UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

 

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

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 20192020

 

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

 

For the transition period from             to             

Commission File Number 1-8519

CINCINNATI BELL INC.

 

Ohio

 

31-1056105

(State of Incorporation)

 

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

221 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

(513) 397-9900

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Title of Each Class

 

Trading Symbol(s)

 

Name of Each Exchange on

Which Registered

Common Shares ($0.01 par value)

 

CBB

 

New York Stock Exchange

Depositary Shares, each representing 1/20

interest in a Share of 6 ¾% Cumulative


Convertible Preferred Stock, without par value

 

CBB.PB

 

New York Stock Exchange

 

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

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

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

 

Large accelerated filer

 

Accelerated filer

 

 

 

 

 

Non-accelerated filer

 

Smaller reporting company

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Emerging growth company

 

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

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

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

At October 31, 2019,2020, there were 50,420,70050,680,605 common shares outstanding.

 

 


 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PART I. Financial Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Description

 

 

 

Page

Item 1.

 

Financial Statements

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019

 

1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive LossIncome (Loss) (Unaudited) Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareowners' Deficit (Unaudited) Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019

 

3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited) September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 20182019

 

4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) Nine Months Ended September 30, 20192020 and 20182019

 

5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)

 

6

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

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

 

2623

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk

 

4240

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Controls and Procedures

 

4240

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PART II. Other Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1.

 

Legal Proceedings

 

4341

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1A.

 

Risk Factors

 

4341

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2.

 

Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

 

4348

 

 

 

 

 

Item 3.

 

Default upon Senior Securities

 

4348

 

 

 

 

 

Item 4.

 

Mine Safety Disclosure

 

4348

 

 

 

 

 

Item 5.

 

Other Information

 

4348

 

 

 

 

 

Item 6.

 

Exhibits

 

4449

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Signatures

 

4550

 

 


 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenue

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

979.2

 

 

$

389.5

 

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

1,149.5

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products, excluding items below

 

 

194.7

 

 

 

197.7

 

 

 

587.9

 

 

 

499.4

 

 

 

203.9

 

 

 

194.7

 

 

 

591.0

 

 

 

587.9

 

Selling, general and administrative, excluding items below

 

 

88.0

 

 

 

85.7

 

 

 

261.3

 

 

 

220.2

 

 

 

86.0

 

 

 

88.0

 

 

 

255.3

 

 

 

261.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

229.1

 

 

 

177.6

 

 

 

71.9

 

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

220.8

 

 

 

229.1

 

Restructuring and severance related charges

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

6.4

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

6.4

 

Transaction and integration costs

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

18.2

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

33.8

 

 

 

3.8

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

359.7

 

 

 

372.2

 

 

 

1,088.5

 

 

 

920.3

 

 

 

364.8

 

 

 

359.7

 

 

 

1,117.3

 

 

 

1,088.5

 

Operating income

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

57.8

 

 

 

58.9

 

 

 

24.7

 

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

57.8

 

Interest expense

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

33.7

 

 

 

105.0

 

 

 

96.3

 

 

 

33.4

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

100.6

 

 

 

105.0

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

Other expense (income), net

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Loss before income taxes

 

 

(15.5

)

 

 

(21.0

)

 

 

(55.2

)

 

 

(45.8

)

 

 

(11.1

)

 

 

(15.5

)

 

 

(76.2

)

 

 

(55.2

)

Income tax benefit

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(26.2

)

 

 

(9.2

)

Net loss

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(17.7

)

 

 

(46.0

)

 

 

(39.8

)

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

(50.0

)

 

 

(46.0

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

Net loss applicable to common shareowners

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

(20.3

)

 

$

(53.8

)

 

$

(47.6

)

 

$

(10.8

)

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

(57.8

)

 

$

(53.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.41

)

 

$

(1.07

)

 

$

(1.06

)

 

$

(0.21

)

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(1.07

)

 

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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE LOSSINCOME (LOSS)

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Net loss

 

$

(13.6

)

 

$

(17.7

)

 

$

(46.0

)

 

$

(39.8

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation (loss) gain

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

(2.6

)

Cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized (loss) gain on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of ($0.9), $0.3, ($4.2), ($0.1)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

(13.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net of tax of $0.2, $0.2, $0.3, $0.2

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.5

 

Defined benefit plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net benefit arising from remeasurement during the period, net of tax of $0.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

Amortization of prior service benefits included in net income, net of tax of ($0.2), ($0.1), ($0.5), ($0.5)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(1.4

)

 

 

(1.8

)

Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income, net of tax of $1.0, $1.1, $2.7, $3.5

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

12.3

 

Total other comprehensive (loss) income

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

8.0

 

Total comprehensive loss

 

$

(14.7

)

 

$

(10.9

)

 

$

(49.4

)

 

$

(31.8

)

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Net loss

 

$

(8.2

)

 

$

(13.6

)

 

$

(50.0

)

 

$

(46.0

)

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation gain (loss)

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

2.1

 

Cash flow hedges:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net of tax of ($0.1), $(0.9), ($3.3), ($4.2)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(11.3

)

 

 

(13.9

)

Reclassification adjustment for net losses included in net income, net of tax of $0.5, $0.2, $1.4, $0.3

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

0.8

 

Defined benefit plans:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net gain (loss) arising from remeasurement during the period, net of tax of $1.0, ($3.4), $0.0

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(11.5

)

 

 

0.1

 

Amortization of prior service benefits included in net income, net of tax of ($0.1), ($0.2), ($0.4), ($0.5)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(1.4

)

Amortization of net actuarial loss included in net income, net of tax of $1.1, $1.0, $3.3, $2.7

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

8.9

 

Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement charges included in net income, net of tax of $0.2

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0

 

Total other comprehensive income (loss)

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

(3.4

)

Total comprehensive income (loss)

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

(14.7

)

 

$

(59.8

)

 

$

(49.4

)

 

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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREOWNERS' DEFICIT

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

6 3/4 % Cumulative

Convertible

Preferred Shares

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 3/4 % Cumulative

Convertible

Preferred Shares

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance at June 30, 2020

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.7

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,672.9

 

 

$

(2,817.8

)

 

$

(189.6

)

 

$

(204.6

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

 

 

 

(8.2

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9.7

 

 

 

9.7

 

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.2

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

Balance at September 30, 2020

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.7

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,671.5

 

 

$

(2,826.0

)

 

$

(179.9

)

 

$

(204.5

)

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Loss

 

 

Total

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2019

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,677.4

 

 

$

(2,741.8

)

 

$

(177.8

)

 

$

(112.3

)

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,677.4

 

 

$

(2,741.8

)

 

$

(177.8

)

 

$

(112.3

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.6

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(1.1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,676.8

 

 

$

(2,755.4

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

$

(127.6

)

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,676.8

 

 

$

(2,755.4

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

$

(127.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at June 30, 2018

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

42.4

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

2,561.0

 

 

$

(2,661.7

)

 

$

(172.5

)

 

$

(143.4

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(17.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

(17.7

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

6.8

 

Shares issued under employee plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares purchased under employee plans and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.9

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

Stock consideration for acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

121.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

121.2

 

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,681.3

 

 

$

(2,679.4

)

 

$

(165.7

)

 

$

(33.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6 3/4 % Cumulative

Convertible

Preferred Shares

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,680.0

 

 

$

(2,709.4

)

 

$

(175.5

)

 

$

(75.0

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(46.0

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.4

)

Shares issued under employee plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares purchased under employee plans and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,676.8

 

 

$

(2,755.4

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

$

(127.6

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2017

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

42.2

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

2,565.6

 

 

$

(2,639.6

)

 

$

(173.7

)

 

$

(117.9

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(39.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

(39.8

)

Other comprehensive income

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8.0

 

 

 

8.0

 

Shares issued under employee plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares purchased under employee plans and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.5

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Stock consideration for acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

121.1

 

 

 

 

��

 

 

 

 

121.2

 

Balance at September 30, 2018

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,681.3

 

 

$

(2,679.4

)

 

$

(165.7

)

 

$

(33.9

)

 

 

6 3/4 % Cumulative

Convertible

Preferred Shares

 

 

Common Shares

 

 

Additional

Paid-in

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Accumulated

Other

Comprehensive

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Shares

 

 

Amount

 

 

Capital

 

 

Deficit

 

 

Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2019

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,676.2

 

 

$

(2,776.0

)

 

$

(170.1

)

 

$

(140.0

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(50.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(50.0

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

(9.8

)

Shares issued under employee plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares purchased under employee plans and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.1

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Balance at September 30, 2020

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.7

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,671.5

 

 

$

(2,826.0

)

 

$

(179.9

)

 

$

(204.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance at December 31, 2018

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,680.0

 

 

$

(2,709.4

)

 

$

(175.5

)

 

$

(75.0

)

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(46.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(46.0

)

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.4

)

Shares issued under employee plans

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Shares purchased under employee plans and other

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.8

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5.4

 

Dividends on preferred stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(7.8

)

Balance at September 30, 2019

 

 

3.1

 

 

$

129.4

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

2,676.8

 

 

$

(2,755.4

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

$

(127.6

)

 

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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Dollars in millions, except share amounts)

(Unaudited)  

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

15.4

 

 

$

8.8

 

 

$

11.6

 

Receivables, less allowances of $14.3 and $13.0

 

 

253.2

 

 

 

342.8

 

Receivables, less allowances of $20.2 and $14.3

 

 

280.1

 

 

 

307.7

 

Inventory, materials and supplies

 

 

49.6

 

 

 

46.5

 

 

 

28.7

 

 

 

44.6

 

Prepaid expenses

 

 

29.3

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

30.8

 

 

 

28.3

 

Other current assets

 

 

11.0

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

11.6

 

Total current assets

 

 

349.6

 

 

 

445.9

 

 

 

361.6

 

 

 

403.8

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

1,796.1

 

 

 

1,844.0

 

 

 

1,732.5

 

 

 

1,780.8

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

 

35.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

34.1

 

 

 

35.8

 

Goodwill

 

 

159.6

 

 

 

157.0

 

 

 

159.3

 

 

 

160.5

 

Intangible assets, net

 

 

158.2

 

 

 

168.1

 

 

 

143.4

 

 

 

155.4

 

Deferred income tax assets

 

 

59.5

 

 

 

47.5

 

 

 

86.2

 

 

 

59.3

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

60.1

 

 

 

67.7

 

 

 

46.7

 

 

 

58.2

 

Total assets

 

$

2,619.0

 

 

$

2,730.2

 

 

$

2,563.8

 

 

$

2,653.8

 

Liabilities and Shareowners’ Deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

$

23.4

 

 

$

20.2

 

 

$

21.6

 

 

$

22.3

 

Accounts payable

 

 

248.7

 

 

 

331.9

 

 

 

223.6

 

 

 

284.6

 

Unearned revenue and customer deposits

 

 

50.8

 

 

 

55.9

 

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

59.1

 

Accrued taxes

 

 

22.8

 

 

 

24.8

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

29.1

 

Accrued interest

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

26.8

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

26.8

 

Accrued payroll and benefits

 

 

49.5

 

 

 

42.9

 

 

 

62.8

 

 

 

49.0

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

44.5

 

 

 

39.2

 

 

 

46.9

 

 

 

52.6

 

Total current liabilities

 

 

464.3

 

 

 

541.7

 

 

 

450.1

 

 

 

523.5

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

1,904.0

 

 

 

1,909.6

 

 

 

1,936.4

 

 

 

1,901.3

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

30.9

 

 

 

32.1

 

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

220.1

 

 

 

230.6

 

 

 

216.9

 

 

 

215.5

 

Pole license agreement obligation

 

 

38.3

 

 

 

39.1

 

 

 

37.1

 

 

 

38.0

 

Deferred income tax liability

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

11.7

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

75.5

 

 

 

72.8

 

 

 

86.1

 

 

 

71.7

 

Total liabilities

 

 

2,746.6

 

 

 

2,805.2

 

 

 

2,768.3

 

 

 

2,793.8

 

Shareowners’ deficit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Preferred stock, 2,357,299 shares authorized, 155,250 shares (3,105,000 depositary shares) of 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018; liquidation preference $1,000 per share ($50 per depositary share)

 

 

129.4

 

 

 

129.4

 

Common shares, $.01 par value; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 50,420,449 and 50,184,114 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

Preferred stock, 2,357,299 shares authorized, 155,250 shares (3,105,000 depositary shares) of 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019; liquidation preference $1,000 per share ($50 per depositary share)

 

 

129.4

 

 

 

129.4

 

Common shares, $.01 par value; 96,000,000 shares authorized; 50,680,605 and 50,420,700 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

0.5

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

 

2,676.8

 

 

 

2,680.0

 

 

 

2,671.5

 

 

 

2,676.2

 

Accumulated deficit

 

 

(2,755.4

)

 

 

(2,709.4

)

 

 

(2,826.0

)

 

 

(2,776.0

)

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

 

(178.9

)

 

 

(175.5

)

 

 

(179.9

)

 

 

(170.1

)

Total shareowners’ deficit

 

 

(127.6

)

 

 

(75.0

)

 

 

(204.5

)

 

 

(140.0

)

Total liabilities and shareowners’ deficit

 

$

2,619.0

 

 

$

2,730.2

 

 

$

2,563.8

 

 

$

2,653.8

 

 

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


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Dollars in millions)

(Unaudited)

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Cash flows from operating activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(46.0

)

 

$

(39.8

)

 

$

(50.0

)

 

$

(46.0

)

Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

229.1

 

 

 

177.6

 

 

 

220.8

 

 

 

229.1

 

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

 

 

 

1.3

 

Provision for loss on receivables

 

 

9.1

 

 

 

5.2

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

9.1

 

Noncash portion of interest expense

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

4.8

 

Deferred income taxes

 

 

(8.4

)

 

 

(7.9

)

 

 

(26.4

)

 

 

(8.4

)

Pension and other postretirement payments in excess of expense

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(7.4

)

Pension and other postretirement payments less than (in excess of) expense

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.2

)

Stock-based compensation

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

5.4

 

Other, net

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(3.4

)

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease (increase) in receivables

 

 

82.4

 

 

 

(20.2

)

(Increase) decrease in inventory, materials, supplies, prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

1.5

 

(Decrease) increase in accounts payable

 

 

(76.4

)

 

 

16.4

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Decrease in receivables

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

82.4

 

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

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

(0.6

)

Decrease in accounts payable

 

 

(56.6

)

 

 

(76.4

)

Decrease in accrued and other current liabilities

 

 

(12.1

)

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

(12.2

)

 

 

(12.1

)

Decrease (increase) in other noncurrent assets

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

(1.1

)

Decrease in other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

(2.5

)

 

 

-

 

Decrease in other noncurrent assets

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

7.7

 

Increase (decrease) in other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

(2.5

)

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

 

188.9

 

 

 

122.8

 

 

 

138.9

 

 

 

188.9

 

Cash flows from investing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Capital expenditures

 

 

(167.3

)

 

 

(140.7

)

 

 

(159.2

)

 

 

(167.3

)

Acquisitions of businesses, net of cash acquired

 

 

 

 

 

(216.8

)

Other, net

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

0.3

 

Net cash used in investing activities

 

 

(167.0

)

 

 

(357.6

)

 

 

(160.8

)

 

 

(167.0

)

Cash flows from financing activities

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net (decrease) increase in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days

 

 

(8.1

)

 

 

194.2

 

Net increase (decrease) in corporate credit and receivables facilities with initial maturities less than 90 days

 

 

48.0

 

 

 

(8.1

)

Repayment of debt

 

 

(13.4

)

 

 

(324.3

)

 

 

(19.3

)

 

 

(13.4

)

Debt issuance costs

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(0.8

)

Dividends paid on preferred stock

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(7.8

)

Other, net

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(0.8

)

Net cash used in financing activities

 

 

(30.9

)

 

 

(151.0

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

(0.1

)

Net decrease in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash

 

 

(8.9

)

 

 

(385.9

)

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period

 

 

15.4

 

 

 

396.5

 

Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

10.6

 

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities

 

 

19.3

 

 

 

(30.9

)

Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.1

 

Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(8.9

)

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

15.4

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

$

8.8

 

 

$

6.5

 

Noncash investing and financing transactions:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Stock consideration for merger of Hawaiian Telcom

 

$

 

 

$

121.2

 

Acquisition of property by assuming debt and other noncurrent liabilities

 

$

13.4

 

 

$

6.8

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

13.4

 

Acquisition of property on account

 

$

26.1

 

 

$

36.6

 

 

$

23.7

 

 

$

26.1

 

 

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


NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)

1.    Description of Business and Accounting Policies

Description of Business — Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Cincinnati Bell", "we", "our",Bell," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") provide diversified telecommunications and technology services. The Company generates a large portion of its revenue by serving customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio and the islands of Hawaii. An economic downturn or natural disaster occurring in these, or a portion of these, limited operating territories could have a disproportionate effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows compared to similar companies of a national scope and similar companies operating in different geographic areas.

The Company hadhas receivables with 1 customer, Verizon Communications Inc., which mademake up 18%11% and 25% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance at September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2018. At September 30, 2019, 0 individual customer exceeded 10% of the outstanding accounts receivable balance.respectively. Revenue derived from foreign operations was approximately 5% of consolidated revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019. Revenue derived from foreign operations was approximately 5%2020 and 6% of consolidated revenue for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.  2019.

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

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

The Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 20182019 was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. These Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements should be read in conjunction with the Company’s 20182019 Annual Report on Form 10-K. Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 are not necessarily indicative of the results expected for the full year or any other interim period.

Use of Estimates — Preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates. In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Business Combinations —On March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) called on broadband and telephone service providers to keep Americans connected as the country reacts to the serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Cincinnati Bell, on behalf of all of its affiliates, including Hawaiian Telecom, signed on to the Keep Americans Connected pledge (“Pledge”) and committed to waive late fees for, and not terminate service to, any of our consumer or small business customers who did not pay their bills timely due to an inability to pay caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The Pledge expired on June 30, 2020 and beginning in July, the Company started initial communications to collect amounts that were past due and reinstated our standard collection practices. In accountingaccordance with regulatory orders in Hawaii, the Pledge has continued to be honored for business combinations, we applycertain regulated services through the accounting requirementsdate of Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") 805, “Business Combinations,” which requiresthis filing. As of September 30, 2020, our allowance for credit losses considered the recording of net assets of acquired businesses at fair value. In developing fair value estimates for acquired assetscurrent and assumed liabilities, management analyzes a variety of factors including market data, estimatedpotential future cash flowsimpacts caused by COVID-19 on each of the acquired operations, industry growth rates, current replacement costsegments based on available information to date. It is reasonably possible that, as the economic factors and impacts of COVID-19 continue to evolve and the full impact of not terminating service is identified, the estimate could change and the effect could be material. While the stay at home orders have eased in certain markets, social distancing mandates communicated by the local, state and federal governments continue to impact how businesses must now operate and ultimately if they can remain open. With the exception of the incremental increase to the allowance for fixed assets, and market rate assumptions for contractual obligations. Such a valuation requires managementdoubtful accounts, the Company is not aware of any other specific events or circumstances that would require updates to make significantthe Company’s estimates and assumptions, particularly with respectjudgements, or revisions to the intangible assets. carrying value of its assets or liabilities as of the date of issuance of these financial statements. These estimates may change, as new events occur and additional information is obtained, and such change requires an update in the consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from those estimates and any such differences may be material to the financial statements.

Accounting PoliciesThe Company reportscomplete summary of significant accounting policies is included in itsthe notes to the consolidated financial statements provisional amountsas presented in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the items for which accounting is incomplete. Goodwill is adjusted for any changes to provisional amounts made within the measurement period. See Note 4 for disclosures related to mergers and acquisitions.fiscal year ended December 31, 2019.

Leases - The Company determines if an arrangement is a lease at inception based on the facts and circumstances present. In lease transactions where the Company acts as the lessor, the lease component is accounted for in accordance with ASC 842, and the non-lease component is accounted for in accordance with ASC 606. Although separation of lease and non-lease components is required, certain practical expedients are available that release the Company from this requirement. Adoption of the practical expedient allows the Company to account for each lease component and the related non-lease component together as a single component provided that the timing and patterns of revenue recognition for the components are the same and the combined, single unit of account would be classified as an operating lease. The Company's operating leases for certain services that include Customer Premise Equipment, including handsets and set-top boxes, have lease and non-lease components. In these arrangements, management has concluded that the non-lease components are the predominant characteristic, and, as a result, the Company has elected to account for these arrangements as one single non-lease component recorded as "Revenue" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations in accordance with ASC 606.

Right-of-use assets represent our right to use an underlying asset for the lease term, and lease liabilities represent our obligation to make lease payments arising from the lease. Operating lease right-of-use assets and liabilities are recognized at commencement date based on the present value of lease payments over the lease term. Certain adjustments to the right-of-use asset may be required for items such as initial direct costs paid or incentives received.

The Company's lease terms include options to extend, terminate or buyout the lease when it is reasonably certain that we will exercise that option. Leases that have contract prices based on variable factors, such as power usage, are recognized as variable lease expense in the period in which the obligation for those payments are incurred. Lease expense for variable lease payments is recognized on a straight-line basis over the lease term.


Income and Operating Taxes

Income taxes — In accordance with ASC 740-270, the Company’s income tax provision for interim periods is determined through the use of an estimated annual effective tax rate applied to year-to-date ordinary income/loss plus or minus the tax effects of discrete items. TheSince the Company expects itsis reporting a net loss before tax, the Company’s estimated annual effective tax rate benefit to beis lower than statutory rates as a result of permanent items such as meals and entertainment expenses that are not fully deductible for tax. The net effect of several discrete items recorded increased the tax benefit in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Most significantly, the Company released valuation allowances of $15.3 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2020, which were previously recorded on deferred tax assets related to interest expense for which the tax deduction was limited. The release of these valuation allowances was driven by the enactment of the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) on March 27, 2020, which contains provisions that increase the Company’s ability to deduct interest expense. Discrete tax benefits were offset, in part, by the $7.6 million tax effect of nondeductible transaction costs.

Operating taxes — The Company elected to record certain operating taxes such as property, sales, use, and gross receipts taxes including telecommunications surcharges as expenses, primarily within cost of services and products. These taxes are not included in income tax expense because the amounts to be paid are not dependent on our level of income. Liabilities for audit exposures are established based on management's assessment of the probability of payment. The provision for such liabilities is recognized as either property, plant and equipment, operating tax expense, or depreciation expense depending on the nature of the audit exposure. Upon resolution of an audit, any remaining liability not paid is released against the account in which it was originally recorded. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company had net releases of $0.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, of sales and use tax reserve due primarily to favorable audit results. Certain telecommunication taxes and surcharges that are collected from customers are also recorded as revenue; however, in accordance with ASC 606, revenue associated with these charges is excluded from the transaction price.

Derivative Financial Instruments — The Company accounts for derivative financial instruments by recognizing derivative instruments as either assets or liabilities in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at fair value and recognizing the resulting gains or losses as adjustments to the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations or "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss." The Company does not hold or issue derivative financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes.

For derivative instruments that hedge the exposure to variability in expected future cash flows that are designated and qualify as cash flow hedges, the gain or loss on the derivative instrument is reported as a component of "Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss" in stockholder's equity and reclassified into earnings in the same period or periods during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. To receive hedge accounting treatment, cash flow hedges must be highly effective in offsetting changes to expected future cash flows on hedged transactions. Derivatives that do not qualify as hedges are adjusted to fair value through earnings in the current period.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

In August 2018,2020, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2018-15, Intangibles-Goodwill2020-06, Debt - Debt with Conversion and Other-Internal-Use Software, whichOther Options (Subtopic 470-20) and Derivatives and Hedging - Contracts in Entity's Own Equity (Subtopic 815-40): Accounting for Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity's Own Equity. The ASU reduces the number of accounting models for convertible debt instruments by eliminating the cash conversion and beneficial conversion models. As compared with current U.S. GAAP, more convertible debt instruments will be reported as a single liability instrument and the interest rate of more convertible debt instruments will be closer to the coupon interest rate. In addition, the ASU increases information related to disclosures for convertible instruments and aligns the accountingconsistency of diluted Earnings Per Share ("EPS") calculations for implementation costs incurred in a hosting arrangementconvertible instruments by requiring that is a service contract with(1) an entity use the requirements in ASC 350-40 for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The amendments in this ASU also require the entity to present the expense related to the capitalized implementation costsif-converted method and (2) share settlement be included in the same line item in the statement of income as the fees associated with the hosting element of the arrangementdiluted EPS calculation for both convertible instruments and classify payments for capitalized implementation costs in the statementequity contracts when those contracts include an option of cash flows in the same manner as payments made for fees associated with the hosting element.settlement or share settlement. The amendments in this ASU areis effective for public business entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019, and2021, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted, but no earlier than fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2020, including interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company is currently evaluating the impact this guidance may have on its condensed consolidated financial statements and related disclosures.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848):Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting. The ASU is intended to provide temporary optional expedients and exceptions to the U.S. GAAP guidance on contract modifications and hedge accounting to ease the financial reporting burdens related to the expected market transition from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. These amendments shouldare effective as of any date from the beginning of an interim period that includes or is subsequent to March 12, 2020 and may be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. Early adoption is permitted in any interim period after issuance of the update.contract modifications made and hedging relationships entered into or evaluated on or before December 31, 2022. The Company early adopted this standard prospectively effective January 1, 2019. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact onis currently evaluating our contracts and the Company’s consolidated financial statements.optional expedients provided by the new standard.



