growth of its wireless market, including
subscriber-driven growth in its cellular market, and revenues for professional
services on behalf of its PCS clients. CBIS's results also reflect the growth of
its cable television clients following an acquisition in December 1995 and the
growth of its international business.
    
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
   
MATRIXX MARKETING
    
 
   
     MATRIXX's revenues increased 50% to $95.5 million in the third quarter of
1996 from $63.7 million in the third quarter of 1995. Operating income was $12.0
million for the third quarter of 1996 compared to $7.6 million in the third
quarter of 1995, a 58% increase.
    
 
   
     Revenues from MATRIXX's outsourced dedicated services continues to be a
contributor to MATRIXX's revenue growth. During the third quarter of 1996,
MATRIXX expanded its DIRECTV(R) dedicated call center near Cincinnati and opened
a new dedicated call center in Orem, Utah. Growth in business with other
communications and consumer products clients for MATRIXX's outsourced dedicated
services also contributed to the quarterly revenue gain.
    
 
   
OTHER BUSINESSES
    
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell's directory, long distance, and equipment resale businesses
revenues and operating income increased when compared to the third quarter of
1995. Partnership income from Cincinnati Bell's interest in a cellular telephone
service business increased for the third quarter of 1996. Interest expense
declined 49% for the third quarter of 1996 as a result of the reversal of
interest expense by CBT in the third quarter and the retirement of high-interest
rate debt in 1995.
    
 
   
REGULATORY DEVELOPMENTS
    
 
   
     On October 15, 1996, the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth
Circuit stayed the effectiveness of the portions of the FCC order establishing
the pricing standards and the "pick and choose" rules. As a result of the stay,
these rules are suspended, pending a final decision on the merits of the
petition for review of these rules. The appeal is scheduled for argument the
week of January 13, 1997. The FCC regulations requiring LECs to negotiate with
new entrants, unbundle and resell still exist; however, pending a decision on
the appeal, pricing will be determined by private negotiations as approved by
state regulatory authorities or by state arbitrations. See "Risk
Factors--Regulatory and Competitive Trends."
    
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     Cincinnati Bell will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of the
DECS by Salomon Inc or the sale of the Common Shares by the Cincinnati Bell
Pension Plans Trust.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                   PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES AND DIVIDENDS
 
   
     The Common Shares are traded under the symbol "CSN" on the NYSE and on the
CSE. The following table sets forth for the indicated calendar quarters the high
and low sales prices for the Common Shares, as reported in the NYSE consolidated
transaction system, and the dividends paid per Common Share since January 1,
1994.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                      SALES PRICES
                                                                      ------------    DIVIDENDS
                                                                      HIGH    LOW       PAID
                                                                      ----    ----    ---------
<S>                                                                   <C>     <C>     <C>
1994
  First Quarter....................................................   $18 7/8 $15 1/2   $ .20
  Second Quarter...................................................   $17 1/2 $15 3/8   $ .20
  Third Quarter....................................................   $20 1/8 $ 16      $ .20
  Fourth Quarter...................................................   $19 1/2 $16 3/4   $ .20
1995
  First Quarter....................................................   $22 1/8 $16 7/8   $ .20
  Second Quarter...................................................   $26 1/4 $20 7/8   $ .20
  Third Quarter....................................................   $28 1/8 $24 3/4   $ .20
  Fourth Quarter...................................................   $35 1/4 $26 1/8   $ .20
1996
  First Quarter....................................................   $ 53    $32 1/4   $ .20
  Second Quarter...................................................   $57 3/4 $46 7/8   $ .20
  Third Quarter....................................................   $53 1/4 $45 3/8   $ .20
  Fourth Quarter (through October 22, 1996)........................   $53 1/8 $ 49      $ .20(1)
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Cincinnati Bell declared a dividend on September 16, 1996, payable on
    November 1, 1996, to shareholders of record on October 2, 1996.
 
   
     As of September 30, 1996, there were approximately 18,532 holders of record
of the Common Shares and 67,393,953 Common Shares outstanding, including
8,171,378 shares held by or for the account of Cincinnati Bell, its subsidiaries
and its employee benefit plans.
    
 
     Cincinnati Bell has paid consecutive cash dividends on its Common Shares
since 1879. The payment of future dividends will depend upon future earnings,
the financial condition of Cincinnati Bell and other factors.
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                  SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
 
     The following table sets forth selected historical consolidated financial
and operating data of Cincinnati Bell and its subsidiaries. The selected
historical consolidated financial data as of and for each of the five years in
the period ended December 31, 1995 have been derived from the audited
consolidated financial statements of Cincinnati Bell. The selected consolidated
financial data as of and for the six month periods ended June 30, 1996 and 1995
have been derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements of
Cincinnati Bell. The statements for such six month periods, in the opinion of
management, include all adjustments necessary to present fairly the financial
results for such periods. All adjustments are of a normal or recurring nature
except those outlined in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations in the Form 10-Ks and Form 10-Qs of Cincinnati Bell for those
periods. The results of operations for the six month period ended June 30, 1996
are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the full
fiscal year. The historical consolidated financial data set forth below should
be read in conjunction with the audited and unaudited consolidated financial
statements of Cincinnati Bell incorporated by reference herein. See "Available
Information" and "Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               SIX MONTHS ENDED
                                                   JUNE 30,                            YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                            -----------------------   -----------------------------------------------------------
                                               1996        1995          1995        1994        1993        1992        1991
                                            ----------- -----------   ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
                                                                     (IN MILLIONS EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)
<S>                                         <C>         <C>           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
  Revenues..................................   $  738.1   $  665.9      $1,336.1    $1,228.2    $1,096.2    $1,101.4    $1,064.7
  Costs and expenses (excluding special
    items)..................................      602.0      555.5       1,110.7     1,057.1       982.0       990.8       920.0
                                               --------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
  Operating income (excluding special
    items)..................................      136.1      110.4         225.4       171.1       114.2       110.6       144.7
  Special items.............................      (11.0)     134.5         178.7         5.7       132.9        19.4        26.8
                                               --------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
  Operating income (loss)...................      147.1      (24.1)         46.7       165.4       (18.7)       91.2       117.9
  Other income (expense), net...............        4.5         .1         (13.5)        1.7         9.4        10.9         4.2
  Interest expense..........................       18.0       26.0          52.8        49.5        45.8        46.2        52.8
                                               --------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
  Income (loss) before income taxes,
    extraordinary charges and cumulative
    effect of change in accounting
    principle...............................      133.6      (50.0)        (19.6)      117.6       (55.1)       55.9        69.3
  Income taxes..............................       47.1      (17.4)          5.7        42.1         1.7        17.0        26.6
  Extraordinary charges and cumulative
    effect of change
    in accounting principle.................         --         --          (7.0)       (2.9)         --        (3.7)         --
                                               --------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
  Net income (loss).........................   $   86.5   $  (32.6)     $  (32.3)   $   72.6    $  (56.8)   $   35.2    $   42.7
                                               ========   ========      ========    ========    ========    ========    ======== 
  Earnings (loss) per common share..........   $   1.26   $   (.49)     $   (.49)   $   1.11    $   (.93)   $    .50    $    .63
  Dividends declared per common share.......   $    .40   $    .40      $    .80    $    .80    $    .80    $    .80    $    .80
  Weighted average common shares outstanding
    (000)...................................     68,522     66,131        66,271      65,443      63,296      61,914      61,334
  Operating margin (excluding special
    items)..................................       18.4%      16.6%         16.9%       13.9%       10.4%       10.0%       13.6%
FINANCIAL POSITION
  Total assets..............................   $1,592.4   $1,713.2      $1,591.7    $1,723.4    $1,664.1    $1,632.5    $1,743.1
  Long-term debt............................   $  384.5   $  491.3      $  386.8    $  528.3    $  522.9    $  350.1    $  445.2
  Total debt................................   $  511.9   $  603.4      $  512.9    $  597.0    $  634.9    $  543.0    $  618.1
  Common shareowners' equity................   $  550.6   $  499.8      $  478.1    $  552.4    $  515.6    $  568.9    $  581.6
OTHER DATA
  Total capital additions (including
    acquisitions)...........................   $   71.5   $   73.5      $  166.8    $  156.2    $  235.4    $  140.1    $  193.3
  Telephone plant construction..............   $   41.9   $   47.6      $   90.3    $  112.8    $  111.6    $   95.0    $  115.9
  Access minutes of use (millions) --
                               Interstate...      1,367      1,252         2,536       2,336       2,132       1,985       1,852
                               Intrastate...        474        473           956         932         888         836         793
                                               --------   --------      --------    --------    --------    --------    -------- 
        Total...............................      1,841      1,725         3,492       3,268       3,020       2,821       2,645
</TABLE>
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
               MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                      CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Cincinnati Bell is a major U.S. diversified telecommunications company with
principal businesses in three industry segments. The telephone operations
segment, CBT, provides telecommunications services and products, which include
local service, network access and toll telephone services in the Greater
Cincinnati area. The information systems segment, CBIS, provides data processing
services and software development services through long-term contracts primarily
to the U.S. telecommunications industry. The telephone marketing services
segment, MATRIXX, provides telephone marketing, research, fulfillment, database
management, interactive voice response and Internet services. The operations of
Cincinnati Bell's long distance, directory services, and equipment supply
businesses are included with corporate operations in the Other category. The
following discussion should be read in conjunction with Cincinnati Bell's
Consolidated Financial Statements and the accompanying Notes. Results for
interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
CONSOLIDATED OVERVIEW
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Cincinnati Bell's consolidated revenues were $738.1 million compared to
$665.9 million, an increase of 11%. Net income was $86.5 million compared to a
net loss of $32.6 million in 1995. Earnings per share for the first six months
of 1996 were $1.26 compared to a loss per share of $.49 for the first six months
of 1995.
 
     Results for the first six months of 1996 include $11.0 million of pension
settlement gains from a business restructuring of Cincinnati Bell in 1995. These
gains increased net income $7.0 million and earnings per share $.10. The results
for the first six months of 1995 also include $132 million of special charges
for business restructuring at CBT ($124.0 million) and Cincinnati Bell ($8.0
million) and a non-recurring charge of $2.5 million. The special and
non-recurring charges reduced net income by $85.6 million or $1.29 per share.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Revenues increased 9% in 1995 to $1,336.1 million from $1,228.2 million in
1994. 1994 revenues increased 12% from 1993. Revenue growth in 1995 was 4% at
CBT, 9% at CBIS and 20% at MATRIXX.
 
     Cincinnati Bell's consolidated net loss was $32.3 million in 1995 compared
to net income of $72.6 million in 1994 and a net loss of $56.8 million in 1993.
1995 loss per share was $.49 compared to earnings per share of $1.11 in 1994 and
a loss per share of $.93 in 1993.
 
     Excluding special items, consolidated net income was $114.2 million in 1995
or $1.72 per share, a 44% increase in net income versus 1994. Consolidated net
income was $79.2 million in 1994 or $1.21 per share and $50.1 million in 1993 or
$.76 per share.
 
     In 1995, Cincinnati Bell approved a business restructuring plan for CBT and
Cincinnati Bell. The restructuring plan resulted in the need for fewer employees
to operate their businesses. Most of the reductions in personnel came from the
offering of early retirement incentives. The charges were primarily related to
pension enhancements and associated postretirement health care costs for
retirees. More than 1,300 employees accepted the early retirement offer
including approximately 1,000 hourly workers. Through the end of 1995
approximately 250 management and 450 hourly employees had left as a result of
the offer. The remainder will leave through early 1997. New employees are being
added in certain areas to support new business efforts. Results in 1995 included
after-tax charges of $84 million for these restructurings.
 
     Results in 1995 also included a $39.4 million after-tax charge to write
down goodwill associated with MATRIXX's French subsidiary, $8.5 million after
tax to terminate an interest rate and currency swap agreement used to hedge the
French MATRIXX investment and $7 million after tax to retire certain long-term
debt. Finally, $4.6 million after tax was charged to in-process research and
development on two CBIS acquisitions. (See Note 2 of Notes to Cincinnati Bell's
Consolidated Financial Statements incorporated herein by reference to Cincinnati
Bell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1995 for
greater detail on these subjects.) These special items reduced net income in
1995 by $146.5 million or $2.21 per share.
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
     Results in 1994 included an after-tax charge of $6.6 million or $.10 per
share for special items and a change in accounting for the adoption of Statement
of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) 112 for post-employment benefits. (See
Note 2 of Notes to Cincinnati Bell's Consolidated Financial Statements for a
discussion of the SFAS 112 impact.)
 
TELEPHONE OPERATIONS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   SIX MONTHS                     YEAR ENDED                    YEAR ENDED
                                 ENDED JUNE 30,                  DECEMBER 31,                  DECEMBER 31,
                                 ---------------   % CHANGE     ---------------   % CHANGE     ------------   % CHANGE
                                  1996     1995    96 VS 95      1995     1994    95 VS 94         1993       94 VS 93
                                 ------   ------   --------     ------   ------   --------     ------------   --------
                                                                 (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                              <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>          <C>            <C>
Revenues
  Local service................  $182.8   $173.2        6%      $352.6   $329.3        7%         $304.1           8%
  Network access...............    78.9     72.2        9%       142.6    141.0        1%          138.5           2%
  Long distance................    14.2     17.3      (18)%       33.5     37.2      (10)%          41.4         (10)%
  Other........................    44.8     47.2       (5)%       95.7     92.2        4%           98.1          (6)%
                                 ------   ------                ------   ------                   ------
    Total......................   320.7    309.9        3%       624.4    599.7        4%          582.1           3%
Operating expenses (excluding
  special items)...............   255.5    253.7        1%       508.7    496.6        2%          481.9           3%
                                 ------   ------                ------   ------                   ------
Operating income (excluding
  special items)...............    65.2     56.2       16%       115.7    103.1       12%          100.2           3%
Special items..................   (11.0)   124.0       --        121.7      3.6       --             6.6          --
                                 ------   ------                ------   ------                   ------
Operating income (loss)........  $ 76.2   $(67.8)      --       $ (6.0)  $ 99.5       --          $ 93.6           6%
Access lines (000).............     927      893        4%         906      877        3%            848           3%
CBT employees..................   2,800    3,000       (7)%      2,700    3,300      (18)%         3,400          (3)%
Access lines per CBT
  employee.....................     331      298       11%         336      266       26%            249           7%
Minutes of use (millions)
  Interstate...................   1,367    1,252        9%       2,536    2,336        9%          2,132          10%
  Intrastate...................     474      473       --          956      932        3%            888           5%
                                 ------   ------                ------   ------                   ------
    Total......................   1,841    1,725        7%       3,492    3,268        7%          3,020           8%
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Local service revenues increased $9.6 million for the first six months of
1996 compared to 1995 primarily due to continuing access line growth. Much of
the access line growth was attributed to higher installations of second
residential lines for home office and on-line computer services. Growth in
enhanced custom calling services, central office features, public telephone
revenues and new rates approved by the Public Service Commission of Kentucky
("PSCK") that became effective in May 1995 accounted for the remainder of the
increase. The approval by the PSCK maintained uniform rates for basic services
in CBT's Kentucky and Ohio metropolitan areas.
 
     Network access revenues increased $6.7 million from a 7% growth in access
minutes of use, end user charges as a result of access line growth and a change
in estimates for potential overearnings liability.
 
     The $3.1 million decrease in long distance revenues was caused by lower
settlement revenues from interexchange carriers and independent companies and a
decline in long distance message revenues from the expansion of local service
areas in some Northern Kentucky counties in November 1995.
 
     Other telephone operations revenues decreased $2.4 million. Billing and
collection services decreased as more customers are now performing these
services in-house. Commission revenue decreased from less sales subject to
commissions. An increase in the provision for uncollectible accounts caused a
decrease in revenues. Partially offsetting the decreases were higher sales of
wiring services and increases in payphone agent revenues because of increased
levels of business activity.
 
     Operating expenses were comparable to the first six months of 1995 after
excluding special charges and credits for the 1995 business restructuring.
Contracted network labor and data processing costs increased as a result of
business restructuring projects, many of which started in the second quarter of
1996. Advertising costs were higher from specific planned campaigns including
campaigns for new services, second lines and internet
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
access. Depreciation and amortization expenses increased particularly as a
result of increases in switching, circuit and outside plant assets. Property
taxes decreased as a result of a tax law change in Ohio on equipment placed into
service after January 1, 1994. The business restructuring has resulted in lower
employee-related expenses including payroll and facilities expenses because of
headcount levels. However, the level of cost reduction due to wages is less than
the headcount reduction as costs have increased concurrently for overtime and
temporary help. The extremely wet weather in the Cincinnati area during the
second quarter of 1996 contributed to increased labor costs required for
repairs.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Continued record growth in access lines, a full year's effect of the
increases in rates in Ohio (which took effect in mid 1994) and new rates
approved by the PSCK effective May 1995 increased local service revenues by
$14.8 million in 1995. The remaining increase of $8.5 million was primarily from
increased customer usage of enhanced custom calling services and directory
assistance.
 
     Growth in access lines and an increase in rates approved by the PUCO in
Ohio effective May 1994 accounted for $14.7 million of the increase in local
service revenues in 1994. Revenues were also higher by $9.3 million as a result
of sales of enhanced custom calling services and increased usage of both
directory assistance and public telephone services.
 
     Network access revenues increased in 1995 from access line growth and
increased minutes of use, as well as lower support payments to the National
Exchange Carrier Association ("NECA").
 
