Quarterly Report
Table of Contents

 

 

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 10-Q

 

 

 

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

 

   For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2010

 

¨ 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 1-8519

 

 

CINCINNATI BELL INC.

 

 

 

Ohio   31-1056105
(State of Incorporation)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(513) 397-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

 

 

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

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  x    No  ¨

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

 

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

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

At October 31, 2010, there were 201,781,187 common shares outstanding.

 

 

 


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

Description

        Page  
   PART I. Financial Information   

Item 1.

  

Financial Statements

  
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three Months and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     1   
  

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     2   
  

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010 and 2009

     3   
  

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

     4   

Item 2.

  

Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

     24   

Item 3.

  

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

     33   

Item 4.

  

Controls and Procedures

     33   
   PART II. Other Information   

Item 1a.

  

Risk Factors

     35   

Item 2.

  

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

     35   

Item 6.

  

Exhibits

     35   
  

Signatures

     36   


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,     September 30,  
     2010      2009     2010      2009  

Revenue

          

Services

   $ 308.4       $ 291.3      $ 892.3       $ 878.7   

Products

     43.5         46.4        121.9         112.1   
                                  

Total revenue

     351.9         337.7        1,014.2         990.8   
                                  

Costs and expenses

          

Cost of services, excluding items below

     107.8         102.0        304.7         304.9   

Cost of products sold, excluding items below

     45.0         50.9        128.0         126.1   

Selling, general and administrative

     68.3         64.7        202.7         209.4   

Depreciation and amortization

     48.2         41.2        129.7         122.0   

Restructuring charges (gains), net

     —           0.9        5.2         (5.5

Loss on sale of asset

     —           4.8        —           4.8   

Acquisition costs

     —           —          9.1         —     
                                  

Total operating costs and expenses

     269.3         264.5        779.4         761.7   
                                  

Operating income

     82.6         73.2        234.8         229.1   

Interest expense

     52.0         31.5        131.5         94.6   

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt

     —           (7.6     10.4         (7.4

Other expense (income), net

     —           (0.1     0.1         —     
                                  

Income before income taxes

     30.6         49.4        92.8         141.9   

Income tax expense

     16.1         21.7        45.9         59.1   
                                  

Net income

     14.5         27.7        46.9         82.8   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6         2.6        7.8         7.8   
                                  

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 11.9       $ 25.1      $ 39.1       $ 75.0   
                                  

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.06       $ 0.12      $ 0.19       $ 0.35   
                                  

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.06       $ 0.12      $ 0.19       $ 0.34   
                                  

Weighted average common shares outstanding (in millions)

          

Basic

     201.2         209.0        201.0         215.7   

Diluted

     204.2         213.2        204.9         218.1   

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

 

1


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

     September 30,     December 31,  
     2010     2009  

Assets

    

Current assets

    

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 34.2      $ 23.0   

Receivables, less allowances of $15.0 and $17.2

     170.5        159.9   

Inventory, materials and supplies

     25.7        23.7   

Deferred income taxes, net

     52.3        83.9   

Prepaid expenses

     11.9        29.0   

Other current assets

     2.2        1.5   
                

Total current assets

     296.8        321.0   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     1,261.8        1,123.3   

Goodwill

     343.0        71.9   

Intangible assets, net

     238.9        110.1   

Deferred income taxes, net

     382.2        393.6   

Other noncurrent assets

     70.3        44.4   
                

Total assets

   $ 2,593.0      $ 2,064.3   
                

Liabilities and Shareowners’ Deficit

    

Current liabilities

    

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 21.6      $ 15.8   

Accounts payable

     88.1        106.2   

Unearned revenue and customer deposits

     49.0        46.6   

Accrued taxes

     15.9        14.8   

Accrued interest

     34.0        40.2   

Accrued payroll and benefits

     43.0        39.2   

Deposit received for sale of wireless towers

     4.7        25.6   

Other current liabilities

     31.4        35.4   
                

Total current liabilities

     287.7        323.8   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     2,458.0        1,963.3   

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

     307.3        314.9   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     151.4        116.9   
                

Total liabilities

     3,204.4        2,718.9   
                

Shareowners’ deficit

    

Preferred stock, 2,357,299 shares authorized, 155,250 shares (3,105,000 depositary shares) of 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009; liquidation preference $1,000 per share ($50 per depositary share)

     129.4        129.4   

Common shares, $.01 par value; 480,000,000 shares authorized; 202,331,684 and 201,039,764 shares issued; 201,772,574 and 200,383,886 outstanding at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     2.0        2.0   

Additional paid-in capital

     2,614.7        2,619.7   

Accumulated deficit

     (3,220.0     (3,266.9

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

     (135.2     (136.1

Common shares in treasury, at cost: 559,110 and 655,878 shares at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009

     (2.3     (2.7
                

Total shareowners’ deficit

     (611.4     (654.6
                

Total liabilities and shareowners’ deficit

   $ 2,593.0      $ 2,064.3   
                

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

 

2


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,  
     2010     2009  

Cash flows from operating activities

    

Net income

   $ 46.9      $ 82.8   

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

    

Depreciation

     122.6        118.9   

Amortization

     7.1        3.1   

Loss (gain) on extinguishment of debt

     10.4        (7.4

Loss on sale of asset

     —          4.8   

Provision for loss on receivables

     10.8        16.7   

Noncash interest expense

     5.8        3.0   

Deferred income tax expense, including valuation allowance change

     42.4        56.2   

Payments in excess of pension and other postretirement expense

     (6.1     (4.8

Other, net

     1.4        4.4   

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effects of acquisitions

    

Increase in receivables

     (11.8     (5.0

Decrease in inventory, materials, supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets

     14.8        10.1   

Decrease in accounts payable

     (19.5     (3.0

Decrease in accrued and other current liabilities

     (13.8     (37.1

(Increase) decrease in other noncurrent assets

     (2.4     7.4   

(Decrease) increase in other noncurrent liabilities

     (4.0     0.2   
                

Net cash provided by operating activities

     204.6        250.3   
                

Cash flows from investing activities

    

Capital expenditures

     (101.2     (141.7

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     (526.7     (3.4

Proceeds from sale of wireless spectrum

     —          5.8   

Other, net

     0.5        0.8   
                

Net cash used in investing activities

     (627.4     (138.5
                

Cash flows from financing activities

    

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,353.4        —     

Increase (decrease) in corporate credit and receivables facilities, net

     (85.9     23.6   

Repayment of debt

     (791.6     (32.4

Debt issuance costs

     (32.9     (4.4

Preferred stock dividends

     (7.8     (7.8

Common stock repurchase

     —          (59.4

Other, net

     (1.2     (0.6
                

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

     434.0        (81.0
                

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

     11.2        30.8   

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     23.0        6.7   
                

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

   $ 34.2      $ 37.5   
                

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

 

3


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

 

1. Description of Business and Accounting Policies

The following represents a summary of the business and accounting policies of Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries (the “Company”). A more detailed presentation can be found in the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Description of Business — The Company provides diversified telecommunications and technology services through businesses in three segments: Wireline, Wireless and Technology Solutions. On June 11, 2010, the Company purchased Cyrus Networks, LLC (“CyrusOne”), a data center operator based in Texas, for approximately $526 million. The CyrusOne financial results are included in the Technology Solutions segment. Refer to Note 2 for further discussion concerning the CyrusOne acquisition.

Beginning in 2010, the Company realigned its reportable business segments to be consistent with changes to its management reporting. Certain data center operations that were historically included in the Wireline segment have been reclassified to the Technology Solutions segment. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current segment reporting. Refer to Note 9 for further discussion concerning the Company’s segments.

Basis of Presentation — The Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of the Company have been prepared pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and, in the opinion of management, include all adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position, and cash flows for each period presented.

The adjustments referred to above are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally included in financial statements prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to SEC rules and regulations.

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2009 was derived from audited financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 2009 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected in the subsequent quarter or for the year ending December 31, 2010.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards — In September 2009, new accounting guidance under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 605 related to revenue arrangements with multiple deliverables was issued. The guidance addresses the unit of accounting for arrangements involving multiple deliverables, how arrangement consideration should be allocated to the separate units of accounting and eliminates the criterion that objective and reliable evidence of fair value of any undelivered items must exist for the delivered item to be considered a separate unit of accounting. Such guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements.

In September 2009, new accounting guidance under ASC 605 was issued regarding tangible products containing both software and non-software components that function together to deliver the product’s essential functionality. Such guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning on or after June 15, 2010. Early adoption is permitted. The Company has not yet assessed the impact of this guidance on the Company’s financial statements.

Income Taxes — The Company’s income tax effective rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was affected by several discrete items. In the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recognized a $7 million tax benefit associated with a change in the valuation allowance on state deferred tax assets that are expected to be utilized as a result of the CyrusOne acquisition. This tax benefit was more than offset by a $6 million charge related to tax matters associated with the refinancing of the 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 and a $4 million charge related to a tax law change in the first quarter of 2010 that now requires the application of federal income taxes against the retiree Medicare drug subsidy received by the Company.

 

4


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

2. Acquisition of Cyrus Networks, LLC

On June 11, 2010 (the “Acquisition Date”), the Company purchased Cyrus Networks, LLC, a data center operator based in Texas, for approximately $526 million, net of cash acquired. CyrusOne is the largest data center colocation provider in Texas, servicing primarily large businesses. CyrusOne is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The purchase of CyrusOne has been accounted for as a business combination under the acquisition method.

The following table summarizes the allocation of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at the Acquisition Date:

 

(dollars in millions)

      

Assets acquired

  

Receivables

   $ 10.4   

Other current assets

     0.4   

Property, plant and equipment

     153.6   

Goodwill

     270.9   

Intangible assets

     136.3   

Other noncurrent assets

     0.1   
        

Total assets acquired

     571.7   
        

Liabilities assumed

  

Accounts payable

     3.1   

Unearned revenue and customer deposits

     7.7   

Accrued taxes

     1.0   

Accrued payroll and benefits

     0.7   

Other current liabilities

     0.8   

Noncurrent liabilities

     32.1   
        

Total liabilities assumed

     45.4   
        

Net assets acquired

   $ 526.3   
        

As required under ASC 805, the Company has valued the assets acquired and liabilities assumed at fair value. The Company has determined the fair value of property, plant and equipment, identifiable intangible assets and noncurrent liabilities with the assistance of an independent valuation firm. All other fair value determinations were made solely by the Company. The preliminary purchase price allocation for this transaction may be adjusted upon completion of the Company’s valuation of the related assets and liabilities of the business. During the quarter ended September 30, 2010, goodwill decreased by approximately $1.9 million due to changes in the preliminary purchase price allocation, including finalization of the post-closing working capital adjustment.

The following table presents detail of the purchase price allocated to intangible assets of CyrusOne at the Acquisition Date:

 

(dollars in millions)

   Fair
Value
     Weighted
Average
Amortization
Period in Years
 

Intangible assets subject to amortization:

     

Customer relationships

   $ 125.0         15 years   

Trademark

     7.4         15 years   

Favorable leasehold interest

     3.9         56 years   
                 

Total intangible assets

   $ 136.3         16 years   
                 

The customer relationships and trademark assets are being amortized relative to the estimated economic value generated by these assets in future years. The favorable leasehold interest is being amortized on a straight-line basis. The Company anticipates both the goodwill and intangible assets to be fully deductible for tax purposes.

