UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549



FORM 10-Q



QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the quarterly period ended Ma r ch 31, 2019



or



TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



For the transition period from _________to__________



Commission file number:  001-11001



C:/USERS/BIANTORN/DESKTOP/LOGO.GIF



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

( Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter )





 

 

Delaware

 

06-0619596

(State or other jurisdiction of

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

incorporation or organization)

 

 



 

 

401 Merritt 7

 

 

Norwalk, Connecticut  

 

06851

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

(Zip Code)

(203) 614-5600

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:





 

 

 

 

Title of each class

 

Name of each exchange on which registered

 

Ticker Symbol

Common Stock, par value $0.25 per share

 

The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC

 

FTR



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Yes         No  



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Yes       No  



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company .   See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):



Large accelerated filer               Accelerated filer                Non-accelerated filer  

Smaller reporting company               Emerging growth company 



If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the   Exchange Act  



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

Yes          No    



The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock as of April 26 , 2019 was 105,291, 000 .

 

 


 

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



Table of Contents





 



Page

Part I.  Financial Information (Unaudited)

 



 

Item 1.  Financial Statements

 



 

Consolidated Balance Sheets as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 201 8

2



 

Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019   and 201 8

3



 

Consolidated Sta tements of Comprehensive Income ( Loss )   for the three   months ended   March 31, 2019 and 201 8

 

4



 

Consolidated Statement s of Equity for the three   months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018

5



 

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the three months ended March 31, 201 9 and 201 8

6



 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

7



 

Item 2.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

3 4



 

Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

46



 

Item 4.  Controls and Procedures

47



 

Part II.  Other Information

 



 

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings

48



 

Item 1A.  Risk Factors

48



 

Item 2.  Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

49



 

Item 6.  Exhibits

5 0



 

Signature

51



 

 

1

 


 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1. Financial Statements





FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

($ in millions and shares in thousands, except for per-share amounts)







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

(Unaudited)

 

 

 



 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

ASSETS

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

119 

 

$

354 

Accounts receivable, less allowances of $91 and $105 , respectively

 

 

715 

 

 

723 

Contract acquisition costs

 

 

111 

 

 

107 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

104 

 

 

86 

Income taxes and other current assets

 

 

61 

 

 

60 

Total current assets

 

 

1,110 

 

 

1,330 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

14,034 

 

 

14,187 

Goodwill

 

 

6,383 

 

 

6,383 

Other intangibles, net

 

 

1,364 

 

 

1,494 

Other assets

 

 

471 

 

 

265 

Total assets

 

$

23,362 

 

$

23,659 



 

 

 

 

 

 

LIABILITIES AND EQUITY

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt due within one year

 

$

393 

 

$

814 

Accounts payable

 

 

473 

 

 

495 

Advanced billings

 

 

260 

 

 

256 

Accrued other taxes

 

 

198 

 

 

182 

Accrued interest

 

 

226 

 

 

381 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

39 

 

 

39 

Other current liabilities

 

 

421 

 

 

394 

Total current liabilities

 

 

2,010 

 

 

2,561 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

1,132 

 

 

1,109 

Pension and other postretirement benefits

 

 

1,733 

 

 

1,750 

Other liabilities

 

 

426 

 

 

281 

Long-term debt

 

 

16,526 

 

 

16,358 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Equity:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.25 par value ( 175,000 authorized shares,

 

 

 

 

 

 

106,025   issued and 105,307 and 105,536 outstanding,

 

 

 

 

 

 

at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, respectively)

 

 

27 

 

 

27 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

4,805 

 

 

4,802 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(2,749)

 

 

(2,752)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax

 

 

(534)

 

 

(463)

Treasury common stock

 

 

(14)

 

 

(14)

Total equity

 

 

1,535 

 

 

1,600 

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

23,362 

 

$

23,659 



 

 

 

 

 

 



The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements .



2

 


 

 

 







PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31 , 201 9 AND 201 8

($ in millions and shares in thousands, except for per-share amounts)

(Unaudited)







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended



 

March 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue

 

$

2,101 

 

$

2,199 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses

 

 

338 

 

 

372 

Network related expenses

 

 

456 

 

 

483 

Selling, general and administrative expenses

 

 

456 

 

 

469 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

484 

 

 

505 

Restructuring costs and other charges

 

 

28 

 

 

Total operating expenses

 

 

1,762 

 

 

1,833 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

 

339 

 

 

366 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (loss), net

 

 

(9)

 

 

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

 

 

(20)

 

 

33 

Interest expense

 

 

379 

 

 

374 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

 

 

(69)

 

 

33 

Income tax expense

 

 

18 

 

 

13 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

(87)

 

 

20 

Less: Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 -

 

 

53 

Net loss attributable to

 

 

 

 

 

 

Frontier common shareholders

 

$

(87)

 

$

(33)



 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to Frontier common shareholders

 

$

(0.84)

 

$

(0.44)



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic and diluted

 

 

103,885 

 

 

77,416 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 









The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements .

3

 


 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE   INCOME ( LOSS )

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 201 9 AND 201 8

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)









 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

For the three months ended



 

 

March 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

 

$

(87)

 

$

20 

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax

 

 

 

 

 

(1)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

$

(79)

 

$

19 







The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements .



4

 


 

 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT S OF EQUITY

FOR THE THREE   MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019   AND 2018

($ in millions and shares in thousands)

(Unaudited)







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Treasury

 

 

 



 

Preferred Stock

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Common Stock

 

Total



 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Loss

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

 -

 

$

 -

 

106,025 

 

$

27 

 

$

4,802 

 

$

(2,752)

 

$

(463)

 

(489)

 

$

(14)

 

$

1,600 

ASC 842 transition

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

adjustment

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

11 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

11 

Impact of adoption of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASU 2018-02

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

79 

 

 

(79)

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

Stock plans

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

(229)

 

 

 -

 

 

Net loss

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(87)

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(87)

Other comprehensive income,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

 -

 

$

 -

 

106,025 

 

$

27 

 

$

4,805 

 

$

(2,749)

 

$

(534)

 

(718)

 

$

(14)

 

$

1,535 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31, 2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Additional

 

 

 

 

Other

 

Treasury

 

 

 



 

Preferred Stock

 

Common Stock

 

Paid-In

 

Accumulated

 

Comprehensive

 

Common Stock

 

Total



 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Deficit

 

Loss

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Equity

Balance at January 1, 2018

 

19,250 

 

$

 -

 

79,532 

 

$

20 

 

$

5,034 

 

$

(2,263)

 

$

(366)

 

(1,091)

 

$

(151)

 

$

2,274 

Impact of adoption of

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

ASC 606

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

154 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

154 

Stock plans

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

835 

 

 

 -

 

 

(134)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

975 

 

 

136 

 

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( $5.56 per share)

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(53)

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(53)

Net income

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

20 

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

20 

Other comprehensive income,

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

net of tax

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1)

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

(1)

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

19,250 

 

$

 -

 

80,367 

 

$

20 

 

$

4,847 

 

$

(2,089)

 

$

(367)

 

(116)

 

$

(15)

 

$

2,396 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

 


 

 

 



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 201 8

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)









 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,



 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided from (used by) operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income (loss)

 

$

(87)

 

$

20 

Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided from (used by)

 

 

 

 

 

 

operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

484 

 

 

505 

(Gain) loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

20 

 

 

(33)

Stock-based compensation expense

 

 

 

 

Amortization of deferred financing costs

 

 

 

 

Other adjustments

 

 

 -

 

 

(9)

Deferred income taxes

 

 

16 

 

 

12 

Change in accounts receivable

 

 

 

 

Change in accounts payable and other liabilities

 

 

(157)

 

 

(261)

Change in prepaid expenses, income taxes and other assets

 

 

(13)

 

 

(5)

Net cash provided from operating activities

 

 

282 

 

 

251 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided from (used by) investing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(305)

 

 

(297)

Proceeds on sale of assets

 

 

74 

 

 

10 

Other

 

 

 -

 

 

(2)

Net cash used by investing activities

 

 

(231)

 

 

(289)



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows provided from (used by) financing activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Long-term debt payments

 

 

(1,995)

 

 

(1,627)

Proceeds from long-term debt borrowings

 

 

1,650 

 

 

1,600 

Proceeds from revolving debt

 

 

375 

 

 

 -

Repayment of revolving debt

 

 

(275)

 

 

 -

Financing costs paid

 

 

(30)

 

 

(26)

Premium paid to retire debt

 

 

 -

 

 

(16)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

 

 -

 

 

(53)

Finance lease obligation payments

 

 

(8)

 

 

(10)

Other

 

 

(3)

 

 

(5)

Net cash used by financing activities

 

 

(286)

 

 

(137)



 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash

 

 

(235)

 

 

(175)

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at January 1,

 

 

404 

 

 

376 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash at March 31,

 

$

169 

 

$

201 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Supplemental cash flow information:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid (received) during the period for:

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest

 

$

525 

 

$

593 

Income tax payments (refunds), net

 

$

 -

 

$

 -





The accompanying Notes are an integral part of these unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements.



 

6

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies :



a)

Basis of Presentation and Use of Estimates :

Frontier Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 201 8 . Certain reclassifications of amounts previously reported have been made to conform to the current presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.   These   interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary, in the opinion of Frontier’s management, to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Revenues, net loss and cash flows for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. For our interim financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2019 , we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).



The preparation of our interim financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect (i) the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, (ii) the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities, and (iii) the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results may differ from those estimates. Estimates and judgments are used when accounting for the allowance for doubtful accounts, asset impairments, indefinite-lived intangibles, depreciation and amortization, income   taxes, and pension and other postretirement benefits, among others.



We operate in one reportable segment. Frontier provides both regulated and unregulated voice, data and video services to consumer, commercial and wholesale customers and is typically the incumbent voice services provider in its service areas.



b)

Accounting Changes:  

Except for the adoption of the new lease standard and application of certain tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act , Frontier has consistently applied the accounting policies to all periods presented in these unaudited consolidated financial statements. Refer to notes 2 and 10 for additional discussion.



c)

Revenue Recognition :  

Revenue for Voice services, Data & Internet services, Video services, Switched and non-switched access services is recognized as the service is provided. Services that are billed in advance include monthly recurring network access services (including data services), special access services, and monthly recurring voice, video, and related charges. The unearned portion of these fees is initially deferred as a component of “Advanced billings” on our consolidated balance sheet and recognized as revenue over the period that the services are provided. Services that are billed in arrears include non-recurring network access services (including data services), switched access services, and non-recurring voice and video services. The earned but unbilled portion of these fees is recognized as revenue in our consolidated statements of operations and accrued in “Accounts receivable” on our consolidated balance sheet in the period that services are provided. Excise taxes are recognized as a liability when billed.



Satisfaction of performance obligations

Frontier satisfies its obligations to customers by transferring goods and services in exchange for consideration received from the customer. The timing of Frontier’s satisfaction of the performance obligation often differs from the timing of the customer’s payment, which results in the recognition of a contract asset or a contract liability. Frontier recognizes a contract asset or liability when the Company transfers goods or services to a customer and bills an amount which differs from the revenue allocated to the related performance obligations.

7

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 



Bundled Service and Allocation of Discounts

When customers purchase more than one service, the revenue allocable to each service is determined based upon the relative stand-alone selling price of each service received. We frequently offer service discounts as an incentive to customers. Service discounts reduce the total transaction price allocated to the performance obligations that are satisfied over the term of the customer contract. We may also offer incentives which are considered cash equivalents (e.g. Visa gift cards) that similarly result in a reduction of the total transaction price as well as lower revenue over the term of the contract. A contract asset is often created during the beginning of the contract term when the term of the incentive is shorter than the contract term. These contract assets are realized over the term of the contract as our performance obligations are satisfied and customer consideration is received.



Customer Incentives

In the process of acquiring and/or retaining customers, we may issue a variety of incentives aside from service discounts or cash equivalent incentives. Those incentives that have stand-alone value (e.g . gift cards not considered cash equivalents or free goods/services) are considered a separate performance obligation. As a result, while these incentives are free to the customer, a portion of the consideration received from the customer over the contract term is ascribed to them based upon their relative stand-alone selling price. The revenue, reflected in “Other revenue , and costs, reflected in “Network access expense s ”, for these incentives are recognized when they are delivered to the customer and the performance obligation is satisfied.  Similar to discounts, these types of incentives generally result in the creation of a contract asset during the beginning of the contract term which is recorded in Other current assets and Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet .  



Upfront Fees

All non-refundable upfront fees provide our customers with a material right to renew and therefore must be deferred and amortized into revenue over the expected period for which related services are provided. With upfront fees assessed at the beginning of a contract, a contract liability is often created, which is reduced over the term of the contract as the performance obligations are satisfied. The contract liabilities are recorded in Other current liabilities and Other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet .



Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC)

It is customary for us to charge customers for certain construction activities .   These activities are requested by the customer   and construction charges are assessed at the beginning of a contract . When charges are accrued, a contract liability is often created, which is reduced over the term of the contract as performance obligations are satisfied.   The contract liabilities are recorded in Other current liabilities and Other liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.  



Contract Acquisition Costs

C ertain costs to acquire customers must be deferred and amortized over the expected customer life (average of 3.8 years). For Frontier, this includes certain commissions paid to acquire new customers. C ommissions attributable to new customer contracts are deferred and amortized into expense.     Unamortized deferred commissions are recorded in Contract acquisition costs and Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.



Surcharges and Subsidies

Frontier collects various taxes from its customers and subsequently remits these taxes to governmental authorities. Substantially all of these taxes are recorded through the consolidated balance sheet and presented on a net basis in our consolidated statements of operations. We also collect Universal Service Fund (USF) surcharges from customers (primarily federal USF), which amounted to $53   million and $57 million for the three months ended March 3 1 , 2019 and 2018, respectively, and video franchise fees , which amounted to   $11   million and $12 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, that we have recorded on a gross basis in our consolidated statements of operations and included within “Revenue” and “Network related expenses.   In June 2015, Frontier accepted the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) offer of support to price cap carriers under the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II

8

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high cost unserved or underserved areas. We are recognizing FCC’s Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II subsidies into revenue on a straight-line basis over the six year funding term .





d)

Cash Equivalents :

We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash of   $ 50 million is included within “Income taxes and other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 201 8 . This amount represents funds held as collateral by a bank against letters of credit issued predominately to insurance carriers.



e)

Goodwill and Other Intangibles:  

Goodwill represents the excess of purchase price over the fair value of identifiable tangible and intangible net assets acquired in a business combination. We evaluate the carrying value of our goodwill and indefinite-lived trade name annually as of December 31, or more frequently as circumstances warrant, to determine whether there are any impairment losses. We test for goodwill impairment at the “operating segment” level, as that term is defined in GAAP.   We determined that we have one operating segment based on a number of factors that our management uses to evaluate and run our business operations, including similarities of customers, products and technology .



