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UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 10-K
[X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000
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. 1-3040
QWEST CORPORATION
(formerly known as U S WEST Communications, Inc.)
A COLORADO CORPORATION 84-0273800
(State or other jurisdiction (I.R.S. Employer
of incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
1801 CALIFORNIA STREET, DENVER, COLORADO 80202
TELEPHONE NUMBER (303) 992-1400
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON
TITLE OF EACH CLASS WHICH REGISTERED
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5.625% Notes Due 2008 New York Stock Exchange
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Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:
NONE
THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY-OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF QWEST COMMUNICATIONS
INTERNATIONAL INC., MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(1)
(a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH REDUCED
DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(2).
INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS. Yes [X] No [ ]
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the
best of the registrant's knowledge in definitive proxy or information statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of the Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K. ***
*** Not applicable in that registrant is a wholly-owned subsidiary.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
ITEM DESCRIPTION PAGE
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PART I
1. Business.................................................... 2
2. Properties.................................................. 5
3. Legal Proceedings........................................... 5
4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders......... 6
PART II
5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related
Stockholder Matters......................................... 6
6. Selected Financial Data..................................... 6
7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations................................... 6
7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
Risk........................................................ 6
8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.... 6
9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
and Financial Disclosure.................................... 6
PART III
10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant.......... 6
11. Executive Compensation...................................... 6
12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management.................................................. 6
13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions.............. 6
PART IV
14. Financial Statement Schedules, Reports on Form 8-K and
Exhibits.................................................... 7
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FORM 10-K
QWEST CORPORATION
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This Form 10-K contains or incorporates by reference "forward-looking
statements," as that term is used in federal securities laws, about Qwest
Corporation ("Qwest" or "us" or "we" or "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 revenues, 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.
These statements may be made expressly in this document or may be
incorporated by reference to other documents we will file with the Securities
and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). You can find many of these statements by
looking for words such as "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," or
similar expressions used in this report or incorporated by reference in this
report.
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.
The most important factors that could prevent us from achieving our stated
goals include, but are not limited to, the following:
- intense competition in the local exchange, intraLATA (Local Access
Transport Area) toll, wireless and data markets;
- changes in demand for our products and services;
- dependence on new product development and acceleration of the deployment
of advanced new services, such as broadband data, wireless and video
services, which could require substantial expenditure of financial and
other resources in excess of contemplated levels;
- rapid and significant changes in technology and markets;
- higher than anticipated employee levels, capital expenditures and
operating expenses;
- adverse changes in the regulatory or legislative environment impacting
the competitive environment and service pricing in the local exchange
market and affecting our business, and delays in the ability to begin
interLATA long-distance services in our 14-state local service area
("local service area"); and
- failure to achieve the projected synergies and financial results expected
to result from the merger of U S WEST, Inc. ("U S WEST"), with and into
Qwest Communications International Inc. ("QCII") on June 30, 2000 (the
"Merger"), and difficulties in combining the operations of QCII and U S
WEST, which could affect our revenues, levels of expenses and operating
results.
Because these statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, actual
results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the
forward-looking statements. We caution you not to place undue reliance on the
statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.
The cautionary statements contained or referred to in this section should
be considered in connection with any subsequent written or oral forward-looking
statements that Qwest or persons acting on our behalf may issue. We do not
undertake any obligation to review or confirm analyst's expectations or
estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements
to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect
the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
GENERAL
We are incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado and have our
principal offices at 1801 California Street, Denver, Colorado 80202, telephone
number (303) 992-1400. We are a wholly-owned subsidiary of Qwest Communications
International Inc., a Delaware corporation ("QCII").
On June 30, 2000, QCII completed its merger (the "Merger") with U S WEST,
Inc. ("U S WEST"). The Merger has been accounted for as a reverse acquisition
under the purchase method of accounting with U S WEST being deemed the
accounting acquirer and QCII the acquired entity.
On June 12, 1998, U S WEST, Inc., our former parent corporation, separated
into two independent companies (the "Separation"). Prior to the Separation, our
former parent corporation conducted its business through two groups: (i) the U S
WEST Communications Group ("Communications Group") which included the
communications businesses of U S WEST, and (ii) the U S WEST Media Group ("Media
Group") which included the multimedia and directories businesses. As part of the
Separation, our former parent contributed to U S WEST the businesses of the
Communications Group and the domestic directories business of the Media Group
known as U S WEST Dex, Inc.
COMPANY OPERATIONS
We provide communications services to more than 25 million residential and
business customers in our 14-state local service area ("local service area").
The local service area includes the states of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa,
Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota,
Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We are organized on the basis of our products and
services and operate in three segments: retail services, wholesale services and
network services. For further financial information on our segments, you should
refer to Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations and Note 10 to the consolidated financial statements on pages F-15
through F-16.
RETAIL SERVICES
The principal types of retail services we offer are: (i) local exchange
telephone services, (ii) long-distance services within local access transport
areas ("LATAs") in the local service area, (iii) wireless services and (iv)
high-speed data and Internet services.
Local Exchange. Local exchange telephone services provide lines from
telephone exchange offices to customers' premises to originate and terminate
telecommunications services within local exchange service territories as defined
by the state public utilities commissions ("PUCs"). These services include basic
local exchange services provided through our regular switched network, dedicated
private line facilities for voice and special services, such as transport of
data, radio, switching services for customers' internal communications through
facilities owned by us, data transport services that include managing and
configuring special service networks and dedicated low and high-capacity public
or private digital networks. Other local exchange revenue is derived from
directory assistance, public telephone service and various custom calling
features such as Caller ID, Call Waiting, Call Return and 3-Way Calling. We also
provide other products and services, such as customer premises equipment and
enhanced services, including voice mail to residents, business customers and
governmental agencies.
IntraLATA Long-Distance. We provide intraLATA long-distance services
within our local service area. These services include intraLATA service beyond
the local calling area, wide area telecommunications service or "800" services
for customers with highly concentrated demand, and special services, such as
transport of data and radio.
Wireless Services. We hold 10 MHz licenses to provide personal
communications services ("PCS") in 53 markets in our local service area. These
licenses, which total approximately 20 million POPs (i.e., potential
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customers or population), were purchased in a Federal Communications Commission
("FCC") auction held in January 1997. In December 1997, we purchased additional
licenses for a majority of the Seattle market, which total an additional 4
million POPs. Using these licenses, we are constructing networks utilizing
digital code division multiple access technology. We launched wireless PCS
services in (i) Denver, Fort Collins, Greeley and Colorado Springs, Colorado;
Portland and Salem, Oregon; and Vancouver, Washington in 1997; (ii) Phoenix and
Tucson, Arizona; Minneapolis, St. Cloud, St. Paul and Rochester, Minnesota; and
Seattle, Olympia and Bremerton, Washington in 1998; (iii) Cheyenne, Wyoming;
Pueblo, Colorado and Salt Lake City, Utah (including the Wasatch front region)
in 1999; and (iv) Eugene, Oregon; Bellingham and Spokane, Washington; Flagstaff,
Prescott and Sedona, Arizona; Boise, Idaho and Butte, Great Falls, Missoula,
Helena and Bozeman, Montana in 2000, covering approximately 16.5 million POPs.
These wireless services, which are being marketed under the "Qwest Wireless"
brand, enable customers to use the same number for their wireless phone as for
their home or business phone. During 2000, we introduced the Voice Browsing
feature that provides business locator services and personalized, up-to-date
news, sports, traffic, airline, stock quotes and weather information to
businesses and consumers. In 1999, we announced a joint venture with Touch
America, Inc., the telecommunications subsidiary of The Montana Power
Corporation, to provide the nation's only one-number digital PCS service to
customers in seven states in the Pacific Northwest and the Upper Midwest. The
joint venture added licenses totaling 2 million POPs. In 2000, this service was
rolled out in several Montana metropolitan markets.
High-Speed Data and Internet Services. We offer high-speed data and
Internet services to customers in our local service area. Through our data
division, we provide high-speed data communications and network services,
including frame relay service, digital subscriber line ("DSL"), transparent LAN
(Local Area Network) service, ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) Cell Relay
Service, network integration solutions and other data-related services to
business customers. In 1997 and 1998, we introduced Qwest Megabit(TM) Services,
a high-speed Internet access service in select markets. In 2000, we launched
this service in 58 additional central offices covering 33 metropolitan service
areas (MSAs).
For the year ended December 31, 2000, revenue from retail services
accounted for approximately 77% of our total revenue.
WHOLESALE SERVICES
We provide sales, marketing and customer care for competitive local
exchange carriers ("CLECs"), interexchange carriers ("IXCs") and wireless
providers in the purchase of wholesale local network services. CLECs are
communications companies, certified by a state PUC, that provide local exchange
service within our local service area. IXCs provide transitional long-distance
services to end users by handling calls that are made from a phone exchange in
one LATA to an exchange in another LATA. We have 27 LATAs within our local
service area. We provide such wholesale local network services by
interconnecting such carriers and providers to our public switched network or
through our dedicated private lines. These carriers can resell our products and
services.
For the year ended December 31, 2000, revenue from wholesale services
accounted for approximately 21% of our total revenue.
NETWORK SERVICES
Our network segment provides access to our telecommunications network,
including our information technologies, primarily to our retail services and
wholesale services segments.
For the year ended December 31, 2000, revenue from network services
accounted for approximately 2% of our total revenue.
COMPETITION
During 2000, we faced a constantly changing competitive environment. The
early part of the year saw significant consolidation in the telecommunications
industry followed later in the year by a number of companies
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experiencing financial difficulties. We expect that rapid restructuring in the
telecommunications industry will continue in the future.
We still face intense competition in almost every area of our business,
primarily from other communications companies. Some of our existing and
potential competitors, particularly in the communications services markets, have
more financial, personnel and marketing resources as well as certain competitive
advantages. As a result of these competitors' efforts, we continue to experience
erosion of our market share in certain markets, as well as pressure on profit
margins, particularly in the intraLATA long-distance market and business portion
of the local service market.