CyrusOne is party to three agreements to lease operations facility space. CyrusOne made structural changes to this leased space in excess of normal tenant improvements in order to equip the space for data center operations. For accounting purposes, in accordance with ASC 840, CyrusOne is considered to be the owner of these facilities as the tenant improvements are considered

 

5


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

structural in nature. In the CyrusOne opening balance sheet, these leased facilities have been presented at fair value in property, plant and equipment with a corresponding credit to noncurrent liabilities for amounts totaling $32.1 million. Due to CyrusOne’s continuing involvement, the obligation for leased facilities will remain until the end of the lease term for each facility.

The results of operations of CyrusOne are included in the consolidated results of operations beginning June 11, 2010, and are included in the Technology Solutions segment. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, $20.0 million and $24.2 million of revenue, respectively, and $4.9 million and $6.2 million of operating income, respectively, are included in the consolidated results of operations. The Company incurred approximately $9.1 million of acquisition-related costs.

The following unaudited pro forma consolidated results of operations assume the acquisition of CyrusOne was completed as of the beginning of the annual reporting periods presented:

 

     Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,  

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

   2010      2009  

Revenue

   $ 1,045.8       $ 1,030.9   

Net income

     41.9         63.6   

Earnings per share:

     

Basic and diluted earnings per common share

     0.17         0.26   

These results include adjustments related to the purchase price allocation and financing of the acquisition, primarily to reduce revenue for the elimination of the unearned revenue liability in the opening balance sheet, to increase depreciation and amortization associated with the higher values of property, plant and equipment and identifiable intangible assets, to increase interest expense for the additional debt incurred to complete the acquisition, and to reflect the related income tax effect and change in tax status. The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the annual reporting period indicated nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results. The pro forma information does not include any (i) potential revenue enhancements, cost synergies or other operating efficiencies that could result from the acquisition or (ii) transaction or integration costs relating to the acquisition.

Estimated amortization expense for 2010 through 2014, including the CyrusOne acquisition, is as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

      

2010

   $ 11.5   

2011

     17.5   

2012

     18.2   

2013

     18.5   

2014

     18.3   

 

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Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

3. Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”) is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur if potential common shares were exercised or converted to common stock but only to the extent that they are considered dilutive to the Company’s earnings. The following table is a reconciliation of the numerators and denominators of the basic and diluted EPS computations for the following periods:

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  

(in millions, except per share amounts)

   2010      2009      2010      2009  

Numerator:

           

Net income

   $ 14.5       $ 27.7       $ 46.9       $ 82.8   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6         2.6         7.8         7.8   
                                   

Numerator for basic and diluted EPS

   $ 11.9       $ 25.1       $ 39.1       $ 75.0   
                                   

Denominator:

           

Denominator for basic EPS - weighted average common shares outstanding

     201.2         209.0         201.0         215.7   

Warrants

     —           1.2         0.9         0.4   

Stock-based compensation arrangements

     3.0         3.0         3.0         2.0   
                                   

Denominator for diluted EPS

     204.2         213.2         204.9         218.1   
                                   

Basic earnings per common share

   $ 0.06       $ 0.12       $ 0.19       $ 0.35   
                                   

Diluted earnings per common share

   $ 0.06       $ 0.12       $ 0.19       $ 0.34   
                                   

Potentially issuable common shares excluded from denominator for diluted EPS due to anti-dilutive effect

     40.6         41.0         40.0         43.1   
                                   

 

4. Comprehensive Income

 

     Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended  
     September 30,      September 30,  

(dollars in millions)

   2010      2009      2010      2009  

Net income

   $ 14.5       $ 27.7       $ 46.9       $ 82.8   

Amortization and remeasurement of pension and postretirement liabilities, net of taxes

     0.3         7.2         0.9         74.6   
                                   

Comprehensive income

   $ 14.8       $ 34.9       $ 47.8       $ 157.4   
                                   

 

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Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

5. Debt

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

 

     September 30,     December 31,  

(dollars in millions)

   2010     2009  

Current portion of long-term debt:

    

Credit facility, Tranche B Term Loan

   $ 7.6      $ 2.1   

Capital lease obligations and other debt

     14.0        13.7   
                

Current portion of long-term debt

     21.6        15.8   
                

Long-term debt, less current portion:

    

Credit facility, Tranche B Term Loan

     748.6        202.8   

8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014*

     —          569.8   

7% Senior Notes due 2015*

     251.6        252.3   

8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017

     500.0        500.0   

8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018

     625.0        —     

7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023

     40.0        40.0   

Receivables Facility

     —          85.9   

Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone notes

     207.5        207.5   

Capital lease obligations and other debt

     122.2        111.8   
                
     2,494.9        1,970.1   

Net unamortized discount

     (36.9     (6.8
                

Long-term debt, less current portion

     2,458.0        1,963.3   
                

Total debt

   $ 2,479.6      $ 1,979.1   
                

 

* The face amount of these notes has been adjusted for the unamortized called amounts received on terminated interest rate swaps.

On June 11, 2010, the Company entered into a new Credit Agreement, which includes a new Corporate revolving credit facility and a $760 million secured term loan credit facility (“Tranche B Term Loan”).

The new Corporate revolving credit facility replaced the existing Corporate revolving credit facility, which would have expired in August 2012. The new Corporate revolving credit facility has a $210 million revolving line of credit and terminates in June 2014. The new revolving credit facility is funded by 11 different financial institutions, with no financial institution having more than 15% of the total facility. Borrowings under the new Corporate revolving credit facility bear interest, at the Company’s election, at a rate per annum equal to (i) LIBOR plus an applicable margin, or (ii) the base rate plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on certain Company financial ratios and ranges between 4.25% and 5.00% for LIBOR rate advances and 3.25% and 4.00% for base rate advances. Base rate is the highest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR rate plus one percent or the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. Commitment fees for the unused capacity on the Corporate revolving credit facility range from 0.50% to 0.75%, and letter of credit fees on outstanding letters of credit range from 4.25% to 5.00%, respectively, based on certain financial ratios.

As of September 30, 2010, the Company did not have any outstanding borrowings under its revolving credit facility, but had outstanding letters of credit totaling $24.6 million, leaving $185.4 million in additional borrowing availability under its revolving credit facility.

The Tranche B Term Loan matures at the earlier of (i) November 18, 2014, if the Company’s 7% Senior Notes due 2015 have not been redeemed and repaid in full on or prior to such date, or (ii) June 11, 2017. The net proceeds of $737 million from the Tranche B Term Loan were used to repay the Company’s previous term loan facility totaling $204.3 million, to fund the acquisition of CyrusOne, and to pay related fees and expenses. Borrowings under the Tranche B Term Loan bear interest, at the Company’s election, at a rate per annum equal to (i) LIBOR plus 5.00%, or (ii) the base rate plus 4.00%. Base rate is the highest of the bank prime rate, the one-month LIBOR rate plus one percent or the federal funds rate plus one-half of one percent. The LIBOR rate used to calculate the interest rate under the Tranche B Term Loan is subject to a 1.50% floor. The Tranche B Term Loan quarterly repayments are $1.9 million with the remaining principal due at the maturity date. In the event the Company prepays the loan balance, the remaining quarterly repayments and maturity date payment would be reduced on a prorated basis for the prepayment amount. The Company made the first principal payment on June 30, 2010.

 

8


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

The Company and all its future or existing subsidiaries (other than Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”), Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC (“CBET”), Cincinnati Bell Funding LLC (“CBF”), its foreign subsidiaries and certain immaterial subsidiaries) guarantee borrowings of the Company under the Credit Agreement. Each of the Company’s current subsidiaries that is a guarantor of the Credit Agreement is also a guarantor of the 7% Senior Notes due 2015, 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, and 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018, with certain immaterial exceptions. The Company’s obligations under the Credit Agreement are also collateralized by perfected first priority pledges and security interests in the following:

 

   

substantially all of the equity interests of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries (other than CBF and subsidiaries of CBT, CBET, and certain immaterial subsidiaries) and 66% of its equity interests in its foreign subsidiaries; and

 

   

certain personal property and intellectual property of the Company and its subsidiaries (other than that of CBT, CBET, CBF, its foreign subsidiaries and certain immaterial subsidiaries).

The Credit Agreement financial covenants require that the Company maintain certain leverage, interest coverage and fixed charge ratios. The Credit Agreement also contains certain covenants which, among other things, restrict the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, pay dividends, repurchase Company common stock, sell, transfer, lease, or dispose of assets and make investments or merge with another company. If the Company were to violate any of its covenants and were unable to obtain a waiver, it would be considered a default. If the Company were in default under the Credit Agreement, no additional borrowings under this facility would be available until the default was waived or cured. The Credit Agreement provides for customary events of default, including a cross-default provision for failure to make any payment when due or permitted acceleration due to a default, both in respect to any other existing debt instrument having an aggregate principal amount that exceeds $35 million. The Company believes it is in compliance with its Credit Agreement covenants.

The Tranche B Term Loan also has an excess cash flow provision beginning with the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which requires 50% of excess cash flow, as defined by the Credit Agreement, to be used to prepay the term loan. In addition, any voluntary prepayments of the Tranche B Term Loan using proceeds from a substantially equivalent syndicated term loan bearing a lower interest rate before June 11, 2011 will incur a 1% prepayment premium.

In June 2010, the Company amended its accounts receivable securitization facility (“Receivables Facility”) and reduced the total borrowing capacity from $115 million to $100 million. The Receivables Facility is subject to bank renewals in the second quarter of each year, and in any event expires in March 2012. In the event the Receivables Facility is not renewed, the Company believes it would be able to refinance the borrowings under the Corporate revolving credit facility. The permitted borrowings vary depending on the level of eligible receivables and other factors. Under the Receivables Facility, certain subsidiaries sell their respective trade receivables on a continuous basis to CBF. Although CBF is a wholly-owned consolidated subsidiary of the Company, CBF is legally separate from the Company and each of the Company’s other subsidiaries. Upon and after the sale or contribution of the accounts receivable to CBF, such accounts receivable are legally assets of CBF, and as such are not available to creditors of other subsidiaries or the parent company. At September 30, 2010, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Receivables Facility and had $82.1 million in borrowing availability.

In March 2010, the Company issued $625 million of 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 (“83/4% Notes”), which are fixed rate bonds to maturity. The net proceeds of $616 million were used to call and redeem the $560 million of 83/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 (“83/8% Subordinated Notes”) plus accrued and unpaid interest and related call premium. As a result of the redemption of the 83/ 8% Subordinated Notes in April 2010, the Company incurred a pre-tax loss on extinguishment of debt of $10.3 million, which consists of the call premium and write-off of debt issuance costs offset by the unamortized called amounts received on terminated interest rate swaps and the debt issuance premium.

