SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D. C. 20549
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FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
|X| QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2005
OR
[ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 1-8607
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Georgia 58-1533433
(State of Incorporation) (I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
1155 Peachtree Street, N. E., 30309-3610
Atlanta, Georgia (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrant's telephone number 404-249-2000
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes __X__ No ___
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as
defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes __X__ No
At April 29, 2005, 1,831,018,173 common shares were outstanding.
Table of Contents
Item Page
Part I
1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Statements of Income ....................... 3
Consolidated Balance Sheets ............................. 4
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ................... 5
Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity
And Comprehensive Income ............................. 6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements .............. 7
2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial
Condition and Results of Operations................... 17
3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures about Market Risk.. 30
4. Controls and Procedures..................................... 30
Part II
2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds 31
6. Exhibits ................................................... 31
PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
Operating Revenues:
Communications Group............................ $ 4,488 $ 4,593
Advertising & Publishing Group ................. 479 488
All other ...................................... 9 10
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
Total Operating Revenues ................... 4,976 5,091
Operating Expenses:
Cost of services and products (excludes
depreciation and amortization shown
separately below)........................... 1,798 1,920
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses ................................... 909 894
Depreciation and amortization................... 898 918
Provisions for restructuring ................... 13 7
------------ ------------
Total Operating Expenses.................... 3,618 3,739
Operating income.................................... 1,358 1,352
Interest expense.................................... 215 291
Net earnings (losses) of equity affiliates ......... 104 (80)
Gain on sale of operations ......................... 462 --
Other income (expense), net......................... 64 56
------------ ------------
Income from Continuing Operations Before
Income Taxes and Discontinued
Operations.................................. 1,773 1,037
Provision for Income Taxes.......................... 623 354
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
Income from Continuing Operations Before
Discontinued Operations .................... 1,150 683
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations,
Net of Tax.................................. 449 381
------------ ------------
Net Income................................. $ 1,599 $ 1,064
============ ============
============ ============
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding:
Basic........................................... 1,832 1,831
Diluted......................................... 1,838 1,836
Dividends Declared Per Common Share................. $ 0.25 $ 0.27
Basic Earnings Per Share:
Income from Continuing Operations Before
Discontinued Operations .................... $ 0.63 $ 0.37
Discontinued Operations, net of tax............. 0.25 0.21
------------ ------------
Net Income*..................................... $ 0.87 $ 0.58
============ ============
============ ============
Diluted Earnings Per Share:
Income from Continuing Operations Before
Discontinued Operations .................... $ 0.63 $ 0.37
Discontinued Operations, net of tax............. 0.24 0.21
------------ ------------
Net Income...................................... $ 0.87 $ 0.58
============ ============
*Net income per share may not sum due to rounding
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial
statements.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)
December 31, March 31,
2004 2005
---------------------------------
(unaudited)
ASSETS
Current Assets :
Cash and cash equivalents....................$ 680 $ 516
Short-term investments ...................... 16 --
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for
uncollectibles of $317 and $291......... 2,559 2,467
Material and supplies........................ 321 308
Other current assets ........................ 1,055 907
Assets of discontinued operations............ 1,068 --
------------- -------------
Total current assets...................... 5,699 4,198
------------- -------------
Investments in and advances to Cingular......... 22,771 22,265
Property, plant and equipment, net.............. 22,039 21,913
Other assets ................................... 7,400 7,512
Intangible assets, net.......................... 1,587 1,557
------------- -------------
Total assets.............................$ 59,496 $ 57,445
============= =============
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Debt maturing within one year..............$ 5,475 $ 4,149
Accounts payable........................... 1,047 994
Other current liabilities.................. 3,018 3,049
Liabilities of discontinued operations..... 830 --
------------- -------------
Total current liabilities ............... 10,370 8,192
------------- -------------
Long-term debt ................................. 15,108 14,669
------------- -------------
Noncurrent liabilities:
Deferred income taxes...................... 6,492 6,351
Other noncurrent liabilities............... 4,460 4,557
------------- -------------
Total noncurrent liabilities............. 10,952 10,908
------------- -------------
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $1 par value (8,650
shares authorized; 1,831 and 1,831
shares outstanding)..................... 2,020 2,020
Paid-in capital............................ 7,840 7,810
Retained earnings.......................... 19,267 19,802
Accumulated other comprehensive income
(loss).................................. (157) (80)
Shares held in trust and treasury.......... (5,904) (5,876)
------------- -------------
Total shareholders' equity......... 23,066 23,676
------------- -------------
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity............$ 59,496 $ 57,445
============= =============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(IN MILLIONS)
(Unaudited)
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
----------------------------------
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Income from continuing operations before
discontinued operations ....................$ 1,150 $ 683
Adjustments to reconcile income to cash
provided by operating activities from
continuing operations:
Depreciation and amortization............. 898 918
Provision for uncollectibles.............. 115 85
Net losses (earnings) of equity
affiliates.............................. (104) 80
Deferred income taxes and investment tax
credits................................. 169 (45)
Pension income............................ (121) (133)
Stock-based compensation expense.......... 28 25
Gain on sale of operations................ (462) --
Net Change in:
Accounts receivable and other current
assets.................................. (8) (84)
Accounts payable and other current
liabilities............................. 56 23
Deferred charges and other assets......... (25) 20
Other liabilities and deferred credits.... 9 103
Other reconciling items, net.................. 23 43
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by operating
activities from continuing operations .. 1,728 1,718
============== ==============
Cash Flows from Investing Activities:
Capital expenditures........................... (635) (750)
Purchases of short-term investments ........... (824) (12)
Proceeds from sale of short-term investments .. 558 28
Proceeds from sale of operations .............. 525 919
Purchases of debt and equity securities........ (140) (32)
Proceeds from sale of debt and equity
securities.................................. 34 10
Proceeds from repayment of loans and advances. 109 402
Other investing activities, net............... (22) (5)
-------------- --------------
Net cash provided by (used for) investing
activities from continuing operations .. (395) 560
============== ==============
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Net borrowings (repayments) of short-term
debt........................................ (362) (1,093)
Repayments of long-term debt.................. (7) (669)
Dividends paid................................ (457) (494)
Purchase of treasury shares................... -- (77)
Other financing activities, net............... 48 6
-------------- --------------
Net cash used in financing activities
from continuing operations ............. (778) (2,327)
============== ==============
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents from continuing operations...... 555 (49)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents from discontinued operations.... (9) (115)
-------------- --------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash
equivalents................................. 546 (164)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of
period...................................... 2,947 680
-------------- --------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ...$ 3,493 $ 516
============== ==============
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(IN MILLIONS)
(Unaudited)
Number of Shares Amount
------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------
(a) Accum. (a)
Shares Other Shares
Held in Compre- Held in
Trust hensive Trust
Common and Common Paid-in Retained Income and
Stock Treasury Stock Capital Earnings (Loss) Treasury Total
Balance at December 31, 2003 2,020 (190) $ 2,020 $ 7,729 $ 16,540 $ (585) $ (5,992) $ 19,712
Net Income 1,599 1,599
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 114 114
Total comprehensive income 1,713
Dividends declared (457) (457)
Share issuances for employee benefit
plans 4 (60) (56) 165 49
Stock-based compensation 30 30
Tax benefit related to stock options 9 9
Balance at March 31, 2004 2,020 (186) $ 2,020 $ 7,708 $ 17,626 $ (471) $ (5,827) $ 21,056
Balance at December 31, 2004 2,020 (189) $ 2,020 $ 7,840 $ 19,267 $ (157) $ (5,904) $ 23,066
Net Income 1,064 1,064
Other comprehensive income, net of tax 77 77
Total comprehensive income 1,141
Dividends declared (494) (494)
Purchase of treasury stock (3) (77) (77)
Share issuances for employee benefit
plans 3 (55) (35) 105 15
Stock-based compensation 25 25
Balance at March 31, 2005 2,020 (189) $ 2,020 $ 7,810 $ 19,802 $ (80) $ (5,876) $ 23,676
(a) Trust and treasury shares are not considered to be outstanding for financial
reporting purposes.
As of March 31,
2004 2005
Shares held in trust 37 26
Shares held in treasury 149 163
--- ---
Total 186 189
--- ---
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these
consolidated financial statements.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE A - PREPARATION OF INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
In this report, BellSouth Corporation and its subsidiaries are referred to as
"we" or "BellSouth."
The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
based upon Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) rules that permit reduced
disclosure for interim periods. In our opinion, these statements include all
adjustments necessary for a fair presentation of the results of the interim
periods presented. All adjustments are of a normal recurring nature unless
otherwise disclosed. Revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities can vary during
each quarter of the year. Therefore, the results and trends in these interim
financial statements may not be the same as those for the full year. For a more
complete discussion of our significant accounting policies and other
information, you should read this report in conjunction with the consolidated
financial statements included in our latest annual report on Form 10-K.
Certain amounts within the prior year's information have been reclassified to
conform to the current year's presentation.
NOTE B - RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING PRONOUNCEMENTS
In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123 (Revised 2004), "Share-Based
Payment." This standard amends and clarifies the accounting for stock
compensation plans under SFAS 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation,"
which we adopted effective January 1, 2003. During the first quarter, the FASB
revised the adoption date of this revised statement effective the first annual
reporting period that begins after June 15, 2005. Accordingly, we will adopt
this revised statement on January 1, 2006. We do not expect the adoption of this
statement to have a material impact on our results of operations, financial
position or cash flows.
In March 2005, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 47, "Accounting for
Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations" (FIN 47). FIN 47 clarifies that the
term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in FASB Statement No. 143,
"Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations," refers to a legal obligation to
perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and (or) method of
settlement are conditional on a future event that may or may not be within the
control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity
is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and (or) method
of settlement. Uncertainty about the timing and (or) method of settlement of a
conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement
of the liability when sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when
an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair
value of an asset retirement obligation. FIN 47 is effective no later than the
end of fiscal years ending after December 15, 2005. We are currently evaluating
the impact the standard will have on BellSouth's financial position, results of
operations and cash flows.
NOTE C - EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per share are computed based on the weighted-average number of
common shares outstanding during each year. Diluted earnings per share are based
on the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding plus net incremental
shares arising out of employee stock options and benefit plans. The earnings
amounts used for per-share calculations are the same for both the basic and
diluted methods. The following is a reconciliation of the weighted-average share
amounts (in millions) used in calculating earnings per share:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
Basic common shares outstanding .............. 1,832 1,831
Incremental shares from stock options and
benefit plans............................... 6 5
Diluted common shares outstanding ............ 1,838 1,836
===== =====
Stock options excluded from the computation .. 80 78
Options with an exercise price greater than the average market price of the
common stock for the periods presented or that have an anti-dilutive effect on
the computation are excluded from the calculation of diluted earnings per share.
