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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2008

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 No. 001-15577

 

 

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

 

 

 

Delaware   84-1339282

(State or other jurisdiction of

incorporation or organization)

 

(I.R.S. Employer

Identification No.)

1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado   80202
(Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)

(303) 992-1400

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

N/A

(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

 

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes   x     No   ¨

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

 

Large accelerated filer   x

  Accelerated filer   ¨   Non-accelerated filer   ¨            Smaller reporting company   ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes   ¨     No   x

On October 27, 2008, 1,703,427,297 shares of common stock were outstanding.

 

 

 


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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Glossary of Terms

   ii

PART I—FINANCIAL INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Financial Statements

   1

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations—Three and nine months ended September  30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)

   1

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 (unaudited)

   2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 (unaudited)

   3

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)

   4

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

   31

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

   48

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

   48

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

  

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

   49

Item 1A. Risk Factors

   49

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

   55

Item 6. Exhibits

   56

Signature

   62

 

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS

Our industry uses many terms and acronyms that may not be familiar to you. To assist you in reading this document and other documents we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, we have provided below definitions of some of these terms.

 

   

Access Lines . Telephone lines reaching from the customer’s premises to a connection with the public switched telephone network. Our access lines include lines used to provide services to our external customers, as well as lines used by us and our affiliates.

 

   

Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) . A broadband, network transport service utilizing data switches that provides a fast, efficient way to move large quantities of information.

 

   

Broadband Services . Services used to connect to the Internet through existing telephone lines that operate at higher speeds than dial-up access.

 

   

Competitive Local Exchange Carriers (CLECs) . Telecommunications providers that compete with us in providing local voice and other services in our local service area.

 

   

Data Integration . Telecommunications equipment located on customers’ premises and related professional services. These services include network management, installation and maintenance of data equipment and building of proprietary fiber-optic broadband networks for our governmental and business customers.

 

   

Dedicated Internet Access (DIA) . Internet access ranging from 128 kilobits per second to 10 gigabits per second.

 

   

Frame Relay . A high speed data switching technology used primarily to interconnect multiple local networks.

 

   

Hosting Services . The providing of space, power, bandwidth and managed services in data centers.

 

   

Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier (ILEC) . A traditional telecommunications provider, such as our subsidiary, Qwest Corporation, that, prior to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, had the exclusive right and responsibility for providing local telecommunications services in its local service area.

 

   

Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) . A telecommunications standard that uses digital transmission technology to support voice, video and data communications applications over regular telephone lines.

 

   

Internet Dial Access . Provides ISPs and business customers with a comprehensive, reliable and cost-effective dial-up network infrastructure.

 

   

Internet Protocol (IP) . Those protocols that facilitate transferring information in packets of data and that enable each packet in a transmission to “tell” the data switches it encounters where it is headed and enables the computers on each end to confirm that message has been accurately transmitted and received.

 

   

Internet Service Providers (ISPs) . Businesses that provide Internet access to retail customers.

 

   

Managed Services. Customized, turnkey solutions for integrated voice, data and Internet services offered to our business markets customers. These services include a diverse combination of emerging technology products and services, such as VoIP, Ethernet, MPLS, hosting services and advanced voice services, such as Web conferencing and call center solutions. Most of these services can be performed from outside our customers’ internal networks, with an emphasis on integrating and certifying Internet security for applications and content.

 

   

Multi-Protocol Label Switching (MPLS) . A standards-approved data networking technology, compatible with existing ATM and frame relay networks that can deliver the quality of service required

 

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to support real-time voice and video, as well as service level agreements that guarantee bandwidth. MPLS is deployed by many telecommunications providers and large enterprises for use in their own national networks.

 

   

Private Line . Direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated to a customer for the purpose of directly connecting two or more sites. Private line offers a high-speed, secure solution for frequent transmission of large amounts of data between sites.

 

   

Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) . The worldwide voice telephone network that is accessible to every person with a telephone equipped with dial tone.

 

   

Unbundled Network Elements (UNEs) . Discrete elements of our network that are sold or leased to competitive telecommunications providers and that may be combined to provide their retail telecommunications services.

 

   

Universal Service Funds (USF) . Federal and state funds established generally to promote the availability of telecommunications services to all consumers at reasonable and affordable rates, among other things. As a telecommunications provider, we are often required to contribute to these funds.

 

   

Virtual Private Network (VPN) . A private network that operates securely within a public network (such as the Internet) by means of encrypting transmissions.

 

   

Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) . An application that provides real-time, two-way voice communication similar to our traditional voice services that originates in the Internet protocol over a broadband connection and often terminates on the PSTN.

 

   

Wide Area Network (WAN) . A communications network that covers a wide geographic area, such as a state or country. A WAN typically extends a local area network outside the building, over telephone common carrier lines to link to other local area networks in remote locations, such as branch offices or at-home workers and telecommuters.

 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
             2008                     2007                     2008                     2007        
     (Dollars in millions except per share amounts, shares in thousands)

Operating revenue

   $ 3,379     $ 3,434     $ 10,160     $ 10,343

Operating expenses (Note 1):

        

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     1,228       1,168       3,549       3,508

Selling

     571       544       1,643       1,601

General, administrative and other operating

     527       924       1,677       2,156

Depreciation and amortization

     599       619       1,753       1,846
                              

Total operating expenses

     2,925       3,255       8,622       9,111
                              

Other expense (income)—net:

        

Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net

     252       272       770       828

Other—net

     (27 )     (9 )     (28 )     —  
                              

Total other expense (income)—net

     225       263       742       828
                              

Income (loss) before income taxes

     229       (84 )     796       404

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (78 )     2,149       (300 )     2,147
                              

Net income

   $ 151     $ 2,065     $ 496     $ 2,551
                              

Earnings per share:

        

Basic

   $ 0.09     $ 1.14     $ 0.29     $ 1.39

Diluted

   $ 0.09     $ 1.08     $ 0.28     $ 1.31

Weighted average shares outstanding:

        

Basic

     1,713,127       1,818,683       1,739,441       1,841,474

Diluted

     1,720,538       1,916,478       1,748,136       1,942,152

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     September 30,
2008
    December 31,
2007
 
    

(Dollars in millions,

shares in thousands)

 
ASSETS     

Current assets:

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 586     $ 902  

Accounts receivable—net of allowance of $132 and $145, respectively

     1,454       1,576  

Deferred income taxes

     577       654  

Prepaid expenses and other

     349       441  
                

Total current assets

     2,966       3,573  

Property, plant and equipment—net

     13,301       13,671  

Capitalized software—net

     864       853  

Deferred income taxes

     1,236       1,584  

Prepaid pension—net

     1,697       1,672  

Other

     1,175       1,179  
                

Total assets

   $ 21,239     $ 22,532  
                
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY     

Current liabilities:

    

Current portion of long-term borrowings

   $ 1,240     $ 601  

Accounts payable

     933       1,008  

Accrued expenses and other

     1,417       1,999  

Deferred revenue and advance billings

     587       601  
                

Total current liabilities

     4,177       4,209  

Long-term borrowings—net of unamortized debt discount of $179 and $190, respectively

     12,815       13,650  

Post-retirement and other post-employment benefit obligations—net

     2,173       2,188  

Deferred revenue

     528       538  

Other

     1,200       1,384  
                

Total liabilities

     20,893       21,969  
                

Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)

    

Stockholders’ equity:

    

Preferred stock—$1.00 par value, 200 million shares authorized; none issued or outstanding

     —         —    

Common stock—$0.01 par value, 5 billion shares authorized; 1,709,619 and 1,792,508 shares issued, respectively

     17       18  

Additional paid-in capital

     41,975       42,344  

Treasury stock—6,561 and 5,221 shares, respectively (including 62 shares held in rabbi trust at both dates)

     (20 )     (18 )

Accumulated deficit

     (42,874 )     (43,084 )

Accumulated other comprehensive income

     1,248       1,303  
                

Total stockholders’ equity

     346       563  
                

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity

   $ 21,239     $ 22,532  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
     2008     2007  
     (Dollars in millions)  

Operating activities:

    

Net income

   $ 496     $ 2,551  

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

    

Depreciation and amortization

     1,753       1,846  

Deferred income taxes

     361       (2,177 )

Provision for bad debt—net

     123       124  

Other non-cash charges—net

     81       64  

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

    

Accounts receivable

     (5 )     (110 )

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

     35       (26 )

Accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities

     (546 )     21  

Deferred revenue and advance billings

     (24 )     27  

Other non-current assets and liabilities

     (251 )     (194 )
                

Cash provided by operating activities

     2,023       2,126  
                

Investing activities:

    

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software

     (1,416 )     (1,164 )

Proceeds from sale of investment securities

     56       192  

Purchases of investment securities

     —         (64 )

Other

     17       13  
                

Cash used for investing activities

     (1,343 )     (1,023 )
                

Financing activities:

    

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     —         500  

Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities

     (205 )     (911 )

Proceeds from issuances of common stock

     31       96  

Dividends paid

     (420 )     —    

Repurchases of common stock

     (432 )     (925 )

Other

     30       15  
                

Cash used for financing activities

     (996 )     (1,225 )
                

Cash and cash equivalents:

    

Decrease in cash and cash equivalents

     (316 )     (122 )

Beginning balance

     902       1,241  
                

Ending balance

   $ 586     $ 1,119  
                

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to “Qwest,” “we,” “us,” the “Company” and “our” refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to “QCII” refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. on an unconsolidated, stand-alone basis.

Note 1: Basis of Presentation

The condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2007, which was derived from audited financial statements, and the unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 have been prepared in accordance with the instructions for Form 10-Q. In compliance with those instructions, certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) have been condensed or omitted. We believe that the disclosures made are adequate to make the information not misleading.

In the opinion of management, these statements include all normal recurring adjustments necessary to fairly present our condensed consolidated results of operations, financial position and cash flows as of September 30, 2008 and for all periods presented. These condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, as updated by our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2008 (our “April 4, 2008 Form 8-K”).

In light of regulatory changes in 2007 and consistent with our continuing strategy to simplify our corporate structure and gain operational efficiencies, in the first quarter of 2008 we made changes to the legal organization of some of our subsidiaries and moved some of our operations among our subsidiaries. To reflect the impact these changes would have had if they had been implemented in prior periods, we have recast certain financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 and as of December 31, 2007 that is presented in Note 14—Financial Statements of Guarantors. In addition, to aid the understanding of these and future financial statements, we recast certain prior year financial information in our April 4, 2008 Form 8-K. We continue to evaluate other ways to better organize the legal structure and operations of our subsidiaries and may make additional changes to the legal structure and operations of our subsidiaries in the future.

The condensed consolidated results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and the condensed consolidated statement of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 are not necessarily indicative of the results or cash flows expected for the full year.

Reclassifications

During the first quarter of 2008, we changed the definitions we use to classify expenses as cost of sales, selling expenses or general, administrative and other operating expenses. Operating expenses are now reported as follows:

 

   

Cost of sales are costs incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These include: facility costs (which are third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers’ networks to provide services to our customers); employee-related costs directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); equipment sales costs (such as data integration, handsets and modem costs); and other cost of sales directly related to our network operations (such as professional fees, materials and supplies and outsourced services).

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

   

Selling expenses are costs incurred in selling products and services to our customers. These include: employee-related costs directly attributable to selling products or services (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions and certain benefits); marketing, advertising and external commissions; and other selling costs (such as bad debt expense, professional fees and outsourced services).

 

   

General, administrative and other operating expenses are corporate overhead and other operating costs. These include: employee-related costs for administrative functions (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); taxes and fees (such as property and other taxes and Universal Service Fund, or USF, charges); real estate and occupancy costs (such as: rents and utilities, including those incurred by our hosting facilities; and fleet costs); and other general, administrative and other operating costs (such as professional fees, outsourced services, litigation related charges and general computer systems support services). These expenses also include our pension and post-retirement benefits costs for all employees and retirees.

We believe these changes: more closely align cost of sales with our network, facilities and equipment costs; align selling costs with our direct business unit costs; provide detail on our general, administrative and other operating costs; and allow users of our financial statements to better understand our cost structure and the way we manage our business. These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies. These changes had no impact on total operating expenses or net income for any period. To reflect the impact these changes would have had if they had been implemented in prior periods, we have reclassified certain financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 that is presented in these condensed consolidated financial statements. In addition, to aid the understanding of these and future financial statements, we reclassified certain prior year financial information in our April 4, 2008 Form 8-K.

These changes resulted in $145 million and $432 million moving from cost of sales to either selling expenses or general, administrative and other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

We have also reclassified certain other prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentations.

Derivative Financial Instruments

We sometimes use derivative financial instruments, specifically interest rate swap contracts, to manage interest rate risks. We execute these instruments with creditworthy banks and monitor our counterparty exposure. An interest rate hedge is generally designated as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge. In a cash flow hedge, a borrower of variable interest debt agrees with another party to make fixed payments equivalent to paying fixed rate interest on debt in exchange for receiving payments from the other party equivalent to receiving variable rate interest on debt, the effect of which is to eliminate some portion of the variability in the borrower’s overall cash flows. In a fair value hedge, a borrower of fixed rate debt agrees with another party to make variable payments equivalent to paying variable rate interest on the debt in exchange for receiving fixed payments from the other party equivalent to receiving fixed rate interest on debt, the effect of which is to eliminate some portion of the variability in the fair value of the borrower’s overall debt portfolio.

We recognize all derivatives on our condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value. We generally designate the derivative as either a cash flow hedge or a fair value hedge on the date on which we enter into the derivative instrument.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

For a derivative that is designated as and meets all of the required criteria for a cash flow hedge, we record in accumulated other comprehensive income on our condensed consolidated balance sheets any changes in the fair value of the derivative. We then reclassify these amounts into earnings as the underlying hedged item affects earnings. In addition, if there are any changes in the fair value of the derivative arising from ineffectiveness of the cash flow hedging relationship, we record those amounts immediately in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. For a derivative that is designated as and meets all of the required criteria for a fair value hedge, we record in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations the changes in fair value of the derivative and the underlying hedged item.

We assess quarterly whether each derivative is highly effective in offsetting changes in fair values or cash flows of the hedged item. If we determine that a derivative is not highly effective as a hedge, or if a derivative ceases to be a highly effective hedge, we discontinue hedge accounting with respect to that derivative prospectively. We record immediately in earnings changes in the fair value of derivatives that are not designated as hedges.

Use of Estimates

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions made when accounting for items and matters such as, but not limited to, investments, long-term contracts, customer retention patterns, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, internal labor capitalization rates, recoverability of assets (including deferred tax assets), impairment assessments, employee benefits, taxes, reserves and other provisions and contingencies are reasonable, based on information available at the time they are made. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of equity as of the dates of the condensed consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenue, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our condensed consolidated statements of operations and our condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 8—Tax Matters and Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.

 

   

For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.

 

   

For matters related to income taxes and in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Interpretation No. 48, “Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes” (“FIN 48”), the impact of an uncertain tax position that is more likely than not of being sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority must be recognized at the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No benefit from an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Also, interest expense is recognized on the full amount of uncertain tax positions recorded under FIN 48.

For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ from our estimates.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

USF, Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges

Our revenue and general, administrative and other operating expenses include taxes and surcharges that we recognize on a gross basis of $102 million and $295 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, and $99 million and $290 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

Depreciation and Amortization

Property, plant and equipment is shown net of accumulated depreciation on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated depreciation was $33.883 billion and $32.975 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

Capitalized software is shown net of accumulated amortization on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Accumulated amortization was $1.454 billion and $1.368 billion as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

As a result of decisions in the second quarter of 2008 to discontinue certain product offerings, we changed our estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain assets, which will accelerate the depreciation and amortization of those assets. This change will result in additional depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $40 million for the year ending December 31, 2008. The additional depreciation and amortization, net of deferred taxes, will reduce net income by approximately $25 million, or $0.01 per basic and diluted share, for the year ending December 31, 2008.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Effective January 1, 2008, we adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“SFAS No. 157”), for all financial instruments and non-financial instruments accounted for at fair value on a recurring basis. SFAS No. 157 provides a definition of fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and expands disclosures about fair value measurements for future transactions. We carry on our condensed consolidated balance sheets financial instruments whose value cannot be determined by reference to an observable market—including those described in more detail in Note 3—Investments. We continue to estimate the value of these instruments using judgmentally determined inputs, some of which are observable and some of which are not observable. We have not changed the methods used to value these financial instruments as a result of our adoption of this standard. Our condensed consolidated balance sheets also reflect the value of financial instruments held by our employee benefit plan trusts, net of the related employee benefit plan obligations. However, we only adjust our balance sheet annually at December 31 to reflect market changes in the value of employee benefit plan assets. We continue to assess whether the methods previously used to determine the fair value of employee benefit plan assets are appropriate within the SFAS No. 157 framework for measuring fair value, but we do not anticipate that any changes in valuation methods will have a material impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Effective January 1, 2008, we also adopted SFAS No. 159, “Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities” (“SFAS No. 159”). Under SFAS No. 159, entities may choose to measure at fair value many financial instruments and certain other items that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 also establishes recognition, presentation, and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

liabilities to be carried at fair value. Although we have adopted this standard, we have not yet elected the fair value option for any assets or liabilities that currently are not required to be recorded at fair value. Therefore, the adoption of this standard has not had any impact on our financial position or results of operations.

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

In May 2008, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) APB 14-1, “Accounting for Convertible Debt Instruments That May Be Settled in Cash Upon Conversion (Including Partial Cash Settlement).” This FSP requires issuers of convertible debt that may be settled fully or partially in cash upon conversion to account separately for the liability and equity components of the convertible debt. The liability component is measured so that the effective interest expense associated with the convertible debt reflects the issuer’s borrowing rate at the date of issuance for similar debt instruments without the conversion feature. This FSP applies to our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (“3.50% Convertible Senior Notes”) and will be effective for us beginning on January 1, 2009. This FSP will be applied retrospectively to all periods that will be presented in our consolidated financial statements for the year ending December 31, 2009 and to interim periods beginning after January 1, 2009. Upon adoption, we will retrospectively record a decrease in the book value of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes, an increase in additional paid-in capital and a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principles in our consolidated financial statements, and we will begin recording an additional non-cash interest expense of approximately $50 million per year. The additional interest expense, net of taxes, will reduce net income by approximately $30 million per year, or $0.02 per basic and diluted share. We will continue to record this additional interest expense over the expected life of the debt.

Note 2: Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per share excludes dilution and is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. For purposes of this calculation, common stock outstanding does not include shares of restricted stock on which the restrictions have not yet lapsed. Diluted earnings per share reflects the potential dilution that could occur if, among other things, certain outstanding stock options are exercised, the premium on convertible debt is converted into common stock and restrictions lapse on restricted stock awards.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

The following is a reconciliation of the number of shares used in the basic and diluted earnings per share computations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
     2008    2007    2008    2007
     (Dollars in millions except per
share amounts, shares in thousands)

Net income

   $ 151    $ 2,065    $ 496    $ 2,551
                           

Basic weighted average shares outstanding

     1,713,127      1,818,683      1,739,441      1,841,474

Dilutive effect of options with strike prices equal to or less than the average price of our common stock during the period, calculated using the treasury stock method

     363      17,947      2,401      20,622

Dilutive effect of the equity premium on convertible debt at the average price of our common stock during the period

     —        74,538      —        73,998

Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and other

     7,048      5,310      6,294      6,058
                           

Diluted weighted average shares outstanding

     1,720,538      1,916,478      1,748,136      1,942,152
                           

Earnings per share:

           

Basic

   $ 0.09    $ 1.14    $ 0.29    $ 1.39

Diluted

   $ 0.09    $ 1.08    $ 0.28    $ 1.31

The following is a summary of the securities that could potentially dilute basic earnings per share, but have been excluded from the computations of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007            2008            2007    
     (Shares in thousands)

Outstanding options to purchase common stock excluded because the strike prices of the options exceeded the average price of common stock during the period

   66,489    28,618    53,745    28,619
                   

Outstanding options to purchase common stock and unvested restricted stock excluded because the market-based vesting conditions have not been met

   2,979    3,351    2,979    3,351
                   

Other outstanding instruments excluded because the impact would have been antidilutive

   3,784    5,324    2,543    5,324
                   

Note 3: Investments

As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our investments included auction rate securities of $101 million and $116 million, respectively, which are classified as non-current, available-for-sale investments and are included in other non-current assets at their estimated fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Auction rate securities are generally long-term debt instruments that provide liquidity through a Dutch

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

auction process that resets the applicable interest rate at pre-determined calendar intervals, generally every 28 days. This mechanism generally allows existing investors to rollover their holdings and continue to own their respective securities or liquidate their holdings by selling their securities at par value. Prior to August 2007, we invested in these securities for short periods of time as part of our cash management program. However, the uncertainties in the credit markets have prevented us and other investors from liquidating holdings of these securities in auctions since the third quarter of 2007. These securities are insured against loss of principal and interest by bond insurers with AA and BB credit ratings at September 30, 2008 and AAA credit ratings at December 31, 2007 and they are collateralized by the issuer. These securities were valued using a discounted cash flow model that takes into consideration the following factors, among others:

 

   

the interest rate of the securities;

 

   

the probability that we will be able to sell the securities in an auction or that the securities will be redeemed early;

 

   

the probability that a default will occur and its severity; and

 

   

a discount rate.

We recorded unrealized losses, net of deferred income taxes, on these auction rate securities of $5 million and $9 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008. The cumulative unrealized losses related to these securities as of September 30, 2008 were $11 million, net of deferred income taxes. These unrealized losses were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We consider the decline in fair value to be a temporary impairment because the securities are rated investment grade and the issuer continues to make interest payments in accordance with the terms of the offering document and because we have the ability and intent to hold the securities until they recover or mature. However, if the credit ratings of the securities or the bond insurers deteriorate or the value of the collateral deteriorates, we may further adjust the carrying value of these investments. We may also determine that the decline in fair value is other than temporary if our intent or ability to hold these securities until they recover changes or the creditworthiness of the issuer deteriorates; we would then recognize the decline in fair value in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. An increase of one percentage point in the discount rate used in our valuation model would result in an immaterial decrease in the estimated fair value of these investments. Because we are uncertain as to when the liquidity issues relating to these investments will improve, we continue to classify these securities as non-current as of September 30, 2008.

During the fourth quarter of 2007, an investment fund we historically treated as a cash equivalent began liquidating its holdings and restricting distributions. As a result, we reclassified our holdings in the fund from cash and cash equivalents to investments, which are included in other current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We valued this investment considering the asset values of the securities underlying the fund. As of December 31, 2007, $79 million of our remaining investment in the fund was included in other current assets and $10 million was included in other non-current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheet because we did not expect to be able to liquidate this portion of our investment in 2008. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we sold $14 million and $56 million, respectively, of our holdings in the fund. As of September 30, 2008, $22 million of our remaining investment in the fund was included in other current assets and $10 million was included in other non-current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheet because we continued to expect that we would not be able to liquidate this portion of our investment in the subsequent twelve months. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recorded immaterial realized and unrealized losses for the change in the fair value of the fund, which were recorded in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Note 4: Borrowings

We were in compliance with all provisions and covenants of our borrowings as of September 30, 2008. The fair value of our long-term borrowings, including our convertible debt, was approximately $12.5 billion and $14.6 billion at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively. The book value of our long-term borrowings, including our convertible debt, was approximately $14.1 billion and $14.3 billion at September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, respectively.