     The increase in interstate network access revenues in 1994 was primarily
attributable to the $6.6 million reduction in 1993 revenues resulting from
orders of the FCC. In addition, higher minutes of use and lower support payments
to NECA accounted for $5.5 million of the increase. FCC orders involving
overearnings complaints against CBT for the 1987-1988 monitoring period were
recorded as a reduction of access revenues in 1993.
 
     Long distance revenues decreased $3.7 million in 1995 because of lower
settlements with interexchange carriers and independent companies due primarily
to decreases in rates. Long distance revenues declined $4.2 million in 1994
because of lower settlement revenues from independent companies, the effect of a
favorable retroactive interexchange carrier adjustment in February 1993 and an
interstate message toll rate reduction in January 1994.
 
     Other telephone operations revenues increased $3.5 million in 1995 from
growth in customer premises equipment repairs, payphone agent services for
interexchange carriers, voice mail and billing and collection services. The
increases were partially offset by lower sales of merchandise and an increased
provision for uncollectibles.
 
     In 1994 other telephone operations revenues were lower by $10.3 million
because CBT discontinued its leasing of telecommunications equipment in late
1993 and sold its residential equipment leasing and PhoneCenter store businesses
in the first quarter of 1993.
 
     Operating expenses excluding special items increased $12.1 million in 1995
compared to 1994. Contract services for systems development and other services
increased $10.3 million primarily as a result of the business restructuring. The
increase also includes higher depreciation and amortization expenses of $2.3
million as a result of rate represcriptions in Ohio which became effective in
July 1994 and higher levels of depreciable plant. Right-to-use fees were lower
by $3.2 million as a consequence of fewer switch conversions and network
software upgrades.
 
     Operating expenses excluding special items increased $14.7 million in 1994.
Right-to-use fees for advanced intelligent network software upgrades increased
$3.5 million. Postretirement benefit costs increased $4.5 million primarily from
expensing 1993 costs which were deferred with regulatory approval. Expenses were
$5.2 million higher in 1994 because of a 1993 change in vacation policy which
resulted in a one-time expense reduction. Depreciation and amortization expense
increased $11.4 million in 1994, with $9.7 million resulting from depreciation
rate represcriptions by the Federal and Kentucky authorities effective January
1, 1994, and
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
the PUCO effective July 1, 1994. In November 1994, CBT presented a separation
offer to its senior managers which resulted in $3.6 million of special charges
in 1994.
 
     Partially offsetting the 1994 increase in operating expenses was a $7.4
million reduction reflecting businesses sold and discontinued and a $3.7 million
decline resulting from lower software costs.
 
INFORMATION SYSTEMS
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                      SIX MONTHS                    YEAR ENDED                   YEAR ENDED
                                    ENDED JUNE 30,                 DECEMBER 31,                 DECEMBER 31,
                                    ---------------  % CHANGE     ---------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE
                                     1996     1995   96 VS 95      1995     1994   95 VS 94         1993      94 VS 93
                                    ------   ------  --------     ------   ------  --------     ------------  --------
                                                                  (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                 <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>
Revenues..........................  $221.4   $184.7     20%       $373.9   $343.8      9%         $  356.6        (4)%
Operating expenses (excluding
  special items)..................   185.1    162.0     14%        327.9    316.7      4%            357.9       (12)%
                                    ------   ------               ------   ------                 --------
Operating income (loss) (excluding
  special items)..................    36.3     22.7     60%         46.0     27.1     70%             (1.3)       --
Special items.....................      --      2.5                  7.5       --     --             123.3        --
                                    ------   ------               ------   ------                 --------
Operating income (loss)...........  $ 36.3   $ 20.2     80%       $ 38.5   $ 27.1     42%         $ (124.6)       --
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Revenues increased $36.7 million. Data processing revenues contributed
$13.3 million of the increase as a result of strong subscriber growth of
cellular customers. Professional services increased $11.2 million from an
acquisition of a cable software company in the fourth quarter of 1995 and a
combination of development opportunities for PCS as well as growth from existing
wireless and cable customers. Hardware sales from a recently acquired cable
group accounted for an increase in licenses and other fees of $9.0 million.
International revenues grew $3.2 million from improved contractual agreements.
 
     Costs and expenses increased $23.1 million excluding special items. Costs
associated with new customers resulted in an increase of $12.4 million. Research
and development costs increased $5.8 million from development activity for
billing solutions software. An increase in depreciable assets increased
depreciation and amortization expenses by $1.6 million. Sales, marketing and
general and administrative costs increased $2.6 million primarily as a result of
additional business. The remaining increases were due to other direct costs
associated with data processing and professional services revenues. A
non-recurring charge of $2.5 million for acquired in-process research and
development expense was recorded in the first quarter of 1995.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     CBIS had a strong year of continuing growth and profit progress in 1995,
with revenues up 9% and operating income excluding special items up 70%. Strong
subscriber growth in the cellular telecommunications market contributed to a 19%
domestic revenue growth at CBIS in 1995 to $343 million, as CBIS generated a
record 140 million bills for wireless and wireline telecommunications companies.
International revenues were down 50% to $31 million due to the completion of one
contract in early 1995 and the delayed delivery of another contract. All
anticipated costs due to the delay were recorded in 1995.
 
     1994 revenues increased by about 20% versus 1993 when 1993's figures are
adjusted to exclude operations sold or closed ($67.4 million). Revenue growth in
1994 was primarily the result of higher data processing and professional
services provided to the cellular industry, and professional service contracts
with international clients for development of telecommunications solutions.
 
     Operating expenses increased just 4% in 1995 compared with 1994, after
excluding special items. CBIS increased research and development spending by
43%, with total 1995 spending of $32 million (excluding $7.5 million of acquired
research and development). General and administrative expenses decreased in 1995
by $8.5 million.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
     Operating expenses increased 9% in 1994 compared to 1993 after excluding
$88.6 million of 1993 expenses related to operations sold or closed and $102
million in special charges. (See Note 2 of Notes to Cincinnati Bell's
Consolidated Financial Statements for a discussion of special items.) The
increase primarily reflected additional production costs of $28 million to
support cellular and wireline billing clients and a $23 million increase in
international contract costs. The higher international costs reflected
provisions resulting from CBIS cost estimates exceeding expected revenues on
certain long-term contracts.
 
TELEPHONE MARKETING SERVICES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        SIX MONTHS
                                           ENDED                     YEAR ENDED                  YEAR ENDED
                                         JUNE 30,                   DECEMBER 31,                DECEMBER 31,
                                      ---------------  % CHANGE    ---------------  % CHANGE    ------------  % CHANGE
                                       1996     1995   96 VS 95     1995     1994   95 VS 94        1993      94 VS 93
                                      ------   ------  --------    ------   ------  --------    ------------  --------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                   <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>      <C>     <C>         <C>           <C>
Revenues............................  $157.4   $137.1      15%     $271.1   $226.1      20%        $108.2        109%
Operating expenses (excluding
  special items)....................   138.2    120.3      15%      238.8    203.5      17%         106.2         92%
                                      ------   ------              ------   ------                 ------
Operating income (excluding special
  items)............................    19.2     16.8      14%       32.3     22.6      43%           2.0         --
Special items.......................      --       --      --        39.6       --      --             --         --
                                      ------   ------              ------   ------                 ------
Operating income (loss).............  $ 19.2   $ 16.8      14%     $ (7.3)  $ 22.6      --         $  2.0         --
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Telephone marketing services revenues increased $20.3 million representing
strong growth in the outsourced dedicated services sector, which provided 80% of
the growth while traditional telephone marketing services provided 20% of the
growth. Industries experiencing the greatest growth were telecommunications and
technology.
 
     Costs and expenses increased $17.9 million, a rate comparable to that of
revenues. The increase for the period was principally the result of higher
direct labor costs reflecting higher activity and higher wage rates.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Revenues increased by 20% in 1995 representing strong growth in the
outsourced sector and solid growth in the traditional telephone marketing
services programs. Total revenues were up $45 million with 66% of the increase
generated from outsourcing sales support and customer service contracts. The
balance of the growth came from the more traditional inbound/outbound services
and from international operations. Industries with the strongest increases were
telecommunications, technology (including DIRECTV(R)) and financial services. In
1995, the growth in outsourced customer service programs was further supported
by the opening of a new 500 workstation facility in Salt Lake City.
 
     Revenue growth in 1994 primarily reflects the acquisition of WATS Marketing
of America ("WATS") from First Data Corp. in late 1993 as well as internal
growth from existing operations. Revenues in 1994 would have increased by 20% if
WATS had been part of MATRIXX throughout 1993. The growth was broad-based across
all types of services and industries.
 
     Operating expenses excluding special items in 1995 increased at a lower
rate than revenues. Cost control efforts among production and staff served to
reduce variable and administrative costs as a percentage of sales. The $35.3
million increase in operating expenses was directly related to the significant
increase in revenues. Labor expenses increased $19.4 million, while telephone,
information systems and systems design increases comprised most of the remaining
expense increase.
 
     In 1995, special charges related to MATRIXX's French operations of
approximately $39 million for the impairment of goodwill were recognized. While
the French business continues to be strategically important to Cincinnati Bell's
future, it was determined that projected operating results no longer supported
the carrying value of the goodwill.
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
     Operating expenses increased in 1994 due to the inclusion of WATS for a
full year and from higher costs of providing services associated with increased
revenues. Costs and expenses would have increased only 14% if WATS had been a
part of MATRIXX throughout 1993. The increased costs and expenses came primarily
from workforce additions and long distance telephone costs.
 
OTHER
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SIX MONTHS
                                       ENDED JUNE                   YEAR ENDED                   YEAR ENDED
                                           30,                     DECEMBER 31,                 DECEMBER 31,
                                      -------------  % CHANGE     ---------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE
                                      1996    1995   96 VS 95      1995     1994   95 VS 94         1993      94 VS 93
                                      -----   -----  --------     ------   ------  --------     ------------  --------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                   <C>     <C>    <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>
Revenues............................  $76.2   $70.2       9%      $136.6   $129.6       5%         $124.4          4%
Operating expenses (excluding
  special items)....................   62.4    56.5      10%       107.6    115.4      (7)%         118.3         (2)%
                                      -----   -----               ------   ------                  ------
Operating income (excluding special
  items)............................   13.8    13.7       1%        29.0     14.2     104%            6.1        133%
Special items.......................     --     8.0      --          9.9      2.1      --              --         --
                                      -----   -----               ------   ------                  ------
Operating income....................  $13.8   $ 5.7    142%       $ 19.1   $ 12.1      58%         $  6.1         98%
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Revenues and expenses increased at a comparable rate for the first six
months of 1996. The increases were the result of higher sales volume for the
revenues and direct costs associated with increased sales. Costs and expenses
for the first quarter of 1995 included special charges of $8 million at
Cincinnati Bell for pension enhancements and associated postretirement health
benefits related to employees accepting early retirement incentives.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Higher sales of used telecommunications equipment, commodities scrap and
directory advertising accounted for the 1995 increase in other revenues.
Revenues of Cincinnati Bell's long distance business increased $5 million in
1994 primarily from an increased customer base, higher usage levels, its 800
service and paging and voice mail services.
 
     Operating expenses of the long distance business decreased in 1995
primarily from lower telecommunications network costs and a reduction in Ohio
personal property taxes. Operating expenses of the supply business decreased in
1995 as a result of a lower level of provisions for inventory losses than in
1994.
 
     The decrease in operating expenses in 1994 was caused primarily by a
decrease in directory expenses and the effect in 1993 of a $3 million provision
for inventory loss in the equipment supply business. Partially offsetting the
decreases were increases in costs associated with the growth in the long
distance business.
 
     Special items of $9.9 million recorded in 1995 were primarily for pension
enhancements and associated postretirement health benefits related to employees
accepting the early retirement incentives and other restructuring costs.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE), NET
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       SIX MONTHS
                                       ENDED JUNE                   YEAR ENDED                   YEAR ENDED
                                           30,                     DECEMBER 31,                 DECEMBER 31,
                                      -------------  % CHANGE     ---------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE
                                      1996    1995   96 VS 95      1995     1994   95 VS 94         1993      94 VS 93
                                      -----   -----  --------     ------   ------  --------     ------------  --------
                                                                   (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                   <C>     <C>    <C>          <C>      <C>     <C>          <C>           <C>
Other income (expense), net.........  $ 4.5   $  .1      --       $(13.5)  $  1.7      --          $  9.4        (82)%
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     The majority of the increase in other income (expense), net is from
improved results in 1996 of Cincinnati Bell's investment in a cellular
partnership partially offset by a decrease in interest income on temporary cash
investments.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Other income (expense), net decreased in 1995 as a result of certain
non-recurring transactions. The 1995 results include a charge of $13.3 million
resulting from the termination by Cincinnati Bell of an interest rate and
currency swap agreement in December 1995. Also included is a $5 million charge
to reduce to market value certain real estate held for sale. Partially
offsetting the increased costs was $5.4 million of additional interest income
primarily from temporary cash investments. Income from joint ventures in 1995
increased $5.6 million over 1994 amounts net of litigation fees. Other increases
in 1995 expenses were the result of a higher level of charitable foundation
contributions and costs of special projects.
 
     1993 results include a $9.8 million gain from the sale of CBT's residential
equipment leasing and PhoneCenter stores partially offset by a $4.2 million loss
on an investment in an international distributor of CBIS products and services.
 
INTEREST EXPENSE
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                         SIX MONTHS
                                         ENDED JUNE                  YEAR ENDED                  YEAR ENDED
                                             30,                    DECEMBER 31,                DECEMBER 31,
                                        -------------  % CHANGE     -------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE
                                        1996    1995   96 VS 95     1995    1994   95 VS 94         1993      94 VS 93
                                        -----   -----  --------     -----   -----  --------     ------------  --------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                     <C>     <C>    <C>          <C>     <C>    <C>          <C>           <C>
Interest expense......................  $18.0   $26.0     (31)%     $52.8   $49.5      7%          $ 45.8         8%
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     The retirement of high cost long-term debt (including an interest rate and
currency swap) at Cincinnati Bell in late 1995 and CBT in early 1996 were the
principal causes of the decrease in interest expense. The two items resulted in
$8.7 million of lower interest expense for the first six months of 1996 compared
with the same period in 1995. The weighted average interest rate decreased from
8.5% at June 30, 1995 (including the swap agreement) to 7.1% at June 30, 1996.
Average debt outstanding decreased from $598 million to $510 million for the
same two periods.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     A combination of higher interest rates on short-term borrowings, additional
amounts accrued subject to refund under FCC orders and higher interest costs
under the swap agreement were the principal causes of the $3.3 million increase
in interest expense in 1995. Cincinnati Bell's average debt outstanding
decreased marginally to $599 million in 1995 from $601 million in 1994. The
weighted average interest rate increased to 8.5% in 1995 from 8.2% in 1994.
Without Cincinnati Bell's swap agreement, the weighted average interest rates
would have been 7.7% and 7.4% in 1995 and 1994, respectively. As part of a debt
restructuring in 1995, Cincinnati Bell retired $75 million of 9.1% notes due in
2000 and terminated the swap agreement. Also, CBT called $40 million of 7.30%
notes due in 1996 and $40 million of 8 5/8% notes due in 1999. The called notes
were redeemed at par in January 1996.
 
     Interest expense increased $3.7 million in 1994 compared to 1993 primarily
from long-term refinancing of short-term debt to reduce exposure to short-term
interest rate increases.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
INCOME TAXES
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                          SIX MONTHS                  YEAR ENDED                 YEAR ENDED
                                        ENDED JUNE 30,               DECEMBER 31,               DECEMBER 31,
                                        --------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE     ------------  % CHANGE
                                        1996     1995   96 VS 95     1995   1994   95 VS 94         1993      94 VS 93
                                        -----   ------  --------     ----   -----  --------     ------------  --------
                                                                    (DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                     <C>     <C>     <C>          <C>    <C>    <C>          <C>           <C>
Income taxes..........................  $47.1   $(17.4)    --        $5.7   $42.1     (86)%         $1.7          --
</TABLE>
 
  First Six Months of 1996 Compared to First Six Months of 1995
 
     Higher income before taxes was the principal reason for the increase in
income tax expense. Cincinnati Bell's effective tax rate for the first six
months of 1996 was 35.2%, compared to 37.4% for the same period last year. The
effective tax rate, excluding 1995 special items, would have been 37.2% for the
first six months of 1995. A reduction in state income taxes was the principal
reason for the decrease in the effective tax rate from 1995 to 1996.
 
  1995 Compared to 1994 and 1994 Compared to 1993
 
     Cincinnati Bell's effective tax rate for 1995 was 29.3% compared to 35.7%
in 1994 and 3.1% in 1993. The 1995 effective tax rate without special items was
35.6%.
 
     Lower pre-tax income was the principal reason for the decrease in income
taxes in 1995. The writedown of goodwill in MATRIXX's French subsidiary resulted
in losses of $39 million which did not create income tax benefits. Higher income
before taxes was the principal reason for the increase in income taxes in 1994.
 
     The 1993 decrease in income taxes was principally the result of lower
income before taxes. The decision to sell CBIS Federal Inc. resulted in losses
which did not create income tax benefits (e.g., unrecovered goodwill).
 
FINANCIAL CONDITION
 
  Capital Investment, Resources and Liquidity
 
     Management believes that Cincinnati Bell has adequate internal and external
resources available to finance its on-going operating requirements, including
network expansion and modernization, business development and dividend programs.
Cincinnati Bell maintains adequate lines of credit with several institutions to
provide borrowings as needed for general corporate purposes.
 