NOTE D - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
In March 2004, we signed an agreement with Telefonica Moviles, S.A., the
wireless affiliate of Telefonica, S.A. (Telefonica), to sell all of our
interests in Latin America. During January 2005, we closed on the sale of the
operations in the remaining two Latin American countries (Argentina and Chile)
for proceeds of $1,079 and a gain of $390, net of tax. The gain includes the
recognition of cumulative foreign currency translation losses of $68.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE D - DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS (Continued)
Summarized results of operations for the discontinued operations are as
follows:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
Revenue ..................................... $ 677 $ 66
Operating income (loss) ..................... $ 71 $ (5)
Gain on sale of operations .................. $ -- $ 629
Income tax (benefit) expense ................ $(405) $ 235
Income from discontinued operations ......... $ 449 $ 381
Note E - INVESTMENTS AND ADVANCES TO CINGULAR
Investment
We own an approximate 40% economic interest in Cingular, a joint venture with
SBC Communications. Because we exercise influence over the financial and
operating policies of Cingular, we use the equity method of accounting for this
investment. Under the equity method of accounting, we record our proportionate
share of Cingular's earnings in our consolidated statements of income.
These earnings are included in the caption "Net earnings (losses) of equity
affiliates."
The following table displays the summary financial information of Cingular.
These amounts are shown on a 100% basis.
December 31, 2004 March 31, 2005
Balance Sheet Information:
Current assets ........................... $ 5,570 $ 4,906
Noncurrent assets ........................ $ 76,668 $75,566
Current liabilities ...................... $ 7,983 $ 7,579
Noncurrent liabilities ................... $ 29,110 $27,980
Minority interest ........................ $ 609 $ 619
Members' capital ......................... $ 44,536 $ 44,294
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
---- ----
Income Statement Information:
Revenues ................................ $3,967 $8,229
Operating income ......................... $ 550 $ 114
Net income (loss) ........................ $ 215 $ (240)
As of March 31, 2005, our book investment exceeded our proportionate share of
the net assets of Cingular by $503.
Advance
We have an advance to Cingular that, with interest, totaled $3,792 at December
31, 2004 and $3,773 at March 31, 2005. This advance earns an interest rate of
6.0% per annum and matures on June 30, 2008.
Revolving Line of Credit
BellSouth and SBC provide unsubordinated short-term financing on a pro rata
basis for Cingular's ordinary course of business cash requirements based upon
Cingular's budget and forecasted cash needs. Borrowings bear interest at 1-Month
LIBOR plus 0.05% payable monthly. Borrowings from BellSouth under the revolving
credit line, including interest, were $668 at December 31, 2004 and $271 at
March 31, 2005.
Provision of Services
We also generate revenues from Cingular in the ordinary course of business for
the provision of local interconnection services, long distance services, sales
agency fees and customer billing and collection fees.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
Note E - INVESTMENTS AND ADVANCES TO CINGULAR (Continued)
Interest and Revenue Earned from Cingular
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
---- ----
Revenues $ 117 $ 174
Interest income on advances $ 57 $59
Interest income on advances is offset by a like amount of interest expense
recorded by Cingular and reported in our financial statements in the caption
"Net earnings (losses) of equity affiliates."
Receivables and payables incurred in the ordinary course of business are
recorded on our balance sheets as follows:
December 31, 2004 March 31, 2005
Receivable from Cingular $ 56 $66
Payable to Cingular $ 44 $46
NOTE F - OTHER ASSETS
Investment in and Advance to Sonofon
On February 12, 2004, we closed on a previously announced agreement to sell our
interest in Danish wireless provider, Sonofon, for 3.68 billion Danish Kroner to
Telenor ASA. We received 3.05 billion Danish Kroner, or $525, for our 46.5%
equity stake and 630 million Danish Kroner, or $109, for our shareholder loan
and accrued interest, reduced by a settlement of $17 associated with foreign
currency swap contracts. As a result of these transactions, we recorded a gain
of $462, or $295 net of tax, which included the recognition of cumulative
foreign currency translation gains of $13.
NOTE G - DEBT
Early Redemption
On January 18, 2005, we redeemed $400 of 40-year, 6.75% semi-annual interest
bonds, due October 15, 2033. The redemption price was 103.33% of the principal
amount, and resulted in recognition of a loss of $22, or $14 net of tax, which
includes $9 associated with fully expensing remaining discount and deferred debt
issuance costs.
Subsequent Event
On April 18, 2005, we called $300 of 40-year, 7.625% semi-annual interest bonds,
due May 15, 2035. The redemption price is 103.66% of the principal amount, and
will result in the recognition of a loss in the second quarter of 2005 of $20,
or $12 net of tax, which includes $9 associated with fully expensing remaining
discount and deferred debt issuance costs.
NOTE H - WORKFORCE REDUCTION AND RESTRUCTURING
Based on ongoing challenges in the telecom industry, we periodically initiate
workforce reductions and record charges for early termination benefits. We
announced the termination of approximately 200 positions during the first
quarter of 2005. Charges to earnings have been recognized in accordance with
provisions of SFAS No. 112, "Employer's Accounting for Postemployment Benefits"
(SFAS No. 112), and consisted primarily of cash severance and payroll taxes
under pre-existing separation pay plans.
The following table summarizes activity associated with the workforce reduction
and restructuring liability for the three months ended March 31, 2005:
Balance at December 31, 2004...... $ 25
Accruals.......................... 9
Cash Payments .................... (12)
Adjustments....................... (2)
--------
--------
Balance at March 31, 2005......... $20
--------
Adjustments to the accrual are due to estimated demographics being different
than actual demographics of employees that separated from the Company.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE I - EMPLOYEE BENEFITS PLANS
Substantially all of our employees are covered by noncontributory defined
benefit pension plans, as well as postretirement health and life insurance
welfare plans ("other benefits").
The following details pension and postretirement benefit costs included in
operating expenses (in cost of sales and selling, general and administrative
expenses) in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Income. Approximately
10% of these costs are capitalized to property, plant and equipment with labor
related to network construction. We account for these costs in accordance with
SFAS No. 87, "Employers' Accounting for Pensions" and SFAS No. 106, "Employers'
Accounting for Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions." Components of net
periodic benefit costs for the three months ended March 31 were as follows:
Pension Benefits Other Benefits
---------------- --------------
2004 2005 2004 2005
---- ---- ---- ----
Service cost ....................... $ 44 $ 52 $ 12 $ 31
Interest cost ...................... 174 147 108 146
Expected return on plan assets ..... (329) (322) (80) (84)
Amortizations:
Unrecognized net obligation ...... -- -- 25 18
Unrecognized prior service cost... (11) (10) 53 56
Unrecognized (gain) loss.......... 1 -- 20 26
---------- -------- ------- --------
Net periodic benefit cost (income).. (121) (133) 138 193
---------- -------- ------- --------
Employer Contributions
During the three months ended March 31, 2005, we made no contributions to our
pension plans and anticipate no funding for the remainder of 2005. During the
three months ended March 31, 2005, we have contributed $116 to fund other
benefits (primarily retiree medical) and expect to contribute approximately $335
to $385 of funding for other benefits during the remainder of 2005.
Cash Balance Pension Plan
In July 2003, a Federal district court in Illinois ruled that the benefit
formula used in International Business Machines Corporation's (IBM) cash balance
pension plan violated the age discrimination provisions of ERISA. The IBM
decision conflicts with decisions of at least two other district courts,
including most recently a June 2004 decision of the Federal district court in
Maryland in a case involving ARINC, Inc. Proposed regulations validating the
cash balance design have been withdrawn by the Treasury Department while
Congress considers legislative action to clarify the legal status of cash
balance plans under age discrimination rules. At this time, it is unclear what
effect, if any, these decisions or Congressional action may have on our
tax-qualified cash balance pension plans or our financial condition.
NOTE J - SEGMENT INFORMATION
We have three reportable operating segments: (1) Communications Group; (2)
Domestic Wireless; and (3) Advertising and Publishing. We own an approximate 40%
economic interest in Cingular Wireless, and share joint control of the venture
with SBC. We account for the investment under the equity method. For management
purposes we evaluate our domestic wireless segment based on our proportionate
share of Cingular's results. Accordingly, results for our domestic wireless
segment reflect the proportional consolidation of 40% of Cingular's results.
Beginning in the first quarter of 2005, BellSouth began to include various
corporate entities, the largest of which is the Information Technology Group, in
the Communications Group segment for financial reporting purposes. These
entities previously billed their costs to the Communications Group. This change
simplifies management reporting, is principally timing in nature and does not
affect the consolidated financial statements. Prior period segment operating
results were recast to reflect the reporting change.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE J - SEGMENT INFORMATION (Continued)
The following table provides information for each operating segment:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
-------------- ---------------
Communications Group
External revenues.................... $ 4,538 $ 4,593
Intersegment revenues ............... 26 25
-------------- ---------------
Total segment revenues........... $ 4,564 $ 4,618
Segment operating income ............ $ 1,187 $ 1,117
Segment net income .............. $ 697 $ 664
============== ===============
Domestic Wireless
External revenues ................... $ 1,587 $ 3,292
Intersegment
revenues........................... -- --
-------------- ---------------
Total segment revenues........... $ 1,587 $ 3,292
Segment operating income ............ $ 224 $ 88
Segment net income
(loss)......................... $ 59 $ (33)
============== ===============
Advertising and Publishing Group
External revenues ................... $ 479 $ 488
Intersegment revenues ............... 3 3
-------------- ---------------
Total segment revenues........... $ 482 $ 491
Segment operating income ............ $ 239 $ 231
Segment net income .............. $ 147 $ 141
============== ===============
RECONCILIATION TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
-------------- --------------
Operating revenues
Total reportable segments ........... $ 6,633 $ 8,401
Cingular proportional
consolidation...................... (1,587) (3,292)
South Carolina settlement ........... (50) --
Corporate, eliminations and other ... (20) (18)
-------------- --------------
Total consolidated .................. $ 4,976 $ 5,091
============== ==============
Operating income
Total reportable segments ........... $ 1,650 $ 1,436
Cingular proportional consolidation . (224) (88)
South Carolina settlement ........... (53) --
Restructuring charge................. (13) --
Corporate, eliminations and other ... (2) 4
-------------- ---------------
Total consolidated .................. $ 1,358 $ 1,352
============== ===============
Net Income
Total reportable segments ........... $ 903 $ 772
Net gain on sale of operations ...... 295 --
South Carolina settlement ........... (33) --
Restructuring charge................. (8) --
Wireless merger integration costs.... -- (21)
Early extinguishment of debt ........ -- (14)
Discontinued operations.............. 449 381
Corporate, eliminations and other ... (7) (54)
-------------- ---------------
Total consolidated................... $ 1,599 $ 1,064
============== ===============
The Cingular proportional consolidation shown above represents the amount
necessary to reconcile the proportional results of Cingular to GAAP results.
Reconciling items are transactions or events that are included in reported
consolidated results but are excluded from segment results due to their
nonrecurring or nonoperational nature.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
Note K - other comprehensive income
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) is comprised of the following
components:
December 31, March 31,
2004 2005
----------------- --------------
Cumulative foreign currency translation
adjustments $ (79) $ 2
Minimum pension liability adjustment (129) (129)
Net unrealized losses on derivatives (12) (5)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities 63 52
----------------- --------------
----------------- --------------
$(157) $ (80)
----------------- --------------
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) for our discontinued operations
included in the amounts above was $(77) as of December 31, 2004 and zero as of
March 31, 2005.
Total comprehensive income details are presented in the table below.