On July 15, 2008, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Qwest Capital Funding Inc. (“QCF”), repaid at maturity $171 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.375% Notes due 2008.

Interest Rate Hedges

During the first quarter of 2008, we entered into the interest rate hedges described below as part of our long- and short-term debt strategies. One objective of our short-term debt strategy is to take advantage of favorable interest rates by swapping floating rate debt to fixed rate debt using cash flow hedges. One objective of our long-term debt strategy is to achieve a more balanced ratio of fixed rate to floating rate debt by swapping a portion of our fixed interest rate debt to floating rate debt through fair value hedges. This decreases our exposure to changes in the fair value of our fixed interest rate debt due to changes in interest rates.

We evaluate counterparty credit risk before entering into any hedge transaction. During the third quarter of 2008, one of our counterparties was in the process of merging into a large bank. While the merger was not completed by September 30, 2008, we evaluated the new counterparty risk and found it to be acceptable. We will continue to closely monitor the financial market and the risk that our counterparties will default on their obligations to us. We have the ability and are prepared to unwind these hedge transactions if our counterparties’ credit risk becomes unacceptable to us.

In March 2008, our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Corporation (“QC”), entered into interest rate hedges on $500 million of the outstanding $750 million aggregate principal amount of its Floating Rate Notes due 2013. The notes bear interest at a rate per year equal to the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 3.25%. These hedges had the economic effect of converting QC’s floating interest rate to fixed interest rates of approximately 6.0% for a term of approximately two years. QC designated these swaps as cash flow hedges. The value of our cash flow hedges of approximately $3 million is recorded in other non-current assets on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2008, with a related increase, net of deferred taxes, in accumulated other comprehensive income. We did not recognize any gain or loss in earnings for hedge ineffectiveness during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

In March 2008, QC also entered into interest rate hedges on the outstanding $500 million aggregate principal amount of its 6.5% Notes due 2017. These hedges had the economic effect of converting QC’s fixed interest rate to a floating interest rate until these notes mature in 2017. QC designated these swaps as fair value hedges. The fair value of these hedges is approximately $11 million and is recorded in other non-current liabilities on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of September 30, 2008, with a related reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt of $14 million. A net immaterial gain for hedge ineffectiveness is recorded in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The cash flow and fair value hedges are valued using projected future cash flows, discounted at mid-market implied forward LIBOR rates. The debt underlying the fair value hedges is valued using projected future cash flows, discounted at mid-market implied forward LIBOR rates, plus a constant spread above LIBOR determined at the inception of the hedging relationship. These valuations are determined excluding accrued interest.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Credit Facility

On March 27, 2008, in connection with the addition of a new lender to our revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”), we increased the amount available to us under the Credit Facility from $850 million to $910 million. The Credit Facility is currently undrawn and expires in October 2010. Any amounts drawn on the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Services Corporation (“QSC”), and are secured by a senior lien on the stock of QC.

On September 14, 2008, a potential lender with a $60 million lending commitment under the Credit Facility filed for bankruptcy, and we do not believe that this $60 million will be available to us.

Note 5: Severance and Restructuring

For the three months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we accrued severance costs of $64 million and $6 million, respectively, reversed severance costs of $1 million and $0 million, respectively, and paid severance costs of $9 million and $12 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, we accrued severance costs of $121 million and $17 million, respectively, reversed severance costs of $11 million and $8 million, respectively, and paid severance costs of $60 million and $39 million, respectively. A portion of our severance charges is included in each of cost of sales, selling expenses and general, administrative and other operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. We have not included any severance charges in our segment expenses. As of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, our severance liability was $75 million and $25 million, respectively.

Our restructuring reserve relates to leases for real estate that we ceased using in prior periods and consists of our estimates of amounts to be paid for these leases in excess of our estimates of any sublease revenue we may collect. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we reversed approximately $33 million of restructuring reserve due to favorable early termination of a lease for which we previously reserved. The restructuring reversal is included in general, administrative and other operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Note 6: Employee Benefits

The components of net periodic benefit cost for our pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are detailed below:

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,  
     Pension Plan     Non-Qualified
Pension Plan
   Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
       2008         2007         2008        2007        2008         2007    
                 (Dollars in millions)             

Net periodic benefit cost:

              

Service cost

   $ 26     $ 33     $ —      $ —      $ 1     $ 3  

Interest cost

     126       123       —        —        57       57  

Expected return on plan assets

     (160 )     (165 )     —        —        (31 )     (32 )

Recognized prior service cost

     (1 )     (2 )     —        —        (26 )     (31 )

Recognized net actuarial loss

     2       16       —        1      1       5  
                                              

Total net periodic benefit cost

   $ (7 )   $ 5     $ —      $ 1    $ 2     $ 2  
                                              

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     Pension Plan     Non-Qualified
Pension Plan
   Post-Retirement
Benefit Plans
 
       2008         2007         2008        2007        2008         2007    
                 (Dollars in millions)             

Net periodic benefit cost:

              

Service cost

   $ 87     $ 101     $ 1    $ 1    $ 7     $ 9  

Interest cost

     372       368       1      2      170       173  

Expected return on plan assets

     (486 )     (496 )     —        —        (93 )     (98 )

Recognized transition asset

     —         —         —        1      —         —    

Recognized prior service cost

     (4 )     (4 )     —        —        (78 )     (95 )

Recognized net actuarial loss

     2       48       3      1      8       17  
                                              

Total net periodic benefit cost

   $ (29 )   $ 17     $ 5    $ 5    $ 14     $ 6  
                                              

The net periodic benefit cost for our pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans is recorded in general, administrative and other operating expenses in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. The measurement date used to determine pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefits is December 31. Therefore, these costs do not reflect any changes in the valuation of benefit plan assets or obligations since December 31, 2007.

Note 7: Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is recorded net of deferred taxes and includes the amortization of actuarial gains and losses and prior service costs for our pension and post-retirement benefit plans, changes in the fair value of certain financial derivative instruments (which qualify for hedge accounting) and unrealized gains and losses on certain investments. The components of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 are detailed below:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
       2008         2007         2008         2007    
           (Dollars in millions)        

Net income

   $ 151     $ 2,065     $ 496     $ 2,551  

Other comprehensive income (loss)—net of deferred taxes:

        

Post-retirement benefit plans

     (15 )     (21 )     (46 )     (73 )

Pension

     —         15       —         46  

Unrealized gains (losses) on auction rate securities, derivative instruments and other—net

     (9 )     —         (9 )     —    
                                

Total other comprehensive income (loss)—net of deferred taxes

     (24 )     (6 )     (55 )     (27 )
                                

Comprehensive income

   $ 127     $ 2,059     $ 441     $ 2,524  
                                

Note 8: Tax Matters

During the third quarter of 2008, we collected a state property tax refund of $40 million, which was recognized in the second quarter of 2008, as the result of a property tax settlement on assessments we challenged for tax years 2002-2007.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

On April 15, 2008, we received from the Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) the Revenue Agent’s Report for tax years 2004 and 2005. The report contains proposed adjustments on several issues. Based on our evaluation of the IRS’s positions reflected in the proposed adjustments, we have not recorded a material adjustment to our unrecognized tax benefits or our uncertain tax position liability. However, there can be no assurance that we and the IRS will reach settlements on any of these issues or that, if we do reach settlements, the terms will be favorable to us.

During the third quarter of 2008, we executed a settlement with the IRS relating to its audit of our 1998-2001 tax years. As a result of this settlement, we made a payment of $102 million to the IRS, and we received a refund of $32 million for tax and interest from the successor to a previous affiliate. This settlement resulted in a net income benefit of $10 million. In accordance with our accounting policies, the interest benefit and penalty expense are included in other expense (income)—net in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

Our unrecognized tax benefits decreased by $171 million from December 31, 2007 to September 30, 2008, primarily due to the 1998-2001 settlement, including $92 million which could have affected our tax provision and effective tax rate. Our accrued interest liability on uncertain tax positions was $45 million and $90 million, respectively, as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007.

Note 9: Wireless Services

In April 2008, we signed a five-year agreement with a nationwide wireless service provider to market its wireless products and services under its brand name to our mass markets and business markets customers beginning in 2008. We recognize revenue from services offered under this new agreement on a net basis, whereas we recognize revenue from services provided under an expiring arrangement that we have with a different provider on a gross basis. This will result in lower revenue and lower expenses under our new arrangement when compared to the expiring arrangement.

We continue to provide wireless services to our mass markets and business markets customers under the expiring arrangement, which will end in 2009. Under the expiring arrangement, we sell wireless products and services under our brand name and recognize revenue on a gross basis. We record revenue from our new arrangement in voice services revenue and revenue from our expiring arrangement in wireless services revenue.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we recognized charges of approximately $13 million and $22 million, respectively, for impairment of capitalized software and other network assets associated with the transition from our expiring arrangement to our new arrangement. In addition, as a result of exiting our expiring arrangement, we shortened the economic lives of certain network, administrative and intangible assets, which accelerated the depreciation and amortization of these assets.

Note 10: Segment Information

During the first quarter of 2008, our Chief Operating Decision Maker (“CODM”) began to manage our business using different information than he was using previously. We changed our segments accordingly. Our new segments are business markets, mass markets and wholesale markets. Our CODM regularly reviews information for each of our segments to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. The accounting principles used to determine segment results are the same as those used in our condensed consolidated financial statements. To reflect the impact this change would have had if it had been implemented in prior periods, we present below comparable segment financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 using the segment presentation that we are using going forward.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Each of our new segments uses our network to generate revenue by providing services to its customers, as discussed further below.

 

   

Business markets. This segment provides voice services and data and Internet services to enterprise and government customers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services and long-distance voice services. Local voice services include basic local exchange, switching and enhanced voice services. Long-distance voice services include domestic and international long-distance services and toll free services.

 

   

Data and Internet services include primarily: more-advanced services such as private line, multi-protocol label switching, broadband services and voice over Internet protocol (“VoIP”); other products and services such as data integration, integrated services digital network and hosting services; and traditional services such as frame relay, dedicated Internet access (“DIA”), asynchronous transfer mode and virtual private network.

 

   

Mass markets. This segment provides voice services, data, Internet and video services and wireless products and services to consumers and small business customers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services and long-distance voice services. These services are similar to the services provided to our business markets customers, as described above.

 

   

Data, Internet and video services include primarily broadband services and video services. Our video services include resold satellite digital television and traditional cable-based digital television.

 

   

Wireless products and services are offered to customers primarily within our local service area.

 

   

Wholesale markets . This segment provides voice services and data and Internet services to other telecommunications providers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services, long-distance voice services and access services. Local voice services include primarily unbundled network elements. Long-distance voice services include domestic and international long-distance services. Access services include fees we charge to other telecommunications providers to connect their customers and their networks to our network.

 

   

Data and Internet services include primarily private line, VoIP and DIA.

We also generate other revenue from USF surcharges and the subleasing of space in our office buildings, warehouses and other properties. However, we centrally manage this revenue, and consequently it is not assigned to any of our segments.

Segment expenses include direct expenses incurred by the segment and other expenses assigned to the segment. Direct expenses incurred by the segment include segment specific employee-related costs (except for any severance costs and pension and post-retirement benefits costs), bad debt, equipment sales costs and other non-employee related costs such as customer support, collections, marketing and advertising. Other expenses assigned to the segments include network expenses, facility costs and other costs such as fleet, product management and real estate costs related to hosting and retail centers. Assigned expenses are determined by applying an activity-based costing methodology. We periodically review the methodology used to assign expenses to our segments. Any future changes to the methodology will be reflected in the segment data for prior periods for comparative purposes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

We centrally manage expenses for administrative services (such as finance, computer systems development and support, real estate related to office buildings, legal and human resources), severance costs and pension and post-retirement benefits costs for all employees and retirees; consequently, these expenses are not assigned to our segments. We evaluate depreciation, amortization, impairment charges, interest expense and interest income on a total company basis because we do not allocate assets or debt to specific segments. As a result, these items, along with other non-operating income or expense, are not assigned to any segment. Therefore, the segment results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations these segments would have achieved had they operated as stand-alone entities during the periods presented.

Segment income consists of each segment’s revenue and expenses. Segment information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is summarized in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007            2008            2007    
          (Dollars in millions)     

Segment operating revenue:

           

Business markets

   $ 1,047    $ 978    $ 3,057    $ 2,913

Mass markets

     1,425      1,499      4,359      4,487

Wholesale markets

     815      861      2,479      2,662
                           

Total segment operating revenue

   $ 3,287    $ 3,338    $ 9,895    $ 10,062
                           

Segment operating expenses:

           

Business markets

   $ 674    $ 581    $ 1,911    $ 1,734

Mass markets

     752      790      2,244      2,332

Wholesale markets

     351      370      1,050      1,147
                           

Total segment operating expenses

   $ 1,777    $ 1,741    $ 5,205    $ 5,213
                           

Segment income:

           

Business markets

   $ 373    $ 397    $ 1,146    $ 1,179

Mass markets

     673      709      2,115      2,155

Wholesale markets

     464      491      1,429      1,515
                           

Total segment income

   $ 1,510    $ 1,597    $ 4,690    $ 4,849
                           

The following table reconciles segment income to net income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 
         2008             2007             2008             2007      
           (Dollars in millions)        

Total segment income

   $ 1,510     $ 1,597     $ 4,690     $ 4,849  

Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)

     92       96       265       281  

Unassigned expenses (primarily general and administrative)

     (549 )     (895 )     (1,664 )     (2,052 )

Depreciation and amortization

     (599 )     (619 )     (1,753 )     (1,846 )

Total other expense—net

     (225 )     (263 )     (742 )     (828 )

Income tax (expense) benefit

     (78 )     2,149       (300 )     2,147  
                                

Net income

   $ 151     $ 2,065     $ 496     $ 2,551  
                                

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Revenue derived from external customers for our major products and services for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 is summarized in the following table:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
   Nine Months Ended
September 30,
         2008            2007            2008            2007    
          (Dollars in millions)     

Operating revenue by products and services:

           

Segment revenue:

           

Voice services

   $ 1,766    $ 1,922    $ 5,438    $ 5,912

Data, Internet and video services

     1,404      1,279      4,086      3,747

Wireless services

     117      137      371      403
                           

Total segment revenue

     3,287      3,338      9,895      10,062

Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)

     92      96      265      281
                           

Total operating revenue

   $ 3,379    $ 3,434    $ 10,160    $ 10,343
                           

Note 11: Commitments and Contingencies

Throughout this note, when we refer to a class action as “putative” it is because a class has been alleged, but not certified in that matter. Until and unless a class has been certified by the court, it has not been established that the named plaintiffs represent the class of plaintiffs they purport to represent. Settlement classes have been certified in connection with the settlements of certain of the putative class actions described below where the courts held that the named plaintiffs represented the settlement class they purported to represent.

To the extent appropriate, we have provided reserves for each of the matters described below.

The terms and conditions of applicable bylaws, certificates or articles of incorporation, agreements or applicable law may obligate us to indemnify our former directors, officers and employees with respect to certain of the matters described below, and we have been advancing legal fees and costs to many former directors, officers and employees in connection with certain matters described below.

Settlement of Consolidated Securities Action

Twelve putative class actions purportedly brought on behalf of purchasers of our publicly traded securities between May 24, 1999 and February 14, 2002 were consolidated into a consolidated securities action pending in federal district court in Colorado against us and various other defendants. The first of these actions was filed on July 27, 2001. Plaintiffs alleged, among other things, that defendants issued false and misleading financial results and made false statements about our business and investments, including materially false statements in certain of our registration statements. The most recent complaint in this matter sought unspecified compensatory damages and other relief. However, counsel for plaintiffs indicated that the putative class would seek damages in the tens of billions of dollars.

In November 2005, we, certain other defendants, and the putative class representatives entered into, and filed with the federal district court in Colorado, a Stipulation of Partial Settlement that, if implemented, will settle the consolidated securities action against us and certain other defendants (the “Qwest settlement”). No parties admit any wrongdoing as part of the Qwest settlement. Pursuant to the Qwest settlement, we deposited

 

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For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

approximately $400 million in cash into a settlement fund. In connection with the Qwest settlement, we received $10 million from Arthur Andersen LLP. As part of the Qwest settlement, the class representatives and the settlement class they represent are also releasing Arthur Andersen. If the Qwest settlement is not implemented, we will be repaid the $400 million plus interest, less certain expenses, and we will repay the $10 million to Arthur Andersen.

If implemented, the Qwest settlement will resolve and release the individual claims of the class representatives and the claims of the settlement class they represent against us and all defendants except Joseph Nacchio, our former chief executive officer, and Robert Woodruff, our former chief financial officer. In September 2006, the federal district court in Colorado issued an order approving the proposed Qwest settlement on behalf of purchasers of our publicly traded securities between May 24, 1999 and July 28, 2002, over the objections of Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff. Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff then appealed that order to the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. In addressing that appeal, the Tenth Circuit held that the federal district court order overruling Nacchio and Woodruff’s objections to the Qwest settlement was not sufficiently specific, and it remanded the case to the district court with instructions to consider certain issues and to provide a more detailed explanation for its earlier decision overruling those objections. Subsequent to the remand, a proposed settlement was reached involving the claims of the putative class against Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff as described below that, if implemented, will also result in the implementation of the Qwest settlement.

On August 4, 2008, we, Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff, and the putative class representatives entered into a Stipulation of Settlement (the “Nacchio/Woodruff settlement”) that, if implemented, will, among other things, (i) settle the individual claims of the putative class representatives and the class they purport to represent against Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff, and (ii) result in the withdrawal by Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff of their objections to the Qwest settlement and the resolution of their indemnification dispute with us arising from the Qwest settlement. Under the proposed Nacchio/Woodruff settlement, we would contribute $40 million, and Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff would contribute a total of $5 million of insurance proceeds. The Nacchio/Woodruff settlement is subject to a number of conditions and future contingencies, including that it (i) requires both preliminary and final court approval, and (ii) provides us with the right to terminate the settlement if class members representing more than a specified amount of alleged securities losses elect to opt out of the settlement. No parties admit any wrongdoing as a part of the Nacchio/Woodruff settlement.

KPNQwest Litigation/Investigation

On June 25, 2004, the trustees in the Dutch bankruptcy proceeding for KPNQwest, N.V. (of which we were a major shareholder) filed a lawsuit in the federal district court for the District of New Jersey alleging violations of the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act, and breach of fiduciary duty and mismanagement under Dutch law. We are a defendant in this lawsuit along with Joseph Nacchio, Robert S. Woodruff and John McMaster, the former president and chief executive officer of KPNQwest. Plaintiffs allege, among other things, that defendants’ actions were a cause of the bankruptcy of KPNQwest and they seek damages for the bankruptcy deficit of KPNQwest of approximately $2.4 billion. Plaintiffs also seek treble damages as well as an award of plaintiffs’ attorneys’ fees and costs. On October 17, 2006, the court issued an order granting defendants’ motion to dismiss the lawsuit, concluding that the dispute should be adjudicated in the Netherlands rather than New Jersey. Plaintiffs appealed this decision to the United States Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit, which affirmed the dismissal. Plaintiffs have petitioned the United States Supreme Court to review the Third Circuit’s decision.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

On September 13, 2006, Cargill Financial Markets, Plc and Citibank, N.A. filed a lawsuit in the District Court of Amsterdam, located in the Netherlands, against us, KPN Telecom B.V., Koninklijke KPN N.V. (“KPN”), Joseph Nacchio, John McMaster, and other former employees or supervisory board members of us, KPNQwest, or KPN. The lawsuit alleges that defendants misrepresented KPNQwest’s financial and business condition in connection with the origination of a credit facility and wrongfully allowed KPNQwest to borrow funds under that facility. Plaintiffs allege damages of approximately €219 million (or approximately $316 million based on the exchange rate on September 30, 2008).

On October 31, 2002, Richard and Marcia Grand, co-trustees of the R.M. Grand Revocable Living Trust, dated January 25, 1991, filed a lawsuit in Arizona Superior Court. As amended and following the appeal of a partial summary judgment against plaintiffs which was affirmed in part and reversed in part, plaintiffs allege, among other things, that defendants violated state securities laws in connection with plaintiffs’ investments in KPNQwest securities. We are a defendant in this lawsuit along with Qwest B.V. (one of our subsidiaries), Joseph Nacchio and John McMaster. Plaintiffs claim to have lost approximately $10 million in their investments in KPNQwest, and are also seeking interest and attorneys’ fees.

On August 23, 2005, the Dutch Shareholders Association (Vereniging van Effectenbezitters, or VEB) filed a petition for inquiry with the Enterprise Chamber of the Amsterdam Court of Appeals, located in the Netherlands, with regard to KPNQwest. VEB sought an inquiry into the policies and course of business at KPNQwest that are alleged to have caused the bankruptcy of KPNQwest in May 2002, and an investigation into alleged mismanagement of KPNQwest by its executive management, supervisory board members, joint venture entities (us and KPN), and KPNQwest’s outside auditors and accountants. On December 28, 2006, the Enterprise Chamber ordered an inquiry into the management and conduct of affairs of KPNQwest for the period January 1 through May 23, 2002. We and others have appealed that order to the Netherlands Supreme Court.

We will continue to defend against the pending KPNQwest litigation matters vigorously.

Other Matters

Several putative class actions relating to the installation of fiber optic cable in certain rights-of-way were filed against us on behalf of landowners on various dates and in various courts in California, Colorado, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas. For the most part, the complaints challenge our right to install our fiber optic cable in railroad rights-of-way. Complaints in Colorado, Illinois and Texas, also challenge our right to install fiber optic cable in utility and pipeline rights-of-way. The complaints allege that the railroads, utilities and pipeline companies own the right-of-way as an easement that did not include the right to permit us to install our fiber optic cable in the right-of-way without the plaintiffs’ consent. Most actions (California, Colorado, Georgia, Kansas, Mississippi, Missouri, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas) purport to be brought on behalf of state-wide classes in the named plaintiffs’ respective states. The Massachusetts action purports to be on behalf of state-wide classes in all states in which Qwest has fiber optic cable in railroad rights-of-way (other than Louisiana and Tennessee), and also on behalf of two classes of landowners whose properties adjoin railroad rights-of-way originally derived from federal land grants. Several actions purport to be brought on behalf of multi-state classes. The Illinois state court action purports to be on behalf of landowners in Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, Ohio and Wisconsin. The Illinois federal court action purports to be on behalf of landowners in Arkansas, California, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Missouri, Nevada, New Mexico, Montana and Oregon. The Indiana action purports to be on behalf of a national class of landowners adjacent to railroad rights-of-way over which our

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

network passes. The complaints seek damages on theories of trespass and unjust enrichment, as well as punitive damages. On July 18, 2008, the Massachusetts court entered an order preliminarily approving a settlement of all of the actions described above, except the action pending in Tennessee. The court also set a hearing for November 17, 2008 to consider final approval of the proposed settlement.

Qwest Communications Corporation (“QCC”) is a defendant in litigation filed by several billing agents for the owners of payphones seeking compensation for coinless calls made from payphones. The matter is pending in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. Generally, the payphone owners claim that QCC underpaid the amount of compensation due to them under Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) regulations for coinless calls placed from their phones onto QCC’s network. The claim seeks compensation for calls, as well as interest and attorneys’ fees. QCC will vigorously defend against this action.