     Cash provided by operating activities, which is Cincinnati Bell's primary
source of liquidity, was $91.2 million for the first six months of 1996 and was
used primarily to pay for capital expenditures and dividends.
 
     Cincinnati Bell's most significant investing activity for the first six
months of 1996 continued to be capital expenditures. Capital expenditures were
$63.5 million, up $10.5 million from the first six months of 1995. Most of the
increase was for a new data center in Orlando, Florida for CBIS and for an
operations center in Cincinnati, Ohio for MATRIXX. Partially offsetting the
increase were lower expenditures for switching equipment and aerial cable for
CBT. Cincinnati Bell continuously evaluates requirements for additional updating
of facilities based on customer and market demands, and engineering economics.
Due to stronger-than-expected growth in all its businesses, Cincinnati Bell has
increased its estimate of 1996 capital expenditures and anticipates spending
approximately $160 million with $100 million of that total expected for CBT.
 
     Other investing activities in the first six months of 1996 included
payments for acquisitions in late 1995 and in the second quarter 1996.
Offsetting the acquisition payments was cash received for the disposition of
certain real estate. The primary cause of the increase in Common Shares issued
during the first half of 1996 was the exercise of 528,000 stock options by
Cincinnati Bell employees.
 
     Receivables increased $15.5 million from December 31, 1995 primarily as a
result of increased sales. Contract discounts on telephone usage and extended
payment terms with two major clients also contributed to the increase. Accounts
payable and accrued liabilities decreased $30.9 million primarily due to
payments for
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
employee-related expenses, a late 1995 acquisition and funding for Cincinnati
Bell's charitable foundation. The balance of accrued taxes decreased $23.3
million primarily due to property tax payments.
 
     Cash provided by operating activities in 1995 was $196.1 million. Other
sources of cash in 1995 resulted from the final note payment for the sale of
CBT's PhoneCenter stores and related leasing business and the issuance of shares
under Cincinnati Bell's employee benefit plans. Cash generated internally
allowed Cincinnati Bell to fund all of its capital expenditures, pay dividends,
make $31.4 million of acquisitions, and reduce net debt (short-term and
long-term debt less cash and equivalents) from $519 to $510 million. This figure
includes $49.9 million of cash required to terminate the swap agreement and
$11.0 million for costs of early retirement of debt.
 
     Cincinnati Bell's most significant investing activity in 1995 continued to
be capital expenditures which were $115.3 million, down from $146.7 million in
1994. The majority of Cincinnati Bell's capital expenditures in 1995 ($90.3
million) were at CBT, and were used primarily for digital equipment, fiber-optic
cable and other telephone plant and equipment. Capital expenditures at CBIS and
MATRIXX were $11.1 and $13.8 million, respectively.
 
     Acquisitions were another significant use of cash in 1995. The acquisitions
of Information Systems Development Partnership ("ISD") and X International by
CBIS, along with final payments for the 1993 WATS acquisition by MATRIXX,
totaled $31.4 million.
 
     During 1996 and 1995, Cincinnati Bell used a portion of its operating cash
flows to restructure its debt by retiring long-term debt, reducing short-term
debt and terminating its swap agreement. The debt to capitalization ratio was
48.2% at June 30, 1996, compared with 51.8% and 51.9% at December 31, 1995 and
1994, respectively.
 
     In their published ratings, Duff & Phelps, Moody's Investors Service and
Standard & Poor's rated Cincinnati Bell's senior unsecured debt at A-, A3 and A-
and its commercial paper D-1-, P-2 and A-2, respectively. The published ratings
by such agencies of CBT's senior unsecured debt are AA-, Aa3 and AA-,
respectively. Duff & Phelps has stated that Cincinnati Bell's long-term and
commercial paper ratings and CBT's long-term rating are under review for
possible upgrade due to strengthened financial condition. These ratings are not
a recommendation to purchase, hold or sell any Common Shares or DECS, and such
ratings do not comment as to the marketability of the Common Shares or the DECS,
any market price or the suitability of any such investment for a particular
investor. There is no assurance that any rating will not be lowered or withdrawn
entirely by a rating agency.
 
  Other Information
 
     A new three-year contract between CBT and the Communications Workers of
America was approved in the second quarter of 1996. The contract includes pay
increases of 10.5% over the three-year period 1996-1999 with bonus incentives
based on service and financial performances. The contract also addresses job
security and benefit issues, while providing additional flexibility in the
pension plan for hourly employees.
 
  Recently Issued Accounting Standards
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell has adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
(SFAS) 123 "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation," which became effective for
1996. SFAS 123 requires either the recognition or the pro forma disclosure of
compensation expense for stock options and other equity instruments determined
by a fair value method of accounting. Cincinnati Bell intends to disclose pro
forma net income and earnings per share in the 1996 Annual Report, which will
have no effect on its consolidated financial statements.
    
 
REGULATORY MATTERS
 
  Telecommunications Competition
 
     Regulatory agencies on the state and federal levels are accelerating
initiatives to increase competition in the telecommunications industry. At the
federal level, Congress passed the Telecommunications Act of 1996
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
in February 1996, which mandates the development of competitive markets. The
full impact for CBT will not be known until the FCC and state authorities
complete the numerous rulemakings mandated by the Act. See "Risk
Factors -- Regulatory and Competitive Trends."
 
     At the state level, the PUCO issued its local exchange competition decision
and guidelines in June 1996, which certify competing carriers and establish
certain rules that must be complied with by LECs. In July 1996, CBT and other
interveners requested that the PUCO reconsider certain parts of the guidelines.
On July 18, 1996, CBT filed an amendment to its alternative regulation plan with
the PUCO. The proposed amendments, if approved, would make CBT's
telecommunications network available to would-be competitors for local telephone
service. The amendments also would provide CBT with greater pricing and
marketing flexibility. In conjunction with these proposed amendments, CBT
proposed to reduce its rates to customers by approximately $2.7 million
annually. On September 5, 1996, the PUCO issued an order stating that CBT's July
18, 1996 filing would be processed as a new plan, rather than as an amendment.
Since the PUCO has decided to process the filing as a new plan and because of
various regulatory developments, CBT is currently considering whether to pursue
more extensive revisions to its existing alternative regulation plan.
 
     In preparation for potential competition, CBT is redesigning and
streamlining its processes and work activities to improve responsiveness to
customer needs, permit more rapid introduction of new products and services,
improve the quality of products and services and reduce costs. Telephone plant
and network are being upgraded as business judgment dictates. The actions of
regulatory agencies may make it more difficult for CBT to maintain current
revenue and profit objectives.
 
  Alternative Regulation
 
     CBT requested a threshold increase in rates in an alternative regulation
proposal filed with the PUCO in 1993. Thereafter, CBT and the intervenors signed
a settlement agreement which was approved by the PUCO on May 5, 1994, increasing
revenue by $11.9 million annually. The alternative regulation commitments and
new rates became effective May 6, 1994. CBT's authorized rate of return on
capital is 11.18%, but CBT can earn up to 11.93% in a monitoring period without
any re-targeting of rates. Earnings higher than 11.93% will trigger a formula
which allows for certain rates to be changed in the following monitoring period.
 
  Optional Incentive Regulation
 
     CBT began to operate under an optional incentive regulation plan for
interstate services in January 1994. Every two years CBT compares actual return
with the authorized rate of return, currently 11.25%. Rate changes and new
services can be made on a 14-day notice without cost support if CBT sets rates
no higher than a geographically adjacent LEC that operates under price cap
regulation. This allows CBT to be more responsive to customers and the market.
 
  Kentucky Filing
 
     In May 1995, the PSCK approved new regulated rates for CBT customers in
Kentucky. The order maintained uniform rates for basic services in CBT's
Kentucky and Ohio metropolitan service areas. The result was essentially revenue
neutral, as local service increases are offset by carrier common line and other
rate adjustments. CBT filed for a rehearing of certain issues of the rate order.
The PSCK granted a rehearing in February 1996 on the issue of reregulation for
inside wire revenues only. The rest of the issues were denied. In June 1996, the
PSCK determined that inside wire maintenance revenues should remain nonregulated
in the state of Kentucky, upholding CBT's current treatment.
 
  Depreciation Rate Changes
 
     The FCC is required by the Communications Act of 1934 to prescribe the
depreciation rates used to compute depreciation expense for communications
common carriers. It is the FCC's practice to review and revise CBT's
depreciation rates and amortizations once every three years, in conjunction with
the PUCO and the PSCK.
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
     In January 1994, CBT completed a triennial depreciation represcription with
regulators from the FCC, the PUCO and the PSCK. The new depreciation rates were
effective January 1, 1994, in the interstate and Kentucky jurisdictions, and
effective July 1, 1994, in the Ohio jurisdiction. Depreciation rate changes are
up for discussion again in 1997. It is possible that depreciation rates and
depreciation expense will increase as a result of these discussions.
 
  Effects of Regulatory Accounting
 
   
     CBT presently gives accounting recognition to the actions of regulators
where appropriate as prescribed by SFAS 71, "Accounting for the Effects of
Certain Types of Regulation." Criteria that would give rise to the
discontinuance of SFAS 71 include (1) increasing competition that restricts
CBT's ability to establish prices to recover specific costs, and (2) a
significant change in the manner in which rates are set by regulators from
cost-based regulation to another form of regulation. CBT believes that its
current rate-of-return regulatory plan, under which rates are established that
provide for the recovery of the carrying value of its assets, and the absence of
any significant current competition in its territory support the continued
application of SFAS 71. Uncertainties regarding the future competitive
environment and the ultimate form and impact of recently enacted and expected
legislative and regulatory initiatives on future revenues will require CBT to
review these criteria periodically to evaluate whether continuing application of
SFAS 71 is appropriate.
    
 
     In the event CBT determines that it no longer meets the criteria for
following SFAS 71, the accounting impact to CBT could be an extraordinary
non-cash charge of an amount that would be material. This would include the
elimination of regulatory assets or liabilities and adjusting the carrying
amount of telephone plant to the extent it is determined such amounts could be
considered overstated as a result of the regulatory process and are not
recoverable in future revenues. Asset lives used for future depreciation expense
would likely be shorter than those approved by regulators. CBT estimates that if
it were to discontinue SFAS 71 any pre-tax charge could be up to $300 million
depending on management's assessment of the competitive environment at the time.
Based on its assessment of CBT's current competitive and regulatory environment,
Cincinnati Bell believes that the application of SFAS 71 remains appropriate.
 
BUSINESS OUTLOOK
 
     Cincinnati Bell operates businesses in several different markets under the
telecommunications umbrella. All of these markets are becoming more competitive
as regulatory barriers recede and the pace of technological change quickens.
This quickening pace may increase the variability of Cincinnati Bell's financial
results on a period-to-period basis. See "Risk Factors -- Regulatory and
Competitive Trends" and "-- Rapidly Changing Technology." Cincinnati Bell has an
advantage today because it is the market leader in its three principal
businesses -- local telephony in the Greater Cincinnati area, information
systems to the telecommunications market and telephone marketing services.
 
     CBT is introducing new services and features to meet the challenges of
regulatory actions, competition and the changing market. CBT and AT&T are
discussing whether to revise portions of their agreement concerning the joint
provision of certain telecommunications services. Revenues subject to discussion
represent approximately $36 million or 6% of CBT's revenues, but portions of the
contract provide above average profit contribution. The outcome cannot be
predicted at this time, but could result in a material adverse impact on CBT's
earnings.
 
     In 1996, CBIS announced several new contracts and contract extensions. Two
contracts were for long-term billing and customer care agreements with prominent
PCS companies in the United States. A third contract was for development and
data processing services for AT&T's re-entry into the local telephone market. In
1996, CBIS signed contract extensions with Comcast Cellular Corporation
("Comcast Cellular") and with 360(++) Communications Company (formerly Sprint
Cellular Co.) ("360(++) Communications"). CBIS's contract with Comcast Cellular
was extended to 2003 and its contract with 360(++) Communications was extended
to 2006. In both contracts, CBIS will provide customer care and billing services
on a service bureau basis. The ultimate value and profitability of these
contracts hinge on several factors. First is CBIS's ability to provide cost
effective solutions; second is CBIS's ability to maintain and grow the systems
as their clients
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
increase their penetration of their markets; third is the market success of
CBIS's PCS customers. During all of these activities, CBIS must also continue to
satisfy the current needs of its clients with continued service and value. As
previously reported in Cincinnati Bell's 1995 Annual Report, one of CBIS's
clients, representing approximately 5% of CBIS's revenues, indicated that it may
transition to another provider of billing services during 1997.
 
     In addition to the contracts discussed above, CBIS announced a joint
marketing relationship with a company that renders solutions to combat cellular
telephone fraud and churn.
 
     The continued trend in the outsourcing of telephone marketing services by
major companies is fueling MATRIXX's continued growth. MATRIXX has executed
several new long-term agreements with key customers in the past year and
continues to expand its facilities for anticipated new business.
 
     Cincinnati Bell's other businesses also face competition from businesses
offering similar products and services. These businesses are meeting their
competition by addressing the needs of their customers, and offering superior
value, quality and service.
 
     Cincinnati Bell continues to review opportunities for acquisitions and
divestitures for all its businesses to enhance shareowner value.
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
                                    BUSINESS
 
GENERAL
 
     Cincinnati Bell is a major U.S. diversified telecommunications company with
principal businesses in three industry segments. The telephone operations
segment, Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company, provides telecommunications services
and products, which include local service, network access and toll telephone
services in the Greater Cincinnati area. The information systems segment,
Cincinnati Bell Information Systems Inc., provides data processing and software
development services primarily to the U.S. telecommunications industry. The
telephone marketing services segment, MATRIXX Marketing Inc., provides telephone
marketing, research, fulfillment, database management, interactive voice
response and Internet services primarily to large corporations such as AT&T and
DIRECTV. Cincinnati Bell's other businesses include: Cincinnati Bell Long
Distance Inc. ("CBLD"), which provides resale long distance telecommunications
services and products as well as voice mail and paging services; Cincinnati Bell
Directory Inc. ("CBD"), which provides Yellow Pages and other directory products
and services, as well as information and advertising services; and companies
having interests in cellular mobile telephone service and the purchase, sale and
reconditioning of telecommunications and computer equipment.
 
STRATEGY
 
   
     The three principal businesses and other interests of Cincinnati Bell are
the products of a focused strategy first initiated in 1983 to expand from a
local exchange telecommunications company into a broader, more diversified
company providing value-added customer care services in high growth and
converging communications markets. By leveraging the combined knowledge,
capabilities and experience of its principal subsidiaries, Cincinnati Bell seeks
to take advantage of the opportunities arising from the growing communications
market and the growing trend of outsourcing information and telephone marketing
services. Cincinnati Bell's ability to provide unique insight into the customer
care requirements of outsourcing clients of both CBIS and MATRIXX is enhanced by
the knowledge and expertise developed by serving CBT, a full service
telecommunications provider.
    
 
     In addition to the growth opportunities and synergies created by working
together, each business -- CBT, CBIS and MATRIXX -- has growth strategies in its
respective markets. CBT's strategy is to leverage off its well regarded brand
name, excellent service record and tradition of quality to be a full service
provider of bundled communications, information and entertainment services.
CBIS's strategy is to utilize the scale of its data processing operations and
its extensive industry knowledge and experience to be the leading provider of
customer care and billing services and network provisioning and management
systems to the communications industry. MATRIXX's strategy is to focus on
developing long-term strategic outsourcing relationships for telephone marketing
support of large clients in the telecommunications, technology, financial
services, consumer products and direct response industries.
 
CINCINNATI BELL TELEPHONE COMPANY
 
  General
 
     CBT was founded as The City and Suburban Telegraph Association in 1873,
three years before the invention of the telephone. In 1878, CBT became the first
telephonic exchange in Ohio and the tenth in the nation.
 
     CBT is the 14th largest local service telecommunications company in the
United States, based on its network access lines in service at the end of 1995.
In 1995, CBT provided 44% of Cincinnati Bell's revenue and 52% of its operating
income excluding special items, compared to 50% and 85%, respectively, in 1993.
 
     CBT provides telecommunications services and products, mainly local
service, network access and toll telephone services, to business and residential
customers in most of the Greater Cincinnati area, including parts of
southwestern Ohio, six counties in northern Kentucky and parts of two counties
in southeastern Indiana. Approximately 98% of CBT's network access lines are in
one local calling area. The Cincinnati Bell
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
Telephone brand name is well known among CBT's customers and serves as a
foundation for Cincinnati Bell to bundle a broad and increasing range of
communications-related products and services.
 
     CBT's service record is among the best in the industry. Its high service
quality is affirmed by its excellence in network reliability. Based on reports
to the FCC, CBT maintains one of the lowest levels of customer reported service
outages among large U.S. telecommunications companies in the nation. For
example, in 1995 CBT averaged only 1.1 trouble reports per 100 customer lines
per month, compared to reported rates at RBOCs ranging from 1.3 to 2.7 during
the same period. In the face of increased access line growth and orders for
additional lines, CBT maintains an excellent record for the installation
appointments it keeps, and for the percentage of new service orders it completes
within five days of a request.
 
     Since the beginning of 1990, CBT has invested more than $650 million to
upgrade and modernize its plant and equipment with the most modern technology
available. Of its network access lines, 89% are served by digital switches, 93%
have ISDN capability and 98% have Signaling System 7 capability, which supports
enhanced features such as Caller ID, Call Trace and Call Return.
 