Interest on the 83/4% Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing September 15, 2010. The 83/4% Notes are unsecured senior subordinated obligations ranking junior to all existing and future senior debt, ranking equally to all existing and future senior subordinated indebtedness, and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness. Each of the Company’s current and future restricted subsidiaries (as defined in the Indenture) that is a guarantor under the Corporate credit facility is also a guarantor of the 83/4% Notes on an unsecured senior subordinated basis, with certain immaterial exceptions. The indenture governing the 83/4% Notes contains covenants including but not limited to the following: limitations on dividends to shareowners and other restricted payments; dividend and other payment restrictions affecting the Company’s subsidiaries such that the subsidiaries are generally not permitted to enter into an agreement that would limit their ability to make dividend payments to the parent; issuance of indebtedness; asset dispositions; transactions with affiliates; liens; investments; issuances and sales of capital stock of subsidiaries; and redemption of debt that is junior in right of payment. The indenture governing the 83/ 4% Notes provides for customary events of default, including a cross-default provision for both nonpayment at final maturity or acceleration due to a default of any other existing debt instrument that exceeds $35 million.

 

9


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

The Company may redeem the 83/4% Notes for a redemption price of 104.375%, 102.188%, and 100.000% on or after March 15, 2014, 2015, and 2016, respectively. At any time prior to March 15, 2014, the Company may redeem all or part of the 83/4% Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal, plus (2) the greater of (a) 1% of the face value of the 83/4% Notes or (b) the excess over the principal amount of the sum of the present values of (i) 104.375% of the face value of the 83/4% Notes, and (ii) interest payments due from the date of redemption to March 15, 2014, in each case discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the applicable U.S. Treasury rates plus one-half percent, plus (3) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Prior to March 15, 2013, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 83/4% Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by the Company, at a redemption price equal to 108.750% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date.

Subsequent Event

In October 2010, the Company issued $500 million of 83/8% Senior Notes due 2020 (“83/8% Senior Notes”). The net proceeds of approximately $490 million after debt issuance costs will be used to redeem $490 million of the Company’s Tranche B Term Loan. The 83/ 8% Senior Notes are fixed rate bonds to maturity. As a result of redeeming a portion of the Tranche B Term Loan, the Company expects to incur a loss on debt extinguishment in the fourth quarter of 2010 of approximately $24 million, which consists of the write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs.

Interest on the 83/8% Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in cash in arrears on April 15 and October 15 of each year, commencing April 15, 2011. The 83/8% Senior Notes are unsecured senior obligations ranking equally with all existing and future senior debt and ranking senior to all existing and future subordinated indebtedness. Each of the Company’s current and future subsidiaries that is a guarantor under the Corporate credit facility is also a guarantor of the 83/ 8% Senior Notes on an unsecured senior basis, with certain immaterial exceptions. The indenture governing the 83/8% Senior Notes contains covenants including but not limited to the following: limitations on dividends to shareowners and other restricted payments; dividend and other payment restrictions affecting the Company’s subsidiaries such that the subsidiaries are not permitted to enter into an agreement that would limit their ability to make dividend payments to the parent; issuance of indebtedness; asset dispositions; transactions with affiliates; liens; investments; issuances and sales of capital stock of subsidiaries; and redemption of debt that is junior in right of payment. The indenture governing the 83/ 8% Senior Notes provides for customary events of default, including a cross-default provision for nonpayment at final maturity or acceleration due to a default of any other existing debt instrument that exceeds $35 million.

The Company may redeem the 83/8% Senior Notes for a redemption price of 104.188%, 102.792%, 101.396%, and 100.000% after October 15, 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2018, respectively. At any time prior to October 15, 2015, the Company may redeem all or part of the 83/8% Senior Notes at a redemption price equal to the sum of (1) 100% of the principal, plus (2) the greater of (a) 1% of the face value of the 83/8% Senior Notes or (b) the excess over the principal amount of the sum of the present values of (i) 104.188% of the face value of the 83/8% Senior Notes, and (ii) interest payments due from the date of redemption to October 15, 2015, in each case discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis at the applicable U.S. Treasury rates plus one-half percent, plus (3) accrued and unpaid interest, if any, to the date of redemption. Prior to October 15, 2013, the Company may redeem up to a maximum of 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 83/8% Senior Notes with the net cash proceeds of one or more equity offerings by the Company, at a redemption price equal to 108.375% of the principal amount thereof, plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon, if any, to the redemption date.

Sale of Wireless Towers

In December 2009, the Company sold 196 wireless towers for $99.9 million in cash and leased back a portion of the space on these towers for a term of 20 years. As of December 31, 2009, 48 of the 196 wireless towers sold were subject to purchase price contingencies and were accounted for in accordance with the deposit method. As of September 30, 2010, contingencies on 39 of the sites were resolved with no change to the purchase price, and the Company recognized these sites as sold for accounting purposes. As a result, the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets reflect a reduction at September 30, 2010 compared to December 31, 2009 in the “Deposit received for sale of wireless towers” of approximately $21 million for the purchase price associated with these sites and a reduction in “Property, plant and equipment, net” of $10 million and “Other current assets” for $1 million for the net book value of these sites. The Company also recognized an increase in “Other noncurrent liabilities” of $9 million resulting from the deferred gain on the sale, which will be amortized on a straight-line basis over the 20-year term of the leaseback of the space on the towers. In addition, the Company recorded a capital lease asset and liability of approximately $12 million in 2010 related to these sites.

 

10


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

6. Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, the Company’s financial instruments that are required to be measured at fair value were inconsequential.

The carrying values of the Company’s financial instruments do not materially differ from the estimated fair values as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, except for the Company’s debt. The carrying amounts of debt, excluding capital leases and unamortized discount, at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $2,380.3 million and $1,860.8 million, respectively. The estimated fair values at September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 were $2,306.0 million and $1,792.2 million, respectively. These fair values were estimated based on closing market prices of the Company’s debt and of similar liabilities.

 

7. Restructuring Charges

Lease Abandonment

 

Restructuring reserve (dollars in millions):

   Balance
June 30,
2010
     Utilizations     Balance
September 30,
2010
 

Lease abandonment obligations

   $ 4.2       $ (0.5   $ 3.7   

A $3.3 million lease abandonment charge was incurred in the second quarter of 2010 representing future lease costs, net of sublease income, on office space abandoned by the Company primarily resulting from the decrease in Wireline headcount over the past several years. In addition, existing liabilities for the abandoned space were transferred to the restructuring reserve resulting in a total lease abandonment obligation of $4.2 million at June 30, 2010. The lease obligations are expected to continue through 2015. At September 30, 2010, $1.7 million of the restructuring reserve was included in “Other current liabilities” and $2.0 million was included in “Other noncurrent liabilities,” respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Employee Separation

 

Restructuring reserve (dollars in millions):

   Balance
December 31,
2009
     Utilizations     Balance
March 31,
2010
     Charge      Utilizations     Balance
June 30,
2010
     Utilizations     Balance
September 30,
2010
 

Employee separation obligations

   $ 14.4       $ (5.1   $ 9.3       $ 1.8       $ (1.2   $ 9.9       $ (1.7   $ 8.2   

The Technology Solutions segment incurred employee separation obligations in the second quarter of 2010 primarily associated with reductions in headcount for managed service and professional service employees. Employee separation obligations incurred in the Wireline segment prior to the second quarter of 2010 resulted from the Company’s need to reduce its headcount over the next five years to conform its Wireline operations to the decreased access lines being served by the Company.

At September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009, $2.3 million and $6.4 million of the restructuring reserve was included in “Other current liabilities” and $5.9 million and $8.0 million was included in “Other noncurrent liabilities,” respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

In 2009, the Company announced significant changes to its pension and postretirement plans, which resulted in a curtailment gain of $7.6 million and is included in “Restructuring charges (gains), net” in the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. This caption also includes amortization of special termination benefits in 2009. See Note 8 for further information.

 

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Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

8. Pension and Postretirement Plans

In the first quarter 2010, the Company recorded a charge of $3.9 million due to a law change that now requires application of federal income taxes against the retiree Medicare drug subsidies received by the Company. Previously, any Medicare drug subsidy received by the Company was not taxable. This charge is included in “Income tax expense” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

In 2009, the Company announced significant changes to its management pension plan and its postretirement plans. The Company announced that it would freeze pension benefits for certain management employees below 50 years of age and provide a 10-year transition period for those employees over the age of 50 after which the pension benefits will be frozen. Additionally, the Company announced it would phase out the retiree healthcare plans for all management employees and certain retirees in 10 years.

The significant changes announced caused a 90% decrease in the expected future service years for active participants in the management pension plan, which triggered a plan curtailment. The curtailment gain of $7.6 million consisted of the acceleration of unrecognized prior service benefits. In addition, the Company determined that the significant changes to the postretirement plan benefits required remeasurement of these plans in 2009. The Company remeasured its management pension plan and its postretirement plans, using revised assumptions, including modified retiree benefit payment assumptions, revised discount rates and updated plan asset information.

Pension and postretirement benefit costs are as follows:

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement and
Other Benefits
 
     Three Months Ended September 30,  

(dollars in millions)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 1.3      $ 1.4      $ —        $ —     

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     6.7        7.2        2.0        2.4   

Expected return on plan assets

     (7.7     (6.5     —          (0.3

Amortization of:

        

Prior service cost (benefit)

     0.2        0.2        (3.2     (3.8

Actuarial loss

     2.4        2.1        1.3        1.3   

Special termination benefit

     —          0.9        —          0.1   
                                

Benefit costs

   $ 2.9      $ 5.3      $ 0.1      $ (0.3
                                

 

     Pension Benefits     Postretirement and
Other Benefits
 
     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(dollars in millions)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Service cost

   $ 3.9      $ 4.4      $ 0.2      $ 0.3   

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

     20.1        21.7        6.0        8.2   

Expected return on plan assets

     (22.7     (19.5     —          (0.7

Amortization of:

        

Transition obligation

     —          —          —          0.1   

Prior service cost (benefit)

     0.4        0.5        (9.8     (8.8

Actuarial loss

     7.0        6.5        3.9        3.4   

Special termination benefit

     —          1.7        —          0.3   

Curtailment gain

     —          (7.6     —          —     
                                

Benefit costs

   $ 8.7      $ 7.7      $ 0.3      $ 2.8   
                                

 

12


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

9. Business Segment Information

The Company operates in three segments: Wireline, Wireless and Technology Solutions. The Wireline segment provides local voice, data, long-distance and other services to customers primarily in southwestern Ohio, northern Kentucky, and southeastern Indiana. The Wireless segment provides advanced, digital voice and data communications services and sales of related communications equipment to customers in the Greater Cincinnati and Dayton, Ohio operating areas. The Technology Solutions segment provides a range of fully managed and outsourced IT and telecommunications services and offers solutions that combine data center colocation services along with the sale, installation, and maintenance of major branded IT and telephony equipment.

Beginning in 2010, the Company realigned its reportable business segments to be consistent with changes to its management reporting. Certain data center operations that have been historically included in the Wireline segment have been reclassified to the Technology Solutions segment. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current segment reporting.

On June 11, 2010, the Company purchased CyrusOne, a data center operator based in Texas, for approximately $526 million, net of cash acquired. The CyrusOne financial results are included in the Technology Solutions segment.

Certain corporate administrative expenses have been allocated to segments based upon the nature of the expense and the relative size of the segment.

