SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE
COMMISSION |
FORM 10-Q |
ý | QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the quarterly period ended |
March 31, 2004 |
OR |
¨ | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from |
to |
Commission File Number 001-14157 |
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. |
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) |
Delaware | 36-2669023 | |||
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) |
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
30 North LaSalle Street, Chicago, Illinois 60602 |
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) |
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (312) 630-1900 |
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 ý No ¨ |
Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date. |
Class | Outstanding at March 31, 2004 | |||
Common Shares, $.01 par value Series A Common Shares, $.01 par value |
50,821,490 Shares 6,429,555 Shares |
TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. 1st QUARTER REPORT ON FORM 10-Q INDEX |
PART I. FINANCIAL
INFORMATION Unaudited |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
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2004 | 2003 As Restated |
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) |
||||||||
OPERATING REVENUES | $ | 870,512 | $ | 815,278 | ||||
OPERATING EXPENSES | ||||||||
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation, | ||||||||
amortization and accretion expense shown below) | 311,393 | 286,276 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 330,643 | 320,483 | ||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense | 155,452 | 151,227 | ||||||
(Gain) Loss on assets held for sale | (143 | ) | 21,561 | |||||
797,345 | 779,547 | |||||||
OPERATING INCOME | 73,167 | 35,731 | ||||||
INVESTMENT AND OTHER INCOME (EXPENSE) | ||||||||
Interest and dividend income | 2,896 | 4,328 | ||||||
Investment income | 14,630 | 12,750 | ||||||
Loss on investments | | (3,500 | ) | |||||
Interest expense | (46,821 | ) | (43,357 | ) | ||||
Minority interest in income of subsidiary trust | | (6,203 | ) | |||||
Other income (expense), net | (527 | ) | 1,159 | |||||
(29,822 | ) | (34,823 | ) | |||||
INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAXES | ||||||||
AND MINORITY INTEREST | 43,345 | 908 | ||||||
Income tax expense | 20,105 | 4,585 | ||||||
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE MINORITY INTEREST | 23,240 | (3,677 | ) | |||||
Minority Share of Income | (3,508 | ) | (368 | ) | ||||
INCOME (LOSS) BEFORE CUMULATIVE EFFECT OF | ||||||||
ACCOUNTING CHANGE | 19,732 | (4,045 | ) | |||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change, net of tax and minority interest | | (11,789 | ) | |||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) | 19,732 | (15,834 | ) | |||||
Preferred Dividend Requirement | (50 | ) | (104 | ) | ||||
NET INCOME (LOSS) AVAILABLE TO COMMON | $ | 19,682 | $ | (15,938 | ) | |||
BASIC WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000s) | 57,168 | 58,594 | ||||||
BASIC EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 8) | ||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (0.20 | ) | |||||
Net income (loss) available to common | 0.34 | (0.27 | ) | |||||
DILUTED WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING (000s) | 57,424 | 58,594 | ||||||
DILUTED EARNINGS PER SHARE (Note 8) | ||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.07 | ) | |||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (0.20 | ) | |||||
Net income (loss) available to common | 0.34 | (0.27 | ) | |||||
DIVIDENDS PER SHARE | $ | .165 | $ | .155 | ||||
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements. 3 |
TELEPHONE AND DATA
SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change | $ | 19,732 | $ | (4,045 | ) | |||
Add (Deduct) adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to net cash | ||||||||
provided by operating activities | ||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion | 155,452 | 151,227 | ||||||
Deferred taxes | 16,392 | 2,874 | ||||||
Investment income | (14,630 | ) | (12,750 | ) | ||||
Minority share of income | 3,508 | 368 | ||||||
(Gain) Loss on assets held for sale | (143 | ) | 21,561 | |||||
Loss on investments | | 3,500 | ||||||
Noncash interest expense | 7,078 | 6,752 | ||||||
Other noncash expense | 4,182 | 3,164 | ||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities | ||||||||
Change in accounts receivable | 16,358 | 107,721 | ||||||
Change in materials and supplies | 15,398 | (21,865 | ) | |||||
Change in accounts payable | (77,818 | ) | (48,761 | ) | ||||
Change in advanced billings and customer deposits | 7,273 | 7,079 | ||||||
Change in accrued taxes | 6,438 | 7,047 | ||||||
Change in other assets and liabilities | (48,327 | ) | (47,958 | ) | ||||
110,893 | 175,914 | |||||||
CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Capital expenditures | (125,626 | ) | (161,383 | ) | ||||
Cash received from sale of assets | 96,932 | | ||||||
Acquisitions, net of cash acquired | (40,367 | ) | | |||||
Distributions from unconsolidated entities | 3,683 | 13,615 | ||||||
Investments in and advances to unconsolidated entities | (652 | ) | (1,493 | ) | ||||
Other investing activities | (2,710 | ) | (2,143 | ) | ||||
(68,740 | ) | (151,404 | ) | |||||
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES | ||||||||
Change in notes payable | 84,915 | 72,000 | ||||||
Repayments of long-term debt | (4,936 | ) | (4,279 | ) | ||||
Prepayment of long-term notes | | (40,680 | ) | |||||
Repurchase of TDS Common shares | (8,399 | ) | (24,587 | ) | ||||
Treasury shares reissued | 12,812 | 787 | ||||||
Dividends paid | (9,503 | ) | (9,202 | ) | ||||
Other financing activities | (173 | ) | (1,571 | ) | ||||
74,716 | (7,532 | ) | ||||||
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS | 116,869 | 16,978 | ||||||
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS - | ||||||||
Beginning of period | 937,651 | 1,298,936 | ||||||
End of period | $ | 1,054,520 | $ | 1,315,914 | ||||
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements. 4 |
TELEPHONE AND DATA
SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited |
March 31, 2004 |
December 31, 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
CURRENT ASSETS | ||||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 1,054,520 | $ | 937,651 | ||||
Accounts receivable | ||||||||
Due from customers, less allowance of $21,382 | ||||||||
and $18,908, respectively | 277,113 | 282,313 | ||||||
Other, principally connecting companies, less | ||||||||
allowance of $7,407 and $6,419, respectively | 118,916 | 127,358 | ||||||
Materials and supplies, at average cost | 71,838 | 87,270 | ||||||
Other current assets | 78,460 | 70,354 | ||||||
1,600,847 | 1,504,946 | |||||||
INVESTMENTS | ||||||||
Marketable equity securities | 2,721,985 | 2,772,410 | ||||||
Wireless license costs | 1,192,302 | 1,189,326 | ||||||
Wireless license rights | 42,037 | 42,037 | ||||||
Goodwill | 890,931 | 887,937 | ||||||
Customer lists, net of accumulated amortization of $25,258 | ||||||||
and $22,206, respectively | 34,287 | 24,448 | ||||||
Investments in unconsolidated entities | 218,816 | 214,885 | ||||||
Notes receivable, less valuation allowance of $55,144 | ||||||||
and $55,144, respectively | 5,400 | 6,476 | ||||||
Other investments | 17,168 | 15,439 | ||||||
5,122,926 | 5,152,958 | |||||||
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, NET | ||||||||
U.S. Cellular | 2,263,910 | 2,271,254 | ||||||
TDS Telecom | 1,064,219 | 1,079,732 | ||||||
3,328,129 | 3,350,986 | |||||||
OTHER ASSETS AND DEFERRED CHARGES | 85,696 | 83,925 | ||||||
ASSETS OF OPERATIONS HELD FOR SALE | | 100,523 | ||||||
TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 10,137,598 | $ | 10,193,338 | ||||
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements. 5 |
TELEPHONE AND DATA
SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Unaudited |
March 31, 2004 |
December 31, 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
CURRENT LIABILITIES | ||||||||
Current portion of long-term debt | $ | 23,712 | $ | 23,712 | ||||
Notes payable | 85,000 | | ||||||
Accounts payable | 278,692 | 361,010 | ||||||
Advance billings and customer deposits | 115,976 | 108,372 | ||||||
Accrued interest | 29,922 | 31,884 | ||||||
Accrued taxes | 52,187 | 44,889 | ||||||
Accrued compensation | 39,676 | 69,290 | ||||||
Other current liabilities | 50,076 | 57,788 | ||||||
675,241 | 696,945 | |||||||
DEFERRED LIABILITIES AND CREDITS | ||||||||
Net deferred income tax liability | 1,320,079 | 1,285,024 | ||||||
Derivative liability | 613,216 | 712,252 | ||||||
Asset retirement obligations | 125,597 | 124,501 | ||||||
Other | 121,036 | 119,076 | ||||||
2,179,928 | 2,240,853 | |||||||
LONG-TERM DEBT | ||||||||
Long-term debt, excluding current portion | 1,992,396 | 1,994,913 | ||||||
Prepaid forward contracts | 1,676,914 | 1,672,762 | ||||||
3,669,310 | 3,667,675 | |||||||
LIABILITIES OF OPERATIONS HELD FOR SALE | | 2,427 | ||||||
MINORITY INTEREST IN SUBSIDIARIES | 481,181 | 502,702 | ||||||
PREFERRED SHARES | 3,864 | 3,864 | ||||||
COMMON STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | ||||||||
Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; authorized | ||||||||
100,000,000 shares; issued 56,321,000 | ||||||||
and 56,282,000 shares, respectively | 563 | 563 | ||||||
Series A Common Shares, par value $.01 per share; authorized | ||||||||
25,000,000 shares; issued and outstanding 6,430,000 | ||||||||
and 6,440,000 shares; respectively | 64 | 64 | ||||||
Capital in excess of par value | 1,835,588 | 1,843,468 | ||||||
Treasury Shares, at cost, 5,499,000 and 5,688,000 | ||||||||
shares, respectively | (475,836 | ) | (493,714 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | 325,795 | 296,820 | ||||||
Retained earnings | 1,441,900 | 1,431,671 | ||||||
3,128,074 | 3,078,872 | |||||||
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY | $ | 10,137,598 | $ | 10,193,338 | ||||
The accompanying notes to financial statements are an integral part of these statements. 6 |
TELEPHONE AND DATA
SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES |
1. | Basis of Presentation |
The accounting policies of Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS) conform to accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of TDS and its majority-owned subsidiaries, including TDSs 82.1%-owned wireless telephone subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular), and its 100%-owned wireline telephone subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom), and wireless partnerships in which TDS has a majority general partnership interest or a controlling financial interest. In addition, as of January 1, 2004, the consolidated financial statements include all entities where TDS has a variable interest that will absorb a majority of the entitys expected losses. |
The consolidated financial statements included herein have been prepared by TDS, without audit, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Certain information and note disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations, although TDS believes that the disclosures are adequate to make the information presented not misleading. It is suggested that these consolidated financial statements be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included in TDSs latest annual report on Form 10-K, as amended. |
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements contain all adjustments (consisting of only normal recurring items unless otherwise disclosed) necessary to present fairly the financial position as of March 31, 2004, and the results of operations and cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2004, are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the full year. |
2. | Restatements and Reclassifications |
Wireless License Costs and Goodwill Restatements |
On April 19, 2004, TDS filed a Form 8-K with the SEC announcing that it would restate its 2003 and 2002 financial statements relating to the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which was adopted on January 1, 2002. Prior to January 1, 2002, TDS allocated the excess of purchase price over tangible assets and liabilities acquired to wireless license costs and goodwill. At that time, the accounting treatment for TDSs wireless licenses and goodwill was the same for book purposes, with both asset classes amortized over an expected life of 40 years. However, no deferred taxes were provided on the amounts allocated to goodwill. |
Based upon a subsequent review of goodwill, TDS has restated the allocation of $138.9 million of purchase price recorded as goodwill to wireless license costs as of January 1, 2002, the date of the adoption of SFAS No. 142. In connection with this restatement, an additional deferred tax liability of $90.7 million was recorded as of January 1, 2002. The additional deferred tax liability recorded in conjunction with this restatement increased the carrying value of wireless license costs by a corresponding $90.7 million. Following these adjustments, TDS reperformed the impairment tests for its wireless license costs as of January 1, 2002, and recorded an impairment loss of $10.4 million ($20.9 million before an income tax benefit of $8.2 million and minority interest of $2.3 million). This impairment has been recorded as a cumulative effect of an accounting change at January 1, 2002, the date of the adoption of SFAS 142. |
In the first quarter of 2003, TDS had recorded a loss on assets held for sale related to the pending disposition of certain wireless properties. The wireless license costs upon which the impairment was recorded in the first quarter of 2002 included the wireless license costs of these properties. As a result, a portion of the originally recognized loss on assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2003 was recognized in the first quarter of 2002. Consequently, loss on assets held for sale in 2003 has been reduced by $1.9 million, before income taxes of $0.8 million and minority interest of $0.2 million. In the third quarter of 2003, TDS had originally recorded an income tax expense upon the closing of the disposition of such wireless properties. This tax expense has been reduced due to the reversal of additional deferred tax liabilities that were recorded with respect to the wireless properties exchanged in conjunction with the restatement of goodwill to investment in licenses. Consequently, income tax expense in 2003 has been reduced by $10.7 million and minority interest by $1.9 million. |
7 |
In addition, as a result of the restatement discussed above, TDS also reperformed the annual impairment test for its wireless license costs for 2003, which was originally performed during the second quarter of 2003. This resulted in the recognition of an additional impairment loss of $49.6 million, before an income tax benefit of $19.6 million and minority interest of $5.4 million. This additional loss has been recorded in the second quarter of 2003. |
Retention Reclassifications |
