UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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| x | ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 20142016
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| o | TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934 |
For the transition period from to
Commission File No. 001-03040
QWEST CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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Colorado (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | 84-0273800 (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.) |
100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana (Address of principal executive offices) | 71203 (Zip Code) |
(318) 388-9000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of Each Class | | Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered |
| 7.75% Notes Due 2030 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.375% Notes Due 2030 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.875% Notes Due 2033 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.125% Notes Due 2043 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.25% Notes Due 2025 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.25% Notes Due 2035 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.5% Notes Due 2017 | | New York Stock Exchange |
7.375%7.5% Notes Due 2051 | | New York Stock Exchange |
7.5%6.75% Notes Due 20512021 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.00% Notes Due 2052 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7.00% Notes Due 2052 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.125% Notes Due 2053 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.875% Notes Due 2054 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.625% Notes Due 2055 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 7% Notes Due 2056 | | New York Stock Exchange |
| 6.5% Notes Due 2056 | | New York Stock Exchange |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None
THE REGISTRANT, A WHOLLY OWNED SUBSIDIARY OF CENTURYLINK, INC., MEETS THE CONDITIONS SET FORTH IN GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS I(1) (a) AND (b) OF FORM 10-K AND IS THEREFORE FILING THIS FORM WITH REDUCED DISCLOSURE FORMAT PURSUANT TO GENERAL INSTRUCTION I(2).
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act. Yes o No x
Indicate by check mark whether the registrantregistrant: (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 o
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 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes x No o
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o
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.
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Large accelerated filer o | | Accelerated filer o | | Non-accelerated filer x (Do not check if a smaller reporting company) | | Smaller reporting company o |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes o No x
On February 27, 2015,March 2, 2017, one share of common stock was outstanding. None of Qwest Corporation's common stock is held by non-affiliates.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE: None.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this Annual Reportannual report to "QC" refer to Qwest Corporation, references to "Qwest," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Qwest Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to "QSC" refer to our direct parent company, Qwest Services Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to "QCII" refer to QSC's direct parent company and our indirect parent company, Qwest Communications International Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries and references to "CenturyLink" refer to QCII's direct parent company and our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries.
PART I
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Overview
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our residential business, governmental and wholesalebusiness customers. Our communications services include local voice, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, Ethernet, information technology, video and wirelessother ancillary services. In certain local and regional markets, we also provide local access and fiber transport services to competitive local exchange carriers ("CLEC"). We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide our customers with a complete offering of integrated communications services.
We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenues from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.
We were incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado in 1911. Our principal executive offices are located at 100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana 71203 and our telephone number is (318) 388-9000.
On April 1, 2011, our indirect parent QCII became a wholly ownedwholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink, Inc. in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction. CenturyLink has agreed to acquire Level 3 Communications, Inc. ("Level 3") in a cash and stock transaction that is expected to substantially impact CenturyLink's operations and financial position upon being completed. For more information, see CenturyLink's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017.
ForTo provide certain of our products and services we provide and forto conduct a variety of our internal communications functions, we use portions of CenturyLink's telecommunications network to transport data and voice traffic. Likewise, CenturyLink uses our telecommunications network to transport data and voice traffic in order to fulfill services to its customers and to conduct a variety of its internal communications functions.
For a discussion of certain risks applicable to our business, see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report. The summary financial information in this section should be read in conjunction with, and is qualified by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Item 8 and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
Financial and Operational Highlights
The following table summarizes the results of our consolidated operations: |
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| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2016(1)(2) | | 2015(1) | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Consolidated statements of operations summary results: | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
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| Operating expenses | 6,588 |
| | 6,704 |
| | 6,726 |
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| Operating income | $ | 2,322 |
| | 2,260 |
| | 2,112 |
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| Net income | $ | 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
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| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Consolidated statements of operations summary data: | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
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| Operating expenses | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
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| Operating income | $ | 2,112 |
| | 2,078 |
| | 1,905 |
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| Net income | $ | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
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(1) | During 2016 and 2015, we recognized an incremental $95 million of revenue, for each period, associated with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") Connect America Fund Phase 2 support program as compared to the interstate USF program. For additional information, see Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. |
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(2) | During 2016, we recognized $90 million of severance expenses and other one-time termination benefits associated with workforce reductions. |
The following table summarizes certain selected financial information from our consolidated balance sheets: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Consolidated balance sheets summary data: | | | | |
| Consolidated balance sheets summary information: | | | | |
| Total assets | $ | 22,457 |
| | 23,218 |
| $ | 21,149 |
| | 21,470 |
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Total long-term debt(1) | 7,379 |
| | 7,558 |
| 7,261 |
| | 7,239 |
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| Total stockholder's equity | 9,183 |
| | 9,613 |
| 8,692 |
| | 8,907 |
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(1) | Total long-term debt is the sum of current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt (excluding note payable-affiliate of $796$914 million) on our consolidated balance sheets. For additional information on our total long-term debt, see Note 3—Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. For information on our total obligations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources—Future Contractual Obligations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report. |
The following table summarizes certain of our operational metrics: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) |
| Operational metrics: | | | | | | | | | | |
Total access lines(1) | | 6,611 |
| | 6,997 |
| | 7,334 |
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Total broadband subscribers(1) | 3,528 |
| | 3,429 |
| | 3,318 |
| 3,485 |
| | 3,546 |
| | 3,528 |
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Total access lines(1) | 7,334 |
| | 7,641 |
| | 8,058 |
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(1) | Broadband subscribers are customers that purchase high-speed Internet connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables and accessAccess lines are lines reaching from the customers' premises to a connection with the public network.network and broadband subscribers are customers that purchase broadband connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables. Our methodology for counting our access lines and broadband subscribers and access lines includes only those lines that we use to provide services to external customers and excludes lines used solely by us and our affiliates. It also excludes unbundled loops and includes stand-alone broadband subscribers. We count lines when we install the service. |
Our methodology for counting access lines and broadband subscribers may not be comparable to those of other companies.
Substantially all of our long-lived assets are located in the United States and substantially all of our total consolidated operating revenues are from customers located in the United States.
Operations
We group our products and services among three major categories: strategic services, legacy services and affiliates and other services. See descriptions of these categories below in the section "Products and Services".Services." The following table provides a summary of our operating revenues by category: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Strategic services | $ | 3,429 |
| | 3,342 |
| | 3,265 |
| $ | 2,690 |
| | 2,610 |
| | 2,449 |
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| Legacy services | 2,987 |
| | 3,208 |
| | 3,471 |
| 3,222 |
| | 3,600 |
| | 3,967 |
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| Affiliates and other services | 2,422 |
| | 2,203 |
| | 2,112 |
| 2,998 |
| | 2,754 |
| | 2,422 |
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| Total operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
| $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
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Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of the segments of CenturyLink. CenturyLink's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we have determined that we have one reportable segment.
Products and Services
From time to time, we change the categorization of our products and services, and we may make similar changes in the future. During the second quarter of 2016, we determined that because of declines due to customer migration to other strategic products and services, certain of our business low-bandwidth data services, specifically our private line (including special access) services in our business segment, are more closely aligned with our legacy services than with our strategic services. As described in greater detail in Note 9—Products and Services, these operating revenues are now reflected as legacy services.
Our products and services include local voice, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, Ethernet, information technology ("IT"), video and other communicationsancillary services. We offer our customers the ability to bundle together several products and services, such as broadband, video (including DIRECTV through CenturyLink's strategic partnership), voice and Verizon Wireless (through CenturyLink's strategic partnership) services. We believe our customers value the convenience and price discounts associated with receiving multiple services through a single company.
Most of our products and services are provided using our telecommunications network, which consists of voice and data switches, copper cables, fiber-optic cables and other equipment. Our network serves approximately 7.36.6 million access lines in 14 states and forms a portion of the public switched telephone network, or PSTN. For more information on our network, see "Business—Network Architecture" below.
Described in greater detail below are our key products and services.
Strategic Services
OurWe primarily focus our marketing and sales efforts on our “strategic” services, which are those services for which demand generally remains strong and that we believe are most important to our future performance. Generally speaking, our strategic services enable our customers use our "strategic" services to access the Internet, connect to private networks and transmit data. We also provide value-addeddata, and enhance the security, reliability and efficiency of our customers’ communications. Our strategic services and integrated solutions that make communications more secure, reliable and efficient for our customers. We focus our marketing and sales efforts on these services:are comprised of the following:
Broadband. Our broadband services allow customers to connect at high speeds to the Internet through their existing telephone lines or fiber-optic cables at high speeds.cables. Substantially all of our broadband subscribers are located within the local service area of our wireline telephone operations;
Private Line. A private line (including special access) is a direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated for the purpose of directly connecting two or more sites. Private line service offers a high-speed, secure solution for frequent transmission of large amounts of data between sites, including some wireless backhaul;
Ethernet. Ethernet services include point-to-point and multi-point equipment configurations that facilitate data transmissions across metropolitan areas and wide area networks. Ethernet services are also used to provide transmission services to wireless service providers that use our fiber-optic cables connected to their towers; and
Video. Our video services include primarily satellite digital television under CenturyLink's arrangement with DIRECTV that allows us to market, sell and bill for its services under its brand name.
Legacy Services
Our "legacy" services represent our traditional voice, data and network services, which include the following:
Local Voice Service.Services. We offer local calling services for our residential and business customers within the local service area of our wireline markets, generally for a fixed monthly charge. These services include a number of enhanced calling features and other services, such as call forwarding, caller identification, conference calling, voice mail, selective call ringing and call waiting, for which we generally charge an additional monthly fee. We also generate revenues from non-recurring services, such as inside wire installation, maintenance services, service activation and reactivation. For our wholesale customers, our local calling service offerings include primarily the resale of our voice services and the sale of unbundled network elements ("UNEs"), which allow our wholesale customers to use our networkall or a combinationpart of our network and their own networks to provide voice and data services to their customers. Local calling services provided to our wholesale customers allow other telecommunications companies the ability to originate or terminate telecommunications services on our network. Local calling services also include network transport, billing services and access to our network by other telecommunications providers and wireless carriers;
ISDN.Private Line. We offer integrated services digital network ("ISDN") services, which uses regular telephone lines to support voice, video andA private line (including special access) is a direct circuit or channel specifically dedicated for the purpose of directly connecting two or more sites. Private line service offers a high-speed, secure solution for frequent transmission of large amounts of data applications;
WAN. We offer wide area network ("WAN") services, which allow a local communications network to link to networks in remote locations; andbetween sites, including wireless backhaul transmissions;
Switched Access Services. As part of our wholesale services, we provide various forms of switched access services to wireline and wireless service providers for the use of our facilities to originate and terminate their interstate and intrastate voice transmissions.transmissions;
5ISDN. We offer integrated services digital network ("ISDN") services, which use regular telephone lines to support voice, video and data applications; and
WAN. We offer wide area network ("WAN") services, which allow a local communications network to link to networks in remote locations.
Affiliates and Other Services
Affiliates and other services consist primarily of Connect America Fund ("CAF") support payments, Universal Service Fund ("USF") support payments, USF surcharges and services we provide to our affiliates. We receive federal support payments from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CAF program, and support payments from both federal and state USF programs. These support payments are government subsidies designed to reimburse us for various costs related to certain telecommunications services, including the costs of deploying, maintaining and operating voice and broadband infrastructure in high-cost rural areas where we are not able to fully recover our costs from our customers. We also collect USF surcharges based on specific items we list on our customers' invoices to fund the FCC universal service programs. We provide to our affiliates telecommunicationstelecommunication services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our non-consolidated affiliates (referred to herein as affiliates), IT support and services, which includes computer system development and support services, network support and technical services. We also generate other operating revenues from Universal Service Fund ("USF") support and USF surcharges and the leasing and subleasing of space in our office buildings, warehouses and other properties. The majority of our real estate properties are located in the local service area of our wireline operations.
Patents, Trade Names, Trademarks and Copyrights
Either directly or through our affiliates, we have rights in various patents, trade names, trademarks, copyrights and other intellectual property necessary to conduct our business. Our services often use the intellectual property of others, including licensed software. We also occasionally license our intellectual property to others.others as we deem appropriate.
We periodically receive offers from third parties to purchase or obtain licenses for patents and other intellectual property rights in exchange for royalties or other payments. We also periodically receive notices, or are named in lawsuits, alleging that our products or services infringe on patents or other intellectual property rights of third parties. In certain instances, these matters can potentially adversely impact our operations, operating results or financial position. For additional information, see “Risk Factors—Risks ImpactingAffecting Our Business” in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report, and Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
Sales and Marketing
We maintain local offices in most of the larger population centers within our local service area. These offices provide sales and customer support services in the community. We also rely on our call center personnel and a variety of channel partners to promote sales of services that meet the needs of our customers. Our sales and marketing strategy is to enhance our sales by offering a comprehensive bundlesolutions tailored to the needs of our various customers and promoting our brands. Our offerings include both stand-alone services and deploying new technologiesbundled services designed to further enhancemeet the needs of different customer loyalty.segments.
We conduct most of our operations under the brand name "CenturyLink." Our satellite television service is offered on a co-branded basis under the "DIRECTV" name. The wireless service that we offer under CenturyLink's agency agreement with Verizon Wireless is marketed under the "Verizon Wireless" brand name.
Our sales and marketing approach to our residential customers emphasizes customer-oriented sales, marketing and service with a local presence. We marketOur marketing plans include marketing our products and services primarily through direct sales representatives, inbound call centers, local retail stores, telemarketing and third parties.parties, including retailers, satellite television providers, door to door sales agents and digital marketing firms. We support our distribution with digital marketing, direct mail, bill inserts, newspaper and television advertising, website promotions, public relations activities and sponsorship of community events and sports venues.
Similarly, our sales and marketing approach to our business governmental and wholesale customers includes a commitment to provide comprehensive communications solutions for business, wholesale and governmental customers of all sizes, ranging from small office, mid-sized andoffices to select enterprise business and governmental customers. We marketstrive to offer our customers stable, reliable, secure and trusted solutions. Our marketing plans include marketing our products and services primarily through digital advertising, direct sales representatives, inbound call centers, telemarketing and third parties. Forparties, including telecommunications agents, system integrators, value-added resellers and other telecommunications firms. We support our wholesale customers, our approach includes a commitment to deliver communications solutions that meet existingdistribution through digital advertising, events, television advertising, website promotions and future needs of national network telecommunications providers through bandwidth growth and quality of services.public relations.
Network Architecture
Most of our products and services are provided using our telecommunications network, which consists of voice switches, data switches and routers, high-speed transport equipment, fiber-optic and copper cables and other equipment. Our local exchange carrier networks also include central offices and remote site assets. A substantial portion of our equipment operates with licensed software. As of December 31, 2014,2016, we maintained approximately 453419 thousand miles of copper plant and approximately 8698 thousand miles of fiber-optic plant in our local exchange networks. We also maintain separate networks in connection with providing fiber transport and CLEC services.
We continue to enhance and expand our network by deploying broadband-enabled technologies to provide additional capacity to our customers. Rapid and significant changes in technology are expected to continue in the telecommunications industry. Our future success will depend, in part, on our ability to anticipate and adapt to changes in customer demands and technology. In particular, we anticipate that continued increases in broadband usage by our customers will require us to make significant capital expenditures to increase network capacity or to implement network management practices to alleviate network capacity shortages. In addition, if the Federal Communications Commission requires higher minimum transmission speeds to qualify asThe FCC's definition of "broadband service", we may determine that could create additional requirements for higher capital spending is necessary.to address marketing and competitive issues. Any such additional expenditures could adversely impact our results of operations and financial condition.
Similarly, we continue to take steps to simplify and modernize our network, which is comprised of our legacy network combined with the network of our indirect parent, CenturyLink, and its affiliates.network. To attain our objectives, we plan to continue to undertake several complex projects that we expect will be costly and take several years to complete. The costs of these projects could increase materially if we conclude that we need to replace any or all of our legacy systems.
Like other large telecommunications companies, we are a constant target of cyber-attacks of varying degrees, on a regular basis, which has caused us to spend increasingly more time and money to deal with increasingly sophisticated attacks. Some of the attacks result in security breaches, and we periodically notify our customers, our employees or the public of these breaches when necessary or appropriate. None of these resulting security breaches to date have materially adversely affected our business, results of operations or financial condition.
We rely on several other communications companies to provide our offerings. We lease a significant portion of our core fiber network from our competitors and other third parties. Many of these leases will lapse in future years. All of our satellite television and wireless voice services are provided by other carriers under agency agreements, and some of our other services are reliant upon reselling arrangements with other carriers. Our future ability to provide services on the terms of our current offerings will depend in part upon our ability to renew or replace these leases, agreements and arrangements on terms substantially similar to those currently in effect.
For additional information regarding our systems, network, cyber risks, and capital expenditure requirements and reliance upon third parties, see "Risk Factors" ,Factors," generally, in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report,annual report, and, in particular, "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business" and "—"Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Liquidity and Capital Resources." For more information on our properties, see "Properties" in Item 2 of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Regulation
Overview
As discussed further below, our operations are subject to significant local, state and federal laws and regulations.
We are subject to significant regulation by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"),FCC, which regulates interstate communications, and state utility commissions, which regulate intrastate communications. These agencies (i) issue rules to protect consumers and promote competition, (ii) set the rates that telecommunication companies charge each other for exchanging traffic and (iii) have traditionally established USFdeveloped and administered support programs designed to supportsubsidize the provision of services to high-cost rural areas. In most states, local voice service, switched and special access services and interconnection services are subject to price regulation, although the extent of regulation varies by type of service and geographic region. In addition, we are required to maintain licenses with the FCC and with state utility commissions. Laws and regulations in many states restrict the manner in which a licensed entity can interact with affiliates, transfer assets, issue debt and engage in other business activities and manyactivities. Many acquisitions and divestitures require approval by the FCC and some state commissions. These agencies typically have the authority to withhold their approval, or to request or impose substantial conditions upon the transacting parties in connection with granting their approvals.
Historically, incumbent local exchange carriers ("ILECs") operated as regulated monopolies having the exclusive right and responsibility to provide local telephone services in their franchised service territories. As we discuss in greater detail below, passage of the Telecommunications Act of 1996, coupled with state legislative and regulatory initiatives and technological change, fundamentally altered the telephone industry by generally reducing the regulation of ILECs and creating a substantial increase in the number of competitors. We are considered an ILEC. The following description discusses some of the major industry regulations that affect our traditional telephone operations, but numerous other regulations not discussed below could also impact us. Some legislation and regulations are currently the subject of judicial, legislative and administrative proceedings which could substantially change the manner in which the telecommunications industry operates and the amount of revenues we receive for our services. Neither the outcome of these proceedings, nor their potential impact on us, can be predicted at this time. For additional information, see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
The laws and regulations governing our affairs are quite complex and occasionally in conflict with each other. From time to time, we are fined for failing to meet applicable regulations or service requirements.
Federal Regulation
General
We are required to comply with the Communications Act of 1934, which1934. Among other things, this law requires usour ILECs to offer various of our legacy services at just and reasonable rates and on non-discriminatory terms, as well as theterms. The Telecommunications Act of 1996 whichmaterially amended the Communications Act of 1934, primarily to promote competition.
The FCC regulates interstate services we provide, including the special access charges we bill for wholesale network transmission and the interstate access charges that we bill to long-distance companies and other communications companies in connection with the origination and termination of interstate phone calls. Additionally, the FCC regulates a number of aspects of our business related to privacy, homeland security and network infrastructure, including our access to and use of local telephone numbers.numbers and our provision of emergency 911 services. The FCC has responsibility for maintaining and administering the federal USF, which provides substantial support for deploying broadband and maintaining networks in high-cost areas,programs designed to expand nationwide access to communications services (which are described further below), as well as other programs supporting service to low-income households, schools and libraries, and rural health care providers. Like other communications network operators, ILECs must obtainChanges in the composition of the five members of the FCC approval to use certain radio frequencies, or to transfer controlits Chairman can have significant impacts on the regulation of any such licenses. The FCC retains the right to revoke these licenses if a carrier materially violates relevant legal requirements.our business.
In recent years, our operations and those of other telecommunications carriers have been further impacted by legislation and regulation imposing additional obligations on us, particularly with regards to providing voice and broadband service, bolstering homeland security, increasing disaster recovery requirements, minimizing environmental impacts and enhancing privacy. These laws include the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, and laws governing local telephone number portability and customer proprietary network information requirements. TheseIn addition, the FCC has heightened its focus on the reliability of emergency 911 services. The FCC has imposed fines on us and other companies for 911 outages and has adopted new compliance requirements for providing 911 service. We are incurring capital and operating expenses designed to comply with the FCC's new requirements and minimize future outages. All of these laws and regulations may cause us to incur additional costs and could impact our ability to compete effectively.effectively against companies not subject to the same regulations.
In December 2012,Over the past several years, the FCC has taken various actions and initiated a special access proceeding and has requestedcertain proceedings designed to comprehensively evaluate the proper regulation of the provisions of data information and documentsservices to allow it to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of competition in the special access market.businesses. As part of its evaluations,evaluation, the FCC is reviewing special accesshas reviewed the rates, terms and conditions.conditions under which these services are provided. The FCC's proceedings remain pending, and their ultimate impact of this proceeding on the Companyus is currently unknown. However, if
In 2015, the FCC wereissued an order regulating the manner in which ILECs can discontinue or reduce certain copper-based services. This order requires ILECs to adopt significant changesprovide prior notice to certain customers of their proposed change in regulations affecting special access services, and in certain cases to provide replacement offerings on reasonably comparable terms and conditions. We expect that this could adversely impactorder will limit our operations or financial results.flexibility to react to changing conditions in the communications industry.
Intercarrier Compensation and Universal Service
For decades, the FCC has regularly (i) considered various intercarrier compensation reforms, generally with a goal to create a uniform mechanism to be used by the entire telecommunications industry for payments between carriers originating, terminating, or carrying telecommunications traffic,traffic. The FCC has also traditionally administered support programs designed to promote the deployment of voice and (ii) administratedbroadband services in high-cost rural areas of the federal USF.country.
In October 2011, the FCC adopted the Connect America and Intercarrier Compensation Reform order ("the 2011 order"), intended to reform the existing regulatory regime to recognize ongoing shifts to new technologies, including VoIP, and to re-direct universal service funding to foster nationwide broadband coverage. The 2011 order provides for a multi-year transition as terminating intercarrier compensation charges are reduced, universal service funding is explicitly targeted to broadband deployment, and line charges paid by end user customers are increased. These changes have substantially increased the pace of reductions in the amount of switched access revenues related to our wholesale services, while creating opportunities for increased federal USF support and retail revenue funding.
As a result of the 2011 order, a new Universal Service program was created to deploy broadband to unserved rural areas utilizing the Connect America Fund or "CAF". Once implemented, the CAF will substantially replace legacy USF funding previously utilized to provide support for voice service in high-cost rural markets. There are two phases to the CAF program, CAF Phase 1 is a one-time broadband grant program while CAF Phase 2 is a multi-year recurring subsidy program for more extensive broadband deployment in price-cap ILEC territories.
In late 2011, numerous parties filed a petition for reconsideration with the FCC seeking numerous revisions to the 2011 order. In January 2012, we joined more than two dozen parties in challenging certain aspects of the 2011 order by filing a separate appeal that was heard by the United States Tenth Circuit Court of Appeals in November 2013. The Tenth Circuit subsequently issued a decision in May 2014 that largely upheld the 2011 order. Multiple other parties have further appealed to the United States Supreme Court. Future judicial challenges to the 2011 order are also possible, which could alter or delay the FCC's proposed changes. In addition, based on the outcome of the FCC proceedings, various state commissions may consider changes to their universal service funds or intrastate access rates. Moreover, rulemakingRulemaking designed to implement the order is not complete, and several FCC proceedings relating to the 2011 order remain pending. For these and other reasons, we cannot predict the ultimate impact of these proceedings at this time.
As a result of the 2011 order, a new Universal Service program was created to deploy broadband to unserved and underserved rural areas utilizing the Connect America Fund or "CAF". The CAF substantially replaces interstate USF funding that we previously utilized to support voice services in high-cost rural markets. There are two phases to the CAF program, CAF Phase 1, a one-time broadband grant program, and CAF Phase 2, which is a multi-year recurring subsidy program for more extensive broadband deployment in price-cap ILEC territories.
In December 2014,2015, CenturyLink accepted CAF funding from the FCC issued an order specifyingof approximately $500 million per year for six years to fund the deployment of voice and broadband build-out standardscapable infrastructure for approximately 1.2 million rural households and term ofbusinesses in 33 states under the CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program. To the extent we accept funding under the program, we will be required to deploy broadband service with download speeds of 10 megabits per second (Mbps) and upload speeds of 1 Mbps in unserved rural markets selected by the FCC. The initial CAF Phase 2 term will begin in 2015 and is expected to conclude in 2021. In early 2015, the FCC plans to finalize the allocation of CAF Phase 2 funding. We anticipate that the total amount of CAF Phase 2 funding offered to us will exceedOf these amounts, approximately $150 million annually. Onceis attributable to our service area, to provide service to approximately 0.3 million rural households and businesses in 13 states of the 14 states in which we are an ILEC. The funding from the CAF Phase 2 funding order is released, we will have 120 days to determine whether to accept the CAF Phase 2 funding on a state-by-state basis. If we do not acceptsupport program in these 13 states has substantially replaced the funding and its associated obligationfrom the interstate USF high-cost program that we previously utilized to buildsupport voice services in a state,high-cost rural markets in these 13 states. In late 2015, we began receiving these support payments from the CAF Phase 2 funding for that state will be auctioned, perhaps as early as 2016. We, as well as other parties, can participate inFCC under the auction process.
In states where we accept the CAF Phase 2 funding, the annual distributions will begin in 2015. In states where we do not acceptnew CAF Phase 2 support program, which included (i) monthly support payments at a higher rate than under the legacyinterstate USF high-cost loop support we have historically received will continue untilprogram and (ii) a substantial one-time transitional payment designed to align the prior USF payments with the new CAF Phase 2 auctions are completed. Our acceptancepayments for the full year 2015. For additional information on the payments we have thus far received under this program, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations" in Item 7 of Part II of this annual report.
As a result of accepting CAF Phase 2 support payments could significantly increasefor 13 states, we will be obligated to make substantial capital expenditures to build infrastructure by certain specified milestone deadlines. Future funding is contingent upon our capital expensecompliance with these infrastructure buildout commitments and certain other service requirements, including certain minimum upload and download transmission speed requirements. In addition, if we are not in order to providecompliance with FCC measures at the requisite broadband services to end users.
As of the date of filing of this Annual Report, we have not yet decided whether to accept or reject any specific build-out opportunities and related CAF support payments available to us under the Phase 2 program. Regardless of our decision, we expect thesix-year CAF Phase 2 period, we will have 12 months to attain full compliance. If we are not in full compliance after the additional 12 months, we would incur a penalty equal to 1.89 times the average amount of support per location received in the state over the six-year term, plus a potential penalty of 10% of the total CAF Phase 2 support over the six-year term for the state. For information on the risks associated with participating in this program, will impact us financially.see "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters" in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report.
For additional information about the potential financial impact of the CAF Phase 2 program, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
We received approximately $135$206 million, $141$223 million and $145$135 million of revenues from federal and state universal service support programs for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, respectively. Such amounts represented approximately 2.3% of our 2016, 2.5% of our 2015 and 1.5% of our 2014 and 1.6% of our 2013 and 2012 total operating revenues.
Broadband Regulation
TheIn February 2015, the FCC adopted new rules in early 2015regulations that would introduce regulations on certain aspectsregulate Internet services as a public utility under Title II of broadband and internet services.the Communications Act of 1934. In 2016, that order was upheld by a court of appeals. We anticipate that these regulations and any suchrelated rules wouldmay be reviewed by bothCongress. In addition, the courts and Congress.newly-constituted FCC may reconsider these regulations. At this time, we cannot estimate the impact such rules wouldthis may have on our business.
TheIn 2015, the FCC recently announcedadopted a new broadband definition standard of 25 Mbpsmegabits per second download speed and 3 Mbpsmegabits per second of upload speed. At this time, we are not aware of any regulatory mandates requiring us to deploy this target speed. The new target is simply a benchmark by which the FCC will evaluate broadband deployment progress in the future. However, the FCC could attempt to utilize this broadband speed target in future regulatory proceedings.proceedings, and our failure to attain these speeds in certain markets could place us at a marketing disadvantage.
State Regulation
In recent years, most states have reduced their regulation of ILECs. Nonetheless, state regulatory commissions generally continue to regulate local service rates, intrastate access charges, state universal service funds and in some cases service quality. We are generally regulated under various forms of alternative regulation that typically limit our ability to increase rates for stand-alone, basic local voice service, but relieve us from the requirement to meet certain earnings tests. In a number of states, we have gained pricing freedom for the majority of retail services other than stand-alone basic consumer voice service. In most of the states in which we operate, we have gained pricing flexibility for certain enhanced calling services, such as caller identification and for bundled services that also include local voice service.
Under state law, we are typically governed by laws and regulations that (i) regulate the purchase and sale of ILECs, (ii) prescribe certain reporting requirements, (iii) require ILECs to provide service under publicly-filed tariffs setting forth the terms, conditions and prices of regulated services, (iv) limit ILECs' ability to borrow and pledge their assets, (v) regulate transactions between ILECs and their affiliates and (vi) impose various other service standards.
Unlike many of our competitors, as an ILEC we generally face "carrier of last resort" obligations which include an ongoing requirement to provide service to all prospective and current customers in our service area who request service and are willing to pay rates prescribed in our tariffs. In certain situations, this may constitute a competitive disadvantage to us if competitors can choose to focus on low-cost profitable customers and withhold service from high-cost unprofitable customers. In addition, strict adherence to carrier-of-last-resort requirements may force us to construct facilities with a low likelihood of attractive economic return.
We operate in states where traditional cost recovery mechanisms, including rate structures, are under evaluation or have been modified. As laws and regulations change, there can be no assurance that these mechanisms will continue to provide us with any cost recovery.
For several years, we have faced various carrier complaints, legislation or other investigations regarding our intrastate switched access rates in several of our states. The FCC's 2011 order preempted state regulatory commissions' jurisdiction over all terminating access charges, including intrastate access charges that have historically been subject to exclusive state jurisdiction. Excluding the rate implications contemplated on a prospective basis by this FCC order, we will continue to vigorously defend and seek to collect our intrastate switched access revenues subject to outstanding disputes. The outcomes of these disputes cannot be determined at this time. If we are required to reduce our intrastate switched access rates as a result of any of these disputes or state initiatives, we will seek to recover displaced switched access revenues from state universal service funds or other services. However, the amount of such recovery, particularly from residential customers, is not assured.
Competition
General
Primarily as a result of regulatory and technological changes, competition has been introduced and encouraged in each sector of the communications industry over the past couple of decades. As a result, we currently compete in a rapidly evolving and highly competitive market, and we expect intense competition to continue. In addition to competition from larger national telecommunications providers, we are facing increasing competition from several other sources, including cable and satellite companies, wireless providers, technology companies, broadband providers, device providers, resellers, sales agents and facilities-based providers. Technological advances and regulatory and legislative changes have increased opportunities for a wide range of alternative communications service providers, which in turn have increased competitive pressures on our business. These alternate providers often face fewer regulations and have lower cost structures than we do.
As both residential and business customers increasingly demand high-speed connections for entertainment, communications and productivity, we expect the demands on our network will continue to increase over the next several years. To succeed, we and other network-based providers must continue to invest in our networks to ensure that our networksthey can deliver competitive services that meet these increasing bandwidth and speed requirements. We plan to continue to invest in our network to be able to meet this future demand. In addition, network reliability and security are increasingly important competitive factors in the enterpriseour business.
Although our status as an ILEC continues to provide us advantages in providing local services in our local service area, as noted above, we increasingly face significant competition as an increasing number of consumers are willing to substitute cable, wireless and electronic communications for traditional voice telecommunications services. This has led to an increase in the number and type of competitors within our industry, price compression and a decrease in our market share. As a result of this product substitution, we face greater competition in providing local services from wireless providers, resellers and sales agents (including ourselves), social media hosts and broadband service providers, including cable companies. We anticipate this trend will continue, particularly as wireless services providers continue to improve their service offerings and our older legacy customers are replaced over time with younger customers who are less accustomed to using traditional wireline voice services. We also continue to compete with traditional telecommunications providers, such as national carriers, smaller regional providers, CLECs and independent telephone companies.
Some of our competitors are subject to fewer regulations than we are, which affords them competitive advantages against us. Under federal regulations, telecommunication providers are able to interconnect their networks with ours, resell our services or lease separate parts of our network in order to provide competitive services. Generally, we have been required to provide these functions and services at wholesale rates to our competitors, which allow our competitors to sell their services at lower prices. However, these rules have been and continue to be reviewed by state and federal regulators. In addition, wireless and broadband service providers generally are subject to fewer regulations, which may allow them to operate with lower costs than we are able to operate. For additional discussion of regulations affecting our business, see "Regulation" above.
As discussed below, competition for many of our services is based in part on bundled offerings. We believe our customers value the convenience of, and price discounts associated with, receiving multiple services through a single company. As such, we continue to focus on expanding and improving our bundled offerings.
Additional information about competitive pressures is located (i) under the heading "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business" in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report and (ii) in the discussion immediately below, which contains more specific information on how these trends in competition have impacted our services.
Strategic Services
With respect to providing our strategic services, competition is based on price, bandwidth, quality and speed of service, promotions and bundled offerings. Wireless carriers' fourthlatest generation or 4G, servicestechnologies are allowing them to more directly compete with our strategic services. Private line services also compete on network reach and reliability, while broadband services compete on bandwidth and quality of service.
In providing broadband services, we compete primarily with cable companies, wireless providers and other broadband service providers. Competition within our broadband servicesproviders and competition is primarily based on price, bandwidth and service. We face competition in Ethernet based services in the wholesale market from cable companies and fiber based providers. In reselling DIRECTV video services, we compete primarily with cable and other satellite companies as well as other sales agents and resellers. Competition here is based on price, content and quality.
The market for wireless services is highly competitive. We market and sell wireless services to customers who are buying these services as part of a bundle with one or more of our other services. In reselling Verizon Wireless services, we compete with national and regional carriers as well as other sales agents and resellers. Competition for our wireless services is based on the coverage area, price, services offered, features, handsets, technical quality and customer service.
In providing private line services we compete primarily with national telecommunications providers, such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. Additionally we are experiencing increased competition for private line services from cable companies. Competition for private line services is based primarily on price, as well as network reach, bandwidth, quality, reliability and customer service.
Although we are experiencing intense competition in these markets, we believe we are favorably positioned due to our strong presence in our local service area. Many of our competitors for these strategic services are not subject to the same regulatory requirements as we are and therefore they are able to avoid significant regulatory costs and obligations. Throughout each of our competitive services, we continue to focus on expanding and improving our bundled offerings.