The Company’s business segment information is as follows:

 

     Three Months Ended
September 30,
    Nine Months Ended
September 30,
 

(dollars in millions)

   2010     2009     2010     2009  

Revenue

        

Wireline

   $ 185.2      $ 188.7      $ 559.6      $ 573.7   

Wireless

     72.8        77.7        219.7        230.5   

Technology Solutions

     102.6        80.6        261.2        214.4   

Intersegment

     (8.7     (9.3     (26.3     (27.8
                                

Total revenue

   $ 351.9      $ 337.7      $ 1,014.2      $ 990.8   
                                

Intersegment revenue

        

Wireline

   $ 5.9      $ 6.4      $ 18.4      $ 19.0   

Wireless

     0.7        0.8        2.1        2.5   

Technology Solutions

     2.1        2.1        5.8        6.3   
                                

Total intersegment revenue

   $ 8.7      $ 9.3      $ 26.3      $ 27.8   
                                

Operating income

        

Wireline

   $ 58.9      $ 64.4      $ 181.0      $ 204.4   

Wireless

     15.7        4.4        52.2        23.7   

Technology Solutions

     12.8        7.8        25.3        17.7   

Corporate

     (4.8     (3.4     (23.7     (16.7
                                

Total operating income

   $ 82.6      $ 73.2      $ 234.8      $ 229.1   
                                
     September 30,
2010
    December 31,
2009
             

Assets

        

Wireline

   $ 682.0      $ 704.9       

Wireless

     363.5        383.4       

Technology Solutions

     899.3        302.8       

Corporate and eliminations

     648.2        673.2       
                    

Total assets

   $ 2,593.0      $ 2,064.3       
                    

 

13


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

10. Stock-Based Compensation Plans

Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights Awards

The following table summarizes stock option and stock appreciation right activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   Shares     Weighted-
Average  Exercise
Price Per Share
 

Outstanding at January 1, 2010

     20,172      $ 7.15   

Granted

     1,374        2.99   

Exercised

     (329     1.60   

Forfeited/Expired

     (1,961     20.95   
                

Outstanding at September 30, 2010

     19,256      $ 5.54   
                

Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 2010

     19,188      $ 5.56   
                

Exercisable at September 30, 2010

     15,274      $ 6.33   
                

The Company recognized compensation expense of $0.4 million related to stock options and stock appreciation rights awards for the three months ended September 30, 2010, $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there was $1.9 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years. At September 30, 2010, the aggregate intrinsic value of these outstanding awards was approximately $4.1 million.

For options granted in 2010, the weighted-average fair value of $1.21 at the date of grant was estimated using the Black-Scholes pricing model with the following assumptions:

 

Expected volatility

     43.0

Risk-free interest rate

     2.3

Expected holding period - years

     5   

Expected dividends

     0.0

The expected volatility assumption used in the Black-Scholes pricing model was based on historical volatility. The risk-free interest rate was based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The expected holding period was estimated using the historical exercise behavior of employees and adjusted for abnormal activity. Expected dividends are based on the Company’s history of paying dividends.

Performance-based restricted awards

The following table summarizes performance-based restricted award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   Shares     Weighted-
Average  Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Share
 

Non-vested as of January 1, 2010

     4,218      $ 3.39   

Granted*

     736        2.92   

Vested

     (1,146     3.58   

Forfeited

     (167     2.80   
                

Non-vested at September 30, 2010

     3,641      $ 3.26   
                

 

* Assumes the maximum number of awards that can be earned if the performance conditions are achieved.

 

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Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Awards granted generally vest over three years and upon the achievement of certain performance-based objectives. The Company recognized expense for performance-based awards of $0.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, $1.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $0.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $2.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there was $1.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to performance-based awards, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately one year.

The Company has also granted cash-payment performance awards in 2010 and 2009 with a base award of $0.9 million and $1.3 million, respectively, with the final payments indexed to the percentage change in the Company’s stock price from the date of grant. For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, the Company recorded a gain of $0.1 million. For the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded an expense of $0.6 million and $3.3 million, respectively. At September 30, 2010, there was $0.2 million of unrecognized compensation, which is expected to be recognized within one year.

Time-based restricted awards

The following table summarizes time-based restricted award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2010:

 

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

   Shares     Weighted-
Average  Grant
Date Fair Value
Per Share
 

Non-vested as of January 1, 2010

     213      $ 3.85   

Granted

     84        3.35   

Vested

     (3     4.91   

Forfeited

     (3     4.91   
                

Non-vested at September 30, 2010

     291      $ 3.69   
                

Awards granted generally vest in one-third increments over a period of three years. The Company recognized expense related to time-based restricted awards of $0.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010, $0.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and $0.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. As of September 30, 2010, there was $0.5 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to these shares, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately two years.

In addition to time-based restricted awards, the Company granted an award of 300,000 common shares in the third quarter of 2010 to the newly-hired president of Cincinnati Bell Communications, which encompasses the operations of the Wireline and Wireless segments. This award vested immediately. The Company recognized expense of $0.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 associated with this award, which was recorded in the Corporate segment.

Deferred Compensation Plans

The Company currently has deferred compensation plans for both the Board of Directors and certain executives of the Company. At September 30, 2010 and 2009, there were 0.8 and 0.9 million common shares deferred in these plans, respectively. As these awards can be settled in cash, the Company records compensation costs each period based on the change in the Company’s stock price. The Company recognized a gain of $0.3 million and $0.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, and expense of $0.6 million and $1.6 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.

 

15


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

11. Supplemental Guarantor Information

Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes

Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Cincinnati Bell Inc. (the “Parent Company” or “CBI”), had $207.5 million in notes outstanding at September 30, 2010 that are guaranteed by the Parent Company and no other subsidiaries of the Parent Company. The guarantee is full and unconditional. The Parent Company’s subsidiaries generate substantially all of its income and cash flow and generally distribute or advance the funds necessary to meet the Parent Company’s debt service obligations.

The following information sets forth the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of (1) the Parent Company, as the guarantor, (2) Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC, as the issuer, and (3) the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis:

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  
     Parent            Other              

(dollars in millions)

   (Guarantor)     CBT      (Non-guarantors)     Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 166.0       $ 200.6      $ (14.7   $ 351.9   

Operating costs and expenses

     4.8        107.7         171.5        (14.7     269.3   
                                         

Operating income (loss)

     (4.8     58.3         29.1        —          82.6   

Interest expense

     45.4        1.8         13.2        (8.4     52.0   

Other expense (income), net

     (8.9     2.4         (1.9     8.4        —     
                                         

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (41.3     54.1         17.8        —          30.6   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (10.9     18.5         8.5        —          16.1   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     44.9        —           —          (44.9     —     
                                         

Net income

     14.5        35.6         9.3        (44.9     14.5   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6        —           —          —          2.6   
                                         

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 11.9      $ 35.6       $ 9.3      $ (44.9   $ 11.9   
                                         

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT     Other
(Non-guarantors)
    Eliminations     Total  
          

Revenue

   $ —        $ 169.9      $ 182.0      $ (14.2   $ 337.7   

Operating costs and expenses

     3.5        107.4        167.8        (14.2     264.5   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (3.5     62.5        14.2        —          73.2   

Interest expense

     26.7        3.5        3.7        (2.4     31.5   

Other income, net

     (4.9     (3.9     (1.3     2.4        (7.7
                                        

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (25.3     62.9        11.8        —          49.4   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2.2     21.2        2.7        —          21.7   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     50.8        —          —          (50.8     —     
                                        

Net income

     27.7        41.7        9.1        (50.8     27.7   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6        —          —          —          2.6   
                                        

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 25.1      $ 41.7      $ 9.1      $ (50.8   $ 25.1   
                                        

 

16


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT     Other
(Non-guarantors)
    Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 503.6      $ 554.2      $ (43.6   $ 1,014.2   

Operating costs and expenses

     23.9        323.2        475.9        (43.6     779.4   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (23.9     180.4        78.3        —          234.8   

Interest expense

     113.1        8.1        22.7        (12.4     131.5   

Other expense (income), net

     (3.2     6.0        (4.7     12.4        10.5   
                                        

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (133.8     166.3        60.3        —          92.8   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (35.6     65.1        16.4        —          45.9   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     145.1        —          —          (145.1     —     
                                        

Net income

     46.9        101.2        43.9        (145.1     46.9   

Preferred stock dividends

     7.8        —          —          —          7.8   
                                        

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 39.1      $ 101.2      $ 43.9      $ (145.1   $ 39.1   
                                        
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
      Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT     Other
(Non-guarantors)
    Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 517.4      $ 515.6      $ (42.2   $ 990.8   

Operating costs and expenses

     16.2        321.1        466.6        (42.2     761.7   
                                        

Operating income (loss)

     (16.2     196.3        49.0        —          229.1   

Interest expense

     79.4        10.8        13.3        (8.9     94.6   

Other income, net

     (11.7     (1.5     (3.1     8.9        (7.4
                                        

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (83.9     187.0        38.8        —          141.9   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (22.1     64.2        17.0        —          59.1   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     144.6        —          —          (144.6     —     
                                        

Net income

     82.8        122.8        21.8        (144.6     82.8   

Preferred stock dividends

     7.8        —          —          —          7.8   
                                        

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 75.0      $ 122.8      $ 21.8      $ (144.6   $ 75.0   
                                        

 

17


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 

     As of September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT      Other
(Non-guarantors)
     Eliminations     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.0      $ 1.4       $ 12.8       $ —        $ 34.2   

Receivables, net

     —          —           170.5         —          170.5   

Other current assets

     18.6        19.6         54.3         (0.4     92.1   
                                          

Total current assets

     38.6        21.0         237.6         (0.4     296.8   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     0.6        617.0         644.2         —          1,261.8   

Goodwill and intangibles, net

     —          2.6         579.3         —          581.9   

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     1,648.1        118.2         —           (1,766.3     —     

Other noncurrent assets

     354.4        8.3         190.7         (100.9     452.5   
                                          

Total assets

   $ 2,041.7      $ 767.1       $ 1,651.8       $ (1,867.6   $ 2,593.0   
                                          

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 7.6      $ 1.4       $ 12.6       $ —        $ 21.6   

Accounts payable

     0.6        37.4         50.1         —          88.1   

Other current liabilities

     66.3        57.2         61.5         (7.0     178.0   
                                          

Total current liabilities

     74.5        96.0         124.2         (7.0     287.7   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     2,128.6        213.5         115.9         —          2,458.0   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     319.2        85.6         148.2         (94.3     458.7   

Intercompany payables

     130.8        —           858.1         (988.9     —     
                                          

Total liabilities

     2,653.1        395.1         1,246.4         (1,090.2     3,204.4   

Shareowners’ equity (deficit)

     (611.4     372.0         405.4         (777.4     (611.4
                                          

Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity (deficit)

   $ 2,041.7      $ 767.1       $ 1,651.8       $ (1,867.6   $ 2,593.0   
                                          
     As of December 31, 2009  
      Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT      Other
(Non-guarantors)
     Eliminations     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.1      $ 2.1       $ 0.8       $ —        $ 23.0   

Receivables, net

     —          —           159.9         —          159.9   

Other current assets

     47.8        22.0         69.0         (0.7     138.1   
                                          

Total current assets

     67.9        24.1         229.7         (0.7     321.0   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     0.8        629.6         492.9         —          1,123.3   