We have taken several steps to combat the impacts of competition on our
operating results. First, we have successfully deployed bundled products and
services offerings to our customers in response to competition in the small
business and residential sectors. This allows us to provide a comprehensive
package at a competitive price. Second, we are committed to significantly
improving the service provided to our customers. Substantial amounts of time,
effort and financial resources have been and will continue to be focused on this
area. Third, we continue to work with the appropriate regulatory bodies to
achieve increased pricing flexibility for our products and services. We have
been successful in gaining price cap regulation in several jurisdictions.
Finally, we remain focused on providing new and improved products and services
in the data and wireless arenas where demand continues to accelerate. Based upon
these factors, we believe we are well positioned to compete with other companies
in providing products and services to current and potential customers.
REGULATION
As a general matter, we are subject to substantial regulation, including
requirements and restrictions arising under the Telecommunications Act (the
"Act") and state utility laws, and the rules and policies of the FCC, state PUCs
and other governmental entities. This regulation, among other matters, currently
prohibits us (with certain exceptions) from providing retail or wholesale
interLATA telecommunications services within our local service area, and governs
the terms and conditions under which we provide services to our customers
(including competing CLECs and IXCs in our local service area).
Interconnection. The FCC is continuing to interpret the obligations of
incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILECs") under the Act to interconnect their
networks with, and make unbundled network elements available to, CLECs. These
decisions establish our obligations in our local service area, and our rights
when we compete outside of our local service area. In addition, the United
States Supreme Court is now considering an appeal from a ruling of the Eighth
Circuit Court of Appeals that the FCC's rules for the pricing of interconnection
and unbundled network elements by ILECs unlawfully preclude ILECs from
recovering their actual costs as required by the Act.
Access Pricing. The FCC has initiated a number of proceedings that
directly affect the rates and charges for access services sold or purchased by
us. It is expected that these proceedings and related implementation of
resulting FCC decisions will continue through 2002.
On May 31, 2000, the FCC adopted the access reform and universal service
plan developed by the Coalition for Affordable Local and Long Distance Service
("CALLS"). The adoption of the CALLS proposal resolved many outstanding issues
before the FCC including: the court remand of the 6.5% productivity factor, the
treatment of implicit universal service support, the treatment of low-volume
long-distance users and the next scheduled price cap review. The CALLS plan has
a five year life and provides for the following: elimination of the residential
presubscribed interexchange carrier charge ("PICC"); increases in subscriber
line charges; reductions in switched access usage rates; the removal of certain
implicit universal service support from access charges and direct recovery from
end users; and commitments from participating IXCs to pass through access charge
reductions to end users. We have opted into the five-year CALLS plan.
Advanced Telecommunications Services. On two separate occasions the FCC
has ruled that advanced services provided by an ILEC are covered by those
provisions of the Act that govern telephone exchange and exchange access
services. We have challenged this finding, contending that advanced services fit
within neither category and are not properly treated as exchange services. This
case is now before the Court of Appeals.
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Long-Term Number Portability Tariffs. In July 1999, the FCC issued an
order on our local number portability ("LNP") tariff that was originally
effective in February 1999. The FCC's order approved a monthly cost recovery
surcharge of $0.43 per access line. We estimate the surcharge will facilitate
the recovery of approximately $407 million of LNP implementation costs over five
years. We have successfully defended our tariffs against AT&T's objections.
EMPLOYEES
As of December 31, 2000, we employed approximately 49,000 employees, of
which, approximately 75% are represented by collective bargaining agreements. We
believe our relations with our employees are good.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
Our properties do not lend themselves to description by character and
location of principal units. At December 31, 2000, the percentage distribution
of total net property, plant and equipment by major category for us was as
follows:
Other network equipment and construction in progress........ 39%
Communications equipment (primarily central office
equipment)................................................ 43%
Land and buildings (principally central offices)............ 11%
General purpose computers and other......................... 7%
At December 31, 2000, substantially all of our central office equipment was
located in buildings owned by us situated on land that we own in fee, while many
garages and administrative and business offices were leased.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
Litigation. Through December 2000, seven purported class action complaints
have been filed in various state courts against Qwest and U S WEST on behalf of
customers in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah and Washington. The complaints allege, among other things, that from 1993
to the present, U S WEST, in violation of alleged statutory and common law
obligations, willfully delayed the provision of local telephone service to the
purported class members. In addition, the complaints allege that U S WEST
misrepresented the date on which such local telephone service was to be provided
to the purported class members. The complaints seek compensatory damages for
purported class members, disgorgement of profits and punitive damages. As of
November 11, 2000, the parties have signed agreements to settle the complaints.
The agreements are subject to a variety of conditions, including court approval.
Various other litigation matters have been filed against us. Management
intends to vigorously defend these outstanding claims.
We have provided for the above matters in our financial statements as of
December 31, 2000. We do not expect any material adverse impacts in excess of
such provision as a result of the ultimate resolution of these matters.
Intellectual Property. We frequently receive offers to take licenses for
patent and other intellectual rights, including rights held by competitors in
the telecommunications industry, in exchange for royalties or other substantial
consideration. We also regularly receive allegations that our products or
services infringe upon various intellectual property rights, together with
demands that we discontinue the alleged infringement. We normally investigate
such offers and allegations and respond appropriately, including defending
ourselves vigorously when appropriate. There can be no assurance that, if one or
more of these allegations proved to have merit and involved significant rights
or royalties, it would not have a material adverse effect on us.
Regulatory Matters. We have pending regulatory actions in local regulatory
jurisdictions which call for price decreases, refunds or both. These actions are
generally routine and incidental to our business.
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From time to time we receive complaints and become subject to
investigations regarding tariffs and other matters. We may receive complaints or
become subject to investigations in the future. Such complaints or
investigations could result in the imposition of certain fines and other
penalties.
ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.
Not applicable.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
OF OPERATIONS.
We have omitted certain information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
For "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations," please refer to the information set forth on pages 10 through 17.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK.
See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operation -- Risk Management." Please refer to the information set
forth on page 16.
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
Please refer to the information set forth on pages F-1 through F-16.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.
Not applicable.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT.
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I(2).
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PART IV
ITEM 14. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, REPORTS ON FORM 8-K AND EXHIBITS.
(a) Documents filed as part of this report
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(1) Report of Independent Public Accountants............ F-1
(2) Financial Statements covered by Report of
Independent Public Accountants:
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the years
ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998............ F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2000
and 1999.......................................... F-3
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the years
ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and 1998............ F-4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity for
the years ended December 31, 2000, 1999 and
1998.............................................. F-5
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.......... F-6 - F-16
Financial statement schedules other than those listed above have been omitted
because the required information is contained in the consolidated financial
statements and notes thereto or because such schedules are not required or
applicable.
(b) Reports on Form 8-K:
We did not file any reports on Form 8-K during the fourth quarter of
2000.
(c) Exhibits:
Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the United States
Securities and Exchange Commission, are incorporated herein by reference as
exhibits hereto. All other exhibits are provided as part of this electronic
submission.
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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(2.1) -- Reorganization and Divestiture Agreement, dated as of
November 1, 1983, between American Telephone and
Telegraph Company, U S WEST Inc., and certain of their
affiliated companies, including The Mountain States
Telephone and Telegraph Company, Northwestern Bell
Telephone Company, Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone
Company and NewVector Communications, Inc. (Exhibit 10a
to Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1983, File
No. 1-3040).
(2.2) -- Articles of Merger including the Plan of Merger between
The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company
(renamed U S WEST Communications, Inc.) and Northwestern
Bell Telephone Company. (Incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 2a to Form SE filed on January 8,
1991, File No. 1-3040.)
(2.3) -- Articles of Merger including the Plan of Merger between
The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company
(renamed U S WEST Communications, Inc.) and Pacific
Northwest Bell Telephone Company. (Incorporated herein by
this reference to Exhibit 2b to Form SE filed on January
8, 1991, File No. 1-3040.)
(3.1) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
(Incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 3a to
Form 10-K filed on April 13, 1998, File No. 1-3040.)
(3.2) -- Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended. (Incorporated
herein by this reference to Exhibit 3b to Form 10-K filed
on April 13, 1998, File No. 1-3040.)
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EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
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(4.1) -- No instrument which defines the rights of holders of long
and intermediate term debt of the Registrant is filed
herewith pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item
601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this regulation, the
Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such
instrument to the SEC upon request.
(4.2) -- Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1999, by and between U
S WEST Communications, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company,
NA, as Trustee (Exhibit 4b to Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 1999, File No. 1-3040).
(10.1) -- Form of Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Telephone
Exchanges, dated as of June 16, 1999, between Citizens
Utilities Company and U S WEST Communications, Inc.
(Exhibit 99-B to Form 8-K dated June 16, 1999, File No.
1-3040).
(10.2) -- 364-Day $800 million Credit Agreement, dated as of May
19, 1999, with the banks listed therein and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as administrative
agent (Exhibit 10-J to Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 1999, File No. 1-3040).
(10.3) -- Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 11,
1999, to the 364-Day $800 million Credit Agreement, dated
as of May 19, 1999, among the Company, U S WEST, Inc.,
the banks listed therein and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as administrative agent (Exhibit
10-K to Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1999,
File No. 1-3040).
(10.4) -- 364-Day $4.0 billion Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5,
2000, among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., the Company
and U S WEST, Inc., the banks listed therein, and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as administrative
agent (Exhibit 10-L to Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2000, File No. 1-3040).
(10.5) -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2000, among U S
WEST Communications, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Banc of America Securities LLC, and
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Representatives of the
Initial Purchasers listed therein (Exhibit 1.A to Form
S-4 filed October 11, 2000).
(10.6) -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2000,
among U S WEST Communications, Inc. and the Initial
Purchasers listed therein (Exhibit 4.A to Form S-4 filed
October 11, 2000).
12 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
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( ) Previously filed.