Legacy Services
The market for legacy services is highly competitive and is based primarily on pricing, packaging of services and features, quality of service and meeting customer care needs. We believe these customers value the convenience of, and price discounts associated with, receiving multiple services through a single company. Within the telecommunications industry, these services may include telephone, wireless, video and Internet access. Accordingly, we and our competitors continue to develop and deploy more innovative product bundling, enhanced features and combined billing options in an effort to retain and gain customers. While we rely on reseller or sales agency arrangements to provide some of our bundled services, some of our competitors are able to provide all of their bundled services directly, which may provide them a competitive advantage.
Our resale and UNE customers are experiencing the same competition with CLECs, for local services customers as we are, as discussed above. We also compete with some of our own customers that are deploying their own networks to provide customers with local services. By doing so, these competitors take traffic off of our network.
Significant competitive factors in the local telephone industry include pricing, packaging of services and features, quality and convenience of service and meeting customer needs such as simplified billing and timely response to services calls.
In providing private line services, we compete primarily with national telecommunications providers, such as AT&T Inc. and Verizon Communications Inc. Additionally, we are experiencing increased competition for private line services from cable companies. Competition for private line services is based primarily on price, as well as network reach, bandwidth, quality, reliability and customer service.
We provide access services to other telecommunications providers to connect their customers and their networks to our network so that they can provide local and long-distance voice, transport, data, wireless and Internet services. We face significant competition for access services from CLECs, cable companies, resellers and wireless service providers. Our access service customers face competitive pressures in their businesses that are similar to those we face with respect to strategic and legacy services. To the extent that these competitive pressures result in decreased demand for their services, demand for our access services also declines.
Wireless telephone services increasingly constitute a significant source of competition with ILEC services, especially since wireless carriers have begun to compete effectively on the basis of price with more traditional telephone services. As a result, some customers have chosen to completely forego use of traditional wireline phone service and instead rely solely on wireless service for voice services. This trend is more pronounced among consumer customers, which comprise 62%63% of our access line customers. We anticipate this trend will continue, particularly if wireless service providers continue to expand their coverage areas, reduce their rates, improve the quality of their services and offer enhanced new services. Substantially all of our access line customers are currently capable of receiving wireless services from at least one competitive service provider. Technological and regulatory developments in wireless services, personal communications services, digital microwave, satellite, coaxial cable, fiber optics, local multipoint distribution services, WiFi and other wired and wireless technologies are expected to further permit the development of alternatives to traditional landline services. Moreover, the growing prevalence of electronic mail, text messaging, social networking and similar digital communications continues to reduce the demand for traditional landline voice services.
Improvements in the quality of VoIP service have led several cable, Internet, data and other communications companies, as well as start-up companies, to substantially increase their offerings of VoIP service to business and residential customers. VoIP providers frequently offer features that cannot readily be provided by traditional ILECs and may price their services at or below those prices currently charged for traditional local and long-distance telephone services for several reasons, including lower operating costs and regulatory advantages. Although over the past several years the FCC has increasingly subjected portions of VoIP operations to federal regulation, VoIP services currently operate under fewer regulatory constraints than local exchange carriers services. For all these reasons, we cannot assure that VoIP providers will not successfully compete for our customers.
In providing other legacy services, such as traditional services and ISDN, we compete primarily with national telecommunications providers and cable companies. Competition for these other legacy services is based primarily on price and bundled offerings.
Environmental Compliance
From time to time we may incur environmental compliance and remediation expenses, mainly resulting from owning or operating of vehicle fleets or power supplies for our communications equipment. Although we cannot assess with certainty the impact of any future compliance and remediation obligations or provide you with any assurances regarding the ultimate impact thereof, we do not currently believe that future environmental compliance and remediation expenditures will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. For additional information, see "Risk Factors—Other Risks" in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report and Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies included in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report.
Seasonality
Overall, our business is not significantlymaterially impacted by seasonality. Our network-related operating expenses are, however, generally higher in the second and third quarters of the year. From time to time, weather related problems have resulted in increased costs to repair our network and respond to service calls in some of our markets. The amount and timing of these costs are subject to the weather patterns of any given year.
Employees
At December 31, 2014,2016, we had approximately 23,00022,000 employees, of which approximately 11,000 are members of either the Communications Workers of America ("CWA") or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.Workers ("IBEW"). See the discussion of risks relating to our labor relations in "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report and see Note 17—Labor Union Contracts to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report, for additional information on the timing of certain contract expirations.
Over the past couple oflast several years, we have reduced our workforce primarily due to (i) integration efforts from CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us; (ii) increased competitive pressures; and (iii)pressures, (ii) the loss of access lines and related legacy revenues, over the last several years.(iii) cost reduction initiatives, (iv) process improvements through automation and (v) integration efforts from CenturyLink's acquisition of us.
Website Access and Important Investor Information
Our website is the same as that of our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, which is www.centurylink.com. We routinely post important investor information in the "Investor Relations" section of our website at ir.centurylink.com. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, our website is not part of this Annual Report.annual report. You may obtain free electronic copies of our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and all amendments to those reports in the "Investor Relations" section of our website (ir.centurylink.com) under the heading "SEC Filings." These reports are available on our website as soon as reasonably practicable after we electronically file them with the Securities and Exchange Commission or SEC.("SEC").
We have adopted CenturyLink's written codescode of conduct that serveserves as the code of ethics applicable to our directors, officers and employees, in accordance with applicable laws and rules promulgated by the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange. In the event that CenturyLink makes any changes (other than by a technical, administrative or non-substantive amendment) to, or provide any waivers from, the provisions of its code of conduct applicable to our directors or executive officers, CenturyLink intends to disclose these events on our website or in a report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC. These codesThe code of conduct, as well as copies of CenturyLink's guidelines on significant governance issues and the charters of their audit committee, compensation committee, nominating and corporate governance committee and risk evaluation committee,key board committees, are also available in the "Corporate Governance" section of our website at www.centurylink.com/Pages/AboutUs/Governance/ or in print to any shareholder who requests them by sending a written request to our Corporate Secretary at CenturyLink, Inc., 100 CenturyLink Drive, Monroe, Louisiana, 71203.
Investors may also read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC's Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. For information on the operation of the Public Reference Room, you are encouraged to call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. For all of our electronic filings, the SEC maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains reports, proxy statements and other information regarding issuers that file electronically with the SEC.
In connection with filing this Annual Report,annual report, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer made the certifications regarding our financial disclosures required under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and the Act'sits related regulations.
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Related Matters
This Annual Reportannual report and other documents filed by us under the federal securities law include, and future oral or written statements or press releases by us and our management may include, forward-looking statements about our business, financial condition, operating results and prospects. These statements constitute "forward-looking" statements as defined by, and are subject to the "safe harbor" protections under, the federal securities laws. These statements include, among others:
forecasts of our anticipated future results of operations or financial position;
statements concerning the benefits that we expect will result fromimpact of our operations,transactions, investments, transactionsproduct development and other activities, such as increased revenues or decreased expenditures;initiatives, including our participation in government programs;
statements about our anticipated future operating and financial performance, financial position and liquidity, tax position, tax rates, asset values, contingent liabilities, growth opportunities and growth rates, acquisition and divestiture opportunities, business prospects, regulatory and competitive outlook, investment and expenditure plans, business strategies, capital allocation plans, investment results, financing alternatives and sources and pricing plans; and
other similar statements of our expectations, beliefs, future plans and strategies, anticipated developments and other matters that are not historical facts, many of which are highlighted by words such as "may," "would," "could," "should," "plan," "believes," "expects," "anticipates," "estimates," "projects," "intends," "likely," "seeks," "hopes," or variations or similar expressions.
These forward-looking statements are based upon our judgment and assumptions as of the date such statements are made concerning future developments and events, many of which are beyond our control. These forward-looking statements, and the assumptions upon which they are based, (i) are not guarantees of future results, (ii) are inherently speculative and (iii) are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual events and results may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated, projected or implied by us in those statements if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Factors that could affect actual results include but are not limited to:
the timing, success and overall effects of competition from a wide variety of competitive providers;providers, including decreased demand for our legacy offerings and increased pricing pressures;
the risks inherent in rapid technological change,effects of new, emerging or competing technologies, including product displacement;those that could make our products less desirable or obsolete;
the effects of ongoing changes in the regulation of the communications industry, including the outcome of regulatory or judicial proceedings relating to intercarrier compensation, interconnection obligations, access charges, universal service, broadband deployment, data protection and net neutrality;
our ability to effectively adjust to changes in the communications industry, and changes in the composition of our markets and product mix and network;
our ability to effectively manage our expansion opportunities, including retaining and hiring key personnel;mix;
possible changes in the demand for or pricing of, our products and services, including our ability to effectively respond to increased demand for high-speed broadband service;
our ability to successfully maintain the quality and profitability of our existing product and service offerings, to provision them successfully to our customers and to introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis;
the adverse impact on our business and network from possible equipment failures, service outages, security breaches or similar attacks onevents impacting our network;
our ability to generate cash flows sufficient to fund our financial commitments and objectives, including our capital expenditures, operating costs, dividends, pension and other benefits payments, and debt repayments;
changes in our operating plans, corporate strategies, dividend payment plans or other capital allocation plans, whether based upon changes in our cash flows, cash requirements, financial performance, financial position, market conditions or otherwise;
our ability to effectively retain and hire key personnel and to successfully negotiate collective bargaining agreements on reasonable terms without work stoppages;
CenturyLink's ability to successfully complete its pending acquisition of Level 3 and to timely realize the anticipated benefits of the transaction;
increases in the costs of CenturyLink's pension, health, post-employment or other benefits, including those caused by changes in markets, interest rates, mortality rates, demographics or regulations, which could, by negatively impacting CenturyLink, affect our continuedbusiness and liquidity;
adverse changes in our access to credit markets on favorable terms;
terms, whether caused by changes in our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled customers;financial position, lower debt credit ratings, unstable markets or otherwise;
our ability to maintain favorable relations with our key business partners, suppliers, vendors, landlords and financial institutions;
our ability to effectively manage our network buildout project and our other expansion opportunities;
our ability to collect our receivables from financially troubled customers;
any adverse developments in legal or regulatory proceedings involving CenturyLinkus or QCII;our affiliates (including CenturyLink);
changes in our operating plans, corporate strategies,tax, communications, pension, healthcare or other capital allocation plans, including those caused bylaws or regulations, in governmental support programs, or in general government funding levels;
the effects of changes in our cash requirements, capital expenditure needs, debt obligations, cash flows,accounting policies or financial position, or other similar changes;practices, including potential future impairment charges;
the effects of adverse weather;
other risks referenced in this Annual Reportweather or other of our filings with the SEC; andnatural or man-made disasters;
the effects of more general factors such as changes in interest rates, in tax laws, in accounting policies or practices, in operating medical, pension or administrative costs, in general market, labor, economic or economicgeo-political conditions, or in legislation, regulation or public policy.policy; and
These and other uncertainties related to our business are describedrisks referenced in greater detail"Risk Factors" in Item 1A or elsewhere in this annual report or other of Part I of this Annual Report, which is subject to updating and supplementing by our subsequent SEC reports.filings with the SEC.
These factors should be considered in connection with any written or oral forward-looking statements that we or persons acting on our behalf may issue. Anticipated events may not occur and our actual results or performance may differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or projected if one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or if underlying assumptions prove incorrect. Additional factors or risks that we currently deem immaterial, or that are not presently known to us or that arise in the future could also cause our actual results to differ materially from our expected results. Given these uncertainties, we caution investors are cautioned not to unduly rely onupon our forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements for any reason, whether as a result of new information, future events or developments, changed circumstances, or otherwise. Furthermore, any information about our intentions contained in any of our forward-looking statements reflects our intentions as of the date of such forward-looking statement, and is based upon, among other things, the existing regulatory, and technological, environment, industry, and competitive, conditions, and economic and market conditions, and our assumptions as of such date. We may change our intentions, strategies or plans at any time and without notice, based upon any changes in such factors, in our assumptions or otherwise.
Investors should also be aware that while we do, at various times, communicate withaddress questions raised by securities analysts, it is against our policy to disclose to them selectively any material non-public information or other confidential information. Accordingly, investors should not assume that we agree with any statement or report issued by an analyst with respect to our past or projected performance. To the extent that reports issued by securities analysts contain any projections, forecasts or opinions, such reports are not our responsibility.
Unless otherwise indicated, information contained in this Annual Reportannual report and other documents filed by us under the federal securities laws concerning our views and expectations regarding the communications industry are based on estimates made by us using data from industry sources, and on assumptions made by us based on our management's knowledge and experience in the markets in which we operate and the communications industry generally. You should be aware that we have not independently verified data from industry or other third-party sources and cannot guarantee its accuracy or completeness. Our estimates and assumptions involve risks and uncertainties and are subject to change based on various factors, including those discussed below in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
The following discussion of “risk factors” identifies the most significant risks or uncertainties that could (i) materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects or (ii) cause our actual results to differ materially from our anticipated results or other expectations. The following information should be read in conjunction with “Management’sthe other portions of this annual report, including "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations”Operations" in Item 7 of Part II and our consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this Annual Report.Item 8 of Part II. Please note that the following discussion is not intended to comprehensively list all risks or uncertainties faced by us. Our operations or actual results could also be similarly impacted by additional risks and uncertainties that are not currently known to us, or our industry, that we currently deem to be immaterial, that arise in the future or that are not specific to us, such as general economic conditions.
Risks Affecting Our Business
IncreasingWe may not be able to compete successfully against current or future competitors.
Each of our offerings to our residential and business customers face increasingly intense competition including product substitution, continues to cause us to lose access lines, which has adversely affected and is expected to continue to adversely affect our operating results and financial condition.
Various developments over the past decade have caused us to continue to lose access lines and to experience increased competitive pressures, and wefrom a variety of sources under evolving market conditions. We expect these trends will continue. In addition to competition from larger national telecommunications providers, we are facing increasing competition from a variety ofseveral other sources, including cable and satellite companies, wireless providers, technology companies, broadband providers, device providers, resellers, sales agents and facilities-based providers using their own networks as well as those leasing parts of our network. In particular, (i) intense competition from wireless and other communications providers has led to a long-term systemic decline in the number of our wireline voice customers, (ii) strong competition from cable companies and others has impacted the growth of our broadband operations and (iii) aggressive competition from a wide range of technology companies and other market entrants has limited the prospects for our cloud computing operations. For more detailed information, see "Business—Competition" in Item 1 of Part I of this annual report.
Some of our current and potential competitors (i) offer products or services that are substitutes for our traditionallegacy wireline voice services, including wireless voice and non-voice communication services, (ii) offer a more comprehensive range of communications products and services, (iii) offer products or services with features that we cannot readily match in some or all of our markets, including faster average broadband transmission speeds and(iv) offer shorter installation intervals, allowing customers to begin receiving services sooner after ordering, (v) have greater content, (iv) have market presence,marketing, engineering, andresearch, development, technical, capabilities, and financial and other resources, greater than ours, (v) own(vi) have larger or more diverse networks with greater transmission capacity, or other advantages, (vi)(vii) conduct operations or raise capital at a lower cost than us, (vii)(viii) are subject to less regulation, (viii)which we believe enables such competitors to operate more flexibly than us with respect to certain offerings, (ix) offer services nationally or internationally to a larger geographic area or larger base of customers, or (ix)(x) have substantially stronger brand names.names, which may provide them with greater pricing power than ours, or (xi) have larger operations than ours, which may enable them to compete more successfully in recruiting top talent. Consequently, these competitors may be better equipped to provide more attractive offerings, to charge lower prices for their products and services, to develop and expand their communications and network infrastructuresinfrastructure more quickly, to adapt more swiftly to new or emerging technologies and changes in technologies or customer requirements, to devote greater resources to the marketing and sale of their products and services, or to provide more comprehensive customer service.service, to provide greater resources to research and development initiatives and to take advantage of business or other opportunities more readily. In the past, several of our competitors and their operations have grown through acquisitions and aggressive product development. The continued growth of our competitors could further enhance their competitive positions.
Competition could adversely impact us in several ways, including (i) the loss of customers and market share, (ii) the possibility of customers terminating or reducing their usage of our services or shifting to less profitable services, (iii) reduced traffic on our networks, (iv) our need to expend substantial time or money on new capital improvement projects, (v) our need to lower prices or increase marketing expenses to remain competitive and (vi) our inability to diversify by successfully offering new products or services.
We are continually taking steps to respond to these competitive pressures, but these efforts may not be successful. Our operating results and financial condition would be adversely affected if these initiatives are unsuccessful or insufficient and if we otherwise are unable to sufficiently stem our continuing access line losses and our legacy revenue declines.insufficient. If this occurred, our ability to pay our debt and other obligations and to re-invest in the business would also be adversely affected.
Rapid technological changes could require substantial expenditure of financial and other resources in excess of contemplated levels, and any inability to respond to those changes could reducesignificantly impact our market share and adversely affect our operating resultscompetitive and financial condition.position.
The communications industry has been and continues to be impacted by significant technological changes, which in general are enhancing non-voice communicationswireless services and enabling a broader array of companies to offer services competitivecompete with ours.us. Many of thosethese technological changes are (i) displacing or reducing demand for our traditional voice services, (ii) enabling the development of competitive products or services, or (iii) enabling our current customers to reduce or bypass use of our networks. Rapid changes in technology are increasing the competitiveness of the information technology services industry. In addition,networks, (ii) displacing or reducing demand for our broadband services, has been constrained by certainor (iii) enabling the development of competitive products or services. For years, improvements in wireless and Internet-based voice communications technologies permittinghave reduced demand for our legacy voice services, and these trends continue. More recently, continuous improvements in wireless data technologies have enabled wireless carriers to offer competing products, and we expect this trend to continue as technological advances enable these carriers to carry greater amounts of data faster and with less latency. Technological advancements have also permitted cable companies and other of our competitors to deliver faster average broadband transmission speeds than ours. Demand for our broadband services could be further reduced by advanced wireless data transmission technologies being deployed by wireless providers, including "long-term evolution" or "LTE" technologies, especially if these wireless providers continue to increase the service's broadband speed and decrease its cost. To enhance the competitiveness of certain of our broadband services, we maywill likely be required to expendspend additional capital to install more fiber optic cable or to augment the capabilities of our copper-based services or to install more fiber optic cable.services.
We may not be able to accurately predict technological trends or respond to changes in technology or industry standards, or to the successintroduction of newly-offered services. Further technological changeAny of these developments could make some or all of our offerings less desirable or even obsolete, which would place downward pressure on our market share and revenues. These developments could also require us to (i) expend capital or other resources in excess of currently contemplated levels, (ii) forego the development or provision of products or services that others can provide more efficiently, or (iii) make other changes to our operating plans, corporate strategies or capital allocation plans, any of which could be contrary to the expectations of our security holders or could adversely impact our operations. If we are not able to develop new products and services to keep pace with technological advances, or if those products and services are not widely accepted by customers, our ability to compete could be adversely affected and our market share could decline. AnyOur inability to effectively respond to technological changes could also adversely affect our operating results and financial condition, as well as our ability to service debt and fund other commitments or initiatives.
Even if we succeed in adapting to changes in technology or industry standards by developing new products or services, there is no assurance that the new products or services would have a positive impact on our profit margins or financial performance.
In addition to introducing new technologies and offerings, we may need, from time to time, to phase out outdated and unprofitable technologies and services. If we are unable to do so on a cost-effective basis, we could experience reduced profits.
For additional information on the risks of increased expenditures, see "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting our Liquidity and Capital Resources—Our business requires us to incur substantial capital and operating expenses, which reduces our available free cash flow."
Our legacy services and private line services continue to experience declining revenues, and our efforts to offset these declines may not be successful.
Primarily as a result of the competitive and technological changes discussed above, we have in recent years experienced a prolonged systemic decline in access lines, long distance revenues andour local voice, long-distance voice, network access, private line and other legacy revenues. Consequently, we have experienced lower consolidated revenues which continue to place downward pressure onin each of our revenues generated from legacy services and our consolidated cash flows.last several years.
We have taken a variety of steps to counter these declines in our legacy services revenues, including:
an increased focus on selling a broader range of higher-growth strategic services, which are described in detail elsewhere in this annual report;
an increased focus on serving a broader range of business, governmental and wholesale customers; and
greater use of service bundles.
However, somefor the reasons described elsewhere in this annual report, most of theseour strategic services generate lower profit margins than our traditionallegacy services, and some can be expected to experience slowing growth as increasing numbers of our existing or potential customers subscribe to our newer products.strategic product and service offerings. Moreover, we cannot assure you that the revenues generated from our new offerings will offset revenue losses associated from reduced sales ofwith our legacy products.services. In addition, our reliance on third parties to provide certain of these strategic services could constrain our flexibility, as described further below.
Our failure to develop new products and services could adversely impact our competitive position.
In order to compete effectively and respond to the changing communication needs of our customers, we continuously develop, test and introduce new products and services. Our ability to successfully introduce new product or service offerings on a timely and cost-effective basis could be constrained by a range of factors, including network limitations, support system limitations, limited capital, an inability to attract key personnel with the necessary skills, intellectual property constraints, testing delays, technological limits or an inability to act as quickly or efficiently as smaller, more nimble start-upother competitors. Similarly,In addition, new product or service offerings may not be widely accepted by our abilitycustomers. Our business could be materially adversely affected if we are unable to growtimely and successfully develop and introduce new products or services.
Our failure to continuously develop effective service support systems could adversely impact our competitive position.
For many of our services, we can effectively compete only if we can quickly and efficiently (i) quote and accept customer orders, (ii) provision and initiate ordered services, (iii) provide customers with adequate means to manage their services and (iv) accurately bill for our services. Development of systems designed to support these tasks is a significant undertaking that continuously requires our personnel and third-party vendors to adjust to changes in our offerings and customers' preferences, to eliminate inconsistencies between the practices of our legacy operations and newly-acquired operations, to eliminate older support systems that are costly or obsolete, to develop uniform practices and procedures, and to automate them as much as possible. Our failure to continuously develop service support systems that are satisfactory to our current and potential customers could adversely impact our competitive position.
We may not be able to successfully adjust to changes in our industry, our markets and our product mix.
Ongoing changes in the communications industry have fundamentally changed consumers’ communications expectations and requirements. In response to these changes, we have substantially altered our product and service offerings through acquisitions could be limited by several factors, includingand internal product development. Many of these changes have placed a higher premium on sales, marketing and product development functions, and necessitated ongoing changes in our leverage, risk tolerances,processes and inabilityoperating protocols, as well as periodic reorganizations of our sales and leadership teams. In addition, we now offer a more complex range of products and services, operate larger and more complex networks and serve a much larger and more diverse set of customers. Consequently, we now face greater challenges in effectively managing and administering our operations and allocating capital and other resources to identify attractively-priced target companies.our various offerings. For all these reasons, we cannot assure you that our new product or service offeringsefforts to adjust to these changes will be as successful as anticipated,timely or that we will be able to continue to grow through acquisitions.successful.
We could be harmed by security breaches, damages or other significant disruptions or failures of our networks, information technology infrastructure or related systems, or of those we operate for certain of our customers.
To be successful, we will needWe are materially reliant upon our networks, information technology infrastructure and related technology systems (including our billing and provisioning systems) to continue providingprovide products and services to our customers with high-capacity, reliable and secure networks.to manage our operations and affairs. We face the risk, as does any company, of a security breach or significant disruption of our information technology infrastructure and related systems (including our billing systems).systems. As a communications company that transmits large amounts of sensitive and proprietary information over communications networks, we face an added risk that a security breach or other significant disruption of our public networks or information technology infrastructure and related systems that we develop, install, operate and maintain for certain of our business customers (which includes our wholesale and governmental customerscustomers) could lead to material interruptions or curtailments of service. Moreover, in connection with processing and storing sensitive and confidential customer data, we face a heightened risk that a security breach or disruption could result in unauthorized access to our customers' proprietary or classified information on our public networks or internal systems or the systems that we operate and maintain for certain of our customers.
We make significant effortsstrive to maintain the security and integrity of these types of information and systems under our control, and maintain contingency plans in the event of security breaches or other system disruptions. Nonetheless, we cannot assure you that our security efforts and measures will prevent unauthorized access to our systems, loss or destruction of data (including confidential customer information), account takeovers, unavailability of service, computer viruses, malware, distributed denial-of-service attacks, or other forms of cyber attackscyber-attacks or similar events. These threats may derive from human error, hardware or software vulnerabilities, fraud, malice or sabotage on the part of employees, third parties or otherforeign nations, or could result from aging equipment or other accidental technological failure. These threats may also arise from failure or breaches of systems owned, operated or controlled by other unaffiliated operators to the extent we rely on such other operationssystems to deliver services to our customers.
Similar to other large telecommunications companies, we are a constant target of cyber attackscyber-attacks of varying degrees on a regular basis.degrees. Although some of these attacks have resulted in security breaches, to date, none of these breaches have resulted in a material adverse effect on our operating results or financial condition. You should be aware, however, that defenses against cyber attackscyber-attacks currently available to U.S. companies are unlikely to prevent intrusions by a highly determined, highly sophisticatedhighly-determined, highly-sophisticated hacker. Consequently, you should assume that we will be unable to implement security barriers or other preventative measures that repel all future cyber attacks.cyber-attacks. Any such future security breaches or disruptions could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations or financial condition, especially in light of the growing frequency, scope and well documentedwell-documented sophistication of cyber attackscyber-attacks and intrusions.
Although CenturyLink maintains insurance coverage that may, subject to policy terms and conditions (including self-insured deductibles, coverage restrictions and monetary coverage caps), cover certain aspects of our cyber risks, such insurance coverage may be unavailable or insufficient to cover our losses.
Additional risks to our network, infrastructure and infrastructurerelated systems include:
power losses or physical damage, whether caused by fire, flood, adverse weather conditions, terrorism, sabotage, vandalism or otherwise;
capacity or system configuration limitations;limitations, including those resulting from changes in our customer's usage patterns, the introduction of new technologies or products, or incompatibilities between our newer and older systems;
theft or failure of our equipment;
software or hardware obsolescence, defects or malfunctions;
deficiencies in our processes or controls;
our inability to hire and retain personnel with the requisite skills to adequately maintain our systems;
programming, processing and other human error; and
service failures of our third-party vendors and other disruptions that are beyond our control.
NetworkDue to these factors, from time to time in the ordinary course of our business we experience disruptions in our service, and could experience more significant disruptions in the future.
Disruptions, security breaches and other significant failures of the above-described networks and systems could:
disrupt the proper functioning of these networks and systems, and thereforewhich could in turn disrupt (i) our operationsoperational or thoseadministrative functions or (ii) the operations of certain of our customers;customers who rely upon us to provide services critical to their operations;
result in the unauthorized access to, and destruction, loss, theft, misappropriation or release of proprietary, confidential, sensitive, classified or otherwise valuable information of ours, our customers or our customers' end users, including trade secrets, which others could use for competitive, disruptive, destructive or otherwise harmful purposes and outcomes;
require significant management attention or financial resources to remedy the resulting damages that result or to change our systems, including expenses to repair systems, add new personnel or develop additional protective systems;
require us to notify customers, regulatory agencies or the public of data breaches;
require us to provide credits for future service under certain service level commitments we have provided contractually to our customers or to offer expensive incentives to retain existing customers or customers;
subject us to claims for contract breach, damages, credits, fines, penalties, termination or other remedies particularly with respect tounder our customer contracts or service standards set by state regulatory commissions;commissions, which in certain cases could exceed our insurance coverage; or
result in a loss of business, damage our reputation among our customers and the public generally, subject us to additional regulatory scrutiny or expose us to prolonged litigation.
Likewise,We could experience difficulties in expanding and updating our technical infrastructure.
Our ability to expand and update our systems and information technology infrastructure in response to our growth and changing business needs is important to the continued implementation of our newability to maintain and develop attractive product and service offering initiatives.offerings. As discussed further under “Business—Network Architecture” in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report,annual report, we are currently undertaking several complex, costly and time-consuming projects to simplify and modernize our network, which combines our legacy network and CenturyLink's networks. Unanticipated delays in the completion of these projects may lead to increased project costs or operational inefficiencies. In addition, there may be issues related to our expanded or updated infrastructure that are not identified by our testing processes, and which may only become evident after we have started to fully utilize the redesigned systems. Our failure to modernize and upgrade our technology infrastructure could have adverse consequences, which could includeincluding the delayed implementation of new service offerings, decreased competitiveness of existing service offerings, network instabilities, increased operating or acquisition integration costs, service or billing interruptions, and the diversion of development resources.
Any or all of the foregoing developments could have a negative impact on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
Market prices for many of our services have decreased in the past, and any similar price decreases in the future will adversely affect our revenues and margins.
Over the past several years, a range of competitive and technological factors, including robust network construction and intense competition, have lowered market prices for many of our products and services. If these market conditions persist, we may need to continue to reduce prices to retain customers and revenue. If future price reductions are necessary, we will suffer unless we are able to offset these reductions by reducing our operating expenses or increasing our sales volumes.
Our future resultsgrowth potential will suffer if we dodepend in part on the continued development and expansion of the Internet.
Our future growth potential will depend in part upon the continued development and expansion of the Internet as a communication medium and marketplace for the distribution of data, video and other products by businesses, consumers and governments. The use of the Internet for these purposes may not effectively adjust togrow and expand at the rate anticipated by us or others, or may be restricted by factors outside of our control, including (i) actions by other carriers or governmental authorities that restrict us from delivering traffic over other parties' networks, (ii) changes in our business.
The above-describedregulations, (iii) technological stagnation or (iv) changes in consumers' preferences or data usage.
If we fail to hire and retain qualified executives, managers and employees, our industry have placed a higher premiumoperating results could be harmed.
Our future success depends on our ability to identify, hire, train and retain executives, managers and employees with technological, engineering, product development, operational, provisioning, marketing, sales, administrative, managerial and provisioningother key skills. Our future success depends,There is a shortage of qualified personnel in part, onseveral of these fields. We compete with several other companies for this limited pool of potential employees. As our ability to retrain our staff to acquire or strengthen skills necessary to address these changes, and, where necessary,industry increasingly becomes more competitive, it could become especially difficult to attract and retain new personnel that possess these skills. Given the current competitive market fortop personnel with skills in high demand. Our workforce reduction initiatives over the past couple of years have further increased the challenges of attracting and retaining talented individuals. In addition, subject to limited exceptions, none of our executives or domestic employees have long-term employment agreements. For all these skills, we cannot assure youreasons, there is no assurance that these recruitmentour efforts to recruit and retain qualified personnel will be successful.
Increases in broadband usage may cause network capacity limitations, resulting in service disruptions, reduced capacity or slower transmission speeds for our customers.
Video streaming services, gaming and peer-to-peer file sharing applications use significantly more bandwidth than traditionalother Internet activity such as web browsing and email. As use of these newer services continues to grow, our high-speed Internetbroadband customers will likely use much more bandwidth than in the past. If this occurs, we could be required to make significant capital expenditures to increase network capacity in order to avoid service disruptions, service degradation or slower transmission speeds for our customers. Alternatively, we could choose to implement network management practices to reduce the network capacity available to bandwidth-intensive activities during certain times in market areas experiencing congestion, which could negatively affect our ability to retain and attract customers in affected markets. While we believe demand for these services may drive high-speed Internetbroadband customers to pay for faster broadband speeds, competitive or regulatory constraints may preclude us from recovering the costs of the necessary network investments. This could result in an adverse impact to our operating margins, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We have been accused of infringing the intellectual property rights of others and will likely face similar accusations in the future, which could subject us to costly and time-consuming litigation or require us to seek third-party licenses.
From time to time,Like other communications companies, we receivehave increasingly in recent years received a number of notices from third parties or arehave been named in lawsuits filed by third parties claiming we have infringed or are infringing upon their intellectual property rights. We are currently responding to several of these notices and claims. Like other communications companies, we have received an increasing number of these notices and claims in the past several years, and expect this industry-wide trend will continue. Responding to these claims may require us to expend significant time and money defending our use of the applicable technology, and divert management’s time and resources away from other business. In certain instances, we may be required to enter into licensing agreements requiring royalty payments or, inpayments. In the case of litigation, we could be required to pay damages.damages or cease using the applicable technology. If we are required to take one or more of these actions, our profit margins may decline.decline or our operations could be impaired. In addition, in responding to these claims, we may be required to stop selling or redesign one or more of our products or services, which could significantly and adversely affect our business, practices, results of operations, financial condition and financial condition.cash flows.
Similarly, from time to time, we may need to obtain the right to use certain patents or other intellectual property from third parties to be able to offer new products and services. If we cannot license or otherwise obtain rights to use any required technology from a third party on reasonable terms, our ability to offer new products and services may be prohibited, restricted, made more costly or delayed.
Our operations, financial performance and liquidity are materially reliant on various third parties.
Reliance on other communications providers. To offer voice or data services in certain of our markets, we must either lease network capacity from, or interconnect our network with the infrastructure of, other communications companiescarriers who typically compete against us in those markets. Our reliance on these lease or interconnection arrangements limits our control over the quality of our services and exposes us to the risk that our ability to market our services could be adversely impacted by changes in the plans or properties of the carriers upon which we are reliant. In addition, we are exposed to the risk that the other carriers may be unwilling to continue or renew these arrangements in the future on terms favorable to us, or at all. This risk is heightened when the other carrier is a competitor of ours and may benefit from terminating the agreement. If we lose these arrangements and cannot timely replace them, our ability to provide services to our customers and conduct our business could be materially adversely affected.
Conversely, certain of our operations carry a significant amount of voice or data traffic for other communications providers. Their reliance on our services exposes us to the risk that they may transfer all or a portion of this traffic from our network to networks built, owned or leased by them, thereby reducing our revenues. For additional information, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Business Trends" included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
We also rely on reseller and sales agency arrangements with our affiliates and other communications companies to provide some of the services that we selloffer to our customers, [includingincluding video services and wireless products and services.] As a reseller or sales agent, we do not control the availability, retail price, design, function, quality, reliability, customer service or branding of these products and services, nor do we directly control all of the marketing and promotion of these products and services. Similar to the risks described above regarding our reliance upon other carriers, we could be adversely affected if these communication companies fail to maintain competitive products or services, or fail to continue to make them available to us on attractive terms, or at all.
Our operations and financial performance could be adversely affected if our relationships with any of these other communications companies are disrupted or terminated for any other reason, including if such other companies:
become bankrupt or experience substantial financial difficulties;
suffer work stoppages or other labor strife;
challenge our right to receive payments or services under applicable regulations or the terms of our existing contractcontractual arrangements; or
are otherwise unable or unwilling to make payments or provide services to us.
Reliance on other key suppliers and vendors. We depend on a limited number of suppliers and vendors for equipment and services relating to our network infrastructure. Our local exchange carrier networks consist of central office and remote sites, all with advanced digital switches. If any of these suppliers experience interruptions or other problems delivering or servicing these network components on a timely basis, our operations could suffer significantly. To the extent that proprietary technology of a supplier is an integral component of our network, we may have limited flexibility to purchase key network components from alternative suppliers and may be adversely affected if third parties assert patent infringement claims against our suppliers or us. We also rely on a limited number of software vendors to support our business management systems.systems and contractors to assist us in connection with our network construction and maintenance activities. In the event it becomes necessary to seek alternative suppliers and vendors, we may be unable to obtain satisfactory replacement supplies, services space or utilities on economically attractive terms, on a timely basis, or at all, which could increase costs or cause disruptions in our services.