QC has been a defendant in litigation brought by several owners of payphones relating to the rates QC charged them for the lines to their payphones between 1997 and 2003. Generally, the payphone owners have claimed that QC charged more for payphone access lines than QC was permitted to charge under the applicable FCC rules. The largest of these lawsuits, filed in the United States District Court for the Western District of Washington, has been amicably settled for an immaterial amount and dismissed. One lawsuit is still pending in the United States District Court for the District of Utah, which is currently stayed pending resolution of related proceedings before the FCC. Another proceeding against QC is also pending before the Oregon Public Utility Commission. Several related proceedings are underway at the FCC involving QC, other telecommunications companies, and payphone owners. In all of these proceedings, the payphone owners seek damages for amounts paid allegedly exceeding the amounts that were permitted under the applicable FCC rules. QC will vigorously defend against these actions.

A putative class action filed on behalf of certain of our retirees was brought against us, the Qwest Life Insurance Plan and other related entities in federal district court in Colorado in connection with our decision to reduce the life insurance benefit for these retirees to a $10,000 benefit. The action was filed on March 30, 2007. The plaintiffs allege, among other things, that we and other defendants were obligated to continue their life insurance benefit at the levels in place before we decided to reduce them. Plaintiffs seek restoration of the life insurance benefit to previous levels and certain equitable relief. The district court ruled in our favor on the central issue of whether we properly reserved our right to reduce the life insurance benefit under applicable law and plan documents. The retirees have amended their complaint to assert additional claims. We believe the remaining claims are without merit, and we will continue to vigorously defend against this matter.

Flood Damage

During June 2008, floods in the Midwest, particularly Iowa, caused damage to our network and other assets. Based on our current assessment, we estimate that cumulative expenditures required for the restoration of our network and physical plant will be approximately $30 million, including repairs and equipment replacement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we incurred repair expenditures of $6 million and $8 million, respectively, which are included in the $30 million estimate. Although we carry commercial property insurance that covers certain property damage and business interruption, we do not expect that a substantial portion of the $30 million estimate will be covered because we are subject to a $5 million deductible for buildings and contents and a $25 million deductible for buried outside plant. We are working with our insurance carriers to determine the extent to which insurance proceeds will offset these expenditures.

 

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NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Note 12: Labor Union Contracts

In August 2008, we reached tentative agreements with our labor unions, the Communications Workers of America (“CWA”) and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers (“IBEW”), on new three-year collective bargaining agreements. Each of these agreements needed to be ratified by union members, and in September 2008 CWA members failed to ratify the CWA agreement. In October 2008, we again reached tentative agreements with the CWA and IBEW, this time on new four-year collective bargaining agreements. Each of these agreements must be ratified by union members and, if ratified, will expire on October 6, 2012. As of September 30, 2008, employees covered by these agreements totaled 18,524, or 54% of all our employees.

Note 13: Dividends

Our Board of Directors declared the following dividends payable in 2008:

 

Date Declared

 

Record Date

 

Dividend

Per Share

 

Total Amount

 

Payment Date

            (in millions)    

December 13, 2007

  February 1, 2008   $0.08   $142   February 21, 2008

April 17, 2008

  May 9, 2008   $0.08   $140   May 30, 2008

July 17, 2008

  August 8, 2008   $0.08   $138   August 29, 2008

October 16, 2008

  November 14, 2008   $0.08   $136   December 5, 2008

Note 14: Financial Statements of Guarantors

QCII and two of its subsidiaries, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. (“QCF”) and QSC, guarantee the payment of certain of each other’s registered debt securities. As of September 30, 2008, QCII had outstanding a total of $2.075 billion aggregate principal amount of senior notes that were issued in February 2004 and June 2005 and that are guaranteed by QCF and QSC (the “QCII Guaranteed Notes”). These notes are guaranteed through their respective maturity dates, the latest of which is in February 2014. Each series of QCF’s outstanding notes totaling approximately $2.7 billion in aggregate principal amount is guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by QCII (the “QCF Guaranteed Notes”). These notes are guaranteed through their respective maturity dates, the latest of which is in February 2031. The guarantees are full and unconditional and joint and several. A significant amount of QCII’s and QSC’s income and cash flow are generated by their subsidiaries. As a result, the funds necessary to meet their debt service or guarantee obligations are provided in large part by distributions or advances from their subsidiaries.

The following information sets forth our condensed consolidating statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, our condensed consolidating balance sheets as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007, and our condensed consolidating statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007. The information for QCII is presented on a stand-alone basis, information for QSC and QCF is presented on a combined basis and information for all of our other subsidiaries is presented on a combined basis. Each entity’s investments in its subsidiaries, if any, is presented under the equity method. The condensed consolidating statements of operations and balance sheets include the effects of consolidating adjustments to our subsidiaries’ tax provisions and the related income tax assets and liabilities in the QSC and QCII results. Both QSC and QCF are 100% owned by QCII, and QCF is a finance subsidiary of QCII. Other than as already described in this note, the accounting principles used to determine the amounts reported in this note are the same as those used in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We periodically restructure our internal debt based on the needs of our business.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

(Unaudited)

 

Business Combinations Under Common Control

In February 2007, the FCC issued an order that freed us from some regulatory obligations under the Telecommunications Act of 1996. Among other things, the order gives us more flexibility to integrate our local and long-distance operations, including the operations of our subsidiaries that provide shared services to our two main operating companies.

In light of this order and consistent with our continuing strategy to simplify our corporate structure and gain operational efficiencies, in the first quarter of 2008 we merged two of our wholly owned subsidiaries into one of our other wholly owned subsidiaries and moved some of our operations among our subsidiaries. These reorganization activities impacted the entities that are consolidated into our financial statements and, as a result, the subsidiary financial statements presented in this note differ from the subsidiary financial statements we have historically presented in this note. Because the reorganization activities combined businesses that were already controlled by us, we are required to adjust previously reported financial statements for all periods presented in this note for any transferred businesses. To reflect the impact these changes would have had if they had been implemented in prior periods, we have recast certain financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 presented in this note. We continue to evaluate other ways to organize the legal structure and operations of our subsidiaries, and any future reorganization activities could similarly affect the financial statements presented in this note.

In connection with these past or any future reorganization activities, we do not believe we have consummated, and we do not expect to consummate in the future, any business combinations or other transactions that will adversely affect our consolidated financial condition or results of operations or the financial condition or results of operations in a material manner for any of the guarantors presented in this note.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

Operating revenue:

          

Operating revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 3,379     $ —       $ 3,379  

Operating revenue—affiliates

     —         6       12       (18 )     —    
                                        

Total operating revenue

     —         6       3,391       (18 )     3,379  
                                        

Operating expenses:

          

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     —         —         1,228       —         1,228  

Selling

     —         —         571       —         571  

General, administrative and other operating

     5       4       518       —         527  

Operating expenses—affiliates

     —         —         18       (18 )     —    

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         599       —         599  
                                        

Total operating expenses

     5       4       2,934       (18 )     2,925  
                                        

Other expense (income)—net:

          

Interest expense—net

     56       51       145       —         252  

Interest expense—affiliates

     5       78       212       (295 )     —    

Interest income—affiliates

     —         (295 )     —         295       —    

Other—net

     (1 )     (20 )     (6 )     —         (27 )

(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries

     (181 )     82       —         99       —    
                                        

Total other (income) expense—net

     (121 )     (104 )     351       99       225  
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     116       106       106       (99 )     229  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     35       71       (184 )     —         (78 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 151     $ 177     $ (78 )   $ (99 )   $ 151  
                                        

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

Operating revenue:

          

Operating revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 3,434     $ —       $ 3,434  

Operating revenue—affiliates

     —         —         12       (12 )     —    
                                        

Total operating revenue

     —         —         3,446       (12 )     3,434  
                                        

Operating expenses:

          

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     —         —         1,168       —         1,168  

Selling

     —         —         544       —         544  

General, administrative and other operating

     333       —         591       —         924  

Operating expenses—affiliates

     —         —         12       (12 )     —    

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         619       —         619  
                                        

Total operating expenses

     333       —         2,934       (12 )     3,255  
                                        

Other expense (income)—net:

          

Interest expense—net

     64       53       155       —         272  

Interest expense—affiliates

     1       35       188       (224 )     —    

Interest income—affiliates

     —         (222 )     (2 )     224       —    

Other—net

     (1 )     (3 )     (5 )     —         (9 )

(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries

     (2,422 )     57       —         2,365       —    
                                        

Total other (income) expense—net

     (2,358 )     (80 )     336       2,365       263  
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     2,025       80       176       (2,365 )     (84 )

Income tax benefit (expense)

     40       2,339       (230 )     —         2,149  
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 2,065     $ 2,419     $ (54 )   $ (2,365 )   $ 2,065  
                                        

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

Operating revenue:

          

Operating revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 10,160     $ —       $ 10,160  

Operating revenue—affiliates

     —         (3 )     35       (32 )     —    
                                        

Total operating revenue

     —         (3 )     10,195       (32 )     10,160  
                                        

Operating expenses:

          

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     —         —         3,549       —         3,549  

Selling

     —         —         1,643       —         1,643  

General, administrative and other operating

     63       (3 )     1,617       —         1,677  

Operating expenses—affiliates

     —         —         32       (32 )     —    

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         1,753       —         1,753  
                                        

Total operating expenses

     63       (3 )     8,594       (32 )     8,622  
                                        

Other expense (income)—net:

          

Interest expense—net

     169       157       444       —         770  

Interest expense—affiliates

     8       188       606       (802 )     —    

Interest income—affiliates

     —         (800 )     (2 )     802       —    

Other—net

     2       (26 )     (4 )     —         (28 )

(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries

     (633 )     (188 )     —         821       —    
                                        

Total other (income) expense—net

     (454 )     (669 )     1,044       821       742  
                                        

Income (loss) before income taxes

     391       669       557       (821 )     796  

Income tax benefit (expense)

     105       (44 )     (361 )     —         (300 )
                                        

Net income (loss)

   $ 496     $ 625     $ 196     $ (821 )   $ 496  
                                        

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
     (Dollars in millions)

Operating revenue:

          

Operating revenue

   $ —       $ —       $ 10,343     $ —       $ 10,343

Operating revenue—affiliates

     —         —         29       (29 )     —  
                                      

Total operating revenue

     —         —         10,372       (29 )     10,343
                                      

Operating expenses:

          

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

     —         —         3,508       —         3,508

Selling

     —         —         1,601       —         1,601

General, administrative and other operating

     400       —         1,756       —         2,156

Operating expenses—affiliates

     —         —         29       (29 )     —  

Depreciation and amortization

     —         —         1,846       —         1,846
                                      

Total operating expenses

     400       —         8,740       (29 )     9,111
                                      

Other expense (income)—net:

          

Interest expense—net

     200       159       469       —         828

Interest expense—affiliates

     7       76       549       (632 )     —  

Interest income—affiliates

     —         (628 )     (4 )     632       —  

Other—net

     1       (13 )     12       —         —  

(Income) loss from equity investments in subsidiaries

     (3,036 )     107       —         2,929       —  
                                      

Total other (income) expense—net

     (2,828 )     (299 )     1,026       2,929       828
                                      

Income (loss) before income taxes

     2,428       299       606       (2,929 )     404

Income tax benefit (expense)

     123       2,733       (709 )     —         2,147
                                      

Net income (loss)

   $ 2,551     $ 3,032     $ (103 )   $ (2,929 )   $ 2,551
                                      

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)    QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
     (Dollars in millions)
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ —      $ 245     $ 341     $ —       $ 586

Accounts receivable—net

     20      1       1,433       —         1,454

Accounts receivable—affiliates

     796      814       20       (1,630 )     —  

Notes receivable—affiliates

     —        13,337       106       (13,443 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     —        346       239       (8 )     577

Prepaid expenses and other

     —        15       375       (41 )     349
                                     

Total current assets

     816      14,758       2,514       (15,122 )     2,966

Property, plant and equipment—net

     —        —         13,301       —         13,301

Capitalized software—net

     —        —         864       —         864

Investments in subsidiaries

     2,032      (7,936 )     —         5,904       —  

Deferred income taxes

     —        2,479       300       (1,543 )     1,236

Prepaid pension—net

     1,697      —         —         —         1,697

Prepaid pension—affiliates

     3,005      82       1,054       (4,141 )     —  

Other

     534      149       586       (94 )     1,175
                                     

Total assets

   $ 8,084    $ 9,532     $ 18,619     $ (14,996 )   $ 21,239
                                     

LIABILITIES AND

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY OR DEFICIT

           

Current liabilities:

           

Current portion of long-term borrowings

   $ 328    $ 562     $ 350     $ —       $ 1,240

Current borrowings—affiliates

     110      3,655       9,678       (13,443 )     —  

Accounts payable

     2      —         931       —         933

Accounts payable—affiliates

     20      2       124       (146 )     —  

Accrued expenses and other

     320      78       1,056       (37 )     1,417

Accrued expenses and other—affiliates

     1      610       873       (1,484 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     8      —         —         (8 )     —  

Deferred revenue and advance billings

     —        —         591       (4 )     587
                                     

Total current liabilities

     789      4,907       13,603       (15,122 )     4,177

Long-term borrowings—net

     3,037      2,183       7,595       —         12,815

Post-retirement and other post-employment benefit obligations—net

     2,173      —         —         —         2,173

Post-retirement and other post-employment benefits and other—affiliates

     1,137      448       2,556       (4,141 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     187      —         1,356       (1,543 )     —  

Deferred revenue

     —        —         528       —         528

Other

     415      —         879       (94 )     1,200
                                     

Total liabilities

     7,738      7,538       26,517       (20,900 )     20,893

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     346      1,994       (7,898 )     5,904       346
                                     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity or deficit

   $ 8,084    $ 9,532     $ 18,619     $ (14,996 )   $ 21,239
                                     

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEETS

DECEMBER 31, 2007

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)    QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
     (Dollars in millions)
ASSETS            

Current assets:

           

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 90    $ 481     $ 331     $ —       $ 902

Accounts receivable—net

     19      30       1,527       —         1,576

Accounts receivable—affiliates

     356      357       31       (744 )     —  

Notes receivable—affiliates

     —        11,499       104       (11,603 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     —        179       483       (8 )     654

Prepaid expenses and other

     9      60       413       (41 )     441
                                     

Total current assets

     474      12,606       2,889       (12,396 )     3,573

Property, plant and equipment—net

     —        —         13,671       —         13,671

Capitalized software—net

     —        —         853       —         853

Investments in subsidiaries

     2,825      (7,129 )     —         4,304       —  

Deferred income taxes

     —        3,167       38       (1,621 )     1,584

Prepaid pension—net

     1,672      —         —         —         1,672

Prepaid pension—affiliates

     3,087      74       1,034       (4,195 )     —  

Other

     562      95       522       —         1,179
                                     

Total assets

   $ 8,620    $ 8,813     $ 19,007     $ (13,908 )   $ 22,532
                                     

LIABILITIES AND

STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY OR DEFICIT

           

Current liabilities:

           

Current portion of long-term borrowings

   $ 77    $ 171     $ 353     $ —       $ 601

Current borrowings—affiliates

     104      2,195       9,304       (11,603 )     —  

Accounts payable

     —        12       996       —         1,008

Accounts payable—affiliates

     21      2       98       (121 )     —  

Accrued expenses and other

     636      158       1,219       (14 )     1,999

Accrued expenses and other—affiliates

     —        148       475       (623 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     8      —         —         (8 )     —  

Deferred revenue and advance billings

     —        —         628       (27 )     601
                                     

Total current liabilities

     846      2,686       13,073       (12,396 )     4,209

Long-term borrowings—net

     3,281      2,745       7,624       —         13,650

Post-retirement and other post-employment benefit obligations—net

     2,187      —         1       —         2,188

Post-retirement and other post-employment benefits and other—affiliates

     1,108      520       2,567       (4,195 )     —  

Deferred income taxes

     215      —         1,406       (1,621 )     —  

Deferred revenue

     —        —         538       —         538

Other

     420      65       899       —         1,384
                                     

Total liabilities

     8,057      6,016       26,108       (18,212 )     21,969

Stockholders’ equity (deficit)

     563      2,797       (7,101 )     4,304       563
                                     

Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity or deficit

   $ 8,620    $ 8,813     $ 19,007     $ (13,908 )   $ 22,532
                                     

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   $ (366 )   $ 753     $ 1,607     $ 29     $ 2,023  

Investing Activities:

          

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software

     —         —         (1,416 )     —         (1,416 )

Proceeds from sale of investment securities

     —         56       —         —         56  

Changes in interest in investments managed by QSC

     23       12       (35 )     —         —    

Cash infusion to subsidiaries

     —         (1,271 )     —         1,271       —    

Net (increase) decrease in short-term affiliate loans

     —         (1,838 )     (2 )     1,840       —    

Dividends received from subsidiaries

     1,040       1,800       —         (2,840 )     —    

Other

     —         4       13       —         17  
                                        

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     1,063       (1,237 )     (1,440 )     271       (1,343 )
                                        

Financing activities:

          

Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities

     —         (171 )     (34 )     —         (205 )

Net proceeds from (repayments of) short-term affiliate borrowings

     6       1,460       374       (1,840 )     —    

Proceeds from issuances of common stock

     31       —         —         —         31  

Dividends paid

     (420 )     —         —         —         (420 )

Repurchases of common stock

     (432 )     —         —         —         (432 )

Equity infusion from parent

     —         —         1,271       (1,271 )     —    

Dividends paid to parent

     —         (1,040 )     (1,800 )     2,840       —    

Other

     28       (1 )     32       (29 )     30  
                                        

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

     (787 )     248       (157 )     (300 )     (996 )
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents:

          

(Decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents

     (90 )     (236 )     10       —         (316 )

Beginning balance

     90       481       331       —         902  
                                        

Ending balance

   $ —       $ 245     $ 341     $ —       $ 586  
                                        

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOW

NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007

(UNAUDITED)

 

     QCII(1)     QSC(2) &
QCF(3)
    Subsidiary
Non-
Guarantors
    Eliminations     QCII
Consolidated
 
     (Dollars in millions)  

Cash (used for) provided by operating activities

   $ (460 )   $ 1,255     $ 1,321     $ 10     $ 2,126  

Investing Activities:

          

Expenditures for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software

     (8 )     —         (1,156 )     —         (1,164 )

Proceeds from sale of investment securities

     —         192       —         —         192  

Purchases of investment securities

     —         (64 )     —         —         (64 )

Changes in interest in investments managed by QSC

     —         (9 )     9       —         —    

Cash infusion to subsidiaries

     —         (1,844 )     —         1,844       —    

Net (increase) decrease in short-term affiliate loans

     —         (1,658 )     (1 )     1,659       —    

Dividends received from subsidiaries

     1,600       1,905       —         (3,505 )     —    

Other

     —         4       13       (4 )     13  
                                        

Cash provided by (used for) investing activities

     1,592       (1,474 )     (1,135 )     (6 )     (1,023 )
                                        

Financing activities:

          

Proceeds from long-term borrowings

     —         —         500       —         500  

Repayments of long-term borrowings, including current maturities

     (250 )     —         (661 )     —         (911 )

Net (repayments of) proceeds from short-term affiliate borrowings

     (54 )     1,546       167       (1,659 )     —    

Proceeds from issuances of common stock

     96       —         —         —         96  

Repurchases of common stock

     (925 )     —         —         —         (925 )

Equity infusion from parent

     —         —         1,844       (1,844 )     —    

Dividends paid to parent

     —         (1,600 )     (1,905 )     3,505       —    

Other

     5       2       14       (6 )     15  
                                        

Cash (used for) provided by financing activities

     (1,128 )     (52 )     (41 )     (4 )     (1,225 )
                                        

Cash and cash equivalents:

          

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4       (271 )     145       —         (122 )

Beginning balance

     —         900       341       —         1,241  
                                        

Ending balance

   $ 4     $ 629     $ 486     $ —       $ 1,119  
                                        

 

(1) QCII is the issuer of the QCII Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCF Guaranteed Notes.
(2) QSC is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.
(3) QCF is the issuer of the QCF Guaranteed Notes and is a guarantor of the QCII Guaranteed Notes.

 

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this report to “Qwest,” “we,” “us,” the “Company” and “our” refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to “QCII” refer to Qwest Communications International Inc. on an unconsolidated, stand-alone basis.

Certain statements set forth below under this caption constitute forward-looking statements. See “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” at the end of this Item 2 for additional factors relating to such statements, and see “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this report for a discussion of certain risk factors applicable to our business, financial condition and results of operations.

Business Overview and Presentation

We provide voice, data, Internet and video services nationwide and globally. We continue to generate the majority of our revenue from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.

Our analysis presented below is organized to provide the information we believe will be useful for understanding the relevant trends going forward. However, this discussion should be read in conjunction with our condensed consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

During the first quarter of 2008, our Chief Operating Decision Maker, or CODM, began to manage our business using different information than he was using previously. We changed our segments accordingly. Our new segments are business markets, mass markets and wholesale markets. Our CODM regularly reviews information for each of our segments to evaluate performance and to allocate resources. Our discussions of segment results reflect the way we report our operating results to our CODM. An overview of our segment results is provided in Note 10—Segment Information to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. To reflect the impact this change would have had if it had been implemented in prior periods, we present in this Item 2 segment financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 using the segment presentation that we are using going forward. Segment results presented in this Item 2 and in Note 10—Segment Information to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations these segments would have achieved had they operated as stand-alone entities during the periods presented.

During the first quarter of 2008, we also changed the definitions we use to classify expenses as cost of sales, selling expenses or general, administrative and other operating expenses. Operating expenses are now reported as follows:

 

   

Cost of sales are costs incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These include: facility costs (which are third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers’ networks to provide services to our customers); employee-related costs directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); equipment sales costs (such as data integration, handsets and modem costs); and other cost of sales directly related to our network operations (such as professional fees, materials and supplies and outsourced services).

 

   

Selling expenses are costs incurred in selling products and services to our customers. These include: employee-related costs directly attributable to selling products or services (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions and certain benefits); marketing, advertising and external commissions; and other selling costs (such as bad debt expense, professional fees and outsourced services).

 

   

General, administrative and other operating expenses are corporate overhead and other operating costs. These include: employee-related costs for administrative functions (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); taxes and fees (such as property and other taxes and Universal Service Fund, or USF,

 

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charges); real estate and occupancy costs (such as: rents and utilities, including those incurred by our hosting facilities; and fleet costs); and other general, administrative and other operating costs (such as professional fees, outsourced services, litigation related charges and general computer systems support services). These expenses also include our pension and post-retirement benefits costs for all employees and retirees.

We believe these changes: more closely align cost of sales with our network, facilities and equipment costs; align selling costs with our direct business unit costs; provide detail on our general, administrative and other operating costs; and allow users of our financial statements to better understand our cost structure and the way we manage our business. These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies. These changes had no impact on total operating expenses or net income for any period. To reflect the impact these changes would have had if they had been implemented in prior periods, we have reclassified certain financial information for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007 that is presented in this Item 2 and in our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. In addition, to aid the understanding of this filing and future filings, we reclassified certain prior year financial information in our Current Report on Form 8-K dated April 4, 2008.