Certain amounts reported in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS separately disclosed marketing and selling expenses and general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations. In the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS combined the marketing and selling expenses and general and administrative expenses into one caption designated as selling, general and administrative expense. Previously, costs for equipment sold to retain current customers were included in selling, general and administrative expense. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2003, these costs were partially offset by equipment sales revenues received from these customers. In the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS changed its policy for classifying retention costs and has reclassified the equipment sales revenue and cost of equipment sold related to the retention of current customers out of selling, general and administrative expense and into operating revenues and cost of services and products, respectively, for each period presented. These reclassifications have been reflected in the first quarter of 2003. These reclassifications increased first quarter 2003 operating revenues by $7.9 million, and increased cost of services and products by $23.9 million from the amounts originally reported. Selling, general and administrative expense was reduced by $16.0 million from the amounts originally reported to reflect the amounts reclassified to operating revenues and cost of services and products. These reclassifications did not have any impact on income from operations, net income, earnings per share, financial position or cash flows of TDS for the first quarter of 2003. |
A summary of the changes to the affected captions on the March 31, 2003 statement of operations and the December 31, 2003 balance sheet (including a $49.6 million impairment taken in the second quarter of 2003) related to the above reclassifications and restatements are included below: |
Three Months Ended March 31, 2003 | ||||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) | Effects of 2003 Changes | |||||||||||||
Statement of Operations: | As Previously Reported (1) | Wireless License Costs and Goodwill Restatements | Retention Reclass- ifications | As Restated | ||||||||||
Operating Revenues(2) | $ | 807,418 | $ | 7,860 | $ | 815,278 | ||||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||||||||
Cost of services and products (2) | 262,398 | 23,878 | 286,276 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense (2) | 336,501 | (16,018 | ) | 320,483 | ||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and accretion expense | 151,227 | 151,227 | ||||||||||||
Loss on assets held for sale (3) | 23,500 | $ | (1,939 | ) | 21,561 | |||||||||
773,626 | (1,939 | ) | 7,860 | 779,547 | ||||||||||
Operating Income | 33,792 | 1,939 | 35,731 | |||||||||||
Income (loss) before income taxes and minority interest | (1,031 | ) | 1,939 | 908 | ||||||||||
Income tax expense (3) | 3,824 | 761 | 4,585 | |||||||||||
Minority share of income (3) | (157 | ) | (211 | ) | (368 | ) | ||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change |
(5,012 | ) | 967 | (4,045 | ) | |||||||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | (11,789 | ) | | (11,789 | ) | |||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (16,801 | ) | $ | 967 | $ | | $ | (15,834 | ) | ||||
Weighted Average Shares Outstanding (000s) | 58,594 | | | 58,594 | ||||||||||
Basic Earnings (Loss) per Share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.02 | $ | | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | 0.02 | $ | | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||
Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share | ||||||||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change | $ | (0.09 | ) | $ | 0.02 | $ | | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||||
Cumulative effect of accounting change | (0.20 | ) | | | (0.20 | ) | ||||||||
Net income (loss) | $ | (0.29 | ) | $ | 0.02 | $ | | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||
8 |
(1) | Amounts as previously reported in amendment No. 2 to the March 31, 2003 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed March 10, 2004. |
(2) | Prior to the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS included costs for equipment sold to retain current U.S. Cellular customers in selling, general and administrative expense, partially offset by equipment sales revenues received from these customers. In the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS changed its policy for classifying retention costs and has reclassified the equipment sales revenues and cost of equipment sold related to the retention of current U.S. Cellular customers out of selling, general and administrative expense into operating revenues and cost of services and products, respectively. |
(3) | The reductions to the loss on assets held for sale and related income tax expense and minority interest are the result of impairment losses recorded on wireless license costs in 2002. |
At December 31, 2003 | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) Balance Sheet: |
As Previously Reported (1) | Wireless License Costs and Goodwill Restatements | As Restated | ||||||||
Wireless license costs | |||||||||||
Restatement of goodwill | $ | 138,885 | |||||||||
Increase in deferred tax liability | 90,677 | ||||||||||
2002 impairment loss | (20,921 | ) | |||||||||
2003 impairment loss | (49,595 | ) | |||||||||
Adjustment to amount transferred to Assets of | |||||||||||
operations held for sale in first quarter of 2003 | (21,759 | ) | |||||||||
$ | 1,052,039 | 137,287 | $ | 1,189,326 | |||||||
Goodwill | |||||||||||
Restatement of goodwill | (138,885 | ) | |||||||||
Adjustment to amount transferred to Assets of | |||||||||||
operations held for sale in first quarter of 2003 | 23,698 | ||||||||||
1,003,124 | (115,187 | ) | 887,937 | ||||||||
Total Assets | $ | 10,171,238 | $ | 22,100 | $ | 10,193,338 | |||||
Net deferred income tax liability | |||||||||||
Increase from restatement of goodwill to | |||||||||||
wireless license costs | $ | 90,677 | |||||||||
2002 tax benefit on impairment loss | (8,264 | ) | |||||||||
2003 tax benefit on impairment loss | (19,590 | ) | |||||||||
Tax effect on changes to loss on assets held for | |||||||||||
sale in 2003 | (9,952 | ) | |||||||||
$ | 1,232,153 | 52,871 | $ | 1,285,024 | |||||||
Minority interest in subsidiaries | |||||||||||
2002 impact | (2,256 | ) | |||||||||
2003 impact | (3,232 | ) | |||||||||
508,190 | (5,488 | ) | 502,702 | ||||||||
Retained Earnings | |||||||||||
2002 cumulative effect impact | (10,401 | ) | |||||||||
2003 impact(2) | (14,882 | ) | |||||||||
1,456,954 | (25,283 | ) | 1,431,671 | ||||||||
Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity | $ | 10,171,238 | $ | 22,100 | $ | 10,193,338 | |||||
(1) | Amounts as previously reported in Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, filed March 12, 2004. |
(2) | This amount represents the aggregate impact on full year 2003 Net income of the above-referenced restatements. |
3. | Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Variable Interest Entities |
TDS accounts for variable interest entities in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Interpretation No. 46R (FIN 46R). This interpretation modifies the requirements for consolidation of investments previously contained in Accounting Research Bulletin No. 51, Consolidated Financial Statements, Under FIN 46R, certain entities in which equity investors do not have the characteristics of a controlling financial interest or do not have sufficient equity at risk for the entity to finance its activities without additional subordinated financial support from other parties are considered variable interest entities and are potentially subject to consolidation by an investor other than the investor with the majority equity interest. The adoption of FIN 46R in January 2004 resulted in the inclusion of one additional wireless market in U.S. Cellulars consolidated operations. The operations of such additional market did not have a material impact on TDSs financial position or results of operations. |
9 |
Other Postretirement Benefits |
TDS sponsors two contributory defined benefit postretirement plans that cover most employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and the subsidiaries of TDS Telecom. One plan provides medical benefits and the other plan provides life insurance benefits. |
Net periodic benefit costs for the defined benefit postretirement plans include the following components: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Service Cost | $ | 591 | $ | 419 | |||||
Interest on accumulated benefit obligation | 665 | 620 | |||||||
Expected return on plan assets | (337 | ) | (299 | ) | |||||
Amortization of: | |||||||||
Prior service cost | (179 | ) | (32 | ) | |||||
Net loss (gain) | 237 | 123 | |||||||
Net postretirement cost | $ | 977 | $ | 831 | |||||
TDS has contributed $6.9 million to the postretirement plan assets during 2004. A contribution of $0.4 million was made to plan assets on March 31, 2004. An additional contribution of $6.5 million was made on April 1, 2004. |
Pension Plan |
TDS sponsors a qualified noncontributory defined contribution pension plan. The plan provides benefits for the employees of TDS Corporate, TDS Telecom and U.S. Cellular. Under this plan, pension benefits and costs are calculated separately for each participant and are funded currently. Pension costs were $3.1 million and $2.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, respectively. |
Stock-Based Compensation |
TDS accounts for stock options, stock appreciation rights (SARs) and employee stock purchase plans under Accounting Principles Board (APB) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees as allowed by SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation. |
No compensation costs have been recognized for stock options because, under TDSs stock option plans, the option exercise price for each grant is equal to the quoted stock price at the grant date. No compensation costs have been recognized for employee stock purchase plans because the purchase price is not less than 85 percent of the fair market value of the stock at the purchase date. Had compensation cost for all plans been determined consistent with SFAS No. 123, TDSs net income available to common and earnings per share would have been reduced to the following pro forma amounts: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
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(Dollars in thousands, except per share amounts) |
|||||||||
Net Income (loss) Available to Common | |||||||||
As Reported | $ | 19,682 | $ | (15,938 | ) | ||||
Pro Forma Expense | (2,362 | ) | (1,808 | ) | |||||
Pro Forma Net Income (loss) Available to Common | $ | 17,320 | $ | (17,746 | ) | ||||
Basic Earnings per Share from Net Income (loss) | |||||||||
Available to Common | |||||||||
As Reported | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||
Pro Forma Expense per Share | (0.04 | ) | (0.03 | ) | |||||
Pro Forma Basic Earnings per Share | $ | 0.30 | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||||
Diluted Earnings per Share from Net Income (loss) | |||||||||
Available to Common | |||||||||
As Reported | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.27 | ) | ||||
Pro Forma Expense per Share | (0.04 | ) | (0.03 | ) | |||||
Pro Forma Diluted Earnings per Share | $ | 0.30 | $ | (0.30 | ) | ||||
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Recent Accounting Pronouncements |
Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests |
Under SFAS No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity, certain minority interests in consolidated entities with finite lives may meet the standards definition of a mandatorily redeemable financial instrument and thus require reclassification as liabilities and remeasurement at the estimated amount of cash that would be due and payable to settle such minority interests under the applicable entitys organization agreement assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived entity, net of estimated liquidation costs (the settlement value). TDSs consolidated financial statements include such minority interests that meet the standards definition of mandatorily redeemable financial instruments. These mandatorily redeemable minority interests represent interests held by third parties in consolidated partnerships and limited liability companies (LLCs), where the terms of the underlying partnership or LLC agreement provide for a defined termination date at which time the assets of the subsidiary are to be sold, the liabilities are to be extinguished and the remaining net proceeds are to be distributed to the minority interest holders and TDS in accordance with the respective partnership and LLC agreements. The termination dates of TDSs mandatorily redeemable minority interests range from 2042 to 2100. |
On November 7, 2003, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (FSP) No. FAS 150-3, Effective Date, Disclosures, and Transition for Mandatorily Redeemable Financial Instruments of Certain Nonpublic Entities and Certain Mandatorily Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests under FASB Statement No. 150, Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with Characteristics of Both Liabilities and Equity. The FSP indefinitely deferred the classification and measurement provisions of SFAS No. 150 related to the mandatorily redeemable minority interests associated with finite-lived subsidiaries, but retained the related disclosure provisions. The settlement value of TDSs mandatorily redeemable minority interests is estimated to be $84.2 million at March 31, 2004. This represents the estimated amount of cash that would be due and payable to settle minority interests assuming an orderly liquidation of the finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs on March 31, 2004, net of estimated liquidation costs. This amount is being disclosed pursuant to the requirements of FSP FAS 150-3; TDS has no current plans or intentions to liquidate any of the related partnerships or LLCs prior to their scheduled termination dates. The corresponding carrying value of the minority interests in finite-lived consolidated partnerships and LLCs at March 31, 2004 is $24.8 million, and is included in the balance sheet caption Minority Interest in Subsidiaries. The excess of the aggregate settlement value over the aggregate carrying value of the mandatorily redeemable minority interests of $59.4 million is primarily due to the unrecognized appreciation of the minority interest holders share of the underlying net assets in the consolidated partnerships and LLCs. Neither the minority interest holders share, nor TDSs share, of the appreciation of the underlying net assets of these subsidiaries is reflected in the consolidated financial statements. The estimate of settlement value was based on certain factors and assumptions. Changes in those factors and assumptions could result in a materially larger or smaller settlement amount. |
The FASB plans to reconsider certain implementation issues and perhaps the classification or measurement guidance for mandatorily redeemable minority interests during the deferral period. The outcome of their deliberations cannot be determined at this point. Accordingly, it is possible that the FASB could require the recognition and measurement of mandatorily redeemable minority interests at their settlement value at a later date. |
Health Care Benefits |
On December 8, 2003, President Bush signed into law the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003. The Act expands Medicare, primarily by adding a prescription drug benefit for Medicare-eligible participants starting in 2006. The Act provides employers currently sponsoring prescription drug programs for Medicare-eligible participants with a range of options for coordinating with the new government-sponsored program to potentially reduce program cost. These options include supplementing the government program on a secondary payor basis or accepting a direct subsidy from the government to support a portion of the cost of the employers program. |