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
---- ----
Net Income $ 1,599 $ 1,064
Foreign currency translation:
Adjustments, net of tax of $182 and $0 113 13
Sale of foreign entities, net of tax of
$0 and $42 (13) 68
----------- --------------
100 81
----------- --------------
Deferred gains (losses) on derivatives:
Deferred gains (losses), net of tax of
$1 and $4 1 7
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)
losses included in net income, net of
tax of $0 3 --
----------- --------------
4 7
----------- --------------
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holdings gains (losses), net
of tax of $5 and $(5) 8 (10)
Reclassification adjustment for (gains)
losses included in net income, net of
tax of $1 and $(1) 2 (1)
----------- --------------
10 (11)
----------- --------------
Total comprehensive income $ 1,713 $ 1,141
----------- --------------
NOTE L - CONTINGENCIES
GUARANTEES
In most of our sale and divestiture transactions, we indemnify the purchaser for
various items including labor and general litigation as well as certain tax
matters. Generally, the terms last one to five years for general and specific
indemnities and for the statutory review periods for tax matters. The events or
circumstances that would require us to perform under the indemnity are
transaction and circumstance specific. We regularly evaluate the probability of
having to incur costs associated with these indemnifications and have accrued
for expected losses that are probable. In addition, in the normal course of
business, we indemnify counterparties in certain agreements. The nature and
terms of these indemnities vary by transaction. Historically, we have not
incurred significant costs related to performance under these types of
indemnities.
REGULATORY MATTERS
AT&T Prepaid Card
In February 2005, the FCC released an order finding that certain prepaid card
services of AT&T were telecommunications services. The FCC held that revenue
from the services would accordingly be subject to the same universal service
fund and switched access charges as were all other similarly situated
telecommunications services. AT&T has estimated in a securities filing that it
had "saved" approximately $160 in universal service fund contributions and $340
in access charges through use of the prepaid card services that were the subject
of the FCC decision. We believe that some of the improperly avoided access
charges should have been paid to us for the use of our network. AT&T has not
provided information sufficient for us to reasonably estimate access charge
payments we may be owed. In addition, AT&T has
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE L - CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
appealed the FCC decision. Accordingly, no revenue has been recognized with
respect to this matter in our consolidated financial statements.
Section 272 Claim
In December 2004, the FCC partially granted and otherwise dismissed claims
brought by AT&T in July 2004 that two optional discount special access tariffs
violated various provisions of the Communications Act. The FCC held that one of
the tariffs, the Transport Savings Plan, was unlawful under Section 272 of the
Act, which governs dealings between BST and our long distance affiliate. That
tariff, originally filed in 1999, provided an overlay discount for carriers that
accepted its terms, which included a five year commitment, a commitment for a
defined amount of spending on special access, and shortfall charges if
commitments were not met. The FCC held that the discount structure in the tariff
was insufficiently related to cost, and unduly favored a class of carriers
(including our long distance affiliate) with relatively lower volume special
access spending, and discriminated against carriers with relatively higher
volumes. The FCC dismissed the other claims associated with the Transport
Savings Plan, and dismissed all claims associated with the second tariff. We did
not agree with the FCC's finding, and appealed its decision to the D.C. Circuit
Court of Appeals. AT&T appealed the portions of the decision unfavorable to it.
In March 2005, as part of a broader commercial agreement, we resolved the July
2004 claims of AT&T. Also in March 2005, we filed a new tariff which provided
for customers to earn discounts similar to those under the Transport Savings
Plan. Each party continues to maintain its appeal of the FCC decision, the
outcomes of which are not expected to be material to our results of operations
or cash flows.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
Employment Claim
On April 29, 2002, five African-American employees filed a putative class action
lawsuit, captioned Gladys Jenkins et al. v. BellSouth Corporation, against the
Company in the United States District Court for the Northern District of
Alabama. The complaint alleges that BellSouth discriminated against current and
former African-American employees with respect to compensation and promotions in
violation of Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and 42 USC. Section 1981.
Plaintiffs purport to bring the claims on behalf of two classes: a class of all
African-American hourly workers employed by BellSouth Telecommunications at any
time since April 29, 1998, and a class of all African- American salaried workers
employed by BellSouth Telecommunications at any time since April 29, 1998 in
management positions at or below Job Grade 59/Level C. The plaintiffs are
seeking unspecified amounts of back pay, benefits, punitive damages and
attorneys' fees and costs, as well as injunctive relief. At this time, the
likely outcome of the case cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of
the amount of loss, if any, be made.
Securities and ERISA Claims
From August through October 2002, several individual shareholders filed
substantially identical class action lawsuits against BellSouth and three of its
senior officers alleging violations of the federal securities laws. The cases
have been consolidated in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia and are captioned In re BellSouth Securities Litigation.
Pursuant to the provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995, the court has appointed a Lead Plaintiff. The Lead Plaintiff filed a
Consolidated and Amended Class Action Complaint in July 2003 on behalf of two
putative classes: (1) purchasers of BellSouth stock during the period November
7, 2000 through February 19, 2003 (the class period) for alleged violations of
Sections 10(b) and 20 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and (2)
participants in BellSouth's Direct Investment Plan during the class period for
alleged violations of Sections 11, 12 and 15 of the Securities Act of 1933. Four
outside directors were named as additional defendants. The Consolidated and
Amended Class Action Complaint alleged that during the class period the Company
(1) overstated the unbilled receivables balance of its Advertising & Publishing
subsidiary; (2) failed to properly implement SAB 101 with regard to its
recognition of Advertising & Publishing revenues; (3) improperly billed
competitive local exchange carriers (CLEC) to inflate revenues; (4) failed to
take a reserve for refunds that ultimately came due following litigation over
late payment charges; and (5) failed to properly write down goodwill of its
Latin American operations. On February 8, 2005, the district court dismissed the
Exchange Act claims, except for those relating to the writedown of Latin
American goodwill. On that date, the district court also dismissed the
Securities Act claims, except for those relating to the writedown of Latin
American goodwill, the allegations relating to unbilled receivables of the
Company's Advertising & Publishing subsidiary, the implementation of SAB 101
regarding recognition of Advertising & Publishing revenues and alleged improper
billing of CLECs. The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages,
as well as attorneys' fees and costs. At this time, the likely outcome of the
case cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss, if any, be
made.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE L - CONTINGENCIES (Continued)
In February 2003, a similar complaint was filed in the Superior Court of Fulton
County, Georgia on behalf of participants in BellSouth's Direct Investment Plan
alleging violations of Section 11 of the Securities Act. Defendants removed this
action to federal court pursuant to the provisions of the Securities Litigation
Uniform Standards Act of 1998. In July 2003, the federal court issued a ruling
that the case should be remanded to Fulton County Superior Court. The Fulton
County Superior Court has stayed the case pending resolution of the federal
case. The plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of damages, as well as
attorneys' fees and costs. At this time, the likely outcome of the case cannot
be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss, if any, be made.
In September and October 2002, three substantially identical class action
lawsuits were filed in the United States District Court for the Northern
District of Georgia against BellSouth, its directors, three of its senior
officers, and other individuals, alleging violations of the Employee Retirement
Income Security Act (ERISA). The cases have been consolidated and on April 21,
2003, a Consolidated Complaint was filed. The plaintiffs, who seek to represent
a putative class of participants and beneficiaries of BellSouth's 401(k) plans
(the Plans), allege in the Consolidated Complaint that the company and the
individual defendants breached their fiduciary duties in violation of ERISA, by
among other things, (1) failing to provide accurate information to the Plans'
participants and beneficiaries; (2) failing to ensure that the Plans' assets
were invested properly; (3) failing to monitor the Plans' fiduciaries;
(4) failing to disregard Plan directives that the defendants knew or should have
known were imprudent and (5) failing to avoid conflicts of interest by hiring
independent fiduciaries to make investment decisions. The plaintiffs are seeking
an unspecified amount of damages, injunctive relief, attorneys' fees and costs.
Certain underlying factual allegations regarding BellSouth's Advertising &
Publishing subsidiary and its former Latin American operation are substantially
similar to the allegations in the putative securities class action captioned
In re BellSouth Securities Litigation, which is described above. At this time,
the likely outcome of the cases cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable
estimate of loss, if any, be made.
Antitrust Claims
In December 2002, a consumer class action alleging antitrust violations of
Section 1 of the Sherman Antitrust Act was filed against BellSouth, Verizon, SBC
and Qwest, captioned William Twombley, et al v. Bell Atlantic Corp., et al, in
Federal Court in the Southern District of New York. The complaint alleged that
defendants conspired to restrain competition by "agreeing not to compete with
one another and otherwise allocating customers and markets to one another." The
plaintiffs are seeking an unspecified amount of treble damages and injunctive
relief, as well as attorneys' fees and expenses. In October 2003, the district
court dismissed the complaint for failure to state a claim and the case is now
on appeal.
In June 2004, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit affirmed the
District Court's dismissal of most of the antitrust and state law claims brought
by a plaintiff CLEC in a case captioned Covad Communications Company, et al v.
BellSouth Corporation, et al. The appellate court, however, permitted a price
squeeze claim and certain state tort claims to proceed. At this time, the likely
outcome of the case cannot be predicted, nor can a reasonable estimate of loss,
if any, be made.
OTHER CLAIMS
We are subject to claims arising in the ordinary course of business involving
allegations of personal injury, breach of contract, anti-competitive conduct,
employment law issues, regulatory matters and other actions. BST is also subject
to claims attributable to pre-divestiture events, including environmental
liabilities, rates and contracts. Certain contingent liabilities for
pre-divestiture events are shared with AT&T Corp. While complete assurance
cannot be given as to the outcome of these claims, we believe that any financial
impact would not be material to our results of operations, financial position or
cash flows.