These changes resulted in $145 million and $432 million moving from the cost of sales category to either selling expenses or general, administrative and other operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively.

We have also reclassified certain other prior year revenue, expenses and access line amounts to conform to the current year presentation.

Business Trends

Our financial results continue to be impacted by several significant trends, which are described below:

 

   

Data, Internet and video growth. Revenue from data, Internet and video services represented 40% and 36% of our total revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively, and continues to grow. We also continue to see shifts in the makeup of this revenue as customers move from traditional data, Internet and video products to more-advanced technologies. As a result, we continue to focus on these more-advanced, high-growth products, which include: broadband services; private line; multi-protocol label switching, or MPLS, which we offer as iQ Networking™; voice over Internet protocol, or VoIP; and video services. The revenue increases from these more-advanced, high-growth products have outpaced revenue declines from traditional data, Internet and video services (such as asynchronous transfer mode, or ATM; frame relay; dedicated Internet access, or DIA; virtual private network, or VPN; and Internet dial-up access).

We also continue to focus on improving penetration of broadband services in our mass markets segment, and broadband subscribers continue to grow as customers migrate to higher speed Internet connections. We reached 2.8 million broadband subscribers as of September 30, 2008 compared to 2.5 million as of the same date in 2007. We believe the ability to continually increase connection speeds is competitively important. As a result, we continue to invest in increasing our available connection speeds to meet customer demand. We expect broadband subscriber growth to continue, but at a lesser rate than in prior periods, as we continue to compete in a maturing market where a significant portion of consumers already have a broadband connection.

 

   

Growth in managed services. Our business markets customers are increasingly demanding customized and integrated voice, data and Internet services. We have responded with our managed services offerings, which include diverse combinations of emerging technology products and services such as VoIP, Ethernet, MPLS, hosting services and enhanced voice services, such as Web conferencing and call center solutions. Revenue from managed services increased 64% for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 as compared to the same period in 2007, and we expect this growth to continue.

 

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We believe our business markets customers will continue to increasingly demand turnkey solutions, such as managed services, that afford them more flexibility in managing their communications needs. These types of services also allow us to act as a strategic partner with our business markets customers in improving the effectiveness and efficiency of their operations. We believe this gives us an opportunity to form stronger bonds with these customers. Some of our managed services are offered as “Office Connect,” “Integrated Access VoIP” and “Contact Center Solutions.”

 

   

Access line losses. Our revenue has been, and we expect it will continue to be, adversely affected by access line losses. Increased competition, including product substitution, continues to drive our access line losses. For example, many consumers are substituting cable, wireless and VoIP for traditional voice telecommunications services. This has increased the number and type of competitors within our industry and has decreased our market share. Additionally, we believe declining economic conditions have contributed to an acceleration in our access line losses in 2008, primarily in our mass markets and wholesale markets segments, and may continue to do so for the remainder of the year. The declining economic conditions will likely continue to impact our business into 2009. Product bundling, as described below, continues to be one of our responses to access line losses.

 

   

Product promotions . We offer many of our customers the ability to bundle several products and services. These customers can bundle local voice services with other services such as broadband, video, long-distance and wireless. We believe customers value the convenience of, and price discounts associated with, receiving multiple services through a single company. In addition to our bundle discounts, we also offer limited time promotions and a fixed price on our broadband service for qualifying customers who have our broadband product in their bundle. This “Price for Life” guarantee allows qualifying customers to lock-in their monthly broadband charges for as long as they qualify. While bundle price discounts have resulted in lower average revenue for our individual products, we believe product bundles continue to positively impact our customer retention.

 

   

Operational efficiencies. We continue to evaluate our operating structure and focus. In some cases, this involves adjusting our workforce in response to productivity improvements and changes in the telecommunications industry and governmental regulations. Through planned reductions and normal employee attrition, we have reduced our workforce and employee-related costs while achieving operational efficiencies and improving processes through automation.

 

   

Wireless revenue and expenses. In April 2008, we signed a five-year agreement with a nationwide wireless service provider to market its wireless products and services under its brand name to our mass markets and business markets customers beginning in the third quarter of 2008. We recognize revenue from services offered under this new agreement on a net basis, whereas we recognize revenue from services provided under an expiring arrangement that we have with a different provider on a gross basis. This will result in lower revenue and lower expenses under our new arrangement when compared to the expiring arrangement. We continue to provide wireless services to our mass markets and business markets customers under the expiring arrangement, which will end in 2009. We record revenue from our new arrangement in voice services revenue and revenue from our expiring arrangement in wireless services revenue.

 

   

Margin contraction. We continue to see customers moving from traditional products and services to more-advanced technology products and services. The costs associated with providing these more-advanced products and services have generally not yet achieved benefits of scale and are often higher than the costs to provide traditional products and services. This is causing our overall segment income to slowly contract as these new products and services replace our traditional products and services. This product mix change has impacted the segment income of all our segments, with the wholesale markets segment experiencing the most significant effects. As scale improves on more-advanced products and services, we expect our cost structure will improve. Also, we are responding to margin contraction with improved cost efficiencies and operating initiatives to stem the loss of revenue from traditional product and services.

 

   

Pension and other post-employment benefit plans . In accordance with the requirements of Statement of Financial Standards (“SFAS”) No. 158, “Employers’ Accounting for Defined Benefit Pension and

 

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Other Postretirement Plans,” SFAS No. 106, “Employers’ Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions,” and SFAS No. 87 “Employers’ Accounting for Pensions,” pension and other post-retirement benefit assets and liabilities are valued annually at December 31 for purposes of determining funded status and future year pension expense. Our long-term return on assets and discount rate assumptions are significant variables in making such determinations and are discussed in more detail under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates” in Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007. As of December 31, 2007, the funded status of our pension plan was $1.672 billion. There has been a negative return on pension assets through September 30, 2008 compared to our assumption of a positive annual return of 8.0% at December 31, 2007. If the actual rate of return on our plan assets continues to be below our assumed 8.0% rate of return through December 31, 2008, it could significantly decrease our funded status. In addition, while the recent volatility of the financial markets makes it more difficult to estimate the discount rate that will be used to measure our pension and other post-retirement benefits obligations at December 31, 2008, the yields of high-quality fixed income assets upon which our discount rate assumption is currently based are substantially higher than the 6.3% assumption we used at December 31, 2007. If the current corporate bond yield environment continues through December 31, 2008, it may positively impact our funded status at year-end.

The ultimate impact on our future pension expense, other post-retirement benefits expense and the funded status of each plan will not be determined until we perform our annual valuation at December 31, 2008. We are not required to make a cash contribution to our pension plan in 2009. Our ultimate actual cash contribution requirements for 2010 and later, if any, will be materially impacted by the asset values and other bond yield variables as prescribed under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended by the Pension Protection Act of 2006 (“ERISA”), and will be subject to future market conditions over the next several years. Although a current calculation of the funded status under the accounting standards listed above does not necessarily indicate what the funded status will be when we perform a calculation at December 31, 2008, a calculation of the funded status as of October 24, 2008 yields a reduction of the funded status by approximately $2.0 billion and a reduction of our stockholders’ equity by over $1.2 billion, which would result in negative stockholders’ equity. This assumed reduction in the funded status, based on a current calculation, would also increase pension expense beginning in 2009. The assumed reduction in the funded status as calculated under ERISA as of October 24, 2008, would also result in a cash funding requirement of $130 million to $300 million in 2010. The December 31, 2008 funded status determination may be higher or lower than the current estimate, and we can give no assurance that these determinations will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, future results of operations or future liquidity.

While these trends are important to understanding and evaluating our financial results, the other transactions, events and trends discussed in “Risk Factors” in Item 1A of Part II of this report may also materially impact our business operations and financial results.

Results of Operations

Overview

Each of our new segments uses our network to generate revenue by providing services to its customers, as described further below. Depending on the products or services purchased, a customer may pay a service activation fee, a monthly service fee, a usage charge or a combination of these.

 

   

Business markets. This segment provides voice services and data and Internet services to our enterprise and government customers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services and long-distance voice services. Local voice services include basic local exchange, switching and enhanced voice services. Long-distance voice services include domestic and international long-distance services and toll free services.

 

   

Data and Internet services include primarily: more-advanced services such as private line, multi-protocol label switching, broadband services and VoIP; other products and services such as data

 

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integration, integrated services digital network and hosting services; and traditional services such as frame relay, DIA, ATM and VPN.

 

   

Mass markets. This segment provides voice services, data, Internet and video services and wireless products and services to our mass markets customers, which include consumers and small business customers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services and long-distance voice services. These services are similar to the services provided to our business markets customers, as described above.

 

   

Data, Internet and video services include primarily broadband services and video services. Our video services include resold satellite digital television and traditional cable-based digital television.

 

   

Wireless products and services are offered to customers primarily within our local service area.

 

   

Wholesale markets . This segment provides voice services and data and Internet services to our wholesale customers, which include other telecommunications providers.

 

   

Voice services include local voice services, long-distance voice services and access services. Local voice services include primarily unbundled network elements. Long-distance voice services include domestic and international long-distance services. Access services include fees we charge to other telecommunications providers to connect their customers and their networks to our network.

 

   

Data and Internet services include primarily private line, VoIP and DIA.

We also generate other revenue from USF surcharges and the subleasing of space in our office buildings, warehouses and other properties. However, we centrally manage this revenue, and consequently it is not assigned to any of our segments.

The following table summarizes our results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007 and the number of employees as of September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008     2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
    (Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)  

Operating revenue

  $ 3,379     $ 3,434     $ (55 )   (2 )%   $ 10,160     $ 10,343   $ (183 )   (2 )%

Operating expenses

    2,925       3,255       (330 )   (10 )%     8,622       9,111     (489 )   (5 )%

Other expense—net

    225       263       (38 )   (14 )%     742       828     (86 )   (10 )%
                                                 

Income (loss) before income taxes

    229       (84 )     313     nm       796       404     392     97 %

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (78 )     2,149       (2,227 )   nm       (300 )     2,147     (2,447 )   nm  
                                                 

Net income

  $ 151     $ 2,065     $ (1,914 )   (93 )%   $ 496     $ 2,551   $ (2,055 )   (81 )%
                                                 

Earnings per share:

               

Basic

  $ 0.09     $ 1.14     $ (1.05 )   (92 )%   $ 0.29     $ 1.39   $ (1.10 )   (79 )%

Diluted

  $ 0.09     $ 1.08     $ (0.99 )   (92 )%   $ 0.28     $ 1.31   $ (1.03 )   (79 )%

Employees (as of September 30)

 

    34,656       37,026     (2,370 )   (6 )%

 

nm Percentages greater than 200% and comparisons between positive and negative values or to/from zero values are considered not meaningful.

 

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Operating Revenue

The following table compares our operating revenue by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                  (Dollars in millions)                

Operating revenue:

               

Business markets revenue:

               

Voice services

  $ 366   $ 375   $ (9 )   (2 )%   $ 1,112   $ 1,143   $ (31 )   (3 )%

Data and Internet services

    681     603     78     13 %     1,945     1,770     175     10 %
                                           

Total business markets revenue

    1,047     978     69     7 %     3,057     2,913     144     5 %
                                           

Mass markets revenue:

               

Voice services

    967     1,057     (90 )   (9 )%     2,975     3,214     (239 )   (7 )%

Data, Internet and video services

    341     305     36     12 %     1,013     870     143     16 %

Wireless services

    117     137     (20 )   (15 )%     371     403     (32 )   (8 )%
                                           

Total mass markets revenue

    1,425     1,499     (74 )   (5 )%     4,359     4,487     (128 )   (3 )%
                                           

Wholesale markets revenue:

               

Voice services

    433     490     (57 )   (12 )%     1,351     1,555     (204 )   (13 )%

Data and Internet services

    382     371     11     3 %     1,128     1,107     21     2 %
                                           

Total wholesale markets revenue

    815     861     (46 )   (5 )%     2,479     2,662     (183 )   (7 )%
                                           

Other revenue (primarily USF surcharges)

    92     96     (4 )   (4 )%     265     281     (16 )   (6 )%
                                           

Total operating revenue

  $ 3,379   $ 3,434   $ (55 )   (2 )%   $ 10,160   $ 10,343   $ (183 )   (2 )%
                                           

The following table summarizes our access lines by segment as of September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     As of September 30,  
     2008    2007    Decrease     % Change  
          (in thousands)             

Access lines:

          

Business markets

   2,687    2,817    (130 )   (5 )%

Mass markets

   8,015    8,877    (862 )   (10 )%

Wholesale markets

   1,167    1,338    (171 )   (13 )%
                  

Total access lines

   11,869    13,032    (1,163 )   (9 )%
                  

Business Markets Revenue

Voice services revenue in our business markets segment decreased primarily due to lower local voice services revenue, partially offset by an increase in long-distance services revenue. The decrease in local voice services revenue was driven by access line losses resulting from the competitive pressures described in “Business Trends” above. In addition, increased audio conferencing revenue further offset the decrease in local voice services revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Data and Internet services revenue in our business markets segment increased primarily due to increased volumes in iQ Networking TM , data integration, hosting services and private line. This growth in revenue was partially offset by a decline in volumes in traditional data and Internet services, including VPN, DIA, frame relay and ATM.

 

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Mass Markets Revenue

In addition to the specific items discussed below, we believe declining economic conditions negatively impacted our mass markets segment revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Voice services revenue in our mass markets segment decreased primarily due to lower local voice services revenue as a result of lower volumes driven by access line losses resulting from the competitive pressures described in “Business Trends” above. In addition, long-distance voice services revenue decreased due to lower volumes and rates.

Data, Internet and video services revenue in our mass markets segment increased primarily due to an 11% increase in broadband subscribers and, to a lesser extent, a 30% increase in satellite video subscribers as of September 30, 2008 compared to September 30, 2007. The growth in broadband services revenue resulted from continuing increases in penetration and, to a lesser extent, increased rates as customers upgraded to higher speed services. The increase in data, Internet and video services revenue did not offset the decrease in voice services revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007.

Wireless services revenue in our mass markets segment decreased primarily due to lower handset revenue resulting from fewer handsets sold in 2008 as we transition to our new wireless service provider and adjustments to wireless services revenue for customer acquisitions in 2007. In addition, lower average rates contributed to the decrease in wireless services revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2008. This revenue is entirely generated under our expiring arrangement, which will end in 2009.

Under our new service arrangement, we recognize revenue from services provided on a net basis as described in “Business Trends” above. We record revenue from our new arrangement in voice services revenue.

Wholesale Markets Revenue

Wholesale markets voice services revenue decreased primarily due to a decrease in long-distance services revenue as a result of lower volumes and, to a lesser extent, lower rates. Long-distance services volumes declined primarily due to competitive and economic pressures and industry consolidation. In addition, local voice services revenue decreased due to declining demand for UNEs and access services revenue decreased due to a 7% and 8% decline in volumes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2007.

Data and Internet services revenue in our wholesale markets segment increased primarily due to higher volumes in private line services.

 

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Operating Expenses

The following table provides further detail regarding our total operating expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                  (Dollars in millions)                

Operating expenses:

               

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization):

               

Facility costs

  $ 546   $ 558   $ (12 )   (2 )%   $ 1,647   $ 1,714   $ (67 )   (4 )%

Employee-related costs

    371     345     26     8 %     1,055     1,038     17     2 %

Equipment sales costs

    145     127     18     14 %     401     367     34     9 %

Other

    166     138     28     20 %     446     389     57     15 %
                                           

Total cost of sales

    1,228     1,168     60     5 %     3,549     3,508     41     1 %
                                           

Selling:

               

Employee-related costs

    295     287     8     3 %     878     859     19     2 %

Marketing, advertising and external commissions

    147     148     (1 )   (1 )%     426     424     2     —   %

Other

    129     109     20     18 %     339     318     21     7 %
                                           

Total selling

    571     544     27     5 %     1,643     1,601     42     3 %
                                           

General, administrative and other operating:

               

Employee-related costs

    124     119     5     4 %     357     386     (29 )   (8 )%

Taxes and fees

    155     163     (8 )   (5 )%     441     500     (59 )   (12 )%

Real estate and occupancy costs

    118     113     5     4 %     349     334     15     4 %

Other

    130     529     (399 )   (75 )%     530     936     (406 )   (43 )%
                                           

Total general, administrative and other operating

    527     924     (397 )   (43 )%     1,677     2,156     (479 )   (22 )%
                                           

Depreciation and amortization

    599     619     (20 )   (3 )%     1,753     1,846     (93 )   (5 )%
                                           

Total operating expenses

  $ 2,925   $ 3,255   $ (330 )   (10 )%   $ 8,622   $ 9,111   $ (489 )   (5 )%
                                           

Cost of Sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)

Cost of sales are costs incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These include: facility costs (which are third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers’ networks to provide services to our customers); employee-related costs directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); equipment sales costs (such as data integration, handsets and modem costs); and other cost of sales directly related to our network operations (such as professional fees, materials and supplies and outsourced services).

Facility costs decreased primarily due to lower volumes related to decreases in wholesale markets long-distance services and certain business markets traditional data and Internet services, such as dial-up access, frame relay, DIA and VPN. These decreases were partially offset by increased facility costs related to the growth in business markets iQ Networking TM and long-distance volumes.

Employee-related costs increased primarily due to severance charges of approximately $40 million in each of the first and third quarters of 2008 related to employee reductions in our network operations. These increases were partially offset by lower costs as a result of the first quarter of 2008 employee reductions. As a result of

 

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these employee reductions, we expect total employee-related costs to decrease by approximately 4% to 5% in future periods.

Equipment sales costs increased primarily due to higher costs corresponding to growth in business data integration revenue. This increase was partially offset by fewer handsets sold during the three months ended September 30, 2008 as we transition to our new wireless service arrangement from our expiring arrangement.

Other cost of sales increased primarily due to higher professional fees and other costs for operating and maintaining our network. In addition, we recorded charges for impairment of network assets associated with the transition to our new wireless service arrangement in the third quarter of 2008.

As discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report, during June 2008 floods in the Midwest, particularly Iowa, caused damage to our network. Based on our current assessment, we estimate that cumulative expenditures required for the restoration of our network and physical plant will be approximately $30 million, including repairs and equipment replacement. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we incurred repair expenditures of $6 million and $8 million, respectively, which are included in the $30 million estimate.

Selling Expenses

Selling expenses are costs incurred in selling products and services to our customers. These include: employee-related costs directly attributable to selling products or services (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions and certain benefits); marketing, advertising and external commissions; and other selling costs (such as bad debt expense, professional fees and outsourced services).

Employee-related costs increased primarily due to a severance charge of $8 million in the third quarter of 2008 and higher costs associated with our sales force in our business markets segment. These increases were partially offset by a decline in the amortization of customer acquisition costs associated with the activation of access lines. Certain customer acquisition costs are deferred and amortized over the expected life of the customer relationship and have been declining in amount as a result of access line losses and promotional waivers of activation fees.

Other selling costs increased for the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to an increase in bad debt expense in our business markets segment compared the same period in 2007. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, bad debt expense was flat primarily due to a reduction in bad debt expense in our mass markets segment in the second quarter of 2008, partially offset by the increase in bad debt expense in our business markets segment. In addition, other selling costs increased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 due to higher professional and other costs, including expenses associated with sponsoring the Democratic and Republican National Conventions, which took place in our 14-state region in the third quarter of 2008.

General, Administrative and Other Operating Expenses

General, administrative and other operating expenses are corporate overhead and other operating costs. These include: employee-related costs for administrative functions (such as salaries, wages and certain benefits); taxes and fees (such as property and other taxes and USF charges); real estate and occupancy costs (such as: rents and utilities, including those incurred by our hosting facilities; and fleet costs); and other general, administrative and other operating costs (such as professional fees, outsourced services, litigation related charges and general computer systems support services). These expenses also include our pension and post-retirement benefits costs for all employees and retirees.

Employee-related costs increased for the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to a severance charge of $15 million and an increase in certain health care costs, partially offset by lower pension costs. Employee-related costs decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to lower

 

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pension costs, partially offset by severance charges of $24 million. For additional information on our pension and post-retirement plans, see Note 6—Employee Benefits to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Taxes and fees decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 primarily due to a $40 million favorable property tax settlement recognized in the second quarter of 2008. Excluding this settlement, taxes and fees decreased due to other favorable adjustments for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Real estate and occupancy costs increased primarily due to higher utility rates and usage and higher fuel costs to operate our network fleet.

Other general, administrative and other operating costs decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to the reversal of approximately $33 million of restructuring reserve resulting from favorable early termination of a lease in the third quarter of 2008 and charges of $353 million related to securities and other litigation in the third quarter of 2007.

Operating Expenses by Segment

Expenses for each of our segments include direct expenses incurred by the segment and other expenses assigned to the segment. Direct expenses incurred by the segment include segment specific employee-related costs (except for any severance costs and pension and post-retirement benefits costs), bad debt, equipment sales costs and other non-employee related costs such as customer support, collections, marketing and advertising. Other expenses assigned to the segments include network expenses, facility costs and other costs such as fleet, product management and real estate costs related to hosting and retail centers. Assigned expenses are determined by applying an activity-based costing methodology. We periodically review the methodology used to assign expenses to our segments. Future changes to the methodology will be reflected in the prior period segment data for comparative purposes.

We centrally manage expenses for administrative services (such as finance, computer systems development and support, real estate related to office buildings, legal and human resources), severance costs and pension and post-retirement benefits costs for all employees and retirees; consequently, these expenses are not assigned to our segments. We evaluate depreciation, amortization, impairment charges and interest expense on a total company basis because we do not allocate assets or debt to specific segments. As a result, these items, along with other non-operating income or expenses, are not assigned to any segment. Therefore, the segment results presented below are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations these segments would have achieved had they operated as stand-alone entities during the periods presented.

Business Markets Segment Expenses

The following table provides detail regarding our business markets segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
  %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
  %
Change
 
                (Dollars in millions)              

Business markets segment expenses:

               

Direct segment expenses

  $ 340   $ 261   $ 79   30 %   $ 913   $ 774   $ 139   18 %

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    334     320     14   4 %     998     960     38   4 %
                                       

Total business markets segment expenses

  $ 674   $ 581   $ 93   16 %   $ 1,911   $ 1,734   $ 177   10 %
                                       

 

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Direct segment expenses increased primarily due to higher employee-related costs associated with our sales force, higher data integration costs to support growth in data integration revenue and higher bad debt expense. As described in “Business Trends” above, our business markets segment experienced margin contraction for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same periods in 2007.

Assigned facility, network and other expenses increased primarily due to higher facility costs related to growth in iQ Networking TM and long-distance volumes. This increase was partially offset by decreased volumes for certain business markets traditional data and Internet services, such as dial-up access, frame relay, DIA and VPN.