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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on
its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Denver,
State of Colorado, on March 30, 2001.
Qwest Corporation
By: /s/ MARK A. SCHUMACHER
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Mark A. Schumacher
Vice President and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
registrant and in capacities and on the date indicated.
SIGNATURE TITLES DATE
--------- ------ ----
/s/ JAMES A. SMITH President March 30, 2001
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James A. Smith
/s/ MARK A. SCHUMACHER Vice President and Controller March 30, 2001
- ----------------------------------------------------- (Principal Accounting
Mark A. Schumacher Officer)
/s/ JAMES A. SMITH Director, President March 30, 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------
James A. Smith
/s/ AUGUSTINE M. CRUCIOTTI Director March 30, 2001
- -----------------------------------------------------
Augustine M. Cruciotti
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QWEST CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Special Note: Certain statements set forth below under this caption
constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Reform Act.
See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements" on page 1 for additional
factors relating to such statements.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
2000 Compared with 1999
Several non-recurring items impacted net income in 2000. Results of
operations for the two years excluding the effects of such items are as follows:
2000 1999 INCREASE (DECREASE)
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(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Net income....................................... $1,196 $1,562 $(366) (23.4)%
Non-recurring items.............................. 804 -- 804 --
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Adjusted net income.............................. $2,000 $1,562 $ 438 28.0%
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Non-recurring items in 2000 include:
- an after-tax charge of $787 million for charges associated with the
merger (the "Merger") between Qwest Communications International Inc.
("QCII") and U S WEST, Inc. ("U S WEST") and
- an after-tax charge of $17 million for the net loss on the sale of fixed
assets.
Adjusted net income increased $438 million or 28% over 1999. The increase
was primarily due to revenue growth associated with increased demand for
services, improvements to our employee benefit costs such as pension and
post-retirement and cost savings associated with synergies generated by the
Merger. Partially offsetting these items were higher operating costs driven by
growth initiatives and higher depreciation and property taxes associated with
our continued investment in our network facilities.
10
13
The following sections provide a more detailed discussion of the changes in
revenues and expenses.
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
---------------
2000 1999 INCREASE (DECREASE)
------ ------ ---------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Revenues:
Commercial services.................................... $5,152 $4,472 $ 680 15.2%
Consumer and small business services................... 5,864 5,506 358 6.5
Switched access services............................... 1,284 1,486 (202) (13.6)
------ ------ ------ -----
Total revenues................................. 12,300 11,464 836 7.3
------ ------ ------ -----
Operating expenses:
Employee-related expenses.............................. 3,257 3,696 (439) (11.9)
Other operating expenses............................... 2,839 2,515 324 12.9
Depreciation and amortization.......................... 2,427 2,293 134 5.8
Merger-related and other charges....................... 1,285 -- 1,285 --
------ ------ ------ -----
Total operating expenses....................... 9,808 8,504 1,304 15.3
------ ------ ------ -----
Operating income......................................... 2,492 2,960 (468) (15.8)
------ ------ ------ -----
Other expense -- net:
Interest expense -- net................................ 548 403 145 36.0
Other expense -- net................................... 40 37 3 8.1
------ ------ ------ -----
Total other expense -- net..................... 588 440 148 33.6
------ ------ ------ -----
Income before income taxes............................... 1,904 2,520 (616) (24.4)
Provision for income taxes............................... 708 958 (250) (26.1)
------ ------ ------ -----
Net income............................................... $1,196 $1,562 $ (366) (23.4)%
====== ====== ====== =====
REVENUES
Our revenues are generated from a variety of services and products.
Commercial, consumer and small business revenues are derived from retail and
wholesale services such as basic monthly service fees, fees for calling services
such as voice messaging and caller identification, wireless services, subscriber
line charges, MegaBit(TM) data services, local number portability ("LNP")
charges, public phone revenues, interconnection, intraLATA (local access
transport area) long-distance services, paging, and installation and connection
charges. State Public Utility Commissions ("PUCs") regulate most of these
service rates. Also included in commercial, consumer and small business services
revenues are special access and private line revenues from end-users buying
dedicated local exchange capacity to support their private networks, billing and
collection services for interexchange carriers ("IXCs") and sales of customer
premise equipment. Switched access services revenues are derived primarily from
charging IXCs for the use of our local network to connect customers to their
long-distance networks.
Total revenues for 2000 grew by 7.3%, as compared to 1999, due to increases
in commercial revenue driven primarily by sales of data products and services
including Internet access, frame relay and private line facilities. We expect
the data services business to become a greater portion of our overall revenues
in the future. Also contributing to the increase was residential wireless and
digital subscriber line ("DSL") growth. Wireless revenues grew by 110% in 2000
over 1999 and DSL revenues grew over 150% during the same period, primarily due
to an increase in customers.
Local voice revenues grew despite the fact that access line growth slowed
to approximately 2% year-over-year. Total access lines increased by 341,000 in
2000 with business lines comprising the majority of the change. The decline in
access line growth was partially attributable to businesses converting single
access lines to a lower number of high-speed, high-capacity lines allowing for
transport of data at higher rates of speed. On a voice-grade equivalent basis,
our business access lines grew by 30.5% as compared to 1999.
11
14
Partially offsetting the increase in total revenues was the decline in
switched access revenue, primarily due to rate reductions mandated by the FCC as
part of access reform, as well as rate reductions mandated by state PUCs.
IntraLATA long-distance service voice revenues also declined due to price cuts
caused by regulatory rate reductions and greater competition. We believe we will
continue to experience further declines in intraLATA long-distance revenues as
competition increases. We are responding to competition through competitive
pricing of intraLATA long-distance services and increased promotional efforts to
retain customers.
To compete more effectively and provide better value, we continue to sell
bundled products and services at prices lower than they could be sold
individually in exchange for longer-term customer commitments and higher overall
per customer revenue. As a result, we have added 730,000 subscribers to our
CustomChoice(SM) package (which includes a home phone line and the choice of 20
calling features) in 2000, with total subscribers exceeding 2,000,000 as of
year-end. Total subscribers to our other significant bundled offering, Total
Package(SM) (bundled wireless, wireline and Internet services package), exceeded
121,000 at December 31, 2000.
During 1999 and 2000, we committed to sell approximately 800,000 access
lines within the 14-state local service area ("local service area"). In 1999,
definitive sales agreements were reached for the sale of 570,000 lines for
approximately $1.8 billion in cash, subject to adjustment. In 2000, the sales of
20,000 access lines in North Dakota and South Dakota were consummated resulting
in proceeds of $19 million and gains of $11 million. The transfer of ownership
of the remaining access lines, which will occur on a state-by-state basis, is
expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2002. The pending sales are
subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. In
addition, on February 26, 2001, we announced that we do not have plans to sell a
significant number of additional access lines at the present time. Sales of
these rural access lines will exert downward pressure on revenue growth as these
sales are finalized.
EXPENSES
Employee-related expenses. Employee-related expenses include salaries and
wages, benefits, payroll taxes and contract labor.
Employee-related expenses decreased by $439 million or 11.9% in 2000 as
compared to 1999. The principal reason for the decline was an improvement in our
employee benefit costs such as pension and other post-retirement benefits. The
change was primarily the result of favorable returns on plan assets. We also
experienced cost savings as a result of synergies generated by the Merger as we
were able to eliminate duplicate work functions. In addition, employee-related
expenses decreased as the result of an increase in capitalized salaries and
wages associated with higher capital investment.
Partially offsetting the decrease in expense was an increase in employee
levels related to our growth businesses such as data and wireless communications
as well as our commitment towards improving customer service.
On January 5, 2001, we announced an agreement with our major unions, the
Communications Workers of America and the International Brotherhood of
Electrical Workers, to extend the existing union contracts for another two
years, through August of 2003. The extensions include a 3.5% wage increase in
2001, a 5% wage increase in 2002, a 6% pension increase in 2002, and a 10%
pension increase in 2003. Excluding anticipated future cost synergies, these
scheduled changes will increase employee-related expenses in future years.
Other operating expenses. Other operating expenses include access charges
paid to carriers for the routing of local and long-distance traffic to their
facilities, interconnection costs, taxes other than income taxes and other
selling, general and administrative costs.
The increase in other operating expenses of $324 million or 12.9% over 1999
was primarily the result of increased costs associated with the higher sales of
our data and wireless products and services. We also experienced an increase in
our bad debt expense as the result of growing revenues. Finally, our property
taxes grew in 2000 as a result of our continued investment in our network
facilities.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation expense increased 5.8%
as compared to 1999 primarily due to higher overall property, plant and
equipment resulting from continued investment in our network
12
15
to meet service demands. In addition, we continued to invest in growth areas
such as data and wireless services as well as to improve customer service
levels.
Merger-related and other charges. We incurred Merger-related and other
charges totaling $1.285 billion. A breakdown of these costs is as follows:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2000
---------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Contractual settlements and terminations............ $ 578
Merger bonuses and severance costs.................. 202
Write-off of access lines........................... 221
Termination of software development projects........ 114
Post-retirement benefit plan curtailment gain....... (45)
Other Merger-related costs and charges.............. 215
------
Total Merger-related and other charges.... $1,285
======
Contractual settlements and termination losses of $578 million represents
the costs incurred to cancel various commitments no longer deemed necessary as a
result of the Merger and to settle various claims related to the Merger.
In connection with the Merger, management identified a workforce reduction
of 2,323 employees primarily to eliminate duplicate functions. These employees
were terminated prior to December 31, 2000. A severance charge of $143 million
relates to employees involuntarily separated during fiscal 2000. Merger bonuses
of $59 million represents bonus payments triggered by the successful completion
of the Merger.
We lease dedicated special-purpose access lines to competitive local
exchange carriers ("CLECs"). Given current industry conditions and regulatory
changes affecting CLECs, we evaluated those leased assets for impairment. We
concluded that the fair value of those assets was minimal and took a $221
million charge. Our wholesale services segment operates the assets.