Pursuant to guidance from the FASB under FSP FAS 106-1, TDS has chosen to defer recognition of the potential effects of the Act. Therefore, the retiree health obligations and costs reported in these financial statements do not yet reflect any potential impact of the Act. Specific authoritative guidance on the accounting for the government subsidy is pending and that guidance, when issued, could require the company to change previously reported information. |
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In the months ahead, TDS intends to review its retiree health care strategy in light of the Act. As part of that review, TDS may consider amending its retiree health program to coordinate with the new Medicare prescription drug program or to receive the direct subsidy from the government. As a result, TDS anticipates that its retiree health obligations and costs could be reduced if such amendments are adopted. |
Earnings per Share |
In March 2004, the Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF) reached a consensus on EITF Issue No. 03-6, Participating Securities and the Two-Class Method under FASB Statement No. 128, Earnings per Share. EITF 03-6 clarifies what constitutes a participating security and provides further guidance in applying the two-class method of calculating earnings per share. The consensuses reached by the Task Force in this Issue were ratified by the FASB on March 31, 2004, and are effective for reporting periods beginning after March 31, 2004. TDS is currently assessing the provisions of EITF 03-6 and the impact on the calculation of earnings per share. |
4. | Income Taxes |
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders includes Loss on investments and (Gain) Loss on assets held for sale for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003. The following table summarizes the effective income tax expense (benefit) rates in each of the periods. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
Effective Tax Rate from: | |||||||||
Operations excluding Loss on investments and | |||||||||
(Gain) Loss on assets held for sale | 40.8% | 42.2% | |||||||
Loss on investments and (Gain) Loss on assets held for sale(1) | N/M | (25.4%) | |||||||
Income (Loss) before cumulative effect of accounting change | 46.4% | N/M |
(1) | The effective tax rate in the first quarter of 2004 related to the provision for Losses on investments and assets held for sale is not meaningful. Because of the impact on the income tax provision of the completion of the sale of assets to AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. (AT&T Wireless) in February 2004, it was necessary for U.S. Cellular to record a tax provision of $2.5 million at the time of this sale. However, book pretax income in the first quarter of 2004 reflected a $143,000 gain on assets held for sale. |
5. | (Gain) Loss on Assets Held for Sale |
TDS recorded an estimated loss on assets held for sale of $22.0 million in the fourth quarter of 2003 related to the sale of U.S. Cellulars wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless. In the first quarter of 2004, U.S. Cellular reduced the loss by $143,000. The loss represents the difference between the book value of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless and the cash received in the transaction when it was completed in February 2004. |
TDS reported a Loss on assets held for sale of $21.6 million in the first quarter of 2003 representing the difference between the carrying value of the Georgia and Florida wireless markets U.S. Cellular transferred to AT&T Wireless and the fair value of the assets received in the exchange transaction. The fair value of the assets to be received was determined using an independent valuation. This exchange transaction was completed on August 1, 2003. |
See Note 17 Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges for further information on both of the transactions with AT&T Wireless. |
6. | Loss on Investments |
TDS reported a Loss on investments of $3.5 million in the first quarter of 2003. The loss was recorded to reflect an impairment in the carrying value of a license in a non-operating market in Florida that remained with U.S. Cellular after the exchange with AT&T Wireless was completed. |
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7. | Cumulative Effect of Accounting Changes |
Effective January 1, 2003, TDS adopted SFAS No.143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations and recorded the initial liability for legal obligations associated with an asset retirement. The cumulative effect of the implementation of this accounting standard on periods prior to 2003 was recorded in the first quarter of 2003, decreasing net income by $11.8 million, net of tax and minority interest, or $0.20 per basic and diluted share. |
8. | Earnings Per Share |
Basic earnings per share is computed by dividing net income available to common by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted earnings per share is computed using net income available to common and weighted average common shares adjusted to include the effect of potentially dilutive securities. Potentially dilutive securities include incremental shares issuable upon exercise of outstanding stock options and the potential conversion of preferred stock to common shares. The diluted loss per share calculation for the quarters ended March 31, 2004 and 2003 exclude the effect of the potentially dilutive securities because their inclusion would be anti-dilutive in each period. |
The amounts used in computing earnings per share from operations and the effect on income and the weighted average number of Common and Series A Common Shares of dilutive potential common stock are as follows. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Basic Earnings per Share: | |||||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations Before Cumulative Effect of | |||||||||
Accounting Change | $ | 19,732 | $ | (4,045 | ) | ||||
Less: Preferred Dividend requirement | (50 | ) | (104 | ) | |||||
Income (Loss) from Operations Available to Common | 19,682 | (4,149 | ) | ||||||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (11,789 | ) | ||||||
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common used in Basic Earnings per Share | $ | 19,682 | $ | (15,938 | ) | ||||
Diluted Earnings per Share: | |||||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations Available to Common used in | |||||||||
Basic Earnings per Share | $ | 19,682 | $ | (4,149 | ) | ||||
Minority Income Adjustment (1) | (48 | ) | | ||||||
Income (Loss) from Operations Available to Common | 19,634 | (4,149 | ) | ||||||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (11,789 | ) | ||||||
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common used in Diluted Earnings per Share | $ | 19,634 | $ | (15,938 | ) | ||||
(1) | The minority income adjustment reflects the additional minority share of U.S. Cellular's income computed as if all of U.S. Cellular's issuable securities were outstanding. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Shares in thousands) |
|||||||||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares used in Basic | |||||||||
Earnings per Share | 57,168 | 58,594 | |||||||
Effect of Dilutive Securities | |||||||||
Stock Options (1)(2) | 256 | | |||||||
Weighted Average Number of Common Shares used in Diluted | |||||||||
Earnings per Share | 57,424 | 58,594 | |||||||
(1) | Stock options convertible into 709,031 and 1,801,802 Common Shares in 2004 and 2003 were not included in computing Diluted Earnings per Share because their effects were antidilutive. |
(2) | Preferred shares convertible into 74,238 and 226,824 Common Shares in 2004 and 2003 were not included in computing Diluted Earnings per Share because their effects were antidilutive. |
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Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
Basic Earnings per Share | |||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (0.20 | ) | ||||||
$ | 0.34 | $ | (0.27 | ) | |||||
Diluted Earnings per Share | |||||||||
Income (Loss) Before Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | $ | 0.34 | $ | (0.07 | ) | ||||
Cumulative Effect of Accounting Change | | (0.20 | ) | ||||||
$ | 0.34 | $ | (0.27 | ) | |||||
9. | Marketable Equity Securities |
TDS and its subsidiaries hold a substantial amount of marketable equity securities that are publicly traded and can have volatile movements in share prices. TDS and its subsidiaries do not make direct investments in publicly traded companies and all of these interests were acquired as a result of sales, trades or reorganization of other assets. The investment in Deutsche Telekom resulted from TDSs sale of its over 80%-owned personal communication services operating subsidiary, Aerial Communications, to VoiceStream Wireless for stock of VoiceStream, which was then acquired by Deutsche Telekom in exchange for Deutsche Telekom stock. The investment in Vodafone resulted from certain sales or trades of non-strategic cellular investment to or settlements with AirTouch Communications in exchange for stock of AirTouch, which was then acquired by Vodafone for American Depositary Receipts representing Vodafone stock. The investment in Rural Cellular Corporation is the result of a consolidation of several cellular partnerships in which TDS subsidiaries held interests in Rural Cellular, and the distribution of Rural Cellular stock in exchange of these interests. The investment in VeriSign is the result of the acquisition by VeriSign of Illuminet, Inc., a telecommunication entity in which several TDS subsidiaries held interests. |
The market values of the marketable equity securities may fall below the accounting cost basis of such securities. If management determines the decline in value of the marketable equity securities to be other than temporary, the unrealized loss included in other comprehensive income is recognized and recorded as a loss in the Statement of Operations. |
TDS and its subsidiaries have entered into a number of forward contracts related to the marketable equity securities that they hold. The risk management objective of the forward contracts is to hedge the value of the marketable equity securities from losses due to decreases in the market prices of the securities while retaining a share of gains from increases in the market prices of such securities. The downside risk is hedged at or above the accounting cost basis thereby eliminating the risk of an other than temporary loss being recorded on these contracted securities. |
Information regarding TDSs marketable equity securities is summarized as follows: |
March 31, 2004 |
December 31, 2003 |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Marketable Equity Securities | |||||||||
Deutsche Telekom AG - 131,461,861 Ordinary Shares | $ | 2,366,313 | $ | 2,403,123 | |||||
Vodafone Group Plc - 12,945,915 American Depositary Receipts | 309,407 | 324,166 | |||||||
VeriSign, Inc. - 2,361,333 Common Shares | 39,175 | 38,490 | |||||||
Rural Cellular Corporation - 719,396 equivalent Common Shares | 6,863 | 5,719 | |||||||
Other | 227 | 912 | |||||||
Aggregate fair value | 2,721,985 | 2,772,410 | |||||||
Accounting cost basis | 1,543,936 | 1,543,932 | |||||||
Gross unrealized holding gains | 1,178,049 | 1,228,478 | |||||||
Income tax (expense) | (459,964 | ) | (479,683 | ) | |||||
Unrealized holding gains, net of tax | 718,085 | 748,795 | |||||||
Derivative instruments, net of tax | (387,570 | ) | (447,319 | ) | |||||
Equity method unrealized gains | 126 | 126 | |||||||
Minority share of unrealized holding gains | (4,846 | ) | (4,782 | ) | |||||
Accumulated other comprehensive income | $ | 325,795 | $ | 296,820 | |||||
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10. | Goodwill |
TDS has substantial amounts of goodwill as a result of the acquisition of wireless licenses and markets, and the acquisition of operating telephone companies. The changes in goodwill for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 2003, were as follows. TDS Telecoms incumbent local exchange carriers are designated as ILEC and its competitive local exchange carrier is designated as CLEC in the table. |
TDS Telecom |
|||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
U.S. Cellular | ILEC | CLEC | Other(1) | Total | ||||||||||||
Beginning Balance December 31, 2003 | $ | 430,256 | $ | 397,341 | $ | 29,440 | $ | 30,900 | $ | 887,937 | |||||||
Acquisitions | 3,649 | | | | 3,649 | ||||||||||||
Other | (655 | ) | | | | (655 | ) | ||||||||||
Ending Balance March 31, 2004 | $ | 433,250 | $ | 397,341 | $ | 29,440 | $ | 30,900 | $ | 890,931 | |||||||
As Restated | |||||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance December 31, 2002 | $ | 504,744 | $ | 397,482 | $ | 29,440 | $ | 35,900 | $ | 967,566 | |||||||
Allocation to Assets of Operations | |||||||||||||||||
Held for Sale | (69,961 | ) | | | | (69,961 | ) | ||||||||||
Other | (3,268 | ) | (928 | ) | | | (4,196 | ) | |||||||||
Ending Balance March 31, 2003 | $ | 431,515 | $ | 396,554 | $ | 29,440 | $ | 35,900 | $ | 893,409 | |||||||
(1) Other consists of goodwill related to an investment in a cellular market owned by an ILEC subsidiary. |
11. | Unconsolidated Entities |
Investments in unconsolidated entities consist of amounts invested in wireless and wireline entities in which TDS holds a minority interest. These investments are accounted for using either the equity or cost method. |
Significant investments in TDSs unconsolidated entities include the following: |
March 31, 2004 |
March 31, 2003 |
||||||||
Los Angeles SMSA Limited Partnership | 5.5% | 5.5% | |||||||
Raleigh-Durham MSA Limited Partnership | 8.0% | 8.0% | |||||||
Midwest Wireless Communications, LLC | 15.7% | 15.7% | |||||||
North Carolina RSA 1 Partnership | 50.0% | 50.0% | |||||||
Oklahoma City SMSA Limited Partnership | 14.6% | 14.6% |
Based primarily on data furnished to TDS by third parties, the following summarizes the combined results of operations of all wireless and wireline entities in which TDSs investments are accounted for by the equity method: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Results of Operations | |||||||||
Revenues | $ | 649,000 | $ | 573,000 | |||||
Operating expenses | 477,000 | 441,000 | |||||||
Operating income | 172,000 | 132,000 | |||||||
Other income (expense), net | 4,000 | 2,000 | |||||||
Net Income | $ | 176,000 | $ | 134,000 | |||||
12. | Customer Lists |
The customer lists, intangible assets from the acquisition of wireless properties, are being amortized based on average customer retention periods using the declining balance method. The acquisition of certain minority interests in the first quarter of 2004 added $12.9 million to the gross balance at March 31, 2004. Amortization expense was $3.1 million in the first quarter of 2004 and was $4.5 million in the first quarter of 2003. Amortization expense for the remainder of 2004 and for the years 2005-2008 is expected to be $9.4 million, $8.3 million, $5.4 million, $3.6 million and $2.4 million, respectively. |
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13. | Property, Plant and Equipment |