     With the benefit of advanced technology, CBT has been able to serve a
growing market with fewer employees. During the first quarter of 1995, CBT
implemented initiatives aimed at improving service to its customers and reducing
costs, resulting in a $124 million special charge for restructuring. During
1995, the number of CBT employees declined by over 18% to 2,700 at year-end. CBT
has been able to achieve cost reductions and productivity improvements through
elimination of duplicative services and procedures and consolidation of
administrative functions. This has resulted in an increase in the number of
access lines per employee from 249 on December 31, 1993 to 331 on June 30, 1996.
 
  Business
 
     On June 30, 1996, CBT had approximately 927,000 network access lines in
service, an increase of 4% or approximately 34,000 lines from June 30, 1995.
During 1995, CBT added approximately 29,000 new lines, representing an annual
increase of 3%. Approximately 70% of CBT's network access lines serve
residential customers and 30% serve business customers. The growth in additional
access lines to existing residential customers has been particularly strong at
CBT over the last several years as customers add lines for home offices, on-line
services and increased household telephone usage. In 1995, such additional
residential lines accounted for over 50% of the total residential lines added
during the year. As of June 30, 1996, CBT had installed additional residential
access lines to approximately 8% of its existing residential customers. CBT
expects continued strong growth in additional residential lines.
 
     Approximately 89% of CBT's network access lines are served by digital
switches that facilitate the transmission of voice, video and data content
across CBT's network. The network also includes more than 1,200 miles of
fiber-optic cable, including seven rings of cable equipped with SONET technology
linking Cincinnati's downtown and other major business centers. These SONET
rings offer increased reliability and redundancy to CBT's major business
customers.
 
     Other communications services offered by CBT include voice, data and video
transmission, custom calling services and billing services. In addition, CBT is
a sales agent for certain products and services of AT&T and sells products of
other companies as a full-service provider of communications products and
services to business customers. In September 1996, CBT began selling and
installing direct broadcast satellite ("DBS") services and equipment in its
Cincinnati market under an agreement with DIRECTV, United States Satellite
Broadcasting Co. and certain DBS equipment vendors. In March 1996, CBT became
one of the first local exchange telephone companies in the nation to introduce
an Internet access service for its residential and small business customers. CBT
also has introduced high-capacity local area network interconnection services
and ISDN services. These new services demonstrate CBT's ability to innovate and
adapt to emerging trends in telecommunications.
 
     Local services generated approximately 56% of CBT's revenues in 1995 while
the increasingly competitive network access and toll services generated only 28%
of CBT's 1995 revenues. This represents a smaller percentage of total revenues
than that received by most of the nation's largest local exchange telephone
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
companies. The remainder of CBT's revenues come from other communications
services, including commissioned sales, maintenance and repair services as well
as billing services.
 
  Market
 
     CBT serves a 2,400 square-mile market encompassing most of the Greater
Cincinnati area, which had a total population of approximately 1.5 million in
1990, including 656,000 households. Its regional economy is strong and diverse,
including six locally headquartered Fortune 500 companies.
 
     Several companies compete or are planning to compete with CBT through the
provision of intraLATA long-distance services, enhanced calling services such as
voice messaging, customer premises maintenance and repair services, wireless
communications services, special access services, public telephone services and
business communications equipment sales and maintenance services. See
"Competition."
 
  Opportunities
 
     CBT plans to develop new products and services and market them in ways that
leverage its well regarded brand name, large installed customer base, reputation
for service quality, communications industry knowledge and experience and
extensive knowledge of its customers' preferences. CBT also will pursue
co-branding opportunities and alliances with other service providers where
appropriate.
 
     CBT will seek to increase its penetration of additional residential lines
within its service area. In addition, CBT has an opportunity to increase the
market penetration rate of higher margin enhanced services such as Caller ID,
Call Return, Call Block and 3-Way Calling.
 
     Under Cincinnati Bell's strategy of pursuing opportunities for growth by
leveraging the strengths of all of its businesses, and under CBT's own strategy
to be a full service provider of communications services, Cincinnati Bell has
unique strengths that could be effective in marketing a broad array of
communications services outside of CBT's existing service territory. Cincinnati
Bell is exploring such opportunities, both on its own or in partnership with
other communications services companies.
 
  Regulation
 
     CBT's local exchange, network access and toll telephone operations are
regulated by the PUCO, the PSCK and the FCC with respect to rates, services and
other matters.
 
     Recently enacted and future legislative and regulatory initiatives will
have an impact on CBT and other incumbent LECs, including the RBOCs and other
independent telephone companies. The extent of that impact will not be known
until the initiatives are fully implemented. The basic thrust of these
initiatives is to encourage and accelerate the development of competition in the
telecommunications industry by removing legal barriers to competition across
major segments of that industry. Under the initiatives, companies that today are
limited to one or more of those segments, including local exchange, long
distance, wireless, cable television and information services, could enter the
other segments to compete with the incumbent providers and other new entrants.
 
     Today's technology makes it possible to interconnect facilities of
competing telecommunications carriers and to provide the service offerings of
multiple competitors through the network facilities of one or more incumbents.
At the federal level, the Act passed in February 1996 requires incumbent LECs
like CBT to interconnect with the networks of other service providers, unbundle
certain network elements and make them available to competing providers at
wholesale rates. Additionally, the Act requires the removal of other perceived
barriers to competitive entry by alternative providers of local exchange
services. Although the Act clearly states these mandates, it does so in general
terms and leaves the implementation of these mandates to the FCC and the state
regulatory agencies.
 
     On August 8, 1996, the FCC issued an order establishing regulations to
implement the "local competition" provisions of the Act. These regulations
essentially establish parameters under which a LEC must allow other
telecommunications carriers to interconnect with its network, including the
compensation
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
that a LEC would receive for terminating calls originating from the networks of
the other carriers. The FCC's regulations also establish parameters under which
LECs must unbundle network elements and offer them to other telecommunications
carriers. The prices for interconnection and unbundled elements either are to be
negotiated between the parties (and approved by the relevant state commission)
or, if the parties fail to reach an agreement, the rates are to be set by the
relevant state commission based on guidelines established by the Act and
implemented by the FCC. Under the Act, these rates must be based on the cost of
providing the interconnection or unbundled elements, be nondiscriminatory and
include a reasonable profit. The FCC has determined that the prices for these
unbundled elements and interconnection are to be based on a methodology governed
by forward-looking, long-run incremental costs. The Act also requires LECs to
offer to other telecommunications carriers, at wholesale rates, any retail
telecommunications service offered by the LEC to end-users. The FCC has
determined that the wholesale rates are to be based on the LEC's retail rates,
less the costs avoided by the LEC in offering its services for resale.
 
   
     CBT and several other LECs believe the FCC's regulations with respect to
interconnection, unbundling and resale unlawfully exceed the requirements of the
Act. Accordingly, they have sought review of the FCC's order in the United
States Court of Appeals. The primary objections raised by CBT and the other LECs
are that the pricing rules and standards for interconnection, unbundling and
resale, and the rules allowing interconnecting carriers to "pick and choose"
from various unbundled elements and services, along with their prices, being
provided by LECs pursuant to pre-approved contracts with other carriers, will
not provide the LECs with adequate compensation. On October 15, 1996, the United
States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit stayed the effectiveness of the
portions of the FCC order establishing the pricing standards and the "pick and
choose" rules. As a result of the stay, these rules are suspended, pending a
final decision on the merits of the petition for review of these rules. The
appeal is scheduled for argument the week of January 13, 1997. The FCC
regulations requiring LECs to negotiate with new entrants, unbundle and resell
still exist; however, pending a decision on the appeal, pricing will be
determined by private negotiations as approved by state regulatory authorities
or by state arbitrations.
    
 
     If the FCC's order were implemented as written, and if CBT were unable to
obtain waivers to certain requirements or to replace its lost revenues,
Cincinnati Bell believes that the result would have a material adverse impact on
its revenues and earnings. The material impact would result from the elimination
of certain revenues designed to subsidize residential telephone service and
increased costs to develop or modify systems to allow number portability and
interconnection. CBT also believes that implementation of the FCC order would
significantly enhance the position of its competitors, which would have an
additional adverse impact on CBT's revenues and earnings from operations within
its territory.
 
     The outcome of three separate, but related, FCC proceedings could be
significant for CBT. In the first of these proceedings, the FCC will be
implementing a universal service funding mechanism which is currently being
developed by a joint board made up of state and federal regulators. In the
second of these proceedings, the FCC will be reforming the current access charge
regime, which could result in an additional reduction in revenues. In the third,
the FCC will be implementing regulations that may require certain LECs to share
their infrastructure, technology, information and facilities with certain
smaller telecommunications service providers.
 
     At the state level, the PUCO recently adopted a set of local service
guidelines that largely mirror the requirements of the Act and the FCC
regulations discussed above. In addition, the PUCO has issued an order granting
Time Warner Communications of Ohio, L.P. a certificate of public convenience and
necessity to provide local exchange service in CBT's operating territory. Other
entities have been granted certificates to provide basic local exchange service
in Ohio, although not in CBT's operating territory. CBT has sought rehearing of
the local service guidelines in accordance with the PUCO's administrative
procedures, and will consider further review by the Ohio Supreme Court if the
local service guidelines are not appropriately modified on rehearing. If CBT is
unsuccessful in these efforts, Cincinnati Bell believes that CBT will face
increased competition which may have a material adverse effect on its operating
results.
 
     The impact of the proposed regulatory changes may be mitigated through
modification of the final rules, waivers of the rules and price increases in
other regulated services (e.g., local rates).
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
CINCINNATI BELL INFORMATION SYSTEMS INC.
 
  General
 
     CBIS was formed in 1983 to leverage Cincinnati Bell's knowledge and
expertise in data processing and billing for the telecommunications industry.
CBIS provides data processing services and software systems that generate
billing information and manage customer information for communications services
businesses. CBIS's customers are large corporations in the U.S.
telecommunications industry. CBIS accounted for approximately 27% of the
Cincinnati Bell's 1995 consolidated revenues and 21% of total operating income
excluding special items. During the first six months of 1996, CBIS's revenue and
operating income excluding special items increased 20% and 60%, respectively,
compared to the first six months of 1995.
 
     CBIS is the leading provider of billing and customer care services to the
wireless telecommunications market in North America, which includes the cellular
as well as the PCS industry. The cellular industry has been growing in excess of
30% per year in terms of revenues and subscribers. CBIS has been the market
leader of billing systems to the cellular industry for more than ten years and
serves many of the top cellular carriers. CBIS's systems generate bills for
cellular telephone customers in 23 of the 25 largest U.S. metropolitan areas.
CBIS's service bureaus generated the billing information for monthly customer
statements for approximately 30% of U.S. cellular subscribers in 1995. CBIS's
revenue from cellular clients increased from $144 million in 1993 to $198
million in 1994 and to $257 million in 1995.
 
     CBIS also provides billing and customer care services to companies that
operate traditional wireline telecommunications networks, including CBT. It
develops network management systems for communications companies and customer
care and billing systems for cable television systems operators in the U.S. and
Europe. CBIS's systems also support the provision of telephone services by cable
television system operators in the U.S. and in Europe. CBIS recently began to
offer service bureau billing services to the cable television industry.
 
     In September 1996, CBIS acquired ICS Information Systems ("ICS"), an
international provider of wireline customer care and billing solutions, from
WorldCom, Inc. In December 1995, CBIS acquired IDS, a developer of advanced
billing systems for the cable television industry. In March 1995, CBIS acquired
X International, an established information technology company located in
Bristol, England, that provides customer care and billing software for a wide
range of telecommunications companies utilizing the Global System for Mobile
Communications ("GSM") standard.
 
     CBIS's headquarters are in Cincinnati, Ohio. It has major operations in
Ohio, Florida, Illinois, Georgia and Virginia. It also has operations in the
United Kingdom, Switzerland and The Netherlands.
 
  Business
 
     CBIS serves clients principally by processing data and creating bills using
proprietary software. CBIS provides and manages billing systems in a service
bureau environment where its extensive experience results in significant cost
and service advantages to clients. These advantages include freeing the client
to concentrate on core competencies, predictable costs, information management
expertise and access to advanced technology without capital expense.
 
     CBIS's data processing services are carried out in its data centers in
Cincinnati and Orlando. It uses information from communications service
providers to calculate and generate bills for the usage of communications
services, generally on a monthly cycle. CBIS strives to provide state-of-the-art
systems and facilities that provide reliability and responsiveness. CBIS's
systems select the correct plan for each customer from the thousands of pricing
plans provided by its clients. These systems generate billing information for
more than 12 million bills per month, including approximately 700,000 bills
generated for CBT, based on each customer's billing preferences. CBIS's
computers process over 140 million transactions, including transactions for CBT,
per month. CBIS's revenue from this business is determined in large part by the
number of bills it produces and the number of accounts it manages.
 
     In the wireless industry, pricing plans are complex and change frequently.
Customers of CBIS's clients frequently change service plans and service
providers. Additionally companies in the wireless industry are
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
growing rapidly. CBIS's ability to manage this change and growth successfully is
an important factor in its success.
 
     CBIS also updates pricing plans and customer records for its clients and
makes customer information available to clients on-line, helping these clients
better manage their relationships with their telecommunications customers. CBIS
typically is compensated at an hourly rate for these and other consulting
services.
 
     Most of CBIS's services are provided under contracts for terms of two to
ten years, certain of which may be terminated at specified times prior to
expiration with prior written notice. CBIS's four largest clients, other than
CBT, are AT&T, 360(++) Communications, Ameritech Corporation and Comcast
Cellular, which collectively accounted for approximately 70% of CBIS's 1995
revenues. Several multi-year contracts cover essentially all of CBIS's
relationships with AT&T businesses, including its contract with AT&T Wireless
for the provision of wireless customer care and billing services through 1999.
In 1996, CBIS signed contract extensions with Comcast Cellular and with 360(++)
Communications. CBIS's contract with Comcast Cellular was extended to 2003 and
its contract with 360(++) Communications was extended to 2006. Other CBIS
customers include selected cable television systems owned by Time Warner Inc.
and Cox Communications, Inc. and the public telecommunications services
providers in Switzerland and The Netherlands. Some clients, including all of
CBIS's current cable television clients, have purchased CBIS software to operate
in their own data centers. CBIS recently introduced service bureau billing as an
option for its cable television clients.
 
     CBIS's systems development and support are dependent on its ability to
attract and retain its professional staff. There can be no assurance that CBIS's
labor costs will not increase in the future.
 
  Markets
 
     An industry study and CBIS's own analysis estimate that the domestic market
for billing and customer care services used by the communications industry was
greater than $4 billion in 1995. This figure includes the estimated cost of
customer care and billing services used by wireless, wireline and cable
television services providers, including services they provide to themselves.
 
     The cellular industry's subscriber base was approximately 34 million at the
end of 1995. At the end of 1995, CBIS's data centers generated billing
information for more than 10 million monthly customer statements for cellular
subscribers. Billing and customer care for cellular and cellular-related
telecommunications services in North America accounted for more than 70% of
CBIS's 1995 total revenue.
 
  Opportunities
 
     The wireless communications industry also includes a number of emerging
services, including PCS, which uses digital technologies to increase the range
of features, service quality and operating efficiency of mobile communications
services. Increased competition in the communications industry should increase
the opportunities for CBIS.
 
     CBIS recently entered into contracts to provide customer care and billing
services to three of the largest potential providers of PCS services in the
United States based on both issued and projected license awards. In March 1996,
PrimeCo Personal Communications L.P. ("PrimeCo"), a wireless partnership among
AirTouch Communications, Inc., Bell Atlantic Corporation, NYNEX Corporation, and
U S WEST Media Group, announced that it had chosen CBIS to be its exclusive
customer care and billing solutions provider. PrimeCo owns PCS licenses covering
approximately 57 million net POPs (potential customers adjusted for equity
ownership) and is ranked as the third largest owner of PCS A and B block
licenses. In July 1996, CBIS signed an exclusive customer care and billing
contract with Sprint Spectrum L.P., a wireless partnership among Sprint
Corporation, Tele-Communications, Inc. ("TCI"), Comcast Cellular and Cox
Communications, Inc. Sprint Spectrum L.P. owns PCS licenses covering
approximately 195 million net POPs and is ranked as the largest owner of PCS A
and B block licenses. Additionally, CBIS has an agreement with AT&T to provide
customer care and billing services to AT&T for PCS services. AT&T Wireless owns
PCS licenses covering approximately 114 million net POPs and is ranked as the
second largest owner of PCS A and B block licenses.
 
     These new PCS contract awards coupled with CBIS's existing cellular billing
contracts position CBIS to be a leading provider of customer care and billing
services to a much broader wireless services industry if its clients are
successful in PCS and other wireless services businesses.
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
     In March 1996, CBIS also announced a five-year contract with AT&T to
provide billing, data processing and software development and professional
consulting services in connection with AT&T's proposed reentry into the local
telephone market as either a reseller or a facilities-based provider of local
exchange services. AT&T is registering to offer these services in all 50 states
of the United States and is negotiating for resale agreements with selected
LECs. As with PCS, the benefits to CBIS from this contract will depend in part
upon the success of AT&T in meeting its objectives in this new venture.
 