Following the Merger, management reviewed all internal software projects in
process, and determined that certain projects should no longer be pursued.
Because the projects were incomplete and abandoned, the fair value of such
incomplete software was determined to be zero and $114 million of capitalized
software costs were written-off. The abandoned projects included a significant
billing system replacement and a customer database system.
Other costs of $215 million include legal charges related to the Merger,
professional fees, re-branding costs, relocation costs and other costs related
to the integration of the two companies.
Offsetting the Merger-related costs was a $45 million post-retirement
benefit plan curtailment gain. This gain resulted from the post-Merger
termination of retiree medical benefits for all former U S WEST employees who
did not have 20 years of service by December 31, 2000 or would not be service
pension eligible by December 31, 2003.
Other expense -- net. Interest expense was $548 million in 2000 and $403
million in 1999. The increase was due to higher average debt balances to fund
growth initiatives.
Also included in other expense-net were two items. The first, various other
expenses, declined from $37 million in 1999 to $12 million in 2000 primarily due
to a reduction in the amount of regulatory interest expense. The second item was
a loss on the sale of fixed assets in 2000 of $39 million, offset by a gain of
$11 million on the sale of access lines. There were no such losses in 1999.
Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate decreased to 37.2% for
2000 from 38.0% for 1999. The decrease was primarily attributable to an increase
in non-taxable income for state income tax purposes in higher rate states and a
decrease in earnings before income taxes.
13
16
Net income. Net income for 2000 decreased by $366 million when compared to
1999. The decline was caused principally by Merger-related charges of $1.285
billion.
1999 Compared with 1998
Two non-recurring items impacted net income in 1998. Results of operations
for the two years, excluding the effects of these items, are as follows:
1999 1998 INCREASE (DECREASE)
------ ------ -------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Net income........................................ $1,562 $1,335 $227 17.0%
Non-recurring items............................... -- 89 (89) (100.0)
------ ------ ---- ------
Adjusted net income............................... $1,562 $1,424 $138 9.7%
====== ====== ==== ======
Non-recurring items in 1998 include:
- an after-tax charge of $68 million for costs associated with the June 12,
1998 separation of U S WEST, Inc., our former parent corporation, into
two independent companies (the "Separation") and
- an after-tax charge of $21 million related to the impairment of certain
long-lived assets associated with our video operations.
Adjusted net income increased $138 million or 9.7% in 1999. The increase
was primarily due to revenue growth associated with increased demand for
services. Partially offsetting the revenue increases were higher operating costs
driven by growth initiatives (data and wireless services) and interconnection
activities.
The following sections provide a more detailed discussion of the changes in
revenues and expenses.
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
-----------------
1999 1998 INCREASE (DECREASE)
------- ------- -------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Revenues:
Commercial services........................... $ 4,472 $ 4,184 $ 288 6.9%
Consumer and small business services.......... 5,506 5,146 360 7.0
Switched access services...................... 1,486 1,541 (55) (3.6)
------- ------- ----- -----
Total revenues........................ 11,464 10,871 593 5.5
------- ------- ----- -----
Operating expenses:
Employee-related expenses..................... 3,696 3,430 266 7.8
Other operating expenses...................... 2,515 2,685 (170) (6.3)
Depreciation and amortization................. 2,293 2,138 155 7.2
------- ------- ----- -----
Total operating expenses.............. 8,504 8,253 251 3.0
------- ------- ----- -----
Operating income................................ 2,960 2,618 342 13.1
------- ------- ----- -----
Other expense -- net:
Interest expense -- net....................... 403 386 17 4.4
Other expense -- net.......................... 37 82 (45) (54.9)
------- ------- ----- -----
Total other expense -- net............ 440 468 (28) (6.0)
------- ------- ----- -----
Income before income taxes...................... 2,520 2,150 370 17.2
Provision for income taxes...................... 958 815 143 17.5
------- ------- ----- -----
Net income...................................... $ 1,562 $ 1,335 $ 227 17.0%
======= ======= ===== =====
14
17
REVENUES
Commercial, consumer and small business services revenues increased
primarily due to greater sales of wireless and calling services of $142 million
and $119 million, respectively. Additionally, access line growth contributed to
the rise in revenues. Second line additions by residential and small business
customers contributed to access line growth due to continuing demand for
Internet access and data transport capabilities. As of the end of 1999, we had
added 408,000 access lines, an increase of 2.5% over the end of 1998. Of this
increase, residential second line installations accounted for 187,000 lines, an
increase of 11.8% compared with 1998. Also contributing to the revenue growth
were greater revenues from inside wire maintenance plans, LNP charges,
interconnection revenues, subscriber line charges, billing and collection
services and increases in the subscriber base of our Megabit(TM) data services,
collectively contributing almost $298 million. Partially offsetting these
increases was a decrease in intraLATA long-distance services revenues for 1999
primarily attributable to greater competition, strategic price reductions and
the expansion in the number and size of extended service areas. As of December
31, 1999, customers in our local service area were able to choose an alternative
provider for intraLATA calls without dialing a special access code when placing
a call. Also reducing commercial, consumer and small business services revenues
were net regulatory rate adjustments and refunds of $56 million for 1999, over
the comparable 1998 period.
While commercial, consumer and small business services revenues increased
in 1999, our growth rate declined from 1998. The decline in the growth rate was
primarily attributable to increased competition as well as our customer
retention strategy of offering bundles of services to customers at lower prices
in return for entering into longer-term contracts. Additionally, some business
customers have opted to migrate from multiple single lines to high-capacity
lines, which decreases commercial and small business services revenues but
increases access services revenues. During 1999 we committed to sell
approximately 800,000 access lines within our local service area. In 1999,
definitive sales agreements were reached for the sale of 570,000 lines for
approximately $1.8 billion in cash, subject to adjustment. The transfer of
ownership, which will occur on a state-by-state basis, is expected to be
completed by the first quarter of 2002. In addition, on February 26, 2001, we
announced we do not have plans to sell a significant number of additional access
lines at the present time.
The decrease in switched access services revenues was attributable to
mandated rate reductions by the FCC and state PUCs of $164 million and
increasing competition for intraLATA and consumer long-distance services.
Partially offsetting some of the decline was an increase in demand from IXCs.
Access minutes of use increased 5.0% for 1999.
EXPENSES
Employee-related expenses. Employee-related expenses for 1998 include $21
million of costs related to the third quarter 1998 work stoppage. In August of
1998, our union employees went on a two-week strike. Excluding the work stoppage
costs, employee-related expenses increased $287 million or 8.4% for 1999 over
1998. Employee-related expenses increased because of increased commitments
towards improving customer service, including meeting requests for installation
and repair services, resulting in higher labor costs. Additionally, growth in
several sectors of the business, primarily wireless and data communications and
year 2000 costs, resulted in increased employee levels and contract labor costs.
Across-the-board wage increases also contributed to the increase in
employee-related expenses. Additionally, included in employee-related expenses
for 1999 are the salary and benefit costs for employees who were transferred
from our former parent company as part of the Separation. Prior to the
Separation, these costs were allocated to us and included in other operating
expenses. Partially offsetting these increases was the capitalization in 1999 of
employee-related costs associated with developing internal use software due to
the adoption of the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants'
Statement of Position ("SOP") 98-1, "Accounting for the Costs of Computer
Software Developed or Obtained for Internal Use." In accordance with the SOP,
$85 million of employee-related costs were capitalized in 1999. An increase in
net pension credits of $38 million also partially offset the increase in
employee-related expenses for 1999.
Other operating expenses. Included in 1998 were $129 million of Separation
costs and asset impairment charges. Excluding the Separation costs and asset
impairment charges, other operating expenses decreased
15
18
$41 million, or 1.6% for 1999 over 1998. This decrease was primarily
attributable to the effect of capitalizing $281 million of software costs in
1999 primarily associated with developing internal use software in accordance
with SOP 98-1. Additionally, for the second half of 1998, the transfer of
employees from our old parent company as part of the Separation resulted in the
reclassification of related salary and benefit costs to employee-related
expenses.
Offsetting the overall decrease in operating expenses were increased costs
of product sales associated with our growth initiatives, including wireless
handset costs and costs applicable to our data communications services. In
addition, higher access and interconnection expenses resulting from regulatory
rulings that require us to pay access charges to carriers for calls that
originate on our network and terminate on other carriers' networks, offset by
reductions in access expense due to end-users dialing toll calls directly to
IXCs and bypassing our network, also reduced the decrease. Finally, higher 1)
rent expense related to increased computer software, hardware and telephone pole
leasing, 2) property taxes associated with higher capital expenditures, 3) bad
debt expense related to increased revenues and 4) marketing and advertising
costs for wireless, data communications services and calling services such as
caller identification also offset some of the decrease in other operating
expenses.
Depreciation and amortization expense. Depreciation and amortization
expense increased primarily due to higher overall property, plant and equipment
balances resulting from continued investment in our network. Additionally, we
incurred amortization costs related to the capitalization of internal use
software in accordance with SOP 98-1 and reduced the useful lives of certain
assets due to changes in technology, both of which caused greater depreciation
expense. Partially offsetting the increases was the cessation of depreciation
associated with access lines that we intend to sell.
Other expense -- net. Interest expense was $403 million in 1999 and $386
million in 1998. The increase was due to higher average debt balances to fund
growth initiatives.
Also included in other expense -- net was other expense of $37 million for
1999, compared to $82 million for 1998. The decrease in other expense was due to
a reduction in regulatory interest expense and gains on sales of real estate.
Additionally, the decrease in other expense -- net for 1999 was due to the
reduction in interest expense attributable to an anticipated settlement of
federal income tax liabilities for tax years still under audit.
Provision for income taxes. The effective tax rate remained relatively
consistent at 38.0% for 1999 compared to 37.9% for 1998.
Net income. Net income in 1999 increased by $227 million over 1998 because
of the effect of the items discussed above.