In FebruaryJune 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases,2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses (Topic 326), which representsreplaces the incurred loss model with the current expected credit loss (“CECL”) model to estimate credit losses for financial assets measured at amortized cost and certain off-balance sheet credit exposures. The CECL model requires a wholesale changecompany to lease accounting. Since that date,estimate credit losses expected over the FASB has issued additional ASUs clarifying certain aspects of ASU 2016-02 but did not change the core principal. The standard introduces a lessee model that brings most leases onto the balance sheet, as well as aligns certain underlying principleslife of the new lessor model with those in ASC 606. The ASUfinancial assets based on all relevant information including historical information, current conditions and reasonable and supportable forecasts that affect the collectability of the amounts. This standard is effective for public entities for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018.2019. The standard requires a modified retrospective approach by recording a cumulative-effect adjustment to retained earnings as of the beginning of the first reporting period in which the guidance is effective. ASU 2016-13 was amended in November 2018 by the provisions of ASU 2018-19, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, in April 2019 by the provisions of ASU 2019-04, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses, in May 2019 by the provisions of ASU 2019-05, Financial Instruments – Credit Loses (Topic 326), and in November 2019 by the provisions of ASU 2019-11, Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. The Company adopted the standardthis ASU and all subsequent amendments effective January 1, 2019, using the modified retrospective transition method, which did not require the Company to adjust comparative periods.

2020. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed the Company to carryforward its historical assessments of: (1) whether contracts are or contain leases, (2) lease classification and (3) initial direct costs. In addition to the package of practical expedients, the Company elected the practical expedients of using hindsight in determining the lease term and in assessing impairment of the entity’s right-of-use assets as well as not to assess whether existing or expired land easements that were not previously accounted for as leases under ASC 840 are or contain a lease under ASC 842.

Upon adoption of this standard, the Company recognized operating lease right-of-use assets of $38.3 million and operating lease liabilities of $46.2 million in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. The Company elected the practical expedient outlined in ASU 2018-11 allowing entities to initially apply the new lease standard at the adoption date and recognize a cumulative-effect adjustment to the opening balance of retained earnings in the period of adoption. The adoption of ASU 2016-02 had no impact to accumulated deficit.


The Company implemented internal controls and procured a third-party lease accounting software solution to facilitate the ongoing accounting and financial reporting requirements of the ASU. The standardas amended, did not have a material impacteffect on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations. The most significant impact was the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases, while our accounting for finance leases remained substantially unchanged. See Note 7 for required disclosures as a result of adopting ASC 842.Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Other accounting standards that have been issued or proposed by the FASB or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

2.    Earnings Per Common Share

Basic earnings per common share (“EPS”)EPS is based upon the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution that would occur upon issuance of common shares for awards under stock-based compensation plans or conversion of preferred stock, but only to the extent that they are considered dilutive.

The following table shows the computation of basic and diluted EPS:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(in millions, except per share amounts)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net loss

 

$

(13.6

)

 

$

(17.7

)

 

$

(46.0

)

 

$

(39.8

)

 

$

(8.2

)

 

$

(13.6

)

 

$

(50.0

)

 

$

(46.0

)

Preferred stock dividends

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

7.8

 

Net loss applicable to common shareowners - basic and diluted

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

(20.3

)

 

$

(53.8

)

 

$

(47.6

)

 

$

(10.8

)

 

$

(16.2

)

 

$

(57.8

)

 

$

(53.8

)

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

50.1

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

50.7

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

50.4

 

Stock-based compensation arrangements

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

50.1

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

50.7

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

50.6

 

 

 

50.4

 

Basic and diluted net loss per common share

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(0.41

)

 

$

(1.07

)

 

$

(1.06

)

 

$

(0.21

)

 

$

(0.32

)

 

$

(1.14

)

 

$

(1.07

)

 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the Company had a net loss available to common shareholders and, as a result, all common stock equivalents were excluded from the computation of diluted EPS as their inclusion would have been anti-dilutive. For all periods presented, preferred stock convertible into 0.9 million common shares was excluded as it was anti-dilutive.

3.    Mergers and Acquisitions

Pending Acquisition by MIP

On December 21, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time, the “Brookfield Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of the Brookfield Infrastructure Group (“Brookfield”), the infrastructure investment division of Brookfield Asset Management, which was subsequently amended. Pursuant to the amended Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company would be acquired by an affiliate of Brookfield for $14.50 per Common Share.

On March 13, 2020, the Company terminated the Brookfield Merger Agreement and entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). At the effective time of the MIP Merger (the “Effective Time”), each of our issued and outstanding Common Shares will be converted into the right to receive $15.50 in cash per Common Share, without interest, and the 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares will remain issued and outstanding as 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company, without par value, following the Effective Time.  


In connection with the termination of the Brookfield Merger Agreement in the first quarter of 2020, the Company paid to an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million as required by the terms of the Brookfield Merger Agreement. The termination fee is recorded in “Transaction and integration costs” on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.

The consummation of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the MIP Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all outstanding Common Shares and 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a single class; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (iii) the receipt of any required consents or approvals from (a) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (b) the Federal Communications Commission, (c) state public service and state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; and (iv) the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the MIP Merger. On May 7, 2020, the shareholders of the Company adopted the MIP Merger Agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders.

The MIP Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature.

The MIP Merger is expected to close in the first half of 2021, although there can be no assurance that the MIP Merger will occur by that date. At the Effective Time, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company as a result of the completion of the MIP Merger.

Consent Solicitation for 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 and 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025

On June 15, 2020, the Company announced that it had commenced consent solicitations (the “Consent Solicitations”) with respect to certain proposed amendments to the (i) indenture, dated as of September 22, 2016 (as supplemented and amended, the “2024 Notes Indenture”) governing its 7.000% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “2024 Notes”) and (ii) indenture, dated as of October 6, 2017 (as supplemented and amended, the “2025 Notes Indenture,” and together with the 2024 Notes Indenture, the “Indentures”) governing its 8.000% Senior Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes,” and together with the 2024 Notes, the “Notes”).

Upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in the consent solicitation statement, dated June 15, 2020 (as supplemented by the Company's press release, dated June 22, 2020, the Company's press release, dated June 25, 2020, the supplement to the consent solicitation statement, dated June 25, 2020 and the Company's press release, dated June 30, 2020, the “Consent Solicitation Statement”), the Company solicited consents in order to (i) amend the definition of “Change of Control” in the Indentures so that the MIP Merger would not constitute a Change of Control and (ii) add a definition of, and designate certain persons, including MIP and its affiliates and Ares Management Corporation and its affiliates as, “Permitted Holders” (collectively, the “Proposed Amendments”).  

On July 2, 2020 (the “Effective Date”), following receipt of the requisite consents from holders of the Notes pursuant to the Consent Solicitations to amend certain provisions of the Indentures, which Consent Solicitations expired at 5:00 p.m., New York City time on July 2, 2020, the Company, certain of the Company’s subsidiaries, as guarantors, and Regions Bank, as trustee, entered into a sixth supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 (the “Sixth Supplemental Indenture”) to the 2024 Notes Indenture and a second supplemental indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020 to the 2025 Notes Indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture”, and, together with the Sixth Supplemental Indenture, the “Supplemental Indentures”).

Subject to the terms and conditions in the Consent Solicitation Statement (including the consummation of the MIP Merger), holders who validly delivered (and did not validly revoke) their consents on or prior to the Effective Date are eligible to receive (i) with respect to the 2024 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $2,812,500, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2024 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked), and (ii) with respect to the 2025 Notes, an aggregate cash payment of $1,050,000, on a pro rata basis (based on aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes for which consents have been validly delivered and not revoked). The Company expects to make this cash payment substantially concurrently with the consummation of the MIP Merger.

The Supplemental Indentures became effective upon execution thereof, but the Proposed Amendments will only become operative upon the occurrence of certain conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures, including payment of the consent fees pursuant to the Consent Solicitations. If the conditions described in the Supplemental Indentures are not satisfied, the Indentures will revert to the form in effect immediately prior to the Effective Date. In addition, subject to the terms and conditions described in the Consent Solicitation Statement and upon satisfaction or waiver of such conditions, including the consummation of the MIP Merger, the Company will secure the Notes and the related guarantees on a pari passu basis (subject to certain exceptions) with the new senior secured credit facilities expected to be entered into in connection with the MIP Merger (the “Collateral”). Any Collateral granted by the Company (but not its subsidiaries) to secure the Notes will also secure the Issuer’s 7.25% Senior Notes due 2023 and any Collateral granted by the Company’s subsidiary Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”) to secure the Notes will also secure CBT’s 6.30% Senior Notes due 2028, in each case on an equal and ratable basis.



4.    Revenue

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services to both residential and commercial customers that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. The products and services within these three categories can be further categorized as either Data, Voice, Video or Other. Consumer/SMB and Legacy revenue includeincludes both residential and commercial customers. Enterprise Fiber revenue includes ethernet and dedicated internet access services that are provided to enterprise customers, as well as revenue associated with the trans-Pacific submarine cable ("SEA-US").

Residential customers have implied month-to-month contracts. Commercial customers, with the exception of contracts associated with the SEA-US, typically have contracts with a duration of one to five years and automatically renew on a month-to-month basis. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. Contracts for projects that are included within the Other revenue stream are typically short in duration and less than one year. Contracts associated with the SEA-US typically range from 15 to 25 years, and payment is prepaid.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides a full range of Information Technology ("IT") solutions, including Communications, Cloud and Consulting services. IT Services and Hardware customers enter into contracts that have a typical duration of one to five years, with varied renewal options at the end of the term. Customers are invoiced on a monthly basis for services rendered. The IT Services and Hardware segment also provides enterprise customers with Infrastructure Solutions, which includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts. These contracts are typically satisfied in less than twelve months and revenue is recognized at a point in time.

The Company has elected the practical expedient described in ASC 606-10-32-18 that allows an entity to not adjust the promised amount of consideration for the effects of a significant financing component if the entity expects that the period of time between the transfer of a promised good or service to the customer and when the customer pays for such good or service will be one year or less. Customers are typically billed immediately upon the rendering of services or the delivery of products. Payment terms for customers are between 30 and 180120 days. Subsequent to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco., Inc. ("Hawaiian Telcom"), the Company began recognizing a financing component associated with the up-front payments for services to be delivered under indefeasible right of use ("IRU") contracts for fiber circuit capacity. The IRU contracts are primarily associated with the SEA-US. The IRU contracts typically have a duration ranging from 15 to 25 years.


Performance Obligations

A performance obligation is a promise in a contract to transfer a distinct good or service to the customer, or a series of distinct goods or services, and is the unit of account defined in ASC Topic 606. The transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each distinct performance obligation and recognized as revenue when, or as, the performance obligation is satisfied. Contract modifications for changes to services provided are routine throughout the term of our contracts. In most instances, contract modifications are for the addition or reduction of services that are distinct, and price changes are based on the stand-alone selling price of the service and, as such, are accounted for on a prospective basis as a new contract.

Goods and services are sold individually, or a contract may include multiple goods or services. For contracts with multiple goods and services, the transaction price identified in the contract is allocated to each performance obligation using the stand-alone selling price of each distinct good or service in the contract.

Certain customers of the Company may receive cash-based rebates based on volume of sales, which are accounted for as variable consideration. Potential rebates are considered at contract inception in our estimate of transaction price based on the estimated projection of sales volume. Estimates are reassessed quarterly.

Performance obligations are satisfied either over time as services are performed or at a point in time. Substantially all of our service revenue is recognized over time. For services transferred over time, the Company has elected the practical expedient to recognize revenue based on amounts invoiced to the customer as the Company has concluded that the invoice amount directly corresponds with the value of services provided to the customer. Management considers this a faithful depiction of the transfer of control as services are provided evenly over the month and are substantially the same over the life of the contract. As the Company has elected the practical expedients detailed at ASC 606-10-50-13, revenue for these unsatisfied performance obligations that will be billed in future periods has not been disclosed.



As of September 30, 2019,2020, our estimated revenue, including a financing component, expected to be recognized in the future related to performance obligations associated with customer contracts that are unsatisfied (or partially unsatisfied) is $38.1$35.5 million. Approximately 80% of this revenue is related to IRU contracts associated with the SEA-US. Certain IRU contracts extend for periods of up to 30 years and are invoiced at the beginning of the contract term. The revenue from such contracts is recognized over time as services are provided over the contract term. The expected revenue to be recognized for existing IRU contracts is as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

$

0.8

 

2020

 

 

2.6

 

Three months ended December 31, 2020

 

$

0.8

 

2021

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.5

 

2022

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.6

 

2023

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

2.5

 

2024

 

 

2.6

 

Thereafter

 

 

27.1

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the Entertainment and Communications segment, namely Data, Voice, Video and Other. For each of the Data, Voice and Video services, service is delivered to the customer continuously and in a substantially similar manner for each period of the agreement, the customer takes full control over the services as the service is delivered, and as such Data, Voice and Video are identified to be a series of distinct services. Services provided by the Entertainment and Communications segment can be categorized into three main categories that include Consumer/SMB, Enterprise Fiber and Legacy, each of which may include one or more of the aforementioned performance obligations. Data services include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, routed network services, SONET (Synchronous Optical Network), dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU revenue. Voice services include traditional and fiber voice lines, switched access, digital trunking and consumer long distance calling. Video services are offered through our fiber network to residential and commercial customers based on various standard plans with the opportunity to add premium channels. To receive video services, customers are required to use the Company's set top boxes that are billed as part of the monthly recurring service. Set top boxes are not considered a separate performance obligation from video because the equipment is necessary for the service to operate and the customer has no alternative use for the equipment.

Services and products not included in Data, Voice or Video are included in Other revenue and are comprised of wire care, wire time and materials projects and advertising. Transfer of control of these services and products is evaluated on an individual project basis and can occur over time or at a point in time.

The Company uses multiple methods to determine stand-alone selling prices in the Entertainment and Communications segment. For Data, Video and Voice products in Consumer/SMB, market rate is the primary method used to determine stand-alone selling prices. For Data performance obligations under the Enterprise Fiber category, and Voice, Data and Other performance obligations under the Legacy category, stand-alone selling prices are determined based on a list price, discount off of list price, a tariff rate, a margin percentage range, or a minimum margin percentage.


IT Services and Hardware

The Company has identified four distinct performance obligations in the IT Services and Hardware segment. These performance obligations are Communications, Cloud, Consulting and Infrastructure Solutions. Communications services are monthly services that include data and VoIP services, tailored solutions that include converged IP communications of data, voice, video and mobility applications, enterprise long distance, MPLS (Multi-Protocol Label Switching) and conferencing services. Cloud services include storage, backup, disaster recovery, SLA-based monitoring and management, cloud computing and cloud consulting. Consulting services provide customers with IT staffing, consulting and emerging technology solutions. Infrastructure Solutions includes the sale of hardware and maintenance contracts as well as installation projects.

For the sale of hardware, the Company evaluated whether it is the principal or the agent. The Company has concluded it acts as an agent because it does not control the inventory before it is transferred to customers, it does not have the ability to direct the product to anyone besides the purchasing customer, and it does not integrate the hardware with any of its own goods or services. Based on this assessment, the performance obligation is to arrange a sale of hardware between the vendor and the customer. In the instance where there is an issue with the hardware, the Company coordinates with the manufacturer to facilitate a return in accordance with the standard manufacturer warranty. Hardware returns are not significant to the Company.

Within the IT Services and Hardware segment, stand-alone selling prices for the four performance obligations are determined based on either a margin percentage range, minimum margin percentage or standard price list.


For hardware sales, revenue is recognized net of the cost of product and is recognized when the hardware is either shipped or delivered in accordance with the terms of the contract. For certain projects within Communications and Consulting, revenue is recognized when the customer communicates acceptance of the services performed. For contracts with freight on board shipping terms, management has elected to account for shipping and handling as activities to fulfill the promise to transfer the good, and therefore has not evaluated whether shipping and handling activities are promised services to its customers.

Contract Balances 

The Company recognizes incremental fulfillment costs as an asset when installation expenses are incurred as part of performing the agreement for Voice, Video and Data product offerings in the Entertainment and Communications segment in which the contract life is longer than one year. These fulfillment costs are amortized ratably over the expected life of the customer, which is representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. The expected life of the customer is determined utilizing the average churn rate for each product. The Company calculates average churn based on the historical average customer life. We also recognize an asset for incremental fulfillment costs for certain Communications services in the IT Services and Hardware segment that require us to incur installation and provisioning expenses. The asset recognized for Communication services is amortized over the average contract life. Churn rates and average contract life are reviewed on an annual basis. Fulfillment costs are capitalized to “Other noncurrent assets.” The related amortization expense is recorded to “Cost of services and products.”

The Company recognizes an asset for the incremental costs of acquiring a contract with a customer if we expect the benefit of those costs to be longer than one year. We have determined that certain sales incentive programs related to Voice, Video, Data and certain Communications and Cloud services meet the requirements to be capitalized. The contract asset established for the costs of acquiring a contract is recorded to “Other noncurrent assets.” Sales incentives are amortized ratably over the period that services are delivered using either an average churn rate or average contract term, both representative of the expected period of benefit of the asset capitalized. Customer churn rates and average contract term assumptions are reviewed on an annual basis. The related amortization expense is recorded to “Selling, general and administrative.”

Management has elected to use the practical expedient detailed in ASC 340-40-25-4 to expense any costs to fulfill a contract and costs to obtain a contract as they are incurred when the amortization period would have been one year or less. This practical expedient has been applied to fulfillment costs that include installation costs associated with wiring projects and certain Cloud services. In addition, this practical expedient has been applied to acquisition costs associated with revenue from certain Communications projects.


The following table presents the activity for the Company’s contract assets:

 

 

Fulfillment Costs

 

 

Cost of Acquisition

 

 

Total Contract Assets

 

 

Fulfillment Costs

 

 

Cost of Acquisition

 

 

Total Contract Assets

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services

and

Hardware

 

 

Total

Company

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

2.5

 

 

$

17.0

 

 

$

13.0

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

15.0

 

 

$

27.5

 

 

$

4.5

 

 

$

32.0

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

8.0

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

12.1

 

 

$

14.8

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

$

17.1

 

 

$

22.8

 

 

$

6.4

 

 

$

29.2

 

Additions

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

4.0

 

Amortization

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(5.0

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(5.7

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(2.7

)

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(5.1

)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

 

 

12.5

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

15.3

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

30.8

 

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

 

6.8

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

10.8

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

17.3

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

28.1

 

Additions

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

3.8

 

Amortization

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(5.0

)

Balance as of June 30, 2019

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

16.8

 

 

 

24.5

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

30.2

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

15.3

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

26.9

 

Additions

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

4.8

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

3.9

 

Amortization

 

 

(1.7

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(4.3

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

 

(5.1

)

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(4.1

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(5.0

)

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

9.3

 

 

$

3.9

 

 

$

13.2

 

 

$

14.3

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

16.7

 

 

$

23.6

 

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

29.9

 

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

15.5

 

 

 

1.9

 

 

 

17.4

 

 

 

20.1

 

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

25.8

 

 

The Company recognizes a liability for cash received upfront for IRU contracts. At September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018, $1.52019, $1.6 million and $1.4$1.5 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other current liabilities." At September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018, $27.12019, $26.6 million and $28.0$27.1 million, respectively, of contract liabilities were included in "Other noncurrent liabilities."


Disaggregated Revenue

The following table presents revenues disaggregated by product and service lines:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Data

 

$

119.5

 

 

$

116.0

 

 

$

356.5

 

 

$

285.3

 

 

$

119.8

 

 

$

119.5

 

 

$

358.8

 

 

$

356.5

 

Video

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

52.4

 

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

131.3

 

 

 

48.1

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

145.1

 

 

 

153.5

 

Voice

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

76.8

 

 

 

215.4

 

 

 

169.8

 

 

 

65.5

 

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

197.6

 

 

 

215.4

 

Other

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

23.9

 

Total Entertainment and Communications

 

 

248.5

 

 

 

253.4

 

 

 

749.3

 

 

 

601.5

 

 

 

241.0

 

 

 

248.5

 

 

 

724.5

 

 

 

749.3

 

Consulting

 

 

37.6

 

 

 

35.9

 

 

 

114.6

 

 

 

100.7

 

 

 

49.4

 

 

 

37.6

 

 

 

138.5

 

 

 

114.6

 

Cloud

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

69.8

 

 

 

71.8

 

 

 

21.1

 

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

63.0

 

 

 

69.8

 

Communications

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

47.0

 

 

 

147.0

 

 

 

129.1

 

 

 

53.9

 

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

160.3

 

 

 

147.0

 

Infrastructure Solutions

 

 

29.0

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

85.6

 

 

 

95.4

 

 

 

30.8

 

 

 

29.0

 

 

 

82.7

 

 

 

85.6

 

Total IT Services and Hardware

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

141.1

 

 

 

417.0

 

 

 

397.0

 

 

 

155.2

 

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

444.5

 

 

 

417.0

 

Intersegment revenue

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(19.3

)

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

(19.5

)

 

 

(20.0

)

Total revenue

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

979.2

 

 

$

389.5

 

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

1,149.5

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company determined that certain revenue in the IT Services and Hardware segment associated with nonrecurring projects is better aligned with Infrastructure Solutions, rather than Consulting, where it was previously reported. As a result, the Company reclassed revenue of $6.2 million and $19.3 million from Consulting to Infrastructure Solutions for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively. This reclassification of revenue had no impact on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


The following table presents revenues disaggregated by contract type:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

Intersegment revenue

elimination

 

 

Total

 

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

Intersegment revenue

elimination

 

 

Total

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Products and Services transferred at a point in time

 

$

7.7

 

 

$

7.9

 

 

$

33.5

 

 

$

33.0

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

41.2

 

 

$

40.9

 

 

$

6.6

 

 

$

7.7

 

 

$

34.1

 

 

$

33.5

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

40.7

 

 

$

41.2

 

Products and Services transferred over time

 

 

235.5

 

 

 

239.0

 

 

 

105.8

 

 

 

106.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

341.3

 

 

 

345.8

 

 

 

229.5

 

 

 

235.5

 

 

 

119.3

 

 

 

105.8

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

348.8

 

 

 

341.3

 

Intersegment revenue

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

248.5

 

 

$

253.4

 

 

$

140.5

 

 

$

141.1

 

 

$

(6.5

)

 

$

(7.8

)

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

241.0

 

 

$

248.5

 

 

$

155.2

 

 

$

140.5

 

 

$

(6.7

)

 

$

(6.5

)

 

$

389.5

 

 

$

382.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

Intersegment revenue

elimination

 

 

Total

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Products and Services transferred at a point in time

 

$

23.6

 

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

95.2

 

 

$

100.4

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

118.8

 

 

$

118.7

 

Products and Services transferred over time

 

 

709.2

 

 

 

566.8

 

 

 

318.3

 

 

 

293.7

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1,027.5

 

 

 

860.5

 

Intersegment revenue

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

16.4

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(19.3

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

Total revenue

 

$

749.3

 

 

$

601.5

 

 

$

417.0

 

 

$

397.0

 

 

$

(20.0

)

 

$

(19.3

)

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

979.2

 

 

4.    Mergers and Acquisitions

Acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc.