     On September 19, 1996, CBIS signed a three-year contract with a unit of
TCI, the largest cable television operator in the U.S. based on total
subscribers, to provide customer care and billing services in support of TCI's
planned offering of telephone services to its cable television customers. CBIS's
data center will provide rating (bill calculation), service order entry and bill
finishing services to TCI.
 
MATRIXX MARKETING INC.
 
  General
 
   
     Based on annual revenues, MATRIXX is the largest independent provider of
outsourced telephone marketing services. MATRIXX provides a full range of
customer service, sales support and telephone marketing solutions to major
companies in its targeted industries. In 1995, MATRIXX accounted for
approximately 20% of Cincinnati Bell's consolidated revenue and 14% of total
operating income excluding special items. MATRIXX recorded revenues of $271.1
million and operating income excluding special items of $32.3 million in 1995,
representing increases of 20% and 43%, respectively, when compared to 1994.
During the first six months of 1996, MATRIXX's revenue and operating income
excluding special items increased by 15% and 14%, respectively, when compared to
the first six months of 1995.
    
 
     MATRIXX principally focuses on developing long-term, strategic outsourcing
relationships with large clients in the telecommunications, technology,
financial services, consumer products and direct response industries. MATRIXX
focuses on clients in these industries because of the complexity of the service
required, the anticipated growth of their businesses and their continuing need
for customer service support. Often, the level of support these companies
require and the close relationships they build with MATRIXX lead to higher
returns versus short-term client programs. For example, MATRIXX built a team of
sales account managers who are the dedicated sales channel to a consumer
products company's retail and wholesale accounts. MATRIXX's team manages the
company's day-to-day relationships with those accounts. This extension of the
company's sales organization allows for more frequent customer contact at a
lower cost. The dedicated team also assists the company in its marketing efforts
through database management, product movement reports and market trends
analysis.
 
     Many MATRIXX employees who respond to inbound customer service calls are
dedicated to serving a single client. Employees supporting DIRECTV(R) satellite
entertainment services, for example, answer calls to initiate service or to
provide information about programming options, billing and technical aspects of
the service, including installing customers' own satellite dishes. For other
clients, MATRIXX provides help desk support for computer products and services
and responds to customer inquiries submitted via the Internet.
 
     MATRIXX operates 14 domestic and 2 international call centers with
approximately 5,900 available workstations and approximately 10,000 customer
call representatives, including full-time and part-time employees. MATRIXX
facilities handled more than 150 million customer calls in 1995.
 
     MATRIXX is headquartered in Cincinnati. It operates domestic call centers
in Ohio, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, Wisconsin, Nebraska and Florida and
international call centers in Paris, France and Newcastle, England.
 
  Business
 
     MATRIXX provides two categories of telephone marketing services.
Traditional services offer large shared capacities for large sales campaigns and
major direct response programs. Outsourced dedicated services require dedicated
agents to handle a specific company's more complex customer service and sales
account management needs. Complementary services to its traditional and
outsourced dedicated services are interactive voice response, Internet E-mail
response, research, database management and fulfillment. Based
 
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<PAGE>   35
 
on 1995 revenues, approximately 70% of MATRIXX's business involved responding to
inbound calls from customers of its clients. MATRIXX considers its industry
focus and differentiation of service offerings to be a competitive strength.
 
     Dedicated customer call representative teams and call centers support large
telephone marketing services programs for clients. Many of these centers are
linked to provide optimal call routing, capacity matching and redundancy in
order to best meet the needs of the client. MATRIXX relies on advanced
information systems, including proprietary software, and integrated telephone
systems to effectively meet client expectations. MATRIXX customer service
representatives receive initial training and on-the-job support to develop
calling skills and knowledge of clients' products and services. MATRIXX's
service offerings are very labor intensive and dependent in part on its ability
to minimize personnel turnover. MATRIXX also competes for qualified personnel
with other employers in their geographic markets. There can be no assurance that
MATRIXX will be able to hire and retain a sufficient number of qualified
personnel in a cost-efficient manner to support continued growth.
 
     MATRIXX's client base primarily includes large companies in the
telecommunications, technology, financial services, consumer products and direct
response industries. MATRIXX's largest customers in 1995 were AT&T, DIRECTV(R)
and American Express Company, which collectively accounted for approximately 38%
of 1995 revenues.
 
  Market
 
     Telephone marketing services include consumer and business telephone-based
customer service and sales programs. Historically, companies maintained such
customer care functions in-house because they believed that a direct
relationship with the customer was good business policy and because there were
few outsourcing alternatives. As the size and complexity of these functions have
grown, increasing numbers of companies have chosen to outsource some or all of
these activities in order to focus on their core businesses, reduce costs and
improve operational efficiency. Telephone marketing services companies such as
MATRIXX are able to provide these services in a higher quality, lower cost
manner, which in many cases results in a competitive advantage for MATRIXX's
clients. In addition, telephone marketing services companies often can provide a
client with current, detailed information on its customers and their purchasing
decisions.
 
   
     According to a Strategic Telemedia Study, the U.S. agency market for
outsourced telephone marketing services, including automated services, was
approximately $6 billion in 1995. In addition, industry sources suggest that a
considerably larger volume of telephone marketing services was managed and
operated internally, through dedicated in-house call centers. MATRIXX believes
that corporations will outsource an increasingly larger percentage of such
telephone marketing services, further fueling the growth of the market for
outsourced telephone marketing services.
    
 
     MATRIXX segments the market for telephone marketing services into
traditional and outsourced dedicated programs. Traditional programs involve
shared agents who handle shorter campaign-oriented calls. Outsourced dedicated
programs involve agents who handle larger and more complex calls for long-term
clients thereby providing added value. Many programs now include an automated
and interactive voice response component in addition to live agents. MATRIXX
recently entered the interactive and voice response market through its
acquisition of certain assets of Scherers Communications, Inc. in August 1996.
 
     The principal drivers of overall telephone marketing services market growth
are expected to be the increasing use of targeted marketing strategies by
companies, the effectiveness of programs that involve frequent one-on-one
contact as a means of enhancing customer loyalty and the lower cost of sales and
marketing over the phone compared to other customer service methods.
Additionally, as companies seek to achieve greater strategic focus and operating
efficiency, a greater percentage are expected to seek to outsource
telephone-based customer care services and sales coverage programs. Cincinnati
Bell believes that MATRIXX is well positioned to capture significant amounts of
this business, because of their ability to provide the marketing expertise and
technological resources required to deal with increasingly complex customer
interactions.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
  Opportunities
 
     MATRIXX believes that there are significant opportunities to grow its
business, in light of the growth of telephone marketing services as a
communications medium and the trend to outsource customer service and sales
coverage programs. Companies now realize that they can improve customer service
levels and increase sales while reducing costs. In addition, services developed
with other Cincinnati Bell companies are being offered to existing and potential
MATRIXX clients. For example, MATRIXX and CBT worked together to develop
MATRIXX's help desk support service for CBT's new FUSE(R) Internet access
service, a support service MATRIXX is offering to other third-party clients.
CBIS is also collaborating with MATRIXX to provide data processing services and
enhanced customer management software as well as jointly offering end-to-end
value-added solutions for communications providers.
 
     MATRIXX believes that its focus and expertise in the telecommunications,
technology, financial services, consumer products and direct response industries
provide it with a competitive advantage in developing additional relationships
in these industries. These industries include many large corporations with large
and often complex telephone marketing service needs. In addition, MATRIXX
believes its scale and expertise in inbound calling provide it with an advantage
in winning new business from companies currently relying on in-house telephone
marketing service operations.
 
     MATRIXX will actively seek out opportunities to expand its product
offerings and client base through internal development and strategic
acquisitions.
 
  Regulation
 
     Various federal and state legislative initiatives have been enacted to
regulate primarily outbound telephone marketing services, especially calls to
consumers. Since MATRIXX concentrates on inbound service and outbound
business-to-business telephone marketing services, MATRIXX does not believe that
such legislation adversely affects its business presently. However, there can be
no assurance that future legislation will not have an expanded scope and
restrict MATRIXX's ability to conduct its business.
 
OTHER BUSINESSES
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell Long Distance resells long distance telecommunications
services and products as well as voice mail and paging services principally to
residential and business customers in Ohio and several adjoining states. Its
principal market focus is small- and medium-sized businesses, particularly
businesses with two to twenty business access lines in service. CBLD augments
its high-quality long-distance services with calling plans, network features and
enhanced calling services to create customized packages of communications
services for its clients. CBLD's resale activities are conducted pursuant to the
regulatory requirements of various state utility commissions. Although no
material regulatory developments are pending with respect to such requirements,
any such development could have an effect on CBLD's resale activities.
    
 
     Cincinnati Bell Directory provides Yellow Pages and other directory
products and services as well as related information and advertising services.
Its principal products are a White Pages directory and nine Yellow Pages
directories. CBD continually evaluates new product offerings in both the print
and emerging electronic categories of distribution.
 
     Cincinnati Bell Supply ("Supply") purchases, sells and reconditions
telecommunications and computer equipment. Its principal market is the secondary
market for used and surplus telecommunications systems, including AT&T-brand
systems.
 
     Cincinnati Bell also owns a 45% limited partnership interest in a cellular
telephone service business that covers much of central and southwestern Ohio,
northern Kentucky and small portions of southeastern Indiana. Cincinnati Bell's
proportionate share of this cellular market represents approximately 2.3 million
POPs. In 1994, Cincinnati Bell filed suit in Chancery Court in Delaware against
the partnership's general partner seeking to dissolve the partnership and
reclaim Cincinnati Bell's proportionate share of the partnership's assets. On
September 3, 1996, the Court denied Cincinnati Bell's motion for summary
judgment and granted
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
the general partner's motion for summary judgment. Cincinnati Bell has appealed
the ruling to the Delaware Supreme Court.
 
COMPETITION
 
  Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company
 
     CBT is currently the sole provider of basic local switched wireline
telecommunications services in its market. Competitors include providers of
special access services, wireless communications services, enhanced calling
services such as voice messaging services and providers of business
communications equipment and services.
 
     Evolving technology, the preferences of consumers and policy makers, and
the convergence of other industries with the telecommunications industry are
causes for increasing competition in the telecommunications industry. The range
of communications services, the equipment available to provide and access such
services and the number of competitors offering such services continue to
increase. That increase expands the means by which CBT's network may be
bypassed. Furthermore, recently enacted legislative and regulatory initiatives
and additional regulatory developments that are expected in the near future are
likely to encourage and accelerate the development of competition in all
segments of the telecommunications industry by removing legal barriers to
competition across segments of that industry. These initiatives and developments
could make it more difficult for CBT to maintain current revenue and profit
objectives. See "Risk Factors -- Regulatory and Competitive Trends -- Cincinnati
Bell Telephone Company."
 
     In the future, CBT expects to compete with other providers of local
exchange telecommunications services, and communications-based entertainment and
information services. Local exchange telecommunications competitors will include
other major local exchange telecommunications companies, wireless services
providers, interexchange carriers, competitive local exchange carriers ("CLECs")
and others. Time Warner Communications of Ohio, L.P. is the only other company
currently certified to offer switched local exchange service in CBT's Greater
Cincinnati market.
 
  Cincinnati Bell Information Systems Inc.
 
     Competition in the information services market is based primarily on
product quality, performance, price and the quality of client service. CBIS's
competitors include large firms with size and capabilities equal to or greater
than CBIS as well as potential competitors from other markets similar to those
served by CBIS. Major competitors of CBIS include Alltel Corporation, EDS
Systems Corp., American Management Systems Inc. and Andersen Consulting Group.
Niche players or new entrants could also capture a segment of the information
services market by developing new systems or services which could impact CBIS's
market potential. In addition, CBIS's clients and potential clients are
generally large companies with substantial resources and the capability to
provide needed services for themselves rather than outsourcing such services.
Faced with increasing competition, there can be no assurance that CBIS can
maintain its future growth at the same rate as that experienced in the past
several years.
 
     CBIS believes that it can provide superior service to its clients, because
of its extensive knowledge of the telecommunications industry, its constant
technological and service enhancements, its information systems capabilities and
resources and the quality of its client service. As telecommunications customer
care and billing becomes more complex, telecommunications providers are
increasingly considering customer billing services as an opportunity to
differentiate themselves from competitive service providers. CBIS believes that
its ability to maintain a leadership position in the technological development
of billing systems will be critical to providing its clients with competitively
priced high quality services.
 
  MATRIXX Marketing Inc.
 
   
     The telephone marketing services industry in which MATRIXX competes is
extremely competitive and highly fragmented. MATRIXX competes with the in-house
telephone marketing services operations of its current and potential clients,
other large telephone marketing services companies such as APAC TeleServices,
Inc., AT&T American Transtech, ITI Marketing Services Inc., SITEL Corporation,
TeleTech Holdings, Inc., West TeleServices Corporation, Precision Response
Corporation and numerous other small companies.
    
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
   
MATRIXX also competes with alternative marketing media such as television, radio
and direct mail advertising. MATRIXX differentiates itself from competitors
based on its size and scale, selective industry and client focus, financial and
technical resources and business reputation.
    
 
     MATRIXX believes that the principal competitive factors in the telephone
marketing and related marketing services industry are reputation for quality,
sales and marketing skills, price, technological expertise and the ability to
promptly provide clients with customized solutions to their customer service,
sales and marketing needs. The competitive marketplace could begin to place
pressure on MATRIXX's ability to achieve its goals. There can be no assurance
that MATRIXX will be able to achieve the growth and financial results that it
has had in the past several years.
 
  Other Businesses
 
     Cincinnati Bell's other businesses face intense competition in their
markets, principally from larger companies. They primarily seek to differentiate
themselves by providing existing customers with superior service and by focusing
on niche markets and opportunities to develop and market customized packages of
services. CBLD's competitors include other interexchange carriers and selected
local telecommunications services companies. CBD's competitors are other
directory services companies, and newspapers and other media advertising
services providers in its region. Supply's competitors include a number of
larger and smaller vendors of new and used communications and computer
equipment, operating regionally and across the nation.
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     Set forth below is certain information concerning directors and certain
executive officers of Cincinnati Bell. Each director holds office (subject to
Cincinnati Bell's Amended Regulations) until the next annual meeting of
shareholders and until his or her successor has been elected and qualified. The
information concerning the directors has been furnished by them to Cincinnati
Bell.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME                                       AGE   TITLE
- ----                                       ---   -----
<S>                                        <C>   <C>
Charles S. Mechem, Jr....................   66   Director and Chairman of the Board
John T. LaMacchia........................   55   Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
James F. Orr.............................   50   Director and Chief Operating Officer
Brian C. Henry...........................   39   Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
William H. Zimmer III....................   42   Secretary and Treasurer
William D. Baskett III...................   57   General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer
David F. Dougherty.......................   40   President and Chief Executive Officer of MATRIXX
Robert J. Marino.........................   49   President and Chief Executive Officer of CBIS
John F. Barrett..........................   47   Director
Phillip R. Cox...........................   49   Director
William A. Friedlander...................   64   Director
Roger L. Howe............................   61   Director
Robert P. Hummel, M.D....................   68   Director
James D. Kiggen..........................   64   Director
Mary D. Nelson...........................   63   Director
David B. Sharrock........................   60   Director
</TABLE>
    
 
CHARLES S. MECHEM, JR., Director of Cincinnati Bell since December 1995 and
Chairman of Cincinnati Bell since April 22, 1996; Chairman of the Executive
Committee and the Nominating Committee; Commissioner Emeritus, Ladies
Professional Golf Association ("LPGA") (women's professional sports
organization). Retired from LPGA in December 1995, following a five-year tenure.
Chairman of U.S. Shoe Corporation from April 1993 to May 1995. Retired Chairman
& CEO of Taft Broadcasting Company (1967-1990). Director of AGCO, Mead
Corporation, Ohio National Life Insurance Company, J. M. Smucker Company, Star
Banc Corp. and Star Bank, N.A.
 
JOHN T. LAMACCHIA, President and Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Bell
since October 1, 1993; President of Cincinnati Bell since January 1, 1988;
Chairman of Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company since November 1993; Chairman of
Cincinnati Bell Information Systems Inc. since October 1988; Chief Operating
Officer of Cincinnati Bell, 1988-1993. Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1985;
member of the Executive Committee. Director of Burlington Resources, Inc. (oil
and gas production). Director of The Kroger Co. (food retailer).
 
JAMES F. ORR, Director and Chief Operating Officer of Cincinnati Bell since
September 16, 1996; Executive Vice President of Cincinnati Bell, June 1, 1995
- -- September 16, 1996; President and Chief Executive Officer of Cincinnati Bell
Information Systems Inc., January 1, 1995 -- September 16, 1996; Chief Operating
Officer of CBIS, February 4, 1994 -- December 31, 1994; President and Chief
Executive Officer of MATRIXX Marketing Inc., January 1, 1993 -- December 31,
1994; Vice President -- Market Development, January 1, 1989 -- December 31,
1992.
 
   
BRIAN C. HENRY, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of
Cincinnati Bell since March 29, 1993; Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
of Mentor Graphics, February 1986 to March 28, 1993.
    
 
WILLIAM H. ZIMMER III, Secretary and Treasurer of Cincinnati Bell since August
1, 1991; Secretary and Assistant Treasurer of Cincinnati Bell, December 1, 1988
- -- July 31, 1991. Trustee of Star Funds, an investment company registered under
the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "1940 Act"), since February
1996.
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
WILLIAM D. BASKETT III, General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Cincinnati
Bell since July 1993; Partner of Frost & Jacobs since 1970.
 