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 may employ derivative financial
instruments to manage our interest rate risk exposure. We have also employed
financial derivatives to hedge foreign currency exposures associated with
particular debt issues.
As of December 31, 2000 and 1999, approximately $589 million and $218
million, respectively, of floating-rate debt was exposed to changes in interest
rates. This exposure is primarily linked to commercial paper rates. A
hypothetical increase of 1% in commercial paper rates would increase annual
pre-tax interest expense by $6 million. As of December 31, 2000 and 1999, we
also had $381 million and $620 million, respectively, of long-term fixed rate
debt obligations maturing in the following 12 months. Any new debt obtained to
refinance this debt would be exposed to changes in interest rates. A
hypothetical 10% change in the interest rates on this debt would not have had a
material effect on our earnings. As of December 31, 2000, all outstanding
interest rate swaps and the associated debt instruments have matured.
As of December 31, 2000 and 1999, we had also entered into cross-currency
swaps with notional amounts of $133 million. The cross-currency swaps
synthetically transform 93 million and 94 million of Swiss Franc borrowings at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, into U.S. dollar obligations. Any
gains (losses) on the cross-currency swaps would be offset by losses (gains) on
the Swiss Franc debt obligations.
16
19
Other assets at December 31, 2000 included a marketable equity security
recorded at a fair value of less than $1 million including a net unrealized loss
of less than $1 million. The security has exposure to price risk. The estimated
potential loss in fair value resulting from a hypothetical 10% decrease in price
quoted by stock exchanges would decrease the fair value of our equity security
by less than $1 million.
CONTINGENCIES
We have certain pending regulatory actions. See Note 9 to the consolidated
financial statements.
COMPETITION AND REGULATORY ENVIRONMENT
For a complete discussion of our competitive and regulatory environment,
see Item 1 -- Business of this Form 10-K.
NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS
In June 1998, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative
Instruments and Hedging Activities." SFAS No. 133 requires, among other things,
that all derivative instruments be recognized at fair value as assets or
liabilities on the balance sheets with changes in fair value recognized
currently in earnings unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The
adoption of SFAS No. 133 on January 1, 2001 did not have a material impact on
our consolidated financial statements.
17
20
REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
To Qwest Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Qwest
Corporation (a Colorado corporation) and subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000
and 1999, and the related consolidated statements of operations, stockholder's
equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December
31, 2000. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these
consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with auditing standards generally
accepted in the United States. Those standards require that we plan and perform
the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An
audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant
estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial
statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis
for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly,
in all material respects, the financial position of Qwest Corporation and
subsidiaries as of December 31, 2000 and 1999, and the results of their
operations, changes in stockholder's equity and their cash flows for each of the
three years in the period ended December 31, 2000, in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States.
/s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP
Denver, Colorado,
January 24, 2001
F-1
21
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Revenues:
Commercial services....................................... $ 5,152 $ 4,472 $ 4,184
Consumer and small business services...................... 5,864 5,506 5,146
Switched access services.................................. 1,284 1,486 1,541
------- ------- -------
Total revenues.................................... 12,300 11,464 10,871
Operating expenses:
Employee-related expenses................................. 3,257 3,696 3,430
Other operating expenses.................................. 2,839 2,515 2,685
Depreciation and amortization............................. 2,427 2,293 2,138
Merger-related and other charges.......................... 1,285 -- --
------- ------- -------
Total operating expenses.......................... 9,808 8,504 8,253
------- ------- -------
Operating income............................................ 2,492 2,960 2,618
Other expense-net:
Interest expense-net...................................... 548 403 386
Other expense-net......................................... 40 37 82
------- ------- -------
Total other expense-net........................... 588 440 468
------- ------- -------
Income before income taxes.................................. 1,904 2,520 2,150
Provision for income taxes.................................. 708 958 815
------- ------- -------
Net income.................................................. $ 1,196 $ 1,562 $ 1,335
======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-2
22
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents................................. $ 252 $ 61
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $70 and $46..... 1,816 1,811
Inventories and supplies.................................. 152 211
Deferred tax asset........................................ 102 154
Prepaid and other......................................... 122 95
------- -------
Total current assets........................................ 2,444 2,332
Property, plant and equipment-net........................... 18,100 16,049
Other assets-net............................................ 2,298 1,597
------- -------
Total assets...................................... $22,842 $19,978
======= =======
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Short-term borrowings..................................... $ 2,491 $ 1,684
Accounts payable.......................................... 1,727 1,721
Accrued expenses.......................................... 1,772 1,560
Advanced billings and customer deposits................... 383 343
------- -------
Total current liabilities................................... 6,373 5,308
Long-term borrowings........................................ 6,247 5,408
Post-retirement and other post-employment benefit
obligations............................................... 2,310 2,462
Deferred income taxes....................................... 1,549 1,331
Unamortized investment tax credits.......................... 154 161
Deferred credits and other.................................. 944 588
Commitments and contingencies (Note 9)
Stockholder's equity:
Common stock -- one share without par value, owned by
parent................................................. 8,127 8,140
Accumulated deficit....................................... (2,861) (3,617)
Accumulated other comprehensive income.................... (1) 197
------- -------
Total stockholder's equity........................ 5,265 4,720
------- -------
Total liabilities and stockholder's equity........ $22,842 $19,978
======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-3
23
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
---------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
OPERATING ACTIVITIES
Net income.................................................. $ 1,196 $ 1,562 $ 1,335
Adjustments to net income:
Depreciation and amortization............................. 2,427 2,293 2,138
Loss on sale of assets.................................... 28 -- --
Provision for bad debts................................... 169 118 113
Asset impairment.......................................... 335 -- 35
Deferred income taxes and amortization of investment tax
credits................................................ 302 206 110
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable....................................... (174) (310) (124)
Inventories, supplies and other current assets............ 16 (76) 28
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and advanced
billings............................................... 836 300 (210)
Other..................................................... (587) 87 100
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by operating activities....................... 4,548 4,180 3,525
------- ------- -------
INVESTING ACTIVITIES
Expenditures for property, plant and equipment.............. (4,801) (3,754) (2,566)
Proceeds from sales of local telephone exchanges............ 19 -- --
Other....................................................... (112) (48) (56)
------- ------- -------
Cash used for investing activities.......................... (4,894) (3,802) (2,622)
------- ------- -------
FINANCING ACTIVITIES
Net proceeds from short-term borrowings..................... 1,044 603 399
Proceeds from issuance of long-term borrowings.............. 997 782 320
Repayments of long-term borrowings.......................... (655) (336) (443)
Dividends paid on common stock.............................. (821) (1,494) (1,200)
Net transfer (to) from Parent company....................... (28) 60 63
------- ------- -------
Cash provided by (used for) financing activities............ 537 (385) (861)
------- ------- -------
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS
Increase (decrease)......................................... 191 (7) 42
Beginning balance........................................... 61 68 26
------- ------- -------
Ending balance.............................................. $ 252 $ 61 $ 68
======= ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-4
24
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
OTHER
COMMON ACCUMULATED COMPREHENSIVE
STOCK DEFICIT INCOME TOTAL
------ ----------- ------------- -------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
BALANCE, JANUARY 1, 1998......................... $8,017 $(3,617) $ 4,400
Net income..................................... -- 1,335 $1,335 1,335
Dividends declared............................. -- (1,335) (1,335)
Equity infusions............................... 63 -- 63
------ ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1998....................... 8,080 (3,617) 4,463
Net income..................................... -- 1,562 1,562 1,562
Other comprehensive income, net of taxes....... -- 197 197 197
------
Total comprehensive income..................... -- -- 1,759 --
======
Dividends declared............................. -- (1,562) (1,562)
Net transfers from Parent company.............. 60 -- 60
------ ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 1999....................... 8,140 (3,420) 4,720
Net income..................................... -- 1,196 1,196 1,196
Other comprehensive loss, net of taxes......... -- (1) (1) (1)
------
Total comprehensive income..................... -- -- $1,195 --
======
Transfer of marketable equity security to
Parent...................................... -- (197) (197)
Dividends declared............................. -- (425) (425)
Net transfers to Parent company................ (13) (15) (28)
------ ------- -------
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2000....................... $8,127 $(2,862) $ 5,265
====== ======= =======
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
F-5
25
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2000, 1999 AND 1998
NOTE 1: MERGER
On June 30, 2000, Qwest Communications International Inc. ("QCII")
completed its merger (the "Merger") with U S WEST, Inc. ("U S WEST"). U S WEST
was deemed the accounting acquirer and its historical financial statements have
been carried forward as those of the newly combined company.
We incurred Merger-related and other charges totaling $1.285 billion. A
breakdown of these costs is as follows:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31, 2000
---------------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Contractual settlements and terminations........... $ 578
Merger bonuses and severance costs................. 202
Write-off of access lines.......................... 221
Termination of software development projects....... 114
Post-retirement benefit plan curtailment gain...... (45)
Other Merger-related costs and charges............. 215
------
Total Merger-related and other charges... $1,285
======
Contractual settlements and termination losses of $578 million represents
the costs incurred to cancel various commitments no longer deemed necessary as a
result of the Merger and to settle various claims related to the Merger.
In connection with the Merger, management identified a workforce reduction
of 2,323 employees primarily to eliminate duplicate functions. These employees
were terminated prior to December 31, 2000. A severance charge of $143 million
relates to employees involuntarily separated during fiscal 2000. Merger bonuses
of $59 million represents bonus payments triggered by the successful completion
of the Merger.
We lease dedicated special-purpose access lines to competitive local
exchange carriers ("CLECs"). Given current industry conditions and regulatory
changes affecting CLECs, we evaluated those leased assets for impairment. We
concluded that the fair value of those assets was minimal and took a $221
million charge. Our wholesale services segment operates the assets.
Following the Merger, management reviewed all internal software projects in
process, and determined that certain projects should no longer be pursued.