Frontier amortizes finite-lived intangible assets over their estimated useful lives on the accelerated method of sum of the years digits.



f)

Lease Accounting:

We determine if an arrangement contains a lease at inception. Right-of-use (“ROU”) assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating and Finance lease ROU assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. As most of our leases do not provide an implicit rate, we use our incremental borrowing rate based on the information available at commencement date in determining the present value of lease payments. The operating and finance lease ROU asset also includes any lease payments made and excludes lease incentives. Our lease terms may include options to extend or terminate the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Lease expense for operating lease s is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term. ROU assets for operating leases are recorded to “ Other Assets ”, and the related liabilities recorded to “Other current liabilities”, and “ O t her liabilities ” on our consolidated balance sheets. Assets subject to finance leases are included in “ Property, Plant & Equipment ”, with corresponding liabilities recorded to “Other current liabilities”, and “Other liabilities” on our consolidated balance sheets .







(2)      Recent Accounting Literature :



Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements



Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU No. 2016 – 02, “Leases (Topic 842).” This standard, along with its related amendments, establishes the principles to report transparent and economically neutral information about the assets and liabilities that arise from leases. Upon implementation, l essees recognize almost all leases on their balance sheet as a right-of-use asset and a lease liability. For income statement purposes, the FASB retained a dual model, requiring leases to be classified as either operating or finance. Classification is based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting, but without explicit bright lines. Lessor accounting is similar to the current model but updated to align with certain changes to the lessee model and the new revenue recognition standard. Existing sale-leaseback guidance, including guidance for real estate, is replaced with a new model applicable to both lessees and lessors.



9

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

Frontier adopted the new lease standard during the first quarter of 2019, using the additional transition method provided by ASU 2018 – 11, “Targeted Improvements”. Under this method, Frontier applied the requirements of the new leases standard as of January 1, 2019 and recognized a cumulative-effect adjustment of $15 million ( $11 million net of tax) to accumulated deficit. Consequently, Frontier’s reporting for comparative periods will continue to be in accordance with Topic 840. Refer to Note 10 for additional lease disclosures.



Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

In February 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-02, which allows for the reclassification of certain income tax effects related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (the “Tax Act”) between “Accumulated other comprehensive income” and “Retained earnings.” This ASU relates to the requirement that adjustments to deferred tax liabilities and assets related to a change in tax laws or rates to be included in “Income from continuing operations,” even in situations where the related items were originally recognized in “Other comprehensive income” . Frontier adopted this standard as of January 1, 2019 by recording a decrease to accumulated deficit of $79 million, with a corresponding increase to Accumulated other comprehensive loss on the consolidated balance sheet and the consolidated statement of equity.



Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

In June 2018, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2018-07, “Compensation — Stock Compensation (ASC 718), Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting,” which aligns the measurement and classification guidance for share-based payments to nonemployees with that for employees, with certain exceptions. It expands the scope of ASC 718 to include share-based payments granted to nonemployees and supersedes the guidance in ASC 505-50. Frontier adopted this standard update as of January 1, 2019 which resulted in an immaterial impact to our consolidated financial statements .



Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted



Financial Instrument Credit Losses

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Financial Instruments – Credit Losses”, which amends the current financial statement impairment model requiring entities to use a forward - looking approach based on expected losses to estimate credit losses on certain types of financial instruments, including trade receivables. ASU 2016-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of adoption of this standard on our consolidated financial statements.



Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, “Fair Value Measurement (Topic 820): Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement,” which adds, removes, and modifies certain disclosures required by ASC 820. ASU 2018-13 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our disclosures.



Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-14, "Compensation-Retirement Benefits-Defined Benefit Plans-General: Disclosure Framework-Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans". This standard eliminates requirements for certain disclosures that are not considered cost beneficial, clarifies certain required disclosures and adds additional disclosures under defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans. We are required to adopt this guidance beginning January 1, 2021. Early adoption is permitted. The amendments in the standard would need to be applied on a retrospective basis. Frontier is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of this standard on our disclosures.





10

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(3)      Revenue Recognition :



We categorize our products, services and other revenues into the following categories:



Data and I nternet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”);



Voice services include traditional local and long - distance wireline services, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as a number of unified messaging services offered to our residential and business customers. Voice services also include the long - distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our business customers and other carriers;



Video services include revenues generated from services provided directly to residential customers through the FiOS ® and Vantage video brands, and through DISH ® satellite TV services;



Other customer revenue includes switched access revenue ,   sales of customer premise equipment to our business customers , rents collected for collocation services, and revenue from other services and fees . Switched a ccess revenue includes revenues derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long - distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes-of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies; and



Subsidy and other regulatory revenue includes revenues generated from cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund Phase II.



The following tables provide a summary of revenues, by category.











 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended March 31,

 

($ in millions)

2019

 

2018

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Data and Internet services

$

967 

 

$

985 

 

Voice services

 

650 

 

 

702 

 

Video services

 

268 

 

 

280 

 

Other

 

124 

 

 

135 

 

Revenue from contracts with customers (1)

 

2,009 

 

 

2,102 

 

Subsidy revenue

 

92 

 

 

97 

 

Total revenue

$

2,101 

 

$

2,199 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended March 31,

 

($ in millions)

2019

 

2018

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

$

1,077 

 

$

1,128 

 

Commercial

 

932 

 

 

974 

 

Revenue from contracts with customers (1)

 

2,009 

 

 

2,102 

 

Subsidy revenue

 

92 

 

 

97 

 

Total revenue

$

2,101 

 

$

2,199 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Amount includes approximately $18 million of lease revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019.







11

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 



The opening and closing balances of Frontier’s contract asset and contract liability balances for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Contract Assets

 

Contract Liabilities

 

($ in millions)

 

Current

 

Noncurrent

 

Current

 

Noncurrent

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

$

44 

 

$

25 

 

$

49 

 

$

22 

 

Revenue recognized included

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in opening contract balance

 

 

(10)

 

 

(4)

 

 

(20)

 

 

(5)

 

Cash received, excluding amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recognized as revenue

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

18 

 

 

 

Credits granted, excluding amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recognized as revenue

 

 

11 

 

 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

$

45 

 

$

22 

 

$

47 

 

$

20 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Contract Assets

 

Contract Liabilities

 

($ in millions)

 

Current

 

Noncurrent

 

Current

 

Noncurrent

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018

 

$

40 

 

$

37 

 

$

41 

 

$

19 

 

Revenue recognized included

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

in opening contract balance

 

 

(11)

 

 

 -

 

 

(20)

 

 

(4)

 

Cash received, excluding amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recognized as revenue

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

26 

 

 

 

Credits granted, excluding amounts

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

recognized as revenue

 

 

10 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Balance at March 31, 2018

 

$

39 

 

$

37 

 

$

47 

 

$

19 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





Short-term contract assets, Long-term contract assets, Short-term contract liabilities, and Long-term contract liabilities are included in other current assets, other assets, other current liabilities, and other liabilities, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheet s .  



The following table includes estimated revenue expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) at the end of the reporting period.





 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Revenue from contracts with customers

 

2019 (remaining nine months)

 

$

2,289 

 

2020

 

 

1,489 

 

2021

 

 

600 

 

2022

 

 

291 

 

2023

 

 

169 

 

Thereafter

 

 

217 

 

Total

 

$

5,055 

 



 

 

 

 







12

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 





(4)      Accounts Receivable :



The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows :







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

    ($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Retail and wholesale

 

$

724 

 

$

745 

Other

 

 

82 

 

 

83 

Less: Allowance for doubtful accounts

 

 

(91)

 

 

(105)

Accounts receivable, net

 

$

715 

 

$

723 



We maintain an allowance for doubtful accounts based on our estimate of our ability to collect accounts receivable.



Bad debt expense, which is recorded a s a reduction to revenue ,   is as follows :









 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

($ in millions)

 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Bad debt expense

 

$

14 

 

$

19 

 

 

 

 

 

 





( 5)      Property, Plant and Equipment :



Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows :







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

$

27,924 

 

$

27,657 

Less:  Accumulated depreciation

 

 

(13,890)

 

 

(13,470)

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

$

14,034 

 

$

14,187 



In 2017 and 2018, we sold certain properties subject to leaseback, generating   $106 million in net proceeds. In connection with the adoption of ASC 842, remaining deferred gains realized on the sales of $15 million ($11 million net of tax) were recognized directly to opening accumulated deficit as January 1, 2019.

 

In January 2019, we closed the sale of certain wireless towers for approximately $76 million. The aggregate carrying value of the towers was approximately $1 million, resulting in a gain on the sale of $75 million which was recognized against “Accumulated Depreciation” in our consolidated Balance sheet during the three months ended March 31, 2019.



Depreciation expense is principally based on the composite group method. Depreciation expense was as follows :







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

($ in millions)

 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

$

353 

 

$

345 



 

 

 

 

 

 



13

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

We adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 201 8 , as a result of an annual independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, with an insignificant impact to depreciation expense.



(6)      Goodwill and Other Intangibles :  



We are required to perform impairment tests related to our goodwill annually, which we perform as of December 31, or sooner if an indicator of impairment occurs. Goodwill, net of $3,429 million in accumulated goodwill impairments, was $6,383 million as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. During the first quarter of 2019, Frontier did not identif y any triggering events that would indicate impairment of goodwill, or any other intangible assets.



The components of other intangibles are as follows :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018



 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

 

Gross Carrying

 

Accumulated

 

Net Carrying

($ in millions)

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

 

Amount

 

Amortization

 

Amount

    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other Intangibles:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customer base

 

$

5,188 

 

$

(3,975)

 

$

1,213 

 

$

5,188 

 

$

(3,848)

 

$

1,340 

Trade name

 

 

122 

 

 

 -

 

 

122 

 

 

122 

 

 

 -

 

 

122 

Royalty agreement

 

 

72 

 

 

(43)

 

 

29 

 

 

72 

 

 

(40)

 

 

32 

Total other intangibles

 

$

5,382 

 

$

(4,018)

 

$

1,364 

 

$

5,382 

 

$

(3,888)

 

$

1,494 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Amortization expense was as follows :









 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

($ in millions)

 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense

 

$

131 

 

$

160 



 

 

 

 

 

 



Amortization expense primarily represents the amortization of our customer base acquired as a result of our acquisitions in 2010, 2014, and 2016 with each based on a useful life of 8 to 12 years on an accelerated method .



(7)      Fair Value of Financial Instruments :



The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 201 8 . For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of those instruments.



The fair value of our long-term debt is estimated based upon quoted market prices at the reporting date for those financial instruments.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

Carrying Amount

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Amount

 

 

Fair Value



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

$

17,155 

 

$

13,185 

 

$

17,400 

 

$

12,756 





(

14

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 





(8) Long Term Debt:



The activity in our long-term debt from January 1, 2019 through March 31, 2019 is summarized as follows:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

 

 

  

 

 

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019

  

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

January 1, 2019

 

Payments and
Retirements

 

New Borrowings

 

March 31, 2019

 

Interest Rate at
March 31, 2019*

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

 

  

 

Secured debt issued by Frontier

 

$

5,246 

 

$

(1,921)

 

$

2,025 

 

$

5,350 

 

7.68%

Unsecured debt issued by Frontier

 

 

11,297 

 

 

(348)

 

 

 -

 

 

10,949 

 

9.64%

Secured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

107 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 -

 

 

106 

 

8.36%

Unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

750 

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

750 

 

6.90%

Total debt

 

$

17,400 

 

$

(2,270)

 

$

2,025 

 

$

17,155 

 

8.90%

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

 

  Less: Debt Issuance Costs

 

 

(178)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

(187)

 

 

  Less: Debt Premium (Discount)

 

 

(50)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(49)

 

 

  Less: Current Portion

 

 

(814)

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

 

(393)

 

 

Total Long-term debt

 

$

16,358 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

$

16,526 

 

 

  

 

  

  

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

  

  

  

 





* Interest rate includes amortization of debt issuance costs and debt premiums or discounts. The interest rates at March 31, 2019 represent a weighted average of multiple issuances.



15

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

Additional information regarding our long-term debt as of March 31, 201 9 and December 31, 201 8 is as follows:







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Principal

 

Interest

 

Principal

 

Interest

($ in millions)

 

Outstanding

 

Rate

 

Outstanding

 

Rate



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured debt issued by Frontier

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Term loan due 3/31/2021 (1)

 

$

 -

 

 

 

$

1,402 

 

5.280% (Variable)

Term loan due 10/12/2021 (2)

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

239 

 

7.405% (Variable)

Revolver due 2/27/2024 (3)

 

 

375 

 

5.488% (Variable)

 

 

275 

 

5.280% (Variable)

Term loan due 6/15/2024 (4)

 

 

1,712 

 

6.250% (Variable)

 

 

1,716 

 

6.280% (Variable)

First lien notes due 4/1/2027

 

 

1,650 

 

8.000%

 

 

 -

 

 

Second lien notes due 4/1/2026

 

 

1,600 

 

8.500%

 

 

1,600 

 

8.500%

IDRB due 5/1/2030

 

 

13 

 

6.200%

 

 

13 

 

6.200%

Equipment financings

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

 

0.000%

Total secured debt issued by Frontier

 

 

5,350 

 

 

 

 

5,246 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior notes due 3/15/2019

 

 

 -

 

 

 

 

348 

 

7.125%

Senior notes due 4/15/2020

 

 

172 

 

8.500%

 

 

172 

 

8.500%

Senior notes due 9/15/2020

 

 

55 

 

8.875%

 

 

55 

 

8.875%

Senior notes due 7/1/2021

 

 

89 

 

9.250%

 

 

89 

 

9.250%

Senior notes due 9/15/2021

 

 

220 

 

6.250%

 

 

220 

 

6.250%

Senior notes due 4/15/2022

 

 

500 

 

8.750%

 

 

500 

 

8.750%

Senior notes due 9/15/2022

 

 

2,188 

 

10.500%

 

 

2,188 

 

10.500%

Senior notes due 1/15/2023

 

 

850 

 

7.125%

 

 

850 

 

7.125%

Senior notes due 4/15/2024

 

 

750 

 

7.625%

 

 

750 

 

7.625%

Senior notes due 1/15/2025

 

 

775 

 

6.875%

 

 

775 

 

6.875%

Senior notes due 9/15/2025

 

 

3,600 

 

11.000%

 

 

3,600 

 

11.000%

Debentures due 11/1/2025

 

 

138 

 

7.000%

 

 

138 

 

7.000%

Debentures due 8/15/2026

 

 

 

6.800%

 

 

 

6.800%

Senior notes due 1/15/2027

 

 

346 

 

7.875%

 

 

346 

 

7.875%

Senior notes due 8/15/2031

 

 

945 

 

9.000%

 

 

945 

 

9.000%

Debentures due 10/1/2034

 

 

 

7.680%

 

 

 

7.680%

Debentures due 7/1/2035

 

 

125 

 

7.450%

 

 

125 

 

7.450%

Debentures due 10/1/2046

 

 

193 

 

7.050%

 

 

193 

 

7.050%

Total unsecured debt issued by Frontier

 

 

10,949 

 

 

 

 

11,297 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Secured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debentures due 11/15/2031

 

 

100 

 

8.500%

 

 

100 

 

8.500%

RUS loan contracts due 1/3/2028

 

 

 

6.154%

 

 

 

6.154%

Total secured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

106 

 

 

 

 

107 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Debentures due 5/15/2027

 

 

200 

 

6.750%

 

 

200 

 

6.750%

Debentures due 2/1/2028

 

 

300 

 

6.860%

 

 

300 

 

6.860%

Debentures due 2/15/2028

 

 

200 

 

6.730%

 

 

200 

 

6.730%

Debentures due 10/15/2029

 

 

50 

 

8.400%

 

 

50 

 

8.400%

Total unsecured debt issued by subsidiaries

 

 

750 

 

 

 

 

750 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total debt

 

$

17,155 

 

8.651% (5)

 

$

17,400 

 

8.411% (5)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)  Represents borrowings under the JPM Credit Agreement Term Loan A, as defined below.