Reliance on governmental payments. We receive a material amount of revenue or government subsidies under various government programs, which are further described under the heading "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters." Pending changes in the federal Universal Service support program will likely change the way we recognize and report future funds received from federal USF as the FCC's CAF Phase 2 program is implemented. We also provide products or services to various federal, state and local agencies. GovernmentalOur failure to comply with complex governmental regulations and laws applicable to these programs, or the terms of our governmental contracts, could result in us being suspended or disbarred from future governmental programs or contracts for a significant period of time. Moreover, certain governmental agencies frequently reserve the right to terminate their contracts for convenience, or to suspend or debar companies from receiving future subsidies or contracts under certain circumstances.convenience. If our governmental contracts are terminated for any reason, or if we are suspended or debarred from governmental programs or contracts, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
If we fail to extend or renegotiate our collective bargaining agreements with our labor unions as they expire from time to time, or if our unionized employees were to engage in a strike or other work stoppage, our business and operating results could be materially harmed.
As of December 31, 2014,2016, approximately 48%50% of our employees were members of various bargaining units represented by the Communications Workers of America or the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. From time to time, our labor agreements with unions expire. Approximately 11,000, or 50%, of our employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire andOctober 7, 2017. Although we typically are able to negotiate the terms of new bargaining agreements, we cannot predict the outcome of our future negotiations of these agreements. We may be unable to reach new agreements, and union employees may engage in strikes, work slowdowns or other labor actions, which could materially disrupt our ability to provide services and result in increased cost to us. In addition, new labor agreements may impose significant new costs on us, which could impair our financial condition or results of operations in the future. To the extent they contain benefit provisions, these agreements may also limit our flexibility to change benefits in response to industry or competitive changes. In particular, the post-employment benefits provided under these agreements could cause us to incur costs not faced by many of our competitors, which could ultimately hinder our competitive position.
Portions of our property, plant and equipment are located on property owned by third parties.
We rely on rights-of-way, colocation agreements and other authorizations granted by governmental bodies, railway companies, carriers and other third parties to locate our cable, conduit and other network equipment on or under their respective properties. A significant number of these authorizations are scheduled to lapse over the next five to ten years, unless we are able to extend or renew them. Our operations could be adversely affected if any of these authorizations terminate or lapse, or if the landowner requests price increases.
Over the past few years, certain utilities, cooperatives and municipalities in certain of the states in which we operate have requested significant rate increases for attaching our plant to their facilities. To the extent that these entities are successful in increasing the amount we pay for these attachments, our future operating costs will increase.
In addition, we rely on rights-of-way, colocation agreements and other authorizations granted by governmental bodies and other third partiesOur business customers may seek to locate our cable, conduit and other network equipment on their respective properties. If any of these authorizations terminate or lapse, our operations could be adversely affected.shift risk to us.
We depend on key membersfurnish to and receive from our business customers indemnities relating to damages caused or sustained by us in connection with certain of our senior management team.
operations. Our success depends largelycustomers’ changing views on risk allocation could cause us to accept greater risk to win new business or could result in us losing business if we are not prepared to take such risks. To the skills, experienceextent that we accept such additional risk, and performance of a limited number of senior officers. Competition for senior management inseek to insure against it, our industry is intense and we may have difficulty retaining our current senior officers or attracting new ones in the event of terminations or resignations. For a discussion of similar retention concerns relating to our recent acquisition, please see the risks described below under the heading "Risk Factors—Risks Relating to our Recent Acquisition."insurance premiums could rise.
Unfavorable general economic conditions could negatively impact our operating results and financial condition.
Unfavorable general economic conditions, including unstable economic and credit markets, could negatively affect our business. Worldwide economic growth has been sluggish since 2008, and many experts believe that a confluence of global factors may result in a prolonged period of economic stagnation, slow growth or economic uncertainty. While it is difficult to predict the ultimate impact of these general economic conditions, they could adversely affect demand for some of our products and services and could cause customers to shift to lower priced products and services or to delay or forego purchases of our products and services. These conditions impact, in particular, our ability to sell discretionary products or services to business customers that are under pressure to reduce costs or to governmental customers that have recently suffered substantial budget cuts with the prospect of additional future budget cuts.in recent years. Any one or more of these circumstances could continue to depress our revenues. Also, our customers may encounter financial hardships or may not be able to obtain adequate access to credit, which could negatively impact their ability to make timely payments to us. In addition, as discussed further below, unstable economic and credit markets may preclude us from refinancing maturing debt at terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited, at terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. For these reasons, among others, if current economic conditions persist or decline, our operating results, financial condition, and liquidity could be adversely affected.
For additional information about our business and operations, see "Business" in Item 1 of Part I of this annual report.
Risks Relating to CenturyLink’s Pending Acquisition of Level 3
We cannot assure you that our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, will complete its pending acquisition of Level 3 and therefore attain the anticipated benefits of the transaction.
Our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, expects to attain substantial benefits upon completing its pending acquisition of Level 3, including enhanced scale, cost savings and the receipt of Level 3’s net operating loss carry-forwards. Attainment of these benefits is not assured. Moreover, the completion of the Level 3 acquisition is subject to a number of conditions. For these reasons, we cannot assure you that CenturyLink will be able to complete its pending acquisition of Level 3 or attain the anticipated benefits thereof.
The Level 3 acquisition poses various risks to CenturyLink.
CenturyLink expects to incur substantial expenses in connection with completing the acquisition and integrating its operations with Level 3’s operations. For a variety of reasons, the integration process may not be successful. Moreover, in connection with the acquisition, CenturyLink will incur and assume a substantial amount of indebtedness, and the agreements that will govern such indebtedness are expected to contain various covenants and other provisions that will impose restrictions on CenturyLink’s ability to operate.
CenturyLink’s pending acquisition of Level 3 raises other risks.
CenturyLink’s pending acquisition of Level 3 and, upon completion thereof, its ownership of Level 3 raise additional risks not described above. For additional information, see CenturyLink’s (i) definitive joint proxy statement/prospectus filed with the SEC on February 13, 2017 and (ii) Annual Report.Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016 filed with the SEC on February 23, 2017.
Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters
We operate in a highly regulated industry and are therefore exposed to restrictions on our operations and a variety of claims relating to such regulation.
General. We are subject to significant regulation by, among others, (i) the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”), which regulates interstate communications, (ii) state utility commissions, which regulate intrastate communications, and (iii) various foreign governments and international bodies, which regulate our international operations. Generally, we must obtain and maintain certificates of authority or licenses from these bodies in most territories where we offer regulated services. We cannot assure you that we will be successful in obtaining or retaining all licenses necessary to carry out our business plan, and, even if we are, the prescribed service standards and conditions imposed on us in connection with obtaining or acquiring control of these licenses may impose on us substantial costs and limitations. We are also subject to numerous requirements and interpretations under various international, federal, state and local laws, rules and regulations, which are often quite detailed and occasionally in conflict with each other. Accordingly, we cannot ensure that we are always considered to be in compliance with all these requirements at any single point in time. The agencies responsible for the enforcement of these laws, rules and regulations may initiate inquiries or actions based on customer complaints or on their own initiative. Even if we are ultimately found to have complied with applicable regulations, such actions or inquiries could create adverse publicity that negatively impacts our business.
Regulation of the telecommunications industry continues to change, rapidly, and the regulatory environment varies substantially from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Notwithstanding a recent movement towards alternative regulation, aA substantial portion of our local voice services revenue remains subject to FCC and state utility commission pricing regulation, which periodically exposes us to pricing or earnings disputes and could expose us to unanticipated price declines. Interexchange carriers have filed complaints in various forums requesting reductions in our access rates. In addition, several long-distance providers are disputingfrom time to time carriers or refusingother third parties refuse to pay amounts owed to us for carrying Voice over Internet Protocol ("VoIP") traffic, or traffic they claim to be VoIP traffic. Similarly, some carriers are refusing to pay access charges for certain calls between mobileof our services, challenge our rights to receive certain service payments, file complaints requesting rate reductions or take other similar actions that have the potential to reduce our revenues. Our future revenues, costs, and wireline devices routed through an interexchange carrier.capital investment could be adversely affected by material changes to or decisions regarding the applicability of government requirements, including, but not limited to, changes in rules governing intercarrier compensation, state and federal USF support, competition policies, pricing limitations or operational restrictions. There can be no assurance that future regulatory, judicial or legislative activities will not have a material adverse effect on our operations, or that regulators or third parties will not raise material issues with regard to our compliance or noncompliance with applicable regulations.
Changes in the composition and leadership of the FCC, state commissions and other agencies that regulate our business could have significant impacts on our revenues, expenses, competitive position and prospects. Changes in the composition and leadership of these agencies are often difficult to predict, and make future planning more difficult.
Risks associated with recent changes in federal regulation. Changes in regulation can have a material impact on our business, revenues or financial performance. Recent changes in federal regulations have substantially impacted our operations. In October 2011, the FCC adopted the Connect America and Intercarrier Compensation Reforman order ("the 2011 order") intendedproviding for a multi-year transition to reform the existinga regulatory regime to recognize ongoing shifts to new technologies, including VoIP, and re-direct federalstructure that reduces intercarrier compensation charges, redeploys universal service funding to foster nationwide broadband coverage. This initial ruling provides for a multi-year transition as intercarrier compensation charges are reduced, federal universal service funding is explicitly targeted to broadband deployment,newer technologies, and subscriber line charges paid byincreases certain end-user customers are gradually increased.charges. These changes, have substantially increasedcoupled with our participation in the pacenew FCC support programs, has significantly impacted various aspects of reductions inour operations, financial results and capital expenditures, including the amount of switched access revenues we receive incollect from our wholesale business. Moreover, regardlesscustomers and our receipt of whether and the degree to which we elect to participatefederal support payments. We expect these impacts will continue in the FCC's CAF Phase 2 program, we anticipate our financial results will be significantly impacted in the coming years.future. For more information, see "Business—Regulation" in Item 1 of Part I of this annual report, and " Management's"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 1 of Part I and Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
Several judicial challenges to the 2011 order are pending and additional future challenges are possible, any of which could alter or delay the FCC's proposed changes. In addition, based on the outcome of the FCC proceedings, various state commissions may consider changes to their universal service funds or intrastate access rates. Moreover, FCC proceedings relating to implementation of the order remain pending. For these and other reasons, we cannot predict the ultimate impact of these proceedings at this time.
In addition, during the last few years Congress or the FCC has initiated various other changes, including (i) broadband stimulus projects, support funds and similar plans and (ii) various broadband and internetInternet regulation initiatives including "network neutrality" proposals, as“network neutrality” regulations (as discussed further below. Thebelow) and actions that will restrict our ability to discontinue or reduce certain services, even if unprofitable. In 2016, the FCC is also, among other things, considering changes ininitiated rulemaking regarding the regulation of special accessbusiness data services. Any of these recent orThis rulemaking, which remains pending, initiatives could adversely affect our operations or financial results. Moreover, manyMany of the FCC'sFCC’s regulations adopted in recent years remain subject to judicial review and additional rulemakings, thus increasing the difficulty of determining the ultimate impact of these changes on us and our competitors.
Certain states have recently taken steps that could reduce the amount of their universal service support payments to incumbent local exchange companies. If these trends continue, we would suffer a reduction in our revenues from state support programs.
Risks of higher costs. Regulations continue to create significant operating and capital costs for us. Challenges to our tariffs by regulators or third parties or delays in obtaining certifications and regulatory approvals could cause us to incur substantial legal and administrative expenses, and, if successful, such challenges could adversely affect the rates that we are able to charge our customers.
Our business also may be impacted by legislation and regulation imposing new or greater obligations related to regulations or laws related to regulating broadband deployment, handling of broadband traffic,services, storing records, bolstering homeland security or cyber security, increasing disaster recovery requirements, minimizing environmental impacts, enhancing privacy, restricting data collection, or storage, protecting intellectual property rights of third parties, or addressing other issues that impact our business, including (i) the Communications Assistance for Law Enforcement Act, (whichwhich requires communications carriers to ensure that their equipment, facilities, and services are able to facilitate authorized electronic surveillance),surveillance, (ii) the USA Freedom Act, which requires communication companies to store records of communications of their customers, and (iii) laws governing local number portability and customer proprietary network information requirements.that have significantly enhanced our responsibilities relating to data security in certain jurisdictions. We expect our compliance costs to increase if future laws or regulations continue to increase our obligations. In addition, increased regulation
Increased risks of our suppliers could increase our costs.fines. We have recently paid certain regulatory fines associated with network or service outages, particularly with respect to outages impacting the availability of emergency - 911 services. Over the past couple of years, we believe that regulators have assessed substantially higher fines than in the past for these types of incidents, and it is possible this trend will continue.
Risks of reduced flexibility. As a diversified full service incumbent local exchange carrier in mostmany of our key operating markets, we have traditionally been subject to significant regulation that does not apply to many of our competitors. This regulation in many instances restricts our ability to change rates, to compete and to respond rapidly to changing industry conditions. In particular, cable television companies in recent years have been able to exploit differences in regulatory oversight, which we believe has helped them to develop service offerings competitive with ours. As our business becomes increasingly competitive, regulatory disparities between us and our competitors could increasingly impede our ability to compete.
Risks posed by other regulations. All of our operations are also subject to a variety of environmental, safety, health and other governmental regulations. We monitor our compliance with federal, state and local regulations governing the management, discharge and disposal of hazardous and environmentally sensitive materials. Although we believe that we are in compliance with these regulations in all material respects, our management, discharge or disposal of hazardous and environmentally sensitive materials might expose us to claims or actions that could potentially have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results.
"Open Internet" regulation
Our participation in the FCC's Connect America Fund ("CAF") Phase 2 support program poses certain risks.
Our participation in the FCC's CAF Phase 2 support program subjects us to certain financial risks. If we fail to attain certain specified infrastructure buildout requirements, the FCC could withhold future CAF support payments until these shortcomings are rectified. In addition, if we are not in compliance with FCC measures by the end of the CAF Phase 2 program, we would incur substantial penalties. To comply with the FCC's buildout requirements, we believe we will need to dedicate a substantial portion of our future capital expenditure budget to the construction of new infrastructure. The CAF-related expenditures could reduce the amount of funds we are willing or able to allocate to other initiatives or projects.
Regulation of the Internet could limit our ability to operate our high-speed databroadband business profitably and to manage our broadband facilities efficiently.
In order to continue to provide quality high-speed databroadband service at attractive prices, we believe we need the continued flexibility to respond to changing consumer demands, to manage bandwidth usage efficiently for the benefit of all customers and to invest in our networks. In late February 2015, the FCC plans to vote on proposedadopted new regulations that will regulate the Internetbroadband services as a public utility. The Chairman of the FCC has proposed rules that would regulate internet servicesutility under Title II of the Communications Act. The ultimate impact of the new regulations will depend on several factors, including manner in which the new regulations are implemented and enforced and whether those regulations are altered by the newly-constituted FCC or Congress. Although it is not clear which provisionpremature for us to determine the ultimate impact of Title II would be applied to internet services, it is clearthe new regulations upon our operations, we currently anticipate that the levelimplementation of regulation of those services would increase significantly if the Chairman's proposal is adopted by the full commission. If adopted as proposed, we anticipate that the proposed rules could hamper our ability to operate our data networks efficiently, restrict our ability to implement network management practices necessary to ensure quality service, increase the cost of network extensions and upgrades, and otherwise negatively impact our current operations. RegardlessOur service offerings could become subject to additional laws and regulations as they are adopted or applied to the Internet. As the significance of the Internet expands, federal, state, or local governments may adopt new laws or regulations, or apply existing laws and regulations to the Internet. We cannot predict the outcome of the FCC's proceedings, it is possible that the Congress or the FCC could take further action in the future to modify regulations affecting the provision of broadband internet services.any such changes.
We may be liable for the material that content providers distribute over our network.
Although we believe our liability for third party information stored on or transmitted through our networks is limited, the liability of private network operators is impacted both by changing technology and evolving legal principles.principles that remain unsettled in many jurisdictions. As a private network provider, we could be exposed to legal claims relating to third party content stored or transmitted on our networks. Such claims could involve, among others, allegations of defamation, invasion of privacy, copyright infringement, or aiding and abetting restricted activities such as online gambling or pornography. If we decide to implement additional measures to reduce our exposure to these risks, or if we are required to defend ourselves against these kinds of claims, our operations and financial results could be negatively affected.
Any adverse outcome in any material litigation of CenturyLink or QCIIits affiliates could have a material adverse impact on our financial condition and operating results, on the trading price of our debt securities and on our ability to access the capital markets.
There are several material proceedings pending against CenturyLink and its affiliates, as described in Note 14—16—Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of CenturyLink's Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016. Depending on their outcome, any of these matters could have a material adverse effect on our financial position or operating results. We can give you no assurances as to the impact of these matters on our operating results or financial condition.
We are subject to franchising requirements that could impede our expansion opportunities.opportunities or result in potential fines or penalties.
We may be required to obtain from municipal authorities operating franchises to install or expand facilities.certain facilities related to our fiber transport operations, our competitive local exchange carrier operations, and our facilities-based video services. Some of these franchises may require us to pay franchise fees. These franchising requirements generally applyMany of our franchise agreements have compliance obligations and failure to our fiber transport and competitive local exchange carrier operations, and to our facilities-based video services. Thesecomply may result in fines or penalties. In some cases, certain franchise requirements could delay us in expanding our operations or increase the costs of providing these services.
We are exposed to risks arising out of recent legislation affecting U.S. public companies.
Changing laws, regulations and standards relating to corporate governance and public disclosure, including the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and related regulations implemented thereunder, are increasinghave increased our legal and financial compliance costs and makingmade some activities more time consuming. Any failure to successfully or timely complete annual assessments of our internal controls required by Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act could subject us to sanctions or investigation by regulatory authorities. Any such action could adversely affect our financial results or our reputation with investors, lenders or others.
Changes in any of the above-described laws or regulations may limit our ability to plan, and could subject us to further costs or constraints.
From time to time, the laws or regulations governing us or our customers, or the government's policy of enforcing those laws or regulations, have changed frequently and materially. The variability of these laws could hamper the ability of us and our customers to plan for the future or establish long-term strategies. Moreover, future changes in these laws or regulations could further increase our operating or compliance costs, or further restrict our operational flexibility, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations, competitive position, financial condition or prospects.
For a more thorough discussion of the regulatory issues that may affect our business, see "Regulation""Business—Regulation" in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Risks Affecting Our Liquidity and Capital Resources
CenturyLink's and our high debt levels pose risksexpose us to our viability and may make us more vulnerable to adverse economic and competitive conditions, as well as other adverse developments.a broad range of risks.
Our ultimate parent, CenturyLink, and we continue to carry significant debt. As of December 31, 2014,2016, the aggregate principal amount of our consolidated long-term debt, excluding unamortized premiums, net, unamortized debt issuance costs and capital lease and other obligations, was approximately $7.4$7.359 billion (excluding our note payable-affiliatepayable - affiliate of $796$914 million), which was included in CenturyLink's consolidated long-term debt of approximately $20.7$19.993 billion as of that date. Approximately $3.4As of the date of this annual report, $2.715 billion aggregate principal amount of CenturyLink's consolidated debt securities (excluding capital lease and other obligations), which(which includes approximately $827$500 million of our debt securities, matures over the next 36 months endingsecurities), is scheduled to mature prior to December 31, 2017.2019. While we currently believe that CenturyLink and we will have the financial resources to meet or refinance our obligations when they come due, we cannot fully anticipate our future performance or financial condition, or the future condition of CenturyLink, the credit markets or the economy.economy generally. We may incur unexpected expenses or liabilities, and we may have limited access to financing.
Our significant levels of debt can adversely affect us in several other respects, including:
limiting our ability to accessobtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, refinancings or other general corporate purposes, particularly if, as discussed further in the risk factor disclosure below, (i) the ratings assigned to our debt securities by nationally recognized credit rating organizations are revised downward or (ii) we seek capital markets;during periods of turbulent or unsettled market conditions;
exposingrequiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flow from operations to the riskpayment of credit rating downgrades, which would raiseinterest and principal on our borrowing costsdebt, thereby reducing the funds available to us for other purposes, including acquisitions, capital expenditures, strategic initiatives, dividends, marketing and could further limit our access to capital;other potential growth initiatives;
hindering our flexibilityability to capitalize on business opportunities and to plan for or react to changing market, industry, competitive or economic conditions;
limitingincreasing our future borrowing costs;
increasing the amount of cash flow available for future operations, acquisitions, strategic initiatives, dividends,risk that third parties will be unwilling or unable to engage in hedging or other uses;financial or commercial arrangements with us;
making us more vulnerable to economic or industry downturns, including interest rate increases;
placing us at a competitive disadvantage compared to less leveraged competitors;
increasing the risk that we will need to sell assets, possibly on unfavorable terms, or take other unfavorable actions to meet payment obligations; or
increasing the risk that we may not meet the financial covenants contained in our debt agreements or timely make all required debt payments.payments, either of which could result in the acceleration of some or all of our outstanding indebtedness.
The effects of each of these factors could be intensified if we increase our borrowings.
Any failure to make required debt payments could, among other things, adversely affect our ability to conduct operations or raise capital.
We expect to periodically require financing to meet our debt obligations as they come due. Due to the unstable economy and credit markets, we may not be able to refinance maturing debt aton terms that are as favorable as those from which we previously benefited, aton terms that are acceptable to us, or at all. See below “Risk Factors—Risks Affecting our Liquidity and Capital Resources—CenturyLink and we plan to access the public debt markets, and we cannot assure you that these markets will remain free of disruptions.”
We may also need to obtain additional financing or capital, or to investigate other methods to generate cash (such as further cost reductions or the sale of assets) under a variety of other circumstances, including if revenues and cash provided by operations decline, if economic conditions weaken, if competitive pressures increase, if regulatory requirements change, if CenturyLink is required to contribute a material amount of cash to its pension plans, if CenturyLink is required to begin to pay other post-retirement benefits significantly earlier than is anticipated, or if CenturyLink becomes subject to significant judgments or settlements in one or more of the matters discussed in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report and Note 14—16—Commitments and Contingencies to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of CenturyLink's Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016. For all the reasons mentioned above, we can give no assurance that this additional financing for any of these purposes will be available on terms that are acceptable to us, or at all.
Certain of CenturyLink's and our debt instruments have cross payment default or cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. Any such event could adversely affect our ability to conduct business or access the capital markets and could adversely impact our credit ratings. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Liquidity and Capital Resources" in CenturyLink's quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC for additional information about CenturyLink's indebtedness.
In addition, our ability to borrow funds in the future will depend in part on the satisfaction of the covenants in our term loan and other debt instruments. If we are unable to satisfy the financial covenants contained in those instruments, or are unable to generate cash sufficient to make required debt payments, the parties to whom we are indebted could accelerate the maturity of some or all of our outstanding indebtedness. Certain of our debt instruments have cross-default or cross-acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument.
IfAs noted above, if we are unable to make required debt payments or refinance our debt, we would likely have to consider other options, such as selling assets, issuing additional securities, cutting costs or otherwise reducing our cash requirements, or negotiating with our lenders to restructure our applicable debt. The indentures governing our senior notes may restrict, or market or business conditions may limit, our ability to do some of these things on favorable terms, or at all.
Our debt agreements and the debt agreements of CenturyLink and its other subsidiaries allow us to incur significantly more debt, which could exacerbate the other risks described in this annual report.
The terms of our debt instruments and the debt instruments of CenturyLink and its other subsidiaries permit us to incur additional indebtedness. Additional debt may be necessary for many reasons, including those discussed above. Incremental borrowings that impose additional financial risks could exacerbate the other risks described in this annual report.
Any downgrade in our credit ratings could limit our ability to obtain future financing, increase our borrowing costs and adversely affect the market price of our existing debt securities or otherwise impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
As noted abovebelow in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report,annual report, our long-term debt is currently rated (i) BBB- by Standard and Poor's Ratings Services; Baa3 by Moody's Investors Services;Services and BBB- by Fitch Ratings, all threeboth of which are the lowest investment-gradeinvestment grade ratings issued by each of these agencies.agencies and (ii) Ba1 by Moody's Investors Service, Inc., which is a non-investment grade rating. If either Standard and Poor's Rating Services or Fitch Ratings assigned us a non-investment grade, we would no longer be viewed as an "investment grade" issuer and would lose the benefits attendant thereto. As noted elsewhere in this report, Fitch Ratings placed our current unsecured senior debt rating on negative watch and Moody's Investors Service, Inc. placed our current unsecured senior debt rating on review for downgrade following CenturyLink’s announcement of the Level 3 acquisition. Credit rating agencies continually review their ratings for the companies that they follow, including us. Credit rating agencies also evaluate the industries in which we operate as a whole and may change their credit rating for us based on their overall view of such industries. There can be no assurance that any rating assigned to any of ourthese debt securities will remain in effect for any given period of time or that any such ratingratings will not be lowered, suspended or withdrawn entirely by a rating agency if, in that rating agency's judgment, circumstances so warrant. A downgrade of our credit ratings could adversely affect the market price of some or all of our outstanding debt securities, limit our access to the capital markets or otherwise adversely affect the availability of other new financing on favorable terms, if at all, trigger the application of restrictive covenants in certain of our debt agreements or result in new or more restrictive covenants in agreements governing the terms of any future indebtedness that we may incur, increase our cost of borrowing, and impair our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business requires us to incur substantial capital and operating expenses, which reduce our available free cash flow.
Our business is capital intensive, and we anticipate that our capital requirements will continue to be significant in the coming years. As
We expect to invest additional capital to expand and enhance our network infrastructure as a result of several factors, including:
our regulatory commitments, including infrastructure construction requirements arising out of our participation in the FCC's CAF Phase 2 program, which are discussed further under "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Business—Increases in broadband usage may cause network capacity limitations, resulting in service disruptions, reduced capacity or slower transmission speeds for our customers," increased bandwidth consumption by consumers and businesses have placed herein;
increased demands on the transmission capacityby customers to transmit larger amounts of data at faster speeds;
changes in customers' service requirements;
technological advances of our networks. If we determine thatcompetitors; or
the development and launch of new services.
We may be unable to expand or adapt our networks must be expandednetwork infrastructure to handlerespond to these increased demandsdevelopments in a timely manner, at a commercially reasonable cost or if the FCC requires higher minimum transmission speeds to qualify as "broadband service", we may determine that substantial additional capital expenditures are required, even though there is no assurance that the returnon terms producing satisfactory returns on our investment will be satisfactory. In addition, many of our growth and modernization initiatives are capital intensive and changes in technology could require further spending. investment.
In addition to investing in expanded networks, new products or new technologies, we must from time to time invest capital to (i) replace some of our aging equipment that supports many of our legacy services that are experiencing revenue declines or (ii) convert older systems to simplify and modernize our network. While we believe that our currently planned level of capital expenditures will meet both our maintenance and core growth requirements, this may not be the case if demands on our network continue to accelerate or other circumstances underlying our expectations change. Increased spending could, among other things, adversely affect our operating margins, cash flows, results of operations and financial position.
Similarly, we continue to anticipate incurring substantial operating expenses to support our incumbent services and growth initiatives. Although we have successfully reduced certain of our operating expenses over the past few years, weWe may be unable to furthersufficiently manage or reduce these costs, even if revenues in some of our lines of business are decreasing. If so, our operating margins will be adversely impacted.
Adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with CenturyLink's qualified pension plan could negatively impact CenturyLink's liquidity, which may in turn affect our business and liquidity.
A substantial amount of our employees participate in a qualified pension plan sponsored by CenturyLink (formerly QCII). On December 31, 2014,that has assumed the QCIIobligations under Qwest Communications International Inc.'s ("QCII") predecessor pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan.plan.
The funded status of CenturyLink's qualified pension plan is the difference between the value of the plan's assets and the benefit obligation. The accounting unfunded status of CenturyLink's qualified pension plan was $2.4$2.352 billion as of December 31, 2014.2016. Adverse changes in interest rates or market conditions, among other assumptions and factors, could cause a significant increase in CenturyLink's benefit obligation or a significant decrease in the value of the plan's assets. These adverse changes could require CenturyLink to contribute a material amount of cash to its pension plan or could accelerate the timing of required cash payments. The amounts contributed by us through CenturyLink are not segregated or restricted and may be used to provide benefits to employees of CenturyLink's other subsidiaries. Based on current laws and circumstances, CenturyLink does not expect it will be required to make a contribution to its plan in 2015.2017. The actual amount of required contributions to its plan in 20152017 and beyond will depend on earnings on plan investments, prevailing interest and discount rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. Any future material cash contributions could have a negative impact on CenturyLink's liquidity by reducing their cash flows, which in turn could affect our liquidity.
CenturyLink and we plan to access the public debt markets, and we cannot assure you that these markets will remain free of disruptions.
CenturyLink and we have a significant amount of indebtedness that it intendswe both intend to refinance over the next several years, principally it expectswe expect through the issuance of debt securities of CenturyLink, us or both. CenturyLink's and our ability to arrange additional financing will depend on, among other factors, the financial position, performance, and credit ratings of CenturyLink and QC,Qwest Corporation, as well as prevailing market conditions and other factors beyond its or our control. Prevailing market conditions could be adversely affected by the ongoing disruptions in domestic or overseas sovereign or corporate debt markets, contractions or limited growth in the economy or other similar adverse economic developments in the U.S. or abroad. Instability in the global financial markets has from time to time resulted in periodic volatility in the capital markets. This volatility could limit CenturyLink's and our access to the credit markets, leading to higher borrowing costs or, in some cases, the inability to obtain financing on terms that are acceptable to it, or at all. Any such failure to obtain additional financing could jeopardize its and our ability to repay, refinance or reduce its or our debt obligations.
Other Risks
We regularly transfer our cash to CenturyLink, which exposes us to certain risks.
Under our cash management arrangement with CenturyLink, we regularly transfer our cash to CenturyLink, which we recognize on our consolidated balance sheets as advances to affiliates. Although CenturyLink periodically repays these advances to fund our cash requirements throughout the year, at any given point in time CenturyLink may owe us a substantial sum under this arrangement. Accordingly, developments that adversely impact CenturyLink could adversely impact our ability to collect these advances.
If conditions or assumptions differ from the judgments, assumptions or estimates used in our critical accounting policies, our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures could be materially affected.
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make judgments, assumptions and estimates that affect the amounts reported in our consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Our critical accounting policies, which are described in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report,annual report, describe those significant accounting policies and methods used in the preparation of our consolidated financial statements that are considered "critical" because they require judgments, assumptions and estimates that materially impact our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. As a result, if future events or assumptions differ significantly from the judgments, assumptions and estimates in our critical accounting policies, these events or assumptions could have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.
Lapses in disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting could materially and adversely affect our operations, profitability or reputation.
There can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will be effective in the future or that we will not experience a material weakness or significant deficiency in internal control over financial reporting. Any such lapses or deficiencies may materially and adversely affect our business, operating results or financial condition, restrict our ability to access the capital markets, require us to expend significant resources to correct the lapses or deficiencies, expose us to regulatory or legal proceedings, including litigation brought by private individuals, subject us to fines, penalties or judgments, harm our reputation, or otherwise cause a decline in investor confidence.
We have a significant amount of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets on our consolidated balance sheet. If our goodwill or other intangible assets become impaired, we may be required to record a significant charge to earnings and reduce our stockholders' equity.
As of December 31, 2014,2016, approximately 59%55% of our total consolidated assets reflected on the consolidated balance sheet included in this annual report consisted of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets. Under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, most of these intangible assets must be tested for impairment on an annual basis or more frequently whenever events or circumstances indicate that their carrying value may not be recoverable. From time to time, our affiliates or predecessors have recorded large non-cash charges to earnings in connection with required reductions of the value of their intangible assets. If our intangible assets are determined to be impaired in the future, we may similarly be required to record significant, non-cash charges to earnings during the period in which the impairment is determined to have occurred.
Tax audits or changes in tax laws could adversely affect us.
For periods after the April 1, 2011 closing of CenturyLink's acquisition of QCII, weWe are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CenturyLink. As such, we could be severally liable for tax examinations and adjustments attributable to other members of the QCII or CenturyLink affiliated groups,group, as applicable. Significant taxpayers (such as QCII for periods prior to the CenturyLink acquisition and CenturyLink for periods after the CenturyLink acquisition)CenturyLink) are subject to frequent and regular audits by the Internal Revenue Service as well as state and local tax authorities. These audits could subject us to tax liabilities if adverse positions are taken by these tax authorities.
Tax sharing agreements have been executed between QCII and previous affiliates, and QCII believes the liabilities, if any, arising from adjustments to previously filed returns would be borne by the affiliated group member determined to have a deficiency under the terms and conditions of such agreements and applicable tax law. We have not generally provided reserves for liabilities attributable to former affiliated companies or for claims they have asserted or may assert against us.
We believe that we have adequately provided for tax contingencies. However, CenturyLink's or QCII's tax audits and examinations may result in tax liabilities that differ materially from those that we have recognized in our consolidated financial statements. Because the ultimate outcomes of all of these matters are uncertain, we can give no assurance as to whether an adverse result from one or more of them will have a material effect on our financial results.
Legislators and regulators at all levels of government may from time to time change existing tax laws or regulations or enact new laws or regulations that could negatively impact our operating results or financial condition.
For information on risk faced by CenturyLink that could weaken its financial position (and thereby indirectly impact us), see the risk factor disclosures set forth in CenturyLink's annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Our property, plant and equipment consists principally of telephone lines, cable, central office equipment, land and buildings related to our operations. Our gross property, plant and equipment consisted of the following components: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| Land | 3 | % | | 3 | % | 3 | % | | 3 | % |
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant(1) | 42 | % | | 40 | % | 45 | % | | 44 | % |
Central office and other network electronics(2) | 30 | % | | 30 | % | 29 | % | | 30 | % |
Support assets(3) | 22 | % | | 24 | % | 20 | % | | 21 | % |
Construction in progress(4) | 3 | % | | 3 | % | 3 | % | | 2 | % |
| Gross property, plant and equipment | 100 | % | | 100 | % | 100 | % | | 100 | % |
| |
(1) | Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. |
| |
(2) | Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. |
| |
(3) | Support assets consist of buildings, computers and other administrative and support equipment. |
| |
(4) | Construction in progress includes inventory held for construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction. |
We own substantially all of our telecommunications equipment required for our business. However, we lease from third parties certain facilities, plant, equipment and software under various capital and operating lease arrangements when the leasing arrangements are more favorable to us than purchasing the assets. We also own and lease administrative offices in major metropolitan locations primarily within our local service area. Substantially all of our network electronics equipment is located in buildings or on land that we own or lease within our local service area. Outside of our local service area, our assets are generally located on real property pursuant to an agreement with the property owner or another person with rights to the property. It is possible that we may lose our rights under one or more of these agreements, due to their termination or expiration.expiration or in connection with legal challenges to our rights under such agreements.