NOTE M - SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION
We have fully and unconditionally guaranteed all of the outstanding debt
securities of BellSouth Telecommunications, Inc. (BST), which is a 100% owned
subsidiary of BellSouth. In accordance with SEC rules, we are providing the
following condensed consolidating financial information. BST is listed
separately because it has debt securities, registered with the SEC, that we have
guaranteed. The Other column represents all other wholly owned subsidiaries
excluding BST and BST subsidiaries. The Adjustments column includes the
necessary amounts to eliminate the intercompany balances and transactions
between BST, Other and Parent and to consolidate wholly owned subsidiaries to
reconcile to our consolidated financial information.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE M - SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Statements of Income
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
---------------------------------------------------
BST Other Parent Adjustments Total
---------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues $4,188 $1,517 $ -- $ (729) $4,976
Total operating expenses 3,643 1,074 (6) (1,093) 3,618
--------- -------- --------- -------- -------
Operating income ......... 545 443 6 364 1,358
Interest expense ......... 124 6 139 (54) 215
Equity in earnings ....... 256 103 1,196 (1,451) 104
Other income (expense), net (1) 522 23 (18) 526
--------- -------- -------- -------- --------
Income before income taxes
and discontinued operations 676 1,062 1,086 (1,051) 1,773
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes 152 387 (64) 148 623
--------- -------- -------- ------- --------
Income from continuing
operations 524 675 1,150 (1,199) 1,150
Discontinued operations,
net of tax -- 449 449 (449) 449
-------- -------- --------- ------- --------
Net income (loss) $ 524 $1,124 $ 1,599 $(1,648) $ 1,599
-------- -------- --------- -------- --------
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
-------------------------------------------------
BST Other Parent Adjustments Total
-------------------------------------------------
Total operating revenues $ 4,190 $1,711 $ -- $ (810) $ 5,091
Total operating expenses 3,700 1,247 14 (1,222) 3,739
-------- -------- ------- ------- ----------
Operating income 490 464 (14) 412 1,352
Interest expense 118 -- 225 (52) 291
Equity in earnings 276 (78) 791 (1,069) (80)
Other income (expense), net (18) 48 57 (31) 56
-------- -------- ------- ------- ----------
Income before income taxes
and discontinued operations 630 434 609 (636) 1,037
Provision (benefit) for
income taxes ....... 121 148 (74) 159 354
-------- -------- ------- ------- ----------
Income from continuing
operations............ 509 286 683 (795) 683
Discontinued operations,
net of tax.............. -- 381 381 (381) 381
-------- -------- ------- ------- ----------
Net income (loss) ...... $ 509 $ 667 $ 1,064 $(1,176) $ 1,064
======== ======== ======= ======= ==========
Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
December 31, 2004 March 31, 2005
BST Other Parent Adjust- Total BST Other Parent Adjust- Total
ments ments
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents ..... $ 7 $ 405 $ 265 $ 3 $ 680 $ 5 $ 199 $ 275 $ 37 $ 516
Short-term investments ........ -- -- 16 -- 16 -- -- -- -- --
Accounts receivable, net ...... 75 1,005 2,918 (1,439) 2,559 65 1,056 3,226 (1,880) 2,467
Other current assets .......... 528 4,418 144 (3,714) 1,376 415 658 13 129 1,215
Assets of discontinued
operations .................. -- 1,068 -- -- 1,068 -- -- -- -- --
Total current assets .......... 610 6,896 3,343 (5,150) 5,699 485 1,913 3,514 (1,714) 4,198
Investments in and advances to
Cingular .................... -- 21,232 1,539 -- 22,771 -- 21,128 1,137 -- 22,265
Property, plant and equipment,
net ......................... 21,339 665 3 32 22,039 21,245 635 3 30 21,913
Deferred charges and other
assets ...................... 8,782 747 39,305 (41,434) 7,400 8,808 778 34,942 (37,016) 7,512
Intangible assets, net ........ 1,072 391 9 115 1,587 1,047 388 10 112 1,557
Total assets ..................$ 31,803 $ 29,931 $ 44,199 $(46,437) $ 59,496 $31,585 $24,842 $39,606 $(38,588) $57,445
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS'
EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Debt maturing within one year .$ 3,016 $ 15 $ 4,248 $(1,804) $ 5,475 $ 3,993 $ 68 $ 3,172 $ (3,084) $ 4,149
Other current liabilities ..... 3,941 1,165 4,905 (5,946) 4,065 3,070 1,402 763 (1,192) 4,043
Liabilities of discontinued
operations................... -- 830 -- -- 830 -- -- -- -- --
Total current liabilities ..... 6,957 2,010 9,153 (7,750) 10,370 7,063 1,470 3,935 (4,276) 8,192
Long-term debt ................ 3,704 107 11,874 (577) 15,108 3,280 105 11,849 (565) 14,669
Noncurrent liabilities:
Deferred income taxes ......... 5,063 1,735 (490) 184 6,492 4,983 1,683 (497) 182 6,351
Other noncurrent liabilities .. 2,974 791 596 99 4,460 3,037 768 643 109 4,557
Total noncurrent liabilities .. 8,037 2,526 106 283 10,952 8,020 2,451 146 291 10,908
Shareholders' equity........... 13,105 25,288 23,066 (38,393) 23,066 13,222 20,816 23,676 (34,038) 23,676
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity ........ $31,803 $29,931 $44,199 $(46,437) $59,496 $31,585 $24,842 $39,606 $(38,588) $57,445
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (Continued)
(DOLLARS IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS AND AS OTHERWISE INDICATED)
(Unaudited)
NOTE M - SUBSIDIARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION (Continued)
Condensed Consolidating Cash Flow Statements
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2004
BST Other Parent Adjustments Total
Cash flows from continuing operations:
Cash flows from operating activities ........ $ 1,233 $ 280 $ 988 $ (763) $ 1,728
Cash flows from investing activities ........ (653) 583 372 (697) (395)
Cash flows from financing activities ........ (552) (845) (760) 1,379 (778)
Cash flows from discontinued operations ....... -- (9) -- -- (9)
Net (decrease) increase in cash ............... $ 18 $ 9 $ 600 $ (81) $ 546
For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2005
BST Other Parent Adjustments Total
Cash flows from continuing operations:
Cash flows from operating activities ........ $ 1,563 $ 373 $ 451 $ (669) $ 1,718
Cash flows from investing activities ........ (716) (207) 1,210 273 560
Cash flows from financing activities ........ (849) (257) (1,651) 430 (2,327)
Cash flows from discontinued operations ....... -- (115) -- -- (115)
Net (decrease) increase in cash ............... $ (2) $ (206) $ 10 $ 34 $ (164)
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
For a more complete understanding of our industry, the drivers of our business
and our current period results, you should read the following Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in
conjunction with our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004 and our other filings with the SEC.
Overview
We are a Fortune 100 company with annual revenues of over $20 billion. Our core
business is wireline communications and our largest customer segment is the
retail consumer. We have interests in wireless communications through our
ownership of approximately 40% of Cingular Wireless (Cingular), the nation's
largest wireless company based on number of customers. We also operate one of
the largest directory advertising businesses in the United States. The great
majority of our revenues are generated based on monthly recurring services.
We operate much of our business in one of the country's strongest regional
economies, where the population is increasing, real income growth is outpacing
the national average and a diverse mix of businesses require advanced
information and communication technology solutions. The Southeast is a positive
net migration region, with net migration averaging almost 500 thousand annually.
The region's real income is expected to grow 10% to 15% faster than the national
average in the next five years.
INDUSTRY DYNAMICS
The communications industry has experienced a very difficult period of
contraction brought on by over-investment in the late 1990s that created
significant excess capacity with many companies competing for the same business.
Demand in the traditional voice business has been negatively impacted by the
proliferation of wireless services led by one-rate pricing plans that include a
large bucket of minutes and free roaming and long-distance, the popularity of
e-mail and instant messaging, technological advances such as cable and DSL, that
obviate the need for additional telephone lines. After a period of significant
growth in the 1990s, access lines, a key driver of our business, have declined
steadily since 2001.
Based on comparisons to penetration rates in other parts of the world, there is
still significant growth potential in the wireless market in the United States.
There are currently five national wireless companies engaging in aggressive
competition in a growing market. The intense competition has driven down
pricing, increased costs due to customer churn and increased wireless usage as
companies attempt to differentiate their service plans. Meanwhile, significant
capital is being invested in networks to meet increasing demand and to upgrade
capabilities in anticipation of the development of new data applications.
REGULATION AND COMPETITION
Our wireless and wireline businesses are subject to vigorous competition. In
addition, both are subject to regulation.
Because of changes to federal law in the early 1990s, our wireless business is
now subject to somewhat more rational regulation than our wireline business. The
legal changes generally preempted states from exercising any entry or rate
regulation on commercial mobile services, while allowing states to regulate
other terms and conditions. Our wireline business is subject to dual state and
federal regulation. The Telecommunication Act of 1996 produced additional
regulation of our wireline business. Since its passage, the FCC has pursued a
course of sharing (unbundling) our network with competitors, and has prescribed
a pricing policy (TELRIC) that does not permit fair cost recovery. The
unbundling rules have been invalidated by the courts on three separate
occasions, but not before the unbundling required by its invalid policies had
been generally implemented in our contracts with competitors.
In February 2005, the FCC released its Triennial Review Remand Order (TRRO),
which effectively eliminated UNE-P on a nation-wide basis (following a 1-year
transition period) and provided limited unbundling relief on high-capacity loops
and transport where certain competitive thresholds had been met. The TRRO became
effective on March 11, 2005. In response to this decision as well as previous
findings of the FCC and the courts, BellSouth has entered into commercial
agreements with over 100 competitors for services that replace UNE-P at
negotiated rates. In addition, the FCC is reviewing other regulations that
impact our business, including: the TELRIC methodology that underpins UNE
pricing rules for remaining UNEs; intercarrier compensation and access charge
reform; and regulation of voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP).
We also obtained some broadband freedom through a recent FCC decision not to
require unbundling of installations that bring fiber optic technology within 500
feet of a customer's premises. We equipped more than 100,000 homes with this
technology in 2004, and expect to continue deployments in 2005.
Despite these successes, our wireline business remains more regulated than
competing businesses that use cable or wireless technologies. We will
accordingly continue to encourage regulatory reform in every appropriate forum.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSITIONS
On October 26, 2004, Cingular completed its previously announced acquisition of
AT&T Wireless. Since the close, Cingular has had excellent success in the
marketplace, gaining over 2.8 million new customers. Its new advertising
campaigns combined with improvements in customer service and network coverage
are driving customer loyalty and growth. Customer churn has reduced appreciably,
integration efforts are well underway and we expect cost synergies to begin to
contribute to margin expansion later in 2005. This acquisition substantially
increases BellSouth's participation in the domestic wireless industry, bringing
wireless to 40 percent of our proportional revenues including Cingular.
On March 5, 2004, we signed an agreement with Telefonica Moviles, S.A., the
wireless affiliate of Telefonica, S.A., to sell all of our interests in our
Latin American operations. During October 2004, we closed on the sale of 8 of
the 10 properties: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Guatemala, Nicaragua,
Uruguay and Panama. During January 2005, we closed on the sale of the remaining
properties in Argentina and Chile.
HIGHLIGHTS AND OUTLOOK
Consolidated revenue growth is being driven by long distance and DSL services.
We added approximately 455,000 long distance customers in the first quarter of
2005 to total almost 6.5 million at March 31, 2005, while net new DSL subscriber
additions of 253,000 brought our total to over 2.3 million at March 31, 2005.
Access lines continued to decline during the first quarter of 2005 with retail
access lines down 61,000, which included positive business line growth of 6,000.
UNE-P access lines resold by BellSouth competitors were down 95,000 compared to
year-end 2004.
Our cost structure is heavily weighted towards labor and fixed asset related
costs. In order to sustain margins, we have to adjust our workforce as market
share of access lines shifts. Since the beginning of 2001, we have reduced our
domestic workforce by almost 18,000 employees, or 22%. Maintaining current
operating margin levels going forward will be challenging as competition
intensifies and we are forced to achieve continued increases in productivity.
This challenge was evident during the first quarter of 2005 as margins were down
70 basis points from the first quarter of 2004. While there have been some
encouraging developments on the regulatory front, there will be other events
such as increasing healthcare costs, continued loss of lines to wireless
substitution and the roll-out of Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) telephony
by cable providers that are likely to continue to put pressure on margins.
Cingular Wireless added more than 1.4 million customers in the first quarter of
2005, bringing its nationwide customer base to 50.4 million customers. Customer
churn improved to 2.2 percent in the first quarter of 2005. Revenue growth on a
pro forma basis exceeded 5 percent in the first quarter driven by subscriber
growth partially offset by a decline in pro forma average revenue per user.
Operating margins improved in the quarter as compared to the fourth quarter of
2004 due primarily to lower gross customer additions, increased revenues, and
lower customer service expense. First quarter operating margins were negatively
impacted sequentially due to the inclusion of expenses that were previously
reported in equity earnings prior to the termination of Cingular's joint venture
with T-Mobile.