On July 2, 2018, the Company acquired Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. for cash consideration of $218.3 million, stock consideration of $121.2 million and debt repayments, including accrued interest, of $318.2 million. Hawaiian Telcom is the ILEC for the State of Hawaii and the largest full service provider of communication services and products in the state. With the acquisition, the Company gains access to both Honolulu, a well-developed, fiber-rich city, as well as the growing neighbor islands. The companies' combined fiber networks are approximately 17,000 fiber route miles.

The purchase price for Hawaiian Telcom consisted of the following:

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

Cash consideration plus debt assumed

 

$

536.5

 

Cincinnati Bell Inc. stock issued

 

 

121.2

 

Debt repayment

 

 

(318.2

)

Total purchase price

 

$

339.5

 

In order to fund the acquisition, the Company utilized proceeds of $350.0 million from the 8% Senior Notes due 2025 ("8% Notes"), $16.5 million of the cash that was previously restricted to fund interest payments on the 8% Notes, drew $35.0 million on the revolving credit facility and $154.0 million on the accounts receivable securitization facility. In conjunction with the acquisition, the Company issued 7.7 million Common Shares at a price of $15.70 per share as stock consideration. The Company recorded a total of $28.1 million in acquisition expenses related to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom, of which 0 expense was recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2019 and$0.9 million was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Acquisition expenses for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 were $13.3 million and $16.9 million, respectively. These expenses are recorded in "Transaction and integration costs" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations.


Purchase Price Allocation and Other Items

The determination of the purchase price allocation to specific assets acquired and liabilities assumed is final for the Hawaiian Telcom transaction. The purchase price for Hawaiian Telcom has been allocated to individual assets acquired and liabilities assumed as follows:

(dollars in millions)

 

Hawaiian

Telcom

 

Assets acquired

 

 

 

 

Cash

 

$

4.3

 

Receivables

 

 

24.8

 

Inventory, materials and supplies

 

 

6.7

 

Prepaid expenses and other current assets

 

 

5.9

 

Property, plant and equipment

 

 

697.6

 

Goodwill

 

 

10.2

 

Intangible assets

 

 

52.0

 

Deferred income tax asset

 

 

45.6

 

Other noncurrent assets

 

 

2.1

 

Total assets acquired

 

 

849.2

 

Liabilities assumed

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

 

60.0

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

10.2

 

Unearned revenue and customer deposits

 

 

13.5

 

Accrued expenses and other current liabilities

 

 

21.8

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

304.5

 

Pension and postretirement benefit obligations

 

 

68.9

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

 

30.8

 

Total liabilities assumed

 

 

509.7

 

Net assets acquired

 

$

339.5

 

During 2019, the Company recorded immaterial measurement period adjustments for Hawaiian Telcom. The offset of these adjustments were recorded as increases to "Goodwill."

The estimated fair value of identifiable intangible assets and their estimated useful lives are as follows:

 

 

Hawaiian Telcom

(dollars in millions)

 

Fair Value

 

 

Useful Lives

Customer relationships

 

$

26.0

 

 

15 years

Trade name

 

 

26.0

 

 

15 years

Total identifiable intangible assets

 

$

52.0

 

 

 

Identifiable intangible assets are amortized over their useful lives based on a number of assumptions including the estimated period of economic benefit and utilization.



Pro Forma Information (Unaudited)

The following table provides the unaudited pro forma results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 as if the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom had taken place as of the beginning of fiscal year 2017. These pro forma results include adjustments related to the financing of the acquisition, an increase to depreciation and amortization associated with the higher values of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets, an increase to interest expense for the additional debt incurred to complete the acquisition, and other various related income tax effects.

The pro forma information does not necessarily reflect the actual results of operations had the acquisition been consummated at the beginning of the annual reporting period indicated, nor is it necessarily indicative of future operating results. The pro forma information does not include any (i) potential revenue enhancements, cost synergies or other operating efficiencies that could result from the acquisition or (ii) transaction or integration costs relating to the acquisition.

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

(dollars in millions, except per share amounts)

 

September 30, 2018

 

 

September 30, 2018

 

Revenue

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

1,157.5

 

Net loss applicable to common shareholders

 

 

(20.3

)

 

 

(57.0

)

Earnings per share:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic and diluted loss per common share

 

$

(0.41

)

 

$

(1.27

)

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

Intersegment revenue

elimination

 

 

Total

 

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Products and Services transferred at a point in time

 

$

19.1

 

 

$

23.6

 

 

$

93.2

 

 

$

95.2

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

112.3

 

 

$

118.8

 

Products and Services transferred over time

 

 

690.6

 

 

 

709.2

 

 

 

346.6

 

 

 

318.3

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

1,037.2

 

 

 

1,027.5

 

Intersegment revenue

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

(19.5

)

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total revenue

 

$

724.5

 

 

$

749.3

 

 

$

444.5

 

 

$

417.0

 

 

$

(19.5

)

 

$

(20.0

)

 

$

1,149.5

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

5.    Goodwill and Intangible Assets

Goodwill

The changes in the Company's goodwill consisted of the following:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

IT Services and

Hardware

 

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

Total Company

 

 

IT Services and

Hardware

 

 

Entertainment and

Communications

 

 

Total Company

 

Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

146.0

 

 

$

11.0

 

 

$

157.0

 

Goodwill, balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

148.1

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

160.5

 

Activity during the year:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Adjustments to prior year acquisitions

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.4

 

Currency translations

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(1.2

)

Goodwill, balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

147.2

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

159.6

 

Goodwill, balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

146.9

 

 

$

12.4

 

 

$

159.3

 

 

NaN impairment losses were recognized in goodwill for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.


Intangible Assets

The Company’s intangible assets consisted of the following:

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Net

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Net

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Net

 

 

Gross Carrying

 

 

Accumulated

 

 

Net

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Amount (a)

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amount (a)

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amount (a)

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

 

Amount (a)

 

 

Amortization

 

 

Amount

 

Customer relationships

 

$

140.1

 

 

$

(25.7

)

 

$

114.4

 

 

$

139.4

 

 

$

(17.8

)

 

$

121.6

 

 

$

140.0

 

 

$

(36.0

)

 

$

104.0

 

 

$

140.8

 

 

$

(28.4

)

 

$

112.4

 

Trade names

 

 

41.1

 

 

 

(5.2

)

 

 

35.9

 

 

 

40.7

 

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

37.9

 

 

 

40.9

 

 

 

(8.4

)

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

41.3

 

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

35.3

 

Technology

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

8.6

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

7.7

 

Total

 

$

191.1

 

 

$

(32.9

)

 

$

158.2

 

 

$

190.0

 

 

$

(21.9

)

 

$

168.1

 

 

$

190.7

 

 

$

(47.3

)

 

$

143.4

 

 

$

192.0

 

 

$

(36.6

)

 

$

155.4

 

 

(a)

Change in gross carrying amounts is due to foreign currency translation on certain intangible assets.

Amortization expense for intangible assets was $3.6 million and $10.8 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively. Amortization expense for intangible assets was $3.7 million and $11.0 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively. AmortizationIn addition to amortization expense, forthe changes in definite-lived intangible assets was $3.8 million and $8.7 million for the three and nine months endedfrom December 31, 2019 to September 30, 2018, respectively.2020 are due to foreign currency translation. NaN impairment losses were recognized for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.


The estimated useful lives for each intangible asset class are as follows:

 

Customer relationships

 

8 to 15 years

Trade names

 

10 to 15 years

Technology

 

10 years

 

The annual estimated amortization expense for future years is as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

$

3.7

 

2020

 

 

14.4

 

Three months ended December 31, 2020

 

$

3.6

 

2021

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

14.1

 

2022

 

 

13.9

 

 

 

13.9

 

2023

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

13.5

 

2024

 

 

13.3

 

Thereafter

 

 

98.5

 

 

 

85.0

 

Total

 

$

158.2

 

 

$

143.4

 

 

During the third quarter of 2020, the Company participated in Auction 105 conducted by the FCC for Priority Access Licenses of the Citizens Band Radio Service Spectrum (“CBRS”). In September 2020, the FCC announced that the Company was the winning bidder of 56 wireless spectrum licenses for an aggregate price of $6.2 million. Prior to the inception of Auction 105 in June 2020, the Company deposited $1.7 million with the FCC. The deposit is included in “Other current assets” as of September 30, 2020 in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. On October 1, 2020, the Company paid the FCC the remaining $4.5 million of the purchase price for the licenses won in the auction.  The Company expects the licenses to be transferred in the fourth quarter of 2020.



6.    Debt and Other Financing Arrangements

The Company’s debt consists of the following:

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Current portion of long-term debt:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

 

$

6.0

 

Other financing arrangements

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

 

15.4

 

 

 

13.4

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

14.3

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

23.4

 

 

 

20.2

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

22.3

 

Long-term debt, less current portion:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Receivables Facility

 

 

141.5

 

 

 

176.6

 

 

 

179.5

 

 

 

131.5

 

Credit Agreement - Revolving Credit Facility

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

18.0

 

 

 

57.0

 

 

 

57.0

 

Credit Agreement - Tranche B Term Loan due 2024

 

 

588.0

 

 

 

592.5

 

 

 

582.0

 

 

 

586.5

 

7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

22.3

 

7 1/4% Senior Notes due 2023

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

22.3

 

7% Senior Notes due 2024

 

 

625.0

 

 

 

625.0

 

 

 

625.0

 

 

 

625.0

 

8% Senior Notes due 2025

 

 

350.0

 

 

 

350.0

 

 

 

350.0

 

 

 

350.0

 

Various Cincinnati Bell Telephone notes

 

 

87.9

 

 

 

87.9

 

 

 

87.9

 

 

 

87.9

 

Other financing arrangements

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

2.3

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3.2

 

Finance lease liabilities

 

 

63.5

 

 

 

60.5

 

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

59.5

 

 

 

1,926.6

 

 

 

1,935.1

 

 

 

1,955.3

 

 

 

1,922.9

 

Net unamortized premium

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

��

1.1

 

 

 

1.3

 

Unamortized note issuance costs

 

 

(24.0

)

 

 

(27.2

)

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(22.9

)

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

1,904.0

 

 

 

1,909.6

 

 

 

1,936.4

 

 

 

1,901.3

 

Total debt

 

$

1,927.4

 

 

$

1,929.8

 

 

$

1,958.0

 

 

$

1,923.6

 

 

Credit Agreement

The Company had $45.0$57.0 million of outstanding borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility, leaving $155.0$143.0 million available for borrowings as of September 30, 2019.2020. The Credit Agreement expires in October 2022.



Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility

As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had $141.5$179.5 million in borrowings and $10.1$12.4 million of letters of credit outstanding under the accounts receivable securitization facility ("Receivables Facility”), leaving 0$8.1 million remaining availability on the total borrowing capacity of $151.6$200.0 million. In the second quarter of 2019,2020, the Company executed amendments to its Receivables Facility, which replaced, amended and added certain provisions and definitions to increasedecrease the credit availability and renew the facility, which is subject to renewal every364 days, until May 2020. The2021, and extend the facility’s termination date isto May 2021 and was not changed by these amendments.2023. The maximum borrowing limit for loans and letters of credit under the Receivables Facility iswas reduced from $225.0 million to $200.0 million in the aggregate. The available borrowing capacity is calculated monthly based on the quantity and quality of outstanding accounts receivable, and thus may be lower than the maximum borrowing limit. The amendments also added provisions for a successor to LIBOR in the event LIBOR is no longer applicable and made technical changes to account for the continued integration of the Company’s Hawaiian Telcom and OnX acquisitions into the facility. In addition, a provision was added that the LIBOR rate for the Receivables Facility may not fall below 0.75%.

 

Under the agreement,Receivables Facility, certain U.S. and Canadian subsidiaries, as originators, sell their respective trade receivables on a continuous basis to Cincinnati Bell Funding LLC (“CBF”) or Cincinnati Bell Funding Canada Ltd. ("CBFC"), wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company. Although CBF and CBFC are wholly-owned consolidated subsidiaries of the Company, CBF and CBFC are legally separate from the Company and each of the Company’s other subsidiaries. Upon and after the sale or contribution of the accounts receivable to CBF or CBFC, such accounts receivable are legally assets of CBF and CBFC and, as such, are not available to creditors of other subsidiaries or the parent company. The Receivables Facility includes an option for CBF to sell, rather than borrow against, certain receivables on a non-recourse basis. As of September 30, 2019, the2020, there was 0 outstanding balance of certainfor accounts receivable sold was $20.2 million.sold.

 

Other Installment Financing Arrangements

The Company has other installment financing arrangements that are recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

The IT Services and Hardware segment entered into a lease in June 2018 for a building to use in its data center operations. Structural improvements were made to the leased facility in excess of normal tenant improvements and, as such, the Company was deemed the accounting owner of this facility. As of September 30, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the liability related to this financing arrangement was $4.4 million and $4.5 million, respectively, and is included in "Other noncurrent liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Prior to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom in July 2018, Hawaiian Telcom had an open dispute related to jointly-owned utility poles. In October 2018, the Company entered into the Pole License Agreement that provided for the transfer of the Company's ownership responsibility of the utility poles to Hawaiian Electric Company (“HEC”) and for the Company to pay a fixed annual fee to HEC for continued use of the poles. Due to the continuing involvement by the Company, this transaction did not meet the requirements to be accounted for as a sale-leaseback, and therefore it has been treated as a financing obligation. As of September 30, 2019, the Company has a liability recorded of $39.3 million, of which $1.0 million is included in "Other current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. As of December 31, 2018, the Company has a liability recorded of $40.1 million, of which $1.0 million is included in "Other current liabilities" in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.


7.    Leases

Lessee Disclosures

The Company primarily leases real estate for offices, retail stores and central offices, as well as equipment, cell towers and fleet vehicles. The Company leases its real estate for terms between 1 and 55 years, its equipment for terms between 2 and 6 years, its cell towers for terms between 4 and 21 years and its vehicles for termsUpon adoption of 5 years. Our leases have various expiration dates through 2066, some of which include options to extend the leases for up to 15 years, and some of which include options to terminate the leases within one year.

Upon adoption,ASC 842, the Company elected not to recognize leases with terms of one-year or less on the balance sheet. The Company's leases generally do not provide an implicit rate, and therefore the Company uses its incremental borrowing rate as the discount rate when measuring operating lease liabilities. The incremental borrowing rate represents an estimate of the interest rate the Company would incur at lease commencement to borrow an amount equal to the lease payments on a collateralized basis over the term of the lease.

Supplemental unaudited balance sheet information related to the Company's leases wasis as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

Balance Sheet Location

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

Operating lease assets, net of amortization

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

35.9

 

 

Operating lease right-of-use assets

 

$

34.1

 

 

$

35.8

 

Finance lease assets, net of amortization

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

35.1

 

 

Property, plant and equipment, net

 

 

25.8

 

 

 

33.2

 

Operating lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current operating lease liabilities

Other current liabilities

 

 

11.0

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

10.9

 

Noncurrent operating lease liabilities

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

32.2

 

 

Operating lease liabilities

 

 

30.9

 

 

 

32.1

 

Total operating lease liabilities

 

 

 

43.2

 

 

 

 

 

40.1

 

 

 

43.0

 

Finance lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Current finance lease liabilities

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

15.4

 

 

Current portion of long-term debt

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

14.3

 

Noncurrent finance lease liabilities

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

63.5

 

 

Long-term debt, less current portion

 

 

50.3

 

 

 

59.5

 

Total finance lease liabilities

 

 

$

78.9

 

 

 

 

$

63.9

 

 

$

73.8

 

 

The components of lease expense were as follows:.

(dollars in millions)

 

Three Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

Operating lease cost

 

$

3.4

 

 

$

9.8

 

Short-term lease cost

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.2

 

Variable lease cost

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

Finance lease cost:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Depreciation on leased assets

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

6.3

 

Interest on lease liabilities

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

3.9

 

Total lease cost

 

$

8.0

 

 

$

21.8

 

Under ASC 840, the Company recorded lease expense of $5.0 million and $13.1 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, respectively.


OtherSupplemental cash flow information related to leases wasis as follows:

(dollars in millions)

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2020

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30, 2019

 

Supplemental Cash Flows Information

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating cash flows from finance leases

 

$

3.9

 

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

3.9

 

Operating cash flows from operating leases

 

$

8.3

 

 

$

9.5

 

 

$

8.3

 

Financing cash flows from finance leases

 

$

8.2

 

 

$

13.9

 

 

$

8.2

 

Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

New operating leases

 

$

5.1

 

 

$

6.8

 

 

$

5.1

 

New finance leases

 

$

13.4

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

$

13.4

 

Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

7.92 years

 

Finance leases

 

7.16 years

 

Weighted Average Discount Rate

 

 

 

 

Operating leases

 

 

7.01

%

Finance leases

 

 

6.97

%

 

Future minimum lease payments under non-cancellable leases as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Operating Leases

 

 

Finance Leases

 

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

$

3.3

 

 

$

5.5

 

2020

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

18.3

 

2021

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

14.1

 

2022

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

9.8

 

2023

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

8.0

 

Thereafter

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

47.2

 

Total future minimum lease payments

 

 

57.5

 

 

 

102.9

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

(14.3

)

 

 

(24.0

)

Total

 

$

43.2

 

 

$

78.9

 

 

Lessor Disclosures

The Company has operating leases related to its dark fiber arrangements for terms between 3 and 30 years. Our leases have various expiration dates through 2048, some of which include options to extend the lease. The Company recorded $0.8 million and $2.4 million in lease income related to operating lease payments during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively.

The Company owns the underlying assets associated with its operating leases and records them in "Property, plant and equipment, net" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Future minimum lease payments to be received under non-cancellable leases as of September 30, 2019 are as follows:

(dollars in millions)

 

Operating Leases

 

Three months ended December 31, 2019

 

$

0.7

 

2020

 

 

2.7

 

2021

 

 

2.3

 

2022

 

 

1.7

 

2023

 

 

1.7

 

Thereafter

 

 

18.8

 

Total future minimum lease payments

 

 

27.9

 

Less imputed interest

 

 

(10.2

)

Total

 

$

17.7

 


8.    Financial Instruments and Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements

The Company defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. To increase consistency and comparability in fair value measurements, the Company uses a three-level hierarchy that prioritizes the use of observable inputs. The three levels are:

Level 1 — Quoted market prices for identical instruments in an active market;

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability (i.e., interest rates, yield curves, etc.), and inputs that are derived principally from or corroborated by observable market data by correlation or other means (market corroborated inputs); and

Level 3 — Unobservable inputs that reflect management's determination of assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. These inputs are developed based on the best information available, including our own data.

The determination of where an asset or liability falls in the hierarchy requires significant judgment.


Interest Rate Swaps

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements to minimize its exposure to interest rate fluctuations on variable rate debt borrowings. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange of fixed and variable rate interest payments and do not represent an actual exchange of the underlying notional amounts between parties.

In the second quarter of 2018, the Company entered into one forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swap with a notional amount of $300.0 million to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swap became effective in June 2018 and expires in June 2023. The interest rate swap results in interest payments based on an average fixed rate of 2.938% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

In the first quarter of 2019, the Company entered into three forward starting non-amortizing interest rate swaps, with a notional amount of $89.0 million each, to convert variable rate debt to fixed rate debt. The interest rate swaps became effective in March 2019 and expire in March 2024. The interest rate swaps result in interest payments based on an average fixed rate per swap of 2.275%, 2.244% and 2.328% plus the applicable margin per the requirements in the Credit Agreement.

During the next twelve months, the Company estimates that $5.6$9.3 million will be reclassified as an increase to interest expense.

The fair value of the Company's interest rate swaps are impacted by the credit risk of both the Company and its counterparties. The Company has agreements with its derivative financial instrument counterparties that contain provisions providing that if the Company defaults on the indebtedness associated with its derivative financial instruments, then the Company could also be declared in default on its derivative financial instruments obligations. In addition, the Company minimizes nonperformance risk on its derivative instruments by evaluating the creditworthiness of its counterparties, which are limited to major banks and financial institutions.

Upon inception, the interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges under ASC 815, with gains and losses, net of tax, measured on an ongoing basis recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss. The fair value of the interest rate swaps are categorized as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy as they are based on well-recognized financial principles and available market data.

As of September 30, 2019,2020, the fair value of the interest rate swapsswap liability was $22.0$27.6 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of September 30, 2019 as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

Quoted Prices in

active markets

Level 1

 

 

Significant

observable inputs

Level 2

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

Level 3

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

September 30,

2020

 

 

Quoted Prices in

active markets

Level 1

 

 

Significant

observable inputs

Level 2

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

Level 3

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

5.3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

5.3

 

 

$

-

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

9.3

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

9.3

 

 

$

0

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

$

16.7

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

16.7

 

 

$

-

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

18.3

 

 

$

0

 

 


As of December 31, 2018,2019, the fair value of the interest rate swap liability was $5.0$19.0 million and is recorded in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2018 as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31,

2018

 

 

Quoted Prices in

active markets

Level 1

 

 

Significant

observable inputs

Level 2

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

Level 3

 

 

Balance Sheet Location

 

December 31,

2019

 

 

Quoted Prices in

active markets

Level 1

 

 

Significant

observable inputs

Level 2

 

 

Significant

unobservable inputs

Level 3

 

Liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1.2

 

 

$

-

 

 

Other current liabilities

 

$

5.7

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

5.7

 

 

$

0

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3.8

 

 

$

-

 

 

Other noncurrent liabilities

 

$

13.3

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

13.3

 

 

$

0

 

 

The amount of gains (losses) gains recognized in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income ("AOCI") net of reclassifications into earnings is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

$

(3.3

)

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

(17.0

)

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

(3.3

)

 

$

(8.6

)

 

$

(17.0

)

 

The amount of losses reclassified from AOCI into earnings is as follows:

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Statement of Operations Location

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Interest expense

 

$

(2.3

)

 

$

(0.6

)

 

$

(6.0

)

 

$

(1.1

)

 

 

 

 

 

Three Months Ended

September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended

September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Statement of Operations Location

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Interest Rate Swap

 

Interest expense

 

$

(0.6

)

 

$

(0.6

)

 

$

(1.1

)

 

$

(0.6

)


Disclosure on Financial Instruments

The carrying values of the Company's financial instruments approximate the estimated fair values as of September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, except for the Company's long-term debt and other installment financing arrangements. The carrying and fair values of these items are as follows:  

 

 

September 30, 2019

 

 

December 31, 2018

 

 

September 30, 2020

 

 

December 31, 2019

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

 

Carrying Value

 

 

Fair Value

 

Long-term debt, including current portion*

 

$

1,867.1

 

 

$

1,779.8

 

 

$

1,880.0

 

 

$

1,673.6

 

 

$

1,910.8

 

 

$

1,945.4

 

 

$

1,867.5

 

 

$

1,921.5

 

Other installment financing arrangements

 

 

43.7

 

 

 

45.3

 

 

 

44.6

 

 

 

43.6

 

 

 

42.2

 

 

 

52.4

 

 

 

43.5

 

 

 

55.5

 

 

*Excludes capital

*

Excludes finance leases, other financing arrangements and note issuance costs.

The fair value of our long-term debt was based on closing or estimated market prices of the Company’s debt at September 30, 20192020 and December 31, 2018,2019, which is considered Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The fair value of the other installmentfinancing arrangements was calculated using a discounted cash flow model that incorporates current borrowing rates for obligations of similar duration, which is considered Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. As of September 30, 2019,2020, the current borrowing rate was estimated by applying the Company's credit spread to the risk-free rate for a similar duration borrowing.


9.    Pension and Postretirement Plans

As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company sponsors three noncontributory defined benefit plans and a postretirement health and life insurance plan in Cincinnati (collectively the "Cincinnati Plans"), and one noncontributory defined benefit plan for union employees, one cash balance pension plan for nonunion employees, and two postretirement health and life insurance plans for Hawaiian Telcom employees (collectively the "Hawaii Plans").

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, Hawaiian Telcom’s defined benefit plans made lump sum payments of $3.4 million and $10.8 million, respectively, resulting in a reduction of the benefit obligation of $10.8 million. The Company recorded a pension settlement cost of $1.1 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 as a result of the lump sum payments to the plan participants exceeding the sum of the service cost and the interest cost component of the net pension cost.