(2)  Represents borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, as defined below.

(3)  Represents borrowings under the JPM Credit Agreement Revolver, as defined below.  

(4)  Represents borrowings under the JPM Credit Agreement Term Loan B, as defined below.

(5)  Interest rate represents a weighted average of the stated interest rates of multiple issuances .



16

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facilities



JP Morgan Credit Facilities



On February 27, 2017, Frontier entered into a first amended and restated credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which Frontier combined its revolving credit agreement, dated as of June 2, 2014, and its term loan credit agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015. Under the JPM Credit Agreement (as amended to date, the JPM Credit Agreement), Frontier has a $1,740 million senior secured Term Loan B facility (the Term Loan B) maturing on June 15, 2024 and an $850 million secured revolving credit facility matur ing on February 27, 2024   (the Revolver). The maturities of the Term Loan B and the Revolver, in each case if still outstanding, will be accelerated in the following circumstances: (i) if, 91 days before the maturity date of any series of Senior Notes maturing in 2020, 2023 and 2024, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding on such series; or (ii) if, 91 days before the maturity date of the first series of Senior Notes maturing in 2021 or 2022, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding, in the aggregate, on the two series of Senior Notes maturing in such year. As of March 31, 2019, approximately $227 million principal amount, in the aggregate, remains outstanding on the two series of senior notes maturing in 2020 and $309 million principal amount, in the aggregate, remains outstanding on the two series of senior notes maturing in 2021.



The determination of interest rates for the Term Loan B and Revolver under the JPM Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Revolver (ranging from 1 . 00 % to 2.00% for Base Rate borrowings and 2 . 00 % to 3.00% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Revolver as of March 31, 2019 was LIBOR plus 3.00% . Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B ( 2.75 % for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75 % for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guarantees by certain Frontier subsidiaries.



As of March 31, 2019, Frontier had borrowings of $375 million outstanding under the Revolver (with letters of credit issued under the Revolver totaling an additional $70 million).



On March 15, 2019, Frontier used proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under its $1,625 million senior secured Term Loan A facility, which otherwise would have matured in March 2021, as described below under “New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.”



In addition , Frontier amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolver from February 27, 2022 to February 27, 2024, (ii) increase the interest rate applicable to such revolving loans by 0.25% and (iii) make certain modifications to the debt and restricted payment covenants.    



CoBank Credit Facilities



As of December 31, 2018, Frontier had $2 39 million outstanding under a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (as amended to date, the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders. On March 15, 2019, Frontier used proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in October 2021, as described below under “New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.”



New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions



On March 1 5 , 2019, Frontier completed a private offering of   $1,650   m illion aggregate principal amount of 8.000%   First Lien Secured Notes due 2027 (the First Lien Notes ). The First Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its Term Loan B and Revolver under the JPM Credit Agreement ( the S enior S ecured C redit F acilities ). The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors equal in right of

17

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment with all subordinated obligations of the guarantors. The First Lien Notes are secured on a first-priority basis by all the assets that secure the Company’s obligations under its S enior S ecured C redit F acilities on a first-priority basis. Interest on the First Lien Notes is payable to holders of record semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2019.

On March 19, 2018, Frontier completed a private offering of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 8.500% Second Lien Secured Notes due 2026 (the Second Lien Notes). The Second Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its S enior S ecured C redit F acilities. The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors and subordinated in right of payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness but equal in right of payment with all other unsubordinated obligations of the guarantors. The Second Lien Notes indenture provides that (a) the aggregate amount of all guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantors are limited and shall not, at any time, exceed the lesser of (x) the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes then outstanding and (y) the Maximum Guarantee Amount (as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture), and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Second Lien Notes indenture shall, on any date or from time to time, allow the aggregate amount of all such guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantors to cause or result in the Company or any subsidiary violating any indenture governing the Company’s existing senior notes.



The Second Lien Notes are secured on a second-priority basis by all the assets that secure Frontier’s obligations under its senior secured credit facilities on a first-priority basis. The collateral securing the Second Lien Notes and the Company’s senior secured credit facilities is limited to the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of the Company and substantially all personal property of Frontier Video Services, Inc. The Second Lien Notes bear s interest at a rate of 8.500% per annum and mature on April 1, 2026. Interest on the Second Lien Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2018. On July 3, 2018, the collateral package for the Second Lien Notes was amended to replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier, consistent with amendments made to Frontier’s credit agreements.



On July 3, 2018, the Company entered into Increase Joinder No. 2 to the JPM Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the Company borrowed an incremental $240 million under the Term Loan B maturing in 2024. The Company used the incremental borrowings to repay in full the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, repay a portion of the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement and pay certain fees and expenses related to this incremental borrowing.



For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , Frontier retired $348 million principal amount of 7.125% senior unsecured notes due 2019.



Additionally, on March 15, 2019, Frontier used the proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to (i) repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the senior secured T erm L oan A facility under the JPM Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in March 2021, (ii) repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in October 2021, and (iii) pay related interest, fees and expenses.



During the first quarter of 2019, Frontier recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $20 million driven primarily by the write-off of unamortized original issuance costs associated with the retired   Term Loan A and 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement .



During the first quarter of 2018, Frontier recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $33 million driven primarily by discounts received on the retirement of certain notes, slightly offset by premiums paid to retire certain notes and unamortized original issuance costs.

18

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 



Our scheduled principal payments are as follows as of March 31, 2019. This does not reflect outstanding borrowings under the Revolver .



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Principal payments

 

    

 

 

 

 

2019 (remaining nine months)

 

$

13 

 

2020

 

$

245 

 

2021

 

$

327 

 

2022

 

$

2,706 

 

2023

 

$

868 

 

Thereafter

 

$

12,621 

 









(9)      Restructuring Costs and Other Charges:

Transformation P rogram

During the second quarter of 2018, Frontier announced a multi-year strategic plan with the objective of improving revenues, profitability , and cash flows by enhancing our operations and customer service and support processes (the “Transformation P rogram ”). During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we incurred $13 million in costs directly associated with these activities.



We have retained a consulting firm to assist in executing on various aspects of this plan.  The consulting firm is eligible to receive quarterly fees in the event that we achieve targeted improvements in the Company’s profitability, and bonus payments in the event that we achieve targeted improvements in the Company’s profitability and/ or stock price. In certain circumstances, the consulting firm may become eligible to receive the bonus payments and specified fees upon a change of control or termination of the consulting arrangement. Amounts accrued in connection with the consulting agreement are recognized as operating expense under “Restructuring costs and other charges.”



Restructuring Costs

As of March 31, 2019 , restructuring related liabilities of $35  m illio n pertaining to transformation costs and employee separation charges were included in “Other current liabilities” in our consolidate d balance sheet. Restructuring costs and other charges, primarily consisting of severance and other employee-related costs of $15 million and costs directly associated with the Transformation Program of $13 million, totaling $28 million, are included in “Restructuring costs and other charges” in our consolidated statement of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 .



For the three months ended March 31, 2018, r estructuring costs and other charges, consisted primarily of severance and other employee-related costs of   $4 mill ion .



19

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

The following is a summary of the changes in the liabilities established for restructuring and other programs for the three months ended March 31, 2019:







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

$

18 

 

Severance expense

 

 

15 

 

Transformation costs

 

 

13 

 

Cash payments during the period

 

 

(11)

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

$

35 

 



 

 

 

 



















(10)

  Leases :



With adoption of ASC 842 on January 1, 2019, Frontier elect ed to apply the ‘package of practical expedients’, which permits the Company to not reassess under the new standard its prior conclusions including lease identification, lease classification, and initial direct costs.  Additionally, Frontier elect ed   to apply the land easement practical expedient, which permits the Company to account for land easements under the new standard only on a prospective basis. Frontier did not apply the use of hindsight practical expedient.



The following table includes information for the transition adjustment recorded as of January 1, 2019 to record the cumulative impact of adoption of ASC 842 for prior periods.







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

 

(Unaudited)



 

As Reported

 

ASC 842

 

Adjusted

($ in millions)

 

December 31, 2018

 

Transition Adjustment

 

January 1, 2019

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other assets

 

$

265 

 

$

205 

(a)

$

470 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Equity

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

394 

 

$

32 

(b)

$

426 

Other liabilities

 

$

281 

 

$

158 

(c)

$

439 

Deferred income taxes

 

$

1,109 

 

$

(d)

$

1,113 

Accumulated deficit

 

$

(2,752)

 

$

11 

(e)

$

(2,741)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(a)

Includes $205 million of operating ROU assets recorded upon adoption.

(b)

Includes $46 million of operating lease liabilities, offset by $14 million reclassification of the current portion of deferred gains on sale of property.

(c)

Includes $168 million of operating lease liabilities, offset by $1 million reclassification of deferred gains on sale of property and $9 million of deferred rent reclassified to Operating ROU assets.

(d)

Represents the tax effect of the recognition of $15 million in deferred gains on sale of property to accumulated deficit.

(e)

Includes the recognition of $15 million in deferred gains on the sale of property, offset by $4 million tax impact on the recognition of the gain.  

20

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

The components of lease cost are as follows:





 

 



 

 

( $ in millions )

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019



 

 

Lease cost:

 

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

Amortization of right-of-use assets

$

Interest on lease liabilities

 

Finance lease cost

 



 

 

Operating lease cost (1)

 

20 



 

 

Sublease income

 

(4)



 

 

Total Lease cost

$

22 



 

 



(1)

Includes short-term lease cost of $1 million and variable lease cost of $3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019.



Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:







 

 

 



 

 

 

( $ in millions )

 

March 31, 2019

 

Operating right-of-use assets

$

203 

(c)

Finance right-of-use assets

$

185 

(d)



 

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

$

208 

(a)

Finance lease liabilities

$

185 

(b)



 

 

 

Operating leases:

 

 

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term

 

7.79 

 years

Weighted-average discount rate

 

8.37 

%



 

 

 

Finance leases:

 

 

 

Weighted-average remaining lease term

 

9.87 

 years

Weighted-average discount rate

 

7.95 

%



 

 

 

(a)

This amount represents $45 million and $163 million included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, on our March 31, 2019 consolidated balance sheet.

(b)

This amount represents $35 million and $150 million included in other current liabilities and other liabilities, respectively, on our March 31, 2019 consolidated balance sheet.

(c)

Operating ROU assets are included in Other assets on our consolidated balance sheet.

(d)

Finance ROU assets are included in Property, plant, and equipment on our March 31, 2019 consolidated balance sheet.

21

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 



Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:







 

 



 

 

( $ in millions )

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2019



 

 

Cash paid for amount included in the measurement

 

 

of lease liabilities, net of amounts received as

 

 

revenue:

 

 

Operating cash flows provided by operating leases

$

18 

Operating cash flows used by operating leases

$

(19)

Operating cash flows used by finance leases

$

(4)

Financing cash flows used by finance leases

$

(8)



 

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease

 

 

liabilities:

 

 

Operating leases

$

Finance leases

$



 

 



Lessee

For lessee agreements ,   Frontier elected to apply the short-term lease recognition exemption for all leases that qualify and as such, does not recognize assets or liabilities for leases with terms of less than twelve months, including existing leases at transition. Frontier elected not to separate lease and non-lease components.



As of January 1, 2019, Frontier has operating and finance leases for administrative and network properties, vehicles, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 99 years, some of which include options to extend the leases, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year.



The following represents a maturity analysis for our operating and finance lease liabilities as of March 31, 2019:







 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



 

Operating

 

 

Finance

( $ in millions )

 

Leases

 

 

Leases

Future maturities:

 

 

 

 

 

2019 (remaining months)

$

39 

 

$

35 

2020

 

42 

 

 

36 

2021

 

38 

 

 

30 

2022

 

35 

 

 

25 

2023

 

32 

 

 

21 

Thereafter

 

96 

 

 

115 

Total lease payments

 

282 

 

 

262 

Less: imputed interest

 

(74)

 

 

(77)

Present value of lease liabilities

$

208 

 

$

185 



 

 

 

 

 

22

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

Upon adoption of ASC 842, we de-recognized the unamortized deferred gain balances for previous sales of real estate assets . This transition adjustment had the effect of decreasing our accumulated deficit by $15 million ( $11 million net of tax).



Lessor

Frontier is the lessor for operating leases of towers, datacenters, corporate offices, and certain equipment. Our leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 99 years, some of which include options to extend the leases, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within 1 year. None of these leases include options for our lessees to purchase the underlying asset.



A significant number of Frontier’s telecom service contracts with its customers include equipment rentals . The Company has elected to apply the practical expedient to account for those associated equipment rentals and telecom services as a single, combined component. We have evaluated the service component to be ‘predominant’ in these contracts and have accounted for the combined component as a single performance obligation under ASC 606.



For the three months ended March 31, 2019, Frontier, as a lessor, recognized revenue of $18 million.