Operating cash flow from continuing operations of $1,718 in the first quarter of
2005 was comparable to $1,728 in the first quarter of 2004. Capital expenditures
were $750 in the first quarter of 2005 and $635 in the first quarter of 2004.
The increase was driven by timing and investment in broadband infrastructure. In
the next two years, operating cash flow will be negatively impacted by higher
cash taxes as we see a reversal of the benefit derived in recent years
associated with legislated tax incentives that provided for accelerated
depreciation deductions that expired at the end of 2004.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Consolidated Results of Operations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Key financial and operating data for the three months ended March 31, 2004 and
2005 are set forth below. All references to earnings per share are on a diluted
basis. The discussion of consolidated results should be read in conjunction with
the discussion of results by segment directly following this section.
Following generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), our financial
statements reflect results for the Latin American operations as Discontinued
Operations. The operational results and the gain associated with the sale of the
Latin American businesses are presented on one line item in the income
statement.
For the Three Months
Ended March 31, Percent
2004 2005 Change
----------------------------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------
----------------------------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------
Results of operations:
----------------------------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------
----------------------------------------------- ----------- --------- ----------
Operating revenues $ 4,976 $5,091 2.3%
Operating expenses
Cost of services and products 1,798 1,920 6.8%
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses 909 894 -1.7%
Depreciation and amortization 898 918 2.2%
Provision for restructuring and asset
impairments 13 7 -46.2%
-- -
Total operating expenses 3,618 3,739 3.3%
Operating income 1,358 1,352 -0.4%
Interest expense 215 291 35.3%
Net (losses) earnings of equity affiliates 104 (80) -176.9%
Gain (loss) on sale of operations 462 -- *
Other income (expense), net 64 56 -12.5%
-- --
Income from continuing operations before
income taxes and discontinued operations 1,773 1,037 -41.5%
Provision for income taxes 623 354 -43.2%
--- ---
Income from continuing operations before
discontinued operations 1,150 683 -40.6%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations,
net of tax 449 381 -15.1%
--- ---
Net income $ 1,599 $ 1,064 -33.5%
======= ========
* Not meaningful
Operating Revenues
Consolidated operating revenues increased $115 in the first quarter of 2005
compared to the first quarter of 2004. Communications group revenues increased
$105 compared to first quarter 2004 reflecting growth in DSL and long distance
products partially offset by the impact of revenue declines associated with
competitive line losses and related pricing pressures. Revenues from DSL and
long distance combined increased $217 in first quarter 2005 compared to first
quarter 2004. In addition, first quarter 2004 was negatively affected by a $50
customer refund accrual associated with a settlement agreement with the South
Carolina Consumer Advocate. Revenue trends are discussed in more detail in the
Communications group and Advertising & Publishing group segment results
sections.
Operating Expenses
Total operating expenses increased $121 in first quarter 2005 compared to the
prior year. This increase was primarily driven by increased labor costs of $84,
which includes higher expense associated with pension and postretirement benefit
plans. As a result of the agreement with the CWA in the third quarter 2004, the
increase in contractual limits of the company-funded portion of retiree medical
costs (referred to as caps) created a substantive plan that is uncapped and
resulted in a significant increase in the benefit obligation. This obligation is
currently being recognized over the remaining years of future service to full
eligibility of active plan participants. Accordingly, current period expense is
higher than the corresponding prior year period in which the benefit obligation
was treated as a capped plan. The impact of workforce reductions was
substantially offset by annual wage increases. In addition to higher labor
costs, costs of goods sold increased $37, primarily for the provision of long
distance services associated with the growth in subscribers. First quarter 2005
also included $39 of charges for the Universal Service Fund related to a
one-time true up of prior year expense, increases in fund contribution rates and
a higher assessment base driven by growth in DSL. Higher depreciation and
amortization expense of $20 contributed to the year-over-year increase and was
attributable to additional capital spending since first quarter 2004 partially
offset by lower depreciation rates. These increases were partially offset by
lower uncollectible expense of $17 attributable to continued improvements in
economic conditions.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
Interest Expense
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005 Change
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
Interest expense - debt $ 200 $ 263 $ 63
Interest expense - other 15 28 13
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Total interest $ 215 $ 291 $ 76
-------------------------------- ------------ ------------ ------------
Average debt balances $ 13,211 $ 19,562 6,351
Effective rate 6.0% 5.4% (60) bps
------------ ------------ ------------
Interest expense increased $76 in first quarter 2005 compared to first quarter
2004. Interest expense associated with interest-bearing debt was up $63 for the
first quarter of 2005 compared to the first quarter of 2004 reflecting higher
average debt balances impacted by higher incremental borrowings associated with
our equity contributions to Cingular to fund its acquisition of AT&T Wireless.
The impact of the higher balances was partially offset by lower effective
interest rates due to interest rate swaps and refinancing higher-rate debt with
lower-rate debt. The change in interest expense-other relates primarily to the
reversal of interest accruals in the prior year related to tax contingencies
based on audit settlements.
Net earnings (losses) of equity affiliates
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2004 2005 Change
------------ -------------- ------------
------------ -------------- ------------
Cingular $ 95 $ (94) $ (189)
Other equity investees 9 14 5
------------ -------------- ------------
Total $ 104 $ (80) $ (184)
------------ -------------- ------------
Earnings from Cingular in first quarter 2005 were lower compared to first
quarter 2004 primarily due to significant growth in customers and the costs
related to that growth, as well as impacts from the AT&T Wireless acquisition,
which included integration costs. In addition, depreciation expense was higher
in 2005 driven by increased capital investments and a reduction in the useful
life of TDMA assets.
Gain (loss) on sale of operations
Gain on sale of operations in first quarter 2004 relates to the sale of our
interest in Danish wireless provider, Sonofon, for 3.68 billion Danish Kroner to
Telenor ASA. As a result of the sale, we recorded a gain of $462, or $295 net of
tax, which included the recognition of cumulative foreign currency translation
gains of $13.
Other income (expense), net
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005 Change
------------ ------------ ------------
Interest income $ 69 $ 63 $ (6)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt -- (22) (22)
Other, net (5) 15 20
------------ ------------ ------------
------------ ------------ ------------
Total Other Income (Expense), net $ 64 $ 56 $(8)
------------ ------------ ------------
Provision for income taxes
The provision for income taxes decreased $269 in first quarter 2005 compared to
the prior year period while the effective tax rate decreased to 34.1% in first
quarter 2005 from 35.1% in first quarter 2004. The lower rate in 2005 was
impacted by a year-over-year increase in the benefit associated with the
Medicare Part D subsidy which is treated as income for book purposes but is not
taxable. In addition, the first quarter of 2005 includes a reduction to deferred
income tax liabilities due to a change in state income tax rates. The rate in
first quarter 2004 was impacted by the sale of our Denmark operations and a true
up of taxes payable associated with divested operations.
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax, declined $68 in first
quarter 2005 compared to the same period in 2004. In first quarter 2005, we sold
the final two of the ten Latin American properties, which resulted in a $390
gain, net of tax. The first quarter 2004 income includes results from operations
on all ten properties, as well as a $424 tax benefit related to excess tax basis
over book basis in our Latin American investments.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Results by Segment
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our reportable segments reflect strategic business units that offer similar
products and services and/or serve similar customers. We have three reportable
operating segments:
o Communications Group;
o Domestic Wireless; and
o Advertising and Publishing Group.
Management evaluates the performance of each business unit based on net income,
exclusive of internal charges for use of intellectual property and adjustments
for unusual items that may arise. Unusual items are transactions or events that
are included in reported consolidated results but are excluded from segment
results due to their nonrecurring or nonoperational nature. In addition, when
changes in our business affect the comparability of current versus historical
results, we adjust historical operating information to reflect the current
business structure. See Note J to our consolidated financial statements for a
reconciliation of segment results to the consolidated financial information.
The following discussion highlights our performance in the context of these
segments. For a more complete understanding of our industry, the drivers of our
business, and our current period results, you should read this discussion in
conjunction with our consolidated financial statements, including the related
notes.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Communications Group
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Communications Group includes our core domestic businesses including: all
domestic wireline voice, data, broadband, e-commerce, long distance, Internet
services and advanced voice features. The Communications Group provides these
services to an array of customers, including residential, business and
wholesale. Beginning in the first quarter 2005, BellSouth began to include
various corporate entities, the largest of which is the Information Technology
Group, in the Communications Group segment for financial reporting purposes.
These entities previously billed their costs to the Communications Group. This
change simplifies management reporting, is principally timing in nature and does
not affect the consolidated financial statements. Prior period segment operating
results were recast to reflect the reporting change.
During first quarter 2005, the Communications Group continued to emphasize
interLATA long distance and FastAccess(R) DSL, encouraging customers to purchase
packages containing multiple telecommunications services. We also continued to
experience retail access line market share loss due to competition and
technology substitution, and we expect these overall trends to continue during
the remainder of 2005.
For the Three Months
Ended March 31, Percent
2004 2005 Change
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment operating revenues:
Voice $3,169 $3,159 -0.3%
Data 1,091 1,160 6.3%
Other 304 299 -1.6%
--- ---
Total segment operating revenues 4,564 4,618 1.2%
Segment operating expenses:
Cost of services and products 1,741 1,853 6.4%
Selling, general, and administrative
expenses 745 738 -0.9%
Depreciation and amortization 891 910 2.1%
--- ---
Total segment operating expenses 3,377 3,501 3.7%
Segment operating income 1,187 1,117 -5.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income 697 664 -4.7%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income including unusual items 655 650 -0.8%
Key Indicators (000s except where noted)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Switched Access Lines (1):
Residence Retail:
Primary 12,200 11,752 -3.7%
Additional 1,525 1,304 -14.5%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Retail Residence 13,725 13,056 -4.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Residential Wholesale:
Resale 160 133 -16.9%
UNE-P 1,963 1,886 -3.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Wholesale Residence 2,123 2,019 -4.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total residence 15,848 15,075 -4.9%
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
Key Indicators (continued) For the Three Months
Ended March 31, Percent
2004 2005 Change
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Retail 5,354 5,251 -1.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Business Wholesale:
Resale 67 60 -10.4%
UNE-P 714 737 3.2%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total wholesale business 781 797 2.0%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total business 6,135 6,048 -1.4%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Retail/Wholesale Lines (primarily
public) 104 96 -7.7%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total Switched access lines 22,087 21,219 -3.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSL customers (retail and wholesale) 1,618 2,349 45.2%
Retail long distance customers 4,596 6,470(2) 40.8%
Switched access and local minutes of
use (millions) 18,719 16,151 -13.7%
Retail long distance minutes of use 4,574 6,011 31.4%
Total access minutes of use (millions) 23,293 22,162 -4.9%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Capital expenditures $626 $ 742 18.5%
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1) Prior period operating data are often revised at later dates to reflect
updated information. The above information reflects the latest data
available for the periods indicated.
(2) Long distance subscribers have been restated to exclude 115,000 toll
blocked customers. These non-revenue generating customers have either
voluntarily decided to block long distance calling capabilities or have
been offered local calling capabilities only due to a lack of credit or
billing history.