Goodwill and intangibles, net

     —          2.8         179.2         —          182.0   

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     912.4        10.1         —           (922.5     —     

Other noncurrent assets

     329.7        10.9         186.8         (89.4     438.0   
                                          

Total assets

   $ 1,310.8      $ 677.5       $ 1,088.6       $ (1,012.6   $ 2,064.3   
                                          

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2.1      $ 1.3       $ 12.4       $ —        $ 15.8   

Accounts payable

     0.4        44.8         61.0         —          106.2   

Other current liabilities

     67.8        56.0         78.1         (0.1     201.8   
                                          

Total current liabilities

     70.3        102.1         151.5         (0.1     323.8   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     1,558.4        214.5         190.4         —          1,963.3   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     328.5        90.2         103.1         (90.0     431.8   

Intercompany payables

     8.2        —           298.9         (307.1     —     
                                          

Total liabilities

     1,965.4        406.8         743.9         (397.2     2,718.9   

Shareowners’ equity (deficit)

     (654.6     270.7         344.7         (615.4     (654.6
                                          

Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity (deficit)

   $ 1,310.8      $ 677.5       $ 1,088.6       $ (1,012.6   $ 2,064.3   
                                          

 

18


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT     Other
(Non-guarantors)
    Eliminations      Total  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (60.2   $ 167.8      $ 97.0      $ —         $ 204.6   
                                         

Capital expenditures

     —          (59.0     (42.2     —           (101.2

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          (0.1     (526.6     —           (526.7

Other investing activities

     —          0.3        0.2        —           0.5   
                                         

Cash flows used in investing activities

     —          (58.8     (568.6     —           (627.4
                                         

Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net

     (467.1     (108.6     575.7        —           —     

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,353.4        —          —          —           1,353.4   

Decrease in corporate credit and receivables facilities, net

     —          —          (85.9     —           (85.9

Repayment of debt

     (784.3     (1.1     (6.2     —           (791.6

Debt issuance costs

     (32.9     —          —          —           (32.9

Other financing activities

     (9.0     —          —          —           (9.0
                                         

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     60.1        (109.7     483.6        —           434.0   
                                         

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (0.1     (0.7     12.0        —           11.2   

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     20.1        2.1        0.8        —           23.0   
                                         

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.0      $ 1.4      $ 12.8      $ —         $ 34.2   
                                         
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Parent
(Guarantor)
    CBT     Other
(Non-guarantors)
    Eliminations      Total  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (72.5   $ 206.3      $ 116.5      $ —         $ 250.3   
                                         

Capital expenditures

     (0.4     (96.4     (44.9     —           (141.7

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          (0.5     (2.9     —           (3.4

Other investing activities

     0.4        0.3        5.9        —           6.6   
                                         

Cash flows used in investing activities

     —          (96.6     (41.9     —           (138.5
                                         

Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net

     171.4        (92.3     (79.1     —           —     

Increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities, net

     12.7        —          10.9        —           23.6   

Repayment of debt

     (9.4     (17.2     (5.8     —           (32.4

Common stock repurchase

     (59.4     —          —          —           (59.4

Other financing activities

     (12.8     —          —          —           (12.8
                                         

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     102.5        (109.5     (74.0     —           (81.0
                                         

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     30.0        0.2        0.6        —           30.8   

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     4.5        1.8        0.4        —           6.7   
                                         

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 34.5      $ 2.0      $ 1.0      $ —         $ 37.5   
                                         

 

19


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018, 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, and 7% Senior Notes Due 2015

The Parent Company’s 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018, 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, and 7% Senior Notes due 2015 are guaranteed by the following subsidiaries: Cincinnati Bell Entertainment Inc., Cincinnati Bell Complete Protection Inc., Cincinnati Bell Any Distance Inc., Cincinnati Bell Telecommunication Services LLC, Cincinnati Bell Wireless Company, Cincinnati Bell Wireless LLC, GramTel Inc., BRCOM Inc., CBTS Software LLC, Cyrus Networks LLC, IXC Internet Services Inc., Cincinnati Bell Shared Services LLC, Cincinnati Bell Technology Solutions Inc., Cincinnati Bell Any Distance of Virginia LLC, and eVolve Business Solutions LLC. The Parent Company owns directly or indirectly 100% of each guarantor and each guarantee is full and unconditional and joint and several. The Parent Company’s subsidiaries generate substantially all of its income and cash flow and generally distribute or advance the funds necessary to meet the Parent Company’s debt service obligations.

The following information sets forth the Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, and the Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2010 and December 31, 2009 of (1) the Parent Company, as the issuer, (2) the guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis, and (3) the non-guarantor subsidiaries on a combined basis:

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

 

     Three Months Ended September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors     Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 214.7       $ 151.9      $ (14.7   $ 351.9   

Operating costs and expenses

     4.8        184.3         94.9        (14.7     269.3   
                                         

Operating income (loss)

     (4.8     30.4         57.0        —          82.6   

Interest expense

     45.4        11.9         3.1        (8.4     52.0   

Other expense (income), net

     (8.9     2.7         (2.2     8.4        —     
                                         

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (41.3     15.8         56.1        —          30.6   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (10.9     6.7         20.3        —          16.1   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     44.9        —           —          (44.9     —     
                                         

Net income

     14.5        9.1         35.8        (44.9     14.5   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6        —           —          —          2.6   
                                         

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 11.9      $ 9.1       $ 35.8      $ (44.9   $ 11.9   
                                         
     Three Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors     Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 194.4       $ 157.5      $ (14.2   $ 337.7   

Operating costs and expenses

     3.5        180.9         94.3        (14.2     264.5   
                                         

Operating income (loss)

     (3.5     13.5         63.2        —          73.2   

Interest expense

     26.7        2.4         4.8        (2.4     31.5   

Other expense (income), net

     (4.9     1.5         (6.7     2.4        (7.7
                                         

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (25.3     9.6         65.1        —          49.4   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (2.2     1.9         22.0        —          21.7   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     50.8        —           —          (50.8     —     
                                         

Net income

     27.7        7.7         43.1        (50.8     27.7   

Preferred stock dividends

     2.6        —           —          —          2.6   
                                         

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 25.1      $ 7.7       $ 43.1      $ (50.8   $ 25.1   
                                         

 

20


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors     Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 596.7       $ 461.1      $ (43.6   $ 1,014.2   

Operating costs and expenses

     23.9        516.1         283.0        (43.6     779.4   
                                         

Operating income (loss)

     (23.9     80.6         178.1        —          234.8   

Interest expense

     113.1        18.7         12.1        (12.4     131.5   

Other expense (income), net

     (3.2     6.8         (5.5     12.4        10.5   
                                         

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (133.8     55.1         171.5        —          92.8   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (35.6     13.9         67.6        —          45.9   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     145.1        —           —          (145.1     —     
                                         

Net income

     46.9        41.2         103.9        (145.1     46.9   

Preferred stock dividends

     7.8        —           —          —          7.8   
                                         

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 39.1      $ 41.2       $ 103.9      $ (145.1   $ 39.1   
                                         
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors     Eliminations     Total  

Revenue

   $ —        $ 553.1       $ 479.9      $ (42.2   $ 990.8   

Operating costs and expenses

     16.2        507.6         280.1        (42.2     761.7   
                                         

Operating income (loss)

     (16.2     45.5         199.8        —          229.1   

Interest expense

     79.4        8.9         15.2        (8.9     94.6   

Other expense (income), net

     (11.7     1.4         (6.0     8.9        (7.4
                                         

Income (loss) before equity in earnings of subsidiaries and income taxes

     (83.9     35.2         190.6        —          141.9   

Income tax expense (benefit)

     (22.1     15.1         66.1        —          59.1   

Equity in earnings of subsidiaries, net of tax

     144.6        —           —          (144.6     —     
                                         

Net income

     82.8        20.1         124.5        (144.6     82.8   

Preferred stock dividends

     7.8        —           —          —          7.8   
                                         

Net income applicable to common shareowners

   $ 75.0      $ 20.1       $ 124.5      $ (144.6   $ 75.0   
                                         

 

21


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets

 

     As of September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors      Eliminations     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.0      $ 12.8       $ 1.4       $ —        $ 34.2   

Receivables, net

     —          10.0         160.5         —          170.5   

Other current assets

     18.6        48.6         25.3         (0.4     92.1   
                                          

Total current assets

     38.6        71.4         187.2         (0.4     296.8   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     0.6        644.2         617.0         —          1,261.8   

Goodwill and intangibles, net

     —          579.3         2.6         —          581.9   

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     1,648.1        —           130.5         (1,778.6     —     

Other noncurrent assets

     354.4        192.0         7.0         (100.9     452.5   
                                          

Total assets

   $ 2,041.7      $ 1,486.9       $ 944.3       $ (1,879.9   $ 2,593.0   
                                          

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 7.6      $ 12.6       $ 1.4       $ —        $ 21.6   

Accounts payable

     0.6        57.5         30.0         —          88.1   

Other current liabilities

     66.3        65.2         53.5         (7.0     178.0   
                                          

Total current liabilities

     74.5        135.3         84.9         (7.0     287.7   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     2,128.6        115.9         213.5         —          2,458.0   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     319.2        148.7         85.1         (94.3     458.7   

Intercompany payables

     130.8        735.0         135.4         (1,001.2     —     
                                          

Total liabilities

     2,653.1        1,134.9         518.9         (1,102.5     3,204.4   

Shareowners’ equity (deficit)

     (611.4     352.0         425.4         (777.4     (611.4
                                          

Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity (deficit)

   $ 2,041.7      $ 1,486.9       $ 944.3       $ (1,879.9   $ 2,593.0   
                                          
     As of December 31, 2009  
     Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors      Non-guarantors      Eliminations     Total  

Cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.1      $ 0.8       $ 2.1       $ —        $ 23.0   

Receivables, net

     —          0.9         159.0         —          159.9   

Other current assets

     47.8        64.1         26.9         (0.7     138.1   
                                          

Total current assets

     67.9        65.8         188.0         (0.7     321.0   

Property, plant and equipment, net

     0.8        492.9         629.6         —          1,123.3   

Goodwill and intangibles, net

     —          179.2         2.8         —          182.0   

Investments in and advances to subsidiaries

     912.4        —           21.9         (934.3     —     

Other noncurrent assets

     329.7        188.6         9.1         (89.4     438.0   
                                          

Total assets

   $ 1,310.8      $ 926.5       $ 851.4       $ (1,024.4   $ 2,064.3   
                                          

Current portion of long-term debt

   $ 2.1      $ 12.4       $ 1.3       $ —        $ 15.8   

Accounts payable

     0.4        73.0         32.8         —          106.2   

Other current liabilities

     67.8        81.0         53.1         (0.1     201.8   
                                          

Total current liabilities

     70.3        166.4         87.2         (0.1     323.8   

Long-term debt, less current portion

     1,558.4        104.5         300.4         —          1,963.3   

Other noncurrent liabilities

     328.5        104.4         88.9         (90.0     431.8   

Intercompany payables

     8.2        241.3         69.4         (318.9     —     
                                          

Total liabilities

     1,965.4        616.6         545.9         (409.0     2,718.9   

Shareowners’ equity (deficit)