DAVID F. DOUGHERTY, President and Chief Executive Officer of MATRIXX Marketing
Inc. since January 1, 1995; Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer
U.S. Operations, January 1, 1993 -- December 31, 1994; President of the Consumer
Division, January 1, 1991 -- December 31, 1992.
 
ROBERT J. MARINO, President and Chief Executive Officer, of Cincinnati Bell
Information Systems Inc. since September 16, 1996; Chief Operating Officer,
October 2, 1995 -- September 16, 1996; President of the Northeast Region at
Nextel Communications (wireless communications services company) from 1993-1995.
 
JOHN F. BARRETT, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1992; member of the Audit
Committee, Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee. President and Chief
Executive Officer of The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company since March
8, 1994; President and Chief Operating Officer, November 1989 -- March 1994;
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, May 1987 -- October 1989.
Director of The Western and Southern Life Insurance Company, The Fifth Third
Bancorp and its subsidiary, The Fifth Third Bank, and The Andersons, Inc.
 
PHILLIP R. COX, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1993; member of the
Compensation Committee and Finance and Benefits Committee. President and Chief
Executive Officer of Cox Financial Corporation (financial planning) since 1972.
Chairman of United Way of Cincinnati, March 1995, Vice Chairman of United Way of
Cincinnati, 1993-1995, Director of Federal Reserve Bank of Cleveland, CINergy
Corp. (gas and electric company), PNC Bank, Ohio, N.A., and Trustee of The
Touchstone Funds, investment companies registered under the 1940 Act.
 
WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1986; Chairman of the
Audit Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. Chairman of Bartlett &
Co. (a registered investment advisor) since 1989; Chief Executive Officer,
1966-1989. Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Greater Cincinnati
Foundation (community foundation), 1990-1994. Director of The Union Central Life
Insurance Company.
 
ROGER L. HOWE, Director of Cincinnati Bell since September 16, 1996. Chairman of
U.S. Precision Lens, Inc. (manufacturer of optics for the instrument,
semiconductor, photographic, fiber optic, medical and toy industries) since
1970. Director of Atkins & Pearce, Inc., Baldwin Piano & Organ Co., Cintas
Corporation, Eagle-Picher Industries (diversified manufacturer of industrial
products), The R. A. Jones Co., (manufacturer of packaging systems), Star Banc
Corp and its subsidiary, The Star Bank.
 
ROBERT P. HUMMEL, M.D., Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1983; Chairman of the
Finance and Benefits Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. Chief of
Staff of University Hospital; Emeritus Professor of Surgery, College of
Medicine, University of Cincinnati.
 
JAMES D. KIGGEN, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1983; Chairman of the
Compensation Committee and a member of the Executive Committee. Chairman of the
Board of Xtek, Inc. (manufacturer of engineered steel products for heavy
industry) since 1985; Chief Executive Officer of Xtek, Inc. since 1981;
President of Xtek, Inc. 1979-1995. Director of Fifth Third Bancorp and its
subsidiary, The Fifth Third Bank, The United States Playing Card Company
(worldwide manufacturer of playing cards), The R.A. Jones Co. and Xtek, Inc.
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
MARY D. NELSON, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1994; a member of the Audit
Committee and Finance and Benefits Committee. President of Nelson & Co.
(consulting actuaries) since 1975. Director of Blount International, Inc.
(manufacturer of outdoor products, industrial and power equipment and sporting
equipment) and The Union Central Life Insurance Company.
 
DAVID B. SHARROCK, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1987; member of the
Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee. Consultant since 1994; Retired
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Marion Merrell Dow Inc.
(researcher, manufacturer and seller of pharmaceutical products) 1989-1993;
President and Chief Operating Officer of Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
1988-1989. Director of Unitog Co. (uniform rental company), Interneuron
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (pharmaceutical research), Progenitor, Inc. (pharmaceutical
research), Intercardia, Inc. (pharmaceutical product development) and
Pharmaceutical Peptides, Inc. (pharmaceutical research).
 
                             CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS
 
   
     Waslic and Western & Southern currently own, or have voting power or
investment power with respect to, an aggregate of 6,452,696 Common Shares or
approximately 9.6% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares. Waslic acquired
3,157,896 of such Common Shares upon conversion of Cincinnati Bell's 7.25%
Cumulative Convertible Voting Preferred Shares, no par value (the "Preferred
Shares") and the remainder in open market purchases. Pursuant to a Registration
Rights Agreement relating to the Preferred Shares, Cincinnati Bell has agreed to
indemnify Waslic and Western & Southern against certain liabilities, including
liabilities under the Securities Act, or to contribute to payments Waslic and
Western & Southern may be required to make in respect thereof, in connection
with the DECS Offering. In addition, certain of The Touchstone Funds, which are
mutual funds managed by an affiliate of Western & Southern, and certain
investment advisory clients of Fort Washington Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned
subsidiary of Western & Southern, hold an aggregate of 11,308 Common Shares.
Touchstone Advisors, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Western & Southern, is
the adviser to The Touchstone Funds. Mr. Barrett, a director of Cincinnati Bell
since 1992, is President and Chief Executive Officer of Western & Southern, and
Mr. Cox, a director of Cincinnati Bell since 1993, is a trustee of The
Touchstone Funds.
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The following is a summary description of the capital stock of Cincinnati
Bell and is qualified by reference to Cincinnati Bell's Amended Articles of
Incorporation (the "Articles"), a copy of which has been filed as Exhibit 4.1 to
this Registration Statement. For the text of the provisions summarized below,
reference is made to such exhibit.
 
   
     The authorized capital stock of Cincinnati Bell consists of 240,000,000
Common Shares, par value $1.00 per share, and 5,000,000 preferred shares,
without par value (the "Preferred Shares"), of which 4,000,000 are voting
preferred shares (the "Voting Preferred Shares"). At September 30, 1996,
67,393,953 Common Shares were outstanding. There are currently no Preferred
Shares outstanding.
    
 
     All Common Shares of Cincinnati Bell are entitled to participate equally in
such dividends as may be declared by the Board of Directors of Cincinnati Bell
and upon liquidation of Cincinnati Bell, subject to the prior rights of any
Preferred Shares. All Common Shares are fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     Each shareholder has one vote for each Common Share registered in the
shareholder's name. The Board of Directors is divided into three classes as
nearly equal in size as the total number of directors constituting the Board
permits. The number of directors may be fixed or changed from time to time by
the shareholders or the directors.
 
     The Board of Directors is authorized to issue the Preferred Shares from
time to time in series and to fix the dividend rate and dividend dates,
liquidation price, redemption rights and redemption prices, sinking fund
requirements, conversion rights, restrictions, if any, on the creation of
indebtedness and on the issuance of such Preferred Shares, and certain other
rights, preferences and limitations. Each series of Preferred Shares would rank,
with respect to dividends and redemption and liquidation rights, senior to the
Common Shares. It is not possible to state the actual effect of the
authorization of any series of Preferred Shares upon the rights of holders of
the Common Shares until the Board of Directors determines the rights of the
holders of one or more series of Preferred Shares. However, such effects could
include (a) restrictions on dividends on the Common Shares, (b) dilution of the
voting power of the Common Shares to the extent that the Voting Preferred Shares
have voting rights or (c) inability of the Common Shares to share in Cincinnati
Bell's assets upon liquidation until satisfaction of any liquidation preference
granted to the Preferred Shares. The Board of Directors has authorized a series
of Preferred Shares, Series A Preferred Shares, in connection with Cincinnati
Bell's Share Purchase Rights Plan, described under "Change in Control" below,
which when such shares are issued will have the effects on the Common Shares set
forth in (a), (b) and (c) immediately above.
 
     No holders of shares of any class of Cincinnati Bell's capital stock have
pre-emptive rights nor the right to exercise cumulative voting in the election
of directors.
 
     The transfer agent and registrar of the Common Shares is KeyCorp
Shareholder Services, Inc., a subsidiary of KeyBank N.A., P. O. Box 6477,
Cleveland, Ohio 44101.
 
CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
     The following provisions of Cincinnati Bell's Articles and Ohio law might
have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of
Cincinnati Bell and would operate only with respect to an extraordinary
corporate transaction, such as a merger, reorganization, tender offer, sale or
transfer of assets or liquidation involving Cincinnati Bell and certain persons
described below.
 
     Ohio law provides that the approval of two-thirds of the voting power of a
corporation is required to effect mergers and similar transactions, to adopt
amendments to the articles of incorporation of a corporation and to take certain
other significant actions. Although under Ohio law the articles of incorporation
of a corporation may permit such actions to be taken by a vote that is less than
two-thirds (but not less than a majority), Cincinnati Bell's Articles do not
contain such a provision. The two-thirds voting requirement tends to make
approval of such matters, including further amendments to the Articles,
relatively difficult and a vote of the holders of in excess of one-third of the
outstanding Common Shares of Cincinnati Bell would be sufficient to prevent
implementation of any of the corporation actions mentioned above. In addition,
Article Fifth classifies
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
the Board of Directors into three classes of directors with staggered terms of
office and Cincinnati Bell's Amended Regulations provide certain limitations on
the removal from and filling of vacancies in the office of director.
 
   
     Article Sixth of the Articles requires that certain minimum price
requirements and procedural safeguards be observed by a person or entity after
he or it becomes the holder of 10% or more of the voting shares of Cincinnati
Bell if such person or entity seeks to effect mergers or certain other business
combinations ("Business Combinations") that could fundamentally change or
eliminate the interests of the remaining shareholders. If such requirements and
procedures are not complied with, or if the proposed Business Combination is not
approved by at least a majority of the members of the Board of Directors who are
unaffiliated with the new controlling person or entity (taking into account
certain special quorum requirements), the proposed Business Combination must be
approved by the holders of 80% of the outstanding Common Shares and outstanding
Voting Preferred Shares of Cincinnati Bell (collectively, "Voting Shares"),
voting together as a class, notwithstanding any other class vote required by law
or by the Articles. In the event the price criteria and procedural requirements
are met or the requisite approval by such unaffiliated directors (taking into
account certain special quorum requirements) is given with respect to a
particular Business Combination, the normal voting requirements of Ohio law
would apply.
    
 
     In addition, Article Sixth of the Articles provides that the affirmative
vote of the holders of 80% of the Voting Shares, voting as a single class, shall
be required to amend or repeal, or adopt any provisions inconsistent with,
Article Sixth. An 80% vote is not required to amend or repeal, or adopt a
provision inconsistent with, Article Sixth if the Board of Directors has
recommended such amendment or other change and if, as of the record date for the
determination of shareholders entitled to vote thereon, no person is known by
the Board of Directors to be the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the Voting
Shares, in which event the affirmative vote of the holders of two-thirds of the
Voting Shares, voting as a single class, shall be required to amend or repeal,
or adopt a provision inconsistent with, Article Sixth.
 
     Ohio, the state of Cincinnati Bell's incorporation, has enacted Ohio
Revised Code Section 1701.831, a "control share acquisition" statute, and
Chapter 1704, a "merger moratorium" statute. The control share acquisition
statute basically provides that any person acquiring shares of an "issuing
public corporation" (which definition Cincinnati Bell meets) in any of the
following three ownership ranges must seek and obtain shareholder approval of
the acquisition transaction that first puts such ownership within each such
range: (i) more than 20% but less than 33 1/3%; (ii) 33 1/3% but not more than
50%; and (iii) more than 50%.
 
     The merger moratorium statute provides that, unless a corporation's
articles of incorporation or regulations otherwise provide, an "issuing public
corporation" (which definition Cincinnati Bell meets) may not engage in a
"Chapter 1704 transaction" for three years following the date on which a person
acquires more than 10% of the voting power in the election of directors of the
issuing corporation, unless the "Chapter 1704 transaction" is approved by the
corporation's board of directors prior to such voting power acquisition. A
person who acquires such voting power is an "interested shareholder," and
"Chapter 1704 transactions" involve a broad range of transactions, including
mergers, consolidations, combinations, liquidations, recapitalization and other
transactions between an "issuing public corporation" and an "interested
shareholder" if such transactions involve 5% of the assets or shares of the
"issuing public corporation" or 10% of its earning power. After the initial
three year moratorium, Chapter 1704 prohibits such transactions absent approval
by disinterested shareholders or the transaction meeting certain statutorily
defined fair price provisions.
 
     Ohio has also enacted a "greenmailer disgorgement" statute which provides
that a person who announces a control bid must disgorge profits realized by that
person upon the sale of any equity securities within 18 months of the
announcement.
 
     In addition, Ohio has a "control bid" statute that provides for the
dissemination of certain information and the possibility of a hearing concerning
compliance with law in connection with a proposed acquisition of more than 10%
of any class of equity securities of a corporation, such as Cincinnati Bell,
that has significant contacts with Ohio.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
     In October 1986 the Board of Directors of Cincinnati Bell adopted a Share
Purchase Rights Plan. Under the plan, shareholders received, in connection with
each Common Share owned, the right to purchase one one-hundredth of a Series A
Preferred Share at an exercise price of $125, subject to adjustment (the
"Rights"). In 1987, a 2-for-1 split resulted in each Common Share having 0.5
Rights associated with it. In 1989, a 2-for-1 split resulted in each Common
Share having 0.25 Rights associated with it. All Common Shares, regardless of
when issued, have Rights associated with them. The Rights are exercisable for
Series A Preferred Shares following (i) public announcement that a person or
group has acquired, or has obtained the right to acquire, beneficial ownership
of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, or (ii) the commencement of, or
public announcement of an intention to make, a tender offer or exchange offer
if, upon consummation, such person or group would be the beneficial owner of 30%
or more of the outstanding Common Shares. Upon the later occurrence of certain
other events (including a merger with an acquiring entity in which Cincinnati
Bell's Common Shares are not changed, the acquisition by a person of beneficial
ownership of more than 40% of the then outstanding Common Shares, or certain
"self-dealing" transactions between the acquiring entity and Cincinnati Bell),
the Rights also would entitle the holder to purchase Common Shares (or other
securities or property of Cincinnati Bell) at half the market value. Similarly,
upon the occurrence of certain other events (including a merger in which
Cincinnati Bell's Common Shares are changed or 50% or more of Cincinnati Bell's
assets or earning power is sold or transferred), the Rights would entitle the
holder to purchase common stock in the acquiring entity at half the market
value. All of the Rights may be redeemed by Cincinnati Bell at a price of $.01
per Right until ten days after a person or group has acquired beneficial
ownership of 20% or more of the outstanding Common Shares, and under certain
circumstances thereafter. The Rights will expire on November 5, 1996. Cincinnati
Bell may implement a successor shareholder rights plan upon expiration of the
Rights.
 
     The terms of the Rights are more fully described in a Form 8-A for
Registration of Certain Classes of Securities Pursuant to Section 12(b) or (g)
of the Exchange Act, which is incorporated by reference herein.
 
     The issuance of the Rights may have certain anti-takeover effects and
possible disadvantages. The Rights will cause substantial dilution to a person
or group who attempts to acquire Cincinnati Bell or a significant Common Share
ownership interest without conditioning the offer on the Rights being redeemed
or a substantial number of Rights being acquired. Accordingly, an acquiring
entity might decide not to acquire Cincinnati Bell or such an interest, although
individual shareholders may view such an acquisition favorably. In addition, to
the extent that issuance of the Rights discourages takeovers that would result
in a change in Cincinnati Bell's management or Board of Directors, such a change
will be less likely to occur. The Board of Directors believes, however, that the
advantages of discouraging potentially discriminatory and abusive takeover
practices outweigh any potential disadvantages of the Rights. The Rights should
not interfere with any merger or other Business Combination approved by the
Board of Directors. The Rights are designed to protect shareholders against
unsolicited attempts to acquire control of Cincinnati Bell, whether through
accumulation of Common Shares in the open market or partial or two-tier tender
offers, that do not offer a fair price to all shareholders.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
   
     Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Underwriting Agreement
(the "Underwriting Agreement") among Salomon, Cincinnati Bell and the
Underwriters named below, Salomon has agreed to sell to the Underwriters, and
the Underwriters have agreed to purchase, the aggregate number of DECS set forth
opposite their names below:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                NUMBER OF
    UNDERWRITERS                                                                  DECS
    ------------                                                                ---------
    <S>                                                                         <C>
    Salomon Brothers Inc....................................................    1,500,000
    Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated.......................................    1,500,000
                                                                                ---------
    Total...................................................................    3,000,000
                                                                                =========
</TABLE>
 
     In the Underwriting Agreement, the Underwriters have agreed, subject to the
terms and conditions set forth therein, that the obligations of the Underwriters
are subject to certain conditions precedent and that the Underwriters will be
obligated to purchase all of the DECS offered pursuant to the DECS Prospectus if
any of the DECS are purchased.
 