In accordance with ASC 715, only the service cost component of net benefit cost is eligible for capitalization, which was immaterial for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, pension and postretirement costs (benefits) were as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement and

Other Benefits

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement and

Other Benefits

 

Service cost

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

0.2

 

Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

5.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.3

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

(8.7

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(7.1

)

 

 

(7.7

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

(0.6

)

Actuarial loss

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

4.5

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.4

 

Total amortization

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

4.2

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.3

 

Pension / postretirement costs

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

1.4

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

1.9

 

 

$

2.0

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

1.3

 


 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement and

Other Benefits

 

 

Pension Benefits

 

 

Postretirement and

Other Benefits

 

Service cost

 

$

-

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

0.5

 

Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest cost on projected benefit obligation

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

14.2

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.8

 

Expected return on plan assets

 

 

(23.0

)

 

 

(21.1

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(21.6

)

 

 

(23.0

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Amortization of:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Prior service benefit

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(1.9

)

Actuarial loss

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

13.5

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

1.3

 

Total amortization

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

12.7

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

0.8

 

Pension settlement charges

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

Pension / postretirement costs

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

5.8

 

 

$

3.7

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

7.2

 

 

$

5.2

 

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

3.7

 

 

Amortizations of prior service benefit and actuarial loss represent reclassifications from accumulated other comprehensive income.

Based on current assumptions, contributions are expected to be approximately $5 million and $3 million to both the qualified and non-qualified pension plans in 2019.2020, respectively. Management expects to make cash payments of approximately $8 million related to its postretirement health plans in 2019.2020.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2020, contributions to the pension plans were $4.8 million and contributions to the postretirement plans were $4.3 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2019, contributions to the pension plans were $4.4 million and contributions to the postretirement plans were $4.6 million. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, contributions to the pension plans were $11.0 million and contributions to the postretirement plan were $6.2 million.


10.    Restructuring and Severance

Liabilities have been established for employee separations and lease abandonment. A summary of activity in the restructuring and severance liability is shown below:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Employee

Separation

 

 

Lease

Abandonment

 

 

Total

 

 

Employee

Separation

 

 

Lease

Abandonment

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

9.5

 

 

$

0.7

 

 

$

10.2

 

Hawaiian Telcom opening balance sheet adjustment

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

2.6

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

2.9

 

Charges

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

15.2

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

15.2

 

Utilizations

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(8.3

)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

 

 

6.2

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

6.8

 

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

9.8

 

Charges

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.4

 

Utilizations

 

 

(3.9

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(3.5

)

Balance as of June 30, 2019

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

4.6

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

6.7

 

Charges

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.8

 

Utilizations

 

 

(2.3

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.5

)

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

3.1

 

 

$

0.4

 

 

$

3.5

 

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

5.0

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

Restructuring and severance charges recorded in each of the first three quarters of 2019 in the Entertainment and Communications segment are related to a severance program for certain management employees as the Company continues its efforts to realize synergies that can be achieved due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Restructuring and severance charges recorded2020 in the IT Services and Hardware segment in the second and third quarters of 2019 are associated with initiatives to reduce and contain costs. In the first quarter of 2020, the Company finalized a voluntary severance program in Cincinnati and Hawaii for certain bargained and management employees in an effort to continue to reduce costs as well as headcount reductions asassociated with our copper field and network operations. As a result, a severance charge of insourcing initiatives by one of our significant customers.  $14.5 million was recorded in the Entertainment and Communications segment.

Lease abandonment costs represent future minimum lease obligations, net of expected sublease income, for abandoned facilities. Lease payments on abandoned facilities will continue throughwere completed in the third quarter of 2020.


A summary of restructuring activity by business segment is presented below:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and

Hardware

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

 

Entertainment

and

Communications

 

 

IT Services and

Hardware

 

 

Corporate

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

8.6

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

$

10.2

 

Hawaiian Telcom opening balance sheet adjustment

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

0.5

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

2.9

 

Charges

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

15.2

 

Utilizations

 

 

(6.3

)

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

-

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

(7.6

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(8.3

)

Balance as of March 31, 2019

 

 

5.7

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

6.8

 

Balance as of March 31, 2020

 

 

9.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

9.8

 

Charges

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

Utilizations

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(4.0

)

 

 

(3.1

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(3.5

)

Balance as of June 30, 2019

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

4.6

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

6.7

 

Charges

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.8

 

Utilizations

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(0.7

)

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

(1.6

)

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

0

 

 

 

(2.5

)

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

2.9

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

3.5

 

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

0

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

$

5.0

 

 

At September 30, 2020 and December 31, 2019, $3.5$5.0 million and $2.9 million, respectively, of the restructuring liabilities were recordedincluded in “Other current liabilities” in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. At December 31, 2018, $9.6 million and $0.6 million of the restructuring liabilities were recorded in “Other current liabilities”Sheets.and "Other noncurrent liabilities," respectively, in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets.

 


11.    Shareowners' Deficit

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, the changes in accumulated other comprehensive loss by component were as follows:

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Unrecognized

Net Periodic

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Cost

 

 

 

Unrealized (Loss) Gain

on Cash Flow

Hedges, Net

 

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation Loss

 

 

Total

 

 

Unrecognized

Net Periodic

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Cost

 

 

Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow

Hedges, Net

 

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of June 30, 2020

 

$

(159.4

)

 

$

(22.7

)

 

$

(7.5

)

 

$

(189.6

)

Remeasurement of benefit obligations

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.2

 

Reclassifications, net

 

 

3.2

 

(a)

 

 

1.8

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

5.0

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.5

)

Foreign currency gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

2.0

 

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

(153.0

)

 

$

(21.4

)

 

$

(5.5

)

 

$

(179.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2019

 

$

(159.4

)

 

 

$

(14.4

)

 

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

(177.8

)

 

$

(159.4

)

 

$

(14.4

)

 

$

(4.0

)

 

$

(177.8

)

Reclassifications, net

 

 

2.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.4

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

2.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.4

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

2.9

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(3.0

)

Foreign currency loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

(1.0

)

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

(156.9

)

 

 

$

(17.0

)

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

$

(156.9

)

 

$

(17.0

)

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of June 30, 2018

 

$

(166.1

)

 

 

$

(1.5

)

 

 

$

(4.9

)

 

$

(172.5

)

Reclassifications, net

 

 

3.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.5

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

4.0

 

Unrealized gain on cash flow hedge arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

1.1

 

Foreign currency gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

��

1.7

 

Balance as of September 30, 2018

 

$

(162.6

)

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

 

$

(3.2

)

 

$

(165.7

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(dollars in millions)

 

Unrecognized

Net Periodic

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Cost

 

 

 

Unrealized (Loss) Gain

on Cash Flow

Hedges, Net

 

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

(164.5

)

 

 

$

(3.9

)

 

 

$

(7.1

)

 

$

(175.5

)

Remeasurement of benefit obligations

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Reclassifications, net

 

 

7.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.8

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

8.3

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.9

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.9

)

Foreign currency gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

(156.9

)

 

 

$

(17.0

)

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2017

 

$

(173.1

)

 

 

$

 

 

 

$

(0.6

)

 

$

(173.7

)

Reclassifications, net

 

 

10.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.5

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

11.0

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedge arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(0.4

)

Foreign currency loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(2.6

)

Balance as of September 30, 2018

 

$

(162.6

)

 

 

$

0.1

 

 

 

$

(3.2

)

 

$

(165.7

)


(dollars in millions)

 

Unrecognized

Net Periodic

Pension and

Postretirement

Benefit Cost

 

 

 

Unrealized Loss on Cash Flow

Hedges, Net

 

 

 

Foreign

Currency

Translation Loss

 

 

Total

 

Balance as of December 31, 2019

 

$

(152.0

)

 

 

$

(14.7

)

 

 

$

(3.4

)

 

$

(170.1

)

Remeasurement of benefit obligations

 

 

(11.5

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11.5

)

Reclassifications, net

 

 

10.5

 

(a)

 

 

4.6

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

15.1

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(11.3

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(11.3

)

Foreign currency loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(2.1

)

Balance as of September 30, 2020

 

$

(153.0

)

 

 

$

(21.4

)

 

 

$

(5.5

)

 

$

(179.9

)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balance as of December 31, 2018

 

$

(164.5

)

 

 

$

(3.9

)

 

 

$

(7.1

)

 

$

(175.5

)

Remeasurement of benefit obligations

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

Reclassifications, net

 

 

7.5

 

(a)

 

 

0.8

 

(b)

 

 

 

 

 

8.3

 

Unrealized loss on cash flow hedges arising during the period, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13.9

)

(c)

 

 

 

 

 

(13.9

)

Foreign currency gain

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

2.1

 

Balance as of September 30, 2019

 

$

(156.9

)

 

 

$

(17.0

)

 

 

$

(5.0

)

 

$

(178.9

)

 

 

(a)

These reclassifications are included in the other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense and represent amortization of prior service benefit and actuarial loss, net of tax.tax and pension settlement charges, net of tax. The other components of net periodic pension and postretirement benefit plans expense are recorded in "Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 9 for further disclosures.

 

 

(b)

These reclassifications are reported within "Interest expense" on the Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations when the hedged transactions impact earnings.

 

 

(c)

The unrealized (loss) gain,loss, net on cash flow hedges represents the change in the fair value of the derivative instruments that occurred during the period, net of tax. The unrealized loss on cash flow hedges is recorded in "Other current liabilities" and "Other noncurrent liabilities" on the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. See Note 8 for further disclosures.



12.    Business Segment Information

The Company’s segments are strategic business units that offer distinct products and services and are aligned with the Company's internal management structure and reporting. The Company operates 2 business segments identified as Entertainment and Communications and IT Services and Hardware.

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services that can be categorized as Data, Video, Voice or Other. Data products include high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, SONET, dedicated internet access, wavelength, digital signal and IRU. Video services provide our customers access to over 400 entertainment channels, over 140150 high-definition channels, parental controls, HD DVR, Video On-Demand and access to a live TV streaming application. Voice represents traditional voice lines as well as fiber voice lines, consumer long distance, switched access and digital trunking. Other services consistsconsist of revenue generated from wiring projects for enterprise customers, advertising, directory assistance, maintenance and information services.

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides end-to-end solutions from consulting to implementation to ongoing optimization. These solutions include Cloud, Communications and Consulting services along with the sale, installation and maintenance of major branded Telecom and IT hardware reported as Infrastructure Solutions.

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


Selected financial data for the Company’s business segment information is as follows:

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

Three Months Ended

 

 

Nine Months Ended

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

248.5

 

 

$

253.4

 

 

$

749.3

 

 

$

601.5

 

 

$

241.0

 

 

$

248.5

 

 

$

724.5

 

 

$

749.3

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

141.1

 

 

 

417.0

 

 

 

397.0

 

 

 

155.2

 

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

444.5

 

 

 

417.0

 

Intersegment

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(20.0

)

 

 

(19.3

)

 

 

(6.7

)

 

 

(6.5

)

 

 

(19.5

)

 

 

(20.0

)

Total revenue

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

979.2

 

 

$

389.5

 

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

1,149.5

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

Intersegment revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

5.3

 

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

16.5

 

 

$

16.4

 

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

5.3

 

 

$

14.8

 

 

$

16.5

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3.5

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

4.7

 

 

 

3.5

 

Total intersegment revenue

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

7.8

 

 

$

20.0

 

 

$

19.3

 

 

$

6.7

 

 

$

6.5

 

 

$

19.5

 

 

$

20.0

 

Operating income (loss)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

27.7

 

 

$

25.0

 

 

$

81.2

 

 

$

79.1

 

 

$

27.2

 

 

$

27.7

 

 

$

69.8

 

 

$

81.2

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

(5.1

)

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

11.5

 

 

 

(5.1

)

Corporate

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(17.8

)

 

 

(18.3

)

 

 

(28.7

)

 

 

(7.1

)

 

 

(5.5

)

 

 

(49.1

)

 

 

(18.3

)

Total operating income

 

$

22.8

 

 

$

14.5

 

 

$

57.8

 

 

$

58.9

 

 

$

24.7

 

 

$

22.8

 

 

$

32.2

 

 

$

57.8

 

Expenditures for long-lived assets*

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Expenditures for long-lived assets *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

51.3

 

 

$

276.3

 

 

$

150.3

 

 

$

335.7

 

 

$

57.6

 

 

$

51.3

 

 

$

144.2

 

 

$

150.3

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

7.4

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

21.8

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

16.7

 

 

 

16.9

 

Corporate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.1

 

Total expenditures for long-lived assets

 

$

56.7

 

 

$

283.7

 

 

$

167.3

 

 

$

357.5

 

 

$

61.5

 

 

$

56.7

 

 

$

160.9

 

 

$

167.3

 

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

64.4

 

 

$

65.6

 

 

$

190.5

 

 

$

147.5

 

 

$

61.6

 

 

$

64.4

 

 

$

190.0

 

 

$

190.5

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

38.5

 

Corporate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

Total depreciation and amortization

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

229.1

 

 

$

177.6

 

 

$

71.9

 

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

220.8

 

 

$

229.1

 

 

*Includes deposit for the purchase of wireless licenses

*

Includes cost of acquisitions

(dollars in millions)

 

September 30,

2020

 

 

December 31,

2019

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

1,788.0

 

 

$

1,840.0

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

447.5

 

 

 

500.7

 

Corporate and eliminations

 

 

328.3

 

 

 

313.1

 

Total assets

 

$

2,563.8

 

 

$

2,653.8

 

 


 

 

September 30,

 

 

December 31,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

Assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

1,859.2

 

 

$

1,898.8

 

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

485.3

 

 

 

468.1

 

Corporate and eliminations

 

 

274.5

 

 

 

363.3

 

Total assets

 

$

2,619.0

 

 

$

2,730.2

 


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

Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and the documents incorporated by reference herein contain forward-looking statements regarding future events and results that are subject to the “safe harbor” provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements. These statements are based on current expectations, estimates, forecasts, and projections about the industries in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management. Words such as “expects,” “anticipates,” “predicts,” “projects,” “intends,” “plans,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “continues,” “endeavors,” “strives,” “may,” “will,” “proposes,” “potential,” “could,” “should,” “outlook” or variations of such words and similar expressions are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. In addition, any statements that refer to projections of future financial performance, anticipated growth and trends in businesses, and other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including but not limited to, the possible impacts of the current adverse economic conditions associated with the COVID-19 global health pandemic, are forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned these forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and assumptions that are subject to risks and uncertainties, which could cause actual results to differ materially and adversely from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to, those discussed in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and, in particular, the risks discussed under the caption “Risk Factors” in Part II, Item 1A, and those discussed in other documents that the Company has filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Actual results may differ materially and adversely from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements for any reason.

Introduction

This Management’s Discussion and Analysis section provides an overview of Cincinnati Bell Inc.'s financial condition as of September 30, 20192020 and the results of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018.2019. This discussion should be read in conjunction with the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and accompanying notes as well as the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019. Results for interim periods may not be indicative of results for the full year or any other interim period.

Pending Acquisition by MIP

On December 21, 2019, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (as amended from time to time, the “Brookfield Merger Agreement”) with affiliates of the Brookfield Infrastructure Group (“Brookfield”), the infrastructure investment division of Brookfield Asset Management, which was subsequently amended. Pursuant to the amended Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company would be acquired by an affiliate of Brookfield for $14.50 per Common Share.

On March 13, 2020, the Company terminated the Brookfield Merger Agreement and entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). At the effective time of the MIP Merger (the “Effective Time”), each of our issued and outstanding Common Shares will be converted into the right to receive $15.50 in cash per Common Share, without interest, and the 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares will remain issued and outstanding as 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares of the Company, without par value, following the Effective Time.

In connection with the termination of the Brookfield Merger Agreement, the Company paid an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million in the first quarter of 2020 as required by the terms of the Brookfield Merger Agreement.

The consummation of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (i) the adoption of the MIP Merger Agreement by the affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of all outstanding Common Shares and 6 3/4% Cumulative Convertible Preferred Shares, voting as a single class; (ii) the expiration or early termination of the applicable waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (iii) the receipt of any required consents or approvals from (a) the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States, (b) the Federal Communications Commission, (c) state public service and state public utility commissions and (d) local regulators in connection with the provision of telecommunications and media services; and (iv) the absence of any legal restraint preventing the consummation of the MIP Merger. On May 7, 2020, the shareholders of the Company adopted the MIP Merger Agreement at a virtual special meeting of shareholders.

The MIP Merger Agreement contains representations and warranties and covenants of the parties customary for a transaction of this nature. 

The MIP Merger is expected to close in the first half of 2021, although there can be no assurance that the MIP Merger will occur by that date. Upon the closing of the MIP Merger, the Company will cease to be a publicly traded company.


Executive Summary

Segment results described in the Executive Summary and Consolidated Results of Operations sections are net of intercompany eliminations.

Cincinnati Bell Inc. and its consolidated subsidiaries ("Cincinnati Bell", "we", "our",Bell," "we," "our," "us" or the "Company") provide integrated communications and IT solutions that keep consumer and enterprise customers connected with each other and with the world. Through its Entertainment and Communications segment, the Company provides Data, Video, and Voice solutions to consumer and enterprise customers over an expanding fiber network and a legacy copper network. In addition, enterprise customers across the United States, Canada and Europe rely on the IT Services and Hardware segment for the sale and service of efficient, end-to-end communications and IT systems and solutions.

On July 2, 2018,Consolidated revenue totaling $389.5 million and $1,149.5 million for the Company acquired Hawaiian Telcom Holdco, Inc. ("Hawaiian Telcom"). The Unified Communicationsthree and nine months ended September 30, 2020 increased $7.0 million and $3.2 million, respectively, compared to the same periods in 2019 as a Service ("UCaaS"), hardware, and enterprise long distance products and services provided by the Hawaiian Telcom business are included withingrowth in the IT Services and Hardware Segment. Thesegment more than offset declines in the Entertainment and Communications segment includes products deliveredsegment. Entertainment and Communications Legacy revenue decreased $10.4 million and $29.2 million, respectively, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to similar periods in the prior year. Decline in Video revenue due to fewer video subscribers and lower nonrecurring revenue due to participation in the Keep Americans Connected pledge (“Pledge”) also contributed to the decline year over year in each of the comparable periods. IT Services and Hardware increased by Hawaiian Telcom such as high-speed internet access, digital subscriber lines, ethernet, dedicated internet access, indefeasible right$14.1 million and $26.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year. In the three months ended September 30, 2020, IT Services and Hardware experienced revenue growth in all practices with the exception of use ("IRU"Cloud revenue. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, revenue growth in the Consulting and Communications practices more than offset decreased revenue contributed by the Cloud and Infrastructure Solutions practices. Cloud revenue declined in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the prior year due to General Electric Company (“GE”) contracts, video, voice lines, consumer long distance and digital trunking.revenue related to certain programs still included in the first quarter of 2019 that did not recur in 2020.

Consolidated revenue totaling $382.5Operating income was $24.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019 decreased $4.2 million compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to declines in Legacy revenue exceeding the growth in revenue from our fiber offerings. Consumer/SMB revenue increased $2.8 million while Legacy revenue decreased $9.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the comparable period in 2018.

Consolidated revenue totaling $1,146.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 increased $167.1 million compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. The acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom contributed $260.1 million and $87.1 million of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Revenue growth from the acquisition was partially offset by the decline in Legacy revenue exceeding the growth in revenue from our fiber offerings in Cincinnati as well as the decline of higher margin revenue contributed by General Electric Company (“GE”) of $15.2 million in the Cloud practice. Fioptics revenue in Cincinnati increased $10.0 million while Legacy revenue in Cincinnati decreased $19.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year.  



Operating income was $22.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019,2020, up $8.3$1.9 million compared to the same period in the prior year. The increase in operating income was primarily due to lower transactionselling, general and integration chargesadministrative and depreciation and amortization costs incurred in the third quarter of 20192020 compared to the same period in 2018 that were incurred as2019. The decrease in selling, general and administrative costs is a result of cost containment strategies taken to reduce the Company’s acquisitionsnegative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business. These strategies more than offset incremental expense of $5.7 million recorded in the third quarter to reward employees for their efforts during COVID-19 that is impacting cost of services and continued integrationproducts and selling, general and administrative expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020.  Lower depreciation and amortization expense is primarily due to a decrease in assets placed in service during 2020 in connection with the expansion of Hawaiian Telcom and OnX Holdings LLC (“OnX”).our fiber network. Operating income was $57.8$32.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, down $1.1$25.6 million compared to the same period in 2018.2019. The contribution from Hawaiian Telcomdecrease in additionoperating income was primarily due to the decrease inhigher transaction and integration charges, associated withincluding the Company’s acquisition were more than offset by declinestermination fee of $24.8 million paid to an affiliate of Brookfield in Legacy revenuethe first quarter of 2020, as well as restructuring and increasesseverance related charges related to the voluntary severance program (“VSP”) finalized in depreciation, amortization and SG&A costs.the three months ended March 31, 2020.

Loss before income taxes totaled $15.5$11.1 million for the three months ended September 30, 2019,2020, resulting in a decrease in the loss as compared to the comparable period in 20182019 primarily due to the increase in operating income. Forincome and a decrease in interest expense. Loss before income taxes totaled $76.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, loss before income taxes totaled $55.2 million resulting2020, higher than the prior year due to the factors impacting operating income.

Impact of COVID-19 on Our Business

The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted, and is likely to continue to result, in significant economic disruption and has adversely affected, and will likely continue to adversely affect, our business. As of the date of this filing, significant uncertainty continues to exist concerning the magnitude of the impact and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. While certain parts of the country have eased stay-at-home orders, the current rise in cases may result in restrictions being reinstated. On March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”) called on broadband and telephone service providers to keep Americans connected as the country reacts to the serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. Cincinnati Bell, on behalf of all of its affiliates, including Hawaiian Telecom, signed on to the Pledge and committed to waive late fees for, and not terminate service to, any of our consumer or small business customers who did not pay their bills timely due to an inability to pay caused by the COVID-19 crisis. The Pledge expired on June 30, 2020, and the Company started to collect late payment fees and reactivation fees starting in August 2020.  In accordance with regulatory orders in Hawaii, the Pledge continues to be honored for certain regulated services. The Company proactively worked with customers in an increaseeffort to avoid deactivations, but not all accounts could be cured and approximately 3,300 customer accounts in the loss comparedCincinnati market were disconnected in the third quarter.

In response to the same periodnumber of households that must provide remote schooling either full or part-time as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company partnered with several community organizations to provide free internet to qualifying students through the “Connect our Students” program. As of September 30, 2020, the Company has delivered internet to approximately 4,300 households.



The majority of our operations have continued as usual as the services that we provide and the networks that we maintain are considered critical by local and state authorities in 2018.the geographies in which we operate. The Company started executing its business continuity plan in March and transitioned employees who could execute their work remotely to work from home with little disruption and has implemented additional safety protocols for customer facing employees. In additionstates in which employees are allowed to return to the items impacting operating income,office, the increased loss before income taxes is primarilyCompany has implemented updated safety policies to ensure the safety of our employees and customers. As of September 30, 2020, a significant portion of our workforce continues to work from home.

With respect to liquidity, we continue to evaluate and take actions to reduce costs and spending across our organization. This includes reducing hiring activities, adjusting pay programs, limiting discretionary spending, significantly reducing non-essential travel until further notice and re-evaluating the timing of capital projects. Additionally, we have leveraged certain benefits included in the U.S. Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (“CARES Act”) that was enacted on March 27, 2020, including deferral of 2020 required pension plan contributions to the fourth quarter of 2020 and deferral of employer social security tax payments for wage payments subsequent to March 12, 2020 of approximately $5 million each quarter for the remainder of 2020 to be paid equally in the fourth quarters of 2021 and 2022.

We expect the ultimate significance of the impact on our financial condition, results of operations, or cash flows will be dictated by the length of time that such circumstances continue, which will depend on the currently unknowable extent and duration of the COVID-19 pandemic. COVID-19 also makes it more challenging for management to estimate future performance of our businesses, particularly over the near term. We will continue to actively monitor the situation and may take further actions that alter our business operations as may be required by federal, state or local authorities or that we determine are in the best interests of our employees, customers, suppliers and shareholders. The programs put in place and efforts by employees to manage and reduce expenses have more than offset the negative impacts caused by COVID-19 in the second and third quarters of 2020 due to increased interest expense relatedrevenue loss and incremental spend for personal protective equipment, employee compensation programs and bad debt expense. To reward employees for their continued efforts during COVID-19, a one-time bonus was recorded in the third quarter of $5.7 million that will be paid in the fourth quarter.  While we are unable to additional debt acquireddetermine or predict the nature, duration or scope of the overall impact the COVID-19 pandemic will have on our business, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources, we believe that it is important to fundshare where our Company stands today, how our response to COVID-19 is progressing and how our operations and financial condition may change as the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom.fight against COVID-19 progresses.