Segment operating revenues
Communications Group revenues grew 1.2% in the first quarter of 2005 compared to
the same quarter of last year, driven by higher DSL and long distance customers
and improving access line trends. Revenues from data services increased 6.3
percent in the quarter, while voice revenues were down only 0.3 percent. Other
revenue fell 1.6 percent compared to first quarter 2004.
Voice
Voice revenues decreased $10 in the first quarter of 2005 compared to the same
period in 2004 driven primarily by continued access line loss partially offset
by the growth in interLATA long distance. Total switched access lines declined
868,000, or 3.9%, for the period. The access line decline was the result of
continued share loss and technology substitution, primarily wireless.
Wholesale lines, which consist primarily of unbundled network element --
platform (UNE-P) lines, totaled almost 2.9 million at March 31, 2005, down
78,000 lines year over year. When lines over which we provide retail services
are converted to UNE-P, we lose revenue and margin. As discussed under the
heading "Overview" above, the FCC recently abolished unbundled local switching,
the key component of UNE-P. As a result, we have reached commercial agreements
with more than 100 of our competitor-customers, placing more than 1.5 million
former UNE-P lines under contract at negotiated rates. We believe the change in
the regulatory environment influenced the loss of UNE-P lines.
In efforts to combat share loss, we continue to grow our package services.
BellSouth Answers(R) is our signature residential package offering, which
combines various wireline, wireless, Internet services and/or DIRECTV(R) digital
satellite television services. The package combines the Complete Choice calling
plan of local service and multiple convenience calling features with BellSouth
Long Distance, BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL or dial-up Internet, and Cingular
Wireless services. During 2004, we began offering DIRECTV(R) digital satellite
television service through all sales channels as part of the BellSouth
Answers(R) portfolio. This agency relationship with DIRECTV(R) provides us with
a key competitive product with insignificant cost or capital requirements. With
the addition of video, the BellSouth Answers(R) package is one of the most
comprehensive and competitively priced bundles in our markets today. We ended
first quarter 2005 with over 4.6 million residential packages, representing a
39% penetration of our retail primary line residence base. Almost 85% of Answers
customers have long distance in their package and over 45% have either DSL or
BellSouth dial-up Internet.
Long distance voice revenue increased $144 in first quarter 2005 when compared
to the same period in 2004, driven primarily by growth in interLATA and wireless
long distance. InterLATA retail revenues increased $125 reflecting continued
large market share gains driven by marketing efforts and the BellSouth Unlimited
Long Distance Plans. At March 31, 2005, we had nearly 6.5 million retail long
distance customers and a mass-market penetration rate of approximately 50% of
our
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
customer base. We also continued to grow our long distance offerings in complex
business. We recorded $31 in complex long distance voice revenue in first
quarter 2005 compared to $22 in the same period in 2004. Revenue from wholesale
long distance services provided to Cingular increased $15 when compared to first
quarter 2004. This increase was caused by higher volumes associated with the
proliferation of wireless package plans that include long distance partially
offset by slightly lower rates.
Switched access revenues declined $7 in first quarter 2005 when compared to the
same period in 2004 due to declines in volumes. Our entry into interLATA long
distance shifted switched access minutes from other carriers to our service,
resulting in a transfer from wholesale switched access revenues to retail long
distance revenue. Excluding our retail long distance traffic, switched access
and local minutes of use decreased 13.7% compared to first quarter 2004. The
decrease is due to access line losses and alternative communications services,
primarily wireless and e-mail.
Data
Data revenues increased $69 in first quarter 2005 when compared to the same
period in 2004. Data revenues were driven by strong growth from the sale of
BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL service partially offset by decreases in revenue
from other data products. Combined wholesale and retail DSL revenues of $293
were up $79 in first quarter 2005 when compared to first quarter 2004 due
primarily to a larger customer base. As of March 31, 2005, we had over 2.3
million DSL customers, an increase of 731,000 customers compared to March 31,
2004.
Retail data services grew 13.8% in first quarter 2005 when compared to the same
period in 2004 driven primarily by the growth from the sale of FastAccess DSL
service. BellSouth provides tiered DSL speeds and associated pricing to meet a
broad range of customer needs. BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL Ultra runs at
downstream connection speeds of up to 1.5 megabits. For customers who want
higher speeds, the Company offers BellSouth(R) FastAccess(R) DSL Xtreme,
delivering downstream speeds of up to 3.0 megabits and upload speeds of up to
384 kilobits. The Company also offers a lower speed version - BellSouth(R)
FastAccess(R) DSL Lite - that runs at downstream speeds of up to 256 kilobits.
We set a new record in the first quarter of 2005 with 253,000 DSL net customer
additions compared to 156,000 in the first quarter of 2004, a 62 percent growth
rate. Competitive promotional offers and reduced churn contributed to customer
growth in the first quarter of 2005. Retail DSL customer subscribers grew by
272,000, and were offset by a decline of 19,000 wholesale customers, as AOL
completed its exit from offering DSL-based Internet service in January. Revenue
from other retail data products was flat for first quarter 2005 when compared to
the same period in 2004.
Revenues from the sale of wholesale data transport services and wholesale DSL to
other communications providers, including long distance companies and CLECs,
declined 2.4% in the first quarter of 2005 when compared to the first quarter of
2004, due to AOL's exit from DSL-based Internet service, which caused
approximately half of the decline in wholesale data revenue. The remainder of
the decrease was due to declines in data transport sold to inter-exchange
carriers that were partially offset by revenue growth in transport sold to
wireless carriers.
Other
Other revenues decreased $5 in first quarter 2005 when compared to the same
period in 2004 reflecting a decline in revenues from wholesale long distance of
$23 due to lower volumes. This decline was substantially offset by increases in
equipment revenues of $6 driven by increased demand due to improved economic
conditions and customer upgrades to newer technology and increased sales
commissions of $10 related to customer additions under our sales agency
agreement with DIRECTV.
Segment operating expenses
Cost of services and products
Cost of services and products of $1,853 in first quarter 2005 increased $112
from first quarter 2004. The increase included $55 in labor due primarily to
increases in retiree medical costs and anuual wage increases, offset by
workforce reductions; $39 related to Universal Service Fund contributions
related to a one-time true up of prior year expense, increases in fund
contribution rates and a higher assessment base driven by growth in DSL; $37 in
costs of goods sold principally driven by higher volumes in long distance
services; and $20 in materials and supplies driven primarily by DSL modem cost
associated with customer growth. These increases were partially offset by a $17
decline in access fees in the first quarter 2005 due to lower volumes.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses of $738 in first quarter 2005
decreased $7 from first quarter 2004. This decrease reflects lower
uncollectibles expense of $26 driven by lower receivable write-offs attributable
to continued improvements in economic conditions. This decrease was partially
offset by an increase of $17 in labor costs driven by retiree medical benefits
and annual wage increases.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization expense increased $19 during first quarter 2005
when compared to the same period in 2004 reflecting increased capital spending,
partially offset by reduced depreciation rates under the group life method of
depreciation.
Unusual items excluded from segment net income
Unusual items that were excluded from this segment's net income consisted of the
following: for first quarter 2005, unusual items of $14 for the early
extinguishment of debt; for first quarter 2004, unusual items of $42 for the
South Carolina regulatory settlement and severance.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Domestic Wireless
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
We own an approximate 40 percent economic interest in Cingular, a joint venture
with SBC Communications. Because we exercise influence over the financial and
operating policies of Cingular, we use the equity method of accounting for this
investment. Under the equity method of accounting, we record our proportionate
share of Cingular's earnings in our consolidated statements of income. These
earnings are included in the caption "Net earnings (losses) of equity
affiliates." For management purposes, we evaluate our Domestic wireless segment
based on our proportionate share of Cingular's results. Accordingly, results for
our Domestic wireless segment reflect the proportional consolidation of
approximately 40 percent of Cingular's results and taxes at the parent level,
excluding unusual items.
On October 26, 2004, Cingular completed the acquisition of AT&T Wireless,
creating the largest wireless carrier in the United States based on revenues and
number of customers. The wireless industry continued its strong growth
trajectory during the first quarter of 2005. Despite continued industry
consolidation, competition continues to be intense, with five national
competitors. On a pro forma basis, Cingular's average revenue per user (ARPU)
declined 3.3 percent from first quarter 2004 to first quarter 2005, driven
primarily by lower revenue derived from voice services partially offset by
increased data-related revenues. Data revenue played an increasingly important
role in revenue composition in 2004 and early 2005, and those impacts are
expected to increase through the remainder of 2005.
In the first quarter of 2005, to be consistent with industry practices,
Cingular's income statement presentation was changed for the current and
prior-year periods to reflect, as revenues, the gross receipts tax and other
fees billed to customers and to reflect, as expenses, the taxes assessed by the
various state jurisdictions. The impact of this reclassification was an increase
in first-quarter revenue and expense of $16 for BellSouth's 40 percent share
reported in our wireless segment. Similar revenue and expense increases for the
same quarter a year ago were $10. Operating income and net income for all
periods were unaffected by this reclassification in income statement
presentation.
For the Three Months
Ended March 31, Percent
2004 2005 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment operating revenues:
Service revenues $ 1,433 $2,968 107.1%
Equipment revenues 154 324 110.4%
Total segment operating revenues 1,587 3,292 107.4%
Segment operating expenses:
Cost of services and products 594 1,375 131.5%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 548 1,159 111.5%
Depreciation and amortization 221 670 203.2%
Total segment operating expenses 1,363 3,204 135.1%
Segment operating income 224 88 -60.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income (loss) $ 59 $ (33) -155.9%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income (loss) including unusual
items $ 59 $ (54) -191.5%
Key Indicators (100% Cingular):
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cellular/PCS Customers (000s) 24,618 50,369 104.6%
Wireless service average monthly revenue per
customer - Cellular/PCS $ 48.30 $49.59 2.7%
Capital Expenditures $ 334 $ 971 190.7%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment operating revenues
During the first quarter 2005, Cingular had net additions of 1.4 million
customers, resulting in 50.4 million cellular/PCS customers on March 31, 2005.
This represents a growth of 25.8 million in Cingular's cellular/PCS customer
base from a year ago, including approximately 22 million customers Cingular
assumed in its acquisition of AT&T Wireless. Postpaid gross additions were 76%
of all gross additions, up from 71% in 2004.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
The first quarter cellular/PCS churn rate was 2.2%, down from a 2.7% churn rate
in the same period a year ago. Approximately 10 basis points of the reduction in
Cingular's churn rate resulted from operational improvement. The remaining
reduction in churn is attributable to Cingular's adoption of a new reseller
churn calculation methodology that is more comparable with its major competitors
and changes to conform churn calculation methodologies of Cingular and AT&T
Wireless.
Segment operating revenue grew $1,705 during the first quarter of 2005 as
compared to the same period of 2004 primarily as a result of the increased
revenue associated with Cingular's acquisition of AT&T Wireless in fourth
quarter of 2004. Wireless service revenue increased $1,535 quarter-over-quarter
primarily as a result of the AT&T Wireless acquisition. ARPU increased 2.7% to
$49.59 in the first quarter, up from $48.30 in the prior year quarter. Higher
ARPU was driven by higher customer usage and increased per unit contribution
from data services and increases in long distance and regulatory fee revenues.