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, ourOur net property, plant and equipment was approximately $7.2$7.6 billion for both fiscal years. and $7.4 billion at December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For additional information, see Note 5—Property, Plant and Equipment to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
The information contained under subheading "Legalthe subheadings "Pending Matters" and "Other Proceedings and Disputes" in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Not Applicable.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables of selected consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with, and are qualified by reference to, our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto in Item 8 of Part II and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
The comparabilitytables of the following selected financial data below is significantly impacted by CenturyLink's April 1, 2011 indirect acquisition of us and the resulting revaluation of our assets and liabilities. As a result of the acquisition, the following tables present certain selected financial data for two periods: predecessor and successor, which relate to the periods preceding the acquisition and the period succeeding the acquisition, respectively. The selected financial data shown below are derived from our audited consolidated financial statements. These historical results are not necessarily indicative of results that you can expect for any future period.
Selected financial information from our consolidated statements of operations is as follows: | | | | Successor(1) | | | Predecessor | Years Ended December 31,(1) |
| | Year
Ended
December 31,
2014 | | Year
Ended
December 31,
2013 | | Year
Ended
December 31,
2012 | | Nine Months
Ended
December 31,
2011 | | | Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2011 | | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | 2016(2)(3) | | 2015(2) | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
| | 6,635 |
| | | 2,268 |
| | 9,271 |
| $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
|
| Operating expenses | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
| | 5,436 |
| | | 1,630 |
| | 6,788 |
| 6,588 |
| | 6,704 |
| | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
|
| Operating income | $ | 2,112 |
| | 2,078 |
| | 1,905 |
| | 1,199 |
| | | 638 |
| | 2,483 |
| $ | 2,322 |
| | 2,260 |
| | 2,112 |
| | 2,078 |
| | 1,905 |
|
| Income before income tax expense | $ | 1,609 |
| | 1,566 |
| | 1,391 |
| | 892 |
| | | 490 |
| | 1,873 |
| $ | 1,763 |
| | 1,733 |
| | 1,609 |
| | 1,566 |
| | 1,391 |
|
| Net income | $ | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
| | 543 |
| | | 299 |
| | 1,082 |
| $ | 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
|
| |
(1) | See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Results of Operations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report for a discussion of unusual items affecting the results for the successor years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012.2014. |
| |
(2) | During 2016 and 2015, we recognized an incremental $95 million of revenue, for each period, associated with the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") Connect America Fund Phase 2 support program as compared to the interstate USF program. For additional information, see Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. |
| |
(3) | During 2016, we recognized $90 million of severance expenses and other one-time termination benefits associated with workforce reductions. |
Selected financial information from our consolidated balance sheets is as follows: | | | | Successor | | | Predecessor | As of December 31, |
| | December 31, 2014 | | December 31, 2013 | | December 31, 2012 | | December 31, 2011 | | | December 31, 2010 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Net property, plant and equipment | $ | 7,201 |
| | 7,208 |
| | 7,231 |
| | 7,506 |
| | | 10,160 |
| $ | 7,645 |
| | 7,374 |
| | 7,201 |
| | 7,208 |
| | 7,231 |
|
| Goodwill | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | | — |
| 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
|
Total assets | 22,457 |
| | 23,218 |
| | 23,947 |
| | 24,811 |
| | | 12,570 |
| 21,149 |
| | 21,470 |
| | 22,185 |
| | 22,965 |
| | 23,710 |
|
Total long-term debt(1)(2) | 7,379 |
| | 7,558 |
| | 7,625 |
| | 8,325 |
| | | 8,012 |
| 7,261 |
| | 7,239 |
| | 7,269 |
| | 7,464 |
| | 7,553 |
|
| Total stockholder's equity (deficit) | 9,183 |
| | 9,613 |
| | 9,974 |
| | 9,865 |
| | | (831 | ) | |
| Total stockholder's equity | | 8,692 |
| | 8,907 |
| | 9,183 |
| | 9,613 |
| | 9,974 |
|
| |
(1) | In 2015, we adopted both ASU 2015-03 "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs" and ASU 2015-17 "Balance Sheet Classification of Deferred Taxes" by retrospectively applying the requirements of the ASUs to our previously issued consolidated financial statements. The adoption of both ASU 2015-03 and ASU 2015-17 reduced total assets by $272 million, $253 million and $237 million in each year for the three years ended December 31, 2014, respectively, and ASU 2015-03 reduced total long-term debt by $110 million, $94 million and $72 million in each year for the three years ended December 31, 2014, respectively. |
| |
(2) | Total long-term debt is the sum of current maturities of long-term debt and long-term debt (excluding the note payable-affiliate of $796 million)balance) on our consolidated balance sheets. For additional information on our total long-term debt, see Note 3—Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. For total contractual obligations, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Future Contractual Obligations" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report. |
Selected financial information from our consolidated statements of cash flows is as follows: | | | | Successor | | | Predecessor | Years Ended December 31, |
| | Year
Ended
December 31,
2014 | | Year
Ended
December 31,
2013 | | Year
Ended
December 31,
2012 | | Nine Months
Ended
December 31,
2011 | | | Three Months
Ended
March 31,
2011 | | Year Ended December 31, 2010 | 2016 |
| 2015 |
| 2014 |
| 2013 |
| 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Other data: | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,801 |
| | 2,713 |
| | 2,774 |
| | 2,201 |
| | | 869 |
| | 3,235 |
| $ | 2,652 |
| | 2,591 |
| | 2,801 |
| | 2,713 |
| | 2,774 |
|
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,251 | ) | | (1,381 | ) | | (1,528 | ) | | (1,191 | ) | | | (335 | ) | | (1,256 | ) | (1,334 | ) | | (1,220 | ) | | (1,251 | ) | | (1,381 | ) | | (1,528 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,558 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (1,241 | ) | | (1,208 | ) | | | (525 | ) | | (2,801 | ) | (1,316 | ) | | (1,374 | ) | | (1,558 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (1,241 | ) |
| Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software | (1,165 | ) | | (1,264 | ) | | (1,266 | ) | | (1,036 | ) | | | (341 | ) | | (1,240 | ) | (1,259 | ) | | (1,247 | ) | | (1,165 | ) | | (1,264 | ) | | (1,266 | ) |
The following table presents certain of our selected operational metrics: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (in thousands) | (in thousands) |
| Operational metrics: | | | | |
Total access lines(1) | | 6,611 |
| | 6,997 | | 7,334 | | 7,641 | | 8,058 |
Total broadband subscribers(1) | 3,528 |
| | 3,429 | | 3,318 | 3,485 |
| | 3,546 | | 3,528 | | 3,429 | | 3,318 |
Total access lines(1) | 7,334 |
| | 7,641 | | 8,058 | |
| |
(1) | Broadband subscribers are customers that purchase high-speed Internet connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables and accessAccess lines are lines reaching from the customers' premises to a connection with the public network.network and broadband subscribers are customers that purchase broadband connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables. Our methodology for counting our access lines and broadband subscribers and access lines includes only those lines that we use to provide services to external customers and excludes lines used solely by us and our affiliates. It also excludes unbundled loops and includes stand-alone broadband subscribers. We count lines when we install the service. |
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
All references to "Notes" in this Item 7 of Part II refer to the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report. Certain statements in this Annual Reportannual report constitute forward-looking statements. See "Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Related Matters" in Item 1of Part I of this Annual Reportannual report for factors relating to these statements and "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Reportannual report for a discussion of certain risk factors applicable to our business, financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or prospects.
Overview
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our residential business, governmental and wholesalebusiness customers. Our communications services include local voice, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, Ethernet, information technology, video and wirelessother ancillary services. In certain local and regional markets, we also provide local access and fiber transport services to competitive local exchange carriers. We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide our customers with a complete offering of integrated communications services.
We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenues from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.
Our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, Inc. ("CenturyLink"), has cash management arrangements between certain of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, affiliates provide lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is advanced on a daily basis to CenturyLink. From time to time we may declare and pay dividends to Qwest Services Corporation ("QSC"), our direct parent, using cash repaidowed to us under these advances, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. We report the balance of these transfers on our consolidated balance sheet as advances to affiliates.
For the reasons noted in Note 9—Products and Services Revenues to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report,annual report, we believehave determined that we have one reportable segment.
At December 31, 2016, we operated approximately 6.6 million access lines and served approximately 3.5 million broadband subscribers. Our methodology for counting access lines and broadband subscribers, which is described further in the operational metrics table below under "Results of Operations", may not be comparable to those of other companies.
From time to time, we change the categorization of our products and services, and we may make similar changes in the future. During the second quarter of 2016, we determined that because of declines due to customer migration to other strategic products and services, certain of our services, specifically our private line (including special access) services, are more closely aligned with our legacy services than with our strategic services. As described in greater detail in Note 9—Products and Services Revenues, these operating revenues are now reflected as legacy services.
We categorize our products, services and revenues among the following three categories:
Strategic services, which include primarily broadband, private line (including special access), Ethernet, our commissions on satellite video services and Verizon Wirelessother ancillary services;
Legacy services, which include primarily local voice, private line (including special access), Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") (which usesuse regular telephone lines to support voice, video and data applications), switched access, and traditional wide area network ("WAN") services (which allow a local communications network to link to networks in remote locations); and other ancillary services; and
Affiliates and other services, which consist primarily of Connect America Fund ("CAF") support payments, Universal Service Fund ("USF") support andpayments, USF surcharges and services we provide to our affiliates. We receive federal support payments from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CAF program, and support payments from both federal and state USF programs. These support whichpayments are government subsidies designed to reimburse us for the portion of the cost of providingvarious costs related to certain telecommunications services, such asincluding the costs of deploying, maintaining and operating voice and broadband infrastructure in high-cost rural areas thatwhere we are not able to fully recover our costs from our customers. We also collect USF surcharges are the amount that we collect based on specific items we list on our customers' invoices to fund the FCC's universal service programs. We provide to our affiliates, telecommunication services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates, computer system development and support services, network support and technical services.
At December 31, 2014, we operated approximately 7.3 million access lines and served approximately 3.5 million broadband subscribers. Our methodology for counting broadband subscribers and access lines, which is described further in the operational metrics table below under "Results of Operations", may not be comparable to those of other companies.
The following analysis is organized to provide the information we believe will be useful for understanding material trends affecting our business.
Business Trends
Our financial results were impacted by several significant trends, which are described below. We expect that these trends will continue to affect our results of operations, cash flows or financial position.
Strategic services. We continue to see shifts in the makeup of our total revenues as customers move to lower margin strategic services, such as broadband and video services, from higher margin legacy services. Revenues from our strategic services represented 39%30%, 38%29% and 37%28% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Although we are experiencingWe continue to experience price compression due to competition, we expect these percentages to continue to grow.which has negatively impacted the growth of our strategic revenues. We continue to focus on increasing subscribers of our broadband services, particularly among consumer and small business customers. We believe that continually increasing our broadband'sthe scope and connection speeds of our broadband services is important to remaining competitive in our industry. As a result, we continue to invest in our broadband network, which allows for the delivery of higher speed broadband services to a greater number of customers. We compete in a maturing broadband market in which most customers already have broadband services and growth rates in new subscribers have slowed. Moreover, as described further in "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report,annual report, demand for our broadband services could be adversely affected by competitors continuing to provide services at higher average broadband speeds than ours or expanding their advanced wireless data service offerings. Another trend impacting our strategicWe face competition in Ethernet-based services isin the deployment of fiber-based special access services provided to wirelinewholesale market from cable companies and wireless carriers, which in many cases replaces existing copper-based special access services. We believe the growth in fiber-based special access services provided to wireline and wireless carriers for backhaul will partially offset the decline in copper-based special access services provided to wireline and wireless carriers as they migrate to Ethernet services, although the timing and magnitude of this technological migration remain uncertain;fiber based telecommunications providers;
Legacy services. Revenues from our legacy services represented 34%36%, 37%40% and 39%45% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, respectively. We expect these percentages to continue to decline. Our legacy services revenues have been, and we expect they will continue to be adversely affected by access line losses.losses and price compression. Intense competition and product substitution continue to drive our access line losses. For example, many consumers are replacing traditional voice telecommunications service with substitute services, including (i) cable and wireless voice services and (ii) electronic mail, texting and social networking services. We expect that these factors will continue to negatively impact our business. As a result of the expected loss of revenue associated with access lines, we continue to offer our customers service bundling and other product promotions to help mitigate this trend, as described below;below. Demand for our private line services (including special access) continues to decline due to customers' optimization of their networks, industry consolidation and technological migration to higher-speed services;
Affiliates and other services. Revenues from our affiliates and other services represented 34%, 31% and 27% of our total revenues for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively. We expect these percentages to continue to grow. Our affiliates continue to purchase additional services from us versus purchasing from third-party suppliers, which include telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers, computer system development, including support services, network support and technical services. We have also seen a recent increase in payments from both federal and state support programs, principally from the CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program. These support payments have increased significantly in 2016 and 2015, but are expected to remain flat or decrease slightly in the future.
Service bundling and product promotions. We offer our customers the ability to bundle multiple products and services. These customers can bundle local services with other services such as broadband video and wireless.video. While we believe our bundled service offerings can help retain customers, they also tend to lower our profit margins;margins due to the related discounts;
Operating efficiencies. We continue to evaluate our operating structure and focus. This involves balancing our workforce in response to our workload requirements, productivity improvements and changes in industry, competitive, technological and regulatory conditions;
Pension and post-retirement benefits expenses. Our controllingultimate parent companies,company, CenturyLink, and QCII, areis required to recognize in theirits consolidated financial statements certain income and expenses relating to theirits pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits plans. These income and expenses are calculated based on several assumptions, including among other things, discount rates, mortality rates and expected rates of return on plan assets that are generally reset at December 31 of each year. Changes in CenturyLink's and QCII's assumptions can cause significant changes inCenturyLink allocates the net periodic pension and post-retirement benefits income and expenses we recognize. CenturyLink and QCII allocate the income and expensesservice costs of these plans to us and certain of theirits other affiliates. The allocation of income and expensesservice costs to us is based upon the demographicsnumber of our employees and retirees. On December 31, 2014,who are currently earning benefits under the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan;plans; and
Disciplined capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures continue to be focused primarily on our strategic services such as broadband and the deployment of "fiber to the tower", which is a type of telecommunications network consisting of fiber-optic cables that run from a wireless carrier's mobile telephone switching office to cellular towers to enable the delivery of higher bandwidth services supporting mobile technologies than would otherwise generally be available through a more traditional copper-based telecommunications network.services.
While these trends are important to understanding and evaluating our financial results, the other transactions, events, uncertainties and trends discussed in "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Reportannual report may also materially impact our business operations and financial results.
Results of Operations
The following table summarizes the results of our consolidated operations:operations for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014: |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
|
| Operating expenses | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
|
| Operating income | 2,112 |
| | 2,078 |
| | 1,905 |
|
| Other expense, net | 503 |
| | 512 |
| | 514 |
|
| Income tax expense | 639 |
| | 602 |
| | 542 |
|
| Net income | $ | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
|
The following table presents certain of our selected operational metrics: |
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (in thousands) |
| Operational metrics: | | | | | |
Total broadband subscribers(1) | 3,528 |
| | 3,429 |
| | 3,318 |
|
Total access lines(1) | 7,334 |
| | 7,641 |
| | 8,058 |
|
| Total employees | 23.0 |
| | 22.8 |
| | 22.7 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2016(1)(2) | | 2015(1) | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Operating revenues | $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
|
| Operating expenses | 6,588 |
| | 6,704 |
| | 6,726 |
|
| Operating income | 2,322 |
| | 2,260 |
| | 2,112 |
|
| Other expense, net | 559 |
| | 527 |
| | 503 |
|
| Income tax expense | 678 |
| | 659 |
| | 639 |
|
| Net income | $ | 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
|
| |
(1) | Broadband subscribers are customers that purchase high-speed Internet connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cablesDuring 2016 and 2015, we recognized an incremental $95 million of revenue, for each period, associated with the FCC's Connect America Fund Phase 2 support program as compared to the interstate USF program. For additional information, see Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this annual report. |
| |
(2) | During 2016, we recognized $90 million of severance expenses and other one-time termination benefits associated with workforce reductions. |
The following table summarizes our access lines, broadband subscribers and number of employees: |
| | | | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (in thousands) |
| Operational metrics: | | | | | |
Total access lines(1) | 6,611 |
| | 6,997 |
| | 7,334 |
|
Total broadband subscribers(1) | 3,485 |
| | 3,546 |
| | 3,528 |
|
| Total employees | 22.0 |
| | 22.0 |
| | 23.0 |
|
| |
(1) | Access lines are lines reaching from the customers' premises to a connection with the public network.network and broadband subscribers are customers that purchase broadband connection service through their existing telephone lines, stand-alone telephone lines, or fiber-optic cables. Our methodology for counting our access lines and broadband subscribers and access lines includes only those lines that we use to provide services to external customers and excludes lines used solely by us and our affiliates. It also excludes unbundled loops and includes stand-alone broadband subscribers. We count lines when we install the service. |
Operating Revenues
The following tables summarize our consolidated operating revenues recorded under the followingour three revenue categorization:categories: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Strategic services | $ | 3,429 |
| | 3,342 |
| | 87 |
| | 3 | % | $ | 2,690 |
| | 2,610 |
| | 80 |
| | 3 | % |
| Legacy services | 2,987 |
| | 3,208 |
| | (221 | ) | | (7 | )% | 3,222 |
| | 3,600 |
| | (378 | ) | | (11 | )% |
| Affiliates and other services | 2,422 |
| | 2,203 |
| | 219 |
| | 10 | % | 2,998 |
| | 2,754 |
| | 244 |
| | 9 | % |
| Total operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 85 |
| | 1 | % | $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | (54 | ) | | (1 | )% |
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2015 | | 2014 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Strategic services | $ | 3,342 |
| | 3,265 |
| | 77 |
| | 2 | % | $ | 2,610 |
| | 2,449 |
| | 161 |
| | 7 | % |
| Legacy services | 3,208 |
| | 3,471 |
| | (263 | ) | | (8 | )% | 3,600 |
| | 3,967 |
| | (367 | ) | | (9 | )% |
| Affiliates and other services | 2,203 |
| | 2,112 |
| | 91 |
| | 4 | % | 2,754 |
| | 2,422 |
| | 332 |
| | 14 | % |
| Total operating revenues | $ | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
| | (95 | ) | | (1 | )% | $ | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
| | 126 |
| | 1 | % |
Strategic Services
Strategic services revenues increased by $87$80 million, or 3%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015. The increase in strategic services revenues for the year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to rate increases in broadband cost recovery fees, price increases for broadband services and volume increases in Ethernet services, which were partially offset by a decline in the number of broadband subscribers. Strategic service revenues increased by $77$161 million, or 2%7%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.2014. The increase in strategic services revenues for both periodsthe year ended December 31, 2015 was principally due to increases in the number of broadband subscribers, volume increases in our Ethernet services and pricefrom rate increases foron various services. These increases were substantially offset by volume decreases in our special access services.
Legacy Services
Legacy services revenues decreased by $221$378 million, or 7%11%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 and decreased by $263$367 million, or 8%9%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.2014. The decline in legacy services revenues for both periods was the result ofprimarily due to lower local voice services revenues due toresulting from access line loss, and reduced access services usage related to customer migration, competitive pressures and product substitution.reductions in the volumes of our private line (including special access) services, which were the result of the trends as further described in "Business Trends—Legacy services" above.
Affiliates and Other Services
Affiliates and other services revenues increased by $219$244 million, or 10%9%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 and increased by $91 million, or 4%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.2015. The increase in affiliates and other services revenues for both periodsthe year ended December 31, 2016 was primarily due to increases in volume and in the rates we charge for our support services we provide to affiliates. Affiliates and other revenue increased by $332 million, or 14%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase in affiliates and other services revenues for the year ended December 31, 2015 was primarily due to the additional revenue recorded under the FCC's CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program and increases in volume and in the rates we charge for our support services we provided to affiliates.
Due to potential differences in During 2015, we recorded $95 million more revenue than projected amounts we would have otherwise recorded during the accounting treatment, our future federalsame period under the interstate USF support revenues could be materially impacted whether we elect to receive or reject any specific opportunities to construct additional broadband service plant in unserved portions of our service areas under Phase 2 of the Federal Communications Commission's ("FCC") Connect America Fund ("CAF") program. For additional information about the potential revenue impact of the CAF Phase 2 support program, see the discussion below in "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Connect America Fund."
We are aggressively marketing our strategic services in an effort to partially offset the continuing declines in our legacy services.
Operating Expenses
The following tables summarize our consolidated operating expenses: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 2,879 |
| | 2,790 |
| | 89 |
| | 3 | % |
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,086 |
| | 1,062 |
| | 24 |
| | 2 | % |
| Operating expenses-affiliates | 756 |
| | 695 |
| | 61 |
| | 9 | % |
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,005 |
| | 2,128 |
| | (123 | ) | | (6 | )% |
| Total operating expenses | $ | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 51 |
| | 1 | % |
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 2,790 |
| | 2,868 |
| | (78 | ) | | (3 | )% | $ | 2,934 |
| | 2,872 |
| | 62 |
| | 2 | % |
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,062 |
| | 1,166 |
| | (104 | ) | | (9 | )% | 1,022 |
| | 1,015 |
| | 7 |
| | 1 | % |
| Operating expenses-affiliates | 695 |
| | 619 |
| | 76 |
| | 12 | % | 941 |
| | 960 |
| | (19 | ) | | (2 | )% |
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,128 |
| | 2,290 |
| | (162 | ) | | (7 | )% | 1,691 |
| | 1,857 |
| | (166 | ) | | (9 | )% |
| Total operating expenses | $ | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
| | (268 | ) | | (4 | )% | $ | 6,588 |
| | 6,704 |
| | (116 | ) | | (2 | )% |
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2015 | | 2014 | | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | $ | 2,872 |
| | 2,879 |
| | (7 | ) | | — | % |
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,015 |
| | 1,086 |
| | (71 | ) | | (7 | )% |
| Operating expenses-affiliates | 960 |
| | 756 |
| | 204 |
| | 27 | % |
| Depreciation and amortization | 1,857 |
| | 2,005 |
| | (148 | ) | | (7 | )% |
| Total operating expenses | $ | 6,704 |
| | 6,726 |
| | (22 | ) | | — | % |
32These expense classifications may not be comparable to those of other companies.
Cost of Services and Products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) are expenses incurred in providing products and services to our customers. These expenses include: employee-related expenses directly attributable to operating and maintaining our network (such as salaries, wages, benefits and professional fees); facilities expenses (which include third-party telecommunications expenses we incur for using other carriers' networks to provide services to our customers); rents and utilities expenses; equipment sales expenses (such as modem expenses); payments ofto universal service funds (which are federal and state funds that are established to promote the availability of telecommunications services to all consumers at reasonable and affordable rates, among other things, and to which we are often required to contribute); certain litigation expenses associated with our operations; and other expenses directly related to our operations.
Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) increased by $89$62 million, or 3%2%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 primarily due to increases in network expense, facility costs and allocated corporate costs from affiliates. The increase wasaffiliates, which were partially offset partially by a decreasereductions in employee-related expenses.customer premises equipment costs and payment processing fees. Costs of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) decreased by $78$7 million, or 3%less than 1%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20122014 primarily due to decreases in activesalaries and retiree benefits costs related towages from lower pension benefits expenseheadcount, professional fees and lower active and retiree healthcare benefits as a result of better than expected returns on plan assets and from favorable changes to discount rates, due to a reduction in severance expenses and due to lower access expense.contract labor. These decreases were substantially offset partially by increasesan increase in professional fees, network expenses, and real estate and power costs.allocated corporate costs from affiliates.
Selling, General and Administrative
Selling, general and administrative expenses are expenses incurred in selling products and services to our customers, corporate overhead and other operating expenses. These expenses include: employee-related expenses (such as salaries, wages, internal commissions, benefits and professional fees) directly attributable to selling products or services and employee-related expenses for administrative functions; marketing and advertising; property and other operating taxes and fees; external commissions; litigation expenses associated with general matters; bad debt expense; and other selling, general and administrative expenses.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by $24$7 million, or 2%1%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 primarily due to an increaseincreases in employee-relatedseverance expenses associated with workforce reductions and marketing and advertising, which were substantially offset by reductions in professional fees and property and other taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $71 million, or 7%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to decreases in salaries and wages from lower headcount, marketing and advertising, insurance and fees, and an impairment charge related to an office building, which was sold in the fourth quarter of 2014. These increasesdecreases were partially offset by decreasesincreases in marketingprofessional fees and advertising expenses and lower property and other operating taxes. Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased by $104 million, or 9%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to decreases in active and retiree benefit costs, as further described above in costs of services and products, due to a reduction in severance expenses, decreases in bad debt expensesexpense.
In 2015, CenturyLink changed its allocation methodology related to pension and property and other operating taxes. Higher external commissions partially offset these decreases.
CenturyLink and QCIIpost-retirement costs. In 2016, we recorded $59 million of service costs allocated the expense and income of theirto us from CenturyLink's centrally managed pension and post-retirement benefit plans to us based upon demographics of our employees compared to allwho are currently earning benefits under the remaining participants. The expenseplans, and income are a functionin 2015, we recorded $74 million of service costs using the amount of benefits earned, interest on benefit obligations, expected return on plan assets, amortization of costs and credits from prior benefit changes and amortization of actuarial gains and losses.same allocation methodology. In 2014, we recorded combined net periodic benefit expense of $30 million for the qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans; however,plans. Based on current circumstances, we recorded combined net periodic benefit incomeexpect to record service costs, allocated from CenturyLink, of $88 million and $11approximately $58 million in 20132017. Pension expense is allocated to cost of services and 2012, respectively. The 2014 net periodic benefit income of $28 million was more than offset by the $58 million of expense associated with the lump sum payments noted above under "Cost of Services and Productsproducts (exclusive of depreciation and amortization)." We expect and to record combined net periodic incomeselling, general and administrative in our consolidated statements of approximately $40 million in 2015.operations. For additional information on CenturyLink's change in allocation methodology, see Note 1—Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies to our consolidated financial statements and for additional information on our participation in CenturyLink's pension and post-retirement benefit plans, see Note 7—Employee Benefits to our consolidated financial statements, both of which are in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.
Non-recurring Operating Expenses Related to CenturyLink's Acquisition
We have incurred certain non-recurring operating expenses related to CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us, which consist primarily of integration and severance expenses. The table below summarizes our acquisition-related expenses: |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Acquisition-related expenses | $ | 13 |
| | 24 |
| | 39 |
|
The total amounts of these expenses are recognized in our cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of operations.annual report.
Operating Expenses-Affiliates
Since CenturyLink's acquisition of us, we have incurred affiliatesaffiliate expenses related to our use of telecommunication services, marketing and employee related support services provided by CenturyLink and its subsidiaries.
Operating expenses-affiliates increaseddecreased by $61$19 million, or 9%2%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 and2015 primarily due to decreases in the level of services provided to us by our affiliates. Operating expenses-affiliates increased by $76$204 million, or 12%27%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.2014. The increase in operating expenses-affiliates for both periods was primarily due to increases in the rates we are charged for support services and higher levels of services provided to us by affiliates.
Depreciation and Amortization
The following tables provide detail of our depreciation and amortization expense: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Depreciation | $ | 1,048 |
| | 1,099 |
| | (51 | ) | | (5 | )% | $ | 924 |
| | 986 |
| | (62 | ) | | (6 | )% |
| Amortization | 957 |
| | 1,029 |
| | (72 | ) | | (7 | )% | 767 |
| | 871 |
| | (104 | ) | | (12 | )% |
| Total depreciation and amortization | $ | 2,005 |
| | 2,128 |
| | (123 | ) | | (6 | )% | $ | 1,691 |
| | 1,857 |
| | (166 | ) | | (9 | )% |
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2015 | | 2014 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Depreciation | $ | 1,099 |
| | 1,175 |
| | (76 | ) | | (6 | )% | $ | 986 |
| | 1,048 |
| | (62 | ) | | (6 | )% |
| Amortization | 1,029 |
| | 1,115 |
| | (86 | ) | | (8 | )% | 871 |
| | 957 |
| | (86 | ) | | (9 | )% |
| Total depreciation and amortization | $ | 2,128 |
| | 2,290 |
| | (162 | ) | | (7 | )% | $ | 1,857 |
| | 2,005 |
| | (148 | ) | | (7 | )% |
Annual depreciation expense is impacted by several factors, including changes in our depreciable cost basis, changes in our estimates of the remaining economic life of certain network assets and the addition of new plant. Depreciation expense decreased by $51$62 million, or 5%6%, for each of the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015 as compared to the respective prior years. The depreciation expense related to our plant was lower for both periods due to full depreciation and retirement of certain plant placed in service prior to 2016 and 2015. The decrease in both periods was partially offset by an increase in depreciation expense attributable to new plant placed in service during these respective years.
Amortization expense decreased by $104 million, or 12%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013. The 2014 depreciation expense was lower than the respective prior period depreciation expense due to our plant aging2015 and becoming fully depreciated or retired which was partially offset by new plant additions in 2014 and changes in the estimated lives of certain property, plant and equipment. During January 2014, we implemented changes in estimates that reduced the remaining economic lives of certain switch and circuit network equipment which resulted in increased 2014 annual depreciation expense. Depreciation expense decreased by $76$86 million, or 6%9%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012. This decrease in depreciation expense is primarily due to depreciation rate changes of certain telecommunications equipment. The rate changes were the result of our aged investment in plant becoming fully depreciated or retired at a faster rate than the addition of new plant.
Amortization expense decreased by $72 million, or 7%, for the year ended December 31, 2014 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013 and decreased by $86 million, or 8%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012.2014. The decrease in amortization expense for both periods was primarily due to the use of accelerated amortization methods for a portion of theour customer relationship assets. The effect of using an accelerated amortization method results in an incremental decline in expense each period as the intangible assets amortize. In addition, amortization of capitalized software was lower in both periods due to our software investments becoming fully amortized faster than new software was acquired.acquired or developed.
Other Consolidated Results
The following tables summarize our total other expense, net and income tax expense: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Interest expense | $ | (464 | ) | | (450 | ) | | 14 |
| | 3 | % | $ | (478 | ) | | (473 | ) | | 5 |
| | 1 | % |
| Interest expense-affiliates | (40 | ) | | (64 | ) | | (24 | ) | | (38 | )% | (59 | ) | | (53 | ) | | 6 |
| | 11 | % |
| Other income | 1 |
| | 2 |
| | (1 | ) | | (50 | )% | |
| Other (expense) income, net | | (22 | ) | | (1 | ) | | 21 |
| | nm |
|
| Total other expense, net | $ | (503 | ) | | (512 | ) | | (9 | ) | | (2 | )% | $ | (559 | ) | | (527 | ) | | 32 |
| | 6 | % |
| Income tax expense | $ | 639 |
| | 602 |
| | 37 |
| | 6 | % | $ | 678 |
| | 659 |
| | 19 |
| | 3 | % |
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | | % Change |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2015 | | 2014 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | | | (Dollars in millions) | | |
| Interest expense | $ | (450 | ) | | (443 | ) | | 7 |
| | 2 | % | $ | (473 | ) | | (464 | ) | | 9 |
| | 2 | % |
| Interest expense-affiliates | (64 | ) | | (24 | ) | | 40 |
| | 167 | % | (53 | ) | | (40 | ) | | 13 |
| | 33 | % |
| Net loss on early retirement of debt | — |
| | (47 | ) | | (47 | ) | | nm |
| |
| Other income | 2 |
| | — |
| | 2 |
| | nm |
| |
| Other (expense) income, net | | (1 | ) | | 1 |
| | (2 | ) | | nm |
|
| Total other expense, net | $ | (512 | ) | | (514 | ) | | (2 | ) | | — | % | $ | (527 | ) | | (503 | ) | | 24 |
| | 5 | % |
| Income tax expense | $ | 602 |
| | 542 |
| | 60 |
| | 11 | % | $ | 659 |
| | 639 |
| | 20 |
| | 3 | % |
nm-Percentages greater than 200% and comparisons between positive and negative values or to/from zero values are considered not meaningful.
Interest Expense
Interest expense increased by $14$5 million, or 3%1%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 primarily due to a reduction in the amount of net premium amortization recorded at acquisition due to the early retirement of several issuances of debt during 2016, which had the effect of increasing expense. Interest expense increased by $9 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014 primarily due to a reduction in the amortization of debt premiums, and to a slightly higher average interest rate. Interest expense increased by $7 million, or 2%, for the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to a reduction in the amortization of debt premiumswhich was partially offset by slightly lower average debt outstanding.bond coupon rates. See Note 3—Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report and Liquidity and Capital Resources below for additional information about our debt.
Interest Expense-Affiliates, Net
Affiliate interest expense decreasedincreased by $24$6 million, or 38%11%, for the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 primarily due to an accounting adjustment.the increase in the average amount outstanding on our intercompany revolving indebtedness. Affiliate interest expense increased by $40$13 million, or 167%33%, for the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20122014 primarily due to an increaseaccounting adjustment in our note payable-affiliate.2014.
Other (Expense) Income, Net Loss
Other (expense) income, net increased by $21 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 substantially due to losses on Early Retirementearly retirement of Debtdebt. Other (expense) income, net remained relatively unchanged for the year ended December 31, 2015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
On July 20, 2012, we redeemed all $484 million of our 7.50% Notes due 2023, which resulted in an immaterial loss.
On April 18, 2012, we completed a premium-priced cash tender offer to purchase a portion of our $811 million of 8.375% Notes due 2016 and our $400 million of 7.625% Notes due 2015. With respect to our 8.375% Notes due 2016, we received and accepted tenders of approximately $575 million aggregate principal amount of these notes, or 71%, for $722 million including a premium, fees and accrued interest. With respect to our 7.625% Notes due 2015, we received and accepted tenders of approximately $308 million aggregate principal amount of these notes, or 77%, for $369 million including a premium, fees and accrued interest. The completion of this tender offer resulted in a loss of $46 million.
Income Tax Expense
Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2016, was $678 million, or an effective tax rate of 38.5%, compared to $659 million, or an effective tax rate of 38.0%, for the year ended December 31, 2015. The increase in the 2016 effective tax rate is primarily due to a reduction in research and development credits generated. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $639 million, or an effective tax rate of 39.7%, compared to $602 million, or an effective tax rate of 38.4%, for the year ended December 31, 2013.. The increasedecrease in the 20142015 effective tax rate is primarily due to a benefit from research and development credits, a smaller tax on a dividend from a foreign subsidiary and a smaller change in the deferredto state rate due toincome taxes from changes in apportionment and statutory rate changes and a change in the uncertain tax position as a result of audit settlements. Income tax expense for the year ended December 31, 2012 was $542 million, or an effective tax rate of 39.0%. The decrease in the 2013 effective tax rate is primarily due to a decrease in the state deferred rate.apportionment.
For additional information on income taxes, see Note 11—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles that are generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these consolidated financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of our assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses. We have identified certain policies and estimates as critical to our business operations and the understanding of our past or present results of operations related to (i) goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets; (ii) property, plant and equipment; (iii) pension and post-retirement benefits; (iv) affiliatesaffiliate transactions; (v) Connect America Fund; and (v)(vi) income taxes. These policies and estimates are considered critical because they had a material impact, or they have the potential to have a material impact, on our consolidated financial statements and because they require us to make significant judgments, assumptions or estimates. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions made when accounting for the items described below were reasonable, based on information available at the time they arewere made. However, there can be no assurance that actual results will not differ from those estimates.