Consolidated Results of Operations

Revenue

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

243.2

 

 

$

246.9

 

 

$

(3.7

)

 

 

(1

)%

 

$

732.8

 

 

$

585.1

 

 

$

147.7

 

 

 

25

%

 

$

236.1

 

 

$

243.2

 

 

$

(7.1

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

$

709.7

 

 

$

732.8

 

 

$

(23.1

)

 

 

(3

)%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

139.3

 

 

 

139.8

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

0

%

 

 

413.5

 

 

 

394.1

 

 

 

19.4

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

153.4

 

 

 

139.3

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

10

%

 

 

439.8

 

 

 

413.5

 

 

 

26.3

 

 

 

6

%

Total revenue

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

386.7

 

 

$

(4.2

)

 

 

(1

)%

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

979.2

 

 

$

167.1

 

 

 

17

%

 

$

389.5

 

 

$

382.5

 

 

$

7.0

 

 

 

2

%

 

$

1,149.5

 

 

$

1,146.3

 

 

$

3.2

 

 

 

0

%

 

Entertainment and Communications revenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in 2019 asprimarily due to the growth in Consumer/SMB revenue was more than offset by the declines experienceddecline in Legacy revenue.  In addition to Legacy revenue decline, Video revenue declined in each of the comparable periods due to 7,000 fewer subscribers in Cincinnati and 3,000 fewer subscribers in Hawaii as well as decline of certain nonrecurring revenue as a result of the Company suspending late payment fees and reactivation fees as part of the Pledge.

IT Services and Hardware revenue decreased dueincreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to lower revenuesimilar periods in the Cloud and Infrastructure Solutions practices more than offsetting increases in the Communications and Consulting practices. Cloud revenue decline isprior year primarily due to lower revenue contributed by GE of $6.5 milliongrowth in the Consulting and Communications practices. In addition, Infrastructure Solutions revenue increased in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to GE insourcing certain cloud services.

Entertainment and Communicationsadditional projects generating revenue increasedgrowth from existing customers. Cloud revenue declined in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributedlower revenue of $230.6 million and $77.5 millionresulting from GE insourcing certain cloud services. Lower Infrastructure Solutions revenue was recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increase in revenue from Hawaiian Telcom along with the growth in Fioptics in Cincinnati offset the2020 due to a decline in Legacy revenue in Cincinnati. IT Services and Hardware increased primarilyhardware sales partially due to the acquisitionimpacts of Hawaiian Telcom, which contributed revenue of $29.5 millionCOVID-19 and $9.6 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In additioncustomers migrating to the impact of the acquisition on year to date revenue compared to the prior year, similar trends impacting the quarter for each of the practices also impacted the nine months ended September 30, 2019 including lower revenue contributed by GE of $15.2 million.  managed services.


Operating Costs

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Cost of services and products

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

110.2

 

 

$

117.5

 

 

$

(7.3

)

 

 

(6

)%

 

$

334.8

 

 

$

271.7

 

 

$

63.1

 

 

 

23

%

 

$

105.8

 

 

$

110.2

 

 

$

(4.4

)

 

 

(4

)%

 

$

314.7

 

 

$

334.8

 

 

$

(20.1

)

 

 

(6

)%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

84.5

 

 

 

80.2

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

253.1

 

 

 

227.7

 

 

 

25.4

 

 

 

11

%

 

 

98.1

 

 

 

84.5

 

 

 

13.6

 

 

 

16

%

 

 

276.3

 

 

 

253.1

 

 

 

23.2

 

 

 

9

%

Total cost of services and products

 

$

194.7

 

 

$

197.7

 

 

$

(3.0

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

$

587.9

 

 

$

499.4

 

 

$

88.5

 

 

 

18

%

 

$

203.9

 

 

$

194.7

 

 

$

9.2

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

591.0

 

 

$

587.9

 

 

$

3.1

 

 

 

1

%

 

Entertainment and Communications costs decreased for the three months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in the prior year due to lower payroll relatedvideo content costs and contract services costs.operating taxes. Lower payroll related costsoperating taxes are relateddue to headcount reductions made during restructuring initiatives that were executeddecreases in 2017regulatory fees and 2018 in addition to efficiencies realized in the installation process.general excise tax. IT Services and Hardware costs increased for the three months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the comparablesame period in 20182019 primarily due to increases in payroll related costs forand contractor costs as a result of additional headcount to support the growth in the Communications and regulatory fees whichConsulting practices. Higher software licensing costs were partially offset by lower contractor costs.also incurred to support the revenue growth in the Communications practice.

 



Entertainment and Communications costs decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 due to lower payroll related costs, video content costs and operating taxes. Lower payroll related costs are due to headcount reductions made during restructuring initiatives that were executed in the first quarter of 2020 and throughout 2019. In addition to restructuring initiatives, payroll related costs declined due to lower expense for workers compensation benefits in the nine months ended September 30, 2020. Lower operating taxes are due to the release of a sales and use tax reserve in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 of $4.2 million due to favorable audit results in addition to a decrease in general excise tax. IT Services and Hardware costs increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom which contributed costs of $113.4 million and $40.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The increased costs as a result of the acquisition are partially offset by lower payroll related costs and contract services costs. IT Services and Hardware costs increased due to increased payroll related and contractor costs associated with resources utilized to support the revenue growth in the Communications and Consulting practices for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as2020 compared to the same period in the prior year. In addition, Hawaiian Telcom contributed $16.4 millionyear due to the same trends that impacted the quarter as well as increased regulatory fees.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

44.4

 

 

$

44.2

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

 

0

%

 

$

130.2

 

 

$

133.9

 

 

$

(3.7

)

 

 

(3

)%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

36.7

 

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

 

110.0

 

 

 

113.0

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(3

)%

Corporate

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(8

)%

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

5

%

Total selling, general and administrative

 

$

86.0

 

 

$

88.0

 

 

$

(2.0

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

$

255.3

 

 

$

261.3

 

 

$

(6.0

)

 

 

(2

)%

Entertainment and $4.7 millionCommunications SG&A costs increased in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year as cost containment strategies taken in 2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business were offset by an increase in contract services due to higher insurance costs and incremental bonus expense for a one-time award recorded in the three months ended September 30, 2020. IT Services and Hardware and Corporate SG&A costs decreased in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the prior year primarily due to cost of services and productscontainment strategies taken due to the COVID-19 pandemic more than offsetting the expense recorded for the one-time award.

SG&A costs decreased in both segments in the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to cost containment strategies taken in 2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business. Decreases in both segments were partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense due to updating our estimate of the impact of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s receivables and 2018, respectively.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

44.2

 

 

$

44.0

 

 

$

0.2

 

 

 

0

%

 

$

133.9

 

 

$

100.1

 

 

$

33.8

 

 

 

34

%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

37.3

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

113.0

 

 

 

109.8

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

3

%

Corporate

 

 

5.3

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

20

%

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

10.3

 

 

 

4.1

 

 

 

40

%

Total selling, general and administrative

 

$

88.0

 

 

$

85.7

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

 

3

%

 

$

261.3

 

 

$

220.2

 

 

$

41.1

 

 

 

19

%

incremental bonus expense recorded in the third quarter. The decrease in Entertainment and Communications SG&A costs was also partially offset by an increase in contract services due to higher insurance costs. Corporate SG&A costs increased in the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the comparable period in 2019 primarily due to the Company no longer qualifying for a payroll tax benefit that was received in 2019.



 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

61.6

 

 

$

64.4

 

 

$

(2.8

)

 

 

(4

)%

 

$

190.0

 

 

$

190.5

 

 

$

(0.5

)

 

 

0

%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(8

)%

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(20

)%

Corporate

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

 

 

 

0

%

Total depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

71.9

 

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

(3.6

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

220.8

 

 

$

229.1

 

 

$

(8.3

)

 

 

(4

)%

Entertainment and Communications depreciation and amortization expense decreased in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in assets placed in service in connection with the acquisitionexpansion of Hawaiian Telcom, which contributed SG&A expense of $47.6 million and $16.0 million our fiber network.The decrease in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition, SG&A costs also increased due to an increase in advertising expense and the bad debt reserve for certain receivables with a wholesale customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2019 whose collectability is uncertain. IT Services and Hardware SG&A costs increased compared to the prior year due to additional expense contributed by Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributed SG&A costs of $7.2 million and $2.9 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This increase was partially offset by lower payroll costs in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 resulting from headcount reductions carried out in 2018.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Depreciation and amortization expense

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Entertainment and Communications

 

$

64.4

 

 

$

65.6

 

 

$

(1.2

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

$

190.5

 

 

$

147.5

 

 

$

43.0

 

 

 

29

%

IT Services and Hardware

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

28

%

Corporate

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0

%

Total depreciation and amortization expense

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

75.5

 

 

$

0.0

 

 

 

0

%

 

$

229.1

 

 

$

177.6

 

 

$

51.5

 

 

 

29

%

Entertainment and Communications depreciation and amortization expense increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 due to increased property, plant, and equipment and intangible assets obtained in the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. The increase in IT Services and Hardware depreciation and amortization expense is primarily related toto accelerated depreciation for certain network assets that were determined in the first quarter of 2019 to have a shorter useful life due to a change in customer requirements. Hawaiian Telcom also contributed $3.1 millionrequirements and were fully depreciated as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

(dollars in millions)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

Other operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and severance related charges

 

$

0.8

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

(0.5

)

 

 

(38

)%

 

$

16.4

 

 

$

6.4

 

 

$

10.0

 

 

n/m

Transaction and integration costs

 

 

2.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

2.0

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

33.8

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

n/m

Total other operating costs

 

$

3.0

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

100

%

 

$

50.2

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

40.0

 

 

n/m

Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 in the IT Services and Hardware segment are associated with initiatives to depreciation expensereduce and contain costs. Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.



 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Other operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restructuring and severance related charges

 

$

1.3

 

 

$

-

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

n/m

 

 

$

6.4

 

 

$

4.9

 

 

$

1.5

 

 

 

31

%

Transaction and integration costs

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

(13.1

)

 

 

(98

)%

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

18.2

 

 

 

(14.4

)

 

 

(79

)%

Total other operating costs

 

$

1.5

 

 

$

13.3

 

 

$

(11.8

)

 

 

(89

)%

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

23.1

 

 

$

(12.9

)

 

 

(56

)%

2020 in the Entertainment and Communications segment are primarily related to a VSP for certain bargained and management employees in an effort to reduce costs associated with our copper field and network operations. Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 in the Entertainment and Communications segment are related to a severance program for certain management employees as the Company continuescontinued its efforts to realize synergies that can be achieved due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. streamline Cincinnati and Hawaii operations. Restructuring and severance charges in the IT Services and Hardware segment recorded in the second and third quarters of 2019 in the IT Services and Hardware segment are associated with initiatives to reduce and contain costs as well as headcount reductions as a result of insourcing initiatives by one of our significant customers. In

Transaction and integration costs incurred in 2020, recorded as a Corporate expense, are primarily due to $24.8 million paid to an affiliate of Brookfield to terminate the secondBrookfield Merger Agreement in the first quarter of 2018,2020. The Company also incurred transaction and integration costs in the Company recorded restructuringthree and severance charges of $3.8 million in order to recognize future synergiesnine months ended September 30, 2020 associated with the integration of OnX.MIP Merger Agreement. 

Transaction and integration costs incurred in 2019, recorded as a Corporate expense, are primarily due to the continued integration of Hawaiian Telcom. Transaction and integration costs incurred in 2018, recorded as a Corporate expense, are due to the acquisition of OnX that closed in the fourth quarter of 2017 as well as costs related to the acquisition and integration of Hawaiian Telcom.



Non-operating Costs

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

$ Change

 

 

% Change

 

Non-operating costs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Interest expense

 

$

35.0

 

 

$

33.7

 

 

$

1.3

 

 

 

4

%

 

$

105.0

 

 

$

96.3

 

 

$

8.7

 

 

 

9

%

 

$

33.4

 

 

$

35.0

 

 

$

(1.6

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

$

100.6

 

 

$

105.0

 

 

$

(4.4

)

 

 

(4

)%

Loss on extinguishment of debt

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

-

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

n/m

 

Other components of pension and postretirement benefit plans expense

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

9.5

 

 

 

(1.1

)

 

 

(12

)%

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.8

 

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

9.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

7

%

Other expense (income), net

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

1.7

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(2.4

)

 

 

2.0

 

 

 

(83

)%

Other (income) expense, net

 

 

(0.2

)

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

n/m

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(0.4

)

 

 

(0.8

)

 

n/m

 

Income tax benefit

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(3.3

)

 

 

1.4

 

 

 

(42

)%

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(6.0

)

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

53

%

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(1.0

)

 

 

53

%

 

 

(26.2

)

 

 

(9.2

)

 

 

(17.0

)

 

n/m

 

 

Interest expense increaseddecreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same periods in the prior year due to the decrease in LIBOR rates.

Income tax benefit increased for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the effect of interest incurred on the amounts outstanding on the Receivables Facility and the Revolving Credit Facility used to partially fund the cash portion of the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom.

Income tax benefit decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same periodexpense limitation released in the prior year primarily due toreporting period, and unfavorable discrete adjustments recorded in the comparable period, offset in part by the decreased loss before taxes. Income tax benefit increased in the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily 2019 due to an increase in the increased loss before taxes.

income taxes and several significant discrete items recorded primarily in the first quarter of 2020. During the nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company released $15.3 million of valuation allowances that were previously recorded on deferred tax assets related to interest expense for which the tax deduction was limited. The CARES Act contains provisions that increase the Company’s ability to deduct interest expense. Discrete tax benefits were offset, in part, by the $7.6 million tax effect of nondeductible transaction costs.

 



Entertainment and Communications

The Entertainment and Communications segment provides products and services that can be categorized as either Fioptics in Cincinnati or Consumer/SMB Fiber in Hawaii (collectively, "Consumer/SMB Fiber"), Enterprise Fiber or Legacy. Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC ("CBT"), a subsidiary of the Company, is the incumbent local exchange carrier ("ILEC") for a geography that covers a radius of approximately 25 miles around Cincinnati, Ohio, and includes parts of northern Kentucky and southeastern Indiana. CBT has operated in this territory for over 145 years. Voice and data services in the Enterprise Fiber and Legacy categories that are delivered beyond the Company's ILEC territory, particularly in Dayton and Mason, Ohio, are provided through the operations of Cincinnati Bell Extended Territories LLC ("CBET"), a subsidiary of CBT. On July 2, 2018, the Company acquired Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom is the ILEC for the State of Hawaii and the largest full servicefull-service provider of communications services and products in the state. Originally incorporated in Hawaii in 1883 as Mutual Telephone Company, Hawaiian Telcom has a strong heritage of over 135 years as Hawaii’s communications carrier. Its services are offered on all of Hawaii’s major islands, except its video service, which currently is only available on the island of Oahu.

Consumer/SMB Fiber products include high-speed internet access, voice lines and video. The Company is able to deliver speeds of up to 30 megabits or more to approximately 75% of Greater Cincinnati and up to 20 megabits or more to approximately 50% of Hawaii's total addressable market.

Enterprise Fiber products include metro-ethernet, dedicated internet access, wavelength, IRU contracts, and wireless backhaul to macro-towers and small cell. As enterprise customers migrate from legacy products and copper-based technology, our metro-ethernet product becomes the preferred method of transport due to its ability to support multiple applications on a single physical connection.

Legacy products include traditional voice lines, consumer long distance, switched access, digital trunking, DSL, DS0, DS1, DS3 and other value-added services such as caller identification, voicemail, call waiting and call return.

 

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

$

119.5

 

 

$

116.0

 

 

$

3.5

 

 

 

3

%

 

$

356.5

 

 

$

285.3

 

 

$

71.2

 

 

 

25

%

Video

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

52.4

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

131.3

 

 

 

22.2

 

 

 

17

%

Voice

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

76.8

 

 

 

(6.1

)

 

 

(8

)%

 

 

215.4

 

 

 

169.8

 

 

 

45.6

 

 

 

27

%

Other

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

(0.1

)

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

15.1

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

58

%

Total Revenue

 

 

248.5

 

 

 

253.4

 

 

 

(4.9

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

 

749.3

 

 

 

601.5

 

 

 

147.8

 

 

 

25

%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products

 

 

111.5

 

 

 

118.8

 

 

 

(7.3

)

 

 

(6

)%

 

 

338.8

 

 

 

274.8

 

 

 

64.0

 

 

 

23

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

44.2

 

 

 

44.0

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

133.9

 

 

 

100.1

 

 

 

33.8

 

 

 

34

%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

64.4

 

 

 

65.6

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

 

190.5

 

 

 

147.5

 

 

 

43.0

 

 

 

29

%

Restructuring and severance charges

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

n/m

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

220.8

 

 

 

228.4

 

 

 

(7.6

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

668.1

 

 

 

522.4

 

 

 

145.7

 

 

 

28

%

Operating income

 

$

27.7

 

 

$

25.0

 

 

$

2.7

 

 

 

11

%

 

$

81.2

 

 

$

79.1

 

 

$

2.1

 

 

 

3

%

Operating margin

 

 

11.1

%

 

 

9.9

%

 

 

 

 

 

1.2pts

 

 

 

10.8

%

 

 

13.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

(2.4) pts

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

51.3

 

 

$

62.3

 

 

 

(11.0

)

 

 

(18

)%

 

$

150.3

 

 

$

121.7

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

24

%


Entertainment and Communications, continued

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Metrics information (in thousands):

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Cincinnati

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fioptics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet FTTP*

 

 

214.6

 

 

 

196.8

 

 

 

17.8

 

 

 

9

%

Internet FTTN*

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

39.8

 

 

 

(7.3

)

 

 

(18

)%

Total Fioptics Internet

 

 

247.1

 

 

 

236.6

 

 

 

10.5

 

 

 

4

%

Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video FTTP*

 

 

113.5

 

 

 

115.6

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(2

)%

Video FTTN*

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

25.9

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(11

)%

Total Fioptics Video

 

 

136.5

 

 

 

141.5

 

 

 

(5.0

)

 

 

(4

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fioptics Voice Lines

 

 

108.0

 

 

 

107.0

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1

%

Fioptics Units Passed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units passed FTTP*

 

 

482.0

 

 

 

459.1

 

 

 

22.9

 

 

 

5

%

Units passed FTTN*

 

 

138.6

 

 

 

139.5

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(1

)%

Total Fioptics units passed

 

 

620.6

 

 

 

598.6

 

 

 

22.0

 

 

 

4

%

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethernet Bandwidth (Gb)

 

 

5,006

 

 

 

4,331

 

 

 

675

 

 

 

16

%

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSL

 

 

65.9

 

 

 

74.1

 

 

 

(8.2

)

 

 

(11

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy Voice Lines

 

 

202.9

 

 

 

232.7

 

 

 

(29.8

)

 

 

(13

)%

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

$

119.8

 

 

$

119.5

 

 

$

0.3

 

 

 

0

%

 

$

358.8

 

 

$

356.5

 

 

$

2.3

 

 

 

1

%

Video

 

 

48.1

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

145.1

 

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

(8.4

)

 

 

(5

)%

Voice

 

 

65.5

 

 

 

70.7

 

 

 

(5.2

)

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

197.6

 

 

 

215.4

 

 

 

(17.8

)

 

 

(8

)%

Other

 

 

7.6

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(6

)%

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

23.9

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(4

)%

Total Revenue

 

 

241.0

 

 

 

248.5

 

 

 

(7.5

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

724.5

 

 

 

749.3

 

 

 

(24.8

)

 

 

(3

)%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products

 

 

107.8

 

 

 

111.5

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

319.7

 

 

 

338.8

 

 

 

(19.1

)

 

 

(6

)%

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

44.4

 

 

 

44.2

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0

%

 

 

130.2

 

 

 

133.9

 

 

 

(3.7

)

 

 

(3

)%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

61.6

 

 

 

64.4

 

 

 

(2.8

)

 

 

(4

)%

 

 

190.0

 

 

 

190.5

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

0

%

Restructuring and severance charges

 

 

 

 

 

0.7

 

 

 

(0.7

)

 

n/m

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

n/m

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

213.8

 

 

 

220.8

 

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

654.7

 

 

 

668.1

 

 

 

(13.4

)

 

 

(2

)%

Operating income

 

$

27.2

 

 

$

27.7

 

 

$

(0.5

)

 

 

(2

)%

 

$

69.8

 

 

$

81.2

 

 

$

(11.4

)

 

 

(14

)%

Operating margin

 

 

11.3

%

 

 

11.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

0.2 pts

 

 

 

9.6

%

 

 

10.8

%

 

 

 

 

 

(1.2) pts

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

55.9

 

 

$

51.3

 

 

 

4.6

 

 

 

9

%

 

$

142.5

 

 

$

150.3

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

*Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP), Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN)


Entertainment and Communications, continued

 

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

Metrics information (in thousands):

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Hawaii

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fioptics

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet FTTP*

 

 

54.6

 

 

 

49.5

 

 

 

5.1

 

 

 

10

%

 

 

235.0

 

 

 

214.6

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

10

%

Internet FTTN*

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

14.5

 

 

 

(1.3

)

 

 

(9

)%

 

 

27.7

 

 

 

32.5

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(15

)%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Internet

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

64.0

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

6

%

Total Fioptics Internet

 

 

262.7

 

 

 

247.1

 

 

 

15.6

 

 

 

6

%

Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video FTTP*

 

 

31.8

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

 

108.7

 

 

 

113.5

 

 

 

(4.8

)

 

 

(4

)%

Video FTTN*

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

15.3

 

 

 

(2.1

)

 

 

(14

)%

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

23.0

 

 

 

(2.2

)

 

 

(10

)%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Video

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

48.6

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(7

)%

Total Fioptics Video

 

 

129.5

 

 

 

136.5

 

 

 

(7.0

)

 

 

(5

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber Voice Lines

 

 

30.1

 

 

 

29.9

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

1

%

Consumer / SMB Fiber Units Passed **

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fioptics Voice Lines

 

 

104.4

 

 

 

108.0

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(3

)%

Fioptics Units Passed

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units passed FTTP*

 

 

170.6

 

 

 

163.6

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

4

%

 

 

494.8

 

 

 

482.0

 

 

 

12.8

 

 

 

3

%

Units passed FTTN*

 

 

72.8

 

 

 

73.3

 

 

 

(0.5

)

 

 

(1

)%

 

 

138.0

 

 

 

138.6

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

0

%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber units passed

 

 

243.4

 

 

 

236.9

 

 

 

6.5

 

 

 

3

%

Total Fioptics units passed

 

 

632.8

 

 

 

620.6

 

 

 

12.2

 

 

 

2

%

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethernet Bandwidth (Gb)

 

 

3,424

 

 

 

1,948

 

 

 

1,476

 

 

 

76

%

 

 

5,978

 

 

 

5,006

 

 

 

972

 

 

 

19

%

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSL

 

 

44.3

 

 

 

50.4

 

 

 

(6.1

)

 

 

(12

)%

 

 

63.3

 

 

 

65.9

 

 

 

(2.6

)

 

 

(4

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy Voice Lines

 

 

183.0

 

 

 

203.4

 

 

 

(20.4

)

 

 

(10

)%

 

 

180.3

 

 

 

202.9

 

 

 

(22.6

)

 

 

(11

)%

*

Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP), Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN)



Entertainment and Communications, continued

 

 

 

September 30,

 

Metrics information (in thousands):

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Hawaii

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet FTTP*

 

 

58.6

 

 

 

54.6

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

7

%

Internet FTTN*

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(11

)%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Internet

 

 

70.3

 

 

 

67.8

 

 

 

2.5

 

 

 

4

%

Video

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Video FTTP*

 

 

30.6

 

 

 

31.8

 

 

 

(1.2

)

 

 

(4

)%

Video FTTN*

 

 

11.4

 

 

 

13.2

 

 

 

(1.8

)

 

 

(14

)%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber Video

 

 

42.0

 

 

 

45.0

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(7

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber Voice Lines

 

 

29.8

 

 

 

30.1

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

(1

)%

Consumer / SMB Fiber Units Passed **

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Units passed FTTP*

 

 

178.1

 

 

 

170.6

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

4

%

Units passed FTTN*

 

 

72.5

 

 

 

72.8

 

 

 

(0.3

)

 

 

0

%

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber units passed

 

 

250.6

 

 

 

243.4

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

3

%

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Ethernet Bandwidth (Gb)

 

 

4,063

 

 

 

3,424

 

 

 

639

 

 

 

19

%

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

DSL

 

 

38.2

 

 

 

44.3

 

 

 

(6.1

)

 

 

(14

)%

Voice

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Legacy Voice Lines

 

 

164.2

 

 

 

183.0

 

 

 

(18.8

)

 

 

(10

)%

 

*

Fiber-to-the-Premise (FTTP), Fiber-to-the-Node (FTTN)

**

Includes units passed for both consumer and business on Oahu and neighboring islands.