In the first quarter of 2004, U.S. Cellular adjusted the useful lives of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) radio equipment, switch software and antenna equipment. TDMA radio equipment lives were adjusted to be fully depreciated by the end of 2008, which is the latest date the wireless industry will need to support analog service. U.S. Cellular currently uses TDMA radio equipment to support analog service, and expects to have its digital radio network fully migrated to Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) 1XRTT by that time. The useful lives for certain switch software was reduced to one year from three years and antenna equipment lives were reduced from eight years to seven years in order to better align the useful lives with the actual length of time the assets are in use. These changes increased depreciation by $7.4 million in the first quarter of 2004 and is estimated to increase depreciation by $14.9 million for the full year 2004. The change in useful lives reduced net income by $3.7 million, or $0.06 per share in the three months ended March 31, 2004. |
14. | Revolving Credit Facilities and Forward Contracts |
TDS has a $600 million revolving credit facility for general corporate purposes. At March 31, 2004, this credit facility had $596.1 million available for use, net of $3.9 million of outstanding letters of credit. This credit facility expires in January 2007. Borrowings bear interest at the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR) plus a contractual spread based on TDSs credit rating. The contractual spread was 30 basis points as of March 31, 2004 (for a rate of 1.39% based on the one month LIBOR rate at March 31, 2004). |
TDS also has $75 million of additional bank lines of credit for general corporate purposes, all of which was unused at March 31, 2004. These line of credit agreements expire in less than one year and provide for borrowings at negotiated rates up to the prime rate (4.0% at March 31, 2004). |
U.S. Cellular has a $700 million revolving credit facility available for general corporate purposes. At March 31, 2004, this credit facility had $614.8 million available for use, net of borrowings of $85.0 million and outstanding letters of credit of $0.2 million. This credit facility expires in June 2007. Borrowings bear interest at the LIBOR rate plus a margin percentage, based on U.S. Cellulars credit rating, which was 55 basis points as of March 31, 2004 (for a rate of 1.64% based on the one month LIBOR rate at March 31, 2004). |
Subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular have entered into a number of variable prepaid forward contracts (forward contracts) related to the marketable equity securities that they hold. The forward contracts mature in May 2007 and, at TDSs and U.S. Cellulars option, may be settled in shares of the respective security or cash. |
On April 19, 2004, TDS filed a Form 8-K with the SEC announcing that it expected to restate financial statements for the years ended December 31, 2003 and 2002 and for the interim periods for such years. The restatements resulted in defaults under the revolving credit agreements and certain of the forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular had not failed to make any scheduled payments under such revolving credit agreements or forward contracts. TDS and U.S. Cellular received waivers from the lenders associated with the revolving credit agreement and from the counterparty to certain of the forward contracts, under which the lenders and the counterparty agreed to waive any defaults that may have occurred as a result of the restatements. |
15. | Asset Retirement Obligation |
U.S. Cellular is subject to asset retirement obligations associated primarily with its cell sites, retail sites and office locations. Legal obligations include obligations to remediate leased land on which U.S. Cellulars cell sites and switching offices are located. U.S. Cellular is also required to return leased retail store premises and office space to their pre-existing conditions. U.S. Cellular determined that it had an obligation to remove long-lived assets in its cell sites, retail sites and office locations as described by SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations, and has recorded a liability and related asset retirement obligation accretion expense. The asset retirement obligation calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 143 at December 31, 2003 and at March 31, 2004 was $64.5 million and $64.3 million, respectively. |
TDS Telecoms incumbent local telephone carriers have recorded an asset retirement obligation in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 143 and a regulatory liability for the costs of removal that state public utility commissions have required to be recorded for regulatory accounting purposes which are in excess of the amounts required to be recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 143. These amounts combined make up the asset retirement obligation amounts shown on the balance sheet. The regulatory liability |
16 |
included in asset retirement obligation at December 31, 2003 and at March 31, 2004 was $28.2 million and $29.1 million, respectively. The asset retirement obligation calculated in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 143 at December 31, 2003 and at March 31, 2004 was $31.8 million and $32.2 million, respectively. |
TDS Telecoms competitive local telephone companies adopted SFAS No. 143 effective January 1, 2003. TDS Telecom has determined that its competitive local telephone companies do not have a material legal obligation to remove long-lived assets as described by SFAS 143. |
The table below summarizes the changes in asset retirement obligations during the first quarter of 2004. |
U.S. Cellular | TDS Telecom | TDS Consolidated | |||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance - December 31, 2003 | $ | 64,501 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 124,501 | |||||||||
Additional liabilities accrued | 200 | 1,500 | 1,700 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expense | 1,231 | | 1,231 | ||||||||||||
Costs of removal incurred in 2004 | | (200 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||||||
Disposition of assets (1) | (1,635 | ) | | (1,635 | ) | ||||||||||
Ending Balance - March 31, 2004 | $ | 64,297 | $ | 61,300 | $ | 125,597 | |||||||||
(1) | This change in the asset retirement obligation relates to those obligations which were associated with the properties sold to AT&T Wireless in February 2004 and are no longer obligations of U.S. Cellular. |
16. | Common Share Repurchase Program |
The Board of Directors of TDS from time to time has authorized the repurchase of TDS Common Shares. In 2003, the Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of up to 3.0 million Common Shares through February 2006. TDS may use repurchased shares to fund acquisitions and for other corporate purposes. |
In the three months ended March 31, 2004, TDS repurchased 40,300 Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate of $2.8 million, representing an average per share price of $69.82 including commissions. As of March 31, 2004, shares remaining available for repurchase under this authorization total 998,800. |
In the three months ended March 31, 2003, TDS repurchased 750,300 Common Shares under this authorization for an aggregate of $29.4 million, representing an average per share price of $39.15, including commissions. TDS paid cash of $24.6 million and $4.8 million for these Common Shares in the first and second quarters of 2003, respectively, related to repurchases made during the first quarter of 2003. |
17. | Acquisitions, Divestitures and Exchanges |
2004 Activity |
On February 18, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of certain of its wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless for $96.9 million in cash, including a working capital adjustment. The U.S. Cellular markets sold to AT&T Wireless included wireless assets and customers in six 25 megahertz cellular markets. An aggregate loss of $21.9 million (including a $22.0 million estimate of the Loss on assets held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2003 and a $143,000 reduction of the loss in the first quarter of 2004) was recorded as a Loss on assets held for sale (included in operating expenses), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless and the cash received in the transaction. |
Prior to the close of the AT&T Wireless sale, TDS reflected the assets and liabilities to be transferred to AT&T Wireless as assets and liabilities of operations held for sale in accordance with SFAS No. 144. The results of operations of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless were included in results of operations through February 17, 2004. |
In addition, in the first quarter of 2004, U.S. Cellular purchased certain minority interests in several wireless markets in which it already owned a controlling interest for $40.4 million in cash. These acquisitions increased wireless license costs, goodwill and customer lists by $2.7 million, $3.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively. |
17 |
2003 Activity |
On March 10, 2003, U.S. Cellular announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement with AT&T Wireless to exchange wireless properties. Pursuant to the exchange, U.S. Cellular has received or will receive the following: a) wireless licenses in 13 states contiguous to and that overlap existing U.S. Cellular properties in the Midwest and the Northeast; b) approximately $34.0 million in cash; and c) minority interests in six markets in which it previously owned a controlling interest. |
On August 1, 2003, U.S. Cellular completed the transfer of wireless assets and customers in ten 25 megahertz markets in Florida and Georgia to AT&T Wireless. In return, U.S. Cellular received rights to acquire controlling interests in 36 personal communication service licenses and the above-referenced cash and minority interests. In accordance with the agreement, U.S. Cellular has deferred the assignment and development of 21 licenses for a period of up to five years from the closing date. U.S. Cellular will take possession of the licenses in staggered closings over that five-year period to comply with service requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The value of these licenses is recorded as Wireless license rights on the balance sheet. |
The acquisition of the licenses in the exchange was accounted for as a purchase by U.S. Cellular and the transfer of the properties by U.S. Cellular to AT&T Wireless was accounted for as a sale. An estimated loss of $21.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2003 as a loss on assets held for sale (included in operating expenses), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets transferred to AT&T Wireless and the fair value of the consideration received or to be received in the transaction. |
18. | Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income |
The cumulative balance of unrealized gains (losses) on securities and derivative instruments and related income tax effects included in Accumulated other comprehensive income are as follows. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | 296,820 | $ | 191,704 | |||||
Marketable Equity Securities | |||||||||
Add (Deduct): | |||||||||
Unrealized (losses) on Marketable equity securities | (50,429 | ) | (237,439 | ) | |||||
Income tax benefit | 19,719 | 92,571 | |||||||
(30,710 | ) | (144,868 | ) | ||||||
Minority share of unrealized (gains) losses | 1,255 | (114 | ) | ||||||
Net unrealized (losses) | (29,455 | ) | (144,982 | ) | |||||
Deduct (Add): | |||||||||
Recognized (losses) on Marketable equity securities | | (388 | ) | ||||||
Income tax benefit | | 157 | |||||||
| (231 | ) | |||||||
Minority share of recognized losses | | 22 | |||||||
Net recognized (losses) from Marketable equity | |||||||||
securities included in Net Income | | (209 | ) | ||||||
(29,455 | ) | (144,773 | ) | ||||||
Derivative Instruments | |||||||||
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments | 98,045 | 239,677 | |||||||
Income tax (expense) | (38,295 | ) | (93,528 | ) | |||||
59,750 | 146,149 | ||||||||
Minority share of unrealized gains on derivative | |||||||||
instruments | (1,320 | ) | (315 | ) | |||||
58,430 | 145,834 | ||||||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) included in | |||||||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss) | 28,975 | 1,061 | |||||||
Balance, end of period | $ | 325,795 | $ | 192,765 | |||||
18 |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Accumulated Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments | |||||||||
Balance, beginning of period | $ | (441,300 | ) | $ | (49,584 | ) | |||
Add (Deduct): | |||||||||
Unrealized gains on derivative instruments | 98,045 | 239,677 | |||||||
Income tax (expense) | (38,295 | ) | (93,528 | ) | |||||
Minority share of unrealized gains on derivative | (1,320 | ) | (315 | ) | |||||
Balance, end of period | $ | (382,870 | ) | $ | 96,250 | ||||
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Comprehensive Income (Loss) | |||||||||
Net Income (loss) | $ | 19,732 | $ | (15,834 | ) | ||||
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on | |||||||||
securities and derivative instruments | 28,975 | 1,061 | |||||||
$ | 48,707 | $ | (14,773 | ) | |||||
19. | Supplemental Cash Flow Information |
Cash and cash equivalents include cash and those short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. The following table summarizes interest and income taxes paid. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Interest Paid | $ | 41,343 | $ | 46,161 | |||||
Income Taxes Paid (Refunded) | $ | 8,668 | $ | (38,193 | ) | ||||
Noncash interest expense | $ | 7,439 | $ | 7,088 |
19 |
20. | Business Segment Information |
Financial data for TDSs business segments for each of the three-month periods ended or at March 31, 2004 and 2003 are as follows. TDS Telecoms incumbent local exchange carriers are designated as ILEC in the table and its competitive local exchange carrier is designated as CLEC. |
Three Months Ended or at March 31, 2004 |
TDS Telecom |
||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
U.S. Cellular |
ILEC |
CLEC |
All Other(1) |
Total |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 657,650 | $ | 159,119 | $ | 54,736 | $ | (993 | ) | $ | 870,512 | ||||||
Cost of services and products | 257,411 | 34,517 | 20,047 | (582 | ) | 311,393 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||
expense | 258,206 | 43,411 | 29,437 | (411 | ) | 330,643 | |||||||||||
Operating income before depreciation, | |||||||||||||||||
amortization, accretion and loss on | |||||||||||||||||
assets held for sale(2) | 142,033 | 81,191 | 5,252 | | 228,476 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and | |||||||||||||||||
accretion expense | 113,894 | 32,547 | 9,011 | | 155,452 | ||||||||||||
(Gain) Loss on assets held for sale | (143 | ) | | | | (143 | ) | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | 28,282 | 48,644 | (3,759 | ) | | 73,167 | |||||||||||
Significant noncash items: | |||||||||||||||||
Investment income | 14,287 | 175 | | 168 | 14,630 | ||||||||||||
Marketable equity securities | 248,403 | 68,095 | | 2,405,487 | 2,721,985 | ||||||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated | |||||||||||||||||
entities | 174,297 | 19,780 | | 24,739 | 218,816 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 4,848,927 | 1,815,029 | 233,817 | 3,239,825 | 10,137,598 | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 100,535 | $ | 17,616 | $ | 6,456 | $ | 1,019 | $ | 125,626 | |||||||
