Frontier Communications Parent, Inc. - Quarter Report: 2019 March (Form 10-Q)

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C.  20549



FORM 10-Q



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



For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2019



or



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



For the transition period from _________to__________



Commission file number:  001-11001





FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)



(203) 614-5600

(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)



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





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

Yes    ☒     No  ☐



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

Yes  ☒     No  ☐



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



Large accelerated filer ☒               Accelerated filer ☐                Non-accelerated filer ☐ 

Smaller reporting company  ☐              Emerging growth company  ☐



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



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

Yes  ☐        No   ☒ 



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

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FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



Table of Contents



 

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION



Item 1.Financial Statements





FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES



CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

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







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



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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

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

(Unaudited)













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

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)













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



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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

($ in millions and shares in thousands)

(Unaudited)









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

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)



FRONTIER COMMUNICATIONS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2019 AND 2018

($ in millions)

(Unaudited)











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



 

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(1)      Summary of Significant Accounting Policies:



Frontier Communications Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as “we,” “us,” “our,” “Frontier,” or the “Company” in this report. Our interim unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (GAAP) and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018. Certain reclassifications of amounts previously reported have been made to conform to the current presentation. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. These interim unaudited consolidated financial statements include all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary, in the opinion of Frontier’s management, to present fairly the results for the interim periods shown. Revenues, net loss and cash flows for any interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for the full year. For our interim financial statements as of and for the period ended March 31, 2019, we evaluated subsequent events and transactions for potential recognition or disclosure through the date that we filed this Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).



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



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



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



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



Satisfaction of performance obligations

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

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Bundled Service and Allocation of Discounts

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



Customer Incentives

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



Upfront Fees

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



Contributions in Aid of Construction (CIAC)

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



Contract Acquisition Costs

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



Surcharges and Subsidies

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

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





We consider all highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Restricted cash of $50 million is included within “Income taxes and other current assets” on our consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. This amount represents funds held as collateral by a bank against letters of credit issued predominately to insurance carriers.



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



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



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







(2)      Recent Accounting Literature:



Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements



Leases

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



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



Reclassification of Certain Tax Effects from Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income

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



Improvements to Nonemployee Share-Based Payment Accounting

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



Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted



Financial Instrument Credit Losses

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



Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement

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



Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Defined Benefit Plans

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





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(3)      Revenue Recognition:



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



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



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



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



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



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



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















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









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



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









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(4)      Accounts Receivable:



The components of accounts receivable, net are as follows:







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



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











(5)      Property, Plant and Equipment:



Property, plant and equipment, net is as follows:







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

 

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



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







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We adopted new estimated remaining useful lives for certain plant assets as of October 1, 2018, as a result of an annual independent study of the estimated remaining useful lives of our plant assets, with an insignificant impact to depreciation expense.



(6)      Goodwill and Other Intangibles:  



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



The components of other intangibles are as follows:







Amortization expense was as follows:









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



(7)      Fair Value of Financial Instruments:



The following table summarizes the carrying amounts and estimated fair values for long-term debt at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018. For the other financial instruments including cash, accounts receivable, restricted cash, accounts payable and other current liabilities, the carrying amounts approximate fair value due to the relatively short maturities of those instruments.



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









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(8) Long Term Debt:



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









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



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Additional information regarding our long-term debt as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 is as follows:





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

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

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

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

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



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Term Loan and Revolving Credit Facilities



JP Morgan Credit Facilities



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



The determination of interest rates for the Term Loan B and Revolver under the JPM Credit Agreement is based on margins over the Base Rate (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement) or over LIBOR, at the election of Frontier. Interest rate margins on the Revolver (ranging from 1.00% to 2.00% for Base Rate borrowings and 2.00% to 3.00% for LIBOR borrowings) are subject to adjustment based on Frontier’s Leverage Ratio (as defined in the JPM Credit Agreement). The interest rate on the Revolver as of March 31, 2019 was LIBOR plus 3.00%. Interest rate margins on the Term Loan B (2.75% for Base Rate borrowings and 3.75% for LIBOR borrowings) are not subject to adjustment. The security package under the JPM Credit Agreement includes pledges of the equity interests in certain Frontier subsidiaries and guarantees by certain Frontier subsidiaries.