Entertainment and Communications, continued

Revenue

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

$

39.3

 

 

$

8.0

 

 

$

47.3

 

 

$

36.0

 

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

42.3

 

 

$

43.0

 

 

$

9.1

 

 

$

52.1

 

 

$

39.3

 

 

$

8.0

 

 

$

47.3

 

Video

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

40.7

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

52.4

 

 

 

38.7

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

48.1

 

 

 

39.5

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

50.2

 

Voice

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

11.9

 

 

 

9.4

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

9.2

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

11.9

 

Other

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

88.4

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

110.0

 

 

 

86.4

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

107.2

 

 

 

91.0

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

112.4

 

 

 

88.4

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

110.0

 

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

31.5

 

 

 

21.0

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

29.7

 

 

 

21.4

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

21.6

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

31.5

 

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

40.7

 

 

 

27.5

 

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

44.0

 

 

 

23.4

 

 

 

12.3

 

 

 

35.7

 

 

 

26.1

 

 

 

14.6

 

 

 

40.7

 

Voice

 

 

31.5

 

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

58.8

 

 

 

35.0

 

 

 

29.7

 

 

 

64.7

 

 

 

27.9

 

 

 

26.0

 

 

 

53.9

 

 

 

31.5

 

 

 

27.3

 

 

 

58.8

 

Other

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

3.8

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

7.8

 

 

 

3.1

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

7.5

 

 

 

60.8

 

 

 

46.2

 

 

 

107.0

 

 

 

66.3

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

116.5

 

 

 

54.4

 

 

 

42.2

 

 

 

96.6

 

 

 

60.8

 

 

 

46.2

 

 

 

107.0

 

Total Entertainment and Communications revenue

 

$

170.8

 

 

$

77.7

 

 

$

248.5

 

 

$

173.7

 

 

$

79.7

 

 

$

253.4

 

 

$

166.8

 

 

$

74.2

 

 

$

241.0

 

 

$

170.8

 

 

$

77.7

 

 

$

248.5

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

Revenue

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

$

115.5

 

 

$

23.8

 

 

$

139.3

 

 

$

106.0

 

 

$

6.3

 

 

$

112.3

 

 

$

126.0

 

 

$

26.5

 

 

$

152.5

 

 

$

115.5

 

 

$

23.8

 

 

$

139.3

 

Video

 

 

120.3

 

 

 

33.2

 

 

 

153.5

 

 

 

119.6

 

 

 

11.7

 

 

 

131.3

 

 

 

116.3

 

 

 

28.8

 

 

 

145.1

 

 

 

120.3

 

 

 

33.2

 

 

 

153.5

 

Voice

 

 

27.6

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

35.8

 

 

 

28.0

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

8.1

 

 

 

33.1

 

 

 

27.6

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

35.8

 

Other

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

0.9

 

 

 

0.1

 

 

 

1.0

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

1.7

 

 

 

1.1

 

 

 

0.5

 

 

 

1.6

 

 

 

264.5

 

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

330.2

 

 

 

254.5

 

 

 

20.8

 

 

 

275.3

 

 

 

268.4

 

 

 

64.0

 

 

 

332.4

 

 

 

264.5

 

 

 

65.7

 

 

 

330.2

 

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

63.8

 

 

 

29.3

 

 

 

93.1

 

 

 

62.8

 

 

 

8.7

 

 

 

71.5

 

 

 

64.3

 

 

 

31.0

 

 

 

95.3

 

 

 

63.8

 

 

 

29.3

 

 

 

93.1

 

Legacy

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Data

 

 

78.4

 

 

 

45.7

 

 

 

124.1

 

 

 

85.0

 

 

 

16.5

 

 

 

101.5

 

 

 

71.6

 

 

 

39.4

 

 

 

111.0

 

 

 

78.4

 

 

 

45.7

 

 

 

124.1

 

Voice

 

 

96.3

 

 

 

83.3

 

 

 

179.6

 

 

 

109.4

 

 

 

29.7

 

 

 

139.1

 

 

 

85.7

 

 

 

78.8

 

 

 

164.5

 

 

 

96.3

 

 

 

83.3

 

 

 

179.6

 

Other

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

10.1

 

 

 

4.0

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

12.0

 

 

 

21.3

 

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

12.1

 

 

 

22.3

 

 

 

184.9

 

 

 

141.1

 

 

 

326.0

 

 

 

204.5

 

 

 

50.2

 

 

 

254.7

 

 

 

166.6

 

 

 

130.2

 

 

 

296.8

 

 

 

184.9

 

 

 

141.1

 

 

 

326.0

 

Total Entertainment and Communications revenue

 

$

513.2

 

 

$

236.1

 

 

$

749.3

 

 

$

521.8

 

 

$

79.7

 

 

$

601.5

 

 

$

499.3

 

 

$

225.2

 

 

$

724.5

 

 

$

513.2

 

 

$

236.1

 

 

$

749.3

 

 

*

Represents Fioptics in Cincinnati



Entertainment and Communications, continued

Cincinnati Fioptics and Hawaii Consumer/SMB Fiber (collectively, "Consumer/SMB Fiber")

Consumer/SMB Fiber revenue increased by $2.8$2.4 million for the three months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to anas the increase in the subscriber base for internet. internet more than offset the decline in video and voice subscribers. The internet subscriber base continues to increase as we focus our attention on growing the internet FTTP subscriber base. Favorable churn in the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 has also contributed to the increased internet subscriber base. In addition, the Average Revenue Per User (“ARPU”) for the three months ended September 30, 20192020 increased for internet in both Cincinnati and video in CincinnatiHawaii by 5%3% and 2%10%, respectively, and for internet in Hawaii by 17%,as compared to the same period in 2018 partially offsetting the decline in video subscribers in both Cincinnati and Hawaii.2019. ARPU increases are related to price increases for internet and video as well as the change in the mix of subscribers for video.internet.

Consumer/SMB Fiber revenue increased $54.9by $2.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in 2019 as similar trends impacting the prior year primarily due to increased revenue contributed by Hawaiian Telcom of $44.9 million. Hawaiian Telcom adds 45,000 video subscribers, 67,800 internet subscribers and 30,100 voice subscribers toincrease for the existing base of subscribers. The increase isquarter also a result ofimpacted the growing internet FTTP subscriber base and nine months ended September 30, 2020. ARPU increases for internet and video in Cincinnati of 4% and 5%, respectively, for the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 increased for internet in both Cincinnati and Hawaii by 4% and 8%, respectively, as compared to the prior year. These increases more than offset the decline in video subscribers.

Enterprise Fiber

Enterprise Fiber revenue increased primarily due to increased revenue of $20.6 million from Hawaiian Telcom for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year. Hawaiian Telcom In addition, revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 was negatively impacted by a decline in non-recurring revenue due to COVID-19 and the Company’s participation in the Pledge that expired on June 30, 2020.

Enterprise Fiber

Enterprise Fiber includes revenue fromincreased $0.5 million and $2.2 million for the SEA-US cable, metro-ethernetthree and dedicated internet access. In addition, enterprisenine months ended September 30, 2020 as compared to the same periods in 2019 as a result of customers are migrating from legacy product offerings to higher bandwidth fiber solutions, as evidenced by the 16% and 76% increases19% increase in Ethernet Bandwidth in both Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively.Hawaii. The increase to revenue from additional customers switching to fiber solutions is partially offset by pricing pressures.pressures to provide higher speeds for a lower cost.

Legacy

Legacy revenue decreased for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same periodperiods in the prior year due to the decline in voice lines and DSL subscribers. Voice lines declined 13%11% and 10% in Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively, as the traditional voice lines become less relevant. DSL subscribers decreased by 11%4% and 12%14% in Cincinnati and Hawaii, respectively, as subscribers demand the higher speeds that can be provided by fiber. In addition, declines in DS1, DS3 and digital trunking have contributed to the revenue decline for these products in 20192020 compared to the same periodperiods in the prior year as customers migrate away from these solutions to fiber-based solutions.

Legacy revenue increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period a year ago due to increased revenue from Hawaiian Telcom of $90.9 million. Hawaiian Telcom adds 44,300 DSL subscribers and 183,000 voice subscribers to the existing base of subscribers. Increased revenue generated by Hawaiian Telcom was partially offset by declines in revenue from both voice lines and DSL subscribers in addition to declines in DS1, DS3 and digital trunking as customers migrate away from these solutions to fiber-based solutions.

Operating Costs and Expenses

Cost of services and products decreased $7.3$3.7 million infor the three months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily2019 due to decreases in video content costs and operating taxes of $1.8 million and $1.3 million, respectively. Lower video content costs are a result of decreased subscribers. The decrease in contract servicesoperating taxes is due to decreases in regulatory fees and general excise tax. In addition to video content costs and loweroperating taxes, payroll costswages and taxes decreased by $1.3 million due to reduced headcount and lower overtime driven by lower activations as well as efficiencies in the installation process. The reduced headcount is a result of the restructuring that took place in the prior two years.first quarter of 2020 and throughout 2019.  Partially offsetting this cost savings is higher bonus expense due to a one-time bonus awarded to employees for their efforts during COVID-19.

Cost of services and products increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributed $113.5 million and $40.9 million to cost of services and products in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. Excluding the increase associated with the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom, cost of services and products decreased by $8.6$19.1 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 due to the same trends impacting the quarter as well as savings realized associated with the Company’s call center.

SG&A expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2019 were nearly flat2020 compared to the same period in the prior year as the segment continuesdue primarily to focus on cost containmentdecreases in payroll related costs, video content costs and realizing synergies with Hawaiian Telcom. SG&A expense increased $33.8operating taxes. Payroll related costs decreased $2.2 million infor the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributed $47.6reduced headcount as well as lower workers compensation benefits more than offsetting incremental bonus expense. Video content costs decreased by $5.8 million and $16.0 million of SG&A expense infor the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019 and 2018, respectively. The remaining increaseas a result of decreased subscribers. Lower operating taxes are primarily due to SG&A expensefavorable audit results that resulted in a nonrecurring benefit of $4.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 is primarily due2020 in addition to increasesa decrease in bad debt expense and advertising expense. Thegeneral excise tax.

SG&A expenses increased $0.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. An increase in bad debtcontract services as a result of higher insurance costs in third quarter of 2020 and increased bonus expense isof $1.9 million primarily due to a reserve for certain receivables with a wholesale customer that filed for bankruptcy in the first quarter of 2019. The increase in advertising expense is due to additional media spending. These increases wereone-time employee award was partially offset by savingscost containment strategies taken in software development costs2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business.

SG&A expenses decreased $3.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the comparable period in the prior year primarily related to synergies realizedcost containment strategies taken in 2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business. The decrease was partially offset by increases to contract services as a result of higher insurance costs, bad debt expense due to updating our estimate of the acquisitionimpact of Hawaiian Telcom.the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s receivables and incremental bonus expense recorded in the third quarter.  



Entertainment and Communications, continued

Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $1.2$2.8 million and $0.5 million in the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year due to certain property, plant and equipment reaching the end of its useful life. Depreciation and amortization expense increased for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as2020, respectively, compared to the same periodperiods in the prior year primarily due to a decrease in assets placed in service during 2020 in connection with the acquisitionexpansion of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributed $68.4 millionour fiber network.

Restructuring and $23.9 million of depreciation and amortization expenseseverance charges recorded in the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 are primarily related to a VSP for certain bargained and 2018, respectively. Excluding the increasemanagement employees in an effort to continue to reduce costs associated with the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom, depreciationour copper field and amortization expense decreased $1.5 million due to the same trends impacting the quarter.

network operations. Restructuring and severance charges recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 arewere related to a severance program for certain management employees as the Company continuescontinued its efforts to realize synergies that can be achieved due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom.streamline operations between Cincinnati and Hawaii.

Capital Expenditures

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber capital expenditures *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction

 

$

4.8

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

7.2

 

 

$

10.1

 

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

12.2

 

 

$

6.1

 

 

$

4.1

 

 

$

10.2

 

 

$

4.8

 

 

$

2.4

 

 

$

7.2

 

Installation

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

14.1

 

 

 

15.8

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

23.5

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

11.8

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

3.4

 

 

 

14.1

 

Other

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

3.7

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

2.4

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

2.9

 

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

3.7

 

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber

 

 

18.4

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

25.0

 

 

 

28.6

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

39.0

 

 

 

16.9

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

24.6

 

 

 

18.4

 

 

 

6.6

 

 

 

25.0

 

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

7.0

 

 

 

3.9

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

4.4

 

 

 

2.7

 

 

 

7.1

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

7.0

 

Other

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

19.3

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

16.2

 

 

 

9.8

 

 

 

14.4

 

 

 

24.2

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

8.9

 

 

 

19.3

 

Total Entertainment and Communications capital expenditures

 

$

33.7

 

 

$

17.6

 

 

$

51.3

 

 

$

41.4

 

 

$

20.9

 

 

$

62.3

 

 

$

31.1

 

 

$

24.8

 

 

$

55.9

 

 

$

33.7

 

 

$

17.6

 

 

$

51.3

 

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

 

Cincinnati

 

 

Hawaii

 

 

Total

 

Consumer / SMB Fiber capital expenditures *

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

27.6

 

 

$

25.5

 

 

$

2.1

 

 

$

27.6

 

 

$

14.1

 

 

$

9.5

 

 

$

23.6

 

 

$

21.4

 

 

$

6.2

 

 

$

27.6

 

Installation

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

11.5

 

 

 

48.3

 

 

 

33.3

 

 

 

7.7

 

 

 

41.0

 

 

 

25.1

 

 

 

10.6

 

 

 

35.7

 

 

 

36.8

 

 

 

11.5

 

 

 

48.3

 

Other

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

9.3

 

 

 

7.9

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

6.9

 

 

 

0.3

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

7.2

 

 

 

2.1

 

 

 

9.3

 

Total Consumer / SMB Fiber

 

 

65.4

 

 

 

19.8

 

 

 

85.2

 

 

 

66.7

 

 

 

10.4

 

 

 

77.1

 

 

 

46.1

 

 

 

20.4

 

 

 

66.5

 

 

 

65.4

 

 

 

19.8

 

 

 

85.2

 

Enterprise Fiber

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

13.8

 

 

 

11.6

 

 

 

3.2

 

 

 

14.8

 

 

 

8.8

 

 

 

8.2

 

 

 

17.0

 

 

 

8.4

 

 

 

5.4

 

 

 

13.8

 

Other

 

 

24.8

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

22.5

 

 

 

7.3

 

 

 

29.8

 

 

 

26.8

 

 

 

32.2

 

 

 

59.0

 

 

 

24.8

 

 

 

26.5

 

 

 

51.3

 

Total Entertainment and Communications capital expenditures

 

$

98.6

 

 

$

51.7

 

 

$

150.3

 

 

$

100.8

 

 

$

20.9

 

 

$

121.7

 

 

$

81.7

 

 

$

60.8

 

 

$

142.5

 

 

$

98.6

 

 

$

51.7

 

 

$

150.3

 

*

Represents Fioptics in Cincinnati

Capital expenditures in Cincinnati are incurred to expand our Fioptics product suite, upgrade and increase capacity for our networks, and to extend the life of our fiber and copper networks. In the third quarter of 2019,2020, we passed an additional 1,9005,200 FTTP addresses in Cincinnati. As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company is able to deliver its Fioptics services with speeds of up to 30 megabits or more to 620,600approximately 632,800 residential and commercial addresses, or approximately 75% of our operating territory in Cincinnati. Cincinnati construction capital expenditures decreased $5.3 million and $4.1increased $1.3 million in the three andmonths ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to passing more addresses in the third quarter of 2020 compared to the same period in 2019. Cincinnati construction capital expenditures decreased $7.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively,2020 compared to the same periods in 2018 due to passing fewer addressescomparable period in 2019 andprimarily due to the timing of capital expenditures, which does not necessarily coincide with the timing of when addresses become available. Cincinnati installation capital expenditures are primarily related to the timing of expenditures for customer premise equipment (“CPE”) utilized for installations. In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, Cincinnati installation capital expenditures decreased $5.1$2.3 million and $11.7 million compared to the same periodperiods in 2018 while Cincinnati installation capital expenditures increased $3.5 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 comparedprimarily due to the same period in the prior year.lower volume of CPE purchased.



Enterprise Fiber capital expenditures in Cincinnati are related to success-based fiber builds, including associated equipment, for enterprise and carrier projects to provide ethernet services.services as well as network refresh projects that ensure that we continue to grow our capacity and services within the network core. Other capital expenditures are related to IT projects, cable and equipment maintenance and capacity additions, real estate upgrades and maintenance, plus other minor capital purchases.



Hawaii construction capital expenditures increased $0.3$1.7 million and $4.1$3.3 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, respectively, compared to the same periods in the prior year due to building out 1,3001,900 new addresses in the third quarter of 2019,2020, primarily in rural areas and on the neighbor islands, and 2,9004,200 new addresses in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.2020. Hawaii installation capital expenditures decreased $4.3$0.9 million due to less video and internet installations in the three months ended September 30, 2019 compared to the same period in the prior year. Installation capital expenditures in Hawaii increased in the nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020 compared to the same period in the prior year which only includes three months of activity subsequentprimarily due to the acquisition close date.less video and high-speed internet installations. Enterprise fiber capital in Hawaii is primarily driven by new ethernet customers. Hawaii capital expenditures classified as other include IT projects, real estate projects, road jobs or plant damage projects, and network upgrades or optimization projects.


IT Services and Hardware

The IT Services and Hardware segment provides end-to-end IT solutions ranging from consulting to implementation to ongoing optimization of existing technology. These solutions include Cloud, Communications and Consulting services along with the sale and maintenance of major branded Telecom and IT hardware reported as Infrastructure Solutions. These services and products are provided through the Company's subsidiaries in various geographic areas throughout the United States, Canada and Europe. By offering a full range of equipment and strategic services in conjunction with the Company’s fiber and copper networks, the IT Services and Hardware segment provides our customers personalized solutions designed to meet their business objectives.

Cloud services include the design, implementation and on-going management of the customer’s infrastructure. This includes on-premise, public cloud and private cloud solutions. The Company assists customers with the risk assessment phase through an in-depth understanding of the customer’s business as well as building and designing a solution, using either the customer's existing infrastructure or new cloud based options, that transforms the way that the customer does business.

Communications solutions help to transform the way our customers do business by connecting employees, customers, and business partners. By upgrading legacy technologies through customized build projects and reducing customer costs, the Company helps to transform the customer’s business. These services include Unified Communications as a Service ("UCaaS"), Software-Defined Wide Area Network ("SD-WAN"), Network as a Service ("NaaS"), Contact Center and Collaboration.

Using our experience and expertise, Infrastructure Solutions are tailored to our customers’ organizational goals. We offer a complete portfolio of services that provide customers with efficient and optimized IT solutions that are agile and responsive to their business and are integrated, simplified and manageable. Through consulting with customers, the Company will build a solution using standard manufacturer equipment to meet our customers’ specific requirements.

Consulting services help customers assess their business and technology needs and provide the talent needed to ensure success. The Company is a premier provider of application services and IT staffing.

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

(dollars in millions)

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Revenue:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consulting

 

$

37.6

 

 

$

35.9

 

 

$

1.7

 

 

 

5

%

 

$

114.6

 

 

$

100.7

 

 

$

13.9

 

 

 

14

%

 

$

49.4

 

 

$

37.6

 

 

$

11.8

 

 

 

31

%

 

$

138.5

 

 

$

114.6

 

 

$

23.9

 

 

 

21

%

Cloud

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

26.2

 

 

 

(3.6

)

 

 

(14

)%

 

 

69.8

 

 

 

71.8

 

 

 

(2.0

)

 

 

(3

)%

 

 

21.1

 

 

 

22.6

 

 

 

(1.5

)

 

 

(7

)%

 

 

63.0

 

 

 

69.8

 

 

 

(6.8

)

 

 

(10

)%

Communications

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

47.0

 

 

 

4.3

 

 

 

9

%

 

 

147.0

 

 

 

129.1

 

 

 

17.9

 

 

 

14

%

 

 

53.9

 

 

 

51.3

 

 

 

2.6

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

160.3

 

 

 

147.0

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

9

%

Infrastructure Solutions

 

 

29.0

 

 

 

32.0

 

 

 

(3.0

)

 

 

(9

)%

 

 

85.6

 

 

 

95.4

 

 

 

(9.8

)

 

 

(10

)%

 

 

30.8

 

 

 

29.0

 

 

 

1.8

 

 

 

6

%

 

 

82.7

 

 

 

85.6

 

 

 

(2.9

)

 

 

(3

)%

Total revenue

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

141.1

 

 

 

(0.6

)

 

 

0

%

 

 

417.0

 

 

 

397.0

 

 

 

20.0

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

155.2

 

 

 

140.5

 

 

 

14.7

 

 

 

10

%

 

 

444.5

 

 

 

417.0

 

 

 

27.5

 

 

 

7

%

Operating costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of services and products

 

 

89.4

 

 

 

86.4

 

 

 

3.0

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

268.3

 

 

 

243.1

 

 

 

25.2

 

 

 

10

%

 

 

102.7

 

 

 

89.4

 

 

 

13.3

 

 

 

15

%

 

 

290.2

 

 

 

268.3

 

 

 

21.9

 

 

 

8

%

Selling, general and administrative

 

 

38.8

 

 

 

37.5

 

 

 

1.3

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

113.8

 

 

 

110.5

 

 

 

3.3

 

 

 

3

%

 

 

36.9

 

 

 

38.8

 

 

 

(1.9

)

 

 

(5

)%

 

 

110.6

 

 

 

113.8

 

 

 

(3.2

)

 

 

(3

)%

Depreciation and amortization

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

9.9

 

 

 

1.2

 

 

 

12

%

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

30.0

 

 

 

8.5

 

 

 

28

%

 

 

10.2

 

 

 

11.1

 

 

 

(0.9

)

 

 

(8

)%

 

 

30.7

 

 

 

38.5

 

 

 

(7.8

)

 

 

(20

)%

Restructuring and severance related charges

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

-

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

4.9

 

 

 

(3.4

)

 

 

(69

)%

 

 

0.8

 

 

 

0.6

 

 

 

0.2

 

 

 

33

%

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

1.5

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total operating costs and expenses

 

 

139.9

 

 

 

133.8

 

 

 

6.1

 

 

 

5

%

 

 

422.1

 

 

 

388.5

 

 

 

33.6

 

 

 

9

%

 

 

150.6

 

 

 

139.9

 

 

 

10.7

 

 

 

8

%

 

 

433.0

 

 

 

422.1

 

 

 

10.9

 

 

 

3

%

Operating income (loss)

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

7.3

 

 

$

(6.7

)

 

 

(92

)%

 

$

(5.1

)

 

$

8.5

 

 

$

(13.6

)

 

n/m

 

 

$

4.6

 

 

$

0.6

 

 

$

4.0

 

 

n/m

 

 

$

11.5

 

 

$

(5.1

)

 

$

16.6

 

 

n/m

 

Operating margin

 

 

0.4

%

 

 

5.2

%

 

 

 

 

 

(4.8) pts

 

 

 

(1.2

)%

 

 

2.1

%

 

 

 

 

 

(3.3) pts

 

 

 

3.0

%

 

 

0.4

%

 

 

 

 

 

2.6 pts

 

 

 

2.6

%

 

 

(1.2

)%

 

 

 

 

 

3.8 pts

 

Capital expenditures

 

$

5.4

 

 

$

7.4

 

 

$

(2.0

)

 

 

(27

)%

 

$

16.9

 

 

$

19.0

 

 

$

(2.1

)

 

 

(11

)%

 

$

3.9

 

 

$

5.4

 

 

$

(1.5

)

 

 

(28

)%

 

$

16.7

 

 

$

16.9

 

 

$

(0.2

)

 

 

(1

)%


IT Services and Hardware, continued

 

September 30,

 

 

September 30,

 

Metrics information (in thousands):

2019

 

 

2018

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

 

2020

 

 

2019

 

 

Change

 

 

% Change

 

Consulting

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Billable Resources

 

1,007

 

 

 

999

 

 

 

8

 

 

 

1

%

 

 

1,437

 

 

 

1,007

 

 

 

430

 

 

 

43

%

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Communications

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NaaS Locations

 

3,492

 

 

 

1,101

 

 

 

2,391

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

5,419

 

 

 

3,492

 

 

 

1,927

 

 

 

55

%

SD - WAN Locations

 

1,849

 

 

 

488

 

 

 

1,361

 

 

n/m

 

 

 

2,783

 

 

 

1,849

 

 

 

934

 

 

 

51

%

Hosted UCaaS Profiles*

 

270,335

 

 

 

223,311

 

 

 

47,024

 

 

 

21

%

 

 

277,610

 

 

 

270,335

 

 

 

7,275

 

 

 

3

%

 

*

Includes Hawaii Hosted UCaaS Profiles


IT Services and Hardware, continued

Revenue

IT Services and Hardware segment revenue decreased $0.6increased $14.7 million and $27.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020, respectively, as compared to the same periodperiods in the prior year. Communications and Consulting revenue are the main contributors to this revenue increase in 2020. Communications revenue increased as a result of customers migrating to newer technologies which has increased the Company’s Hosted UCaaS profiles, NaaS locations and SD - WANSD-WAN locations. This increaseIn addition, Communications revenue was favorably impacted as certain customers required additional services to mitigate the issues caused by the COVID-19 pandemic on their businesses. The decline in legacy communications revenue and one-time Communications projects partially offset by the decline in one-time Communications projects. In addition,these increases. Consulting revenue increased compared to the prior year due to obtaining significant new customers and projects throughout 2018. These increases were more than offset by the decline2019 which continue to bill and grow in Cloud and2020. Infrastructure Solutions revenue. Cloud revenue decreased due to lower revenue contributed by GE of $6.5 million due to GE insourcing certain cloud services partially offset with increased revenue from one-time projects.