Additionally, ARPU for the first quarter of 2005 reflects the ARPU of the
acquired AT&T Wireless customer base which in general had higher ARPUs than the
traditional Cingular customer base. Partially offsetting these increases was a
decline in the per user contribution from Cingular's monthly access charges and
airtime usage. Declines in per unit access and airtime charges were driven by an
increase in the number of customers on RollOver plans and also due to free
mobile to mobile minutes, which allow Cingular customers to call other Cingular
customers at no charge. Additionally, per unit access and airtime charges
decreased due to a larger embedded customer base on lower ARPU rate plans,
including FamilyTalk(R), more customers sold through resellers, and rate plans
that include larger buckets of minutes, thereby reducing billed minute overages.
Equipment sales contributed $170 of the increase in total operating revenue,
driven primarily by incremental revenue from higher unit sales reflecting a
90.7% increase in gross customer additions and increased upgrade sales as
Cingular migrated former AT&T Wireless customers to Cingular rate plans.
Partially offsetting this growth was an overall decline in the average revenue
per unit sold.
Segment operating expenses
Cost of services and products
Cost of services and products of $1,375 in first quarter 2005 increased $781
when compared to the same 2004 period. Cingular's systems expense growth was
driven by increased local network system costs associated with the acquired AT&T
Wireless network, including higher interconnection fees associated with a 133.8%
growth in system minutes of use; higher facilities related costs resulting from
the increase in cell sites and with maintaining additional duplicate TDMA and
GSM networks; and increased USF and regulatory fees from the increase in the
customer base and rate changes. Local network system cost also increased as a
result of the termination of Cingular's joint venture with T-Mobile, GSMF.
Additionally, higher equipment-related expenses quarter-over-quarter were driven
by increased gross additions and upgrade activity, partially offset by a decline
in the average cost per unit sold.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses
Selling, general, and administrative expenses of $1,159 in first quarter 2005
increased $611 when compared to first quarter 2004. The growth was primarily due
to the incremental expenses associated with the recently acquired AT&T Wireless
markets. Additionally, growth was also driven by volume through higher
advertising and promotions expenses, increased commissions expenses related to
the 90.7% increase in gross customer additions, an increase in upgrade
commissions, an increase in billing expenses, and expenses related to customer
retention and customer service improvement initiatives.
Depreciation and amortization
Depreciation and amortization increased $449 in first quarter 2005 when compared
to the same period in 2004. Depreciation expense for the first quarter of 2005
increased primarily due to incremental depreciation associated with the
property, plant and equipment acquired from the AT&T Wireless acquisition and
depreciation related to Cingular's on-going capital spending associated with its
GSM network. Additionally, depreciation expense increased over the prior year
period as a result of a reduction of the useful lives of certain TDMA and other
equipment, which increased BellSouth's share of depreciation expense by
approximately $40 during the first quarter of 2005. Intangibles amortization
expense for the first quarter of 2005 increased from the same period in 2004
primarily related to the purchase price valuation of customer contracts acquired
through the AT&T Wireless acquisition. This increase was partially offset by
certain historical Cingular finite-lived intangible assets becoming fully
amortized during 2004.
Unusual items excluded from segment net income
Unusual items that were excluded from this segment's net income consisted of the
following: for first quarter 2005, unusual items of $21 for wireless merger
integration costs. There were no unusual items excluded from first quarter 2004.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Advertising and Publishing Group
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Our Advertising and Publishing Group is comprised of companies in the US that
publish, print, and sell advertising in and perform related services concerning
alphabetical and classified telephone directories and electronic media
offerings.
In the first quarter of 2005, our Advertising and Publishing Group continued to
see the favorable impact from strategic initiatives implemented in 2004 and from
an improving economy, offset by continued competitive pressures.
For the Three Months
Ended March 31, Percent
2004 2005 Change
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment operating revenues $ 482 $491 1.9%
Segment operating expenses:
Cost of services and products 80 90 12.5%
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 156 163 4.5%
Depreciation and amortization 7 7 --
Total segment operating expenses 243 260 7.0%
Segment operating income 239 231 -3.3%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income $147 $ 141 -4.1%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment net income (loss) including unusual items $147 $ 141 -4.1%
Capital Expenditures $8 $ 9 12.5%
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Segment operating revenues
Segment operating revenues increased $9 from first quarter 2004 to first quarter
2005. The increase includes an improvement in print revenues as a result of
selling effectiveness and new products, and growing electronic media revenues.
Segment operating expenses
Cost of services and products increased $10 from first quarter 2004 to first
quarter 2005, primarily reflecting the impact of increased distribution volumes.
Selling, general, and administrative expenses increased $7 between periods,
primarily driven by increases in employee healthcare, pension and
post-retirement medical costs. Variable costs associated with selling also
increased as a result of higher revenues. Partially offsetting these increases
was a decline in uncollectible expense. The decrease reflects the impact of
improved collection performance between periods. Depreciation and amortization
expenses were flat between periods.
Unusual items excluded from segment net income
There were no unusual items excluded from this segment's net income.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Liquidity and Financial Condition
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Net cash provided by (used for):
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005 Change
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ------------------
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -------
Continuing Operations
Operating activities... $ 1,728 $ 1,718 (10) -0.6%
Investing activities... $ (395) $ 560 955 *
Financing activities... $ (778) $ (2,327) (1,549) *
Discontinued Operations $ (9) $ (115) (106) *
---------------------------- ----------- ----------- ---------- -------
*Not meaningful.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
CONTINUING OPERATIONS
Net cash provided by operating activities
Cash generated by operations decreased $10 during first quarter 2005 compared to
the prior year period. Operating income before depreciation and amortization
expense in the first quarter of 2005 was comparable to the first quarter of
2004. The decline in cash flows from operations was driven by higher interest
payments substantially offset by lower tax payments in first quarter 2005 as
compared to the first quarter of 2004.
Net cash used for investing activities
Capital expenditures
Capital expenditures consist primarily of (a) gross additions to property, plant
and equipment having an estimated service life of one year or more, plus
incidental costs of preparing the asset for its intended use, and (b) gross
additions to capitalized software. Our capital expenditures during first quarter
2005 of $750 and first quarter 2004 of $635 were incurred to support our
wireline network, to promote the introduction of new products and services and
to increase operating efficiency and productivity. The increase in capital
expenditures compared to the prior period relates primarily to the timing of
increased spending on broadband initiatives to meet increasing demand.
Other investing activities
During first quarter 2005, we received $919 in net proceeds from the sale of our
Latin American operations and $400 in repayments from Cingular on a revolving
line of credit.
During first quarter 2004, we received $525 for the sale of our investment in
Sonofon and $109 for the repayment of our shareholder loan and accrued interest,
reduced by a settlement of $17 associated with currency swap contracts. In
addition, we purchased and sold equity securities for a net cash expenditure of
$106 and purchased and sold short-term investments for a net cash expenditure of
$266.
Net cash used for financing activities
During first quarter 2005, we utilized cash from operations, sales proceeds, and
proceeds from debt issued in the fourth quarter 2004 to reduce short-term
borrowings by $1,093, pay down long-term debt by $669, and pay dividends of 27
cents per share totaling $494. In addition, we purchased 3 million shares of our
common stock for $77.
During first quarter 2004, we utilized cash from operations to reduce short-term
borrowings by $362 and pay dividends of 25 cents per share totaling $457.
DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
The following table represents cash flows from our discontinued operations:
For the Three Months
Ended March 31,
2004 2005
-------------------------------- -- ------------ ------------
Operating activities......... $ 69 $ 10
Investing activities......... $ (47) $ (125)
Financing activities......... $ (31) $ --
------------ ------------
------------ ------------
Total cash flows from
discontinued operations..... $ (9) $ (115)
-------------------------------- -- ------------ -- -- ------------
In first quarter 2005, we purchased $125 of third party Argentine debt in
connection with the sale of our Latin American properties.
In first quarter 2004, capital expenditures were $66. Distributions to minority
partners of $41 are included in first quarter 2004, offset by net proceeds of
$19 related to the purchase and sale of equity securities and $10 for net debt
borrowings and repayments.
Anticipated sources and uses of funds
General
The Communications Group and Advertising & Publishing Group generate
substantially all of our consolidated cash provided by operating activities.
These segments generate sufficient cash flow to fund their investing and
financing activities. Should other investing opportunities arise, we believe we
are well positioned to raise capital in the public debt markets.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
The objective of our Board of Directors is to maintain a competitive dividend.
They evaluate the cash dividend on a quarterly basis and make decisions
regarding the dividend within the context of long-term free cash flow
projections.
At March 31, 2005, our long-term debt rating was A2 from Moody's Investor
Service and A from Standard and Poor's. Our short-term debt rating at March 31,
2005 was P-1 from Moody's and A-1 from Standard and Poor's. Moody's outlook on
both our short and long-term ratings remains negative. The reasons cited were
our expanded competitive challenges in the wireline business which could erode
our ability to reduce debt levels as planned and the possibility of lower
earnings and cash flow at Cingular if the AT&T Wireless integration is more
expensive and time consuming than anticipated. Standard and Poor's also has a
negative outlook on our long-term debt rating. The reasons given are increasing
competition in our wireline business from the cable television companies, which
could drive down pricing and squeeze operating margins, and near term pressures
from the integration of AT&T Wireless.
Our authorized commercial paper program as of March 31, 2005 was $10.5 billion,
with $2.2 billion outstanding. We believe that we have ready access to the
commercial paper market in the event funding in excess of our operating cash
flows is needed. We also have a registration statement on file with the SEC
under which $3.1 billion of long-term debt securities could be issued. Our
sources of funds -- primarily from operations and, to the extent necessary, from
readily available external financing arrangements -- are sufficient to meet all
current obligations on a timely basis. We believe that these sources of funds
will be sufficient to meet the operating needs of our business for at least the
next twelve months.
Domestic Wireless
BellSouth and SBC provide unsubordinated short-term financing on a pro rata
basis for Cingular's ordinary course of business cash requirements based upon
Cingular's budgeted and forecasted cash needs. Cingular has terminated its bank
credit facilities and no longer issues commercial paper or long-term debt. As of
March 31, 2005, we had advances to Cingular, including interest, under the line
of credit of $271.
Cash management
BellSouth's primary source of cash flow is dividends from its subsidiaries.
Generally, we do not permit our subsidiaries to accumulate cash, requiring them
to pay out either net income or cash flow available in the form of dividends.
Any funding requirements for wholly owned domestic subsidiaries are fulfilled by
BellSouth Corporation.
Debt instruments
BellSouth and BellSouth Telecommunications currently have debt outstanding under
various indentures that we have entered into over the past twelve years. None of
these indentures contain any financial covenants. They do contain limitations
that restrict the Company's (or the affiliate of the company that is a party to
the indenture) ability to create liens on their properties or assets (but not
the properties or assets of their subsidiaries) except in specified
circumstances. None of these indentures contains any provisions that are tied to
the ratings assigned to the company or its affiliates by an external debt rating
agency. Further, none of these indentures contains cross-default provisions.