Three Months Ended or at March 31, 2003 As Restated |
TDS Telecom |
||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) |
U.S. Cellular |
ILEC |
CLEC |
All Other(1) |
Total |
||||||||||||
Operating revenues | $ | 603,774 | $ | 159,597 | $ | 52,439 | $ | (532 | ) | $ | 815,278 | ||||||
Cost of services and products | 226,608 | 38,145 | 21,783 | (260 | ) | 286,276 | |||||||||||
Selling, general and administrative | |||||||||||||||||
expense | 250,352 | 42,417 | 27,986 | (272 | ) | 320,483 | |||||||||||
Operating income before depreciation, | |||||||||||||||||
amortization, accretion and | |||||||||||||||||
loss on assets held for sale(2) | 126,814 | 79,035 | 2,670 | | 208,519 | ||||||||||||
Depreciation, amortization and | |||||||||||||||||
accretion expense | 109,577 | 33,619 | 8,031 | | 151,227 | ||||||||||||
Loss on assets held for sale | 21,561 | | | | 21,561 | ||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) | (4,324 | ) | 45,416 | (5,361 | ) | | 35,731 | ||||||||||
Significant noncash items: | |||||||||||||||||
Investment income | 12,378 | 169 | | 203 | 12,750 | ||||||||||||
Loss on investments | (3,500 | ) | | | | (3,500 | ) | ||||||||||
Marketable equity securities | 187,004 | 51,149 | | 1,469,349 | 1,707,502 | ||||||||||||
Investment in unconsolidated | |||||||||||||||||
entities | 161,708 | 19,135 | | 25,781 | 206,624 | ||||||||||||
Total assets | 4,798,011 | 1,885,379 | 237,967 | 2,720,733 | 9,642,090 | ||||||||||||
Capital expenditures | $ | 140,926 | $ | 15,412 | $ | 3,705 | $ | 1,340 | $ | 161,383 |
(1) | Consists of the TDS Corporate operations, TDS Telecom intercompany eliminations, TDS Corporate and TDS Telecom marketable equity securities and all other businesses not included in the U.S. Cellular or TDS Telecom segments. |
(2) | Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion and Operating income before depreciation, amortization and accretion and loss on assets held for sale are measures of profit and loss used by the chief operating decision maker to review the operating performance of each reportable business segment and is reported above in accordance with SFAS No. 131, "Disclosure about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information." |
20 |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Total operating income from reportable segments | $ | 73,167 | $ | 35,731 | |||||
Investment and other income and expense | (29,822 | ) | (34,823 | ) | |||||
Income before income taxes and minority interest | $ | 43,345 | $ | 908 | |||||
21. | Commitments and Contingencies |
Indemnifications |
TDS enters into agreements in the normal course of business that provide for indemnification of counterparties. These include certain asset sales and financings with other parties. The terms of the indemnifications vary by agreement. The events or circumstances that would require TDS to perform under these indemnities are transaction specific; however, these agreements may require TDS to indemnify the counterparty for costs and losses incurred from litigation or claims arising from the underlying transaction. TDS is unable to estimate the maximum potential liability for these types of indemnifications as the amounts are dependent on the outcome of future events, the nature and likelihood of which cannot be determined at this time. Historically, TDS has not made any significant indemnification payments under such agreements. |
Legal Proceedings |
TDS is involved in legal proceedings before the FCC and various state and federal courts from time to time. Management does not believe that any of such proceedings will have a materially adverse impact on the financial position, results of operations or cash flows of TDS. |
21 |
ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS TELEPHONE AND DATA SYSTEMS, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES Telephone and Data Systems, Inc. (TDS- AMEX symbol: TDS) is a diversified telecommunications company providing high-quality telecommunications services to approximately 5.6 million wireless telephone and wireline telephone customers. TDS conducts substantially all of its wireless telephone operations through its 82.1%-owned subsidiary, United States Cellular Corporation (U.S. Cellular) and its incumbent local exchange carrier and competitive local exchange carrier wireline telephone operations through its wholly owned subsidiary, TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom). The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with TDSs interim consolidated financial statements and footnotes included herein, and with TDSs audited consolidated financial statements and footnotes and Managements Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations and Financial Condition included in TDSs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended. RESTATEMENTS AND RECLASSIFICATIONS Wireless License Costs and Goodwill Restatements On April 19, 2004, TDS filed a Form 8-K with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) announcing that it would restate its 2003 and 2002 financial statements relating to the implementation of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 142 Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, which was adopted on January 1, 2002. Prior to January 1, 2002, TDS allocated the excess of purchase price over tangible assets and liabilities acquired to wireless license costs and goodwill. At this time, the accounting treatment for the TDSs wireless licenses and goodwill was the same for book purposes, with both asset classes amortized over an expected life of 40 years. However, no deferred taxes were provided on the amounts allocated to goodwill. Based upon a subsequent review of goodwill, TDS has restated the allocation of $138.9 million of purchase price recorded as goodwill to wireless license costs as of January 1, 2002, the date of the adoption of SFAS No. 142. In connection with this restatement, an additional deferred tax liability of $90.7 million was recorded as of January 1, 2002. The additional deferred tax liability recorded in conjunction with this restatement increased the carrying value of wireless license costs by a corresponding $90.7 million. Following these adjustments, TDS reperformed the impairment tests for its wireless license costs as of January 1, 2002, and recorded an impairment loss of $10.4 million ($20.9 million before an income tax benefit of $8.2 million and minority interest of $2.3 million). This impairment has been recorded as a cumulative effect of an accounting change at January 1, 2002, the date of the adoption of SFAS 142. In the first quarter of 2003, TDS had recorded a loss on assets held for sale related to the pending disposition of certain wireless properties. The wireless license costs upon which the impairment was recorded in the first quarter of 2002 included the wireless license costs of these properties. As a result, a portion of the originally recognized loss on assets held for sale in the first quarter of 2003 was recognized in the first quarter of 2002. Consequently, loss on assets held for sale in 2003 has been reduced by $1.9 million, before income taxes of $0.8 million and minority interest of $0.2 million. In the third quarter of 2003, TDS had originally recorded an income tax expense upon the closing of the disposition of such wireless properties. This tax expense has been reduced due to the reversal of additional deferred tax liabilities that were recorded with respect to the wireless properties exchanged in conjunction with the restatement of goodwill to investment in licenses. Consequently, income tax expense in 2003 has been reduced by $10.7 million and minority interest by $1.9 million. In addition, as a result of the restatement discussed above, TDS also reperformed the annual impairment test for its wireless license costs for 2003, which was originally performed during the second quarter of 2003. This resulted in the recognition of an additional impairment loss of $49.6 million, before an income tax benefit of $19.6 million and minority interest of $5.4 million. This additional loss has been recorded in the second quarter of 2003. 22 Retention Reclassifications Certain amounts reported in prior years have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS separately disclosed marketing and selling expenses and general and administrative expenses in the statements of operations. In the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS combined the marketing and selling expenses and general and administrative expenses into one caption designated as selling, general and administrative expense. Previously, costs for equipment sold to retain current customers were included in selling, general and administrative expense. Prior to the fourth quarter of 2003, these costs were partially offset by equipment sales revenues received from these customers. In the fourth quarter of 2003, TDS changed its policy for classifying retention costs and has reclassified the equipment sales revenue and cost of equipment sold related to the retention of current customers out of selling, general and administrative expense and into operating revenues and cost of services and products, respectively, for each period presented. These reclassifications have been reflected in the first quarter of 2003. These reclassifications increased first quarter 2003 operating revenues by $7.9 million, and increased cost of services and products by $23.9 million from the amounts originally reported. Selling, general and administrative expense was reduced by $16.0 million from the amounts originally reported to reflect the amounts reclassified to operating revenues and cost of services and products. These reclassifications did not have any impact on income from operations, net income, earnings per share, financial position or cash flows of TDS for the first quarter of 2003. OVERVIEW The following is a summary of certain selected information from the complete management discussion that follows the overview and does not contain all of the information that may be important. You should carefully read this entire management discussion and analysis and not rely solely on the overview. Results of Operations U.S. Cellular U.S. Cellular positions itself as a regional operator, focusing its efforts on providing wireless service to customers in the geographic areas where it has licenses to provide such service. U.S. Cellular differentiates itself from its competitors through a customer satisfaction strategy, reflecting broad product distribution, a customer service focus and a high-quality wireless network. U.S. Cellulars business development strategy is to operate controlling interests in wireless licenses in areas adjacent to or in proximity to its other wireless licenses, thereby building contiguous operating market areas. U.S. Cellulars operating strategy is to strengthen the geographic areas where it can continue to build long-term operating synergies and to exit those areas where it does not have opportunities to build such synergies. In addition to the recent transactions disclosed in TDSs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended, on February 18, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of certain of its wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless Services, Inc. for $96.9 million in cash, including a working capital adjustment. U.S. Cellulars operating income in the first quarter of 2004 increased $32.6 million to $28.3 million from an operating loss of $4.3 million in 2003. The operating income (loss) margins (as a percent of service revenues) were 4.6% in 2004 and (0.8)% in 2003. U.S. Cellulars operating income (loss) and operating income (loss) margins were significantly affected by the loss on assets held for sale in 2003. TDS expects continued pressure on U.S. Cellular operating income and margins in the next few years related to the following factors: |
|
The effects of these factors are expected to be mitigated by the following factors: |
|
Three Months Ended March 31, | |||||||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated | Change | |||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||
Minority Share of (Income) Loss | |||||||||||||
U.S. Cellular | |||||||||||||
Minority Public Shareholders' | $ | (1,650 | ) | $ | 2,404 | $ | (4,054 | ) | |||||
Minority Shareholders' or Partners' | (1,861 | ) | (2,775 | ) | 914 | ||||||||
(3,511 | ) | (371 | ) | (3,140 | ) | ||||||||
Other | 3 | 3 | | ||||||||||
$ | (3,508 | ) | $ | (368 | ) | $ | (3,140 | ) | |||||
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Operating Revenues | ||||||||
Retail service | $ | 540,228 | $ | 472,308 | ||||
Inbound roaming | 42,499 | 54,606 | ||||||
Long-distance and other service revenues | 36,655 | 37,687 | ||||||
Service Revenues | 619,382 | 564,601 | ||||||
Equipment sales | 38,268 | 39,173 | ||||||
657,650 | 603,774 | |||||||
Operating Expenses | ||||||||
System operations (exclusive of depreciation | ||||||||
included below) | 137,523 | 137,965 | ||||||
Cost of equipment sold | 119,888 | 88,643 | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative | 258,206 | 250,352 | ||||||
Depreciation | 101,440 | 94,900 | ||||||
Amortization and accretion | 12,454 | 14,677 | ||||||
(Gain) Loss on assets held for sale | (143 | ) | 21,561 | |||||
629,368 | 608,098 | |||||||
Operating Income (Loss) | $ | 28,282 | $ | (4,324 | ) | |||