     Salomon has been advised by the Underwriters that they propose to offer the
DECS directly to the public initially at the public offering price set forth on
the cover of the DECS Prospectus and to certain dealers at such prices less a
concession not in excess of $          per DECS. The Underwriters may allow, and
such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of $          per DECS to
other dealers. After the initial public offering, such public offering price and
such concession and reallowance may be changed.
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell, Waslic, Western & Southern and the directors and executive
officers of Cincinnati Bell have agreed not to (i) offer, pledge, sell, contract
to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any option or
contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or otherwise
transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Shares or any
securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares or
(ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common
Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to
be settled by delivery of Common Shares or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise, for a period of at least 90 days from the date of this Prospectus
without the prior written consent of the Underwriters; provided, however, that
(x) Cincinnati Bell may issue, or grant options for, Common Shares pursuant to
any stock plan for employees or directors, or any qualified employee benefit
plan, in effect on the date of this Prospectus, or pursuant to any stock options
outstanding on the date of this Prospectus, and any defined contribution
qualified employee benefit plan in effect on the date of this Prospectus may
sell Common Shares to satisfy plan liquidity needs, (y) such officers and
directors, which may include John T. LaMacchia, James F. Orr and Brian C. Henry,
may sell up to 200,000 Common Shares in the aggregate so long as no one
individual sells more than 15% or 5,000 Common Shares (whichever is greater) of
his or her respective holdings and (z) such agreement will not affect the
ability of Waslic to engage in any of the transactions described in clause (i)
or (ii) above in connection with the offering of the Waslic DECS or any exchange
at maturity pursuant to the terms of the Waslic DECS. If any such consent is
given it would not necessarily be preceded or followed by a public announcement
thereof.
    
 
     Cincinnati Bell and the Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust have entered
into a separate underwriting agreement with the group of underwriters named
therein providing for the offer and sale of 2,000,000 Common Shares owned by the
Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust. The closings of the DECS Offering and the
Pension Trust Offering are not conditioned upon each other.
 
     Salomon has granted to the Underwriters an option, exercisable for the
30-day period after the date of the DECS Prospectus, to purchase up to an
additional 450,000 DECS from Salomon, at the same price per DECS as the initial
DECS to be purchased by the Underwriters. The Underwriters may exercise such
option only for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, incurred in
connection with the sale of DECS offered pursuant to the DECS Prospectus. To the
extent that the Underwriters exercise such option, each Underwriter will have a
firm commitment, subject to certain conditions, to purchase the same proportion
of the DECS as
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
the number of DECS to be purchased and offered by such Underwriter in the above
table bears to the total number of initial DECS to be purchased by the
Underwriters.
 
     The DECS will be a new issue of securities with no established trading
market. Application has been made to list the DECS on the NYSE, and the
Underwriters intend to make a market in the DECS, subject to applicable laws and
regulations. However, the Underwriters are not obligated to do so and any such
market-making may be discontinued at any time at the sole discretion of the
Underwriters without notice. Accordingly, no assurance can be given as to the
liquidity of such market.
 
   
     The Underwriting Agreement provides that Salomon and Cincinnati Bell will
indemnify the Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities
under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments the Underwriters may be
required to make in respects thereof. The Underwriting Agreement also provides
that Cincinnati Bell will indemnify Salomon against certain liabilities,
including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribute to payments
Salomon may be required to make in respect thereof.
    
 
   
     Pursuant to a Purchase Agreement among Waslic, Western & Southern and
Salomon (the "Purchase Agreement"), Salomon has agreed, subject to the terms and
conditions set forth therein, to purchase from Waslic a number of Waslic DECS
equal to the aggregate number of DECS to be purchased by the Underwriters from
Salomon pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement (including any DECS to be
purchased by the Underwriters upon exercise of the over-allotment option).
Pursuant to the terms of the Waslic DECS, Waslic will be obligated to deliver to
Salomon at or prior to maturity of the DECS a number of Common Shares (or, at
Waslic's option, the cash equivalent) that are expected to have the same value
as the Common Shares delivered pursuant to the DECS. For further information,
see the DECS Prospectus.
    
 
   
     Salomon Brothers Inc is an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of Salomon. The
participation of Salomon Brothers Inc in the offer and sale of the DECS complies
with the requirements of Rule 2720 of the Conduct Rules of the National
Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. regarding the underwriting by Salomon
Brothers Inc of the securities of its parent.
    
 
   
     In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the
Underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in and may in the
future engage in commercial and investment banking transactions with Salomon,
Cincinnati Bell, Waslic, Western & Southern and their respective affiliates.
    
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     Certain legal matters in connection with the Common Shares offered hereby
will be passed upon for Cincinnati Bell by Frost & Jacobs, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr.
Baskett, a partner of Frost & Jacobs, is General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer
of Cincinnati Bell and is the record owner of 1,040 Common Shares and has
options to purchase 80,000 Common Shares. Other attorneys at Frost & Jacobs are
the record or beneficial owners of approximately 4,700 Common Shares in the
aggregate.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheets of Cincinnati Bell Inc. as of December 31,
1995 and 1994 and the consolidated statements of income, shareowners' equity and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
which appear in Cincinnati Bell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been
incorporated herein in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
NO DEALER, SALESPERSON OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY CINCINNATI BELL OR ANY OF THE UNDERWRITERS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY
OF THIS PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL, UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES,
CREATE ANY IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF
CINCINNATI BELL SINCE THE DATES AS OF WHICH INFORMATION IS GIVEN IN THIS
PROSPECTUS. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY
ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED
OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO
SO OR TO ANY PERSON WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                        PAGE
                                       ------
<S>                                    <C>
Forward-Looking Statements.............      3
Available Information..................      3
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference............................      4
Prospectus Summary.....................      5
Risk Factors...........................      8
Recent Developments....................     11
Use of Proceeds........................     12
Price Range of Common Shares and
  Dividends............................     13
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Information..........................     14
Management's Discussion and Analysis of
  Financial Condition and Results of
  Operations...........................     15
Business...............................     27
Management.............................     38
Certain Relationships..................     40
Description of Capital Stock...........     41
Plan of Distribution...................     44
Legal Matters..........................     45
Experts................................     45
</TABLE>
    
 
3,000,000 SHARES
 
CINCINNATI BELL INC.
 
COMMON SHARES
($1.00 PAR VALUE)

LOGO

PROSPECTUS

DATED                , 1996
<PAGE>   48
 
     INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
     REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR
     MAY OFFERS TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT
     BECOMES EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR
     THE SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE
     SECURITIES IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE
     UNLAWFUL PRIOR TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS
     OF ANY SUCH STATE.
 
                 [ALTERNATE PAGES FOR PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
PROSPECTUS (Subject to Completion)
   
Issued October 22, 1996
    
 
                                2,000,000 Shares
 
                                 Cinannati Bell

                                 COMMON SHARES
                            ------------------------
   
OF THE 2,000,000 COMMON SHARES, PAR VALUE $1.00 PER SHARE (THE "COMMON SHARES")
OFFERED HEREBY, 1,600,000 COMMON SHARES ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY IN THE
 UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE U.S. UNDERWRITERS AND 400,000 COMMON SHARES
   ARE BEING OFFERED INITIALLY OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES AND CANADA BY THE
     INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS. SEE "UNDERWRITERS." ALL OF THE COMMON
     SHARES OFFERED HEREBY ARE BEING SOLD BY BANKERS TRUST COMPANY AS
      TRUSTEE UNDER THE CINCINNATI BELL PENSION PLANS TRUST (THE
       "CINCINNATI BELL PENSION PLANS TRUST"). SEE "SELLING SHAREHOLDER."
        NONE OF THE PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF THE COMMON SHARES WILL BE 
          RECEIVED BY CINCINNATI BELL INC. ("CINCINNATI BELL"). 
            CINCINNATI BELL'S COMMON SHARES ARE LISTED ON THE
             NEW YORK AND CINCINNATI STOCK EXCHANGES UNDER THE 
              SYMBOL "CSN." ON OCTOBER 22, 1996, THE REPORTED 
                LAST SALE PRICE OF THE COMMON SHARES ON THE 
                    NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE WAS $49.00.
    
                            ------------------------
   
PURSUANT TO A SEPARATE PROSPECTUS, SALOMON INC IS CONCURRENTLY OFFERING FOR SALE
       IN A SEPARATE OFFERING 3,000,000 OF ITS   % EXCHANGEABLE NOTES DUE
          FEBRUARY 1, 2001 (THE "DECS(SM)"), PLUS UP TO AN ADDITIONAL
           450,000 DECS SOLELY TO COVER OVER-ALLOTMENTS. AT MATURITY,
          THE DECS MAY BE EXCHANGED BY SALOMON INC INTO COMMON SHARES.
    
                            ------------------------
 
     SEE "RISK FACTORS" ON PAGE 8 FOR INFORMATION THAT SHOULD BE CONSIDERED
                           BY PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS.

                            ------------------------

THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
   EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
        PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS. ANY
          REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

                            ------------------------
 
                           PRICE $            A SHARE

                            ------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           UNDERWRITING          PROCEEDS TO
                                        PRICE TO           DISCOUNTS AND           SELLING
                                         PUBLIC           COMMISSIONS(1)       SHAREHOLDER(2)
                                        ---------         --------------       --------------    
<S>                               <C>                  <C>                  <C>
Per Common Share.............               $                    $                    $
Total(3).....................               $                    $                    $
</TABLE>
 
- ------------
(1) Cincinnati Bell and the Selling Shareholder have agreed to indemnify the
    Underwriters against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the
    Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
   
(2) Expenses of issuance and distribution estimated at $311,575 are payable by
    Cincinnati Bell.
    
 
(3) The Selling Shareholder has granted the U.S. Underwriters an option,
    exercisable within 30 days of the date hereof, to purchase up to an
    aggregate of 300,000 additional Common Shares at the price to public less
    underwriting discounts and commissions for the purpose of covering
    over-allotments, if any. If the U.S. Underwriters exercise such option in
    full, the total price to public, underwriting discounts and commissions and
    proceeds to the Selling Shareholder will be $        , $        and
    $        , respectively. See "Underwriters."
                            ------------------------
 
     The Common Shares are offered, subject to prior sale, when, as and if
accepted by the Underwriters named herein and subject to approval of certain
legal matters by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton, counsel for the
Underwriters. It is expected that delivery of the Common Shares will be made on
or about           , 1996 through the book entry facilities of The Depository
Trust Company, against payment therefor in immediately available funds.
                            ------------------------
 
                          Joint Book-Running Managers
 
MORGAN STANLEY & CO.                                        SALOMON BROTHERS INC
   Incorporated
 
            , 1996
<PAGE>   49
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
     No person is authorized in connection with any offering made hereby to give
any information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus,
and if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon
as having been authorized by Cincinnati Bell or the Underwriters. This
Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to
buy any security other than the securities offered hereby to any person in any
jurisdiction in which it is unlawful to make any such offer or solicitation to
such person. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale made hereby
shall under any circumstance imply that the information contained herein is
correct as of any date subsequent to the date hereof.
 
                               ------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    PAGE
                                                                                    ----
    <S>                                                                             <C>
    Forward-Looking Statements....................................................    3
    Available Information.........................................................    3
    Incorporation of Certain Documents by Reference...............................    4
    Prospectus Summary............................................................    5
    Risk Factors..................................................................    8
    Recent Developments...........................................................   11
    Use of Proceeds...............................................................   12
    Price Range of Common Shares and Dividends....................................   13
    Selected Consolidated Financial Information...................................   14
    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
      Operations..................................................................   15
    Business......................................................................   27
    Management....................................................................   38
    Selling Shareholder...........................................................   40
    Description of Capital Stock..................................................   41
    Certain United States Tax Consequences to Non-United States Holders...........   44
    Underwriters..................................................................   45
    Legal Opinions................................................................   47
    Experts.......................................................................   47
</TABLE>
    
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   50
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
                           THE COMMON SHARES OFFERING
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                     <C>               <C>
Common Shares offered
  United States offering..............................    1,600,000 shares
  International offering..............................      400,000 shares
                                                         -----------------
          Total.......................................    2,000,000 shares

Common Shares to be outstanding after the offering....   67,393,953 shares

Use of proceeds.......................................  All of the proceeds will be received
                                                        by the Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans
                                                        Trust (the "Selling Shareholder"). None
                                                        of the proceeds will be received by
                                                        Cincinnati Bell.

New York Stock Exchange Symbol........................  CSN
</TABLE>
 
                               THE DECS OFFERING
 
   
     Salomon Inc is also offering for sale in a separate offering 3,000,000
DECS, plus up to an additional 450,000 DECS solely to cover over-allotments. At
maturity, the DECS will be manditorily exchanged by Salomon Inc into Common
Shares (or, at Salomon Inc's option, cash with equal value) at the rate
specified in the prospectus for the offering of the DECS.
    
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   51
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
MARY D. NELSON, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1994; a member of the Audit
Committee and Finance and Benefits Committee. President of Nelson & Co.
(consulting actuaries) since 1975. Director of Blount International, Inc.
(manufacturer of outdoor products, industrial and power equipment and sporting
equipment) and The Union Central Life Insurance Company.
 
DAVID B. SHARROCK, Director of Cincinnati Bell since 1987; member of the
Compensation Committee and Nominating Committee. Consultant since 1994; Retired
Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Marion Merrell Dow Inc.
(researcher, manufacturer and seller of pharmaceutical products) 1989-1993;
President and Chief Operating Officer of Merrell Dow Pharmaceuticals Inc.,
1988-1989. Director of Unitog Co. (uniform rental company), Interneuron
Pharmaceuticals Inc. (pharmaceutical research), Progenitor, Inc. (pharmaceutical
research), Intercardia, Inc. (pharmaceutical product development) and
Pharmaceutical Peptides, Inc. (pharmaceutical research).
 
                              SELLING SHAREHOLDER
 
   
     This Prospectus relates to 2,000,000 Common Shares, plus up to an
additional 300,000 Common Shares solely to cover over-allotments, which may be
delivered by the Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust and are offered by the
Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust pursuant to this Prospectus. Assuming the
Cincinnati Bell Pension Plans Trust sells all of such 2,000,000 Common Shares
(representing approximately 3% of the outstanding Common Shares) offered hereby
and the Underwriters do not exercise their over-allotment option, the Cincinnati
Bell Pension Plans Trust will thereafter own 1,457,248 Common Shares
(representing approximately 2% of the outstanding Common Shares).
    
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   52
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
                     CERTAIN UNITED STATES TAX CONSEQUENCES
                          TO NON-UNITED STATES HOLDERS
 
     The following is a general discussion of certain United States federal
income and estate tax consequences of the ownership and disposition of Common
Shares by a person that, for United States federal income tax purposes, is a
nonresident alien individual, a foreign corporation, a foreign partnership, or a
foreign estate or trust (a "non-U.S. holder"). The discussion does not consider
specific facts and circumstances that may be relevant to a particular non-U.S.
holder's tax position. Accordingly, each non-U.S. holder is urged to consult its
own tax advisor with respect to the United States tax consequences of the
ownership and disposition of Common Shares, as well as any tax consequences that
may arise under the laws of any state, municipality, foreign country or other
taxing jurisdiction.
 
DIVIDENDS
 
     Dividends paid to a non-U.S. holder of Common Shares ordinarily will be
subject to withholding of United States federal income tax at a 30 percent rate,
or at a lower rate under an applicable income tax treaty that provides for a
reduced rate of withholding. However, if the dividends are effectively connected
with the conduct by the holder of a trade or business within the United States,
then the dividends will be exempt from the withholding tax described above and
instead will be subject to United States federal income tax on a net income
basis.
 
GAIN ON DISPOSITION OF COMMON SHARES
 
     A non-U.S. holder generally will not be subject to United States federal
income tax in respect of gain realized on a disposition of Common Shares,
provided that (a) the gain is not effectively connected with a trade or business
conducted by the non-U.S. holder in the United States and (b) in the case of a
non-U.S. holder who is an individual and who holds the Common Shares as a
capital asset, such holder is present in the United States for less than 183
days in the taxable year of the sale and other conditions are met.
 
FEDERAL ESTATE TAXES
 
     Common Shares owned or treated as being owned by a non-U.S. holder at the
time of death will be included in such holder's gross estate for United States
federal estate tax purposes, unless an applicable estate tax treaty provides
otherwise.
 
U.S. INFORMATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING TAX
 
     U.S. information reporting requirements and backup withholding tax will not
apply to dividends paid on Common Shares to a non-U.S. holder at an address
outside the United States. As a general matter, information reporting and backup
withholding also will not apply to a payment of the proceeds of a sale of Common
Shares effected outside the United States by a foreign office of a foreign
broker. However, information reporting requirements (but not backup withholding)
will apply to a payment of the proceeds of a sale of Common Shares effected
outside the United States by a foreign office of a broker if the broker is a
U.S. person, derives 50 percent or more of its gross income for certain periods
from the conduct of a trade or business in the United States, or is a
"controlled foreign corporation" as to the United States, unless the broker has
documentary evidence in its records that the holder is a non-U.S. holder and
certain conditions are met, or the holder otherwise establishes an exemption.
Payment by a United States office of a broker of the proceeds of a sale of
Common Shares will be subject to both backup withholding and information
reporting unless the holder certifies its non-United States status under
penalties of perjury or otherwise establishes an exemption.
 