Because the projects were incomplete and abandoned, the fair value of such
incomplete software was determined to be zero and $114 million of capitalized
software costs were written-off. The abandoned projects included a significant
billing system replacement and a customer database system.
Other costs of $215 million include legal charges related to the Merger,
professional fees, re-branding costs, relocation costs and other costs related
to the integration of the two companies.
Offsetting the Merger-related costs was a $45 million post-retirement
benefit plan curtailment gain. This gain resulted from the post-Merger
termination of retiree medical benefits for all former U S WEST employees who
did not have 20 years of service by December 31, 2000 or would not be service
pension eligible by December 31, 2003.
F-6
26
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
A summary of Merger-related costs accrued at June 30, 2000, and subsequent
charges against those accruals follows:
JANUARY 1, DECEMBER 31,
2000 CURRENT CURRENT 2000
BALANCE PROVISION UTILIZATION BALANCE
---------- --------- ----------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Contractual settlements and terminations.... $ -- $ 578 $303 $275
Merger bonuses and severance costs.......... -- 202 102 100
Other accrued costs......................... -- 122 27 95
---- ------ ---- ----
Total accrued costs at Merger
date............................ $ -- 902 $432 $470
==== ==== ====
Asset impairment charges.................... 335
Charges incurred subsequent to the Merger... 48
------
Total Merger-related and other
charges......................... $1,285
======
Management anticipates that the majority of the Merger-related accruals
will be paid by June 30, 2001.
NOTE 2: SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation. The consolidated financial statements include the
accounts of Qwest Corporation ("Qwest") (formerly U S WEST Communications, Inc.)
and its wholly owned subsidiaries. We are a wholly owned subsidiary of QCII.
Use of Estimates. The preparation of financial statements in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make
estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial
statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those
estimates.
Reclassification. Certain reclassifications to prior year amounts within
the consolidated financial statements have been made to conform to the current
year presentation.
Revenue Recognition. Local telephone and wireless services are generally
billed in advance with revenues recognized when services are provided. Revenues
derived from exchange access, long-distance network services and wireless
airtime usage are recognized as services are provided. Up-front fees received
are deferred and recognized over the longer of the contractual period or the
expected customer relationship, generally 2 to 10 years. These fees include
activation fees and installation charges.
Advertising Costs. Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred.
Advertising expense was $347 million, $226 million and $208 million in 2000,
1999 and 1998, respectively.
Income Taxes. The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for
taxes currently payable and an amount for tax consequences deferred to future
periods. For financial statement purposes, investment tax credits are being
amortized over the economic lives of the related property, plant and equipment.
We are included in the consolidated federal income tax returns of QCII. We
recognize federal income tax expense based upon a pro-rata allocation agreement
with QCII. Under the agreement, we are allocated income tax consequences or
benefits based upon our pro-rata contribution to the consolidated group's
taxable income, deductions and credits. The amount of federal income tax expense
recognized by us is not significantly different than an amount computed on a
stand-alone basis.
We are included in combined state tax returns filed by QCII. We recognize
state income tax expense based upon a stand-alone allocation policy with QCII.
Cash and Cash Equivalents. Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid
investments with original maturities of three months or less that are readily
convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from
F-7
27
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
fluctuations in interest rates. Fair values of cash, cash equivalents and
current accounts receivable and payable approximate carrying values due to their
short-term nature.
Inventories and Supplies. Inventories held for sale (primarily wireless
handsets) are carried at the lower of cost or market on a first-in, first-out
basis. New and reusable materials are carried at average cost, except for
significant individual items that are valued based on specific costs.
Nonreusable material is carried at its estimated salvage value.
Accrued Expenses. Accrued expenses consist of the following:
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Employee compensation....................................... $ 238 $ 318
Dividends payable to Parent................................. -- 396
Current portion of state regulatory and legal liabilities... 181 35
Accrued property taxes and other operating taxes............ 359 206
Accrual for Merger-related costs............................ 470 --
Other....................................................... 524 605
------ ------
Total accrued expenses............................ $1,772 $1,560
====== ======
Property, Plant and Equipment. Property, plant and equipment is carried at
cost and is depreciated using the straight-line group method. Generally, under
the group method, when an asset is sold or retired, the cost is deducted from
property, plant and equipment and charged to accumulated depreciation without
recognition of a gain or loss. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the
lesser of the useful lives of the assets or the lease term. Expenditures for
maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Network construction costs,
including interest during construction, are capitalized.
Interest related to qualifying construction projects is capitalized and
reflected as a reduction of interest expense. Amounts capitalized were $52
million, $27 million and $25 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Valuation of Long-Lived Assets. We assess the impairment of long-lived
assets whenever changes in circumstances indicate their carrying value may not
be recoverable. If the total expected future cash flows or salvage value is less
than the carrying value of the asset, the asset is written down to its fair
value.
Customer Acquisition Costs. We defer the initial direct costs of obtaining
a customer to the extent there is sufficient revenue guaranteed under the
arrangement to ensure the realizability of the capitalized costs. Deferred
customer acquisition costs are amortized over the expected life of the customer
relationship.
Computer Software. Internally used software, whether purchased or
developed, is capitalized and amortized over an estimated useful life of 5
years. Capitalized computer software costs of $953 million and $544 million at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively, are recorded in Other Assets.
Amortization of capitalized computer software costs totaled $201 million, $104
million and $82 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
Marketable Securities. All marketable securities are classified as
available-for-sale securities. Unrealized holding gains and losses are
determined on the specific identification method and presented as a component of
accumulated other comprehensive income within stockholder's equity.
F-8
28
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Comprehensive Income. Comprehensive income includes the following
components:
YEAR ENDED
DECEMBER 31,
------------
2000 1999
---- -----
(DOLLARS IN
MILLIONS)
Unrealized (losses) gains on marketable securities.......... $(1) $ 325
Income tax provision related to items of other comprehensive
income.................................................... -- (128)
--- -----
Other comprehensive (loss) income........................... $(1) $ 197
=== =====
During 2000, we transferred a marketable equity security with a cost of $8
and a fair value of $333 to our Parent.
Derivative Instruments. From time to time, we enter into derivative
financial instruments. The objective of our interest rate risk management
program is to obtain the minimum total cost of debt over time consistent with an
acceptable level of interest rate volatility. This objective was achieved in
2000 through the type of debt issued and cross-currency swaps that convert
foreign-denominated debt to U.S. dollar-denominated debt.
Under a cross-currency swap, we agree with another party to exchange U.S.
dollars for foreign currency based on a notional amount, at specified intervals
over a defined term. Cross-currency swaps are accounted for under synthetic
instrument accounting if the index, maturity and amount of the instruments match
the terms of the underlying debt. Under synthetic instrument accounting, the
cross-currency swaps and the foreign currency debt are combined and accounted
for as if U.S. dollar denominated-debt was issued directly. Beginning January 1,
2001, we began accounting for cross-currency swaps under SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities." Under SFAS No.
133, we will carry the swaps at fair market value on the balance sheet. Future
changes in the fair value of the cross-currency swaps that meet the criteria for
hedge accounting will be recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income.
The following table summarizes the terms of outstanding cross-currency
swaps at December 31, 2000 and 1999. Cross-currency swaps are tied to the Swiss
Franc and have a fair value (liability) of $(40) million and $(36) million at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively.
DECEMBER 31, 2000 DECEMBER 31, 1999
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
WEIGHTED-AVERAGE WEIGHTED-AVERAGE
RATE RATE
------------------- -------------------
NOTIONAL RECEIVE AS PAY AS NOTIONAL RECEIVE AS PAY AS
AMOUNT MATURITIES A % A % AMOUNT MATURITIES A % A %
-------- ---------- ---------- ------ -------- ---------- ---------- ------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Cross-currency....... $133 2001 -- 6.51 $133 2001 -- 6.51
In the event we are owed money under the swap agreements, we could be
exposed to risk in the event of nonperformance by counterparties. We do not
require any collateral from these counterparties. We manage this exposure by
monitoring the credit standing of the counterparties and establishing dollar and
term limitations that correspond to the respective credit rating of each
counterparty.
At December 31, 2000, deferred credits of $7 million and deferred charges
of $48 million on closed forward contracts are included as part of the carrying
value of the underlying debt. The deferred credits and charges are recognized as
yield adjustments over the life of the debt that matures at various dates
through 2043.
New Accounting Standards. On June 15, 1998, the Financial Accounting
Standards Board issued SFAS No. 133. SFAS No. 133 requires, among other things,
that all derivative instruments be recognized at fair value as assets or
liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets with changes in fair value
recognized currently in earnings
F-9
29
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
unless specific hedge accounting criteria are met. The adoption of SFAS No. 133
on January 1, 2001 did not have a material impact on our financial statements.
In December 1999, the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") issued
Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in Financial
Statements." SAB No. 101 requires, in certain cases, nonrefundable up-front fees
for services to be deferred and recognized over the expected period of
performance. SAB No. 101 also permits the direct costs incurred in obtaining the
customer to be deferred and recognized over the expected life of the customer
relationship. We adopted SAB No. 101 in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, with
effect from January 1, 2000. There was no cumulative effect on earnings from the
adoption of SAB No. 101.
NOTE 3: PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT
The components of property, plant and equipment are as follows:
DECEMBER 31,
DEPRECIABLE ---------------------
LIVES 2000 1999
----------- --------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Land and buildings.................................. 30-38 years $ 2,794 $ 2,442
Communications equipment............................ 2-14 years 17,379 15,695
Other network equipment............................. 8-57 years 15,960 15,014
General purpose computers and other................. 5-11 years 3,092 2,871
Construction in progress............................ -- 1,063 1,328
-------- --------
40,288 37,350
Less: accumulated depreciation...................... (22,188) (21,301)
-------- --------
Property, plant and equipment -- net................ $ 18,100 $ 16,049
======== ========
Asset Impairment. During 2000, we recorded a non-cash charge of $205
million (net of a $130 million income tax benefit) related to the impairment of
certain long-lived assets. We lease dedicated special-purpose access lines to
CLECs. Given current industry conditions and regulatory changes affecting CLECs,
we evaluated those leased assets for impairment. We concluded that the fair
value of those assets was minimal and took a $221 million charge. Our wholesale
services segment operates the assets.