IT Services and Hardware revenue increased $20.0$1.8 million forin the ninethree months ended September 30, 2019 as2020 compared to the same period in the prior year. Consultingyear due to additional project volume from existing customers, primarily in the retail and Communications areeducation sectors, in the main contributorsthird quarter of 2020. In the nine months ended September 30, 2020, Infrastructure Solutions revenue decreased $2.9 million compared to thisthe same period in 2019 as increased revenue increasefrom projects in the third quarter was more than offset by the decline in hardware sales that occurred in the second quarter partially due to the impacts of COVID-19 and customers migrating to managed services. Increased revenue was partially offset by decreases in Cloud revenue in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the comparable periods in 2019. ConsultingCloud revenue increaseddecreased due to less revenue generated from one-time projects in addition to lower revenue contributed by GE of $4.3 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the prior year due to obtaining significant new customers and projects throughout 2018. Communications revenue increased primarily due to the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom, which contributed $17.6 million and $5.6 million of revenue in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. In addition to the contribution from Hawaiian Telcom, similar trends impacting the revenue increase in Communications for the quarter also impacted the nine months ended September 30, 2019. Cloud revenue decreased compared to the prior year as increased revenue from one-time projects was more than offset by lower revenue contributed by GE of $15.2 million. In addition, Infrastructure Solutions revenue decreased due to a decline in one-time projects and hardware sales.insourcing certain cloud services.

Operating Costs and Expenses

IT Services and Hardware cost of services and products increased $3.0$13.3 million and $21.9 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 20192020, respectively, as compared to the same periodperiods in the prior year due to increases in payroll related costs, contractor costs, software licensing costs and regulatory fees. The increase in payroll related costs is primarily due to increased internal headcount to support the communications and consulting practices partially offset by a decline in contractor costs.

Cost of services and products increased $25.2 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019 as compared to the same period in 2018. Hawaiian Telcom contributed $22.4 million and $6.9 million of expense to cost of services and products in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. The remaining increase in cost of services and products is primarily due to payroll and contractor costs associated withis due to additional headcount to support the incremental communications and consulting revenuegrowth in the nine months ended September 30, 2019.

SG&A expenses increased $1.3 millionCommunications and Consulting practices as well as a one-time bonus to reward employees for the three months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same period in 2018 primarily due to increased bonus and employee benefit related costs. SG&A expenses increased $3.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2019, as compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily driven by the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom. Hawaiian Telcom contributed $7.2 million and $2.9 million of SG&A expense in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 and 2018, respectively. This increase was partially offset by lower payroll related costs astheir efforts during COVID-19. As a result of the restructuring that took placeconsulting projects obtained in 2019, billable resources increased by 430 compared to September 30, 2019. Higher software licensing costs were also incurred to support the revenue growth in the prior two years.Communications practice.

Depreciation and amortizationSG&A expenses increased $1.2decreased $1.9 million and $8.5$3.2 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, respectively, as compared to the comparable periods in 2019. The decreases are primarily related to cost containment strategies taken in 2020 to reduce the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the business. This was partially offset by an increase in bad debt expense due to updating our estimate of the impact of the economic downturn associated with the COVID-19 pandemic on the Company’s receivables and a one-time bonus awarded to employees in the third quarter. In addition, employee contract termination costs incurred in the first quarter of 2020 partially offset the decrease in the nine months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period in the prior year.

Depreciation and amortization expenses decreased $0.9 million and $7.8 million for the three months and nine months ended September 30, 2020, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year primarily due to accelerated depreciation expense for certain network assets designated for use by a specific customer. The network assets for which accelerated depreciation expense was incurred were determined to have a shorter useful life due to a change in the customer's requirements in the first quarter of 2019. In addition to the accelerated depreciation, Hawaiian Telcom contributed increased depreciation expense2019 and were fully depreciated as of $0.7 millionDecember 31, 2019.

Restructuring and $3.1 million forseverance related charges recorded in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019, respectively, as compared to the same periods in the prior year.

Restructuring2020 and severance related charges of $0.6 million and $1.5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019 respectively, are associated with initiatives to reduce and contain costs as well as headcount reductions as a resultcosts. In addition, restructuring and severance related charges recorded in the second quarter of 2019 are related to insourcing initiatives by one of our significant customers. In the second quarter of 2018, the Company recorded charges of $3.8 million in order to recognize future synergies with the integration of OnX in addition to lease abandonment charges of $0.8 million associated with office space that would no longer be utilized.


Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures are dependent on the timing of success-based projects. Capital expenditures for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2019,2020, were primarily related to projects supporting the Cloud and Communications practices. In addition to success-based projects, the Company incurred $1.1$1.3 million for implementation work associated with internal software projects in the second quarter of 2019 contributing to capital expenditures for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.  2020.


Financial Condition, Liquidity, and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had $1,927.4$1,958.0 million of outstanding indebtedness and an accumulated deficit of $2,755.4$2,826.0 million. A significant amount of the Company's accumulated deficit resulted from the purchase and operation of a national broadband business, which was sold in 2003.

The Company’s primary source of cash is generated by operations. The Company generated $188.9$138.9 million and $122.8$188.9 million of cash flows from operations during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 and 2018,2019, respectively. As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had $161.5$159.9 million of short-term liquidity, comprised of $6.5$8.8 million of cash and cash equivalents, and $155.0$143.0 million of undrawn capacity on our Revolving Credit Facility, and $8.1 million available under the Receivables Facility.

The Receivables Facility permits maximum borrowings of up to $225.0$200.0 million and is subject to annual renewal. As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had borrowings of $141.5$179.5 million and $10.1$12.4 million of letters of credit outstanding under the Receivables Facility on a borrowing capacity of $151.6$200.0 million. While we expect to continue to renew this facility, we would be required to use cash or our Revolving Credit Facility or other sources to repay any outstanding balance on the Receivables Facility if it was not renewed.

The Company’s primary uses of cash are for capital expenditures and debt service and, to a lesser extent, to fund pension and retiree medical obligations and preferred stock dividends. In 2018, cash was also utilized to fund acquisition activity. the first quarter of 2020, as a result of terminating the Brookfield Merger Agreement, we paid an affiliate of Brookfield a termination fee of $24.8 million on March 13, 2020. The Company believes that its cash on hand, cash generated from operations, and available funding under its credit facilities will be adequate to meet its cash requirements for the next twelve months. In addition, management expects that

As of September 30, 2020, the Company will continue to have access towas in compliance with the capital markets to refinance debt and other obligations should such a need arise in the near future.Credit Agreement covenants.

Cash Flows

Cash provided by operating activities during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 totaled $188.9$138.9 million, an increasea decrease of $66.1$50.0 million compared to the same period in 2018. Hawaiian Telcom contributed operating cash flow of approximately $62.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2019 compared to $1.0 million in the three months September 30, 2018, subsequent to the acquisition date.2019. The remaining increase in operating cash flowsdecrease is due primarily to lower restructuringincreased transaction and severance payments, lowertermination costs and increased cash interest paymentsoutflow due to working capital compared to the same period in the prior year. Increased cash outflow due to working capital is partially due to $20.2 million of accounts receivables sold on the Receivables Facility as of September 30, 2019, and improved working capital.no outstanding balance of accounts receivables sold as of September 30, 2020, as well as increased days sale outstanding in 2020 due to COVID-19 and the Pledge.

Cash flows used in investing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 totaled $167.0$160.8 million, a decrease of $190.6$6.2 million compared to the same period in 2018. The2019 due to the decrease in cash flows used in investing activities was primarily driven by the acquisition of Hawaiian Telcom that closed in the third quarter of 2018 partially offset by the increase in capital expenditures.

Cash flows used inprovided by financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 20192020 totaled $19.3 million as compared to cash used in financing activities of $30.9 million a decrease of $120.1 million compared toduring the same period in the prior year. The decrease in cash flows used in financing activities was primarily due toIn the debt repayments, including accrued interest, of $318.2nine months ended September 30, 2020, the Company borrowed $48.0 million as part of the consideration to acquire Hawaiian Telcom. Debt repayments were partially offset by the increase in borrowings on the Receivables Facility. In the nine months ended September 30, 2019, the Company borrowed $27.0 million on the Revolving Credit AgreementFacility and repaid $35.1 million on the Receivables Facility.

In the second quarter of 2020, the Company executed amendments to its Receivables Facility, which were also usedreplaced, amended and added certain provisions and definitions to funddecrease the acquisitioncredit availability and renew the facility, which is subject to renewal every 364 days, until May 2021, and extend the facility’s termination date to May 2023. Capacity on the AR facility is calculated and will continue to be calculated based on the quantity and quality of Hawaiian Telcom.outstanding accounts receivables; therefore if the Company experiences declines in revenue or extends discounts to customers, the capacity could be negatively impacted and reduce our short term liquidity. Management is continuously monitoring liquidity to ensure sufficient cash is available. 

Indentures

The Company’s Senior Notes are governed by indentures which contain covenants that, among other things, limit the Company’s ability to incur additional debt or liens, pay dividends or make other restricted payments, sell, transfer, lease or dispose of assets and make investments or merge with another company. The Company is in compliance with all of its debt indentures as of September 30, 2019.2020.



Share Repurchase Plan

In 2010, the Board of Directors approved a plan for the repurchase of the Company's outstanding common stock in an amount up to $150.0 million. In prior years, the Company repurchased and retired a total of 1.7 million shares at a total cost of $25.6 million dollars. As of September 30, 2019,2020, the Company has the authority to repurchase its common stock with a value of up to $124.4 million under the plan approved by its Board of Directors, subject to satisfaction of the requirements under its bond indentures.


Regulatory Matters

Universal Service

At its August 2019 meeting,In January 2020, the FCC openedadopted a proceeding under which it proposes to distribute up to $20.4 billion in high cost support under a newly createdReport and Order establishing the Rural Digital Opportunity Fund (“RDOF”). The funds would, which will be distributed via two reverse auctions targetingused to distribute $20.4 billion over ten years to expand broadband in areas that remain unserved at the conclusion of the CAF II price cap support program. BecauseThe funds will be awarded via two reverse auctions. In June 2020, the FCC released the procedures for the Phase I auction likely wouldwhich is scheduled to begin on October 29, 2020. On October 13, 2020, the FCC announced that 386 applicants, including Cincinnati Bell Inc., are qualified to bid in the Phase I auction, which will award up to $16 billion over the 10-year support term. The remaining $4.4 billion plus any funds not conclude priorawarded during Phase I will be distributed via a second auction to be held at a later date when more accurate broadband availability data becomes available.The Report and Order also extended the end of thecurrent price cap CAF II price cap support atfor an additional year end 2020, the proposal also contemplates the possibility of a mechanism whereby price cap carrier support might be extended until the RDOF awards begin. The outcome of this proceeding may present opportunities for both Cincinnati Bell(through 2021). CBT and Hawaiian Telcom.Telcom have accepted the seventh year of CAF II support, which will provide $2.2 million for CBT and $4.4 million for Hawaiian Telcom in 2021.

Special Access/Business Data Services

In July 2019, the FCC adopted an Order in response to the US CourtThe deadline for detariffing of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit’s 2018 remand of the FCC’sprice cap carrier Business Data Services (“BDS”) as mandated by the FCC’s 2017 BDS Report and Order relative towas August 1, 2020. By that date, all price cap carriers must have removed from their federal tariffs all packet-based services, Ethernet services, TDM services above the ex ante deregulation of DS1 and DS3 transport services. In its latest Order, the FCC reaffirmed its previous conclusion thatlevel, DS1 and DS3 transport services, and DS1 and DS3 services provided to end users within counties the FCC has determined are competitive. Hawaiian Telcom detariffed all of these services in late 2017 and early 2018 for all counties within Hawaii, whereas CBT chose to maintain its tariffs for these services during this permissive tariffing period. However, effective August 1, 2020, CBT eliminated its tariffs for all of these services except for DS1 and DS3 end user services in the two counties that the FCC has determined are non-competitive. Nearly all of the Company’s current federally tariffed BDS revenue is derived from the competitive nationwide. Ascounties that are subject to the detariffing mandate.

Keep Americans Connected Pledge

On March 13, 2020, in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, FCC Chairman Pai called on broadband and telephone service providers to keep Americans connected as the country reacts to the serious disruptions caused by the coronavirus outbreak. To ensure that Americans do not lose their broadband or telephone connectivity during this outbreak, he asked the service providers to take the Keep Americans Connected pledge. Cincinnati Bell, on behalf of all of its affiliates, including Hawaiian Telecom, signed on to the Pledge under which it committed that for the next 60 days, it would (1) not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by the coronavirus pandemic; (2) waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers incur because of their economic circumstances related to the coronavirus pandemic; and (3) open its Wi-Fi hotspots to any American who needs them. Chairman Pai later called on companies to extend the pledge through June 30, 2020, which Cincinnati Bell and all of its affiliates agreed to do. In accordance with regulatory orders in Hawaii, the Pledge has continued to be honored for certain regulated services through the date of this filing.

Intercarrier Compensation

On October 9, 2020, the FCC released a result,Report and Order transitioning originating access charges for toll free calls to bill and keep over a three-year period. The Order does not provide a specific recovery mechanism for price cap carriers must removecompanies to replace this lost revenue, finding instead that these services fromcompanies can increase their Specialexisting Subscriber Line Charge or Access tariffs by August 1, 2020.Recovery Charge to the extent they are otherwise able to do so. CBT and Hawaiian Telcom will assess the impact of the reduction in toll free charges and determine whether they have the ability to recover the lost revenue via existing mechanisms.

Unbundled Network Elements

Under rules adopted pursuant to the Telecommunications Act of 1996, ILECs have been required to unbundle the components of their network and provide the unbundled network elements ("UNE's") to requesting competitive local exchange carriers at cost-based rates set by state public utility commissions in the 1990’s. The rules also required ILECs to resell their voice service to requesting competitive carriers at wholesale rates set by state regulators. In May 2018, USTelecom – The Broadband Association (“USTelecom”) filed a petition withNovember 2019, the FCC seeking forbearance fromopened a new proceeding to consider whether to update the remaining unbundling and resale rules for all ILECs. On July 10, 2019,obligations that apply to ILECs and proposed eliminating most remaining unbundling obligations with the exception of mass-market broadband-capable loops in rural areas. The FCC granted the requested forbearance for unbundledhas announced that it will vote on a report and order at its October meeting that will eliminate DS0 loops in densely populated areas, DS1 and DS3 transportloops in areas with sufficient competition, and on August 2, 2019, it granted forbearance from UNE loop and resale requirements. Specifically, it granted forbearance from the unbundling requirements for DS1 and DS3 transport along routes wheredark fiber loops near competitive fiber is present within a half mile of the ILEC wire center endpoints that trigger the unbundling obligation. As it relates to UNE loops and resale, forbearance was granted for analog voice-grade copper loops and the avoided-cost resale requirements. Whilenetworks. Although Cincinnati Bell’s ILECsILEC operations may benefit from the ability to charge competitive commercially negotiated prices for these facilities and services followingelimination of the three-year transition period requiredUNE unbundling requirements, the benefits will likely be outweighed by the Order,increased costs the Company’s competitive carrier operationschanges will likely see increased prices for such facilities currently purchased from other ILECs. As a result,impose on its CLEC operations.



Citizens Band Radio Service Spectrum Auction

The FCC conducted an auction of over 22,000 county-sized Priority Access Licenses (“PALs”) in the Company is reviewing its current UNE purchases3550-3650 MHz portion of the Citizens Band Radio Service (“CBRS”) 3.5 GHz spectrum band. This auction, which was designated as Auction 105, commenced on July 23, 2020 and ended on August 25, 2020. This auction offered up to determine where to transition to commercial agreements for these facilities versus deploying its own facilities and will pursue the most cost effective solutionseven PALs in each market.

Hawaii Voice Services Regulatory Relief

In May 2019, the Hawaii State Legislature granted nearly full pricing flexibility to telecommunications carrierscounty-based license area, for intrastate telecommunications services. Rate changes for retail telecommunications services no longer need to be filed with and approved by the Hawaii Public Utilities Commission (“HPUC”) except for any price increase greater than $6.50 on an annual basis for basic exchange services in counties with a populationtotal of less than 500,000. In addition, the traditional cost-of-service regulatory framework that required cost support for retail telecommunications service offerings and pricing above a service’s long run incremental cost are no longer applicable; however, the HPUC retains the ability to investigate any offering. The legislation also eliminated the requirements for providers of fully competitive retail telecommunications services to obtain HPUC approval for financing and the sale or encumbrance of regulated property and assets, except when such sale or encumbrance occurs as part22,631 PALs nationwide. Each PAL consists of a merger or consolidation with any other public utility. Additional relief10-megahertz unpaired channel in the 3.55-3.65 GHz band. Cincinnati Bell was also granted on reporting affiliated transactionsthe winning bidder for 56 PALs (23 in Ohio, 20 in Kentucky, and accidents. Based on these regulatory reforms, the Company can now compete more effectively13 in Hawaii by making decisions based on marketplace dynamics and other economic information.Hawaii) at a total cost of $6.2 million.  

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 20182019 for a complete description of regulatory matters.

Contingencies

In the normal course of business, the Company is subject to various regulatory and tax proceedings, lawsuits, claims and other matters. The Company believes adequate provision has been made for all such asserted and unasserted claims in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. Such matters are subject to many uncertainties and outcomes that are not predictable with assurance.

Future Operating Trends

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended 20182019 for a complete description of future operating trends for our business.


Critical Accounting Policies

The Company’s consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. Application of these principles requires management to make estimates or judgments that affect the amounts reported in the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements and information available as of the date of the financial statements. As this information changes, the financial statements could reflect different estimates or judgments. The Company’s most critical accounting policies and estimates are described in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2018.2019.

Recently Issued Accounting Standards

Refer to Note 1 of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on recently issued accounting standards and the impact to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements as a result of adopting ASU 2016-022016-13 effective January 1, 2019.2020.


Item 3.     Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

Refer to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20182019 for a description of the Company's market risks.

Item 4.     Controls and Procedures

 

(a)

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in SEC Rule 13a-15(e)) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, such controls and procedures were effective.

 

(b)

Changes in internal control over financial reporting.

Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s management, with the participation of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, have evaluated any changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the secondthird quarter of 2019 and have2020, including the continuation of employees working remotely that started mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Management has concluded that there were no changes to Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting during the secondthird quarter of 20192020 that materially affect, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s internal control over financial reporting.We are continually monitoring and assessing the COVID-19 situation on our internal controls to minimize the impact to their design and operating effectiveness.


PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Cincinnati Bell and its subsidiaries are involved in a number of legal proceedings. Liabilities are established for legal claims when losses associated with the claims are judged to be probable and the loss can be reasonably estimated. In many lawsuits and arbitrations, including most class action lawsuits, it is not possible to determine whether a liability has been incurred or to estimate the amount of the liability until the case is close to resolution, in which case a liability will not be recognized until that time. Based on information currently available, consultation with counsel, available insurance coverage and recognized liabilities, the Company believes that the eventual outcome of all claims will not, individually or in the aggregate, have a material effect on the Company’s financial position or results of operations.

Item 1A.     Risk Factors

Refer

The following risk factors should be read in conjunction with those risk factors and other information disclosed in our Form 10‑K filed on February 24, 2020 and should be considered carefully in evaluating us. Our business, financial condition, liquidity or results of operations could be materially affected by any of these risks.

Risk Factors Related to our Business and Operations

The recent global outbreak of COVID-19 and related government, private sector and individual consumer responsive actions have adversely affected the Company’s business operations, employee availability, financial performance, liquidity and cash flow and may continue to do so for an unknown period of time.

On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic, and on March 13, 2020, the President of the United States declared a national emergency relating to the outbreak. The outbreak has resulted in infections in the United States and abroad and has adversely affected workforces, customers and consumer sentiment and, along with a decrease in consumer spending, led to an economic downturn in many markets. National, state and local authorities have recommended social distancing measures and have imposed or are considering quarantine and isolation measures for large portions of the population, including mandatory business closures. These measures, while intended to protect human life, have had, and are expected to continue to have, serious adverse impacts on domestic and foreign economies of uncertain severity and duration. The effectiveness of economic stabilization efforts, including government payments under the CARES Act to affected citizens and industries, is uncertain.

In the United States and in other countries and regions where we have a significant employee presence, facilities or critical operations, the outbreak of COVID-19 has impacted our ability to manage day-to-day operations and service our customers and has increased our costs of operations and resulted in, among other things, loss of revenue. For example, we have implemented corporate and personal travel restrictions for employees and vendors, cancelled events and enabled work-from-home for many employees by equipping them to safely support customers remotely. We have also implemented additional safety measures for our retail stores and field operations teams. Additionally, we have been required to temporarily close or reduce operations at some of our retail locations, facilities and customer call centers. Retail locations inside malls were closed temporarily, but reopened in June 2020 as stay-at-home orders began to ease in Ohio. Retail locations that remain open continue to have reduced hours of operation. As a result of travel restrictions enacted by local government, our third-party off-shore call center was forced to reduce its hours of operation for several weeks, resulting in longer than normal hold times during that period. The call centers that support the Cincinnati market returned to normal hours of operation on April 28, 2020. Due to stay-at-home orders easing in the primary markets in which the Company operates, operations have normalized as of the date of this filing, but we may be required to temporarily close or reduce operations at more of or all of our retail locations, facilities or call centers again if there is a resurgence of COVID-19 in the markets in which we operate. The foregoing effects, and other effects of COVID-19, may continue for an unknown period of time.  

Our business has been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by the effects of, or precautions taken to avoid exposure to, COVID-19, such as reduced travel or recommendations or mandates from governmental authorities to avoid large gatherings or to self-quarantine, and by the resulting disruptions to economic conditions and financial markets. Such impacts include, but are not limited to:

Disruptions to our third-party providers, including those who provide many of our information technology, call center functions, certain accounting functions and other critical vendor services;

Reduced workforces caused by, among other things, the temporary inability of the workforce to work due to illness, quarantine, or government mandates, or temporary unwillingness to work due to health concerns;

Reduced customer demand or customer payment of accounts receivables as a result of adverse economic conditions resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic;


Reduced availability of certain network equipment in the supply chain due to increased demand and certain suppliers who have had, or continue to have, workforce constraints due to the COVID-19 pandemic; and

Reduced revenues as a result of our pledge to not terminate service to certain customers due to their inability to pay bills because of disruptions caused by COVID-19 and to waive late fees for certain customers as a result of circumstances related to COVID-19.