The following represents a maturity analysis for our operating lease payments from customers as of March 31, 2019:







 

 



 

 



Operating

( $ in millions )

Lease Payments

Future maturities of lease payments from customers:

 

 

2019 (remaining nine months)

$

2020

 

10 

2021

 

10 

2022

 

10 

2023

 

10 

Thereafter

 

Total lease payments from customers

$

56 



 

 

23

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(11)



(1 1 )    I nvestment and Other Income  ( L oss) :



The following is a summary of the components of Investment and Other Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 201 8 :







 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended



 

March 31,



 

 

 

 

 

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest and dividend income

 

$

 

$

Pension and OPEB benefit (costs)

 

 

(11)

 

 

All other, net

 

 

(1)

 

 

Total investment and other income (loss), net

 

$

(9)

 

$









(1 2 )    Income Taxes :  



The following is a reconciliation of the provision for income taxes computed at the federal statutory rate to income taxes computed at the effective rate:





 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended



March 31,



 

 

 

 

 



2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated tax provision at federal statutory rate

21.0 

%

 

21.0 

%

State income tax provisions, net of federal income

 

 

 

 

 

tax benefit

(3.2)

 

 

7.2 

 

Remeasurement of certain deferred tax balances

 -

 

 

(11.9)

 

Tax reserve adjustment

(0.9)

 

 

1.2 

 

Changes in certain deferred tax balances

(38.6)

 

 

14.2 

 

Shared-based payments

(4.4)

 

 

10.6 

 

Federal research and development tax credit

1.7 

 

 

(2.0)

 

All other, net

(1.6)

 

 

0.8 

 

Effective tax rate

(26.0)

%

 

41.1 

%



As of December 31, 2018, amounts pertaining to expected income tax refunds of $1.5 million and $1.5   million are included in “Income taxes and other current assets” and “Other assets” in the consolidated balance sheets, respectively.



Frontier considered positive and negative evidence in regard to evaluating certain state net operating loss carryforwards during the first quarter of 201 9 , including the development of recent years of pre-tax book losses .  On the basis of this evaluation, a valuation allowance of $34 million ( $27   million net of federal benefit) has been recorded on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards and reflected in “Changes in certain deferred tax balances” . The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.



24

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(13)    Net Loss Per Share :



The reconciliation of the net loss per share calculation is as follows :





 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended



March 31,



 

 

 

 

 

( $ in millions and shares in thousands, except per share amounts )

2019

 

2018



 

 

 

 

 

Net loss used for basic and diluted loss

 

 

 

 

 

per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Total basic net loss

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to Frontier common shareholders

$

(87)

 

$

(33)

Effect of loss related to dilutive stock units

 

 -

 

 

 -

Total diluted net loss

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to Frontier common shareholders

$

(87)

 

$

(33)



 

 

 

 

 

Basic loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares and unvested restricted stock

 

 

 

 

 

awards outstanding - basic

 

105,426 

 

 

78,861 

Less:  Weighted average unvested restricted stock awards

 

(1,541)

 

 

(1,445)

Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic

 

103,885 

 

 

77,416 



 

 

 

 

 

Basic net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to Frontier common shareholders

$

(0.84)

 

$

(0.44)

  

 

 

 

 

 

Diluted loss per share:

 

 

 

 

 

Total weighted average shares outstanding - basic

 

103,885 

 

 

77,416 

Effect of dilutive stock units

 

 -

 

 

 -

Total weighted average shares outstanding - diluted

 

103,885 

 

 

77,416 



 

 

 

 

 

Diluted net loss per share

 

 

 

 

 

attributable to Frontier common shareholders

$

(0.84)

 

$

(0.44)



In calculating diluted net loss per common share for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 , the effect of all common stock equivalents is excluded from the computation as the effect would be antidilutive.



Stock Options

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, previously granted options to purchase 1,334 shares issuable under employee compensation plans were excluded from the computation of diluted earnings (loss) per share (EPS) for those periods because the exercise prices were greater than the average market price of our common stock and, therefore, the effect would be antidilutive .  



Stock Units

At March 31, 2019 and 201 8 , we had 485,687 and   244,337 stock units, respectively, issued under the Non-Employee Directors’ Deferred Fee Equity Plan (Deferred Fee Plan), the Non-Employee Directors’ Equity Incentive Plan (Directors’ Equity Plan) ,   the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan and the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan . These securities have not been included in the diluted EPS calculation for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 because their inclusion would have an antidilutive effect. C ompensation costs associated with the issuance of stock units   were $0 mi llion for each of t he three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 .



Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

The impact of the common share equivalents associated with approximately   19,250,000   shares of Series A Preferred stock were not included in the diluted EPS calculation as of March 31, 2018 , as their impact was antidilutive .



25

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(14)    Stock Plans :



At March 31, 2019 , we ha ve   seven stock-based compensation plans under which grants were made and awards remained outstanding. No further awards may be granted under six of the plans: the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan (the 1996 EIP), the Amended and Restated 2000 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2000 EIP), the 2009 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2009 EIP), the 2013 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2013 EIP), the Deferred Fee Plan and the Directors’ Equity Plan. At March 31, 2019 , there were approximately 5,667,000 shares authorized for grant and approximately 2,759,000 shares available for grant under the 2017 Equity Incentive Plan (the 2017 EIP and together with the 1996 EIP, the 2000 EIP ,   the 2009 EIP and the 2013 EIPS , the EIPs).



Performance Shares

As of Janu ary 1, 201 9 ,   we had 497 ,000 outstanding performance shares under the Frontier Long Term Incentive Plan (the LTIP) .   The following summary presents information regarding LTIP target performance shares as of March 31, 2019 and changes during the three months then ended with regard to LTIP shares awarded under the 2013 EIP and the 2017 EIP :







 

 



 

 

  

 

 Number of



 

Shares



 

(in thousands)

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

497 

LTIP target performance shares granted, net

 

 -

LTIP target performance shares earned

 

(41)

LTIP target performance shares forfeited

 

(20)

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

436 



For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each performance share is measured at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of Frontier common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 201 8 , we recognized net compensation expense, reflected in “Selling, general and administrative expenses ,” of   $0   m illion and $1 , respectively, for the LTIP.



Restricted Stock

The following summary presents information regarding unvested restricted stock as of March 31, 2019 and changes during the three months then ended with regard to restricted stock granted under the 2013 EIP and the 2017 EIP :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

Weighted

 

 

 



 

 

 

Average

 

 



 

Number of 

 

Grant Date

 

Aggregate



 

Shares

 

Fair Value

 

Fair Value



 

(in thousands)

 

(per share)

 

(in millions)

Balance at January 1, 2019

 

1,858 

 

$

16.02

 

$

Restricted stock granted

 

 

$

 2.33

 

$

 -

Restricted stock vested

 

(631)

 

$

19.03

 

$

(1)

Restricted stock forfeited

 

(13)

 

$

16.00

 

 

 

Balance at March 31, 2019

 

1,219 

 

$

14.41

 

$



For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each restricted stock grant is estimated based on the closing price of a share of our common stock on the date of the grant. Total remaining unrecognized   compensation cost associated with unvested restricted stock awards that is deferred at March 31, 2019   was $12   million, and the weighted average vesting period over which this cost is expected to be recognized is approximately 1 year .

26

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 



Shares of restricted stock granted during the first three months of 201 8   totaled 1,897,000 shares. The total fair value of shares of restricted stock granted at March 31 , 201 8 was approximately $14 million. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at March 31 , 201 8   was $17 million. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the three months ended March 31 , 201 8 was $8.23   per share .



We have granted restricted stock awards to employees in the form of our common stock. None of the restricted stock awards may be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, by the employees until the restrictions lapse, subject to limited exceptions. The restrictions are time-based. Compensation expense, recognized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $3 million   for each of the three month period s ended March 31, 2019 and 201 8 , respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants .





(15)    Comprehensive Income (Loss) :



Comprehensive income (loss) consists of net income (loss) and other gains and losses affecting shareholders’ equity and pension/postretirement benefit (OPEB) liabilities that, under GAAP, are excluded from net loss.



The components of accumulated other comprehensive loss, net of tax at March 31, 2019 and 2018, and changes for the three month periods then ended, are as follows :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Pension Costs

 

OPEB Costs

 

Total

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2019 (a)

 

$

(489)

 

$

26 

 

$

(463)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

before reclassifications

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

 

 -

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

comprehensive loss to net loss

 

 

10 

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

10 

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

Impact of adoption of ASU 2018-02

 

 

(83)

 

 

 

 

(79)

 

Balance at March 31, 2019 (a)

 

$

(562)

 

$

28 

 

$

(534)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

($ in millions)

 

Pension Costs

 

OPEB Costs

 

Total

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at January 1, 2018 (a)

 

$

(345)

 

$

(21)

 

$

(366)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

before reclassifications

 

 

(4)

 

 

 -

 

 

(4)

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

comprehensive loss to net loss

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 

 

Net current-period other comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

income (loss)

 

 

 -

 

 

(1)

 

 

(1)

 

Balance at March 31, 2018 (a)

 

$

(345)

 

$

(22)

 

$

(367)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(a)

Pension and OPEB amounts are net of tax of $2 50   million and $223 million as of January 1, 2019 and 2018, respectively and $ 1 69   million and $218 million as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively.





27

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

The significant items reclassified from each component of accumulated other comprehensive loss for the three month periods   then ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 are as follows:





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Amount Reclassified from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss (a)

 

 

($ in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Affected Line Item in



 

For the three months ended

 

the Statement Where

Details about Accumulated Other

 

March 31,

 

Net Income (Loss)

Comprehensive Loss Components

 

2019

 

2018

 

is Presented

Amortization of Pension Cost Items (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Actuarial gains (losses)

 

$

(14)

 

$

(7)

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

Tax impact

 

 

 

 

 

Income tax (expense) benefit



 

$

(10)

 

$

(4)

 

Net income (loss)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization of OPEB Cost Items (b)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior-service costs

 

$

 

$

 

 

Actuarial gains (losses)

 

 

 

 

(1)

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

Income (loss) before income taxes

Tax impact

 

 

(1)

 

 

 -

 

Income tax (expense) benefit



 

$

 

$

 

Net income (loss)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.

(b) These accumulated other comprehensive loss components are included in the computation of net periodic pension and OPEB costs (see Note 16 - Retirement Plans for additional details) .  







28

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(16)    Retirement Plans :



The following tables provide the components of total pension and postretirement benefit cost :







 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



   

Pension Benefits

 



 

For the three months ended

 



 

March 31,

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of total pension benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

21 

 

$

24 

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

33 

 

 

30 

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(43)

 

 

(50)

 

Amortization of unrecognized loss

 

 

14 

 

 

 

Net periodic pension benefit cost

 

$

25 

 

$

11 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

Postretirement Benefits

 



 

For the three months ended

 



 

March 31,

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Components of net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Service cost

 

$

 

$

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

10 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service cost (credit)

 

 

(1)

 

 

(2)

 

Amortization of unrecognized (gain) loss

 

 

(2)

 

 

 

Net periodic postretirement benefit cost

 

$

12 

 

$

13 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 







The components of net periodic benefit cost other than the service cost component are included in “Investment and other income” in the consolidated statement of operations.



During the first three months of 201 9 and 201 8 , we capitalized $6   million and $7 million, respectively, of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures, as the costs relate to our engineering and plant construction activities.



Our Pension Plan assets in creased fro m   $2,348 million at December 31, 201 8 to $2,539   million at March 31, 2019 , a n   in crease of $191   million, or 8% . This in crease was a result of contributions of $33   million and positive investment returns  ( net of investment management and administrative fees )   of $220   million ,   partially offset by   benefit payments of $62 mil lion .



Required pension plan contributions for the full year 201 9 are estimated to be   $166   million, of which $33 million was contributed to the Plan during the first three months of 201 9.





29

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

(1 7 )    Commitments and Contingencies :  



Although from time to time we make short-term purchasing commitments to vendors with respect to capital expenditures, we generally do not enter into firm, written contracts for such activities.



In June 2015, Frontier accepted the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) offer of support to price cap carriers under the Connect America Fund (CAF) Phase II program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high cost unserved or underserved areas. This program provides $332 million in annual support, including $49 million in annual support related to the properties acquired in the CTF Acquisition, through 2020 to make available 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service to approximately 774,000 households across certain of the 29 states where we now operate. To the extent we do not enable the required number of households with 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service by the end of the CAF Phase II term, we will be required to return a portion of the funds previously received.



In August 2018, the FCC concluded its Connect America Fund Phase II auction to award $200 million in funding over ten years in areas where its original offer of support in 2015 was not accepted by carriers. The results of the Phase II auction have no impact on Frontier’s current $332 million in CAF Phase II support. Frontier did participate in this auction and the amount it won is immaterial to our results.



In September 2018, Frontier filed applications to be eligible to bid in  two  upcoming FCC spectrum auctions: Auction 101 (28 GHz) and Auction 102 (24 GHz). Auction 101 ended on January 24, 2019 and offered   two   425 MHz licenses in   1,536   counties. Auction 102, which is scheduled to start March 14, 2019, will offer seven   100 MHz licenses in   416   Partial Economic Areas. Both auctions remain under the FCC’s quiet period rules;   therefore, Frontier can make no comment on the extent of its participation in Auction 101 or plans to participate in Auction 102 at this time.



On April 20, 2017, the FCC issued an Order that significantly altered how Commercial Data Services are regulated. Specifically, the Order adopted a test to determine, on a county-by-county basis, whether price cap ILECs, like Frontier’s DS1 and DS3 services, will continue to be regulated. The test resulted in deregulation in a substantial number of our markets and is allowing Frontier to offer its DS1 and DS3 services in a manner that better responds to the competitive marketplace and allows for commercial negotiation. The areas that remain regulated may be subject to price fluctuations depending upon the price cap formula that year. Multiple parties appealed the Order in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals issued a ruling August 28, 2018, which upheld the vast majority of the FCC’s decision easing regulation of business data services of internet service providers and vacated and remanded one part of the Order back to the FCC. On October 10, 2018, the FCC filed a Motion to Stay the Court’s Decision. Frontier cannot predict the extent to which these regulatory changes could affect revenues at this time.