Following the Merger, management reviewed all internal software projects in
process, and determined that certain projects should no longer be pursued.
Because the projects were incomplete and abandoned, the fair value of such
incomplete software was determined to be zero and $114 million of capitalized
software costs were written-off. The abandoned projects included a significant
billing system replacement and a customer database system.
Leasing Arrangements. Certain office facilities, real estate and equipment
used in operations are under operating leases. Rent expense under operating
leases for 2000, 1999 and 1998 was $353 million, $227 million and $169 million,
respectively. At December 31, 2000, the future minimum rental payments under
noncancelable operating leases for the years 2001 through 2005 and thereafter
are $119 million, $120 million, $108 million, $124 million, $90 million and $343
million, respectively. We acquired equipment valued at $265 million, $118
million and $179 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998 under capital lease
arrangements.
Sale of Exchanges. During 1999 and 2000, we committed to sell
approximately 800,000 access lines within the 14-state local service area. In
1999, definitive sales agreements were reached for the sale of 570,000 lines for
approximately $1.8 billion in cash, subject to adjustment. In 2000, the sale of
20,000 access lines in North Dakota and South Dakota were consummated resulting
in proceeds of $19 million and gains of $11 million. The transfer of ownership
of the remaining access lines, which will occur on a state-by-state basis, is
F-10
30
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
expected to be completed by the first quarter of 2002. The pending sales are
subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.
NOTE 4: BORROWINGS
CURRENT BORROWINGS
Current borrowings consist of:
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Commercial paper............................................ $ 589 $ 218
Due to Qwest Capital Funding................................ 1,521 846
Short-term notes and current portion of long-term
borrowings................................................ 381 620
------ ------
Total............................................. $2,491 $1,684
====== ======
The weighted-average interest rate on commercial paper was 6.85% and 7.14%
at December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The interest rate on the debt due
to Qwest Capital Funding was 7.5% at December 31, 2000 and 1999.
We maintain commercial paper programs to finance the purchase of
telecommunications assets. We also enter into lines of credit as backup
facilities for the issuance of commercial paper. At December 31, 2000, a single
$4.0 billion syndicated credit facility was in place to support commercial paper
programs at both Qwest and Qwest Capital Funding. As of December 31, 2000, $700
million of that syndicated credit facility was allocated to support the Qwest
program, and the remainder was allocated to support the Qwest Capital Funding
program. As of December 31, 2000, there was no outstanding balance on the
syndicated credit facility. The syndicated credit facility agreement requires us
to pay a quarterly fee based upon our long-term borrowings ratings. The facility
fee for our portion of the credit facility was 0.065%.
LONG-TERM BORROWINGS
Long-term borrowings consists principally of debentures and medium-term
notes with the following interest rates and maturities at December 31:
MATURITIES
---------------------------------------- TOTAL TOTAL
INTEREST RATES 2002 2003 2004 2005 THEREAFTER 2000 1999
- -------------- ---- ------ ---- ---- ---------- ---------- ----------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Up to 5%............................... $100 $ 50 $ -- $ -- $ -- $ 150 $ 150
Above 5% to 6%......................... -- -- 100 41 390 531 579
Above 6% to 7%......................... 250 43 -- 400 1,090 1,783 1,831
Above 7% to 8%......................... -- 1,062 750 -- 1,584 3,396 2,367
Above 8% to 9%......................... -- -- -- -- 250 250 243
Above 9% to 10%........................ -- -- -- -- -- -- --
---- ------ ---- ---- ------ ------ ------
$350 $1,155 $850 $441 $3,314 6,110 5,170
==== ====== ==== ==== ======
Capital lease obligations.............. 194 114
Other.................................. (57) 124
------ ------
Total........................ $6,247 $5,408
====== ======
F-11
31
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
Our borrowings have a fair value of $6.5 billion and $5.6 billion at
December 31, 2000 and 1999, respectively. The fair values of our borrowings are
based on quoted market prices where available or, if not available, based on
discounting future cash flows using current interest rates.
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized, was $451 million, $353 million
and $374 million for 2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
NOTE 5: FAIR VALUES OF EQUITY INVESTMENTS
Fair value of equity investments is based upon market prices quoted by
stock exchanges. Our equity investments in other publicly traded companies
consisted of the following (dollars in millions):
DECEMBER 31, 2000 DECEMBER 31, 1999
----------------------- -----------------------
UNREALIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED UNREALIZED
COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE COST GAINS LOSSES FAIR VALUE
- ---- ---------- ---------- ---------- ---- ---------- ---------- ----------
$1 $ -- $1 $ -- $9 $325 $ -- $334
NOTE 6: EMPLOYEE BENEFITS
Pension, Post-retirement and Other Post-employment Benefits. We have a
noncontributory defined benefit pension plan (the "Pension Plan") for
substantially all management and occupational employees and post-retirement
healthcare and life insurance plans for retirees. We also provide
post-employment benefits for certain former employees.
In conjunction with the Merger, we made the following changes to our
employee benefit plans. Effective September 7, 2000, employees will not be
eligible to receive retiree medical and life benefits unless they had either at
least 20 years of service by December 31, 2000 or will be service pension
eligible by December 31, 2003. The elimination of the retiree medical benefits
decreased the other post-employment benefits expense for 2000 by approximately
$9 million. In addition, the elimination is accounted for as a plan curtailment,
resulting in a one-time gain of approximately $45 million. This gain was
recorded as an offset to Merger-related costs. The plan was also changed for all
future retirees. Employees who retained the benefits will begin paying
contributions in 2004 except for those employees who retired prior to September
7, 2000.
We also modified the pension plan benefits, effective January 1, 2001, for
all former U S WEST management employees who did not have 20 years of service by
December 31, 2000, or who will not be service pension eligible by December 31,
2003. For employees who do not meet these criteria, the years of service
credited under the defined lump sum formula were frozen; the benefit will be
adjusted for future compensation levels. Future benefits will equal 3% of pay,
plus a return as defined in the plan. All management employees, other than those
who remain eligible under the previous formulas, will be eligible to participate
in the 3%-of-pay plan.
Effective August 11, 2000, the Pension Plan was amended to provide
additional pension benefits to plan participants who are involuntarily separated
from Qwest between August 11, 2000, and June 30, 2001. The amount of the benefit
is based on pay and service and ranges from a minimum of four months up to a
maximum of one year of an employee's base pay.
Pension benefits for management employees prior to January 1, 2001 were
based upon their salary and years of service while occupational employee
benefits were generally based upon job classification and years of service.
Pension and post-retirement costs are recognized over the period in which the
employee renders services and becomes eligible to receive benefits as determined
by using the projected unit credit method. Net pension credits for 2000, 1999
and 1998 were $262 million, $116 million and $83 million, respectively. No
pension funding was required in 2000, 1999 or 1998. Net post-retirement benefit
costs (excluding the curtailment gain of
F-12
32
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
$45 million in 2000) for 2000, 1999 and 1998 were $16 million, $128 million and
$149 million, respectively. The amount funded by us is based on regulatory
accounting requirements.
NOTE 7: INCOME TAXES
The components of the provision for income taxes are as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
2000 1999 1998
----- ----- -----
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Federal:
Current................................................... $369 $661 $614
Deferred.................................................. 254 155 87
---- ---- ----
623 816 701
State and local:
Current................................................... 37 91 91
Deferred.................................................. 48 51 23
---- ---- ----
85 142 114
---- ---- ----
Provision for income taxes.................................. $708 $958 $815
==== ==== ====
We paid $395 million, $650 million and $642 million for income taxes in
2000, 1999 and 1998, respectively.
The effective tax rate differs from the statutory tax rate as follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
-----------------------
2000 1999 1998
----- ----- -----
Federal statutory tax rate.................................. 35.0% 35.0% 35.0%
State income taxes-net of federal effect.................... 2.9 3.7 3.4
Other....................................................... (0.7) (0.7) (0.5)
---- ---- ----
Effective tax rate.......................................... 37.2% 38.0% 37.9%
==== ==== ====
The components of the net deferred tax liability are as follows:
DECEMBER 31,
---------------------
2000 1999
--------- ---------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Property, plant and equipment............................... $2,128 $1,941
State deferred taxes-net of federal effect.................. 255 256
Investments................................................. -- 114
Other....................................................... 48 35
------ ------
Deferred tax liabilities.................................. 2,431 2,346
Post-retirement benefits-net of pension..................... 617 677
Unamortized investment tax credit........................... 54 56
State deferred taxes-net of federal effect.................. 103 128
Other....................................................... 210 308
------ ------
Deferred tax assets....................................... 984 1,169
------ ------
Net deferred tax liability.................................. $1,447 $1,177
====== ======
F-13
33
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
At December 31, 2000 and 1999, we had outstanding taxes payable to QCII of
$203 million and $191 million, respectively.
NOTE 8: RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
We provide and purchase various services to and from affiliated companies.
The amounts received and paid for these services are determined in accordance
with the Federal Communications Commission and state cost allocation rules,
which prescribe various cost allocation methodologies that are dependent upon
the service provided. Management believes that such cost allocation methods are
reasonable. The total cost of services purchased from affiliated companies was
$1.0 billion, $683 million and $654 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively. The total amount of revenues derived from affiliated companies was
$327 million, $172 million and $111 million in 2000, 1999 and 1998,
respectively.
It is not practicable to provide a detailed estimate of the expenses that
would be recognized on a stand-alone basis. However, we believe that corporate
services, including those related to procurement, tax, legal and human
resources, are obtained more economically through affiliates than they would be
on a stand-alone basis, since we absorb only a portion of the total costs.