     These backup withholding and information reporting rules are under review
by the United States Treasury, and their application to the Common Shares could
be changed by future regulations.
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   53
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
                                  UNDERWRITERS
 
   
     Under the terms and subject to the conditions contained in an Underwriting
Agreement dated the
date hereof (the "Underwriting Agreement"), a syndicate of United States
underwriters (the "U.S. Underwriters") named below has severally agreed to
purchase, and the Selling Shareholder has agreed to sell to them, severally, the
respective number of Common Shares set forth opposite the names of such U.S.
Underwriters below, and a syndicate of international underwriters (the
"International Underwriters") named below has severally agreed to purchase, and
the Selling Shareholder has agreed to sell to them, severally, the respective
number of Common Shares set forth opposite the names of such International
Underwriters below:
    
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           NUMBER OF
    NAME                                                                 COMMON SHARES
    ----                                                                 --------------
    <S>                                                                  <C>
    U.S. Underwriters:
      Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated................................
      Salomon Brothers Inc ............................................
                                                                            ---------
           Subtotal....................................................     1,600,000
                                                                            ---------
    International Underwriters:
      Morgan Stanley & Co. International Limited.......................
      Salomon Brothers International Limited...........................
                                                                            ---------
           Subtotal....................................................       400,000
                                                                            ---------
              Total....................................................     2,000,000
                                                                            =========
</TABLE>
 
     The U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters are collectively
referred to as the "Underwriters." The Underwriting Agreement provides that the
obligations of the several Underwriters to pay for and accept delivery of the
Common Shares offered hereby are subject to the approval of certain legal
matters by their counsel and to certain other conditions. The Underwriters are
obligated to take and pay for all of the Common Shares offered hereby (other
than those covered by the over-allotment option described below) if any such
shares are taken.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain exceptions, (i)
it is not purchasing any U.S. Shares (as defined below) for the account of
anyone other than a United States or Canadian Person (as defined below) and (ii)
it has not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly,
any U.S. Shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the U.S. Shares outside
the United States or Canada or to anyone other than a United States or Canadian
Person. Pursuant to the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters,
each International Underwriter has represented and agreed that, with certain
exceptions, (i) it is not purchasing any International Shares (as defined below)
for the account of any United States or Canadian Person and (ii) it has not
offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any
International Shares or distribute any prospectus relating to the International
Shares within the United States or Canada or to any United States or Canadian
Person. With respect to any Underwriter that is a U.S. Underwriter and an
International Underwriter, the foregoing representations and agreements (i) made
by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter shall apply only to Common Shares
purchased by it in its capacity as a U.S. Underwriter, (ii) made by it in its
capacity as an International Underwriter shall apply only to Common Shares
purchased by it in its capacity as an International Underwriter and (iii) shall
not restrict its ability to distribute any prospectus relating to the Common
Shares to any person. The foregoing limitations do not apply to stabilization
transactions or to certain other transactions specified in the Agreement between
U.S. and International
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   54
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
Underwriters. As used herein, "United States or Canadian Person" means any
national or resident of the United States or Canada, or any corporation,
pension, profit-sharing or other trust or other entity organized under the laws
of the United States or Canada or any political subdivision thereof (other than
a branch located outside the United States and Canada of any United States or
Canadian Person) and includes any United States or Canadian branch of a person
who is otherwise not a United States or Canadian Person. All Common Shares to be
purchased by the U.S. Underwriters and the International Underwriters are
referred to herein as the U.S. Shares and the International Shares,
respectively.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters,
sales may be made between the U.S. Underwriters and the International
Underwriters of any number of Common Shares to be purchased pursuant to the
Underwriting Agreement as may be mutually agreed. The per share price and
currency of any shares sold shall be the Price to Public set forth on the cover
page hereof, in United States dollars, less an amount not greater than the per
share amount of the concession to dealers set forth below.
 
     Pursuant to the Agreement Between U.S. and International Underwriters, each
U.S. Underwriter has represented that it has not offered or sold, and has agreed
not to offer or sell, any Common Shares, directly or indirectly, in any province
or territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of any
province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws thereof
and has represented that any offer of Common Shares in Canada will be made only
pursuant to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the
province or territory of Canada in which such offer is made. Each U.S.
Underwriter has further agreed to send to any dealer who purchases from it any
Common Shares a notice stating in substance that, by purchasing such Common
Shares, such dealer represents and agrees that it has not offered or sold, and
will not offer or sell, directly or indirectly, any of such Common Shares in any
province or territory of Canada or to, or for the benefit of, any resident of
any province or territory of Canada in contravention of the securities laws
thereof and that any offer of Common Shares in Canada will be made only pursuant
to an exemption from the requirement to file a prospectus in the province or
territory of Canada in which such offer is made, and that such dealer will
deliver to any other dealer to whom it sells any of such Common Shares a notice
to the foregoing effect.
 
     Each International Underwriter has agreed that: (i) it has not offered or
sold and will not offer or sell any Common Shares to persons in the United
Kingdom ("U.K.") except to persons whose ordinary activities involve them in
acquiring, holding, managing or disposing of investments (as principal or agent)
for the purposes of their businesses or otherwise in circumstances which have
not resulted and will not result in an offer to the public in the U.K. within
the meaning of the Public Offers of Securities Regulations 1995 (the
"Regulations"); (ii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable
provisions of the Financial Services Act 1986 and the Regulations with respect
to anything done by it in relation to the Common Shares in, from or otherwise
involving the U.K.; and (iii) it has only issued or passed on, and will only
issue or pass on, to any person in the U.K. any document received by it in
connection with the issue of the Common Shares, if that person is of a kind
described in Article 11(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment
Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1995 or is a person to whom the document may
otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.
 
     The Underwriters initially propose to offer part of the Common Shares
directly to the public at the Price to Public set forth on the cover page hereof
and part to certain dealers at a price that represents a concession not in
excess of $          a share under the public offering price. The Underwriters
may allow, and such dealers may reallow, a concession not in excess of
$          a share to other Underwriters or to certain other dealers. After the
initial offering of the Common Shares, the offering price and other selling
terms may from time to time be varied by the Underwriters.
 
     Pursuant to the Underwriting Agreement, the Selling Shareholder has granted
to the U.S. Underwriters an option, exercisable for 30 days from the date of
this Prospectus, to purchase up to an aggregate of 300,000 additional Common
Shares at the Price to Public set forth on the cover page hereof, less
underwriting discounts and commissions. The U.S. Underwriters may exercise such
option solely for the purpose of covering over-allotments, if any, made in
connection with the offering of the Common Shares offered hereby. To the extent
such option is exercised, each U.S. Underwriter will become obligated, subject
to certain conditions, to purchase approximately the same percentage of such
additional Common Shares as the number
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   55
 
                           [PENSION TRUST PROSPECTUS]
 
set forth next to such U.S. Underwriter's name in the preceding table bears to
the total number of U.S. Shares offered hereby.
 
   
     Cincinnati Bell, the Selling Shareholder, Waslic Company II, The Western
and Southern Life Insurance Company and the directors and executive officers of
Cincinnati Bell have agreed, with certain exceptions, not to (i) offer, pledge,
sell, contract to sell, sell any option or contract to purchase, purchase any
option or contract to sell, grant any option, right or warrant to purchase or
otherwise transfer or dispose of, directly or indirectly, any Common Shares or
any securities convertible into or exercisable or exchangeable for Common Shares
or (ii) enter into any swap or other arrangement that transfers to another, in
whole or in part, any of the economic consequences of ownership of the Common
Shares, whether any such transaction described in clause (i) or (ii) above is to
be settled by delivery of Common Shares or such other securities, in cash or
otherwise, except for the shares to be sold in the offerings, for a period of at
least 90 days from the date of this Prospectus without the prior written consent
of the Representatives, on behalf of the several Underwriters; provided,
however, that (x) Cincinnati Bell may issue, or grant options for, Common Shares
pursuant to any stock plan for employees or directors, or any qualified employee
benefit plan, in effect on the date of this Prospectus, or pursuant to any stock
options outstanding on the date of this Prospectus, and any defined contribution
qualified employee benefit plan in effect on the date of this Prospectus may
sell Common Shares to satisfy plan liquidity need and (y) such officers and
directors, which may include John T. LaMacchia, James F. Orr and Brian C. Henry,
may sell up to 200,000 Common Shares in the aggregate so long as no one
individual sells more than 15% or 5,000 Common Shares (whichever is greater) of
his or her respective holdings. If any such consent is given it would not
necessarily be preceded or followed by a public announcement thereof.
    
 
     Cincinnati Bell and Salomon Inc have entered into a separate underwriting
agreement with the group of underwriters named therein providing for the offer
and sale by Salomon Inc to such underwriters of 3,000,000 DECS, plus up to an
additional 450,000 DECS solely to cover over-allotments. At maturity, the DECS
will be mandatorily exchangeable by Salomon Inc into Common Shares (or, at
Salomon Inc's option, cash with an equal value), at the rate specified in the
prospectus for the DECS Offering. The closings of the Common Shares Offering and
the DECS Offering are not conditioned upon each other.
 
     In the ordinary course of their respective businesses, certain of the
Underwriters and their respective affiliates have engaged in and may in the
future engage in commercial and investment banking transactions with Cincinnati
Bell.
 
     Cincinnati Bell, the Selling Shareholder and the Underwriters have agreed
to indemnify each other against certain liabilities, including liabilities under
the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.
 
                                 LEGAL OPINIONS
 
   
     The legality of the Common Shares and certain other legal matters in
connection with the sale of the Common Shares offered hereby will be passed upon
for Cincinnati Bell by Frost & Jacobs, Cincinnati, Ohio. Mr. Baskett, a partner
of Frost & Jacobs, is General Counsel and Chief Legal Officer of Cincinnati Bell
and is the record owner of 1,040 Common Shares and has options to purchase
80,000 Common Shares. Other attorneys at Frost & Jacobs are the record or
beneficial owners of approximately 4,700 Common Shares in the aggregate. Certain
legal matters in connection with the sale of the Common Shares offered hereby
will be passed upon for the Underwriters by Cleary, Gottlieb, Steen & Hamilton,
New York, New York. Certain legal matters relating to the Selling Shareholder
will be passed on by Paul, Hastings, Janofsky & Walker LLP, New York, New York.
    
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The consolidated balance sheets of Cincinnati Bell Inc. as of December 31,
1995 and 1994 and the consolidated statements of income, shareowners' equity and
cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995,
which appear in Cincinnati Bell's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
December 31, 1995, incorporated by reference in this Prospectus, have been
incorporated herein in reliance on the report of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.,
independent accountants, given on the authority of that firm as experts in
accounting and auditing.
 
                                       47
 
<PAGE>   56





                                      LOGO
<PAGE>   57
 
                                    PART II
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION.(1)
 
   
<TABLE>
<S>                                                                                 <C>
Securities and Exchange Commission Registration Fee.............................    $ 90,938
Printing and engraving expenses.................................................    $190,000
Legal fees and expenses.........................................................    $200,000
Accounting fees and expenses....................................................    $ 40,000
Miscellaneous fees and expenses.................................................    $200,000
                                                                                    --------
     Total......................................................................    $720,938
                                                                                    ========
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
 
(1)     Estimated, other than SEC registration fee.
 
   
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
    
 
     There is no provision in Cincinnati Bell's Amended Articles of
Incorporation by which an officer or director of Cincinnati Bell may be
indemnified against any liability which he or she may incur in his or her
capacity as such. However, Cincinnati Bell has indemnification provisions in its
Amended Regulations which provide that Cincinnati Bell will, to the full extent
permitted by Ohio law, indemnify all persons whom it may indemnify pursuant
thereto.
 
     Reference is made to sec.1701.13(E) of the Ohio Revised Code which provides
for indemnification of directors and officers in certain circumstances.
 
     Reference is made to the Form of Underwriting Agreement filed as Exhibit
1.1 hereto which contains provisions by which the Underwriters agree to
indemnify Cincinnati Bell, each of its directors and each of its officers who
signs this Registration Statement, with respect to information furnished by the
Underwriters for use in this Registration Statement.
 
     The foregoing references are necessarily subject to the complete text of
the Amended Regulations, the statute and the Form of Underwriting Agreement
referred to above and are qualified in their entirety by reference thereto.
 
     Cincinnati Bell provides liability insurance for its directors and officers
for certain losses arising from certain claims and charges, including claims and
charges under the Securities Act, which may be made against such persons while
acting in their capacities as directors and officers of Cincinnati Bell.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   58
 
ITEM 16.  EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT NO.   TITLE OF EXHIBIT
- -----------   ----------------
<C>           <S>
     1.1(a)   Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to the DECS Offering.**
     1.1(b)   Form of Underwriting Agreement relating to the Pension Trust Offering.**
     4.1      Amended Articles of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (3)(a) to
              Cincinnati Bell's Form 10-K for 1989, File No. 1-8519).
     4.2      Amended Regulations (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Cincinnati Bell's
              Registration Statement on Form S-3, File No. 2-96054).
     4.3      Rights Agreement dated as of October 27, 1986 between Cincinnati Bell and Morgan
              Shareholder Services Trust Company, Rights Agent (incorporated by reference to
              Exhibit (1) to Form 8-A, File No. 1-8519).
     4.4      First Amendment to Rights Agreement, dated as of October 3, 1988, between
              Cincinnati Bell and Morgan Shareholder Services Trust Company, Rights Agent
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (4)(b)(ii) to Form 10-K for 1988, File No.
              1-8519).
     4.5      Indenture dated August 1, 1962 between Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company and Bank
              of New York, Trustee (formerly, The Central Trust Company was trustee), in
              connection with $20,000,000 of Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company Forty Year 4 3/8%
              Debentures, Due August 1, 2002 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(c)(iii) to
              Form 10-K for 1992, File No. 1-8519).
     4.6      Indenture dated August 1, 1971 between Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company and Bank
              of New York, Trustee (formerly The Fifth Third Bank was trustee), in connection
              with $50,000,000 of Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company Forty Year 7 3/8%
              Debentures, Due August 1, 2011. A copy of this Indenture is not being filed
              because it is similar in all material respects to the Indenture filed as Exhibit
              4.5 above.
     4.7      Indenture dated December 15, 1992 between Cincinnati Bell Inc., Issuer, and The
              Bank of New York, Trustee, in connection with $100,000,000 of Cincinnati Bell Inc.
              6.70% Notes Due December 15, 1997. A copy of this Indenture is not being filed
              because it is similar in all material respects to the Indenture filed as Exhibit
              4(e)(ii) to Form 10-K for 1992, File No. 1-8519.
     4.8      Indenture dated July 1, 1993 between Cincinnati Bell Inc., Issuer, and The Bank of
              New York, Trustee, in connection with $50,000,000 of Cincinnati Bell, Inc. 7 3/8%
              Notes Due June 15, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-A to Form 8-K,
              date of report July 12, 1993, File No. 1-8519).
     4.9      Indenture dated as of October 27, 1993 among Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company, as
              Issuer, Cincinnati Bell Inc., as Guarantor, and The Bank of New York, as Trustee
              (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4-A to Form 8-K, date of report October 27,
              1993, File No. 1-8519).
              Pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A), no other instrument which
              defines the rights of holders of long-term debt of the registrant is filed
              herewith. In accordance with such regulation, the registrant hereby agrees to
              furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.
     5.1      Opinion of Frost & Jacobs, counsel for Cincinnati Bell, as to the legality of the
              Common Shares being registered.*
    23.1      Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
    23.2      Consent of Frost & Jacobs is contained in opinion of counsel filed as Exhibit
              5.1.*
    24.1      Powers of Attorney executed by directors and officers.*
</TABLE>
    
 
- ---------------
   
 * Previously filed.
    
 
   
** To be filed by amendment.
    
 
ITEM 17.  UNDERTAKINGS.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filling of an employee benefit
plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be
deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   59
 
herein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act
of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the
registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant
has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission
such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
 
     The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) For the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   60
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Amendment No. 1 to
the Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned,
thereunto duly authorized in the City of Cincinnati, State of Ohio on the 23rd
day of October, 1996.
    
 
                                              CINCINNATI BELL INC.
                                              
                                          By: /s/  BRIAN C. HENRY
                                             -------------------------------   
                                            Brian C. Henry
                                            Executive Vice President and
                                            Chief Financial Officer
 
   
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Amendment
No. 1 to the Registration Statement has been signed below by the following
persons in the capacities and on the date indicated below.
    
 
   
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              SIGNATURE                                TITLE                        DATE
              ---------                                -----                        ----       
<C>                                    <S>                                    <C>
         JOHN T. LAMACCHIA*            Principal Executive Officer;           October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------  President, Chief Executive Officer and
          John T. LaMacchia            Director

           BRIAN C. HENRY*             Principal Accounting and Financial     October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------  Officer; Executive Vice President and
           Brian C. Henry              Chief Financial Officer

          JOHN F. BARRETT*             Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
           John F. Barrett

           PHILLIP R. COX*             Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
           Phillip R. Cox

       WILLIAM A. FRIEDLANDER*         Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
       William A. Friedlander

       ROBERT P. HUMMEL, M.D.*         Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
       Robert P. Hummel, M.D.

          JAMES D. KIGGEN*             Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
           James D. Kiggen

            JAMES F. ORR*              Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
            James F. Orr

       CHARLES S. MECHEM, JR.*         Director and Chairman of the Board     October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
       Charles S. Mechem, Jr.

           MARY D. NELSON*             Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
           Mary D. Nelson

         DAVID B. SHARROCK*            Director                               October 23, 1996
- -------------------------------------
          David B. Sharrock
</TABLE>
    
 
   
*By /s/  BRIAN C. HENRY                                      October 23, 1996
    -------------------------------------         
    
    Brian C. Henry
    as attorney-in-fact and on his behalf
    as Executive Vice President and
    Chief Financial Officer
 
                                      II-4

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                    EXHIBIT 23.1
 
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
We consent to the incorporation by reference in Amendment No. 1 to Form S-3
(File Number 333-13699) of our report dated February 14, 1996 on our audits of
the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedules of
Cincinnati Bell Inc. and subsidiaries as of December 31, 1995 and 1994 and for
each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 1995. We also consent
to the reference to our firm under the caption "Experts".
 
/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.
 
Cincinnati, Ohio
October 21, 1996
 
                                        


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