On April 30, 2018, an amended consolidated class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf of certain purported stockholders against Frontier, certain of its current and former directors and officers and the underwriters of certain Frontier securities offerings. The complaint wa s brought on behalf of all persons who (1) acquired Frontier common stock between February 6, 2015 and February 28, 2018, inclusive, and/or (2) acquired Frontier common stock or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock either in or traceable to Frontier’s offerings of common and preferred stock conducted on or about June 2, 2015 and June 8, 2015. The complaint asserts, among other things, violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with certain disclosures relating to the CTF Acquisition. The complaint s ought , among other things, damages and equitable and injunctive relief. On March 8, 2019, the District Court granted in its entirety Frontier’s motion to dismiss the complaint.  The District Court dismissed with prejudice a number of claims and with respect to certain other claims that were not dismissed with prejudice, Plaintiffs have until May 10, 2019 to seek the court’s permission to refile. We will continue to dispute any replead allegations and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. In addition, shareholders have filed derivative complaints on behalf of the Company in Connecticut, California, and Delaware courts. The derivative complaints are based, generally, on the same facts asserted in the consolidated class action complaint and allege against current and former officers and directors of the

30

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Unaudited)

 

 

Company (i) breach of fiduciary duty claims for disseminating false and misleading information to shareholders, failure to manage internal controls, and failure to oversee and manage the company; (ii) unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets claims; and (iii) violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act for the false and misleading statements. We also dispute the allegations in the derivative complaints described above and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. Given that all of these matters are in the early stages of litigation, we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result.



We are currently defending an intellectual property lawsuit initiated by Sprint Communications which alleges that the VoIP services that we offer to our customers infringe on certain of the plaintiff’s patents.   While we intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously, we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this lawsuit or reasonably estimate a possible range of loss.



In addition, we are party to various legal proceedings (including individual actions, class and putative class actions, and  federal and state governmental investigations) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contract disputes, billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, advertising, sales and the provision of services, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort, claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers. L egal proceedings and l itigation are subject to uncertainty and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.



In October 2013, the California Attorney General’s Office notified certain Verizon companies, including one of the subsidiaries that we acquired in the CTF Acquisition, of potential violations of California state hazardous waste statutes primarily arising from the disposal of electronic components, batteries and aerosol cans at certain California facilities. We are cooperating with this investigation. We maintain an accrual for potential penalties that we deem to be probable and reasonably estimated, and we do not expect that any potential penalties, if ultimately incurred, will be material in comparison to the established accrual.



We accrue an expense for pending litigation when we determine that an unfavorable outcome is probable, and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. Legal defense costs are expensed as incurred. None of our existing accruals for pending matters, after considering insurance coverage, is material. We monitor our pending litigation for the purpose of adjusting our accruals and revising our disclosures accordingly, when required. Litigation is, however, subject to uncertainty, and the outcome of any particular matter is not predictable. We will vigorously defend our interests in pending litigation, and as of this date, we believe that the ultimate resolution of all such matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, results of operations, or our cash flows.





 

31

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



Forward-Looking Statements  





This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains   "forward-looking statements" related to future events. Forward-looking statements address our expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and contain words such as "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "plan," "believe," "seek," "see," "may," “will,” "would," or "target." Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain. For us, particular uncertainties that could cause our actual results to be materially different than those expressed in our forward-looking statements include:



·

declines in revenue from our voice services, switched and nonswitched access and video and data services that we cannot stabilize or offset with increases in revenue from other products and services;



·

our ability to successfully implement strategic initiatives, including our transformation program and opportunities to enhance revenue and realize productivity improvements;



·

competition from cable, wireless and wireline carriers, satellite, and OTT companies, and the risk that we will not respond on a timely or profitable basis;



·

our ability to successfully adjust to changes in the communications industry, including the effects of technological changes and competition on our capital expenditures, products and service offerings;



·

risks related to disruption in our networks, infrastructure and information technology that result in customer loss and/or incurrence of additional expenses;



·

the impact of potential information technology or data security breaches or other cyber-attacks or other disruptions;



·

our ability to retain or attract new customers and to maintain relationships with customers, employees or suppliers;



·

our ability to hire or retain key personnel;



·

our ability to realize anticipated benefits from   recent acquisitions;



·

our ability to dispose of certain assets or asset groups on terms that are attractive to us, or at all;



·

our ability to effectively manage our operations, operating expenses, capital expenditures, debt service requirements and cash paid for income taxes and liquidity;



·

our ability to defend against litigation and potentially unfavorable results from current pending and future litigation;



·

our ability to comply with applicable federal and state consumer protection requirements;



·

adverse changes in the credit markets, which could impact the availability and cost of financing;



·

our ability to repay or refinance our debt through among other things, accessing the capital markets, notes repurchase and/or redemptions, tender offers and exchange offers;



·

adverse changes in the ratings given to our debt securities by nationally accredited ratings organizations;



·

covenants in our indentures and credit agreements that may limit our operational and financial flexibility as well as our ability to access the capital markets in the future;

32

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

·

the effects of state regulatory requirements that could limit our ability to transfer cash among our subsidiaries or dividend funds up to the parent company;



·

the effects of governmental legislation and regulation on our business, including costs, disruptions, possible limitations on operating flexibility and changes to the competitive landscape resulting from such legislation or regulation;



·

the impact of regulatory, investigative and legal proceedings and legal compliance risks;



·

government infrastructure projects (such as highway construction) that impact our capital expenditures;



·

continued reductions in switched access revenues as a result of regulation, competition or technology substitutions;



·

the effects of changes in the availability of federal and state universal service funding or other subsidies to us and our competitors;



·

our ability to meet our remaining CAF II funding obligations and the risk of penalties or obligations to return certain CAF II funds;



·

our ability to effectively manage service quality in the states in which we operate and meet mandated service quality metrics;



·

the effects of changes in income tax rates, tax laws, regulations or rulings, or federal or state tax assessments, including the risk that such changes may benefit our competitors more than us, as well as potential future decreases in the value of our deferred tax assets;



·

the effects of changes in accounting policies or practices, including potential future impairment charges with respect to our intangible assets;



·

the effects of increased medical expenses and pension and postemployment expenses;



·

our ability to successfully renegotiate union contracts;



·

changes in pension plan assumptions, interest rates, discount rates, regulatory rules and/or the value of our pension plan assets, which could require us to make increased contributions to the pension plan in 2018 and beyond;



·

the effects of changes in both general and local economic conditions in the markets that we serve; and



·

the risks and other factors contained in our most recent Form 10-K and other filings with the SEC.



Any of the foregoing events, or other events, could cause our results to vary from management’s forward-looking statements included in this report. You should consider these important factors in evaluating any statement in this report or otherwise made by us or on our behalf. We have no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements and do not undertake to do so.



Investors should also be aware that while we do, at various times, communicate with securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst, irrespective of the content of the statement or report. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.



33

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations



Overview

Frontier Communications Corporation (Frontier) is a provider of communications services in the United States, with approximately 4.4 million customers, 3.7 million broadband subscribers and 20,439 employees, operating in 29 states. We offer a broad portfolio of communications services for consumer and commercial customers. These services which include Data and Internet services, video services, voice services, access services, and advanced hardware and network solutions, are offered on either a standalone basis or in a bundled package, depending on each customer’s needs.



On June 29, 2018, all outstanding shares of our 11.125% Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock, Series A, par value $0.01 per share (the “Series A Preferred Stock )   converted into an aggregate of 26 million shares of the Company’s common stock. Frontier issued cash in lieu of fractional shares of common stock. In addition, on July 2, 2018, the Company paid the final dividend of $54 million to holders of the Series A Preferred Stock.





The sections below include tables that present customer counts, average monthly consumer revenue per customer (ARPC) and consumer customer churn , which we define as the average of the number of consumer customer deactivations during the month divided by the number of consumer customers at the beginning of the month.



Management believes that consumer customer counts and average monthly revenue per customer are important factors in evaluating our consumer customer trends. Among the key services we provide to consumer customers are voice service, data service and video service. We continue to explore the potential to provide additional services to our customer base, with the objective of meeting all our customers’ communications needs.



The following should be read in conjunction with Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 201 8 .



34

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

(a)

Results of Operations



CUSTOMER RELATED METRICS







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

As of or for the three months ended



 

March 31, 2019

 

December 31, 2018

 

% Increase (Decrease)

 

March 31, 2018

 

 

% Increase (Decrease)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers (in thousands)

 

 

4,395 

 

 

4,471 

 

(2)

%

 

 

4,765 

 

 

(8)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer customer metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers (in thousands)

 

 

3,995 

 

 

4,060 

 

(2)

%

 

 

4,324 

 

 

(8)

%

 

Net customer additions (losses)

 

 

(65)

 

 

(92)

 

(29)

%

 

 

(74)

 

 

(12)

%

 

Average monthly consumer

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

   revenue per customer

 

$

89.14 

 

$

88.37 

 

%

 

$

86.21 

 

 

%

 

Customer monthly churn

 

 

1.99% 

 

 

1.94% 

 

%

 

 

1.94% 

 

 

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Commercial customer metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Customers (in thousands)

 

 

400 

 

 

411 

 

(3)

%

 

 

441 

 

 

(9)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadband subscriber metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Broadband subscribers

 

 

3,697 

 

 

3,735 

 

(1)

%

 

 

3,895 

 

 

(5)

%

 

Net subscriber additions (losses)

 

 

(38)

 

 

(67)

 

(43)

%

 

 

(43)

 

 

(12)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video (excl. DISH) subscriber metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video subscribers (in thousands)

 

 

784 

 

 

838 

 

(6)

%

 

 

934 

 

 

(16)

%

 

Net subscriber additions (losses)

 

 

(54)

 

 

(35)

 

54 

%

 

 

(28)

 

 

93 

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH subscriber metrics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(in thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DISH subscribers (in thousands)

 

 

198 

 

 

205 

 

(3)

%

 

 

227 

 

 

(13)

%

 

Net subscriber additions (losses)

 

 

(7)

 

 

(6)

 

17 

%

 

 

(8)

 

 

(13)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employees

 

 

20,439 

 

 

21,173 

 

(3)

%

 

 

22,081 

 

 

(7)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Customer Trends and Revenue Performance



We provide service and product options in our consumer and commercial offerings in each of our markets . As of March 31, 2019 ,   61 % of our consumer broadband customers were subscribed to at least one other service offering.



We had approximately 4. 0 million and 4.3 million total consumer customers as of March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Our consumer customer churn was 1.99%, for the three months ended March 31, 2019, compared to 1.94% for the first quarter of 2018 and 1.94% for the fourth quarter of 2018. The consolidated average monthly consumer revenue per customer (consumer ARPC) increased by $2.93 , or 3%, to $89.14 during the first quarter of 2019 compared to the prior year period.   The overall increase in consumer ARPC is primarily a result of consumer,   broadband , and video initiatives that were implemented during the fourth quarter of 2018.



We had approximately 400,000 and 4 41 ,000 total commercial customers as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. We lost approximately 11,000 commercial customers during the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to a loss of 12,000 customers for the three months ended March 31, 2018 , and a loss of 11,000 customers for the three months ended December 31, 2018 . Frontier expects the declines in voice services revenue and from commercial customers to continue for the remainder of 201 9 . Our Ethernet product revenues from our SME (small business, medium business and larger enterprise customers) and carrier customers have grown by 8 % during the first quarter of 201 9 , compared to the prior year period, and remained relatively flat compared to the fourth quarter of 2018.



We had approximately 3.7 million and 3.9 million broadband subscribers as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 , respectively. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 ,   we lost approximately 3 8,000 net broadband

35

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

subscribers compared to a loss of 67 ,000 subscribers and a loss of 43 ,000 for the three months ended December 31, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.



We offer video services under the FiOS ® brand in portions of California, Texas, Florida, Indiana, Oregon and Washington, and the Vantage TM brand in portions of Connecticut, North Carolina, South Carolina, Minnesota, Illinois, New York, and Ohio . We also offer satellite TV video service to our customers under an agency relationship with DISH ® in all our markets .   For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we lost approximately 61,000 net   video subscribers   across all markets. At March 31, 2019 , we had 784,000 linear video subscribers that are served with FiOS ® or Vantage video service. In addition to our linear video subscribers, we have approximately 198,000 DISH ® satellite video customers.



REVENUE



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

( $ in millions )

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data and Internet services

 

$

967 

 

$

985 

 

$

(18)

 

 

(2)

%

Voice services

 

 

650 

 

 

702 

 

 

(52)

 

 

(7)

%

Video services

 

 

268 

 

 

280 

 

 

(12)

 

 

(4)

%

Other

 

 

124 

 

 

135 

 

 

(11)

 

 

(8)

%

Revenue from contracts with customers (1)

 

 

2,009 

 

 

2,102 

 

 

(93)

 

 

(4)

%

Subsidy revenue

 

 

92 

 

 

97 

 

 

(5)

 

 

(5)

%

Total revenue

 

$

2,101 

 

$

2,199 

 

$

(98)

 

 

(4)

%



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

( $ in millions )

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer

 

$

1,077 

 

$

1,128 

 

$

(51)

 

 

(5)

%

Commercial

 

 

932 

 

 

974 

 

 

(42)

 

 

(4)

%

Revenue from contracts with customers (1)

 

 

2,009 

 

 

2,102 

 

 

(93)

 

 

(4)

%

Subsidy revenue

 

 

92 

 

 

97 

 

 

(5)

 

 

(5)

%

Total revenue

 

$

2,101 

 

$

2,199 

 

$

(98)

 

 

(4)

%



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



(1)

Amount includes $18 million of lease revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 .







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Revenue  



We generate revenues primarily through either a monthly recurring fee or a fee based on usage, and revenue recognition is not dependent upon significant judgments by management, with the exception of a determination of the provision for uncollectible amounts.



The decreases in consolidated total revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily due to decreased Voice services and to a lesser extent, Video services and Data and Internet services driven by a decline in customers ,   partially offset by improved consumer ARPC .



The decrease in consolidated customer revenue of $ 93 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 consisted of decreases of $ 51 million and $42 million of consumer customer revenue and commercial customer revenue, respectively. The decrease in consolidated consumer customer revenue   was primarily due to decreases in Voice services , and to a lesser extent Video services offset by a   slight increase in Data and Internet services revenue. We have experienced declines in the number of traditional voice customers as a result of competition and the availability of substitutes, a trend we expect to continue. We also experienced declines in the number of video and data and internet customers. This was partially offset by improved ARPC. The decrease in consolidated commercial customer

36

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

revenue was primarily driven by decreases in our voice services revenue and nonswitched revenue, including wireless backhaul revenue .



We categorize our products, services, and other revenues into the following five categories:



Data and Internet Services  

Data and Internet services include broadband services for residential and business customers. We provide data transmission services to high volume business customers and other carriers with dedicated high capacity circuits (“nonswitched access”) including services to wireless providers (“wireless backhaul”).