On October 4, 2004, we entered into a syndicated credit agreement that provided
for lender commitments in the aggregate principal amount of $9.0 billion. As of
March 31, 2005, lender commitments under the agreement had been reduced to
approximately $2.0 billion. In addition, we had a syndicated line of credit in
the amount of $1.5 billion. Both the syndicated credit agreement and the
syndicated line of credit served as backup facilities for our commercial paper
program. The syndicated line of credit expired on April 29, 2005. Effective
April 29, 2005, we entered into a new syndicated line of credit in the amount of
$3.0 billion, and we terminated the remaining $2.0 billion lender commitments
under the October 4, 2004 credit agreement. The new $3.0 billion line of credit
will expire on April 29, 2008.
Except as described in this paragraph, the syndicated line of credit contains no
financial covenants or requirements for compensating balances. Further, the line
of credit does not contain any provisions that are tied to the ratings assigned
to us or our affiliates by an external debt rating agency. The line of credit
provides that the debt of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries is not
permitted to exceed 300% of consolidated earnings before interest, taxes,
depreciation and amortization for the preceding four quarters. In addition, the
line of credit prohibits the Company and its significant subsidiaries from
permitting liens to be placed on their properties or assets except in specified
circumstances. If BellSouth or any of our subsidiaries defaults on any
outstanding debt in excess of $200, an event of default will occur under the
line of credit.
(Dollars in Millions, Except Per Share Amounts and as Otherwise Indicated)
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Market Risk
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For a complete discussion of our market risks, you should refer to the caption
"Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk" in our annual report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2004. Our primary exposure to
market risks relates to unfavorable movements in interest rates. We do not
anticipate any significant changes in our objectives and strategies with respect
to managing such exposures.
In order to limit our risk from fluctuations in interest rates, we enter into
interest rate swap agreements to exchange fixed and variable rate interest
payment obligations without the exchange of the underlying principal amounts. In
the first quarter of 2005, we entered into an additional interest rate swap,
bringing the total notional value of our fair value hedges to $1,500 as of March
31, 2005. Subsequent to the first quarter of 2005, we entered into an additional
fair value interest rate swap with a notional value of $100.
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Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Aggregate Contractual Obligations
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other than as set forth below, there are no material changes with respect to
off-balance sheet arrangements and aggregate contractual obligations as
presented in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31,
2004.
In most of our sale and divestiture transactions we indemnify the purchaser for
various items including labor and general litigation as well as certain tax
matters. Generally, the terms last one to five years for general and specific
indemnities and for the statutory review periods for tax matters. The events or
circumstances that would require us to perform under the indemnity are
transaction and circumstance specific. We regularly evaluate the probability of
having to incur costs associated with these indemnifications and have accrued
for expected losses that are probable. In addition, in the normal course of
business, we indemnify counter parties in certain agreements. The nature and
terms of these indemnities vary by transaction. Historically, we have not
incurred significant costs related to performance under these types of
indemnities.
We do not have transactions, arrangements or relationships with "special
purpose" entities, and we do not have any off-balance sheet debt.
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Operating Environment
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Economic Trends
Real gross domestic product (GDP), which increased at an average annual rate of
3.8 percent in the fourth quarter of 2004, grew 4.4 percent in 2004, the best
growth since 1999. Real personal consumption growth was at an annual rate of 4.2
percent in the fourth quarter and 3.8 percent for 2004. Fixed investment
spending by businesses accelerated to an annual rate of 14.5 percent in the
fourth quarter. It was up 10.6 percent for the year overall. Residential fixed
investment spending was also strong in 2004, growing 9.6 percent. Real GDP
growth was reduced by an increase in imports throughout the year. Economic
growth decelerated to an annual rate of 3.1 percent in the first quarter,
according to the advance estimate of first quarter GDP. Personal consumption and
business fixed investment increased at a more modest pace and imports continued
to grow strongly. Employment growth, slow earlier in the year, improved in the
fourth quarter of 2004 and in the first quarter of 2005. The economy added 2.2
million jobs in 2004, the best job growth since 1999. The nation's unemployment
rate at the end of the first quarter of 2005 was 5.2 percent, down from 5.4
percent in the fourth quarter of 2004. The GDP deflator, a broad measure of
inflation, increased at an annual rate of 2.3 percent in the fourth quarter,
lifting inflation for the year to 2.2 percent. Concerned with inflation, the
Federal Reserve raised short-term interest rates during the second half of 2004
and first quarter of 2005 and will likely continue to raise rates throughout
2005. The economy is expected to expand at a more modest, but still healthy,
pace in 2005.
On average, the economy of the nine-state region tends to closely track the US
economy. Paced by Florida, growth rates have tended to be faster in the South
Atlantic states. The region has experienced strong net migration for several
years, a trend that is likely to be sustained. Residential construction activity
has been strong as a result. Housing starts surged in 2004, reaching 592,000,
easily exceeding 2003's robust level of 533,000. Microsoft's dividend payout
boosted the region's real personal income growth to an annual rate of 7.9
percent during the fourth quarter and 3.7 percent for 2004 overall. Employment
in the region in the fourth quarter grew at an annual rate of 1.4 percent. It
was up 1.7 percent for the year overall. The region's unemployment rate was 5.2
percent in the fourth quarter of 2004. The disruption to economic activity that
was caused by four hurricanes that hit the region in 2004 was concentrated in,
although not confined to, Florida's economy, the largest in the region.
Rebuilding continues early in 2005. The region's economy is expected to expand
at a moderate pace in 2005.
Legal Matters
We are involved in numerous legal proceedings associated with state and federal
regulatory matters. While complete assurance cannot be given as to the outcome
of these matters, we believe that any financial impact would not be material,
individually or in the aggregate, to our results of operations, financial
position or cash flows. See Note L to our consolidated interim financial
statements.
Item 3. Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosures About Market Risk
See the caption labeled "Market Risk" in Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that
information required to be disclosed in our Exchange Act reports is recorded,
processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the
SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated
to the management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial
Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required
disclosure. Management necessarily applied its judgment in assessing the costs
and benefits of such controls and procedures, which, by their nature, can
provide only reasonable assurance regarding management's control objectives. We
also have investments in certain unconsolidated entities. As we do not control
or manage these entities, our disclosure controls and procedures with respect to
such entities are necessarily more limited than those we maintain with respect
to our consolidated subsidiaries.
The Company's management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief
Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure controls can prevent all
errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived and
operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the
objectives of the control system are met. There are inherent limitations in all
control systems, including the realities that judgments in decision-making can
be faulty, and that breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake.
Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of one or more
persons. The design of any system of controls also is based in part upon certain
assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and, while our disclosure
controls and procedures are designed to be effective under circumstances where
they should reasonably be expected to operate effectively, there can be no
assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all
potential future conditions. Because of the inherent limitations in any control
system, misstatements due to error or fraud may occur and not be detected.
As of the end of the period covered by this report, we carried out an
evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of management,
including the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial Officer, of
the effectiveness, of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and
procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(b) and 15d-15(b). Based upon
the foregoing, the Chief Executive Officer along with the Chief Financial
Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective at
providing reasonable assurance that all material information relating to
BellSouth (including consolidated subsidiaries) required to be included in our
Exchange Act reports is reported in a timely manner. In addition, based on such
evaluation we have identified no change in our internal control over financial
reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter covered by this report that
has materially affected or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
Cautionary Language Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
In addition to historical information, this document contains forward-looking
statements regarding events, financial trends and critical accounting policies
that may affect our future operating results, financial position and cash flows.
These statements are based on our assumptions and estimates and are subject to
risks and uncertainties. For these statements, we claim the protection of the
safe harbor for forward-looking statements provided by the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
There are possible developments that could cause our actual results to differ
materially from those forecast or implied in the forward-looking statements. You
are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements,
which are current only as of the date of this filing. We disclaim any intention
or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events or otherwise.
While the below list of cautionary statements is not exhaustive, some factors,
in addition to those contained throughout this document, that could affect
future operating results, financial position and cash flows and could cause
actual results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking
statements are:
o a change in economic conditions in the markets where we operate or have
material investments which could affect demand for our services;
o the impact and the success of Cingular Wireless, our wireless joint
venture with SBC, including marketing and product development efforts,
technological changes and financial capacity;
o Cingular Wireless' failure to realize, in the amounts and within the
timeframe contemplated, the capital and expense synergies and other
financial benefits expected from its acquisition of AT&T Wireless as a
result of technical, logistical, regulatory and other factors;
o changes in laws or regulations, or in their interpretations, which
could result in the loss, or reduction in value, of our licenses,
concessions or markets, or in an increase in competition, compliance
costs or capital expenditures;
o continued pressures on the telecommunications industry from a
financial, competitive and regulatory perspective;
o the intensity of competitive activity and its resulting impact on
pricing strategies and new product offerings;
o changes in the federal and state regulations governing the terms on
which we offer retail and wholesale services;
o continued successful penetration of the interLATA long distance market;
o the impact on our business of consolidation in the wireline and
wireless industries in which we operate;
o the issuance by the Financial Accounting Standards Board or other
accounting bodies of new accounting standards or changes to existing
standards;
o changes in available technology that increase the impacts of technology
substitution;
o higher than anticipated start-up costs or significant up-front
investments associated with new business initiatives;
o the outcome of pending litigation; and
o unanticipated higher capital spending from, or delays in, the
deployment of new technologies.
PART II -- OTHER INFORMATION
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
The following table contains information about our purchases of our equity
securities during the first quarter of 2005.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Total Number of Approximate
Shares Purchased Dollar Value
Total Number Average as Part of a that May Yet Be
of Shares Price Paid Publicly Purchased Under
Period Purchased (1) per Share Announced Plan the Plan
------ ------------ ---------- ---------------- ---------------
January 1-31, 2005 1,202 $26.78 -- --
February 1-28, 2005 -- -- -- --
March 1-31, 2005 3,139,174 $26.21 -- --
-------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------------- ---------------
Total 3,140,376 $26.21 -- --
-------------------- ------------ ---------- ---------------- ---------------
(1) Represents 191,276 shares purchased from employees to pay taxes related
to the vesting of restricted shares, at an average price of $26.03, and
2,949,100 shares purchased from the external markets at an average price
of $26.22. Excludes shares purchased from employees to pay taxes related
to the exercise of stock options.
Item 6. Exhibits
Exhibit
Number
-------------
4a No instrument which defines the rights of holders of our long-
and intermediate-term debt is filed herewith pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this
regulation, we agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to
the SEC upon request.
10bbb Form of 2005 Ownership Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant
to BellSouth Executive Stock Ownership Program.
11 Computation of Earnings Per Common Share.
12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31a Section 302 certification of F. Duane Ackerman.
31b Section 302 certification of Ronald M. Dykes.
32 Statement Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
SIGNATURE
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.
BELLSOUTH CORPORATION
By /s/ Pat Shannon
PAT SHANNON
Senior Vice President - Finance and Controller
(Principal Accounting Officer)
May 4, 2005
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
Number
-------------
4a No instrument which defines the rights of holders of our long-
and intermediate-term debt is filed herewith pursuant to
Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(4)(iii)(A). Pursuant to this
regulation, we agree to furnish a copy of any such instrument to
the SEC upon request.
10bbb Form of 2005 Ownership Restricted Stock Award Agreement pursuant
to BellSouth Executive Stock Ownership Program.
11 Computation of Earnings Per Common Share.
12 Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.
31a Section 302 certification of F. Duane Ackerman.
31b Section 302 certification of Ronald M. Dykes.
32 Statement Required by 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant
to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.