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



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



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



CoBank Credit Facilities



As of December 31, 2018, Frontier had $239 million outstanding under a $315 million senior term loan facility drawn in October 2016 (as amended to date, the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement) with CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent, lead arranger and a lender, and the other lenders. On March 15, 2019, Frontier used proceeds from the offering of First Lien Notes, together with cash on hand, to repay in full the outstanding borrowings under the 2016 CoBank Credit Agreement, which otherwise would have matured in October 2021, as described below under “New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions.”



New Debt Issuances and Debt Reductions



On March 15, 2019, Frontier completed a private offering of $1,650 million aggregate principal amount of 8.000% First Lien Secured Notes due 2027 (the First Lien Notes). The First Lien Notes are guaranteed by each of the Company’s subsidiaries that guarantees its Term Loan B and Revolver under the JPM Credit Agreement (the Senior Secured Credit Facilities). The guarantees are unsecured obligations of the guarantors equal in right of

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

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



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



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



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



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



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



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

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









(9)      Restructuring Costs and Other Charges:

Transformation Program

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



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



Restructuring Costs

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



For the three months ended March 31, 2018, restructuring costs and other charges, consisted primarily of severance and other employee-related costs of $4 million.



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

























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



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







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The components of lease cost are as follows:







Supplemental balance sheet information related to leases is as follows:





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Supplemental cash flow information related to leases is as follows:







Lessee

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



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



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





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



Lessor

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



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



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



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





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(11)    Investment and Other Income  (Loss):



The following is a summary of the components of Investment and Other Income for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018:













(12)    Income Taxes:  



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





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



Frontier considered positive and negative evidence in regard to evaluating certain state net operating loss carryforwards during the first quarter of 2019, including the development of recent years of pre-tax book losses.  On the basis of this evaluation, a valuation allowance of $34 million ($27 million net of federal benefit) has been recorded on the deferred tax assets related to these state NOL carryforwards and reflected in “Changes in certain deferred tax balances”. The amount of the deferred tax asset considered realizable, however, could be adjusted if estimates of future taxable income during the carryforward period are reduced or increased or if objective negative evidence in the form of cumulative losses is no longer present and additional weight is given to subjective evidence such as our projections for growth.



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(13)    Net Loss Per Share:



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





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



Stock Options

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



Stock Units

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



Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock

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



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(14)    Stock Plans:



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



Performance Shares

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







For purposes of determining compensation expense, the fair value of each performance share is measured at the end of each reporting period and, therefore, will fluctuate based on the price of Frontier common stock as well as performance relative to the targets. For the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, we recognized net compensation expense, reflected in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $0 million and $1, respectively, for the LTIP.



Restricted Stock

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







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

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Shares of restricted stock granted during the first three months of 2018 totaled 1,897,000 shares. The total fair value of shares of restricted stock granted at March 31, 2018 was approximately $14 million. The total fair value of unvested restricted stock at March 31, 2018 was $17 million. The weighted average grant date fair value of restricted shares granted during the three months ended March 31, 2018 was $8.23 per share.



We have granted restricted stock awards to employees in the form of our common stock. None of the restricted stock awards may be sold, assigned, pledged or otherwise transferred, voluntarily or involuntarily, by the employees until the restrictions lapse, subject to limited exceptions. The restrictions are time-based. Compensation expense, recognized in “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” of $3 million for each of the three month periods ended March 31, 2019 and 2018, respectively, has been recorded in connection with these grants.





(15)    Comprehensive Income (Loss):



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



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













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





(a) Amounts in parentheses indicate losses.

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







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(16)    Retirement Plans:



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











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



During the first three months of 2019 and 2018, we capitalized $6 million and $7 million, respectively, of pension and OPEB expense into the cost of our capital expenditures, as the costs relate to our engineering and plant construction activities.



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



Required pension plan contributions for the full year 2019 are estimated to be $166 million, of which $33 million was contributed to the Plan during the first three months of 2019.





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(17)    Commitments and Contingencies: 



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



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



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



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



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



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

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



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



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



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



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