OurCenturyLink's 2011 acquisition of us resulted in the assignment of the aggregate consideration to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on estimates of their acquisition date fair values. The fair value of the aggregate consideration transferred exceeded the acquisition date fair value of the recorded tangible and intangible assets and assumed liabilities by an estimated $9.354 billion, which has been recognized as goodwill. This goodwill is attributable to strategic benefits, including enhanced financial and operational scale, market diversification and leveraged combined networks that we expect to realize. None of the goodwill associated with this acquisition is deductible for income tax purposes. The aggregate consideration assignment iswas based on our final analysis of enterprise value of $18.639 billionbillion.
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets
We amortize customer relationships primarily over estimated lives of ten years, using either the sum-of-the-years-digits or the straight-line methods, depending on the type of customer. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years. We annually review the estimated lives and methods used to amortize our other intangible assets.assets, primarily capitalized software. The amount of future amortization expense may differ materially from current amounts, depending on the results of our annual reviews.
We are required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if eventsan event occurs or acircumstances change in circumstancesthat would indicate that an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. Our annual assessment date for testing goodwill impairment is October 31. The impairment assessment is done at the reporting unit level; in reviewing the criteria for reporting units when assigning the goodwill resulting from CenturyLink's acquisition of us, we determined that we are one reporting unit.
As ofAt October 31, 2014,2016, we performed our annual impairment assessment and concluded that our goodwill was not impaired and the estimated fair value of our equity iswas substantially in excess of our carrying value of equity as of that date.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we elected to change the date of our annual assessment of goodwill impairment from September 30 to October 31. This is a change in method of applying an accounting principle which management believes is a preferable alternative as the new date of the assessment is more closely aligned with our strategic planning process. The change in the assessment date did not delay, accelerate or avoid a potential impairment charge in 2013. We performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment at September 30, 2013, prior to the change in our annual assessment date. We then performed a qualitative assessment of our goodwill as of October 31 and concluded that our goodwill was not impaired as of either date.
We may be required to assess our goodwill for impairment before our next required assessment date of October 31, 20152017 under certain circumstances, including any failure to meet our forecasted future operating results or any significant increases in our weighted average cost of capital. In addition, we cannot assure that adverse conditions will not trigger future goodwill impairment assessments or impairment charges. A number of factors, many of which we cannot control, could affect our financial condition, operating results and business prospects and could cause our actual results to differ from the estimates and assumptions we employed in our goodwill impairment assessment. These factors include, but are not limited to, (i) further weakening in the overall economy; (ii) a significant decline in our ultimate parent's, CenturyLink, stock price and resulting market capitalization;capitalization as a result of an adverse change to our overall business operations; (iii) changes in the discount rate we use in our testing; (iv) successful efforts by our competitors to gain market share in our markets; (v) adverse changes as a result of regulatory or legislative actions; and (vi) a significant adverse change in our legal affairs or in the overall business climate; and (vii) recognition of a goodwill impairment loss in the financial statements of a subsidiary that is a component of our reporting unit.climate. For additional information, see "Risk Factors" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report. We will continue to monitor certain events that impact our operations to determine if an interim assessment of goodwill impairment should be performed prior to the next required assessment date of October 31, 2015.2017.
Property, Plant and Equipment
As a result of our indirect acquisition by CenturyLink, property, plant and equipment owned at the time of acquisition was recorded based on its estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. PurchasedSubsequently purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Renewals and betterments of plant and equipment are capitalized while repairs, as well as renewals of minor items, are charged to operating expense. Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is provided on the straight-line method using class or overall group rates. The group method provides for the recognition of the remaining net investment, less anticipated net salvage value, over the remaining useful life of the assets. This method requires the periodic revision of depreciation rates.
Normal retirements of property, plant and equipment are charged against accumulated depreciation, with no gain or loss recognized. We depreciate such property on the straight-line method over estimated service lives ranging from 4 to 45 years.
We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews utilize models that take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history, assumptions about technology evolution and, in certain instances, actuarially determined probabilities to estimate the remaining life of our asset base.
Due to rapid changes in technology and the competitive environment, determining the estimated economic life of telecommunications plant equipment and softwareequipment requires a significant amount of judgment. We regularly review data on utilization of equipment, asset retirements and salvage values to determine adjustments to our depreciation rates. The effect of a hypothetical one year increase or decrease in the estimated remaining useful lives of our property, plant and equipment would have decreased depreciation expense by approximately $150$110 million annually or increased depreciation expense by approximately $200$150 million annually, respectively.
Pension and Post-retirement Benefits
A substantial amountnumber of our employees participate in the CenturyLink and QCII pension and post-retirement benefit plans. CenturyLink and QCII allocate the income and expenseallocates service costs relating to pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to us.us based upon the number of our employees who are currently earning benefits under the plans. Any amounts contributed by us through CenturyLink and QCII are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to employees of other CenturyLink affiliates. The allocation of income and expense to us is based upon demographics of our employees and retirees compared to all the remaining participants.
In computing the periodic pension and post-retirement benefits income and expense, the most significant assumptions CenturyLink and QCII makemakes are the discount rate and the expected rate of return on plan assets. Changes in either of these assumptions could significantly impact our general, administrative and other operating expenses. For further discussion of the qualified pension non-qualified pension and post-retirement benefit plans and the critical accounting estimates, see CenturyLink's Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016.
Affiliate Transactions
We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. Regulatory rules require certain expenses to be recorded at market price or fully distributed cost. Our compliance with regulations is subject to review by regulators. Adjustments to intercompany charges that result from these reviews are recorded in the period they become known.
Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our other affiliatesaffiliate transactions, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented. See Note 10—Affiliate Transactions to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report for additional information.
Connect America Fund
In 2015, CenturyLink accepted CAF funding from the FCC of approximately $500 million per year for six years to fund the deployment of voice and broadband capable infrastructure for approximately 1.2 million rural households and businesses (living units) in 33 states under the CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program. Of these amounts, approximately $150 million is attributable to our service area, to provide service to approximately 0.3 million rural households and businesses in 13 states. This program provides a monthly high-cost subsidy similar to the support provided by the FCC’s previous cost reimbursement programs. Although we believe that there is no specific authoritative U.S. GAAP guidance for the treatment of government assistance, we identified three acceptable methods to account for these funds: (1) recognize revenue when entitled to receive cash, (2) defer cash received until the living units are enabled to receive the service at the FCC specified level, or (3) record the cash received as contra capital. After assessing these alternatives, we have determined that we will recognize CAF Phase 2 funds each month as revenue when we are entitled to receive the cash less a deferred amount. The amount of revenue deferred in 2016 was approximately $4 million. We believe our recognition methodology is consistent with other companies in our industry in the United States, but may not necessarily be consistent with companies outside the United States that receive similar government funding, and we cannot provide assurances to this effect.
In computing the amount of revenue to recognize, we assume that we will not be able to economically enable 100% of the required living units in every state with voice and broadband capabilities under the CAF Phase 2 program. We defer recognition of the funds related to potential living units that we estimate we will not enable until we can with reasonable assurance determine that we can fully meet the enablement targets. As disclosed elsewhere herein, in some limited instances, a portion of the funds must be returned if enablement targets are not attained. Based on estimated enablement, the effect of a hypothetical 1% decrease in our estimate of living units we will not enable with voice and broadband capabilities under the CAF Phase 2 program would have increased our revenue by $1 million in 2016 and a 1% increase would have decreased our revenue by $3 million in 2016.
For additional information about the CAF Phase 2 support program, see the discussion below in "Liquidity and Capital Resources—Connect America Fund."
Income Taxes
Until April 1, 2011, we were included in the consolidated federal income tax return of QCII. Since CenturyLink's acquisition of QCII on April 1, 2011, weWe are included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CenturyLink. Under CenturyLink's tax allocation policy, CenturyLink treats our consolidated results as if we were a separate taxpayer. The policy requires us to settle our tax liabilities through a change in our general intercompany obligation based upon our separate return taxable income. We are also included in the combined state tax returns filed by CenturyLink and the same payment and allocation policy applies. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return allocation method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, CenturyLink, rather than tax authorities. CenturyLink does have the right to change their policy regarding settlement of these assets and liabilities at any time.
Our provision for income taxes includes amounts for tax consequences deferred to future periods. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to tax credit carryforwards and differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
The measurement of deferred taxes often involves the exercise of considerable judgment related to the realization of tax basis. Our deferred tax assets and liabilities reflect our assessment that tax positions taken in filed tax returns and the resulting tax basis, are more likely than not to be sustained if they are audited by taxing authorities. Also, assessingAssessing tax rates that we expect to apply and determining the years when the temporary differences are expected to affect taxable income requires judgment about the future apportionment of our income among the states in which we operate. Any changes in our practices or judgments involved in the measurement of deferred tax assets and liabilities could materially impact our financial condition or results of operations. See Note 11—Income Taxes to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report for additional information.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Overview
We are an indirectly wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink. As such, factors relating to, or affecting, CenturyLink's liquidity and capital resources could have material impacts on us, including impacts on our credit ratings, our access to capital markets and changes in the financial market's perception of us.
CenturyLink has cash management arrangements between certain of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate advances and obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, affiliates provide lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is advanced on a daily basis to CenturyLink. From time to time we may declare and pay dividends to our stockholder, Qwest Service Corporation ("QSC"),QSC, sometimes in excess of our earnings to the extent permitted by applicable law, using cash owed to us under these advances, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. Our debt covenants do not currently limit the amount of dividends we can pay to QSC. Given our cash management arrangement with our ultimate parent, CenturyLink, and the resulting amounts due to us from CenturyLink, a significant component of our liquidity is dependent upon CenturyLink's ability to repay its obligation to us.
As of December 31, 2014,2016, we had a working capital deficit of $0.5$1.090 billion, reflecting current liabilities of $2.3$2.796 billion and current assets of $1.8$1.706 billion, compared to a working capital deficit of $0.9 billion$820 million as of December 31, 2013. The increase in our working capital position is primarily due to a decrease in the current maturities of long-term debt of $520 million.2015. We have historically operated with a working capital deficit due to our practice of declaring and paying regular cash dividends to QSC. As long as we continue declaring and paying cash dividends to QSC, it is likely that we will continue to operate with a working capital deficit in the future. We anticipate that our future liquidity needs will be met through (i) our cash provided by our operating activities, (ii) amounts due to us from CenturyLink, (iii) our ability to refinance QC's debt securities at maturity and (iii)(iv) capital contributions, advances or loans from CenturyLink or its affiliates if and to the extent they have available funds that they are willing and able to contribute, advance or loan.loan to us.
Capital Expenditures
We incur capital expenditures on an ongoing basis in order to enhance and modernize our networks, compete effectively in our markets and expand our service offerings. CenturyLink evaluates capital expenditure projects based on a variety of factors, including expected strategic impacts (such as forecasted impact on revenue growth, productivity, expenses, service levels and customer retention) and the expected return on investment. The amount of CenturyLink's consolidated capital investment is influenced by, among other things, demand for CenturyLink's services and products, cash flow generated by operating activities, cash required for other purposes and regulatory considerations.considerations (such as our CAF Phase 2 infrastructure buildout requirements). Based on the type and volume of services we provide, approximately 40%38% to 43% of CenturyLink's annual consolidated capital expenditures have been attributed over the last couple oftwo years to us for use in our operations. For more information on CenturyLink's total capital expenditures, please see its annual and quarterly reports filed with the SEC.
Our capital expenditures continue to be focused on our strategic services primarily our broadband services, fiber to the tower and software development.services. For more information on our capital spending, see "Business" and "Risk Factors" in Items 1 and 1A, respectively, of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Debt and Other Financing Arrangements
CenturyLink has a revolving credit facility (the "Credit Facility") maturing December 2019 that allows CenturyLink to borrow up to $2 billion, including $400 million of letter of credit capacity, for the general corporate purposes of itself and its subsidiaries. CenturyLink also maintains a separate letter of credit arrangement with a financial institution amounting to $160 million to which we have access. As of December 31, 2014,2016, CenturyLink had approximately $1.3$1.630 billion and $36 million available for future use under the Credit Facility and the separate letter of credit arrangement, respectively.Facility.
Under the Credit Facility, CenturyLink and we, must maintain a debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined in our Credit Facility) ratio of not more than 4.0:1.0 and 2.85:1.0, respectively, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the four quarters then ended. The Credit Facility also contains a negative pledge covenant, which generally requires CenturyLink to secure equally and ratably any advances under the Credit Facility if they pledge assets or permit liens on our property for the benefit of other debtholders. The Credit Facility also has a cross payment default provision, and the Credit Facility and certain of our debt securities also have cross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or acceleration of a single debt instrument. To the extent that our EBITDA (as defined in our Credit Facility) is reduced by cash settlements or judgments, including in respect of any of the matters discussed in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report or in Item 8 of CenturyLink's Annual Report on Form 10-K, ourOur debt to EBITDA ratios under certain debt agreements willcould be adversely affected.affected by a wide variety of events, including unforeseen expenses or contingencies. This could reduce our financing flexibility due to potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our debt agreements or, in certain circumstances, could result in a default under certain provisions of such agreements.
As of December 31, 2014, our long-term debt (including current maturities and excluding note payable to affiliate discussed in "Revolving Promissory Note") totaled $7.379 billion, compared to $7.558 billion outstanding as of December 31, 2013.
Approximately $92 million of our 7.625% senior notes will mature on June 15, 2015.
On February 20, 2015, we entered into a new credit agreement with several lenders that allows us to borrow up to $100 million under a term loan. Under this new credit agreement, we borrowed $100 million under a ten-year term note that expires on February 20, 2025.
Subject to market conditions, and to the extent feasible, we expect to continue to issue debt securities from time to time in the future to refinance a substantial portion of our maturing debt. The availability, interest rate and other terms of any new borrowings will depend on the ratings assigned to us by credit rating agencies, among other factors. For further information on our debt maturities, see below "Future Contractual Obligations."Obligations" below.
We believe we were in compliance with all provisions and covenants of our debt agreements as of December 31, 2014.2016. See Note 3—Long-Term Debt to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report for additional information about our long-term debt.
As of the date of this Annual Report,annual report, the credit ratings for ourQwest Corporation's senior unsecured debt were as follows: |
| |
| Agency | QC |
| Standard & Poor's | BBB- |
Moody's Investors Service, Inc.(1) | Baa3Ba1 |
| Fitch Ratings | BBB- |
| |
(1) | On March 15, 2016, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. downgraded CenturyLink, Inc.'s rating from Ba2 to Ba3 and downgraded Qwest Corporation's rating from Baa3 to Ba1. |
OurQwest Corporation 's credit ratings are reviewed and adjusted from time to time by the rating agencies, and downgrades could impact CenturyLink's and ourQwest Corporation's access to debt capital or further raise CenturyLink's and ourQwest Corporation's borrowing costs. Any such downgrades of CenturyLink's senior unsecured debt ratings could, under certain circumstances, incrementally increase the cost of CenturyLink's borrowing under its revolving credit facility, which could indirectly impact us. See "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting our Liquidity and Capital Resources" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Following the announcement of CenturyLink, Inc.'s pending acquisition of Level 3 Communications, Inc. ("Level 3"), Standard & Poor's indicated that CenturyLink, Inc.'s current unsecured senior debt rating of BB has been placed on watch with negative implications, Moody's Investors Service, Inc. indicated that CenturyLink, Inc.'s current senior unsecured debt rating of Ba3 has been placed on review for downgrade and Fitch Ratings indicated that CenturyLink, Inc.'s current unsecured senior debt rating of BB+ has been placed on negative watch. Additionally, Qwest Corporation's current unsecured senior debt rating of Ba1 has been placed on review for downgrade by Moody's Investors Service, Inc. and Qwest Corporation's current unsecured senior debt rating of BBB- has been placed on negative watch by Fitch Ratings. It is expected that any downgrades would be made only following the completion of the Level 3 acquisition.
Term Loan
In 2015, Qwest Corporation entered into a term loan in the amount of $100 million with CoBank, ACB. The outstanding unpaid principal amount of this term loan plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due on February 20, 2025. Interest is paid monthly based upon either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the base rate (as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin between 1.50% to 2.50% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.50% to 1.50% per annum for base rate loans depending on our then current senior unsecured long-term debt rating. At both December 31, 2016 and 2015, the outstanding principal balance on this term loan was $100 million.
Revolving Promissory Note
We areQwest Corporation is currently indebted to an affiliate of CenturyLink under a revolving promissory note that provides usQwest Corporation with a funding commitment of up to $1.0 billion in aggregate principal amount through June 30, 2022, of which $796$914 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2014.2016. The revolving promissory note is due on demand and ranks equally to ourQwest Corporation's outstanding Senior Notes. Interest is accrued on the outstanding balance using a weighted average per annum interest rate of CenturyLink's outstanding borrowings for the interest period. As of December 31, 2014,2016, the weighted average interest rate was 6.657%6.678%. As of December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, this revolving promissory note is reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a current liability under "Note payable-affiliate".note payable-affiliate. As of December 31, 2014, $92016, $5 million of accrued interest is reflected in other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.sheets.
Dividends
We periodically pay dividends to our direct parent company. See Note 13—Stockholder's Equity to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.annual report.
Future Contractual Obligations
The following table summarizes our estimated future contractual obligations as of December 31, 2014:2016: | | | | 2015 | | 2016 | | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 and thereafter | | Total | 2017 | | 2018 | | 2019 | | 2020 | | 2021 | | 2022 and thereafter | | Total |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
Long-term debt, including current maturities and capital lease obligations (1) | $ | 117 |
| | 237 |
| | 500 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 6,489 |
| | 7,343 |
| |
Long-term debt (1)(2) | | $ | 514 |
| | 10 |
| | 4 |
| | — |
| | 951 |
| | 5,912 |
| | 7,391 |
|
Interest on long-term debt and capital leases(2) | 508 |
| | 491 |
| | 465 |
| | 452 |
| | 452 |
| | 9,865 |
| | 12,233 |
| 477 |
| | 463 |
| | 463 |
| | 463 |
| | 429 |
| | 10,579 |
| | 12,874 |
|
| Note payable-affiliate | 796 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 796 |
| 914 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 914 |
|
| Interest on note payable-affiliate | 9 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 9 |
| 5 |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | — |
| | 5 |
|
| Operating leases | 56 |
| | 50 |
| | 44 |
| | 38 |
| | 27 |
| | 36 |
| | 251 |
| 51 |
| | 47 |
| | 40 |
| | 33 |
| | 17 |
| | 38 |
| | 226 |
|
Purchase commitments(3) | 50 |
| | 43 |
| | 29 |
| | 10 |
| | 6 |
| | 1 |
| | 139 |
| 55 |
| | 29 |
| | 11 |
| | 4 |
| | 1 |
| | 3 |
| | 103 |
|
Non-qualified pension obligations(4) | 3 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | 5 |
| | 15 |
| |
Affiliate obligations, net(4) | | 87 |
| | 75 |
| | 70 |
| | 65 |
| | 61 |
| | 621 |
| | 979 |
|
| Other | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | 2 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | 13 |
| | 21 |
| 3 |
| | 2 |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 1 |
| | 14 |
| | 22 |
|
Total future contractual obligations(5) | $ | 1,541 |
| | 824 |
| | 1,042 |
| | 504 |
| | 487 |
| | 16,409 |
| | 20,807 |
| $ | 2,106 |
| | 626 |
| | 589 |
| | 566 |
| | 1,460 |
| | 17,167 |
| | 22,514 |
|
| |
(1) | Long-term debt, includingIncludes current maturities and capital lease obligation (excludingobligations, but excludes unamortized premiums, discounts, and other, net and excludingunamortized debt issuance costs and excludes note payable-affiliate).payable-affiliate. |
| |
(2) | Actual principal and interest paid in all years may differ due to future refinancing of outstanding debt or issuance of new debt. |
| |
(3) | We have various long-term, non-cancelable purchase commitments for advertising and promotion services, including advertising and marketing at sports arenas and other venues and events. We also have service relatedservice-related commitments with various vendors for data processing, technical and software support services. Future payments under certain service contracts will vary depending on our actual usage. In the table above, we estimated payments for these service contracts based on estimates of the level of services we expect to receive. |
| |
(4) | Reflects onlyThe affiliate obligations, net primarily represents the portioncumulative allocation of total obligation that is contractualexpense attributable to our employees, net of payments, associated with QCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans prior to the plans being merged into CenturyLink's benefit plans. See additional information on CenturyLink’s employee benefit plans in nature. See Note 5 below.7—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of CenturyLink’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016; |
| |
(5) | The table is limited solely to contractual payment obligations only and does not include: |
contingent liabilities;
our open purchase orders as of December 31, 2014.2016. These purchase orders are generally issued at fair value, and are generally cancelable without penalty;
other long-term liabilities, such as accruals for legal matters and other taxes that are not contractual obligations by nature. We cannot determine with any degree of reliability the years in which these liabilities might ultimately settle;
affiliate cash funding requirements for qualified pension benefits payable to certain eligible current and future retirees allocated to us by CenturyLink. Benefits paid by CenturyLink’s qualified pension plan are paid through a trust. Cash funding requirements for this trust are not included in this table as CenturyLink is not able to reliably estimate required contributions to the trust. CenturyLink's cash funding projections are discussed further below;
affiliate post-retirement benefits payable to certain eligible current and future retirees. Not all of CenturyLink’s post-retirement benefit obligation amount is a contractual obligation and are not contractual obligations of ours and therefore are not reported in the table. See additional information on CenturyLink’s benefits plans in Note 7—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of CenturyLink’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014;
contract termination fees. These fees are non-recurring payments, the timing and payment of which, if any, is uncertain. In the ordinary course of business and to optimize our cost structure, we enter into contracts with terms greater than one year to purchase other goods and services. Assuming we terminate these contracts in 2015,2017, termination fees for these contracts to purchase goods and services would be approximately $111$81 million. In the normal course of business, we do not believe payment of these fees is likely;
service level commitments to our customers, the violation of which typically results in service credits rather than cash payments; and
potential indemnification obligations to counterparties in certain agreements entered into in the normal course of business. The nature and terms of these arrangements vary.
Pension and Post-retirement Benefit Obligations
CenturyLink and QCII areis subject to material obligations under theirits existing defined benefit pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans. As ofAt December 31, 2014,2016, the accounting unfunded status of CenturyLink's qualified and non-qualified defined benefit pension plans and qualified post-retirement benefit plans were $2.5was $2.409 billion and $3.5$3.360 billion, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, the accounting unfunded status of QCII's non-qualified defined benefit pension plan was $21 million, which is included in the CenturyLink defined benefit pension plans' balance noted above. See Note 7—Employee Benefits to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report and Note 7—9—Employee Benefits to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of CenturyLink's Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, for additional information about our and CenturyLink's pension and post-retirement benefit arrangements.
A substantial portion of our active and retired employees participate in the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan, aCenturyLink's qualified defined pension plan and the CenturyLink post-retirement benefit plans. On December 31, 2014, the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, which was renamed the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan. Our contributions are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to other employees of our affiliates. Prior to the pension plan merger, the above-noted employees participated in the QCII pension plan.
Benefits paid by CenturyLink's qualified pension plan are paid through a trust. Cash funding requirements cantrust that holds all of the plan's assets. Based on current laws and circumstances, CenturyLink does not expect any contributions to be significantly impacted byrequired for their qualified pension plan during 2017. The amount of required contributions to CenturyLink's qualified pension plan in 2018 and beyond will depend on a variety of factors, most of which are beyond their control, including earnings on plan investments, discountprevailing interest rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. CenturyLink was notoccasionally makes voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions, including voluntary contributions in the amount of $100 million made in the third quarter of both 2016 and did not2015. CenturyLink currently expects to make contributionsa voluntary contribution of $100 million to the trust in 2013 or 2014 and CenturyLink currently does not expect to make a contribution to the trust in 2015.2017.
CertainSubstantially all of CenturyLink's post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits plans are unfunded. Several trusts hold assets that arehave been used to help cover the health care costs of certain retirees. AsAssets in the post-retirement trusts have been substantially depleted as of December 31, 2014,2016; however, CenturyLink plans to continue to pay certain benefits through the trusts. The fair value of these trust assets was approximately $353 million; however,$53 million at December 31, 2016, with a portion of these assets is comprised of investments with restricted liquidity. CenturyLink estimates thatBenefits not paid through the more liquid assetstrusts are expected to be paid directly by CenturyLink.
The affiliate obligations, net in these trustscurrent and noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding pension and post-retirement affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Payments will be adequatemade on a monthly basis. For the year ended December 31, 2016, we made settlement payments in the aggregate of $97 million to provide continuing reimbursements for covered post-retirement health care costs for approximately two years. Thereafter, covered benefits will be paid either directly by CenturyLink or from these trusts asQCII on our affiliate obligations, net balance. Changes in the remaining assets become liquid. This projected twoaffiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. For the year period could be shorter or longer dependingended December 31, 2017, we expect to make settlement payments in the aggregate of $87 million to QCII on changes in projected healthcare costs, returns on plan assets, the timing of maturities of illiquid plan assets and future changes in benefits.our affiliate obligations, net balance.
For 2017, CenturyLink's estimated annual long-term raterates of return is 7.5%are 6.5% and 5.0% for both the pension plan trust assets and post-retirement plansplans' trust assets, respectively, based on the assets currently held. However, actual returns could be substantially different.
For additional information, see "Risk Factors—Risks Affecting Our Liquidity and Capital Resources—Adverse changes in the value of assets or obligations associated with CenturyLink's qualified pension plan could negatively impact CenturyLink's liquidity, which may in turn affect our business and liquidity" in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Workforce Reductions
In response to the continued decline of CenturyLink's and our legacy services revenues and to better align our workforce with our workload requirements, CenturyLink periodically implements workforce reduction programs. In the third quarter of 2016, CenturyLink announced plans to reduce its workforce, which included our workforce, initially through voluntary severance packages and the balance through involuntary reductions. We recognized in the fourth quarter of 2016 a charge for severance expenses and other one-time termination benefits of $78 million, $52 million of which remained to be paid as of December 31, 2016.
Connect America Fund
In October 2011, the FCC adopted the Connect America and Intercarrier Compensation Reform order intended to reform the existing regulatory regime to recognize ongoing shifts to new technologies. Among other changes, this initial ruling established the framework for a multi-year transition of federal universal service2015, CenturyLink accepted CAF funding to a new system where such funding is explicitly targeted to the deployment and provisioning of broadband services in high cost areas. In December 2014, the FCC issued an order specifying the amount of funds to be offered under Phase 2 of the CAF program to price cap carriers, on a state by state basis, for the construction of high-speed broadband services to underserved areas. Under this order, we will have during 2015 a 120-day period in which to elect whether to exercise a “right of first refusal” to provide broadband services to households in unserved portions of our service areas. To the extent that we choose not to accept these opportunities and related CAF Phase 2 funds for any state under our right of first refusal, we expect that those opportunities and funds would be awarded at auction in 2016. We currently expect that we, as well as other communications companies, would be able to participate in these various state auctions in 2016.
The effects on us of accepting or rejecting CAF Phase 2 funding are both highly uncertain over the long term. In states where we accept the CAF Phase 2 funding, the annual distributions will begin in 2015. In states where we do not accept CAF Phase 2 support, the legacy USF high-cost loop support we have historically received will continue until the CAF Phase 2 auctions are completed. If we elect in 2015 to receive all CAF Phase 2 funding available to us under the FCC’s December 2014 order, we project, based on certain assumptions, that we would receive support payments from the FCC of approximately $150$500 million per year for six years which isto fund the deployment of voice and broadband capable infrastructure for approximately $861.2 million greater than the federal Universal Service Fund high-cost loop support subsidiesrural households and businesses in 33 states under the CAF Phase 2 opportunities would replace. However, we would likely be required to increase our planned capital expenditures in the unserved areas by overhigh-cost support program. Of these amounts, approximately $150 million per year. Conversely, if we electis attributable to our service area, to provide service to approximately 0.3 million rural households and businesses in 2015 to forego all available CAF Phase 213 states. The funding we will continue to receive approximately $64 million in federal USF high-cost loop support subsidies in 2015, but the program’s impact on us beyond 2015 would depend on the extent to which we would participate and prevail in the various auctions expected to be held in 2016. If we ultimately receive no CAF Phase 2 funding (either through elections not to participate in the program or failures to prevail at the 2016 auctions), we anticipate forfeiting beginning in 2016 approximately $64 million of USF high-cost loop support funds, which would materially adversely impact our cash flows.
Historically, we have recognized the full amount of our annual federal USF high-cost loop support as revenue in the year received. We are still in the process of determining how to recognize funds that may be received under CAF Phase 2, but because of differences inherent infrom the CAF Phase 2 processsupport program has substantially replaced the funding from the interstate USF program that we will likely deferpreviously utilized to support voice services in high-cost rural markets in these 13 states. In late 2015, we began receiving these monthly support payments from the recognition ofFCC under the new CAF Phase 2 funding until specificsupport program, which included (i) monthly support payments at a higher rate than under the interstate USF support program and (ii) a substantial one-time transitional payment designed to align the prior USF payments with the new CAF Phase 2 deployment projects are completed. This potential difference in accounting treatment could materially reduce our revenue beginningpayments for the full year 2015. For 2016, we continued to receive monthly support payments at the date we formally elect to receive any CAF Phase 2 funds. Although we anticipate that following the deployment of broadband in CAF Phase 2 markets, we will benefit from incremental broadband subscribers and funding in previously unserved rural markets, the funding will be delayed until we can complete constructing new network and obtain new customers in those areas.
As of the date of filing of this Annual Report, we have not yet decided whether to accept or reject any specific build-out opportunities and related CAF support payments available to ushigher rate than under the Phase 2interstate USF support program. We continue to evaluate our options with respect toreceived $99 million and $92 million more cash from the opportunities afforded to us under the FCC’s CAF Phase 2 program including assessing whether ourfor the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively, than the projected return on capital warrants pursuing these opportunities in our various markets. Althoughamounts we cannot determine at this pointwould have otherwise received during the ultimate impactsame periods under the interstate USF support program.
As a result of the implementation of the FCC’saccepting CAF Phase 2 program on us, it could have a material impact on our revenues, expenses and cash flows.support payments for 13 states, we will be obligated to make substantial capital expenditures to build broadband infrastructure over the next several years. See "Capital Expenditures" above.
In 2013, under the second round of the first phase of the CAF Phase 1 Round 2 program, CenturyLink received $40 million in funding, of which $15 million was attributed to our service areas, for deployment of broadband services in rural areas. The recently issued CAF Phase 2In compliance with program overlaps certain eligible areas ofterms, during the second round funding, and, at this stage, CenturyLink is unablehalf of 2016 we returned $8 million for failing to determine how muchmeet interim buildout milestones within the FCC specified time frames. As of December 31, 2016, we have included the $40 million in funding will be utilized or whether the funding will be returned to the FCC. The $15remaining $7 million of CAF Phase 2 funding is included in deferred credits and other noncurrent liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet assheet. At the conclusion of December 31, 2014.the CAF 1 Round 2 program in the first quarter 2017, we will have an opportunity to reclaim a majority of the interim refund if we ultimately meet the CAF 1 Round 2 buildout targets.
For additional information on the FCC's CAF order and the USF program, see "Business—Regulation" in Item 1 of Part I of this Annual Report.annual report.
Historical Information
The following tables summarize our consolidated cash flow activities: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2016 | | 2015 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,801 |
| | 2,713 |
| | 88 |
| $ | 2,652 |
| | 2,591 |
| | 61 |
|
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,251 | ) | | (1,381 | ) | | (130 | ) | (1,334 | ) | | (1,220 | ) | | 114 |
|
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,558 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | 232 |
| (1,316 | ) | | (1,374 | ) | | (58 | ) |
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) | Years Ended December 31, | | Increase / (Decrease) |
| | 2013 | | 2012 | | 2015 | | 2014 | |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Net cash provided by operating activities | $ | 2,713 |
| | 2,774 |
| | (61 | ) | $ | 2,591 |
| | 2,801 |
| | (210 | ) |
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,381 | ) | | (1,528 | ) | | (147 | ) | (1,220 | ) | | (1,251 | ) | | (31 | ) |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,326 | ) | | (1,241 | ) | | 85 |
| (1,374 | ) | | (1,558 | ) | | (184 | ) |
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities increased by $88$61 million infor the year ended December 31, 20142016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132015 primarily due to a positive changevariances in affiliate obligations,the changes in accounts payable, other current assets and liabilities, net and other non-current assets and liabilities, net, which were partially offset by lessa decrease in net income adjusted for noncash items.non-cash items and a negative variance in the change in accounts receivable. Net cash provided by operating activities decreased by $61$210 million infor the year ended December 31, 20132015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20122014 primarily due to negative variances in the changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities and affiliatesaffiliate obligations, net and accounts payable. During the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we made a settlement payment of $97 million and $105 million, respectively, to QCII on our affiliate obligations, net balance. Our net cash provided by operating activities in 2016 and 2015 were positively impacted by the cash received from the CAF Phase 2 support program, which were partially offset by increaseswas $99 million and $92 million greater in earnings2016 and changes in current assets and liabilities, net.2015, respectively, than the projected amounts of cash we would have otherwise received during the same periods under the interstate USF support program. For additional information about our operating results, see "Results of Operations" above.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities increased by $114 million for the year ended December 31, 2016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2015 primarily due to a negative variance in the change in the amount of funds advanced to our affiliates. Net cash used in investing activities decreased by $130$31 million infor the year ended December 31, 20142015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132014 primarily due to a decreasepositive variance in the change in the amount of funds advanced to our affiliates, which was substantially offset by an increase in payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software. equipment.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in investingfinancing activities decreased by $147$58 million infor the year ended December 31, 20132016 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20122015 primarily due to a decrease in the amount of funds advanceddividends paid to our affiliate and a decrease in the proceeds received from the sale of property.
Qwest Service Corporation. Net cash used in financing activities increaseddecreased by $232$184 million infor the year ended December 31, 20142015 as compared to the year ended December 31, 20132014 primarily due to an increasedecreases in the amount of net paydown ofdebt paydowns on long-term debt along with an increase inand dividend payments. Net cash used in financing activities increased by $85 million in the year ended December 31, 2013 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2012 primarily due to an increase in dividend payments and a decrease in the amount of funds borrowed from an affiliate under the revolving promissory note, which were partially offset by a decrease of payments on debt. For additional information regarding our financing activities, see Note 3—Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report.
On October 1, 2014, we paid at maturity the $600 million principal amount of our 7.50% Notes.annual report.
On September 15, 2016, QC redeemed $287 million of its 7.5% Notes due 2051, which resulted in a loss of $9 million.
On August 29, 2014, we2016, QC redeemed all $661 million of its 7.375% Notes due 2051, which resulted in a loss of $18 million.
On August 22, 2016, QC issued $500$978 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875%6.5% Notes due 2054,2056, including $128 million principal amount that was sold pursuant to an over-allotment option, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses, of $483$946 million. The Notes are senior unsecured obligations and may be redeemed, in whole or in part, on or after October 1, 2019,
On May 2, 2016, QC paid at a redemption price equal to 100% ofmaturity the $235 million principal amount redeemed plusand accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.due under its 8.375% Notes.