On August 1, 2003, U.S. Cellular completed the transfer of wireless assets and customers in ten 25 megahertz markets in Florida and Georgia to AT&T Wireless. In return, U.S. Cellular received rights to acquire controlling interests in 36 personal communication service licenses and the above-referenced cash and minority interests. In accordance with the agreement, U.S. Cellular has deferred the assignment and development of 21 licenses for a period of up to five years from the closing date. U.S. Cellular will take possession of the licenses in staggered closings over that five-year period to comply with service requirements of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). The value of these licenses is recorded as Wireless license rights on the balance sheet. An estimated loss of $21.6 million was recorded in the first quarter of 2003 as a loss on assets held for sale (included in operating expenses), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets transferred to AT&T Wireless and the fair value of the consideration received or to be received in the transaction. The Florida and Georgia markets that were transferred to AT&T Wireless are included in consolidated operations for the first quarter of 2003. On February 18, 2004, U.S. Cellular completed the sale of certain of its wireless properties in southern Texas to AT&T Wireless for $96.9 million in cash, including a working capital adjustment. The U.S. Cellular markets sold to AT&T Wireless included wireless assets and customers in six 25 megahertz cellular markets. An aggregate loss of $21.9 million (including a $22.0 million estimate of the loss on assets held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2003 and a $143,000 reduction of the loss in the first quarter of 2004) was recorded as a loss on assets held for sale (included in operating expenses), representing the difference between the carrying value of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless and the cash received in the transaction. Prior to the close of the AT&T Wireless sale, TDS reflected the assets and liabilities to be transferred to AT&T Wireless as assets and liabilities of operations held for sale in accordance with SFAS No. 144. The results of operations of the markets sold to AT&T Wireless were included in results of operations through February 17, 2004. 27 Operating revenues increased $53.9 million or 9% to $657.7 million in 2004 from $603.8 million in 2003. Service revenues increased $54.8 million, or 10%, to $619.4 million in 2004 from $564.6 million in 2003. Service revenues primarily consist of: (i) charges for access, airtime, roaming and value-added services provided to U.S. Cellulars retail customers (retail service); (ii) charges to other wireless carriers whose customers use U.S. Cellulars wireless systems when roaming (inbound roaming); and (iii) charges for long-distance calls made on U.S. Cellulars systems. The increase was primarily due to the growing number of retail customers. Monthly service revenue per customer averaged $46.16 in the first quarter of 2004, a 2% increase from an average of $45.05 in the first quarter of 2003. The numerator of this calculation of average monthly revenues per customer for the three months ended March 2004 and 2003 consists of the revenue for the respective three month period divided by three. The denominator consists of the average number of customers. Average customers totaled 4,473,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and 4,178,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2003. Retail service revenues increased $67.9 million, or 14%, to $540.2 million in 2004 from $472.3 million in 2003. Growth in U.S. Cellulars customer base and an increase in average monthly retail service revenue per customer were the primary reasons for the increase in retail service revenue. The number of customers increased 7% to 4,547,000 at March 31, 2004, from 4,240,000 at March 31, 2003, primarily due to customer additions from its marketing channels, and average monthly retail service revenue per customer increased 7% to $40.26 in 2004 from $37.68 in 2003 Management anticipates that growth in the customer base in U.S. Cellulars wireless markets will be slower in the future, primarily as a result of the increased competition in its markets and continued penetration of the consumer market. However, as U.S. Cellular expands its operations in Chicago and into its other recently acquired markets in future years, it anticipates adding customers and revenues in those markets. Monthly local retail minutes of use per customer averaged 491 in 2004 and 377 in 2003. The increase in monthly local retail minutes of use was driven by U.S. Cellulars focus on designing sales incentive programs and customer billing rate plans to stimulate overall usage. The impact on retail service revenue of this increase was partially offset by a decrease in average revenue per minute of use in 2004. The decrease in average revenue per minute of use reflects the effects of increasing competition, which has led to the inclusion of an increasing number of minutes in package pricing plans. Management anticipates that U.S. Cellulars average revenue per minute of use will continue to decline in the future, reflecting increased competition and penetration of the consumer market. Inbound roaming revenues decreased $12.1 million, or 22%, to $42.5 million in 2004 from $54.6 million in 2003. The decrease in revenue related to the transfer of Florida and Georgia markets to AT&T Wireless in August 2003 and the sale of southern Texas markets to AT&T Wireless in February 2004; these markets had historically provided substantial amounts of inbound roaming revenue. Also contributing to the decrease in 2004 was the decrease in revenue per roaming minute of use, partially offset by an increase in roaming minutes used. In 2004, the increase in inbound roaming minutes of use was primarily driven by the overall growth in the number of customers throughout the wireless industry, partially offset by the loss of minutes of use from the markets transferred and sold to AT&T Wireless. The decline in revenue per minute of use is primarily due to the general downward trend in negotiated rates. Management anticipates that the rate of growth in inbound roaming minutes of use will continue to slow down due to these factors: |
|
Management also anticipates that average inbound roaming revenue per minute of use will continue to decline, reflecting the continued general downward trend in negotiated rates. 28 Long-distance and other revenue decreased $1.0 million, or 3%, to $36.7 million in 2004 from $37.7 million in 2003, primarily related to a decrease in the volume of long-distance calls billed by U.S. Cellular from inbound roamers using its systems to make long-distance calls. This decrease is caused by the loss of roaming minutes of use in 2004 from the markets transferred and sold to AT&T Wireless; a substantial portion of such minutes generated associated long-distance revenue. In U.S. Cellulars other markets, the volume of long-distance calls increased from 2003 to 2004 partially offsetting the decrease in long-distance and other revenue. The effect of the increase in long-distance call volume in other markets was partially mitigated by price reductions primarily related to long-distance charges on roaming minutes of use as well as U.S. Cellulars increasing use of pricing plans for its retail customers which include long-distance calling at no additional charge. Equipment sales revenues decreased $905,000, or 2%, to $38.3 million in 2004 from $39.2 million in 2003. U.S. Cellular includes in its equipment sales revenues any handsets and related accessories sold to its customers, whether the customers are new signups or current customers who are changing handsets. U.S. Cellular also sells handsets to its agents at a price approximately equal to U.S. Cellulars cost before applying any rebates. Selling handsets to agents enables U.S. Cellular to provide better control over handset quality, set roaming preferences and pass along quantity discounts. Management anticipates that it will continue to sell handsets to agents in the future, and that it will continue to provide rebates to agents who provide handsets to new and current customers. Equipment sales revenue from handset sales to agents is recognized upon delivery of the related products to the agents, net of any anticipated agent rebates. In most cases, the agents receive a rebate from U.S. Cellular at the time these agents provide handsets to sign up new customers or retain current customers. Handset sales to agents included in equipment sales revenues, net of all rebates, decreased by $1.1 million, or 6%, in 2004. Equipment sales to customers through U.S. Cellulars non-agent channels increased $148,000, or less than 1%, to $21.6 million in 2004 from $21.5 million in 2003. Customers added to U.S. Cellulars customer base through its marketing distribution channels (gross customer activations), the primary driver of equipment sales revenues, increased 6% in 2004. Gross customer activations from agent channels increased 18% in 2004 while those from non-agent channels decreased 4%. The decrease in gross customer activations from non-agent channels was driven by a change in the mix of activations coming from U.S. Cellulars agent and non-agent channels, as the agent channel produced a higher percentage of activations in 2004 than in 2003. The decrease in equipment sales revenues from U.S. Cellulars non-agent channels was primarily attributable to lower revenue per handset, reflecting the reduction in sales prices to end users as a result of increased competition. Also, U.S. Cellular continued to focus on retaining customers by offering existing customers handset pricing similar to that offered to new customers, particularly as these customers near the expiration date of their service contracts. Operating expenses increased $21.3 million, or 3%, to $629.4 million in 2004 from $608.1 million in 2003. System operations expenses (excluding depreciation) decreased $442,000, or less than 1%, to $137.5 million in 2004 from $138.0 million in 2003. System operations expenses include charges from landline telecommunications service providers for U.S. Cellulars customers use of their facilities, costs related to local interconnection to the landline network, charges for maintenance of U.S. Cellulars network, long-distance charges and outbound roaming expenses. The decrease in system operations expenses in 2004 was due to the following factors: |
|
The effects of the above factors were partially offset by the following factors: |
|
As a result of the above factors, the components of system operations expenses were affected as follows: |
|
29 |
|
In 2004, roaming charges paid by U.S. Cellular to third parties when its customers roamed in the Chicago market declined compared to 2003. Continued integration of the Chicago market into U.S. Cellulars operations in 2004 resulted in increased use of U.S. Cellulars system by U.S. Cellulars customers and a corresponding decrease in roaming by its customers on other systems in the Midwest. In total, management expects system operations expenses to increase over the next few years, driven by the following factors: |
|
These factors are expected to be partially offset by anticipated decreases in the per-minute cost of usage both on U.S. Cellulars systems and on other carriers networks. As the Chicago area has historically been U.S. Cellulars customers most popular roaming destination, management anticipates that the continued integration of the Chicago market and other recently launched markets into its operations will result in a further increase in minutes of use by U.S. Cellulars customers on its systems and a corresponding decrease in minutes of use by its customers on other systems, resulting in a lower overall increase in minutes of use by U.S. Cellulars customers on other systems. Such a shift in minutes of use should reduce U.S. Cellulars per-minute cost of usage in the future, to the extent that its customers use its systems rather than other carriers networks. Additionally, U.S. Cellulars acquisition and subsequent buildout of licensed areas received in the AT&T Wireless exchange transaction may shift more minutes of use to U.S. Cellulars systems, as many of these licensed areas are major roaming destinations for U.S. Cellulars current customers. Cost of equipment sold increased $31.3 million, or 35%, to $119.9 million in 2004 from $88.6 million in 2003. The increase was due to the $16.4 million, or 30%, increase in cost of equipment sold from non-agent channels and the $14.9 million, or 45%, increase in handset costs related to the sale of handsets to agents. The increase in cost of equipment sold from non-agent channels primarily reflects the increase in handsets sold to customers for retention purposes partially offset by a 4% decrease in gross customer activations from non-agent channels in 2004. The increase in cost of equipment sold to agents primarily reflects the 18% increase in new customer activations through the agent channel as well as handsets sold by agents to customers for retention purposes. Retention costs have increased in non-agent and agent channels as U.S. Cellular continued to focus on retaining customers by offering existing customers new handsets similar to those offered to new customers as the expiration dates of customers service contracts approached. In addition, the overall cost per handset increased in the first quarter of 2004 as more customers purchased higher priced data-enabled handsets. Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $7.8 million, or 3%, to $258.2 million in 2004 from $250.4 million in 2003. Selling, general and administrative expenses primarily consist of salaries, commissions and expenses of field sales and retail personnel and offices; agent commissions and related expenses; corporate marketing, merchandise management and telesales department salaries and expenses; advertising; and public relations expenses. Selling, general and administrative expenses also include the costs of operating U.S. Cellulars customer care centers, the costs of serving customers and the majority of U.S. Cellulars corporate expenses. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses in the first three months of 2004 is primarily due to the following factors: |
|
The increase was also attributable to the rise in salaries and other employee-related expenses associated with acquiring, serving and retaining customers, primarily as a result of the increase in U.S. Cellulars customer base. These increases were partially offset by a $9.4 million decrease in billing-related expenses, primarily due to the expenses incurred in 2003 related to the maintenance of the Chicago markets billing system and the transition to the system used in U.S. Cellulars other operations in July 2003. 30 Sales and marketing cost per gross customer activation increased 4% to $371 in 2004 from $358 in 2003, primarily due to increased handset subsidies. Sales and marketing cost per gross customer activation is not calculable using financial information derived directly from the statement of operations. The definition of sales and marketing cost per gross customer activation that U.S. Cellular uses as a measure of the cost to acquire additional customers through its marketing distribution channels may not be comparable to similarly titled measures that are reported by other companies. Below is a summary of sales and marketing cost per gross customer activation for each period: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
Components of cost (000s): | ||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the | ||||||||
acquisition of new customers (1) | $ | 110,458 | $ | 108,921 | ||||
Cost of equipment sold to new customers (2) | 83,458 | 64,765 | ||||||
Less equipment sales revenue from new customers (3) | (46,463 | ) | (39,176 | ) | ||||
Total costs | $ | 147,453 | $ | 134,510 | ||||
Gross customer activations (000s) (4) | 397 | 376 | ||||||
Sales and marketing cost per gross customer activation | $ | 371 | $ | 358 | ||||
(1) | Selling, general and administrative expenses related to the acquisition of new customers is reconciled to total selling, general and administrative expenses as follows: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses, as reported | $ | 258,206 | $ | 250,352 | ||||
Less expenses related to serving and retaining customers | (147,748 | ) | (141,431 | ) | ||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses related to | ||||||||
the acquisition of new customers | $ | 110,458 | $ | 108,921 | ||||
(2) | Cost of equipment sold, excluding amounts related to the retention of existing customers is reconciled to cost of equipment sold as follows: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Cost of equipment sold as reported | $ | 119,888 | $ | 88,643 | ||||
Less cost of equipment sold related to the retention of | ||||||||
existing customers | (36,430 | ) | (23,878 | ) | ||||
Cost of equipment sold to new customers | $ | 83,458 | $ | 64,765 | ||||
(3) | Equipment sales revenue, excluding amounts related to the retention of existing customers is reconciled to equipment sales revenues as follows: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
|||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
||||||||
Equipment sales revenue as reported | $ | 38,268 | $ | 39,173 | ||||
Less equipment sales revenues related to the retention of | ||||||||
existing customers, excluding agent rebates * | (6,048 | ) | (7,860 | ) | ||||
Add agent rebate reductions of equipment sales revenues | ||||||||