Potential future impacts include, but are not limited to:

Increased capital costs and service disruptions or reduced bandwidth for customers due to significant short-term increases in consumer activations and bandwidth usage due to individuals working from home;

Increased supply chain risks such as increased scrutiny or embargoing of goods produced in infected areas;

Increased health insurance and labor-related costs arising from illness, quarantine and the implementation of social distancing and work-from-home measures;

Reduced employee productivity and a negative impact on the execution of our business plans and operations as employees must balance working remotely from home with personal responsibilities, such as child care and education;

Increased risk of phishing and other cybersecurity attacks, and increased risk of unauthorized dissemination of sensitive personal information or proprietary or confidential information about us, our customers or other third parties as a result of employees or third-party vendors’ employees working remotely; and

In the event of a natural disaster, power outage, connectivity issue or other event that impacts our employees’ ability to work remotely, it may be difficult or, in certain cases, impossible, for us to continue to support our customers’ needs and respond to inquiries through call center operations or to perform necessary repairs and maintenance.

The foregoing impacts, and other impacts of COVID-19 discussed elsewhere in these risk factors, are consistent with those generally affecting the economic, financial, regulatory and political conditions in the United States and elsewhere in the world, and are generally applicable to the industries and markets in which the Company and its subsidiaries operate. These impacts could materially increase our costs, negatively impact our consumer and business sales and damage the Company’s financial condition, results of operations, cash flows and liquidity position, possibly to a significant degree. The severity and duration of any such impacts cannot be predicted because of the rapidly evolving nature of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Company may be unable to grow our revenues and cash flows despite the initiatives we have implemented.

We must produce adequate revenues and cash flows that, when combined with cash on hand and funds available under our revolving credit facilities, will be sufficient to service our debt, fund our capital expenditures, fund our pension and other employee benefit obligations and pay preferred dividends pursuant to our dividend policy. We have identified some potential areas of opportunity and implemented several growth initiatives. We cannot be assured that these opportunities will be successful or that these initiatives will improve our financial position or our results of operations. The outbreak of COVID-19 may also negatively impact these opportunities and require us to incur additional related costs responding to the virus, particularly if the effects of COVID-19 persist for a significant period of time.


The Company’s failure to meet performance standards under its agreements could result in customers terminating their relationships with the Company or customers being entitled to receive financial compensation, leading to reduced revenues and/or increased costs.

The Company’s agreements with its customers contain various requirements regarding performance and levels of service. If the Company fails to provide the levels of service or performance required by its agreements, customers may be able to receive financial compensation or may be able to terminate their relationship with the Company. In order to provide these levels of service, the Company is required to protect against human error, natural disasters, equipment failure, power failure, sabotage and vandalism, and have disaster recovery plans available in the event of disruption of service. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, this same level of service must now be provided in a predominantly remote working environment due to many members of the workforce now executing their daily responsibilities from their homes. Our increased reliance on personnel working from home may negatively impact productivity and there is no certainty that such measures will be sufficient to mitigate the risks posed by the COVID-19 outbreak. Additionally, our field technicians are classified as essential personnel and continue to operate business as usual. In the event that a significant number of our field technicians are affected by COVID-19, our ability to maintain our network could be reduced. The failure to address these or other events may result in a disruption of service. In addition, any inability to meet service level commitments or other performance standards could reduce the confidence of customers. Decreased customer confidence could impair the Company’s ability to attract and retain customers, which could adversely affect the Company’s ability to generate revenues and operating results.

The Company generates a substantial portion of its revenue by serving a limited geographic area.

The Company generates a substantial portion of its revenue by serving customers in Cincinnati, Ohio, Dayton, Ohio and the islands of Hawaii.  An economic downturn or natural disaster occurring in any of these limited operating territories would have a disproportionate effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows compared to similar companies of a national scope and similar companies operating in different geographic areas. Furthermore, because of Hawaii’s geographic isolation, the successful operation and growth of the business in Hawaii is dependent on favorable economic and regulatory conditions in the state. The impact of COVID-19 on the Hawaiian Islands has been, and could continue to be, more significant than in other geographies due to reliance on tourism by many businesses and reductions in tourism due to social distancing measures, self-quarantine requirements for visitors and recommendations of federal, state and local governments.  

The customer base for telecommunications services in Hawaii is small and geographically concentrated. The population of Hawaii is approximately 1.4 million, approximately 70% of whom live on the island of Oahu. Any adverse economic conditions affecting Oahu (including the outbreak of COVID-19), or Hawaii generally, could materially impair our ability to operate our business. Labor shortages or increased labor costs in Hawaii could also have an adverse effect on our business. In addition, we may be subject to increased costs for goods and services that the Company is unable to control or defray as a result of operating in this limited territory or as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. Increased expenses including, but not limited to, energy and health care could have an adverse effect on our business and results of operations.

Increases in broadband usage may cause network capacity limitations, resulting in service disruptions or reduced capacity for customers.

Video streaming services and peer-to-peer file sharing applications use significantly more bandwidth than traditional internet activity such as web browsing and email. As utilization rates and availability of these services continue to grow, our high-speed internet customers may use much more bandwidth than in the past. As a result of stay-at-home orders in Ohio and Hawaii in response to the COVID-19 outbreak, increased numbers of people working from home and students attending school online have resulted in, and could continue to result in, significantly higher than normal demands on our network capacity. If this continues to occur and our existing network capacity becomes unable to handle the increased demand, we could be required to make significant capital expenditures to increase network capacity in order to avoid service disruptions or reduced capacity for customers. We may not be able to recover the costs of the necessary network investments. Service disruptions or reduced capacity for customers may result if we do not sufficiently increase network capacity in response to further sudden and significant increases in demand, such as may result from the COVID-19 outbreak. Any of these occurrences could result in an adverse impact to our results of operations and financial condition.

The regulation of the Company’s businesses by federal and state authorities may, among other things, place the Company at a competitive disadvantage, restrict its ability to price its products and services competitively and threaten its operating licenses.

Several of the Company’s subsidiaries are subject to regulatory oversight of varying degrees at both the state and federal levels, which may differ from the regulatory scrutiny faced by the Company’s competitors. A significant portion of the Company’s revenue is derived from pricing plans that are subject to regulatory review and approval. These regulated pricing plans limit the rates the Company can charge for some services while the competition has typically been able to set rates for services with limited or no restriction. In the future, regulatory initiatives that would put the Company at a competitive disadvantage or mandate lower rates for its services would result in lower profitability and cash flows for the Company. In addition, different regulatory interpretations of existing regulations or guidelines may affect the Company’s revenues and expenses in future periods.


At the federal level, the Company’s telecommunications services are subject to the Communications Act of 1934 as amended by the Telecommunications Act of 1996, including rules adopted by the Federal Communications Commission (“FCC”). In addition, the Company’s submarine cable facilities and operations are also subject to requirements imposed by the national security and law enforcement agencies (e.g., the Departments of Justice, Defense and Homeland Security). At the state level, Cincinnati Bell Telephone Company LLC (“CBT”) operates as the incumbent local exchange carrier (“ILEC”) and carrier of last resort in portions of Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana, while Hawaiian Telcom, Inc. (“HTI”) serves as the ILEC and carrier of last resort in Hawaii. As the ILEC in those states, these entities are subject to regulation by the Public Utilities Commissions in those states. Various regulatory decisions or initiatives at the federal or state level may from time to time have a negative impact on CBT’s and HTI’s ability to compete in their respective markets. In addition, although less heavily regulated than the Company’s ILEC operations, other subsidiaries are authorized to provide competitive local exchange service, long distance, and cable television service in various states, and are consequently also subject to various state and federal telecommunications and cable regulations that could adversely impact their operations.

There are currently many regulatory actions under way and being contemplated by federal and state authorities regarding issues, including national security and law enforcement issues that could result in significant changes to the business conditions in the telecommunications industry. On April 4, 2020, the President of the United States issued Executive Order No. 13913 Establishing the Committee for the Assessment of Foreign Participation in the United States Telecommunications Services Sector (the “Committee”), which formalized the ad-hoc foreign investment review process (formerly referred to as “Team Telecom”) applicable to FCC licenses and transactions. The Executive Order empowers the Committee to review FCC license and transfer applications involving foreign participation to determine whether grant of the requested license or transfer approval may pose a risk to the national security or law enforcement interests of the United States, and to review existing licenses to identify any additional or new risks to national security or law enforcement interests that did not exist when a license was first granted. Following an investigation, the Committee may recommend that the FCC revoke or modify existing licenses, or deny or condition approval of new licenses and license transfers. It is not possible for the Company to determine whether it may be subject to a proceeding to revoke or modify its existing licenses or predict the outcome of a review of new license or transfer applications by the Committee in the future. A review of existing licenses and/or a review of new licenses and transfers by the Committee may result in additional compliance obligations that may affect the Company’s expenses and business operations in the future.

In addition, in connection with our internet access offerings, we could become subject to laws and regulations as they are adopted or applied to the internet. There is currently only limited regulation applicable to these services although court decisions and/or legislative action could lead to greater regulation of the internet (including internet access services). We cannot provide any assurances that changes in current or future regulations adopted by the FCC or state regulators, or other legislative, administrative, or judicial initiatives relating to the telecommunications industry, will not have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

From time to time, different regulatory agencies conduct audits to ensure that the Company is in compliance with the respective regulations. The Company could be subject to fines and penalties if found to be out of compliance with these regulations, and these fines and penalties could be material to the Company’s Annual Reportfinancial condition.

The Company depends on Form 10-K fora number of third-party providers and the year ended December 31, 2018 for a comprehensive listingloss of or problems with one or more of these providers may impede the Company’s growth, cause it to lose customers or materially and adversely impact our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

The Company depends on third-party providers to supply products and services. For example, many of the Company’s risk factors. information technology, call center functions and certain accounting functions are performed by third-party providers, some of which are located outside of the United States, and network equipment is purchased from and maintained by vendors. Additionally, certain installation services sold by our IT Services and Hardware segment are performed by third-party providers.  

Governments, public institutions and other organizations in countries and regions where cases of COVID-19 have been detected have taken certain emergency measures to combat its spread and impact, including implementation of travel bans, suspension of public transportation and closures of factories, schools, public buildings, businesses and other institutions. As a result of such measures, our third-party off-shore call center was forced to reduce its hours of operation for several weeks, resulting in longer than normal hold times during that period. The loss of, or further problems with, one or more of these third-party providers may result in an adverse effect on our ability to provide products and services to our customers. While the full impact of the COVID-19 outbreak is not yet known, potential effects on our business include disruptions to or restrictions on our third-party providers, suppliers and other vendors in our supply chain, including limitations on the ability of their employees to travel and temporary closures or reductions in the hours of their facilities or customer call centers.


We have suppliers around the world, including in China, the United States and other countries where cases of COVID-19 have been reported and are continuing to spread. As a result, the COVID-19 pandemic may result in shortages, price increases or delays to the delivery of materials. We could be materially adversely impacted, including from any disruption to critical vendor services or losses of business, if any of our suppliers face significant business disruptions as a result of COVID-19 or any similar outbreak.  

Moreover, certain policies and statements of the President of the United States and senior government officials have given rise to uncertainty about the status of certain international trade agreements to which the United States is a party and the position of the United States with respect to international trade generally. The U.S. government has recently increased tariffs and imposed new tariffs on a wide range of products imported from China. It remains unclear what additional actions, if any, the current U.S. administration will take with respect to existing trade relationships. Additional trade restrictions, including tariffs, quotas, embargoes, safeguards and customs restrictions, could increase the cost or reduce the supply of products available to us and to our suppliers based in the United States and may require us to modify our supply chain organization or other current business practices, any of which could harm our business, financial condition, and results of operations.

Risks Related to Our Indebtedness

The servicing of the Company’s indebtedness is dependent on its ability to generate cash, which could be impacted by many factors beyond its control.

The Company’s ability to generate cash is subject to general economic, financial, competitive, legislative, regulatory, and other factors, including the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, many of which are beyond its control. The Company cannot provide assurance that its business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations, that additional sources of debt financing will be available or that future borrowings will be available under its Revolving Credit Facility or Receivables Facility, in each case, in amounts sufficient to enable the Company to service its indebtedness or to fund other liquidity needs. If the Company cannot service its indebtedness, it will have to take actions such as reducing or delaying capital expenditures, strategic acquisitions, investments and alliances, selling assets, restructuring or refinancing indebtedness or seeking additional equity capital, which may adversely affect its shareholders, debt holders and customers. The Company may not be able to negotiate remedies on commercially reasonable terms or at all. In addition, the terms of existing or future debt instruments may restrict the Company from adopting any of these alternatives. The Company’s inability to generate the necessary cash flows could result in its dissolution, bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization.

Risks Relating to the Merger with Macquarie Infrastructure Partners

There are no material changesuncertainties and risks associated with the MIP Merger Agreement and proposed MIP Merger.

On March 13, 2020, the Company entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “MIP Merger Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company will be acquired by an affiliate of Macquarie Infrastructure Partners V (“MIP”), a fund managed by Macquarie Infrastructure and Real Assets (the “MIP Merger”). Below are material uncertainties and risks associated with the MIP Merger Agreement and the proposed MIP Merger. If any of the risks develop into actual events, then the Company’s business, financial condition, results and ongoing operations, share price or prospects could be adversely affected.

The announcement or pendency of the MIP Merger may impede the Company’s ability to retain and hire key personnel and its ability to maintain relationships with its customers, suppliers and others with whom it does business or its operating results and business generally;  

The attention of the Company’s employees and management may be diverted due to activities related to the MIP Merger, which may affect the Company’s business operations;

Matters relating to the transactions may require substantial commitments of time and resources by the Company’s management, which could harm the Company’s relationships with its employees, customers, distributors, suppliers or other business partners, and may result in a loss of or a substantial decrease in purchases by its customers;

The MIP Merger Agreement restricts the Company from engaging in certain actions without the approval of MIP, which could prevent the Company from pursuing certain business opportunities outside the ordinary course of business that arise prior to the closing of the MIP Merger;

The MIP Merger Agreement contains provisions that could discourage a potential competing acquirer of the Company;

The Company’s directors and executive officers have financial interests in the MIP Merger that may be different from, or in addition to, the interests of the Company’s shareholders generally, which could have influenced their decisions to support or approve the MIP Merger;


Shareholder litigation in connection with the transactions contemplated by the MIP Merger Agreement may result in significant costs of defense, indemnification and liability; and

The MIP Merger may materially limit the Company’s ability to utilize existing deferred tax assets related to federal and state net operating losses.

The proposed MIP Merger may not be completed in a timely manner or at all.

Completion of the MIP Merger is subject to customary closing conditions, including (1) the absence of an order, injunction or law prohibiting the MIP Merger, (2) the expiration or early termination of the waiting period (including any extension thereof) under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, as amended, (3) approval of the MIP Merger by the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States under Section 721 of the Defense Production Act of 1950, as amended and (4) certain FCC consents and state regulatory consents required in connection with the MIP Merger shall have been obtained, shall not be subject to agency reconsideration or judicial review, and the time for any person to petition for agency reconsideration or judicial review shall have expired. On April 4, 2020, the President of the United States issued Executive Order No. 13913 Establishing the Committee, which formalized the ad-hoc foreign investment review process (formerly referred to as “Team Telecom”) applicable to FCC licenses and transactions. The Executive Order empowers the Committee to review FCC license and transfer applications involving foreign participation to determine whether grant of the requested license or transfer approval may pose a risk to the national security or law enforcement interests of the United States, and to review existing licenses to identify any additional or new risks to national security or law enforcement interests that did not exist when a license was first granted. Following an investigation, the Committee may recommend that the FCC revoke or modify of existing licenses, or deny or condition approval of new licenses and license transfers. It is likely that the MIP Merger will be reviewed by the Committee. At this time, it not possible for the three months ending September 30, 2019.Company to predict the outcome of a review of the MIP Merger by this new Committee and whether the Committee may condition approval of the MIP Merger to any specific mitigation arrangement or other conditions. Any such arrangement may result in additional compliance obligations that may affect the Company’s expenses and business operations in the future.

In addition, the MIP Merger Agreement may require the Company and MIP to comply with conditions imposed by regulatory entities and neither company is required to take any action with respect to obtaining any regulatory approval that, individually or in the aggregate, would be reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on MIP and its affiliates (taken as a whole) or the Company and its subsidiaries (taken as a whole). There can be no assurance that regulators will not impose conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions and that such conditions, terms, obligations or restrictions will not result in the delay or abandonment of the MIP Merger. There can be no assurance that all of these required approvals and clearances will be obtained or will be obtained on a timely basis. The COVID-19 outbreak may also result in delays to the receipt of certain regulatory approvals required to consummate the MIP Merger.

The obligation of each of the Company and MIP to consummate the MIP Merger is also conditioned on, subject to certain materiality and other qualifiers, the accuracy of the representations and warranties of the other party and the performance in all material respects by the other party of its obligations under the MIP Merger Agreement. Competing offers or acquisition proposals for the Company may be made, resulting in delay of the MIP Merger or termination of the MIP Merger Agreement. Lawsuits have been and may be filed against the Company relating to the MIP Merger and an adverse ruling in any such lawsuit may prevent the MIP Merger from being completed in the time frame expected or at all. While the MIP Merger Agreement is not subject to any financing condition, if MIP fails to obtain debt financing, the MIP Merger is unlikely to be consummated. Each of the Company and MIP has the right to terminate the MIP Merger Agreement under certain circumstances, as described in the MIP Merger Agreement.

Failure to complete the MIP Merger could negatively impact the Company’s business, financial results and stock price.

If the MIP Merger is delayed or not completed, the Company’s ongoing businesses may be adversely affected and will be subject to several risks and consequences, including the following:

decline in share price to the extent that the current price of Company common shares reflects an assumption that the MIP Merger will be completed;

negative publicity and a negative impression of the Company in the investment community;

loss of business opportunities and the ability to effectively respond to competitive pressures; and

the Company may be required, under certain circumstances, to pay MIP a termination fee and additional expenses.


The Company has incurred, and will incur, substantial direct and indirect costs as a result of the MIP Merger.

The Company has incurred, and will continue to incur, significant costs, expenses and fees for professional advisors, printing and other transaction costs in connection with the MIP Merger, and some of these fees and costs are payable by the Company regardless of whether the MIP Merger is consummated.

Other Risk Factors

The trading price of the Company’s common stock has been, and may continue to be, volatile, and the value of an investment in the Company’s common stock may decline.

The market price of the Company’s common stock has been volatile and could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to, among other things, the risk factors described in this report and other factors beyond the Company’s control, such as volatility in equity markets and fluctuations in the valuation of companies perceived by investors to be comparable to the Company. The Company’s recent stock price reflects the assumption that the MIP Merger will be completed or a new offer will proceed to an agreement and an acquisition will be completed.

Equity markets have experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected the Company’s stock price and the market prices of equity securities of many other companies. These market and industry fluctuations, as well as general economic, political, and market conditions, may negatively affect the market price of the Company’s stock.

The COVID-19 outbreak has also caused severe disruption in financial and equity markets in the United States and abroad. Uncertainty around the duration of business disruptions and the extent of the spread of the virus could continue to adversely impact the national or global economy and may negatively affect the market price of the Company’s stock.

Companies that have experienced volatility in the market price of common shares have periodically been subject to securities class action litigation. The Company may be the target of this type of litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and/or damages and divert management’s attention from other business concerns.

The uncertain economic environment, including uncertainty in the U.S. and world securities markets, could impact the Company’s business and financial condition.

The uncertain economic environment could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business and financial liquidity. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in an economic downturn, including increased unemployment and a decrease in consumer and commercial activity, that may continue for an extended period of time. The Company’s primary source of cash is customer collections. As a result of current adverse economic conditions and uncertainty relating to the COVID-19 pandemic, some customers have canceled or requested discounts on future contracted services or have had difficulty paying their accounts receivable. Additional customers may cancel or request discounts on future contracted services or have difficulty paying their accounts receivable, especially if economic conditions worsen. In response to the negative economic impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has pledged to not terminate service to any residential or small business customers because of their inability to pay their bills due to the disruptions caused by COVID-19 and to waive any late fees that any residential or small business customers would incur because of economic circumstances related to COVID-19. This pledge has resulted and could continue to result in lower revenues, and has resulted, and could continue to result, in increases in the allowance for doubtful accounts due to future collection risk, which has negatively affected our results of operations and could continue to negatively affect our results of operations in the future. Furthermore, the sales cycle has been lengthened, and could be further lengthened, due to business customers slowing spending and/or delaying decision-making on the Company’s products and services, which has adversely affected, and could further adversely affect, revenues. Some competitors have lowered prices or offered promotions as a result of economic conditions, and others may do so as well, which has exerted, and could further exert, pricing pressure on the Company. If the economies of the U.S. and the world continue to deteriorate, this could have an adverse effect on the Company’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.

The Company could be subject to a significant amount of litigation, which could require the Company to pay significant damages or settlements.

The industry that the Company operates in faces a substantial risk of litigation, including, from time to time, patent infringement lawsuits, antitrust class actions, securities class actions, wage and hour class actions, personal injury claims and lawsuits relating to our advertising, sales, billing and collection processes. Additionally, while preventative measures such as social distancing, frequent hand washing and wearing personal protective equipment including masks and gloves are being taken by our field technicians, the risk of inadvertent transmission of COVID-19 through human contact could still occur and result in litigation. We may incur significant expenses in defending these lawsuits. In addition, we may be required to pay significant awards and settlements.


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

During the nine month period ended September 30, 2019,2020, the Company had no unregistered sales of equity securities. The Company also had no purchases of its common stock for the nine months ended September 30, 2019.2020.

Item 3.     Defaults upon Senior Securities

None.

Item 4.     Mine Safety Disclosure

None.

Item 5.     Other Information

No reportable items.


Item 6.     Exhibits

 

 

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

 

Filing Date

 

Exhibit No.

 

SEC File No.

Filed

Herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

8-K

4/30/2008

3.1

1-8519

 

3.2

Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

8-K

10/5/2016

3.1

1-8519

 

3.3

Amended and Restated Regulations of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

10-Q

8/8/2018

3.3

1-8519

 

31.1

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

31.2

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

32.1

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

32.2

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

101

The following financial statements from Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2019 were formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

 

Incorporated by Reference

 

 

Exhibit

Number

 

Exhibit Description

 

Form

 

Filing Date

 

Exhibit No.

 

SEC File No.

Filed

Herewith

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2.1

Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of March 13, 2020, by and among Cincinnati Bell Inc., Red Fiber Parent LLC and RF Merger Sub Inc.

 

8-K

3/13/2020

2.1

1-8519

 

3.1

Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

8-K

4/30/2008

3.1

1-8519

 

3.2

Amendment to the Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

8-K

10/5/2016

3.1

1-8519

 

3.3

Amended and Restated Regulations of Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

10-Q

8/8/2018

3.3

1-8519

 

4.1

Sixth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020, among Cincinnati Bell Inc., as Issuer, each subsidiary of the Issuer identified as a Guarantor, and Regions Bank, as Trustee.

8-K

7/6/2020

4.1

1-8519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.2

Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of July 2, 2020, among Cincinnati Bell Inc., as Issuer, each subsidiary of the Issuer identified as a Guarantor, and Regions Bank, as Trustee.

8-K

7/6/2020

4.2

1-8519

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

31.1

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

31.2

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

32.1

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

32.2

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

 

 

 

 

 

+

101

The following financial statements from Cincinnati Bell Inc.’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 were formatted in iXBRL (Inline eXtensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets, (ii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Loss), (iii) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Deficit, (iv) Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (v) Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

 

104

Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).

 

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

 

 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

 

 

Cincinnati Bell Inc.

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 7, 20195, 2020

 

/s/ Andrew R. Kaiser

 

 

 

Andrew R. Kaiser

 

 

 

Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

Date:

November 7, 20195, 2020

 

/s/ Suzanne E. Maratta

 

 

 

Suzanne E. Maratta

 

 

 

Chief Accounting Officer

 

4550