In 2012On January 29, 2016, QC issued $235 million aggregate principal amount of 7% Notes due 2056, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and early 2013, CenturyLink, our ultimate parent, has accepted approximately $35 million from Round 1other expenses, of Phase 1 of the FCC's CAF established by Congress to help telecommunications carriers defray the cost of providing broadband access to remote customers. Of the $35 million, we received approximately $30 million$227 million.
See Note 3—Long-Term Debt and intend to use the funds to deploy broadband service for up to 39,000 homes in unserved rural areas principally in Colorado, Minnesota, New Mexico and Washington. In 2013, the FCC announced another round of CAF funding and CenturyLink initially agreed to accept approximately $54 million from Round 2 of Phase 1 of the FCC's CAF to bring broadband services to more than 92,000 rural homes and business in unserved high-cost areas. Of the $54 million, we would have received approximately $23 million to bring broadband services to more than 38,000 rural homes and businesses in unserved high-cost areas. Due to challenges from other competing telecommunications carriers on the unserved rural areas, the final amount offered to CenturyLink by the FCC, which CenturyLink accepted and received in late 2013, was approximately $40 million. Of the $40 million, we received approximately $15 million in December 2013, that was attributableRevolving Promissory Note to our service areas.
Certain Matters Related to CenturyLink's Indirect Acquisitionconsolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Us
Since CenturyLink's 2011 indirect acquisition of us, we have been included in the consolidated federal income tax return of CenturyLink. CenturyLink is in the process of developing a post-acquisition intercompany agreement for allocation of consolidated income tax liabilities. Until that agreement is finalized, we will continue to account for income tax expense on a stand-alone basis. We are also included in certain combined state tax returns filed by CenturyLink and the same accounting will apply.
Through December 31, 2014, we have paid certain costs that were associated with CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us. These costs include compensation costs comprised of retention bonuses and severance. The final amounts and timing of the compensation costs to be paid is partially dependent upon personnel decisions that continue to be made as part of the continuing integration. These amounts may be material.
In accounting for CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us, we recorded our debt securities at their estimated fair values, which totaled $8.498 billion as of April 1, 2011. Our acquisition date fair value estimates were based primarily on quoted market prices in active markets and other observable inputs where quoted market prices were not available. The fair value of our debt securities exceeded their stated principal balances on the acquisition date by $530 million, which we recorded as a premium.
The table below summarizes the portionsPart II of this premium recognized as a reduction to interest expense or extinguished during the periods indicated: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, | | From April 1, 2011
through
December 31, 2012
| | Total Since Acquisition |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Amortized | $ | 42 |
| | 53 |
| | 201 |
| | 296 |
|
Extinguished(1) | — |
| | — |
| | 187 |
| | 187 |
|
| Total | $ | 42 |
| | 53 |
| | 388 |
| | 483 |
|
| |
(1)
| Extinguished in connection with the payment of Qwest debt securities prior to maturity. |
The remaining premium of $47 million as of December 31, 2014, will reduce interest expense in future periods, unless otherwise extinguished.annual report, for additional information on our outstanding debt securities.
Other Matters
In February 2015, the FCC adopted new regulations that regulate broadband services as a public utility service under Title II of the Communications Act. In light of pending litigation and changes in the composition of the FCC, we believe it is premature for us to determine the ultimate impact of the new regulations on our operations. For additional information, see “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Legal and Regulatory Matters” in Item 1A of Part I of this annual report.
CenturyLink and its affiliates are involved in several legal proceedings to which we are not a party that, if resolved against them, could have a material adverse effect on their business and financial condition. As a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink, our business and financial condition could be similarly affected. You can find descriptions of these legal proceedings in CenturyLink's quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC. Because we are not a party to any of the matters, we have not accrued any liabilities for these matters as of December 31, 2014.2016.
Market Risk
We are exposed to market risk from changes in interest rates on our variable rate long-term debt obligations and revolving promissory note. We seek to maintain a favorable mix of fixed and variable rate debt in an effort to limit interest costs and cash flow volatility resulting from changes in rates.
Management periodically reviews our exposure to interest rate fluctuations and periodically implements strategies to manage the exposure. From time to time, we have used derivative instruments to (i) lock-in or swap our exposure to changing or variable interest rates for fixed interest rates or (ii) to swap obligations to pay fixed interest rates for variable interest rates. As of December 31, 2014,2016, we had no such instruments outstanding. We have established policies and procedures for risk assessment and the approval, reporting and monitoring of derivative instrument activities. We do not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.
At December 31, 2014,2016, we had approximately $7.3$7.259 billion (excluding capital lease and other obligations) of long-term debt outstanding, which bears interest at fixed rates and is therefore not exposed to interest rate risk. At December 31, 2014,2016, we had $100 million floating rate debt exposed to changes in the London InterBank Offered Rate (LIBOR). A hypothetical increase of 100 basis points in LIBOR relative to this debt would decrease our annual pre-tax earnings by $1 million. At December 31, 2016, we had approximately $796$914 million in debt, which was owed to an affiliate of our ultimate parent, CenturyLink. The note payable-affiliate bears interest at a variable rate, which is based on a weighted average per annum interest rate of CenturyLink's outstanding borrowings for the interest period and therefore is exposed to potential interest rate risk.
Certain shortcomings are inherent in the method of analysis presented in the computation of exposures to market risks. Actual values may differ materially from those presented abovedisclosed by us from time to time if market conditions vary from the assumptions used in the analyses performed. These analyses only incorporate the risk exposures that existed at December 31, 2014.2016.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We have no special purpose or limited purpose entities that provide off-balance sheet financing, liquidity, or market or credit risk support and we do not engage in leasing, hedging or other similar activities that expose us to any significant liabilities that are not (i) reflected on the face of the consolidated financial statements, (ii) disclosed in Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies to our consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of Part II of this Annual Report,annual report, or in the Future Contractual Obligations table included in this Item 7 of Part II above, or (iii) discussed under the heading "Market Risk" above.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
The information in "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Market Risk" in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Reportannual report is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholder
Qwest Corporation:
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Qwest Corporation and subsidiaries (the Company) as of December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows, and stockholder's equity for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014.2016. These consolidated financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2014,2016, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
/s/ KPMG LLP
Shreveport, Louisiana
February 27, 2015March 2, 2017
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| OPERATING REVENUES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | $ | 6,676 |
| | 6,818 |
| | 7,031 |
| $ | 6,247 |
| | 6,557 |
| | 6,676 |
|
| Operating revenues-affiliates | 2,162 |
| | 1,935 |
| | 1,817 |
| |
| Operating revenues - affiliates | | 2,663 |
| | 2,407 |
| | 2,162 |
|
| Total operating revenues | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
| 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
|
| OPERATING EXPENSES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cost of services and products (exclusive of depreciation and amortization) | 2,879 |
| | 2,790 |
| | 2,868 |
| 2,934 |
| | 2,872 |
| | 2,879 |
|
| Selling, general and administrative | 1,086 |
| | 1,062 |
| | 1,166 |
| 1,022 |
| | 1,015 |
| | 1,086 |
|
| Operating expenses-affiliates | 756 |
| | 695 |
| | 619 |
| |
| Operating expenses - affiliates | | 941 |
| | 960 |
| | 756 |
|
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,005 |
| | 2,128 |
| | 2,290 |
| 1,691 |
| | 1,857 |
| | 2,005 |
|
| Total operating expenses | 6,726 |
| | 6,675 |
| | 6,943 |
| 6,588 |
| | 6,704 |
| | 6,726 |
|
| OPERATING INCOME | 2,112 |
| | 2,078 |
| | 1,905 |
| 2,322 |
| | 2,260 |
| | 2,112 |
|
| OTHER (EXPENSE) INCOME | | | | | | | | | | |
| Interest expense | (464 | ) | | (450 | ) | | (443 | ) | (478 | ) | | (473 | ) | | (464 | ) |
| Interest expense-affiliates, net | (40 | ) | | (64 | ) | | (24 | ) | |
| Net loss on early retirement of debt | — |
| | — |
| | (47 | ) | |
| Other income | 1 |
| | 2 |
| | — |
| |
| Total other (expense) income | (503 | ) | | (512 | ) | | (514 | ) | |
| Interest expense - affiliates, net | | (59 | ) | | (53 | ) | | (40 | ) |
| Other (expense) income, net | | (22 | ) | | (1 | ) | | 1 |
|
| Total other expense, net | | (559 | ) | | (527 | ) | | (503 | ) |
| INCOME BEFORE INCOME TAX EXPENSE | 1,609 |
| | 1,566 |
| | 1,391 |
| 1,763 |
| | 1,733 |
| | 1,609 |
|
| Income tax expense | 639 |
| | 602 |
| | 542 |
| 678 |
| | 659 |
| | 639 |
|
| NET INCOME | $ | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
| $ | 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS | | | | December 31, | December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| ASSETS | | | | | | |
| CURRENT ASSETS | | | | | | |
| Cash and cash equivalents | $ | 6 |
| | 14 |
| $ | 5 |
| | 3 |
|
| Accounts receivable, less allowance of $38 and $43 | 740 |
| | 738 |
| |
| Accounts receivable, less allowance of $53 and $47 | | 700 |
| | 688 |
|
| Advances to affiliates | 812 |
| | 712 |
| 872 |
| | 788 |
|
| Deferred income taxes, net | 163 |
| | 161 |
| |
| Other | 125 |
| | 126 |
| 129 |
| | 123 |
|
| Total current assets | 1,846 |
| | 1,751 |
| 1,706 |
| | 1,602 |
|
| NET PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT | | | | | | |
| Property, plant and equipment | 11,157 |
| | 10,193 |
| 13,247 |
| | 12,182 |
|
| Accumulated depreciation | (3,956 | ) | | (2,985 | ) | (5,602 | ) | | (4,808 | ) |
| Net property, plant and equipment | 7,201 |
| | 7,208 |
| 7,645 |
| | 7,374 |
|
| GOODWILL AND OTHER ASSETS | | | | | | |
| Goodwill | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
|
| Customer relationships, net | 3,039 |
| | 3,687 |
| 1,877 |
| | 2,435 |
|
| Other intangible assets, net | 808 |
| | 1,008 |
| 471 |
| | 613 |
|
| Other, net | 209 |
| | 210 |
| 96 |
| | 92 |
|
| Total goodwill and other assets | 13,410 |
| | 14,259 |
| 11,798 |
| | 12,494 |
|
| TOTAL ASSETS | $ | 22,457 |
| | 23,218 |
| $ | 21,149 |
| | 21,470 |
|
| LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY | | | | | | |
| CURRENT LIABILITIES | | | | | | |
| Current maturities of long-term debt | $ | 117 |
| | 637 |
| $ | 514 |
| | 242 |
|
| Accounts payable | 464 |
| | 440 |
| 398 |
| | 369 |
|
| Note payable-affiliate | 796 |
| | 754 |
| |
| Note payable - affiliate | | 914 |
| | 855 |
|
| Accrued expenses and other liabilities | | | | | | |
| Salaries and benefits | 220 |
| | 217 |
| 273 |
| | 211 |
|
| Income and other taxes | 197 |
| | 206 |
| 175 |
| | 189 |
|
| Other | 140 |
| | 126 |
| 122 |
| | 135 |
|
| Current affiliate obligations, net | | 87 |
| | 97 |
|
| Advance billings and customer deposits | 327 |
| | 320 |
| 313 |
| | 324 |
|
| Total current liabilities | 2,261 |
| | 2,700 |
| 2,796 |
| | 2,422 |
|
| LONG-TERM DEBT | 7,262 |
| | 6,921 |
| 6,747 |
| | 6,997 |
|
| DEFERRED CREDITS AND OTHER LIABILITIES | | | | | | |
| Deferred revenues | 153 |
| | 161 |
| 131 |
| | 137 |
|
| Deferred income taxes, net | 2,247 |
| | 2,473 |
| 1,773 |
| | 1,896 |
|
| Affiliates obligations, net | 1,271 |
| | 1,263 |
| |
| Affiliate obligations, net | | 944 |
| | 1,051 |
|
| Other | 80 |
| | 87 |
| 66 |
| | 60 |
|
| Total deferred credits and other liabilities | 3,751 |
| | 3,984 |
| 2,914 |
| | 3,144 |
|
| COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 15) |
| |
|
| |
|
| STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY | | | | | | |
| Common stock-one share without par value, owned by Qwest Services Corporation | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| |
| Common stock - one share without par value, owned by Qwest Services Corporation | | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
|
| Accumulated deficit | (867 | ) | | (437 | ) | (1,358 | ) | | (1,143 | ) |
| Total stockholder's equity | 9,183 |
| | 9,613 |
| 8,692 |
| | 8,907 |
|
| TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY | $ | 22,457 |
| | 23,218 |
| $ | 21,149 |
| | 21,470 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| OPERATING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net income | $ | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
| $ | 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
|
| Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Depreciation and amortization | 2,005 |
| | 2,128 |
| | 2,290 |
| 1,691 |
| | 1,857 |
| | 2,005 |
|
| Deferred income taxes | (228 | ) | | (152 | ) | | (201 | ) | (123 | ) | | (189 | ) | | (228 | ) |
| Provision for uncollectible accounts | 64 |
| | 65 |
| | 74 |
| 80 |
| | 78 |
| | 64 |
|
| Net long-term debt premium amortization | (39 | ) | | (52 | ) | | (65 | ) | |
| Net long-term debt issuance costs and premium amortization | | (12 | ) | | (18 | ) | | (38 | ) |
| Accrued interest on affiliate note | 42 |
| | — |
| | — |
| 59 |
| | 59 |
| | 42 |
|
| Net loss on early retirement of debt | — |
| | — |
| | 47 |
| 27 |
| | — |
| | — |
|
| Impairment of asset | 17 |
| | — |
| | — |
| 11 |
| | — |
| | 17 |
|
| Changes in current assets and liabilities: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Accounts receivable | (66 | ) | | (94 | ) | | (76 | ) | (92 | ) | | (26 | ) | | (66 | ) |
| Accounts payable | (9 | ) | | (1 | ) | | (58 | ) | 5 |
| | (79 | ) | | (9 | ) |
| Accrued income and other taxes | (9 | ) | | (9 | ) | | (9 | ) | (14 | ) | | (8 | ) | | (9 | ) |
| Other current assets and liabilities, net | 34 |
| | 34 |
| | (17 | ) | 47 |
| | 1 |
| | 34 |
|
| Other current assets and liabilities-affiliates | 9 |
| | — |
| | — |
| |
| Other current assets and liabilities - affiliates | | — |
| | (4 | ) | | 9 |
|
| Changes in other noncurrent assets and liabilities, net | 1 |
| | — |
| | 61 |
| 1 |
| | (30 | ) | | 1 |
|
| Changes in affiliate obligations, net | 8 |
| | (179 | ) | | (130 | ) | (117 | ) | | (123 | ) | | 8 |
|
| Other, net | 2 |
| | 9 |
| | 9 |
| 4 |
| | (1 | ) | | 1 |
|
| Net cash provided by operating activities | 2,801 |
| | 2,713 |
| | 2,774 |
| 2,652 |
| | 2,591 |
| | 2,801 |
|
| INVESTING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Payments for property, plant and equipment and capitalized software | (1,165 | ) | | (1,264 | ) | | (1,266 | ) | (1,259 | ) | | (1,247 | ) | | (1,165 | ) |
| Changes in advances to affiliates | (100 | ) | | (119 | ) | | (395 | ) | (84 | ) | | 24 |
| | (100 | ) |
| Proceeds from sale of property | 14 |
| | 2 |
| | 133 |
| 9 |
| | 3 |
| | 14 |
|
| Net cash used in investing activities | (1,251 | ) | | (1,381 | ) | | (1,528 | ) | (1,334 | ) | | (1,220 | ) | | (1,251 | ) |
| FINANCING ACTIVITIES | | | | | | | | | | |
| Net proceeds from issuance of long-term debt | 483 |
| | 752 |
| | 896 |
| 1,173 |
| | 495 |
| | 483 |
|
| Payments of long-term debt | (641 | ) | | (806 | ) | | (1,430 | ) | (1,189 | ) | | (517 | ) | | (641 | ) |
| Early retirement of debt costs | — |
| | — |
| | (178 | ) | — |
| | (2 | ) | | — |
|
| Dividends paid to Qwest Services Corporation | (1,400 | ) | | (1,325 | ) | | (1,150 | ) | (1,300 | ) | | (1,350 | ) | | (1,400 | ) |
| Changes in note payable-affiliate | — |
| | 53 |
| | 701 |
| |
| Changes in advances from affiliates | — |
| | — |
| | (80 | ) | |
| Net cash used in financing activities | (1,558 | ) | | (1,326 | ) | | (1,241 | ) | (1,316 | ) | | (1,374 | ) | | (1,558 | ) |
| Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents | (8 | ) | | 6 |
| | 5 |
| |
| Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents | | 2 |
| | (3 | ) | | (8 | ) |
| Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period | 14 |
| | 8 |
| | 3 |
| 3 |
| | 6 |
| | 14 |
|
| Cash and cash equivalents at end of period | $ | 6 |
| | 14 |
| | 8 |
| $ | 5 |
| | 3 |
| | 6 |
|
| Supplemental cash flow information: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Income taxes paid, net | $ | (861 | ) | | (750 | ) | | (607 | ) | $ | (801 | ) | | (848 | ) | | (861 | ) |
| Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $17, $17 and $18) | $ | (505 | ) | | (513 | ) | | (513 | ) | |
| Interest paid (net of capitalized interest of $19, $18 and $17) | | $ | (488 | ) | | (497 | ) | | (505 | ) |
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
QWEST CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY
| | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| COMMON STOCK | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at beginning of period | $ | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| | 9,950 |
| $ | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
|
| Tax benefit of pension deduction | — |
| | — |
| | 100 |
| |
| Balance at end of period | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
| | 10,050 |
|
| ACCUMULATED DEFICIT | | | | | | | | | | |
| Balance at beginning of period | (437 | ) | | (76 | ) | | (85 | ) | (1,143 | ) | | (867 | ) | | (437 | ) |
| Net income | 970 |
| | 964 |
| | 849 |
| 1,085 |
| | 1,074 |
| | 970 |
|
| Dividends declared to Qwest Services Corporation | (1,400 | ) | | (1,325 | ) | | (840 | ) | (1,300 | ) | | (1,350 | ) | | (1,400 | ) |
| Balance at end of period | (867 | ) | | (437 | ) | | (76 | ) | (1,358 | ) | | (1,143 | ) | | (867 | ) |
| TOTAL STOCKHOLDER'S EQUITY | $ | 9,183 |
| | 9,613 |
| | 9,974 |
| $ | 8,692 |
| | 8,907 |
| | 9,183 |
|
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
QWEST CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Unless the context requires otherwise, references in this annual report to "QC" refer to Qwest Corporation, references to "Qwest," "we," "us," and "our" refer to Qwest Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to "QSC" refer to our direct parent company, Qwest Services Corporation, and its consolidated subsidiaries, references to "QCII" refer to QSC's direct parent company and our indirect parent company, Qwest Communications International Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries, and references to "CenturyLink" refer to QCII's direct parent company and our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, Inc,.Inc., and its consolidated subsidiaries.
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| (1) | Basis of PresentationBackground and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies |
Basis of PresentationGeneral
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services to our residential business, governmental and wholesalebusiness customers. Our communications services include local voice, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, Ethernet, information technology, wirelessvideo and videoother ancillary services. In certain local and regional markets, we also provide local access and fiber transport services to competitive local exchange carriers.
We generate the majority of our total consolidated operating revenues from services provided in the 14-state region of Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington and Wyoming. We refer to this region as our local service area.
On April 1, 2011, our indirect parent QCII became a wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink, Inc. in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction.
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements include our accounts and the accounts of our subsidiaries. Intercompany amounts and transactions with our consolidated subsidiaries have been eliminated. Transactions with our non-consolidated affiliates (referred to herein as affiliates) have not been eliminated.
ChangesIn 2015, our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, Inc. ("CenturyLink"), changed their allocation methodology with respect to their now centrally managed pension and post-retirement plans. Specifically, under this new methodology, CenturyLink will allocate current service costs to subsidiaries relative to employees which are currently earning benefits under the pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The net periodic benefit cost allocated to us is now paid on a monthly basis through CenturyLink’s intercompany cash management process. The change in Estimates
As a result of our annual reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment, effective January 2014, we changed the estimates of the remaining economic lives of certain switch and circuit network equipment. These changesmethodology resulted in an increase in depreciation expensea decrease of approximately $20$7 million to our net periodic benefit cost for the year ended December 31, 2014. This increase in depreciation expense, net2015.
We reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to the current period presentation, including the categorization of tax, reduced consolidatedour revenues. See Note 9—Products and Services Revenues for additional information. These changes had no impact on total operating revenues, total operating expenses or net income byfor any period presented.
Connect America Fund
In 2015, CenturyLink accepted Connect America Fund ("CAF") funding from the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC") of approximately $12$500 million per year for six years to fund the deployment of voice and broadband capable infrastructure for approximately 1.2 million rural households and businesses in 33 states under the CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program. The funding from the CAF Phase 2 support program has substantially replaced the funding from the interstate Universal Service Fund ("USF") program that we previously utilized to support voice services in high-cost rural markets in these 33 states. Of these amounts, approximately $150 million is attributable to our service area, to provide service to approximately 0.3 million rural households and businesses in 13 states. In late 2015, we began receiving these monthly support payments from the FCC under the new CAF Phase 2 support program, which included (i) monthly support payments at a higher rate than under the interstate USF support program and (ii) a substantial one-time transitional payment, designed to align the prior USF payments with the new CAF Phase 2 payments for the full year 2015. For 2016, we continued to receive the monthly support payments at the higher rate than under the interstate USF support program. We recorded $95 million more revenue from the CAF Phase 2 program for each of the years ended December 31, 2014.2016 and 2015 than the projected amounts we would have otherwise recorded during the same periods under the interstate USF support program.
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments and assumptions we make when accounting for specific items and matters, such as,including, but not limited to, long-term contracts, customer retention patterns, allowance for doubtful accounts, depreciation, amortization, asset valuations, rates used for affiliate cost allocations, internal labor capitalization rates, recoverability of assets (including deferred tax assets), impairment assessments, pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefits, taxes, certain liabilities and other provisions and contingencies, are reasonable, based on information available at the time they wereare made. Our accounting for CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us required extensive use of estimates in determining the acquisition date fair values of our assets and liabilities. These estimates, judgments and assumptions can materially affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities and components of stockholder's equity or deficit as of the dates of the consolidated balance sheets, as well as the reported amounts of revenues, expenses and components of cash flows during the periods presented in our other consolidated statements of operations and our consolidated statements of cash flows.financial statements. We also make estimates in our assessments of potential losses in relation to threatened or pending tax and legal matters. See Note 11—Income Taxes and Note 15—Commitments and Contingencies for additional information.
For matters not related to income taxes, if a loss is considered probable and the amount can be reasonably estimated, we recognize an expense for the estimated loss. If we have the potential to recover a portion of the estimated loss from a third party, we make a separate assessment of recoverability and reduce the estimated loss if recovery is also deemed probable.
For matters related to income taxes, if we determine that the impact of an uncertain tax position is more likely than not to be sustained upon audit by the relevant taxing authority, then we recognize a benefit for the largest amount that is more likely than not to be sustained. No portion of an uncertain tax position will be recognized if the position has less than a 50% likelihood of being sustained. Interest is recognized on the amount of unrecognized benefit from uncertain tax positions.
For all of these and other matters, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.
Revenue Recognition
We recognize revenue for services when the related services are provided. Recognition of certain payments received in advance of services being provided is deferred until the service is provided. These advance payments include activation and installation charges, which we recognize as revenue over the expected customer relationship period, which ranges from eighteen monthstwo to over tenthirteen years depending on the service. We also defer costs for customer activations and installations. The deferral of customer activation and installation costs is limited to the amount of revenue deferred on advance payments. Costs in excess of advance payments are recorded as expense in the period such costs are incurred. Expected customer relationship periods are estimated using historical experience. TerminationIn most cases, termination fees or other fees on existing contracts that are negotiated in conjunction with new contracts are deferred and recognized over the new contract term.
We offer bundle discounts to our customers who receive certain groupings of services. These bundle discounts are recognized concurrently with the associated revenue and are allocated to the various services in the bundled offering based on the estimated selling price of services included in each bundled combination.
Customer arrangements that include both equipment and services are evaluated to determine whether the elements are separable. If the elements are deemed separable and separate earnings processes exist, the revenue associated with the customer arrangement is allocated to each element based on the relative estimated selling price of the separate elements. We have estimated the selling prices of each element by reference to vendor-specific objective evidence of selling prices when the elements are sold separately. The revenue associated with each element is then recognized as earned. For example, if we receive an advance payment when we sell equipment and continuing service together, we immediately recognize as revenue the amount allocated to the equipment as long as all the conditions for revenue recognition have been satisfied. The portion of the advance payment allocated to the service based upon its relative selling price is recognized ratably over the longer of the contractual period or the expected customer relationship period.
We periodically transfer optical capacity assets on our network to other telecommunications service carriers. These transactions are structured as indefeasible rights of use, commonly referred to as IRUs, which are the exclusive right to use a specified amount of capacity or fiber for a specified term, typically 20 years. We account for the cash consideration received on transfers of optical capacity assets and on all of the other elements deliverable under an IRU, as revenue ratably over the term of the agreement. We have not recognized revenue on any contemporaneous exchanges of our optical capacity assets for other optical capacity assets.
In connection with offering products and services provided by third-party vendors, we review the relationship between us, the vendor and the end customer to assess whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis. In assessing whether revenue should be reported on a gross or net basis, we consider whether we act as a principal in the transaction, take title to the products, have risk and rewards of ownership or act as an agent or broker. Based on CenturyLink's agreements with DIRECTV and Verizon Wireless, we offer these services through sales agency relationships which are reported on a net basis.
Affiliate Transactions
We provide to our affiliates telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates computer system development and support services. Services provided by us to our affiliates are recognized as operating revenue-affiliates onin our consolidated statements of operations. We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunications services, marketing and employee-related support services. Services provided to us from our affiliates are recognized as operating expenses-affiliates on our consolidated statements of operations. Because of the significance of the services we provide to our affiliates and our affiliates provide to us, the results of operations, financial position and cash flows presented herein are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows we would have achieved had we operated as a stand-alone entity during the periods presented.
We recognize intercompany charges at the amounts billed to us by our affiliates and we recognize intercompany revenue for services we bill to our affiliates. Regulatory rules require certain revenues and expenses to be recorded at market price or fully distributed cost. Our compliance with regulations is subject to review by regulators. Adjustments to intercompany charges that result from these reviews are recorded in the period they become known.
CenturyLink has cash management arrangements between certain of its subsidiaries that include lines of credit, affiliate obligations, capital contributions and dividends. As part of these cash management arrangements, an affiliate provides lines of credit to certain other affiliates. Amounts outstanding under these lines of credit and intercompany obligations vary from time to time. Under these arrangements, the majority of our cash balance is transferred on a daily basis to CenturyLink and most affiliate transactions are deemed to be settled at the time the transactions are recorded in our accounting records, with the resulting net balance at the end of each period reflected as advances to affiliates on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. From time to time we declare and pay dividends to our parent, QSC, which are settled through the advances to affiliates, which has the net effect of reducing the amount of these advances. Dividends declared are reflected on our consolidated statements of stockholder's equity and the consolidated statements of cash flows reflects the changes in advances to affiliates as investing activities and changes in advances from affiliates as financing activities. Interest is assessed on the advances to/from affiliates on either the three-month U.S T-bill rate (for advances to affiliates) or CenturyLink’s weighted average borrowing rate (for advances from affiliates).
The affiliatesaffiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on theour consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with CenturyLink’sQCII’s pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans.plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII over a 30 year term. Payments will be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we made settlement payments of $97 million and $105 million, respectively, to QCII on our affiliate obligations, net balance. Changes in the affiliatesaffiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
In the normal course of business, we transfer assets to and from various affiliates through our parent, QSC, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record asset transfers based on carrying values.
USF Surcharges, Gross Receipts Taxes and Other Surcharges
In determining whether to include in our revenues and expenses the taxes and surcharges collected from customers and remitted to government authorities, including Universal Service Fund ("USF") charges,USF surcharges, sales, use, value added and some excise taxes, we assess, among other things, whether we are the primary obligor or principal taxpayer for the taxes assessed in each jurisdiction where we do business. In jurisdictions where we determine that we are the principal taxpayer, we record the surcharges on a gross basis and include them in our revenues and costs of services and products.
In jurisdictions where we determine that we are merely a collection agent for the government authority, we record the taxes on a net basis and do not include them in our revenues and costs of services and products.
Advertising Costs
Costs related to advertising are expensed as incurred and included in selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. Our advertising expense was $83$91 million, $88$84 million and $90$83 million for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, respectively.
Legal Costs
In the normal course of our business, we incur costs to hire and retain external legal counsel to advise us on regulatory, litigation and other matters. We expense these costs as the related services are received.
Income Taxes
Our results are included in the CenturyLink consolidated federal income tax return and certain combined state income tax returns. CenturyLink allocates income tax expense to us based upon a separate return allocation method which results in income tax expense that approximates the expense that would result if we were a stand-alone entity. Our reported deferred tax assets and liabilities, as discussed below and in Note 11—Income Taxes, are primarily determined as a result of the application of the separate return allocation method and therefore the settlement of these amounts is dependent upon our parent, CenturyLink, rather than tax authorities. Our current expectation is that the vast majority of deferred tax assets and liabilities will be settled through our general intercompany obligation based upon the current CenturyLink policy. CenturyLink has the right to change their policy regarding settlement of these assets and liabilities at any time.
The provision for income taxes consists of an amount for taxes currently payable, an amount for tax consequences deferred to future periods and adjustments to our liabilities for uncertain tax positions and amortization of investment tax credits.positions. We record deferred income tax assets and liabilities reflecting future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying value of assets and liabilities and the tax bases of those assets and liabilities. Deferred taxes are computed using enacted tax rates expected to apply in the year in which the differences are expected to affect taxable income. The effect on deferred income tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rate is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.
We establish valuation allowances when necessary to reduce deferred income tax assets to the amounts that we believe are more likely than not to be recovered. Each quarter we evaluate the need to retain all or a portion of the valuation allowance on our deferred tax assets. See Note 11—Income Taxes for additional information.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include highly liquid investments that are readily convertible into cash and are not subject to significant risk from fluctuations in interest rates. As a result, the value at which cash and cash equivalents are reported in our consolidated financial statements approximates their fair value. Our cash collections are transferred to CenturyLink on a daily basis and our ultimate parent funds our cash disbursement needs. The net cash transferred to CenturyLink has been reflected as advances to affiliates in our consolidated balance sheets.
Accounts Receivable and Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
Accounts receivable are recognized based upon the amount due from customers for the services provided or at cost for purchased and other receivables less an allowance for doubtful accounts. The allowance for doubtful accounts receivable reflects our best estimate of probable losses inherent in our receivable portfolio determined on the basis of historical experience, specific allowances for known troubled accounts and other currently available evidence. We generally consider our accounts past due if they are outstanding over 30 days. Our collection process varies by the customer segment, amount of the receivable, and our evaluation of the customer's credit risk. Our past due accounts are written off against our allowance for doubtful accounts when collection is considered to be not probable. Any recoveries of accounts previously written off are generally recognized as a reduction in bad debt expense in the period received. The carrying value of accounts receivable, net of the allowance for doubtful accounts, approximates fair value.
Property, Plant and Equipment
PurchasedAs a result of our indirect acquisition by CenturyLink, property, plant and equipment acquired at the time of acquisition was recorded based on its estimated fair value as of the acquisition date. Subsequently purchased and constructed property, plant and equipment is recorded at cost. Property, plant and equipment is depreciated primarily using the straight-line group method. Under the straight-line group method, assets dedicated to providing telecommunications services (which comprise the majority of our property, plant and equipment) that have similar physical characteristics, use and expected useful lives are pooled for purposes of depreciation and tracking. The equal life group procedure is used to establish each pool's average remaining useful life. Generally, under the straight-line group method, when an asset is sold or retired in the course of normal business activities, the cost is deducted from property, plant and equipment and charged to accumulated depreciation without recognition of a gain or loss. A gain or loss is recognized in our consolidated statements of operations only if a disposal is abnormal or unusual. Leasehold improvements are amortized over the shorter of the useful lives of the assets or the expected lease term. Expenditures for maintenance and repairs are expensed as incurred. Interest is capitalized during the construction phase of network and other internal-use capital projects. Employee-related costs for construction of network and other internal use assets are also capitalized during the construction phase. Property, plant and equipment supplies used internally are carried at average cost, except for significant individual items for which cost is based on specific identification.
We perform annual internal reviews to evaluate the reasonableness of the depreciable lives for our property, plant and equipment. Our reviews utilize models that take into account actual usage, physical wear and tear, replacement history, assumptions about technology evolution and, in certain instances, actuarially determined probabilities to estimate the remaining useful life of our asset base. Our remaining useful life assessments anticipate the loss in service value of assets that may precede the physical retirement. Assets shared among many customers may lose service value as those customers leave the network. However, the asset is not retired until all customers no longer utilize the asset and we determine there is no alternative use for the asset.
We review long-lived tangible assets for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable. For assessment purposes, long-lived assets are grouped with other assets and liabilities at the lowest level for which identifiable cash flows are largely independent of the cash flows of other assets and liabilities, absent a material change in operations. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount of the asset group is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Recoverability of the asset group to be held and used is assessed by comparing the carrying amount of the asset group to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by the asset group. If the asset group's carrying value is not recoverable, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset group exceeds its fair value. We determine fair values by using a combination of comparable market values and discounted cash flows, as appropriate.
Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets
Intangible assets arising from business combinations, such as goodwill, customer relationships and capitalized software are initially recorded at estimated fair value. We amortize customer relationships primarily over an estimated life of ten years, using either the sum-of-the-years-digits or the straight-line methods, depending on the type of customer. We amortize capitalized software using the straight-line method over estimated lives ranging up to seven years. Other intangible assets not arising from business combinations are initially recorded at cost. We review long-lived intangible assets, other than goodwill, for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of the assets may not be recoverable.
Internally used software, whether purchased or developed by us, is capitalized and amortized using the straight-line method over its estimated useful life. We have capitalized certain costs associated with software such as costs of employees devoting time to the projects and external direct costs for materials and services. Costs associated with software to be used for internal purposes are expensed until the point at which the project has reached the development stage. Subsequent additions, modifications or upgrades to internal-use software are capitalized only to the extent that they allow the software to perform a task it previously did not perform. Software maintenance, data conversion and training costs are expensed in the period in which they are incurred. We review the remaining economic lives of our capitalized software annually. Capitalized software is included in other intangible assets, net, in our consolidated balance sheets.
We assess customer relationships for impairment whenever facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying amount may not be recoverable. An impairment loss is recognized only if the carrying amount is not recoverable and exceeds its fair value. Recoverability of our customer relationships is measured by comparing the carrying amount to the estimated undiscounted future net cash flows expected to be generated by them. If the customer relationship's carrying value is not recoverable, an impairment charge is recognized for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds its fair value. We determine fair values by using the discounted cash flows method.