Mass Markets Segment Expenses

The following table provides detail regarding our mass markets segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                  (Dollars in millions)                

Mass markets segment expenses:

               

Direct segment expenses

  $ 320   $ 363   $ (43 )   (12 )%   $ 991   $ 1,064   $ (73 )   (7 )%

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    432     427     5     1 %     1,253     1,268     (15 )   (1 )%
                                           

Total mass markets segment expenses

  $ 752   $ 790   $ (38 )   (5 )%   $ 2,244   $ 2,332   $ (88 )   (4 )%
                                           

Direct segment expenses decreased primarily due to a decline in the amortization of customer acquisition costs associated with the activation of access lines, lower equipment sales costs due to fewer handsets sold as we transition to our new wireless service arrangement and lower marketing and advertising costs in 2008. A reduction in bad debt expense resulting from lower write-offs and recoveries of previously written-off receivables in the second quarter of 2008 contributed to the decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Assigned facility, network and other expenses increased for the three months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to a charge for impairment of network assets associated with our expiring wireless services arrangement, partially offset by lower repair costs. Facility, network and other expenses decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 primarily due to lower network costs related to employee reductions in our network operations in the first quarter of 2008, partially offset by higher professional fees and other costs for operating and maintaining our network and a charge in the third quarter of 2008 for impairment of network assets associated with our expiring wireless services arrangement.

Wholesale Markets Segment Expenses

The following table provides detail about our wholesale markets segment expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                  (Dollars in millions)                

Wholesale markets segment expenses:

               

Direct segment expenses

  $ 45   $ 48   $ (3 )   (6 )%   $ 136   $ 148   $ (12 )   (8 )%

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    306     322     (16 )   (5 )%     914     999     (85 )   (9 )%
                                           

Total wholesale markets segment expenses

  $ 351   $ 370   $ (19 )   (5 )%   $ 1,050   $ 1,147   $ (97 )   (8 )%
                                           

 

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Direct segment expenses decreased primarily due to lower bad debt expense and professional fees. Lower employee-related costs also contributed to the decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2008.

Assigned facility, network and other expenses decreased primarily due to lower facility costs, largely resulting from the volume decline in long-distance services.

Depreciation and Amortization

The following table provides detail regarding depreciation and amortization expense:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008   2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                  (Dollars in millions)                

Depreciation and amortization:

               

Depreciation

  $ 537   $ 563   $ (26 )   (5 )%   $ 1,582   $ 1,675   $ (93 )   (6 )%

Amortization

    62     56     6     11 %     171     171     —       —   %
                                           

Total depreciation and amortization

  $ 599   $ 619   $ (20 )   (3 )%   $ 1,753   $ 1,846   $ (93 )   (5 )%
                                           

Depreciation expense decreased due to lower capital expenditures and the changing mix of our investment in property, plant and equipment since 2002. If our capital investment program remains approximately the same and we do not significantly shorten our estimates of the useful lives of our assets, we expect that our depreciation expense will continue to decrease.

As a result of decisions in the second quarter of 2008 to discontinue certain product offerings, we changed our estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain assets, which will accelerate the depreciation and amortization of those assets. This change will result in additional depreciation and amortization expense of approximately $40 million for the year ending December 31, 2008.

Other Consolidated Results

The following table provides detail regarding other expense (income)—net and income tax expense:

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
    2008     2007     Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
    2008     2007   Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
                      (Dollars in millions)                  

Other expense (income)—net:

               

Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net

  $ 252     $ 272     $ (20 )   (7 )%   $ 770     $ 828   $ (58 )   (7 )%

Other—net

    (27 )     (9 )     (18 )   200 %     (28 )     —       (28 )   nm  
                                                 

Total other expense (income)—net

  $ 225     $ 263     $ (38 )   (14 )%   $ 742     $ 828   $ (86 )   (10 )%
                                                 

Income tax (expense) benefit

  $ (78 )   $ 2,149     $ (2,227 )   nm     $ (300 )   $ 2,147   $ (2,447 )   nm  

 

nm Percentages greater than 200% and comparisons between positive and negative values or to/from zero values are considered not meaningful.

Other Expense (Income)—Net

Interest expense on long-term borrowings and capital leases—net decreased due to lower total borrowings, resulting primarily from net repayments of $634 million of notes in 2007. In addition, lower interest rates on floating rate debt and interest rate swaps contributed to the decrease in interest expense.

 

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Other—net includes, among other things, interest income, income tax penalties, other interest expense, such as interest on income taxes, and gains or losses related to fair value interest rate hedges. The change in other—net for the three months ended September 30, 2008 compared to the same period in 2007 was primarily due to an interest benefit related to an income tax settlement in the third quarter of 2008, partially offset by a tax penalty resulting from the income tax settlement and lower interest income resulting from lower interest rates in 2008.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, other—net includes an interest benefit related to the income tax settlement and interest income, partially offset by a tax penalty resulting from the income tax settlement and tax interest expense. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, other—net includes interest income, offset by a $22 million loss on early retirement of debt in the second quarter of 2007 and tax interest expense.

Income Taxes

The effective income tax rate is the provision for income taxes as a percentage of income before income taxes. Our effective income tax rate was 34.1% and 37.7% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. Excluding the impact of an income tax settlement executed in the third quarter of 2008, our effective income tax rate would have been 32.0% and 37.3% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively. We reversed $2.174 billion of our valuation allowance in the third quarter of 2007, which resulted in a net income tax benefit of $2.149 billion and $2.147 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2007, respectively. We currently expect that going forward our effective income tax rate will be in the range of 37% to 39%, excluding the impact of any additional changes to our estimated liability for uncertain tax positions.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Near-Term View

Our working capital deficit, or the amount by which our current liabilities exceed our current assets, was $1.211 billion as of September 30, 2008. Despite our working capital deficit, we believe that our cash on hand and our currently undrawn revolving credit facility (referred to as the Credit Facility) described below, along with our cash flows from operations should be sufficient to meet our cash needs through the next twelve months. As discussed further below, this includes: the anticipated payment of quarterly dividends totaling approximately $140 million each quarter, approximately $1.210 billion of debt maturing in the next twelve months and capital expenditures.

Our working capital deficit increased by $575 million from $636 million as of December 31, 2007 due to our capital expenditures, an increase in the current portion of long-term borrowings, repurchases of our common stock, dividends declared, net payments of long-term benefits and payments of long-term deferred rents, partially offset by earnings before depreciation, amortization and income taxes.

We continue to look for opportunities to improve our capital structure by reducing debt and interest expense. We expect that at any time we deem conditions favorable we will attempt to improve our capital structure by accessing debt or other markets in a manner designed to create positive economic value. Due to recent turmoil in the credit markets and the continued decline in the economy, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited or at terms that are acceptable to us.

To the extent that our earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA (as defined in our debt covenants), is reduced by cash judgments, settlements and/or tax payments, our debt to consolidated EBITDA ratios under certain debt agreements will be adversely affected. This could reduce our liquidity and flexibility due to potential restrictions on drawing on our Credit Facility and potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our debt agreements.

On March 27, 2008, in connection with the addition of a new lender to our Credit Facility, we increased the amount available to us under the Credit Facility from $850 million to $910 million. On September 14, 2008, a

 

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potential lender with a $60 million lending commitment under the Credit Facility filed for bankruptcy, and we do not believe that this $60 million will be available to us. The Credit Facility is currently undrawn and expires in October 2010. The Credit Facility contains various limitations, including a restriction on using any proceeds from the facility to pay settlements or judgments relating to securities-related actions discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. Any amounts drawn on the Credit Facility are guaranteed by our wholly owned subsidiary, Qwest Services Corporation, or QSC, and are secured by a senior lien on the stock of QC.

Our business markets, mass markets and wholesale markets segments provide 30%, 43% and 24%, respectively, of our total operating revenue, with the remainder attributable to USF and other services. These segments provide the majority of our consolidated cash flows from operations.

We expect capital expenditures for the full year of 2008 to be approximately $1.8 billion. For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, capital expenditures totaled $1.416 billion. We anticipate that capital expenditures will be approximately $1.8 billion in 2009; however, amounts spent in individual quarters may vary significantly. We do not allocate capital expenditures to our segments.

On October 16, 2008, our Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.08 per share totaling approximately $136 million payable on December 5, 2008 to shareholders of record as of November 14, 2008. It is the expectation of our Board of Directors to pay a quarterly dividend going forward.

On October 4, 2006, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to $2 billion of our common stock. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2008, we repurchased 46 million and 95 million shares, respectively, of our common stock under this program at a weighted average price per share of $3.72 and $4.49, respectively. As of September 30, 2008, we had repurchased a total of $1.807 billion of common stock under this program; thus $193 million remained available for stock repurchases. In light of current credit market conditions, the Board of Directors has extended the timeframe to complete these repurchases, which were originally scheduled to be completed in 2008.

Long-Term View

We have historically operated with a working capital deficit primarily as a result of our significant debt, and it is likely that we will operate with a working capital deficit in the future. We believe that cash provided by operations and our currently undrawn Credit Facility, combined with our current cash position and continued access to capital markets to refinance our debt as it matures, should allow us to meet our cash requirements for the foreseeable future. Due to recent turmoil in the credit markets, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited or at terms that are acceptable to us.

Under the terms of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes due 2025 (referred to as our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes), upon conversion at a time at which the market-based conversion provisions described below are satisfied, we must pay the converting holders cash equal to at least the par value of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes. The $1.265 billion of 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes was classified as a non-current obligation as of September 30, 2008 and December 31, 2007 because specified, market-based conversion provisions were not met as of those dates. These market-based conversion provisions specify that, when our common stock has a closing price above a specified threshold price for 20 or more trading days during certain periods of 30 consecutive trading days, these notes become available for conversion for a period. This threshold price was $6.73 per share as of September 30, 2008, and will be adjusted further for certain events, such as dividend payments. If our common stock maintains a closing price above the applicable threshold price during certain subsequent periods, the notes would again become available for immediate conversion and the outstanding notes would again be classified as a current obligation. In addition, even if the market-based conversion provisions are not met, holders of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes have the option to convert every five years on November 15, beginning in 2010, and receive cash from us equal to the par value of the notes. We believe that if the trading price of our

 

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common stock is below the conversion price on November 15, 2010, the likelihood of holders converting the notes will increase the more the conversion price exceeds the trading price of our common stock. The conversion price was $5.61 per share as of September 30, 2008 and will be adjusted further for certain events, such as dividend payments.

We may periodically need to obtain financing in order to meet our debt obligations as they come due. We may also need to obtain additional financing or investigate other methods to generate cash (such as further cost reductions or the sale of assets) if revenue and cash provided by operations decline, if economic conditions continue to weaken, if competitive pressures increase, if holders of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes elect to convert their notes because market-based conversion provisions are met or in November 2010, if we are required to contribute a material amount of cash to our pension plan or if we become subject to significant judgments or settlements in one or more of the matters discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. In the event of an adverse outcome in one or more of these matters, we could be required to make significant payments that may cause us to draw down significantly on our cash balances. The magnitude of any settlements or judgments resulting from these matters could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to meet our debt obligations, potentially impacting our credit ratings, our ability to access capital markets and our compliance with debt covenants.

The Credit Facility makes available to us $910 million of additional credit subject to certain restrictions as described below and is currently undrawn. However, as noted above, we do not believe that a $60 million portion of the Credit Facility will be available to us. This facility has a cross payment default provision, and this facility and certain other debt issues also have cross acceleration provisions. When present, such provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. These provisions generally provide that a cross default under these debt instruments could occur if:

 

   

we fail to pay any indebtedness when due in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million;

 

   

any indebtedness is accelerated in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million; or

 

   

judicial proceedings are commenced to foreclose on any of our assets that secure indebtedness in an aggregate principal amount greater than $100 million.

Upon such a cross default, the creditors of a material amount of our debt may elect to declare that a default has occurred under their debt instruments and to accelerate the principal amounts due such creditors. Cross acceleration provisions are similar to cross default provisions, but permit a default in a second debt instrument to be declared only if in addition to a default occurring under the first debt instrument, the indebtedness due under the first debt instrument is actually accelerated. In addition, the Credit Facility contains various limitations, including a restriction on using any proceeds from the facility to pay settlements or judgments relating to the securities-related actions discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report.

Historical View

The following table summarizes cash flow activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007:

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30,  
     2008    2007    Increase/
(Decrease)
    %
Change
 
          (Dollars in millions)             

Cash flows:

          

Provided by operating activities

   $ 2,023    $ 2,126    $ (103 )   (5 )%

Used for investing activities

     1,343      1,023      320     31 %

Used for financing activities

     996      1,225      (229 )   (19 )%

 

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Operating Activities

Cash provided by operating activities decreased primarily due to decreased revenue, increased net payments for income taxes related to an income tax settlement, increased payments to vendors related to our data integration products and increased payments for employee benefits, pension and payroll taxes. These decreases were partially offset by lower payments for facility costs, net property and other tax payments and interest expense. In addition, we made shareholder litigation payments of $169 million and $200 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2008 and 2007, respectively.

Investing Activities

Cash used for investing activities increased primarily due to higher capital expenditures to support anticipated growth in our data and Internet services, partially offset by lower proceeds from the sale of and purchases of investment securities.

Financing Activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2008, we paid $420 million in dividends, paid $432 million for purchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase program and repaid $205 million of long-term borrowings. For the nine months ended September 30, 2007, we paid $925 million for purchases of our common stock under our stock repurchase program, repaid $911 million of long-term borrowings and received $500 million of proceeds from long-term borrowings.

We were in compliance with all provisions and covenants of our borrowings as of September 30, 2008.

Letters of Credit

We maintain letter of credit arrangements with various financial institutions for up to $130 million. As of September 30, 2008, we had outstanding letters of credit of approximately $82 million.

Risk Management

We are exposed to market risks arising from changes in interest rates. The objective of our interest rate risk management program is to manage the level and volatility of our interest expense. We currently use derivative financial instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure and we may continue to employ them in the future.

Near-Term Maturities

As of September 30, 2008, we had approximately $1.210 billion of long-term debt obligations maturing in the subsequent 12 months, $250 million of which is also included in “Floating Rate Debt” as described below. Although we do not currently intend to refinance all of this maturing debt as it comes due, we would be exposed to changes in interest rates at any time that we choose to refinance any of this debt. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate on a refinancing of the entire current portion of long-term debt would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $12 million.

Floating-Rate Debt

One objective of our short-term debt strategy is to take advantage of favorable interest rates by effectively converting floating rate debt to fixed rate debt using interest rate swaps. As of September 30, 2008, we had $1.0 billion of floating-rate debt outstanding, of which $500 million was exposed to changes in interest rates. This exposure is linked to the London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR. We entered into interest rate swaps

 

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related to the other $500 million that have the economic effect of converting the floating interest rates to fixed interest rates until March 2010. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR relative to the $500 million of floating-rate debt that is exposed to changes in interest rates would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $5 million.

Fixed-Rate Debt

One objective of our long-term debt strategy is to achieve a more balanced ratio of fixed rate to floating rate debt by effectively converting a portion of our fixed interest rate debt to floating rate debt using interest rate swaps. These transactions increase our exposure to changes in interest rates. As of September 30, 2008, we had approximately $500 million of fixed-rate debt covered by interest rate swaps that have the economic effect of converting the fixed interest rates to floating interest rates until 2017. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR relative to this debt would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $5 million.

Convertible Debt

Under the terms of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes, upon conversion at a time at which the market based conversion provisions described in “Long-Term View” are satisfied, we must pay the converting holders cash equal to at least the par value of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes. As of September 30, 2008, $1.265 billion of these notes were outstanding. While these notes were not convertible as of September 30, 2008 because specified, market-based conversion provisions were not met as of that date, these notes would be available for immediate conversion if those provisions are met during certain subsequent periods. In addition, even if these provisions are not met, holders have the option to convert the notes every five years on November 15, beginning in 2010, and receive cash from us equal to the par value of the notes. We would also be exposed to changes in interest rates at any time that we choose to refinance any portion of this debt. A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate on the refinancing of the entire $1.265 billion would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $13 million. See “Long-Term View” above for more information about the conversion provisions relating to these notes.

Investments

As of September 30, 2008, we had $513 million invested in highly liquid cash-equivalent instruments, $101 million invested in auction rate securities and $32 million in an investment fund. As interest rates change, so will the interest income derived from these instruments. Assuming that these investment balances were to remain constant, a hypothetical decrease of 100 basis points in interest rates would decrease annual pre-tax earnings by approximately $6 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

There were no substantial changes to our off-balance sheet arrangements or contractual commitments in the nine months ended September 30, 2008, when compared to the disclosures provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007.

Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This Form 10-Q contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements about our financial condition, results of operations and business. These statements include, among others:

 

   

statements concerning the benefits that we expect will result from our business activities and certain transactions we have completed, such as increased revenue, decreased expenses and avoided expenses and expenditures; and

 

   

statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts.

 

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These statements may be made expressly in this document or may be incorporated by reference to other documents we have filed or will file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. You can find many of these statements by looking for words such as “may,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “plan,” “believes,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “estimates,” or similar expressions used in this document or in documents incorporated by reference in this document.

These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results to be materially different from any future results expressed or implied by us in those statements. Some of these risks are described in Item 1A of Part II of this report.

These risk factors should be considered in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Given these uncertainties, we caution investors not to unduly rely on our forward-looking statements. We do not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Further, the information about our intentions contained in this document is a statement of our intentions as of the date of this document and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory environment, industry conditions, market conditions and prices, the economy in general and our assumptions as of such date. We may change our intentions, at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in our assumptions or otherwise.

 

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

The information under the heading “Risk Management” in Item 2 of Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management’s control objectives.

Under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we evaluated the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the “Exchange Act”) as of September 30, 2008. On the basis of this review, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are designed, and are effective, to give reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by us in reports that we file under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the rules and forms of the SEC and to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, in a manner that allows timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in the third quarter of 2008 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

 

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PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

 

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The information contained in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report is incorporated herein by reference.

 

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

Risks Affecting Our Business

Increasing competition, including product substitution, continues to cause access line losses, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial performance.

We compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market, and we expect competition to continue to intensify. We are facing greater competition in providing wireline services from cable companies, wireless providers (including ourselves), facilities-based providers using their own networks as well as those leasing parts of our network, and resellers. In addition, regulatory developments over the past several years have generally increased competitive pressures on our business. Due to some of these and other factors, we continue to lose access lines.

We are continually evaluating our responses to these competitive pressures. Some of our more recent responses are product bundling and packaging and our continuing focus on customer service. However, we may not be successful in these efforts. We may not be able to distinguish our service levels from those of our competitors, and we may not be successful in integrating our product offerings, especially products for which we act as a reseller, such as wireless services and satellite video services. If these initiatives are unsuccessful or insufficient and our revenue declines significantly without corresponding cost reductions, this will cause a significant deterioration to our results of operations and financial condition and adversely affect our ability to service debt, pay other obligations, or enhance shareholder returns.

Consolidation among participants in the telecommunications industry may allow our competitors to compete more effectively against us, which could adversely affect our operating results and financial performance.

The telecommunications industry has experienced some consolidation, and several of our competitors have consolidated with other telecommunications providers. This consolidation results in competitors that are larger and better financed and affords our competitors increased resources and greater geographical reach, thereby enabling those competitors to compete more effectively against us. We have begun to experience and expect further increased pressures as a result of this consolidation and in turn have been and may continue to be forced to respond with lower profit margin product offerings and pricing plans in an effort to retain and attract customers. These pressures could adversely affect our operating results and financial performance.

Rapid changes in technology and markets could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels, and any inability to respond to those changes could reduce our market share.

The telecommunications industry is experiencing significant technological changes, and our ability to execute our business plans and compete depends upon our ability to develop and deploy new products and services, such as broadband data, wireless, video and VoIP services. The development and deployment of new products and services could also require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels. If we are not able to develop new products and services to keep pace with technological advances, or if those products and services are not widely accepted by customers, our ability to compete could be adversely affected and our market share could decline. Any inability to keep up with changes in technology and markets could also adversely affect the trading price of our securities.

 

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Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters

Any adverse outcome of the securities-related matters pending against us, including the KPNQwest litigation, could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results, on the trading price of our debt and equity securities and on our ability to access the capital markets.

As described in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report, the securities-related matters, including the KPNQwest matters, present material and significant risks to us. In the aggregate, the plaintiffs in the KPNQwest matters seek billions of dollars in damages. In addition, the outcome of one or more of these matters could have a negative impact on the outcomes of the other matters. We continue to defend against these matters vigorously and are currently unable to provide any estimate as to the timing of their resolution. In addition, the ultimate outcome of the appeal by Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff of the decision approving the Qwest settlement of the consolidated securities action is uncertain and could result in the payment of additional monies by us in connection with indemnification claims by Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff if the proposed settlement of the claims of the putative class against Messrs. Nacchio and Woodruff is not implemented.

We can give no assurance as to the impacts on our financial results or financial condition that may ultimately result from these matters. The ultimate outcomes of these matters are still uncertain, and substantial settlements or judgments in these matters could have a significant impact on us. The magnitude of such settlements or judgments resulting from these matters could materially and adversely affect our financial condition and ability to meet our debt obligations, potentially impacting our credit ratings, our ability to access capital markets and our compliance with debt covenants. In addition, the magnitude of any such settlements or judgments may cause us to draw down significantly on our cash balances, which might force us to obtain additional financing or explore other methods to generate cash. Such methods could include issuing additional securities or selling assets.

Further, there are other material proceedings pending against us as described in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report that, depending on their outcome, may have a material adverse effect on our financial position. Thus, we can give no assurances as to the impacts on our financial results or financial condition as a result of these matters.

We operate in a highly regulated industry and are therefore exposed to restrictions on our manner of doing business and a variety of claims relating to such regulation.

We are subject to significant state and federal regulation. Interstate communications (including international communications that originate or terminate in the U.S.) are regulated by the Federal Communications Commission, or FCC, pursuant to the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, and other laws. Intrastate communications are regulated by state utilities commissions pursuant to state utility laws. Generally, we must obtain and maintain certificates of authority from the FCC and regulatory bodies in most states where we offer regulated services and must obtain prior regulatory approval of rates, terms and conditions for regulated services, where required. We are subject to numerous, and often quite detailed, requirements under federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations. Accordingly, we cannot ensure that we are always in compliance with all these requirements at any single point in time. The agencies responsible for the enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations may initiate inquiries or actions based on customer complaints or on their own initiative.

Regulation of the telecommunications industry is changing rapidly, and the regulatory environment varies substantially from state to state. A number of state legislatures and state utility commissions have adopted reduced or modified forms of regulation for retail services. These changes also generally allow more flexibility for rate changes and for new product introduction, and they enhance our ability to respond to competition. At the same time, some of the changes at both the state and federal level may have the potential effect of reducing some regulatory protections, including having FCC-approved tariffs that include rates, terms and conditions. Despite

 

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these regulatory changes, a substantial portion of our local voice services revenue remains subject to FCC and state utility commission pricing regulation, which could expose us to unanticipated price declines. The FCC is considering changing the rates that carriers can charge each other for originating, carrying and terminating traffic. To meet a court-imposed deadline, the FCC may issue an order in November 2008 changing terminating switched access and reciprocal compensation rates. The FCC is also considering imposing additional obligations for broadband deployment to receive USF funds and reimposing price regulation on some facilities that we lease to other carriers. There can be no assurance that future regulatory, judicial or legislative activities will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, or that regulators or third parties will not raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations.