     (654.6     309.9         305.5         (615.4     (654.6
                                          

Total liabilities and shareowners’ equity (deficit)

   $ 1,310.8      $ 926.5       $ 851.4       $ (1,024.4   $ 2,064.3   
                                          

 

22


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)—(Continued)

 

 

Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows

 

     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2010  

(dollars in millions)

   Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors     Non-guarantors     Eliminations      Total  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (60.2   $ 93.5      $ 171.3      $ —         $ 204.6   
                                         

Capital expenditures

     —          (42.2     (59.0     —           (101.2

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          (526.6     (0.1     —           (526.7

Other investing activities

     —          0.2        0.3        —           0.5   
                                         

Cash flows used in investing activities

     —          (568.6     (58.8     —           (627.4
                                         

Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net

     (467.1     493.3        (26.2     —           —     

Issuance of long-term debt

     1,353.4        —          —          —           1,353.4   

Decrease in corporate credit and receivables facilities, net

     —          —          (85.9     —           (85.9

Repayment of debt

     (784.3     (6.2     (1.1     —           (791.6

Debt issuance costs

     (32.9     —          —          —           (32.9

Other financing activities

     (9.0     —          —          —           (9.0
                                         

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     60.1        487.1        (113.2     —           434.0   
                                         

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     (0.1     12.0        (0.7     —           11.2   

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     20.1        0.8        2.1        —           23.0   
                                         

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 20.0      $ 12.8      $ 1.4      $ —         $ 34.2   
                                         
     Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009  
     Parent
(Issuer)
    Guarantors     Non-guarantors     Eliminations      Total  

Cash flows provided by (used in) operating activities

   $ (72.5   $ 163.2      $ 159.6      $ —         $ 250.3   
                                         

Capital expenditures

     (0.4     (44.9     (96.4     —           (141.7

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

     —          (2.9     (0.5     —           (3.4

Other investing activities

     0.4        5.9        0.3        —           6.6   
                                         

Cash flows used in investing activities

     —          (41.9     (96.6     —           (138.5
                                         

Funding between Parent and subsidiaries, net

     171.4        (115.0     (56.4     —           —     

Increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities, net

     12.7        —          10.9        —           23.6   

Repayment of debt

     (9.4     (5.8     (17.2     —           (32.4

Common stock repurchase

     (59.4     —          —          —           (59.4

Other financing activities

     (12.8     —          —          —           (12.8
                                         

Cash flows provided by (used in) financing activities

     102.5        (120.8     (62.7     —           (81.0
                                         

Increase in cash and cash equivalents

     30.0        0.5        0.3        —           30.8   

Beginning cash and cash equivalents

     4.5        0.4        1.8        —           6.7   
                                         

Ending cash and cash equivalents

   $ 34.5      $ 0.9      $ 2.1      $ —         $ 37.5   
                                         

 

23


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

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

Information included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains certain forward-looking statements that involve potential risks and uncertainties. The Company’s future results could differ materially from those discussed herein. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed herein and those discussed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2010. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date thereof.

The Company was initially incorporated under the laws of Ohio in 1983 and remains incorporated under the laws of Ohio. It has its principal executive offices at 221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202 (telephone number (513) 397-9900 and website address http://www.cincinnatibell.com). The Company makes available its reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K (as well as all amendments to these reports) on its website, free of charge, at the Investor Relations section by the end of the calendar day in which they have been electronically filed.

The Company files annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC under the Exchange Act. These reports and other information filed by the Company may be read and copied at the Public Reference Room of the SEC, 100 F Street N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Information may be obtained about the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy statements, and other information about issuers, like the Company, which file electronically with the SEC. The address of that site is http://www.sec.gov.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements requires the Company to make estimates and judgments that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. In the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, the Company identified critical accounting policies that affect its more significant estimates and assumptions used in preparing its Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. These critical accounting policies include revenue recognition, accounting for allowances for uncollectible accounts receivable, reviewing the carrying values of goodwill and indefinite-lived intangible assets, reviewing the carrying values of property, plant and equipment, accounting for business combinations, accounting for taxes, accounting for pension and postretirement expenses, and accounting for termination benefits.

As it relates to the acquisition of CyrusOne, the Company applied the accounting requirements of Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 805, “Business Combinations,” which requires the recording of net assets of acquired businesses at fair value. In developing estimates of fair value of acquired assets and assumed liabilities, the Company analyzed a variety of factors including market data, estimated future cash flows of the acquired operations, industry growth rates, current replacement cost for fixed assets, and market rate assumptions for contractual obligations. The Company engaged a third-party appraisal firm to assist management in determining the fair values of tangible and intangible assets and liabilities. Such a valuation requires management to make significant estimates and assumptions, especially with respect to the intangible assets.

In determining the fair value of the Company’s assets associated with the purchase of CyrusOne, the Company utilized several valuation methods:

 

   

Excess earnings method: This method was used to determine the fair value of the CyrusOne customer relationships. This method estimates the present value of future cash flows attributable to the customer base and requires estimates of the expected future earnings and remaining useful lives of the customer relationships.

 

   

Cost method: This method was used to determine the fair value of property, plant and equipment. This method indicates value based on the amount that currently would be required to replace the service capacity of the asset and considers the cost of a buyer to acquire or construct a substitute asset of comparable utility, adjusted for deterioration and obsolescence.

 

   

Relief-from-royalty: This method, used to determine the fair value of the CyrusOne trademark, estimates the present value of royalty expense that could be avoided in the operating business as a result of owning the respective asset or technology.

The Company has recorded its best estimate of the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed in the CyrusOne acquisition, as presented in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements. However, the valuation is not yet finalized as of September 30, 2010, and additional information could come to light which could change the assumptions used in the valuation. Changes to the assumptions the Company used to estimate fair value could impact the recorded amounts for acquired assets and liabilities, including property, plant and equipment, intangible assets and goodwill. Significant changes to these balances could have a material impact on the Company’s future reported results.

 

24


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Results of Operations

The financial results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009 referred to in this discussion should be read in conjunction with the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Results for interim periods may not be indicative of the results for subsequent periods or the full year.

Beginning in 2010, the Company realigned its reportable business segments to be consistent with changes to its management reporting. Certain data center operations that were historically included in the Wireline segment have been reclassified to the Technology Solutions segment. Prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current segment reporting.

On June 11, 2010, the Company purchased CyrusOne, a data center operator based in Texas, for approximately $526 million. The CyrusOne financial results are included in the Technology Solutions segment. Refer to Note 2 in the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion concerning the CyrusOne acquisition.

Consolidated Overview

Consolidated revenue totaled $351.9 million for the third quarter of 2010, an increase of $14.2 million compared to the third quarter of 2009. The increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

$22.0 million higher revenues in the Technology Solutions segment primarily due to increased data center and managed services revenue from the acquisition of CyrusOne in June 2010;

 

   

$4.9 million lower revenues in the Wireless segment primarily due to lower postpaid service revenue; and

 

   

$3.5 million lower revenues in the Wireline segment primarily due to lower voice revenue.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, consolidated revenue increased $23.4 million to $1,014.2 million in comparison to $990.8 million for the same period in 2009. The increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

$46.8 million higher revenues in the Technology Solutions segment primarily due to higher telecom and IT equipment distribution revenue and increased data center and managed services revenue, including the acquisition of CyrusOne in June 2010;

 

   

$14.1 million lower revenues in the Wireline segment primarily due to lower voice revenue; and

 

   

$10.8 million lower revenues in the Wireless segment primarily due to lower postpaid service revenue.

Operating income for the third quarter of 2010 was $82.6 million, an increase of $9.4 million compared to the same period in 2009. This increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

$11.3 million increase in Wireless segment operating income primarily due to lower expense for handset subsidies, roaming, and third party service provider costs in addition to a loss on the sale of spectrum licenses recognized in the third quarter of 2009;

 

   

$5.0 million increase in Technology Solutions operating income primarily due to the acquisition of CyrusOne; and

 

   

$5.5 million decrease in Wireline segment operating income primarily due to lower revenue.

Operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $234.8 million, an increase of $5.7 million compared to the same period a year ago. The increase was primarily due to the following:

 

   

$28.5 million increase in Wireless segment operating income primarily due to lower expense for handset subsidies, roaming, and third party service provider costs in addition to a loss on the sale of spectrum licenses recognized in the third quarter of 2009;

 

   

$7.6 million increase in Technology Solutions operating income primarily due to increased revenue from data center and managed services, including revenue from CyrusOne operations since its acquisition, offset by $1.8 million of restructuring costs recorded in the second quarter of 2010;

 

   

$7.0 million increase in Corporate expenses due to $9.1 million of acquisition costs on the purchase of CyrusOne offset by lower mark-to-market expense adjustments on stock-based compensation; and

 

   

$23.4 million decrease in Wireline segment operating income primarily due to lower revenue and a restructuring gain recorded in the prior year.

 

25


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Interest expense was $52.0 million for the third quarter of 2010 and $131.5 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $31.5 million for the third quarter of 2009 and $94.6 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The increase compared to last year is primarily attributable to higher debt balances from financing required to fund the acquisition of CyrusOne and higher interest rates.

Income tax expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 was $16.1 million compared to $21.7 million for the third quarter of 2009 due to lower pre-tax income offset by a higher effective tax rate. Income tax expense for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $45.9 million as compared to $59.1 million for the same period in 2009. This decrease is due to lower pretax income and a $7 million tax benefit associated with a change in valuation allowance on state deferred tax assets that are expected to be utilized as a result of the CyrusOne acquisition. These decreases were partially offset by a $6 million charge related to tax matters associated with the refinancing of the 8 3/8% Subordinated Notes and a $4 million charge related to a tax law change that now requires the application of federal income taxes against the retiree Medicare drug subsidy received by the Company.

The Company expects its effective tax rate to exceed statutory rates primarily due to non-deductible expenses, including interest on securities originally issued to acquire its broadband business (the “Broadband Securities”) or securities that the Company has subsequently issued to refinance the Broadband Securities. The Company believes the full year 2010 effective tax rate will approximate the actual September 2010 year-to-date effective tax rate. The Company expects to use federal and state net operating loss carryforwards to substantially defray payment of federal and state tax liabilities in 2010. The Company expects income tax payments for the 2010 year to be approximately $4 million.