related to the retention of existing customers | 14,243 | 7,863 | ||||||
Equipment sales revenues for new customers | $ | 46,463 | $ | 39,176 | ||||
* | In 2003, equipment sales revenues related to retaining current customers were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses as a reduction of the cost of equipment sold to retain current customers. In order to conform the operating results for 2003 for which these revenues were recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses to the current period presentation, U.S. Cellular reclassified revenues related to the sales of equipment to existing customers as equipment sales revenues. |
(4) | Gross customer activations represent customers added to U.S. Cellular's customer base during the respective periods presented, through its marketing distribution channels. |
31 |
Monthly general and administrative expenses per customer, including the net costs related to the renewal or upgrade of service contracts of existing U.S. Cellular customers (net customer retention costs), increased 9% to $14.34 in 2004 from $13.19 in 2003. Management uses this measurement to assess the cost of serving and retaining its customers on a per unit basis. This measurement is reconciled to total selling, general and administrative expenses as follows: |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands, except per customer amounts) |
|||||||||
Components of cost (1) | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses as reported | $ | 258,206 | $ | 250,352 | |||||
Less selling, general and administrative expenses | |||||||||
related to the acquisition of new customers | (110,458 | ) | (108,921 | ) | |||||
Add cost of equipment sold related to the | |||||||||
retention of existing customers | 36,430 | 23,878 | |||||||
Less equipment sales revenues related to the | |||||||||
retention of existing customers, excluding agent rebates | (6,048 | ) | (7,860 | ) | |||||
Add agent rebate reductions of equipment sales | |||||||||
revenues related to the retention of existing customers | 14,243 | 7,863 | |||||||
Net cost of serving and retaining customers | $ | 192,373 | $ | 165,312 | |||||
Divided by average customers during period (000s) (2) | 4,473 | 4,178 | |||||||
Divided by three months in each period | 3 | 3 | |||||||
Average monthly general and administrative expenses | |||||||||
per customer | $ | 14.34 | $ | 13.19 | |||||
(1) | These components were previously identified in the table which calculates sales and marketing cost per customer activation and related footnotes. |
(2) | Average customers for the three month periods were previously defined in the discussion of operating revenues. |
Depreciation expense increased $6.5 million, or 7%, to $101.4 million in 2004 from $94.9 million in 2003. The increases primarily reflect a change in the useful lives of certain asset categories, which increased depreciation expense $7.4 million in 2004, as well as rising average fixed asset balances, which increased 14% in 2004. Increased fixed asset balances in 2004 resulted from the following factors: |
|
These increases were partially offset by the divestitures of markets in the exchange and sale transactions with AT&T Wireless, which reduced the number of cell sites in U.S. Cellulars network by 364. In 2003, $5 million of depreciation expense was recorded related to the writeoff of certain assets. See Financial Resources and Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussions of U.S. Cellulars capital expenditures. Amortization and accretion expense decreased $2.2 million, or 15% to $12.5 million in 2004 from $14.7 million in 2003, primarily representing decreased amortization related to the customer list intangible assets acquired in the Chicago market transaction during 2002. These customer list assets are amortized using the declining balance method, based on average customer retention periods of each customer list. Therefore, decreasing amounts of amortization expense will be recorded in each 12-month period following the establishment of each customer list asset. Amortization and accretion expense includes $1.2 million of accretion related to the asset retirement obligation in 2004, and $1.1 million in 2003. (Gain) Loss on assets held for sale totaled a gain of $143,000 in 2004 and a loss of $21.6 million in 2003. The gain in 2004 represents the change in carrying value of the assets sold to AT&T Wireless in the southern Texas markets from January 1, 2004 through February 17, 2004, when the sale was completed. An estimated loss of $22.0 million had been recorded subsequent to the announcement of this transaction in November 2003. 32 Subsequent to recording the gain, the carrying value of the assets U.S. Cellular sold to AT&T Wireless is equal to the cash U.S. Cellular has received, and expects to receive related to the working capital adjustment, from AT&T Wireless. The aggregate loss may require an adjustment at the time the working capital adjustment is completed. The loss in 2003 represents the difference between the fair value, as determined by an independent valuation, of the assets U.S. Cellular expected to receive in the AT&T Wireless exchange transaction which was completed in August 2003, and the recorded value of the assets it expected to transfer to AT&T Wireless. Operating income (loss) totaled income of $28.3 million in 2004 and a loss of $4.3 million in 2003. The operating income (loss) margins (as a percent of service revenues) were 4.6% in 2004 and (0.8%) in 2003. The increase in operating income and operating income margin in 2004 reflects the following: |
|
These factors were partially offset by the following: |
|
U.S. Cellular expects most of the above factors, except for those related to loss on assets held for sale, to continue to have an effect on operating income and operating margins for the next several quarters. Any changes in the above factors, as well as the effects of other drivers of U.S. Cellulars operating results, may cause operating income and operating margins to fluctuate over the next several quarters. U.S. Cellular plans to incur additional expenses during the remainder of 2004 as it competes in the Chicago market and in other recently launched markets. Additionally, U.S. Cellular plans to build out its network into other as yet unserved portions of its licensed areas, and will begin sales and marketing operations in those areas in the next few years. U.S. Cellular launched its brand of data-related wireless services in many of its markets in the second half of 2003, and expects to incur expenses related to its continued marketing of data-related wireless services in the next few years. As a result, depending on the timing and effectiveness of these initiatives, U.S. Cellulars operating income may range from $160 million to $210 million for the full year of 2004, compared to $167 million in 2003. U.S. Cellular anticipates that service revenues will total approximately $2.55 billion for the full year of 2004, compared to service revenues of $2.4 billion in 2003. The anticipated service revenue growth in 2004 reflects the effects of the sale of properties to AT&T Wireless in February 2004, the markets transferred to AT&T Wireless in the exchange transaction completed in August 2003, the continued growth in U.S. Cellulars customer base and the continued marketing of data-related wireless services in its markets. Depending on the timing and effectiveness of its marketing efforts, U.S. Cellular anticipates that net customer activations from its marketing channels will total 475,000 to 500,000 for the full year of 2004. However, management anticipates that average monthly service revenue per customer will decrease slightly, as retail service revenue per minute of use and inbound roaming revenue per minute of use decline. U.S. Cellular anticipates that its net costs associated with customer growth, service and retention, initiation of new services, launches in new markets and fixed asset additions will continue to grow. U.S. Cellular anticipates that its net customer retention costs will increase in the future as competitive pressures continue and as per unit handset costs increase. In addition, U.S. Cellular will continue to migrate its customer base to a single digital technology platform and certain customers will require new handsets, further increasing net customer retention costs. 33 Management believes there exists a seasonality in both service revenues, which tend to increase more slowly in the first and fourth quarters, and operating expenses, which tend to be higher in the fourth quarter due to increased marketing activities and customer growth, which may cause operating income to vary from quarter to quarter. Management anticipates that the impact of such seasonality will decrease in the future, particularly as it relates to operating expenses, as the proportion of full year customer activations derived from fourth quarter holiday sales is expected to decline to reflect ongoing, rather than seasonal, promotions of U.S. Cellulars products. Effects of Competition on Operating Income U.S. Cellular competes directly with several wireless communications services providers, including enhanced specialized mobile radio service providers, in each of its markets. In general, there are between five and seven competitors in each wireless market in which U.S. Cellular provides service. U.S. Cellular generally competes against each of the six near-nationwide wireless companies: Verizon Wireless, Sprint PCS (and affiliates), Cingular Wireless, AT&T Wireless, T-Mobile and Nextel. However, not all six competitors operate in each market where U.S. Cellular does business. U.S. Cellular believes that these competitors have substantially greater financial, technical, marketing, sales, purchasing and distribution resources than it does. In addition, Cingular Wireless has agreed to acquire AT&T Wireless, which will increase this competitors financial, technical, marketing, sales, purchasing and distribution resources. The use of national advertising and promotional programs by such national wireless operators may be a source of additional competitive and pricing pressures in all U.S. Cellular markets, even if those operators may not provide service in a particular market. U.S. Cellular provides wireless services comparable to the national competitors, but the other wireless companies operate in a wider geographic area and are able to offer no- or low-cost roaming and long-distance calling packages over a wider area on their own networks than U.S. Cellular can offer on its network. If U.S. Cellular offers the same calling area as one of these competitors, it will incur roaming charges for calls made in portions of the calling area that are not part of its network. In the Midwest, U.S. Cellulars largest contiguous service area, it can offer larger regional service packages without incurring significant roaming charges than it is able to offer in other parts of its network. U.S. Cellular also employs a customer satisfaction strategy throughout its markets which it believes has contributed to a relatively low customer churn rate. Some of U.S. Cellulars competitors bundle other services, such as landline telephone service and internet access, with their wireless communications services, which U.S. Cellular either does not have the ability to offer or has chosen not to offer. In addition, U.S. Cellular competes against both larger and smaller regional wireless companies in certain areas, including ALLTEL, Western Wireless and Rural Cellular Corporation, and against resellers of wireless services. Since each of these competitors operates on systems using spectrum licensed by the FCC and has comparable technology and facilities, competition for customers among these systems in each market is principally on the basis of quality of service, price, size of area covered, services offered and responsiveness of customer service. Since U.S. Cellulars competitors do not disclose their subscriber counts in specific regional service areas, market share for the competitors in each regional market cannot be accurately determined. Effects of Wireless Number Portability on Operating Income The FCC has adopted wireless number portability rules requiring wireless carriers to allow a customer to retain, subject to certain geographical limitations, their existing telephone number when switching from one telecommunications carrier to another. These rules became effective on November 24, 2003 for wireless providers in the largest 100 metropolitan statistical areas in the United States. On May 24, 2004, wireless providers in all areas outside such 100 areas that receive a request to allow an end user to port their number must be capable of doing so by such date or within six months of receiving the request, whichever is later. U.S. Cellular has been successful in facilitating number portability requests in a timely manner in its markets that became subject to the rules on November 24, 2003 and is preparing to facilitate number portability requests in a timely manner in its markets that will become subject to the rules on May 24, 2004. The implementation of wireless number portability has not had a material effect on U.S. Cellulars results of operations to date. However, U.S. Cellular is unable to predict the impact that the implementation of number portability will have in the future. The implementation of wireless number portability may increase churn rates for U.S. Cellular and other wireless companies, as the ability of customers to retain their wireless telephone numbers removes a significant barrier for customers who wish to change wireless carriers. U.S. Cellular believes that it may be able to obtain additional 34 new customers who wish to change their service from other wireless carriers as a result of wireless number portability. The future volume of any porting requests, and the processing costs related thereto, may increase U.S. Cellulars operating costs in the future. Any of the above factors could have an adverse effect on U.S. Cellulars competitive position, costs of obtaining new subscribers, liquidity, financial position and results of operations. 35 |
TDS TELECOM OPERATIONS TDS operates its wireline telephone operations through TDS Telecommunications Corporation (TDS Telecom), a wholly owned subsidiary. Total equivalent access lines served by TDS Telecom increased by 83,500 or 8%, since March 31, 2003 to 1,101,200. An equivalent access line is derived by converting a high capacity data line to an estimated equivalent, in terms of capacity, number of switched access lines. TDS Telecoms incumbent local exchange carrier subsidiaries served 722,400 equivalent access lines at March 31, 2004, a 1% (8,600 equivalent access lines) increase from 713,800 equivalent access lines at March 31, 2003. TDS Telecoms competitive local exchange carrier subsidiaries served 378,800 equivalent access lines at March 31, 2004, a 25% (74,900 equivalent access lines) increase from 303,900 equivalent access lines served at March 31, 2003. Operating income increased $4.8 million, or 12%, to $44.9 million in 2004 from $40.1 million in 2003 reflecting improved operating results from competitive local exchange carrier operations and the operating results of incumbent local exchange carriers. TDS Telecom provided financial guidance for 2004 on February 4, 2004. This guidance has not changed. For 2004, TDS Telecom expects modest revenue growth with revenues from the incumbent local exchange carrier operations in the range of $640 million to $650 million and revenues from the competitive local exchange carrier operations in the range of $250 million to $260 million. Operating income from the incumbent local exchange carrier is anticipated to range from $170 million to $180 million while competitive local exchange carrier operating losses are anticipated to range from $(30) million to $(20) million. |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Incumbent Local Exchange Carrier Operations | |||||||||