All of our operations are also subject to a variety of environmental, safety, health and other governmental regulations. We monitor our compliance with federal, state and local regulations governing the discharge and disposal of hazardous and environmentally sensitive materials, including the emission of electromagnetic radiation. Although we believe that we are in compliance with such regulations, any such discharge, disposal or emission might expose us to claims or actions that could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.

Risks Affecting Our Liquidity

Our high debt levels pose risks to our viability and may make us more vulnerable to adverse economic and competitive conditions, as well as other adverse developments.

We continue to carry significant debt. As of September 30, 2008, our consolidated debt was approximately $14.1 billion. Approximately $5.5 billion of our debt obligations comes due over the next three years. This amount includes $1.265 billion of our 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes, which we may elect to redeem, and holders may elect to convert, on November 15, 2010. In addition, holders of these 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes may also elect to convert the principal of their notes into cash during periods when specified, market-based conversion requirements are met. While we currently believe we will have the financial resources to meet our obligations when they come due, we cannot fully anticipate the future condition of our company, the credit markets or the economy generally. We may have unexpected costs and liabilities, and we may have limited access to financing. In addition, we have $193 million of potential stock repurchases remaining under our previously disclosed stock repurchase program, and it is the expectation of our Board of Directors to continue to pay a quarterly dividend. Cash used by us to purchase our common stock or to pay dividends will not be available for other purposes, including the repayment of debt.

We may periodically need to obtain financing in order to meet our debt obligations as they come due. Due to recent turmoil in the credit markets and the continued decline in the economy, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited, at terms that are acceptable to us or at all. We may also need to obtain additional financing or investigate other methods to generate cash (such as further cost reductions or the sale of assets) if revenue and cash provided by operations decline, if economic conditions continue to weaken, if competitive pressures increase, if holders of the 3.50% Convertible Senior Notes elect to convert their notes because market-based conversion provisions are met or on November 15, 2010, if we are required to contribute a material amount of cash to our pension plan or if we become subject to significant judgments or settlements in one or more of the matters discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. We can give no assurance that this additional financing will be available on terms that are acceptable to us or at all. Also, we may be impacted by factors relating to or affecting our liquidity and capital resources due to perception in the market, impacts on our credit ratings or provisions in our financing agreements that may restrict our flexibility under certain conditions.

Our $910 million revolving credit facility (referred to as the Credit Facility), which is currently undrawn, has a cross payment default provision, and the Credit Facility and certain of our other debt issues have cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might

 

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otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Any such event could adversely affect our ability to conduct business or access the capital markets and could adversely impact our credit ratings. In addition, the Credit Facility contains various limitations, including a restriction on using any proceeds from the facility to pay settlements or judgments relating to the securities-related actions discussed in Note 11—Commitments and Contingencies to our condensed consolidated financial statements in Item 1 of Part I of this report. See “Liquidity and Capital Resources—Near-Term View “ in Item 2 of this report for more information about the Credit Facility and our belief that a $60 million portion of the Credit Facility will not be available to us.

Our high debt levels could adversely impact our credit ratings. Additionally, the degree to which we are leveraged may have other important limiting consequences, including the following:

 

   

placing us at a competitive disadvantage as compared with our less leveraged competitors;

 

   

making us more vulnerable to downturns in general economic conditions or in any of our businesses;

 

   

limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industry in which we operate; and

 

   

impairing our ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working capital, capital expenditures or general corporate purposes.

We may be unable to significantly reduce the substantial capital requirements or operating expenses necessary to continue to operate our business, which may in turn affect our operating results.

The industry in which we operate is capital intensive, and we anticipate that our capital requirements will continue to be significant in the coming years. Although we have reduced our operating expenses over the past few years, we may be unable to further significantly reduce these costs, even if revenue in some areas of our business is decreasing. While we believe that our planned level of capital expenditures will meet both our maintenance and our core growth requirements going forward, this may not be the case if circumstances underlying our expectations change.

Adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with our employee benefit plans could negatively impact our stockholders’ equity balance and liquidity.

We maintain a qualified pension plan, a nonqualified pension plan and post-retirement benefit plans. Our condensed consolidated balance sheets indirectly reflect the value of all plan assets and benefit obligations under these plans. The accounting for employee benefit plans is complex, as is the process of calculating the benefit obligations under the plans. Adverse changes in interest rates or market conditions, among other assumptions and factors, could cause a significant increase in our benefit obligations or a significant decrease of the asset values without necessarily impacting our net income in the short term. In addition, our benefit obligations could increase significantly if we need to unfavorably revise the assumptions we used to calculate the obligations. Because the combined value of plan assets and the combined benefit obligations are each approximately 20 times larger than our stockholders’ equity as of December 31, 2007, these adverse changes could have a significant negative impact on our stockholders’ equity. Stockholders’ equity is one of several measures used by certain customers and vendors, among others, to evaluate a company’s financial condition. As such, a significant negative impact on our stockholders’ equity could adversely impact our competitiveness in obtaining favorable purchase arrangements and make it more challenging to compete for certain sales contracts, among other things.

In addition, with respect to our qualified pension plan, adverse changes could require us to contribute a material amount of cash to the plan or could accelerate the timing of any required payments. Based on current actuarial analyses and forecasts, we do not expect to be required to make any contributions before 2010. However, given the significant decline in the capital markets in recent months, we can give no assurances that we will not be required to make any such contributions in or after 2010. Future material contributions, if any, could have a negative impact on our liquidity by reducing our cash flows.

 

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Our debt agreements allow us to incur significantly more debt, which could exacerbate the other risks described in this report.

The terms of our debt instruments permit us to incur additional indebtedness. Additional debt may be necessary for many reasons, including to adequately respond to competition, to comply with regulatory requirements related to our service obligations or for financial reasons alone. Incremental borrowings or borrowings at maturity on terms that impose additional financial risks to our various efforts to improve our financial condition and results of operations could exacerbate the other risks described in this report.

If we pursue and are involved in any business combinations, our financial condition could be adversely affected.

On a regular and ongoing basis, we review and evaluate other businesses and opportunities for business combinations that would be strategically beneficial. As a result, we may be involved in negotiations or discussions that, if they were to result in a transaction, could have a material effect on our financial condition (including short-term or long-term liquidity) or short-term or long-term results of operations.

Should we make an error in judgment when identifying an acquisition candidate, or should we fail to successfully integrate acquired operations, we will likely fail to realize the benefits we intended to derive from the acquisition and may suffer other adverse consequences. Acquisitions involve a number of other risks, including:

 

   

incurrence of substantial transaction costs;

 

   

diversion of management’s attention from operating our existing business;

 

   

charges to earnings in the event of any write-down or write-off of goodwill recorded in connection with acquisitions;

 

   

depletion of our cash resources or incurrence of additional indebtedness to fund acquisitions;

 

   

an adverse impact on our tax position;

 

   

assumption of liabilities of an acquired business (including unforeseen liabilities); and

 

   

imposition of additional regulatory obligations by federal or state regulators.

We can give no assurance that we will be able to successfully complete and integrate strategic acquisitions.

Other Risks Relating to Qwest

If conditions or assumptions differ from the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies, the accuracy of our financial statements and related disclosures could be affected.

The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, which are described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, describe those significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that are considered “critical” because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially impact our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events or assumptions differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policies, these events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

 

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Taxing authorities may determine we owe additional taxes relating to various matters, which could adversely affect our financial results.

As a significant taxpayer, we are subject to frequent and regular audits by the Internal Revenue Service, or IRS, as well as state and local tax authorities. These audits could subject us to tax liabilities if adverse positions are taken by these tax authorities. In June 2006, we received notices of proposed adjustments on several significant issues for the 2002 through 2003 audit cycle, including a proposed adjustment disallowing a loss relating to the sale of our DEX directory publishing business. We have reached a tentative settlement with the IRS on several of these issues, including the DEX sale. These settlements are subject to formal review and approval by the IRS, and there is no assurance that these settlements will ultimately be effected in accordance with our expectations.

In April 2008, we received from the IRS proposed adjustments on several issues for the 2004 and 2005 audit cycle. Based on our evaluation of the IRS’s positions reflected in the proposed adjustments, we have not recorded a material adjustment of our unrecognized tax benefits. However, there can be no assurance that we and the IRS will reach settlements on any of these issues or that, if we do reach settlements, the terms will be favorable to us.

Because prior to 1999 we were a member of affiliated groups filing consolidated U.S. federal income tax returns, we could be severally liable for tax examinations and adjustments not directly applicable to current members of the Qwest affiliated group. Tax sharing agreements have been executed between us and previous affiliates, and we believe the liabilities, if any, arising from adjustments to previously filed returns would be borne by the affiliated group member determined to have a deficiency under the terms and conditions of such agreements and applicable tax law. We have not generally provided for liabilities attributable to former affiliated companies or for claims they have asserted or may assert against us.

We believe that we have adequately provided for tax contingencies. However, our tax audits and examinations may result in tax liabilities that differ materially from those that we have recorded in our condensed consolidated financial statements. Because the ultimate outcomes of all of these matters are uncertain, we can give no assurance as to whether an adverse result from one or more of them will have a material effect on our financial results or our net operating loss carryforwards.

If we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions as they expire from time to time, or if our unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating results could be materially harmed.

In August 2008, we reached tentative agreements with our labor unions, the Communications Workers of America, or CWA, and the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, or IBEW, on new three-year collective bargaining agreements. Each of these agreements needed to be ratified by union members, and in September 2008 CWA members failed to ratify the CWA agreement. In October 2008, we again reached tentative agreements with the CWA and IBEW, this time on new four-year collective bargaining agreements. Each of these agreements must be ratified by union members, and if ratified, will expire on October 6, 2012. Although we believe that our relations with our employees are satisfactory, no assurance can be given that union members will ratify these tentative agreements or that we will otherwise be able to successfully extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements as they expire from time to time. The impact of future negotiations, including changes in wages and benefit levels, could have a material impact on our financial results. Also, if we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements, if disputes with our unions arise, or if our unionized workers engage in a strike or other work stoppage, we could incur higher ongoing labor costs or experience a significant disruption of operations, which could have a material adverse effect on our business.

 

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The trading price of our securities has been and could continue to be volatile.

The capital markets often experience extreme price and volume fluctuations. The overall market and the trading price of our securities may fluctuate greatly. The trading price of our securities may be significantly affected by various factors, including:

 

   

quarterly fluctuations in our operating results;

 

   

changes in investors’ and analysts’ perception of the business risks and conditions of our business;

 

   

broader market fluctuations;

 

   

general economic or political conditions;

 

   

acquisitions and financings including the issuance of substantial number of shares of our common stock as consideration in acquisitions;

 

   

the high concentration of shares owned by a few investors;

 

   

sale of a substantial number of shares held by the existing shareholders in the public market, including shares issued upon exercise of outstanding options or upon the conversion of our convertible notes; and

 

   

general conditions in the telecommunications industry.

 

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

The following table contains information about repurchases of our common stock during the third quarter of 2008:

 

Period

   (a)
Total
Number of
Shares
Purchased(1)
   (b)
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
   (c)
Total Number of
Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
   (d)
Approximate
Dollar Value

of Shares
That May
Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Plans or
Programs(2)

July 2008

   19,329,354    $ 3.69    19,328,817    $ 292,866,720

August 2008

   15,218,634    $ 3.75    15,210,679    $ 235,895,554

September 2008

   11,440,251    $ 3.74    11,428,721    $ 193,126,784
               

Total

   45,988,239       45,968,217   
               

 

(1) In July, August and September 2008, amounts include 537, 7,955 and 11,530 shares of common stock, respectively, delivered to us as payment of withholding taxes due on the vesting of restricted stock issued under our Equity Incentive Plan.
(2) In October 2006, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program for up to $2 billion of our common stock. As of September 30, 2008, we had repurchased a total of $1.807 billion of common stock under this program.

 

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ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits identified in parentheses below are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference. All other exhibits are provided as part of this electronic submission.

 

Exhibit
Number

  

Description

(3.1)    Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4/A, filed September 17, 1999, File No. 333-81149).
(3.2)    Certificate of Amendment of Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(3.3)    Amended and Restated Bylaws of Qwest Communications International Inc., adopted as of July 1, 2002 and amended as of May 25, 2004 and December 14, 2006 (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 18, 2006, File No. 001-15577).
(4.1)    Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1990, by and between Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-03040).
(4.2)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 1991, by and between U S WEST Communications, Inc. and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-03040).
(4.3)    Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (including form of Qwest Communications International Inc.’s 7.50% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 and 7.50% Series B Senior Discount Notes due 2008 as an exhibit thereto) (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 2, 1999, File No. 333-71603).
(4.4)    Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (including form of Qwest Communications International Inc.’s 7.25% Senior Discount Notes due 2008 and 7.25% Series B Senior Discount Notes due 2008 as an exhibit thereto) (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Registration Statement on Form S-4, filed February 2, 1999, File No. 333-71603).
(4.5)    Indenture, dated as of June 29, 1998, by and among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., U S WEST, Inc., and The First National Bank of Chicago (now known as Bank One Trust Company, N. A.), as trustee (incorporated by reference to U S WEST’s Current Report on Form 8-K, dated November 18, 1998, File No. 001-14087).
(4.6)    Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1999, by and between Qwest Corporation and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999, File No. 001-03040).
(4.7)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 30, 2000, by and among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., U S WEST, Inc., Qwest Communications International Inc., and Bank One Trust Company, as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2000, File No. 001-15577).
(4.8)    Officer’s Certificate of Qwest Corporation, dated March 12, 2002 (including forms of 8  7 / 8 % notes due March 15, 2012) (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation’s Form S-4, File No. 333-115119).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

(4.9)    Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, between Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on January 10, 2003, File No. 001-15577).
(4.10)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(4.11)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 26, 2002, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Deutsche Bank Trust Company Americas (formerly known as Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(4.12)    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 4, 2003, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 4, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(4.13)    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of December 4, 2003, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (as successor in interest to Bankers Trust Company), supplementing the Indenture, dated as of November 27, 1998, with Bankers Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001- 15577).
(4.14)    Indenture, dated as of February 5, 2004, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as originally filed on March 11, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(4.15)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2004, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, File No. 001-15577).
(4.16)    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated November 23, 2004, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 23, 2004, File No. 001-03040).
(4.17)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated June 17, 2005, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
(4.18)    Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2005, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

(4.19)    Second Supplemental Indenture, dated June 23, 2005, among Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 23, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
(4.20)    Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2005, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
(4.21)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 8, 2005, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 14, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
(4.22)    First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 16, 2005, by and among Qwest Services Corporation, Qwest Communications International Inc., Qwest Capital Funding, Inc. and J.P. Morgan Trust Company, N.A. as successor to Bank One Trust Company, N.A. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 21, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
(4.23)    Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated August 8, 2006, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 8, 2006, File No. 001-15577).
(4.24)    Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated May 16, 2007, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2007, File No. 001-15577).
(10.1)    Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Proxy Statement for the 2007 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.2)    Forms of option, restricted stock and performance share agreements used under Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on October 24, 2005, Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2006, and Current Report on Form 8-K filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.3)    Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Proxy Statement for the 2003 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.4)    Nonqualified Employee Stock Purchase Plan (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.5)    Deferred Compensation Plan (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.6)    Equity Compensation Plan for Non-Employee Directors (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997, File No. 000-22609).*
(10.7)    Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 16, 2005, File No. 001-15577).*

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

 10.8    Amendment to Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors.*
(10.9)    Qwest Savings & Investment Plan, as amended and restated (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.10)    2008 Qwest Management Bonus Plan Summary (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 14, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.11)    Description of Executive Level Officer Access Only Health Care (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.12)    Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of April 18, 1999, with Anschutz Company and Anschutz Family Investment Company LLC (incorporated by reference to Qwest’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A, filed April 28, 1999, File No. 000-22609).
(10.13)    Registration Rights Agreement, dated May 16, 2007, among Qwest Corporation and the initial purchasers listed therein (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 18, 2007, File No. 001-15577).
(10.14)    Amended Employment Agreement, dated as of August 29, 2007, by and between Edward A. Mueller and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 31, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
 10.15    Amendment to Amended Employment Agreement by and between Edward A. Mueller and Qwest Communications International Inc., dated October 15, 2008.*
(10.16)    Equity Agreement, dated August 10, 2007, by and between Edward A. Mueller and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 13, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.17)    Aircraft Time Sharing Agreement, dated December 13, 2007, by and between Qwest Corporation and Edward A. Mueller (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007, File No. 001-15577).
 10.18    Form of Severance Agreement by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and each of Thomas E. Richards (dated April 4, 2005), Richard N. Baer (dated July 21, 2003), Teresa A. Taylor (dated July 28, 2003), C. Daniel Yost (dated June 28, 2004) and Paula Kruger (dated September 8, 2003).*
(10.19)    Form of Amendment to Severance Agreement, effective January 16, 2006, by and between Qwest Services Corporation and each of Thomas E. Richards, Richard N. Baer, Teresa A. Taylor, C. Daniel Yost and Paula Kruger (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on December 16, 2005, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.20)    Letter, dated July 28, 2008, from Qwest to Thomas E. Richards (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on July 29, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.21)    Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to Richard N. Baer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on August 20, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.22)    Severance Agreement, dated September 12, 2008, by and between Qwest Communications International Inc. and Joseph J. Euteneuer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*

 

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Exhibit
Number

  

Description

(10.23)    Letter, dated September 12, 2008, from Qwest to Joseph J. Euteneuer (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
 10.24    Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to Teresa A. Taylor.*
 10.25    Letter, dated August 19, 2008, from Qwest to C. Daniel Yost.*
(10.26)    Severance Agreement, dated July 28, 2003, by and between Bill Johnston and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.27)    Amendment to Severance Agreement, dated as of April 24, 2006, by and between Bill Johnston and Qwest Services Corporation (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.28)    U S West, Inc. 1999 Stock Option Plan Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement between U S West, Inc. and Bill Johnston (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.29)    Letter, dated March 2, 2007, from Qwest to John W. Richardson (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.30)    Severance Agreement, dated as of April 1, 2007, by and between John W. Richardson and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.31)    Agreement, dated as of March 7, 2007, by and between John W. Richardson and Qwest Communications International Inc. (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on March 7, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.32)    Letter, dated October 17, 2007, from Qwest to Paula Kruger (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 18, 2007, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.33)    Amendment to Severance Agreement by and between Qwest Corporation and Paula Kruger (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on September 12, 2008, File No. 001-15577).*
(10.34)    Private Label PCS Services Agreement between Sprint Spectrum L.P. and Qwest Wireless LLC dated August 3, 2003 (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2004, File No. 1-15577).†
(10.35)    Stipulation of Partial Settlement, dated as of November 21, 2005, by and among Qwest Communications International Inc., the other settling defendants, and the Lead Plaintiffs in In re Qwest Communications International Inc. Securities Litigation on behalf of themselves and each of the class members (incorporated by reference to Qwest Communications International Inc.’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on December 6, 2005, File No. 001-15577).
 12    Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
 31.1    Chief Executive Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 31.2    Chief Financial Officer Certification pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 32    Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 99.1    Quarterly Operating Revenue.
 99.2    Quarterly Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

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(    ) Previously filed.
  * Executive Compensation Plans and Arrangements.
  † Confidential treatment has been granted by the SEC for certain provisions. Omitted material for which confidential treatment has been requested has been filed separately with the SEC.

In accordance with Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of certain of our long-term debt are not filed herewith. Pursuant to this regulation, we hereby agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request.

 

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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.

 

Q WEST C OMMUNICATIONS I NTERNATIONAL I NC .
By:  

/s/ R. William Johnston

 

R. William Johnston

Senior Vice President, Controller and

Chief Accounting Officer

(chief accounting officer and duly authorized officer)

October 29, 2008

 

62

Exhibit 10.8

AMENDMENT FOR FINAL REGULATIONS UNDER CODE SECTION 409A

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

DEFERRED COMPENSATION PLAN

FOR NONEMPLOYEE DIRECTORS

WHEREAS , Qwest Communications International Inc. (the “Company”) has established the Qwest Communications International Inc. Deferred Compensation Plan for Nonemployee Directors, effective as of July 1, 2000, amended and restated effective as of January 1, 2005 (the “Plan”); and

WHEREAS , Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applies to Part A of the Plan; and

WHEREAS , the Company wishes to amend Part A of the Plan in order to comply with final regulations issued under Code Section 409A; and

WHEREAS , Article VIII of the Plan permits the Board of Directors of the Company, or such committee as the Board may designate, to amend the Plan provided that such amendment does not adversely affect the rights of any Participant.

NOW THEREFORE, Part A of the Plan is hereby amended as set forth below:

1. Plan Part A, Paragraph 6.1, Timing and Form of Distribution, shall be deleted in its entirety, and the following inserted in lieu thereof:

6.1 Timing and Form of Distribution. Except as provided otherwise in this Article VI, each of the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant on, or as soon as administratively practicable after, the date on which the Participant ceases to be a Director of the Company provided that the Participant’s cessation as a Director constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A. Each of the Participant’s Accounts shall be distributed to the Participant in the form of a cash lump sum.

2. Except as amended above, each and every provision of the Plan, as it previously may have been amended, shall remain in full force and effect without change or modification.

 

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QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.:
By:    
 

Richard N. Baer

Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Chief Administrative Officer

Date:    

 

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Exhibit 10.15

AMENDMENT TO AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

BY AND BETWEEN

EDWARD A. MUELLER

AND

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

WITNESSETH

WHEREAS , Edward A. Mueller (the “Executive”) and Qwest Communications International Inc., a Delaware corporation (together with Qwest Corporation, the “Company”), entered into an Amended Employment Agreement effective August 29, 2007 (the “Agreement”); and

WHEREAS , Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), applies to certain of the benefits provided under the Agreement; and

WHEREAS , the Executive and the Company wish to amend the Agreement in order to comply with final regulations issued under Code Section 409A; and

WHEREAS , Paragraph 11.2 of the Agreement permits the Agreement to be amended in a writing signed by the Executive in his personal capacity and by the Chairman of the Compensation and Human Resources Committee of the Board of Directors of the Company.

NOW THEREFORE, the Agreement is hereby amended as set forth below:

1. Paragraph 4.4, Termination Without Cause , is hereby amended by adding the following sentence before the last sentence of the paragraph:

However, no such offset shall accelerate or defer any benefit provided under this Agreement in violation of Code Section 409A.

2. Paragraph 4.8, Code Section 409A , is hereby amended by adding the following sentence to the end of the paragraph:

In no event shall any payment or benefit provided under this Agreement that is subject to Code Section 409A and that is triggered upon the Executive’s termination of employment or Date of Termination, regardless of the reason for such termination, be paid unless such termination of employment or Date of Termination constitutes a separation from service within the meaning of Code Section 409A.

 

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3. Paragraph 11.13, Dispute Resolution; Arbitration , is hereby amended by adding the following sentence after the twelfth sentence in the paragraph:

Reimbursement of arbitration or legal fees and expenses under this Paragraph 11.13 shall be subject to the following: (a) such reimbursement shall be available to the Executive for the period during which this Agreement is enforceable; (b) no reimbursement provided during the Executive’s taxable year shall affect reimbursements provided in any other taxable year of the Executive; (c) reimbursement must be made on or before the last day of the Executive’s taxable year following the taxable year in which the expense was incurred; and (d) no reimbursement provided under this Paragraph 11.13 shall be subject to liquidation or exchange for another benefit.