We are required to assess goodwill for impairment at least annually, or more frequently, if eventsan event occurs or acircumstances change in circumstancesthat would indicate that an impairment may have occurred. We are required to write-down the value of goodwill in periods in which the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the implied fair value of goodwill. The impairment assessment is performed annually at the reporting unit level, and in reviewing the criteria for reporting units when assigning the goodwill resulting from CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us, welevel. We have determined that our operations consist of one reporting unit, consistent with our determination that our business consists of one operating segment. See Note 2—Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets for additional information.
During the fourth quarter of 2013, we elected to change the date of our annual assessment of goodwill impairment from September 30 to October 31. This is a change in method of applying an accounting principle which management believes is a preferable alternative as the new date of the assessment is more closely aligned with our strategic planning process. The change in the assessment date did not delay, accelerate or avoid a potential impairment charge in 2013. We performed our annual goodwill impairment assessment at September 30, 2013, prior to the change in our annual assessment date. We then performed a qualitative assessment of our goodwill as of October 31, 2013 and concluded that our goodwill was not impaired as of that date.
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits
A substantial portion of our active and retired employees participate in the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan. On December 31, 2014, the QCII pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan. The CenturyLink Retirement Plan was renamed the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan. QCII maintains a non-qualifiedPrior to the pension plan formerger, the above-noted employees participated in the QCII pension plan. In addition, certain of our eligible highly compensated employees. In addition, certain employees may become eligible to participate in CenturyLink's post-retirement health care and life insurance benefit plans. CenturyLink and QCII allocate income and expensesallocates service costs relating to pension, non-qualified pension and post-retirement health care and life insurance benefits to us and theirits other affiliates. The amounts contributed by us through CenturyLink and QCII are not segregated or restricted to pay amounts due to our employees and may be used to provide benefits to other employees of CenturyLink and QCII's affiliates.CenturyLink. The allocation of expensethe service costs to us is based upon the demographics of our employees and retirees compared to allwho are currently earning benefits under the remaining participants.plans.
For further information on qualified pension, non-qualified pension, post-retirement and other post-employment benefit plans, see CenturyLink's Annual Reportannual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
Income Taxes
On May 28, 2014,October 24, 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts(“ASU”) 2016-16, “Intra-Entity Transfers of Assets Other Than Inventory” ("ASU 2016-16"). ASU 2016-16 eliminates the current prohibition on the recognition of the income tax effects on the transfer of assets among our subsidiaries. After adoption of this ASU, the income tax effects associated with Customers”these asset transfers, except for the transfer of inventory, will be recognized in the period the asset is transferred versus the current deferral and recognition upon either the sale of the asset to a third party or over the remaining useful life of the asset. We are currently reviewing the requirements of this ASU and evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
We are required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-16 on January 1, 2018, but have the option to early adopt as of January 1, 2017. We plan to adopt the provision of ASU 2016-16 on January 1, 2018. The impact of adopting ASU 2016-16, if any, will be recognized through a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption.
Financial Instruments
On June 16, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, “Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments” (“ASU 2014-09” or “new standard”2016-13”). The primary impact of ASU 2016-13 for us is a change in the model for the recognition of credit losses related to our financial instruments from an incurred loss model, which recognized credit losses only if it was probable that a loss had been incurred, to an expected loss model, which requires our management team to estimate the total credit losses expected on the portfolio of financial instruments. We are currently reviewing the requirements of the standard and evaluating the impact on our consolidated financial statements.
We are required to adopt the provisions of ASU 2016-13 effective January 1, 2020, but could elect to early adopt the provisions as of January 1, 2019. We expect to recognize any impacts of adopting ASU 2016-13 through a cumulative adjustment to retained earnings as of the date of adoption. As of the date of this annual report, we have not yet determined the date we will adopt ASU 2016-13.
Share-based Compensation
On March 30, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-09, “Improvement to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting" (“ASU 2016-09”). ASU 2016-09 modifies the accounting and associated income tax accounting for share-based compensation in order to reduce the cost and complexity associated with current generally accepted accounting principles. ASU 2016-09 became effective as of January 1, 2017. ASU 2016-09 includes different transition requirements for the different changes implemented, including some provisions which allow retrospective application. We will implement this new standard on its effective date.
The primary provisions of ASU 2016-09 that we expect will affect our financial statements are: (1) a reclassification of the tax effect associated with the difference between the expense recognized for share-based payments and the associated tax deduction from additional paid-in capital to income tax expense; (2) a reclassification of the tax effect associated with the difference between compensation expense and associated deduction from financing cash flow to operating cash flow; and (3) a change in our accounting policy to account for forfeitures of share-based payment grants as they occur as opposed to our current policy of estimating the forfeitures on the grant date. The adoption of this accounting policy change will result in an immaterial increase in our retained earnings as of January 1, 2017. Although the provisions would not have had a material impact on our previously-issued financial statements, we cannot provide any assurance regarding their future impacts. Adoption of ASU 2016-09 may increase the volatility of income tax expense and cash flow from operating activities.
Leases
On February 25, 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, “Leases” (“ASU 2016-02”). The core principle of ASU 2016-02 will require lessees to present right-of-use assets and lease liabilities on their balance sheets for operating leases, which are currently not reflected on their balance sheets.
ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual and interim periods beginning January 1, 2017,2019. Early adoption of ASU 2016-02 is permitted. Upon adoption of ASU 2016-02, we are required to recognize and early adoption is prohibited. ASU 2014-09measure leases at the beginning of the earliest period presented in our consolidated financial statements using a modified retrospective approach. The modified retrospective approach includes a number of optional practical expedients that we may be adopted by applying the provisions of theelect to apply. We will implement this new standard on a retrospective basis to the periods included in the financial statements or on a modified retrospective basis which would result in the recognition of a cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2017. Weits effective date, but we have not yet decided which implementation methodpractical expedient options we will adopt.elect.
The
We are currently evaluating our existing lease accounting systems to determine whether our current systems will support the new standardaccounting requirements or if upgrades or new systems will be required, and we are in the process of developing an implementation plan. We are also currently evaluating and assessing the impact ASU 2016-02 will have on us and our consolidated financial statements. As of the date of this annual report, we cannot provide any estimate of the impact of adopting ASU 2016-02.
Revenue Recognition
On May 28, 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers” (“ASU 2014-09”). ASU 2014-09 replaces virtually all existing generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) on revenue recognition and replaces them with a principles-based approach for determining revenue recognition using a new five step model. The core principle of ASU 2014-09 is that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. ASU 2014-09 also includes new accounting principles related to the deferral and amortization of contract acquisition and fulfillment costs. We currently do not defer any contract acquisition costs andbut we expect we will defer certain contract acquisition costs in the future which could have the impact of lowering our operating expenses. We currently defer contract fulfillment costs only up to the extent of any revenue deferred. Under ASU 2014-09, in certain transactions our deferred contract fulfillment costs could exceed our deferred revenues, which could result in an increase in deferred costs and could also have the impact of lowering our operating expenses.
On July 9, 2015, the FASB approved the deferral of the effective date of ASU 2014-09 by one year until January 1, 2018, which is the date we plan to adopt this standard. ASU 2014-09 may be adopted by applying the provisions of this standard on a retrospective basis to the periods included in the financial statements or on a modified retrospective basis which would result in the recognition of a cumulative effect of adopting ASU 2014-09 in the first quarter of 2018. We have completed our initial assessment of our business and systems requirements and we are studyingcurrently developing and implementing a new revenue recognition system to comply with the requirements of ASU 2014-09. Based on this initial assessment, we currently plan to adopt the new revenue recognition standard andunder the modified retrospective transition method. Until we are further along in the early stages of assessing the impact theimplementing our new standard will have on us and our consolidated financial statements. We cannot, however,revenue recognition system, we do not anticipate being able to provide any estimatereasonably accurate estimates of the impact of adoptingASU 2014-09 on the new standard at this time.timing of our revenue recognition.
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| (2) | Goodwill, Customer Relationships and Other Intangible Assets |
Goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets consisted of the following: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Goodwill | $ | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
| $ | 9,354 |
| | 9,354 |
|
| Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $2,660 and $2,012 | 3,039 |
| | 3,687 |
| |
| Customer relationships, less accumulated amortization of $3,822 and $3,264 | | $ | 1,877 |
| | 2,435 |
|
| Other intangible assets subject to amortization: | | | | | | |
| Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $1,247 and $994 | 808 |
| | 1,008 |
| |
| Capitalized software, less accumulated amortization of $1,510 and $1,383 | | $ | 471 |
| | 613 |
|
As of December 31, 2014,2016, the gross carrying amount of goodwill, customer relationships and other intangible assets was $17.108$17.034 billion.
Total amortization expense for intangible assets was as follows: |
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Amortization expense for intangible assets | $ | 957 |
| | 1,029 |
| | 1,115 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | |
| | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Amortization expense for intangible assets | $ | 767 |
| | 871 |
| | 957 |
|
We estimate that total amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ending December 31, 20152017 through 20192021 will be as follows: | | | | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Year ending December 31, | | |
| 2015 | $ | 808 |
| |
| 2016 | 740 |
| |
| 2017 | 669 |
| $ | 652 |
|
| 2018 | 589 |
| 584 |
|
| 2019 | 503 |
| 509 |
|
| 2020 | | 440 |
|
| 2021 | | 127 |
|
We annually review the estimated lives and methods used to amortize our other intangible assets. The actual amounts of amortization expense may differ materially from our estimates, depending on the results of our annual reviews.
Our goodwill impairment assessment is done atwas derived from CenturyLink's acquisition of us where the reporting unit level; in reviewingpurchase price exceeded the criteria for reporting units when assigningfair value of the goodwill resulting fromnet assets acquired.
We assess our acquisition by CenturyLink, we have determined that we are one reporting unit. We are required to assess goodwill recorded in business combinations for impairment at least annually, or, under certain circumstances, more frequently, such as when events or changes in circumstances indicate there may be impairment. Our annual goodwill impairment assessment date is October 31. We are required to write-downwrite down the value of goodwill only when our assessment determines the recorded amount of goodwill exceeds the fair value. Our annual impairment assessment date for goodwill is October 31, at which date we assessed goodwill at our reporting units. In reviewing the criteria for reporting units, we have determined that we are one reporting unit.
We compare our estimated fair value of equity to our carrying value of equity. If the estimated fair value of our equity is greater than the carrying value of our equity, we conclude that no impairment exists. If the estimated fair value of our equity is less than our carrying value of our equity, a second calculation is required in which the implied fair value of goodwill is compared to our carrying value of goodwill. If the implied fair value of goodwill is less than our carrying value of goodwill, goodwill must be written down to the implied fair value.
At October 31, 2014,2016, we estimatedutilized a level 3 fair valuation technique to estimate the fair value of our equity by considering both a market approach method and a discounted cash flow method, which resulted in a Level 3 fair value measurement.method. The market approach method includes the use of comparable multiples of publicly traded companies whose services are comparable to ours. The discounted cash flow method is based on the present value of projected cash flows and a terminal value, which represents the expected normalized cash flows of the reporting unit beyond the cash flows from the discrete projection period. We discounted the estimated cash flows using a rate that represents our estimated weighted average cost of capital, which we determined to be approximately 6.0% as of the assessment date (which was comprised of an after-tax cost of debt of 2.9%2.8% and a cost of equity of 8.2%6.2%). Based on our assessment performed with respect to our reporting unit as described above, we concluded that our goodwill was not impaired.impaired as of that date.
| |
| (3) | Long-Term Debt and Revolving Promissory Note |
Long-term debt, including unamortized premiums and discounts, and premiumsunamortized debt issuance costs and note payable-affiliate, were as follows: | | | | | As of December 31, | | As of December 31, |
| | Interest Rates | | Maturities | | 2014 | | 2013 | Interest Rates | | Maturities | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | | (Dollars in millions) | | (Dollars in millions) |
| Senior notes | 6.125% - 8.375% | | 2015 - 2054 | | $ | 7,311 |
| | 7,411 |
| 6.125% - 7.750% | | 2017 - 2056 | | $ | 7,259 |
| | 7,229 |
|
| Term loan | | 2.520% | | 2025 | | 100 |
| | 100 |
|
| Capital lease and other obligations | Various | | Various | | 32 |
| | 72 |
| Various | | Various | | 32 |
| | 17 |
|
| Unamortized premiums, net | | 36 |
| | 75 |
| | 4 |
| | 16 |
|
| Unamortized debt issuance costs | | | (134 | ) | | (123 | ) |
| Total long-term debt | | 7,379 |
| | 7,558 |
| | 7,261 |
| | 7,239 |
|
| Less current maturities | | (117 | ) | | (637 | ) | | (514 | ) | | (242 | ) |
| Long-term debt, excluding current maturities | | $ | 7,262 |
| | 6,921 |
| | $ | 6,747 |
| | 6,997 |
|
| Note payable-affiliate | 6.657% | | 2022 | | $ | 796 |
| | 754 |
| 6.678% | | 2022 | | $ | 914 |
| | 855 |
|
New Issuances
20142016
On September 29, 2014, weAugust 22, 2016, QC issued $500$978 million aggregate principal amount of 6.875%6.5% Notes due 2054,2056, including $128 million principal amount that was sold pursuant to an over-allotment option, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses, of $483$946 million. TheAll of the 6.5% Notes are senior unsecured obligations and may be redeemed by QC, in whole or in part, on or after OctoberSeptember 1, 2019,2021, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
2013
On May 23, 2013, weJanuary 29, 2016, QC issued $775$235 million aggregate principal amount of 6.125%7% Notes due 2053, including $25 million2056, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses, of $227 million. All of the 7% Notes are unsecured obligations and may be redeemed by QC, in whole or in part, on or after February 1, 2021, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount that was sold pursuant to an over-allotment option grantedredeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the underwriters for the offering,redemption date.
2015
On September 21, 2015, QC issued $400 million aggregate principal amount of 6.625% Notes due 2055, in exchange for net proceeds, after deducting underwriting discounts and other expenses, of approximately $752$386 million. TheOn September 30, 2015, QC issued an additional $10 million aggregate principal amount of the 6.625% Notes under an over-allotment option granted to the underwriter for this offering. All of the 6.625% Notes are unsecured obligations and may be redeemed by QC, in whole or in part, on or after June 1, 2018September 15, 2020, at a redemption price equal to 100% of the principal amount redeemed plus accrued and unpaid interest to the redemption date.
Repayments
20142016
On October 1, 2014, weSeptember 15, 2016, QC redeemed $287 million of its 7.5% Notes due 2051, which resulted in a loss of $9 million.
On August 29, 2016, QC redeemed all $661 million of its 7.375% Notes due 2051, which resulted in a loss of $18 million.
On May 2, 2016, QC paid at maturity the $600$235 million principal amount and accrued and unpaid interest due under its 8.375% Notes.
2015
On October 13, 2015, QC redeemed all $250 million of its 7.2% Notes due 2026, which resulted in an immaterial gain, and redeemed $150 million of its 6.875% Notes due 2033, which resulted in an immaterial loss.
On June 15, 2015, QC paid at maturity the $92 million principal amount of our 7.50%its 7.625% Notes.
2013Term Loan
On June 17, 2013, we paid at maturityIn 2015, QC entered into a term loan in the $750amount of $100 million with CoBank, ACB. The outstanding unpaid principal amount of our floatingthis term loan plus any accrued and unpaid interest is due on February 20, 2025. Interest is paid monthly based upon either the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) or the base rate Notes.(as defined in the credit agreement) plus an applicable margin between 1.50% to 2.50% per annum for LIBOR loans and 0.50% to 1.50% per annum for base rate loans depending on QC's then current senior unsecured long-term debt rating. At both December 31, 2016 and 2015, the outstanding principal balance on this term loan was $100 million.
Aggregate Maturities of Long-Term Debt
Aggregate maturitiesSet forth below is the aggregate principal amount of our long-term debt (excluding unamortized premiums and discounts and unamortized debt issuance costs and other and excluding note payable-affiliate): maturing during the following years: | | | | (Dollars in millions)(1) | (Dollars in millions)(1) |
| 2015 | $ | 117 |
| |
| 2016 | 237 |
| |
| 2017 | 500 |
| $ | 514 |
|
| 2018 | — |
| 10 |
|
| 2019 | — |
| 4 |
|
| 2020 and thereafter | 6,489 |
| |
| 2020 | | — |
|
| 2021 | | 951 |
|
| 2022 and thereafter | | 5,912 |
|
| Total long-term debt | $ | 7,343 |
| $ | 7,391 |
|
(1) Actual principal paid in all yearsany year may differ due to the possible future refinancing of outstanding debt or the issuance of new debt.
Revolving Promissory Note
We areQC is currently indebted to an affiliate of our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, under a revolving promissory note that provides usQC with a funding commitment of up to $1.0 billion aggregate principal amount through June 30, 2022, of which $796$914 million was outstanding as of December 31, 2014.2016. As of December 31, 2014,2016, the weighted average interest rate was 6.657%6.678%. As of December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, this revolving promissory note is reflected on our consolidated balance sheets as a current liability under “Note payable-affiliate”. As of December 31, 2014, $92016, $5 million of accrued interest is reflected in other current liabilities on our consolidated balance sheet.sheets. In accordance with the note agreement, all accrued and unpaid interest is capitalized to the unpaid principal balance on AprilJune 1 and NovemberDecember 1 of each year.
Interest Expense
Interest expense includes interest on total long-term debt. The following table presents the amount of gross interest expense, net of capitalized interest and interest expense-affiliates, net: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Interest expense: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Gross interest expense | $ | 481 |
| | 467 |
| | 461 |
| $ | 497 |
| | 491 |
| | 481 |
|
| Capitalized interest | (17 | ) | | (17 | ) | | (18 | ) | (19 | ) | | (18 | ) | | (17 | ) |
| Total interest expense | $ | 464 |
| | 450 |
| | 443 |
| $ | 478 |
| | 473 |
| | 464 |
|
| Interest expense-affiliates, net | $ | 40 |
| | 64 |
| | 24 |
| $ | 59 |
| | 53 |
| | 40 |
|
Covenants
TheOur senior notes were issued under indentures governing our notesdated April 15, 1990 and October 15, 1999. These indentures contain certain covenants including, but not limited to: (i) a prohibition on certain liens on our assets; and (ii) a limitation on mergers or sales of all, or substantially all, of our assets, which limitation requires that a successor assume the obligation with regard to these notes. These indentures do not contain any cross-default provisions.
Our senior notes were issued under indentures dated April 15, 1990 and October 15, 1999. These indentures do not contain any financial covenants but do includeor restrictions that limiton our ability to (i) incur, issue new securities thereunder.
Under the QC term loan, QC must maintain a debt to EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as defined in CenturyLink's Credit Facility) ratio of not more than 2.85:1.0, as of the last day of each fiscal quarter for the four quarters then ended. The term loan also contains a negative pledge covenant, which generally requires us to secure equally and ratably any advances under the term loan if we pledge assets or createpermit liens uponon our property for the benefit of other debtholders. The term loan also has a cross payment default and (ii) consolidate withcross acceleration provisions. When present, these provisions could have a wider impact on liquidity than might otherwise arise from a default or merge into, transferacceleration of a single debt instrument. Our debt to EBITDA ratio could be adversely affected by a wide variety of events, including unforeseen expenses or lease all or substantially allcontingencies. This could reduce our financing flexibility due to potential restrictions on incurring additional debt under certain provisions of our assets to any other party.debt agreements or, in certain circumstances, could result in a default under certain provisions of such agreements.
As ofAt December 31, 2014,2016, we believe we were in compliance with all of the provisions and covenants ofcontained in our debt agreements.
Subsequent Event
On February 20, 2015, we entered into a new credit agreement with several lenders that allows us to borrow up to $100 million under a term loan. Under this new agreement, we borrowed $100 million under a ten-year term note that expires on February 20, 2025.
The following table presents details of our accounts receivable balances: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Trade and purchased receivables | $ | 649 |
| | 697 |
| $ | 634 |
| | 620 |
|
| Earned and unbilled receivables | 120 |
| | 73 |
| 115 |
| | 111 |
|
| Other | 9 |
| | 11 |
| 4 |
| | 4 |
|
| Total accounts receivable | 778 |
| | 781 |
| 753 |
| | 735 |
|
| Less: allowance for doubtful accounts | (38 | ) | | (43 | ) | (53 | ) | | (47 | ) |
| Accounts receivable, less allowance | $ | 740 |
| | 738 |
| $ | 700 |
| | 688 |
|
We are exposed to concentrations of credit risk from residential and business customers within our local service area and from other telecommunications service providers. No customers individually represented more than 10% of our accounts receivable for all periods presented herein. We generally do not require collateral to secure our receivable balances. We have agreements with other telecommunications service providers whereby we agree to bill and collect on their behalf for services rendered by those providers to our customers within our local service area. We purchase accounts receivable from other telecommunications service providers primarily on a recourse basis and include these amounts in our accounts receivable balance. We have not experienced any significant loss associated with these purchased receivables.
The following table presents details of our allowance for doubtful accounts: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Balance | | Additions | | Deductions | | Ending Balance |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| 2014 | $ | 43 |
| | 64 |
| | (69 | ) | | 38 |
|
| 2013 | $ | 46 |
| | 65 |
| | (68 | ) | | 43 |
|
| 2012 | $ | 42 |
| | 74 |
| | (70 | ) | | 46 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | Beginning Balance | | Additions | | Deductions | | Ending Balance |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| 2016 | $ | 47 |
| | 80 |
| | (74 | ) | | 53 |
|
| 2015 | $ | 38 |
| | 78 |
| | (69 | ) | | 47 |
|
| 2014 | $ | 43 |
| | 64 |
| | (69 | ) | | 38 |
|
| |
| (5) | Property, Plant and Equipment |
Net property, plant and equipment is composed of the following: | | | | Depreciable Lives | | As of December 31, | Depreciable Lives | | As of December 31, |
| | | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | | (Dollars in millions) | | (Dollars in millions) |
| Property, plant and equipment: | | | | | | | | |
| Land | N/A | | $ | 350 |
| | 356 |
| N/A | | $ | 348 |
| | 349 |
|
Fiber, conduit and other outside plant(1) | 15-45 years | | 4,640 |
| | 4,033 |
| 15-45 years | | 5,980 |
| | 5,362 |
|
Central office and other network electronics(2) | 4-10 years | | 3,362 |
| | 3,026 |
| 4-10 years | | 3,855 |
| | 3,614 |
|
Support assets(3) | 5-30 years | | 2,496 |
| | 2,470 |
| 5-30 years | | 2,633 |
| | 2,584 |
|
Construction in progress(4) | N/A | | 309 |
| | 308 |
| N/A | | 431 |
| | 273 |
|
| Gross property, plant and equipment | | 11,157 |
| | 10,193 |
| | 13,247 |
| | 12,182 |
|
| Accumulated depreciation | | (3,956 | ) | | (2,985 | ) | | (5,602 | ) | | (4,808 | ) |
| Net property, plant and equipment | | $ | 7,201 |
| | 7,208 |
| | $ | 7,645 |
| | 7,374 |
|
| |
(1) | Fiber, conduit and other outside plant consists of fiber and metallic cable, conduit, poles and other supporting structures. |
| |
(2) | Central office and other network electronics consists of circuit and packet switches, routers, transmission electronics and electronics providing service to customers. |
| |
(3) | Support assets consist of buildings, computers and other administrative and support equipment. |
| |
(4) | Construction in progress includes inventory held for construction and property of the aforementioned categories that has not been placed in service as it is still under construction. |
We recorded depreciation expense of $1.048 billion, $1.099 billion$924 million, $986 million and $1.175$1.048 billion for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
On April 2, 2012, we sold an office building for net proceeds of $133 million. As part of the transaction, we agreed to lease a portion of the building from the new owner. As a result, the $16 million gain from the sale was deferred and will be recognized as a reduction to rent expense over the 10 year lease term.
In 2014, we recorded an impairment charge of $17 million in connection with a sale-leaseback transaction involving an office building whichthat we closed in the fourth quarter of 2014. This impairment charge is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statementsstatement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Periodically, we have reductions inreduce our workforce and have accruedaccrue liabilities for the related severance costs. These workforce reductions resulted primarily from the progression or completion of our post-acquisition integration plans related to CenturyLink's indirect acquisition of us, increased competitive pressures, cost reduction initiatives, process improvements through automation and reduced workload demands due to the loss of customers purchasing certain legacy services.
We report severance liabilities within accrued expenses and other liabilities-salaries and benefits in our consolidated balance sheets and report severance expenses in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations.
Changes in our accrued liability for severance expenses were as follows: | | | | Severance | Severance |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Balance at December 31, 2012 | $ | 7 |
| |
| Balance at December 31, 2014 | | $ | 10 |
|
| Accrued to expense | 10 |
| 51 |
|
| Payments, net | (12 | ) | (55 | ) |
| Balance at December 31, 2013 | $ | 5 |
| |
| Balance at December 31, 2015 | | 6 |
|
| Accrued to expense | 44 |
| 89 |
|
| Payments, net | (39 | ) | (43 | ) |
| Balance at December 31, 2014 | $ | 10 |
| |
| Balance at December 31, 2016 | | $ | 52 |
|
Pension and Post-Retirement Benefits
We are required to disclose the amount of our contributions to CenturyLink and QCII relative to the CenturyLink qualified pension plans and post-retirement benefit plans and the QCII non-qualified pension plan. QCII's post-retirement benefit plans were merged into CenturyLink's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012 and on December 31, 2014, the QCIIQCII's qualified pension plan and a pension plan of an affiliate were merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, which was renamed the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan. QCII was not required and did not make contributionsPrior to the plan mergers, a substantial portion of our active and retired employees participated in QCII's pension plan trust in 2014.and post-retirement plans. Based on current laws and circumstances, (i) CenturyLink willwas not be required to make a cash contribution to this planthe CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan in 20152016 and (ii) CenturyLink does not expect it will be required to make a contribution in 2016.2017. The amount of required contributions to the planCenturyLink Combined Pension Plan in 20162018 and beyond will depend on earnings on plan investments, prevailing discount rates, demographic experience, changes in plan benefits and changes in funding laws and regulations. CenturyLink occasionally makes voluntary contributions in addition to required contributions, and CenturyLink made such voluntary cash contributions of $100 million to the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan during each of the third quarters of 2016 and 2015. CenturyLink currently expects to make a voluntary contribution of $100 million to the trust for its qualified pension plan in 2017. No contributions were made to the post-retirement occupational health care trust in 20142016 or 20132015 and CenturyLink does not expect to make a contribution in 2015.2017.
The unfunded status of CenturyLink's qualified pension plan for accounting purposes was $2.402$2.352 billion and $2.215 billion as of December 31, 2014,2016 and 2015, respectively, which includes the merged QCII qualified pension plan. The unfunded status of QCII's qualified pension plan for accounting purposes was $159 million as of December 31, 2013. The unfunded status of CenturyLink's post-retirement benefit plans for accounting purposes was $3.477$3.360 billion and $3.153$3.374 billion as of December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, respectively.
In 2015, our ultimate parent company, CenturyLink, changed their allocation methodology with respect to their now centrally managed pension and post-retirement plans. Specifically, under this new methodology, CenturyLink will allocate current service costs to subsidiaries relative to employees who are currently earning benefits under the pension and post-retirement benefit plans. The net periodic benefit cost allocated to us is now paid on a monthly basis through CenturyLink’s intercompany cash management process.
The affiliate obligations, net in current and noncurrent liabilities on the consolidated balance sheets primarily represents the cumulative allocation of expense, net of payments, associated with QCII's pension plans and post-retirement benefits plans prior to the plan mergers. In 2015, we agreed to a plan to settle the outstanding pension plan merger,and post-retirement affiliate obligations, net balance with QCII allocate incomeover a 30 year term. Payments will be made on a monthly basis. For the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, we made settlement payments in the aggregate of $97 million and $105 million, respectively, to QCII on our affiliate obligations, net balance. Changes in the affiliate obligations, net are reflected in operating activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows.
We were allocated $45 million of pension service costs and $14 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2016, which represented 70% of CenturyLink's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses to us based uponon our consolidated statement of operations for the demographicsyear ended December 31, 2016.
We were allocated $57 million of pension service costs and $17 million of post-retirement service costs during the year ended December 31, 2015, which represented 69% of CenturyLink's total pension and post-retirement service costs for the year. The combined net pension and post-retirement service costs is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our employee and retirees compared to allconsolidated statement of operations for the remaining participants.year ended December 31, 2015.
We were allocated $98 million $178 million and $117 million in pension income during the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.2014. Our allocated post-retirement benefit expense for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014 2013 and 2012 was $128 million, $88 million and $106 million, respectively.million. These allocated amounts represent our share of the pension and post-retirement benefit expenses based on the actuarially determined amounts. OurPrior to the plan mergers, our allocated portion of QCII's total pension and CenturyLink's total post-retirement benefit income and expenses wereexpense was 92%, 91% and 91% for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. CenturyLink and QCII allocate the income and expenses of these plans to us and their other affiliates. The allocation of income and expense to us is based upon demographics of our employees compared to all remaining participants.2014. The combined net pension and post-retirement benefits (income) expenses is included in cost of services and products and selling, general and administrative expenses on our consolidated statements of operations for the yearsyear ended December 31, 2014, 2013 and 2012.2014.
QCII sponsored
CenturyLink sponsors a noncontributory qualified defined benefit pension plan (referred to as QCII's pension plan) forthat covers substantially all of our employees. As noted above, on December 31, 2014, QCII's pension plan was merged into the CenturyLink Retirement Plan, which was renamed the CenturyLink Combined Pension Plan on December 31, 2014. In addition to this tax qualified pensionPlan. The plan QCII also maintains a non-qualified pension plan for certain eligible highly compensated employees. These plans also provideprovides survivor and disability benefits to certain employees. In November 2009, QCII amendedand prior to the plan merger, the pension plan and the non-qualified pension planswas amended to no longer provide pension benefit accruals for active non-represented employees after December 31, 2009. In addition, non-represented employees hired after January 1, 2009 are not eligible to participate in the plans. Active non-represented employees who participate in these plans retain their accrued pension benefit earned as of December 31, 2009 and certain participants will continue to earn interest credits on their benefit after December 31, 2009. Employees are eligible to receive their vested accrued benefit when they separate from CenturyLink. The plans also provided a death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees; however, QCII has eliminatedthe plan was amended to eliminate this benefit effective March 1, 2010 for retirees who retired prior to January 1, 2004 and whose deaths occur after February 28, 2010. QCII previously eliminated2010 and eliminate the death benefit for eligible beneficiaries of certain retirees who retired after December 31, 2003.
CenturyLink maintains post-retirement benefit plans that provide health care and life insurance benefits for certain eligible retirees. The QCII post-retirement benefit plans were merged into CenturyLink's post-retirement benefit plans on January 1, 2012. The benefit obligation for the occupational health care and life insurance post-retirement plans is estimated based on the terms of benefit plans. In calculating this obligation, CenturyLink considers numerous assumptions, estimates and judgments, including but not limited to, discount rates, health care cost trend rates and plan amendments. In October 2013, we renewed a four-year collective bargaining agreement which covers approximately 11,000 of our unionized employees. Effective January 1, 2014, the approximately 11,000 active employees and eligible post-1990 retirees who are former represented employees, havehad changes to their health and welfare benefits including: (i) changes to align the coverage and benefits for these active employees and non-Medicare eligible post-1990 retirees with the health and welfare coverage and benefits offered to all other CenturyLink employees and other CenturyLink retirees (with some exceptions) (ii) increased out-of-pocket health care costs through plan design changes effective January 1, 2014 and the elimination of Class II dependent coverage and (iii) elimination of the group medical plan coverage and benefits for Medicare-eligible post-1990 retirees and the establishment of a health reimbursement account and assistance to this population with their transition effective May 1, 2014 to their own purchase of individual policies through the Medicare Exchange market place using the health reimbursement account. In order to maintain their eligibility, post-1990 retirees continue to be obligated to contribute to the cost of health care benefits in excess of specified limits on the company-funded portion of retiree health care costs (also referred to as the "caps"), as they have since January 1, 2009.
The terms of the post-retirement health care and life insurance plans between CenturyLink and its eligible non-represented employees and its eligible post-1990 non-represented retirees are established by CenturyLink and are subject to change at its discretion. CenturyLink has a practice of sharing some of the cost of providing health care benefits with its non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. The benefit obligation for the non-represented post-retirement health care benefits is based on the terms of the current written plan documents and is adjusted for anticipated continued cost sharing with non-represented employees and post-1990 non-represented retirees. However, CenturyLink's contribution under its post-1990 non-represented retirees' health care plan is capped at a specific dollar amount.
Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003
CenturyLink (formerly QCII) sponsors post-retirement health care plans with several benefit options that provide prescription drug benefits that CenturyLink deems actuarially equivalent to or exceeding Medicare Part D. CenturyLink recognizes the impact of the federal subsidy received under the Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement and Modernization Act of 2003 in the calculation of its post-retirement benefit obligation and net periodic post-retirement benefit expense.
Other Benefit Plans
Health Care and Life Insurance
We provide health care and life insurance benefits to essentially all of our active employees. We are largely self-funded for the cost of the health care plan. Our health care benefit expensesexpense for our current employees were $204was $241 million, $223$217 million and $221$204 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Union representedUnion-represented employee benefits are based on negotiated collective bargaining agreements. Employees are required to partially fund the health care benefits provided by us, in addition to paying their own out-of-pocket costs. CenturyLink'sEmployees' group basic life insurance plans are fully insured and the premiums are paid by CenturyLink.
401(k) PlanPlans
CenturyLink sponsors qualified defined contribution plans covering substantially all of our employees. Under these plans, employees may contribute a percentage of their annual compensation to the plans up to certain maximums, as defined by the plans and by the Internal Revenue Service ("IRS"). Currently, we match a percentage of our employees' contributions in cash. We recognized $47$42 million, $49$43 million and $46$47 million in expense related to these plans for the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, respectively.
Deferred Compensation Plans
QCII sponsored aCenturyLink sponsors non-qualified unfunded deferred compensation planplans for various groups that includeincludes certain of our current and former highly compensated employees. The plan isplans are frozen and participants can no longer defer compensation to the plan.these plans. The value of the assets and liabilities related to this plan isthese plans was not significant.
| |
| (8) | Share-based Compensation |
Share-based compensation expenses are included in cost of services and products, and selling, general, and administrative expenses in our consolidated statements of operations. We recognized compensation expense for options and awards granted to our employees under CenturyLink's equity incentive plans, including plans assumed in connection with us being indirectly acquired. We record share-based compensation expense that is allocated to us from CenturyLink, which is included in operating expenses-affiliates in our consolidated statements of operations. Based on many factors that affect the allocation, the amount of share-based compensation expense recorded at CenturyLink and ultimately allocated to us may fluctuate. We settle the share-based compensation expense allocated to us from CenturyLink through affiliate transactions.