Operating Revenues | |||||||||
Local service | $ | 50,427 | $ | 49,051 | |||||
Network access and long distance | 88,187 | 89,652 | |||||||
Miscellaneous | 20,505 | 20,894 | |||||||
159,119 | 159,597 | ||||||||
Operating Expenses | |||||||||
Cost of services and products (exclusive of | |||||||||
depreciation and amortization included below) | 34,517 | 38,145 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 43,411 | 42,417 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 32,547 | 33,619 | |||||||
110,475 | 114,181 | ||||||||
Incumbent Local Exchange Operating Income | $ | 48,644 | $ | 45,416 | |||||
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier Operations | |||||||||
Operating Revenues | $ | 54,736 | $ | 52,439 | |||||
Operating Expenses | |||||||||
Cost of services and products (exclusive of | |||||||||
depreciation and amortization included below) | 20,047 | 21,783 | |||||||
Selling, general and administrative expense | 29,437 | 27,986 | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization | 9,011 | 8,031 | |||||||
58,495 | 57,800 | ||||||||
Competitive Local Exchange Carrier | |||||||||
Operating (Loss) | $ | (3,759 | ) | $ | (5,361 | ) | |||
Intercompany revenue elimination | (993 | ) | (532 | ) | |||||
Intercompany expense elimination | (993 | ) | (532 | ) | |||||
Operating Income | $ | 44,885 | $ | 40,055 | |||||
36 |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 | ||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Cash flows from (used in) | |||||||||
Operating activities | $ | 110,893 | $ | 175,914 | |||||
Investing activities | (68,740 | ) | (151,404 | ) | |||||
Financing activities | 74,716 | (7,532 | ) | ||||||
Net increase in cash and | |||||||||
cash equivalents | $ | 116,869 | $ | 16,978 | |||||
Cash Flows from Operating Activities |
Three Months Ended March 31, |
|||||||||
2004 | 2003 As Restated |
||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) |
|||||||||
Income (loss) before cumulative effect of | |||||||||
accounting change | $ | 19,732 | $ | (4,045 | ) | ||||
Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) | |||||||||
to net cash provided by operating activities | 171,839 | 176,694 | |||||||
191,571 | 172,649 | ||||||||
Changes in assets and liabilities | (80,678 | ) | 3,265 | ||||||
$ | 110,893 | $ | 175,914 | ||||||
39 |
|
42 |
|
U.S. Cellular | TDS Telecom | TDS Consolidated | |||||||||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | |||||||||||||||
Beginning Balance - December 31, 2003 | $ | 64,501 | $ | 60,000 | $ | 124,501 | |||||||||
Additional liabilities accrued | 200 | 1,500 | 1,700 | ||||||||||||
Accretion expense | 1,231 | | 1,231 | ||||||||||||
Costs of removal incurred in 2004 | | (200 | ) | (200 | ) | ||||||||||
Disposition of assets (1) | (1,635 | ) | | (1,635 | ) | ||||||||||
Ending Balance - March 31, 2004 | $ | 64,297 | $ | 61,300 | $ | 125,597 | |||||||||
(1) | This change in the asset retirement obligation relates to those obligations which were associated with the properties sold to AT&T Wireless in February 2004 and are no longer obligations of U.S. Cellular. |
Income Taxes The accounting for income taxes, the amounts of income tax assets and liabilities and the related income tax provision are critical accounting estimates because such amounts are significant to TDSs financial condition, changes in financial condition and results of operations. The preparation of the consolidated financial statements requires TDS to calculate a provision for income taxes. This process involves estimating the actual current income tax liability together with assessing temporary differences resulting from the different treatment of items, such as depreciation expense, for tax and accounting purposes. These temporary differences result in deferred tax assets and liabilities, which are included within the consolidated balance sheet. TDS must then assess the likelihood that deferred tax assets will be recovered from future taxable income and to the extent management believes that recovery is not likely, establish a valuation allowance. Management judgment is required in determining the provision for income taxes, deferred tax assets and liabilities and any valuation allowance recorded against deferred tax assets. TDSs current net deferred tax asset was $19.4 million as of March 31, 2004, representing primarily the deferred tax effects of the allowance for doubtful accounts on accounts receivable, and is included in Other current assets on the balance sheet. The temporary differences that gave rise to the noncurrent deferred tax assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2004 are as follows: |
March 31, 2004 | ||||||
(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||
Deferred Tax Asset | ||||||
Net operating loss carryforwards | $ | 75,182 | ||||
Derivative instruments | 247,952 | |||||
Other | 37,078 | |||||
360,212 | ||||||
Less valuation allowance | (64,443 | ) | ||||
Total Deferred Tax Asset | 295,769 | |||||
Deferred Tax Liability | ||||||
Marketable equity securities | 1,018,443 | |||||
Property, plant and equipment | 327,573 | |||||
Licenses | 211,423 | |||||
Partnership investments | 58,409 | |||||
Total Deferred Tax Liability | 1,615,848 | |||||
Net Deferred Income Tax Liability | $ | 1,320,079 | ||||
|
49 |
|
TDS undertakes no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Readers should evaluate any statements in light of these important factors. 50 |
ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK MARKET RISK Long-term Debt TDS is subject to market risks due to fluctuations in interest rates and equity markets. The majority of TDSs debt, excluding long-term debt related to the forward contracts, is in the form of long-term, fixed-rate notes and convertible debt with original maturities ranging up to 40 years. The long-term debt related to the forward contracts consists of both variable-rate debt and fixed-rate zero coupon debt. Accordingly, fluctuations in interest rates can lead to significant fluctuations in the fair value of such instruments. As of March 31, 2003, TDS had not entered into any significant financial derivatives to reduce its exposure to interest rate risks. Reference is made to the disclosure under Market Risk Long Term Debt in TDSs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2003, as amended, for additional information about the annual requirements of principal payments, the average interest rates, and the estimated fair values of long-term debt. Marketable Equity Securities and Derivatives TDS maintains a portfolio of available-for-sale marketable equity securities, the majority of which are the result of sales or trades of non-strategic assets. The market value of these investments aggregated $2,722.0 million at March 31, 2004. As of March 31, 2004, the net unrealized holding gain, net of tax included in accumulated other comprehensive income totaled $708.7 million. Subsidiaries of TDS and U.S. Cellular have entered into a number of forward contracts related to the marketable equity securities that they hold. TDS and U.S. Cellular have provided guarantees to the lenders which provide assurance to the lenders that all principal and interest amounts are paid upon settlement of the contracts by such subsidiaries. The risk management objective of the forward contracts is to hedge the value of the marketable equity securities from losses due to decreases in the market prices of the securities (downside limit) while retaining a share of gains from increases in the market prices of such securities (upside potential). The downside limit is hedged at or above the cost basis thereby eliminating the risk of an other than temporary loss being recorded on these contracted securities. Under the terms of the forward contracts, TDS and U.S. Cellular will continue to own the contracted shares and will receive dividends paid on such contracted shares, if any. The forward contracts mature from May 2007 to August 2008 and, at TDSs and U.S. Cellulars option, may be settled in shares of the respective security or in cash, pursuant to formulas that collar the price of the shares. The collars effectively limit downside risk and upside potential on the contracted shares. The collars are typically adjusted for any changes in dividends on the contracted shares. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in shares, they will be required to deliver the number of shares of the contracted security determined pursuant to the formula. If shares are delivered in the settlement of the forward contract, TDS and U.S. Cellular would incur a current tax liability at the time of delivery based on the difference between the tax basis of the marketable equity securities delivered and the net amount realized through maturity. If TDS and U.S. Cellular elect to settle in cash they will be required to pay an amount in cash equal to the fair market value of the number of shares determined pursuant to the formula. Deferred taxes have been provided for the difference between the financial reporting basis and the income tax basis of the marketable equity securities and are included in deferred tax liabilities on the balance sheet. Such deferred tax liabilities totaled $1,018.4 million at March 31, 2004. The following table summarizes certain facts surrounding the contracted securities as of March 31, 2004. |
Collar (1) |
||||||||||||||
Security |
Shares |
Downside Limit (Floor) |
Upside Potential (Ceiling) |
Loan Amount (000s) |
||||||||||
VeriSign | 2,361,333 | $ 8.82 | $ 11.46 | $ | 20,819 | |||||||||
Vodafone (2) | 12,945,915 | $ 15.07 - $16.07 | $ 20.30 - $22.93 | 201,038 | ||||||||||
Deutsche Telekom | 131,461,861 | $ 10.74 - $12.41 | $ 13.71 - $16.33 | 1,532,257 | ||||||||||
1,754,114 | ||||||||||||||
Unamortized debt discount | 77,200 | |||||||||||||
$ | 1,676,914 | |||||||||||||
(1) | The per share amounts represent the range of floor and ceiling prices of all securities monetized. |
(2) | U.S. Cellular owns 10.2 million and TDS Telecom owns 2.7 million Vodafone American Depositary Receipts. |
51 |
The following analysis presents the hypothetical change in the fair value of marketable equity securities and derivative instruments at March 31, 2004, using the Black-Scholes model, assuming hypothetical price fluctuations of plus and minus 10%, 20% and 30%. The table presents hypothetical information as required by SEC rules. Such information should not be inferred to suggest that TDS has any intention of selling any marketable equity securities or canceling any derivative instruments. |
March 31, 2004 | Valuation of investments assuming indicated increase |
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | Fair Value | +10% | +20% | +30% | ||||||||||
Marketable Equity | ||||||||||||||
Securities | $ | 2,722.0 | $ | 2,994.2 | $ | 3,266.4 | $ | 3,538.6 | ||||||
Derivative | ||||||||||||||
Instruments (1) | $ | (613.2 | ) | $ | (857.4 | ) | $ | (1,106.8 | ) | $ | (1,360.9 | ) | ||
March 31, 2004 | Valuation of investments assuming indicated decrease |
|||||||||||||
(Dollars in millions) | Fair Value | -10% | -20% | -30% | ||||||||||
Marketable Equity | ||||||||||||||
Securities | $ | 2,722.0 | $ | 2,449.8 | $ | 2,177.6 | $ | 1,905.4 | ||||||
Derivative | ||||||||||||||
Instruments (1) | $ | (613.2 | ) | $ | (374.5 | ) | $ | (142.8 | ) | $ | 82.6 |
(1) | Represents the fair value of the derivative instruments assuming the indicated increase or decrease in the underlying securities. |
52 |
ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES (a) Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. Based on the evaluation required by Rule 13a-15(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer of TDS have concluded that TDSs disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by the report, are effective to ensure that the information required to be disclosed by TDS in reports that it files or submits under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in SEC rules and forms. (b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting. There was no change in TDSs internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, TDSs internal control over financial reporting. |
53 |
Period | (a) Total Number of Common Shares Purchased | (b) Average Price Paid per Common Share | (c) Total Number of Common Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs | (d) Maximum Number of Common Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs | ||||||||||
| ||||||||||||||
January 1 - 31, 2004 | | $ | | | 1,039,100 | |||||||||
February 1 - 29, 2004 | | | | 1,039,100 | ||||||||||
March 1 - 31, 2004 | 40,300 | 69.82 | 40,300 | 998,800 | ||||||||||
Total | 40,300 | $ | 69.82 | 40,300 | 998,800 | |||||||||
(1) | All of the above Common Shares were purchased under TDS's publicly announced Common Share repurchase program. |
The following is additional information with respect to TDS's publicly announced Common Share repurchase program: |
i. | The date the program was announced was February 28, 2003 by press release. |
ii. | The share amount originally approved was 3,000,000 Common Shares (representing a reauthorization of 1,009,746 unpurchased shares under a program that was scheduled to expire in April 2003, plus 1,990,254 shares under a new authorization). |
iii. | The expiration date of the program is February 28, 2006. |
iv. | No stock repurchase program has expired during the quarter covered by this Form 10-Q. |
v. | TDS has not determined to terminate the foregoing stock repurchase program prior to expiration, or to cease making further purchases thereunder, during the quarter covered by this Form 10-Q. |
54 |
Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K. |
(a) | Exhibits: |
Exhibit 10.1 - Summary of employment agreement with James Barr III. |
Exhibit 11 - Computation of earnings per common share is included herein as footnote 8 to the financial statements. |
Exhibit 12 - Statement regarding computation of ratios. |
Exhibit 31.1 - Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
Exhibit 31.2 - Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. |
Exhibit 32.1 - Chief Executive Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code. |
Exhibit 32.2 - Chief Financial Officer certification pursuant to Section 1350 of Chapter 63 of Title 18 of the United States Code. |
(b) | Reports on Form 8-K filed during the quarter ended March 31, 2004: |
TDS filed a Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 4, 2004, for the purpose of filing TDS's fourth quarter 2003 and year-end 2003 earnings release. |
55 |
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. TELEPHONE AND DATA
SYSTEMS, INC. |
Date | May 14, 2004 | /s/ LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. | ||||
|
||||||
LeRoy T. Carlson, Jr. | ||||||
President and Chief Executive Officer |
Date | May 14, 2004 | /s/ Sandra L. Helton | ||||
|
||||||
Sandra L. Helton, | ||||||
Executive Vice President and | ||||||
Chief Financial Officer |
Date | May 14, 2004 | /s/ D. Michael Jack | ||||
|
||||||
D. Michael Jack, | ||||||
Senior Vice President and Corporate Controller |
||||||
(Principal Accounting Officer) |
Signature page for the TDS 2004 First Quarter Form 10-Q |