For the three months ended March 31, 2019 , the decrease in Consolidated Data and Internet services revenue consisted of a decrease of $ 12 million for consolidated nonswitched access services and a   de crease of $ 6 million for consolidated data services. The decrease in nonswitched access services was primarily driven by a migration of our carrier customers to lower price ethernet.



Voice Services

Voice services include traditional local and long - distance wireline services, data-based Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services, as well as voice messaging services offered to our consumer and commercial customers. Voice services also include the long - distance voice origination and termination services that we provide to our commercial customers and other carriers.



The decrease in v oice services revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was primarily driven by   the continued net loss of voice customers and decreases in long-distance revenue among those customers that do not have a bundled long-distance plan .



Video Services

Video services   include revenue generated from services provided directly to consumer customers through the FiOS ® video and Vantage video brands, and through DISH ® satellite TV services.



The decrease in video services revenue for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was primarily driven by   a   net decrease in the total number of video subscribers.



Other

Other customer revenue includes switched access revenue and sales of Customer Premise Equipment (CPE) to our business customers and directory services. Switched a ccess revenue includes revenue derived from allowing other carriers to use our network to originate and/or terminate their local and long - distance voice traffic (“switched access”). These services are primarily billed on a minutes-of-use basis applying tariffed rates filed with the FCC or state agencies.



The de crease in o ther revenue , for the three months ended March 31, 2019 ,   was primarily driven by switched access revenue due to reduced rates mandated by the Universal Service Fund/Intercarrier Compensation Report and Order with a related decline in operating expenses .



Subsidy

Subsidy and o ther regulatory revenue includes revenue generated from cost subsidies from state and federal authorities, including the Connect America Fund Phase II.  



37

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



OPERATING EXPENSES



NETWORK ACCESS EXPENSES





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network access expenses

$

338 

 

$

372 

 

$

(34)

 

(9)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Network access expenses include access charges and other third-party costs directly attributable to connecting customer locations to our network, and video content costs. Such access charges and other third-party costs exclude network related expenses, depreciation and amortization, and employee related expenses.



The decrease s in network access expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily driven by lower video content costs as a result of a decline in video customers.



NETWORK RELATED EXPENSES







 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

( $ in millions )

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Network related expenses

 

$

456 

 

$

483 

 

$

(27)

 

(6)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Network related expenses include expenses associated with the delivery of services to customers and the operation and maintenance of our network, such as facility rent, utilities, maintenance and other costs, as well as salaries, wages and related benefits associated with personnel who are responsible for the delivery of services, and the operation and maintenance of our network.



The decrease in network related expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2019, was primarily driven by decreased compensation costs related to lower employee headcount and decreased network services cost.



SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE EXPENSES



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

( $ in millions )

 

 

2019

 

2018

 

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Selling, general and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

administrative expenses

 

$

456 

 

$

469 

 

 

$

(13)

 

(3)

%

 





Selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A expenses) include the salaries, wages and related benefits and the related costs of corporate and sales personnel, travel, insurance, non-network related rent, advertising, and other administrative expenses.



The decrease in SG&A expen ses for the thr ee months ended March 31, 2019 primarily related to decreased outside service cost and lower compensation costs   related to lower employee headcount .



38

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Pension and OPEB costs

Frontier allocates pension/ OPEB expense to network related expenses and SG&A expenses. Total consolidated   pension and OPEB costs for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 201 8 were as follows:











 

 

 

 

 

 

 



For the three months ended

 

 



March 31,

 

 

($ in millions)

2019

 

2018

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total pension/OPEB

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

expense

$

26 

 

$

29 

 

 

Less: costs capitalized into

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

capital expenditures

 

(6)

 

 

(7)

 

 

Net pension/OPEB costs

$

20 

 

$

22 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



DEPRECIATION AND AMORTIZATION EXPENSE



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation expense

 

$

353 

 

$

345 

 

$

 

%

 

Amortization expense

 

 

131 

 

 

160 

 

 

(29)

 

(18)

%

 

Depreciation and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Amortization expense

 

$

484 

 

$

505 

 

$

(21)

 

(4)

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The increase in d epreciation expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was primarily driven by reduced useful lives as a result of the annual evaluation   of our applied useful lives .  



The decrease in a mortization expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019   was primarily driven by the accelerated method of amortization related to customer bases acquired in 2010, 2014, and 2016.  





RESTRUCTURING COSTS AND OTHER CHARGES









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

 

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring costs and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

other charges

 

$

28 

 

$

 

$

24 

 

600 

%

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring costs and other charges consist of expenses related to changes in the composition of our business, including workforce reductions, the sale of business lines or divisions, and corresponding changes to our retirement plans. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we incurred $ 1 5 million in costs directly associated with these activities .



In addition, costs related to the Transformation P rogram , a multi-year strategic plan with the objective of transforming the Company and reinvigorating growth, are included in Restructuring and other charges. During the three months ended March 31, 2019 , we incurred $13   million in costs directly associated with the Transformation P rogram .



Restructuring costs and other charges increased for the three months ended March 31, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to an increase in the number of severed employees and the addition of transformation costs.

39

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 





OTHER NON-OPERATING INCOME AND EXPENSE









 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

For the three months ended March 31,

 

$ Increase

 

% Increase

( $ in millions )

 

2019

 

2018

 

(Decrease)

 

(Decrease)



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Investment and other income (loss), net

 

$

(9)

 

$

 

$

(17)

 

(213)

%

Gain (loss) on extinguishment of debt

 

$

(20)

 

$

33 

 

$

(53)

 

(161)

%

Interest expense

 

$

379 

 

$

374 

 

$

 

%

Income tax expense

 

$

18 

 

$

13 

 

$

 

38 

%



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



In vestment and other income (loss) , net

Investment and other income (loss) , net for the three months ended March 31, 2019 included $11 million of non-operating pension and OPEB expense and the three months ended March 31, 2018 included $5 million of non-operating pension and OPEB income.



Gain (loss) on e xtinguishment of d ebt  

During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Frontier recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $20 million, driven by the write-off of unamortized original issuance costs that were retired along with Term Loan A and the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement . Frontier recorded a gain on early extinguishment of debt of $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 2018 driven primarily by discounts received on the retirement of certain notes, slightly offset by premiums paid to retire certain notes and unamortized original issuance costs.



Interest expense

Interest expense for the three months ended March 31, 2019   remained relatively flat as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2018 .   Our composite average borrowing rate as of March 31, 2019 and 2018 was 8.90 % and 8. 57 %, respectively.



Income tax expense

For the three months ended March 31, 2019, Frontier recorded income tax expense of $18 million, despite recording a pre-tax net loss for the same period. The tax expense was primarily driven by recording a net valuation allowance on deferred tax assets. The tax expense related to the recording of the valuation allowance exceeded the tax benefit related to the pre-tax loss. The effective tax rates on our pretax loss for the three months ended March 31, 2019 was (2 6.0 %) c ompared with 41.1 % for the pretax income for the   three months ended March 31, 2018 .  



As of March 31, 2019, the benefit from certain state NOL carryforwards may not be realized.  On the basis of this evaluation, a valuation allowance of $ 34 million ($ 27 million net of federal benefit) has been recorded on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.



Basic and diluted net loss attributable to Frontier common shareholders

Basic and diluted net loss   attributable to Frontier common shareholders for the first three months of   201 9 was $ 87 million, or $(0.84) per share, as compared to a net loss of $ 33 million, or $( 0.44 ) per share, in the first three months of 201 8 . For 201 9 , the in crease in net loss was primarily driven by decreased revenues   and the loss recognized on the early extinguishment of debt, partially offset by decreased operating expenses.



40

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

(b)  Liquidity and Capital Resources



Analysis of Cash Flows

As of March 31, 2019, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents aggregating $119 million. Our primary source of funds during the three months ended March 31, 2019 was cash on hand, cash generated from operations, cash received from issuance of our First Lien Notes, and borrowings on our Revolver. For the three months ended March 31, 2019, we used cash flow from operations, cash on hand, and borrowings to principally fund all of our cash investing and financing activities, which were primarily capital expenditures and debt repayments.



At March 31, 2019, we had a working capital deficit of $ 900 million compared to a working capital deficit of $1,231 million at December 31, 2018. Our working capital includes outstanding balances on our Revolver, which matures in 2024. This decline in our working capital deficit was primarily a result of long - term debt retirements offset by additional borrowings under our Revolver as discussed below.



Cash Flows provided by Operating Activities



Cash flows provided by operating activities increased $ 31 million to $28 2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2019 as compared to the corresponding period in 2018. Our operating cash flows were negatively impacted by lower revenues, which were partially offset by lower expenses. The overall increase in operating cash flows was primarily attributable to favorable changes in working capital accounts.



Cash Flows used by Investing Activities



Capital Expenditures

For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, our capital expenditures were $ 305 million and $297 million, respectively. Capital expenditures related to CAF Phase II are included in our reported amounts for capital expenditures.



Cash Flows used by Financing Activities



New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions :

On March 15, 2019, Frontier completed a private offering of $1 , 650 m illion aggregate principal amount of 8.000% First Lien Secured Notes due 2027 (the First Lien Notes).   The First Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its senior secured credit facilities. The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors equal in right of payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness and senior in right of payment with all subordinated obligations of the guarantors. The First Lien Notes are secured on a first-priority basis by all the assets that secure Frontier’s obligations under its senior secured credit facilities on a first-priority basis.   Interest on the First Lien Notes is payable to holders of record semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2019.



On March 19, 2018, Frontier completed a private offering of $1,600 million aggregate principal amount of 8.500% Second Lien Secured Notes due 2026 (the Second Lien Notes). The Second Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its senior secured credit facilities. The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors and subordinated in right of payment to all of the guarantor’s obligations under the Company’s senior secured credit facilities and certain other permitted future senior indebtedness but equal in right of payment with all other unsubordinated obligations of the guarantors. The Second Lien Notes indenture provides that (a) the aggregate amount of all guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantees are limited and shall not, at any time, exceed the lesser of (x) the principal amount of the Second Lien Notes then outstanding and (y) the Maximum Guarantee Amount (as defined in the Second Lien Notes indenture), and (b) for the avoidance of doubt, nothing in the Second Lien Notes indenture shall, on any date or from time to time, allow the aggregate amount of all such guaranteed obligations guaranteed by the guarantors to cause or result in the Company or any subsidiary violating any indenture governing the Company’s existing senior notes.  



The Second Lien Notes are secured on a second-priority basis by all the assets that secure Frontier’s obligations under its senior secured credit facilities on a first-priority basis. The collateral securing the Second Lien Notes and the

41

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Company’s senior secured credit facilities is limited to the equity interests of certain subsidiaries of the Company and substantially all personal property of Frontier Video Services, Inc. Interest on the Second Lien Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on April 1 and October 1 of each year, commencing October 1, 2018. On July 3, 2018, the collateral package for the Second Lien Notes was amended to replace certain operating subsidiary equity pledges with pledges of the equity interests of certain direct subsidiaries of Frontier, consistent with amendments made to Frontier’s credit agreements.



During the three months ended March 31, 2019, Frontier used cash on hand for the scheduled retirement of $ 348 million principal amount of senior indebtedness.  In addition, Frontier used the proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to (i) repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the senior secured term loan A facility under the JPM Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in March 2021, (ii) repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in October 2021, and (iii) pay related interest, fees and expenses.

 

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, Frontier used cash proceeds from the $1,600 million Second Lien Notes offering and cash on hand to retire an aggregate principal amount of $1,651 million senior unsecured notes prior to maturity, consisting of $447 million of 8.500% senior notes due 2020, $249 million 8.875% senior notes due 2020, $555 million of 6.250% senior notes due 2021, and $400 million of 9.250% senior notes due 2021.  



On July 3, 2018, the Company entered into Increase Joinder No. 2 to the JPM Credit Agreement, pursuant to which the Company borrowed an incremental $240 million under the Term Loan B maturing in 2024. The Company used the incremental borrowings to repay in full the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement, repay a portion of the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement and pay certain fees and expenses related to this incremental borrowing.



Capital Resources

We are highly leveraged, and a substantial portion of our liquidity needs will arise from debt service on our outstanding indebtedness and from funding the costs of operations, working capital and capital expenditures. Our primary sources of cash are cash flows from operations, cash on hand and proceeds from debt borrowings, including issues of long-term debt and $850 million of borrowing capacity under our Revolver (as reduced by our Standby Letters of Credit outstanding under the JPM Credit Agreement). As of the date of filing, we believe our operating cash flows, existing cash balances, existing revolving credit facility and access to the capital markets, as necessary, will be adequate to finance our working capital requirements, fund capital expenditures, make required debt interest and principal payments, pay taxes and support our short-term and long-term operating strategies for at least the next twelve months. A number of factors, including but not limited to, losses of customers, pricing pressure from increased competition, lower subsidy and switched access revenues, and the impact of economic and industry conditions may negatively affect our cash generated from operations. W e have $13 million of debt maturing during the last nine months of 2019 ,   $245 million of debt maturing in 2020, and $327 million of debt matur ing in 2021.



Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facilities  



JP Morgan Credit Facilities :

On February 27, 2017, Frontier entered into a first amended and restated credit agreement with JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto, pursuant to which Frontier combined its revolving credit agreement, dated as of June 2, 2014, and its term loan credit agreement, dated as of August 12, 2015. Under the JPM Credit Agreement (as amended to date, the JPM Credit Agreement), Frontier has a $1,740 million senior secured term loan B facility (the Term Loan B) maturing on June 15, 2024 and an $850 million secured revolving credit facility matur ing on February 27, 2024   (the Revolver). The maturities of the Term Loan B and the Revolver, in each case if still outstanding, will be accelerated in the following circumstances: (i) if, 91 days before the maturity date of any series of Senior Notes maturing in 2020, 2023 and 2024, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding on such series; or (ii) if, 91 days before the maturity date of the first series of Senior Notes maturing in 2021 or 2022, more than $500 million in principal amount remains outstanding, in the aggregate, on the two series of Senior Notes maturing in such year. As of March 31, 2019, approximately $ 227 million principal amount, in the aggregate, remains outstanding on the two series of senior notes maturing in 2020 and less than $309 million principal amount, in the aggregate, remains outstanding on the two series of senior notes maturing in 2021.



42

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

The determination of interest rates for the Term Loan B and Revolver under the JPM Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Revolver (ranging from 1 . 00 % to 2.00% for Base Rate borrowings and 2 . 00 % to 3.00% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Revolver as of March 31, 2019 was LIBOR plus 3.00 %. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B (2.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guarantees by certain Frontier subsidiaries. As of March 31, 2019, Frontier had borrowings of $375 million outstanding under the Revolver (with letters of credit issued under the R evolver totaling $70 million).