 

26


Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Discussion of Operating Segment Results

WIRELINE

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(dollars in millions)

   2010     2009     Change     % Change     2010     2009     Change     % Change  

Revenue:

                

Voice - local service

   $ 76.5      $ 83.0      $ (6.5     (8 )%    $ 236.9      $ 260.8      $ (23.9     (9 )% 

Data

     68.4        69.5        (1.1     (2 )%      205.2        208.4        (3.2     (2 )% 

Long distance and VoIP

     26.8        24.0        2.8        12     78.5        72.0        6.5        9

Other

     13.5        12.2        1.3        11     39.0        32.5        6.5        20
                                                    

Total revenue

     185.2        188.7        (3.5     (2 )%      559.6        573.7        (14.1     (2 )% 
                                                    

Operating costs and expenses:

                

Cost of services and products

     65.0        62.0        3.0        5     191.9        186.4        5.5        3

Selling, general and administrative

     35.0        35.0        —          0     106.2        111.2        (5.0     (4 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     26.3        26.3        —          0     77.2        77.2        —          0

Restructuring charges (gains)

     —          1.0        (1.0     n/m        3.3        (5.5     8.8        n/m   
                                                    

Total operating costs and expenses

     126.3        124.3        2.0        2     378.6        369.3        9.3        3
                                                    

Operating income

   $ 58.9      $ 64.4      $ (5.5     (9 )%    $ 181.0      $ 204.4      $ (23.4     (11 )% 
                                                    

Operating margin

     31.8     34.1       (2.3 ) pts      32.3     35.6       (3.3 ) pts 

Capital expenditures

   $ 24.3      $ 35.1      $ (10.8     (31 )%    $ 67.4      $ 101.0      $ (33.6     (33 )% 

Metric information (in thousands):

  

             

Local access lines

     686.9        737.8        (50.9     (7 )%      686.9        737.8        (50.9     (7 )% 

DSL subscribers

     231.5        234.5        (3.0     (1 )%      231.5        234.5        (3.0     (1 )% 

Fiber internet subscribers

     19.8        7.4        12.4        n/m        19.8        7.4        12.4        n/m   

Fiber entertainment subscribers

     20.9        8.2        12.7        n/m        20.9        8.2        12.7        n/m   

Long distance lines

     490.2        515.9        (25.7     (5 )%      490.2        515.9        (25.7     (5 )% 

The Wireline segment consists of the operations of Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC, which operates as an incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) within the Company’s traditional territory, Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC, which primarily operates as a competitive local exchange carrier (“CLEC”) in Dayton, Ohio and communities adjacent to the ILEC’s northern borders, Cincinnati Bell Any Distance Inc. and subsidiaries which provide long distance, audio conferencing, voice over internet protocol (“VoIP”) and broadband services including private line and multi protocol labeling switching, Cincinnati Bell Complete Protection Inc., which provides security monitoring services and related surveillance hardware, the Company’s payphone business, and its entertainment operations, which provide its Fioptics fiber-to-the-home products that include entertainment, high-speed internet and voice services in limited areas and DirecTV on a commission basis to the remainder of its operating territory.

Revenue

Voice local service revenue includes local service, value added services, switched access and information services. Voice revenue decreased in both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the same periods in 2009 primarily as a result of a 7% decrease in access lines. Access lines within the segment’s ILEC territory decreased by 51,800 or 8%, from 664,100 at September 30, 2009 to 612,300 at September 30, 2010. The access line loss resulted from several factors including customers electing to use wireless communication in lieu of the traditional local service, Company-initiated disconnections of customers with credit problems, and customers electing to use service from other providers. The Company had 74,600 CLEC access lines at September 30, 2010 compared to 73,700 access lines at September 30, 2009.

Data revenue consists of data transport, DSL internet access, dial-up internet access, digital trunking, and local area network interconnection services. Data revenue decreased $1.1 million and $3.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same periods a year ago, primarily due to lower DSL revenue resulting from a decline in average revenue per subscriber.

Long distance and VoIP revenue increased $2.8 million and $6.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009. The increase was primarily due to an increase in VoIP services due to additional subscribers.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Other revenue increased $1.3 million and $6.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods last year primarily due to the introduction of the Company’s Fioptics fiber-to-the-home suite of products, which includes entertainment and high-speed internet services. Fioptics entertainment subscribers increased by 12,700 from 8,200 at September 30, 2009 to 20,900 at September 30, 2010. Fioptics high-speed internet subscribers increased by 12,400 from 7,400 at September 30, 2009 to 19,800 at September 30, 2010.

Costs and Expenses

Cost of services and products increased by $3.0 million and $5.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the corresponding periods in 2009. The increase in the third quarter was primarily driven by higher network costs of $2.7 million to support growth in VoIP and Fioptics revenues and higher benefit costs of $1.6 million due to the reinstitution of the Company 401(K) match and higher medical costs. These expenses were offset by a decrease in costs from third party service providers. The increase in costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to $7.8 million in higher network costs and $1.8 million in higher operating taxes, partially offset by lower wages of $1.4 million due to the Company’s restructuring activities, lower benefit costs of $1.2 million and a decrease in costs from third party service providers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were flat for the quarter and decreased by $5.0 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, versus the comparable periods in 2009. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to a $3.1 million decrease in bad debt expense, a $1.1 million decrease in costs from third party service providers and lower advertising expenses.

Restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 represent future lease costs on office space abandoned by the Company in the second quarter of 2010, primarily resulting from the decrease in Wireline headcount. The restructuring gain for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 primarily resulted from a curtailment due to changes in the pension and postretirement plans announced in February 2009. See Notes 7 and 8 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

WIRELESS

 

     Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(dollars in millions, except for operating metrics)

   2010     2009     Change     % Change     2010     2009     Change     % Change  

Revenue:

                

Service

   $ 67.1      $ 71.6      $ (4.5     (6 )%    $ 204.8      $ 214.1      $ (9.3     (4 )% 

Equipment

     5.7        6.1        (0.4     (7 )%      14.9        16.4        (1.5     (9 )% 
                                                    

Total revenue

     72.8        77.7        (4.9     (6 )%      219.7        230.5        (10.8     (5 )% 
                                                    

Operating costs and expenses:

                

Cost of services and products

     34.6        42.0        (7.4     (18 )%      99.0        121.9        (22.9     (19 )% 

Selling, general and administrative

     14.4        16.8        (2.4     (14 )%      43.1        50.8        (7.7     (15 )% 

Depreciation and amortization

     8.1        9.7        (1.6     (16 )%      25.4        29.3        (3.9     (13 )% 

Loss on sale of asset

     —          4.8        (4.8     n/m        —          4.8        (4.8     n/m   
                                                    

Total operating costs and expenses

     57.1        73.3        (16.2     (22 )%      167.5        206.8        (39.3     (19 )% 
                                                    

Operating income

   $ 15.7      $ 4.4      $ 11.3        n/m      $ 52.2      $ 23.7      $ 28.5        n/m   
                                                    

Operating margin

     21.6     5.7       15.9  pts      23.8     10.3       13.5  pts 

Capital expenditures

   $ 1.1      $ 8.1      $ (7.0     (86 )%    $ 5.5      $ 17.9      $ (12.4     (69 )% 

Operating metrics

                

Postpaid ARPU*

   $ 50.31      $ 49.27      $ 1.04        2   $ 49.94      $ 48.62      $ 1.32        3

Prepaid ARPU*

   $ 29.90      $ 28.70      $ 1.20        4   $ 29.79      $ 28.43      $ 1.36        5

Postpaid subscribers (in thousands)

     348.8        383.5        (34.7     (9 )%      348.8        383.5        (34.7     (9 )% 

Prepaid subscribers (in thousands)

     152.3        152.8        (0.5     0     152.3        152.8        (0.5     0

Average postpaid churn

     2.3     2.3       0.0  pts      2.2     2.2       0.0  pts 

 

* The Company has presented certain information regarding monthly average revenue per user (“ARPU”) because the Company believes ARPU provides a useful measure of the operational performance of its Wireless segment. ARPU is calculated by dividing service revenue by the average subscriber base for the period.

Revenue

Service revenue decreased $4.5 million in the third quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period last year primarily due to the following:

 

   

Postpaid service revenue decreased $3.9 million primarily due to a decrease in subscribers. Postpaid subscribers have decreased by 34,700 from the third quarter of 2009 to 2010, in part due to the exclusivity of certain premium handsets to national carriers which prevents the Company from selling these premium handsets to its customers. This decrease was partially offset by an increase in ARPU. The ARPU increase was driven by a 20% increase in data ARPU as the number of smartphone subscribers has increased from 64,300 at September 30, 2009 to 87,000 at September 30, 2010;

 

   

Prepaid service revenue increased $0.6 million compared to the same period last year primarily due to an increase in ARPU of $1.20, which resulted from the focus on marketing higher value rate plans; and

 

   

Other service revenue decreased $1.2 million due to lower tower rent revenue resulting from the sale of the wireless towers in December 2009. The lower rent revenue was offset by lower costs associated with the towers as discussed below.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, service revenue decreased $9.3 million compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to an $8.6 million decrease in postpaid service revenue resulting from fewer subscribers partially offset by an increase in ARPU. Prepaid service revenue increased $2.7 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily from an increase in ARPU of $1.36. Other service revenue decreased $3.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 primarily due to lower tower rent revenue resulting from the sale of the wireless towers in December 2009.

Equipment revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 decreased by $0.4 million and $1.5 million compared to the same periods in 2009 primarily due to lower subscriber activations.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Costs and Expenses

Cost of services and products consists largely of network operation costs, interconnection expenses with other telecommunications providers, roaming expense (which is incurred for subscribers to use their handsets in the territories of other wireless service providers), and cost of handsets and accessories sold. These expenses decreased $7.4 million during the third quarter of 2010 and $22.9 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the prior year periods. The third quarter decrease was primarily attributable to a $3.2 million decrease in roaming costs due to renegotiated rates and lower minutes of use, lower handset subsidies of $1.6 million primarily due to lower activations, $0.9 million decrease in third party service provider costs and labor expenses due to outsourcing and cost reduction initiatives, and lower costs due to the sale of the wireless towers in December 2009. The decrease for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to an $8.4 million decrease in roaming costs, $6.3 million in lower handset subsidies, $4.0 million in lower third party service provider costs and labor expenses, and lower costs due to the sale of the wireless towers.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $2.4 million for the third quarter of 2010 compared to the same period in 2009 due to a $0.7 million decrease in bad debt expense, $0.7 million in lower third party service provider costs and labor expenses due to outsourcing and cost reduction initiatives, and lower commissions. Costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 versus the prior year period decreased $7.7 million primarily due to a $3.0 million decrease in bad debt expense, $2.8 million decrease in third party service provider costs and labor expenses, $0.9 million in lower advertising expenses, and lower commissions.

The decrease in depreciation and amortization expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the prior year periods is primarily associated with the sale of wireless towers in the fourth quarter of 2009.

The loss on sale of asset of $4.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 relates to the wireless spectrum for the Indianapolis, Indiana region that the Company sold for $5.8 million during the third quarter of 2009.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

On June 11, 2010, the Company acquired CyrusOne, a data center colocation provider based in Texas, for approximately $526 million, net of cash acquired. As a result, CyrusOne is now a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. The Company funded the purchase with borrowings and available cash. See Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information.