4. Except as amended above, each and every provision of the Agreement, as it previously may have been amended, shall remain in full force and effect without change or modification.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this amendment on the date subscribed below.

 

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.:
By:    
Chairman, Compensation and Human Resources Committee
Date:   _______________, 2008
By:    
  EDWARD A. MUELLER
  Date: _______________, 2008

 

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Exhibit 10.18

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

This Severance Agreement (“Agreement”), which is effective as of [Date] (the “Effective Date”), is by and between [Name] (“Executive”), who is an officer of Qwest Communications International, Inc., a Delaware corporation having its principal executive offices in Denver, Colorado or one of its subsidiaries or affiliates (“Company”) and who is employed by Qwest Services Corporation, a subsidiary of the Company, and Company and any successor thereto:

WHEREAS, the Company wishes to encourage Executive’s continued service and dedication in the performance of Executive’s duties; and

WHEREAS, in order to induce Executive to remain in the employ of the Company, and in consideration for Executive’s continued service to the Company, the Company agrees that Executive shall receive the benefits set forth in this Agreement in the event that Executive’s employment with the Company is terminated in the circumstances described herein.

Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth below, Company and Executive hereby agree as follows:

1. TERM OF EMPLOYMENT; AT-WILL EMPLOYMENT . This Agreement does not contain any promise or representation concerning the duration of Executive’s employment. Executive’s employment is at-will, and may be altered or terminated by either Executive or the Company at any time, with or without cause, and with or without notice. This at-will employment relationship may not be modified unless in a written agreement signed by Executive and either the Chief Executive Officer or the Chief Human Resources Officer.

2 . CHANGE IN CONTROL

a. CHANGE IN CONTROL DEFINED: For purposes of this Agreement, “Change in Control” shall have the definition currently in the Qwest Equity Incentive Plan (“Stock Plan”).

b. STOCK OPTIONS/EQUITY : The Board of Directors may, in its discretion, periodically grant Executive additional stock options or other awards under the Stock Plan. Notwithstanding the terms of any stock option agreement to the contrary, pursuant to the Board of Directors’ resolution effective September 19, 2002, upon a Change in Control, all awards granted to Executive after September 19, 2002 under the Stock Plan shall immediately vest and all stock options shall remain exercisable for the full term of such option.

3. TERMINATION .

a. Termination for Cause . The Company may, in its sole discretion, immediately terminate this Agreement and Executive’s employment for Cause by giving notice to Executive. If Executive’s employment is terminated


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for Cause pursuant to this paragraph 3.a., Executive shall not be entitled to any severance payment or any other post-employment obligation provided under this Agreement. Any one or more of the following events shall, for purposes of this Agreement, constitute Cause:

(1) Commission of an act deemed by the Company in its sole discretion to be an act of dishonesty, fraud, misrepresentation or other act of moral turpitude that would reflect negatively upon Qwest or compromise the effective performance of Executive’s duties;

(2) Unlawful conduct resulting in material injury to Qwest, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion;

(3) Conviction of (or pleading nolo contendere to) a felony or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude;

(4) Continued failure to perform Executive’s duties to the satisfaction of the Chief Executive Officer (other than such failure resulting from Executive’s incapacity due to physical or mental illness) after the Chief Executive Officer delivers written notice to Executive specifically identifying the manner in which Executive has failed to substantially perform his or her duties and Executive has been afforded a reasonable opportunity to substantially perform his or her duties; or

(5) Willful violation of the Qwest Code of Conduct or other Qwest policies resulting in injury to Qwest, as determined by the Company in its sole discretion.

For two years following a Change in Control, a termination for Cause shall require the approval of the Board of Directors.

b. Severance Payments When Termination Not By Executive.

(1) Termination without Cause by Company . The parties agree that the Company may terminate Executive’s employment without Cause. Except under circumstances described in subparagraph 3.b(2) below, if Company terminates Executive’s employment without Cause, and Executive signs a complete waiver and release of claims against Qwest acceptable to Company in the form attached hereto as Attachment A (“Waiver”), then Company shall pay Executive the “Standard Severance Amount” defined below. The Waiver includes, among other terms, a provision requiring Executive to pay back to Qwest any severance received by Executive if after the payments are made it is determined that, while employed by Qwest or any Qwest entity, Executive engaged in conduct constituting Cause. The Waiver does not include a release of Qwest’s obligations, if any, to indemnify Executive under Qwest bylaws or applicable state law. The Standard Severance Amount will


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equal one and one-half times Executive’s highest annual base salary in effect during the 12 months preceding the termination of Executive’s employment. The Standard Severance Amount will be paid over an 18-month period through the Company’s regular management payroll processes. If, at the end of the 18-month period, Executive has not breached or threatened to breach any part of this Agreement, Executive will also receive a lump-sum payment equal to one and one-half times Executive’s highest target annual bonus in effect during the 12 months preceding the termination of Executive’s employment, minus any applicable or legally-required withholdings.

(2) Change in Control Termination . If Company (with the required approval of the Board of Directors) terminates Executive’s employment without Cause within two years following a Change in Control, then, provided Executive signs a Waiver, as described in subparagraph 3.b.(1) above, Company shall pay Executive the Change in Control Severance Amount defined in the following sentence: The Change in Control Severance Amount payable to Executive will equal (a) (i) three times Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the termination of Executive’s employment, or, if greater, Executive’s annual base salary in effect at the time of the Change in Control, plus (ii) three times Executive’s target annual bonus in effect at the time of the termination of Executive’s employment, or, if greater, Executive’s target annual bonus in effect at the time of the Change in Control plus (b) a pro rata bonus payment for the portion of the bonus payment measurement period in which Executive was employed before the termination of Executive’s employment, calculated using individual, business unit and company performance at 100% of target. The Change in Control Severance amount will be paid in a lump sum within 30 days of receiving the signed Waiver.

c. Change in Control Termination for Good Reason . Executive may terminate his or her employment for Good Reason after giving written notice to the Company within sixty (60) days after an event constituting Good Reason, (as defined in subparagraph 3.c.(1) below). If Executive terminates Executive’s employment for Good Reason within two years following a Change in Control, then, provided Executive signs a Waiver (as defined in subparagraph 3.b.(1) above), Company shall pay Executive the Change in Control Severance Amount, as described in subparagraph 3.b.(2) above in a lump sum within 30 days of receiving the signed Waiver.

(1) Termination for Good Reason Following a Change in Control . For purposes of this subparagraph 3.c., Good Reason shall mean:


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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  (A) a reduction of either base salary or Executive’s target annual bonus, where the salary or annual target bonus are measured immediately prior to such reduction, as opposed to at the time of Executive’s execution of this Agreement;

 

  (B) a material reduction of Executive’s responsibilities, where such responsibilities are measured immediately prior to such reduction, as opposed to at the time of Executive’s execution of this Agreement;

 

  (C) Company’s material breach of this Agreement;

 

  (D) Company’s failure to obtain the agreement of any successor to honor the terms of this Agreement; or

 

  (E) A requirement that Executive’s primary work location be moved to a location that is greater than thirty-five straight line miles from Executive’s primary work location immediately prior to the imposition of such requirement.

“Good Reason” shall not include any other circumstances, including but not limited to, Executive’s discharge for Cause, Executive’s resignation or retirement (other than in the circumstances set forth in (A) – (E) above), or any leave of absence.

d. COBRA Coverage . If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to subparagraph 3.b. or 3.c. above, Executive may be eligible for Qwest-subsidized COBRA for a period of 18 months (unless Executive becomes ineligible for or forfeits severance benefits pursuant to the terms of this Agreement) following the Executive’s election of COBRA health care continuation coverage (generally beginning as of the first day of the first month following the month in which Executive is designated as terminated on the Qwest payroll system) on the same basis as for active employees under the group medical plan. This provision shall not extend the period for which any Executive is eligible for COBRA continuation coverage.

4. SPECIAL TAX PROVISION .

a. Anything in this Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event that the Executive receives any amount or benefit (collectively, the “Covered Payments”) (whether pursuant to the terms of this Agreement or any other plan, arrangement or agreement with the Company, any person whose actions result in a change of ownership or effective control covered by Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”) or any person affiliated with the Company or such person) that is or becomes subject to the excise tax imposed by or under Section 4999 of the Code (or any similar tax that may hereafter be imposed) and/or any interest or penalties with respect to such excise tax (such excise tax, together with such interest and penalties, is hereinafter collectively referred to as the


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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“Excise Tax”) by reason of the application of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code, the Company shall pay to the Executive an additional amount (the “Tax Reimbursement Payment”) such that after payment by the Executive of all taxes (including, without limitation, any interest or penalties and any Excise Tax imposed on or attributable to the Tax Reimbursement Payment itself), the Executive retains an amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment equal to the sum of (i) the amount of the Excise Tax imposed upon the Covered Payments, and (ii) without duplication, an amount equal to the product of (A) any deductions disallowed for federal, state or local income tax purposes because of the inclusion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment in Executive’s adjusted gross income, and (B) the highest applicable marginal rate of federal, state or local income taxation, respectively, for the calendar year in which the Tax Reimbursement Payment is made or is to be made. The intent of this paragraph 4 is that after the Executive pays federal, state and local income taxes and any payroll taxes, the Executive will be in the same position as if the Executive were not subject to the Excise Tax under Section 4999 of the Code and did not receive the extra payments pursuant to this paragraph 4, and this paragraph 4 shall be interpreted accordingly.

b. Except as otherwise provided in subparagraph 4(a), for purposes of determining whether any of the Covered Payments will be subject to the Excise Tax and the amount of such Excise Tax, such Covered Payments will be treated as “parachute payments” (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(2) of the Code) and such payments in excess of the Code Section 280(G)(b)(3) “base amount” shall be treated as subject to the Excise Tax, unless, and except to the extent that, the Company’s independent certified public accountants or legal counsel (reasonably acceptable to the Executive) appointed by such public accountants (or, if the public accountants decline such appointment and decline appointing such legal counsel, such independent certified public accountants as promptly mutually agreed on in good faith by the Company and the Executive) (the “Accountant”), deliver a written opinion to the Executive, reasonably satisfactory to the Executive’s legal counsel, that, in the event such reporting position is contested by the Internal Revenue Service, there will be a more likely than not chance of success with respect to a claim that the Covered Payments (in whole or in part) do not constitute “parachute payments,” represent reasonable compensation for services actually rendered (within the meaning of Section 280G(b)(4) of the Code) in excess of the “base amount” allocable to such reasonable compensation, or such “parachute payments” are otherwise not subject to such Excise Tax (with appropriate legal authority, detailed analysis and explanation provided therein by the Accountant); and the value of any Covered Payments which are non-cash benefits or deferred payments or benefits shall be determined by the Accountant in accordance with the principles of Section 280G of the Code.

c. For purposes of determining the amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment, the Executive shall be deemed to pay federal, state and/or local income taxes at the highest applicable marginal rate of income taxation for the calendar year in which the Tax Reimbursement Payment is made or is to be made, and to have otherwise allowable deductions for federal, state and local income tax purposes at least equal to


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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those disallowed due to the including of the Tax Reimbursement Payment in the Executive’s adjusted gross income.

d.    (1)    (A) In the event that prior to the time the Executive has filed any of the Executive’s tax returns for a calendar year in which Covered Payments are made, the Accountant determines, for any reason whatsoever, the correct amount of the Tax Reimbursement Payment to be less than the amount determined at the time the Tax Reimbursement Payment was made, the Executive shall repay to the Company, at the time that the amount of such reduction in the Tax Reimbursement Payment is determined by the Accountant, the portion of the prior Tax Reimbursement Payment attributable to the Excise Tax and federal, state and local income taxes imposed on the portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment being repaid by the Executive, using the assumptions and methodology utilized to calculate the Tax Reimbursement Payment (unless manifestly erroneous), plus interest on the amount of such repayment at the rate provided in Section 1274(b)(2)(B) of the Code.

(B) In the event that the determination set forth in (A) above is made by the Accountant after the filing by the Executive of any of the Executive’s tax returns for a calendar year in which Covered Payments are made, the Executive shall file at the request of the Company an amended tax return in accordance with the Accountant’s determination, but no portion of the Tax Reimbursement Payment shall be required to be refunded to the Company until actual refund or credit of such portion has been made to the Executive, and interest payable to the Company shall not exceed the interest received or credited to the Executive by such tax authority for the period it held such portion (less any tax the Executive must pay on such interest and which the Executive is unable to deduct as a result of payment of the refund).

(C) In the event that the Executive receives a refund pursuant to (B) above and repays such amount to the Company, the Executive shall thereafter file for any refunds or credits that may be due to Executive by reason of the repayments to the Company. The Executive and the Company shall mutually agree upon the course of action, if any, to be pursued (which shall be at the expense of the Company) if the Executive’s claim for such refund or credit is denied.

(2) In the event that the Excise Tax is later determined by the Accountant or the Internal Revenue Service to exceed the amount taken into account hereunder at the time a Tax Reimbursement Payment was made (including by reason of any payment the existence or amount of which could not be determined at the time of the earlier Tax Reimbursement Payment), the Company shall make an additional Tax Reimbursement Payment in respect of


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such excess (plus any interest or penalties payable with respect to such excess) once the amount of such excess is finally determined.

(3) In the event of any controversy with the Internal Revenue Service (or other taxing authority) under this paragraph 4, subject to the second sentence of subparagraph (1)(C) above, Executive shall permit the Company to control issues related to this paragraph 4 (at its expense), provided that such issues do not potentially materially adversely affect the Executive, but the Executive shall control any other issues. In the event the issues are interrelated, the Executive and the Company shall in good faith cooperate so as not to jeopardize resolution of either issue. In the event of any conference with any taxing authority as to the Excise Tax or associated income taxes, the Executive shall permit the representative of the Company to accompany the Executive, and the Executive and his or her representative shall cooperate with the Company and its representative.

(4) With regard to any initial filing for a refund or any other action required pursuant to this paragraph 4 (other than by mutual agreement) or, if not required, agreed to by the Company and the Executive, the Executive shall cooperate fully with the Company, provided that the foregoing shall not apply to actions that are provided herein to be at the Executive’s sole discretion.

e. The Tax Reimbursement Payment, or any portion thereof, payable by the Company shall be paid not later than the fifth day following the determination by the Accountant, and any payment made after such fifth day shall bear interest at the rate provided in Code Section 1274(b)(2)(B) to the extent and for the period after such fifth day that Executive has an obligation to make payment or estimated payment of the Excise Tax. The Company shall use its best efforts to cause the Accountant to deliver promptly the initial determination required hereunder with respect to Covered Payments paid or payable in any calendar year; if the Accountant’s determination is not delivered within ninety (90) days after Covered Payments are paid or distributed, the Company shall pay the Executive the Tax Reimbursement Payment set forth in an opinion from counsel recognized as knowledgeable in the relevant areas selected by Executive, and reasonably acceptable to the Company, within five days after delivery of such opinion. The Company may withhold from the Tax Reimbursement Payment and deposit into applicable taxing authorities such amounts as they are required to withhold by applicable law. To the extent that the Executive is required to pay estimated or other taxes on amounts received by the Executive beyond any withheld amounts, the Executive shall promptly make such payments. The amount of such payment shall be subject to later adjustment in accordance with the determination of the Accountant as provided herein.

f. The Company shall be responsible for (i) all charges of the Accountant, (ii) if subparagraph (e) is applicable, the reasonable charges for the opinion given by the Executive’s legal counsel, and (iii) all reasonable charges in connection with the preparation and filing of any amended tax returns on behalf of the Executive


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required by the Company, required hereunder, or required by applicable law. The Company shall gross-up for tax purposes any income to the Executive arising pursuant to this subparagraph (f) so that the economic effect to the Executive is the same as if the benefits were provided on a non-taxable basis.

The Executive and the Company shall mutually agree on and promulgate further guidelines in accordance with this paragraph 4 to the extent that any are necessary to effect the reversal of excessive or shortfall Tax Reimbursement Payments. The foregoing shall not in any way be inconsistent with subparagraph 4(d)(1)(C).

5. OFFSET . To the extent permitted by law, any severance benefits received under this Agreement may be reduced by the amount(s) of any outstanding monetary debts Executive owes to Qwest. Such debts will be treated as satisfied to the extent of the withheld payments.

It is the express intent of Qwest that the monies received under this Agreement be a set-off against amounts to which you are entitled under any applicable state unemployment statute.

6. NONDISCLOSURE . Executive will not disclose outside of Qwest or to any person within Qwest who does not have a legitimate business need to know, any Confidential Information (as defined below) during Executive’s employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity. Executive will not disclose to anyone or make any use of any Confidential Information of Qwest after Executive’s employment with Qwest ends for any reason, except as required by law after timely notice is given by Executive to Qwest. This agreement not to disclose or use Confidential Information means, among other things, that Executive, for a period of 18 months beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity for any reason, may not take or perform a job whose responsibilities would likely lead Executive to disclose or use Confidential Information. Executive acknowledges and agrees that the assumption and performance of such responsibilities, in that situation, would likely result in the disclosure or use of Confidential Information and would likely result in irreparable injury to Qwest. Moreover, during Executive’s employment with Qwest, Executive shall not disclose or use for the benefit of Qwest, Executive or any other person or entity any confidential or trade secret information belonging to any former employer or other person or entity to which Executive owes a duty of confidence or nondisclosure of such information. If a court determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court shall modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. “Confidential Information” is any oral or written information not generally known outside of Qwest, including without limitation, trade secrets, intellectual property, software and documentation, customer information (including, without limitation, customer lists), company policies, practices and codes of conduct, internal analyses, analyses of competitive products, strategies, merger and acquisition plans, marketing plans, corporate financial information, information related to negotiations with third parties, information protected by Qwest’s privileges (such as the attorney-client


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privilege), internal audit reports, contracts and sales proposals, training materials, employment and personnel records, performance evaluations, and other sensitive information. This agreement does not relieve Executive of any obligations Executive has to Qwest under law. Nothing in this agreement shall limit, restrict, preclude or influence Executive’s testimony in any way or cause Executive not to provide truthful testimony or information in any manner or in response to any inquiry by a governmental official.

7. NONCOMPETE . In light of Executive’s senior level position with Qwest, an international corporation engaged in a highly competitive business environment, for a period of 18 months beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity, regardless of the reason for the termination and regardless of the party bringing about the termination, Executive agrees not to work for, own more than 2% of the common stock of, advise, represent or assist in any other way any person or entity that competes with, or intends to compete with the Company or any other Qwest entity with respect to any product sold or service performed by the Company or any other Qwest entity in any state or country in which the Company or any other Qwest entity sells such products or performs such services. If a court determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court should modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. [ Add for Attorneys : “Notwithstanding the foregoing, if Executive is an attorney, Executive may, subject to the applicable rules of ethics and the nondisclosure provisions herein, perform services solely in his or her capacity as an outside attorney on behalf of any person or entity, even if such person or entity competes with Qwest or sells goods or services similar to those Qwest sells.”]

8. NONSOLICITATION/NO-HIRE . For a period of one year beginning on the effective date of the termination of Executive’s employment with the Company or any other Qwest entity, regardless of the reason for the termination and regardless of the party bringing about the termination, Executive agrees not to induce any employee of Qwest to leave Qwest’s employment. This agreement means, among other things, that Executive may not have any part in hiring anyone who is a Qwest employee, even if Executive is contacted by the Qwest employee first. For these purposes, employees of Qwest shall include all persons who are employed by the Company or any other Qwest entity at the time Executive violates this paragraph 8 or were employed by the Company or any other Qwest entity at any time during the six months preceding such violation. If a court determines that this provision is too broad, Executive and Company agree that the court should modify the provision to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable.

9. REMEDIES FOR VIOLATION OF PARAGRAPHS 6, 7, OR 8 . The Executive agrees that it would be difficult to measure any damages caused to Qwest which might result from any breach by the Executive of the promises set forth in paragraphs 6, 7, and 8, and that in any event money damages would be an inadequate


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remedy for any such breach. Accordingly, subject to paragraph 10, the Executive agrees that if the Executive breaches, or proposes to breach, any portion of this Agreement, Qwest or the Company shall be entitled, in addition to all other remedies that it may have, to an injunction or other appropriate equitable relief to restrain any such breach without showing or proving any actual damage to Qwest.

10. WAIVER OF RIGHT TO JURY . By signing this Agreement, Executive voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently waives any right he or she may have to a jury trial for all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any other claim arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment with or termination from the Company. The Company also hereby voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waives any right it might otherwise have to a jury trial for all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any other claim arising out of or relating to Executive’s employment with or termination from the Company.

11. COOPERATION AND REIMBURSEMENT . Executive agrees, both during Executive’s employment and following the termination of Executive’s employment, to cooperate reasonably with the Company or any other Qwest entity in connection with any dispute, lawsuit, arbitration, or any internal or external investigation involving Qwest or any of their predecessors (a “Proceeding”) with respect to which Qwest believes in good faith that Executive may possess relevant information. In that event, upon reasonable notice and at reasonable times, and for reasonable periods, Executive agrees to make himself or herself available for interviews, witness preparation sessions, and appearances in connection with any Proceeding (including, but not limited to, appearances at depositions, hearings and trials). Recognizing that upon Executive’s separation from Company, participating in interviews or witness preparation sessions may be a burden, Company agrees to reimburse Executive for the time Executive spends involved in interviews and witness preparation sessions requested by Qwest at a rate equal to Executive’s final base salary, computed on an hourly basis (assuming a 40 hour work week), for such time actually spent in such interviews or witness preparation sessions. In addition, Company will reimburse Executive for reasonable expenses Executive incurs in connection with such interviews and witness preparation sessions. Company will not be obligated to reimburse Executive for lost wages, lost opportunities, or other financial consequences of such cooperation, or to make any other payment to Executive other than the payments by Company referred to in the two previous sentences of this paragraph of this Agreement; provided, however, nothing in this paragraph 11 shall impair or limit any rights or entitlement Executive may have to indemnification and director’s and officer’s liability insurance coverage. The parties further agree that Company will not, and will not be obligated to, reimburse Executive for any time spent testifying in any Proceeding (including, but not limited to, appearances at depositions, hearings and trials), although Company will reimburse reasonable expenses for such appearances, as provided above. Nothing in this Agreement shall limit, restrict, preclude, require or influence Executive’s testimony in any Proceeding or cause Executive not to provide truthful testimony or information in any matter or in response to any inquiry by a government


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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official or representative. Company’s obligation to reimburse Executive as described above is conditional upon Executive providing, at all times, information that he objectively, reasonably and in good faith believes to be truthful in connection with any Proceeding.

12. INDEMNIFICATION . Both during Executive’s employment and after the termination of Executive’s employment for any reason, Company, or any subsidiary or successor of Company of which Executive is an officer or member of the board of directors, shall indemnify Executive to the fullest extent required or permitted by its Bylaws and applicable law.

13. SUCCESSORS AND ASSIGNS . This Agreement is intended to bind and inure to the benefit of and be enforceable by Executive, Executive’s assigns, the Company, any other Qwest entity, and their successors and assigns.

14. CHOICE OF LAW . All questions concerning the construction, validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be governed by the internal law, and not the law of conflicts, of the State of Colorado.