On March 15, 2019, Frontier used proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under its $1,625 million senior secured Term Loan A facility, which otherwise would have matured in March 2021, as described above under “New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.”



In addition , Frontier amended the JPM Credit Agreement to, among other things, (i) extend the maturity date of the Revolver from February 27, 2022 to February 27, 2024 (subject to springing maturity to any tranche of our existing debt with an aggregate outstanding principal amount in excess of $500 million), (ii) increase the interest rate applicable to such revolving loans by 0.25% and (iii) make certain modifications to the debt and restricted payment covenants.    



CoBank Credit Facilities :

Frontier ha d a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (as amended to date, the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders. On March 15, 2019, Frontier used proceeds from the offering of the First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in October 2021.



Frontier had a separate $350 million senior term loan facility drawn in 2014 (the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank which was repaid in full on July 3, 2018, as described above under “ New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.” We refer to the 2014 CoBank Credit Agreement and the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement collectively as the CoBank Credit Agreements.



Letters of Credit

Frontier has a Continuing Agreement for Standby Letters of Credit with Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch and Bank of Tokyo – Mitsubishi UFJ, LTD. (the LC Agreements). Frontier can also issue letters of credit under the R evolver up to a maximum of $134 million. As of March 31, 2019, $70 million of Standby Letters of Credit had been issued under the LC Agreements and $ 70 million Standby Letters of Credit had been issued under the   R evolver. These Standby Letters of Credit are issued primarily in relations to supporting the Company's workers compensation insurance programs. Borrowings under the LC Agreements are secured by a security package identical to those contained in the JPM Credit Amendment.



Covenants

The terms and conditions contained in our indentures and the JPM Credit Agreement include the timely payment of principal and interest when due, the maintenance of our corporate existence, keeping proper books and records in accordance with GAAP, restrictions on the incurrence of liens on our assets securing indebtedness and our subsidiaries’ assets, restrictions on the incurrence of indebtedness by our subsidiaries, restrictions on asset sales and transfers, mergers and other changes in corporate control and restrictions on dividends and distributions, each subject to important qualifications and exceptions.



As of March 31, 2019, we were in compliance with all of our indenture and credit facility covenants.



43

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Preferred Dividends

Holders of our Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to receive cumulative dividends at an annual rate of 11.125% of the initial liquidation preference of $100 per share, or $11.125 per year per share. Series A Preferred Stock dividends of $107 million were paid during 2018. Each share of Series A Preferred Stock automatically converted into 1.3333 shares of our common stock on June 29, 2018.



Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

We do not maintain any off-balance sheet arrangements, transactions, obligations or other relationships with unconsolidated entities that would be expected to have a material current or future effect upon our financial statements.



Future Commitments

In April 2015, the FCC released its right of first refusal offer of support to price cap carriers under the CAF Phase II program, which is intended to provide long-term support for broadband in high cost unserved or underserved areas. In June 2015, Frontier accepted the CAF Phase II offer, which provides for $332 million in annual support through 2020, including $49 million in annual support related to the properties acquired in the CTF Acquisition, to make available 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service to approximately 774,000 households across some of the 29 states where we operate.



To the extent we do not enable the required number of households with 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream broadband service by the end of the CAF Phase II term or we are unable to satisfy other FCC CAF Phase II requirements, Frontier would be required to return a portion of the funds previously received.



Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions. There are inherent uncertainties with respect to such estimates and assumptions; accordingly, it is possible that actual results could differ from those estimates and changes to estimates could occur in the near term.



These critical accounting estimates have been reviewed with the Audit Committee of our Board of Directors.



There have been no material changes to our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information provided in Item 7. “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

See Note 2 of the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Part I of this report for additional information related to recent accounting literature .

44

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



Regulatory Developments

In 2015, Frontier accepted the FCC’s CAF Phase II offer in 29 states, which provides $332 million in annual support through 2020 in return for the company’s commitment to make broadband available to approximately 774,000 locations within Frontier’s footprint. The CAF Phase II program is intended to provide long-term support for carriers for establishing and providing broadband service with at least 10 Mbps downstream/1 Mbps upstream speeds in high-cost unserved or underserved areas. CAF Phase II support is a successor to the approximately $198 million in annual USF frozen high-cost support that Frontier used to receive prior to CAF II. In addition to the annual support levels, these amounts also include frozen support phasedown amounts in states where the annual CAF II funding is less than the prior annual frozen high-cost support funding. Phasedown funding provided to Frontier was complete as of December 31, 2018.

 

In September 2018, Frontier filed applications to be eligible to bid in two upcoming FCC spectrum auctions: Auction 101 (28 GHz) and Auction 102 (24 GHz). Auction 101, ended on January 24, 2019 and offered two 425 MHz licenses in 1,536 counties. Auction 102 began on March 14, 2019 and will offer seven 100 MHz licenses in 416 Partial Economic Areas. Frontier cannot say to what extent it will participate, if at all, and cannot predict to what level it would be successful in either auction.



On April 20, 2017, the FCC issued an Order that significantly altered how Commercial Data Services are regulated. Specifically, the Order adopted a test to determine, on a county-by-county basis, whether price cap ILECs, like Frontier’s DS1 and DS3 services, will continue to be regulated. The test resulted in deregulation in a substantial number of our markets and is allowing Frontier to offer its DS1 and DS3 services in a manner that better responds to the competitive marketplace and allows for commercial negotiation. The areas that remain regulated may be subject to price fluctuations depending upon the price cap formula that year. Multiple parties appealed the Order in the 8th Circuit Court of Appeals. The Court of Appeals issued a ruling August 28, 2018, which upheld the vast majority of the FCC’s decision easing regulation of business data services of internet service providers and vacated and remanded one piece of the Order back to the FCC. On October 10, 2018, the FCC filed a Motion to Stay the Court’s Decision. Frontier cannot predict the extent to which these regulatory changes could affect revenues at this time.



In September 2018, California network neutrality legislation was signed into law. The California legislation aims to reimpose the provisions of the FCC’s 2015 Network Neutrality decision. The Department of Justice has filed a lawsuit against California, stating that it attempts to govern interstate commerce, which is a federal matter outside the state’s jurisdiction. Four Industry Associations representing Internet Service Providers (USTelecom, CTIA, NCTA and ACA) have also filed suit. Frontier cannot predict the outcome of this litigation and, although Frontier’s current practices comply with the California law, the extent to which regulatory changes associated with the California law could affect revenues at this time. A number of additional states are currently considering Network Neutrality legislation during their 2019 legislative sessions.  





45

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



Item 3.  Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk



We are exposed to market risk in the normal course of our business operations due to ongoing investing and funding activities, including those associated with our pension plan assets. Market risk refers to the potential change in fair value of a financial instrument as a result of fluctuations in interest rates and equity prices. We do not hold or issue derivative instruments, derivative commodity instruments or other financial instruments for trading purposes. As a result, we do not undertake any specific actions to cover our exposure to market risks, and we are not party to any market risk management agreements other than in the normal course of business. Our primary market risk exposures from interest rate risk and equity price risk are as follows:



Interest Rate Exposure

Our exposure to market risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to the interest-bearing portion of our pension investment portfolio and the related actuarial liability for pension obligations, as well as our floating rate indebtedness. As of March 31, 2019 ,   88% of our total debt had fixed interest rates. We had no interest rate swap agreements in effect at March 31, 2019 . We believe that our currently outstanding obligation exposure to interest rate changes is minimal. Our objectives in managing our interest rate risk are to limit the impact of interest rate changes on earnings and cash flows and to lower our overall borrowing costs. To achieve these objectives, 12% of our outstanding borrowings at March 31, 2019 have floating interest rates. The annual impact of 100 basis points change in the LIBOR would result in approximately $ 21 million of additional interest expense. Our $850 million revolving credit facility has interest rates that float with the LIBO R , as defined. Consequently, we have limited material future earnings or cash flow exposures from changes in interest rates on our debt. An adverse change in interest rates would increase the amount that we pay on our variable rate obligations and could result in fluctuations in the fair value of our fixed rate obligations. Based upon our overall interest rate exposure, a near-term change in interest rates would not materially affect our consolidated financial position, results of operations or cash flows.



At March 31, 2019 , the fair value of our total debt was estimated to be approximately $13 billion, based on quoted market prices , our overall weighted average borrowing rate was 8.90 % and our overall weighted average maturity was approximately seven years. As of March 31, 2019 , there has been no significant change in the weighted average maturity applicable to our obligations since December 31, 201 8 .



Equity Price Exposure

Our exposure to market risks for changes in equity security prices as of March 31, 2019 is limited to our pension plan assets. We have no other security investments of any significant amount.



Our Pension Plan assets increased from $2,348 million at December 31, 2018 to $2,539 million at March 31, 2019, an increase of $191 million, or 8 %. This increase was a result of contributions of $33 million and positive investment returns  ( net of investment management and administrative fees ) of $220 million, partially offset by benefit payments of $62 million.



46

 


 

 

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures  



(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls a nd procedures

We carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, regarding the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) Based upon this evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded, as of the end of the period covered by this report, March 31, 2019 , that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.



(b)

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

The adoption of ASC 842 requires the implementation of new accounting policies and processes, including enhancements to our information systems, which changed the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting for lease standard and related disclosures. Other than the above noted change, there have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting identified in an evaluation thereof that occurred during the first fiscal quarter of 2019 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.



.

 

47

 


 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

I tem 1.     Legal Proceedings  



On April 30, 2018, an amended consolidated class action complaint was filed in the United States District Court for the District of Connecticut on behalf of certain purported stockholders against Frontier, certain of its current and former directors and officers and the underwriters of certain Frontier securities offerings. The complaint was brought on behalf of all persons who (1) acquired Frontier common stock between February 6, 2015 and February 28, 2018, inclusive, and/or (2) acquired Frontier common stock or Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock either in or traceable to Frontier’s offerings of common and preferred stock conducted on or about June 2, 2015 and June 8, 2015. The complaint asserts, among other things, violations of Section 10(b) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), and Rule 10b-5 thereunder, Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act and Sections 11 and 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, in connection with certain disclosures relating to the CTF Acquisition. The complaint sought, among other things, damages and equitable and injunctive relief. On March 8, 2019, the District Court granted in its entirety Frontier’s motion to dismiss the complaint.  The District Court dismissed with prejudice a number of claims and with respect to certain other claims that were not dismissed with prejudice ,   P laintiffs have until May 10, 2019 to seek the court’s permission to refile. We will continue to dispute any replead allegations and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. In addition, shareholders have filed derivative complaints on behalf of the Company in Connecticut, California, and Delaware courts. The derivative complaints are based, generally, on the same facts asserted in the consolidated class action complaint and allege against current and former officers and directors of the Company (i) breach of fiduciary duty claims for disseminating false and misleading information to shareholders, failure to manage internal controls, and failure to oversee and manage the company; (ii) unjust enrichment and waste of corporate assets claims; and (iii) violations of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act for the false and misleading statements. We also dispute the allegations in the derivative complaints described above and intend to vigorously defend against such claims. Given that all of these matters are in the early stages of litigation, we are unable to estimate a reasonably possible range of loss, if any, that may result.



We are currently defending an intellectual property lawsuit initiated by Sprint Communications which alleges that the VoIP services that we offer to our customers infringe on certain of the plaintiff’s patents. While we intend to defend this lawsuit vigorously, we cannot at this time predict the outcome of this lawsuit or reasonably estimate a possible range of loss.



In addition, we are party to various other legal proceedings (including individual, class and putative class actions as well as federal and state governmental investigations) arising in the normal course of our business covering a wide range of matters and types of claims including, but not limited to, general contracts, billing disputes, rights of access, taxes and surcharges, consumer protection, trademark and patent infringement, employment, regulatory, tort, claims of competitors and disputes with other carriers. Such matters are subject to uncertainty and the outcome of individual matters is not predictable. However, we believe that the ultimate resolution of these matters, after considering insurance coverage or other indemnities to which we are entitled, will not have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.







Item 1A.  Risk Factors



There have been no material changes to the Risk Factors described in Part 1 ,   Item 1A. Risk Factors in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 201 8 .





 

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 

Item 2.     Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds



There were no unregistered sales of equity securities during the quarter ended March 31, 2019 .



ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES







 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Period

 

 

Total Number of Shares Purchased

 

 

Average Price Paid per Share



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

January 1, 2019 to January 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

80 

 

 

$

2.62 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

February 1, 2019 to February 28, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

245,062 

 

 

$

2.36 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

March 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

16,865 

 

 

$

2.35 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Totals January 1, 2019 to March 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee Transactions (1)

 

 

262,007 

 

 

$

2.36 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1)

Includes restricted shares withheld (under the terms of grants under employee stock compensation plans) to offset minimum tax withholding obligations that occur upon the vesting of restricted shares. Frontier’s stock compensation plans provide that the value of shares withheld shall be the average of the high and low price of our common stock on the date the relevant transaction occurs.

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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION (Continued)

FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

 



Item 6.     Exhibits  











 

 

(a)

Exhibits:

 



4.1

Indenture, dated as of March 15, 2019, by and among Frontier Communications Corporation, the guarantors party thereto, the grantor party thereto, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as collateral agent, and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, with respect to the 8.000% First Lien Secured Notes due 2027 (filed as Exhibit 4.1 to Frontier’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2019.)*



4.2

Form of 8.000% First Lien Secured Note due 2027 (included in Exhibit 4.1 hereto.)*



10.1

Amendment No. 4, dated as of March 15, 2019, to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2017, as amended, among Frontier Communications Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto (filed as Exhibit 10.1 to Frontier’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 18, 2019.)*



10.2

Amendment No. 5, dated as of April 26, 2019, to the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2017, as amended, among Frontier Communications Corporation, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as administrative agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto.



31.1

Certification of Principal Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



31.2

Certification of Principal Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.



32

Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.



101.INS 

XBRL Instance Document.



101.SCH

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.



101.PRE

XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.



101.CAL

XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.



101.LAB

XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.



101.DEF

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.



 

 













* Incorporated by r eference .

50

 


 

 



SIGNATURE







Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.