NOTE 9: COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
COMMITMENTS
We have no significant commitments outstanding as of December 31, 2000.
CONTINGENCIES
Litigation. Through December 2000, seven purported class action complaints
have been filed in various state courts against QCII and U S WEST on behalf of
customers in the states of Arizona, Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico, Oregon,
Utah and Washington. The complaints allege, among other things, that from 1993
to the present, U S WEST, in violation of alleged statutory and common law
obligations, willfully delayed the provision of local telephone service to the
purported class members. In addition, the complaints allege that U S WEST
misrepresented the date on which such local telephone service was to be provided
to the purported class members. The complaints seek compensatory damages for
purported class members, disgorgement of profits and punitive damages. As of
November 11, 2000, the parties have signed agreements to settle the complaints.
The agreements are subject to a variety of conditions, including court approval.
Various other litigation matters have been filed against us. Management
intends to vigorously defend these outstanding claims.
We have provided for the above matters in our financial statements as of
December 31, 2000. We do not expect any material adverse impacts in excess of
such provision as a result of the ultimate resolution of these matters.
Intellectual Property. We frequently receive offers to take licenses for
patent and other intellectual rights, including rights held by competitors in
the telecommunications industry, in exchange for royalties or other substantial
consideration. We also regularly receive allegations that our products or
services infringe upon various intellectual property rights, together with
demands that we discontinue the alleged infringement. We normally investigate
such offers and allegations and respond appropriately, including defending
ourselves vigorously when appropriate. There can be no assurance that, if one or
more of these allegations proved to have merit and involved significant rights
or royalties, it would not have a material adverse effect on us.
Regulatory Matters. We have pending regulatory actions in local regulatory
jurisdictions which call for price decreases, refunds or both. These actions are
generally routine and incidental to our business.
F-14
34
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
From time to time we receive complaints and become subject to
investigations regarding tariffs, and other matters. We may receive complaints
or become subject to investigations in the future. Such complaints or
investigations could result in the imposition of certain fines and other
penalties.
NOTE 10: SEGMENT INFORMATION
We operate in three segments: retail services, wholesale services and
network services. The retail services segment provides local telephone services,
long-distance services, wireless services and data services. The wholesale
services segment provides exchange access services that connect customers to the
facilities of interexchange carriers and interconnection to our
telecommunications network to CLECs. Our network services segment provides
access to our telecommunications network, including our information
technologies, primarily to our retail services and wholesale services segments.
We provide our services to more than 25 million residential and business
customers in Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New
Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming.
Following is a breakout of our segments, which has been extracted from the
financial statements of QCII. Certain revenue and expenses of QCII are included
in the segment data, which have been eliminated in the reconciling items column.
Additionally, because significant expenses of operating the retail services and
wholesale services segments are not allocated to such segments for decision
making purposes, management does not believe the segment margins are
representative of the actual operating results of the segments. The margin for
the retail services and wholesale services segments excludes network and
corporate expenses. The margin for the network services segment excludes
corporate expenses. The "other" category includes our corporate expenses. Asset
information by segment is not provided to our chief operating decision-maker.
The communications and related services column represents a total of the retail
services, wholesale services and network services segments. As a result of
regulatory actions and changes in internal reporting, the classification of
certain operating revenues and expenses has changed during 1999 and 1998.
Accordingly, the operating revenues and margins may not be comparable for each
year.
TOTAL
COMMUNICATIONS
RETAIL WHOLESALE NETWORK AND RELATED RECONCILING CONSOLIDATED
SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES SERVICES OTHER ITEMS TOTAL
-------- --------- -------- -------------- ----- ----------- ------------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
2000
Operating revenues...... $11,913 $3,194 $ 353 $15,460 $ -- $(3,160) $12,300
Intersegment revenues... 121 -- 99 220 -- (220) --
EBITDA(1)............... 7,236 2,523 (2,962) 6,797 (322) -- 6,475
Capital expenditures.... -- -- -- -- -- 4,801 4,801
1999
Operating revenues...... 9,022 2,871 242 12,135 -- (671) 11,464
Intersegment revenues... 87 -- 60 147 -- (147) --
EBITDA(1)............... 6,111 2,157 (2,793) 5,475 (116) -- 5,359
Capital expenditures.... 587(2) 111 3,200 3,898 (1) (143) 3,754
1998
Operating revenues...... 8,556 2,590 214 11,360 -- (489) 10,871
Intersegment revenues... 28 -- 70 98 -- (98) --
EBITDA(1)............... 6,194 1,908 (2,776) 5,326 (234) -- 5,092
Capital expenditures.... 362(2) -- 2,376 2,738 125 (297) 2,566
F-15
35
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)
- ---------------
(1) Margin does not include non-recurring and non-operating items such as Merger
costs, asset write-offs and impairments, gains/losses on the sale of
investments and fixed assets, one-time legal charges, Separation charges,
regulatory accruals and sales of local telephone exchanges. Margin does not
represent cash flow for the periods presented and should not be considered
as an alternative to net earnings as an indicator of our operating
performance or as an alternative to cash flows as a source of liquidity.
A reconciliation from Segment Margin to pre-tax income follows:
YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
------------------------
2000 1999 1998
------ ------ ------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
Segment Margin............................................. $6,475 $5,359 $5,092
Less:
Separation costs......................................... -- -- 94
Asset impairment charge.................................. -- -- 35
Other expense-net........................................ 588 440 468
Taxes other than income taxes............................ 414 377 356
Other items applicable to QCII........................... (143) (271) (149)
Merger-related and other charges......................... 1,285 -- --
Depreciation and amortization............................ 2,427 2,293 2,138
------ ------ ------
Pre-tax income................................... $1,904 $2,520 $2,150
====== ====== ======
- ---------------
(2) Capital expenditures reported for the retail services segment include only
expenditures for wireless services and certain data services. Additional
capital expenditures relating to these services are included in network
services capital expenditures.
NOTE 11: QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)
FIRST SECOND THIRD FOURTH
QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER QUARTER
------- ------- ------- -------
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS)
2000
Operating revenues................................ $2,951 $3,022 $3,168 $3,159
Income (loss) before income taxes................. 683 652 (76) 645
Net income (loss)................................. 425 405 (42) 408
1999
Operating revenues................................ 2,788 2,843 2,907 2,926
Income before income taxes........................ 585 633 662 640
Net income........................................ 369 387 411 395
F-16
36
EXHIBIT INDEX
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
(2.1) -- Reorganization and Divestiture Agreement, dated as of
November 1, 1983, between American Telephone and
Telegraph Company, U S WEST Inc., and certain of their
affiliated companies, including The Mountain States
Telephone and Telegraph Company, Northwestern Bell
Telephone Company, Pacific Northwest Bell Telephone
Company and NewVector Communications, Inc. (Exhibit 10a
to Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 1983, File
No. 1-3040).
(2.2) -- Articles of Merger including the Plan of Merger between
The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company
(renamed U S WEST Communications, Inc.) and Northwestern
Bell Telephone Company. (Incorporated herein by this
reference to Exhibit 2a to Form SE filed on January 8,
1991, File No. 1-3040).
(2.3) -- Articles of Merger including the Plan of Merger between
The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company
(renamed U S WEST Communications, Inc.) and Pacific
Northwest Bell Telephone Company. (Incorporated herein by
this reference to Exhibit 2b to Form SE filed on January
8, 1991, File No. 1-3040).
(3.1) -- Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.
(Incorporated herein by this reference to Exhibit 3a to
Form 10-K filed on April 13, 1998, File No. 1-3040.)
(3.2) -- Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended. (Incorporated
herein by this reference to Exhibit 3b to Form 10-K filed
on April 13, 1998, File No. 1-3040.)
(4.1) -- No instrument which defines the rights of holders of long
and intermediate term debt of the Registrant is filed
herewith pursuant to Regulation S-K, Item
601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this regulation, the
Registrant hereby agrees to furnish a copy of any such
instrument to the SEC upon request.
(4.2) -- Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1999, by and between U
S WEST Communications, Inc. and Bank One Trust Company,
NA, as Trustee (Exhibit 4b to Form 10-K for the period
ended December 31, 1999, File No. 1-3040).
(10.1) -- Form of Agreement for Purchase and Sale of Telephone
Exchanges, dated as of June 16, 1999, between Citizens
Utilities Company and U S WEST Communications, Inc.
(Exhibit 99-B to Form 8-K dated June 16, 1999, File No.
1-3040).
(10.2) -- 364-Day $800 million Credit Agreement, dated as of May
19, 1999, with the banks listed therein and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as administrative
agent. (Exhibit 10-J to Form 10-Q for the period ended
June 30, 1999, File No. 1-3040).
(10.3) -- Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of June 11,
1999, to the 364-Day $800 million Credit Agreement, dated
as of May 19, 1999, among the Company, U S WEST, Inc.,
the banks listed therein and Morgan Guaranty Trust
Company of New York, as administrative agent. (Exhibit
10-K to Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 1999,
File No. 1-3040).
(10.4) -- 364-Day $4.0 billion Credit Agreement, dated as of May 5,
2000, among U S WEST Capital Funding, Inc., the Company
and U S WEST, Inc., the banks listed therein, and Morgan
Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as administrative
agent (Exhibit 10-L to Form 10-Q for the period ended
March 31, 2000, File No. 1-3040).
(10.5) -- Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2000, among U S
WEST Communications, Inc. and Lehman Brothers Inc.,
Merrill Lynch & Co., Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner &
Smith Incorporated, Banc of America Securities LLC, and
J.P. Morgan Securities Inc. as Representatives of the
Initial Purchasers listed therein (Exhibit 1.A to Form
S-4 filed October 11, 2000).
37
EXHIBIT
NUMBER DESCRIPTION
------- -----------
(10.6) -- Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of June 5, 2000,
among U S WEST Communications, Inc. and the Initial
Purchasers listed therein (Exhibit 4.A to Form S-4 filed
October 11, 2000).
12 -- Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
- ---------------
( ) Previously filed.