15. SEVERABILITY . If one or more terms, provisions or parts of this Agreement are found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, the terms, provisions or parts shall be modified to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. Additionally, all other terms, provisions and parts of this Agreement shall nevertheless remain in full force and effect.

16. COMPLETE AGREEMENT . This Agreement contains the entire understanding of the parties with respect to the matters addressed in this Agreement, and supersedes all prior representations, understandings and agreements of the parties with respect to the matters addressed in this Agreement, including, but not limited to, any and all prior agreements for the payment of severance benefits. The parties acknowledge that no promises or representations have been made to induce Company or Executive to sign this Agreement other than as expressly set forth in this Agreement, and that each party has signed this Agreement as a free and voluntary act. No term or provision of this Agreement may be modified or extinguished, in whole or in part, except by a writing which is dated and signed by both Executive and the Chief Executive Officer of Company and approved by the Board Of Directors.

17. CONSTRUCTION; REPRESENTATION . In any interpretation of this Agreement, any ambiguities shall not be construed against any party on the basis that the party was the drafter. Executive represents that Executive is knowledgeable and sophisticated as to business matters, including the subject matter of this Agreement, that he or she has read this Agreement and that he understands its terms. Executive acknowledges that, prior to assenting to the terms of this Agreement, Executive has been encouraged to, and has been given a reasonable amount of time to review it, to consult with counsel of Executive’s choice, and to negotiate at arm’s-length with the Company as to its contents. Executive and Company agree that the language used in


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

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this Agreement is the language chosen by the parties to express their mutual intent, and that they have entered into this Agreement freely and voluntarily and without pressure or coercion from anyone.

18. CONDITIONAL REPAYMENT OF PAYMENTS AND BENEFITS. If Executive receives benefits under Paragraph 3.b.(1) above, and, within two years following Executive’s termination of employment, Company determines that during Executive’s employment with Qwest, Executive engaged in conduct that would have constituted “Cause” for termination (as defined in 3.a. above), regardless of (i) when during Executive’s employment with Qwest such conduct occurred, (ii) when Qwest knew or learns of such conduct or should have known of such conduct, or (iii) what Qwest now knows or should have known about Executive’s conduct, then Company shall provide to Executive (or, if applicable, Executive’s estate or beneficiary) written notification of such determination, which written notification shall expressly set forth the basis for Company’s determination in reasonable detail. After Company provides this written notification to Executive, it may stop or withhold any payments which have not been made under this Agreement. If Executive disputes that such Cause exists or existed, Executive and his or her counsel shall make a presentation to the Company to request that Company withdraw such determination. If the matter is not settled or resolved after Executive’s presentation to the Company, either party may commence an action in a court of competent jurisdiction, subject to the waiver of any right to jury trial in Paragraph 10 above. In addition, if Executive breaches Executive’s obligations under the Nondisclosure or Noncompete provisions of this Agreement, Company may stop or withhold any payments which have not been made under this Agreement.

If a court finds that Cause exists or existed or that Executive has breached Executive’s obligations under the Nondisclosure (Paragraph 6) or Noncompete (Paragraph 7) provisions of this Agreement, or if Executive does not timely commence an action disputing Company’s Cause determination, Executive shall make prompt repayment to Company of the cash payments provided in Section 3 of this Agreement and other benefits received by Executive pursuant to this Agreement (including, but not limited to, the value of any discounted COBRA coverage). Consistent with applicable law, any repayments shall include an interest factor equal to the applicable federal short term interest rate pursuant to Internal Revenue Code section 1274. Interest shall begin to accrue on the 31st day after Executive (or, if applicable, Executive’s estate or beneficiary) received Company’s written notification of its determination that such Cause exists or existed, and shall continue to accrue until complete repayment is made to Company. If Company notifies Executive (or, if applicable, Executive’s estate or beneficiary) in writing of the determination that Cause for termination exists prior to having made the payment required pursuant to Section 3 of this Agreement, such payment shall not be made unless the Company withdraws its determination, if the arbitrator determines that Cause did not exist, or if the parties agree otherwise.

19. RE-EMPLOYMENT . Executive agrees that if at any time during Executive’s severance period Executive accepts employment with Qwest Communications International, Inc., Qwest Services Corporation, any of their wholly-


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 13 of 18

 

owned subsidiaries or any successor(s) thereto, all severance benefits to which he or she is entitled for the remainder of the severance period shall cease effective the date Executive accepts the position.

20. WAIVER OF BREACH . The waiver by either Company or Executive of a breach of any provision of this Agreement shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any prior or subsequent breach by either party.

21. HEADINGS . The headings contained in this Agreement are for convenience only, do not constitute part of the Agreement and shall not limit, be used to interpret or otherwise affect in any way the provisions of the Agreement.

22. NOTICES . Any notices provided hereunder must be in writing and shall be deemed effective on the earlier of personal delivery (including personal delivery by telecopy or private overnight carrier) or the third day after mailing by first class mail to the recipient at the address indicated below:

 

    To the Company:   

Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer

Qwest Communications International, Inc.

1801 California Street

Denver, CO 80202

    To Executive:    [Name and Address]
    With a copy to:    __________________________

or to such other address or to the attention of such other person as the recipient party shall have specified by prior written notice to the sending party.


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 14 of 18

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties now execute this Agreement, to be effective as of the Effective Date.

 

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.:
By:    
  [Name and Title]
Executive:
By:    
  [Name and Title]


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 15 of 18

 

ATTACHMENT A

WAIVER AND RELEASE AGREEMENT

 

1. Release and Waiver of Claims and Covenant Not to Sue .

As a free and voluntary act, you hereby release and discharge and covenant not to sue, Qwest Communications International Inc., any present or former subsidiary or affiliated Company, any predecessor (including U S WEST and all its affiliates) or successor, and the directors, officers, employees, shareholders and agents of any or all of them, (hereinafter “Qwest”), from any and all debts, obligations, claims, liability, damages, punitive damages, demands, judgments and/or causes of action of any kind whatsoever, including specifically but not exclusively:

 

   

all claims relating to or arising out of your employment with Qwest and/or U S WEST;

 

   

all claims arising out of your Severance Agreement (except for claims arising under this Agreement);

 

   

all claims relating to or arising from any claimed breach of an alleged oral or written employment contract, quasi-contracts, implied contracts, payment for services, wages or salary and/or promissory estoppel;

 

   

any alleged tort claims;

 

   

any claims for libel and/or slander;

 

   

all claims relating to purported employment discrimination or civil rights violations or arising under any federal or state employment statutes including, without limitation, claims under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; claims under the Civil Rights Act of 1991; claims under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as amended; claims under 42 U.S.C. § 1981, § 1981a, § 1983, § 1985, or § 1988; claims under the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993; claims under the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended; claims under the Rehabilitation Act of 1973; claims under the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, as amended; claims under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act; claims under the Colorado Anti-Discrimination Act; and claims under the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended; or any other applicable federal, state or local statute or ordinance, including claims for attorneys’ fees;


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 16 of 18

 

   

any claim for any disability payments under the Qwest Disability Plan or Qwest Pension Plan after your termination date. The reference to the Qwest Disability Plan and Qwest Pension Plan includes any successor or predecessor of such plans such as the former Sickness and Accident Disability Plan or Long Term Disability Plan of any Qwest or U S WEST entity and all benefits thereunder;

 

   

any and all claims which you might have or assert against Qwest (1) by reason of your employment with and/or termination of employment from Qwest and all circumstances related thereto; or (2) by reason of any other matter, cause, or dispute whatsoever between you and Qwest which arose prior to the effective date of this Agreement. This Agreement excludes any claims you may make under (1) the applicable state unemployment compensation laws, (2) applicable workers’ compensation statutes, (3) for indemnification to the extent permitted or required by the bylaws of a Qwest company or applicable state law; and (4) claims which arise after the execution of this Agreement;

 

   

your right to seek individual relief on your own behalf for any charges of discrimination filed with any federal, state or local agency, pending or otherwise, arising from or related to your employment or termination of employment with Qwest.

 

2. Waiver of Right to Jury . By signing this Agreement, you voluntarily, knowingly and intelligently waive any right you may have to a jury trial for all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any other claim arising out of or relating to your employment with or termination from the Company. The Company also hereby voluntarily, knowingly, and intelligently waives any right it might otherwise have to a jury trial for all claims arising out of or relating to this Agreement and any other claim arising out of or relating to your employment with or termination from the Company .

 

3. You agree that the monies and benefits described above are considerations to which you would not otherwise be entitled unless you sign this Agreement, and that these considerations constitute payment in exchange for signing this Agreement.

 

4. If one or more terms, provisions or parts of this Agreement are found by a court or arbitrator to be invalid, illegal, or incapable of being enforced by any rule of law or public policy, the terms, provisions or parts shall be modified to the extent (but not more than is) necessary to make the provision enforceable. You agree that if any portion of this Agreement is found to be unenforceable or prohibited, the remainder of this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect, unless the material terms and intent of this Agreement are materially changed by the fact that a portion of this Agreement is unenforceable or prohibited.


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 17 of 18

 

5. You agree that this Agreement shall not be admissible in any proceeding as evidence of any improper conduct by Qwest against you and Qwest denies that it has taken any improper action against you in violation of any federal, state, or local law or common law principle.

 

6. You acknowledge that no promises or representations have been made to induce you to sign this Agreement other than as expressly set forth herein and that you have signed this Agreement as a free and voluntary act.

 

7. You acknowledge that this release means, in part, that you give up all your rights to damages and/or money based upon any claims against Qwest of age discrimination. You do not waive your rights to make claims for damages and/or money which arise after the date this Agreement is signed. Under the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, you have the right within seven days of the date you sign this Agreement to revoke your waiver of rights to claim damages and/or money. In the event you revoke your agreement to be obligated to the terms of this Agreement, the benefits offered herein shall be null and void, meaning you will receive no involuntary termination benefits under your Severance Agreement. To be effective, your revocation must be in writing and delivered to Executive Vice President and Chief Human Resources Officer, Qwest Communications International, Inc. 1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, within the seven-day period. If by mail, the revocation must be (1) postmarked within the seven-day period, (2) properly addressed, and (3) sent by certified mail, return receipt requested.

 

8. You acknowledge that you (a) have had sufficient opportunity (not less than 45 days) to review this Waiver and Release Agreement, (b) have been encouraged to consult with and have had sufficient opportunity to consult with your attorney and financial advisor before signing this Waiver and Release Agreement, and (c) that you understand and agree to all of the terms of this Waiver and Release Agreement.


SEVERANCE AGREEMENT

Page 18 of 18

 

AGREEMENT

I have read and I understand the terms of the foregoing Waiver and Release, and I hereby agree to all of the terms of the foregoing Agreement.

 

           
(Employee’s Signature)     (Date)

Please return all pages of this signed agreement to:

Executive Compensation

1801 California Street

Suite 4500

Denver, Colorado 80202

Exhibit 10.24

 

August 19, 2008   LOGO

Teresa A. Taylor

1801 California Street

Denver, CO 80202

Dear Teresa:

Giving people the opportunity to develop professionally through new challenges is an investment in our greatest resource – employees. Fostering and developing the talent of employees is critical to the success of the business and to our future. With that, I am pleased to offer you the position of Executive Vice President, Business Markets Group, reporting directly to me, effective August 19, 2008. I am confident of the value you will continue to bring to the business. The key compensation opportunities of your new role are highlighted below.

 

1. Base Salary: Your base salary increases to $500,000 per annum.

 

2. Annual Bonus Plan: You will be eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan. Your target bonus will remain at 100% of your annual base pay.

 

3. Executive Perquisite: You will continue receive an executive perquisite benefit of $35,000 paid to you annually in January.

 

4.

Background Check: As a condition of this internal transfer, you must undergo and pass a background check at this time. Please complete and return the enclosed Request for Information and Consent and Disclosure forms within 5 business days of your receipt of this letter to Jana Venus at 1801 California Street, 23 rd Floor, Denver, CO 80202. You will not be contacted as to the results of the background check unless there is a problem.

 

5. Other: Your executive benefits and the other terms and conditions of your employment shall continue to be governed by your agreement with the company dated July 28, 2003 and amended on December 15, 2005.

Congratulations on this wonderful opportunity, Teresa. I look forward to your continued strong performance and the contribution you will make to the success of Qwest.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Thomas E. Richards

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Exhibit 10.25

 

August 19, 2008   LOGO

Charles Daniel Yost

1801 California Street

Denver, CO 80202

Dear Dan:

Giving people the opportunity to develop professionally through new challenges is an investment in our greatest resource – employees. Fostering and developing the talent of employees is critical to the success of the business and to our future. With that, I am pleased to offer you the position of Executive Vice President, Mass Markets, reporting directly to me, effective August 19, 2008. I am confident of the value you will continue to bring to the business. The key compensation opportunities of your new role are highlighted below.

 

1. Base Salary: Your base salary increases to $500,000 per annum.

 

2. Annual Bonus Plan: You will be eligible to participate in the annual bonus plan. Your target bonus will remain at 100% of your annual base pay.

 

3. Executive Perquisite: You will continue receive an executive perquisite benefit of $35,000 paid to you annually in January.

 

4.

Background Check: As a condition of this internal transfer, you must undergo and pass a background check at this time. Please complete and return the enclosed Request for Information and Consent and Disclosure forms within 5 business days of your receipt of this letter to Jana Venus at 1801 California Street, 23 rd Floor, Denver, CO 80202. You will not be contacted as to the results of the background check unless there is a problem.

 

5. Other: Your executive benefits and the other terms and conditions of your employment shall continue to be governed by your agreement with the company dated June 28, 2004 and amended on December 15, 2005.

Congratulations on this wonderful opportunity, Dan. I look forward to your continued strong performance and the contribution you will make to the success of Qwest.

Sincerely,

LOGO

Thomas E. Richards

Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer

Exhibit 12

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

CALCULATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES

(UNAUDITED)

 

     Nine
Months
Ended
September 30,

2008
    Years Ended December 31,  
       2007     2006     2005     2004     2003  

Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes, discontinued operations and cumulative effect of changes in accounting principles

   $ 796     $ 664     $ 557     $ (760 )   $ (1,706 )   $ (1,832 )

Add: estimated fixed charges

     848       1,209       1,287       1,648       1,678       1,936  

Add: estimated amortization of capitalized interest

     10       12       12       14       13       14  

Less: interest capitalized

     (16 )     (16 )     (14 )     (13 )     (12 )     (19 )
                                                

Total earnings available for fixed charges

   $ 1,638     $ 1,869     $ 1,842     $ 889     $ (27 )   $ 99  
                                                

Estimate of interest factor on rentals

   $ 62     $ 98     $ 104     $ 152     $ 135     $ 160  

Interest expense, including amortization of premiums, discounts and debt issuance costs(1)

     770       1,095       1,169       1,483       1,531       1,757  

Interest capitalized

     16       16       14       13       12       19  
                                                

Total fixed charges

   $ 848     $ 1,209     $ 1,287     $ 1,648     $ 1,678     $ 1,936  
                                                

Ratio of earnings to fixed charges

     1.9       1.5       1.4       nm       nm       nm  

Additional pre-tax income needed for earnings to cover total fixed charges

   $ —       $ —       $ —       $ 759     $ 1,705     $ 1,837  
                                                

 

nm Negative ratios or ratios less than 1.0 are considered not meaningful.

 

(1) Interest expense includes only interest related to long-term borrowings and capital lease obligations.

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

I, Edward A. Mueller, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Qwest Communications International Inc.;

 

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(s) 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(s) 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: October 29, 2008

 

/s/ Edward A. Mueller

Edward A. Mueller

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER

I, Joseph J. Euteneuer, certify that:

 

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Qwest Communications International Inc.;

 

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(s) 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(s) 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: October 29, 2008

 

/s/ Joseph J. Euteneuer

Joseph J. Euteneuer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 32

CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER CERTIFICATION

Each of the undersigned hereby certifies, for the purposes of section 1350 of chapter 63 of title 18 of the United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, in his capacity as an officer of Qwest Communications International Inc. (“Qwest”), that, to his knowledge, the Quarterly Report of Qwest on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2008, fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that the information contained in such report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of Qwest. This written statement is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission as an exhibit to such Form 10-Q. A signed original of this statement has been provided to Qwest and will be retained by Qwest and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

 

Dated: October 29, 2008

   
  By:   /s/ Edward A. Mueller
   

 

Edward A. Mueller

Chairman and Chief Executive Officer

Dated: October 29, 2008

   
  By:   /s/ Joseph J. Euteneuer
   

 

Joseph J. Euteneuer

Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit 99.1

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

QUARTERLY SEGMENT INCOME

(UNAUDITED)

 

    2008     2007     2006  
    Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  
                            (Dollars in millions)                                

Segment revenue:

                     

Business markets:

                     

Voice services

  $ 366     $ 371     $ 375     $ 370     $ 375     $ 383     $ 385     $ 395     $ 406     $ 409     $ 422  

Data and Internet services

    681       644       620       638       603       587       580       594       581       580       584  
                                                                                       

Total business markets

    1,047       1,015       995       1,008       978       970       965       989       987       989       1,006  
                                                                                       

Mass markets:

                     

Voice Services

    967       988       1,020       1,038       1,057       1,074       1,083       1,098       1,113       1,129       1,136  

Data, Internet and video services

    341       339       333       315       305       289       276       251       224       204       190  

Wireless services

    117       125       129       131       137       133       133       135       134       137       133  
                                                                                       

Total mass markets

    1,425       1,452       1,482       1,484       1,499       1,496       1,492       1,484       1,471       1,470       1,459  
                                                                                       

Wholesale markets:

                     

Voice services

    433       453       465       473       490       526       539       554       577       564       577  

Data and Internet services

    382       370       376       373       371       371       365       378       360       338       328  
                                                                                       

Total wholesale markets

    815       823       841       846       861       897       904       932       937       902       905  
                                                                                       

Total segment operating revenue

    3,287       3,290       3,318       3,338       3,338       3,363       3,361       3,405       3,395       3,361       3,370  
                                                                                       

Segment expenses:

                     

Business markets:

                     

Direct segment expenses

    340       291       282       307       261       267       246       248       230       233       246  

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    334       330       334       338       320       316       324       319       318       335       332  
                                                                                       

Total business markets

    674       621       616       645       581       583       570       567       548       568       578  
                                                                                       

Mass markets:

                     

Direct segment expenses

    320       322       349       366       363       349       352       372       371       354       372  

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    432       405       416       422       427       422       419       433       432       413       420  
                                                                                       

Total mass markets

    752       727       765       788       790       771       771       805       803       767       792  
                                                                                       

Wholesale markets:

                     

Direct segment expenses

    45       46       45       20       48       47       53       61       49       39       53  

Assigned facility, network and other expenses

    306       305       303       305       322       329       348       369       353       357       358  
                                                                                       

Total wholesale markets

    351       351       348       325       370       376       401       430       402       396       411  
                                                                                       

Total segment operating expenses

    1,777       1,699       1,729       1,758       1,741       1,730       1,742       1,802       1,753       1,731       1,781  
                                                                                       

Segment income:

                     

Business markets

    373       394       379       363       397       387       395       422       439       421       428  

Mass markets

    673       725       717       696       709       725       721       679       668       703       667  

Wholesale markets

    464       472       493       521       491       521       503       502       535       506       494  
                                                                                       

Total segment income

  $ 1,510     $ 1,591     $ 1,589     $ 1,580     $ 1,597     $ 1,633     $ 1,619     $ 1,603     $ 1,642     $ 1,630     $ 1,589  
                                                                                       

Segment margin:

                     

Business markets

    36 %     39 %     38 %     36 %     41 %     40 %     41 %     43 %     44 %     43 %     43 %

Mass markets

    47 %     50 %     48 %     47 %     47 %     48 %     48 %     46 %     45 %     48 %     46 %

Wholesale markets

    57 %     57 %     59 %     62 %     57 %     58 %     56 %     54 %     57 %     56 %     55 %

Access lines by segment:

                     

Business markets

    2,687       2,721       2,758       2,803       2,817       2,830       2,853       2,878       2,909       2,931       2,969  

Mass markets

    8,015       8,258       8,493       8,694       8,877       9,057       9,265       9,422       9,564       9,728       9,910  

Wholesale markets

    1,167       1,210       1,246       1,292       1,338       1,385       1,433       1,495       1,564       1,624       1,667  
                                                                                       

Total access lines

    11,869       12,189       12,497       12,789       13,032       13,272       13,551       13,795       14,037       14,283       14,546  
                                                                                       

Exhibit 99.2

QWEST COMMUNICATIONS INTERNATIONAL INC.

QUARTERLY STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(UNAUDITED)

 

    2008     2007     2006  
    Q3     Q2     Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2   Q1     Q4     Q3     Q2     Q1  
    (Dollars in millions)  

Operating revenue

  $ 3,379     $ 3,382     $ 3,399     $ 3,435     $ 3,434     $ 3,463   $ 3,446     $ 3,488     $ 3,487     $ 3,472     $ 3,476  

Operating expenses:

                     

Cost of sales (exclusive of depreciation and amortization):

                     

Facility costs

    546       548       553       550       558       567     589       642       597       622       628  

Employee-related costs

    371       311       373       337       345       345     348       347       375       347       347  

Equipment sales costs

    145       137       119       151       127       122     118       136       117       120       137  

Other

    166       148       132       142       138       132     119       133       130       124       119  
                                                                                     

Total cost of sales

    1,228       1,144       1,177       1,180       1,168       1,166     1,174       1,258       1,219       1,213       1,231  
                                                                                     

Selling:

                     

Employee-related costs

    295       291       292       280       287       293     279       292       293       271       273  

Marketing, advertising and external commissions

    147       135       144       156       148       145     131       142       139       134       141  

Other

    129       101       109       101       109       102     107       121       110       95       105  
                                                                                     

Total selling

    571       527       545       537       544       540     517       555       542       500       519  
                                                                                     

General, administrative and other operating:

                     

Employee-related costs

    124       112       121       115       119       121     146       179       179       178       182  

Taxes and fees

    155       123       163       161       163       178     159       124       181       161       184  

Real estate and occupancy cost

    118       114       117       109       113       110     111       112       113       107       112  

Other

    130       220       180       196       529       199     208       180       162       204       203  
                                                                                     

Total general, administrative and other operating

    527       569       581       581       924       608     624       595       635       650       681  
                                                                                     

Depreciation and amortization

    599       578       576       613       619       615     612       695       691       693       691  
                                                                                     

Total operating expenses

    2,925       2,818       2,879       2,911       3,255       2,929     2,927       3,103       3,087       3,056       3,122  
                                                                                     

Other expense (income)—net:

                     

Interest expense—net

    252       257       261       267       272       274     282       284       291       298       296  

Other—net

    (27 )     (4 )     3       (3 )     (9 )     14     (5 )     (84 )     (42 )     (17 )     (28 )
                                                                                     

Total other expense (income)—net

    225       253       264       264       263       288     277       200       249       281       268  
                                                                                     

Income (loss) before income taxes

    229       311       256       260       (84 )     246     242       185       151       135       86  

Income tax (expense) benefit

    (78 )     (123 )     (99 )     106       2,149       —       (2 )     9       43       (18 )     2  
                                                                                     

Net income

  $ 151     $ 188     $ 157     $ 366     $ 2,065     $ 246   $ 240     $ 194     $ 194     $ 117     $ 88