 



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION



 



 



 



By:  /s/ Donald Daniels



Donald Daniels



Senior Vice President and Chief Accounting Officer



(Principal Accounting Officer)



 

Date: May  2 , 2019

 



 



51

 


Exhibit 10.2



AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT



This is AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO THE CREDIT AGREEMENT , dated as of April 26, 2019 (this “ Agreement ”).  Reference is made to that certain First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of February 27, 2017, by and among Frontier Communications Corporation, a Delaware corporation (the “ Borrower ”), the several Lenders from time to time party thereto (the “ Lenders ”),   JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., as Administrative Agent (the “ Administrative Agent ”) and the various other parties thereto (as amended by that certain Amendment No. 1, dated as of March 27, 2017, by that certain Increase Joinder No. 1, dated as of June 15, 2017, by that certain Amendment No. 2, dated as of January 25, 2018, by that certain Consent and Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of July 3, 2018, by that certain Increase Joinder No. 2, dated as of July 3, 2018, and by that certain Amendment No. 4, dated as of March 15, 2019 and as further amended, restated, amended and restated, modified and supplemented from time to time prior to the date hereof, the “ Credit Agreement ”, and the Credit Agreement, as amended by this Agreement, the “ Amended Credit Agreement ”).  Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined herein shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Amended Credit Agreement.



WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.18 of the Credit Agreement, pursuant to any Pro Rata Extension Offer, the Borrower is permitted to consummate transactions with Lenders of a Class to extend the maturity date of such Lenders’ Loans or Commitments and to otherwise modify the terms of such Loans or Commitments;

WHEREAS, (i) JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. (in such capacity, the “ Extending 2022 Revolving Lender ”) holds 100% of the 2022 Revolving Commitments under the Revolving Facility and has agreed to extend the maturity date of its 2022 Revolving Commitments in accordance with and subject to the terms set forth herein and (ii) upon the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, the 2022 Revolving Commitments and 2022 Revolving Loans will be automatically converted to 2024 Revolving Commitments and 2024 Revolving Loans, respectively, and will constitute a single Class with the 2024 Revolving Commitments (the “ Existing 2024 Revolving Commitments ”) and 2024 Revolving Loans (the “ Existing 2024 Revolving Loans ”), respectively, outstanding immediately prior to the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date; and

WHEREAS, pursuant to Section 2.18(a) of the Credit Agreement, the Administrative Agent in its reasonable discretion has waived the requirement that the Borrower deliver notice to the Administrative agent not less than ten (10) Business Days prior to the proposed date of funding of Extended Loans pursuant to a Pro Rata Extension Offer.

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

Section 1. Extension of 2022 Revolving Commitments

 


 

(a) The Extending 2022 Revolving Lender, by executing its signature page to this Agreement and delivering such signature page to the Administrative Agent, agrees to extend and reclassify all of its (i) 2022 Revolving Commitments to 2024 Revolving Commitments and (ii) 2022 Revolving Loans to 2024 Revolving Loans, in each case, upon the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.

(b) As of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, the Extending 2022 Revolving Lender shall have (i) its entire 2022 Revolving Commitment automatically reclassified as a 2024 Revolving Commitment (the “ New 2024 Revolving Commitment ”) and (ii) all of its 2022 Revolving Loans reclassified as 2024 Revolving Loans (the “ New 2024 Revolving Loans ”), in each case, having terms and provisions identical to those applicable to the Existing 2024 Revolving Commitments or the Existing 2024 Revolving Loans, as applicable. 

(c) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein or in the Amended Credit Agreement, from and after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, (i) the New 2024 Revolving Commitments and the Existing 2024 Revolving Commitments shall constitute a single Class of 2024 Revolving Commitments and (ii) the New 2024 Revolving Loans and the Existing 2024 Revolving Loans shall constitute a single Class of 2024 Revolving Loans, in each case, for all purposes under the Amended Credit Agreement.

Section 2. Amendments

(a) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to replace the definition of “2022 Revolving Commitment” in its entirety with the following:

2022 Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Non-Extending Revolving Lender, the commitment to make 2022 Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s 2022 Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 or increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.21 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The amount of each Lender’s 2022 Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1 under the heading “2022 Revolving Commitments” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.  Immediately following the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, the aggregate amount of outstanding 2022 Revolving Commitments and 2022 Revolving Loans shall be $0.

(b) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to replace the definition of “2024 Revolving Commitment” in its entirety with the following:

2024 Revolving Commitment ” means, with respect to each Revolving Lender, the commitment to make 2024 Revolving Loans and to acquire participations in Letters of Credit hereunder, expressed as an amount representing the maximum aggregate amount of such Lender’s 2024 Revolving Credit Exposure hereunder, as such commitment may be (a) reduced from time to time pursuant to Section 2.06 or

2


 

increased from time to time pursuant to Section 2.21 and (b) reduced or increased from time to time pursuant to assignments by or to such Lender pursuant to Section 9.04.  The amount of each Lender’s 2024 Revolving Commitment is set forth on Schedule 1 under the heading “2024 Revolving Commitments” or in the Assignment and Assumption pursuant to which such Lender shall have assumed its Commitment, as applicable.  The aggregate amount of 2024 Revolving Commitments of all Revolving Lenders shall be $850,000,000.00 immediately following the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.

(c) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to replace the definition of “2024 Revolving Facility” in its entirety with the following:

2024 Revolving Facility ” means the 2024 Revolving Commitments and the extensions of credit made hereunder by the Revolving Lenders.

(d) Section 1.01 of the Credit Agreement is hereby amended to add the following new definitions in appropriate alphabetical order:

Amendment No. 5 ” shall mean that certain Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement, dated as of April 26, 2019 by and among the Loan Parties party thereto, the Lender party thereto, and the Administrative Agent.

Amendment No. 5 Effective Date ” shall have the meaning assigned to such term in Amendment No. 5.

(e) Schedule 1   to the Credit Agreement is, effective as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, hereby amended and restated in its entirety in the form of Schedule 1 hereto.

Section 3. Representations and Warranties, No Default .  The Borrower hereby represents and warrants that as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, (i) after giving effect to the amendments set forth in Section 2 of this Agreement, no Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing or would result therefrom and (ii) each of the representations and warranties made by the Borrower set forth in Article III of the Credit Agreement or in any other Loan Document are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (except to the extent such representations and warranties expressly relate to an earlier date, in which case they shall be true and correct in all material respects as of such earlier date, and, to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, such representations shall be true and correct in all respects).

Section 4. Effectiveness .  Sections 1 and 2 of this Agreement shall become effective on the date (such date, if any, the “ Amendment No. 5 Effective Date ”) that the following conditions have been satisfied:

(a) Executed Counterparts . The Administrative Agent shall have received from the Borrower, each other Loan Party, the Administrative Agent and the Extending 2022 Revolving Lender (i) a counterpart of this Agreement signed on behalf of such party or (ii) written evidence reasonably satisfactory to the Administrative Agent (which may include electronic transmission

3


 

of a signed signature page to this Agreement) that such party has signed a counterpart of this Agreement;

(b) Officer’s Certificate . The Administrative Agent shall have received a certificate of a Financial Officer of the Borrower confirming compliance with the conditions set forth in Sections 4(e) and (f) below;

(c) Reserved .

(d) Reserved .

(e) Representations and Warranties . The representations and warranties in Article III of the Credit Agreement shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date (except in the case of any such representations and warranty that expressly relates to an earlier given date or period, in which case such representation and warranty shall be true and correct in all material respects as of the respective earlier date or respective period, as the case may be, and, to the extent such representations and warranties are qualified as to materiality, Material Adverse Effect or similar language, such representations shall be true and correct in all respects);

(f) No Default . No Default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing; and

(g) Fees .  The Administrative Agent shall have received all fees required to be paid, and all expenses required to be paid or reimbursed under Section 9.03(a) of the Credit Agreement for which invoices have been presented a reasonable period of time prior to the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date.

Section 5. Reaffirmation .  Each Loan Party party hereto hereby acknowledges its receipt of a copy of this Agreement and the Amended Credit Agreement and its review of the terms and conditions hereof and thereof and consents to the terms and conditions hereof and of the Amended Credit Agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby.  Each Guarantor hereby (a) affirms and confirms its guarantees and other commitments under the Guaranty Agreement and (b) agrees that the Guaranty Agreement is in full force and effect and shall accrue to the benefit of the Secured Parties to guarantee the Obligations. The Collateral Documents and all of the Collateral described therein do and shall continue to secure the payment of all Secured Obligations, and the Borrower confirms and reaffirms its prior grant of security interests and liens under the Collateral Documents, which shall continue in full force and effect after giving effect to this Agreement.

Section 6. Counterparts .  This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties hereto on separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which when taken together shall constitute a single instrument.  Delivery of an executed counterpart of a signature page of this Agreement by facsimile or any other electronic transmission shall be effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart hereof.

4


 

Section 7. Applicable Law; Waiver of Jury Trial; Jurisdiction; Consent to Service of Process .  The provisions set forth in Sections 9.09 and 9.10 of the Credit Agreement are hereby incorporated mutatis mutandis with all references to the “Agreement” therein being deemed references to this Agreement.

Section 8. Headings .  The headings of this Agreement are for purposes of reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

Section 9. Effect of Amendment .  Except as expressly set forth herein, (i) this Agreement shall not by implication or otherwise limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect the rights and remedies of the Lenders, the Administrative Agent or any other Agent, in each case under the Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, and (ii) shall not alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the terms, conditions, obligations, covenants or agreements contained in the Credit Agreement or any other provision of either such agreement or any other Loan Document.  The parties hereto acknowledge and agree that the amendment of the Credit Agreement pursuant to this Agreement and all other Loan Documents amended and/or executed and delivered in connection herewith shall not constitute a novation of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents as in effect prior to the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date. This Agreement shall constitute a Loan Document for purposes of the Credit Agreement, and from and after the Amendment No. 5 Effective Date, all references to the Credit Agreement in any Loan Document and all references in the Credit Agreement to “this Agreement”, “hereunder”, “hereof” or words of like import referring to the Credit Agreement, shall, unless expressly provided otherwise, refer to the Amended Credit Agreement.  The Borrower hereby consents to this Agreement and confirms that all obligations of the Borrower under the Loan Documents to which it is a party shall continue to apply to the Amended Credit Agreement.

[Signature pages follow]

 

5


 

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Agreement to be duly executed by their respective authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

Frontier Communications

Corporation ,   as Borrower  

By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:   Executive Vice President, Chief   Legal Officer & Secretary


Frontier Southwest Incorporated ,   as a Guarantor  

By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary



Frontier Florida LLC , as a Guarantor



By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary



Frontier Communications Northwest Inc. , as a Guarantor



By:       /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary



[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

Citizens Telecommunications Company of Minnesota, LLC , as a Guarantor



By:     /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary





Frontier Communications of Minnesota, Inc. , as a Guarantor



By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
             Officer & Secretary





Frontier Communications of Iowa, LLC , as a Guarantor



By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
             Officer & Secretary





Citizens Telecommunications Company of Tennessee L.L.C. , as a Guarantor



By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary





[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

Citizens Telecommunications Company of Utah , as a Guarantor



By:   /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary





Frontier Communications of Wisconsin LLC , as a Guarantor



By:     /s/ Mark D. Nielsen
Name:  Mark D. Nielsen
Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal
              Officer & Secretary





[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

Frontier VIDEO SERVICES Inc. , as a Pledgor







 

By:

/s/ Mark D. Nielsen



Name:  Mark D. Nielsen



Title:    Vice President, Chief Legal



            Officer & Secretary



 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,  
as Administrative Agent





 

By:

/s/ John Kowalczuk



Name:  John Kowalczuk



Title:  Executive Director



JP MORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,  
as Collateral Agent





 

By:

/s/ John Kowalczuk



Name:  John Kowalczuk



Title:  Executive Director



 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A. ,  
as a Revolving Lender







 

By:

/s/ Sean Chudzik



Name:  Sean Chudzik, ASC



Title:  Authorized Signatory



 

[Signature Page to Amendment No. 5 to Credit Agreement]


 

 

SCHEDULE 1



revolving commitments



Lender

2024 Revolving Commitments

2022 Revolving Commitments

Letter of Credit Sublimit

JPMorgan Chase Bank N.A.

$131,609,756.11

$0

$20,578,192.25

Bank of America, N.A.

$92,250,000.00

$0

$16,279,411.76

Citibank, N.A.

$92,250,000.00

$0

$16,279,411.76

Morgan Stanley Bank N.A.

$50,000,000.00

$0

$8,823,529.41

Morgan Stanley Senior Funding, Inc.

$42,250,000.00

$0

$7,455,882.35

Barclays Bank PLC

$91,463,414.63

$0

$16,140,602.58

Deutsche Bank AG New York

$91,463,414.63

$0

$16,140,602.58

Mizuho Bank Ltd.

$91,463,414.63

$0

$0.00

Goldman Sachs Bank USA

$90,000,000.00

$0

$15,882,352.94

Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch

$77,250,000.00

$0

$16,279,411.76

Total

$850,000,000.00

$0

$133,859,397.39







 


Exhibit 31.1



CERTIFICATIONS



I, Daniel McCarthy , certify that:



    1.  I have reviewe d this quarterly report on Form 10- Q of Frontier Communications Corporation ;



    2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;



    3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;



    4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:



         a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;



         b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;



         c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and



         d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and


 



    5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):



         a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and



         b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.







 1

 

Date:  May 2 , 2019

/s/ Daniel McCarthy



Daniel McCarthy



President and Chief Executive Officer



 






Exhibit 31.2



CERTIFICATIONS



I, Sheldon Bruha , certify that:



    1.  I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10- Q of Frontier Communications Corporation ;



    2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement   of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the   statements made, in light of the c ircumstances under which such statements were   made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;



    3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial   information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the   financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as   of, and for, the periods presented in this report;



    4. The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for   establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in   Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial   reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the   registrant and have:



         a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such   disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;



         b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;



         c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and



         d)  Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal   control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and


 



    5. The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on   our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the   registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of   directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):



         a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and



         b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.









 

Date:  May 2 , 2019

/s/ Sheldon Bruha



Sheldon Bruha



Interim Chief Financial Officer



 






Exhibit 32







CERTIFICATION S PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350 ,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002





In connection with the Quarterly Report of Frontier Communications Corporation (the "Company") on Form 10- Q for the period ended March 31, 2019 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), we ,   Daniel McCarthy ,   President and Chief Executive Officer and Sheldon Bruha ,   Interim Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C.  Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:



    (1)  The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and



    (2)  The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.







 

 

/s/ Daniel McCarthy

 

/s/ Sheldon Bruha

Daniel McCarthy

 

Sheldon Bruha

President and Chief Executive Officer

 

Interim Chief Financial Officer

May 2 , 2019

 

May 2 , 2019





This certification is made solely for purpose of 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, subject to the knowledge standard contained therein, and not for any other purpose.



A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906, or other document authenticating, acknowledging, or otherwise adopting the signature s that appears in typed form within the electronic version of this written statement required by Section 906, has been provided to Frontier Communications Corporation and will be retained by Frontier Communications Corporation and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.