 

    Three Months Ended September 30,     Nine Months Ended September 30,  

(dollars in millions)

  2010     2009     Change     % Change     2010     2009     Change     % Change  

Revenue:

               

Telecom and IT equipment distribution

  $ 42.1      $ 45.2      $ (3.1     (7 )%    $ 118.8      $ 109.4      $ 9.4        9

Data center and managed services

    54.3        30.3        24.0        79     124.1        89.9        34.2        38

Professional services

    6.2        5.1        1.1        22     18.3        15.1        3.2        21
                                                   

Total revenue

    102.6        80.6        22.0        27     261.2        214.4        46.8        22
                                                   

Operating costs and expenses:

               

Cost of services and products

    61.1        57.5        3.6        6     165.7        148.5        17.2        12

Selling, general and administrative

    15.0        10.1        4.9        49     41.6        32.9        8.7        26

Depreciation and amortization

    13.7        5.2        8.5        n/m        26.8        15.3        11.5        75

Restructuring charges

    —          —          —          n/m        1.8        —          1.8        n/m   
                                                   

Total operating costs and expenses

    89.8        72.8        17.0        23     235.9        196.7        39.2        20
                                                   

Operating income

  $ 12.8      $ 7.8      $ 5.0        64   $ 25.3      $ 17.7      $ 7.6        43
                                                   

Operating margin

    12.5     9.7       2.8  pts      9.7     8.3       1.4  pts 

Operating metrics:

               

Capital expenditures

  $ 17.6      $ 4.2      $ 13.4        n/m      $ 28.3      $ 22.4      $ 5.9        26

Data center capacity (in square feet)

    621,000        446,000        175,000        39     621,000        446,000        175,000        39

Utilization rate*

    87     88       (1 ) pt      87     88       (1 ) pt 

 

* The utilization rate is calculated by dividing data center square footage that is committed contractually to customers by total data center square footage. Some data center square footage that is committed contractually may not yet be billing to the customer.

Revenue

Revenue from telecom and IT equipment distribution represents the sale, installation and maintenance of major, branded IT and telephony equipment. Revenue decreased by $3.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same period a year ago, as pent-up customer demand in the first half of 2009 caused by the poor economy resulted in higher third quarter 2009 equipment sales. The revenue increase of $9.4 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was primarily due to higher hardware sales in the second quarter of 2010.

Data center and managed services revenue consists of recurring colocation rents from customers residing in the Company’s data centers, managed VoIP solutions, and IT services that include network management, electronic data storage, disaster recovery, and data security management. Revenue increased $24.0 million for the third quarter of 2010 primarily due to the acquisition of CyrusOne in the second quarter of 2010, which had revenue of $20.0 million during the third quarter, and an increase in utilized data center capacity. Revenue increased $34.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to last year, primarily due to the acquisition of CyrusOne and an increase in utilized data center capacity, including the opening of the Company’s Lebanon, Ohio data center at the end of the first quarter of 2009.

Professional services revenue consists of long-term and short-term IT outsourcing and consulting engagements. Revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2010 increased by $1.1 million and $3.2 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2009, as the Company continues to grow these outsourcing and consulting engagements.

 

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Costs and Expenses

Cost of services and products increased by $3.6 million in the third quarter of 2010 and $17.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to the same periods in 2009. The increase in the third quarter primarily resulted from an increase in data center costs of $5.3 million related to CyrusOne operations and an increase in payroll related costs offset by a decrease of $3.8 million in cost of goods sold related to lower telecom and equipment distribution revenue. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 primarily resulted from an increase in cost of goods sold related to higher telecom and equipment distribution revenue of $8.3 million, increased data center costs of $6.5 million related to CyrusOne operations and higher payroll related costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $4.9 million and $8.7 million for the third quarter of 2010 and for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, respectively, primarily due to an increase in payroll related costs. In addition, CyrusOne costs totaled $2.3 million for the third quarter of 2010.

The increase in depreciation and amortization expense for the three months ended September 30, 2010 compared to the prior year period was primarily due to the acquisition of CyrusOne. The increase for the nine months ended September 30, 2010, was primarily due to the acquisition of CyrusOne and capital expenditures associated with expanding data center capacity, including the Company’s Lebanon, Ohio data center, completed at the end of the first quarter of 2009.

Restructuring charges for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 represent employee separation obligations of $1.8 million in the second quarter of 2010 primarily associated with managed and professional services.

Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources

In April 2010, cash from the issuance of $625 million of 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018 was used to redeem the $560 million of outstanding 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 plus accrued and unpaid interest and call premium. In June 2010, the Company used a new bank Tranche B term loan for $760 million and available cash to pay approximately $526 million for the CyrusOne acquisition, refinance its previous $204.3 million term loan, and pay various acquisition and debt issuance costs.

Subsequent to September 30, 2010, the Company issued $500 million of 8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2020 (“8 3/8% Senior Notes”). The net proceeds of approximately $490 million after debt issuance costs will be used to redeem $490 million of the Company’s Tranche B Term Loan. The 8 3/8% Senior Notes are fixed rate bonds to maturity. As a result of redeeming a portion of the Tranche B Term Loan, the Company expects to incur a loss on debt extinguishment of approximately $24 million which consists of the write-off of unamortized discount and debt issuance costs, in the fourth quarter of 2010.

The Company’s primary sources of cash for the remainder of the year will be cash generated by operations, borrowings from the Corporate credit facility and the Company’s Receivables Facility under which the Company had $185.4 million and $82.1 million of availability at September 30, 2010, respectively.

Uses of cash for the remainder of the year will include repayments of debt and related interest, dividends on preferred stock, capital expenditures, and working capital. In February 2010, the Board of Directors approved an additional plan for repurchase of the Company’s outstanding common stock in an amount up to $150 million. This new plan does not have a stated end date. The Company may repurchase shares to the extent its available cash is not needed for data center growth and other opportunities.

The Company believes the cash generated by its operations and borrowings from its Corporate credit facility and Receivables Facility will be sufficient to fund its primary uses of cash.

The Corporate credit facility financial covenants require that the Company maintain certain leverage, interest coverage, and fixed charge ratios. The facility also contains certain covenants which, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, pay dividends, repurchase Company common stock, sell, transfer, lease, or dispose of assets, and make investments or merge with another company. If the Company were to violate any of its covenants and were unable to obtain a waiver, it would be considered a default. If the Company were in default under its credit facility, no additional borrowings under the credit facility would be available until the default was waived or cured. The Company believes it is in compliance and will remain in compliance with its Corporate credit facility covenants.

Various issuances of the Company’s public debt, which include the 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018, the 7% Senior Notes due 2015, and the 8 1/4% Senior Notes due 2017, contain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell, transfer, lease, or dispose of assets and make investments or merge with another company. Restricted payments include common stock dividends, repurchase of common stock, and certain other public debt repayments. The Company believes it has sufficient ability under its public debt indentures to make its intended restricted payments in 2010. The Company believes it is in compliance and will remain in compliance with its public debt indentures.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

Cash Flows

For the nine months ended September 30, 2010, cash provided by operating activities totaled $204.6 million, a decrease of $45.7 million compared to the $250.3 million provided by operating activities during the same period in 2009. The decrease was driven by lower net income, higher interest payments of $22.0 million due to changes in the timing of payments as a result of refinancings, higher debt balances and higher interest rates, and $13.2 million received related to the settlement and termination of the short and long-term interest rate swaps in 2009.

Cash flow utilized for investing activities increased $488.9 million to $627.4 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010 as compared to $138.5 million for the first nine months of 2009. The increase was primarily due to cash paid for the acquisition of CyrusOne in June of approximately $526 million. This increase was partially offset by lower capital expenditures of $40.5 million, primarily due to lower Wireless spending and lower Wireline network spending.

Cash flow provided by financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2010 was $434.0 million compared to a use of $81.0 million during the same period in 2009. In the first quarter of 2010, the Company issued $625 million of 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018. The net proceeds of $616 million from the issuance were used in April 2010 to redeem the $560 million outstanding 8 3/8% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014 plus accrued and unpaid interest and call premium. The Company also paid $13.5 million of debt issuance costs related to the issuance of the 8 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2018. In the second quarter of 2010, the Company entered into a $760 million secured term loan credit facility (“Tranche B Term Loan”) due 2017. The proceeds from the Tranche B Term Loan were used to repay the Company’s previous credit facility of $204.3 million, to fund the acquisition of CyrusOne, and to pay related fees and expenses. The Company paid $19.4 million of debt issuance costs related to the issuance of the Tranche B Term Loan. Borrowings under the Receivables Facility decreased $85.9 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2010. During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company repurchased $59.4 million of the Company’s common stock as a part of its two-year $150 million common stock repurchase plan. In the third quarter of 2009, the Company purchased and extinguished $32.5 million of the Cincinnati Bell Telephone Notes and the 7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023 at an average discount of 24%. Also, the Company paid $4.4 million of debt issuance costs to amend and extend the term of the then-existing Corporate credit facility in the second quarter of 2009. Borrowings under the Corporate credit and receivables facilities increased $23.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. For both the nine months ended September 30, 2010 and 2009, the Company paid preferred stock dividends of $7.8 million.

 

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 for further information on the Company’s hedging activities. Refer to Note 6 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the carrying and fair value of the Company’s debt.

 

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

 

(a) Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

The term “disclosure controls and procedures” (defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) refers to the controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within required time periods. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by the report. Based on that evaluation, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by the report, such controls and procedures were effective.

 

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Form 10-Q Part I    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

(b) Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

The term “internal control over financial reporting” (defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(f)) refers to the process of a company that is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the third quarter of 2010, and they have concluded that there was no change to Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting in the third quarter of 2010 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

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Form 10-Q Part II    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

 

Item 1a. Risk Factors

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009 and the Company’s June 30, 2010 Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for a comprehensive listing of the Company’s risk factors.

 

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

During the three month period ended September 30, 2010, the Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities. The Company also had no purchases of its common stock for the quarter ended September 30, 2010.

 

Item 6. Exhibits

Exhibits identified in parentheses below, on file with the SEC, are incorporated herein by reference as exhibits hereto.

 

Exhibit
Number

    

DESCRIPTION

    (4.1)

     Indenture dated as of October 13, 2010, by and among Cincinnati Bell Inc., as issuer, the subsidiaries of Cincinnati Bell Inc. party thereto as guarantors and The Bank of New York Mellon, as trustee, relating to Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s 8 3/8% Senior Notes due 2020. (Exhibit 4.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, date of Report October 13, 2010, File No. 1-8519).

  (10.1)

     Employment Agreement between Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Theodore H. Torbeck dated September 7, 2010. (Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, date of Report September 7, 2010, File No. 1-8519).

  (10.2)

     Employment Agreement between Cincinnati Bell Inc. and Tara L. Khoury, dated July 30, 2010. (Exhibit 10.1 to Current Report on Form 8-K, date of Report July 30, 2010, File No. 1-8519).

  (31.1)+

     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  (31.2)+

     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  (32.1)+

     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

  (32.2)+

     Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

(101.INS)

     XBRL Instance Document.

(101.SCH)

     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

(101.CAL)

     XBRL Taxonomy Calculation Linkbase Document.

(101.LAB)

     XBRL Taxonomy Label Linkbase Document.

(101.PRE)

     XBRL Taxonomy Presentation Linkbase Document.

 

+ Filed herewith.

The Company’s reports on Form 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K are available free of charge in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website: http://www.cincinnatibell.com. The Company will furnish any other exhibit at cost.

 

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Table of Contents
Form 10-Q Part II    Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

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.

 

  Cincinnati Bell Inc.
Date: November 8, 2010  

/s/    Gary Wojtaszek        

  Gary Wojtaszek
  Chief Financial Officer
Date: November 8, 2010  

/s/    Kurt Freyberger        

  Kurt Freyberger
  Vice President and Controller

 

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