For the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, we were allocatedrecorded a share-based compensation expense of approximately $22 million, $21 million $17 million and $18$21 million, respectively. We recognized an income tax benefit from our compensation expense of approximately $8 million, $7$8 million and $7$8 million, respectively, during the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
| |
| (9) | Products and Services Revenues |
We are an integrated communications company engaged primarily in providing an array of communications services, including local voice, broadband, private line (including special access), network access, Ethernet, information technology, video and wirelessother ancillary services. We strive to maintain our customer relationships by, among other things, bundling our service offerings to provide our customers with a complete offering of integrated communications services.
From time to time, we change the categorization of our products and services, and we may make similar changes in the future. During the second quarter of 2016, we determined that because of declines due to customer migration to other strategic products and services, certain of our services, specifically our private line (including special access) services, are more closely aligned with our legacy services than with our strategic services. As a result, we reflect these operating revenues as legacy services, and we have reclassified certain prior period amounts to conform to this change. The revision resulted in a reduction of revenue from strategic services and a corresponding increase in revenue from legacy services of $823 million and $980 million for the years ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
We currently categorize our products, services and revenues among the following three categories:
Strategic services, which include primarily broadband, private line (including special access), Ethernet, video (including resold satellite video services) and Verizon Wirelessother ancillary services;
Legacy services, which include primarily local voice, private line (including special access), Integrated Services Digital Network ("ISDN") services (which usesuse regular telephone lines to support voice, video and data applications), switched access and traditional wide area network ("WAN") services (which allowsallow a local communications network to link to networks in remote locations); and
Affiliates and other services, which consist primarily of Universal Service Fund ("USF")CAF support andpayments, USF support payments, USF surcharges and services we provide to our affiliates. We receive federal support payments from both Phase 1 and Phase 2 of the CAF program, and support payments from both federal and state USF programs. These support whichpayments are government subsidies designed to reimburse us for the portion of the cost of providingvarious costs related to certain telecommunications services, such asincluding the costs of deploying, maintaining and operating voice and broadband infrastructure in high-cost rural areas thatwhere we are not able to fully recover our costs from our customers. We also collect USF surcharges are the amount that we collect based on specific items we list on our customers' invoices to fund the FCC's universal service programs. We provide to our affiliates, telecommunication services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates, computer system development and support services, network support and technical services.
Our operating revenues for our products and services consisted of the following revenue categorization:categories for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Strategic services | $ | 3,429 |
| | 3,342 |
| | 3,265 |
| $ | 2,690 |
| | 2,610 |
| | 2,449 |
|
| Legacy services | 2,987 |
| | 3,208 |
| | 3,471 |
| 3,222 |
| | 3,600 |
| | 3,967 |
|
| Affiliates and other services | 2,422 |
| | 2,203 |
| | 2,112 |
| 2,998 |
| | 2,754 |
| | 2,422 |
|
| Total operating revenues | $ | 8,838 |
| | 8,753 |
| | 8,848 |
| $ | 8,910 |
| | 8,964 |
| | 8,838 |
|
We do not have any single external customer that provides more than 10% of our total consolidated operating revenues. Substantially all of our consolidated revenues comescome from customers located in the United States.
Affiliates and other services revenues include revenues from universal service funds, which allow us to recover a portion of our costs under federal and state cost recovery mechanisms, and certain surcharges to our customers, including billings for our required contributions to several USF programs.
We recognize revenues in our consolidated statements of operations for certain USF surcharges and transaction taxes that we bill to our customers. Our consolidated statements of operations also reflectsreflect the relatedoffsetting expense for the amounts we remit to the government agencies. The total amount of such surcharges and transaction taxes that we included in revenues aggregated approximately $151to $149 million, $154$147 million and $171$151 million for the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. ThoseThese USF surcharges, where we record revenue, are included in the "other" operating revenues and transaction tax surchargestaxes are included in "legacy services" revenues. We also act as a collection agent for certain other USF and transaction taxes that we are required by government agencies to include inbill our bills to customers, for which we do not record any revenue or expense because we only act as a pass-through agent.
Our operations are integrated into and reported as part of the consolidated segment data of CenturyLink. CenturyLink's chief operating decision maker ("CODM") is our CODM, but reviews our financial information on an aggregate basis only in connection with our quarterly and annual reports that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Consequently, we do not provide our discrete financial information to the CODM on a regular basis. As such, we believe we have one reportable segment.
| |
| (10) | Affiliate Transactions |
We provide to our affiliates, telecommunications services that we also provide to external customers. In addition, we provide to our affiliates, computer system development and support services and network support and technical services.
Below are details of the services we provide to our affiliates:
Telecommunications services. Data, Internetbroadband and voice services in support of our affiliates' service offerings;
Computer system development and support services. Information technology services primarily include the labor cost of developing, testing and implementing the system changes necessary to support order entry, provisioning, billing, network and financial systems, as well as the cost of improving, maintaining and operating our operations support systems and shared internal communications networks; and
Network support and technical services. Network support and technical services relate to forecasting demand volumes and developing plans around network utilization and optimization, developing and implementing plans for overall product development, provisioning and customer care.
We charge our affiliates for services based on market price or fully distributed cost ("FDC"). We charge our affiliates market price for services that we also provide to external customers, while other services that we provide only to our affiliates are priced by applying an FDC methodology. FDC rates include salaries and wages, payroll taxes, employee related benefits, miscellaneous expenses, and charges for the use of our buildings, computing and software assets. Whenever possible, costs are directly assigned to our affiliates for the services they use. If costs cannot be directly assigned, they are allocated among all affiliates based upon cost causative measures; or if no cost causative measure is available, these costs are allocated based on a general allocator. These cost allocation methodologies are reasonable. From time to time, we adjust the basis for allocating the costs of a shared service among affiliates. Such changes in allocation methodologies are generally billed prospectively.
We also purchase services from our affiliates including telecommunication services, insurance, flight services and other support services such as legal, regulatory, finance and accounting, tax, human resources and executive support. Our affiliates charge us for these services based on market price or FDC.
We wereare included in the consolidated federal income tax returns and the combined state income tax returns of QCII until CenturyLink's April 1, 2011 acquisition of QCII and the consolidated federal income tax returns and certain combined state income tax returns ofCenturyLink. CenturyLink subsequent to the acquisition. Both CenturyLink and QCII treattreats our consolidated results as if we were a separate taxpayer. The policy requires us to settle our tax liabilities through a change in our general intercompany obligation based upon our separate return taxable income, which is reflected in advances to affiliates on our consolidated balance sheets and the changes in advances to affiliates are reflected as investing activities on our consolidated statements of cash flows. Because we are included in the consolidated federal income tax returns and the combined state income tax returns of CenturyLink, (and previously with QCII), any tax audits involving CenturyLink or QCII will also involve us. The IRS previously examined all of QCII's
Beginning with the 2013 tax year, CenturyLink's federal consolidated returns are subject to annual examination by the IRS.
Our open income tax returns prior to 2008 because they were included in its coordinated industry case program and now examines allyears by major jurisdiction are as follows at December 31, 2016: |
| | |
| Jurisdiction | | Open Tax Years |
| Federal | | 2013—current |
| State | | |
| Arizona | | 2010—current |
| Other states | | 2012—current |
Since the period for assessing additional liability typically begins upon the filing of QCII's federal incomea return, it is possible that certain jurisdictions could assess tax returns as included in the consolidated federal return of the ultimate parent company, CenturyLink.
Infor years prior to 2011, QCII filed amended federalthe open tax years disclosed above. Additionally, it is possible that certain jurisdictions in which we do not believe we have an income tax returns for 2002-2007filing responsibility, and accordingly did not file a return, may attempt to make protective claims with respectassess a liability, or other jurisdictions to items reserved in our audit settlements andwhich we pay taxes may attempt to correct items not addressed in prior audits. The examination of those amended federal income tax returns by the IRS was completed in 2012. In 2012, QCII filed an amended 2008 federal income tax return primarily to report the carryforward impact of prior year settlements and in 2013, QCII filed an amended return for 2009. Such amended filings are subject to adjustment by the IRS.
CenturyLink also files combined income tax returns in many states, and these combined returns remain open for adjustments to its federal income tax returns. In addition, certain combined state income tax returns filed by CenturyLink and QCII since 1999 are still open for state specific adjustments.assert that we owe additional taxes.
As of December 31, 20142016, 2015 and 2013,2014, we had no liability for interest related to uncertain tax positions. As of December 31, 2012, we had a recorded liability for interest related to uncertain tax positions in the amounts of $5 million. We did not record a liability for interest related to uncertain tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2014.2016. We made no accrual for penalties related to income tax positions.
Income Tax Expense
The components of the income tax expense from continuing operations are as follows: | |
| Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Income tax expense: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| Current tax provision: |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Current: | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Federal and foreign | $ | 738 |
|
| 653 |
| | 638 |
| $ | 686 |
|
| 734 |
| | 738 |
|
| State and local | 129 |
|
| 101 |
| | 105 |
| 115 |
|
| 114 |
| | 129 |
|
| Total current tax provision | 867 |
|
| 754 |
|
| 743 |
| |
| Deferred tax expense: |
|
|
|
|
| |
| Total current | | 801 |
|
| 848 |
|
| 867 |
|
| Deferred: | |
|
|
|
|
|
| Federal and foreign | (209 | ) |
| (125 | ) | | (175 | ) | (103 | ) |
| (170 | ) | | (209 | ) |
| State and local | (19 | ) |
| (27 | ) | | (26 | ) | (20 | ) |
| (19 | ) | | (19 | ) |
| Total deferred tax expense | (228 | ) |
| (152 | ) |
| (201 | ) | |
| Total deferred | | (123 | ) |
| (189 | ) |
| (228 | ) |
| Income tax expense | $ | 639 |
|
| 602 |
|
| 542 |
| $ | 678 |
|
| 659 |
|
| 639 |
|
The effective income tax rate for continuing operations differs from the statutory tax rate as follows: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (in percent) | (in percent) |
| Effective income tax rate: | | | | | | | | | | |
| Federal statutory income tax rate | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % | | 35.0 | % |
| State income taxes-net of federal effect | 4.0 | % | | 3.1 | % | | 3.7 | % | 3.5 | % | | 3.6 | % | | 4.0 | % |
| Other | 0.7 | % | | 0.3 | % | | 0.3 | % | — | % | | (0.6 | )% | | 0.7 | % |
| Effective income tax rate | 39.7 | % | | 38.4 | % | | 39.0 | % | 38.5 | % | | 38.0 | % | | 39.7 | % |
Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities
The components of the deferred tax assets and liabilities are as follows: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Deferred tax assets and liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Deferred tax liabilities: | | | | | | |
| Property, plant and equipment | $ | (1,380 | ) | | (1,281 | ) | $ | (1,384 | ) | | (1,431 | ) |
| Intangibles assets | (1,449 | ) | | (1,772 | ) | (1,088 | ) | | (1,153 | ) |
| Receivable from an affiliate due to pension plan participation | (500 | ) | | (462 | ) | (452 | ) | | (460 | ) |
| Other | (52 | ) | | (52 | ) | — |
| | (59 | ) |
| Total deferred tax liabilities | (3,381 | ) | | (3,567 | ) | (2,924 | ) | | (3,103 | ) |
| Deferred tax assets: | | | | | | |
| Payable to affiliate due to post-retirement benefit plan participation | 998 |
| | 983 |
| 954 |
| | 921 |
|
| Debt premiums | 36 |
| | 55 |
| — |
| | 21 |
|
| Other | 275 |
| | 229 |
| 209 |
| | 277 |
|
| Total deferred tax assets | 1,309 |
| | 1,267 |
| 1,163 |
| | 1,219 |
|
| Valuation allowance on deferred tax assets | (12 | ) | | (12 | ) | (12 | ) | | (12 | ) |
| Net deferred tax assets | 1,297 |
| | 1,255 |
| 1,151 |
| | 1,207 |
|
| Net deferred tax liabilities | $ | (2,084 | ) | | (2,312 | ) | $ | (1,773 | ) | | (1,896 | ) |
At December 31, 2014,2016, we have established a valuation allowance of $12 million as it is not more likely than not that this amount of deferred tax assets will be realized. There was no change to the valuation allowance in 2016.
Other Income Tax Information
We paid $861$801 million, $750$848 million and $607$861 million to QSC related to income taxes in the years ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
| |
| (12) | Fair Value Disclosure |
Our financial instruments consist of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, advances to affiliates, accounts payable, note payable-affiliate and long-term debt, excluding capital lease obligations. Due to their short-term nature, the carrying amounts of our cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, advances to affiliates, accounts payable and note payable-affiliate approximate their fair values.
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent and knowledgeable parties who are willing and able to transact for an asset or liability at the measurement date. We use valuation techniques that maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when determining fair value and then we rank the estimated values based on the reliability of the inputs used following the fair value hierarchy set forth by the FASB. We determined the fair values of our long-term debt, including the current portion, based on quoted market prices where available or, if not available, based on discounted future cash flows using current market interest rates.
The three input levels in the hierarchy of fair value measurements are defined by the FASB generally as follows: |
| | |
| Input Level | | Description of Input |
| Level 1 | | Observable inputs such as quoted market prices in active markets. |
| Level 2 | | Inputs other than quoted prices in active markets that are either directly or indirectly observable. |
| Level 3 | | Unobservable inputs in which little or no market data exists. |
The following table presents the carrying amounts and estimated fair values of our long-term debt, excluding capital lease and other obligations and unamortized debt issuance costs, as well as the input levels used to determine the fair values: |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | As of December 31, 2014 | | As of December 31, 2013 |
| | Input Level | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
| | | | (Dollars in millions) |
| Liabilities-Long-term debt excluding capital lease and other obligations | 2 | | $ | 7,347 |
| | 7,702 |
| | 7,486 |
| | 7,226 |
|
|
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | As of December 31, 2016 | | As of December 31, 2015 |
| | Input Level | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value | | Carrying Amount | | Fair Value |
| | | | (Dollars in millions) |
| Liabilities-Long-term debt (excluding capital lease and other obligations) | 2 | | $ | 7,229 |
| | 7,203 |
| | 7,222 |
| | 7,456 |
|
Common Stock
We have one share of common stock (no par value) issued and outstanding, which is owned by QSC.
Other Net Asset Transfers
During 2012, we recognized a $100 million equity contribution for the tax benefit associated with a deduction for pension funding. Since we are the employer of a significant percentage of the participants and none of the 2011 QCII pension funding was allocated to us, a tax deduction was recognized on our separate company tax return and, therefore, we recognized an equity contribution for the tax benefits associated with this deduction.
In addition, in the normal course of business, we transfer assets and liabilities to and from QSC and its affiliates, which are recorded through our equity. It is our policy to record these asset transfers based on carrying values.
Dividends
We declared the following cash dividend to QSC: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Cash dividend declared to QSC | $ | 1,400 |
| | 1,325 |
| | 840 |
| $ | 1,300 |
| | 1,350 |
| | 1,400 |
|
| Cash dividend paid to QSC | 1,400 |
| | 1,325 |
| | 1,150 |
| 1,300 |
| | 1,350 |
| | 1,400 |
|
The timing of cash payments for declared dividends to QSC is at our discretion in consultation with QSC. We may declare and pay dividends to QSC in excess of our earnings to the extent permitted by applicable law. Our debt covenants do not limit the amount of dividends we can pay to QSC.
| |
| (14) | Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) |
| | | | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Total | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Total |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| 2014 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2016 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | $ | 2,211 |
| | 2,206 |
| | 2,198 |
| | 2,223 |
| | 8,838 |
| $ | 2,253 |
| | 2,223 |
| | 2,226 |
| | 2,208 |
| | 8,910 |
|
| Operating income | 542 |
| | 546 |
| | 528 |
| | 496 |
| | 2,112 |
| 625 |
| | 602 |
| | 576 |
| | 519 |
| | 2,322 |
|
| Income tax expense | 160 |
| | 162 |
| | 156 |
| | 161 |
| | 639 |
| 188 |
| | 179 |
| | 159 |
| | 152 |
| | 678 |
|
| Net income | 253 |
| | 256 |
| | 245 |
| | 216 |
| | 970 |
| 304 |
| | 288 |
| | 255 |
| | 238 |
| | 1,085 |
|
| | | | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Total | First Quarter | | Second Quarter | | Third Quarter | | Fourth Quarter | | Total |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| 2013 | | | | | | | | | | |
| 2015 | | | | | | | | | | |
| Operating revenues | $ | 2,159 |
| | 2,199 |
| | 2,188 |
| | 2,207 |
| | 8,753 |
| $ | 2,217 |
| | 2,222 |
| | 2,287 |
| | 2,238 |
| | 8,964 |
|
| Operating income | 553 |
| | 525 |
| | 493 |
| | 507 |
| | 2,078 |
| 545 |
| | 521 |
| | 572 |
| | 622 |
| | 2,260 |
|
| Income tax expense | 166 |
| | 155 |
| | 139 |
| | 142 |
| | 602 |
| 167 |
| | 152 |
| | 171 |
| | 169 |
| | 659 |
|
| Net income | 264 |
| | 246 |
| | 218 |
| | 236 |
| | 964 |
| 247 |
| | 238 |
| | 268 |
| | 321 |
| | 1,074 |
|
During the fourth quarter of 2016, we recognized $78 million of severance expenses and other one-time termination benefits associated with workforce reductions.
During the third quarter of 2015, we recognized an incremental $64 million of revenue associated with the FCC's CAF Phase 2 high-cost support program (primarily impacted by the one-time transitional payment) and an additional incremental $31 million in the fourth quarter of 2015.
| |
| (15) | Commitments and Contingencies |
Legal PendingMatters
Subsidiaries of CenturyLink, Inc., including us, are among hundreds of companies in an industry-wide dispute, raised in nearly 100 federal lawsuits (filed between 2014 and 2016) that have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Texas for pretrial procedures. The disputes relate to switched access charges that local exchange carriers ("LECs") collect from interexchange carriers ("IXCs") for IXCs' use of LEC's access services. In the lawsuits, three IXCs, Sprint Communications Company L.P. ("Sprint"), affiliates of Verizon Communications Inc. ("Verizon") and affiliates of Level 3 Communications LLC ("Level 3"), assert that federal and state laws bar LECs from collecting access charges when IXCs exchange certain types of calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an IXC. Some of these IXCs have asserted claims seeking refunds of payments for access charges previously paid and relief from future access charges. In addition, Level 3 has ceased paying switched access charges on these calls.
In November 2015, the federal court agreed with the LECs and rejected the IXCs' contention that federal law prohibits these particular access charges, and also allowed the IXCs to refile state-law claims. Since then, many of the LECs and IXCs have filed revised pleadings and additional motions, which remain pending. Separately, some of the defendants, including us, have petitioned the FCC to address these issues on an industry-wide basis.
The outcome of these disputes and lawsuits, as well as any related regulatory proceedings that could ensue, are currently not predictable. If we are required to stop assessing these charges or to pay refunds of any such charges, our financial results could be negatively affected.
Other Proceedings and Disputes
From time to time, we are involved in other proceedings incidental to our business, including patent infringement allegations, administrative hearings of state public utility commissions relating primarily to our rates or services, actions relating to employee claims, various tax issues, environmental law issues, grievance hearings before labor regulatory agencies and miscellaneous third party tort actions. The outcome of these other proceedings is not predictable. However, based on current circumstances, we do not believe that the ultimate resolution of these other proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.
We are currently defending several patent infringement lawsuits asserted against us by non-practicing entities.entities, many of which are seeking substantial recoveries. These cases have progressed to various stages and one or more may go to trial in the coming 24 months if they are not otherwise resolved. Where applicable, we are seeking full or partial indemnification from our vendors and suppliers. As with all litigation, we are vigorously defending these actions and, as a matter of course, are prepared both to litigate thethese matters to judgment, as well as to evaluate and consider all reasonable settlement opportunities.
We are among hundreds of defendants nationwidesubject to various federal, state and local environmental protection and health and safety laws. From time to time, we are subject to judicial and administrative proceedings brought by various governmental authorities under these laws. Several such proceedings are currently pending, but none is reasonably expected to exceed $100,000 in dozens of lawsuits filed over the past year by Sprint Communications Companyfines and affiliates of Verizon Communications Inc. The plaintiffs in these suits have challenged the right of local exchange carriers to bill interexchange carriers for switched access charges for certain calls between mobile and wireline devices that are routed through an interexchange carrier. In the lawsuits, the plaintiffs are seeking refunds of access charges previously paid and relief from future access charges. In addition, these and some other interexchange carriers have ceased paying switched access charges on these calls. Recently the lawsuits involving us and many other carriers have been consolidated for pretrial purposes in the United States District Court for the District of Northern Texas. Some of the defendants, including us, have petitioned the Federal Communications Commission to address these issues on an industry-wide basis.penalties.
The outcome of these disputes and suits, as well as any related regulatoryother proceedings that could ensue, are currentlyis not predictable. IfHowever, based on current circumstances, we are required to stop assessingdo not believe that the ultimate resolution of these chargesother proceedings, after considering available defenses and any insurance coverage or to pay refunds of any such charges,indemnification rights, will have a material adverse effect on our financial position, results could be negatively affected.of operations or cash flows.
CenturyLink, Inc. and its affiliates are involved in several legal proceedings to which we are not a party that, if resolved against them, could have a material adverse effect on their business and financial condition. As an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of CenturyLink, Inc., our business and financial condition could be similarly affected. You can find descriptions of these legal proceedings in CenturyLink'sCenturyLink, Inc.'s quarterly and annual reports filed with the SEC.Securities and Exchange Commission. Because we are not a party to any of the matters, we have not accrued any liabilities for the matters.
Capital Leases
We lease certain facilities and equipment under various capital lease arrangements. Depreciation of assets under capital leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in our consolidated statements of operations. Payments on capital leases are included in repayments of long-term debt, including current maturities in our consolidated statements of cash flows.
The tables below summarize our capital lease activity: | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | | 2012 | 2016 | | 2015 | | 2014 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Assets acquired through capital leases | $ | 3 |
| | — |
| | — |
| $ | 10 |
| | 10 |
| | 3 |
|
| Depreciation expense | 32 |
| | 42 |
| | 50 |
| 5 |
| | 19 |
| | 32 |
|
| Cash payments towards capital leases | 32 |
| | 40 |
| | 41 |
| 6 |
| | 20 |
| | 32 |
|
| | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Assets included in property, plant and equipment | $ | 137 |
| | 168 |
| $ | 40 |
| | 66 |
|
| Accumulated depreciation | 108 |
| | 109 |
| 22 |
| | 55 |
|
The future annual minimum payments under capital lease arrangements as of December 31, 20142016 were as follows: | | | | Future Minimum Payments | Future Minimum Payments |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Capital lease obligations: | | |
| 2015 | $ | 22 |
| |
| 2016 | 2 |
| |
| 2017 | 1 |
| $ | 7 |
|
| 2018 | 1 |
| 7 |
|
| 2019 | 1 |
| 4 |
|
| 2020 and thereafter | 7 |
| |
| 2020 | | 1 |
|
| 2021 | | 2 |
|
| 2022 and thereafter | | 5 |
|
| Total minimum payments | 34 |
| 26 |
|
| Less: amount representing interest and executory costs | (8 | ) | (7 | ) |
| Present value of minimum payments | 26 |
| 19 |
|
| Less: current portion | (20 | ) | (6 | ) |
| Long-term portion | $ | 6 |
| $ | 13 |
|
Operating Leases
We lease various equipment, office facilities, retail outlets, switching facilities and other network sites. These leases, with few exceptions, provide for renewal options and escalations that are either fixed or based on the consumer price index. Any rent abatements, along with rent escalations, are included in the computation of rent expense calculated on a straight-line basis over the lease term. The lease term for most leases includes the initial non-cancelable term plus any term under renewal options that are reasonably assured. For the years ended December 31, 2014, 20132016, 2015 and 2012,2014, our gross rental expense was $79$72 million, $83$75 million and $93$79 million, respectively. We also received sublease rental income for the same periodsyears ended December 31, 2016, 2015 and 2014 of $4 million, $4 million and $8$4 million, respectively.
At December 31, 2014,2016, our future rental commitments for operating leases were as follows: | | | | Future Minimum Payments | Future Minimum Payments |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Operating leases: | | |
| 2015 | $ | 56 |
| |
| 2016 | 50 |
| |
| 2017 | 44 |
| $ | 51 |
|
| 2018 | 38 |
| 47 |
|
| 2019 | 27 |
| 40 |
|
| 2020 and thereafter | 36 |
| |
| 2020 | | 33 |
|
| 2021 | | 17 |
|
| 2022 and thereafter | | 38 |
|
Total future minimum payments(1) | $ | 251 |
| $ | 226 |
|
| |
(1) | Minimum payments have not been reduced by minimum sublease rentals of $30$28 million due in the future under non-cancelable subleases. |
Purchase ObligationsCommitments
We have several commitments primarily for marketing activities and support services from a variety of vendors to be used in the ordinary course of business totaling $139$103 million at December 31, 2014.2016. Of this amount, we expect to purchase $50$55 million in 2015, $72 million in 2016 through 2017, $16$40 million in 2018 through 2019, and $1$5 million in 2020 through 2021 and $3 million in 2022 and thereafter. These amounts do not represent our entire anticipated purchases in the future, but represent only those items for which we were contractually committed as of December 31, 2014.2016.
| |
| (16) | Other Financial Information |
Other Current Assets
The following table presents details of other current assets in our consolidated balance sheets: | | | | As of December 31, | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) | (Dollars in millions) |
| Prepaid expenses | $ | 45 |
| | 47 |
| $ | 48 |
| | 46 |
|
| Assets held for sale | | 8 |
| | — |
|
| Other | 80 |
| | 79 |
| 73 |
| | 77 |
|
| Total other current assets | $ | 125 |
| | 126 |
| $ | 129 |
| | 123 |
|
We recorded a loss of $11 million in connection with the impairment of an office building being reclassified as held for sale in the fourth quarter of 2016. This impairment charge is included in selling, general and administrative expense in our consolidated statement of operations for the year ended December 31, 2016. We anticipate the sale of the office building to close during the first half of 2017.
Selected Current Liabilities
Current liabilities reflected in our consolidated balance sheets include accounts payable: |
| | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Accounts payable | $ | 464 |
| | 440 |
|
|
| | | | | | |
| | As of December 31, |
| | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in millions) |
| Accounts payable | $ | 398 |
| | 369 |
|
Included in accounts payable at December 31, 20142016 and 2013,2015, were $44$53 million and $11$29 million, respectively, associated with capital expenditures.
| |
| (17) | Labor Union Contracts |
Approximately 11,000, or 48%,50% of our employees are members of various bargaining units represented by the CommunicationsCommunication Workers of America ("CWA") orand the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers ("IBEW") andWorkers. We believe that relations with our employees continue to be generally good. Approximately 11,000, or 50%, of our employees that are subject to collective bargaining agreements that are scheduled to expire inOctober 7, 2017.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial ReportingDisclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishingThe Company maintains disclosure controls and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term isprocedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(f). Under(the “Exchange Act”)) designed to provide reasonable assurance that the supervisioninformation required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. These include controls and procedures designed to ensure that this information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Management, with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer, Glen F. Post, III, and our Chief Financial Officer, weR. Stewart Ewing, Jr., evaluated the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e)the Company’s disclosure controls and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the "Exchange Act")procedures as of December 31, 2014 based2016. Based on this evaluation, the framework in Internal Control—Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission. Our managementCompany’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting wasthe Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2014.
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred in2016, at the fourth quarter of 2014 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.reasonable assurance level.
The effectiveness of our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures is subject to certain limitations, including the exercise of judgment in designing, implementing and evaluating the controls and procedures, the assumptions used in identifying the likelihood of future events and the inability to eliminate misconduct completely. As a result, there can be no assurance that our disclosure controls and procedures will detect all errors or fraud. By their nature, our or any system of disclosure controls and procedures can provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives.
Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management of the Company is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act), a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States. Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the COSO. Based on our evaluation under the framework of COSO, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective at December 31, 2016.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
We have omitted this information pursuant to General Instruction I.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures
The Audit Committee of CenturyLink's Board of Directors is responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of our independent registered public accounting firm. Under the Audit Committee's charter, the Audit Committee pre-approves all audit and permissible non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm. The approval may be given as part of the Audit Committee's approval of the scope of the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm or on an individual basis. The pre-approval of non-audit services may be delegated to one or more of the Audit Committee's members, but the decision must be reported to the full Audit Committee. Our independent registered public accounting firm may not be retained to perform the non-audit services specified in Section 10A(g) of the Exchange Act.
Fees Paid to the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
QCII first engaged KPMG LLP to be our independent registered public accounting firm in May 2002. The aggregate fees billed or allocated to us for the years ended December 31, 20142016 and 20132015 for professional accounting services, including KPMG's audit of our annual consolidated financial statements, are set forth in the table below. | | | | Years Ended December 31, | Years Ended December 31, |
| | 2014 | | 2013 | 2016 | | 2015 |
| | (Dollars in thousands) | (Dollars in thousands) |
| Audit fees | $ | 2,825 |
| | 2,700 |
| $ | 2,700 |
| | 2,910 |
|
| Audit-related fees | — |
| | 32 |
| — |
| | — |
|
| Total fees | $ | 2,825 |
| | 2,732 |
| $ | 2,700 |
| | 2,910 |
|
KPMG did not provide to us any professional services for tax compliance, tax advice or tax planning in 20142016 or 2013.2015.
For purposes of the preceding table, the professional fees are classified as follows:
Audit fees: These are fees billed for the year shown for professional services performed for the audit of the consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-K filing for that year, the review of condensed consolidated financial statements included in our Form 10-Q filings made during that year, comfort letters, consents and assistance with and review of documents filed with the SEC. Audit fees for each year shown include amounts that have been billed through the date of this filing and any additional amounts that are expected to be billed thereafter.
Audit-related fees: These are fees billed for assurance and related services that were performed in the year shown and that are traditionally performed by our independent registered public accounting firm. More specifically, these services include regulatory filings. Audit-related fees for each year shown include amounts that have been billed through the date of this filing.
The Audit Committee of CenturyLink, Inc. approved in advance all of the services performed by KPMG described above.
PART IV
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
Exhibits identified in parentheses below are on file with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference. All other exhibits are provided as part of this electronic submission.(1) |
| | | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| 3.1 |
| | Restated Articles of Incorporation of Qwest Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3(a) of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1997 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the SecuritiesAmended and Exchange Commission on March 25, 1998). |
3.2 |
| | Articles of Amendment to therestated Articles of Incorporation of Qwest Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Qwest Corporation's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2000March 31, 2013 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 11, 2000)May 13, 2013). |
3.33.2 |
| | Amended and Restated Bylaws of Qwest Corporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2004). |
| 4.1 |
| | Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1990, by and between The Mountain States Telephone and Telegraph Company (currently named Qwest Corporation) and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2004). |
| |
| a. | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 1991, by and between U S WEST Communications, Inc. (currently named Qwest Corporation) and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2004). |
| 4.2 |
| | Indenture, dated as of April 15, 1990, by and between Northwestern Bell Telephone Company (predecessor to Qwest Corporation) and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5(b) of CenturyLink, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended March 31, 2012 (File No. 001-07784) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 10, 2012). |
| | a. | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 16, 1991, by and between U S WEST Communications, Inc. (currently named Qwest Corporation) and The First National Bank of Chicago (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2002 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 13, 2004). |
| 4.3 |
| | Indenture, dated as of October 15, 1999, by and between U S West Communications, Inc. (currently named Qwest Corporation) and Bank One Trust Company, N.A., as trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4(b) of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 1999 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 3, 2000). |
| |
| a. | First Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 19, 2004, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.22 of Qwest Communications International Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended September 30, 2004 (File No. 001-15577) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 5, 2004). |
|
| b. | Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 17, 2005, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 23, 2005). |
|
| c. | Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 8, 2006, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 8, 2006). |
| d. | Fifth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 16, 2007, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 18, 2007). |
| | e. | Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 13, 2009, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 13, 2009). |
| f. | Seventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 8, 2011, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.8 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 7, 2011). |
| g.b. | Eighth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2011, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.9 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 20, 2011). |
| | h.c. | Ninth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of October 4, 2011, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Qwest Corporation's Current Report on Form 8-K (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2011). |
| i. | Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 2, 2012, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2012). |
| j. | Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 25, 2012, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2012). |
| |
(1) | Certain of the items in Sections 4.1 through 4.3 (i)(j) omit supplemental indentures or other instruments governing debt that has been retired, or (ii) refer to trustees who may have been replaced, acquired or affected by similar changes. In accordance with Item 601(b) (4) (iii) (A) of Regulation S-K, copies of certain instruments defining the rights of holders of certain of our long-term debt are not filed herewith. Pursuant to this registration,regulation, we hereby agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to the SEC upon request. |
|
| | | |
Exhibit Number | | Description |
| | k.d. | Tenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of April 2, 2012, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 30, 2012). |
| e. | Eleventh Supplemental Indenture, dated as of June 25, 2012, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 22, 2012). |
| f. | Twelfth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of May 23, 2013, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.13 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 22, 2013). |
| | l.g. | Thirteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 29, 2014, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.14 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 26, 2014). |
| h. | Fourteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of September 21, 2015, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.15 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 21, 2015). |
| i. | Fifteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of January 29, 2016, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.16 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on January 29, 2016). |
| j. | Sixteenth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 22, 2016, by and between Qwest Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.17 of Qwest Corporation's Form 8-A (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 22, 2016). |
| 4.4 |
| | Revolving Promissory Note, dated as of April 18, 2012, pursuant to which Qwest Corporation may borrow from an affiliate of CenturyLink, Inc. up to $1.0 billion on a revolving basis (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.7(b) of CenturyLink, Inc.'s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2012 (File No 001-07784) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 9, 2012). |
4.5*4.5 |
| | Credit Agreement, dated as of February 20, 2015, by and among Qwest Corporation, the several lenders from time to time parties thereto, and CoBank, ACB, as administrative agent.*agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.5 of Qwest Corporation's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014 (File No. 001-03040) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 27, 2015). |
| 12* |
| | Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges. |
| 23* |
| | Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm Consent. |
| 31.1* |
| | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer of CenturyLink, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 31.2* |
| | Certification of the Chief Financial Officer of CenturyLink, Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 32* |
| | Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer of CenturyLink, Inc. pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002. |
| 101* |
| | Financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Qwest Corporation for the period ended December 31, 2014,2016, formatted in XBRL: (i) the Consolidated Statements of Operations, (ii) the Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iii) the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, (iv) the Consolidated Statements of Stockholder's Equity (Deficit) and (v) the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements. |
ITEM 16. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this annual report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized on February 27, 2015.March 2, 2017.
|
| | |
| | QWEST CORPORATION |
| | By: | /s/ David D. Cole |
| | | David D. Cole |
| | | Executive Vice President-ControllerPresident, Controller and Operations Support (Chief Accounting Officer and Duly Authorized Officer) |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this annual report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the date indicated.
|
| | |
| Signature | | Title |
| | | |
| /s/ Glen F. Post, III | | Chief Executive Officer and President (Principal Executive Officer) |
| Glen F. Post, III | |
| | | |
| /s/ R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. | | Director, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer) |
| R. Stewart Ewing, Jr. | |
| | | |
| /s/ Stacey W. Goff | | Director |
| Stacey W. Goff | |